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Ayurveda is the holisitic system of medicine native to India. Many say that it is a revealed tradition, passed down by the gods. Although this revelation is important, even more germane is the ability to tap into one's own intuition, to find one's inner revelation. I believe, at its heart, that ... Views: 1256
If we look at the purpose of yoga and understand it in its spiritual context, we could distill it as 'opening the body, at the physical and subtle levels'. In this process of opening what is held within these different levels, the holding and in fact what creates the holding itself, is released. ... Views: 980
In a yoga practice we create energy and move into difficult poses by engaging and lifting our muscles. While this is helpful for yoga asana, lifting these muscles consistantly will result in strain. Muscle strain produces injury.
Chloe Wing, a senior teacher of the Alexander technique in New ... Views: 1518
Om annapurnayai namaha; Om sadapurnayai namaha
O Mother, you love to feed your children with the healthy, nourishing food that flows constantly from your abundance
When I decided to start a blog about spiritual lifestyle, I knew that one of the topics I wanted to focus on was that of diet ... Views: 1660
The cover headline of AM New York newspaper reads today, “Need for Greed”. The article that follows discusses about the bonuses given to AIG executives, Citigroup’s multimillion office renovations, and how greed plays itself out in these big companies, for these big people.
But what about ... Views: 1042
Yoga has long been known to increase flexibility and reduce stress while uniting your body, mind, and spirit. But does all that “OM”-ing and bending have a significant impact on weight loss?
Losing weight is simple in theory, but much more challenging in practice. To lose weight, a person ... Views: 1538
Imagine your body and mind like the string of a cello. An energetic pull on that string from it's base to its scrolling top, will make lovely music. Same with you! If you have energetic balance in your yoga, someone could run a bow along you, and your sound would be rich and full. If you are ... Views: 1078
Life is a Yajna. Life also has a priest, demi-god and other paraphernalia. Scriptural scholars have correlated all this. While giving a special description of Kundalini Yajna the Mundakopanishad says (2/1/9) :
Great souls have emerged from it. The 7 flames of fire are emitted from it. ... Views: 2063
Today is a day I leave the beautiful island of Maui and head back to the Boston area. It is always hard to leave such a beautiful place. I am very grateful for the time that I spend in Maui. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.
Travel is a blessing as when we travel we ... Views: 978
I've been teaching Bumblebee breathing a lot lately. I'm not exactly sure why. Maybe springtime inspiration? Or by the plight of the honey bee?
There have been some funny reactions in my classes: all out laughter, a sudden opening of the body and mind to chant Om, the sense that the room was ... Views: 2056
The chief aim of Indian Yoga practices is to attain Jeevan-Mukti (liberated in life). If we study the evolution process of all creatures of the world, man is said to be at the top rung of the ladder. This is because he has those powers of wisdom and discrimination (Vivek) which helps him jump ... Views: 2449
We know that Karma Yoga is mentioned in the Ishavasya Upanishad and the Bhagavad-Gita, but for so many students outside of India are quite unfamiliar with it. If you ask a class filled with students about the definition of Karma Yoga you will be quite lucky to get an answer. Karma Yoga is ... Views: 928
Martin Luther King was a natural yogi, as is President Obama. When your activity is for the benefit of others, and your intention and heart is pure, then you are truly yogic. As Martin Luther King said: Everybody can be great... because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree ... Views: 864
A few thoughts on vacation through the eyes of yoga:
1. Change what surrounds you, and then, "Who are you!?" in this new place.
2. Because everything is constantly changing; changing our locale floats on that swelling wave.
3. The universe is vast, and we are small.
4. Our eyes are much bigger ... Views: 941
Are you intimidated by doing yoga. I am!
I realized today that it has been over 3 years since I took a yoga class. I blogged about my last yoga class on October 4, 2005! The original blog is below...
Undoubtedly, yoga is good for us on so many levels. But the performance anxiety gets me ... Views: 811
Whenever you hear the word ‘yoga’ the association of relaxation pops into the mind. Yoga was originated way back in the era of the Indus Valley Civilization. The word yoga comes from the dictionary of Sanskrit and implies unity. Yoga gained its importance as it concentrated not only on the ... Views: 798
Recently, I received the following pointed inquiry from a pal: I need some advice on how to relax a mind that over-thinks.
Hmmm. Let's see . . . Have you thought about illegal substances? How about gratuitous sex with strangers? Perhaps you might try copious amounts of good, old-fashioned ... Views: 3692
The Pali Canon is greatly debated by historians and followers alike. Some believe it is the exact words of Buddha from the fifth century B.C., transferred in the oral tradition for many centuries and finally transcribed to written form. Others believe it has additions and deletions by followers ... Views: 1776
There is an experience called the Kundalini that occurs when you reach a higher level of spiritual discipline, although, sometimes it occurs spontaneously. It’s an awakening of the energy that lies at the base of the spine and means snake in Sanskrit. Those that experience this awakening find ... Views: 3110
I have a friend named Annie. She was my roommate two times (!) in college. During the second time, I realized that she was a natural born yogi, no Asana practice necessary.
When she did her homework, she did it. When she watched TV or goofed off or whatever, she did that too. She wasn't worried ... Views: 946
Sanskrit Mantras are sound formulas that echo the language of Creation, ranging from single-syllable “seed sounds” to more extensive, lengthy compilations of sounds designed to have specific effects. We have been told that “In the beginning there was The Word…” and the scriptures from many world ... Views: 5928
Along the highways of Burma there is placed, at regular distances away from the dust of the road, and under the cool shade of a group of trees, a small wooden building called a “rest-house”, where the weary traveller may rest a while, and allay his thirst and assuage his hunger and fatigue by ... Views: 1523
Yoga can be used as a way to correct muscle imbalances that occur from prolonged sitting or from overdeveloping the muscles on the front body. It is also an ideal method of strengthening and stretching for those with scoliosis.
Scoliosis is a common condition that can be either mild or severe ... Views: 1451
When we think of fitness, we think of strong muscles and a strong heart that recovers quickly from vigorous exercise. Another aspect of fitness that is often overlooked is flexibility
Many of us spend significant time sitting at a computer. As a result, we end up with muscle imbalances, like ... Views: 1568
I have always been an overachiever. Growing up in a difficult family situation , I thought that I could control the chaos by being the perfect child. I did my chores, got high marks, involved myself in as many activities as I could, was a confidante to my mother and whoever else needed to ... Views: 1543
(This article was written on the one-year anniversary of my yoga therapy business.)
What I have learned after one year of being in business:
1. No experience is wasted. I have worked a variety of jobs in my life, from the very mundane to the creative and complex, making an excellent salary ... Views: 1407
The 7 chakras of our body are arranged starting from the first root chakra up to the seventh top chakra which is located at the highest point on the top of our head. The seven energy centers are the root chakra or Muladhara, Swadhisthana, solar plexus or Manipura, Anahata, throat chakra or ... Views: 2011
Everything you experience, see, hear, touch, smell, taste, think, anticipate, remember, every emotion you feel, everything you have or will ever experience, is experienced in your mind. Meditation is a discipline that teaches one how to control consciousness, rather than be controlled by it. ... Views: 1493
Mantra can be a very powerful tool to align the chakra system through the power of vibration. It puts the power of the body behind the intention of the mind. Om is the universal mantra, often described as the universal sound current. It is a "one size fits all" kind of mantra. Anyone can chant ... Views: 3157
Yoga and Taoist practices share many similar techniques and paradigms while also having both subtle and dramatic differences. Each is a master system for human evolution abundant with complex subtleties that have developed over millennia. To try to concisely compare these practices is difficult ... Views: 4987
Have your feelings of chi from Tai Chi or Qigong diminished over time? Are you feeling chi less intensely now than when you started learning?
Students often find that their first lessons in Tai Chi and Qigong bring strong sensations of chi. But over time, these sensations diminish or even ... Views: 1827
Do you have pain or injuries that prevent you from progressing in Tai Chi and Qigong? Are injuries stopping you from getting benefits from your practice?
Recently, Matthew, one of our ChiFusion students, and I had a discussion our ChiFusion Tai Chi Support Forum.
Matthew has had previous knee ... Views: 4309
While some people practice Tai Chi and Qigong just for the fun of it, most of us practice with a purpose in mind.
We may want to improve our health, or relieve stress, or become more fit. We may want to recover from an illness or disease, or become more balanced and flexible, or just to bring ... Views: 2452
What is the diffrence between Red and White Tantra?
The short answer is that Red Tantra is focused on sensuality and sexuality, while White Tantra is more oriented towards a spiritual approach. There is also Black Tantra which is obsessed with power and its permutations, e.g., siddhis, ... Views: 27399
Let’s face it, the United States is a drug culture. 14 million Americans use substances such as marijuana, PCP, and cocaine. 104 million Americans drink alcohol, and 65.5 million use tobacco.* Almost everyone will be afforded the opportunity to use pharmaceutical drugs, many of which also have ... Views: 3464
Huna came from the Polynesian beliefs, but it is not their religion. It is, instead, a Western interpretation from Max Freedom Long in 1936 of the belief system of the Hawaiians. The words, including Huna, were adapted by Long to aid in his explanation. The Hawaiians have no formal name for the ... Views: 1532
There are hundreds of yoga classes across the United States. Doctors agree that yoga is a great exercise for the body, but did you know it not only aids the spirit but also increases psychic abilities. Some of the great Yoga masters perform amazing feats that range from stopping their hearts and ... Views: 3714
Sirsasana meaning headstand is considered to be one of the most important yoga poses. Sirsasana is known as "the queen of poses", and the reason relates to the effect it has on the brain and mind. The inversion of this pose causes increased and unrestricted blood flow to the brain. This brings ... Views: 8273
I had taken yoga in the past to help heal some injuries. I would always do some form of yogic exercise to help with my back, but it had been years since I had taken an actual class. These days I was spending so much time at the gym though and I was getting bored. I needed to find something ... Views: 1080
This article is an excerpt from "Tendon Nei Kung" and taken from the website www.innertraditions.com
Chapter 5
Tendon Nei Kung Forms
The Eight Hand and Arm Positions of
Tendon Nei Kung
Once the basic structure of the Tendon Nei Kung forms has been successfully developed in the Iron Shirt ... Views: 2735
I was recently asked by a friend whether yoga is a good way to lose weight–my answer was a resounding yes! While you will definitely want to incorporate cardiovascular exercise (such as dancing, jogging, cycling, or aerobics) to rev up your metabolism, a yoga practice can be a welcome addition ... Views: 3310
Excerpted from The Amazing Secrets of the Yogi by Charles F. Haanel, Edited by Anthony R. Michalski
This part tells where the masculine, fiery, and positive etheric forces come from and how they are distributed to all parts of the body. It also tells where the feminine, sympathetic, and ... Views: 5927
More than 50 million North Americans suffer from seasonal and year-round allergies. An allergy is a hyperactive response of the immune system to certain substances that are “foreign” to our bodies. These substances, called allergens, can range from food and pollen to drugs, environmental ... Views: 1596
The way through this world is more difficult to find than the way beyond it
-Wallace Stevens from Answer to Papini.
Yoga was born in India, its chronological origins lost in the mists of time, given the popularity that Yoga enjoys these days most of us know that much. What we don’t know is ... Views: 855
In a spirit of honest concern, let us examine the following myths (quoted from the American Yoga Association). Identical or similar "beliefs" can be found repeated by many other individuals and groups who are consciously or unconsciously misrepresenting the many Yoga/Hindu religious/spiritual ... Views: 1269
We’ve all been hurt before, and experienced disappointment, heartbreak and loss. Without the knowledge and awareness of how important it is to let this energy move through us, rather than shutting down around it, we begin to let past hurts dictate our future. Physically this shows up ... Views: 1995
At the time I discovered yoga, I was participating in a group aerobics class. I was also the proud owner of a very successful video store and I had just closed a failing gift shop. My daughter who was 18 months old at the time went with me everywhere, even to work. Exercise class was her ... Views: 1127
Yoga is like sex.
You can read about it, hear about it, and watch other people do it, but until you experience it first hand, yourself, you don't really get it. So what's the excitement all about? Why is yoga showing up everywhere from auto ads to executive meetings? Why are airlines presenting ... Views: 2712
YOGA should be your New Year’s resolution because you most likely have not mastered all aspects of your mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing yet. Yoga not only gives us freedom from the daily bondages of life, but also helps us accomplish what was previously thought as “unattainable.”
Yoga ... Views: 930
Did I mention that I tested positive for Gestational Diabetes at 28 weeks?
Hoo Boy! I had earlier in my pregnancy went to the diabetes nutritionist, so I had an idea
about the small meals all days long, count the carbs, etc.
But, now it was serious! No way did I want the doc to have an excuse ... Views: 4639