The form of Yoga most people are familiar with is Hatha Yoga or Hatha Vidya. Hatha Yoga is the Yoga of postures. The picture that comes to mind whenever you see the word Yoga is of someone sitting or standing in some form of Yoga posture.
Hatha Yoga uses physical poses called Asana and breathing techniques called Pranayama. Hatha Yoga teaches that the body is the vehicle for your soul. It also teaches that meditation can bring the body into perfect health and allow the spiritual part of your brain to come forward freely.
Many believe that your mind typically ignores or suppresses the part of the brain that is spiritual and that our focus is on earthly things. In order to release this spirituality you need meditation and Yoga exercise.
Hatha Yoga utilizes all of these techniques to bind the body and soul as one. To create a union between the body and the mind takes practice. The purpose of Hatha Yoga is to perfect the body so it can be filled with your life?s force or soul.
The way it works is to use opposing energies somewhat similar to Yin and Yang to achieve the binding of body, mind, and soul. Opposing energy examples are hot and cold, positive and negative, and male and female.
The Asanas in Hatha Yoga tech you poise, strength, and most of all, balance. This improves your physical health and helps you clear your mind. Without this preparation, meditation is not as effective. The exercise portion of Hatha Yoga is all part of preparing yourself so you can meditate and become enlightened, allowing your spiritual thoughts to flow freely.
Although most people in Europe or the US use Yoga as a physical exercise primarily, the intent of Yoga is to combine all of your life forces to achieve spirituality and happiness. The following are the different aspects to Hatha Yoga;
Yama: Yama is social ethics. It teaches you nonviolence, compassion, non-deception or truthfulness, honesty, conscious and non-abusive sexuality, security, and how to eliminate greed.
Niyama: Niyama is about personal practices. It teaches purity, discipline, contentment, self-examination, and spiritual attunement with GOD.
Asana: Asanas are the physical exercises in Hatha Yoga. There are many asanas and are of varying difficulty. There are some that are less difficult for beginners that can help you work up to the more difficult asanas. This not only helps you perfect your body, but helps you clear your mind for the more meditative aspects of Hatha Yoga.
Pranayama: Pranayama are breathing practices. Deep breathing exercises help clear your mind in preparation for meditation to free your spirit.
Pratyahara: Pratyahara is withdrawing the senses to facilitate Dharana (concentration or focus)
Dharana: Dharana is meant to help you focus or concentrate better also allowing you to use chants to free your spiritual mind.
Dhyana: Dhyana is an enhanced form of meditation where the concentration is focused on a single point.
Samadhi: Samadhi teaches you how to attain the essential state of joy. The definition of Samadhi literally means transcendental bliss. The exercises in Samadhi Yoga are more vigorous than with other forms.
?Trancendental Bliss or Samadhi is a state in which the individual mind, freed for a time from all material limits takes the form of supreme, omnipotent and omnipresent mind and gains enlightenment.”
?Shri Brahmananda Saraswati (A great yogi, doctor and founder of the Ananda Ashram)
When unaffected by culture, place, time, or circumstance, these principles are universal. They constitute the Great Vow.” -Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, 2.31
The Self cannot be gained by one devoid of strength. Mundaka Upanishad iii :2:3
Robin Darch, of PRT Specialised Services Limited has a website, Yoga Tips to help you find all the information you need about Yoga and the benefits of Yoga.
Yoga Tips
Showing posts with label meditation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label meditation. Show all posts
March 4, 2009
March 2, 2009
Yoga and Self Analysis: The Right Time and Place
As many of you know, Yoga is something you can practice any time. You can be mindful of others, show loving kindness, forgive, give to charity, keep good posture, eat right, and practice Yogic breathing techniques during your day, without much problem.
Those who practice physical forms of Yoga will have to set aside time during the day for Asanas. Meditation is practiced without any distractions, therefore, you will have to budget your time. It may be more convenient to practice meditation after your Asanas are finished. So far, everything seems easy enough for the average Yoga practitioner to fit into his or her lifestyle.
Alternately, self analysis is a part of Yoga that many practitioners do not have time for. You cannot practice self analysis when you are ?in the heat of battle.? This preoccupation will cause self doubt if you are in a pressurized situation. You must react to life as it is right now, and be in the moment to find solutions.
This seems to be a paradox: We think of self analysis and Yoga as empowering practices. We do not associate self analysis with temporary mental paralysis.
However, in order for you to make significant discoveries about yourself, and consider how to apply your skills to life, there is a certain amount of time needed to envision the fruits of your labor. You will then have to put your visions, plans, and goals into action.
So, how, and when, do you make the time for a self analysis session? Much like Yogic meditation, you need a quiet time and place. Try to allow one hour per week; and if you come up with a blank, at a certain point, finish your session with meditation. You can meditate on a related point, or practice, any familiar Yogic form of meditation.
Self analysis sessions require a pen and paper. Although some of you may opt for a PDA, or a laptop, some will still prefer the experience of putting an idea down on paper. This will also give you something to reflect on during the week and in the following sessions.
Just like Yoga practice, self analysis can be practiced with others, with a coach, or with a teacher. The big difference is the direction your session will go in.
Anyone you choose to share thoughts with must be trustworthy or there will be no benefit. Therefore, much like your meditation sessions this is very much a rewarding form of self discovery. If you have any difficulty, this skill can be improved by practicing with a competent Yoga teacher.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. To receive a Free e-Book: “Yoga in Practice,” and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
Those who practice physical forms of Yoga will have to set aside time during the day for Asanas. Meditation is practiced without any distractions, therefore, you will have to budget your time. It may be more convenient to practice meditation after your Asanas are finished. So far, everything seems easy enough for the average Yoga practitioner to fit into his or her lifestyle.
Alternately, self analysis is a part of Yoga that many practitioners do not have time for. You cannot practice self analysis when you are ?in the heat of battle.? This preoccupation will cause self doubt if you are in a pressurized situation. You must react to life as it is right now, and be in the moment to find solutions.
This seems to be a paradox: We think of self analysis and Yoga as empowering practices. We do not associate self analysis with temporary mental paralysis.
However, in order for you to make significant discoveries about yourself, and consider how to apply your skills to life, there is a certain amount of time needed to envision the fruits of your labor. You will then have to put your visions, plans, and goals into action.
So, how, and when, do you make the time for a self analysis session? Much like Yogic meditation, you need a quiet time and place. Try to allow one hour per week; and if you come up with a blank, at a certain point, finish your session with meditation. You can meditate on a related point, or practice, any familiar Yogic form of meditation.
Self analysis sessions require a pen and paper. Although some of you may opt for a PDA, or a laptop, some will still prefer the experience of putting an idea down on paper. This will also give you something to reflect on during the week and in the following sessions.
Just like Yoga practice, self analysis can be practiced with others, with a coach, or with a teacher. The big difference is the direction your session will go in.
Anyone you choose to share thoughts with must be trustworthy or there will be no benefit. Therefore, much like your meditation sessions this is very much a rewarding form of self discovery. If you have any difficulty, this skill can be improved by practicing with a competent Yoga teacher.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. To receive a Free e-Book: “Yoga in Practice,” and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
March 1, 2009
Yoga as an Aid to Bust Stress
Stress is a physical and psychological condition that demands more from the body. Under these conditions a variety of changes happen in the body the increases the hormonal reactions to meet that demanding situation. A stress busting therapy should be able to cope up with the physical and the psychological needs of our body.
Yoga is the best remedy for beating stress in your daily life. Yoga has a lot of postures, breathing exercises and meditation that helps you to beat stress from your daily life. Lot of asanas are available in yoga for reducing stress. You can use these asanas to deal with stress. Yoga promotes self-awareness and during the process it helps you to deal with stress in your day to day life.
It was practiced traditionally in the eastern countries and now it is picking up in the western countries. Understanding the benefits of yoga, now many companies are sponsoring yoga courses for their employees. The workers who are practicing yoga are more relaxed and hence their productivity is increased. Moreover they are more healthy and creative. This has driven more and more companies to go after yoga for their employees.
The techniques in yoga that are used to relieve stress include controlled breathing, physical movement, stretching, mental imagery, and meditation. Combining all these in the yoga practices enables the person who is practicing it to beat stress. With regular practice of yoga you can unite your mind, body, and spirit. Although it is used in the earlier days for spiritual transformation, now you can use it to beat stress and have a good physical being.
There are many benefits of practicing yoga. Some of the benefits are reduced stress, cure from diseases, lowering the blood pressure, spiritual growth, sense of well being, reduced anxiety, increased flexibility & strength, relieved asthma and allergy symptoms, slowed aging process and sound sleep. It is sure that you get more benefit than the effort that you put in practicing yoga.
In practicing yoga there are poses that serve in the form of exercises and there are poses that are done for purely spiritual purposes. The poses can be done faster in some exercises, while in some they are done slowly with a breathing process in them. Both the types have their own benefits. Among the numerous benefits that you get out of yoga stress relief is just one.
You need to spend some time daily or on alternate days to practice yoga. You have to do them properly and for that it is better to learn yoga from a master who is good in yoga. Although it can be practiced on your own, we may not be sure about the correctness of the poses that we do. Hence initially it is better to learn from a master and then practice it at home when you find some time. Some people may have physical limitations to do some poses. Regular practice of yoga gives you an psychological edge over others who are not practicing it.
There are pill and herbs available in the market that are used for stress reduction in a person. Although you can go for this option, yoga is the best method as it gives you other benefits when you do stretching exercises, breathing exercises, meditation and guided imagery. Moreover practicing yoga requires commitment and effort to do it regularly and to get the benefits out of it.
You can do yoga after a hectic day at office or after a busy weekend. This would relax you and relieve you off your pain. There are different kinds of poses in yoga that can be used to relax you. You can perform a simple search in the internet to locate the websites that give you information on the different poses that are used for stress reduction.
Books and videos for reducing stress through yoga are also available in the market. You can make use of these and practice yoga postures that are given in it. It is always better to find a teacher who can teach you the poses properly. You can find out a yoga studio in your locality using the internet. There are many sites that lists down the courses offered at different locations. You can use these websites to find out one that is near your locality.
To learn more about various yoga exercises and to stay fit visit simple yoga exercises to stay fit. Signup now at yoga beginners guide and get your free copy of the best selling ebook titled “A Beginner’s Guide to Yoga”.
Yoga is the best remedy for beating stress in your daily life. Yoga has a lot of postures, breathing exercises and meditation that helps you to beat stress from your daily life. Lot of asanas are available in yoga for reducing stress. You can use these asanas to deal with stress. Yoga promotes self-awareness and during the process it helps you to deal with stress in your day to day life.
It was practiced traditionally in the eastern countries and now it is picking up in the western countries. Understanding the benefits of yoga, now many companies are sponsoring yoga courses for their employees. The workers who are practicing yoga are more relaxed and hence their productivity is increased. Moreover they are more healthy and creative. This has driven more and more companies to go after yoga for their employees.
The techniques in yoga that are used to relieve stress include controlled breathing, physical movement, stretching, mental imagery, and meditation. Combining all these in the yoga practices enables the person who is practicing it to beat stress. With regular practice of yoga you can unite your mind, body, and spirit. Although it is used in the earlier days for spiritual transformation, now you can use it to beat stress and have a good physical being.
There are many benefits of practicing yoga. Some of the benefits are reduced stress, cure from diseases, lowering the blood pressure, spiritual growth, sense of well being, reduced anxiety, increased flexibility & strength, relieved asthma and allergy symptoms, slowed aging process and sound sleep. It is sure that you get more benefit than the effort that you put in practicing yoga.
In practicing yoga there are poses that serve in the form of exercises and there are poses that are done for purely spiritual purposes. The poses can be done faster in some exercises, while in some they are done slowly with a breathing process in them. Both the types have their own benefits. Among the numerous benefits that you get out of yoga stress relief is just one.
You need to spend some time daily or on alternate days to practice yoga. You have to do them properly and for that it is better to learn yoga from a master who is good in yoga. Although it can be practiced on your own, we may not be sure about the correctness of the poses that we do. Hence initially it is better to learn from a master and then practice it at home when you find some time. Some people may have physical limitations to do some poses. Regular practice of yoga gives you an psychological edge over others who are not practicing it.
There are pill and herbs available in the market that are used for stress reduction in a person. Although you can go for this option, yoga is the best method as it gives you other benefits when you do stretching exercises, breathing exercises, meditation and guided imagery. Moreover practicing yoga requires commitment and effort to do it regularly and to get the benefits out of it.
You can do yoga after a hectic day at office or after a busy weekend. This would relax you and relieve you off your pain. There are different kinds of poses in yoga that can be used to relax you. You can perform a simple search in the internet to locate the websites that give you information on the different poses that are used for stress reduction.
Books and videos for reducing stress through yoga are also available in the market. You can make use of these and practice yoga postures that are given in it. It is always better to find a teacher who can teach you the poses properly. You can find out a yoga studio in your locality using the internet. There are many sites that lists down the courses offered at different locations. You can use these websites to find out one that is near your locality.
To learn more about various yoga exercises and to stay fit visit simple yoga exercises to stay fit. Signup now at yoga beginners guide and get your free copy of the best selling ebook titled “A Beginner’s Guide to Yoga”.
3 Miracles of Yoga and Meditation
For those of you still considering the advantages of yoga and
meditation, let me share with you the incredible results I have
experienced since sticking to a yoga and meditation regime of
3 times for 40 minutes each week.
1. Digestion - Acid Reflux. I realize I am not alone in
experiencing the painful effects of poor digestion,
sometimes termed acid reflux. I used to keep Tums and
Rolaids antacids in business popping 6-8 just to get through a
typical night. This was my reality ever since I can remember
- even as a teennager. In fact, this condition ran in my
family - so I was resigned to never finding a treatment, let
alone a cure.
I am amazed to say that after 4-months of consistent yoga and
meditation, my condition is virtually disappeared. I have not
taken a single antacid in weeks, have slept better than ever
and no longer have to be as careful about my diet.
Sure - if I go overboard, drink or eat too much, then some symptoms
reappear, but not near as bad as in the past.
If you live with this condition, then you realize that this sounds
like a miracle, and in fact, I look at it that way. This certainly
convinced me of the power of yoga and meditation.
2. Feeling of Control Again. One of our biggest negative stressors
is when we lose control of a situation or our life. The fast pace of
today’s society, focus on material things, race to compete with peers
and constant media exposure to bad news all lead to a feeling of losing
control.
Beyond stress, losing control in one’s life can lead to all kinds of
negatives including substance abuse, depression, anxiety, violence and
more…
For me, the main advantage of yoga and meditation is that it re-
empowers you - given you control of yourself. By focusing on yourself,
you no longer rely on the need to control your environment, but instead,
allowing you to control your own reaction to that environment.
Not only is this incredibly empowering, but is also the ticket to
true happiness, great relationships and clear thinking in your life.
Yoga and meditation, by calming the mind and giving you back control,
lead to a peacefullness letting you deal with the most intense life
experiences.
3. Living On Purpose. The two factors outlined above result in a
lifestyle that sees us letting life happen to us, instead of allowing us
to experience and accomplish what we want.
Until we accomplish true calming of the mind, we do not have the
state of mind or body to take control of life and really do with it what
we want. How many of you have thought about things you really wanted to
experience or do and ended up saying “If only…” or “I just don’t have
the energy…” or “Maybe later…”.
These are all excuses we use to rationalize our inability to step up
to a life we really and truly desire.
Through yoga and meditation, we can prepare ourselves better for
getting the most out of our lives and can finally stop having to justify
why we simply can’t.
Yoga and Meditation bring you back the enjoyment, fun and energy you
had as a little child. Visit us at: http://www.yogasuccess.com to find
out more about how to make yoga and meditation work in your busy life.
meditation, let me share with you the incredible results I have
experienced since sticking to a yoga and meditation regime of
3 times for 40 minutes each week.
1. Digestion - Acid Reflux. I realize I am not alone in
experiencing the painful effects of poor digestion,
sometimes termed acid reflux. I used to keep Tums and
Rolaids antacids in business popping 6-8 just to get through a
typical night. This was my reality ever since I can remember
- even as a teennager. In fact, this condition ran in my
family - so I was resigned to never finding a treatment, let
alone a cure.
I am amazed to say that after 4-months of consistent yoga and
meditation, my condition is virtually disappeared. I have not
taken a single antacid in weeks, have slept better than ever
and no longer have to be as careful about my diet.
Sure - if I go overboard, drink or eat too much, then some symptoms
reappear, but not near as bad as in the past.
If you live with this condition, then you realize that this sounds
like a miracle, and in fact, I look at it that way. This certainly
convinced me of the power of yoga and meditation.
2. Feeling of Control Again. One of our biggest negative stressors
is when we lose control of a situation or our life. The fast pace of
today’s society, focus on material things, race to compete with peers
and constant media exposure to bad news all lead to a feeling of losing
control.
Beyond stress, losing control in one’s life can lead to all kinds of
negatives including substance abuse, depression, anxiety, violence and
more…
For me, the main advantage of yoga and meditation is that it re-
empowers you - given you control of yourself. By focusing on yourself,
you no longer rely on the need to control your environment, but instead,
allowing you to control your own reaction to that environment.
Not only is this incredibly empowering, but is also the ticket to
true happiness, great relationships and clear thinking in your life.
Yoga and meditation, by calming the mind and giving you back control,
lead to a peacefullness letting you deal with the most intense life
experiences.
3. Living On Purpose. The two factors outlined above result in a
lifestyle that sees us letting life happen to us, instead of allowing us
to experience and accomplish what we want.
Until we accomplish true calming of the mind, we do not have the
state of mind or body to take control of life and really do with it what
we want. How many of you have thought about things you really wanted to
experience or do and ended up saying “If only…” or “I just don’t have
the energy…” or “Maybe later…”.
These are all excuses we use to rationalize our inability to step up
to a life we really and truly desire.
Through yoga and meditation, we can prepare ourselves better for
getting the most out of our lives and can finally stop having to justify
why we simply can’t.
Yoga and Meditation bring you back the enjoyment, fun and energy you
had as a little child. Visit us at: http://www.yogasuccess.com to find
out more about how to make yoga and meditation work in your busy life.
The Mystery of Enlightenment
Initially, enlightenment is living in the present moment and accepting your situation as it is. That is a pretty heavy task for anyone in any time. It is often said that an enlightened person cannot be angered by small talk or negative energy.
Many people are humble and believe that they will never be enlightened in this life. They also believe: The goal of enlightenment is too vast for the average person to achieve. However, should you just give up?
What can you do to attain enlightenment?
You should meditate daily: This will help you connect to the world around you. This is an awareness of plants, animals, people and many things around you that are often not appreciated or overlooked.
Meditation will enhance awareness of yourself, everything around you, and the connection between the two. This will bring out the ability to see reality as it is - with the ultimate goal of reaching a state of ?pure consciousness.?
Understand the value of prayer, mantras, and singing. Even if you only practice in your mind, this will strengthen positive energy within you. Many people resort to theses practices; to gain comfort in times of need. This is a shame because you can gain the positive benefits of prayer, mantras, and singing, any time.
Remember, enlightenment is not a race: You would be shocked at the number of people who put pressure on themselves to be ?instantly enlightened.?
It is good to have goals in life, so creating a log to track your progress is a beneficial practice. Your log may track your meditation sessions, your ability to deal with, or diffuse, negative situations, your ability to create positive energy and project it to others, and your ability to see reality.
If you continue the process of keeping and maintaining a log, your results will be encouraging. You may also want to join a group with compatible religious beliefs, search for a teacher, or share your practice with a friend on the same path.
Lastly, do not be frustrated by uncertainty and learn to accept what you cannot control. If all humans could maintain enlightenment, we would experience world peace. We could all accept each other, despite differences of culture, nationality, color, sex, religious beliefs, or any other thing humans can find to develop a pre-conceived notion about each other.
My first taste of Yoga was over 40 years ago, at the age of 7, in a martial arts school setting. I have continued to study martial arts until this day and I have four teaching certificates in four different martial arts. Now I teach both Martial Arts and Yoga.
I began to seriously practice Yoga (under Laura Foster) over twenty years ago due to martial arts competition related injuries.
Laura was a skilled & knowledgeable teacher of Restorative Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, and Laya Yoga. After training with her for 3 years, she certified me as a teacher in 1987.
I became certified as a Master Teacher (Guru) on September 15, 1995, after teaching over 5,000 hours under her wing. Shortly afterward, Laura retired at age 90.
Since that time, I started organizing Yoga Teacher Training camps. As time went on, we began getting requests from everywhere in the U.S. and Canada for a comprehensive Yoga Teacher Training correspondence course.
http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org
Many people are humble and believe that they will never be enlightened in this life. They also believe: The goal of enlightenment is too vast for the average person to achieve. However, should you just give up?
What can you do to attain enlightenment?
You should meditate daily: This will help you connect to the world around you. This is an awareness of plants, animals, people and many things around you that are often not appreciated or overlooked.
Meditation will enhance awareness of yourself, everything around you, and the connection between the two. This will bring out the ability to see reality as it is - with the ultimate goal of reaching a state of ?pure consciousness.?
Understand the value of prayer, mantras, and singing. Even if you only practice in your mind, this will strengthen positive energy within you. Many people resort to theses practices; to gain comfort in times of need. This is a shame because you can gain the positive benefits of prayer, mantras, and singing, any time.
Remember, enlightenment is not a race: You would be shocked at the number of people who put pressure on themselves to be ?instantly enlightened.?
It is good to have goals in life, so creating a log to track your progress is a beneficial practice. Your log may track your meditation sessions, your ability to deal with, or diffuse, negative situations, your ability to create positive energy and project it to others, and your ability to see reality.
If you continue the process of keeping and maintaining a log, your results will be encouraging. You may also want to join a group with compatible religious beliefs, search for a teacher, or share your practice with a friend on the same path.
Lastly, do not be frustrated by uncertainty and learn to accept what you cannot control. If all humans could maintain enlightenment, we would experience world peace. We could all accept each other, despite differences of culture, nationality, color, sex, religious beliefs, or any other thing humans can find to develop a pre-conceived notion about each other.
My first taste of Yoga was over 40 years ago, at the age of 7, in a martial arts school setting. I have continued to study martial arts until this day and I have four teaching certificates in four different martial arts. Now I teach both Martial Arts and Yoga.
I began to seriously practice Yoga (under Laura Foster) over twenty years ago due to martial arts competition related injuries.
Laura was a skilled & knowledgeable teacher of Restorative Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, and Laya Yoga. After training with her for 3 years, she certified me as a teacher in 1987.
I became certified as a Master Teacher (Guru) on September 15, 1995, after teaching over 5,000 hours under her wing. Shortly afterward, Laura retired at age 90.
Since that time, I started organizing Yoga Teacher Training camps. As time went on, we began getting requests from everywhere in the U.S. and Canada for a comprehensive Yoga Teacher Training correspondence course.
http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org
Yoga Teacher for a Day, Part 1
Many Yoga teachers are often asked what a typical working day is like. This is a very ?broad question,? as there are so many types of Yoga to study, practice, and teach. In India, there are nine popular styles of Yoga, but outside of India, only three of the main Indian Yoga styles have gained significant popularity - those three being Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, and Raja Yoga.
Most common are the many Hatha Yoga sub-styles. There are so many Hatha Yoga sub-styles, that it is easy for the public to be confused about which style of Yoga is most familiar to them.
Getting back to the issue at hand - this example of a typical working day is based upon my experience, the experiences of my staff, and the experiences of Yoga teachers who I come into contact with. Please bear in mind that many Yoga teachers work part time, but there are many, like me, who work at teaching Yoga full time, as well.
When you are teaching Yoga as a full time occupation, your day begins with a meditation. A Yoga teacher should be an example of good health, and meditation is good for mental, spiritual, and physical health. Many people do not see the connection between meditation and physical health.
Therefore, I will draw you a mental picture. Look at people who are ?stressed out,? depressed, over anxious, angry, or in poor mental health. This is very taxing on the physical body, and many of these people are not in good physical health as a result. In fact, mental and spiritual health is linked to physical health.
Most people with mental health issues feel no connection with the physical body and may neglect their physical health as a consequence. How often do you hear, ?I don?t have time for meditation, Yoga, exercise, eating right, God, or praying?? Unfortunately, we hear these things far too often. People deny their spiritual health for the sake of being ?politically correct.?
The public needs your help and if you are going to teach Yoga to anyone, drive through traffic, work with the public, and teach a healthy lifestyle, you must be an example of good holistic health.
Yoga teachers spend time preparing each lesson plan. The particular lesson plan is designed for the needs, health, and age of the group. I have found book stores, libraries, and the office, to be the best places for concentrating on a Yoga lesson plan.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
Most common are the many Hatha Yoga sub-styles. There are so many Hatha Yoga sub-styles, that it is easy for the public to be confused about which style of Yoga is most familiar to them.
Getting back to the issue at hand - this example of a typical working day is based upon my experience, the experiences of my staff, and the experiences of Yoga teachers who I come into contact with. Please bear in mind that many Yoga teachers work part time, but there are many, like me, who work at teaching Yoga full time, as well.
When you are teaching Yoga as a full time occupation, your day begins with a meditation. A Yoga teacher should be an example of good health, and meditation is good for mental, spiritual, and physical health. Many people do not see the connection between meditation and physical health.
Therefore, I will draw you a mental picture. Look at people who are ?stressed out,? depressed, over anxious, angry, or in poor mental health. This is very taxing on the physical body, and many of these people are not in good physical health as a result. In fact, mental and spiritual health is linked to physical health.
Most people with mental health issues feel no connection with the physical body and may neglect their physical health as a consequence. How often do you hear, ?I don?t have time for meditation, Yoga, exercise, eating right, God, or praying?? Unfortunately, we hear these things far too often. People deny their spiritual health for the sake of being ?politically correct.?
The public needs your help and if you are going to teach Yoga to anyone, drive through traffic, work with the public, and teach a healthy lifestyle, you must be an example of good holistic health.
Yoga teachers spend time preparing each lesson plan. The particular lesson plan is designed for the needs, health, and age of the group. I have found book stores, libraries, and the office, to be the best places for concentrating on a Yoga lesson plan.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
Yoga for Kids: Building Self-Image, Part 1
Parents are struggling to find methods for instilling self-confidence within their children. As adults, we know that the repercussions of poor self image can result in anxiety, depression, and a huge list of bad scenarios.
With this in mind, there are a number of positive actions that parents, teachers, physicians, and Yoga teachers can take to build solid foundations, within a given child?s character. By seeking solutions, we can give our children a positive view of life. In turn, children will develop into successful adults by building strong relationships and by exceptional performance, within his or her career.
Let?s look at the positive aspects for children within a typical Kids Yoga class. Although, Yoga is a vast subject, and there are a number of topics to discuss; children are better off being taught to focus on four components within a Hatha Yoga class.
These four components are posture, breathing, relaxing, and meditation. A child will find all four of these subjects easy to grasp, but all of them are a challenge. For many kids, the relaxation and meditation are easy to understand, but mastering them is another matter.
Now, let?s look at how a Yoga class for a child can have a profound and positive impact on his or her self-image. One of the first lessons a child walks away with is self-acceptance. Every child learns to appreciate being the best he or she can possibly be. This is achieved by understanding that other children may excel in one area of Yoga, while other children may be exceptional in a completely different area.
For example: One child may be able to relax or meditate; another child may demonstrate balancing skills in Eagle Pose; while another child is exceptionally strong in the Warrior Series. In this case, it is up to the Yoga teacher to give out praise equally to all the children present in a class.
How can you accomplish this? As teachers, we always praise the exceptional, but since this is a Yoga class you can afford to praise every child who tries his or her best. It is natural for children and adults to seek praise. This is why the world has so much competition for every little event.
However, competition should be ?brushed aside? in a Kids Yoga class. The Yoga studio, or ashram, should be a nurturing place for children and adults to master life skills. Yoga literally means ?unity,? and competition bolsters the ego. Therefore, this is not the way Yoga was designed for children or adults.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
With this in mind, there are a number of positive actions that parents, teachers, physicians, and Yoga teachers can take to build solid foundations, within a given child?s character. By seeking solutions, we can give our children a positive view of life. In turn, children will develop into successful adults by building strong relationships and by exceptional performance, within his or her career.
Let?s look at the positive aspects for children within a typical Kids Yoga class. Although, Yoga is a vast subject, and there are a number of topics to discuss; children are better off being taught to focus on four components within a Hatha Yoga class.
These four components are posture, breathing, relaxing, and meditation. A child will find all four of these subjects easy to grasp, but all of them are a challenge. For many kids, the relaxation and meditation are easy to understand, but mastering them is another matter.
Now, let?s look at how a Yoga class for a child can have a profound and positive impact on his or her self-image. One of the first lessons a child walks away with is self-acceptance. Every child learns to appreciate being the best he or she can possibly be. This is achieved by understanding that other children may excel in one area of Yoga, while other children may be exceptional in a completely different area.
For example: One child may be able to relax or meditate; another child may demonstrate balancing skills in Eagle Pose; while another child is exceptionally strong in the Warrior Series. In this case, it is up to the Yoga teacher to give out praise equally to all the children present in a class.
How can you accomplish this? As teachers, we always praise the exceptional, but since this is a Yoga class you can afford to praise every child who tries his or her best. It is natural for children and adults to seek praise. This is why the world has so much competition for every little event.
However, competition should be ?brushed aside? in a Kids Yoga class. The Yoga studio, or ashram, should be a nurturing place for children and adults to master life skills. Yoga literally means ?unity,? and competition bolsters the ego. Therefore, this is not the way Yoga was designed for children or adults.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
February 27, 2009
Insider Secrets to the Business of Teaching Yoga, Part 4
The authors, previously mentioned, have more than one motivational audio book out on the market - and this is only the ?tip of the iceberg.? Some of their stories will entertain you and give you insight to success. Every Yoga teacher, who succeeds, learns from past failures. It?s less painful to learn from other Yoga instructor?s failures and much less expensive, too.
If you brainstorm with successful Yoga teachers, or people in general, you will find many of them read or listen to inspirational material. They don?t participate in, or listen to, much negative talk, and you can?t afford to either.
As a Yoga teacher, you have to be positive when teaching every Yoga class. Your students will feel negative energy from you, and it is hard for any Yoga teacher to help others if he or she is ?feeling down in the dumps.?
Some negative thinkers will tell you to resign yourself to teach Yoga as a hobby. This is what each Yoga teacher should do if he or she doesn?t believe in success. Forget about your dreams, and believe in doom and gloom. You learn worthless concepts like:
?That will never work.?
?You have to be born with money.?
?Life sucks and then you die.?
Enough already! Stay away from these people, who want to shatter your dreams, of being a successful Yoga teacher, and believe in yourself. If you need more audio book or e-Book recommendations; send me an Email. When you develop a positive outlook, you will find yourself surrounded by positive people.
When each of us chooses to study Yoga, and then to teach Yoga; we learn about the many positive components of Yoga. Go back to the basics and cultivate prana. Practice positive meditation and positively visualize your future every day.
Eat a sattvic diet or eat as close as you can to sattvic. In truth, all Yoga teachers must ?walk the talk.? When we decide to become a Yoga teacher, we are supposed to be examples of good mental, physical, and spiritual health.
This does not mean we have to have perfect bodies, but all Yoga teachers should be in the best health possible. Otherwise, what kind of a message are we sending to the public at large? Being a good example of health is part of the job description if you decide to teach Yoga.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
If you brainstorm with successful Yoga teachers, or people in general, you will find many of them read or listen to inspirational material. They don?t participate in, or listen to, much negative talk, and you can?t afford to either.
As a Yoga teacher, you have to be positive when teaching every Yoga class. Your students will feel negative energy from you, and it is hard for any Yoga teacher to help others if he or she is ?feeling down in the dumps.?
Some negative thinkers will tell you to resign yourself to teach Yoga as a hobby. This is what each Yoga teacher should do if he or she doesn?t believe in success. Forget about your dreams, and believe in doom and gloom. You learn worthless concepts like:
?That will never work.?
?You have to be born with money.?
?Life sucks and then you die.?
Enough already! Stay away from these people, who want to shatter your dreams, of being a successful Yoga teacher, and believe in yourself. If you need more audio book or e-Book recommendations; send me an Email. When you develop a positive outlook, you will find yourself surrounded by positive people.
When each of us chooses to study Yoga, and then to teach Yoga; we learn about the many positive components of Yoga. Go back to the basics and cultivate prana. Practice positive meditation and positively visualize your future every day.
Eat a sattvic diet or eat as close as you can to sattvic. In truth, all Yoga teachers must ?walk the talk.? When we decide to become a Yoga teacher, we are supposed to be examples of good mental, physical, and spiritual health.
This does not mean we have to have perfect bodies, but all Yoga teachers should be in the best health possible. Otherwise, what kind of a message are we sending to the public at large? Being a good example of health is part of the job description if you decide to teach Yoga.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
February 26, 2009
Rejuvenated Yoga
Yoga is a complete disciplining routine, involving all kinds of physical and meditative exercises. It uses a wide combination of breathing and movements to get the body back into its targeted range. Yoga is centered on meditation and the asanas (postures) that are done, are done to allow for better concentration and better meditation abilities.
The first step to performing yoga is to still and calm the mind, hence achieving the strengthening of one’s body and mind. If the mind can be stilled, the spiritual power can be felt within. Meditation is the state achieved from intense concentration on a single object until all other thoughts vanish and all that is left is an intense awareness of the object. There is nothing else in mind for some time.
Even though yoga has been around for over 5000 years in India, it was relatively unknown till sometime back. It has gained prominence only during recent times. It is estimated that millions of people are practicing yoga in the US and UK. Slowly people are realizing that it could be the single solution for most of the prevalent ills in the modern age. Stress, blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes are the various ailments caused due to our busy life. Yoga has a cure for all of them.
The discipline of yoga has been rejuvenated in modern times. Numerous people have been responsible for this increased awareness of yoga, mainly those who have benefited from it. The primary factor responsible for the rejuvenation in India, the land of its birth, has been Swami Ramdev. Swami Ramdev started relentless efforts to popularize Yoga in 1995 and began his yoga programs in India on television in 2002. He says that through Pranayama (the breathing in of life), the yogic practice of breath control can cure even ‘incurable diseases’. Pranayama helps the body to become a lot more flexible and fitter.
There has been no following larger than that of Swami Ramdev in the recent times. Today, he is one of the biggest draws on Indian television. His programs are followed by millions of people around the country religiously. He believes that all ills can be cured by avoiding medicines, active practice of yoga and simple dietary habits. Yoga along with ayurveda (treatment using herbs) is capable of curing even diseases which are usually not possible to cure using traditional medicines. He strives for a ‘medicine-free’ world for the whole of humanity. His teachings are open to people from all walks of life and from all parts of the world. People have greatly benefited from his week-long camps organized for the needy. People from all religions, young and old, rich, poor, educated and illiterate - each finds a place there. He lays down simple guidelines, which can be followed easily.
His practical approach to Yoga has won him millions of followers throughout India. People have begun to see yoga in a new light, a totally rejuvenated yoga. Other than curing of illnesses and the telecast of his programs on TV, the primary reason for the rejuvenated yoga is the easy manner in which it is presented now. In other words, quick benefits with minimal efforts.
Yoga, with its new presentation, has helped people in developing healthy habits by waking up early in the morning, followed by energizing yoga practice, thanks to TV channels and Swami Ramdev. Technology has contributed immensely to the popularity of yoga. This great phenomenon of enlightening the people has been possible only due to TV, which has taken yoga to the common public. Had it not been so, yoga would have been still at the same place, where it was centuries ago.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Yoga
The first step to performing yoga is to still and calm the mind, hence achieving the strengthening of one’s body and mind. If the mind can be stilled, the spiritual power can be felt within. Meditation is the state achieved from intense concentration on a single object until all other thoughts vanish and all that is left is an intense awareness of the object. There is nothing else in mind for some time.
Even though yoga has been around for over 5000 years in India, it was relatively unknown till sometime back. It has gained prominence only during recent times. It is estimated that millions of people are practicing yoga in the US and UK. Slowly people are realizing that it could be the single solution for most of the prevalent ills in the modern age. Stress, blood pressure, heart attack, diabetes are the various ailments caused due to our busy life. Yoga has a cure for all of them.
The discipline of yoga has been rejuvenated in modern times. Numerous people have been responsible for this increased awareness of yoga, mainly those who have benefited from it. The primary factor responsible for the rejuvenation in India, the land of its birth, has been Swami Ramdev. Swami Ramdev started relentless efforts to popularize Yoga in 1995 and began his yoga programs in India on television in 2002. He says that through Pranayama (the breathing in of life), the yogic practice of breath control can cure even ‘incurable diseases’. Pranayama helps the body to become a lot more flexible and fitter.
There has been no following larger than that of Swami Ramdev in the recent times. Today, he is one of the biggest draws on Indian television. His programs are followed by millions of people around the country religiously. He believes that all ills can be cured by avoiding medicines, active practice of yoga and simple dietary habits. Yoga along with ayurveda (treatment using herbs) is capable of curing even diseases which are usually not possible to cure using traditional medicines. He strives for a ‘medicine-free’ world for the whole of humanity. His teachings are open to people from all walks of life and from all parts of the world. People have greatly benefited from his week-long camps organized for the needy. People from all religions, young and old, rich, poor, educated and illiterate - each finds a place there. He lays down simple guidelines, which can be followed easily.
His practical approach to Yoga has won him millions of followers throughout India. People have begun to see yoga in a new light, a totally rejuvenated yoga. Other than curing of illnesses and the telecast of his programs on TV, the primary reason for the rejuvenated yoga is the easy manner in which it is presented now. In other words, quick benefits with minimal efforts.
Yoga, with its new presentation, has helped people in developing healthy habits by waking up early in the morning, followed by energizing yoga practice, thanks to TV channels and Swami Ramdev. Technology has contributed immensely to the popularity of yoga. This great phenomenon of enlightening the people has been possible only due to TV, which has taken yoga to the common public. Had it not been so, yoga would have been still at the same place, where it was centuries ago.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Yoga
How to Practice Yoga Exercises Correctly
If you have decided to improve your mental and physical health with yoga, you need to practice your yoga exercises correctly to get the most benefit and to prevent injury. Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind.
* Before you begin, be sure that you are in good enough physical shape to be able to handle this new exercise routine. If you have any questions at all about that, consult your doctor and follow his directions as you get started.
* Be sure that you learn the yoga techniques from a well-qualified, capable instructor. A good instructor will be very patient with you and will help you learn not only the exercises themselves but also the proper body position and breathing techniques necessary to make them effective. It’s very important that you learn how to practice yoga correctly from the beginning if you want to get real results.
* If you attend a yoga class at a studio or gym, be sure that the surroundings are comfortable and promote relaxation. The environment in which you practice your poses and positions can have a great impact on the effectiveness of each session.
* The specific time of day that you choose for your yoga exercises is not important. Whatever fits into your schedule best will work just fine. But try to avoid exercising shortly after a full meal. Your stomach should not be full when you begin your yoga session.
* Regularity is very important if you want to get the best results. That does not mean that you cannot possibly miss a session or two along the way, but you certainly do not want to make it a habit.
* Your clothing should be light and very comfortable, although try to avoid very loose clothing like large T-shirts that can actually interfere with some poses. The material for your clothing should be breathable and wick moisture away from the skin as you perspire.
* It’s a very good idea to have a yoga mat to use as you exercise. These can help you avoid slipping as you go into and out of each yoga position, and also keep you from having to exercise on the bare floor.
* Generally speaking, very young children should not practice yoga, especially before 7-8 years of age. Pregnant women should also avoid certain poses and positions that put pressure on their abdomen.
Yoga is not hard to practice and it yields a lot of very fine benefits for young and old alike. If you approach yoga exercises with an open mind and make it a deeply personal experience, it may become one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.
Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including fitness. You can find free yoga exercises and free yoga poses by visiting our Home Fitness website.
* Before you begin, be sure that you are in good enough physical shape to be able to handle this new exercise routine. If you have any questions at all about that, consult your doctor and follow his directions as you get started.
* Be sure that you learn the yoga techniques from a well-qualified, capable instructor. A good instructor will be very patient with you and will help you learn not only the exercises themselves but also the proper body position and breathing techniques necessary to make them effective. It’s very important that you learn how to practice yoga correctly from the beginning if you want to get real results.
* If you attend a yoga class at a studio or gym, be sure that the surroundings are comfortable and promote relaxation. The environment in which you practice your poses and positions can have a great impact on the effectiveness of each session.
* The specific time of day that you choose for your yoga exercises is not important. Whatever fits into your schedule best will work just fine. But try to avoid exercising shortly after a full meal. Your stomach should not be full when you begin your yoga session.
* Regularity is very important if you want to get the best results. That does not mean that you cannot possibly miss a session or two along the way, but you certainly do not want to make it a habit.
* Your clothing should be light and very comfortable, although try to avoid very loose clothing like large T-shirts that can actually interfere with some poses. The material for your clothing should be breathable and wick moisture away from the skin as you perspire.
* It’s a very good idea to have a yoga mat to use as you exercise. These can help you avoid slipping as you go into and out of each yoga position, and also keep you from having to exercise on the bare floor.
* Generally speaking, very young children should not practice yoga, especially before 7-8 years of age. Pregnant women should also avoid certain poses and positions that put pressure on their abdomen.
Yoga is not hard to practice and it yields a lot of very fine benefits for young and old alike. If you approach yoga exercises with an open mind and make it a deeply personal experience, it may become one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.
Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including fitness. You can find free yoga exercises and free yoga poses by visiting our Home Fitness website.
Mantra Yoga - Significance of Mantras
The word yoga brings to mind, especially in the West, a system of exercises beneficial for physical and mental health. The exercises are only a small, albeit an important part of it. Yoga is actually a philosophy ? one of the six main schools of philosophy propounded in India in the post-Vedic period. It deals with the mysteries of life and universe, so it has a mystic aura about it. At the same time it is based on the experiences of countless individuals over several millennia and deals with facts of life. Thus it is also a science but goes beyond the realm of rational knowledge of modern science. It deals with life at successively higher levels. Some of the facts come within the range of human experience, others (of higher life) lie outside and, as such, are beyond being proved are disproved on the basis of rational knowledge. However, every aspect of yoga is based on sound principles that are in accord with the ideas of modern science.
We also come across a number of qualifiers for the word yoga, such as raja-yoga, gyaan-yoga, bhakti-yoga, mantra-yoga etc. Yoga is, of course, the same, the goal being the liberation of the soul and its union with the Supreme Reality. One simple but far-reaching idea of the philosophy is the recognition that there can be many different paths to the goal. The prefixes in front of yoga denote just that ? different paths to the same goal. An individual is free to choose a path depending on one?s nature and disposition. The basic premises underlying each of these paths agree astonishing well with the recent discoveries in science even though they were conceived thousands of years ago. In the present article we discuss mantra-yoga.
Mantra yoga may be simply defined as the science of unfolding of the consciousness with the help of mantras; it attempts to modify matter and consciousness through the agency of sound. A mantra represents a specific combination of sounds for producing some specific results. Here it is important to note that the basic structure of a mantra involves sounds and not words. Sound is the fundamental element of articulation and is eternal; words are part of a language and man-made using alphabets as symbols for sounds. The sound elements used in mantras are those of Sanskrit alphabet. Again the primary element is the sound, the letter is merely a symbol. Each letter, pronounced properly, becomes a vehicle for conveying a basic elemental power. It is for this reason that a letter in Sanskrit alphabet is called akshar meaning eternal. In the words comprising the mantras each letter contributes to the overall effect desired by the mantra. Since the effectiveness of a mantra is inherently tied to the sound, a proper pronunciation becomes extremely important. This is why in the Vedas so much emphasis has been laid on correct pronunciation.
It is not our intention to suggest that Sanskrit has a special place in the divine scheme of things. It just so happens that people of this particular culture developed the concept and philosophy of mantras. It is quite conceivable that similar systems might have been developed in some other parts of the world or the universe that we are not aware of.
Now sound is simply a vibration or set of vibrations representing a form of energy. It is a basic premise of Hindu philosophy that the entire universe is a manifestation of the primal energy emanating from one source ? the Supreme Reality. It was only in the last century that science discovered the equivalence of matter and energy. The concept of energy is related to that of motion. There are only three basic categories of motion ? rhythmic, non-rhythmic, and inertial. A deeper insight into the concept would reveal that the rhythmic motion is simply a balanced state of the other two types and is what we call vibrations or waves. Thus the phenomenal word that we view is nothing but vibrations picked up by our senses. Although the conversion of matter into energy is now well understood, the reverse process of matter coming out of energy is still a challenge to modern physics. In general the structure of anything material can be reduced to an aggregate of elementary particles ranging from electrons to quarks. But what are the elementary particles built of? Or are they particles at all? A recent viewpoint suggests that these particles are simply specific configurations of vibrations of virtual strings (the theory is known as Superstring Theory). Thus we get back to the old idea of energy transforming into matter. The whole phenomenal word is simply a vast aggregate of vibrations of various kinds and degrees. The interaction of these vibrations produces all the phenomena in the physical world existing at different planes. This is a startling concept but nothing compared to the next philosophical concept that all these infinitely complex vibrations of innumerable kinds are simply different components of a single vibration that is also the ultimate source of consciousness. This primary vibration from which all the vibrations in the manifested world are derived, is the primordial energy which is the universal consciousness. We thus see the relationship between matter and consciousness, which are dual expressions of the same Reality. Carrying it a step further every consciousness is a part of that Reality which leads us to one of the basic concepts of Vedanta ? every individual (i.e. subjective) consciousness is an infinitesimal part of that universal consciousness. The science of yoga involves unfolding of the individual consciousness to become one with the universal.
It follows from the primary relationship between vibration and consciousness that a vibration is associated with every manifestation of consciousness whether or not we are able to perceive it. Associated with every aspect of consciousness there is a unique vibration. At the lowest level this association manifests itself in visual or aural perception. Each vibration of light of a given frequency produces a particular color perception in the consciousness; each vibration of a given frequency in the audio range produces the perception of a particular note. Similarly each sensation of taste, smell or touch can be traced to a corresponding vibration even though science has yet to reach that stage of advancement. There may be other yet unknown kinds of vibrations and interactions that are transmitted through space and are not subject to the limitations imposed by science. The so-called extra sensory perception is an example. Another aspect of vibration well known in physics is resonance. Using the same concept in the context of yoga it is not unreasonable to assume that a matched type of vibration can activate a particular state of consciousness. This forms the basis of mantra yoga. Also the relationship works both ways, i.e. a particular state of consciousness can activate the corresponding kind of vibration.
A mantra is a special combination of vibrations set up through the sound of the component words, which are meant to produce a desired state of consciousness. A mantra can be long or short; it can be addressed to a particular deity or may relate to the abstract concept of God. It can be chanted only once or repetitively. The shortest but the most often chanted and also the most potent mantra is Om. Om is an appellation of the Supreme Reality (called Brahman in Vedanta) and, hence, its potency. In fact, the chanting of every other mantra is preceded and followed by Om. In taking up the practice of yoga there are initial hurdles that must be cleared. Some are physical; others are mental at different planes. The physical ones are managed with exercises that most of us are familiar with; two different techniques are used for clearing the mental ones. One is the constant repetition of a mantra and the other is meditation which involves fixing attention on something without any thought. A mantra can be chanted aloud or repeated silently. The particular way of chanting depends on the stage at which the yoga practitioner is.
Yoga deals with the inner side of life. A person not familiar with it may think it absurd that a mere monosyllable, as Om can be such a potent instrument for the uplifting of a person. But a proper understanding of the relationship between vibration and consciousness will show that there is no inherent impossibility in a word having the power to unfold one?s consciousness to any desired degree.
Dharmbir Rai Sharma is a retired professor with electrical engineering and physics background. He obtained a Master’s degree in physics in India and Ph.D. in electrical engineering at Cornell University. He maintains a website http://www.cosmosebooks.com devoted mainly to the interaction of philosophy and science.
We also come across a number of qualifiers for the word yoga, such as raja-yoga, gyaan-yoga, bhakti-yoga, mantra-yoga etc. Yoga is, of course, the same, the goal being the liberation of the soul and its union with the Supreme Reality. One simple but far-reaching idea of the philosophy is the recognition that there can be many different paths to the goal. The prefixes in front of yoga denote just that ? different paths to the same goal. An individual is free to choose a path depending on one?s nature and disposition. The basic premises underlying each of these paths agree astonishing well with the recent discoveries in science even though they were conceived thousands of years ago. In the present article we discuss mantra-yoga.
Mantra yoga may be simply defined as the science of unfolding of the consciousness with the help of mantras; it attempts to modify matter and consciousness through the agency of sound. A mantra represents a specific combination of sounds for producing some specific results. Here it is important to note that the basic structure of a mantra involves sounds and not words. Sound is the fundamental element of articulation and is eternal; words are part of a language and man-made using alphabets as symbols for sounds. The sound elements used in mantras are those of Sanskrit alphabet. Again the primary element is the sound, the letter is merely a symbol. Each letter, pronounced properly, becomes a vehicle for conveying a basic elemental power. It is for this reason that a letter in Sanskrit alphabet is called akshar meaning eternal. In the words comprising the mantras each letter contributes to the overall effect desired by the mantra. Since the effectiveness of a mantra is inherently tied to the sound, a proper pronunciation becomes extremely important. This is why in the Vedas so much emphasis has been laid on correct pronunciation.
It is not our intention to suggest that Sanskrit has a special place in the divine scheme of things. It just so happens that people of this particular culture developed the concept and philosophy of mantras. It is quite conceivable that similar systems might have been developed in some other parts of the world or the universe that we are not aware of.
Now sound is simply a vibration or set of vibrations representing a form of energy. It is a basic premise of Hindu philosophy that the entire universe is a manifestation of the primal energy emanating from one source ? the Supreme Reality. It was only in the last century that science discovered the equivalence of matter and energy. The concept of energy is related to that of motion. There are only three basic categories of motion ? rhythmic, non-rhythmic, and inertial. A deeper insight into the concept would reveal that the rhythmic motion is simply a balanced state of the other two types and is what we call vibrations or waves. Thus the phenomenal word that we view is nothing but vibrations picked up by our senses. Although the conversion of matter into energy is now well understood, the reverse process of matter coming out of energy is still a challenge to modern physics. In general the structure of anything material can be reduced to an aggregate of elementary particles ranging from electrons to quarks. But what are the elementary particles built of? Or are they particles at all? A recent viewpoint suggests that these particles are simply specific configurations of vibrations of virtual strings (the theory is known as Superstring Theory). Thus we get back to the old idea of energy transforming into matter. The whole phenomenal word is simply a vast aggregate of vibrations of various kinds and degrees. The interaction of these vibrations produces all the phenomena in the physical world existing at different planes. This is a startling concept but nothing compared to the next philosophical concept that all these infinitely complex vibrations of innumerable kinds are simply different components of a single vibration that is also the ultimate source of consciousness. This primary vibration from which all the vibrations in the manifested world are derived, is the primordial energy which is the universal consciousness. We thus see the relationship between matter and consciousness, which are dual expressions of the same Reality. Carrying it a step further every consciousness is a part of that Reality which leads us to one of the basic concepts of Vedanta ? every individual (i.e. subjective) consciousness is an infinitesimal part of that universal consciousness. The science of yoga involves unfolding of the individual consciousness to become one with the universal.
It follows from the primary relationship between vibration and consciousness that a vibration is associated with every manifestation of consciousness whether or not we are able to perceive it. Associated with every aspect of consciousness there is a unique vibration. At the lowest level this association manifests itself in visual or aural perception. Each vibration of light of a given frequency produces a particular color perception in the consciousness; each vibration of a given frequency in the audio range produces the perception of a particular note. Similarly each sensation of taste, smell or touch can be traced to a corresponding vibration even though science has yet to reach that stage of advancement. There may be other yet unknown kinds of vibrations and interactions that are transmitted through space and are not subject to the limitations imposed by science. The so-called extra sensory perception is an example. Another aspect of vibration well known in physics is resonance. Using the same concept in the context of yoga it is not unreasonable to assume that a matched type of vibration can activate a particular state of consciousness. This forms the basis of mantra yoga. Also the relationship works both ways, i.e. a particular state of consciousness can activate the corresponding kind of vibration.
A mantra is a special combination of vibrations set up through the sound of the component words, which are meant to produce a desired state of consciousness. A mantra can be long or short; it can be addressed to a particular deity or may relate to the abstract concept of God. It can be chanted only once or repetitively. The shortest but the most often chanted and also the most potent mantra is Om. Om is an appellation of the Supreme Reality (called Brahman in Vedanta) and, hence, its potency. In fact, the chanting of every other mantra is preceded and followed by Om. In taking up the practice of yoga there are initial hurdles that must be cleared. Some are physical; others are mental at different planes. The physical ones are managed with exercises that most of us are familiar with; two different techniques are used for clearing the mental ones. One is the constant repetition of a mantra and the other is meditation which involves fixing attention on something without any thought. A mantra can be chanted aloud or repeated silently. The particular way of chanting depends on the stage at which the yoga practitioner is.
Yoga deals with the inner side of life. A person not familiar with it may think it absurd that a mere monosyllable, as Om can be such a potent instrument for the uplifting of a person. But a proper understanding of the relationship between vibration and consciousness will show that there is no inherent impossibility in a word having the power to unfold one?s consciousness to any desired degree.
Dharmbir Rai Sharma is a retired professor with electrical engineering and physics background. He obtained a Master’s degree in physics in India and Ph.D. in electrical engineering at Cornell University. He maintains a website http://www.cosmosebooks.com devoted mainly to the interaction of philosophy and science.
Yoga - Practices and History
Yoga is a practice that people do keep their bodies in shape. All of the elements of Yoga were inherited form the practice of Hinduism. Ethnic principles, and body principles, along with spiritual guidance and philsophy are just some of the features associated with Yoga. Yoga is usually taught, by a person called a “Guru”. Their intentions are to teach people how to obtain a quieter state of mind through meditation. Quiet breathing and chanting “mantras” are practiced to help the person get to the “quiet” state of mind.
Yoga is supposed to lead a person to better health, and a calmer, more emotional well-being. Mental clarity and a joy in living are the main thoughts imposed upon a person who practices Yoga. The steps in Yoga ultimately are supposed to lead to an advanced state of meditation called “samadhi”.
All the goals of Yoga are expressed in different ways among a lot of different traditions. In Hinduism the main thought is that yoga brings people closer to God. In Buddhism practices, yoga is supposed to help people get a deeper sense of wisdom, compassion, and insight. In some of the farther Western countries, individualism is the strongest emphasis, so yoga would help people there get a better meaning in themselves. But, the ultimate goal of yoga is to actually attain liberation, from any type of suffering and/or the cycle of birth and death.
The word “yoga” derives from a sacred root of “Sanskrit”, which in English means “yoke”. The general translation of yoga is a “union of the individual with the universal soul”. The diversity of yoga involves many subdivisions, but everyone would agree that “the path to enlightenment” is the best suited phrase for yoga.
A common theme of yoga is the practice of concentration. The concentration is mainly focused on one point of sensation. When you sustain this “concentration” for a long enough period of time you will reach, what is called “meditation”. Most meditators express deeper feelings of joy, peace, and self-oneness. The focus of meditation differs between yoga teachers. Some may focus more on peaceful thoughts, spiritualism, or a better sense of well-being, while others will focus on the more physical aspects like, different types of stretches for getting the body into being more fit. All would agree though that meditation for either the spiritual part or physical part of yoga is the most practiced.
A little bit of history on yoga comes from the Indus Valley Civilization that was around somewhere in between six or seven thousand years ago. The earliest accounts of yoga were documented in the Rig Veda. This was a certain type of writing used back around 1500 to 2000 BC. However, the full description of yoga was first found in the “Upinasads” composed around the eighth century before Christ. The main thought of the Upinasads was that they constituted the end or conclusion of the “traditional body of spiritual wisdom”. The Upinasads used to offer sacrifices and hold certain types of ceremonies to appease the Gods. They used the thought that man could please the external gods by these sacrifices and in return that they would become one with the Supreme Being, through moral culture, restraint, and a stronger training of their minds.
With all the different types and practices of yoga, one person has so many types to choose from. Whether they want a more peaceful inner self, a stronger sense of well-being, or a body that will be put into better shape. All practices contain a characteristic designed for each purpose. While some practices are argued about, all have one thing in common, it is practiced regularly around the world by many, and it is growing more popular every day.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Yoga
Yoga is supposed to lead a person to better health, and a calmer, more emotional well-being. Mental clarity and a joy in living are the main thoughts imposed upon a person who practices Yoga. The steps in Yoga ultimately are supposed to lead to an advanced state of meditation called “samadhi”.
All the goals of Yoga are expressed in different ways among a lot of different traditions. In Hinduism the main thought is that yoga brings people closer to God. In Buddhism practices, yoga is supposed to help people get a deeper sense of wisdom, compassion, and insight. In some of the farther Western countries, individualism is the strongest emphasis, so yoga would help people there get a better meaning in themselves. But, the ultimate goal of yoga is to actually attain liberation, from any type of suffering and/or the cycle of birth and death.
The word “yoga” derives from a sacred root of “Sanskrit”, which in English means “yoke”. The general translation of yoga is a “union of the individual with the universal soul”. The diversity of yoga involves many subdivisions, but everyone would agree that “the path to enlightenment” is the best suited phrase for yoga.
A common theme of yoga is the practice of concentration. The concentration is mainly focused on one point of sensation. When you sustain this “concentration” for a long enough period of time you will reach, what is called “meditation”. Most meditators express deeper feelings of joy, peace, and self-oneness. The focus of meditation differs between yoga teachers. Some may focus more on peaceful thoughts, spiritualism, or a better sense of well-being, while others will focus on the more physical aspects like, different types of stretches for getting the body into being more fit. All would agree though that meditation for either the spiritual part or physical part of yoga is the most practiced.
A little bit of history on yoga comes from the Indus Valley Civilization that was around somewhere in between six or seven thousand years ago. The earliest accounts of yoga were documented in the Rig Veda. This was a certain type of writing used back around 1500 to 2000 BC. However, the full description of yoga was first found in the “Upinasads” composed around the eighth century before Christ. The main thought of the Upinasads was that they constituted the end or conclusion of the “traditional body of spiritual wisdom”. The Upinasads used to offer sacrifices and hold certain types of ceremonies to appease the Gods. They used the thought that man could please the external gods by these sacrifices and in return that they would become one with the Supreme Being, through moral culture, restraint, and a stronger training of their minds.
With all the different types and practices of yoga, one person has so many types to choose from. Whether they want a more peaceful inner self, a stronger sense of well-being, or a body that will be put into better shape. All practices contain a characteristic designed for each purpose. While some practices are argued about, all have one thing in common, it is practiced regularly around the world by many, and it is growing more popular every day.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Yoga
Maintaining a Home Practice
“What’s a home practice?!” my friend Suzi from Portugal wrote, her irony not lost in the facelessness of the typed page. “Well, I guess I could say that my kids are my Yoga, as my husband is also, or the dogs, or making the beds, or doing the dishes…”
But of course, aren’t most of us householders, with Yoga as the focus of our lives being just behind round-the-world cruises and a fleet of sports cars in that ever-present lottery win fantasy? After all, for the majority of us it’s not Yoga that feeds the kids, makes the beds, pays the bills…
“The kids go back to school on Monday,” Suzi continued, a hint of relief in her words. “And then I shall be able to put my thoughts back in order.”
And that’s when it struck me - what use is this Yoga thing if it only works when we are free to clear the time and space to let it take effect? Who needs to feel the wonders of Yoga more, I wonder - the stressed business executive as she faces the demands of an uncaring world, or the reclusive monk with hour after day after month to indulge in the finest of India’s philosophies? And if Yoga only works for those with the time to follow a strict and lengthy course of behaviour, what use is it to the you or me in our everyday lives?
And yet, how useful this Yoga thing is was my very first thought after my first ever Yoga class. So strange, I thought, that I could lie there in a class full of complete strangers and yet be relaxed enough to fall asleep. There was something in this Yoga thing indeed!
Skip several months forward and, much as I still enjoyed classes, there was something limiting about the set times and places, the postures chosen by the teachers. Something inhibiting in the pace of the classes, by necessity aimed at the slowest learners, and (again, by necessity) lacking in the philosophical structure that I now know to be true Yoga. All in all, something that wasn’t quite right.
At that time, the “some is good, more is better” attitude still ran strong in me, and I tried (without much success) to go to more classes each week, desperate to find that “more” that eluded me. But gradually, over months (perhaps years), the realisation came that it wasn’t more of the same I needed, but less - and more of something different. Less them, more me…
I took my first tentative steps towards a home practice quite early, after just a few weeks of classes, when I received my first Yoga video as a present. But like a teetering toddler it continued in bursts and stumbles for over 6 months before finding its feet in any way. Even then (and even now) the falls are frequent, the merest social events or most inconsequential working demands wreaking untold havoc on my good intentions. Could this really be what Patanjali had in mind?
But something in Suzi’s words seemed to click, a connection to the very first sutra of Patanjali’s finest work. In fact, the very first word - Atha.
Now.
Not tomorrow, not next week. Not when the kids go back to school, or when work eases up and lets you home before dark o’clock.
NOW!
Yoga cannot take place another time, it must begin now with your intention to practice. Easy for me to say as I sit at the keyboard, typing ideals and impossible goals for people I don’t even know! Or is it? Where in the Yoga sutra-s does Patanjali say that Yoga must be a ninety minute class of asana-s? Or an hour? Or half an hour? Does he even prescribe that we must dedicate one minute to Yoga?
This fallacy, that we must set aside a block of time is second only to the prevailing misconception that Yoga equals asana. Together they make a deadly combination. So you’re at home, the dog’s barking, kids are screaming and tearing up the joint, dinner’s burning on the stove - right now, an hour’s asana practice is about as much use as a chocolate teapot. But can you spare sixty seconds? Or thirty? Close your eyes (oh yeah, better switch off that stove first!), take a deep breath and bring yourself just one step closer to calmness. Feel better? Of course. Was that Yoga? For sure.
But what can we do to maximise the likelihood of a regular, if not daily, practice? To begin, I think taking a good long look at yourself, your environment, and your needs from Yoga, is an excellent starting point. This is a large part of what Patanjali calls Svadhyaya or self-study, one of the three essential elements of Kriya Yoga (the Yoga of action.) And the first question must be to ask yourself what you are hoping to achieve from Yoga?
Discovering your intent is a very important preparation for practice, for that determines largely what you will do, and how you will do it. If your needs are spiritual, a dynamic asana-based practice is unlikely to help you achieve that - on the contrary, if you look to Yoga as a means of physical therapy, a practice centred around chanting and prayer will probably not meet your expectations.
The next step should be to look at how you can change your life to move towards those goals.
“Having a Yoga space helps me,” said Suzanne, another friend and a Yoga teacher from North Carolina. “I have my Yoga room back again it makes a huge difference. My stepson is still in and out, so there is still some of his stuff there, but having a space that’s clear and clean and dedicated is wonderful.”
Your ‘Achilles heel’ may be very different - for me, I know that the key to a regular practice is a good night’s sleep. A night owl at heart, I prefer to stay up late but know that if I do not get up and practice in the morning before work, I am less likely to do it. Several late nights have a cumulative effect, and it then becomes a feat for me to break the ‘downward spiral’, a much greater effort to drag myself to the mat. But how do we summon that initial effort?
A story springs to mind of an in-house training course run by my work, where the old seasoned veteran is trying to teach the next batch of young whippersnappers how to do the job. As they sit in expectation he forms them in a circle and places a lit candle in the middle.
“Now I want you all to close your eyes, and think hard, and concentrate on putting out that candle with your thoughts.” A few doubtful glances, then the eyes are closed and the trainees strain their faces as they will that candle to extinguish.
“Open your eyes,” he says, but when they do the candle is still lit. “Try again, but this time I really want you all to picture that candle blowing out.” Again they try. Again the candle is still lit when their eyes are opened.
Shaking his head, this dinosaur steps into the middle of the circle, licks his forefinger and thumb, then snuffs out the flame.
“Don’t think about it! Do it!”
While self-study may prepare you for success, all the planning in the world will never take you one step closer to extinguishing that candle. What you need is Tapas - often described as fire, austerity or self-discipline - to take you to your mat. This discipline always seems to begin with a sacrifice -whether a warm bed on a frosty winter’s morning, or a few more minutes with a loved one watching the latest blockbuster. This is where the elements of Kriya Yoga begin to interact - how much do you want to reach the goals that Svadhyaya have revealed to you? Enough to sacrifice fifteen more minutes in bed? Enough to miss that wonderful movie (and associated munchies)? Only you can decide, but without that discipline your candle will still be burning every time you open your eyes.
So you’ve done the thinking (and boy did that hurt), and summoned the willpower to take you to the mat. But then the phone rings, and your boss needs you in at work immediately, or a good friend has found a crisis to distract you from your path. Surely even Patanjali cannot get you out of this one?!
This is where the third element comes rushing in to the rescue - Ishvara Pranidhana, or surrender to god. And this is where a large proportion of Yogin-s go rushing out the door, as the threat of theology looms over their favoured pastime. But far from some devotional ideal, I see the practical application of this surrender as being a simple acceptance - acceptance that sometimes (most of the time) we are in a river not of our choosing, and that we must swim along with the current or perish.
“The slump is my guru!” declared David (yes, you guessed it, yet another friend), who teaches in Utah.
Just five words, but instantly I knew what he meant. Beyond the asana-s and the pranayama, beyond meditation and chanting, Yoga has so much more to teach us. A home practice is a far greater gift than a half hour’s mat time, and often seems amplified when Swami Slumpananda is in control. The trick then is to recognise your control is gone, accept it, wait and watch. Sooner or later the Swami cuts you free, and it’s time to dish out the Tapas again!
Scott currently teaches at Kilmarnock College, Kilmarnock, on a Saturday morning during the academic term. He is also available for one-to-one sessions in order to help you develop a regular home practice, to deepen your existing practice or to tackle specific issues that cannot be addressed in group classes. You can find further details or contact him through his website at http://www.exploreyoga.co.uk
But of course, aren’t most of us householders, with Yoga as the focus of our lives being just behind round-the-world cruises and a fleet of sports cars in that ever-present lottery win fantasy? After all, for the majority of us it’s not Yoga that feeds the kids, makes the beds, pays the bills…
“The kids go back to school on Monday,” Suzi continued, a hint of relief in her words. “And then I shall be able to put my thoughts back in order.”
And that’s when it struck me - what use is this Yoga thing if it only works when we are free to clear the time and space to let it take effect? Who needs to feel the wonders of Yoga more, I wonder - the stressed business executive as she faces the demands of an uncaring world, or the reclusive monk with hour after day after month to indulge in the finest of India’s philosophies? And if Yoga only works for those with the time to follow a strict and lengthy course of behaviour, what use is it to the you or me in our everyday lives?
And yet, how useful this Yoga thing is was my very first thought after my first ever Yoga class. So strange, I thought, that I could lie there in a class full of complete strangers and yet be relaxed enough to fall asleep. There was something in this Yoga thing indeed!
Skip several months forward and, much as I still enjoyed classes, there was something limiting about the set times and places, the postures chosen by the teachers. Something inhibiting in the pace of the classes, by necessity aimed at the slowest learners, and (again, by necessity) lacking in the philosophical structure that I now know to be true Yoga. All in all, something that wasn’t quite right.
At that time, the “some is good, more is better” attitude still ran strong in me, and I tried (without much success) to go to more classes each week, desperate to find that “more” that eluded me. But gradually, over months (perhaps years), the realisation came that it wasn’t more of the same I needed, but less - and more of something different. Less them, more me…
I took my first tentative steps towards a home practice quite early, after just a few weeks of classes, when I received my first Yoga video as a present. But like a teetering toddler it continued in bursts and stumbles for over 6 months before finding its feet in any way. Even then (and even now) the falls are frequent, the merest social events or most inconsequential working demands wreaking untold havoc on my good intentions. Could this really be what Patanjali had in mind?
But something in Suzi’s words seemed to click, a connection to the very first sutra of Patanjali’s finest work. In fact, the very first word - Atha.
Now.
Not tomorrow, not next week. Not when the kids go back to school, or when work eases up and lets you home before dark o’clock.
NOW!
Yoga cannot take place another time, it must begin now with your intention to practice. Easy for me to say as I sit at the keyboard, typing ideals and impossible goals for people I don’t even know! Or is it? Where in the Yoga sutra-s does Patanjali say that Yoga must be a ninety minute class of asana-s? Or an hour? Or half an hour? Does he even prescribe that we must dedicate one minute to Yoga?
This fallacy, that we must set aside a block of time is second only to the prevailing misconception that Yoga equals asana. Together they make a deadly combination. So you’re at home, the dog’s barking, kids are screaming and tearing up the joint, dinner’s burning on the stove - right now, an hour’s asana practice is about as much use as a chocolate teapot. But can you spare sixty seconds? Or thirty? Close your eyes (oh yeah, better switch off that stove first!), take a deep breath and bring yourself just one step closer to calmness. Feel better? Of course. Was that Yoga? For sure.
But what can we do to maximise the likelihood of a regular, if not daily, practice? To begin, I think taking a good long look at yourself, your environment, and your needs from Yoga, is an excellent starting point. This is a large part of what Patanjali calls Svadhyaya or self-study, one of the three essential elements of Kriya Yoga (the Yoga of action.) And the first question must be to ask yourself what you are hoping to achieve from Yoga?
Discovering your intent is a very important preparation for practice, for that determines largely what you will do, and how you will do it. If your needs are spiritual, a dynamic asana-based practice is unlikely to help you achieve that - on the contrary, if you look to Yoga as a means of physical therapy, a practice centred around chanting and prayer will probably not meet your expectations.
The next step should be to look at how you can change your life to move towards those goals.
“Having a Yoga space helps me,” said Suzanne, another friend and a Yoga teacher from North Carolina. “I have my Yoga room back again it makes a huge difference. My stepson is still in and out, so there is still some of his stuff there, but having a space that’s clear and clean and dedicated is wonderful.”
Your ‘Achilles heel’ may be very different - for me, I know that the key to a regular practice is a good night’s sleep. A night owl at heart, I prefer to stay up late but know that if I do not get up and practice in the morning before work, I am less likely to do it. Several late nights have a cumulative effect, and it then becomes a feat for me to break the ‘downward spiral’, a much greater effort to drag myself to the mat. But how do we summon that initial effort?
A story springs to mind of an in-house training course run by my work, where the old seasoned veteran is trying to teach the next batch of young whippersnappers how to do the job. As they sit in expectation he forms them in a circle and places a lit candle in the middle.
“Now I want you all to close your eyes, and think hard, and concentrate on putting out that candle with your thoughts.” A few doubtful glances, then the eyes are closed and the trainees strain their faces as they will that candle to extinguish.
“Open your eyes,” he says, but when they do the candle is still lit. “Try again, but this time I really want you all to picture that candle blowing out.” Again they try. Again the candle is still lit when their eyes are opened.
Shaking his head, this dinosaur steps into the middle of the circle, licks his forefinger and thumb, then snuffs out the flame.
“Don’t think about it! Do it!”
While self-study may prepare you for success, all the planning in the world will never take you one step closer to extinguishing that candle. What you need is Tapas - often described as fire, austerity or self-discipline - to take you to your mat. This discipline always seems to begin with a sacrifice -whether a warm bed on a frosty winter’s morning, or a few more minutes with a loved one watching the latest blockbuster. This is where the elements of Kriya Yoga begin to interact - how much do you want to reach the goals that Svadhyaya have revealed to you? Enough to sacrifice fifteen more minutes in bed? Enough to miss that wonderful movie (and associated munchies)? Only you can decide, but without that discipline your candle will still be burning every time you open your eyes.
So you’ve done the thinking (and boy did that hurt), and summoned the willpower to take you to the mat. But then the phone rings, and your boss needs you in at work immediately, or a good friend has found a crisis to distract you from your path. Surely even Patanjali cannot get you out of this one?!
This is where the third element comes rushing in to the rescue - Ishvara Pranidhana, or surrender to god. And this is where a large proportion of Yogin-s go rushing out the door, as the threat of theology looms over their favoured pastime. But far from some devotional ideal, I see the practical application of this surrender as being a simple acceptance - acceptance that sometimes (most of the time) we are in a river not of our choosing, and that we must swim along with the current or perish.
“The slump is my guru!” declared David (yes, you guessed it, yet another friend), who teaches in Utah.
Just five words, but instantly I knew what he meant. Beyond the asana-s and the pranayama, beyond meditation and chanting, Yoga has so much more to teach us. A home practice is a far greater gift than a half hour’s mat time, and often seems amplified when Swami Slumpananda is in control. The trick then is to recognise your control is gone, accept it, wait and watch. Sooner or later the Swami cuts you free, and it’s time to dish out the Tapas again!
Scott currently teaches at Kilmarnock College, Kilmarnock, on a Saturday morning during the academic term. He is also available for one-to-one sessions in order to help you develop a regular home practice, to deepen your existing practice or to tackle specific issues that cannot be addressed in group classes. You can find further details or contact him through his website at http://www.exploreyoga.co.uk
February 25, 2009
Which Yoga Mat Is The Right One For Me?
If you are just starting out with yoga, you already know that there are a number of different pieces of equipment that you may need and the yoga mat is one of them. But, how can you choose one that is right for you? There are several things to help you make that decision and knowing a little about each yoga mat will help you to make the right choice.
The most common type of yoga mat is the sticky mat. These mats are very thin and offer a little padding. This is the traditional type of mat. There are now those that have more padding and allow for a better feel being produced. What is important is to realize the point behind having a yoga mat at all. They do several things for you. First, they can help to brace you so that you do not slip and fall when you are in one stance or the next. They can also help to provide even a small bit of padding to the knees, the hips, and the back.
Here are some of the various types of yoga mats and what they can do for you.
The Meditation Mat: This mat is usually purchased with a pillow that goes with it. The combination offers for a better sitting meditation posture. It conforms to your body?s shape while allowing you to sit properly.
Universal Style Yoga Mat: This yoga mat is one of the most basic. It has a light texture to it and a high tack surface that will allow the hands to melts into it during poses.
Deluxe Yoga Mats: These are highly textured. They often are made of high tack foam surfaces and offer a better grip all around.
For those that are a beginner, a beginner yoga mat can be quite important. These are vinyl and have a sponge foam texture to them.
Others: There are also those yoga mats that can do excellent things for you. For example, some are thicker and denser than others. Some will absorb perspiration. Some are just tougher.
In order to know which yoga mat you should purchase, you will want to consider what you plan to do with it, your level and need for comfort while doing that and what budget you have. You can always ask your yoga instructor about which mats are appropriate for the type of yoga you will be doing.
Mike Singh is a successful webmaster and publisher of http://www.yoga-made-ez.com He provides more yoga health benefits and yoga sequences for your convenience.
The most common type of yoga mat is the sticky mat. These mats are very thin and offer a little padding. This is the traditional type of mat. There are now those that have more padding and allow for a better feel being produced. What is important is to realize the point behind having a yoga mat at all. They do several things for you. First, they can help to brace you so that you do not slip and fall when you are in one stance or the next. They can also help to provide even a small bit of padding to the knees, the hips, and the back.
Here are some of the various types of yoga mats and what they can do for you.
The Meditation Mat: This mat is usually purchased with a pillow that goes with it. The combination offers for a better sitting meditation posture. It conforms to your body?s shape while allowing you to sit properly.
Universal Style Yoga Mat: This yoga mat is one of the most basic. It has a light texture to it and a high tack surface that will allow the hands to melts into it during poses.
Deluxe Yoga Mats: These are highly textured. They often are made of high tack foam surfaces and offer a better grip all around.
For those that are a beginner, a beginner yoga mat can be quite important. These are vinyl and have a sponge foam texture to them.
Others: There are also those yoga mats that can do excellent things for you. For example, some are thicker and denser than others. Some will absorb perspiration. Some are just tougher.
In order to know which yoga mat you should purchase, you will want to consider what you plan to do with it, your level and need for comfort while doing that and what budget you have. You can always ask your yoga instructor about which mats are appropriate for the type of yoga you will be doing.
Mike Singh is a successful webmaster and publisher of http://www.yoga-made-ez.com He provides more yoga health benefits and yoga sequences for your convenience.
What You Need to Know When You Start Yoga Exercises
No down you have heard about yoga for years but you may not really know much about it. If you are just a beginner in the yoga world, here are some things that you need to know about before you start.
There are several different styles or kinds of yoga exercises, that range from very gentle and relaxing positions to fairly fast-paced cardio workouts. So first decide what you want to accomplish with yoga. If you have suffered an injury or are trying to manage pain, then perhaps one of the more gentle types of yoga will be best at least for now.
So how do you learn how to practice yoga? Well, there are plenty of DVDs and videos available that can help you learn more about it. However, it’s usually best to learn the exercises from a quality instructor instead. There are many yoga classes available at studios and gyms all across the country. It may be a good idea to ask around and get recommendations from others about the best yoga instructors in your area. A good instructor will be very patient with you as you start out and will focus on teaching you not only the exercises themselves, but also how to maintain proper body alignment and breathing techniques throughout the positions and poses. It’s a good idea to visit a few yoga classes and perhaps sit in on a session or two to learn more about each instructor, and then choose the one that you like best.
It’s important that you approach yoga with the right mental attitude. It is not a competition. It is not a challenge. You are not trying to do something better than anyone else. In fact, yoga is a very personal experience. So listen to your own body as you learn the exercises and you can’t go wrong.
So what equipment are you going to need for this new adventure? Well, wearing the right clothing will be important. Your clothing needs to be comfortable and not restrictive. And since you can get very warm from practicing the poses and positions, your clothing should also be breathable and keep your skin as dry as possible.
Perhaps the most common piece of equipment is a yoga mat. They can actually come in handy for a couple of reasons. First of all, the mat can help keep you from slipping as you exercise on the floor. This gets more important as the session progresses and you perspire at your body heats up. The other benefit of using a yoga mat is that it keeps you from having to sit on a hard bare floor. There are several types of mats available, so just choose the one that fits you best.
Water will be important to have handy as you will need to stay hydrated as you exercise and replace any lost fluids. Generally, it’s best to practice yoga on an empty stomach, so try to avoid eating heavy meals very soon beforehand too.
Many people have found that yoga makes a very important contribution to their mental and physical well-being. Hopefully, it can do the same for you.
Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including fitness. You can find free yoga exercises and free yoga poses by visiting our Home Fitness website.
There are several different styles or kinds of yoga exercises, that range from very gentle and relaxing positions to fairly fast-paced cardio workouts. So first decide what you want to accomplish with yoga. If you have suffered an injury or are trying to manage pain, then perhaps one of the more gentle types of yoga will be best at least for now.
So how do you learn how to practice yoga? Well, there are plenty of DVDs and videos available that can help you learn more about it. However, it’s usually best to learn the exercises from a quality instructor instead. There are many yoga classes available at studios and gyms all across the country. It may be a good idea to ask around and get recommendations from others about the best yoga instructors in your area. A good instructor will be very patient with you as you start out and will focus on teaching you not only the exercises themselves, but also how to maintain proper body alignment and breathing techniques throughout the positions and poses. It’s a good idea to visit a few yoga classes and perhaps sit in on a session or two to learn more about each instructor, and then choose the one that you like best.
It’s important that you approach yoga with the right mental attitude. It is not a competition. It is not a challenge. You are not trying to do something better than anyone else. In fact, yoga is a very personal experience. So listen to your own body as you learn the exercises and you can’t go wrong.
So what equipment are you going to need for this new adventure? Well, wearing the right clothing will be important. Your clothing needs to be comfortable and not restrictive. And since you can get very warm from practicing the poses and positions, your clothing should also be breathable and keep your skin as dry as possible.
Perhaps the most common piece of equipment is a yoga mat. They can actually come in handy for a couple of reasons. First of all, the mat can help keep you from slipping as you exercise on the floor. This gets more important as the session progresses and you perspire at your body heats up. The other benefit of using a yoga mat is that it keeps you from having to sit on a hard bare floor. There are several types of mats available, so just choose the one that fits you best.
Water will be important to have handy as you will need to stay hydrated as you exercise and replace any lost fluids. Generally, it’s best to practice yoga on an empty stomach, so try to avoid eating heavy meals very soon beforehand too.
Many people have found that yoga makes a very important contribution to their mental and physical well-being. Hopefully, it can do the same for you.
Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including fitness. You can find free yoga exercises and free yoga poses by visiting our Home Fitness website.
February 24, 2009
An Objective View of Yoga
When you think of Yoga, what is the picture you see within your ?mind?s eye?? Many people still think of Hatha Yoga, and its many sub-styles, as the only Yoga around. This is due to the fact that outside India, Hatha Yoga (Union by Physical Mastery), is most commonly seen.
Therefore, this is understandable - except there are many forms of Yoga, and many are much less physical forms that are sometimes misunderstood. Yoga does not have to be practiced in an Ashram or on a Yoga mat. To be beneficial, Yoga can be practiced anywhere, at any time, in any shape or form.
Just by giving people help, without asking for anything in return, you are practicing Karma Yoga. By praying, you are practicing a form of Bhakti Yoga. Also, by seeking and finding the pure, but unobvious truth, you may be practicing Jnana Yoga, (Union by Knowledge).
Yoga literally means ?Unity? or ?Union,? but each Yoga style has within itself a unique way to achieve the union of mind, body, and spirit. Yoga is non-confronting, non-conflicting, and can be integrated with many physical disciplines and religious practices. Any style of Yoga will integrate with other forms of Yoga and healing methods.
Yoga teachers ?spread the word,? but they must teach the more popular physical aspects of Yoga, if they want to keep their students. This is why many people get an incomplete picture of a complete health maintenance system for the three aspects of mind, body, and spirit. All three aspects of health are of equal importance, but the physical aspect is more easily realized.
Whether you are a beginner, long-time Yoga practitioner, or a Yoga teacher, your knowledge will make a difference for the best. Just by showing loving kindness and mindfulness to your friends, co-workers, and family, you will alter this world.
Therefore, the proliferation of Yoga is a miracle and a gift to mankind. By helping others, you will feel gratification that is helpful to your own mental, physical, and spiritual health. In turn, you, and your actions, will evolve with loving kindness as your guide.
This is the fundamental key to good health and well being: Give to others and you will feel much better about yourself. There is a teacher within all of us, even if you only share the gift of Yoga with one friend.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: “Yoga in Practice” a free e-Book, which will be available in March of 2006.
http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
Therefore, this is understandable - except there are many forms of Yoga, and many are much less physical forms that are sometimes misunderstood. Yoga does not have to be practiced in an Ashram or on a Yoga mat. To be beneficial, Yoga can be practiced anywhere, at any time, in any shape or form.
Just by giving people help, without asking for anything in return, you are practicing Karma Yoga. By praying, you are practicing a form of Bhakti Yoga. Also, by seeking and finding the pure, but unobvious truth, you may be practicing Jnana Yoga, (Union by Knowledge).
Yoga literally means ?Unity? or ?Union,? but each Yoga style has within itself a unique way to achieve the union of mind, body, and spirit. Yoga is non-confronting, non-conflicting, and can be integrated with many physical disciplines and religious practices. Any style of Yoga will integrate with other forms of Yoga and healing methods.
Yoga teachers ?spread the word,? but they must teach the more popular physical aspects of Yoga, if they want to keep their students. This is why many people get an incomplete picture of a complete health maintenance system for the three aspects of mind, body, and spirit. All three aspects of health are of equal importance, but the physical aspect is more easily realized.
Whether you are a beginner, long-time Yoga practitioner, or a Yoga teacher, your knowledge will make a difference for the best. Just by showing loving kindness and mindfulness to your friends, co-workers, and family, you will alter this world.
Therefore, the proliferation of Yoga is a miracle and a gift to mankind. By helping others, you will feel gratification that is helpful to your own mental, physical, and spiritual health. In turn, you, and your actions, will evolve with loving kindness as your guide.
This is the fundamental key to good health and well being: Give to others and you will feel much better about yourself. There is a teacher within all of us, even if you only share the gift of Yoga with one friend.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: “Yoga in Practice” a free e-Book, which will be available in March of 2006.
http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
Yoga in Practice: Ten Solutions for Depressed Yoga Students, Part 3
Put Ideas into Action: Procrastination in, and of itself, can cause many poor outcomes. Setting goals, and writing them down, was discussed earlier, but those steps are worthless without putting your plans into action.
The ?dreamer? who comes up with a great idea, and watches someone else put a similar idea into action, is truly depressed. Sometimes, great ideas are being worked on at the opposite side of the Earth, and it?s just a matter of who puts the idea into action first.
There are also co-workers and supervisors who will gladly take the credit for your ideas. Therefore, do not waste time or procrastinate in any way. If you make a mistake, use it to your advantage and learn from it, but don?t ?sit on an idea.?
One last point to cover on this subject is how often we judge ourselves harshly. In my Yoga classes, I often mention ?non-judgment? of others, but we are our own worst critics in this life. No one else will ever be as harsh as we can be to ourselves. So, stop criticizing your own ideas, before they get started, and put them into action.
Pranayama: Simple breath awareness alone can help relieve anxiety and depression. When you combine this with meditation, Pranayama can be a powerful tool. As a Yoga practitioner, you know many Yogic breathing techniques, but students should have a few ?go to? Pranayama techniques for daily stress and some for severe stress.
Ujjayi Pranayama would be the first selection; translated to English this means, ?victory or victorious breath.? Therefore, it is no accident that this particular Pranayama will purge depression and inner fears. As a matter of fact, Ujjayi Pranayama will instill confidence.
If Yoga students practice Ujjayi Pranayama, with an Asana sequence such as Sun Salutations or a Vinyasa series, they will conquer mild depression and develop new found confidence in themselves.
There are many more Yogic solutions for anyone to get rid of depression and gain confidence in his or her self, but these ten methods are familiar to Yoga teachers and most Yoga students. Yoga practice needs to be taken home, just like homework. If a Yoga student truly wants to see results, the practice of Yoga has to be maintained on a regular basis.
Within Yoga are many facets, but all of them lead to good health. A Yoga student who practices ?once in a while,? is better off than never having practiced at all, but should not expect to see significant results. This is why Yoga teachers have to tell their students the truth about expectations.
Do not ?sugar coat? a Yoga student?s responsibility to practice Yoga on an almost daily basis. This is also how a medical prescription works. Can you imagine what would happen if patients took their prescribed medicine once in a while?
Continuity is the key to good health and a steady Yoga practice will yield good mental, physical, and spiritual health. This is also true for everything worth attaining in life.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
The ?dreamer? who comes up with a great idea, and watches someone else put a similar idea into action, is truly depressed. Sometimes, great ideas are being worked on at the opposite side of the Earth, and it?s just a matter of who puts the idea into action first.
There are also co-workers and supervisors who will gladly take the credit for your ideas. Therefore, do not waste time or procrastinate in any way. If you make a mistake, use it to your advantage and learn from it, but don?t ?sit on an idea.?
One last point to cover on this subject is how often we judge ourselves harshly. In my Yoga classes, I often mention ?non-judgment? of others, but we are our own worst critics in this life. No one else will ever be as harsh as we can be to ourselves. So, stop criticizing your own ideas, before they get started, and put them into action.
Pranayama: Simple breath awareness alone can help relieve anxiety and depression. When you combine this with meditation, Pranayama can be a powerful tool. As a Yoga practitioner, you know many Yogic breathing techniques, but students should have a few ?go to? Pranayama techniques for daily stress and some for severe stress.
Ujjayi Pranayama would be the first selection; translated to English this means, ?victory or victorious breath.? Therefore, it is no accident that this particular Pranayama will purge depression and inner fears. As a matter of fact, Ujjayi Pranayama will instill confidence.
If Yoga students practice Ujjayi Pranayama, with an Asana sequence such as Sun Salutations or a Vinyasa series, they will conquer mild depression and develop new found confidence in themselves.
There are many more Yogic solutions for anyone to get rid of depression and gain confidence in his or her self, but these ten methods are familiar to Yoga teachers and most Yoga students. Yoga practice needs to be taken home, just like homework. If a Yoga student truly wants to see results, the practice of Yoga has to be maintained on a regular basis.
Within Yoga are many facets, but all of them lead to good health. A Yoga student who practices ?once in a while,? is better off than never having practiced at all, but should not expect to see significant results. This is why Yoga teachers have to tell their students the truth about expectations.
Do not ?sugar coat? a Yoga student?s responsibility to practice Yoga on an almost daily basis. This is also how a medical prescription works. Can you imagine what would happen if patients took their prescribed medicine once in a while?
Continuity is the key to good health and a steady Yoga practice will yield good mental, physical, and spiritual health. This is also true for everything worth attaining in life.
? Copyright 2006 ? Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html
What is Yoga?
As part of the Hindu religion and way of life, traditional yoga philosophies require students to attain complete peace in body and mind through behavior, diet and meditation. In Sanskrit the word Yoga translates to union or unite.
Most people in the United States are interested in what is known as Hatha Yoga, the practice of poses (asanas) with particular attention being paid to breathing. Practicing asanas is one of the 8 “limbs” of yoga. Traditionally practiced to achieve unity between the body and mind, which in turn elevates the spirit.
Many people are intimidated to practice yoga due to the misconceptions that one must be naturally flexible to do so, or that ones religious beliefs will be challenged. Some refer to yoga as merely stretching; I do this myself to cut down on the intimidation factor for others. Stretching is, of course involved, but yoga is the practice of poses or postures, with attention being paid to breathing. The goal is to develop a balance of strength and flexibility within the body. I can only say in reference to the religion factor that although yoga is a part of the Hindu religion, it is not in itself a religion, and some of the benefits obtained by a regular practice would only, in my opinion, enhance and strengthen your religious convictions, whatever they may be.
Click: Yoga-411 to learn about yoga. Get motivated with articles, tips and resource information on Yoga. Great for beginners!
Most people in the United States are interested in what is known as Hatha Yoga, the practice of poses (asanas) with particular attention being paid to breathing. Practicing asanas is one of the 8 “limbs” of yoga. Traditionally practiced to achieve unity between the body and mind, which in turn elevates the spirit.
Many people are intimidated to practice yoga due to the misconceptions that one must be naturally flexible to do so, or that ones religious beliefs will be challenged. Some refer to yoga as merely stretching; I do this myself to cut down on the intimidation factor for others. Stretching is, of course involved, but yoga is the practice of poses or postures, with attention being paid to breathing. The goal is to develop a balance of strength and flexibility within the body. I can only say in reference to the religion factor that although yoga is a part of the Hindu religion, it is not in itself a religion, and some of the benefits obtained by a regular practice would only, in my opinion, enhance and strengthen your religious convictions, whatever they may be.
Click: Yoga-411 to learn about yoga. Get motivated with articles, tips and resource information on Yoga. Great for beginners!
Yoga and Personality Development
What is personality?
Human personality is a very complex topic by itself. There are many
definitions of personality. For the sake of simplicity we can consider it as a
collection of physical, mental and behavioral traits and patterns that we
exhibit in our life.
Often personality development is either misunderstood or ignored. It is
acknowledged mostly in professional fields. Companies conduct training programs
on communication skills, leadership skills, and creativity and so on. They
collectively call these trainings as ?Personality Development?. Unfortunately
they are talking about only one side of the coin. No doubt that these traits are
important but they are just ?external?. These programs miss the more important
factor ? body and mind. There are hundreds of books available in the marked who
are supposed to tell you ?how to win? or ?how to be happy? but how many really
get benefited just by reading the books? Books will tell you to think positive
but the poor individuals do not know how. Just by thinking that ?I will think
positive? you can not be positive. It requires practice and fine tuning of body
and mind. Unless you have proper foundation of body and mind you simply can not
build any superior personality infrastructure.
Do I need personality development?
Majority of people feel that they already have a developed personality and
they don?t need to enhance it further. After all they are working in
professional and personal sector for years! But let me tell you that if you are
thinking on the same lines then its time to introspect. The first step in
personality development is to acknowledge that you need to improve your
personality.
How do you know whether you need fine tuning of the personality? Just sit
peacefully and try to answer the following questions:
* Do you feel that you work hard but still don?t get expected returns?
* Do you often feel that you deserved a promotion but somebody else
grabbed it instead?
* Do you feel drained after your job hours?
* Do you feel stressed ? physically and mentally?
* Does your job affect your health?
* How are your interpersonal relationships?
* Do you feel void ness in your life?
* Do you often feel unhappy (many times not knowing why)?
* Do you feel that you can not deliver 100% of your potential?
The answers to the above questions will tell you whether there is any
friction within yourself.
The yogic view of of personality
As per Yoga the human body consists of five sheaths or layers. They are:
* Conscious physical sheath (Annayama Kosha
* Subconscious physical sheath (Pranamaya Kosha)
* Mental sheath (Manomaya Kosha)
* Intellectual Sheath (Vigyanmaya Kosha)
* Blissful sheath (Anandamaya Kosha)
The Annamaya Kosha is related to our conscious physical deeps including
walking, talking, viewing and other such functions. These are the functions that
we perform using our physical body deliberately.
The Pranamaya Kosha deals with physical activities that we do in subconscious
state. Digestion, movement of the heart and lungs fall in this category. We
never do any deliberate efforts for these actions; still the body knows how to
perform them.
The Maniomaya Kosha deals with mind, emotions and thoughts. All our gross
thinking and emotions fall in this category.
Intellect is that faculty that decides what is good and what is bad. It is
the ability for rational thought or inference or discrimination. The Vigyanmaya
Kosha helps us to identify true from false. We can choose the correct path in
this “maya” filled world with the help of nourished Vigyanmaya Kosha.
Anandamaya Kosha or bliss is a pure state of happiness and joy which is
beyond any material pleasure. Samadhi or deep meditation gives such a joy.
The Anandamaya Kosha is the innermost sheath wrapped by other sheaths in
succession.
If you observe carefully you will realize that each sheath affects certain
part of our personality. Accordingly we can classify our personality as follows:
* Conscious physical personality
* Subconscious physical personality
* Mental personality
* Intellectual personality
* Spiritual personality
How Yoga can nourish these personalities?
The conscious as well as subconscious physical personality can be greatly
improved by Yoga postures. Yoga postures stretch your body and induce
relaxation. They affect the vital force or Prana and cause it to flow in
specific parts of the body. They are excellent remedy for back aches, digestion
problems and heart problems. The modern life forces us to sit at a place without
much physical activities. Yoga postures can strengthen the joints and various
parts of the body.
The mental personality is greatly affected through Pranayama and
concentration. Our mind remains focused at our work and in home enabling us to
do the things with full dedication and interest. In naturally results in better
personal and professional gains.
Meditation enriches the intellectual personality. Your mind becomes calm and
clear. You can think with more care and affection for others. Maya can not
delude you any more. Your decisions prove to be correct.
Finally, the deep meditation or Samadhi brings you the ultimate bliss. The
joy that is impossible to achieve through worldly enjoyments. This is the final
aim for any Yogi.
In summary practicing Yoga regularly nourishes all these five personalities
and makes your life joyous, happy and healthy.
Bipin Joshi is a .NET Trainer and consultant by profession and run his own consulting firm - BinaryIntellect Consulting. His serious journey with Yoga started in the year 1995 when he came across Hathayoga Pradipika. Inspite of his busy professional schedules he studied many texts on Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Upanishads and Bhagvat Gita. He runs a web site dedicated to Yoga, well-being and spirituality at http://www.binaryintellect.info When away from computers he spends time in deep meditation exploring the Divine.
Human personality is a very complex topic by itself. There are many
definitions of personality. For the sake of simplicity we can consider it as a
collection of physical, mental and behavioral traits and patterns that we
exhibit in our life.
Often personality development is either misunderstood or ignored. It is
acknowledged mostly in professional fields. Companies conduct training programs
on communication skills, leadership skills, and creativity and so on. They
collectively call these trainings as ?Personality Development?. Unfortunately
they are talking about only one side of the coin. No doubt that these traits are
important but they are just ?external?. These programs miss the more important
factor ? body and mind. There are hundreds of books available in the marked who
are supposed to tell you ?how to win? or ?how to be happy? but how many really
get benefited just by reading the books? Books will tell you to think positive
but the poor individuals do not know how. Just by thinking that ?I will think
positive? you can not be positive. It requires practice and fine tuning of body
and mind. Unless you have proper foundation of body and mind you simply can not
build any superior personality infrastructure.
Do I need personality development?
Majority of people feel that they already have a developed personality and
they don?t need to enhance it further. After all they are working in
professional and personal sector for years! But let me tell you that if you are
thinking on the same lines then its time to introspect. The first step in
personality development is to acknowledge that you need to improve your
personality.
How do you know whether you need fine tuning of the personality? Just sit
peacefully and try to answer the following questions:
* Do you feel that you work hard but still don?t get expected returns?
* Do you often feel that you deserved a promotion but somebody else
grabbed it instead?
* Do you feel drained after your job hours?
* Do you feel stressed ? physically and mentally?
* Does your job affect your health?
* How are your interpersonal relationships?
* Do you feel void ness in your life?
* Do you often feel unhappy (many times not knowing why)?
* Do you feel that you can not deliver 100% of your potential?
The answers to the above questions will tell you whether there is any
friction within yourself.
The yogic view of of personality
As per Yoga the human body consists of five sheaths or layers. They are:
* Conscious physical sheath (Annayama Kosha
* Subconscious physical sheath (Pranamaya Kosha)
* Mental sheath (Manomaya Kosha)
* Intellectual Sheath (Vigyanmaya Kosha)
* Blissful sheath (Anandamaya Kosha)
The Annamaya Kosha is related to our conscious physical deeps including
walking, talking, viewing and other such functions. These are the functions that
we perform using our physical body deliberately.
The Pranamaya Kosha deals with physical activities that we do in subconscious
state. Digestion, movement of the heart and lungs fall in this category. We
never do any deliberate efforts for these actions; still the body knows how to
perform them.
The Maniomaya Kosha deals with mind, emotions and thoughts. All our gross
thinking and emotions fall in this category.
Intellect is that faculty that decides what is good and what is bad. It is
the ability for rational thought or inference or discrimination. The Vigyanmaya
Kosha helps us to identify true from false. We can choose the correct path in
this “maya” filled world with the help of nourished Vigyanmaya Kosha.
Anandamaya Kosha or bliss is a pure state of happiness and joy which is
beyond any material pleasure. Samadhi or deep meditation gives such a joy.
The Anandamaya Kosha is the innermost sheath wrapped by other sheaths in
succession.
If you observe carefully you will realize that each sheath affects certain
part of our personality. Accordingly we can classify our personality as follows:
* Conscious physical personality
* Subconscious physical personality
* Mental personality
* Intellectual personality
* Spiritual personality
How Yoga can nourish these personalities?
The conscious as well as subconscious physical personality can be greatly
improved by Yoga postures. Yoga postures stretch your body and induce
relaxation. They affect the vital force or Prana and cause it to flow in
specific parts of the body. They are excellent remedy for back aches, digestion
problems and heart problems. The modern life forces us to sit at a place without
much physical activities. Yoga postures can strengthen the joints and various
parts of the body.
The mental personality is greatly affected through Pranayama and
concentration. Our mind remains focused at our work and in home enabling us to
do the things with full dedication and interest. In naturally results in better
personal and professional gains.
Meditation enriches the intellectual personality. Your mind becomes calm and
clear. You can think with more care and affection for others. Maya can not
delude you any more. Your decisions prove to be correct.
Finally, the deep meditation or Samadhi brings you the ultimate bliss. The
joy that is impossible to achieve through worldly enjoyments. This is the final
aim for any Yogi.
In summary practicing Yoga regularly nourishes all these five personalities
and makes your life joyous, happy and healthy.
Bipin Joshi is a .NET Trainer and consultant by profession and run his own consulting firm - BinaryIntellect Consulting. His serious journey with Yoga started in the year 1995 when he came across Hathayoga Pradipika. Inspite of his busy professional schedules he studied many texts on Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Upanishads and Bhagvat Gita. He runs a web site dedicated to Yoga, well-being and spirituality at http://www.binaryintellect.info When away from computers he spends time in deep meditation exploring the Divine.
Yoga Techniques
Yoga is considered the most effective way to stay fit and healthy or to get healthy again. A major advantage of yoga is that you can practise it any time of the day and anywhere you wish.
Yoga techniques are helpful in maintaining your muscles, your joints and even your glands and other inner organs.
The five yoga techniques include:
* 1. posture
* 2. Movement of Joints
* 3. Deep, controlled breathing
* 4. Relaxation
* 5. Meditation
Each technique has it’s own role and function. Some techniques support each other or prepare the body for one another.
1. Postures
There are many different postures from easy to highly demanding. The essence is not to judge oneself, but to observe oneself. A less demanding posture, standing, sitting or lying executed with dedication is always more preferable and effective.
2. Movement of Joints
To achieve a certain posture, supplety of the joints is a necessity. The joints are trained, albeit in a gentle manner, to perform these postures. This training includes, amongst others, the neck, the hands, the arms and the legs and not forgetting very importantly the back.
3. Deep Breathing
Postures and movement of the joints are supported throughout by deep, controlled breathing. Let your breath flow whilst practising yoga. Remember - certain postures/movements are performed during inhaling whilst others are performed whilst exhaling. You should never hold your breath. The longer one exhales the calmer one gets.
There are also breathing techniques such as pranayama which can be executed in an upright sitting position. ‘Prana’ or breathing, supplies the body with new energy.
4. Relaxation
Relaxation after exercising is equally as important as the exercise itself. This releases the tensions built during the exercise and allows one to mentally relive the exercise.
5. Meditation
After preparing your body through posture, movement of joints, deep breathing and relaxation the spirit is ready for meditation. The yoga techniques help to increase the awareness and one can focus on concentration. Through concentrating the thoughts on one subject, the spirit calms down and as a result one feels contentment.
Stuart Perryman
Yoga: Body - Mind - Spirit
http://yoga.alluneedtoknow.info
Yoga techniques are helpful in maintaining your muscles, your joints and even your glands and other inner organs.
The five yoga techniques include:
* 1. posture
* 2. Movement of Joints
* 3. Deep, controlled breathing
* 4. Relaxation
* 5. Meditation
Each technique has it’s own role and function. Some techniques support each other or prepare the body for one another.
1. Postures
There are many different postures from easy to highly demanding. The essence is not to judge oneself, but to observe oneself. A less demanding posture, standing, sitting or lying executed with dedication is always more preferable and effective.
2. Movement of Joints
To achieve a certain posture, supplety of the joints is a necessity. The joints are trained, albeit in a gentle manner, to perform these postures. This training includes, amongst others, the neck, the hands, the arms and the legs and not forgetting very importantly the back.
3. Deep Breathing
Postures and movement of the joints are supported throughout by deep, controlled breathing. Let your breath flow whilst practising yoga. Remember - certain postures/movements are performed during inhaling whilst others are performed whilst exhaling. You should never hold your breath. The longer one exhales the calmer one gets.
There are also breathing techniques such as pranayama which can be executed in an upright sitting position. ‘Prana’ or breathing, supplies the body with new energy.
4. Relaxation
Relaxation after exercising is equally as important as the exercise itself. This releases the tensions built during the exercise and allows one to mentally relive the exercise.
5. Meditation
After preparing your body through posture, movement of joints, deep breathing and relaxation the spirit is ready for meditation. The yoga techniques help to increase the awareness and one can focus on concentration. Through concentrating the thoughts on one subject, the spirit calms down and as a result one feels contentment.
Stuart Perryman
Yoga: Body - Mind - Spirit
http://yoga.alluneedtoknow.info
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