Dhauti is a shuddhikriya which means the act of cleaning. It specifically cleans the stomach. Since is one of the main organ in the human body and the health of the human being is dependent on the condition of the stomach. Hence it becomes very important for you to clean your stomach. Dhauti is the useful activity for this cleansing.
Dhauti is of three types:
? Vamana-dhauti: This is the easiest of all the three types. In this process you have to drink about six glasses of water and then vomit it out by putting the index and the middle fingers in the mouth till uvula. You throw up the water, which brings along with it the impurities in the stomach.
? Danda-dhauti: Repeat the above process but instead of inserting the fingers, you insert a rubber tube of about three feet in length and the width slightly more than the lead pencil. It is gulped down slowly so that one end of the tube reaches the stomach while the other end is held outside the mouth. Bend the trunk forward and this siphoning action will bring out the water from the stomach. When all the water is thrown out, bring out the rubber tube. Before using the tube, clean and disinfect it by inserting it in the boiling water for a few minutes. It is difficult for a lot of people to insert the tube without vomiting because the throat is sensitive to the touch stimuli. For them it is advisable to go for the vamana-dhauti since it is the simpler of the two. The advantage of danda-dhauti is that there is no spasm of the stomach wall and the water is thrown out very smoothly.
? Vastra-dhauti: This is the most difficult but useful dhauti. Here a strip of fine muslin cloth of about three inches in width and twenty feet in length is taken. It is washed and disinfected by dipping it in boiling water for some time and rolled up. Hold one end of it between the two fingers and insert it into the mouth. Gulp it down slowly. Stop gulping when only six inches of the cloth remain outside the mouth. Take care to ensure that you do not let the other end go into the mouth. Churn the abdomen by Nauli with the cloth inside the stomach. Now remove the strip slowly by pulling out the other end of the cloth. This dhauti cleanses the stomach by rubbing itself against the inner lining of the stomach wall and removing all the impurities from the stomach.
Dhauti has a great therapeutic value. You can use it as a part of yogic treatment of disorders like acidity and asthma.
Kevin Pederson is the webmaster of Yogawiz,that provides loads of information on basics of yoga, the need to do yoga and usage of accessories like rugs, yoga chairs and cushions. Dhauti is a therapeutic process of cleansing the stomach.
February 24, 2009
Yoga Blankets For Comfort And Warmth
Yoga Blankets are very useful for reaching that optimum level of yoga which can benefit and be useful in every yoga poses we perform. It is the best thing which can be used for comfort and does not allow the cold floor make any difference to you. It is comfortable in doing all your poses while sitting, sleeping, kneeling as the blanket provides the shield against the cold and a warm feeling.
It also helps in avoiding the neck and shoulder strain when you are doing the shoulderstand. You can use the stack of blankets to increase your height. There are different kinds of blankets to be used according to your needs and wants. These are machine washable to make your work much easy. Most of these blankets are made from natural materials. These are very durable blankets which are machine pressed. These are wide enough sheets to do all the required asanas.
These blankets can be used for the poses like Sirsansana (headstand), Sarvangasana (shoulderstand), Bikram Yoga, Ashtanga and Savasana (corpse pose). These would provide the warmth needed by your body while doing the poses. The colors can be one or a blend of two or three colors for the people who require something more. You can also get blankets which are not made of wool but some other material. Some of these blankets are also hand woven.
All the poses and exercise can be easily done with the help of these mats. These are very useful in doing the breathing exercises as well as the normal poses. These poses would help in every part of your life. The illness, disease and stress are all gone once you start off with these yoga poses.
Kevin Pederson, the webmaster for Yogawiz, where you can find information on yoga basics, different yoga asanas, accessories like yoga blankets, bolsters, straps.
It also helps in avoiding the neck and shoulder strain when you are doing the shoulderstand. You can use the stack of blankets to increase your height. There are different kinds of blankets to be used according to your needs and wants. These are machine washable to make your work much easy. Most of these blankets are made from natural materials. These are very durable blankets which are machine pressed. These are wide enough sheets to do all the required asanas.
These blankets can be used for the poses like Sirsansana (headstand), Sarvangasana (shoulderstand), Bikram Yoga, Ashtanga and Savasana (corpse pose). These would provide the warmth needed by your body while doing the poses. The colors can be one or a blend of two or three colors for the people who require something more. You can also get blankets which are not made of wool but some other material. Some of these blankets are also hand woven.
All the poses and exercise can be easily done with the help of these mats. These are very useful in doing the breathing exercises as well as the normal poses. These poses would help in every part of your life. The illness, disease and stress are all gone once you start off with these yoga poses.
Kevin Pederson, the webmaster for Yogawiz, where you can find information on yoga basics, different yoga asanas, accessories like yoga blankets, bolsters, straps.
The Heart of a Yoga Practice: Dedicating Your Efforts
There are a variety of reasons people begin practicing yoga. Many wonder what all the fuss is about, some have heard that it can help with flexibility and strength, and others wonder about the stress relief benefits. More than fifteen million Americans have stepped on the mat and have explored how yoga can enrich their lives, but many only see the physical benefits. Despite the growing popularity of yoga, many instructors are left wondering if many people are really missing the true purpose of the practice.
What are yoga students missing when they are only taking class to lose weight, become fit, or relieve stress? They are missing the heart of the practice and the chance to make significant positive changes in their lives. When going to a yoga class becomes something greater than just something you do for yourself every now and again, you begin to realize that it is not just about you anymore. Dedicating the practice to something greater than yourself is what draws the distinction between just doing exercise and practicing yoga.
These days, it seems that the mention of dedication, or devotion, can be a tricky subject in yoga class. People tend to be unresponsive when the idea of the divine is mentioned. It is important for yoga practitioners to know that the philosophy of yoga is inextricably linked with divinity, no matter what name is given to it or how it is incorporated. Yoga was built on the idea that there is a force greater than ourselves, and yet we are still connected to it. This is the idea of Oneness, and the idea is more than fairly comforting. Others who are religious fear a conflicting of faiths by believing in the spirituality of yoga; however, Swami Satchidananda said, ?The Truth is one, the paths are many.? Therefore, people of any faith or belief can practice yoga. Even if a practioner of yoga does not believe in any form of divinity, this does not present a problem. They must simply recognize that the nature of all beings is joy and try to connect with that.
Now that we?ve gotten that sticky subject out of the way, I want to explain this idea of dedicating your practice in greater detail. It?s not even so much about dedication as it is relinquishing or letting go of everything whether they be worries, fears, misunderstandings, or hang-ups. My teacher, Sharon Gannon, always promotes the idea that ?You?ve got to get down to get up.? What she means is that you need to be rooted in the here and now and be able to let go of all the fruits of your actions. Why, you ask? Why shouldn?t you just keep on doing yoga to perfect your chatturangas, balance longer in tree pose, and get that yoga butt? The answer is a simple one. What are all those things going to get you in the long run?
Sure, nailing that Chatturanga feels great, and deepening your Hanumanasana (splits pose) can give you a bit of a rush. I?m not denying that one bit, but what is the true purpose behind the motions? Yoga practice can help you to break a cycle, stop bad habits, and transform your life. Yes, it can do all of those things, but you have to let it. You see, you can?t acquire yoga like you can dance steps or aerobic maneuvers; you have to let go of what is obscuring it. You have to let go of your preferences and simply be in the moment as a divine being.
So why do asana at all if you?re not supposed to be attached to the outcome? Because the asanas help to show you the interior of your own mind, they clearly point out what you?re holding on to and what you still need to work through. They transform you into the tree or the warrior and make you see what it is like to step outside of yourself, even for the briefest of moments. Asana also gives you the chance to see that both the world and you yourself are constantly changing. This, in turn, gives you the opportunity to find what is real and unchanging.
When you realize that the purpose of your yoga practice is not to keep you rooted in this world, but to let you move through it, you begin to have faith in your ability to reach the divine with your actions. It can ignite the soul and give you a sense of renewed dignity and worth. Because you know that you?re not just performing the motions for your own benefit, the sense of satisfaction from your practice can grow beyond the mat. For example, have you ever had the opportunity to offer selfless service to another? Maybe you?ve adopted a pet and taken on the full responsibility of loving and caring for it, and, in exchange, all you have received is unconditional love from them for giving happiness and freedom. This is what the act of devotion is all about?realizing that it?s not all about the wishes and wants you only think you need.
When you start letting go of the selfish motives for practice and try to connect with something greater, you inspire your own ability to love. This is the nature of the spirit, and connecting with that is the ultimate goal of yoga practice. Samadhi is union with the divine, a connection with the source, which is true love. Everything else is negligible. As my teachers, Sharon Gannon and David Life, would say, ?The sheer desire for Oneness is the way to it.?
Realizing that all the beings in this world are connected in this way is a remarkable step for the yogi. Once the lines between ?you? and ?them? begin to fade, you realize how important it is to share love and a sense of gratitude with everyone around you.
Copyright 2006 Alanna Kaivalya
Alanna Kaivalya is an Advanced Certified Jivamukti Yoga instructor who teaches nationally and internationally. Her favorite element of yoga is the practice of deep listening ? Nada Yoga ? which helps to connect her to the divine vibrations everywhere. To download her podcasts, contact her or to invite her to teach, please visit her website, http://www.jivadiva.com
What are yoga students missing when they are only taking class to lose weight, become fit, or relieve stress? They are missing the heart of the practice and the chance to make significant positive changes in their lives. When going to a yoga class becomes something greater than just something you do for yourself every now and again, you begin to realize that it is not just about you anymore. Dedicating the practice to something greater than yourself is what draws the distinction between just doing exercise and practicing yoga.
These days, it seems that the mention of dedication, or devotion, can be a tricky subject in yoga class. People tend to be unresponsive when the idea of the divine is mentioned. It is important for yoga practitioners to know that the philosophy of yoga is inextricably linked with divinity, no matter what name is given to it or how it is incorporated. Yoga was built on the idea that there is a force greater than ourselves, and yet we are still connected to it. This is the idea of Oneness, and the idea is more than fairly comforting. Others who are religious fear a conflicting of faiths by believing in the spirituality of yoga; however, Swami Satchidananda said, ?The Truth is one, the paths are many.? Therefore, people of any faith or belief can practice yoga. Even if a practioner of yoga does not believe in any form of divinity, this does not present a problem. They must simply recognize that the nature of all beings is joy and try to connect with that.
Now that we?ve gotten that sticky subject out of the way, I want to explain this idea of dedicating your practice in greater detail. It?s not even so much about dedication as it is relinquishing or letting go of everything whether they be worries, fears, misunderstandings, or hang-ups. My teacher, Sharon Gannon, always promotes the idea that ?You?ve got to get down to get up.? What she means is that you need to be rooted in the here and now and be able to let go of all the fruits of your actions. Why, you ask? Why shouldn?t you just keep on doing yoga to perfect your chatturangas, balance longer in tree pose, and get that yoga butt? The answer is a simple one. What are all those things going to get you in the long run?
Sure, nailing that Chatturanga feels great, and deepening your Hanumanasana (splits pose) can give you a bit of a rush. I?m not denying that one bit, but what is the true purpose behind the motions? Yoga practice can help you to break a cycle, stop bad habits, and transform your life. Yes, it can do all of those things, but you have to let it. You see, you can?t acquire yoga like you can dance steps or aerobic maneuvers; you have to let go of what is obscuring it. You have to let go of your preferences and simply be in the moment as a divine being.
So why do asana at all if you?re not supposed to be attached to the outcome? Because the asanas help to show you the interior of your own mind, they clearly point out what you?re holding on to and what you still need to work through. They transform you into the tree or the warrior and make you see what it is like to step outside of yourself, even for the briefest of moments. Asana also gives you the chance to see that both the world and you yourself are constantly changing. This, in turn, gives you the opportunity to find what is real and unchanging.
When you realize that the purpose of your yoga practice is not to keep you rooted in this world, but to let you move through it, you begin to have faith in your ability to reach the divine with your actions. It can ignite the soul and give you a sense of renewed dignity and worth. Because you know that you?re not just performing the motions for your own benefit, the sense of satisfaction from your practice can grow beyond the mat. For example, have you ever had the opportunity to offer selfless service to another? Maybe you?ve adopted a pet and taken on the full responsibility of loving and caring for it, and, in exchange, all you have received is unconditional love from them for giving happiness and freedom. This is what the act of devotion is all about?realizing that it?s not all about the wishes and wants you only think you need.
When you start letting go of the selfish motives for practice and try to connect with something greater, you inspire your own ability to love. This is the nature of the spirit, and connecting with that is the ultimate goal of yoga practice. Samadhi is union with the divine, a connection with the source, which is true love. Everything else is negligible. As my teachers, Sharon Gannon and David Life, would say, ?The sheer desire for Oneness is the way to it.?
Realizing that all the beings in this world are connected in this way is a remarkable step for the yogi. Once the lines between ?you? and ?them? begin to fade, you realize how important it is to share love and a sense of gratitude with everyone around you.
Copyright 2006 Alanna Kaivalya
Alanna Kaivalya is an Advanced Certified Jivamukti Yoga instructor who teaches nationally and internationally. Her favorite element of yoga is the practice of deep listening ? Nada Yoga ? which helps to connect her to the divine vibrations everywhere. To download her podcasts, contact her or to invite her to teach, please visit her website, http://www.jivadiva.com
What is Yoga?
What is Yoga?
Yoga is a science of health and spirituality that originated many thousands of years ago in India. The ancient yogis sought to harmonize the body, mind and soul in an effort to achieve health, long life, and ultimately, enlightenment. Thus, the Sanskrit word yoga means union with or to join. This union with the divine is achieved through the disciplined practice of specific exercises, meditation and breath work.
Yoga is essentially a lifestyle, dealing with all the aspects of our being. The physical postures, or asanas that are widely perceived as yoga, are just one aspect of a very profound science of life. The Eight Limbs of Yoga, articulated by C.E. Patanjali in the Yoga Sutra, describe the eight aspects of a yogic lifestyle. These aspects guide the yogi on a path self-development to harmonize the body, mind and spirit and attain enlightenment.
The Eight Limbs of Yoga
The first limb, yama, focuses on one’s behavior in the world and attitude towards those around him or her. The five yamas are: ahimsa or nonviolence, satya or truthfulness, asteya or non-stealing, bramacharya or non-lust, aparigraha or non-possessiveness.
The second limb, niyama, refers to one’s behavior and attitude towards oneself. There are five niyamas: sauca or cleanliness, santosha or contentment, tapas or austerity, svadhyaya or study of the sacred text and of oneself, and isvarapranidhama or living with an awareness of the divine.
Asanas or physical poses are the third limb. Asanas are designed to bring strength, vitality and relaxation to every bodily system.
Pranayama, or breathing exercises, encompass the fourth limb. Through disciplined regulation of the breath-the duration of inhalation, retention and exhalation, one strengthens and cleanses the nervous system. The result is increased life-force and a calmer mind.
The fifth limb is prathayara or withdrawal of the senses. One’s focus goes inward, losing awareness of what is going on outside of oneself.
Dharana, or concentration is the sixth limb. One trains the mind to focus without distractions.
Dhyana, or meditation is the seventh limb. In meditation one practices constant observation of the mind, stilling the mind in order to heighten one’s awareness and oneness with the universe.
The final limb, the ultimate goal of yoga, is samadhi or enlightenment. It is the achievement of oneness with the universe in which one experiences a state of peace, utter contentment and completion.
Yoga as it was designed and practices by the ancient yogis encompasses all these aspects of the self and of life. It is a spiritual path and a lifestyle meant to lead the student towards health, self-knowledge, and union with the divine.
The ancient yogis sought to harmonize the body, mind and soul in an effort to
achieve health, long life, and ultimately, enlightenment. Visit WayofYoga.com
to find out how you too can do the same. Yoga
is a lifestyle choice and health
decision
http://www.wayofyoga.com
Yoga is a science of health and spirituality that originated many thousands of years ago in India. The ancient yogis sought to harmonize the body, mind and soul in an effort to achieve health, long life, and ultimately, enlightenment. Thus, the Sanskrit word yoga means union with or to join. This union with the divine is achieved through the disciplined practice of specific exercises, meditation and breath work.
Yoga is essentially a lifestyle, dealing with all the aspects of our being. The physical postures, or asanas that are widely perceived as yoga, are just one aspect of a very profound science of life. The Eight Limbs of Yoga, articulated by C.E. Patanjali in the Yoga Sutra, describe the eight aspects of a yogic lifestyle. These aspects guide the yogi on a path self-development to harmonize the body, mind and spirit and attain enlightenment.
The Eight Limbs of Yoga
The first limb, yama, focuses on one’s behavior in the world and attitude towards those around him or her. The five yamas are: ahimsa or nonviolence, satya or truthfulness, asteya or non-stealing, bramacharya or non-lust, aparigraha or non-possessiveness.
The second limb, niyama, refers to one’s behavior and attitude towards oneself. There are five niyamas: sauca or cleanliness, santosha or contentment, tapas or austerity, svadhyaya or study of the sacred text and of oneself, and isvarapranidhama or living with an awareness of the divine.
Asanas or physical poses are the third limb. Asanas are designed to bring strength, vitality and relaxation to every bodily system.
Pranayama, or breathing exercises, encompass the fourth limb. Through disciplined regulation of the breath-the duration of inhalation, retention and exhalation, one strengthens and cleanses the nervous system. The result is increased life-force and a calmer mind.
The fifth limb is prathayara or withdrawal of the senses. One’s focus goes inward, losing awareness of what is going on outside of oneself.
Dharana, or concentration is the sixth limb. One trains the mind to focus without distractions.
Dhyana, or meditation is the seventh limb. In meditation one practices constant observation of the mind, stilling the mind in order to heighten one’s awareness and oneness with the universe.
The final limb, the ultimate goal of yoga, is samadhi or enlightenment. It is the achievement of oneness with the universe in which one experiences a state of peace, utter contentment and completion.
Yoga as it was designed and practices by the ancient yogis encompasses all these aspects of the self and of life. It is a spiritual path and a lifestyle meant to lead the student towards health, self-knowledge, and union with the divine.
The ancient yogis sought to harmonize the body, mind and soul in an effort to
achieve health, long life, and ultimately, enlightenment. Visit WayofYoga.com
to find out how you too can do the same. Yoga
is a lifestyle choice and health
decision
http://www.wayofyoga.com
Karmic Yoga and the Inner Work
It was said that the Dalai Lama meditates four hours a day. When one of his close associates were asked how he spend so much time meditating with his busy schedule he said that the Dalai Lama ?meditated for other people, rather then himself.? He also said that the meditation ?allowed him to do the work.? The way he was affected by his spiritual path gave him the patience and energy to work with others. The ripples that he sent out while working with others were more positive because of this, so his meditation and self care actually created a win, win situation for everyone involved.
As we speak of Karmic Yoga many people think of it as doing only the outer work Mistakenly they think that the outer work is enough. They think that concentrating on working on the outside will make the work that needs to be done on the inside happen automatically. To the contrary, the truth is that a unhealthy and unhealed inside will taint and dampen one?s abilities and effectiveness on the outside. But if one uses their energy on the inside, instead of on the outside, doing the inner work and cultivating character, clarity, and joy while doing the outer-work, eventually the outer work will take care of itself.
The outer work will flourish because of what is happening on the inside. One?s performance will be the fruit of a healthy, loving individual and will come from a core of being, rather than an act of performing. One of the main tasks of all yoga, especially Karmic, is to free oneself from attachment not only to things, but to Maya, or the way that we have been taught to believe things are.
The world of Maya is the world of illusion. It was a world put together piece by piece to help us understand our world. Maya gives us the illusion that we can predict what is going to happen in our lives. It gives us the illusion that we can control nature and control other people. It takes away our fear and gives us comfort, but Maya, in fact, is an illusion. It is a tool created in order to comfort us, as well as being a poor substitution for faith.
If we work on the inside through meditation, contemplation, and prayer, we break free from the illusion and enter into reality. We reconnect with and become one with the divine presence in the world?the creative power that we call god. We then use Maya as it was meant, as a tool, or a doorway to enter and exit as is necessary, to get things done in the physical world. This can only be done by being engaged in the inner work. The inner work is difficult. It means going inside and challenging all of our ideas about the world. It means letting go of our false identity and claiming our true one. This work is difficult when we have conditioned for so many years and when every book, movie, television show, newspaper, and even friends and relatives keep feeding us an identity that really isn?t ours. Letting go is like a death?the death before resurrection.
As you do the great work of Karmic Yoga, working to make the world a better place, remember that the inner work is always necessary. It is something that you must do to remain healthy, strong, and to stay in touch with reality. Not only the reality of the world, but the reality of your greater self. When this is done your work will come from the heart and you will fill the world with the joy of your spirit.
Dr. J. W. Gilmore is a Writer, Spiritual Director, Anti-oppression Consultant and Wellness Consultant. He is a Certified Massage Therapist and Reflexologist, a Reiki Master Teacher, a Martial Arts Instructor and a Spiritual Coach living in Costa Rica. For more article like this or similar information visit: http://www.dswellness.com
On Being Love?s Warrior: A Warrior?s Manual on Becoming the Compassionate Warrior Within, Dr. Kendall Ronin.
As we speak of Karmic Yoga many people think of it as doing only the outer work Mistakenly they think that the outer work is enough. They think that concentrating on working on the outside will make the work that needs to be done on the inside happen automatically. To the contrary, the truth is that a unhealthy and unhealed inside will taint and dampen one?s abilities and effectiveness on the outside. But if one uses their energy on the inside, instead of on the outside, doing the inner work and cultivating character, clarity, and joy while doing the outer-work, eventually the outer work will take care of itself.
The outer work will flourish because of what is happening on the inside. One?s performance will be the fruit of a healthy, loving individual and will come from a core of being, rather than an act of performing. One of the main tasks of all yoga, especially Karmic, is to free oneself from attachment not only to things, but to Maya, or the way that we have been taught to believe things are.
The world of Maya is the world of illusion. It was a world put together piece by piece to help us understand our world. Maya gives us the illusion that we can predict what is going to happen in our lives. It gives us the illusion that we can control nature and control other people. It takes away our fear and gives us comfort, but Maya, in fact, is an illusion. It is a tool created in order to comfort us, as well as being a poor substitution for faith.
If we work on the inside through meditation, contemplation, and prayer, we break free from the illusion and enter into reality. We reconnect with and become one with the divine presence in the world?the creative power that we call god. We then use Maya as it was meant, as a tool, or a doorway to enter and exit as is necessary, to get things done in the physical world. This can only be done by being engaged in the inner work. The inner work is difficult. It means going inside and challenging all of our ideas about the world. It means letting go of our false identity and claiming our true one. This work is difficult when we have conditioned for so many years and when every book, movie, television show, newspaper, and even friends and relatives keep feeding us an identity that really isn?t ours. Letting go is like a death?the death before resurrection.
As you do the great work of Karmic Yoga, working to make the world a better place, remember that the inner work is always necessary. It is something that you must do to remain healthy, strong, and to stay in touch with reality. Not only the reality of the world, but the reality of your greater self. When this is done your work will come from the heart and you will fill the world with the joy of your spirit.
Dr. J. W. Gilmore is a Writer, Spiritual Director, Anti-oppression Consultant and Wellness Consultant. He is a Certified Massage Therapist and Reflexologist, a Reiki Master Teacher, a Martial Arts Instructor and a Spiritual Coach living in Costa Rica. For more article like this or similar information visit: http://www.dswellness.com
On Being Love?s Warrior: A Warrior?s Manual on Becoming the Compassionate Warrior Within, Dr. Kendall Ronin.
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