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What is Yoga All About

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Hatha yoga is a mind/body exercise which dates back thousands of years to India. The word yoga means “union” or “joining”.  Although there are several branches of yoga (Raja, Karma, Jnana, Bhakti and others) Hatha yoga refers to achieving the union of the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual selves through the practice of physical postures and special breathing techniques.  For those interested, yoga can go beyond the physical exercises to incorporate dietary recommendations, meditation, service to others, philosophy, and moral and ethical guidelines for living.  Yoga is neither a sport nor religion.

Hatha yoga is noncompetitive and emphasizes show, purposeful movements practiced mindfully and in combination with deep breathing.  Yoga can be modified to help people achieve a wide range of personal and fitness goals.  Some styles of yoga are gentle and slow while others are vigorous and strenuous.  Yoga’s benefits include the ability to: [Read more…]

Yoga quotes and sayings by BKS Iyengar

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BKS Iyengar, an amazing person and yogi left his body on Aug. 20, 2014 at the age of 95.  He will be missed worldwide for his teachings, wisdom, and the joy he shared.

According to information on the B.K.S. Iyengar page, he was born in India in 1918 and taught yoga since of the age of 17.  He has been one of the world’s leading teachers of yoga for over 70 years. His own style of teaching is called “Iyengar Yoga” and it places great emphasis on precision and alignment.  We can thank Mr. Iyengar for introducing yoga props.  Through his work, Iyengar has established the relevance of yoga to the treatment and cure of many illnesses, and has received a Doctorate from the United Nations Charter for Peace.

Lucky for us, his legacy will live on through the many teachers he trained and through his many books. Here are a few yoga quotes and sayings from some of his books including, Light on Yoga, Light on Life, and others.

 

“I always tell people to life happily and die majestically.”

“Yoga, an ancient but perfect science, deals with the evolution of humanity. This evolution includes all aspects of one’s being, from bodily health to self-realization. Yoga means union — the union of body with consciousness and consciousness with the soul. Yoga cultivates the ways of maintaining a balanced attitude in day-to-day life and endows skill in the performance of one’s actions.”

“Change is not something that we should fear. Rather, it is something that we should welcome. For without change, nothing in this world would ever grow or blossom, and no one in this world would ever move forward to become the person they’re meant to be.”

“Change leads to disappointment if it is not sustained. Transformation is sustained change, and it is achieved through practice.”

“Be inspired but not proud.”

“In order to find out how to reveal our innermost Being, the sages explored the various sheaths of existence, starting from body and progressing through mind and intelligence, and ultimately to the soul. The yogic journey guides us from our periphery, the body, to the center of our being, the soul. The aim is to integrate the various layers so that the inner divinity shines out as through clear glass.”

“Illuminated emancipation, freedom, unalloyed and untainted bliss await you, but you have to choose to embark on the Inward Journey to discover it.”

“It is through the alignment of the body that I discovered the alignment of my mind, self, and intelligence.”

“It is through your body that you realize you are a spark of divinity.”

“Do not stop trying just because perfection eludes you.”

“The material body has a practical reality that is accessible. It is here and now, and we can do something with it. However, we must not forget that the innermost part of our being is also trying to help us. It wants to come out to the surface and express itself.”

“Action is movement with intelligence. The world is filled with movement. What the world needs is more conscious movement, more action.”

“Yoga is like music: the rhythm of the body, the melody of the mind, and the harmony of the soul create the symphony of life.”

“Spirituality is not some external goal that one must seek, but a part of the divine core of each of us, which we must reveal.”

“One’s spiritual realization lies in none other than how one walks among and interacts with one’s fellow beings.”

“It took me whole decades to appreciate the depth and true value of yoga. Sacred texts supported my discoveries, but it was not they that signposted the way. What I learned through yoga, I found out through yoga.”

“You do not need to seek freedom in a different land, for it exists with your own body, heart, mind, and soul.

Thank you Mr. Iyengar for all your years of inspiration and the giving of yourself!

 

Yoga Practice Video for the Spine and Hips

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I am happy to share with you a yoga video by Christopher Baxter to support you and your home practice.

You will notice that his message and methods are similar to mine.  After all, we used to offer yoga teacher trainings together.  Luckily, he still does so go to his Inner SKY Yoga website to find out about everything he has to offer.

This yoga video focuses on movements originating from the pelvis using spinal waves, open joints, core awareness, and fluid stability with ease and spacious awareness.  It is for great for the spine and focuses on awesome hip openers.

You will get a lot out of this 17 minute yoga video!  It will help your flexibility and strength while opening your mind and heart.  More of Christopher Baxter’s yoga videos can be found here.

 

Holiday Helper #10 Pay Attention to Your Spirit.

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Pay attention to your spirit. Listen to your core.  Touch it and let it touch you.

What do you believe?  What’s really important?

Holidays invite reflection.  Nurture this opportunity as part of your celebration.

Please share your thoughts with us.  It will lift all our spirits up.

Eye Exercises to Improve Vision

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Computer and device screens seem to torture your eyes causing them to become tired and dry in no time at all.  Poor lighting, glare, dry air, and constantly staring at the monitor all contribute to eye strain. yoga nidra's benefits
Chances are good that it’s hard to recognize how exhausted your eyes are until they feel tired and dry or your head aches. Here are a few preliminary steps you can take to avoid such strains:
  • If possible, adjust the screen colors so they aren’t too hard on your eyes; try soft colors for a nice change.
  • Avoid glare by choosing a place for your computer that doesn’t reflect windows or lights.  Remember to wipe your screen off regularly.
  • Remember to look away from your screen every fifteen minutes or so.  It’s too hard on your eyes to do such close work without a break.  Do it now!

Eye Movements

After a while, eye muscles tire out and it becomes harder to focus. To prevent this from happening, you can practice these eye movements. They will strengthen your eye muscles and eyesight and stimulate the brain.  Visual, auditory, and sensory perception can increase.  Do them sitting up, standing, or lying down.

Here’s How

  • Start doing the eye movements slowly and pick up the pace after you can do it smoothly without jerks.
  • Switch off by first paying more attention to the eye movements than to the visual effects.  Next, take a moment to focus on both ends of they eye stretch.
  • Remember to keep your head still as you do the eye movements.  Let your facial muscles relax as well.
First Variation:  Up and Down
  • With your head and neck evenly aligned and movement-free, look up as far as you can and try to see up and over your head.  Then look down as if you would like to see under your chin.  Keep doing this for about 15-20 times in a row.
  • Follow this by bringing your eyes back to center and blink them a couple of times.
  • Afterward, rest with your eyes closed and take several deep breaths.
  • Smile
Second Variation:   Side to Side 
  • This time look quickly to the right and try to see behind your ear, then rapidly look to the left and try to see behind your left ear.  Keep looking back and forth for 15-20 times.
  • When finished, bring your eyes back to center.
  • Blink a few times and rest them with your eyes closed.
  • Smile
Third Variation:   Eye Circles 
  • Keep your head still and look up.  Circle your eyes in a clockwise direction three times.
  • When finished, bring your eyes back to center and rest with closed eyes for a few breaths.
  • Circle your eyes in a counterclockwise direction three times.
  • Blink a few times and rest them with your eyes closed.
  • Smile
Palming will rest and relax your eyes, calm your nerves, and quiet your mind.  Your respiration will increase as long as you remember to breathe deeply and fully.
  • Rub your hands rapidly together with your palms and fingers touching.  Keep rubbing until you feel the generation of some heat and energy.
  • Next, rest your elbows on your desk.
  • Cup your hands and gently place them over your closed eyes (no glasses).  Let the warmth and darkness soothe your eyes.
  • Take several long and easy breaths as you imagine the tiredness being released with your out-breath, and energy and vitality returning with your in-breath.
  • Smile

Chidakasha: Quieting the Mind by Stilling the Eyes  Using the sense of sight is a very effective centering technique.  Doing so can have a beneficial effect on the brain as well.  Have you ever noticed that you can still see even with your eyes closed?  All that is needed is to try.  You might see it as darkness, designs, colors, spots, or a combination.  It does not matter.  What matters is passively focusing your attention on what is being seen and watching it as it changes.  Have fun watching whatever appears as it comes and goes on the inside screen of your closed eyelids.  This brings you into the moment and quickly settles down mental restlessness.  Yogis refer to watching this inner space of consciousness as Chidakasha.  ( Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation & Stress Relief, page 115)

Note: If somebody catches you doing this, be prepared to say something clever like, “Can’t a person even pray around here?” Your other option is to tell them what you’re doing and have them join in.
  • Notice the benefits and smile.
This one of the many exercises you can do while at your keyboard, in your car, or whenever you want to feel better.  
Julie LuskJulie Lusk, MEd, E-RYT 500, has more than 35 years of expertise in stress relief, yoga, relaxation training, guided imagery, and meditation as an international author, recording artist, and workshop leader. Julie is the author of Yoga Nidra for Complete Relaxation and Stress Relief, Yoga Meditations, two volumes of 30 Scripts for Relaxation, Imagery and Inner Healing, and Desktop Yoga®. Her audio downloads and CDs include Wholesome Relaxation, Power of Presence, Yoga Nidra Essentials, Blue Moon Rising, and many others. Learn more at WholesomeResources.com

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