Empower Talismans and Amulets

Sacred symbols are found in all cultures. They are used for a variety of purposes such as healing, protection, prosperity, fertility, creativity and spiritual awakening.?Meditating on sacred symbols is an ancient practice that awakens the inner world of the psyche and brings the power of that symbol into everyday life. This practice unlocks the mysteries of your inner being and harnesses the power of your archetypes and human drives for higher purpose.

Meditation or contemplation upon a symbol such as a yantra or mandala has a unifying and therapeutic effect. Its balanced form reintegrates the fragmented parts of the self. The symbol of the yantra or mandala can also act as an amulet or talisman, protecting its owner from harm.?In Christianity the cross is a talisman used to invoke higher awareness and ward off evil. In Jewish custom a talisman containing sacred words from ancient texts, called a Mezuzah, is placed at the door of the home to protect the family.

A yantra is any device by which something that is intended is accomplished. It is used in rituals and meditation to open a doorway into the psyche, the vijnanamaya kosha.

Sri Yantra Tourmaline Pendant

A talisman or amulet is any object that has the power to protect its owner and reduce the impact of negative karma. Gems, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, plants and animals can all be used as talismans or amulets. They are usually engraved with some form of sacred symbol.

For amulets and talismans to work they must be empowered to bring them to life. To do this the owner of the talisman must form a relationship with it and imbue it with his or her own personal energy. Any form of ritual that is authentic and felt can be appropriate for this purpose, and may include the use of mantras, meditations, visualizations, incantations or magical spells. A simple, 3-step ritual is given at the end of this article.

Once the empowerment is performed, every time you see or touch your talisman or amulet you are reminded of the wisdom and power inherent in the symbol, and of the intention and purpose that you pronounced in your ritual. It focuses your mind and prevents you from becoming lost in negative or destructive thoughts and emotions.

See Big Shakti’s range of talismans and amulets

The Sri Yantra is considered the greatest of all yantras. It displays the splendor that arises when cosmic consciousness (Shiva), and cosmic energy (Shakti) interpenetrate each other to create the root elements (the tattwas) of life.

The Sri Yantra is made up of nine interlocking triangles, four upward (consciousness) and five downward (energy), that radiate from a central point. They interlace to form forty-three smaller triangles that represent the entire cosmos.

When meditating on the Sri Yantra first fix your mind upon the symbol and, while maintaining steady focus, align yourself?with the cosmic reality represented by the symbol. Over time, knowledge is revealed to your inner being via your intuition.

The Flower of Life is the basis of the geometry of life. For example, its structure is seen in the cell division of the embryo, in the structure of galaxies, and ?in form of the snowflake as crystallized water, which is the source of all fertility.

Flower of Life Turquoise Pendant

The Flower of Life is a form of sacred geometry that represents the creative principle. It is made up of six petals forming a hexagon. Like the Sri Yantra, it represents the interlocking of consciousness and energy giving birth to life.?This symbol is found in the heart chakra as the six-pointed star surrounded by twelve petals.

The Flower of Life is often used as a talisman to protect against negative forces.?It is a universal symbol found all over the world in all cultures. Its oldest inscription is found in Egypt in the temple of Osiris, which is 6,000 years old. Ancient carvings of the Flower of Life have been found in India, China, North and South America, and many other parts of the world. In Jewish mysticism, Kabbalah, the Flower of Life is the basis of the Tree of Life, which is represented by three pillars on which various psychic centers are arranged.

We’ve carefully chosen quality talismans and amulets that carry that symbols of the Sri Yantra, the Flower of Life and the Seed of Life. ?They are set in semi-precious stones: coral, amethyst, tourmaline, malachite, turquoise and lapis lazuli. Each has its own inherent properties and energies, which relate to certain planets (described further in pendant’s details page). These pendants are beautiful designed to touch the skin, conveying the energy of stone and the symbol inscription into your body and mind.

You can perform this small empowerment ritual at any time of your choosing. You may choose an auspicious time such as a special day of the week, the next full moon (when energy is higher) or on your birthday or anniversary.

First purify your talisman or amulet with water.Hold it in your right hand and chant a mantra such as Om, Om Namah Shivaya, or your own personal mantra (if you have one).While repeating the mantra focus your mind upon something that you truly want and form a simple sentence that is the essence of this desire. For example “I will become stronger”, “I will have more compassion”, “I will become healthy”, “I will create prosperity”. (Ensure it s a positive statement!) Feel that deep intention resonating from the chakra in the centre of your right hand into your talisman or amulet.

See Big Shakti’s range of talismans and amulets

To know more about how to create a powerful sankalpa that will support your life see our Life Purpose Online Course – Journey Into Your Heart’s Desire

Article by Dr Swami Shankardev Saraswati and Jayne Stevenson

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Origin of Yoga Nidra

Relaxation does not mean sleep. Relaxation means to be blissfully happy; it has no end. I call bliss absolute relaxation; sleep is a different matter. Sleep gives only mind and sense relaxation. Bliss relaxes the atma, the inner self; that is why, in tantra, Yoga Nidra is the doorway to Samadhi.” Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Yoga Nidra, pub. Bihar School of Yoga, 1976.

Today the method of Yoga Nidra is widespread and yet few people realize that Swami Satyananda is the originator of this modern yoga-tantra technique.

Yoga Nidra is a powerful relaxation and meditation technique derived from ancient tantra and developed by Swami Satyananda of the Bihar School of Yoga. This technique induces deep relaxation of the body-mind with the ultimate aim of increasing self-awareness.

The technique of Yoga Nidra enables you to remain aware while you enter into the dream and sleeping states of consciousness. The state of Yoga Nidra occurs when you can remain conscious during the deep sleep state (called prajna in the Mandukya Upanishad).

The technique is a practical and easily accessible. It creates deep relaxation for health, mental peace and higher awareness. Yoga Nidra enables you to experience exalted states of higher consciousness.

Referred to in many Indian philosophical and mythological texts, Yoga Nidra is the state that occurs when the Indian god Vishnu sleeps at the time of the destruction of creation (called pralaya). Vishnu is the cohesive power of the universe, so when he sleeps the universe dissolves.

The modern usage of the term Yoga Nidra refers more to the relaxation and meditation technique developed by Swami Satyananda, rather than to the state of absorption into the highest Self.

Few people realize that the Swami Satyananda is the originator of Yoga Nidra.

Swami Satyananda formulated the idea for this technique while a disciple of his guru, the great yoga master Swami Sivananda in Rishikesh, during the 1940s and early 1950s.

Swami Satyananda tells of his experience when as a young student he fell asleep while people nearby chanted mantras, many of which he had not heard before. Even though he was deeply asleep during the chanting, on awakening, when he heard these mantras again, he seemed to know them. A yogi explained to him that his subtle body had heard the mantras.

In his book Yoga Nidra[1] Swami Satyananda states, “After this discovery, I began studying the tantric scriptures in a new light. I came across many important but little known practices, which interested me very much. After practicing them myself, I decided to construct a new system, called Yoga Nidra, which would incorporate the essence of these practices without any of the complicated ritualistic drawbacks.”

During the 1960s he went on to develop a process of lying meditation and mind training. The main aim was the exploration of consciousness but which had the side-effect of deep relaxation, rejuvenation, healing and increased inner strength.

The term Yoga Nidra has today become a very popular term for deep yogic relaxation meditation.

The yogi is able to awaken subtle energy.

The characteristic feature of Yoga Nidra is the systematic rotation of consciousness in the body, which originated from the tantric process of?nyasa?(meaning ‘to place’ or ‘to take the mind to a point’).”

During nyasa a yogi touches various parts of his or her body with consciousness while repeating mantras. When this is done in the prescribed manner the yogi is able to awaken subtle energy within the physical matter of the body.

Swami Satyananda’s great contribution to us all is that he has made very complex and advanced techniques accessible to everyone.

Swami Satyananda recognized that these complex and ancient tantric techniques had great potential but needed to be translated into forms that could be used in our modern lives.?He saw the great need in modern life for simple methods that have the power to reduce stress and suffering.?He simplified the ancient yoga-tantra methods and made them accessible and practical.

He recognized that by simply placing your awareness onto a part of the body that part would be relaxed and recharged. This would then open the doorway into other areas of the body-mind for further healing and rejuvenation.

He states, “The present system of Yoga Nidra, which I have devised, enables people who are unfamiliar with Sanskrit mantras to gain the full benefits of the traditional nyasa. It can be beneficially practiced by people of any religion or culture.”

[1] Saraswati, Swami Satyananda, Yoga Nidra, Bihar School of Yoga,1976, p. 3

Author: Dr Swami Shankardev Saraswati |?Copyright Big Shakti 2011

Learn authentic practices with this guided Mp3 or CD?Meditation and Yoga Nidra

Read the book?by the originator of this technique, Swami Satyananda Saraswati?Yoga Nidra

Yoga Nidra

Insufficient Rest and Poor Sleep Causes Heart Disease

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Ayurvedic Remedies to Balance Body and Mind

As a yoga therapist I use yoga and meditation as the core modalities for maintaining health and wellbeing. However I often meet with clients who require more support to restore and build their health.

Effective yoga therapy may require other modalities such as herbal remedies, acupuncture, massage and bodywork, as well as counselling or psychotherapy to fully support positive change. As a yoga therapist I use various combinations of these modalities with yoga and meditation, depending on the individual lifestyle and condition of the client.

One of the most useful additions to yoga therapy is its sister science; Ayurveda. Ayurvedic medicine is a deep and ancient system that brings powerful healing through simple lifestyle and diet changes and with the use of herbs. When using Ayurvedic herbs I recommend pure organic Ayurvedic herbs?that?are reliable, effective and potent.?As such, I choose herbs?supplied by close associates based in the USA who have developed organic, fair trade farming in India. The herbs I use most frequently are those for relieving stress, anxiety, fatigue, poor concentration, and to support the balance of female hormones.

Here are four Ayurvedic herbal formulas that I find most effective, especially when combined with an appropriate yoga and meditation practice program:

Women’s Support?is a cleansing and revitalizing Ayurvedic remedy that strengthens the female reproductive system. This Ayurvedic formula nourishes the blood and removes excess heat (pitta dosha) from the body. It soothes the nerves and tissues of the body and calms mental agitation. Women’s Support balances hormones and regulates the menstrual cycle, easing?pain and discomfort before and during menstruation. It supports fertility, a healthy libido and eases the transition into menopause. Shatavari, the main ingredient, is a natural aphrodisiac and is traditionally used to support fertility and vitality.?Buy?Women’s Support Ayurvedic Remedy.

Stress Ease?combines three great Ayurvedic herbs: ashwagandha, shatavari and brahmi. Ayurvedic medicine tells us that this highly rejuvenating formula is especially beneficial when you are prone to fatigue, exhaustion, weakness and overwhelm. Stress Ease reduces excess of the air element (vata dosha), which can manifest as nervousness, anxiety, fear and feelings of being scattered and ungrounded. These herbs are used to bolster the immune system and increase stamina and resilience. They nourish and strengthen the muscles thereby increasing your ability to surmount physical, mental and emotional challenges. Buy Stress Ease Ayurvedic Remedy.

Mental Clarity?contains the herb brahmi blended with other herbs to support all aspects of mental performance. Mental Clarity is useful for people who are prone to forgetfulness, confusion and indecision. These herbs are used to support better attention, memory and recall, greater focus and concentration, and to improve your ability to learn. Mental Clarity is an ideal organic Ayurvedic herbal supplement for students, seniors and anyone engaged in mentally demanding work.?Buy Mental Clarity Ayurvedic Remedy.

Tranquil Mind is a beautifully balanced Ayurvedic formula made from a synergistic blend of organically grown, calming, warming and grounding herbs that soothe the brain and mind without creating a state of dullness or lethargy. These herbs are used in Ayurvedic medicine for the management of moderate worry and anxiety. They calm the mind and induce a sense of peace and wellbeing. They are also used to reduce the negative effects of stress and a hectic lifestyle by reducing excess of air element (vata dosha) in the nervous system and thereby balancing mental activity. Buy Tranquil Mind Ayurvedic Remedy.

In each of the combinations given below tablets from each formula can be taken at the same time.

Stress Ease and Mental Clarity – Stress Ease supports physical stamina and vitality while Mental Clarity supports the mind.

Stress Ease and Tranquil Mind – Stress and anxiety often occur simultaneously and are catalysts for each other. Therefore use Stress Ease to improve the physical vitality required to cope with stress and use Tranquil Mind to reduce anxiety.

Women’s Support - You can combine Women’s Support with either Mental Clarity or Tranquil Mind.

Learning about Ayurveda is very useful for guiding and improving your choices about diet and lifestyle. Here are some resources to get your started:

Different Diets for Different Doshas eBook?is a very simple eating guidebook that I created to outline the different foods, cuisines and cooking styles that are beneficial for your unique body type, as defined by Ayurveda. Often Ayurvedic diet books can be overly complicated but this eBook is not about classical Indian cooking and its very non-restrictive. It’s about how to know which foods are compatible with your body type, that is, which foods will make you feel good by balancing your doshas.
Read more about Different Diets for Different Doshas.

Ayurvedic Healing MP3 Lecture and eBook?introduces the science of Ayurveda. Written by Dr Robert Svoboda, it will empower you to understand your individual constitution and its needs and give you general guidance on how to eat, sleep, work and play in harmony with the cycles of nature. Listening to the MP3 lecture will inspire you to better manage your lifestyle and to understand how your environment affects your health, behaviour and mental state.
Read more about Ayurvedic Healing Mp3 Lecture and eBook.

Please note that the information presented is intended for educational purposes only. The information given here is not intended to diagnose, cure or treat disease. Before using any supplements it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider, especially if you are pregnant or taking any other form of treatment.

See our full range of Ayurvedic products

Article by Dr Swami Shankardev Saraswati and Jayne Stevenson

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Yoga Nidra – Awakening the Unconscious, Embodying Connection

Yoga Nidra connects you to your subconscious and deeper unconscious, the parts of you that contain your greatest strengths, abilities, knowledge and wisdom. You can create connection to this part of you through regular practice of Yoga Nidra to develop your intuition and expand your sense of self.

Yoga Nidra enables you to access your unconscious by teaching you how to remain awake and aware as you relax deeply.

Most people fall asleep when they relax so the first stage of learning Yoga Nidra is to practice remaining awake and aware. This has many physical and psychological health benefits that evolve as you discover more and more of the hidden treasures that lie dormant in you.

Start using Yoga Nidra to experience profound relaxation, recuperation and healing benefits.

The second stage of Yoga Nidra is to learn how to create and use a resolve, called a sankalpa. The sankalpa is a statement of intent that it is linked to something that you really want in your life. It is a technique that empowers you to focus on what you really want and mobilizes you to act to actualize your desire.

Formulating a sankalpa evolves in three main steps:

Examine your desires and choose one.Imagine what is required to achieve your goal.Articulate your desire into a short, simple, positive sentence that reminds you of your goal.

Repeat the sankalpa mentally before and after the practice of Yoga Nidra or any meditation technique.

The sankalpa is powerful because it is linked to something that you really want in your life. This will help you to remain awake as you go within.

By constantly repeating the same sankalpa in Yoga Nidra until it is fulfilled the desire, thoughts and feelings associated with the sankalpa continue to work at the junction of your conscious and subconscious mind while you are engaged with your day-to-day activities.

You can easily remember it when you need it, for example, at times when you feel low, lost or confused. And you begin to embody connection with the subconscious mind, which is more powerful than your conscious mind.

To learn how to find and create a powerful sankalpa that is linked to your life purpose enroll in the Find Life Purpose Online Course. This online course provides the knowledge and tools to explore the deepest stages of Yoga Nidra and to find an authentic sankalpa.

Dr Swami Shankardev Saraswati and Jayne Stevenson

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Spiritual Awakening

Spirit is the least tangible, most subtle and essential part of us. It contains the seeds of all that is potential in us, the seeds of our ultimate fulfillment.

Because it is so subtle you require some form of meditative process that allow you to connect to this most subtle part of you on a daily basis, to wake up to the spiritual in you.

You can use these techniques to awaken and nurture your consciousness and to nurture your spiritual growth and to forge a powerful spirit.

Use meditation to awaken and nurture your consciousness and to forge a powerful spirit.

Spiritual life begins when you seek a deeper and more meaningful connection with your self and endeavor to find a higher purpose.

A spiritual seeker, someone who seeks spiritual truth, asks the question, “Who am I, where have I come from and where am I going? What is the purpose of my existence?”

These questions, which forms the basis of the yoga of knowledge (jnana yoga), lead you to seek connection with something greater and more universal in you.

It is essential to actively pursue connection with your self because to be disconnected from your self is one of the greatest pains we can experience.

Disconnection is at the core of many physical and psychological diseases.

To be disconnected from your self is one of the greatest pains we can experience.

Connection to self and the cultivation of self-awareness is the remedy for many of life’s problems, It is the foundation of your ability to engage life with empathy and a courageous spirit. It has multiple benefits. You will:

Become consciously cooperative and co-creative with your own evolutionSee every event as sacred and part of an heroic pathUse self-awareness and self-knowledge to find purpose and see how your life fits into the big pictureUltimately come to the total realization of your self as unlimited consciousness

See every event as sacred.

Big Shakti teaches methods and techniques that empower you to become more self-aware, to live a more conscious life, to integrate body, mind and spirit, and to foster a conscious relationship with the universal part of you.

We do not teach dogma, but provide the tools, meditation techniques and methods, for you to find your own truth. These meditation techniques guide you into structured and meaningful self-discovery. They can be integrated into any belief system, and any spiritual, philosophical, psychological or religious practice.

Live a more conscious life.

There are several core techniques that awaken higher consciousness and spiritual awareness.

Ajapa japa is one of the most powerful and useful of all the yoga meditation techniques that awaken the channels that carry spiritual energy and consciousness. It is a fundamental core practice that is easy to learn and apply, and is the foundation of stable spiritual development.

Chakra meditations are important techniques on the path to spiritual awareness. They purify and activate the powerful subtle forces within you that, when they are developed and integrated, power higher spiritual consciousness.

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The Need for Self-Development

The cultivation of self-awareness is vital for your long-term happiness. You need to form a relationship with your self, to get to know your self. This is the basis of a meaningful and fulfilled life.

Self-awareness is the basis of a meaningful and fulfilled life.

To not know your self and to not spend quality time with your self is crazy. If you are completely out of touch with who you are and your needs you will be unable to fulfill your needs and ultimately suffer great unhappiness and physical and mental ill health.

True self-development teaches you to become aware of your self as both an individual self and a more essential, universal or higher Self. The universal Self is your unchanging, essential core Self. The great wisdom traditions, such as yoga, tell us that your essential self is constructed of pure consciousness. You can discover this part of you through meditation as you become more and more self-aware.

Self-awareness is the most important ingredient in all systems of self-development and spiritual awakening. It is your capacity to experience, feel and know yourself. The more you can feel and know the more you can change. You live a better life and to feel more connected to the universal in you.

Self-awareness is the most important ingredient in all systems of self-development.

Self-regulation is your ability to take control of your body and mind, and of your life to some degree. It is your ability to use various skills, both innate and learned to influence your life in a healthier, more positive and more creative direction.

Self-development arises when you become self-aware and recognize your need to address issues and remedy old negative patterns and weaknesses. However, awareness alone is not enough. You need to act and make appropriate positive changes by combining self-awareness and self-regulation.

Self-regulation is your ability to take control of your body and mind.

Once you have developed a degree of self-awareness you become aware of your physical and psychological patterns, your patterns of thinking, feeling and acting.

Some patterns are creative, positive and intelligent – your smart bits. Some patterns are negative and destructive – your dumb bits. The negative patterns are often young and undeveloped parts of you. Once you start to pay attention to and nurture the negative patterns they are freed to blossom into positive and creative patterns.

You are creatively participating in your own evolution.

Once you are aware of your patterns you can apply techniques that enhance positive patterns and remove, manage or change negative patterns. Achieving this is satisfying and fulfilling.

You become more autonomous and feel that you are creatively participating in your own evolution.

A yogic approach to self-development could include the regular practice of some form of yoga, including relaxation and meditation techniques, lifestyle adjustments, and an education on how to better relate to the world and you. The following is one possible self-development program:

Engaging in meaningful self-development allows you to create your own happiness and fulfillment.

1. Start with Yoga Nidra as a way of rejuvenating yourselves, removing fatigue and building the energy required to engage in sustained self-development. This is also therapeutic.

2. Learn how to meditate. Begin a simple meditation practice such as ajapa japa, becoming aware of the breath and a mantra moving in the body. This will calm an overactive mind, awakens higher awareness, and enables you to form a positive, nurturing relationship with your self.

3. Apply what you have learned to your daily life so that you become more conscious of each moment and are able to engage with more of you in a way that is mutually satisfying to all beings. Core Strength Calm Mind teaches you how to stay grounded, relaxed and present with both the positive and the negative situations of life.

Engaging in meaningful self-development allows you to create your own happiness and fulfillment so that you can experience all the wonderful and meaningful elements of life.

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How To Find Your Life Purpose ~ Dharma

Finding your life purpose comes from knowing your Dharma, your true Nature. It is a process of self development that is enjoyable, fulfilling and amazing.

Dharma is purpose that is harmonious, virtuous and that supports all beings. The word dharma comes from the root dhar, which means ‘stability and sturdiness’. It means that which is established or firm, and refers to the laws of nature that uphold the universe.

Indian philosophy defines dharma within the human dimension as actions that are performed according to one’s nature, called Swabhava?in Sanskrit, and which bring harmony. Swa means self, bhava?means feeling. Therefore dharma is action that arises from the feeling of being you. These are the actions that will support and uphold you, actions that support the right use of everything.

In Sanskrit?Swabhava?means one’s own nature and being.?Swa?means self,?bhava?means?feeling.

Finding your life purpose and your dharma is a major spiritual achievement. When life purpose is connected to your dharma, it brings you joy and fulfilment. When disconnected from dharma, your purpose may feel confused and your efforts may feel thwarted.

Some people are born with an innate spirituality, and with a strong sense of their life purpose and dharma. Most people however need to engage in systematic self-development under the guidance of experienced teachers if they are to move through the maze of competing thoughts, feelings and ideas regarding their life purpose and dharma.

You cannot find life purpose by using logic alone or by emotion alone. Purpose that is based only on thinking and logic is empty of feeling and ultimately becomes mechanical and meaningless. Purpose based purely on emotion may not be in harmony with reality. You also cannot find life purpose and dharma by meditation alone, by sitting and breathing and chanting mantras in the hope that you will be blessed with some sort of revelation, or a bolt of intuition. You may be waiting a long time for this to happen.

To simply rely on the limited thinking mind is to search for answers in the areas of your life that you already know. The answers you seek may be here or they may lie elsewhere. Sometimes we have to search outside the areas we are familiar with to gain a perspective that helps us to recognize that we already have the answers.

Much joy and release from anxieties comes from discovering your greater Self and the unknown parts of you.

To find life purpose and dharma you forge a relationship with the unconscious parts of you and with your?knowing mind, to spark your deeper intuition and your connection to your highest self. When you step outside of the boundaries of your comfort zone into the subconscious and unconscious areas of your being, you can explore parts of you that you do not yet fully know and parts that you cannot yet imagine exist. Much joy and release from anxieties comes from discovering your greater self and the unknown parts of you. Advanced applications of Yoga Nidra facilitate the exploration of your subconscious mind.

To find your dharma you need to develop a refined sense of who you are and why you are here on the planet at this time. This self knowledge and development can be achieved through embracing elevated concepts of what it is to be human, self reflection and self analysis, and finally, meditation to expand your awareness, to contain, hold and integrate all of these elements.

It is from this knowing position that you can create an authentic sankalpa, one that travels beneath the thinking and emotive mind.

We created the FInd Life Purpose Online Course?as a multi-faceted, holistic study for those who seek to fully realize their dharma and discover their life purpose.

Dr Swami Shankardev Saraswati and Jayne Stevenson

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Yoga and/or Running?!

I have always had super tight hips and knees. Even as a child I found sitting cross legged or back on my heels uncomfortable, it was never a natural position for me. Whether the sports I played the most (tennis, hockey, running) contributed to this or whether it is just the way I am built I am not sure but the end result is that there are quite a few basic yoga poses I currently find impossible. Yet I am nearly at the end of my 200hrs and have just signed up for 300 more and I am hoping that with time I am going to increase my flexibility and be able to bend myself even half the way some of my classmates can! Maybe this is an impossible goal? I am not sure! But I know that I want to explore every possible avenue to improve my flexibility.

I was talking today about stopping running for a while (I love to run and would usually run 2-3 time a week) and Wei-ling asked whether I would be willing to do that and suggested that I might not have to, as long as I stretched equally as long as I ran.

This piqued my interest as I love to run and would hate to give it up however I would like to be able to get into lotus even more! Doing some research around the topic it is hard to find a definitive answer. There is a lot of information about how yoga can help with running, something which I believe to be true.

The stretching and the strengthening of the muscles are beneficial in increasing strength for runners and I think yoga can help immensely with running injuries. There is however little to suggest that running is very beneficial for yoga! The tightness it promotes in the hips/knees is exactly the opposite of what we want in terms of flexibility and the damage to the joints could cause injury that prevents certain Asanas being attainable.

On the flipside however if you are very flexible already running could be of some benefit. It will help you gain a lean physique which will make arm balances and strength poses easier. It will also improve your stamina which will help in any long yoga session.

My personal conclusion is that I am going to let running take a back seat for a while and focus on improving my flexibility through constant stretching and practice. Hopefully I will see some improvement and be able to add running back to my routine one day! I think it would be interesting though to devise a yoga session to specifically benefit runners, as I know quite a few who could use a good stretch. That will be my next blog post!

Josie

Filed under: Tirisula Yoga Teacher Training, Yoga Articles Tagged: | Flexibility, Running, Sports, Training, yoga

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The final week!

So I’m probably the last student to?complete the blog and?the Facebook posting. But do not think I’m the usual lazy Italian….! Nooooo!!! In this case it is not true!

I have decided to do it at the last minute as I would like to summarise my thoughts at the end of the course, more for myself than for the readers. This morning we were recalling the first week. How exhausted we were, how surprised by the intensity of the workout. One day, when doing the 5th series of abs or push ups, Paalu said “you won’t forget me”. For sure!?But not for the abs or the push ups! But those were important as much as the most of the things we did in these 6 weeks. And to give a further appreciation to the heavy work out I have to tell you what my hairdresser, a boy of course, told me last week: we were talking about fitness in general and yoga in particular and he said: oh that’s why you are so fit! I think nobody makes me happier than him in that moment. I went out with my back straight and a strong uddiana bhanda !
Then after the first 2 weeks we started?depending from those intense 2 hours of daily yoga and today, that we’re not practising every day, we are missing them very much.
And then arrived the theory behind the practise: why we do meditation, why we do pranayama, why we don’t have to jump asanas, or simply why when we breathe we keep the index and the thumb together. Then we added the teaching: what to say, how to behave in the class, what kind of adjustments to do. And plan a lesson. How fascinating it is: choose an asana and find out that there are many other asanas that really prepare you?in achieving it. Why nobody told me this before? Is that a secret of the profession?

Moreover why did I wait so much for doing this teacher training course? I did other things, many others as I’m not that young!, and I enjoyed them. And now it was the right time for doing the TTC. Everything has it’s perfect moment to be done.?Is not yoga teaching this??Thanks Paalu, thanks Wei Ling, thanks Kevin, thanks schoolmates! Maybe I won’t become a “special” teacher but I learnt a lot from all of you and enjoyed a lot.
Let’s then eat tiramisu’ on Friday!!!

Marina

Filed under: Tirisula Yoga Teacher Training

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Awakening the Spiritual Spine

The chakras lie in the central nervous system (the brain and spine), which controls all the functions of the body and mind. Chakra meditations focus awareness onto the spine at specific areas where the controlling points for the chakras lie.

The spine is the axis of our being. The embryo in the womb first creates the central spinal axis and then the body grows around this axis, the axis of our individual world. The top and bottom of the body, the two sides and the back and front of the body develop soon after. We then spend the rest of our life with our spine “behind” us. We face the world and all of life moves from back to front, from the spine into the world.

The chakras lie in the spine and transmute the vast cosmic forces of the universe, bringing them down from a cosmic order of magnitude to a level that we can safely use. Physical and psychological energies in the chakras then motivate our body and mind, creating thoughts, feelings and desires that motivate us to move forward into the world.

To work with the chakras we need to take our awareness back into our spinal cord. The physical spine is one of the primary supporting structures for our body and mind. It is also the basis of our individual consciousness as the spinal cord because the nerve cells within the spine carry all the nerve signals that are required to sustain our waking, dreaming and sleeping states of being.

The spine is controlled by the maha gunas. They govern the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual functions of the spine and are the basis for individual consciousness:

Tamas governs structure and creates the physical structure of the spine.Rajas governs movement and?creates nervous energy and prana, the basis of physical and mental energy.Sattwa governs awareness and creates individual awareness and the higher aspects of the mind.

Complex patterns of nerves and chemicals in the brain and in the spine, the physical basis for the chakras, are formed by tamas and motivated by rajas. They create the physical basis for the chakras to express themselves into the world. When sattwa dominates over tamas and rajas the bones, nerves and chakras are healthy.

When they are not balanced we suffer. If tamas or rajas are in excess sattwa cannot operate freely. We lose awareness or experience some form of weaknesses, either a blockage or dysfunction that we will need to manage if we are to regain balance and health.

Cultivating our spiritual spine enables us to use the energy and abilities within each chakra to heal, strengthen and balance ourselves. We can transform ourselves into powerful, aware and compassionate beings who are in touch with the vast cosmic forces of creation and beyond.

Yoga asana (postures and stretching) and pranayama (breath control) create a strong and flexible spine. They open the channels of the spine and support the unimpeded flow of nerve impulses, prana, and mental and spiritual energies.

Ajapa japa meditation is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to awaken the spiritual spine. In this practice the breath, a mantra, and our mind and awareness are all fused into a potent force that is made to travel up and down the spine. This combines and integrates physical, energetic and psychological energies to purify and transform body, mind and consciousness. Old impurities are removed allowing our pristine natural state of being to shine forth.

Consciousness and energy travel through the channels of the spine to awaken the chakras and reveal their hidden gifts. The spine becomes is like an antenna that we use to tune into the gross and subtle realms that coexist and intermingle around.

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Food safety throughout your pregnancy You might have experienced

Food safety throughout your pregnancy

You might have experienced it already…. The moment you’re announcing that you’re expecting a baby everybody bombards you with tons of? “to do’s” and “not to do’s”. Try to stay relaxed and just follow some simple rules when it comes to food safety.?

Of course it is essential to stay healthy throughout your pregnancy but it is equally important to just continue living your life as normal as possible and enjoy the new life growing within you. Learn how to listen to your body, as it will naturally signal you what it needs. Be it more rest or healthier food.

Think of eating healthy foods, as you need more protein, iron, calcium and folic acid now. These are all found in grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy and meat and beans. And yes your body requires more calories now than usual. This doesn’t mean though that you should eat for two but rather foods packed with nutrients and not just empty calories. If you follow a sensible and balanced diet combined with regular exercise you are on the safe side. Remember it’s not the time to have a diet now as your baby would not get the right amount of protein, minerals and vitamin it needs.?

Most foods are safe to eat for expecting mothers and their baby. But do not eat raw fish (sushi etc), shellfish, meat and poultry as well as certain vegetables such as sprouts, clover radish and mung bean. Instead make sure you cook all of these foods thoroughly. Stay away from fishes high in mercury like swordfish, tilefish, mackerel and shark and avoid eating all unpasteurized milk product such as soft cheeses like blue cheese, Brie, feta etc.?

Try to be aware of your weight gain by setting yourself a goal.? You should gain weight gradually but most of it you will put on in the third trimester of your pregnancy. It is not only the baby that will add to your weight but also the growing placenta, breast and uterus as well as amniotic fluid.?

Last but not least keep a high hygienic standard at all times by washing your hands after handling soil or raw meat and fish and by washing all produces before eating to prevent food borne illnesses such listeria or toxoplasmosis.?

Happy Pregnancy!

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The Dark Side of Christmas

For many people Christmas and the holiday season is a joyful time that farewells the old year and welcomes in the new with renewed opportunities and possibilities. It can be a time of that brings to mind happy memories, a time for families to come together to celebrate, and for leisure and relaxation.

For others Christmas can be a very difficult time. A few months ago a student told us that she hates Christmas. For most of her adult life the festive season has been a time of recalling painful childhood memories and of feeling pressured to engage in activities that she doesn’t enjoy. She also says that she hates the blatant commercialization of Christmas and the pressure to spend money. This has gotten in the way of her being able to tune into and celebrate the spirit of the times.

Recently this student embarked on a yoga therapy program. One of her main aims has been to manage the painful memories that stem from childhood and to handle the complex emotions that arise from feeling sad when she is expected to be joyful. The primary practice she has engaged in is?Inner Silence – Antar Mouna Stages 1 and 2. She combined this with Ajapa Japa meditation, the uniting of breath, mantra and consciousness.

As a result, she has been able to gain a more balanced perspective on her emotions, to digest many of her dark memories and emotions, and the consequent behaviors that they have caused her. Her focus has gradually and naturally shifted from the pain to the awareness of her innate strengths and resilience. More recently she has found that she can empathize and engage with others in meaningful ways. She is now looking forward to creatively engaging with the festive season with reduced anxiety and anguish and increased confidence and joy.

For many people the end of the year can bring more pain than joy. Christmas is a time when emergency departments of hospitals become crowded with people suffering from drug and alcohol disorders, and exacerbated mental illness, especially depression, which increases dramatically at this time of year. This is most often due to the “happy” season bringing up difficult emotions and memories. Many people are alone, or have complex family dynamics, or have lost a dear one. And their health issues or financial stress becomes more pronounced.

Research has shown that most problems around the holiday season are psychological and emotionally based, rather than practical or financial. For example, a common complaint by people is feeling taken for granted by family and being pressured into spending their precious holidays in a situation they know they will not enjoy.

A study by the Mood Disorders Association of Ontario and Toronto Distress Centre confirms that the quantity and severity of calls by depressed people to its helpline increases each year from November through December. It then adjusts back to a normal level around January of the following year.

We have come to accept the festive season as it is today. We expect to be bombarded with media and advertising. We are told that the health of the economy depends on our spending power. But Christmas was not always about consumerism.

Christmas as we know it today reflects the rise of the merchant class and the growth of department stores. The French entrepreneur Aristide Boucicaut created the world’s first department store, Le Bon Marche, in 1838. By creating a place where people could shop for all types of goods in one location he transformed wants into needs and sowed the seeds of our present-day consumer society.

Philadelphia merchant, John Wanamaker, who opened his department store in the late 19th century, invented “Christmas Shopping”. He is one of the first to exploit his religion by being the first vendor to create sales feasts out of the Christian festivals of Christmas and Easter. He also invented Mother’s Day, the Money-Back-Guarantee, and he introduced Americans to French luxury goods.

John Wanamaker was also a radical thinker renowned for his honesty and philanthropy. He was one of the first merchants to give his employees free medical care, education, recreational facilities, pensions and profit share.

Department stores owners invented revolutionary concepts such as easy credit, returns policies, window displays, change-rooms and Santa parades. They made shopping a theatrical experience with lights and window displays, and invited people to shop, eat, travel up and down escalators, and delivered telephones to customer’s chairs for their convenience.

On the plus side department stores had the great egalitarian benefit of the “bargain basement”, breaking down the old codes of class distinction.

However, this new commerce had its shadow side: the rise of status anxiety, the promise of instant gratification, the standardisation of sizing (you must fit in), and the creation of debt. Not only did individuals pick the debt cherry but, (as we are sorely aware of today), so did organisations and nations. The new easy commerce also gave rise to a new disease – kleptomania.

It is possible to transform the holiday season into something that is both personally rewarding and that allows you to engage with others in meaningful ways. You can find a balance between the material and the spiritual-wisdom of this time. It can be a time of slowing down, connecting with others authentically, enjoying simple things, and of letting others know how you are doing.

The key is to be able to access your inner center, to stay connected to your deeper, more powerful self, and from that part of you to do what is right for you. If you can do this, you will be able to disentangle yourself from the hypnotic effects of Christmas.

It is important to cultivate self-awareness and to manage your mind. In particular the subconscious mind that stores your memories of Christmases past. In this way you can remain more present centred and, as our student has done, you will be able to redefine your concept of Christmas.

In training her mind to see herself and her emotions objectively through Inner Silence our student reports that she has now witnessed that her old concept of Christmas is not aligned with her new found skills. She feels ready to create a new concept that is more in line with the strong, resilient, mature part of her.

May your Christmas and the holiday season be in line with your deepest Self.

Authors: Dr Swami Shankardev Saraswati and Jayne Stevenson |?Copyright Big Shakti 2011

Without self-awareness and mind management it is easy to get lost in our mind and in daily events. Our attention is constantly pulled towards the incessant demands of the external world so that we are unconscious of what is arising within us. If we neglect our inner being, we tend to identify with and become entangled in our thoughts, desires and emotional responses. They then have the power to dominate our inner and outer life.

Inner Silence guided meditations, accompanied by instructional talks, teach you how to tune into your deepest self and enable you to purify your mind and polish your heart. The act of purifying the mind ennobles the spirit (i.e it is a good karma).

By connecting with your essence you identify with your true self and your true needs (with reality). In the busy-ness of the holiday season we hope that you will take some time to?objectively reflect upon the lessons and knowledge you have gained in the past year, so that you become proactive in creating optimal circumstances for your future.

See Inner Silence Guided Meditations

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The importance of Folic Acid Folic Acid is water-soluble

The importance of Folic Acid

Folic Acid is water-soluble and belongs to the vitamin B group.? It is extremely important before and during the first trimester of the pregnancy for numerous reasons of congenital malfunctions such as cleft-lipped, hydrocephalus or spina bifida, which is a deformity of the spine. A deficiency of this essential vitamin could even lead to a miscarriage.?

Your body needs folic acid to make normal red blood cells and prevent a type of anemia. It is essential for the production, repair and functioning of DNA and a basic building block of cells. Getting enough folic acid is particularly important for the rapid cell growth of the placenta and your developing baby.?

Folate is found in spinach, salad, wheat germs, egg yolk, dairy products, rice, potatoes, oranges, grapes meat to mention just a few. But the doctor will most likely prescribe you extra folic acid supplement, as it is nearly impossible to get the daily amount of folic acid needed from food only.?

You shouldn’t store products containing folic acid for a long time and when preparing them make sure not to cook or steam it too long as all these will reduce the content of folic acid.?

Lisa

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Yoga Therapy

Big Shakti has created a holistic approach to health and healing, integrating the best from yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, Daoism and western mind-body medicine.

Big Shakti has created a holistic approach to health and healing.

Yoga therapy is the application of yogic methods, including yoga postures, breathing and meditation, to re-establish harmony and balance in the body-mind.

Yoga is a science of health management and health promotion rather than a method of treating disease. When people with illnesses practice yoga then they find that their illness often improves.

The main aim of yoga therapy is to increase self-awareness. Improved health and a stronger, more joyful mind can follow from the cultivation of greater self-awareness combined with yoga and meditation practice.

Yoga provides techniques that support deep rest and rejuvenation. For example, deep relaxation techniques such as Yoga Nidra are essential ingredients in almost all disease management.

Breathing and meditation techniques, such as ajapa japa and pranic healing, combine the best of yoga’s powerful techniques into potent healing tools.

When yoga is combined with certain healing and therapeutic modalities, it increases the effectiveness and efficiency of those methods. Yoga can also increase health, general wellbeing and longevity.

Yoga and meditation therapy are scientifically proven forms of alternative medicine..

Research shows that yoga and meditation therapy can be applied to both physical and psychological conditions, and can be used to remedy psycho-spiritual crises. Yoga therapy can work on both symptoms and the deeper underlying cause.

When people with illnesses practice yoga then they find that their illness often improves.

Yoga and meditation are are now incorporated into holistic mind-body medicine programs run by major universities and hospitals, such as the Benson Henry Institute at at Massachusetts General Hospital, USA.

Research is proving that mind-body medicine, which incorporates yoga, relaxation and meditation, is an evolving and powerful holistic medical system that is clinically very effective. This is because yoga and meditation empower you to make use of the link between body, mind and consciousness.

Yoga and meditation can support any therapeutic system to work more effectively, including drugs, surgery and complementary systems of healing.

This approach is deeply satisfying to both the patient and the therapist.

When yoga therapy and mind-body medicine are combined they empower you to:

Relax, recharge and rejuvenateReduce anxiety and depression that often accompanies chronic illnessChannel breath and energy for healingCalm your mind and emotionsManage a Broad Range of physical and psychological conditions
(Read more about the conditions treated by yoga therapy)Turn on your body’s own creative intelligence to activate your innate healing capacityFeel more in control of your health and your lifeBecome more self-responsibleUse illness as part of your spiritual growth

This approach is deeply satisfying to both the patient and the therapist.

Always seeking medical advice when required.

We encourage a collaborative relationship. This means taking greater responsibility for your health but always seeking medical advice when required.

Develop a partnership with teachers, therapists and doctors. At the same time claim your own power, become self-responsible and propel yourself towards a better life.

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A breath of fresh air…

The one thing that we rarely contemplate is our breath. It is what keeps us alive, yet we take it for granted and do not use the wonderful tool that is our lungs to enhance our daily lives! The average tidal volume (the amount of air we inhale in each breath) of an adult is 500ml yet the tidal capacity of our lungs (the volume of air our lungs can hold) is around 5.5 to 6 litres – all of that volume not being used efficiently in the lungs, it wouldn’t be there if we didn’t need to use it right?

Our tidal volume can decrease to an even lower volume when we exercise, are stressed or anxious, are sleeping or when we have an illness e.g. asthma. Leaving a large proportion of the lungs without the circulation of air means that the elasticity of the lower alveoli decreases, so more unwanted gases will pass through (especially free radicals) into the blood. This is obviously bad news, as we want our erythrocytes to carry oxygen for aerobic respiration in the cells to produce ATP – energy is released when the ATP molecule is hydrolysed. One of the oldest techniques used to clear away all of this stale air (meaning that the gas exchange in the alveoli is more efficient) and the unwanted bacteria in the respiratory tracts is Kapalabhati.

Kapalabhati is a cleansing (kriya) technique which also helps to tone the transverse abdominal muscles and to strengthen the diaphragm, done in the morning every day before you eat breakfast will help immensely to keep your respiratory system healthy and give you a more toned stomach, what’s not to like?!

So now you want to know how to do this breathing technique, right?

Sit cross legged or on your legs, feet below the buttocks, and regulate the breath here first. Become conscious that on the inhale the ribcage will rise and expand, and on the exhale it contracts and falls.Inhale fully, exhale fully expelling all of the air from the lungs, and now inhale half a breath.Exhale through the nose forcefully and quickly pulling in the abdominal muscles, forcing the air up and out. The inhalation will happen automatically.

Try doing this pumping action 10 times, and then start from step 1 again before starting the next round. Do 3 rounds of ten to start with.

It is important not to overdo Kapalabhati, as there is increased blood flow to the brain/pituitary gland and can make you feel light headed or dizzy. Also those with high blood pressure and women who are on their menses or are pregnant should not attempt this kriya technique.

NK

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | Kapalabhati, Respiratory system

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Lesson Plan for Beginners – Inactive

1. Introduction (3min)

- finding out about health issues / injuries…

2. Pranayama – Ujjayi breathing (5min)

Take a comfortable cross-legged sitting position (Sit on a block or cushion to relieve back tension)

Spine should be straight & elongated, chin parallel to the floor.

Hands placed on the knees.

This position allows the lung to expand fully;to feel grounded at the energy base.

To bring the feeling of evenness in breathing to asana practice.

3. Warm up of the joints (7min)

Toe: Broken toes, balance on tip-toe and lower down, repeat a few times. Spread?? toes and press down.

Ankle: Rotation clockwise and anticlockwise

Knee: Butt kicks a few times. Squat

Hips: Rotation

Upper body: make sure to work out wrists, elbows, shoulders, neck

To warm up the abdominal muscles & back: Cat-Cow

4. Surya Namaskar Variation (25min)

Note:

- Transition from Plank to Chaturanga to Cobra/Upward dog: Beginners will not be able to hold in Plank, instruct to come to all fours instead.

- Downward facing dog: have beginners come in from all fours position to set up for down dog

-Rest in Balasana after 2 or 3 rounds

——Seated Poses (15min) —–

5. Dandasana/Staff Pose

6. Janu Shirsasana/Head to Knee Pose

7. Ardha Matsyendrasana / Seated Spinal Twist

8.Setu Bandha Sarvangasana / Supported Bridge Pose

——Cooling (5min) —–

9.Savasana/Corpse Pose

Conclusion:

Come back to breathing for a few rounds if time allows

Mar-Jun 2013 200 hrs TTC – Aimee

Filed under: Lesson Plan Tagged: | 200 Hr Yoga Teacher Training, lesson plan

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Planetary Alignment and Karma

Why is it that at various times in history certain great souls are born and bring light, compassion, knowledge and wisdom into the world? Some people are born with great gifts and abilities, and also with wonderful opportunities.

And why is it that there are other souls who seem destined to bring darkness and suffering into the world?

Others seem born victims of misfortune and lack of opportunities.

There are two very divergent viewpoints as to how this occurs:

The first is the view of science, which looks at genetics and upbringing, and is focused upon the mechanisms of the individual body-mind from the viewpoint of psychology and the?social sciences. The second is the viewpoint of philosophies that describe the world in terms of karma, astrology and reincarnation.

In India, an attempt to understand the mysteries of life has evolved through philosophy and esoteric sciences. One of these sciences is Indian astrology, called Jyotish, that explains the laws of karma based on astrology. In Jyotish the planets are the lords of karma, and they dispense the fruits of actions at different times over the course of our life.

Yoga is the ancient science that enabled us to better manage our karma, to deal with events that arise in each moment with greater awareness and skill, and to create more harmony and balance in the universe (more sattwa).

From the point of view of yoga and meditation karma is not cruel justice, but a neutral force or energy that both motivates our actions and that responds to our actions.

In each moment we create new karma and have an opportunity to work with our karma to create a better life. All that we need to do is to take responsibility for our actions and to learn how to respond with more awareness, knowledge and ability.

By using yoga and meditation to improve our lives and the lives of others we consciously engage both positive and the negative?karma. This is called karma yoga, a process in which we use our karma for our psychological growth and spiritual evolution.

From the point of view of astrology some souls have taken conscious responsibility for their lives over many incarnations. It is said that they take birth to continue their good work and to uplift humanity.

One astrological signature in a natal chart that describes a great soul is called a Maha Purusha Yoga – a great soul yoga. It occurs when a planet is strong (that is, when it is in its own sign or exalted, and in good houses in a horoscope).

Another astrological signature occurs when four planets inhabit one sign, and is called a Renunciate (Sannyasa) Yoga. It can create the desire for renunciation from the world, an absence of desire for any earthly reward, and a desire to uplift others.

These two signatures have occurred since the end of March 2011 and they will last until the end of May 2011. Four mainly strong planets are in one sign. Jupiter (guru), Mars, Mercury, Venus and Sun have all been together. Jupiter and the Sun are innately spiritual planets.

Some of those planets, especially Jupiter, Mars, Venus and the Sun have been very strong at different times over the last month and will continue to be strong during this period.

This combination of strong planets, with a strong spiritual emphasis, is rare and will next recur at the end of 2055.

When these signatures occur it is highly likely that great souls will take birth whose destiny it is to support the spiritual development of the planet.

It is a possibility that gurus, saints and yogis who have died recently, or, who wish to reincarnate at this time, could take rebirth at certain auspicious moments during this a period.

God knows, we, and this planet, need all the help we can get.

Author: Dr Swami Shankardev Saraswati and Jayne Stevenson |?Copyright Big Shakti 2011

Listen to this Introduction to Jyotish Astrology Dr Robert Svoboda and hear why this ancient science is so powerful in predicting life events, and remedying karma.?Introduction to Jyotish – Indian Astrology MP3 Lecture

Read the book by Hart de Fouw and Dr Robert Svoboda Light on Life: An Introduction to the Astrology of India

Jyotish – Indian Astrology

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Muscle Ache

Muscle Ache is common for everyone especially for those who have not been exercising regularly after a session of yoga practice or workout.

It happens to everyone including the regulars and fitness athletes as well. So there is no excuse that you should stop your practice or exercising if you are aching.

The common causes are: ?1> Injury or trauma, (extreme case) and most commonly 2> overuse of the muscle (using a muscle too much especially on muscle group that are not use regularly).

So how do we relieve the ache? Here are some ways for me relieving ache:

1>?? Stretch

It’s important to stretch before exercise and equally important to stretch after exercise as it helps to the muscle to recover faster. Gently stretch on the sore muscle and you will feel the relive. ?

2>?? Turmeric

Turmeric helps to reduce the inflammation at the muscle thus you won’t feel the sensation as much. Simply add some turmeric powder in your drinking water and gulp it down. Or as a nightcap, warm some milk and add in turmeric and cinnamon for a nice comforting drink.

3>?? Tennis Ball

Rather than paying $$$ for a massage, we can simply massage ourself using a tennis ball. Place the tennis ball over the area and rub it over. If it’s your back or leg area, place the tennis ball and roll over it while you are watching TV. If you have a roller at home, that is even easier as you control the roller better than the tennis ball.

4>?? Parnayama?

Sit cross-legged with your body up-right and with your eyes closed. Concentrate in your breathing (use Ujjayi Breath for beginner). Focus on the area that is aching and think that every inhalation your take, you are bringing nutrients to the muscle for it to recover. Every exhalation, you are bringing the ache and pain away for it and out of your body.

Try it and you will feel better instantly and even better tomorrow.

By AstonC

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | General

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Jyotish – Indian Astrology

Jyotish is India’s system of divination. It is sometimes referred to as Hindu or Vedic astrology.

The word Jyotish in Sanskrit means ‘Lord of light’. It is the study of the light that comes to us from the sun, moon, stars and planets.

It is also a study of the light that is present within our consciousness, the light that illuminates our daily perceptions and experience of our lives.

Jyotish can be a spiritual practice in itself or it can be used in combination with yoga and meditation practices to awaken higher consciousness.

In general however, most people use Jyotish astrology to understand and remedy their negative karma and to create better karma for themselves and their family.

Our potential life karma, including health,?wealth, relationships, education, occupation and spiritual life,?is mapped by the natal horoscope.

The astrologer, the Jyotishi, is the reader of the horoscope, the map of our karma.?A good Jyotishi can see which areas of life may be strong, happy and flowing, and which areas may be weak, problematic or blocked.

A highly developed Jyotishi may offer possible remedies for negative karmas. These remedies may be in the form of advice about lifestyle changes, the timing of important events such as marriage, career changes, purchase of property, good locations to live, mantras, meditations, jewels to wear, and so on.

Many aspects of yoga, meditation and tantra are influenced by jyotish astrology. For example, initiation into?mantra yoga is often given according to one’s birthdate, or by other important astrological indications.

Hatha yoga?is the science of balancing the solar and lunar forces within the body-mind to awaken the fire of consciousness.

In hatha and kundalini yoga, and in tantra, the yogi seeks to connect to, and control cosmic forces through powerful practices within their own being.

Most tantric practices are performed at certain lunar intervals, such as the full moon, or during certain seasons. The yogi connects to and resonates with the cosmos in a conscious relationship with higher forces.

Jyotish astrology is part of Vedic knowledge; the collected verbal wisdom handed down by the great rishis, seers of the Vedas.

In Vedic circles, the knowledge contained in Jyotish is called the jyotir vidya. This vidya is a force, or Shakti, and it is regarded as a living intelligent entity.

Jyotish has 6 limbs:

Observational astronomy – observing the movement of the heavenly bodiesCalculation – of movements of planets, stars, eclipses, conjunctions and so onNatal astrology – the birth chartHorary astrology – which examines the astrological conditions at the time a question is askedElectional astrology – to determine the best time to start an activity to ensure successOmenology – the reading of omens

There are a number of forms of Jyotish:

Parashari astrology – based on the work of the great astrologer Parashara who wrote the great work Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra.Jaimini astrology – based on the work of the great Vedic seer Maharishi Jaimini.Tajika astrology – based on the astrology of the Arabs.Nadi astrology -? devised by seers long ago and was so precise that it was able to prepare horoscopes for people who would live in the future. An individual’s precise horoscope was made before their birth.Tantric astrology – includes yogic, tantric and shamanic methods, such as the use of rituals, the worship of elements, and various forms of meditation.

Jyotish is a complex and difficult subject to master.?Becoming a Jyotish astrologer requires great dedication and focus.

The student of Jyotish needs a guru, teacher, or mentor to explain the principles and demonstrate how to apply them.

The student also requires some knowledge of Sanskrit language and Samkhya Philosophy, as these are the basis of many of the concepts used in Jyotish.

Far beyond intellectual knowledge, the student need to develop, life experience and intuition. Intuition can be developed through yoga?practices such as pranayama, mantra and meditation.

Listen to this Introduction to Jyotish Astrology Dr Robert Svoboda and hear why this ancient science is so powerful in predicting life events, and remedying karma.?Introduction to Jyotish – Indian Astrology MP3 Lecture

Read the book by Hart de Fouw and Dr Robert Svoboda?Light on Life: An Introduction to the Astrology of India

Planetary Alignment and Karma

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About fruits, acidity and alkalinity.

Through this 200 hr ytt, I have been made more aware of my diet through learning about body anatomy and what it means to maintain the body’s pH through the kind of food we eat. The ideal is not to eat to lose weight and obtain an enviable figure, but eat for health and to prevent and reduce diseases.

The aim is to maintain the body’s pH at a neutral, towards alkalinity, level of pH7.4. Any lower than that, we are at risk of acidosis, defined as acidity in the blood and other body tissues. Eating acidic foods and being exposed to prolonged periods of stress are some causes of acidosis, which will affect our overall health. This is because bacteria and viruses thrive in acidic environments, making the body vulnerable to viral infections.

The next natural alternative is then to turn to fruits and heap them up in the blender or juicer then gulp down the smoothie. Yet, fruits high in fruit sugar like mangoes, pineapples and oranges are in fact, acidic. They are not as acidic as meat, poultry and fish, but are well… close enough. In other words, if one has ever consumed a smoothie that contains more than one of the acidic fruits without balancing with an alkaline food, like most vegetables, the smoothie isn’t as healthy or as green as it seems. These facts are referenced from Dr Robert O Young, author of The Miracle pH Book, and the alkaline food chart can be found here: http://www.alkalinesisters.com/alkaline-food-chart/

So the catch is, one can still have those delicious tropical fruits but ideally, they should be balanced with about 3 or 4 other alkalinizing produce. Examples of these are avocado, kale, celery, cabbage, radish and cucumber. Fruits should not be the main star of your smoothie, but are just around to give a little more flavour and enhance sweetness of the otherwise bitter greens. If you are watching your sugar intake, then add other not-so-sweet fruits like strawberries or raspberries, since they also give the smoothie a lovely, red tint. Chia seeds and almonds are also alkaline and taste good when sprinkled on, or blended into the juice.

The truth is that, an alkaline diet is basically, vegetarian. I have tried going vegetarian some days and I can honestly say that it is not easy simply due to the limited choices around, and the fact that people around me are mostly omnivorous. If it is almost mission impossible to avoid poultry, fish, caffeine, dairy products and processed food, then simply take baby steps and cut down on the intake. Keep bearing in mind that you are improving your overall general health and lowering your own risk for illnesses such as kidney stones and constipation.

Just to quote Benjamin Franklin’s “Some people die at age 25 and aren’t buried until they are 75” and analyze it in the dietary sense: In our modern world where we are exposed to stress from work, relationships or life in general, we have the tendency to adopt wrong eating habits that are killing us slowly inside. Adopting the chakra theory, it also agrees that we turn to food as a form of aggression when we are suppressed in other aspects. For convenience’s sake we have may made the wrong food choices here and there, only to try to salvage the situation when we have time, or are sick and suffering from illnesses. That is probably why people ‘die’ early inside, when their organs are not working optimally, they become plagued with diseases, and have to endure suffering and finally pass on at the age of 75. On the other hand, if we are aware of the acidity and alkalinity of the food we put into our mouths and consequences of over-consumption, then we are more empowered to make wiser choices. We can then live happily with a healthier body and mind.

-Joy

Filed under: Diet and nutrition, General Tagged: | health

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Benefits of practicing yoga during pregnancy Weather you’ve practiced

Benefits of practicing yoga during pregnancy

Weather you’ve practiced yoga before your pregnancy or only just now thinking about it, you’ll experience great benefits from regular practice.?

As yoga is the union of mind and body it will help you to prepare yourself for the big changes you will be facing during and after pregnancy.?

If your healthy and not suffering from any pregnancy related illnesses you can enjoy yoga throughout your whole pregnancy.?

Having a strong pelvic floor is essential as it will help you carry the heavy weight of the growing baby and at the same time take the pressure off the lower back which is an often seen side effect especially during the later time of pregnancy.

Meditation and different breathing techniques will not only help you to stay positive and accept all the changes your body will inevitably go through but it will also alleviate the significant stress of the upcoming labor. Being calm can relieve pain and therefore reduces the need of medication. It will also reduce anxiety and worries you might have about the health of the baby or worries about being a good mother. Having a dedicated time for relaxation will of course also give you a great bond with the baby. Regular breathing exercises will also strengthen your abdominal muscles and maximize oxygen flow when you need it most.?

Postures to practice are balancing asanas like the tree and half moon, which can help you in getting comfortable with the changing centre of gravity. Down dog and warrior poses will help to stretch and strengthen the muscles to counterbalance the big belly. Pigeon pose and butterfly pose will stretch the sciatic nerve, which can be an irritation during pregnancy. In the last trimester you will especially benefit from squatting exercises, which will be of great help during child labor and inversions can help making space in the pelvis to lessen irritation. At all times, try not to overstretch as ligaments around the joints become loose and soft during pregnancy and make sure to have an adequate water intake.?

Of course yoga continues to be beneficial after pregnancy. Postnatal yoga can be started about 6 weeks after giving birth to strengthen abdominal muscles and pelvic floor.? It will certainly help you getting back into the pre-pregnancy shape.

So all you need to do is find a good and qualified yoga teacher and get started. And remember, taking yoga classes will not only be beneficial for your body but it will be a great opportunity to meet other mothers to be to share experiences and to support each other.

Enjoy!

Lisa?

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Desire and the Chakras

Desire is the root of all human existence. It is the natural force of attraction that drives you in every moment.?Spiritual and philosophical views of desire are divided into two main approaches:

1. Those that expound the Law of Attraction; you can have anything you want if you really want it.
2. Those that teach that desire is non-spiritual; you must strive to become desireless and selfless.

There is another, more balanced approach that embraces both desire and desirelessness. This approach enables you to engage in the material and the spiritual aspects of life, and is more relevant to today’s needs.

Yoga Tantra is an Indian philosophy that views desire as natural and the suppression of desire as unnatural. ?For those who are not prepared for advanced stages of spiritual practice, attempting desirelessness is a dangerous path. Desire is a powerful force that lies deep within the human psyche. It motivates inner psychic activity and behaviour. To fight against it creates inner conflicts and tensions that can lead to mental illness.

Yoga Tantra teaches that the energy contained within desire is the basis of creativity and creation, both materially and spiritually.?By following this path you learn how to examine your desires and how to use the energy within your most important desires to discover your life purpose.

By understanding the nature and power of desire more fully you can use desire as a springboard into higher consciousness. You can fulfil your material existence and awaken your consciousness. The first step to achieving this is to explore the link between your desires and your chakras.

Your body-mind is constantly creating different desires that surface from many parts of you. Different aspects of you have different needs so it is possible to have several desires arising at the same time that compete for your attention. These desires can either be in harmony or in conflict with each other.

To remain healthy and balanced all of your desires need to be acknowledged, nourished and managed with appropriate experiences. You then avoid becoming enmeshed in inner conflicts that rob you of power and that prevent you from developing and strengthening your mind.

One of the most effective ways of understanding and managing your desires is to create an authentic connection with your chakras.

In yoga–tantra chakra meditations you experience how your thoughts, emotions, feelings and desires are linked to your chakras and to particular areas of your life. Sexual desire, for example, is governed by the chakra located in the pelvis – swadhisthana, while the desire to love and be loved is governed by the heart chakra – anahata.

Creating an authentic, embodied relationship with your chakras empowers you to:

feel the quality of your desires.align the grosser, more egocentric lower chakras with the subtler, more universal higher chakras.direct the energy within the desires generated by the?lower chakras towards more balanced, creative and satisfying activities.

By engaging in this conscious relationship with your desires and your chakras, and acting from within this wisdom, you are on the path of self mastery, creating better karma for yourself.

Journey Into Your Heart’s Desire eCourse and eSeminar Series teaches you how to recognize the relationship between your desires and your chakras. This guided study takes you through an experiential process that is suitable for both beginners and advanced students of yoga and meditation.

Dr Swami Shankardev Saraswati and Jayne Stevenson

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Possible side effects you might experiencing during pregnancy Itchiness

Possible side effects you might experiencing during pregnancy

Itchiness due to hormonal changes and the stretching of the skin mainly on the growing belly and the breasts

Avoid hot showers, which can make skin even drier

Use mild soap only and wear loose clothes only

Eczemadue to hormonal changes and a different diet?

Keep skin moisturized

Rip painespecially after the 30th week due to pressure of the baby.

Keeping yourself upright with cushions will alleviate the pain

Thrushalso known as candida, is a yeast infection due to different reasons such as the surge of hormones, the change in diet as well as a general metabolic change during pregnancy. A high sugar intake or wearing too tight clothes can also contribute to getting a thrush ?

Sleepinessespecially in the third trimester as the body continues to grow and change but also getting up at night because of the frequent urge of urination might leave you tired

Try to limit your water and food intake before bedtime and using a special body pillow to sleep will help you to rest better

Crampsdue to changes of gestation the stretching of the uterus or constipation. Cramps are always to be taken seriously and should be discussed with a doctor. Make sure to have an adequate calcium intake. Only drink low fat milk to avoid unnecessary weight gain

Hemorrhoidsdue to swollen veins in the rectal area. They range from the seize of a pea to the size of a grape and can be mildly uncomfortable or very painful and may cause rectal bleeding

Stretch marksusually genetic reasons but also due to the stretching and expansion of the skin. These unsightly scars may occur on thighs, breasts, tummy and buttocks. Massage the skin and keep it moisturized throughout the pregnancy

Varicose veinsswollen veins that may bulge near the surface of the skin causing little discomfort or make your legs feel heavy and achy or even itchy. Try not to gain to much weight as this increases it. Exercise daily and elevate your legs whenever possible. Wearing a special supporting hose or stockings will help too.

Postnatal

Depressionis a type of depression some women may experience after having had a baby. PND can develop within 4 – 6 weeks after childbirth but may also be experienced several months after labor. Physical and emotional stress of looking after a newborn baby but also hormonal changes and worries about being a good mother as well as worries about money and relationship problems can lead to PND. This is not to be mistaken with the so-called baby blue and should be treated professionally

Baby bluesare quite common and occur just a few days after giving birth. You might feel teary, irritable, moody, tired, anxious and worried about the baby. With the right amount of rest and support from family and friends all these signs should lift after a few days?

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Learn about Yoga Nidra from Experts: Powerful Relaxation Meditation

Yoga Nidra is a technique from the great yoga adept Swami Satyananda Saraswati of the Bihar School of Yoga, India.

The word yoga means conscious connection to Self. Nidra means sleep. Yoga Nidra is a yoga meditation technique that allows us to relax, recharge, rejuvenate and awaken higher consciousness.

(Note: Yogi nidra is a Sanskrit term that means the light, wakeful sleep of an accomplished practitioner of yoga and meditation.)

Yoga Nidra is a powerful meditation technique where the mind remains conscious during the normally “unconscious” state associated with deep sleep.

Practiced in the lying position, it is one of the most popular yoga meditation techniques because it induces a profoundly deep state of rest. It is effortless, enjoyable, soothing and recuperative.

As it is practiced today, Yoga Nidra is a technique that carries awareness deep into you, layer by layer. This process is called introversion, or?pratyahara?in Sanskrit. The pratyahara of Yoga Nidra induces deep relaxation.

Thousands of People Use Yoga Nidra Scripts to Relax and Meditate

Yoga Nidra takes your awareness deep into parts of you that you normally cannot access because of tensions.?You systematically relax each part of your physical body and then move your awareness to the more subtle layers, your emotions and deeper mind, in order to relax those parts.

Many people find that sleep is not completely restful. They are unable to resolve tensions, or they are unaware of how much tension they are holding and carry these tensions into their sleep. Over time these tensions and stresses travel deep into the body-mind and become the seed of physical and psychological illness.

Disturbed sleep, sleep deprivation and sleep disorders such as insomnia have reached epidemic proportions in recent years. Chronic sleep deprivation has been shown to greatly increase the risk of chronic degenerative illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes, depression and obesity, and of premature death. (See the research article on heart disease at the end of this page for more details)

More than 30% of the population suffers from insomnia.More than 60% of people over the age of 60 suffer from insomnia.30% of people suffer from some form of insomnia during their lifetime.More than half of Americans lose sleep due to stress and/or anxiety.Approximately 30 million people in the U.S. (10% of the population) use prescription sleeping medication.

Many people try to sleep with their mind still switched on. Over-thinking is a symptom of stress and worry. Unchecked, it can become an unconscious habit that undermines our health and happiness.

Learning how to turn off excessive thinking and worry is the key to getting deep restful sleep. One of the easiest ways to do this is by practicing Yoga Nidra.

Yoga Nidra is a practice that enables you to gain deep rest so that you can recharge and rejuvenate yourself. In removing deep-seated tensions and improves your capacity to sleep peacefully.

Although it does not replace normal sleep, 30 minutes of Yoga Nidra is the equivalent of 3 to 4 hours of sleep.

30 minutes of ?Yoga Nidra is the equivalent of 3 to 4 hours of sleep

Tensions block awareness and energy.?Yoga Nidra releases blocked energy that is trapped within the body-mind, often frozen by anxiety and worry. The release of energy during relaxation rebalances and harmonizes the body and the deeper mind. Energy that is released can be used for healing and positive growth.

Removing tensions allows you to penetrate your awareness into the unconscious areas of yourself. You become aware of and can connect to your inner abilities and potential. This expands your sense of self by expanding your awareness of the deeper and subtler parts of you.

Yoga Nidra is a yoga meditation technique that can be used in therapy settings to enable people to recuperate from exhaustion and illness. It can be applied as both a primary therapeutic tool and as an adjunctive treatment for many acute and chronic physical and psychological disease conditions.

Deep relaxation liberates the energy trapped within tensions.

Author: Dr Swami Shankardev Saraswati with Jayne Stevenson | Copyright Big Shakti 2011

Learn authentic practices with this guided Mp3 or CD?Meditation and Yoga Nidra

Read the book?by the originator of this technique, Swami Satyananda Saraswati?Yoga Nidra

Origin of Yoga Nidra

Insufficient Rest and Poor Sleep Causes Heart Disease

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Film to Feature B.K.S. Iyengar

No teacher has had a bigger impact on modern yoga than B.K.S Iyengar–which is why filmmakers and Iyengar practitioners Lindsey Clennell and Jake Clennell want to make a film that will document Iyengar’s contributions. To help with the effort, they’re raising money through a crowd sourcing campaign to fund the last phase of the project.

“Many teachers have done good work, but every generation someone comes along who has enormous influence. B.K.S. Iyengar, through his direct teaching, through his teachers, through his books and through his example of focused devotion to yoga practice, has had an enormous influence on the subject,” Lindsey Clennell told Buzz. “In years to come, people will want to know what this man was like. In one way it’s a film for them.”

B.K.S. Iyengar, the 94-year-old founder of Iyengar Yoga and the subject of the film, has written many important ?books on yoga including Light on Yoga, and made yoga accessible to the masses by introducing the use of props to help students find proper alignment. The documentary, which will be called?Sadhaka: The Yoga of BKS Iyengar, will give viewers a glimpse into what has made his teachings so substantial.

Lindsey Clennell, who is executive producer of the film, is a Senior Iyengar teacher who has studied with Iyengar since 1975. Jake Clennell, who is the director and Lindsey’s son, took his first trip to Pune when he was five and has also studied extensively with Iyengar. Both are award-winning filmmakers.

Lindsey groups Iyengar with other historic figures from India such as Mahatma Gandhi and Sri?Aurobindo.?”I think it is reasonable to put Iyengar in that group, because in a way he has given something that was missing in the inspiration and knowledge that the others gave: a starting point for ordinary people to understand the practice of yoga.”

While the Clennell family has seen first-hand how Iyengar has transformed lives (Bobby Clennell, Lindsey’s wife and Jake’s mother, is also a Senior Iyengar teacher), Lindsey ?says one of the biggest challenges is showing the depth of the teachings through an engaging and entertaining film. Something they will do through interviews, footage of Iyengar teaching, and showing the impact Iyengar has had on his students’ lives.

They need $120,000 to finish editing the film, half of which they are trying to raise through an Indiegogo?campaign. They estimate the film, which will be 90 minutes long, will be complete by ?Spring of 2014.?To watch the trailer and for more information visit?sadhakafilm.com.

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University Model for Yoga School

Good teacher training programs prepare yoga teachers to lead class and keep students safe, teach the philosophy of yoga, all the while guiding them into a deeper exploration of themselves. In many ways, teacher training and the years following are similar to the formative years a college student spends at a university learning what they want to do as a career and a lot about themselves in the process. This is the premise behind Naada Yoga’s teacher training program. Naada, which is based in Montreal, offers its teacher trainees a program that is structured like a university. It gives students options to learn the basics from a lot of different perspectives, then build on them by choosing a specialty.

The school offers a 200-hour “foundational” program, a 300-hour, a 500-hour (the minimum Naada requires of its teachers), and a 1,000-hour yoga therapeutics program. Students, who attend classes at night and on weekends, must take midterms and exams. And by bringing in teachers who offer expertise in different areas, trainees get to discover what area interests them most. Those in the advanced programs then choose a specialty, in the way a graduate student does, in areas including yoga for scoliosis or for at-risk youth. The school is recognized by the American and Canadian yoga-training accrediting bodies.

“Our initial and continual goal with our programs has been to raise the standards of yoga education,” says Naada owner Elizabeth Emberly. “We felt that by modeling it after a university that students would be able to undergo deeper study in the major subjects found within hatha yoga, thus giving them a broader perspective of yoga both from a historical and modern viewpoint.”

The school draws well known international teachers and scholars, including Richard Rosen, Mark Singleton, Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman Yee, Matthew Remski, Timothy McCall, and Baxter Bell. These teacher travel to Montreal do offer training modules for the various programs.

To complete the two-year 1,000-hour therapeutics program, students work with a mentor and complete a practicum and a thesis, which involves designing a yoga therapeutic program aligned with their interests as a therapist. Some therapy graduates get grants from the Yoga Mala Foundation, also founded by Emberly and Naada co-owner Jason Sharp, to continue their work with special populations.

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