Archive for the ‘yoga and meditation’ Category

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

As you know by now, pranayama (yogic breathing) is one of the most effective ways to create a link to the mind and body. Yet, pranayama is often over looked by Hatha Yoga practitioners. If you take a superficial view of Yoga: A photo of one’s breath cannot produce the shock value seen in some asana photographs.

Yet, Yoga cannot be summed up in one photo session or one book. Humans often make hasty judgments about subjects. This enables us to quickly sort, classify, and file ideas, in a specific order, so that we may retrieve them easily. The only problem is that we may not have gone beyond the surface layer of our filing system.

It takes years of Yoga practice to get beyond our superficial viewpoints. Yoga teaches us to look at the deeper aspects of life, without harsh judgments. Each limb of Yoga is as significant as the other. When we review the Eight Limbs, as described by Maharishi Patanjali, within the “Yoga Sutras,” we begin to realize the value of each area of study that may be lacking in our personal practice.

If we continue to practice and study Yoga for years, we begin to realize the value of each limb. We also begin to appreciate the subtle differences among Yogic schools and styles. Despite these differences, self-realization is a common objective among many Yogic schools of thought.

How can pranayama help you on the path toward self-realization? Some claim pranayama is boring, while others will tell you it is hard work. In many Hatha Yoga classes, breath awareness is integrated into asana or meditation practice, but it might not be a separate segment of the class. Some fitness Yoga teachers yield to the popularity of asanas and see little worth in pranayama as a separate practice.

With that said – it will take the fitness-oriented student a bit longer to become completely present for practice. Pranayama is a gateway to the state of seeing, knowing, and being, which we call self-realization. In some schools of thought, pranayama is the easiest way to connect mind, body, and spirit.

Here is an example: Sit in a quiet room and notice what you can easily focus on. Is it a sound, an object, an image, or a function? For many, the breath is easy to isolate and focus on. Our perspectives will be different, depending on our training and the amount of time we put into practice.

Each of us is different, but you can put this to the test along or with students. Being truly present for practice is an exercise in self-realization. To bring self-realization into daily life is a way of life.

© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul

By Dr. Rita Khanna

When the flow of concentration (Dharana) is uninterrupted, the state that arises is Dhyana. Dhyana is the study of deep concentration, calmness, and tranquility of the mind. As Dhyana grows and matures, the mind goes on – becoming more and more pure. It folds open up, the old Samskaras are dissolved; the ego, the arrogance become humble and then insignificant. One, then, progresses from the unconscious to subconscious state, from subconscious to conscious state, and from conscious to super conscious state (the state of Samadhi). There is no other feeling except a state of Supreme Bliss.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

• The place for Dhayana must be clean, well- ventilated, and free from insects. Ideally, it is better to have a separate room or a corner for Dhayana. This space acquires special energy as you meditate regularly, and you will feel calm when you enter this space. As meditation is repeated, the powerful vibrations set up will be lodged in the area; an atmosphere of peace and purity will be felt. You can meditate outdoors if you like, but choose an area where you will not get disturbed. Avoid meditating too close to the sea, as sea breeze contains moisture and can hamper correct breathing.

• The direction you face, while meditating, affects concentration to some extent. If possible, sit facing the East or the North, to derive the benefits of favorable magnetic vibrations from the earth.

• Meditate in a peaceful and relaxing environment. Create the right atmosphere by putting up pictures of a deity you like. You can also relax by playing soft and soothing music. Things that have a positive effect on you will help your mind settle down faster.

• Use a soft, comfortable cushion or mat for your seat. You can use a four-folded blanket or a yoga mat. Cover your legs with a blanket if it is cold.

• Set aside a specific time for meditation. The best time for Dhayana is dawn and dusk as it is very calm and peaceful. If you cannot meditate at dawn or dusk, then choose a time that is convenient for you. If you meditate in the morning, you will remain calm throughout the day and work better. The best hours are from 4 to 6 in the morning. This is the period of Brahmamuhurta. At that time, the atmosphere is charged with a special spiritual force. Meditating, before going to bed at night, will ensure a sound sleep.

• Do not mediate on a full stomach. This is because attention is drawn to the stomach and the digestion process. You might suffer from indigestion if you force yourself to meditate before your food has been properly digested. Wait for at least three hours after a meal.

• Meditating when you are depressed or unhappy is also not recommended, as your dejection could get intensified. Try to reduce intellectualization, as much as possible. Let the mind follow the mental actions necessary for execution of the practice. Remember – meditation is not something that is done by the mind. In fact, it is the absence of the mind. When the mind stops, or becomes still, meditation happens.

• Regularity is extremely important, if you want to derive all the benefits of meditation. Otherwise, you will lose the discipline and find it difficult when you start again. Regularity conditions the mind to slow down its activities with a minimum of delay.

• Set fixed times for yourself and keep firmly to these times. It should be practiced once or twice during the day, depending on your need, without any break whatsoever. Like eating, meditation will become a natural part of you.

• In the beginning, set aside 15-20 minutes to meditate, and gradually increase it to one hour. Calm your mind by controlling your thoughts. However, do not force yourself to meditate. Stop meditating immediately if you feel uncomfortable or disturbed.

• While you meditate, at first, you will have a feeling of calmness, happiness, and contentment, only. Gradually, your mind will become focused and controlled, and you will learn to relax and avoid impulsive reactions. As you meditate regularly, this contented and peaceful feeling will permeate into the rest of your day and then into your entire life. Concentration techniques enhance and increase your control over your mind, so that it does what you want it to when you want it to.

HOW DO YOU MEDITATE?

• Sitting postures are the best for meditation. When you are seated, metabolism, brain waves, and breathing slow down. The strain on the heart and lungs reduces considerably. Padmasana, Siddhasana, Sukhasana, or Vajrasana are all meditative postures. These four sitting postures are the most effective to calm and master your mind, as they exert pressure on the nerves that induce physical relaxation.

• It is important to be comfortable during meditation so that physical discomfort does not distract you. Your mind will not be calm if you are distracted. If you need, you can rest your back against a wall. If sitting on the floor is difficult, use a straight-backed chair. Make sure that your spine is erect and your feet touch the ground. Remember – do not lie down to meditate, as you might fall asleep.

• To meditate, you must master each step before you move to the next one. Proceed to the next step only after you have learned to make yourself comfortable in a meditative posture.

• Yoga Postures are an effective way of preparing your body before you start meditating. While doing asanas conscientiously, we are increasing our power of concentration. Then we concentrate fully on those parts of the body which are stretched and influenced during a particular asana. In this way, we not only get physical benefits, but also increase mental power.

• If there is pain, stiffness, or general tension, in the body, then do a relaxation technique first so that you can sit comfortably. An excellent and simple method of systematically relaxing the body is to tense it as much as possible for some time and then release the tension. All the different parts of the body should be tensed in turn. You must not move on to the next step until you have relaxed yourself.

• Once you are seated comfortably with back straight, the next step is to calm your mind. To do this, close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Inhale deeply, slowly, and consciously for 3-5 seconds. Exhale deeply, slowly, and consciously for 3-5 seconds. As you inhale, feel the body filling up with clean, fresh air and the body is becoming more energetic; as you exhale, feel the toxic air emptying out of your body and the body is becoming lighter and lighter.  Continue breathing like this until you feel completely calm and relaxed. When the mind is connected with breathing, its fickleness disappears and it achieves a perfect state of stability. If you feel uncomfortable, or agitated, during a meditation session, open your eyes and start again.

• Once you are calm, shift your focus to your mind consciously. Focus only on your thoughts. You will notice that your mind is crowded with all types of thoughts. If you are not reacting to them, it will be easier for you to remove them. As you keep doing this, you will be able to watch your thoughts without reacting to them. If you are able to hold this detached attitude for some time, your uncontrolled thoughts will reduce, as you are not reacting to them. By controlling your thoughts, you recharge your mental batteries and sharpen your focus. It will also give you more control over your actions and reactions.

• Now that you have control over your thoughts, choose an object to give your mind something positive to concentrate on. This could be a candle, a flower, a fruit, or even the image of a deity. It is easier to meditate on an object, especially for beginners to hold its attention. You can meditate on sound. For that, you can use a mantra like OM. Mantras have healing and spiritual powers. If not mantra, then you can focus on the sound of a waterfall, birds chirping, or visualize a beautiful, natural place of your choice. Avoid things that upset or sadden you.

• When you have chosen your object, look at it closely. Then close your eyes and recall its features, color, and shape. Next, choose a point of focus on your body, such as the space between the eyebrows, your navel, or the base of your throat. Place the mental image of the object you have chosen at this point on your body. Draw all your attention to the image – maintaining it at the focus point. If you have chosen a mantra as an object, repeat it mentally or audibly. Focus all your attention on the sound and the effect that it has on your body. When sunlight is focused through a lens, thousands of rays converge at a single point, increasing the intensity of energy; mental power too increases if you focus all your energy at one point.

• In the beginning, you may not be able to concentrate for more than a few minutes. Your mind will keep getting distracted and random thoughts will pop up. You might even start day dreaming. Do not lose patience, and do not force your mind to stay focused. If it wanders, allow it to go wherever it wants, and then gently bring your attention back to the object, and keep its image at the focus point. Gradually, it will lose the desire to wander and voluntarily remain focused. With practice, you will master this step.

MEDITATE

Now that you are able to concentrate effortlessly and for a longer period of time, allow your mind to move freely – let it make connections and associations. You will discover that thoughts do not appear at random any more. Instead, they will continue to be associated with your chosen object. They will revolve around it – getting absorbed into it. At this stage, you will automatically move into the state of meditation. You will find yourself merging into the object and becoming a part of it. As a result, you will experience extreme bliss and peace. In this state, you will transcend all man-made boundaries and feel a sense of timelessness.

MEDITATION TECHNIQUES

There are a number of meditation techniques. However, the basic principles and stages are the same in all. These differ mainly in the way you go through the whole process. The foundation, of all the techniques of meditation, is the awareness of the present moment that helps in promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and enhancing personal and spiritual growth. You can choose any technique – depending on your interest, ability, and aptitude.

CONCLUSION

With practice of more and more Dhayana, duality disappears and Samadhi, or the super-conscious state, is reached. Do not become impatient, as this takes a long time. In Samadhi, one rests in the state of bliss in which the Knower, the Knowledge, and the Known become one. This is the super conscious state reached by mystics of all faiths and persuasions.

If you meditate for half an hour daily, you will be able to face life with peace and spiritual strength. Meditation is the most powerful mental and nerve tonic. Divine energy freely flows to the adept during meditation, and exerts a benign influence on the mind, nerves, sense organs, and body. It opens the door to intuitive knowledge and realms of eternal bliss. The mind becomes calm and steady.

If you feel inspired by this article, feel free to publish it in your Newsletter or on your Website. Our humble request is to please include the Resource as follows: Courtesy: Dr. Rita Khanna’s Yogashaastra Studio. A popular studio that helps you find natural solutions for complete health and detoxification.

Mobile: + 919849772485

Ph:-91-40-65173344

Email: yogashaastra@gmail.com

Dr. Rita Khanna

Dr. Rita Khanna is a well-known name in the field of Yoga and Naturopathy. She was initiated into this discipline over 25 years ago by world famous Swami Adyatmananda of Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh(India). She believes firmly that Yoga is a scientific process, which helps us to lead a healthy and disease-free life.

She is also actively involved in practicing alternative medicines like Naturopathy. Over the years, she has been successfully practicing these therapies and providing succour to several chronic and terminally ill patients through Yoga, Diet and Naturopathy. She is also imparting Yoga Teachers Training. At present, Dr. Rita Khanna is running a Yoga Studio in Secunderabad (Hyderabad, India).

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

What is more valuable to you – a trained body or a trained mind?  Most people would think about this for a second and decide that physical appearance, through training the body, is more important to them.  In Hatha Yoga, we can easily see the number of students who pursue physical mastery through asana practice.

Not everyone feels asana is the “Holy Grail” of Yoga, but physical prowess is still an attraction.  However, for one to pursue physical mastery over mental mastery, one must feel that his or her mental health is going along just fine.  If this were so, why are so many people experiencing chronic stress, anxiety, panic disorder, depression, and a variety of mental disorders?

Meditation may not be the solution to all the mental ailments humankind experiences, but it sure can help.  Many Western medical doctors recommend meditation as an adjunct therapy.  Many counselors, psychiatrists, and psychologists, also recommend Yoga to stabilize the mind.

The most common reason why Yoga students want to learn meditation is to relax the mind when needed.  To relieve the mind and body of negative nervous energy is the result of a complete Hatha Yoga practice.  In other words: Physical exercises (asanas), alone, will not produce optimum results for holistic health.

Asanas will help purge negative energy from the body and mind, up to a limited point.  This is the reason why Maharishi Patanjali mentions eight limbs in the Yoga Sutras.  He mentions Yoga as a way of life and higher levels of concentrated meditation.  He does mention asana, but it is just one of the eight limbs.

The last four of the eight limbs – Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi, are concerned with meditation and preparation for it.  Therefore, the value and benefits of daily practice, go much further than the skin’s surface.

What are the benefits of meditation?  Meditation is the most natural of today’s methods to bring the mind under control.  Prescribed drugs, alcohol, and illegal drugs are often used or abused, with the goal of relaxing the mind.  Based on the cost of chemical addictions, people will pay a high price, in many ways, to relax their minds.  Meditation does not have negative side effects.

In comparison to many forms of therapy, meditation is extremely cost effective.  An intermediate practitioner will have no difficulty practicing alone.  A few asanas and pranayama (Yogic breathing) techniques will aid to relax the body before a meditation sessions.  The end result is a focused and relaxed mind, which is prepared for daily tasks.

© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Yoga Teacher Training. FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”
http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/

Yoga Teacher Courses

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Yoga can change your life from ordinary to extraordinary. When someone promises you the extraordinary, you might want to protect your wallet. In life, extraordinary results tend to be much more than we expected. Sometimes, the cost of a coaching session can be far more than we intended to pay.

With that said, we know that a Yoga session is much more affordable than life coaching. Once you have learned the basics of Yoga, you can practice safe techniques for free. If we see our lives as limited, Yoga can bring us far beyond our expectations.

How is this possible that Yoga can raise your self-expectations so much? Within each of us is a belief system. We place limits on our capabilities, due to past set- backs. We feel someone else will be more successful because of a birth right. Our self-worth is bruised because we fail to stand up after falling down.

We are all human and we make mistakes. If you hand someone every opportunity on a “silver platter,” this is no guarantee of success. Why do I say this? One who is not born into the “lap of luxury” is filled with desire. One who lives a life of luxury has little desire.

If you have desire, you can put it to constructive use. Focus on your objective and take positive action in that direction. Taking action is more than most people do in a lifetime. Many people would rather complain than get up and move forward.

How can Yoga extract the extraordinary from you? Yoga is often seen for the physical benefits alone, but a competent teacher should be able to teach you how to meditate and train your mind. Some will say, “Train the mind for what?”

You can train your mind for anything. A pessimist can train his or her mind for failure. A pessimist expects failure at every turn in life. If you expect failure, loss, grief, and pain, you will receive it. Your mind will gladly create what you expect to see.

On the other hand, if you practice Yoga to train your mind for success, you can expect to see joy, bliss, and happiness. There will still be challenges on the extraordinary path to success, but a mind filled with optimism, is a mind trained to try everything toward progress.

To train the mind, in Yoga practice, requires the intention and the right teaching. Most people will not be able to meditate without investing time in training, research, study, and practice, with a teacher or Guru.

At the same time, some Yoga teachers, focus only on physical postures (asanas), which means there is a lack of quality training on the subject of meditation. This makes searching for the right Yoga school a challenge, but quality training is available to those who seek it.

© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Yoga Teacher Training. FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.” http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/

Yoga Teacher Training and Certification Courses

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul

Written By Dr. Rita Khanna

Patanjali says you have something permanent with you and that is called “The Monkey Mind.” It is compared to a monkey drunk with the wine of desire, stung by the scorpion of jealousy, and possessed with the demon of pride. Lust, greed, jealousy, anger, ego, tensions, reactions, grudges, depression, stress, and strain are the symptoms of this mind. We suffer from these because we gave all the powers to the mind and made it our master. We are happy when the mind is cheerful. We are depressed when the mind is gloomy. We are at the mercy of the mind that waxes and wanes. We consider ourselves nothing but mind.

WHAT IS MIND

Mind is what you make it with your thoughts. Mind is matter. It has no power of its own. Your thoughts create your mind. Every thought, emotion, or word produces a strong vibration in every cell of the body and leaves a strong impression there. If you entertain healthy thoughts, you can keep good health. If you hold on to sickly thoughts in the mind, you can never expect good health, beauty, and harmony. If the mind is healthy, the body will be healthy. Remember that the body is a product of the mind. If you hold on to vigorous thoughts, your body too will be vigorous. Thoughts of love, peace, contentment, purity, perfection, and divinity will make you, and others around you, perfect and divine. Otherwise, we will be the victim of mental and heart diseases.

TRAIN THE MIND

The human mind functions within a certain field. Your mind works only within the boundaries of the field of whatever you have previously heard, seen, thought of, or imagined. Maharishi Patanjali says that you can cross that field by training your mind, and all its faculties, so that you can go beyond. According to Maharishi Patanjali, the mind (Chitta) is made up of three faculties – Manas (Mind & Memory), Buddhi (Intellect), and Ahamkara (Ego). Manas are the recording faculty, which receives impressions gathered by the senses from the outside world. Buddhi is the discriminative faculty, which classifies these impressions and reacts to them. Ahamkara is the ego-sense, which claims these impressions as its own and stores them up as individual knowledge.

For example, your teacher tells you to do Kapalbhati Pranayama. She also reminds you that always start with slow speed. Your mind listens to that and your intellect confirms in the same manner. But after some time, your ego starts reacting. It notices that the teacher is doing much faster and why can’t I do it the same way? Hence, ego becomes the spoiler and it always needs to be controlled and trained.

HOW TO TRAIN THE MIND

That monkey mind always gets in your way and creates barriers for you. One day it helps you to understand something, and then the next day, you undo the same thing. One moment you think you have known something; after half an hour, the same mind will say you have not known anything. Sometimes, you think you are going toward insanity; sometimes, you think you are doing very well. That monkey mind comes between you and realization. There is no attempt, however, to control the mind; the idea is to go beyond it through meditation. Meditation is where thoughts get dissolved naturally, enhancing your concentration power, memory power, will power, right thinking, and fitness power, automatically. Meditation is neither a mental exercise nor a practice. It is a direct and natural process beyond mind itself.

MEDITATION

The mind is always full of all types of thoughts. It continues like this from birth to death because there is no switch to turn it off. Meditation helps in controlling the mind. By doing regular meditation, it is possible to put a switch on the mind and turn it off when it is not needed. In fact, it teaches us how to manage the mind just by witnessing it through neutral energy. It is not interfering with the intricacies and doings of mind. Just remain a non-doer and directly watch the thoughts neutrally, without any judgment, analyses, participation, visualization, imagination, contemplation, suppression, repression, condemnation, or concentration. To watch is our true nature. It is a natural, non-doing state. No effort is required to watch. We all have full potential to look within, as we all are blessed with the ‘Third Eye’. It is not forcing the mind to be quiet; it is to find the quiet that is there already.

TECHNIQUE

Adopt any comfortable sitting position… Close the eyes… Relax your body part by part mentally… Be still… Withdraw the mind from the outside world… Direct the mind within oneself towards breathing… Breathe slowly, deeply, and regularly… If thoughts come into your mind from time to time, just go on watching those thoughts …. Do not identify with them… Do not get friendly with them…Do not argue with them… They will go away…Keep a distance from the thoughts… Feel that thoughts are yours but you are not the thought… Just like your shadow is yours but you are not the shadow… just keep deleting all the undesirable thoughts… Do not let those thoughts come back to you… (It is like watching a film. If we do not like the film, we do not remember the story. As soon as we come out of the cinema hall, we forget the story because we don’t need it)… If we do not, it means that we are carrying an extra burden in our mind and that makes our mind weak and diseased, mentally, as well as physically… Give your conscious mind a rest…. There is a state of mind where you have no thought…Only consciousness remains… If you can experience this state, you can experience strength, power, creativity, courage, confidence, decisiveness, and happiness … This is Pure Existence.

CONCLUSION

With more and more meditations, monkey mind starts learning to be silent. Once it knows, that by being silent it becomes powerful, energetic, and positive – and then the mind is a good servant of immense power in the hands of silence. Then the being is the master and master can use the mind whenever it is needed and can switch it off whenever it is not needed.

If you feel inspired by this article, feel free to publish it in your Newsletter or on your Website. Our humble request is to please include the Resource as follows: Courtesy: Dr. Rita Khanna’s Yogashaastra Studio. A popular studio that helps you find natural solutions for complete health and detoxification.

Mobile: + 919849772485

Ph:-91-40-65173344

Email: yogashaastra@gmail.com

Dr. Rita Khanna

Dr. Rita Khanna is a well-known name in the field of Yoga and Naturopathy. She was initiated into this discipline over 25 years ago by world famous Swami Adyatmananda of Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh (India).

She believes firmly that Yoga is a scientific process, which helps us to lead a healthy and disease-free life. She is also actively involved in practicing alternative medicines like Naturopathy. Over the years, she has been successfully practicing these therapies and providing succour to several chronic and terminally ill patients through Yoga, Diet and Naturopathy. She is also imparting Yoga Teachers Training.

At present, Dr. Rita Khanna is running a Yoga Studio in Secunderabad (Hyderabad, India).

Written by Jay Franco

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

All forms of Yoga originally contained meditation techniques. Some Hatha Yoga styles have little, to no, meditation time, within the classroom structure. How did this happen and why? As Yoga was transplanted outside of India, many more forms took root.

This is not entirely a bad thing, but some of the core aspects of Hatha Yoga have been pushed aside in order to make time for more asana (posture) practice. Among the aspects, which have taken a back seat to asana, are meditation and pranayama (Yogic breathing).

The benefits of Yoga’s many forms of meditation are not to be taken lightly. Improved concentration, health, and attitude are keys to a better quality life, which results in states of happiness. The inner peace within, brings about better relationships with family and friends.

A focused or trained mind is a powerful tool, when used for acquiring knowledge. With that said, meditation will enable a student or teacher to become more proficient. For a young adult, meditation is a tool for academic achievement.

At the same time, peer pressure to “go out and party” is put aside for the real priorities of learning and achieving. It is easy for a young adult to stray off the path, while in college, and away from home. It takes much discipline to pursue your goals, with so many distractions around you.

Yet, these same distractions and temptations can take place at any point in our lives. Yoga meditation is a method for bringing the mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual self, into balance. As a result of steady practice, we can achieve harmony with the people, and the world, around us.

With the right mindset, we can heal ourselves better, and faster, when faced with a health crisis. The opposite effect is to become a pessimist, when faced with a life endangering health problem. Therefore, enlist the power of your mind when faced with chronic stress, distraction, or illness. Meditation is a method which trains your mind to become your best ally.

© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Yoga Teacher Training

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos.
Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”
On-Site Yoga Training: http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles) – Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

We received many questions today from Yoga teachers, studio owners, and students, about practicing collective meditation, positive affirmation, and prayer, with the intention of global economic recovery. Therefore, let me share the information discussed with you.

Q: When will the first collective meditation, positive affirmation, and prayer session meet?

A: As stated yesterday, we will meet on the second day of April, June, August, October, and December of 2009. At Aura, our first session is open to the public at our 21 Park Street, Suite 202, location in Attleboro. We will meet from 5:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, April 2, 2009.

Q: Will a donation be required?

A: No, there is no donation required at all. You should arrive early, as our center has limited space, but we have many chairs outside the studio in the enclosed hallway (between the offices and the main studio). We will do our best to accommodate those who arrive. My suggestion would be to arrive at least 15 minutes early.

Q: What good will meditation, positive affirmation, or prayer, do for the global economy?

A: You have a choice. You can do nothing and let the world happen around you, or you can take action by cultivating positive energy through the power of attraction. If we can create enough positive energy, we change ourselves and the world around us.

Q: Are you actually going to pray as a group?

A: Due to the fact that my students are from a variety of faiths, any prayer would be in silence. I have no desire to impose my religious beliefs on anyone else. However, there will be some time for silent prayer. With that said, I have never met a Yoga practitioner who was an atheist; but if an atheist showed up to this session, he or she is welcome to meditate in silence.

Q: What if I have a Yoga studio in Mumbai or California - should we do a simultaneous meditation session at our location?

A: As long as you organize your session on April 2nd, your positive intention will have an impact.

If there are any further questions, please feel free to contact me by posting in the comments at the bottom of this post. You are also welcome to contact me directly at my AOL address or by contacting info@yoga-teacher-training.org.

Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

—————————————-
Yoga Teacher Certification
FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos.
Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”
—————————————
On-Site Yoga Training: http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com
—————————————
FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles) – Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul
—————————————

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

What can Yoga do to turn the world economy around? Do you feel helpless, when you see or hear the daily news? Does your heart sink when you see your new credit card interest rate? We hear a lot of pessimism from financial experts, which leads to much negativity in the stock markets.

People are losing their homes, jobs are being lost, and suicides are becoming an option to poverty. We could blame corporate greed, banks, and Wall Street; but what good would it do? We cannot afford to waste time blaming those who our tax dollars support. Now is the time for real solutions, and each of us has a silver lining of creativity.

What can Yoga teachers do? In our classes, we should maintain optimism. Make stress management workshops available to your students and the general public. Teach meditation sessions which focus on positive outcomes. Proliferate positive energy, so that your students carry the seeds of hope to the rest of your community.

What can Yoga practitioners do? Visit your local Yoga studio and cultivate positive energy. Give everyone you know a dose of optimism. Help anyone you can. Each of us has limitations, but collectively, we have the ability to help those who need it most. Keep your dreams alive and move forward, without taking financial risks.

This action requires an International effort among Yoga practitioners of all styles. This is much more than wishful thinking. There are Yoga practitioners in every country, of every religion, and every color. It is time to unite and take action.

How can Yoga practitioners help? We can start with collective meditation, positive affirmation, and prayer. Here is a proposal for positive change in 2009. On the second day of each even month, we will practice collective meditation, positive affirmation, and prayer, with the intention of global economic recovery.

Why should you care? The Great Depression was followed by World War II. Massive poverty is a breeding ground for hate, blame, and warfare. Without funds, many charities are already at risk. Local communities cannot support themselves, with thousands more unemployed people each month.

The economic downturn may not be your problem now, but if this economy keeps sinking, it will be. In truth, poverty is a social problem for all of us – no matter where you live.

Here is the plan of action. Join together and practice collective meditation, positive affirmation, and prayer, with the intention of worldwide economic recovery on the second day of April, June, August, October, and December of 2009. When the economy turns around, we can focus on world peace in 2010.

(c) Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

————————————
Yoga Teacher Training
FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos.
Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”
————————————
On-Site Yoga Training: http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com
————————————
FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles) – Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul
————————————

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Sometimes, we receive good questions about a variety of topics. Below is a question about the specifics of our meditation course and our own approach to meditation practice.

Q: I am a full time Yoga instructor (Power Yoga and Viniyoga) and meditation guide, although I am not “ordained” or certified in a particular meditation tradition. I have attended two, 10-day Vipassana retreats, and half sat and served several others. I’ve had a meditation practice much longer than my Yoga asana practice. I’ve basically taught myself to guide mindfulness meditations, and it’s going really well, but I would like to do some more personal training.

I know finding a guru, say, in India or Tibet, and studying under him/her until I have their ”blessing” would work, but I want my training to remain relatively secular; not that I am opposed to nourishment from all or any religious traditions… I have studied a fair amount of Raja Yoga, but even the path and ultimate goals of this classic Ashtanga system, strike me as doctrinaire.

Anyway, I guess I’m looking for suggestions, and I am wondering what kind of certification your program has for meditation.

A: Funny thing about dogma: It’s hard to digest if you have a mind of your own. As you may have guessed, our meditation course is a foundational Vipassana program. All of the basics are covered, and there is plenty of room for self-guided spiritual growth.

With that said – whichever meditation program you choose to pursue, should not stifle your own intuition or creativity. My background in meditation has been Vipassana, Zen, TM, and Raja. All paths of meditation lead to the same end result. Self-realization, transformation, and spiritual growth are the by-products of regular meditation practice. To be kind to each person we meet, all the time, is our daily challenge.

This belief is within every religion, but it is not put into practice often enough, as you can witness by watching the news. Meditation practitioners continue to be kind to others, forgive, and remain tolerant, because making the world a better place, starts from within. Therefore, you are welcome to join our program, but in the long-run, your true meditation teacher will be discovered within you.

© Copyright 2008 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

——————————————–
Meditation Teacher Training
FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos.
Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”
——————————————–
On-Site Yoga Training: http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com
——————————————–
FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles) – Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste, Paul
——————————————–