Posts Tagged ‘in yoga’

« Older Entries

The Importance of Verbal Guidance in Yoga

Sunday, January 15th, 2012

yoga distance learningBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Yoga is such a calming, rejuvenating experience; it is often nice to practice in silence. You can focus on breathing, hearing the air enter and leave your body. You can quiet your mind, allowing your thoughts to come in, then go out with the breath. When you are practicing Yoga by yourself, it is feasible to do it in silence. When you are teaching a group, however, the verbal cues you give are an integral part of a Yoga class. Experienced students may not need any prompting or advice on flowing through a series of poses, but others need those cues in order to practice the postures correctly and safely.  To some Yoga students, your words create a picture within their minds.

To demonstrate the importance of verbal guidance in Yoga, picture Mountain pose. To most novices, it looks as though you are standing there, arms at your sides, looking straight ahead.  Yet, any Yoga instructor knows there is so much more going on within the body than simply standing there. The shoulders are pressed down, with the shoulder blades pressing back, the feet are planted firmly, weight is distributed evenly, the spine is as straight as possible, and your gaze rests in one spot. In order to correctly perform Mountain pose, there is a lot that needs to be said. The same is true for the other postures.

Yoga instructors should try to be concise when giving verbal cues. This comes with practice, and by imitating what more experienced instructors say. Try not to falter with your words; give short, clear explanations that lead your students into each pose. When you demonstrate a pose, students can learn a lot by looking at your body. However, some things are hard to see, such as the act of straightening your spine, lowering your shoulders, and expanding or contracting your abdomen.

Remember to speak in terms that the entire group of students will understand. It’s fine to use the Sanskrit names, but teach the students as you go, by giving reminders. There is no need to speak elaborately. Students, who are taking Yoga sessions, in order to relax and unwind at the end of a long day, will appreciate few words that are spoken concisely.

The words you speak, as well as the way you say them, will set the tone for the class. Speak softly, and use “soft” phrases when reminding students to breathe, or go deeper into an asana. For example, “Take a deep breath.” or “Reach a little farther.” sound a bit like commands.  However, “Breathing deeply,” or “Reaching farther,” have a softer delivery.  Like so many other aspects of becoming a great Yoga teacher, your verbal guidance will improve as you do.

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

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!

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Yoga Teacher Issues, Yoga Teacher Training | No Comments »

Tips for a Successful Yoga Meditation Session

Saturday, December 24th, 2011

yoga teacher trainingBy Amruta Kulkarni, CYT 250

In Yoga practice, everyone wants to have the most successful meditation session possible, but sometimes it seems that the harder we try, the less relaxing and meaningful the meditation becomes. We want too much from our meditation, and we tend to want it now. In order to reap the benefits of meditation, it must be enjoyed for what it is and not what it can do for you. This shift in focus might sound difficult at first, but it’s actually more natural than achieving peace and tranquility through an iron fist. The following tips may serve to bring the joy back into meditation for those struggling with their practice.

For starters, a Yoga meditation session will become free, light and joyful when it’s taken one moment at a time. Yes, meditating tends to reduce stress levels and blood pressure along with cultivating deeper and higher levels of consciousness, but in the end those are all future destinations. Meditation is a journey happening right now, so take the time to enjoy the step you’re currently on. Focus on the act of meditating itself and give it your utmost consideration, appreciating it for what it is right now, not what benefits it could lead to later on down the road. If you attempt this and it seems impossible, something needs changing. Perhaps a different form of meditation is needed. Individuals don’t score bonus points for meditating using methods that are especially against their nature. The ego loves this type of thing because it takes something as simple as meditation and makes it into some act of super human discipline and restraint. This is compelling in fiction, but ultimately useless in real life. This is not to say that meditation should always be easy, and there will be days when individuals just don’t feel like doing it. If this happens more often than not, something has got to give. There are a variety of different meditation methods to choose from, and the ultimate goal of each one is to simply wake people up and bring them more deeply into life itself. If individuals feel bored and uninspired with their current meditation practice than by all means shake things up and try a different technique. It all leads to the same Source.

If individuals are pretty content with their meditation style but find the joy and passion for the practice ebbing, it may be time to examine what exactly they are expecting from their meditation time. Paulji often mentions that many people become frustrated and irritated with themselves for thinking during their meditation sessions, but that’s actually a pretty natural thing for the mind to do. The mind tends to think, and that’s okay. Ultimately, the goal of most meditation practitioners is to silence the mind and bring it to stillness but another gift meditation brings to the table is intense self reflection; those who meditate know their minds well because they are quiet enough to listen to themselves. So let the mind think if that’s what it really wants to do; there is no shame in this. Meditation is not a super human achievement and getting to know one’s self better is the gift that keeps on giving. It’s hard for the ego to be taken too seriously when it’s being watched; its antics often look silly when examined by the higher consciousness, which enters into the mind during meditation. This opportunity for deep reflection is often lost when striving for perfection in technical aspects of a Yoga meditation practice.

When one is happy with their meditation style but still somehow reluctant to meditate when the time comes perhaps discomfort is to blame. It’s good to develop the ability to meditate no matter what else is going on in the outside world, but it’s also wise to eliminate any outside distractions beforehand whenever possible. For example, if an individual has an important phone call to make, they should consider getting it done before meditating. Removing things to worry about can lead to better and more enjoyable meditation. Also, pay attention to how the physical body feels during meditating and be honest about the feedback the body is giving. If the physical body experiences discomfort, the mind will do whatever possible to avoid the situation that caused it, leading to unconscious resistance to the practice. If there is pain present, correct it. Better to sit in a chair than to put the body through prolonged periods of pain in order to sit in a more ‘enlightened’ position such as Lotus or even Half Lotus.

Finally, there are many people who simply carry a lot of unconscious guilt about taking the time to meditate and this translates to distraction, boredom and a depressed mood during the practice. For those individuals, the only solution is to work through the problem itself. Do they feel like they shouldn’t be spending so much time away from their family and obligations? If so, perhaps the meditation session could be made shorter (5 minutes), but if it’s only 20-30 minutes a day there is no logic or common sense in such a feeling. Observe the guilt and allow it to be and it will eventually pass.

In short, Yogic meditation is a gift that should be imbued with a sense of peace, joy and bliss. If those sensations aren’t present in your current meditation routine, it’s time to bring your bliss back by implementing some of the tips above.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

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!

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Meditation, yoga and meditation | 5 Comments »

Why Yoga? Why Now?

Saturday, December 10th, 2011

yoga teacher trainingBy Susanna Kilty

Why is it that as technology and its instant access progresses at an epic pace, people find that they have less time than ever before? In a society rampant with multi-taskers, plugged into digital gadgets 24/7, living a fragmented life of instant gratification, communication, and consumption, is it any wonder that stress-related disorders are more prevalent than ever? With our brains over-crowded, resembling the Buddhist “monkey mind,” and with the instant availability of information at our fingertips, North Americans have become more sedentary than ever. Many suffer from the fatigue and imbalance that comes from chronic stress without sufficient recovery. In fact, as reported in an article by Michelle Trantina, 70-90% of all visits to practical physicians are due to stress related problems. In our quick-fix society, a visit to the doctor and a fix of anti-depressants or sleeping pills prove to be the solution for many. As the general public searches for answers of their own to decrease stress in their lives, they often seek out Yoga as a natural approach to stress release, and give it a go. People in Yoga practice soon discover the healing benefits of soothing mind and body, initiating the release of a constant state of overdrive.

Brain research, as reported in the work of psychologist and researcher Elizabeth Gould in an article by Jonah Lehrer, scientifically supports the harmful effects stress has on the brain. “From the brain’s perspective, stress is primarily signaled by an increase in the bloodstream of a class of steroid called glucocorticoids, which put the body on a heightened state of alert” (Lehrer 2). Glucocorticoids are toxic for the brain, and when stress becomes chronic, the hippocampus, a part of the brain essential for learning and memory, begins to deteriorate. Although the brain and human body are designed to be able to deal with stress in terms of survival, failure to deal with stress can deplete the prana stores (Vishnu-devananda 200-201) and lead the body into an alarmed state, known as flight or fight (Trantina). Because stress is such a huge part of the lives of North Americans, it is important to look at the impact it can have on people’s lives. The fact that the nervous system is under constant pressure when stress is present leads to the body producing extra stress hormones over an extended period of time. “This can wear out the body’s reserves, leaving us feeling depleted or overwhelmed. Over time the immune system weakens causing illness and fatigue, mood swings, lack of focus, and irritability” (Trantina). Many health problems stem from stress in modern society, including headaches, muscle soreness, migraines, insomnia, poor digestion, weight gain, high blood pressure, and even heart attacks. Stress can be said as one of the main factors in diminishing our quality and enjoyment of life.

In addition to living in a society where people perceive themselves to be busier than ever before, Westerners develop shallow, chest breathing, which also negatively affects health (Hewitt 68). When people begin a Yoga program, they need to learn how to breathe all over again. Deep pranayama breathing is a basic foundation to all Yoga. “Yogic breath control operates at several levels, from the exoteric boosting of vitality and health to esoteric approaches to mystical states of consciousness” (Hewitt 56). Through practice, this deep breathing begins to become habitual for Yoga practitioners, and their minds and bodies function more efficiently, dissolving tension, relaxing mind and body. “Through controlled Yoga breathing you will raise your level of vitality, clarify consciousness, tone your nervous system, brighten your eyes, put bounce in your step, feel light and buoyant, and float along with the flow of life, in harmony with Nature and the Universal Energies” (Hewitt 68). Yogic breath is the pathway to other aspects of Yoga practice, and breath control is so vital to a Yogi’s life as to elicit the philosophy that: “The yogi’s life is not measured by the number of his days but by the number of his breaths” (Iyengar 23). A simple technique that can reduce stress immediately, and be practiced anywhere, is to lengthen out the exhalation or Rechaka in relation to the inhalation or Puraka (Hewitt 72-82), working toward a ratio of 1:2. This in turn will stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which increases relaxation and decreases the ‘fight or flight’ response (McCall).

As newcomers stroll into Yoga classes, often as a way to deal with stress in their lives, they soon experience the benefits of pranayama breathing and stimulation of the central nervous system through asanas. Soon after beginning regular practice, Yoga practitioners report feeling less stressed and more relaxed to the point that any physical ailments connected to their stressful lives dissolve away. “Asana brings steadiness, health and lightness of limb” (Iyengar 20). Programs of asanas are designed to stimulate the central nervous system and work every muscle, organ, nerve and gland in the body, reducing fatigue and calming the nerves. By stimulating the central nervous system and maintaining spinal flexibility through Yogic postures, practitioners experience increased circulation, an increase of the supply of nutrient and oxygen to the nerves, and hence a more youthful body. According to a Chinese proverb: “Truly a flexible back makes a long life” (Vishnu-devananda xi). Asanas awaken key pressure points to increase the flow of energy and massage and stimulate internal organs to have them work more effectively. Heart disease, stroke and respiratory illness are among the leading causes of death in America (“Leading Causes of Death”), and Yogic exercise can help keep arteries clear and the blood flowing efficiently (Visnu-devananda 52).

The Yoga Journal is helpful in outlining many postures that can be presented to the Yoga practitioner as stress relieving. Some postures with the therapeutic benefits of relieving stress include; Savasana or Corpse Pose, Sukhasana or Easy Posture, Marjaryasana or Cat Pose, Bitilasana or Cow Pose, Setu Bandha Sarvangasana or Bridge Pose, Balasana or Child’s Pose, Halasana or Plough Pose, Utthika Trikonasana or Extended Triangle Pose, Uttanasana or Standing Forward Bend, and Salambia Sirsasana or Supported Headstand (“Poses: Therapeutic Focus”). According to the ancient Indian healing system known as Ayurveda, everyday stress can lead to ‘vata derangement,’ an excess of nervous energy (Levy). This imbalance, often caused by stress and stress disorders, call for Yoga practice that is calming and grounding (Halpern 3-4). This includes most of the postures listed above.

Yoga, however, is certainly not limited to breath and posture. Iyengar outlines the eight stages of Yoga as introduced in Patanjali’s work. These are: “1. Yama (universal moral commandments); 2. Niyama (self-purification by discipline); 3. Asana (posture); 4. Pranayama (rhythmic control of the breath) 5. Pratyahara (withdrawal and emancipation of the mind from the domination of the senses and exterior objects); 6. Dharana (concentration); 7. Dhyana (meditation) and 8. Samadhi (a state of superconsciousness brought about by profound meditation, in which the individual spirit (sadhaka) becomes one with the object of his meditation – Paramatma or the Universal Spirit)” (Iyengar 3). The first three stages are the outward quests or bahiranga sadhana which prepare the body for inner quests through moral and clean living, and strengthening and purifying the body through asanas. “He conquers the body and makes it a fit vehicle for the soul” (Iyengar 3). The next two stages, breath control and withdrawal of the senses, help control and clear the mind, and are known as inner quests or antaranga sadhana. The next three stages of Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi represent the quest of the soul or antaratma sadhana (Iyengar 3-31). The Yogi looks within through deep concentration and meditation in order to find God within himself. When Samadhi is achieved through asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana and dhyhana by an individual who lives a yogi lifestyle: “The yogi has departed from the material world and is merged into the Eternal. There is then no duality between the knower and the known for they are merged like camphor and the flame” (Iyengar 31).

For practitioners new to Yoga, the concept of letting go through sense withdrawal, concentration and meditation can be difficult. The mind and external distractions can get in the way of the path to self-realization. One of the most difficult postures for newcomers to Yoga practice is said to be Savasana or Corpse Pose, because it involves relaxing the body and letting go of any tightness anywhere. Relaxation and meditation are often taught in Yoga classes in this posture, and once a practitioner is able to embrace the art of completely relaxing, the mind will follow (Hewitt 227). Practitioners can also be guided to meditation outside of class, whereby they set aside 20 to 30 minutes of uninterrupted time during the day to sit with a long, neutral spine and meditate on an object (Tantra or Yantra Yoga), function (drumming or dancing, for example), or sound (Mantra Yoga) (Jerard). “You can be the creator of your own manifest destiny through daily meditation and focus on changing your life for the better” (Jerard 8).

Thus, when a 21st century stressed-out person ‘gives Yoga a try’ to reduce stress and stress-related illness in their lives, they will be rewarded ten-fold and keep coming back for more. The new Yoga practitioner will soon realize that Yoga is much more than ‘exercise’ in releasing stress, and that a Yoga lifestyle of moral and clean living, combined with asanas, Yogic breathing, and the path to release and meditation, will ultimately unlock the soul and lead to a stress-free life of harmony and well-being.

Works Cited

Halpern, Mark. “Ayurveda and Asana.” Yoga Journal. (2011): n. page. Web. 11 Nov. 2011. <http://www.yogajournal.com/health/55>.

Hewitt, James. The Complete Book of Yoga. New York: Pantheon Books, 1977. Print.

Iyengar, B.K.S. Light on Yoga. 3rd. Hammersmith, London: Thorsons, 2001. Print.

Jerard, Paul. “The Meditation Chronicles: A Concise Guide to a Trained Mind.” Aura Publications. (2008): 1-26. Print.

“Leading Causes of.” FASTSTATS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2007. Web. 10 Nov 2011. <http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/lcod.htm>.

Lehrer, Jonah. “The Reinvention of The Self.” Seed Magazine. February 22, 2006 : 1-3. Web. 8 Nov. 2011. <http://seedmagazine.com/content/article/the_reinvention_of_the_self/P3/>.

Levy, Allison Rose. “An Ancient Cure for Modern Life.” Yoga Journal. (2011): n. page. Web. 11 Nov. 2011. <http://www.yogajournal.com/health/647?page=2>.

McCall, Timothy M.D. “Yoga For Stress and Burnout.” Yoga Journal. (2011): n. page. Web. 11 Nov. 2011. <http://www.yogajournal.com/for_teachers/2365>.

“Poses: Therapeutic Focus” n. pag. Yoga Journal. Web. 10 Nov 2011. <http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/finder/therapeutic_focus/t_stress>.

Trantini, Michelle. “Yoga – A Cure for Modern Day Stress.” Mental Game Coaching Association. International Assocation of Coaches, n.d. Web. 8 Nov 2011. <http://www.mentalgamecoaching.com/IMGCAArticles/Yoga/YogaCureForStress.html>.

Vishnu-devananda, Swami. The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga. 2nd. New York: Three Rivers Press, 1988. Print.

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Yoga for Health, Yoga Lifestyle | No Comments »

When Not to Do Inversions in Yoga

Friday, November 4th, 2011

yoga certificationBy Amruta Kulkarni, CYT 250

Inversions are powerful tools in Yoga. Like elevating the feet when a person is in shock as part of first aid, inversions send the blood from the extremities back to the core and the head. These asanas bring enormous benefit to the lungs, heart and circulation system. The effects of gravity, temporarily reversed, mean that during an inversion, the lungs experience greater blood flow to the upper lobes, and lymph flows more easily away from the ankles and feet. People with varicose veins, for example, are frequently told to elevate their feet.

However, Yoga practitioners who suffer from several pre-existing conditions should approach inversions carefully, or not at all. As beneficial as inversions can be, they can trigger problems for those with vulnerabilities. The most common conditions precluding inversions are:

Pregnancy

Menstruation

Neck pain

High or low blood pressure

Neck injuries

Of these conditions, neck pain and neck injuries are the most poorly understood in their relationship with inversions. Shoulder stands and head stands place enormous compressive force on the upper spine and can cause nerve irritation and compression. Numbness and tingling in the hands and arms may result, along with pain and potential nerve damage. Those with old neck injuries must be careful not to re-injure, but even those without a history of problems must carefully observe correct posture and resist the temptation to perform over-long inversions.

In pregnancy, inversions are generally avoided because of the risk of falling. For experienced Yogis, who practiced inversions before pregnancy, these poses may be continued so long as feelings of shortness of breath or heaviness are not experienced. Some experts even recommend inversions as promoting blood flow to the uterus.

During menstruation, instructors have typically advised against inversions because of a fear of congestion, or even increased risk of endometriosis. However, scientific evidence to back up these risks is not available. Many women do practice inversions during their cycle and do not experience any problems.

Those with high or low blood pressure may react negatively to the increased blood flow to the brain brought on by inversions. At its most dangerous, this can increase the risk of stroke, but evidence has shown that gradually introducing inversions can strengthen the circulatory system and normalize pressure.

In conclusion, a blanket statement forbidding inversions for a group of people cannot be made. Individual differences and experiences must be taken into account, and above all, the body must be listened to during Yoga.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

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!

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Yoga for Health, yoga safety, Yoga Teacher Issues | No Comments »

Life Skills Gained from Yoga

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

online yoga teacher coursesBy Jenny Park

We bring our lives into our Yoga practice every day: tension from a hard day in the office, a tight hamstring from a weekend soccer game or just our own expectations. But what kind of skills from practice can we take back into our lives? Considering how you can transfer lessons from on to off the mat can be very rewarding.

Here are some of the lessons and skills I have learned from my own practice.

1) It is not about competition. Just as there are no prizes for being the first one to finish an asana, or for taking the deepest pigeon pose, there is no reason to worry about being the first one in line at the grocery store. Constant pushing and its attendant anxiety can even take a toll on health. The skills I have gained in Yoga for letting go of my need to be the first or the best, help me stay calm in traffic and listen respectfully to critical comments.

2) Remember to breathe. As Yoga practitioners, we constantly remind ourselves to breathe and to be aware of our breath. Providing the body with oxygen is beneficial in strenuous and restorative poses; it is also valuable in daily lives. The tendency to hold the breath and “clench up” when angry or surprised is natural, but actions and decision-making are both improved by breathing. When a disobedient child challenges me, the first thing I do is take a long, slow breath.

3) If it doesn’t feel good, try something else. Differences in muscular and skeletal construction mean that some poses are easy and comfortable for some people and difficult or inaccessible for others. In Yoga, we learn not to make value judgments about asanas, and that modifications are natural and beneficial. Why, then, are we so hard on ourselves when we need a modification in our daily life? Letting go of the way things “should” be done, to focus exclusively on what the need is, has been very freeing. For example, trying to break the habit of eating in restaurants for lunches meant packing a lunch every day. But getting up earlier, locating ingredients and then taking the lunch seemed to cause trouble each morning. Each time the lunch was forgotten, pangs of guilt accompanied my midday meal. Instead, I decided to focus on the goal: eating more healthfully and saving money. Then I budgeted to eat out twice a week in one of several places serving healthy meals, and spent an hour on Sunday afternoons packing three lunches to be ready for the upcoming week. By letting go of the idea that I had to pack the lunches every day, I allowed myself to find a new way that worked out much better.

Think about the ways your practice has grown since you began doing Yoga. Now, how can the positives come off the mat?

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

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!

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Yoga Lifestyle | 2 Comments »

Inner Peace with Yogic Breath Awareness

Monday, July 25th, 2011

yoga certificationBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

In Yoga, there are many paths to inner peace. The one path most often taken for granted is pranayama. Many people assume pranayama is just breathing, but it can stand alone as a science and a path toward inner peace. The difference between simply breathing and pranayama is vast.

One might say it is ratio, mindset, mindfulness, or purpose, which makes the difference, but very few people are able to create states of bliss by becoming aware of their breath, without formal training. It takes time and constant practice, but eventually, Yoga practitioners manage to discover inner peace through Yogic breath awareness.

Peace is hard to come by as long as we hold a minimum of control over ourselves. We are tossed about on the waves of emotion, this way, and that. By being aware of, and in control of, the breath, we may regulate the more basic and primal emotions associated with the reptilian part of the brain.

By becoming masters of our breath, which is an essential thread that runs constantly through all our living days, we hold the utmost control over ourselves. This control stems from an unshakable and unflappable inner peace, which we know as: Yogic breath awareness.”

This continuous connection of mind and body, through passive pranayama, is a source of inner peace that can surpass most forms of emotional turmoil. The breath is always there, and always constant, but complete awareness or control over it is another matter. Our breath connects us to life in every moment, which makes it a little more complex than we initially assume.

One step toward finding true inner peace through Yogic breath awareness is to start feeling the connection with everything that is. The rooms we sit in, the earth below buildings we dwell in, the birds that fly overhead, and the people walking around outside, are parts of our connection to life in this moment. In this state of complete connectivity, there is no conflict and no strife. There is no clinging and no grasping. There is nothing but peace.

In day-to-day life, we are overrun with multitasking, but we are also completely out of touch with our natural breathing patterns. Modern humans tend to take shallow, uneven breaths, which lead to an oxygen deprived state in the body.

In addition, short, shallow, and fast breathing tells the brain that we are in a desperate situation, while corresponding hormones are released as a result. This underlying state of panic is a direct result of our inattention to proper breathing patterns, but fortunately is easy to rectify through Yogic breath awareness. If one wishes to bring balance and inner peace to his or her life, Yogic breathing awareness is a great tool for promoting lasting states of inner calm.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our complete selection of Yoga teacher training courses, please feel free to visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/Teacher-Courses/

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!

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Yoga for Personal Growth, yoga for relaxation | 1 Comment »

YOGA… A SCIENCE OF THERAPY

Sunday, March 6th, 2011

yoga teacher trainingBy Dr. Rita Khanna

Yoga has been internationally accepted as a therapeutic science which touches physical, mental, emotional, intellectual, social, psychological, and spiritual levels. In many countries, scientific and medical research is now being conducted into various Yogic practices. They found that Yoga had a tremendous influence on the physical and mental body. The Yoga postures harmonize the endocrine glands, and the practice of Pranayama creates a balance in the nervous system.

The effects of Asana and Pranayama, on the different organs of the body, were investigated. Scientists have also investigated and assessed the value of Meditation. They have measured the brain waves during deep Meditation and found a predominance of alpha waves, which arise during the state of relaxation. (Alpha waves are a type of brain wave that can be recorded by an electroencephalograph (EEG).

SALIENT FEATURES OF YOGA THERAPY

Upanishads have described five layers of existence of human being, called Panchakoshas. They are Annamaya Kosha, Pranamaya Kosha, Manomaya Kosha, Vijnanamaya Kosha, and Anandmaya Kosha. It is believed that diseases arise in Manomaya Kosha (mind) and percolate to Annamayakosha (physical body) because of disturbance in Pranamaya Kosha (Pranic energy channels – Nadi’s).

In Yoga, we say there are seventy two thousand channels, or Nadis, in the body, through which the flow of Prana, and the flow of mind, takes place. Out of these seventy two thousand channels of mental and Pranic energy, ten are considered to be major ones. Out of these ten major channels, three are most important. In Yoga, we call them Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna. Ida represents mental force, Pingala represents Pranic force, and Sushumna represent spiritual force.

To counter the diseases, one needs to regularly practice Yogic practices, such as:

• Dehasadhana (Physical practices like Yogasanas, Kriyas, Yog Mudras)

• Pranasadhanas (Pranayama)

• Bhavasadhanas (Prayers, chanting of Hymns, listening to devotional songs)

• Divyasadhana (Change of diet, Meditation, listening to a discourse by a spiritual or Yoga Guru).

YOGIC CONCEPT OF DISEASE

The whole body is a composition of Prana and mind. Pranas are responsible for action and motion in life. The mind is responsible for thinking and feeling. Together, mind and Prana fill this living structure, penetrating it through and through.

In Yogic language, disease can be explained as disturbance in the flow of Pranic energy. The Pranic energy, instead of pervading throughout the whole body, equally and steadily, flows at an unequal rate. There is either irregular flow of energy, diminished flow of energy, or excess flow of energy, which causes disease. This is where Yoga works as a master key for physical, mental, and emotional well being. The science of Hatha Yoga is based on these twin forces. Pranas can be balanced by the practice of Asanas and Pranayamas. The mental force is balanced by the practice of Concentration and Meditation.

HOW THIS IS POSSIBLE?

become a yoga teacherThis body lives on the life force, which is not the air you breathe, not oxygen, but bioplasm (the living material through which every form of life manifest itself). This life force is generated in everyone at the time of conception. It is part of the cosmic force. If there were no life force, everything would disintegrate. This life force is known as Prana. Prana is one part of your existence, and mind is the other. If there were no life or mind, you can imagine what would happen to your body. You would not be able to see, even though you have eyes. You would neither be able to speak, hear, breathe, touch, smell, or know – even though you have all the organs.

The physical body does not move on the basis of the brain, heart, lungs, hands, or feet. After all, a dead person has all of these. So, in this physical body, there are two forces; and a balance must be maintained between them. If the Prana or mind is low, you are sick or abnormal. Prana and mind can be compared to the two wires conducting electricity. In order to have light, the positive and negative cables must carry the same voltage. Therefore, to have a healthy body and a strong peaceful mind, it is most important that the Pranic and mental forces are kept in balance. The purpose of Hatha Yoga, Asana, and Pranayama is to create and maintain this balance, so that all the systems of the physical body are reconditioned.

RESTORING THE BALANCE

All over the world, people are living in a state of terror, fright, anxiety, passion, tension, insecurity, uncertainty, suspicion, and so on. These states influence man’s physiological structure, and cause most of the diseases that we suffer from today. In this context, Yoga comes to us as a great panacea. When we practice Yoga, the changes in the physical body are clear; they are earmarked. The behavior of the heart, consumption of oxygen, rate of respiration, reactions of the nervous system, secretions of hormones, alteration of brain waves, and all the systems of the physical body, are influenced and undergo certain changes. This has a beneficial effect on most disease states.

DEFINITION OF DISEASE

Yoga has its own definition. Disease manifests in the body, but does not originate in the body. Disease originates with a state of imbalance. There may be disharmony between the nervous systems, or an imbalance in the hormonal secretions, or in the digestive processes. As such, we define disease in a subtle manner, and we treat it according to its nature.

FOR EXAMPLE:

1. When we treat a diabetic patient, we don’t treat him for a deficiency of insulin (although we know that it is a deficiency in insulin). We also know that the sympathetic, and parasympathetic nervous systems, are controlled by higher centers. When these centers fail to activate the nervous system properly, then a deficiency of hormones, in a particular area, results. We also know that its root cause is stress and strain that is responsible. It means that Yoga doesn’t treat one part of the body, it treats as a whole.

2. When we treat a mental patient suffering from psychosis, neurosis, or a nervous breakdown, we take him as a personality, a human being, and individual, who can think and feel. We take him deeper into his own mind, through the practices of concentration and Meditation, bringing him to the root of his illness. If a person is suffering from high anxiety, we don’t prescribe practices to induce an immediate state of tranquility. Rather, we try to explode his personality – to express what remains dormant in the back of his mind. This is possible with the practice of Concentration, such as Mantra, which is part of Yoga. (Mantra is a very powerful instrument. Through the practice of Mantra, we try to explode the deeper phases of the consciousness. When the inner states of mind are exploded, then one comes face-to-face with all the thoughts, distractions, passions, and repressions deep within.)

THE PHYSICAL BODY

yoga therapy courseThe physical body is influenced by the human mind. It is the sentiments, the emotions, feelings and objectives, passions, fears, anxieties and worries, in the mind, which create physiological changes in the body. The adrenal, thyroid, and pituitary secretions have a natural flow and order. A thought can, and does, influence the workings of our physical body. Through the practice of Yoga-nidra (psychic sleep), certain Pranayamas, and chanting of Mantra, we have been able to alter and harmonize the pattern of brain waves.

In the University of Barcelona, they have exposed people to medical tests and investigations, while the Mantra, “OM,” was being chanted. The sound was recorded by sophisticated instruments; and they found that when ‘O’ was being intoned, alpha brain waves were predominant, and when ‘M’ was intoned, the pattern changed into theta waves (Theta Brain Waves are the second slowest frequency of brain waves. These occur in sleep and are dominant in our highest state of meditation).

HOW DO ALPHA, THETA WAVES, and YOGA-NIDRA RELATE TO DIFFERENT PHYSIOLOGICAL CONDITIONS?

Alpha and theta rhythm automatically reduce the blood pressure of a person suffering from hypertension. Since high blood pressure is a consequence of hypertension, it can only be balanced by bringing the alpha rhythm into action; and this can be achieved through the practice of Meditation. If one is suffering from hypertension and blood pressure, sit him down quietly in an easy chair. Let him close his eyes and chant OM for a short time. After fifteen to twenty minutes, when you take his blood pressure, you’ll be surprised to see that certainly OM has done the job.

In the same manner, research is also being conducted into Yoga-nidra. Yoga-nidra is a very important practice; and medical investigations have clearly shown that it is not hypnosis, but an entirely different technique. Yoga-nidra is a practice where you are allowed to relax, but not to sleep. Sleep is not relaxation, and relaxation can definitely occur in an awakened state. Yoga-nidra is very effective for people suffering from hypertension. Half an hour of Yoga-nidra, every day, can give permanent relief to these people.

For Yoga-nidra, lie down in the supine position, and follow the awareness through all the different parts of the body. As a result, a state of relaxation arises, and the brain undergoes a corresponding change. During the practice of Yoga-nidra, we have seen delta waves appear a few times – especially if the subject is tired. Delta waves are usually associated with the deepest stages of sleep, and it is the slowest of all five brainwave frequencies. Sometimes. theta waves also appear, but alpha waves usually predominate.

ADOPT FOLLOWING YOGIC METHODS TO MAINTAIN THE BALANCE:

Neti (the nasal Kriya)

In this practice, water is passed from one nostril to another, or a catheter is passed through the nostril, into the mouth. This practice is used for a migraine, sinusitis, eye problems, sore throat, epilepsy, and other disorders of the head.

Dhauti (washing the digestive system)

In Kunjal kriya, we drink salty water, and then vomit it out. In Vastra dhauti, we swallow a thin strip of cloth – about six feet long. It’s very effective for asthmatic patients.

Basti (sucking water in through the anus)

This is used mainly for the alleviation of piles, fistula, and diseases of the rectum.

Trataka (gazing on a fixed point)

This practice develops concentration and helps improve the eyesight.

Nauli (abdominal roll)

This exercise stimulates different parts of the intestines, and the benefits are numerous. It has immediate effects on the sexual debility of man. It also maintains the health of the kidneys and bladder.

Kapalbhati (rapid respiration, with the emphasis on exhalation)

The purpose of this practice is to purify the frontal region of the brain, and to revitalize and rest the mind. After five minutes of kapalbhati, you will find that your mind is very clear, without any confusion. It is especially useful when you are studying for an examination.

Asanas

After the practice of the above Yoga techniques, one should begin Asanas.

Pranayama

After Asanas, start Pranayama; and when you are sufficiently accomplished in these, then begin the practice of Meditation.

Meditation

The science of Meditation (Dhyana) is a very important part of Yoga. It has a great effect on the human body and mind. Meditation is not only a psychological or spiritual practice – it is an all-round practice for everyone, with or without a religious background. The research that has been carried out on the influence and effects of Meditation on the brain, nervous system, and body, has revealed that the practice of Meditation brings a great change in the behavior of the brain, the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, as well as the entire personality. It is the most important practice for all mental and spiritual progress.

Following are some tips for Meditation:

• Any time of the day, or at fixed times – morning and evening, you can practice for ten minutes, not more than that. During these ten minutes, you are not going to spend; you are going to invest.

• First of all, fix your posture; keep your spinal cord upright and straight. Close your eyes, and fix them at the nose tip. That is essential. Don’t move the body; total immobility must be achieved for a period of ten minutes only, not more than that. The whole body should not move. It must become steady, like a statue.

• Next, become aware of your natural, spontaneous breathing process. Don’t try to breathe in and out. Don’t make any effort to breathe. You breathe all the time, but now you should become aware that you are breathing in and out. Become a witness of the spontaneous breathing process. That’s all; nothing else. Follow the breath awareness for a full ten minutes.

• At the end of this time, come out. You can keep an alarm clock beside you, if you like.

• Practice this day in, and day out; and if possible, after one month, you can expose yourself to medical tests – before, during, and after the practice. If there is a computerized polygraph testing available, then everything can be tested simultaneously. You will find total positive changes. Medical and psychological tests are not the only proof of your wellness – your own family members, as well as your colleagues in professional life, will also notice the change.

IN CONCLUSION

online yoga therapist trainingIt is a fact, that Yoga is a science of therapy, a science of self improvement, and a way to discipline. However, besides all this, Yoga is a culture; and every nation must have one. A country, with a culture based on Yoga, has eternal existence. It can survive through the vicissitudes of life, the accidents of history, and the ravages of time. In the coming times, Yoga is going to emerge as a mighty world culture; it is going to direct the events of the world’s history, and you have a definite role to play in this. It is up to you to accept this great science with love, with admiration, with hope, and with sincerity.

AUM SHANTI

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.

Also conducts online Yoga Courses & Naturopathy Guidance.

Mobile: + 919849772485

Ph:-91-40-65173344

Email: email hidden; JavaScript is required

Website: www.yogashaastra.in

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).

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Yoga Therapy | 2 Comments »

Yogic Principles of Fair Play

Sunday, November 14th, 2010

Yoga Teacher Retreat - Lotus FlowerBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Many of us have learned the value of ahimsa (non-harming). Yet, mainstream humanity seems to crave violence and violent entertainment. News and entertainment is often built around violence. How can we break the cycle of violent thoughts that transform into action? It seems to be hard wired into our DNA.

Perhaps, we should look at the principles of mercy, compassion, and fair play. These higher thoughts make us unique as a species. The concept of fair play is well known. Some of us were brought up and trained to follow rules. We raise our children to follow the rules, but there are fields where the idea of following the rules is out of place.

On the surface, it may seem as if politics, business, and sports, run in harmony. Yet, the field of play is not exactly fair. Let’s look at competitive sports, for an example. If a referee makes an erroneous call, will the coach of the team that benefits from the mistake dispute it? To take this further: Teams engage in signaling and reading other teams’ signals all the time. Competition, for its own sake, breeds less than optimum morality.

Therefore, it seems that we have learned to have more than one set of rules for what we consider fair play. In Yoga, the practitioner learns to balance his or her health on the physical, mental, and emotional levels. Without concerning ourselves with any specific religion, anyone who has achieved physical, mental, and emotional balance will behave rationally.

The ultimate result is that training one’s self to be balanced will cause spiritual growth and beauty to be enhanced. Ahimsa is a good example of a universal principle that is agreed upon by most of the people in the world. Ahimsa is often referred to as “non-harming;” yet, it is also showing kindness toward others.

Yogic principles of fair play are based on demonstrating loving kindness toward others. We often look at the principle of Ahimsa from the viewpoint of what we cannot do – rather than focusing on what is the right thing to do.

One final point to mention in regard to applying fair play toward daily life – when an emotional situation springs forth, it might be best to hold your tongue, rather than take sides immediately. It is very hard to achieve sainthood all the time, but if you take the time to completely digest the situation, before speaking, you will have many less regrets.

© Copyright 2010 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

To see our complete selection of Yoga teacher certification courses, please feel free to visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/Teacher-Courses/

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

Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in Yoga for Spiritual Health, yogic philosophy | 2 Comments »

Meeting the Yoga Teacher Within

Monday, September 13th, 2010

By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

In Yoga, and in some realms of psychology, there are names for the teacher within each of us. Some people refer to the inner self as, “The Observer” or “The Witness.” Yet, how can we be sure that the voice we are listening to is the right one? The Observer is, in fact, your inner Yoga teacher. The inner teacher has to be impartial when making decisions.

One way to tap into your inner Yoga teacher is to mindfully consider an action before taking it. Do you have second thoughts about this decision? Does it make you feel unsettled when you consider the results of your potential action? These questions should be considered any time we have time to weigh up our decision-making process.

This does not apply to instant decisions that may concern instant actions. One example of this would be when driving a car. The rules of the road are designed for the safety of all. This includes drivers and pedestrians. Therefore, there should be no long, drawn out decision-making process, when facing a Stop sign.

With that said – when we have time to make a decision, our decision should be the “right” one; and hopefully, we will not do harm to anyone or ourselves. The Yoga teacher, within each of us, takes actions, based upon logic and intuition. Many times, these feelings of intuition let us know if we are taking the right action. Some people may refer to this intuition as a “gut” feeling.

When faced with a decision that is difficult to make, there is a method which will help you communicate to the Yoga teacher within. One example of this is to create a “mind map.” You will need a pen and at least one piece of paper. At the center of the paper, write down the problem. Surrounding this perceived problem, write every possible solution – no matter how ridiculous.

Generally speaking, you will find one, or more, solutions that can be combined toward an optimum resolution. Usually, the best decisions are non-harming to all the parties involved. Showing compassion and avoiding judgment are extremely difficult for some people.

Terms such as, “The Witness” or “The Observer” are commonly used in Yoga. Yet, it is hard to make an important personal decision as an observer. Yoga practice enters into every facet of our lives. It takes time, practice, self-analysis, and the ability to truly know one’s self to reach the inner Yoga teacher.

© Copyright 2010 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

To see our complete selection of Yoga teacher training courses, please feel free to visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/Teacher-Courses/

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

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Yoga for Emotional Health, Yoga for Mental Health, Yoga for Personal Growth | 1 Comment »

STRESS AND OUR HEALTH

Sunday, September 12th, 2010

By Dr. Rita Khanna

Stress is the deterioration of our life. Today, stress is being considered as one of the prime causes of serious physical ailments – such as tensions, anxieties, and disturbed mental conditions. Stress, however, is not a surprise condition of the mind. It comes through a particular mechanism. Stress arises out of tension.

Tension is a condition and creation of the nervous system, and this tension, when it finally travels to every atom and particle of the body, causes imbalances in the autonomic nervous system and in the endocrine system. Eight-nine percent (89%) of all ailments are stress-born. Blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and asthma are known as stress-borne diseases.

THE CAUSE OF STRESS

There is not one, but hundreds, of causes that can create stress. A little increase in your daily workload may disturb you. It may create stress if you wake up late in the morning and fail to reach the place of work in time. Normally, we find some people impatiently blowing the horns of their vehicles while driving, or we find people cursing under their breaths at all and sundry, or you see people restless, as if they are getting late for some events; these are all reflections of mental stress.

Whatever stress you experience in your family, society, or life can be accumulated in any part of your mind. Sometimes, your stress is conscious; sometimes it is subconscious; and many times, it is unconscious. Stress, which affects the conscious mind, is not very dangerous. Stress that is stored in your subconscious mind comes out in the form of dreams; but the stress which is unknown; the stress which you don’t understand – goes into your unconscious mind, and can create havoc in your body, mind, emotions, and personality.

CLASSIFICATION OF TENSIONS

There are three kinds of tensions that can be classified as muscular, mental, and emotional. This three-fold tension originates in our physical and mental structure and affects all other systems of the body. Some of you must have experienced that whenever you are under tension, you make a lot of mistakes. This happens due to an imbalance in the nervous system, which causes erratic behavior. As tension ultimately culminates in stress, it is important at this point to understand these three kinds of tensions.

1. MUSCULAR TENSION

Muscular tension is caused by overly critical actions. The physical body has limited resources of energy, and when we work exceedingly hard, this energy is diminished. We are then compelled to balance this decrease in energy, by an extra intake of food or medicine to accelerate, or accentuate, the energy for overworking. For example, sportsmen require a great deal of energy to combat the strain of overusing their bodies. So, they are given extra hormones and drugs, in order to maintain a regular flow of energy in the body. These physical, or muscular tensions, are not very serious or difficult to eliminate. With adequate rest and proper diet, they can eventually be controlled.

2. MENTAL TENSION

The next form of tension is called mental tension, and most people in the world are suffering from it. We do not allow the mind to rest. The mind is always engaged in thoughts and this over thinking causes mental tension. Excessive thinking also leads to confusion in the mind, which results in further tension. As a result of this, there is loss of memory; and if mental tensions become acute, one cannot make accurate judgments, thus causing many disasters in life.

EFFECTS OF MENTAL TENSION ON OUR BODY SYSTEMS

Our senses, mind, brain, and nervous system are interconnected. The five senses are intimately connected to the brain and mind, as well as the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Therefore, any perception and cognition that takes place in the mind, involves the nervous system, the five senses, and the brain. Every process of thinking is responsible for producing some type of secretion, or hormone, in the body from the endocrinal system.

When you think of fear, anger, or any strong emotion, the adrenal glands begin to secrete potent hormones, such as adrenalin. This is just one example. This is why thoughts should not be considered as mere psychological action. Every thought is psychological, but it also produces a physiological effect on the body. It can accelerate and excite the adrenal glands, which can create hyperactivity; it can cause an increase in the respiratory rate of the body; it can excite the kidneys and bladder.

3. EMOTIONAL TENSION

The third type of tension is emotional tension. It is a very powerful factor in humans. Man is perhaps the only living creature that has known emotional tensions; and these arise from our relationship with persons, objects, and events. When we have a certain philosophy, then we begin to relate ourselves to people, objects, and events in life. These relationships develop on the basis of raga and dwesha – or likes and dislikes. For example, you do not relate yourself to a man just because he is a man. You relate to him because you either like or dislike him. Similarly, you relate yourself with events or objects on the basis of your personal likes, dislikes, and attachments.

EFFECTS ON OUR HEALTH

Therefore, as a human being, you are emotionally interacting with each and every thing around you; but everything is not according to your wish. When something happens according to your wish, there is a positive emotional tension, and when something happens against your wish – then it creates a negative emotional tension. These emotional tensions can eventually cause peptic ulcer, asthma, heart attack, or even mental insanity. They can make you a sinner or a saint. They can make you violent or they can simply transform you into a selfless servant of humanity.

So, these three-fold tensions cause stress, which eventually spreads throughout the body and mind, passing through physical, pranic, and mental channels – fields of energy in the body.

TWO FORCES – IDA AND PINGALA

Ida and Pingala, two forces in this physical body, represent the Sun and Moon – Shiva and Shakti or Consciousness and Life. These two channels flow throughout the body, and in modern scientific terms, they are known as the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Ida carries the force responsible for thinking and mental activities; Pingala carries the force representing Prana or vital action. These two forces are spread throughout the body; but the main channel flows within the spine, intersecting at four main junctions, or Chakras. These Chakras are Vortexes of energy or Prana, and these are:

• The first is Swadhisthana Chakra which corresponds with the Sacral Plexus.

• The second is the Manipura Chakra or Solar Plexus.

• The third is the Anahata Chakra or Cardiac Plexus.

• The fourth is Vishuddhi Chakra or Cervical Plexus.

From these four junctions, thousands of channels (72000) carry Prana and consciousness throughout each and every part of the body. Besides these four junctions, there is one point where these two forces of Prana and Consciousness originate, and another point where they terminate. The point of origin of these two forces is known as Mooladhara Chakra or the Cocoygeal Plexus, and the terminating point is known as Ajna Chakra, or the Medulla Oblongata, in the brain. These two points, where the two forces originate and terminate, are most important for the awakening and sublimation of this energy. In order to create harmony and eliminate stress, these two forces are to be harmonized.

SAMASKARA OR ARCHTYPES

Hidden deep within the recesses of the mind are the Samskaras, or Archetypes, which influence the emotions, personality, and life of each and every individual. Your problems arise from this inner store of experiences. Happiness and unhappiness lie deep in you, and these experiences are stored in the form of Samskaras. Within you, they are accumulated in the form of particles. From particles, they become waves of energy; and these waves develop into a force, which later emerges as an experience.

Your experience of happiness, or unhappiness, arises in the form of a wave, which is born of one particle. That particle is known as a Samskara or Archetype. There is another name for it, and that is Karma. These Archetypes collectively form the Karma of an individual. It is on account of them that your mind, emotions, and personality are formed. If you suffer in life, it is on account of your deep-rooted Karma; or if you happen to enjoy life, it is also on account of your Karma.

HOW TO DEAL WITH KARMA

Karma cannot be dealt with by a rational process, such as psychoanalysis or psychiatric treatment; rather it has to be understood as a subtle force, underlying each and every action or event that you encounter. It has been found that the practice of concentration on a symbol is effective in purging out these Archetypes from the unconscious mind. In Yoga, this practice of concentration is known as Trataka. When you practice Trataka on a symbol, you stimulate these particles, or Samskaras, in the brain.

 CONCLUSION

Stress is not unmanageable. It is related to the understanding of life. It is essential to understand ourselves. We can interpret the condition, which has arisen, from different angles. It is said, in the Bible, that you should construct your house by collecting the stones, which are thrown on you. You are the key. You have a choice to turn the key clockwise or anticlockwise – that is, to lock or unlock. That is the only art of living. By honest efforts, continuous awareness, and learning, we can eliminate old habits which cause disturbances in small matters of our daily life. We can live a methodical life with new thoughts.

SOME TIPS TO DE-STRESS

• Have you ever noticed that certain people seem to adapt quickly to stressful circumstances and take things in stride? They are cool under pressure and able to handle problems, as they come up. If you want to build your resilience, work on developing these attitudes and behaviors.

• Understand yourself by honest efforts, continuous awareness, and learning. Identify the root causes and the role of expectation in creating stress.

• Train your mind to change the situation and smile when stress develops.

• Your outlook, attitude, and thoughts, influence the way you see things. Is your cup half-full or half-empty? Turn your negative energy-draining thoughts into positive and empowering thoughts.

• Eliminate old habits, which cause disturbances in small matters of your daily life. Protect yourself from negative and stressful influences.

• Live a methodical life with new thoughts. For that, you don’t have to change your values and loyalties. Along with the change in the life, break your stubbornness, ego, obstinacy, and old traditional thinking.

• Introspect your daily life schedule – peacefully, engage yourself in utilizing wonders of universe, beauty of life, importance of nature, and every moment you have.

• Walk in the fresh air; enjoy walking on green grass ground in the early morning, observe the colors of the rainbows, the flowers with soft leaves, groups of black bees, singing birds and dancing peacocks, watch the stars in the blue sky; watch the ocean with jumping, undulating black water.

• Be optimistic. Believe in yourself. Be sure to breathe; let a little stress motivate you into positive action, to reach your goals. Interact with others, and participate regularly in activities for relaxation and fun.

• Strengthen your power, capacity, and mental abilities, by practicing Yogic Kriyas – such as Yogasanas, Pranayama, Shavasana, Trataka, Yoga Nidra, and Meditation – regularly.

• As the time passes, gradually – you will be of a stronger will power, feel less stress, and be more comfortable and happier. You will become light minded; as calm and pleasant, as a beautiful morning, after heavy rains. You will obtain the joy of internal and eternal kingdom – in place of the stress.

AUM SHANTI

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.

Mobile: + 919849772485

Ph:-91-40-65173344

Email: email hidden; JavaScript is required

Website: www.yogashaastra.in

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).

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Recent Articles, Yoga for Emotional Health, Yoga for Health, Yoga for Mental Health, Yoga for Stress Management | 4 Comments »

« Older Entries

SEARCH