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Archive for the ‘Yoga’ Category

How Does Meditation Work?

Thursday, January 12th, 2012

When I am asked, How does meditation work? I often have to ask a few questions myself before I can give a satisfactory answer. For instance, does the person mean how does meditation work for stress relief? Or how does meditation work at reducing blood pressure?, Or how does meditation work for someone seeking to discover their deepest nature?

Depending on why you are asking the question, “How does meditation work?” then you will get a different answer. Plus, the truth is, even though I have been meditating for over 25 years, often for long periods of time, there are people much more qualified than me to answer questions about meditation and stress relief, or meditation and blood pressure.

However, I am very qualified to explain to you, or at least attempt to explain to you, how meditation works for someone seeking to discover their deepest nature. This deepest nature, which is often called enlightenment, is a very real state of permanent existence and it can be discovered and known by you.

Many years ago, I was very interested in what I had read about enlightenment and I wanted to discover it for myself. I explored many meditation groups and I was almost invariably invited to meditate in a certain way and believe in a set of beliefs that would ‘one day’ lead to my personal enlightenment.

As I had already had enough of blindly believing in stuff, I wanted to talk to an enlightened person myself. Not only that, I wanted to know how I personally could discover enlightenment for myself. It was at this point that I was told that it was not possible, or, I was told of a ‘version’ of enlightenment that even I could see had its limitations. So I decided not to settle for living in hope, and I kept looking.

Eventually I came across a meditation teacher who encouraged me to believe in nothing, rather I was encouraged to find out for myself. He introduced me to other enlightened teachers and I was actively urged to ask as many questions as I liked. I was told that by using certain meditation techniques, that I would eventually discover Enlightenment. Not in the ‘next life’, but in this lifetime. So, I began following their advice, and in a short period of time I began to discover more about myself than I had discovered in the whole of my previous lifetime.

Eventually, years later, I discovered the state of enlightenment. Going back to your original question, “How does meditation work?” I can tell you this. Meditation works by you simply being as still as you can be, being as present as you can be – and by LETTING GO.

Now, what do I mean by LETTING GO? After all, you can be trapped in a prison and let go all you want, you are still trapped in a prison. So, this is where the special meditation techniques that I was introduced to, came in. You see, it is possible, for the very space that you exist in, to be greatly expanded. This is done by opening your Third Eye chakra. You then have a space to let go into, a space that you currently do not have. As you progressively LET GO into this ‘new space’, and as you access realms of creation, and beyond creation, that you are currently not aware of, you eventually LET GO completely. It is at this point that you realise for yourself, within yourself, the state of BEING that is called ENLIGHTENMENT. So you can see, asking the simple question, How does meditation work? was not such a simple question after all!

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Yoga Videos

Tuesday, January 10th, 2012

Yoga videos are a great thing for anyone who wants to study and learn yoga in the comfort of their own home. In addition, many yoga videos are great for parents and children to do together. If you have thought about trying yoga, but you have not made the leap yet, then it’s time to give yoga a try with yoga videos. If you are not completely sure, you can always check out a few yoga videos from your library; to find out if this is something that you would like to do. There are also kid’s yoga videos, if you want to get your children involved – this would be an excellent option. Please keep in mind to ask your physician before starting any type of excercise plan (such as yoga).

Online Yoga Videos

There are also online yoga videos available, if you know where to look – but the problem with these are you really don’t want to work on your yoga poses in your office. Yoga video libraries feature many of the important aspects of yoga such as 1.) breathing, 2.) exercises (asanas or poses), and 3.) meditation/relaxation. Many yoga videos include powerful yoga breathing exercises which can be used to balance out many aspects of your life. They also feature guided meditation, which will give you an excellent opportunity to find true relaxation and stress relief.

Videos

Whether you classify DVDs as yoga, yoga-inspired or as fitness videos, they all generally have a genuine intention to impart good health in the end. Rodney Yee’s videos usually feature spectacular views (from Hawaii or similar locations) and his voice is very soothing, you may find you enjoy him as an instructor, or perhaps you prefer a woman instructor. I agree with you that nothing beats attending a yoga class, especially as it being an excellent learning place for beginners, however if you are just starting out, you may find that yoga videos are the best way to get started with yoga and to begin a practice that can change your life. If you travel, you may find that accessing yoga videos online frees you up to practice anywhere.

There are a great number of videos available, so how do you choose the best yoga video for you. Take your time and make sure that the video is in sync with your own style of yoga, and is not too grueling, or too light. It may take a while to find the perfect balance.

Yoga DVDs

One DVD such as Yoga Burn features poses that ignite the body’s internal furnace with fast, aerobic-paced yoga moves that are designed to help you burn calories and to melt fat. Another DVD: Yoga Legs is geared more toward sculpting leaner, longer legs with dynamic poses that will challenge your balance, your flexibility and your strength.

Yoga Abs

Yoga Abs is another popular title. This video focuses on strengthening and shrinking your midsection using core-focused yoga moves to define a trim, tight tummy. Then there are videos like Yoga Relax, in which you concentrate on quieting your mind, and body with a series of gentle yoga stretches that rejuvenate and refresh your body. There is probably something for everyone interested in yoga in this DVD. Created and led by Rodney Yee the innovative Yoga Burn workout DVD is more physical than most. It combines transitions between essential yoga moves/poses (asans) with resistance reps to help you gain strength and convert fat into leaner muscle.

Yoga for Pregnant Moms

For the pregnant Mom’s out there, the full length Baby Ready Yoga DVD will guide you through a unique and soothing and strengthening workout with modifications for each trimester. There are also numerous other pregnancy fit yoga workouts; I recently saw one that is included with the Green Baby video and would classify it as excellent.

Children’s Yoga DVDs, Yoga for Back Injuries and other Specialty DVDs

This addition of children’s yoga DVDs to your collection is an excellent alternative to competitive sports. A single DVD focusing on overall basics of traditional yoga is an excellent start. If you want a routine that has overall benefit of well being, think about including a series of exercises that target blood-flow and muscles in and to the head.

 

The Different Types of Yoga

Saturday, January 7th, 2012

Yoga is generally understood as a process of unification. This unification is multifaceted. In one dimension, it is a unification of the various systems that exist within the human being including the emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual systems. In total there are believed to be five different systems within human life.
Yoga, as a system, has developed into various branches through which people pursue the evolution and unification of the elements within their being. Each branch retains its own unique set of ideas and philosophies which defined the process and eventual obtainment of complete unification. These traditions of yoga are as young as 500 years and as old as several thousand. While there are many modern practices of yoga which have been defined by various teachers, the traditional systems which have been in existence throughout many generations.  
Bhakti Yoga: The first system we will discuss it is Bhakti yoga. Bhakti yoga is a practice in which the spiritual practitioner focuses on developing a state of devotion within the mind and the heart. In bhakti yoga a strong sense of faith is needed as one is expected to submit themselves to God through a process of self surrendering. The practices and techniques of bhakti yoga are therefore designed to help surrendered the ego and embrace with love the thought of the creator. The more common practices of bhakti yoga are kirtan (chanting/song), japa (mantra repetition), and meditation on the divine.

Karma Yoga: Karma is an aspect of human life that is responsible for our thoughts, feelings, and actions. It is believed in yoga that Karma keeps the cycle of rebirth in motion as past actions and events force us to take another life in the world to balance out the inequalities that we have imposed within our spirit and the universe. Once accumulated Karmic merit is balanced or destroyed then cycle of birth and death is stopped and the spirit is return to its origins within the universal divine.   The practice of Karma yoga directly addresses this primary aspect of life, works to abolish the effects of Karma with disciplined action that formulates a separation between the individual and the effects of Karma. This separation occurs through a process of disassociation in which the individual separates themselves from the benefits or losses from their actions within the world.

Kundalini Yoga: Kundalini yoga is a practice of yoga which originated from the practice of tantra yoga. Historically speaking, tantra yoga is believed to be one of the oldest forms of spirituality which is still in practice today. One of the key components of tantra yoga is the incorporation of kundalini which is considered to be the primordial force existence within each human being. The practice of Kundalini yoga was formed to control and harness the potential of the kundalini energy within the body.   Unlike the other systems of yoga, kundalini yoga can be a highly unstable practice of yoga as the release of kundalini energy can lead to extreme psychological and physical disorders if not controlled in the proper manner.

Hatha Yoga: The word hatha has several meanings. Typically it is divided up into two individual words, ha and tha. The meaning of these words can be interpreted as the sun and the moon. It can also be said that these two words are Beeja Mantras or primordial sounds that are responsible for composing matter. At the same time, ha represents the pranic body while tha is that of the mental body. Whichever interpretation one chooses to believe or follow, an essential component of hatha yoga is a balancing of the polarities of energy within the body (ida and pingala) as well as a purification of the mind and the body.

Raja Yoga: Raja yoga is considered the Royal path and is literally translated as royal union from Sanskrit. The system of Raja yoga is derived from the teachings of Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras which were written between 100 and 300 A.D. Some may also refer to this system of yoga has Ashtanga Yoga, however Raja yoga has been the traditional terminology used for the practice of yoga guided by Ptanjali’s Yoga Sutras and some distinctions separate the two from one another. Here, we are primarily concerned with the traditional system of Raja yoga which has been practiced in India since the origins of the Sutras.   Raja yoga is a path of intuition and also psychic perception. Therefore these two facilities are needed in order for spiritual growth to occur. Some spiritual masters like Swami Tureyananda believe that Raja yoga is practiced after one has obtained substantial transformation through preliminary practices of yoga.

Jnana Yoga: The practice of Jana yoga is easily understood within the two words ‘Jana’ and ‘Yoga’ which together mean ‘Union through Wisdom.’ the practice of Jana yoga is a very practical system for the Western mind which usually approaches things through the intellect and rational deduction. While ultimately these two aspects are abandoned later in the path, Jana yoga begins with intellectual inquiry and rational observation. While Jana yoga encourages a belief in God or the supreme, it does not necessitate the belief and therefore it can even be used by those who are rational atheists.   The techniques used in Jana yoga are primarily concerned with a process of deduction in which one observes all aspects of life.

Each style that we have mentioned above is unique and there is no right or wrong one, or one that is better than the other. In actuality, there are thousands of different styles of yoga, yet the ones we have mentioned are the primary branches for the practical side of yoga. When choosing a practice, select one that seems to possess characteristics that are in harmony with your personality and individuality. Starting from there will give you a good relationship to your practice and make it easier to gradually introduce it into your life on a daily basis. A consistent practice provides the greatest opportunity for self-growth and transformation.
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Devotion -Key to Bhakti Yoga

Friday, January 6th, 2012

Bhakti is a type of yoga that focuses on devotion to a higher being. It’s purpose is to achieve a better union with the divine. It may be considered the more “spiritual” of all the styles of yoga, but that is a misonomer because all Yoga is inherently spiritual.

One doesn’t need to be a genius to get heavily involved in this yoga. It truly appeals to every man and woman, providing a sense of security and a tight relationship with devotion. Some seek out Yoga for bodily strength while others seek out Yoga for inner mental strength. While this covers both inner and outer, the real appeal of Bhakti is that heavy focus on the inner.

This yoga believes that a much higher power created the cosmos and the universe. By tapping into the energy of this higher power, a practitioner can experience grace and mercy. This in turn is supposed to protect them from any harm. A devotee of Bhakti yoga focuses on making themselves fit to be able to receive this grace. That is where practice comes in.

The practitioner needs to have an ultimate goal in mind. That goal is to “be one” or unite with the divine power that flows through everything. It is considered a form of surrender. Bhakti practitioners renounce issues like good and bad, leaving it up to the will of the divine power to choose. This isn’t a true discarding of being good, just a realization that there are some things you are unable to affect.

But let’s not forget that this yoga is also physical. Yes, there is a emphasis on the spiritual, but there is still a physical component involved!

Devotion and faith are the key tenets in this style. It is expected that a practitioner works towards being more religious. They need to take a friendly stance towards every living thing (including animals, and this is where veganism comes in). They should be well read on religious topics, and want the best for every living thing, person or animal.

There is a true simplicity in Bhakti yoga. By focusing on the divine aspects, it has become one of the largest and most appealing styles of yoga practiced today. Any person looking for a deeper peace of mind would enjoy this yoga and would benefit greatly from trying it. And what is the ultimate goal of life (through yoga)? True inner peace.

Namaste!

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