The Hearts Center Yoga Musings

How Yoga has Helped Me

Nicola — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:54:22 GMT

September is here, and once again you turn your attention to creating a routine for yourself throughout the fall months. You know you should exercise, and so a variety of classes might find entries on your calendar.

Yoga first found a place on my calendar about thirty-five years ago. I loved the postures. What intriguing names they had––warrior, turtle, bridge, fish, mountain, tree––and I appreciated them as a creative approach to developing flexibility, strength, balance and endurance in my body and ultimately in my mind and spirit as well.

At times, I left off yoga pursuing lessons in other valuable forms of exercise such as Feldenkrais, aquacise, swimming, tennis, skiing (downhill and cross-country), walking, aerobics, weight machines and tap dancing. As much as I enjoyed these forms of fitness, I always returned to yoga. In the last decade, I've noticed that my hips can get stiff when I neglect the postures and that they can regain their suppleness when I resume. That's proof enough for me as to the value of yoga. Try a class yourself this fall and find out what yoga can do for you.

The Dalai Lama Explains How to be Mindful

Nicola — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 09:32:49 GMT

Mindfulness. What is it, this term often used by teachers during their yoga classes? The respected Dalai Lama says that it is exercised “by putting your mind back on its object of meditation every time it falters, which it will often do. Initially it takes great exertion but eventually, you will spontaneously stay without effort."

Mindfulness, then, is paying attention. Mindfulness is being aware of an experience with acceptance. Mindfulness is living in the present moment––quite the opposite to the inner chatterbox dialogue we all engage in, wrestling with past and future events.

In yoga classes, students receive many opportunities to practice this process. As they pay attention to the inhalation and exhalation of the breath and watch, without judgment their participation in the precision of the yoga postures, the mind quietens, softens and enters mindfulness. It’s a quality known to us all; we enter it when we watch the gentle descent of enormous, fluffy snowflakes in the silence of a winter night. The mind lets go and, unaccompanied by thought, experiences the beauty of the moment. If you wish to become more conscious about observing and prolonging these mindful moments, consider practicing yoga as one of your resolutions for the fall.

Laughter Yoga on the Metro

Nicola — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:28:36 GMT

Looking for a good laugh? It's a healthy thing to do. On You Tube, you will find a video entitled "Bodhisattva in Metro." It has a five star rating and has been posted several times. As of August 11, 2010, one of the posts has received 2,537,108 views.

A guy gets on the metro in France and takes his place on an outside seat. As expected, everyone is dower, poking a nose into a book, gazing out the window, staring at an advertisement and sleeping. The man starts to giggle and eventually explodes into raucous guffaws. The travelers' faces first show startled, quizzical looks at this disturbance, but soon everyone on the train cannot help but join the man who continues to laugh, splitting their sides with belly laughs, wiping tears from their eyes. No doubt, some haven't laughed so hard all year.

This video is a perfect example of hasya yoga or laughter yoga which is a form of working with the breath. People breathe more deeply and from the abdomen when they laugh; the lung capacity expands and the stale air expells from the body more effectively. In a yoga-laughter session, participants laugh spontaneously. Jokes aren't required; you don't even have to be happy. Fake it if you have to, but soon you will be laughing with everyone else because laughter is contagious as is so well demonstrated on the metro video. Let this film be a reminder to take your daily dose of the best, healing medicine ever: laughter!

Yogic Science, Pineal Gland, the Flame

Nicola — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 04:14:16 GMT

"Theoretically this practice [staring at a flame] works toward the decalcification of the
pineal gland, considered by some to be the master gland of the body. The pineal gland ossifies around the age of puberty to 16 years of age, after which many modern scientists and biologists consider it a secondary gland. However in yoga science, this gland is said to rule all the others and that it is also related to the awakening of very high spiritual understanding in the individual. Since it is considered to be sensitive to light, the practice of flame watching acts to decalcify the pineal, allowing it to function properly for both its material and more subtle purposes."

Taken from: Daily Health in the Indian Ayurvedic System by Dr. Aja Thomas
To read the entire article, go to: http://www.skepticfiles.org/mys1/ayurdoc.htm

Give Me Some Breathing Space

Nicola — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 13:18:12 GMT

Breathing keeps us alive. But because it is an automatic process, it often receives little attention in our daily activities. Yet there is much to learn about the way we breathe and how it affects us. Short, shallow breathing increases tension and stress while slow, deep breathing brings calmness and relaxation. A yoga class purposely combines rhythmic breathing with postures in order to bring stillness to the chatterbox mind, which usually occupies itself with endless revolving of events of the past or of future ones. Focusing attention on the breath draws us away from these events and into the present moment. It is here where conscious awareness of the inhalation and exhalation helps release discomforts in the body. So the next time someone tells you they want some breathing space, tell them to take a yoga class.

The Mysterious Origins of Yoga

Nicola — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:01:10 GMT

Yoga. Where did it come from? Out of the blue in the 1970s, it made a splash on the radar screen of exercise when numerous Hollywood movie stars became adherents. Since then, it has rapidly become the most popular fitness program in the western world with an estimated 30 million practitioners. Yet its origins are mysterious. Archaeologists have discovered that yoga existed in several ancient civilizations such as India, Tibet, China and Mexico. That it spread among neighboring Asian countries is understandable, but how did it jump across the ocean to Central America? A mystery indeed! Some say yoga dates back to 3000 B.C. because of references found in the oldest known book of the Indo-European language, the Rig-Veda. Others say that its origins begin much earlier, pointing to descriptions in Tibetan scrolls which are cited to be 40,000 years old. But despite this widespread and longtime existence of yoga, it wasn't organized into a system until 200 A.D. when an Indian sage named Patanjali documented it in a text entitled the Yoga Sutras. How yoga has evolved since then becomes a fascinating study.

Imaginative Yoga Postures

nicola Woywitka — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:12:04 GMT

Yoga is for everyone and yoga is for life. When sports become too strenuous for the body, yoga continues to hold its place as an efficient form of exercise throughout the senior years. It is not a sport; it is not competitive. Naturally, how well a participant benefits from the practice depends on commitment and frequency of practice. In a yoga class, students learn numerous beneficial poses or asanas. Their names––often describing concrete objects such as: tree, plough, boat, fish, triangle, child, hero and warrior––capture the imagination to assist in the execution of the postures. While all poses provide good results, yoga participants eventually discover their personal favorites, the ones where the body takes startled notice saying, “ Hey, do this pose again! It works! I feel great!”

Jailhouse Bliss-out. Young Offenders Profoundly Impacted by Yoga

Nicola — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:21:45 GMT

Laura Sygrove, yoga instructor at youth detention centers in southern Ontario, Canada, was interviewed on the merits of yoga for kids in prison by Nick Aveling. His article was published in the National Post, on June 12, 2010, in the form of seven questions. Following is one of the questions with Laura's answer.

Q Is it working?
A Youth are telling us they notice a difference in their ability to concentrate and deal with anger. They'll use breathing techniques instead of fighting. We also hear a lot from the staff, especially the social workers, who say they've noticed a difference. I often think of one youth I've worked with for quite a long time – he's in on some quite serious charges, and I only know that because of the length of his sentence – who told me he thought the first two classes were "mostly bulls–––". Fast-track a year-and-a-half and he credits yoga with being one of the things that have really helped him change. Another youth told me it's the only time he feels like he's not in jail. And we have waiting lists, both in terms of youth who want to take classes and facilities who want us to go in. We need more funding.

What does a yogi want for his birthday?

Nicola — Sat, 29 May 2010 13:59:25 GMT

When asked what gift he wanted for his birthday, the yogi replied: " I don't want any gifts, only presence."

It's Spring! Here's How to Renew Your Spirit

Nicola — Fri, 21 May 2010 15:21:44 GMT

Spring is peeping over the horizon! Step out into the shining meadows, forests, river valleys and gardens of the pure land. See how winter’s snow-white sparkles have cleansed and prepared the ground to receive new life.

In sync with the season, we too can create new life for ourselves. Just as seeds and seedlings will “breathe” in the nutrients they require, we, too, can consciously breathe with the purpose of renewing our spirit, allowing it to blossom.

Begin by going within to the peaceful chamber of your heart. Cup your hands on your lap, place your feet flat on the floor or sit in the lotus posture, close your eyes, allow a gentle smile and focus on the love within your breath. Feel the rising and lowering of the diaphragm as you gently breathe in and out through the nostrils. To nurture and nourish yourself, inhale the qualities of joy, love, harmony, brilliance of mind and perfection. To nurture and nourish others breathe out these qualities, sending them to your family, your friends, your colleagues, your country and the beautiful world in which you live.

Paying attention to the breath is a form of meditation often used in yoga practice. Try it. Respiration can be your opportunity for inspiration. May you be renewed by the many virtues flowering in the garden of your spirit this spring.

Building Spiritual and Physical Muscle at the Same Time!

carol wells — Sat, 08 May 2010 15:18:48 GMT

This morning while I was exercising on our stationary bike and praying, a way of working with the light and also building some arm and upper body muscle came to me that I would enjoy sharing with you.

I had read last week that choosing weights that really make your muscles work, even if you do less movements with them, adds more muscle more quickly. Your movements should be slow. The amount of repetitions should be less.

So I took one of my husband's 10-pound barbells in place of the five-pounders I had been using and as I was cycling I held the barbell at either end and created this routine which can be done standing or sitting as well as working out on a stationary bike:

1. Choose the heaviest barbell you can lift with both hands.
2. Grasping it with each hand around its ends, raise the barbell slowly from the base to above the crown chakra, focusing on each chakra as you move it upward.
3. As you raise the barbell, say, "Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women..."
4. When the barbell is above your crown, held at full arms length above you, slowly lower it all the way to the base chakra as you recite, "Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come..."
5. You don't have to complete either prayer. Just say as much of it as required to raise and lower the weight.
6. Repeat this process, moving slowly and without over stressing your arm muscles.
7. Then holding the barbell at the heart chakra, extend it forward slowly as you affirm, "I am a son (daughter) of God." or "I am the Word incarnate." or "I am a son (daughter) of the Holy Spirit." or any affirmation related to the creation of the Christ Consciousness within the heart by the raising of the Mother light and the descending of the Father that you have invoked and physically dramatized with your exercise.
8. Repeat this movement out from the heart and back toward the heart a comfortable amount of times.

Anyone up for arm wrestling me at the summer conference? Ha!

My love, Carol Wells

Mother Mary's Heartstream on Exercise, Mastering the Physical Body and the Art of Energy Flow

Nicola — Wed, 05 May 2010 14:06:27 GMT

I am posting this message again because it was bumped off the Home page quickly last time.

Those who would be members of this holy order are those who are moving in the stream of having balanced 75% of their karma and thus must fully master the physical quadrant of being in the earth plane. Initiates in this order must understand the need for greater mastery of the physical body and this begins with the understanding of pranayama, the breath, and the delivery throughout your four lower bodies of the essence of God known as prana. I suggest that you consider carefully the need to partake of and enter into those physical practices whereby the light may reside within the physical cells of your bodies, the solar light, at a greater level than ever before, beloved ones, whether tai chi, Qigong, yoga or others of what have come to be known as the martial arts which are not martial at all, not having originated from Mars but from higher spheres of the buddhas.

When you master the flow of energy through your physical bodies, then you may become cosmic receptors, crystals in the earth, through which the light of God may not only reside and vibrate but emanate.
Mother Mary, July 2, 2006

Note: Mother Mary is referring to the Order of the Sons and Daughters of the Dominion of the Earth Element. Click on the Heartstreams button to access the entire teaching.

Couch Potatoes

Nicola — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:34:25 GMT

For all of you “couch potatoes” out there, I’ve got just the exercise for you. You’ll have to get off your couch, though, and onto a chair. C’mon, you have to.....because the exercise is called chair-cat yoga. But if you love your couch, well, go ahead, stay there with your cats for they understand yoga very well. Ever wonder how their spines stay in tip-top shape? It’s because they really know how to str-e-e-e-tch. Now, sit on the edge of your chair, or your couch if you insist, and start with a straight spine, long and strong, and move slowly into a backbend. Hands resting on thighs, the back bends as you expand the chest, extend the sternum forward, lift the chin, tilt the head back and look up at the ceiling. Elongate the lower spine and stretch. Now, come back to the sitting position, round the shoulders and the back, and bend forward so that you are now looking at your thighs. Bring some rhythm to the movement, breathing in as you look up, breathing out as you look down. This is an excellent spinal massage. Beware though, for as you move back and forth between the arching and bending motions, you may begin to look like a couch cat rather than a couch potato. But don’t complain because now you have a spine like your flexible feline. Me-ow-ow!

Mother Mary's Heartstream on Exercise, Mastering the Physical Body and the Art of Energy Flow

Nicola — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 05:51:33 GMT

Those who would be members of this holy order are those who are moving in the stream of having balanced 75% of their karma and thus must fully master the physical quadrant of being in the earth plane. Initiates in this order must understand the need for greater mastery of the physical body and this begins with the understanding of pranayama, the breath, and the delivery throughout your four lower bodies of the essence of God known as prana. I suggest that you consider carefully the need to partake of and enter into those physical practices whereby the light may reside within the physical cells of your bodies, the solar light, at a greater level than ever before, beloved ones, whether tai chi, Qigong, yoga or others of what have come to be known as the martial arts which are not martial at all, not having originated from Mars but from higher spheres of the buddhas.

When you master the flow of energy through your physical bodies, then you may become cosmic receptors, crystals in the earth, through which the light of God may not only reside and vibrate but emanate.
Mother Mary, July 2, 2006

Note: Mother Mary is referring to the Order of the Sons and Daughters of the Dominion of the Earth Element. Click on the Heartstreams button to access the entire teaching.

The Gentle Care of Your "Self"

Nicola — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 08:48:47 GMT

Yoga encourages the gentle care of your "self." Through the practice of specific exercises known as asanas, you learn where there is strength, flexibility, balance and endurance in your "self" and where there is not. Over a period of time, not pushing too hard, respecting your limits and encouraging your body, mind and breath to work together, your "self" improves. Soon, you notice numerous changes taking place such as your muscles stretching, greater range of motion, increased energy, better concentration and more stillness in the thoughts and emotions. When you take it slowly, let go of expectations and be in the moment, you discover how yoga encourages the gentle care of your "self."

The Five Tibetans

Nicola — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 15:28:52 GMT

Have you heard of The Five Tibetans? They are not the latest pop star, movie star, rock star or hockey star. In fact, they are not people at all, but you can give them a starring role in your life as a rejuvenating form of exercise. Indeed, some yoga practitioners refer to these five asanas as the true elixir of life. If you do these poses every day, they affirm, you will notice a remarkable improvement in your vitality, strength and endurance.

Except for the first one, all are traditional postures you can find in any yoga class, but the enticing element is that in this series of just five movements, you can in a few weeks notice results. This is especially encouraging to remember when you are pressed for time and feel like ditching exercise altogether.

If your curiosity is piqued, peruse Peter Kelder’s book, Ancient Secret of the Fountain of Youth, first published in 1939 and still widely read to the present day. In it, you will encounter an intriguing story about Colonel Bradford who travels to Tibet, determined to find out the truth about rumors of a remote retreat inhabited by llamas who know the secrets of the fountain of youth. He departs using a cane and returns looking and moving like a person thirty years younger. Part of what he discovers and practices are the Five Tibetan Rites. Whether the story is true or not is unimportant. If you follow the instructions, you will find The Five Tibetans to be amazingly beneficial to your health.

No One Will Know You Are Practicing Yoga

Nicola — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:43:22 GMT

Would you like a yoga posture where no one knows you are practicing yoga? Something you could do in public while waiting for the bus, standing in a grocery line or waiting your turn at the bank? Yes, the pose exists; it’s called “tadasana,” in traditional yoga terms, and “mountain pose” in more picturesque language.

Upon casual observation, people would think you were just standing. However, a correctly performed standing position is a strong yoga posture. Simply stand and assume the strength of a mountain. You can’t push a mountain over so stand squarely on both feet. No slouching. Weight is distributed equally––not shifted to one leg where you can easily be knocked off balance. Feet can be touching or apart 3 to 5 inches to assist stability. Lift the toes off the mat, spread them and then lower one-by-one to have more surface of the feet touching the floor. Crown of head reaches to the ceiling and tailbone extends towards the ground. Now, stack the blocks––head in alignment with shoulders, shoulders over hips, hips over ankles. Chin parallel to the floor. Thigh muscles firmed and gently turned toward each other. Knee caps lifted. Arms hang loosely at the sides.

Now you are standing strong as a mountain, with every muscle in your body engaged. Follow these instructions and no one will call you a push over. Your mother had it right when she told you to stand up straight; now you know how, and no one will know you are practicing yoga.

Where Do You Begin Your Yoga Practice?

nugget — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:49:57 GMT

"Where and how does the practice of yoga begin? Should we always begin on the physical level? I would say that where we begin depends on our personal interests. There are many ways of practicing yoga, and gradually the interest in one path will lead to another. So it could be that we begin by studying the Yoga Sutra or by meditating. Or we may instead begin with practicing asanas and so start to understand yoga through the experience of the body. We can also begin with pranayama, feeling the breath as the movement of our inner being. There are no prescriptions regarding where and how our practice should begin."
quotation from The Heart of Yoga by T.K.V. Desikachar

How to Add Vitality to Your Life

Nicola — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 01:54:37 GMT

When you attend a yoga class, you will notice attention being drawn to the breath. “Inhale. Exhale. On the inbreath, the abdomen expands; on the outbreath, the belly button draws toward the spine.” The instructor encourages conscious breathing to flow with the execution of the postures. But never mind if it first seems confusing, the important thing is to breathe with awareness. Controlled breath increases oxygen consumption, relaxes the body and calms the mind. James Hewitt, author of The Complete Yoga Book states: “Some writers put forward the theory that as master Yogins breathe more slowly (though more efficiently) than the average citizen, therefore they live longer.....This is difficult to prove - but it can safely be said that Yogic breathing adds life to one’s years, whether or not it adds years to one’s life.”

You Exercise Every Day. Right?

Nicola — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:54:25 GMT

Are you motivated to exercise? In one of the other Forums, someone expressed the thought that it was easy to be distracted by more pressing matters and to decide to attend to them instead.

Perhaps a visual would be helpful. I have an 8x11 calendar that I use just to record the times I participate in some form of exercise. It's a picture that shows me how I'm doing.

This morning, for example, I went to an early morning yoga class. As soon as I arrived home, I put a big, green check in today's box and at the bottom I wrote "yoga class." The green means: "Hey, I did something healthy today!" I also record my other activities such as walking and tap dancing. For this month, I have checks in thirteen out of twenty days . While it's not perfect, I find it uplifting to see a calendar full of green, affirmative marks.