Day 20 - Transcendental Meditation

Welcome to Day 20 of our Meditation Challenge.  While many people have made requests, sent emails of gratitude, shared success and joy stories, there is still a whole world of meditation options out there.  One of the pioneers of Meditation is Marhirishi Mahesh Yogi, who brought Transcendental Meditation to the for front of Westerners seeking for bliss through Meditation.  This method is a method of relaxation, stress reduction, and self development. Maharishi learned this technique from his guru Brahmananda Saraswati.  The practice itself is Mantra meditation, sitting in silence for 15 minutes, focused on your given mantra.  Some say that the price of this meditation practice is rather expensive, however for those who can afford this option, it is a path to bliss.

Many Celebrities are known to practice this meditation including: Mick Jagger, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Oprah, Ellen DeGeneres, Clint Eastwood, Howard Stern, Hugh Jackman, Sheryl Crow, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Eddie Vedder, Jane Fonda, Jerry Sienfield, Russell Simmons, Deepak Chopra, Goldie Hawn, David Lynch, and many more.

This post is for those people who want the option to invest in the practice of Transcendental Meditation. 

Ellen DeGeneres admitted to a large crowd,  

'I've tried to meditate before, did the breathing and yoga, but I was always opening my eyes and it was a minute later. I thought, how am I going to do this? This is just impossible.'

'It gives me this peaceful, peaceful feeling and I just love it so much, and I talk about it as much as I can on the show without sounding like I'm preaching about it. . . . I can't say enough good things about it.' 

For those who like the concept of finding bliss through mantra, another option is to find your guru, and have that guru provide a mantra which may be more cost effective.  As TM does have a price tag that some may find too steep for their pocket.

While mantra meditation is powerful, we can also find a sanksrit mantra, and meditate on the mantra for 15 minutes in a day, sitting tall and in bliss.  The transformational power of sound is incredible, and often times if we recite the mantra without the awareness of its tangible meaning, we inevitably create a sense of bliss.  The power of meditation is when we are free of form in thought, in word.  Can we sit in meditation without wondering if we are doing it right?  without thinking about the fact that we are meditating?  without thinking about our surroundings, our thoughts and just be.  This conscious connection to everything that is, and simultaneous disconnection to everything that is, is when we transcend. 

Officially a Yellow Belt Black Stripe

Another amazing surprise from the incredible family I have at Harmony By Karate, my yellow belt. This week is promotion week at Harmony by Karate. It is exciting for the Sensei's, Sempais, the kids and the parents, as all their hard work and dedication is recognized with the promotion ceremony. While I was helping with the kids class, teaching them some yoga stretches, Sensei Joseph asked me to confirm the spelling of my last night. He is so sneaky and casual, I just told him no "s" at the end of my last name, and carried on with the jumping jacks that we were going into. When the ceremony time commenced, I stood on the side of Sensei John, passing the new belts to Sensei Joseph, and watched as the kids classes stood awaiting their belts and certificates. Finally, after everyone was awarded, and applauded, Sensei John called my name! Since I was awarded my yellow belt black stripe awhile back, Sensei John made it official with my certificate, and reintroduced me to the parents and caregivers who stood by watching. I have been awarded My Yellow Belt Black Stripe Certificate of promotion in Chowakai Karatedo of Japanese Origin. What an incredible honor! I know that I am blessed to be in the company of Harmony by Karate because of the regular compassion, kindness and genuine dedication I witness every week. As a former NYS teacher, I look for excellence in fellow educators. Regardless of if you teach in a school, yoga studio, martial arts, wherever the venue, it is important that you connect to the spirit of the student. When I look for a teacher, a colleague, or a team I want to be working with, I always search for people who share the same qualities and standards of excellence I strive to adhere to, and people who inspire me to be better. I look for people who inspire, have creativity, have fun, understand students, practice what they teach, create classes with relevance to humanity, have humility, and most importantly have compassion, and these are qualities I see in all the staff at Harmony By Karate. Sensei John himself teaches such relevant philosophies to his students, and has been part of a national Anti-Bullying campaign that has recently been featured on the Oprah Radio Show. Thank you to everyone at Harmony by Karate for being part of my journey, for teaching me so much, and for promoting me to Yellow Belt Black Stripe, it truly is an honor. Once again, I left the dojo full of smiles!
Picture: Sensei John awarding me with my Certificate of Promotion

Celebrity Yoga

Madonna, Russell Simmons, Gwenyeth Paltrow, Christy Turlington, and Sting DO IT! What is it? YOGA! The ancient Indian practice which is considered to be a component of the fountain of youth in the East, is sweeping the West with a major Celebrity stamp of approval. Whether is it to shake the pregnancy weight, maintain a slender shape, or for finding inner peace, many celebrities are totting around town with Yoga Mats. With beach season approaching us, many people are eager to get into shape. In the world of celebrity, it is partially their job to stay in shape. Having a trim body and a healthy spirit is what yoga brings to everyone, famous or not. Health and Wellness is something we all aspire to, and it is wonderful to share our fitness routine with the celebrities we love.

From Musicians, Models, Actors, CEO's and more, there are many celebrities who share your love for the mind, body, spirit connection. To name a few: Madonna, Gwenyeth Paltrow, Russell Simmons, Allesandra Ambrosio, Jessica Biel, Shilpa Shetty, Jennifer Aniston, Halle Berry, Reece Witherspoon, Sting & wife Trudie Styler, Charlie Sheen, Christy Turlington, Jenny McCarthy, Tina Turner, Jerry Sienfield, Cameron Diaz, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jon Bon Jovi, Danny Glover, Uma Thurman, Diane Keaton, Meg Ryan, Candice Bergen, Barbara Streisand, Jeff Bridges, Jamie Lee Curtis, Camille Belle, Gisele Bundchen, Jennifer Lopez, Oprah, Trish Stratus, Melissa Joan Heart, Angelina Jolie, Ricky Martin, Meg Ryan, Nicole Sherzinger and many more.

So every time you take out your yoga and spend time doing your asana (yoga pose) practice with hopes to improve your mind and body, know that you are in good company! Many of the most awe inspiring celebrities are sharing your love for Yoga! Om Shanti~

Pictures: Christy Turlington, Gisele Bundchen, Jennifer Ansiton, Trish Stratus, Sting & Trudie Styler, Russell Simmons, Nicole Sherzinger, and Madonna