Life exists in our breath

We live in a world that is constantly moving, where our time is bombarded with so many obligations, distractions, memories, joy, pain, escapes, fantasy that at times we forget to come back to stillness.  Yet, stillness is one of the most natural things for us to be.  The constant marketing tactics of magazines, internet, and corporations, with subtitles of promises and illusions, are all just a distraction from the real title which is YOU.

"The sun and moon create time in the form of day 

and night. Sushumna (the central passage along

the spine) is the consumer of time, this is the revealed secret. "

- Hatha Yoga Pradipika 4.17

Many people look to meditation for freedom from these external and internal distractions.  We must accept that any external distraction is one that we internally allowed.  In meditation, we do not need to limit our focus, rather expand our focus to the greater picture that exists in our breath.  Our breath is the most basic function of our daily life.  Have we ever focused on it during yoga asana, while we are preparing a meal, while we are enjoying a beautiful view of nature?  If yes, we understand the bigger picture, and we truly experience time as it is meant to be experienced, we become truly connected.   This experience of becoming one with our breath, allows freedom to take place.  Now we can ask ourselves have we ever become focused on our breath during an argument, during a passionate exchange, during a time in our life when the person we trusted abuses that trust?  This times may be more challenging to focus on our breath, however, if we do we experience the reality of freedom in a magical way. No longer are we limited in our beliefs, no longer do we cling to vicious patterns of behavior, no longer do we feel this awful concept of separateness, instead we become one with our Universe.

"Those who aspire to the state of yoga should seek the Self in inner solitude through meditation" ~ Bhagavad Gita

There will always be moments when we think, analyze, or evaluate an experience or perhaps we just enjoy the natural flow of just being present.  When we allow ourselves to be present, there is no distinct between yesterday and tomorrow, no need to compare, no need to digress, and instead we are one with our reality.  Becoming one with our reality with acceptance is the true essence of meditation.

"I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live" ~ Ezekiel 37:5

In our meditation practice, lets look to become one with our breath.  In Hinduism, breath or prana is life force energy.  For Christians breath is life (Ezekiel 37:5, John 20:22, Genesis 2:7).  If we live our life in a panic state, always short of breath, or holding our breath when stress arises, we are living a limited life.  Despite common views on meditation that we need to clear our mind, instead we need to fill our mind, expand our mind with attention on our breath.

"He breathed on them and said 'receive the Holy Spirit'" ~ John 20:22

Many health care experts like Dr. Oz recommend patients to practice meditation, which is an ancient practice.  Amazing Gurus like Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Baba Ramdev invite yoga aspirants to experience liberation through Yoga Kriyas and Pranayama.  Scientists like Dr. Gerson who realized the power of healing disease through juicing, for the purpose of providing more oxygenation to the body, cells and blood by the use of prana rich food sources.  


"And the Lord formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living soul" ~ Genesis 2:7

Discover the secret to living a full life, free of limitations and take some time to breathe deep. ~ Om Shanti

I Meditate NY

Last Sunday, I decided to participate in "I Meditate NY". Years ago, when I was teaching, I came across a person (Sanjay) who had such a lovely glow on his face. Since I knew Sanjay's job required him to travel back and forth from NYC to Mumbai India, I knew he obviously had a stressful job. Since he knew I was a yoga instructor he told me that I should take the course that he took, called, The Art of Living with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. I quickly investigated and found that Sri Sri Ravi Shankar is world famous and teaches meditation, Yoga Kriyas specifically Pranayama, and this practice changes peoples lives. Sanjay told me how the course changed his life and he no longer feels stressed. I knew I wanted that glow. This year, I had the chance to participate in the "I MEDITATE NY" course led by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at the Lincoln Centre. Close to 3,000 people participated in the event. With beautiful Kirtan, and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar leading in simple pranayama and meditation, the event was so brilliant. I was so thankful I could get someone to cover my evening yoga class, so that I could attend this event. Although I was really tired from a packed week of teaching yoga classes, lack of sleep due to two nights of an allergic reaction from a bug bite scare from a building that I taught in (thank God I did not bring those gross bugs home with me), I knew I wanted and needed to go to the event. During the event, I was tremendously uncomfortable because my tummy hurt, so I was bloated, and I felt like my jeans were cutting the circulation, I guess that is what it feels like when you go from wearing yoga pants all the time, to wearing jeans. Along with that, my vibrating phone distracted me to notice that the teacher who was subbing my evening yoga class could not find the studio. I quickly unbuttoned my jeans, turned off my phone after texting my friend where the exact location was, and let go of all distractions. I really felt a little better during the event. After attending this event, I decided I want to take the actual Art of Living course....so sometime this year I am taking the course, and I am going to have a glow that only pranayama can bring. Many people think meditation is sitting in lotus pose, or deep concentration, when actually it is the opposite. Meditation is empty thoughts, nothingness, complete surrender, doing nothing, being nothing and wanting nothing while being at peace with that. Pranayama is a practice that all people should embrace as it heals the mind, body and spirit. Breath brings oxygen to the blood, and therefore oxygenates the body. In the Western world, when people are stressed they shallow breathe, hence, the importance of deep breathing.

Pictured: Ambria Sitting in Lotus outside Lincoln Center and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar