Top Ten Benefits of Meditation and the 30 Day Challenge

Meditation is one of the most beneficial things to practice.  While many people are enjoying their yoga practice, flowing through yoga asana, practicing pranayama, we must realize all this is to prepare the body for Meditation (Dhyana).  This practice yoga asana so we can prepare our physical body for sitting in stilling, one pointed thought which eventually turns into self realization, liberation, and Samadhi.

Can you sit in stillness for 15 minutes?  Have you ever paid attention to the thoughts that arise? Perhaps your body gets numb to sit for long periods?  Well this cessation of the mind is the ultimate goal of the Yoga Practice, therefore practicing this Meditation Daily is extremely beneficial.  The more you practice meditation, the easier it becomes.

Join me in this 15 minute a day meditation challenge for 30 days.  Some of you may say you don't have 15 minutes, so begin with 5 minutes.  Set aside this magical time in your day, Sit in stillness, concentrate on your breath and enjoy.  If thoughts arise, it is good to investigate.  Whatever thoughts arise, there are deeper residual issues behind whatever thoughts/mental pictures may pop up.  This is your time to heal.  While Yoga Asana can be considered a Moving Meditation, japa mala, guided audio, nada yoga, yoga nidra, tratak, Bija Mantra, Chakra Awareness, SO-HUM, and many other things are forms of meditation practice, for this challenge stillness is the main requirement.  You may want to go outside and connect with nature, or perhaps on your favorite meditation cushion. While there are so many benefits of yoga, here is a short list of 10 benefits.

The Top Ten Benefits of Meditation:

1. Reduce Stress
2. Lower Blood Pressure
3. Improved Sleep
4. Reduce Back Pain
5. Improve Memory
6. Strengthen Immune System
7. Improve Creativity
8. Lose Weight
9. Increase JOY
10. Increase Confidence

How Ohashi Method™/Ohashiatsu® brings the Healing Touch for Yogis

While many Yogis worldwide embrace an holistic approach to health and wellness, utilizing Ayurveda, massage, reiki, crystals and other modalities, the Ohashi Method/Ohashiatsu is especially effective to combine with Yoga practice. Developed by Ohashi Sensei over 40 years of teaching and practice, his method combines stretching muscles and meridians together as part of a treatment. These meridians or energy lines are similar to the Nadi lines spoken of in Yoga, which we want to keep energized for well-being and health. 

For many people who practice yoga, their precious tools may include their yoga mat, a copy of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and perhaps the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. I would also recommend this latest DVD as a valuable tool because it combines two modalities in an easy to adapt-format, for both private students and group class situations. It also provides an excellent introduction to Ohashiatsu® for those Yogis eager to explore this beautiful modality of holistic bodywork, and a great visual as to how they could possibly combine it with the Yoga Practice. 

Learning various stretches and pressure points will help sedate muscles, and allow the flow of prana. While I am grateful to have completed and graduated the Ohashiatsu Program, I realize some people may want something they can use with private yoga students, or even themselves. The best investment would be the newest Ohashi Method™ DVD that takes Yoga students and teachers on a journey through basic stretches that relate to meridians in the body.

Happy 74th Birthday Sri Dharma Mittra!

Wishing a Happy 74th Birthday to Sri Dharma Mittra! 

The teacher who continues to inspire hearts everywhere to deepen their yoga practice.  I am sure that Dharma Yoga West was buzzing with Yogis.  I recall a few times we celebrated Dharma ji's birthday and it was always beautiful with some Vegan Treats!  Thank you Dharma ji for being such a jewel for the Yoga Community. 

Wishing you tremendous blessings on this beautiful day!

Bhagavad Gita on BEING TRUE to YOU

 

 कर्मेन्द्रियाणि संयम्य य आस्ते मनसा स्मरन् |
इन्द्रियार्थान्विमूढात्मा मिथ्याचारः स उच्यते || ३ ६ ||

 

 

 

karmendriyaani sanyamya ya aaste manasaa smaran.h .

indriyaarthaanvimuudhaatmaa mithyaachaarah sa uchyate

Bhagavad Gita 3:6

TRANSLATION: One who restrains the senses of action but whose mind dwells on sense objects certainly deludes himself and is called a pretender.

This Gita verse calls us to be honest with ourselves, whether in our yoga practice or in our life.  The secret to doing this is to refrain from passing judgement.

After spending many years of teaching Yoga for adults, kids, pre/post natal women, in groups, private classes, and Yoga Teacher Training, the biggest thing I have learned is Yoga resonates with each individual according to how receptive they are, and I myself as a teacher am always learning.  This verse points out the importance of being true to yourself.  Embrace where you are on and off the mat, and be exactly what you desire.  Rather than being guided by desires or passion, live them. The reality is regardless of our spirituality, we all encounter challenges.  Rather than pretend struggles do not exist, we can always be true to our present moment (on and off the yoga mat), knowing that we are on a journey. 

Evaluate your current circumstance/yoga practice and ask yourself where are you pretending?  Where are you passing judgement?  Create a plan of change and take action. ~ Namaste

Finding Peace in Moksha Hot Yoga

This morning I decided to take a break from my morning practice and try a new class.  While my morning practice is usually something along the lines of Ashtanga, Sri Dharma Mittra Shiva Namaskar flow, or just whatever I feel like my body is feeling like flowing through, I did something new today.  I did HOT YOGA at Moksha. Moksha in sansrkit means liberation.

Moksha is the new chain of Yoga studios that is sweeping across Ontario Canada.  Similar to the concept of Bikram, in that the rooms are heated and students are invited to go through a set series of postures.  Hot yoga is very beneficial for people in Kapha Ayurveda Constitution.  The heat helps to warm the joints and muscles.  The added steaminess to the room is said to create more sweat and result in a better detox experience.

I had apprehension due to my previous experience with a Bikram class.  Due to my ayurveda constitution being Pitta, I generally do not need extra heat.  I wanted to try anyways.  I get to class and like always make no mention that I am a Yoga Teacher, filling out the forms, and setting myself up.  The friendly receptionist was actually the teacher for the 6:30 am class.  Her name was Serena and she lead us through class with a lovely fairy like voice through the Moksha 60 Flow.  I loved that she invites students to go at their own pace, take childs pose whenever necessary, and she provided very clear verbal cues.  I thought the heat would be a challenge, and I surprised myself, only taking childs pose's that she would cue, and actually enjoying the steamy room.  It reminded me of the heat in India when I practice in there.  She mentioned that the 6:30 am class is not always as hot as the other classes throughout the day.  I was also amazed and happy to see that the class was full, nearly 25 or 30 people for a 6:30am HOT YOGA class.  They have a 30 day challenge for spring currently and it was also nice to see how many are participating in this Sangha. 

Since Yoga is about quieting the mind, and deflating the ego or "I AM" consciousness, I always encourage Yoga practitioners (students and teachers) to step outside of their comfort zone, their favorite teacher, or style of yoga, to challenge their compassion/humilty, and ability to truly be a student to the practice of Yoga.  While some pose names may be called different, while some yoga classes may be asana based with very little reference to the philosophy of Yoga, while no Western Yogi is living in a cave in the Himilayas or a renunciate, I feel like it is important to have an open mind and enjoy the practice.  Any judgements or frustrations that arise during a yoga class should be investigated deeper, because often times it is reflecting a deeper situation that needs to be explored and understood for our individual liberation.  I really enjoyed this class and very happy I attended.  Thank you Serena and Moksha for a wonderful experience.

Oil Pulling: Ancient & Simple way to Improve Health

The amazing popularity Yoga is getting worldwide is also bringing awareness of ancient approaches to health and wellness from the sister science of Ayurveda.  While this system of science dates back thousands of years with the intent of cleansing the body of toxins, and creating a healthy balanced overall system , it often times can be dismissed as primitive.  While I encourage people to educate themselves sufficiently before embarking on home remedies/new minimally tested remedies, and even home yoga practice, I also love to share my own experiences. 

In the science of Ayurveda, people are encouraged to evaluate their entire mind-body-spirit to discover their prarkruti (Ayurveda constitution).  This understanding better establishes dietary guidelines, exercise, pranayama, and herbal treatments.  A common Ayurveda start to the day is warm water with lemon.  This article is going to highlight another common Ayurveda treatment called Oil Pulling.

Oil Pulling is said to shown improvement in the overall health of gums and teeth by reducing bacteria.  The technique involves swishing around one tablespoon of oil (Sesame or coconut) around in the mouth through the teeth for about twenty minutes.  Keep swirling it around your mouth, breathing through your nose, perhaps listening to music or humming.  The oil attracts pathogens and because of this individuals must spit out the oil, and never swallow it.  Spit it into the trash, outside or toilet so that the oil does not clog your sink.  When the oral condition of our gums and teeth are at risk, it affects our entire body. Many people who practice oil pulling claim the beautiful radiance it provides to their skin.  Two benefits I have witnessed specifically in my students was those who suffered with sinus issues, and weak gums.

Some Ayurveda Doctors and Western Medicine M.D's promote Oil Pulling and agree that it has a host of benefits in helping with illness and chronic conditions like asthma, gum disease, bronchitis, allergies, menopause, acne, sinusitis, eczema, dermatitis, and much more.

Yoga Nidra Studio in Brooklyn

I feel blessed to be part of the journey of some incredible Yogis.  To witness their personal transformation, and watch them sharing this practice and helping themselves and others is beyond gratifying.  A few years back, a lovely young lady and yoga student named Stephanie embarked on Yoga Teacher Training with me.  When you meet her you fall in love with the New York accent, the straight forward talk, the hilarious wit, charm and genuine kindness.  Beyond this reality was another reality of a storm that many people face, grief, in her case it was the death of her beloved Fiance.  For many people, grief finds its healing through Yoga.  For Stephanie, her beloved fiance suffered with depression & took his own life.

To be part of this inspirational young ladies journey as she enrolled in Yoga Teacher Training with me is something I will forever be grateful for.  The first day of that Teacher Training, she shared that she was doing the course so she could find healing.  I knew what she was dealing with but chose to not draw attention to her reality and stick to the task of hers and everyone's Teacher Training experience.  While some of her fellow Yogis lightheartedly found me to be "the Pusher" which I admit to bring the challenge, Stephanie was receptive to every experience.  While I am aware you can do Yoga Teacher Training anywhere and get a certificate, my goal is to bring a healing experience that challenges you mind-body-spirit, so that you can grow, and go on to help others with a compassionate and humble heart.  No Mud, No Lotus.

In my view, Stephanie was an inspiration to her fellow yogis.  She had an emotional challenge that not to many people face.  She courageously would travel to the Bronx from Brooklyn, knowing each time she would pass the train stop where her beloved breathed his last breath.  She would participate in every asana class, every workshop that challenged her physically, emotionally, and mentally and came out victorious.  At her Yoga TT graduation, Stephanie shared her story with the group, and how she wanted to heal so she could help her parents see she is taking steps to triumph above her grief, she had the entire room erupt in tearful applause.  She experienced the healing power of Yoga and has now gone on to open her own Yoga Studio in Brooklyn, where she will give back and inspire many.  With the sole goal to give back to the community, to spread compassion and awareness that Yoga is bigger than a physical exercise, I am so proud to have this connection with this young lady.  I am grateful to have her as a student and friend.  The thing I love about her is she does not try to pretend or become the Yoga Cliche of Yogis, she remains true to being a NYC Mets Fan, walking for the Suicide Awareness Annual March, maintaining her loyalty as a Met Clubber to her favorite band Metallica, and sipping her Starbucks concoctions all the while quoting the Yoga Sutras to inspire people to be more compassionate to all living beings.

I know the Brooklyn Dyker Heights community will be booming with Yoga Mats in no time.  People will be grateful to have this straight talking Yogini teach them how to find healing with Yoga, especially because she is living proof of the healing benefits.

You can find this beautiful Yogi Stephanie at her Studio YOGA NIDRA.  She will be opening this Saturday May 11th: 9am vinyasa, 11am yoga nidra, 1pm vinyasa, 3pm yoga nidra! 

Find her on Facebook to get her updates and in lieu of Mothers Day feel free to bring your Mom to class this Saturday and Sunday, and she gets the class for half off!
 
Yoga Nidra Studio is located at 7217 13th Ave. in Dyker Heights.
While this New Moon and Taurus Solar Eclipse weekend marks the official opening of classes at Yoga Nidra, there will also be a GRAND OPENING BASH on June 1st and Stephanie will be hosting the 200Hr Yoga Teacher Training program this August for all those interested in a life changing experience. ~ Om Shanti