Welcome to the Living Practice
- September 2001
Yoga Is
About Balance in Relationships by Sam
Dworkis
Website
Review by Dr. Kev
For metta prayers
Yoga ...
Why Everyone Should Try It by Susi Engl
Discover a Powerful Mind-detox Technique
and Bring That "Spark" Into Your Life by Arun Goel
Introducing
Awareness to Your Toddlers by Megan Lurie McCarver
A Yoga Story by Jacintha
Slippery Or Dirty Mat? by Jillian Pransky
A Note
From Yogaeverywhere
Yoga eVents
Past Issues of the Living Practice
Hi
There Lovely Readers,
Creating
and managing Yogaeverywhere and her eNewsletter, the Living Practice, is an
honor and pleasure in my life. No matter how far away, the online experience is
instant (often instinct!) communication. Sometimes emotional and past history
often colors the instant communication. Especially
communicating through email where there is no eye contact, physical contact, no
body ques or tones of voice. My practice being on line with the “yoga”
community, has been to peel away the surface emotions and distractions for the
purpose to communicate the teachings or gifts of the heart. My interactions
with you have been very interesting, very fulfilling and even touching. You to
me, are a pure sample of human kindness. I really admire what we have created
and hope you share my experience too.
Always in respect to nature’s
grace (even on the web), there is space for growth and change. I want to invite
you to join in and share the honor and delight. Please, if you have any
feedback, suggestions, comments and direction for Yogaeverywhere or the Living
Practice, click it my way.
Much love and appreciation to
you,
Megan
Yoga Is
About Balance in Relationships by Sam Dworkis
An appropriate yoga practice teaches us to take control of our body by
paying attention to yoga’s subtle messages. By acting without aggression;
flexibility, strength and endurance improves as our body moves toward physical
balance. And in so doing, we also move toward emotional balance.
Likewise, success and joy in relationships comes not through force,
manipulation, or aggression, but from the sheer delight of paying attention to
our partner, friend, child or parent, and by enjoying their very perfection.
Just as with yoga, we can still guide and direct our relationships, but we need
not manipulate nor force them.
As our body becomes increasingly balanced, we learn to pay
attention to the subtle details of our yoga and as we learn to appreciate its
perfection, we learn to pay attention to the “perfection” of others, and the
subtle ways we affect our relationships. A healthy relationship therefore, is
just like yoga. It is all about balance and paying attention to detail. It is
not about forcing.
Sam Dworkis is author of ExTension (Simon & Schuster 1994) and Recovery
Yoga (Random House 1998). He instructs individuals and small groups in
Wellington, Florida, conducts yoga trainings nationwide, and may be reached
through his educational website, www.extensionyoga.com.
Yoga ... Why Everyone Should Try It by
Susi Engl
The responses I get when I talk to people and ask them what they know about
Yoga are amazing. There are many people who think that Yoga is just some
chanting, humming meditation where you go into a different state of mind. Some
people say it is simply a boring stretch-and-relax class; others call it the
"napping" class. And, yet, other people think that you make pretzels
out of yourself. Many believe they are not flexible enough to do it. Not!
You've got to try it first.
It
does not matter what level of fitness you have or how flexible you are. Yoga is
none of the above, yet it is all! Yes, it is a life style and all you really
need is to be open minded enough to try something that may actually be very
beneficial to you. Yoga is for everyone, every level, age, sex and even those
with restrictions ranging from pregnancy to injuries and even rehabilitation. I
have invited many people (students from my classes and even friends) who were
completely opposed to Yoga to at least try one class. Just one. If you don't
like it, that's fine: at least you tried.
One
of the first things you'll learn is proper breathing. Believe it or not, most
of us breathe incorrectly. We deprive ourselves by not taking a full breath
using the full capacity of our lungs. Just look at a newborn baby. When they
breathe you can see how their belly moves up and down. Is your belly moving up
and down? Or are you breathing up into the chest not moving the lower abdomen
at all? Most people are so stressed; they forget how to breathe right. Just try
it. Start by sitting up straight, then put your right hand on your lower
abdomen and breathe in. Your belly should fill out
against your hand -- and when you breathe out, your belly
should soften.
Yoga
increases your balance, too. Think you have good balance? Stand up straight,
both feet flat down, hip-width apart, now close your eyes. Got it? Lift one
foot off the floor and balance on one leg with your eyes closed. Now try the
other. It's easier said than done. Yoga will increase balance as well as
strengthen and tone your body, simply by using your own body weight as
resistance. And it will help you to be more flexible. Many back and posture
problems can develop due to a lack of flexibility in your back and hamstrings.
Most stress and tension is up in your neck and shoulders. Most of all, Yoga
will help you calm down and handle things that used to stress you out, making
life much easier.
There
are many places in town that offer Yoga, including Yoga studios, with many
classes and styles. You can also find Yoga at most health clubs in town,
offering a variety of styles as well. The difference is time limit (most clubs
have 60-minute classes which end up being more like 53 minutes) and the format
will be modified to accompany all levels. Classes finish with a few minutes of
relaxation. So, when was the last time you sat or lied down, closed your eyes
and did nothing but focus on your breathing and maybe did a little meditation
about being away from home for a while to relax? I bet most of you say "I
don't know" and many will say "never," right? Many of my
students come for that very reason to my class -- just to get their time away
from work, family, problems and everyday life. All they want is a few minutes
for them. How about you?
Originally from Munich Germany, Susi has been practicing and teaching Hatha
Yoga and GroupX for 21 years. She has a dancing background, a lot of different
certifications and a love to teach. Susi teaches everything from dance (jazz,
tap, ballet) to Kickboxing to Yoga.
Discover a
Powerful Mind-detox Technique and Bring That "Spark" Into Your Life
by Arun Goel
In this issue, I'm going to tell you of a power-breathing method that is
proven to help overcome blues, negativity, stress, depression - all, in a
minute!!
Almost ALL mind-body schools and cults have used this single
mind-detoxification technique in some form or the other - with dramatic
results!! More importantly, it is the ONLY technique used exclusively for mind
purification among all the Yoga cleansing routines.
It is called cleansing breath or "kapalbhati" in Sanskrit.
So we all know that "Laughter is the best medicine". But do you
really know why??
No points for guessing - because, it works exactly the same way as this
cleansing breath technique.
Kapalbhati has a remarkable effect as a de-stressing tool and clearing the mind
of negative emotions. In fact, the Sanskrit word "Kapal" means the
skull and 'bhati" means polishing /
shining. "Kapalbhati", as the name suggests, is a method to make the
head "sparkling clean" and devoid of toxins.
Before I plunge in to explain the method, the usual important alert on
"who should not do it?"
If you're suffering from cardiac problems, nasal obstructions, cold any severe
respiratory infection, it is advisable to consult your physician. It should
also be avoided if you suffer from
High BP, diabetes or abdominal ulcers.
How to do it?
Sit in a comfortable position with spine erect. You can sit either cross-legged
or in "vajrasana" or in any position that you feel comfortable.
Breathe normally for about a minute. Once
composed, you can begin. First, Exercise the diaphragm by exhaling suddenly and
quickly
through both nostrils, producing a "puffing" sound. Don't focus on
inhalation. It will be automatic and passive.
The air is exhaled completely from the lungs with a sudden, vigorous stroke
while simultaneously drawing inwards the abdominal muscles. The breath should
be expelled fully.
Inhaling is automatic - the abdominal muscles will relax automatically.
This exercise should be done in three rounds, each consisting of 11 strokes
(for the beginner). Each round should take about a minute. A little rest can be
taken in between the rounds as
convenient. Throughout the exercise, the chest should be kept still without
expansion or contraction. Only the diaphragm is used for breathing and not the
upper chest.
Over a month, the number of strokes per minute can be gradually increased
from11 to about 30.
Wondering what this amazingly simple method can do for you?
Read on.
The heat generated has POWERFUL effects on the respiratory system as it
purifies the nasal passage and the lungs. Even in cases of asthma, it removes
spasm in bronchial tubes.
Kapalbhati works wonders on the mind - you will feel totally de-stressed and
should experience a unique calmness with this process. The mind becomes
remarkably clear. Regular practice will lead you to higher levels of awareness.
The physical benefits include a tremendous stimulation of the digestive organs
and the circulatory system. This technique increases exchange of gases in the
lungs manifold. There is
large-scale elimination of Carbon dioxide and a huge absorption of oxygen.
Do this technique regularly (once or twice a day) and you’ll be truly amazed at
the results of this purification method. It is really one of the ONLY methods
to clear the mind of toxins and negative emotions.
And please don't forget to send in your feedback. It's always great to know
when you're benefiting.
Yours truly,
Arun Goel
http://www.healthandyoga.com
PS: For maximum benefits, do the practice regularly, twice a day.
PPS: This technique should be done on an empty stomach or at
least 2 hours after eating.
Arun Goel is the founder of "Health and Yoga", a popular website that
helps you find natural solutions for complete health and detoxification. http://www.healthandyoga.com.
Discover health and beauty … Naturally!!
© 2001 Health and Yoga
Introducing Awareness to Your Toddlers by Megan Lurie McCarver
Awareness is such a sacred practice.
Bringing ceremony and ritual into your family illuminates communication when
practiced by choice from a place of loving kindness and mercy. Every night, my
two and an half year old daughter and I lie in bed preparing for bedtime.
Graduating from “Good Night Moon”, side by side, we first review the highlights
of the day with no judgments, no shoulds, woulds, or coulds. Then I bless her
and thank God for the day. Lastly we say good night to each part of our body.
Try it with your toddler. It goes like
this, relax toes, night night toes. Relax feet, night night feet. Relax legs,
night night legs. … … Relax butt, night night butt … Relax back, night night
back … Relax shoulders, night night shoulders … Relax tushie, night night
tushie … Relax belly, night night belly … Relax chest, night night chest …
Relax fingers and thumbs, night night fingers and thumbs … Relax wrists, elbows
and arms, night night wrist, elbows and arms… Relax neck, night night neck …
Relax hair and head, night night hair and head… Relax forehead, eyebrows and
eyes, night night forehead, eyebrows and eyes … Relax nose, cheeks and mouth,
night night nose cheeks and mouth … relax chin jaw and ears, night night chin,
jaw and ears … Relax entire body, night night entire body.
By the time I get to Rose’s head,
she usually is resting in to sleep and often, so am I! At that point I give her
a kiss and God bless her through the night and into tomorrow. Lastly I thank
God that I have the privilege to share body awareness to my child. Oh, how
awareness during sleep
is so sweet!
Megan is the founder of yogaeverywhereywhere.com. She teaches several classes per week and is available to teach yoga for corporate seminars, conventions and private instruction. Her specialty is introducing people to the yoga community in a gentle and kind fashion.
A Yoga Story by Jacintha
I wanted to tell
you that I went to an all day yoga workshop with an instructor named Lynn
McGowan on Sunday. She’s actually the only qualified instructor in Barbados, I
think. Other people run classes but haven’t done any courses or anything.
Anyway, it was an amazing day.
We didn’t just do yoga postures; we did a lot of relaxation
and meditation, which is actually harder than the exercises. We talked about
eating habits. We also did some hiking.
You know you can
live in a country all your life and not realize how beautiful it is. At the top
of the hill you could see the ocean and the coast from every direction. And we
did some balancing postures when we got to the top. And I met some really
interesting people and it was great to talk to them and share experiences. In all
it was a great experience and I think I would definitely do that again. I
learned a lot.
Jacintha is a
student of yoga who lives in Barbados. She started “doing” yoga a few years
ago. Within this last year, she has softened deeper into practice studying
about meditation and the other limbs of yoga beyond postures. Jacintha believes
that life is a journey. “We are here to learn and to help others along the way.
Sometimes it seems like nothing is happening,
but when we look back, we realize how much we have grown.”
Slippery Or
Dirty Mat? by Jillian Pransky
Your mat may be a bit slippery when you buy it. It will perform best after its
been broken in or, you can scrub it with equal parts vinegar and warm water
then put it in the dryer for 5-10 minutes to add friction. For cleaning do the
same. Make sure you use a front-loading machine (avoid a top loading machine as
mats become wedged in the center post). You can use liquid
detergent. Put in dryer for 5-15 minutes or drip dry.
Jillian Pransky is a Senior Yoga Zone teacher in New York City, Director of the North Hudson YMCA, Yoga Program in Hoboken, New Jersey and on the faculty at the New School University. She runs Yoga Tropical Vacations and retreats, which includes an annual trip to Mexico in March. Please visit her at www.YOGAJILLIAN.COM and her free yoga eNewsletter.
15 Minutes to Relaxation
Available for your purchase is the tape that helps soften
anxiety, reduce stress, and aid sleep disorders. This audiocassette is designed
to only take 15 minutes of your once or twice a day. After repetitive daily
use, your mind will naturally begin to respond to the guided relaxation
exercise and the sound of the gong, allowing your body to relax and refresh.
Use this tape as much as needed, but please not while you are driving.