Yoga
Yoga is so much more than exercises for strength and flexibility. It is part of an ancient way of living that comes from knowledge dating back at least 5,000 years. This system is designed to support the whole self by integrating mind, body, emotions, and spirit. The word yoga actually means to yolk, as in to link and bring together. Yes, yoga is a great way to stay in shape; but, that is just the surface of what can be accomplished with this practice.
There are 8 limbs of yoga. The first two are the philosophy and wisdom of the Yamas (ways to be) and Niyamas (ways not to be). Next is asana, the physical poses which are most associated with yoga in the western world. Pranayama is all about the power of breath. Pratyahara, withdrawal from the senses and detachment from the physical world, is the practice of connecting with our inner being. The last 3 limbs are a bit more esoteric. They more specifically deal with what some may call enlightenment or nirvana. Dharana, concentration, has to do with clearing the mind, letting go of ego, and connecting with the divine. Dhyana, meditation, is a specific meditative state where your whole being is merged into one and you connect with your true self beyond physical form. Lastly, Samadhi, is when you know the unknown and are completely connected to and part of the divine.
You do not have to be on the path to enlightenment to use the tools of yoga. These practices can be very practical and have a place in everyday life.
Here is an example of how I use yoga:
If I am having a particularly anxious day, I do a practice focused on calming, strengthening, and grounding. My practice will involve deep breathing and warrior poses. The warrior poses are grounding and help us to call upon our inner strength. The deep breathing connects us to our parasympathetic nervous system (“rest and digest”). This combination creates a feeling of peace and empowerment.
As a teacher, my job is to facilitate your relationship with your practice. My role is to guide you to the elements of yoga that will help you most on your path.
Benefits of yoga are vast and greatly depend on the type of practice and what your goals are.
In general, yoga may be used to:
Yoga is so much more than exercises for strength and flexibility. It is part of an ancient way of living that comes from knowledge dating back at least 5,000 years. This system is designed to support the whole self by integrating mind, body, emotions, and spirit. The word yoga actually means to yolk, as in to link and bring together. Yes, yoga is a great way to stay in shape; but, that is just the surface of what can be accomplished with this practice.
There are 8 limbs of yoga. The first two are the philosophy and wisdom of the Yamas (ways to be) and Niyamas (ways not to be). Next is asana, the physical poses which are most associated with yoga in the western world. Pranayama is all about the power of breath. Pratyahara, withdrawal from the senses and detachment from the physical world, is the practice of connecting with our inner being. The last 3 limbs are a bit more esoteric. They more specifically deal with what some may call enlightenment or nirvana. Dharana, concentration, has to do with clearing the mind, letting go of ego, and connecting with the divine. Dhyana, meditation, is a specific meditative state where your whole being is merged into one and you connect with your true self beyond physical form. Lastly, Samadhi, is when you know the unknown and are completely connected to and part of the divine.
You do not have to be on the path to enlightenment to use the tools of yoga. These practices can be very practical and have a place in everyday life.
Here is an example of how I use yoga:
If I am having a particularly anxious day, I do a practice focused on calming, strengthening, and grounding. My practice will involve deep breathing and warrior poses. The warrior poses are grounding and help us to call upon our inner strength. The deep breathing connects us to our parasympathetic nervous system (“rest and digest”). This combination creates a feeling of peace and empowerment.
As a teacher, my job is to facilitate your relationship with your practice. My role is to guide you to the elements of yoga that will help you most on your path.
Benefits of yoga are vast and greatly depend on the type of practice and what your goals are.
In general, yoga may be used to:
- Increase strength, flexibility, and balance
- Increase bone density
- Reduce stress, anxiety, and depression
- Aide in digestion
- Balance out the nervous system
- Help with glandular health, including the lymph nodes and adrenal glands
- Help with focus and concentration
- Contribute to over all health and wellness
Yoga Nidra
Swami Satyananda Saraswati developed Yoga Nidra in the late 1960's. It is a combination of an observation he made while working at a boys school and practices he found in tantric scriptures. His duty was to watch over the school on the night shift. He often started dozing off by 3am and would be completely asleep by 6am. Mean while, the boys would begin their day by practicing Vedic Chants. Satyananda realized that he knew chants the he had never practiced or consciously heard. He realized that there is still a level of awareness even when one is asleep. This experience inspired him to look at the tantric scriptures in a new way. He found and began a tantric practice called nyasa. Nyasa involves the combination of mantra and focus of specific points of the body to connect to a higher state of being. Satyananda took the knowledge from these two experiences to create Yoga Nidra.
What is Yoga Nidra, what does it do, and how does it work? Yoga Nidra is often referred to psychic sleep. It is a guided meditation given in savasana (while you are laying on your back). The goal is to get to the state of consciousness between waking and sleeping, the hypnagogic state. In this state, your mind is more open to suggestion and there is a connection with the subconscious. You are guided through 7 phases, connecting you to your surroundings and physical body and then guiding you into, through, and out of the subconscious mind. Although you are not supposed to fall asleep, if you are not well rested it can be inevitable.
At the beginning of the practice you are instructed to set a sankalpa, an intention, or something you wish to create/build within yourself and your life. A sankalpa is made in a positive form in the present tense. For example, instead of "I do not have social anxiety," you would state "I feel peaceful and at ease in social situations." You repeat the sankalpa at the end of the practice. The repetition of the sankalpa plants a seed into your subconscious, helping you to manifest your intention.
Yoga Nidra may be used to:
Swami Satyananda Saraswati developed Yoga Nidra in the late 1960's. It is a combination of an observation he made while working at a boys school and practices he found in tantric scriptures. His duty was to watch over the school on the night shift. He often started dozing off by 3am and would be completely asleep by 6am. Mean while, the boys would begin their day by practicing Vedic Chants. Satyananda realized that he knew chants the he had never practiced or consciously heard. He realized that there is still a level of awareness even when one is asleep. This experience inspired him to look at the tantric scriptures in a new way. He found and began a tantric practice called nyasa. Nyasa involves the combination of mantra and focus of specific points of the body to connect to a higher state of being. Satyananda took the knowledge from these two experiences to create Yoga Nidra.
What is Yoga Nidra, what does it do, and how does it work? Yoga Nidra is often referred to psychic sleep. It is a guided meditation given in savasana (while you are laying on your back). The goal is to get to the state of consciousness between waking and sleeping, the hypnagogic state. In this state, your mind is more open to suggestion and there is a connection with the subconscious. You are guided through 7 phases, connecting you to your surroundings and physical body and then guiding you into, through, and out of the subconscious mind. Although you are not supposed to fall asleep, if you are not well rested it can be inevitable.
At the beginning of the practice you are instructed to set a sankalpa, an intention, or something you wish to create/build within yourself and your life. A sankalpa is made in a positive form in the present tense. For example, instead of "I do not have social anxiety," you would state "I feel peaceful and at ease in social situations." You repeat the sankalpa at the end of the practice. The repetition of the sankalpa plants a seed into your subconscious, helping you to manifest your intention.
Yoga Nidra may be used to:
- Reduce stress, depression, and anxiety
- Create new habits
- Clear the mind
- Improve cognitive function
- Treat chronic pain
- Help with post traumatic stress disorder
- Help you establishing confidence and building a healthy relationship with yourself
- Improve sleep
- Strengthen immunity
Reiki
Reiki as we know it today was rediscovered by Sensei Usui in the early 20th century. Sensei Usui was a Tendai Buddhist Monk who was very interested in learning about healing modalities. In his quest for knowledge, he learned Sanskrit so that he could study Sanskrit Buddhist Sutras. Dismayed that the knowledge in the sutras did not seem to be working, he decided to meditate and fast for 21 days atop Mount Kurama. On the 21st day, when he was about to leave the mountain, he was faced with a light coming towards him. He chose to accept the light and the unknown. The light struck his forehead and he was given the knowledge of Reiki and the healing symbols.
Regardless of your feelings about the origin story, it stands true that deep relaxation and creating space for yourself can help immensely with healing. Reiki helps this healing along by using "life force energy," also called Prana, Qi, Ki, or Chi. Prana is considered an intelligent energy because it travels to the part of the body where it is most needed.
Generally speaking, the body wants to heal itself. Reiki lets the body relax so it can do just that. On a deeper level, the Reiki practitioner is a conduit for universal energy. Using specific hand placements and symbols, the practitioner channels healing energy from the universe into the person receiving the treatment. There are many different sensations that the person receiving Reiki may experience. Some common sensations include a warming sensation, tingling, gentle pulsing, and a deeply relaxed state.
Reiki may be used to:
Reiki as we know it today was rediscovered by Sensei Usui in the early 20th century. Sensei Usui was a Tendai Buddhist Monk who was very interested in learning about healing modalities. In his quest for knowledge, he learned Sanskrit so that he could study Sanskrit Buddhist Sutras. Dismayed that the knowledge in the sutras did not seem to be working, he decided to meditate and fast for 21 days atop Mount Kurama. On the 21st day, when he was about to leave the mountain, he was faced with a light coming towards him. He chose to accept the light and the unknown. The light struck his forehead and he was given the knowledge of Reiki and the healing symbols.
Regardless of your feelings about the origin story, it stands true that deep relaxation and creating space for yourself can help immensely with healing. Reiki helps this healing along by using "life force energy," also called Prana, Qi, Ki, or Chi. Prana is considered an intelligent energy because it travels to the part of the body where it is most needed.
Generally speaking, the body wants to heal itself. Reiki lets the body relax so it can do just that. On a deeper level, the Reiki practitioner is a conduit for universal energy. Using specific hand placements and symbols, the practitioner channels healing energy from the universe into the person receiving the treatment. There are many different sensations that the person receiving Reiki may experience. Some common sensations include a warming sensation, tingling, gentle pulsing, and a deeply relaxed state.
Reiki may be used to:
- Relieve stress, anxiety, and depression
- Ease pain and tension
- Promote feelings of peace, relaxation, and serenity
- Promote healing
- Aide sleep
- Support other healing modalities
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