by Kara-Leah Grant In the novel I have just finished reading (and highly recommend) - People of the Weeping Eye by W. Michael Gear and Kathleen O'Neal Gear, one of the main characters is a "Contrary". She goes by the name of Two Petals, and ever since her mother died, has had trouble staying grounded in reality. She hears voices, sees visions, and is overwhelmed in crowds because she connects with every single person's soul. What makes Two Petals a Contrary is that everything is also … [Read more...]
Archives for October 2008
How a yoga practice can manage Multiple Sclerosis – Hillary Rubin’s story
Meet Hillary Rubin. That's her there, practicing yoga. She's was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1996, and decided that it was the perfect opportunity to transform her life from the inside out. Over the last twelve years she's used a combination of yoga, meditation, and lifestyle to manage her MS. "I believe that our challenges are our greatest gifts," is Hillary's mantra. "When we embrace what we wish we could get rid of then we heal on a deeper level." She goes on to say … [Read more...]
The wise do not waste time on meditation
Do not think that because you take an hour a day to sit and meditate that you have arrived. You have not arrived. Because when you get up off your mat All full of pride That you can stop your thoughts and focus your attention for an hour YOU Have not arrived The wise man does not meditate … [Read more...]
On moving toward a world with no moral codes, rules or regulations
There is no authority that exists, or need exist externally from our Selves. We need no moral code. We need no rules. We need no regulations. All we need is be completely honest with ourselves (conscious!) and understand the implications of our actions. All we need is to understand and know that we are a part of the Whole, and anything we do to another we do to ourselves because we are all One. … [Read more...]
Ten reasons to start practicing Yoga today
by Kara-Leah Grant, Musings from the Mat This is a follow-on to my last article, What is this yoga stuff all about? In that article, I put forward the concept that yoga is the realisation of the Self as God. It is the Union of Self with the Divine - understanding of course that when One becomes a Part of something, one IS something. That is - We are a Part of the Divine, one small drop of water in the larger Ocean of God. And you thought you were just going to an exercise … [Read more...]
What is this yoga stuff all about?
Yoga. It's not about twisting yourself into a pretzel - although many who practice yoga can manipulate their bodies in incredible ways. It's not about going to classes and learning how to do this posture, or that breathing technique - although practicing asana and pranayama is part of yoga. It's not about chanting, or meditating every single day no matter what because that's your sadhana - although establishing a sadhana ( a daily spiritual practice) is also a part of yoga. So what is yoga? … [Read more...]
How to start a home yoga practice
The only way to connect with your internal guide, that yoga teacher that lives inside of you and can't wait to get out, is to start a home yoga practice. And no matter what your level of yoga experience. No matter what you know or think you don't know. Starting a home yoga practice is simple. You just do it... … [Read more...]
What yoga can teach us about opening to the flow of life
One of the reasons I absolutely love teaching yoga is that I learn so much from the experience. My students are as much my teachers as I are them. I am sure this two way flow is common to many other teacher/student relationships, and also professional/client relationships as well. Take a moment to think about your interactions - whether it's teaching yoga or something else - how do you learn from the experience (and feel free to share your insights in the comments below!)? One of the … [Read more...]
Mastery of Meditation, Enlightenment & Kundalini Yoga Blog
If you're working on a home practice, one fantastic, free, online resource is Anmol Mehta's blog, Devoted to the Mastery of Meditation, Enlightenment and Kundalini Yoga. His depth of knowledge on these subjects and his generousity in offering free online detailed courses with feedback have turned me on to a regular meditation and pranayama practice. Under his online guidance, I feel confident in knowing that I am doing it right. … [Read more...]
How yoga will give you a body you LOVE
by Kara-Leah Grant, Common wisdom holds that if you are unhappy about your body, the only recourse is to lose weight via exercise, or dieting, or pills, or some combination of all three. But there is another way. It doesn't involve starving yourself, forcing yourself into an activity you hate or risking your health with dodgy chemicals. Instead of focusing on changing the external - i.e. your body - focus on changing the internal, i.e. your PERCEPTION of your body. Stop the hating and the … [Read more...]