Is your heart closed, or open? Do you feel yourself as a separate entity, or do you feel yourself to be a part of a whole? Do you see other people in a judgmental, critical way... or do you see them through eyes of love and compassion? If your heart is closed... are you ready to open up to a new way of being? … [Read more...]
Search Results for: spiritual
Why adding Pranayama to your yoga practice is so powerful
One of the most common reasons I hear for why people don't do yoga is that they're "not flexible enough". Aside from the fact that this is exactly why they would get so much out of yoga, I find myself wanting to scream from the rooftops: practicing yoga does not require you to be flexible! When I went to my first class my body was so tight that just to sit on the floor with a straight spine and straight legs, I had to perch up something like four blankets! … [Read more...]
How practicing yoga builds internal strength for day to day living
Finding something to passionately believe in is indeed daunting, but immensely rewarding. Discover who you are to discover what you passionately believe in. By guest author Seka Ojdrovic I was given an amazing Christmas gift this year. My aunt had taken it on herself to translate from Serbian to English a story written by my grandfather about an experience of his during World War 2. He and his fellow patriots were told that they would be taken from former Yugoslavia … [Read more...]
Day 32 to 35: Forty Day Sadhana of Sodarshan Chakra Kriya
It happened on Thursday. It was the end of the week, as here in New Zealand we celebrate Waitangi Day on February 6th which was Friday last week. I finished work and met my partner at his workplace to catch a ride up to his boss's house to get our car. His boss lives on top of a hill with panoramic views of Wellington, and he invited us in for a drink on the patio. A couple of wines and some conversation later, it was back to our house for a much needed meal. And then, pleasantly … [Read more...]
Day 8 to 14: Forty Day Sadhana of Sodarshan Chakra Kriya
Missed the beginning of this series? Catch up here: Committing to a Forty Day Sadhana of Sodarshan Chakra Kriya Day 1 to 7: Forty Day Sadhana of Sodarshan Chakra Kriya There have been so many "ah-ha!" moments this week, brought about by a combination of this sadhana, but also an amazing book I am reading called Yoga and the Quest for the True Self, by Stephen Cope. Regular practice of yoga transforms us form the inside out - psyche and all. It's a process I've largely done by myself, … [Read more...]
Committing to a Forty Day Sadhana of Sodarshan Chakra Kriya
As an avid reader of Steve Pavlina's blog, Personal Development for Smart People, I have long admired his tenacity in determining a course of action and sticking to it. He is the champion of the thirty day trial - a process whereby he'll try something out for thirty days to see how it impacts his life. After thirty days, the practice is sufficiently ingrained into his day so that if the results have been beneficial, it is simple to carry on. It's a great way to make a lifetime commitment to … [Read more...]
Because you want to make a million and meditate on it too
Every now and then, you read a book that stops you in your tracks. It blasts through your mind and fires up your heart. It makes you leap out of your seat and want to run around yelling the message from the top of your lungs. These are the best books - books that speak to my heart, reminding me of all I already know. The kind of books that I read and I feel like I'm not just reading the messages contained within, but that I'm remembering them. The first is The Diamond Cutter, about … [Read more...]
What Can Yoga Do For Me Physically, Mentally and Emotionally?
by Kara-Leah, Yoga is the science of life. It is thousands of years old, and with regular practice, yoga can bring you back into balance physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. What does this mean? It means that no matter what issue you are dealing with in your life, yoga can help you manage it. And increasingly around the world, the scientific and medical world is doing the research to back this up. Spend some time digging around on the 'net, and you'll uncover more and more … [Read more...]
An interview with Hillary Rubin – coming to terms with Multiple Sclerosis
Part of the reason for this website is to gather stories and inspiration of the way that yoga has helped people to manage or heal health issues. My hope is that by sharing these stories and increasing our awareness and knowledge of the power of yoga, more people will be inspired to turn to yoga in times of trouble. Our world currently works on a scientific model - our rational minds want to know that something will work before we commit to a change. By gathering stories from people who's lives … [Read more...]
How practicing yoga can pierce the veil of Maya
by Kara-Leah, Maya is a Hindu, or Vedic concept - the word refers to the illusion of physical and mental reality that we operate under. Piercing the veil refers to seeing or perceiving past this illusion to glimpse the transcendent truth. It means waking up, becoming enlightened, becoming conscious. So what does this have to do with us in our every day lives and how can we use it? We all live our lives with the expectation that the reality we perceive and experience is True. Yet this reality … [Read more...]