For most of history humans have squatted to have a bowel movement. In fact, if you watch children still in diapers you will see them squat naturally when they have a bowel movement. Most unfortunately this good, natural behaviour is unlearned with the beginning of potty training around the age of two.

What’s Wrong With Sitting?

While the majority of the world (two thirds of the population) still squats to defecate, the western world with its sitting posture has some of the highest rates of bowel and colon related diseases including:

* Hemorrhoids , occurring in 50% of the population over the age of 50
* Appendicitis , occurring in 7% of the population
* Irritable Bowel Syndrome , affecting 10-20% of the population
* Diverticulosis , affecting half of all Americans age 60 to 80, and almost everyone over age 80
* Colorectal Cancer , over 148,300 new cases and 56,600 deaths expected in 2002 in the US alone
* Bladder Incontinence , 50% or more of elderly persons are incontinent and $16.4 billion is spent every year on incontinence-related care
* Prostate Cancer , over 190,000 new cases and 30,200 deaths each year in the US

What Happens When Sitting?

Hemorrhoids

When seated the anal canal is not straight. It curves quite sharply, the kink designed to maintain continence, and this frequently results in obstructive constipation. Because of the curve when sitting, straining is required to empty the bowels and this can damage the delicate tissues, and cause the veins to become distended. This can result in hemorrhoids. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Medical Science in 1987 showed a 90% cure rate from hemorrhoids after switching to the squatting position.

Prostrate and Bladder Problems

The perineum (the little patch of skin between the anus and the genitals) contains nerves that control the bladder, prostrate, and other organs. Bearing down to empty the bowels causes the perineum to bulge out and over time causes the nerves to stretch out and become damaged resulting in a loss of bladder control and loss of communication between the prostrate and the brain. The “pelvic floor nerve stretch injury” as it’s called is well known to medical science.

Colon Cancer

Eighty per cent of colon cancers occur in the cecum and the sigmoid colon. While sitting it is physically impossible to completely empty these regions. Residue left behind hardens, and exposes the colon to toxic carcinogens. An article in the journal Epidemiology listed fecal stagnation as a major risk for colon cancer. In traditional Asian and African cultures where squatting is the norm, colon cancer is virtually unheard of.

Appendicitis

When fecal matter becomes trapped in the cecum, it can block the opening to the appendix which then becomes inflamed. Emergency surgery is then required to prevent a fatality. Before sitting toilets were invented, approximately 150 years ago, appendicitis was virtually unknown, however by 1900 it was the most commonly diagnosed complaint in western society. Cultures that use the squatting position do not fall prey to this disease as the cecum is completely evacuated in the squatting position.

Another problem resulting from sitting to defecate is leakage of wastes from the large to the small intestines at the ileocecal valve. This valve is closed while squatting but relaxes open in the sitting position. With straining, wastes are forced back into the small intestine where they are “digested” and make their way into the blood stream, placing extra strain on the liver which must now filter the toxins out.

What Does Squatting Do?

In a full, natural squatting position the full weight of the body rests on the feet. Squatting opens the muscles of the pelvic area, angles the rectum for the best possible mechanical advantage, braces the muscles of the abdomen, and pushes the thighs into the abdomen to supply extra force for the abdominal musculature as well as supports both the ascending and descending colon. Squatting also protects the pelvic nerves by keeping the perineum rigid.

In a study by Australian researcher Wallace Bowles wherein 3,000 Australians converted to the squatting position, evidence showed a reversal of bladder incontinence (including bed wetting by children) and a reduction in men of prostate gland size as well as lowering of PSA (prostate specific antigen) levels.

It Used to be Easy.

When you were born you had “squatting facets” on the talus (heel) bones in your feet. In cultures where squatting is a way of life both on and off the toilet, these “squatting facets” are retained into adulthood. However in western cultures where sitting and standing are the norm, these facets disappear as we mature, tendons shorten and squatting becomes a difficult balancing act for many.

What about Semi-Squatting?

Some people, aware of the benefits of squatting but whom find it difficult, try to take on a “semi-squatting” position by sitting on the toilet and then raising their feet up on a step-stool or chair. While this position visually approximates the squat, the abdominal muscles designed for elimination are not engaged unless the full weight of the body is on the feet and therefore this position offers little advantage over conventional sitting.

What to do?

With the evidence mounting it would seem that squatting is the way to go. You can learn to squat right on the toilet seat. Here’s how:

• Begin as usual, pants down, sitting on the toilet seat

• Reach behind you with one hand and hold the top of the toilet tank

• Reach your other hand behind you and hold the tank on the other side

• Bring your legs up one at a time, placing your heels on the seat, your toes can hang over the edge if you like

• Using your hands, push yourself forward (away from the toilet tank) until all your weight is on your heels and you’re using your hands for balance only

You’re ready to go! To get down:

• Bend your elbows and let your back rest against the toilet tank

• Bring one leg down at a time

• Release your hands from the tank

• Finish up as usual

Try this a few times before resorting to the next method, which involves purchasing a prop.

If you simply can’t manage squatting on the toilet then you can order something called Nature’s Platform off the web. This is a plastic and metal platform with angled steps for your feet. It supports 300 pounds, does not put any stress on the toilet, needs no assembly and folds neatly out of the way.

So give squatting a try. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

In good health.

Ayurveda is the most popular holistic forms of medicine that has originated in India, and is now rapidly spreading around the world. Ayurveda is a combination of two Sanskrit words, ayus meaning ‘life’ and veda meaning ‘knowledge’. Hence, Ayurveda literally means ‘the knowledge of life’.

Indians believe that Ayurveda originated as a form of medicine for the gods. Even in the Ramayana (which is believed to be several millennia old), we have a reference of how Hanuman brings the Sanjivani herb to revive Lakshmana, who is mortally wounded in the battlefield at Lanka. Dhanwantari, the physician of the gods, is believed to be the one who discovered Ayurveda. Ayurveda was brought from the realms of the gods to the human race by Charaka, who wrote the Ayurvedic treatise, Charaka Samhita, which is regarded venerably even today. Sushruta later wrote a compendium of his own, Sushruta Samhita, which has several amendments over the methods detailed in the Charaka Samhita.

Principles of Ayurveda

Ayurveda is a largely herbal science. It delves into the medicinal properties of herbs and studies their effects on the human system. There are more than four thousand herbs known to Ayurveda, out of which about one thousand are very commonly used in regular prescriptions. Throughout the ages, several combinations of the herbs have been made and perfected. The herbs are also matured in several ways like roasting them in ghee, fermenting them to make wines, preparing their concentrated powder extracts, etc. Preparations are known as bhasmas, lehyas, vatis, choornas, rasas, asavas, etc. depending on how they have been prepared.

Though Ayurveda mainly deals with herbs; that is not all there is to it. Ayurveda also deals in several minerals, which it calls as dhaatus. Some dhaatu preparations are very important to the human wellbeing, for example, the Shilajit.

However, the most important aspect of Ayurveda is neither the herbs nor the minerals that it uses. The secret of the success of Ayurveda over the centuries is the regimen that it coerces its patients to do. There are several therapies that Ayurveda has devised. The most famous of these is the Panchakarma therapy. This is an elaborate five-part process which can treat almost any ailment that afflicts humans. The Panchakarma therapy is a way of purification of the body. Then there are several other therapies like Shirodhara, Basti, etc. which helps keep the body in a state of normalcy.

Ayurveda often goes hand in hand with another popular Indian technique, the yoga. Ayurvedic physicians often prescribe asanas of yoga to supplement their herbal remedies. Ayurveda also believes in several massage therapies using different kinds of oils. Aromatherapy, though a different science in itself, can be considered to be a subset of the Ayurvedic techniques. Ayurveda believes that massage can canalize the toxins to their proper destinations in the body from where they can be eliminated. In this manner, the body remains free from residual toxic substances.

Ayurveda also believes in the importance of diet. When a treatment is going on, the Ayurvedic physician will stress on the importance of the diet the person consumes. Each component is selected with care, because with any disease, there are a large number of dietary indications and contra-indications.

The Popularity of Ayurveda

Today, Ayurveda is so deeply ensconced in the minds of the Indian population that they would use its remedies without actually knowing they are making use of some Ayurvedic technique. Almost every Indian household has one tulsi plant in their courtyard. Tulsi is nothing but the holy basil tree. This plant is worshipped by the Hindus, without knowing that the high respect for the tulsi actually originates from the various medicinal properties the herb has. Tulsi is one of the five essential plants every Indian garden is supposed to have. The other four plants are neem, amalaki, bilva and palash. Today, all these five herbs have become popular all around the world for their amazing curative properties.

Herbs like brahmi, ginkgo, gotu kola, ashwagandha, yohimbe, yashtimadhu, arjuna, etc. have now gained worldwide renown. The western scientists are spending a great deal of time and research in investigating the properties of these herbs. With every test they conduct, their belief in the powers of Ayurveda is only strengthening.

Garlic, onion and ginger are today used all over the world for several medicinal reasons. It is confirmed that garlic can prove extremely beneficial in reducing cholesterol and increasing longevity. However, it was Ayurveda that was the first to bring the curative properties of these herbs in the limelight. There are several other such herbs which were given their importance by Ayurveda first. Some of them are fenugreek, licorice, betel nut, cardamom, cinnamon, cumin seeds, dandelion, lemon grass, rauwolfia, zizzyphus, etc.

The initial reticence in using a quaint Indian method of medicine is now slowly dwindling away. Several Americans and Europeans are opting to use Ayurveda instead of other invasive therapeutic methods. Ayurvedic medicines are being very widely used in the west for memory enhancement tonics, treatment of male and female sterility, breast enhancement, and weight loss. People who are using them vouch for their benefits.

Read more about Ayurveda and Ayurvedic Treatment at http://www.ayurvediccure.com – World’s Finest Portal on Ayurveda and Herbal Remedies

Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word derived from two roots: ayur, which means life; and veda, which means knowledge. It has its roots in ancient vedic literature. Ayurveda, a system of diet, healing and health maintenance, is probably the oldest science of life, just like the science of Yoga.

Ayurveda includes all aspects of daily life like:

* Maintenance of health
* Prevention of disease
* Harmonization of body and mind
* Natural treatments
* Holistic and complimentary healing techniques

Ayurveda combines yoga, meditation, food, natural preparations, cleansing and regenerative treatments. The overall effect is physical strength, better health, mental clarity, inner peace and calmness.

Ayurveda is a science of life so to know more about it, we must know what is life. Life, according to Ayurveda, is a combination of senses, mind, body and soul. It is clear from this definition of life that Ayurveda is not only limited to body or physical symptoms but also gives a comprehensive knowledge about spiritual, mental and social health.

Role of Ayurveda

Ayurveda teaches us to understand our body; our particular nature; and our individual mixture of elements at a deep physical, mental and emotional level. With that knowledge we are able to identify activities, conditions, herbs and foods that either keep us healthy and in balance, or make us ill and throw us out of balance.

Ayurveda and Health

Ayurveda forms an integral part of the daily regimen of hundreds of millions of people worldwide. Its principles are utilized not only to treat persons who are ill but also to prepare a balanced meal and to construct a harmonious environment to live in. Ayurveda brings to life the concepts of preventive health care and health promotion. The goal of Ayurveda is to help an individual discover the knowledge of living and health. Health is the state of harmonious chemical balance in a living organism. Our health depends on the chemical environments inside and outside our bodies. Food plays an important role in creating the internal chemical environment.

The Five Elements

Our very existence is the interplay of different frequencies of vibrations, which have been classified into a system of five elements by the Ayurvedic seers and sages. These five elements are the agents of the primary inertia principle of consciousness and are the materialized form of the universal energy. Akasha, or Ether, evolved first and is the subtlest of the five elements. From it comes air, from air evolves fire, from fire evolves water and from water comes earth. The human body, which is composed of these elements, is also nourished and maintained by them.

The Doshas

The starting point for many people into the ancient scientific art of Ayurveda is the relationship of the three Doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Ayurveda sees life as a harmonic flow, a dynamic balance of those three fundamental forces:

* Vata (wind,air)the principle of movement and impulse
* Pitta (bile, fire)the principle of assimilation and transformation
* Kapha (mucus, water) the principle of stability

These forces act in everyone. When they are in balance they bring well-being and health, in imbalance they lead to feeling unwell and later disease. Everybody is unique and Ayurveda respects this uniqueness. That is why there are individual constitution types, Doshas, in the body.

Out of the three basic forces can seven categories be formed:

1. Wind dominated individuals (vata)
2. Bile dominated individuals (pitta)
3. Mucus dominated individuals (kapha)
4. Wind & Bile dominated individuals(vata & pitta)
5. Wind & Mucus dominated individuals(vata &kapha)
6. Bile &mucus dominated individuals(pitta &kapha)
7. Wind, bile & mucus dominated individuals
(vata and pitta and kapha in equal proportion)

The Three Constitutional Types ~ The Gunas

There are three basic constitutional types. To live a long and healthy life, Ayurveda states it is necessary for us to recognize them in ourselves and be able to preserve their balance with nature. It is possible, though, to take a step back and study the mind as Ayurveda clearly tells us that we create what our minds dictate. So do we have any control over our thoughts? Ayurveda says yes, but not in the sense of thought manipulation. We are told that the mind has three tendencies or qualities.

* Satva, the principle of contentment,joy,peace & harmony.
* Rajas, the principle of energy, of change, emotion & turbulence
* Tamas, the principle towards rest, dullness, inertia, depression & resistance

To progress thru life in a harmonious way, it is suggested that we increase Satva and keep a pinch of Rajas and Tamas to accommodate movement and rest.

All three Gunas enhance the qualities of the three Doshas.

* A mind tendency toward Satva will encourage the qualities of intelligence, perception and strong digestion found in the Pitta Dosha.
* If the mind of the Pitta type is Rajasic, restlessness, irritation, heat and anger will be dominant, and,
* eventually, through exhaustion, tipping over into dullness and depression. Which are the signs of Tamas.

To help ourselves live a joyful and fulfilled life, we can become aware of our lifestyle and use tools such as breathing techniques, asanas and meditation to calm and integrate the nervous system. Being with like-minded people helps, and of course will food play a significant role.

Ayurvedic Food

The food is either satvic, rajasic or tamasic according to its character and effect upon the body and the mind. One can find out the nature or temperament of a man from the nature of the food he prefers.

Satvic food

* Satvic foods are fresh, juicy, light, unctuous, nourishing, sweet and tasty.
* It increases the energy of the mind and produces cheerfulness, serenity and mental clarity.
* satvic food is highly conducive to good health.
* A satvic man relishes juicy food and other foods which are attractive in form, soft to touch and pleasant to taste, which are small in bulk but great in nourishment like the words from the lips of a spiritual preceptor.
* Milk, butter, ghee (clarified butter), fresh ripe fruits, almonds, dates, green gram, sprouts, barley, wheat, cereals, tomatoes, plantains etc., are satvic.

Rajasic Food

* Rajasic foods are bitter, sour, salty, pungent, hot and dry.
* These foods create sensuality, sexuality, greed, jealousy, anger, delusion, fantasies, egotism and irreligious feelings.
* The rajasic man always plans to prepare various kinds of preparations to satisfy his palate. The palate remains unsatisfied until the stomach is completely filled with pungent things and till the tongue is burnt with chillies.
* Pungent condiments, meat, fish, eggs, sweets, fried bread, curd, egg plant, carrots, black gram, onions, garlic, lemon, red gram, tea, coffee, betel leaves, tobacco are rajasic articles of food.

Tamasic Food

* Tamasic food is stale, dry, bad smelling, distasteful or unpalatable.
* It increases pessimism, ignorance, lack of common sense, greed, laziness, criminal tendencies and doubt.
* The tamasic man will eat, in the afternoon, food which has been cooked on the previous day and also will like the food which is half-cooked or burnt.
* Foods that have been processed, canned or frozen are tamasic.
* Beef, fish, eggs, wine, garlic, onions and tobacco are tamasic foodstuffs.

Ayurveda places responsibility firmly on the individual to be aware of his or her relationship with nature and she gives us the tools to correct imbalances before they develop into full-blown disease.

Sri Kalki says that it is essential to have a healthy body free of mucus in order to attain the state of altered consciousness of enlightenment. A deeper knowledge about Ayurveda will help sincere seekers to understand their bodies and minds from the Annamaya Kosha’s point of view so that it helps in the enlightenment process.

~Courtesy of www.experiencefestival.com

Namaste and welcome to the practice of yoga!

Yoga is the union of the mind, body and spirit expressed in motion, sound, meditation and community. This ancient practice of asanas (poses), meditation and breathing will enrich your life, deepen your knowledge of your Self and open your spirit toward the world around you.

We recommend that you attend several live classes as you begin developing a home practice. Yoga studios will have all the equipment you require so you can try it out before investing in a yoga mat, blocks, bolsters and straps. Live classes offer the opportunity to learn proper breathing technique, which is crucial in the practice of yoga; live classes also give you the opportunity to develop proper posture and alignment, as the instructor will move about the class adjusting yogis/yoginis. Many studios offer a one-week/one month trial at a discounted rate, taking advantage of these is a great way to introduce yourself to yoga. We also recommend attending at least two live classes per month in addition to your home practice . Again, live instruction is ideal for learning proper alignment and also provides an opportunity to meet people in your local yoga community.

Once you decide to develop your home practice you will need the following:

Yoga Mat – sticky yoga mats are best, you can also use a pilates mat if you prefer a thicker surface to stand on; some prefer to do yoga on a cotton blanket, it is entirely up to you. The important thing is that your feet do not slip all over your yoga surface.

Yoga MatYogarug

Yoga Blocks – these foam blocks are used to modify poses, essentially bringing the floor closer to your hands to enable you to maintain proper alignment, which is much more important than how far you stretch. You may also sit on the edge of a block to properly align your pelvis during seated poses. We recommend that beginners use blocks, however, they are useful for intermediate and advanced practitioners l for very challenging poses and days when you aren’t quite as flexible. We recommend that you start with two blocks. You can also use a stack of books as high as you need to create ease in the postures.

Yogablocks

Yoga Strap – this is a thick cotton strap, similar to a Judo belt and is used to assist the yogi in challenging postures; most often used for hip opening poses and seated forward bends. Straps are also used for bound poses. The strap is held in the hands and usually wrapped around the foot, essentially acting as an arm extension. You can purchase straps at many yoga studios, online; or you can use a belt or a scarf.

Yogastraps

Yoga Bolster – bolsters are cylindrical cushions about two feet long, usually filled with cotton. Use a bolster to assist or support forward bending poses, for many restorative yoga poses, and to modify relaxation poses (e.g., tucked under the knees during savasana). You can purchase yoga bolsters online, many yoga studios will have bolsters available, and may be able to order them for you if there are no yoga supply retailers in your area. If you do not have a bolster, you may also use a stack of blankets.

Yogabolsters

Meditation Cushion – a zafu or meditation cushion is not necessary but it is a nice item to have, sitting on the edge of the zafu is ideal for proper pelvic alignment and ease when meditating. If you do not have a zafu, a firm cushion or pillow will work as well.

Zafu

It is always best to purchase good quality yoga props and supplies, but you can improvise with household items while you are developing your home practice.

Yoga is an system of self-care that addresses the mind, body and spirit. There is no competition in yoga, especially with yourself; it is important to be aware that this is YOUR practice and YOUR time, you need only be present in the moment and the motion, surrender to the passage of time in this sacred space; accept yourself, breathe in love and joy. Be aware of the breath, if you cannot breathe deeply and smoothly, ease your position in the pose – surrender to your body and breath. When preparing to move into a pose, be aware of your body, take the shape of the pose, delight in the forms your body takes, and luxuriate in the feeling of natural movement. Modify the poses as you need to in order to maintain proper alignment and easy breath. Resist the urge to push further than the body wants to go, your body will move you deeper into the practice when it is ready. If you feel tired during your practice, sit back into child’s pose and rest – do not rush, there is time. There is no pain in yoga. Breathe.

Namaste “the Divine in me honours the Divine in you”

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Scientists in India and the UK are looking into the India’s ancient system of medicine; Ayurveda in search of a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.

According to researchers, Ayurveda boosts mental alertness in the same manner as the conventional drugs. An improvement in memory and concentration was noted in Alzheimer’s patients with the help of plants used in Ayurveda. 5 plants frequently used in ayurvedic medicine were studied by scientists from King’s College, London, and Jadavpur University in Kolkata. Brahmi, one of those plants was found to act in preventing the collapse of neurotransmitters and helped improving memory and concentration in Alzheimer’s patients, the most common form of dementia.

In order to develop more effective drugs, the researchers are now involved in identifying the chemical compounds responsible for the action. “However, it is too early to say that we have found a solution to Alzheimer’s. That would be too tall a claim,” said JU executive council member Partha Pratim Biswas. “We are just trying and all we can say is we are on the right track,” he said. “There is a lot of difference between lab experiments and actual human applications. Only when we are able to reach the second stage can we claim we have reached somewhere. Also, we will have to consider the alternative manufacturing aspects,” Biswas added.

The pharmacy department of Jadavpur University is doing research on drugs not only for Alzheimer’s but also diseases such as AIDS, cancer. Pulak Mukhopadhyay is one of the faculty members working on these medicinal plants. He is the one who introduced aloe vera ointments and drinks to treat skin problems.

Source-MedindiaGYT

Ayurvastra is a new initiative launched by the Directorate of Handloom, Department of Industries and Commerce and the Department of Dravyaguna Vijnan, Government Ayurveda College, aimed at creating a niche for the eco-friendly handloom fabric.

Thiruvananthapuram: Experiments to test the clinical effectiveness of Ayurvastra – textiles that have been dyed in medicinal herb concoctions – was inaugurated by Health Minister P.K. Sreemathy at the Government Ayurveda College here on Tuesday.

Ayurvastra is a new initiative launched by the Directorate of Handloom, Department of Industries and Commerce and the Department of Dravyaguna Vijnan, Government Ayurveda College, aimed at creating a new niche for the eco-friendly handloom fabric.

The initiative to create a specialised product such as Ayurvastra was borne out of the experiments conducted by the Balaramapuram-based Handloom Weavers’ Development Society. Handloom fabrics dyed in herbal medicines could actually be used as part of Ayurvedic treatment.

For the handloom industry, which faces doom because of the compulsions of liberalised market policies, this could be the opportunity to regain its glory. Apart from the medicinal benefits that the fabrics boast of, its USP as an eco-friendly product could help the handloom industry cast an eye on the global market too, it was hoped.

Globally, many countries have been enforcing a ban on textiles that have been coloured using chemical dyes. This had been a body blow to the handloom industry. At the same time, textiles dyed using natural vegetable dyes, especially medicinal plants, have been commanding a huge market. The Handloom Weavers’ Development Society had initiated certain experiments in this direction earlier. K. Ravi, former adviser, Common Wealth Secretariat, London, submitted this novel idea of Ayurvedic clothes as a project before the Central Planning Commission.

It was thus included in the Additional Central Assistance Scheme and entrusted for implementation to the State Department of Handlooms and Textiles, with assistance for research and development. It was as part of this project that the Dravyaguna department of Ayurveda College started work on creating Ayurvastra.

On a similar project earlier ayurvedic dyes were developed to add colour to coir products. The society had a role in this venture also. A Chirayinkeezh-based coir matting society had manufactured coir mats using the medicated coir fibres developed by the society. The Dravyaguna department used these coir mats to create an `Ayurvedic environment.’ It was found through various trials that such an environment can help those suffering from skin diseases, arthritis and blood pressure.

Ayurvastra technology, backed by marketing, could save traditional industries such as coir and handloom, it is hoped.

From: The Hindu.com – Online Edition of India’s National Newspaper

Yogayak offers a comprehensive resource of classes and information concerning all styles of yoga; beginning with the styles that have gained the most prominence in Hindu culture:

Let us begin near the beginning.

Between 200BC and 300AD an Indian philosopher known as Patanjali gave the world the Yoga Sutras – a series of aphorisms that set out the practice of the eight limbs of classical yoga. Though we know very little about the sage himself, Patanjali’s great work is considered the cornerstone of the knowledge of yoga practice, from asana practice to the deeper internal journey of meditation and self- realization. The work is set out into four chapters known as The Samadhi Pada, the Sadhana Pada, the Vibhuti Pada and the Kaivayla Pada. Yoga means union, sutra is the Sanskrit word for thread, and pada is the Sanksrit word for book. These 196 short phrases remain the foremost body of work on the philosophy of yoga. From the commentary and analysis of yogis, sages, translators and philosophers over waves upon waves of time we have accumulated the wisdom of yoga as it is practiced today – a combination of asanas, meditation and body/spirit care that has proven to be of timeless benefit to all who engage in this practice.

Hatha Yoga

This is the style most familiar to most of us. Hatha Yoga is also known as the forceful yoga; the name Hatha comes from a combination of two Sanskrit words Ha (sun) and Tha (moon). The western practice of Hatha Yoga focuses mostly on the asana practice, which is designed to keep the body flexible and to cool the mind in preparation for meditation. This form of yoga also aids in creating a harmony between our dual natures (masculine/feminine, hot/cold, will/surrender) and brings us closer to a deeper practice of yoga. Please visit our Hatha Yoga page for further study and exciting online classes!

Bhakti Yoga

Bhakti yoga is the yoga of devotion and chanting. Predating Hatha yoga, Bhakti yoga is approx. 4000 years old making it one of the oldest forms of yoga in the world! North Americans most commonly come to yoga as a form of exercise, whereas Indian culture approaches asana practice as a way to calm the mind before meditation and worship. Kirtan is the practice of singing the name of God in all his/her divine aspects; translated from Sanskrit it means ‘I surrender to the Lord’. Traditionally, kirtan is performed in a call and response style. The kirtan leader sings a line or verse of a mantra or prayer, and the kirtan group responds as accurately as possible. Kirtan is a community, a dialogue between the call leader, the kirtan group and the energy of the Divine. In the eight limb system of classical yoga, kirtan is considered to be pratyahara (focusing the mind inward) and is a bridge between our inner and outer selves. Bhakti yoga is the divine melody and rhythm of the human spirit, expressed in chanting and song. For more information and bhakti yoga classes, please see our Bhakti Yoga page!

Karma Yoga

Karma yoga is selfless service to others. This yoga asks that the yogi make his/her actions in this world expressions of devotion and offerings to God, without considering personal gain. If you do community work, volunteer work, or just do something very nice for someone for no reason at all, you are performing acts of karma yoga. Ghandi’s years of selfless service to South Africa and India are famous examples of the work of Karma yoga.

Dream Yoga

Dream yoga is about listening attentively to what your dreams are telling you. This knowledge is used to better your waking life by helping you pay more attention to your daily realities, dreamed or shared.Yogayak would like to invite you to explore dreams (ours and yours!), dream yoga and lucid dreaming in our free dream yoga section located in our community forum!

Jnana Yoga

Jnana yoga is the study of the philosophy of yoga; Jnana is the Sanskrit word for knowledge . The practice of this yoga involves deep meditation practice, study of the self, the True Self and the Transcendental Self. The yogi is challenged to examine the real and the illusory. In order to do so the yogi must use his/her mind to retrain the mind to separate the real from the unreal and thus discover and liberate the True Self. Jnana yoga uses meditation, introspection and contemplation techniques to attain wisdom and enlightenment. For further study please explore our meditation page and try the meditations you will find there brought to you by Kavita Maharaj and Padma, both with extensive meditation and yoga experience.

Mantra Yoga

This is primarily the yoga of sound. The word mantra comes from a combination of the Sanskrit words man ‘to think’ and tra ‘instrumentality’ . Mantra is intention expressed as sound, unlike Bhakti yoga , which is strictly the yoga of song and chanting; for instance when you chant ‘OM’ you are combining mantra yoga and bhakti yoga. Mantras have been chanted for thousands of years (some continuously for thousands of years!) to guide the mind into meditation and to establish an intention to create states of consciousness or ask for divine guidance. You can find mantra yoga on both our Bhakti Yoga and Meditation pages – go and hear for your Self!

Raja Yoga

Raj is the Sanskrit word for king and Raja yoga is known as the Royal Yoga because it brings out the king/queen in all of us; the noble inner self that is so infrequently acknowledged in our every day lives. Raja yoga provides an opportunity to focus on the quality of our daily thoughts and deeds, being careful to reveal the goodness that the workings of the mind often conceal or disregard. Most closely associated with the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali , it is most commonly expressed in the eight limbs of Classical Yoga. For practice at the Royal Yoga, please explore the depth of the classes offered in our Ashtanga and Kundalini Yoga section.

Namaste

What is meditation – most of you have heard of it, some of you may have even tried it – but for many of us it is an alluring part of Eastern spiritual practice, though it is not solely a spiritual endeavour. The word meditation often conjures images of an Indian sage in a loincloth or a vision of the Buddha seated in serene contemplation; the image is one of stillness and composure. Yogis, Zen Masters, Taoists have all meditated for millennia. Early Christian monastic practice included the lectio divina ; this is the practice of reading the Bible very slowly and deliberately, pondering and contemplating the true meaning of the teachings of Christ. Meditation is mentioned over 20 times in the Bible.

At any given period in the history of man, meditation has been an excellent remedy for the over-stimulation, stress and anxiety of society. It is one of the main therapies in the science of Ayurveda and even allopathic physicians recognize the benefits of meditation and recommend meditation to their patients. Scientists have examined meditation from all angles and not one can refute the positive physical, emotional, psychological and physiological benefits that a regular meditation practice can have on the human spirit. There are many styles of meditation and many reasons to meditate – for therapy, for stress management, for knowledge, for devotion, to further the practice of Pranayama or simply as a refreshing and restful break in the day. The entirety of meditation practice is far too vast to cover here, but the list includes:

~Mantra Meditation – focusing on sounds and sacred words

~Buddhist Meditation – as part of the Noble Eightfold Path to Enlightenment

~Vipassana Meditation – focusing on reality and insight into the mind

~Devotional Mediation – meditation on God

~Taoist Meditation – meditation on the teachings of the Tao Te Ching

~Zen Meditation – focusing on the teachings of Zen Buddhism

Meditation is an integral part of yoga practice, in fact, the purpose of asana practice is to settle the body and focus the mind in preparation for meditation. However, you do not have to be an accomplished yogi or Buddhist Master to practice meditation effectively, you don’t need to pretzel yourself into lotus pose – truly, for many of us, Lotus Pose is simply too physically challenging to allow focus. You can meditate while walking, while seated in a straight-backed chair, in Easy Pose, Simple Cross-Legged Pose and for the very flexible the classical meditation pose, Padmasana/ Lotus Pose. Any pose that allows comfortable stillness for the body is effective for meditation; when you remove as many physical and environmental distractions as possible, the mind and breath are free to focus.

Meditation has many benefits on many levels, including (but not limited to):

Physiological/Physical

~ revitalizes the nervous system

~ strengthens neural pathways within the brain

~ increases lung capacity

~ increases oxygen flow to the brain

~ increases alertness

~ improves sleep

~ can reduce the effects of asthma

~ improves immune system

~ assists with addiction/abuse recovery

~ reduces blood presure

Mental/Emotional

~ calms the senses

~ focusses the mind to bring clarity & perspective

~ soothes the over-stimulated Self

~ reduces stress

~ promotes positive outlook, reduces negative thinking

~ increases Self-Esteem

~ improves memory

~ reduces anxiety and hypersensitivity

~ increases creativity

Spiritual

~ allows the flow of prana/chi/life energy through the body

~ develops, promotes and maintains spiritual awareness

~ unites one with Consciousness and the truest Higher Self

~ increases connection with the Divine

~ balances the Doshas – especially Vata disturbances (see Ayurveda for information on the Doshas)

~ prepares the Self for the transition of Death

~ allows us to open our minds and hearts in order to Live more fully

~ brings us into the divinity of the present moment

Of particular importance to many of us today are the stress-reducing benefits of meditation; this applies to everyone regardless of age, profession, gender, race or spiritual path. Daniel Goleman’s research in the scientific community on meditation and stress tolerance returned very convincing results; the following is an excerpt from Goleman’s writing followed by a passage from ‘Creative Meditation’ by Richard Peterson, Ph.D.

“People who are chronically anxious or who have a psychosomatic disorder share a specific pattern of reaction to stress; their bodies mobilize to meet the challenge, then fail to stop reacting when the problem is over. Their bodies stay aroused for danger when they should be relaxed, recouping spent energies and gathering resources for the next brush with stress.” -D. Goleman

“The anxious person meets life’s normal events as though they were crises. Each minor happening increases his tension, and his tension in turn magnifies the next ordinary event – a deadline, an interview, a doctor’s appointment – into a threat. Because the anxious person’s body stays mobilized after one event has passed, he has a lower threat threshold for the next. Had he been in a relaxed state, he would have taken the second event in stride.

A meditator handles stress in a way that breaks up the threat ‘arousal’ threat spiral. The meditator relaxes after a challenge passes, more often than the non-meditator. This makes him unlikely to see innocent occurrences as harmful. He perceives threat more accurately, and reacts with arousal only when necessary. Once aroused, his rapid recovery makes him less likely than the anxious person to see the next deadline as a threat. ”

(From The Meditative Mind, pp. 164-165)

From Creative Meditation by Richard Peterson, Ph.D. A.R.E. Press, 1990.

When we have peace and clarity in the mind, we experience a healthier physical body. When we have a healthier body, our minds become clearer and settled; we can explore the infinite broadness of the mind when we learn to focus its energies toward that goal. This symbiosis is important in the practice of yoga, pranayama and meditation. All three of these practices together create an incredible wellness system, however, they are powerfully beneficial when approached individually.

Meditation does not require that you subscribe to any particular spiritual path, you need not meditate on any God at all – though prayer is a meditative act. Taoists meditate from a place of stillness and emptiness, Zen meditation often centres around the teaching of the Buddha, Christ went into the desert for 40 days and 40 nights in order to fast, meditate and commune with God. Beyond any spiritual application, just the simple act of focusing on the flow of your breath while meditating is enough to gain benefit.

Learning to meditate takes patience, just like learning anything. When we begin to meditate we are often critical of our inability to sit still, this is natural – for one, we are not accustomed to sitting still, sitting on the floor or sitting cross-legged (let alone Lotus Pose!). If you find it difficult to sit still for long periods of time, try interspersing walking meditation with sitting meditation. Our tendency is to be critical of ourselves if we do not get it right the in the first few attempts, it is necessary to practice non-competition with ourselves first. In the beginning of your meditation practice it will be difficult to quiet your mind, to cease the endless chatter that goes on inside our heads all the time – this is completely normal. Even those who meditate regularly have thoughts when they meditate, what you must practice is detachment from those thoughts, let them float by unobserved and return your focus to your breath – some find it useful to meditate with their eyes closed, others find that a point of focus like a candle or object works best.

More advanced meditation is a subtle practice, not merely sitting still and breathing, but a deeper method of connecting with your Self and working with the breath and the energies of the mind – the mind and the brain are separate entities working in concert; the brain is the tool that collects information, the mind is the system that interprets it. Peaceful existence is intrinsic to the human spirit; it is when we become distracted by external input that we lose our Selves. This creates imbalance and anxiety in the body, mind and spirit and draws us away from our purpose. Through meditation we have the opportunity to heal the mind, heal the body and in quiet contemplation we are re-introduced to who we truly are and to our true balance.

What is important is regular meditation practice. Try meditating for five minutes a day to begin with – as your practice becomes more regular you will find it easier to take the time for yourself to allow your mind to rest. Try different styles of meditation to see which style suits you best; you may of course practice as many different styles of meditation as you find useful, restful and beneficial. We have chosen a few meditations for you to try below but you may find more practices on YogaYak.com – above all enjoy your meditation practice and reap the benefits of reduced stress and increased health.

Namaste

A truth that’s told with bad intent
Beats all the lies you can invent.
- William Blake “Auguries of Innocence”

The second Yama in yoga practice is Satya, which means Truthfulness of speech, thoughts and deeds. As with many yogic practices, Satya can be difficult to maintain when you also consider the first yama, Ahimsa (non-harming, non-violence).

Honesty is considered a virtue in just about every corner of our society; but we cannot deny that most of us lie every day, usually a variation one of the following two commonplace types of ‘lying’:

* A white lie is a lie which is harmless or innocuous. A common example of a white lie is, “You look marvelous”, at least when the person does intend that the other person believe this to be true.

* A “polite lie” is not a lie, but a false statement made without the intention that the audience actually believe it, out of politeness. A common example of a polite lie is the response “I’m fine” when asked the question “How are you?”. Regardless of whether or not you are actually well, most of us choose to give a positive, if not entirely true answer, to be polite to the other person and not burden/bother them with our present concerns.

The intent behind your words is just as important as the words themselves; are your words meant to wound, to heal, to educate, to love? Are you speaking the Truth to further your own agenda, to feed your ego? The level to which your Ego is involved has a lot to do with the how successfully you practice Satya – is it all about your wants/desires or are you speaking Truth for the sake of Truth?

Honesty can also be used as a weapon, so be careful to measure your words with kindness, compassion and love. It is not about being “right” for Love is higher than Truth. Brutal Honesty is not Truth; it is precisely as described – brutal- and violates ahimsa; you are not acting with love, you are using honesty (not Truth) as a weapon. The practice of ahimsa should be your guide in all things, including honesty. When Truth is guided by Ahimsa, then Satya is the natural course. Satya, as with all of yoga practice, must be practiced from a foundation of non-harming and loving intention.

Strive to be accepting and gentle like a newborn baby in life and love, and especially when you are presented with Truth, for a person’s Truth, like their experiences (be it your own or anyone else’s) is not subject to anyone’s judgment or criticism – and above all, let love, compassion and kindness keep your words soft, but true. Leave your Ego at the door and bring your best Self forward. Be diligent in the combination of Ahimsa and Satya, for there is integrity in this practice.

In yoga,

Jenn

Last article in “Karma: the universal rule of consequence”, we established karma as being the ’sandbags’ that keep the soul trapped in the cycle of birth, death, and reincarnation. Karma, both ‘good’ and ‘bad’, keeps the soul from breaking free of this cycle and rising up to Nirvana, the state of enlightenment/freedom. We also established that in order to break this cycle, one must first stop gaining karma, and second, get rid of the karma that one has already gained throughout one’s lifetime. The question we left off with was “How?”. Here’s what yoga philosophy says…

How does one stop gaining karma?

Well, remember that karma is a result of the “intention” behind an action. If one has ‘good’ intentions, one gains ‘good’ karma. If one has ‘bad’ intentions, one gains ‘bad’ karma. So logically, if one has ‘no’ intentions, one gains NO karma. How does one do this? By acting in line with one’s dharma or duty. Here’s how it works using last week’s example: My child comes to me and asks for $10,000 to go to university. My action is to give him/her the $10,000. If I gave my child the money in order to make him/her happy, I would gain ‘Good’ karma. If I gave the money in order to have my child feel indebted to me, I would gain ‘Bad’ karma. If however I gave the money because it was my duty as a parent to make sure that my child got his/her education and so stand on his/her own two feet, then I would gain no karma. Following the rule of karma makes a lot of hard decisions much easier.

The second question is how does one get rid of karma already gained? The answer to that is easy. Remember that karma is the Universe’s way of keeping track of what you still need to learn. Your current circumstances and situations are actually provided as opportunities to learn these lessons. As you learn the lessons, karma is released. If you do not learn the lesson, you retain the karma, and the Universe will continue to provide opportunities for you to face it. With that in mind, you need to pay attention. Take note of the issues that arise in your life over and over again. Do you have problems with jealousy? Trust? Ego-based fears etc.? Issues that occur over and over, do so because you are being provided with repeated opportunities to release karma. How many times have you heard yourself or someone else say… “Why does this always happen to me?” There’s an answer to that question. Learn the lessons… it’s the only way to freedom.