Yoga

Are supplements necessary or can we get everything we need to support our bodies through food? The answer is both yes and no. While it is possible to get nearly everything you need from food, it would take an inordinate amount of diligence, time, expense, and dedication to eat perfectly clean in order to fill [...]

Meditation is one of the most crucial aspects to cultivate more peace and happiness in life. It is literally the first thing I recommend to all my students and clients to build self-esteem and intuition, hear your truth, make wise, skillful choices, improve communication, increase creativity and productivity and let go. We can be in one of two states—either the mind is running us or we are running our mind. My mentor, Dr. Ron Alexander, speaks of MIND STRENGTH and the changes that can occur as we begin the process of training the mind. Mind strength is one of the most empowering tools we can employ to impact and improve all aspects of life. Here’s the breakdown of how meditation works: There are five major categories of brain waves, each corresponding to different activities we do. Meditation enables us to move from higher frequency brain waves to lower frequency and calm the mind. Slower wavelengths = more time between thoughts = more opportunity to skillfully choose which thoughts you invest in 5 Categories of Brain Waves: Why Meditation Works Gamma State: In the Gamma state, the brain waves are at frequencies ranging from approximately 30 – 100Hz. This is the state of hyperactivity in the brain and active learning. Gamma state is the most opportune time to retain information. This is why Tony Robbins and other educators have audiences jumping up and down or dancing around – to increase the likelihood of permanent assimilation of information and lasting change in one’s “state”. If overstimulated, it can lead to anxiety. Beta State: The Beta state, which is where we function for most of the day, is associated with the alert mindstate of the prefrontal cortex. Brain wave frequencies in this state range from 13 – 30Hz and this is a state of the “working” or ‘thinking mind’: analytical, planning, assessing and categorizing. Alpha State: Brain waves in the Alpha state range from 9 – 13Hz. This is the state where brain waves start to slow down out of thinking mind. We become more calm, peaceful and anchored. We often find ourselves in an “alpha state” after a thorough yoga class, a walk in the woods, a pleasurable sexual encounter or during any activity that helps relax the body and mind. We are lucid, reflective, have a slightly diffused awareness and at peace. This is often accompanied by an inner and/or outer glow – sometimes felt as “spacey”. The hemispheres of the brain are more balanced (neural integration). Theta State: When brain waves range from 4 – 8Hz in the Theta state, we are able to begin meditation. This is the point where the  verbal/thinking mind transitions to the meditative/visual mind. We begin to move from the planning mind to a deeper state of awareness (often felt as drowsy), with stronger intuition, more capacity for wholeness and complicated problem solving. The Theta state is associated with the 6th Chakra (3rd eye), so in this state we are able to practice visualization. Delta State: The final state is the Delta state, where brain waves range from 1 – 3 Hz. Tibetan monks that have been meditating for decades can reach this in an alert, wakened phase but most of us reach this final state during deep, dreamless sleep. A Simple Meditation: How to Meditate A simple meditation to use to begin the transition from Beta or Alpha to the Theta State is to focus on the breath. The breath and mind work in tandem, so as breath begins to lengthen, brain waves begin to calm and slow down. To begin the meditation, sit comfortably in your chair with your shoulders relaxed and spine tall. Place your hands mindfully on your lap, close your eyes and as much as possible eliminate any stimulus that may distract you. Watch your breath. Simply notice your breath flowing in. Flowing out. Don’t try to change it in any way. Just notice. Silently repeat the mantra: “Breathing In. Breathing Out.” As your mind begins to wander, draw

In yoga, how old we are apparently doesn’t matter. Yoga seems to be an equalizer. This might not be evident when walking by each other on the street, but once we are on the mat, it’s really so easy to see.

Gaining Yogic Wisdom While Sailing Down the Pacific West Coast. I’m a little bit of everything; a yogi, sailor and teacher. In October, I sailed from Vancouver, Canada to Ensenada, Mexico to travel and teach yogic knowledge. When I enrolled at a new studio that was close to the boat before leaving, I thought it [...]

Smiling and nodding along Her child's giggle a happy song Soothes her soul, makes worth of the drudgery Her own hands, older, dry, busy Taming hair, preparing meals, wiping away the dirty...

Today’s the day. Civil rights case pitting Sedlock v. Baird, parents v. school, religion v. yoga, goes on trial today in Encinitas, CA. The Sedlocks, parents of a child in the Encinitas Union School District (EUSD) who have evangelical Christian roots and support, claim that free twice-weekly 30-minute yoga classes threaten religious freedom and, [...]The post Yoga Goes On Trial Today: Encinitas Case Pitting Parents Against School Yoga Classes and ‘Religious Indoctrination’ appeared first on YogaDork.

I became fascinated with this muscle once I figured out that I need to keep it happy to keep my lower back happy. When the muscle becomes tight from injuries, poor posture, sitting for a fair amount of time or even stress, it can alter how the pelvis, lumbar, thoracic and even cervical vertebrae function and can typically lead to pain down the front of the thigh and along the lower to mid spinal column.

Have to admit I was all Kino'd out for a while there.So many videos, felt like a new one released everyday, too much.All good stuff of course, Kino has the BEST practice tips, hopefully these will have found their way into her upcoming book.Wish she'd been making and releasing all these videos back when I first started, as it was I had to pretty much work it out for myself. You Home Ashtangi's just coming to the practice, don't realise how spoiled you are : )One thing I never could work out for myself though was the splits, ....actually that's not true, I managed Hanumanasana eventually and even Samakonasana, although I haven't tried either for a year or so, both long gone.Trivikramasana and supta trivikramasana were the two postures from 3rd, or Advanced A, that I never felt I really nailed, they were lame attempts and perhaps the only postures left in Ashtanga that I thought would always be beyond me, just didn't believe I was built for them.How often have we said that but here's Kino making you think that perhaps one spoke to soon. As ever she makes the impossible sound possible, even probable with the appropriate amount of practice and dedication.So here are all Kino's recent split videos in one place. If you only have time to watch one I recommend the second on Supta Trivikramasanathat's the one that blew me away and reminded me why Kino still rocks.If your still relatively new to the practice then don't even think about trying this (love you hamstrings, be good to them, the slightest pull will make practice uncomfortable for months and I won't even think about trying these again until after Manju's workshop in August.) but instead note that in all of these I think she stresses the importance of a good forward bend. Paschimottanasana that first asana in Primary series (apart from danadasana) that we so often take for granted ( know I used to ) still perhaps the greatest asana in all the Ashtanga series....with perhaps the exception of Samasthith.Kino's Paschimottanasana video is at the end and I've also included Darby's because it's even better.

Beyond getting a tattoo, using a japa-mala as a kind of jewellery, eating organic food, being a thriving vegan or proclaiming yourself as ecologist, among many other recurring habits, among the yogic Kula (community), there is a developed mood of self-well-being that makes you less interfered with by the outside and excluded of what others think of your lifestyle.

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