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I Don’t Want To Do Yoga
April 27, 2009 by Ray Baskerville · Leave a Comment
Let’s admit it, there are days when we all say I don’t want to do yoga today. It would take much time to go into all the reasons why we might feel this way, instead I want to look at what we do.
Obviously I can only really speak for myself, so I will tell you what I do.
Sometimes I just don’t do any yoga practice. I’m finding that I’m much more relaxed and easy going as I get older. I also find it helpful to break the habit of my morning asana practice, just like breaking any habit. It is interesting to notice how my body feels without the benefit of my practice in the morning. So this option kind of works both ways.
Sometimes I do a practice that is even more yin than usual. The way I practice asana is pretty slow and contemplative anyway, but there are days when going even slower and deeper feels like the right thing. For me practising asana very easily becomes meditation and I tend to just go with it.
The push through it and work even harder option, as you may have guessed by now isn’t one that I often take any more.
At least once every week or two I like to use my Earthlite back roller. It’s amazing how quick the time passes when you start slowly working it up the sides of your spine. Because it is underneath you and the pressure is created by your own body weight you can work into those old knotty areas with great precision and control. The feeling when you finish is really quite amazing, and there have been many times I have felt so grateful that I owned this fabulous tool. Back in the days when I used to travel all the time I really wish I’d had a mini back roller which are perfect for throwing in your bag when you travel.
Let me know what you do when you don’t want to do your yog a practice.
“Living Liberation - Meditation Training, and so much more" "It changed my life"Find out moreThe Paths Of Yoga Explained
April 17, 2009 by Ray Baskerville · 1 Comment
Primarily there are four paths of Yoga, they are: Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga and Karma Yoga. We will look at each yogic path in turn.
Jnana Yoga – The path of wisdom.
The word ‘Jnana’ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Jna to know, meaning knowledge. Like all paths of yoga its purpose is to reveal the absolute nature of the practitioner. it is based on the monotheistic principles of the Advaita, or non dual system of Spiritual philosophy. At the core of this teaching is the subject and object are expressions of the one absolute truth. Or in other words there is only One consciousness which manifests as the vast multitude of forms.
Firstly the student studies the teachings of Advaita (or other non-dual tradition), ideally from a Sat Guru, who is their living embodiment, or from the Scriptures. This aspect is called sravanam, meaning listening. Secondly, the student contemplates upon the teaching. This is called manamam meaning reflection or contemplation. Finally through meditation on the absolute truth the student comes to its direct experience and ultimately knows themselves as that absolute truth. This is called nididhyasana, meaning meditation.
The path of Jnana Yoga is then one of using the intellect of mind, contemplation and self enquiry to attain direct experience of the true nature of the one consciousness, from which all manifestation arises.
Obviously this path appeals to the more intellectual type, and its trap is the mind remaining bound in intellectual knowledge without direct experience. Knowing something because you’ve read in a book over and over again, is entirely different from directly experiencing the truth of it. Yet we live our lives defining ourselves by such beliefs. Contemporary non-dual teacher Adyshanti said “absolute certainty is delusion.”
It is for this reason that having a teacher who is established in the truth of the teaching is it so important. In the presence of such a teacher there is a subtle energetic transmission of the truth of the teachings. It is in the energy of this transmission that the teachings become alive and vibrant in the students resonating with that truth as yet unrealized within them, calling it forth into conscious awareness.
Bhakti Yoga – The path of devotion.
Bhakti Yoga is in some ways the other polarity to Jnana Yoga. The Bhakti yogi is all about love devotion and worship. From a philosophical point of view Bhakti yoga is dualistic, meaning worshipper and worshipped are seen as different. Of course the full realization of Bhakti yoga is the union of the lover and their beloved as one.
The great Sufi poets Rumi and Hafiz are wonderful examples of bhakti yogis. Bhakti yogis can be found in every religious and spiritual tradition.
Ideally through unwavering devotion the bhakti yogi comes to see God everywhere in everyone and everything. Life itself becomes the act of devotion and the individual will is surrendered to the will of the divine. It is through this depth of surrender that the limiting consciousness of the egoic mind is dissolved and only the beloved remains.
Bhakti yoga is easily exploited by gurus who are not completely and entirely established in the true nature. Because of the deep emotional and energetic intimacy of the path of Bhakti, it is probably more important than any other path to have a Sat Guru, on who is entirely and completely established in the Absolute. Of course it is not necessary to have a guru to be a bhakti yogi.
Another potential distortion on the Bhakti path if the development of sectarianism, bigotry and fanaticism. in such instances the chosen form of devotion is seen as superior to other forms, the consequences of which are all too apparent in our world.
Raja Yoga – Control of Mind and Body.
Raja means king, so Raja yoga is often called the “Royal Road”. Raja yoga Claims that whoever has gained mastery over his mind and body can become free from them. Raja yoga is another name for Ashtanga yoga or Patanjalis eight limbs of yoga. I have written about each of the eight limbs individually here Yamas, Niyamas, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyhara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi.
Karma Yoga The Path of Service.
Karma yoga, also called Seva is the path of selfless service, the path of action. If we were to summarize the meaning of karma yoga it is to perform all action without any expectation of attachment to the results. When combined with Bhakti yoga, all actions are done in the service of God, as devotion.
In essence all the paths of yoga are a means of purification, removing the causes of the illusion of separation. The nature of the egoic mind is selfishness, the Karma yogi strives to perform each action in thought word and deed from a consciousness that isn’t not self oriented. It is a path well-suited to those would like to be active and of service.
Obviously there is more to karma yoga than just the actions undertaken. Karma yoga requires the development of self-awareness, from which to recognize and surrender the increasingly subtle tendencies of the egoic minds tendencies to gratification and attachment to the actions and their outcomes.
Karma yoga in many ways seems to be the simplest and easiest of the four, but this is far from true. Karma yoga dissolves the egoic mind by giving it absolutely nothing to feed on. Its very nature is to feed on everything that we do think, feel, hear, see, smell, taste, in fact everything we experience. So Karma yoga requires commitment and dedication within the very mundane nature of life. There are no grand philosophical treaties to espouse, there are no techniques or spiritual technologies to master. There is in short nothing glamorous about it. It is not a path for the fainthearted as can be testified by anyone who has tried to keep up with Amma or when she was alive Mother Theresa.
Of Course it is ideal to blend appropriate elements from each of the yoga paths as befits our tendencies and personality.
Other writtings on the paths of yoga can be found below
“Living Liberation - Meditation Training, and so much more" "It changed my life"Find out more
Krishna Das & Sting Get Devotional
April 15, 2009 by Ray Baskerville · 1 Comment
Time for some Bhakti Yoga, not my natural inclination, but like Amma says Jnana without devotion is like chewing rocks and she also said something about Bhakti without Jnana but I don’t remember what it was. So with no further adoo I give you the daddy of American kirtan Mr Krishna Das and some English ex copper called Sting, giving Krishna some love.
“Living Liberation - Meditation Training, and so much more" "It changed my life"Find out more
The Power Of Yoga—for Kids
March 24, 2009 by Ray Baskerville · Leave a Comment
Yoga is becoming a powerful tool in our goal to raise calm, well-balanced, and socially aware children. Most people are already sold on the physiological benefits of yoga—improvements in posture, flexibility, strength, and endurance. But it’s yoga’s often overlooked cognitive/social/psychological benefits that read like a parent’s or schoolteacher’s dream. Kids who practice yoga on a regular basis show improvements in:
* memory
* concentration
* learning ability
* mood
* social skills
* self-acceptance
Today’s kids are bombarded by a neverending array of stimulus every day—from 500 channels on TV to text message overload. Add to this the controversial three hours of homework most kids receive each night, and it’s no wonder yoga classes for kids are finding their way into schools, gyms, and community centers across America. Adults, mostly yoga devotees themselves, are recognizing kids’ need for calm. Laura Whitesides, a kids yoga teacher in Redondo Beach, California schools describes it like this: “Kids have so much energy, both naturally and from their outside world. Yoga gives them the opportunity to take a break and focus that energy inward.”
Read the complete article here….
“Living Liberation - Meditation Training, and so much more" "It changed my life"Find out more
Lululemon’s Yoga Cult Of Selling
March 19, 2009 by Ray Baskerville · Leave a Comment
Lululemon has created a cult following for its yoga gear. Is it using cult like methodoligies ?
A cult following is the most coveted accessory in retail, and Lululemon’s is even more lustworthy than its Velocity Gym Bag. It wasn’t built on the work of some Jobs-ian swami, however, but on the sources of Lulu founder and chairman Chip Wilson’s own spiritual awakening. Wilson has mixed a heady self-actualizing cocktail from equal parts Landmark Forum (seminars developed by an ex-Scientologist), the books of motivational business guru Brian Tracy, and Oprah-endorsed best seller The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne. He is now hard at work formalizing them in a Lululemon "internal constitution."
"It’s the first time I’ve heard of anyone almost directly using the techniques of cults and applying them to their business," says Douglas Atkin, author of The Culting of Brands: Turn Your Customers into True Believers
Read the complete article here ….
“Living Liberation - Meditation Training, and so much more" "It changed my life"Find out more
Yoga For Runners & Athletes
March 18, 2009 by Ray Baskerville · 1 Comment
Many runners and athletes reject yoga as a beneficial part of their training even though runners are notorious for their lack of flexibility. Their argument is that static flexibility doesn’t translate into better performance and static strength building is of no benefit. The increasing evidence is this view is just plain wrong. All yoga asana practice involves some degree of movement, creating dynamic flexibility and greater elasticity in the muscles.
This is increasingly so with more dynamic styles of yoga like ashtanga and vinyasa, which can also feel like a workout. This can be psychologically important to many results-driven runners and athletes.
The really big benefit of yoga to runners and athletes is it’s strengthening of the small stabilizer muscles, which coupled with greater flexibility greatly reduces injury. Couple this with better balance and mental focus, in addition to all the health benefits of yoga and it’s relly a no brainer.
Imagine then if a yoga teacher who has taught yoga to thousands of students. (Including the Canadian National Snowboard Team, & Olympic Champion runners) designed a home study program that will
* Strengthen and tone every major muscle in your body.
* Build your core strength.
* Dramatically increase your flexibility, head to toe.
* Improve your balance and posture.
* Burn fat.
* Give your cardiovascular system a healthy workout.
* Improve your mental focus.
* And literally melt away stress.
Here it is honed and refined to 30 minutes a day runners yoga everyone can find 30 minutes a day! So give it a try.
Here you will find a slide show of recommended poses for runners
“Living Liberation - Meditation Training, and so much more" "It changed my life"Find out more
Indian Clerics Enter Muslim Religion And Yoga Debate
March 9, 2009 by Ray Baskerville · Leave a Comment
Even as I’m working on an article about the difference between spirituality and religion, things continue to develop in the religion and yoga story of Muslim fatwas on yoga.
Indian Muslim clerics have joined the ongoing conflict that has seen Malaysian and Indonesian fatwas against Muslims practicing yoga.
The word from the Indian seminaries is that yoga doesn’t contradict Islam and in fact they point to many similarities between the two. These more tolerant views are helping many Muslims who practise yoga resolve their dilemma in the face of the bans on certain elements of the practice.
It is also helpful to some Islamic scholars in Indonesia who agree. The feeling of many Indonesians is the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), which issued the fatwa against the ‘Hindu’ elements of yoga in late January, does not represent the majority of the Indonesian Muslim opinion.
Speaking in a debate at the first weeklong International Bali-India Yoga Festival last week Salman Harun, director of the Centre of Multifaith Education in Jakarta said better understanding of the art of yoga would ensure that such sever steps are not taken in future.
Also speaking at the festival Stefan Danerek, a scholar who has studied Islam and has also been practicing yoga for the past few months, went on to draw parallels between Islam and yoga claiming “The ’salaat’, (the ritualistic beginning of the Islamic prayer), and asanas are very similar. He said the focused concentration required, and even the manner of praying in Islam – is similar to yoga. From this he said one can draw a lot of parallels between the two,”
Personally I don’t know about that and it sounds like a desire to find similarities rather than them being apparent. Danerek ended the debate on an expansive note “Yoga is halal. It is not bound by religious and other boundaries. And just like the holy Koran teaches, it spreads the message of unity and peace”.
I say power to that thought. With a focus on the message of unity and peace that is common to all major religions we would live in a very different world with plenty of room for yoga and religion.
“Living Liberation - Meditation Training, and so much more" "It changed my life"Find out moreYoga Association Forms In Bali
March 5, 2009 by Ray Baskerville · Leave a Comment
Despite the ban on certain elements of yoga by the Indonesia’s top Muslim clerics, the first yoga association formed at the International Bali India Yoga festival.
Formed by Somvir, an Indian spiritual guru and academic who set up the Bali India Foundation to teach yoga more than 10 years ago, the association’s main aim is to remove misconceptions about yoga and spread awareness about it’s benefits.
"There are many yoga centres here in Bali and elsewhere but hardly anyone knows each other. This association will be like an umbrella organisation to exchange ideas, information and ultimately spread awareness that yoga is a medium to good health," Mr. Somvir said at the festival on Thursday.
According to Somvir, there are more than 10 million people practising yoga in Indonesia. A total of 30 yoga centres from various parts of Indonesia like Bali, Java and Lombo have came together to form the association.
"In Indonesia, yoga is becoming popular but many people still keep away from it thinking that it’s a mystic art that should avoid. We will try and disseminate information that yoga is just an exercise for physical and mental well being," Mr. Somvir added.
Although Somvir is the founding member of the association, the chief of the association is a Balinese woman entrepreneur who has been learning yoga at the Bali India Foundation for a year now.
"Sri is an avid yoga practitioner. Since nearly 90 percent of those practising yoga in the world are women, it’s only fair that a woman is the chief of the association," he said.
“Living Liberation - Meditation Training, and so much more" "It changed my life"Find out moreBhakti Fest- 3 Days Of Devotional Yoga Bliss
March 2, 2009 by Ray Baskerville · Leave a Comment
Bhakti Fest is a three day music festival celebrating devotion through chanting, yoga, meditation and community out in the desert of Joshua Tree California, September 11-13 2009.
The gathering will be on 450 acres of inspiring desert land to express love and devotion as one community through an enchanting array of activities, including:
Constant Kirtan Concerts. Artists include – Jai Uttal, Wah!, Karnamrita, Mukti, Mc Yogi, Arjun Baba and whole lot more.
Yoga Classes with Siva Rea, Mark Whitwell, Sarah Ivanhoe, Joan White, KristinOlson, Saul David Raye, Nubia Teixeira & Steve Ross
Private and Group Meditation
Vegetarian Cuisine
Midnight Fire Ceremonies (Pujas)
Hanuman Chalisas
Eco-Friendly Vendor Village
Camping, Cottages and Cabin Accommodations
Wellness Sanctuary: with massage, reiki, channeling and other unique healing sessions.
Dr Deepak Chopra will be there and Ram Dass will beam in by satellite.
Sweat Lodges: poured in the Lakota tradition, space is extremely limited.
Registration & Housing Rates
Before May 1st Festival Admission EARLYBIRD Ticket = $200 (after May 1 Festival Admission Ticket is $250)
CAMPING (BYO- tent ) $90 / person, no meals
RV SITE $125 no meals
BUNK BED (Dorm-Style) $175 / person w/meals
SHARED ROOM 3-8 $225 / person w/meals
SHARED ROOM 2 $300 / person w/meals
VIP CABIN (Only 6) $1,000 / 2 adults w/meals
VIP Cabin includes private patio and overlooks the venue.
ALL BEDS ARE SINGLE – BEDDING, TOWELS and SHEETS WILL BE PROVIDED IN ROOMS
HOUSING PRICES above include 2 nights stay and 5 meals on the premises.
(dinner – Friday, Saturday & Sunday/ breakfast – Saturday & Sunday)
50% of festival proceeds to four charitable foundations. Oxfam, Seva Foundation, Amma and RamDass.org
What a feast for body heart and soul, register or make contact at the Bhakti Fest website
“Living Liberation - Meditation Training, and so much more" "It changed my life"Find out moreYoga A Treatment For Depression?
February 27, 2009 by Ray Baskerville · Leave a Comment
Feeling depressed or down? Don’t automatically reach for an anti-depressant. Do some yoga. These days, the typical treatment for depression comes in the form of a pill, which can often lead to serious side effects and dependency. Prior to modern drug companies, however, sages from the East discovered a method of calming the mind and soothing the spirit. These physical exercises, called "asanas," are what modern Westerners typically think of when they hear the term "yoga."
…Western studies have shown that regular exercise can provide relief from depression. In addition, yoga postures have been specifically shown to increase levels of the neurotransmitter GABA, which may alleviate depression. Furthermore, as many enthusiastic practitioners of yoga will tell you, yoga seems to go beyond the benefits of general exercise and helps increase overall happiness.
….On a physical level, yoga postures are designed to massage the internal organs, increasing and decreasing blood flow to targeted areas. This circulates the blood and lymph, thus removing stale bodily fluids from vital organs and helping flush toxins. The physical movement can also stimulate certain hormones and neurotransmitters, leading to positive feelings and emotions.
Additionally, according to the Eastern medical model, yoga exercises are also designed to specifically move the "prana" or life force energy in the body (traditional Oriental medicine calls this "chi"). Keeping this life force fresh and alive is vital to well-being, according to Eastern philosophy.
Above are short exerts from Yoga: An Alternative Treatment for Depression
You can also combat depression by altering your diet
