21 May
yogahealthfoundationadmin Yoga

The 8 Limbs of Yoga – The Yamas

By Nirmala Raniga: When we think of yoga, we often picture crowded studios with students in stylish clothes twisting their bodies into difficult shapes. However, the true practice of yoga is much more than that. In fact, yoga is the Sanskrit word for union, the alignment of mind, body, and spirit. And, while the concept of yoga is simple, the practice consists of many facets.

The most well-known yoga text is The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, which provides a framework for the practice of yoga. In this book, Patanjali defines the Eight Limbs of Yoga, guidelines to help us live fuller, happier lives. These recommendations are particularly important for those who have struggled with addiction and whose internal compasses may need some assistance to rediscover balance as they strive to recover. That said, whether we are addressing addictive behaviors or simply seeking greater fulfillment, the Eight Limbs of Yoga are universal practices from which we can all benefit.

The Eight Limbs of Yoga are: 

  • Yamas: The Yamas are guidelines to help us treat others as we would like to be treated.
  • Niyamas: The Niyamas are our own rituals and practices. They are those activities that help us nurture the body, mind, and spirit.
  • Asana: Asana practice is what we typically see in a yoga studio; it is the practice of yoga postures, which help keep our bodies – the vehicles for our minds and spirits – healthy, flexible, and strong.
  • Pranayama: Pranayama exercises are breathing techniques that bring energy and calmness to the mind, body, and spirit.
  • Pratyahara: The practice of Pratyahara centers on turning our attention inward, away from the outside world.
  • Dharana: Dharana is concentration, and this practice helps us move away from our thoughts as we enter meditation.
  • Dhyana: Dhyana is finding stillness through meditation.
  • Samadhi: Samadhi is translated as transcendence, when we understand and experience the true Self and feel totally connected with the whole of the Universe.

The Yamas are much like the Golden Rule, doing unto others as we would have them do unto us, and they consist of five philosophies and practices:

The first is Ahimsa, non-violence or non-harming. When we practice Ahimsa, we commit to not hurting any living thing, including ourselves. Often, when people struggle with addiction, this first Yama is the one that is the most difficult to follow. Addiction not only harms those around the person who is actively using, but it first and foremost hurts the addicted individual.

The next Yama is Satya, which means truthfulness. Sometimes it is difficult to be honest with others and ourselves. When we are engaged in Satya, we do our best to take an honest look at our situations, relationships, and lives, accepting where we are in this moment. As we do this, if we are also practicing Ahimsa, we are able to look honestly at our lives with kindness and compassion.

Often translated as celibacy or sexual discipline, Brahmacharya reminds us that sexual desire and activity must be practiced within healthy boundaries. Addiction often plays a role in one’s losing his or her inhibitions and in sexual infidelity and lack of control.

The next Yama is Asteya, honesty. This Yama reminds us that we need to be honest about what is ours and what is not. Asteya reminds us that we must respect other people’s boundaries, commitments, and possessions and only take what belongs to us. When people are in the depths of addiction, stealing can become part of their lives. As individuals recover and move toward more healthy lifestyles, understanding the impact stealing has on others and oneself can help reinforce the practice of this Yama.

Much like the Commandments that caution not to covet one’s neighbors’ property and relationships, Aparigraha, or generosity, reminds us to refrain from possessiveness. This is different from non-stealing because it has more to do with one’s state of mind rather than the action itself. Whenever we make bad choices in our lives, be that active or within our minds, we create an internal conflict that prevents us from realizing our potential. When we practice Aparigraha and are happy with what we have in our own lives, not looking outside ourselves for what others may have, we nurture a sense of well-being within that can help us expand and thrive.

For those who struggle with addiction, living a “right life,” one that enhances both society and the individual, can be very difficult. It is imperative that people forge new paths toward a healthy lifestyle by participating in yoga asana and meditation sessions, eating nourishing meals, and utilizing holistic counseling for themselves and their families.

Over the next few weeks, we will continue with our discussion of The Eight Limbs of Yoga starting with taking an in-depth look at personal practices and rituals, the Niyamas.

04 Feb
yogahealthfoundationadmin Yoga

The Mental Health Benefits of Yoga

Traditionally, yoga poses or “asanas”, were developed and practiced in India to help the body and mind develop flexibility during long hours of meditation. What many people don’t know however, is that yoga is about much more than physical fitness alone. It is a holistic system with the physical component of asanas only forming one out of eight limbs of a complete yoga practice. Yoga means “to unite”, referring to the union of body, mind and spirit. It is a science of balanced living, a path for realizing full human potential, and a tool to cultivate the ability to remain centered in the midst of turbulence.

Life’s stresses indeed cause many people to feel emotionally unbalanced. When we are stressed, our survival instinct kicks in and the body goes into the fight or flight response mode— either preparing to do battle with the perceived threat (fight), or preparing to flee (flight). This response is regulated by the brain, in the region called the amygdala. Among the body’s responses to stress are increased heart, respiration, and blood pressure rates and decreased immunity and insulin production.

Without a healthy way to release daily stress, it becomes internalized and fight or flight becomes the body’s customary response. Over time, this can cause damage not only to the body, but also to the mind. Research shows that constant stress actually changes the brain. For example, stress can lead to a stronger connection between the amygdala and the hippocampus. A stronger connection of these two brain areas leads to increased stress response. Stress has also been shown to diminish the connection between the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, thus altering the brain’s ability to bring calm to the mind and body. When a person is under constant stress, these imbalanced brain connections can cause a greater reaction to stress and a more challenging time mitigating that reaction.

Yoga, including asana and meditation practices, can help ease these physiological stress responses by helping to bring down heart rate, blood pressure and by boosting the immune system.

In his article, “Healing from Depression” Dr. Deepak Chopra discusses some of the benefits of meditation. In terms of mental health, he explains that studies have shown mindfulness meditation to alleviate mild-to-moderate depression and stress.

As noted by Dr. Chopra, the healing effects of yoga, particularly those of physical asana and meditation practice, are supported by empirical research. According to a Johns Hopkins University study, meditation has been proved to be helpful in reducing anxiety, depression, and pain. In 2011, Harvard researchers discovered that eight weeks of meditation could decrease the volume of the amygdala, which in turn, could help reduce stress, fear, and anxiety. Stanford researchers also discovered in their studies that mindfulness meditation practitioners experienced a decrease in the symptoms of social anxiety.

A Duke University review of yoga for neuropsychiatric disorders tested the belief that regular yoga practice had a positive effect on emotional wellbeing. At the conclusion of their experiment, researchers stated, “There is emerging evidence from randomized trials to support popular beliefs about yoga for depression, sleep disorders, and as an augmentation therapy.”

Studies have shown that yoga asana practice helps reduce the symptoms of conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by increasing an individual’s sense of awareness and control over the body. One study of women aged 18 to 58 compared the impact of Trauma-Informed Yoga versus Women’s Health Education on PTSD symptoms. Results showed that by the end of the 10 weeks, more than 50 percent of the yoga practitioners no longer met the criteria to classify them as having PTSD, while only 21 percent of the group in women’s health classes exhibited the same results.

Shedding light onto how meditation may be helpful in all these areas of mental health, Dr. Deepak Chopra explains that meditation trains the mind to develop a witnessing awareness that is independent of the external environment.

“This core self is not a philosophical or theological concept; it is an experience of your authentic existence,” Dr. Chopra states. “With an established sense of the silent witness, it will be easier to not become identified with the darkness of your depressed days.” Essentially, cultivating this observer state of mind through meditation allows you recognize that you are not your emotions.

We look forward to uniting in Yoga for Peace, Harmony and Health!

By Nirmala Raniga

© 2017, All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

04 Feb
yogahealthfoundationadmin Yoga

IMPORTANCE OF YOGA

Yoga embraces all

To hear of Yoga is a blessing. To absorb and align with it,  even more so. The Yogic and Indian ethos springs from its meaning which means union or yoking of body, emotion and mind with the universe. This expansive thinking beyond race , age or net worth towards refinement of the human being , Self discovery and realisation is what Yoga is about. It is about building humane compassionate beings who can with their very presence bring in fairness, vision and bliss to the endeavours they are involved in and uplift everyone. From such individuals spring conscious communities, organisations and countries.

What one of the Yogic texts speaks of

The Bagwat Gita , an ancient Indian text on conscious living, describes yoga as Excellence in action. This excellence is defined not only as skillfully doing ones job, but having ones heart in it, without getting attached to the fruits.  This does not mean that one does not get something in exchange. However the sole motivation is not the exchange alone. Excellence comes from believing in what one does and knowing it needs to be done for the greater good of all and for cosmic order to fall into place. This extra mile ,one will go to if one has a Yogic attitude. The text also speaks of moderation and not overeating, not having too much recreation, overworking or oversleeping as well. Like this many attitudes are impressed upon on the yogic practitioner and it focuses on healing and harmonising the body, emotions and mind with the infinite.

Wealth of other Yogic Texts and importance of having a life guide who re-parents ones inner child

Just like the Bagvat Gita there are many other texts like the yoga sutras, yoga vashishta, vedas, upanishads, viveka chudamani agamas, puranas, tantras  that speak of these beautiful life principles for uplifting oneself as well as humanity. However the most important aspect in the Yogic culture is studying with a guide, acharya /guru dedicated to these principles rather than getting stuck to just information or bookish knowledge as much as they can point in the right direction. Then one starts imbibing it and living it and it becomes real rather than just remaining on the intellectual level. That is why in the Indian tradition the guru becomes like a spiritual parent, not just a public speaker. Then on becoming a spiritual adult (not related to ones age) the student or one being re-parented is ready to tune into one’s own inner guru and the realisation happens. The practitioner becomes strong in re-parenting and guiding himself towards a more evolved state.  In yoga it is not just an intellectualisation or memorising and speaking about principles but an internalisation and embodiment of it that is the focus.  Guru = dispeller of darkness , Yoga Acharya, fem: Acharini – One who acts in alignment with the Yogic ethos. One who has a grander vision of life

India is unique in having an uninterrupted stream of spiritual researchers

The sages, rishis, maha gurus or ancient researchers as I would like to refer to them have refined themselves and tuned into these principles from the universal vibrations. There is an uninterrupted stream of these Indian life scientists and artists who researched life for over 20,000 years. Each yuga or time period in Indian history has had great teachers, philosophers, researchers of life and texts to explain righteous living. These teachings infiltrated many other countries.

Yoga impacts all and enhances all

Yoga is this marvellous life science that works on individual, family, group ,organisation as well as societal levels. We will see the effect trickle into every area of our life as well as those around us. As we become more conscious through the Yogic practices and principles we cannot but let go of those things that harm us, others or society. We cannot but embrace all of life and enhance it.

Yoga, a path of conscious choices for a kinder world with less violence

That is why those on the yoga path will start making conscious choices about everything they do , feel or think. To start with they are aware of the food they eat , how it is procured and what impact it has on their consciousness. Has the animal been tormented?, is it good for the environment and other pertinent questions will be asked. One will not mindlessly eat what is dished out to them. Similarly one questions one’s lifestyle and other emotional and thought habits. We fathom we are part of a collective whole and therefore healthy and uplifting choices come naturally to those on a yoga path.  Similarly in relationships emotions are acknowledged and channelized. Organisations also benefit from this Emotional intelligence as they have individuals who think out of the box and believe in win win win situations, building a solid foundation for their teams and organisation.

Building not just IQ but EQ, SQ and BQ

I have trained many working for corporations in Self Mastery and stress management and see that they benefit tremendously by learning tools to reprogram the sub-conscious mind and tap into the intelligent design. The benefits start with conscious bodies that can self correct postural imbalances to building Emotional Quotient , Spiritual Quotient and most importantly tuning into the Bliss quotient (coined by Maitreyi to indicate not just happiness but the capacity to tune into a universal vibration of bliss). Then more conscious organisations are built who can contribute to society and heal the environment as they are tuned into this more expansive perspective of life rather than just a limited view of profits.

Yoga clears away the debris to allow the persons divinity to shine through

Yoga is not an exercise regime but a great art and science of dancing your highest potential into being.

Let us build humans who are humane, who build organisations and societies with the same ethos.

So we invite individuals as well as organisations to join us in this event to rise to your most magnificent selves. Be part of the third World Yoga Day on the 17th June 2017 and grow in Abundance and Grace.

Yogacharini Maitreyi is a practical mystic who trains Arkaya yoga teachers& healers and creates conscious community around the world.  She also runs a foundation for children living in slums in Chennai. She is in Vancouver in the summer to train Arkaya Yoga teachers and guide them on a path of self awareness , classical yogic principles, sattvic tantra and multidimentional healing. Next TT starts in July 2017.

E-mail: maitreyi9@hotmail.com; www.arkaya.net

© 2017, All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

04 Feb
yogahealthfoundationadmin Yoga

THE WORLD IS OUR FAMILY

I grew up with my grandfather speaking to me about one big family , of Carls Sagan, Aryabhata ( an Indian astronomer and mathematician who lived around 3000 years ago) and of Greek gods. He mentioned how six thousand years before Aryabhata we had advanced astronomical observations and spoke of many civilizations and their ways, like pharaohs being mummified. He said  that though everything seemed larger than life for a child of 10 such as myself, all these worlds were within me.

Maitreyi-mug-shot-(5)He loved Beethovan and I listened to the symphonies as well as listened to MS Subbulakshmi’s suprabatham (South Indian classical music)  and saw my grandfather cry to his favourites “Ram Niranjan” and “Guruji” by Kumar Ghandarva (North Indian Classical music).

He made me aware of how plants could sense what I was feeling and how ayurvedic herbalists chanted and asked the plant to participate in another’s healing before plucking their leaves or whichever part was required. He spoke of how “The secret life of plants”, a book in English was speaking about similar yogic principles where equipment attached to the  plants indicated that the plants were agitated or had violent tremors when a person with the intent to harm the plant would enter the room. Also other plants which were not going to be harmed had tremors and empathised with the plant that was to be harmed. Just being around him I realised we impact the world around us just by what we think and feel. I realised that we are all one.

I was soon my grandfathers helper in watering the  hundreds of plants in my home with him and sometimes even speaking to a few of them as I went about it.

Just by living with him I was able to feel that we are all more similar than we would want to believe. We are all looking for peace, happiness and to feel fulfilled.

All of us want to feel safe, respected and utilise our full potential. All of us want to be valued  and all of us want to love and to be loved

This is the Yogic principle of Vasudhaiva kutumbakam. This means the world is one family and is also engraved in the entrance hall of the Indian Parliament. 

This expansive thinking is what is needed to unite us and not divisive thinking based on religious fanaticism, colour or race as we see increasingly nowadays.

I would like to share with everyone two things to live by as my grandfather, my first guru, told me.  He said walk in the world like you do not care who this world belongs to and walk like this world belongs to you.

By that he meant “Do not get intimidated by wealth or power or enamoured by it, do not care or give too much importance to those external trappings.” Second thing is if something needs to be done in the world, take care of it, protect it, stand up for what is right and nurture it and be compassionate ,just as if it belonged to you.

As I travel to many countries I remember with gratitude how my first guru taught me to embrace many worlds.

Below  is a poem dedicated to my grandfather, my students and everyone on the evolutionary path to allow them to see and embrace the worlds within and without.

THE ETERNAL EMBRACE

There is a space
Where I’m neither man nor woman,
Young nor old
No colour, no race, not even a face
All I feel is my heart bursting with love

Holding the divine and you, in a long warm embrace

Yogacharini Maitreyi is a practical mystic who trains Arkaya yoga teachers& healers and creates conscious community around the world.  She also runs a foundation for children living in slums in Chennai. She is in Vancouver in the summer to train Arkaya Yoga teachers and guide them on a path of self awareness , classical yogic principles, sattvic tantra and multidimentional healing. Next TT starts in July 2017.

  • E-mail: maitreyi9@hotmail.com
  • Web: www.arkaya.net

© 2017, All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

30 Jan
yogahealthfoundationadmin Vedic Knowledge, Yoga

FROM STRESS TO SERENITY

Maitreyi-mug-shot-(5)I was asked in year 2016, by a participant at the International Yoga day, organized by International Yoga Festival & Expo Foundation and sponsored by ICSEA as well as the Indian consulate, about stress.

How does yoga reduce stress?

I have taught many corporations and individuals in different countries on stress management, self mastery and aligning with the highest. I see that many times they perceive asanas and pranayama to be like a pill. Many want three postures to heal blood pressure, one pranayama or a breathing technique for weight loss , some other combination for increasing creativity or one secret manthra or chant for enlightenment. Though all are possible, more than just the tools, the approach to the tool, right attitude as well as lifestyle and paradigm changes are  very important. So in a series of articles I will explain how stress can be alleviated by approaching yoga in a holistic manner. We will also see the depth, expansiveness and beauty of the yogic system. It is a system which goes to the root imbalance rather than just getting rid of the symptom and addresses every aspect of the individual. The physical, emotional, mental and spiritual are aligned.

The right approach to yoga will help us deal with stress more efficiently

When I see what is happening to Yoga these days it reminds me of those using an airplane only on the runway. Even worse they are looking at competing with a race car on the runway. The aim of yoga is not an adrenaline high but the journey of building inner stability. So when we actually fly, despite the turbulence we are able to re-stabilise. Despite the high speed of our evolution we do not have the speeding thrill of the race car.

However when we are ignorant, we continue to use yoga only on the runway and even undervalue it because it is not able go faster than a race car or give the same thrills. Or feel proud we have bent yoga to suit our needs for an adrenaline high. The whole purpose of yoga is to change the whole paradigm of where and how the race happens and if at all a race is needed. This discernment and tapping into a higher intelligence is what yoga gives us.

Self reflection and taking responsibility is a necessary step in stress management

That is why in the Arkaya Mindfulness and Healing Teacher Training programs I take only those who have the courage to see themselves clearly and want to shift their underlying physical, emotional and mental patterns and programming.  Not just learn some asanas, some pranayama , some chanting, quotes and concepts from the scriptures and prance around looking like teachers. It  takes a lot of effort to step away from the busyness and keep time for contemplative time as well as see and release suppressed emotions. However this contemplation and capacity for emotional honesty is not usually valued in a productivity oriented society. It can seem challenging to take responsibility for your well being in the beginning and one might find a lot of resistance. However with practice one can see the messages and insights that come even out of the worst times and darkness. We are so used to giving away responsibility to doctors, therapists and temples that it seems scary to reclaim this power. It does not mean we do not consult them but also work on prevention. Fear is what leads to stress, so let us align with the wisdom to release this fear and empower ourselves.

Wisdom Principle One for Stress management

  1. Start with the simple and start step by step

This means that apart from the tools that you learn , the rhythm of the yoga class you go to is extremely important. Do not go to a  class where you are pushing yourself to the point of exhaustion. Yes you will become a great gymnast and if that is what you want then good, however you will still be a stressed and emotionally needy gymnast.

You are again overworking your adrenals and the whole point of rebalancing the adrenal glands  is lost. The adrenals are in charge of the stress response and secrete adrenaline or cortisol in high stress situations when you are being attacked or your survival is under threat. When we do high intensity training as well, this stress response is triggered and you are overworking the adrenal glands. So mindful, simple practice with slow deep breathing is better to rebalance the adrenals.

The yoga class is a structure for life, so your approach in class will translate as your approach in life. If your class is paced well , in life also you will learn to pace yourself rather than kill yourself in the rat race.

Also though we are aware of other addictions like alcohol and drug addictions we rarel speak of adrenaline addiction. Many have adrenaline addiction and that is one of the main reasons for this perpetuating cycle of  increased stress.

In the next series of articles we will go more into adrenaline addiction and see more principles and tools on how to address stress.

The practice

Till then simplify, be mindful of how you sit, stand and lie down. Are you sitting with back straight yet relaxed, shoulders relaxed yet pushed back and neck in line with shoulders rather than jutting it forward. Have a gentle smile on your face and remember to tap into lightness and play. This awareness and mindfulness in day to day situations is important. Breathe deep and slow and trust you are well and all is well.

It is interesting how a Hindi movie beautifully used this yogic concept of “all is well” and popularised it 🙂

Yogacharini Maitreyi is a practical mystic. She trains Arkaya yoga teachers& healers and creates conscious community around the world. She also runs a foundation for children living in slums in Chennai  E-mail: maitreyi9@hotmail.com; www.arkaya.net

Fb Arkaya Vancouver/Conscious Living group

Dates for Arkaya Mindfulness & Healing Teacher Training in Vancouver, 2017 will be announced soon. It starts in July.

© 2017, All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

1 … 7 8 9