Blogasana ~ Yoga in Gwinnett

Anubhava - "Intuition"

2010-02-03T09:37:00.001-05:00

How does one tap into their intuition? How does one become more intuitive?

First, the seat of our intuition is the medulla oblongata, the uppermost portion of the spine, where it intersects with the skull. And Ajna, the Third Eye center, is the forward most center of one's intuition. (In Yoga, the Three Master Poses are important because of their emphasis in these areas.)

Anubhava is one's perception and understanding, one's experience and knowledge derived from personal observation. For example, when one really wants to reason something out, it may take a lot of time, but when one gets an intuitive flash, it's immediate. Then, if one wants to prove it, they can reason it out. What normally happens: One discovers that reason and intuition agree.

Anubhava is more direct than reason, which is why you should always use anubhava. Always go inward - trusting Self - to find answers, rather than scurrying around in the externalities of the mind.

Read this Note and apply it to yourself, making every metaphysical and philosophical area work within you. Do not carry this information about as 'knowledge' or 'Yoga wisdom' - which is the intellect, but as inner 'knowing'.

It takes time to remind the subconscious that one is a spiritual being whose existence does not begin and end with this life. Therefore, this inner teaching must begin to be applied as soon as it has begun to be understood. The superconscious mind - the 'god consciousness', or 'christ consciousness', or 'self consciousness' - is the most wonderful area of the mind there is, although .. awareness is not always in it. So that, one is not always aware of the superconscious mind, being too busy with the conscious mind - the everyday, waking, talking and working mind.

When one feels as if they are living in the moment .. in the now .. as if there is no past and there never has been any past or future, one is becoming subconsciously certain that they are in an intense, vibrating entity of the eternal now. That is the superconsciousness, and that is Real.

Samatha - 'Calm Abiding'

2010-01-31T16:46:00.001-05:00

Samatha is the first faculty to appear in the awakening of the superconscious* region. Samatha - or Calm Abiding - is cultivated by abstinence from excessive talk. Talk dissipates the energies of the aura and of the vital body.

A mystic generally does not talk very much, for her intuition works through reason, but does not use the processes of reason. Any intuitive breakthrough will be quite reasonable, but it does not use the processes of reason.

Reason takes time. Superconsciousness acts in the now. All superconscious knowing comes in a flash out of the nowhere. Intuition is more direct than reason, and far more accurate. Therefore, the mystic does not ask many questions or enter into lengthy conversations.

Ponder over this and apply it to yourself. Take this into yourself and feel it is for you.

Begin to feel that Calm Abiding is one of your finest faculties, one that you most cherish. It is the first faculty of the awakening of your higher mind. Say to yourself, "I have Calm Abiding", this will help you to accept the fact that you already have this, residing within.

Some people on the spiritual path cannot wait to talk about their meditations even before they come out of them (which is not just when the eyes are open or the meditation is 'over'). This lessens the vital energies and shows to perceptive people that they have yet to arrive at a superconscious state.

AUM Shanti, Shanti, Shanti!

*The superconscious is variously referred to as 'cosmic consciousness', 'god-consciousness', 'dharma consciousness', or 'christ consciousness'. It is the condition where one views the universe as a living superorganism, with which animals, plant and humans are all interconnected.

Beginner's Yoga

2010-01-28T13:13:00.002-05:00

Beginner's Yoga Class

Tuesday, February 2, 7pm

Have you been considering taking a Yoga class but didn't know what to expect? Are you curious, but don't want to be the only new person in class? Maybe you have tried a Yoga video, but feel like you need something more.

Or maybe you've been away from the practice for a while, and want to refamiliarize yourself. Or you just want to get back to the basics.

Beginner's Yoga is the place to start.

The first Beginner's Yoga class in 2010, starts Tuesday, February 2, at 7pm. This is ideal for people new to Yoga, interested in Yoga, or wanting to learn more about Yoga .. all in a supportive environment where you can ask questions, learn useful information, and find out the best way to make Yoga a part of your life.

Beginner's Yoga is by pre-registration, is four weeks long, and fills up quickly .. so sign-up today before your place is taken!

Yoga and Chocolate

2010-01-27T12:03:00.001-05:00

Lisa Cohen, a Yoga teacher in Decatur, posted the link below to her wall. Reading it, I was prompted to offer my thoughts on Yoga and vegetarianism.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/27/dining/27yoga.html?pagewanted=1
______

My thoughts on this subject:

I routinely offer a workshop called “Yoga for Lunch” .. where I prepare a rich and fragrant vegetarian meal. Otherwise, Yoga is one of six philosophies. No where does it advocate a purely vegetarian diet except for the spiritually pure, or those who strive towards a wholly spiritual life. Ayurveda – Yoga’s health system – suggests meat for every body type.

Meat eating was essential in the ‘youth’ of humanity – when life was rajasic, or “action, activity” – when survival called for building bulk, potency and verve to meet the demands of daily life. For those who seek a sattvic life – “equilibrium, self-responsible for health and contentment within body and mind, conscious and aware” – to live gently within themselves and upon the earth, a vegetarian diet is a first step, if not essential to realization.

In 1998 the sun passed close to the galactic center, and will do so again in 2012. There are those who feel this ‘window’ of time is indicative of humanity moving towards a place of consequence of its collective consciousness. Likewise, these same individuals feel that world events – human and geophysical / weather – is further evidence that time is accelerating towards a particular point of awakening and awareness. So it is that many at this time feel compelled to embrace these last few years with full sattvic consciousness, because we are all living within a moment of great rapidity – rushing towards a .. a pause, a stillness, a quiet centeredness. As such, how one deals with such information is paramount to how one will live through that moment in time. Therefore, for many, embracing a vegetarian diet is simply a way to raise their sattvic vibrational level to better match the increased energy of the greater galaxy around us.

Again, Yoga does not advocate a vegetarian diet for everyone. Those who practice Yoga with a sattvic aim, become vegetarians. Meat and cheese, according to Ayurveda, are considered sandra, “dense”, meaning they increase the compactness of the body, making one more grounded. So that if a Vata bodytype were to eat meat and cheese, they would feel stable. The firmness, density and strength of muscle is Kapha (another bodytype), so this will increase in those who eat meat or cheese.

Just as the body carries a genetic tendency, so does the mind carry khavaigunya, “space-defective, weakening”, or a tendency towards a weakness within the body that comes from the mind. Modern science has shown this to be true (reference my wall post and link on “epigenetics”). So that if one's family ate meat, then one is more prone to meat cravings, for example. In India, there are generations of families that have never ate meat, unlike here in America. So transitioning to a vegetarian diet can be challenging for the average individual if its not already part of their genetic make-up, or stemming from an innate spiritual inclination.

Certainly, Yoga has become something different from its ancient Indian ‘parent’, but, such is the nature of every child. Yoga in America is an exploratory journey, one that fully captures the American spirit of adventure and discovery. In India, for example, Yogins are spiritual souls, divinely inspired men and women who forsake the world to wander homeless. In the States, that’s called a ‘bum’. In India, it is commonplace to encounter Yogins and Swamis who are spiritual guides and wise counselors on every aspect of life and living. In the States, one pays hundreds of dollars to attend weekend ‘intensives’ with such souls. In India, one practices what one preaches, so being ‘more yoga than thou’ is a foreign concept. In the States, it seems that Yoga teachers and students compete with each other over who is better at meditation or a particular asana, or a vegetarian, or has a singular guru, or is wearing the latest Yoga fashion item. Yes .. Yoga in America is akin to a child, exploring the Yoga landscape, reaching an understanding of self through and in Yoga. A few more decades and I imagine our childhood will give way to maturity and such matters will no longer be topics, but relics of our youth.

AUM Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Red Hot Sweet Potatoes

2010-01-24T11:02:00.000-05:00

2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 2 medium)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Slice sweet potatoes in half, then into wedges. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Toss until evenly coated.

2. In a small bowl, combine rosemary, garlic, cayenne, salt and pepper. Sprinkle evenly over potatoes and toss to coat.

3. Roast 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are golden brown and fork tender.

Real Men do Yoga

2010-01-21T13:07:00.001-05:00

Six bad gym exercises and their Yoga alternatives.

1-The Seated Leg Extension

The myth: It's the safest way to work your quadriceps, or thigh muscles.

The truth: Physiologists at the Mayo Clinic determined that leg extensions place significantly more stress on your knees than squats. Why? Because the resistance is placed near your ankles, which leads to high amounts of torque being applied to your knee joint every time you lower the weight. What's more, Auburn University scientists found that people who squat long-term have tighter, stronger knee ligaments than those who don't squat at all.

Yoga alternative: Yoga squat and Yoga Monkey pose both work your quads and protect your knees.

2-Behind-the-Neck Lat Pull-Down

The myth: The best way to perform the lat pull-down is to pull the bar behind your head, down to your upper back

The truth: Unless you have very flexible shoulders, this exercise is difficult to do correctly, and can increase your risk for shoulder impingement syndrome -- a painful condition in which the muscles or tendons of your rotator cuff become entrapped in your shoulder joint.

Yoga alternative: Shoulderstand and Headstand create more overall strength with no risk for injury.

3-The Pec Deck

The myth: It's a super safe and very effective way to work your chest muscles.

The truth: This apparatus, also called the chest fly machine, can overstretch the front of your shoulder and cause the muscles around the rear of your shoulder to stiffen. The result: Doing this movement frequently can lead to shoulder impingement syndrome.

Yoga alternative: Bow pose, Camel, Cobra pose, Warrior and Triangle poses are some of the best ways to build your chest overall.

4-The Seated Hip Abductor Machine

The myth: This machine is the best way to work your out thighs, including your glutes.

The truth: Because you're seated, it trains a movement that has no functional use. And if done with excessive weight and jerky technique, it can put undue pressure on your spine.

Yoga alternative: Pigeon pose, Wide-Angle Standing Forward Bend, Triangle and Downward Facing Dog, all target the abductors and are great for warm-up stretches for sports.

5-The Seated Rotation Machine

The myth: Twisting on this machine helps melt your love handles.

The truth: It works the muscles under your love handles, but will do little to reduce the fat that covers them. What's more, because your pelvis doesn't move as you rotate your upper body, this exercise can put excessive twisting forces on the spine.

Yoga alternative: Spinal Twist, Twisting Squat, Revolving Triangle, Star pose, all brace your abs - protecting the spine - while toning the sides of the abs (love handles).

6-The Smith Machine

The myth: This machine -- which looks like a squat rack with a built-in bar that runs on guides-gives you all the benefits of squats, but none of the risk that comes from holding a heavy barbell across your back. That's because the bar can easily be secured at any point during the movement.

The truth: Because the bar runs on guides, you can only move straight up and down as you squat-instead of down and back, as you would in a free-weight squat. The result: An unnatural movement that puts extra stress on your knees and lower back. Need another reason to skip the Smith? Canadian researchers found that traditional squats produced almost 50 percent more muscle activity in the quadriceps than squats done on a Smith machine.

Yoga alternative: Yoga Squat, Lightening Bolt, Eagle and Horse can all be done without a spotter, further allowing the free range of motion and strength of the squat.

Be Still and Know

2010-01-18T03:03:00.000-05:00

Our mind has a natural ability to be quiet. When it becomes quiet, we are in touch with our genius.

Albert Einstein related that his ideas - which led him to the theory of relativity - came during moments of quiet reflection. Mozart told friends that he heard sonatas and symphonies resonating through the silent reaches of his mind, so all he had to do was write them down. Isaac Newton recorded in his journals that the idea for the laws of motion and gravity, came while in quiet reflection beneath an apple tree. From these examples it is safe to assume that being quiet, being still, will yield a treasure of knowledge.

The silent mind has great creativity, and much more, for the silent mind is also at peace, blissful and healthy. It adiates these qualities outwards through our eyes, our smile, the way we carry our shoulders or walk across a room, so infuses our surroundings with loving kindness.

Those who know how to cultivate a quiet mind are not only in touch with their inner creativity, but they also radiate a youthfulness and optimism that effects everyone around them. They have "good vibrations."

:)

Our essential nature, the root of our consciousness, is blissful silence. It is the force behind the mind, for it is what we experience when the mind becomes still. It is an infinite treasure chest of happy, healthy and wholesome qualities, always right here .. within ourself. In the Bible, one of the Psalms reminds us of this, "Be still and know that I am God." To access the divine, all we have to do is know how to be still.

Meditation is not complicated, but our natural state of being. It is the desire for the mind to be still for specific periods of time each day. When we do this daily, for weeks, months and years, calm abundance becomes more evident in everything we do.

Awaken your silent inner seed of who we are.

Yoga is a practice that shows us how to utilize the gifts we already have. When you come to Yoga class, you decide what part of the practice you choose to take home, to apply, to work on, to keep up. Yoga is the first step the being still and knowing who you are.

To begin a daily practice, find a quiet, comfortable place where you can sit, preferably with
back support. Choose a time when you can be alone, undisturbed, for at least 5 minutes.

Breathe deep and slow and softly say ..

.. I Am ..

Breathe deep and slow, and repeat ..

.. I Am ..

Yes .. it really is that simple!

;)

Aum Peace!

Teflon Free Zone

2010-01-15T15:22:00.002-05:00

Its long past time to bring out the old cast iron cookware that your grandmother used to use.

According to the Environmental Health Agency (EHA), a chemical compound - call 'perfluorooctanoic, or PFOA.

PFOA has been connected to Thyroid Disease, and is readily found in:
-teflon and non-stick cookware - yes, your regular pots and pans,
-stain resistant carpets and clothing,
-microwave popcorn,
-and some cleaning products.

According to the EHA, 3,966 Americans over the age of 20 were found to have remarkably high levels of PFOA in their blood stream. Making them twice as likely to develop thyroid disease.

Thyroid disease can happen to anyone, of any age and ethnicity. Thyroid disease impacts the lymph nodes in the neck and is known to cause weight gain, excessive hair growth, tiredness and depression, and infertility.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyroid_disease

Be sure to check the link attached to the subject line of this post regarding Dupont and your drinking water.

Priceless

2010-01-15T15:03:00.001-05:00

A Yoga timeline:

900-500 BCE: Yoga Tapas (techniques)

3300–1700 BCE: Yoga Asanas (poses)

200BCE-300CE: Patanjali's Yoga Sutras

1100CE: Gorakshananth (founder of 'Hatha Yoga')

1500CE: Yogi Swatmarama's 'Hatha Yoga Pradipika'

1800CE: Ramakrishna Paramahamsa's Yoga (Bhakti)

1900CE: Sri Krishnamacharya's Yoga (Vinyasa Krama Yoga); Sri Aurobindo's Yoga (Jnana)

1920CE: Mahavatar Babaji's Yoga (Kriya)

1930s: BKS Iyengar's Yoga (Iyengar Yoga); K. Pattabhi Jois's Yoga (Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga)

1940s: Swami Sivananda's Yoga (Sivananda Yoga)

1950s-60s: freeweights; exercise bikes; Srivtasa Ramaswami's Yoga;
-Indra Devi's Yoga (born: Eugenie Peterson);
-Swami Vishnudevananda's Yoga (the "Flying Guru", ref: Sivananda Yoga);
-Swami Satyananda's Yoga (ref: Sivananda Yoga);
-Swami Satchidananda (ref: Sivananda Yoga);
-Swami Radha's Yoga (Ursula Hellman, ref: Sivananda Yoga)
-Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Yoga (Transcendental Meditatoin [TM] and the Beatles)

1970s: swimming; interval training;
-TKV Desikachar's Yoga (ref: Vinyasa Krama, 1900CE [his father]);
-Lilias Folan's Yoga ('Lilias, Yoga and You' on PBS);
-Bikram Choudhury's Yoga (Bikram or 'Hot' Yoga);
-Judith Lasater's Yoga

1980s: body building; aerobics; , step aerobics, stairclimbers, resistance machines, martial arts; Yoga. (Workout clothes become fashionable.)

1990s: in-line skates / rollerblades; Nordic Track; Pilates; kickboxing; elliptical cross-trainers; cross-country ski machines; aquatic exercise; Yoga

2000s: cycling / spinning; treadmills; heart rate monitors; dance (Salsa, Ballroom, Pole, Hip Hop); low-carb diets and the 'fitness, nutrition, dieting' combination; Yoga

Some things are not just priceless, they are also timeless.

10 steps to 100

2010-01-12T01:01:00.001-05:00

1-Don't retire .. stay active
When most people retire from their jobs they spend their day doing nothing. Keeping active - mentally and physicall is the key. Taking regular Yoga classes, well into retirement, keeps the body limber and healthy, and the mind sharp.

2-Floss every day
Lots of studies show how flossing the teeth keeps the arteries healthy. Its all in the bacteria.

3-Move around.
Exercise! Yes .. regular exercise improves your mood, mental acuity, balance, muscle mass, and bones. You don't need a gym - just your local Hamsa Yogashala! And FYI: Yoga builds muscle. Yes, the strength training poses in Yoga are similar to those found in weight lifting.

4-Eat a fiber-rich cereal for breakfast.
Ayurveda, the Yoga system of health, emphasizes wholegrains, especially in the morning. Studies have shown that older folk maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout the day when they have grains for breakfast.

5-Get at least six hours of shut-eye.
Ayurveda again. Yes, a regular Yoga classes improves sleep, and improved sleep adds years to your life. Om .. it does the body good!

6-Consume whole foods, not supplements.
You guessed it .. Ayurveda again! Eat whole foods, not suppliments. Enjoy colorful fruits and vegetables, cook with garden herbs in every meal, eat dark whole grains. All of these will slow the rate of cognitive decline and physical weakening.

7- Be less neurotic
Yoga is really good for this .. calms even the most wired students down! Yes .. a healthy dose of deep breathing, deep stretching, subtle sweating and laughter will manage your stress.

8-Live like a Yogi
Yogis, like Seventh Day Adventists (for example), live longer lives more fully. Sometimes a decade or two longer. One of the basic tenets of Yoga is to respect the body, mind and spirit, which means no tobacco abuse, no alcohol abuse, or overindulging in sweets, getting lots of sleep, and joy! Most Yogis are vegetarians, but if thats too tough .. try Meatless Monday (and smokeless, alcohol-less, etc).

9-Be a creature of habit
Take a regular Yoga class. Yes, routine is part of a Centenarians lifestyle. Having a regular diet, regular exercise, regular routine, all contributes to a long life.

10-Stay connected
Have friends! Have a social network! These things keep us far from depression and anxiety - which lead to premature aging and death. A regular Yoga class is a great networking tool, after all, a "Yoga class is just friends waiting to happen!"

My Guru

2010-01-09T09:00:00.001-05:00

I have several Gurus (deeply influential teachers). Some have come to me in dreams, some I have sought out and so traveled to see, and others have recognized me when I sat before them. With them all I have felt a strong sense of connection / direction. Perhaps my greatest guru - my greatest life course guide - is Mahatma Gandhi. Here is an excerpt from a bio site:

Mahatma Gandhi got inspiration of Civil Disobedience by reading a book of an American.

He had been greatly influenced by the teachings of an American by the name of David Thoreau. Thoreau was graduated from Harvard University ninety years ago, and then spent twenty-eight dollars building a cabin for himself on the lonely shores of Walden Pond, in Massachusetts. He lived there like a hermit, and refused to pay taxes; so he was thrown into jail. He then wrote a book on Civil Disobedience, saying that no one ought to pay taxes. People didn’t pay the slightest attention to his book then; but, seventy-five years later, Gandhi read that book, away out in India, and decided to use Thoreau’s tactics. He felt that England had not kept her promise to give India self-government; so, in order to punish England, Gandhi urged the people of India to go to jail rather than pay taxes, and he also urged his followers to boycott English goods. When the British placed a tax on salt, Gandhi led his follower to the sea and they made their own salt.

This is just wrong!

2010-01-06T16:41:00.003-05:00

Ok .. I found this blurbe on the Internet:
http://www.live-pilates.co.uk/articles/what-is-the-difference-between-pilates-and-yoga-254.html

There is soooo much wrong with this entire piece.

“..Yoga is more relaxing and a more spiritual discipline than Pilates .. Pilates classes tend to concentrate on the physical aspect, i.e. focusing on the core strength of the body, building muscle without bulk, helping recover from or prevent injury and to improve posture.”

**What they describe to Pilates IS Yoga .. core, strength, muscle, injury prevention, and morel! The only spirit in Yoga is what the student brings in.

“Pilates contains much more work for the abdominal and gluteus region (bottom) regions and if you use Pilates equipment in your classes, it has more shoulder work too. In yoga, you will find more balancing and relaxation poses.}

**Wrong again! I can think of 30 Yoga Ab exercises, and about 50 glut exercises. Most Yoga poses would be impossible without abs, let alone gluts! And don’t get me going on the over 30 shoulder building and fortifying poses offered in Yoga!

“One large difference is the breathing. In Pilates classes, students are taught to breathe using the diaphragm and being conscious of expanding and contracting the side of the ribcage whereas in yoga, breathing inhales and exhales through the nose, staying aware of the belly.”

**Ok .. clearly the writer is: 1) doing their best to promote Pilates, and 2) doing so at the sake of misinformation! Yoga centers around diaphragmatic breathing .. its called Ujjaji Pranayama .. which especially focuses on the ribcage in several poses!

“Modern Pilates classes focus much more on the physical aspect and improving fitness than perhaps yoga does.”

**At least here, the writer used the word “perhaps”. Either way, they are wrong again.

Simply put: Yoga is the oldest and most effective exercise routine for the body and mind on the planet. If it wasn’t, it would still be around. Second, the roots of Pilates are Yoga and its therapuetic applications. Honestly, why re-invent the wheel!

Finally .. the focus at Hamsa Yogashala is:
-Traditional Hatha (physical) Yoga,
-Strength, Flexibility and Endurance.
Join us to get a solid workout!

Yoga Kids

2010-01-03T13:23:00.002-05:00

Yoga and kids go hand-in-hand. How many times have you seen a child flop down into a split, or do a backbend, or stand on their head .. just for fun!

http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/11/24/yoga-kids-are-flexible-and-strong-health-benefits/

As adults, we can return to that youthful vitality and flexibility by taking a weekly Yoga class. Better yet .. Hamsa Yogashala has 27 classes a week for $40 .. unlimited access. And bring your kid! Teen unlimited access is $30.

What a great way to get healthy and spend time with your kids!

Woody's 40 day Fast

2010-01-01T00:46:00.003-05:00

Woody Harrelson, a longtime Yoga enthusiast and vegan, is in the news:
http://breakingnews.iol.ie/entertainment/harrelson-fasts-for-40-days-435839.html

As a Yogini I routinely fast. In fact, its a good practice on new and full moons.

Now .. as I explain to my students, this does not always have to be without food. A fast, for example, can be drinking only fruit juices from sunrise to sunset, or eating only salad all day, or observing Meatless Monday:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meatless_monday

Doing it twice a month, on the moon phases, is a traditional Yoga practice. But more important, it makes us feel so much better, lighter, and energized!

Yoga Veterans

2009-12-21T05:22:00.000-05:00

As a veteran of the United States Army, and member of American Legion Post 232 in Snellville, I gladly offer FREE or REDUCED rates to Veterans.

Good to see others doing the same ..
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sadie-nardini/the-war-of-yoga-bringing_b_373979.html

Yoga and Levitation

2009-12-18T07:11:00.000-05:00

So .. science has figured out how to levitate objects:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/20/acoustic-levitation-stere_n_429558.html

According to ancient Yoga texts - some are 3,000 years old - Yogis can levitate.

At Hamsa Yogashala .. we routinely work on our levitation. Wonder how? Well, come find out firsthand!

:D

Rice, Yoga and Ayurveda

2009-12-15T15:33:00.003-05:00

http://healing.about.com/od/nutrition/a/riceday.htm

This is an excellent article on the nutritious and delicious nature of rice.

Not only is it very healing, but it fills one up without bloating or being tired, is great for overall health, and is quick and easy to make!

Yoga and Holiday Stress

2009-12-12T13:31:00.002-05:00

Everyday the news contains articles on the health benefits of Yoga.
http://www.ksfy.com/news/local/78385807.html

So why haven't you taken a Yoga class yet?

Hamsa Yogashala has 27 classes, per week, to choose from. At $40 a month, unlimited access .. you can't afford not to join us!

Zachary Quinto does Yoga

2009-12-09T02:27:00.002-05:00

http://justjared.buzznet.com/2009/11/28/zachary-quinto-is-yearning-for-yoga/

As do many Hollywood stars. Why? Because its a great way to loose weight, to get in shape, to stay in shape, to look good in front of the camera, to stay relaxed, and it just feels good!

Yoga for Breakfast

2009-12-06T12:17:00.000-05:00

"Before taking their Sats this year, children at Riverside Primary in Rotherhithe were all offered a proper breakfast to give them a good start to the day. Then the yoga teacher arrived to relax them with breathing exercises before they started the exams."
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard/article-23777675-yoga-and-breakfast-help-pupils-to-top-of-the-table.do

Not only is breakfast the most important meal of the day, but the deep breathing and centering poses of Yoga clear the mind, calm the nerves, reduce stress, and allow one to focus with intent.

Before getting out of bed, try some gentle stretches .. like pulling your knees to your chest, then twist from side to side. This invigorates the body, gently getting the blood pumping, before you feet even hit the ground.

Then, try some Ginger and Carrot Juice. Into a juicer, put:
-2 crisp apples (quartered),
-3 carrots (scrubbed),
-1 stick of celery
-1/2 - 1" piece of ginger root (peeled), or a pinch of ground ginger powder
-3/4 cup, plus 2 Tbls pure water
-juice of 1/2 a lemon
Enjoy!

Mantra and Song

2009-12-03T01:20:00.001-05:00

Mantra, or 'chant, song', is a regular part of traditional Hatha Yoga because the power of sound is important to our health.

Mantras are intentional, focused on a specific goal .. such as peace or healing or happiness. When one intones a mantra a larger sound is created, more than just the individual voice, for mantra's are very much a part of our breath, so our being.

Just as Yoga has specific poses to achieve specific results, so does mantra create intent within the entire body .. through vibration. And like Yoga, mantra too should be a weekly practice, for repetition creates health within the body, steadiness of mind, and peace within the spirit.

One uses their voice in so many ways .. while singing about a bonfire, or lulling a child to sleep, or reading aloud, or humming while walking in the woods. All of these are examples of how we intuitively connect with spirit.

Mantras are inspirational, helping us discover the deep well within ones self, longing to be release.

Have you found your voice? Are you able to clearly express your thoughts and dreams, not just to others, but to yourself? Being able to do this opens us to the great experience of purpose, vision and service.

Om Peace, Shanti, Pax!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Follow ..

2009-12-01T04:44:00.000-05:00

One should follow the steadfast, the wise, the educated, the self-reliant, the dutiful and the noble. Even as the moon follows the path of the stars, so ought one follow the virtuous and highly intelligent.

Dhyana, Right Thinking, A Yoga Practice

2009-11-21T16:35:00.003-05:00

Right or Positive Thinking will purify the intellect, allowing us to appreciate and respect the habits of peace and happiness, constructive thoughts and generosity, open mind and service. Dhyana is the true light of self-wisdom.

In Yoga we endeavour to fit and balance our mind to our own higher consciousness of wisdom, in fact, we consider this our sacred duty. For only through constant striving to eliminate bad or negative thoughts and habits can our mind feel proud to be a sacred part of Divine Consciousness. We make mistakes, but mistakes are not evil. They happen when we mis-judge or mis-evaluate, when we are over-anxiousness or overly concerned. If we make a mistake once, it was simply a mistake. I f we make the same mistake repeatedly, then it is a conscious act, one deliberately created by our higher mind to test us, to call our attention to the need of open mindedness, and so make us stronger.

Our mind is part of the universe. As you think, you are, because the nature of your thoughts indicates what you focus on, what you are attuned to and with. Therefore, in thinking, you are doing. This is a good reason to be rid of negative thoughts like "I cant" or "Im so stupid", which only detract from your ability. What others do, you can do .. simply think those thoughts.

Start small, taking baby steps, be patient, because you have seen that 'slow and steady' really does win the race. Do your best to not take into yourself angry thoughts, or thoughts of wrong doing, steer clear of thoughtlessness. Keep the mind calm and constructive, peaceful and sincere.

Yoga teaches you Dhyana .. the power of Right and Positive Thinking can be seen in every class. Experience it for yourself, first-hand. You can do this .. and you know you can, because you have long felt it in you.

AUM Peace!

International Day of Peace and Non-Violence

2009-10-01T17:31:00.003-04:00

World March for Peace & Non-Violence (Ahimsa).

Tomorrow is Mahatma Gandhi's birthday, a day the UN has declared an International Day of Peace and Non-Violence.

Starting Friday, Oct 2 until Jan 2, there will be a Worldwide March.

Hamsa Yogashala is taking part by inviting *you* to join us, the 1st & 4th Saturdays, to walk Tribble Mill.

Join us at Hamsa Yogashala for All Levels Yoga at 9am on Saturday, October 3, then go to Tribble Mill (4 miles).

OR

Meet us at Tribble Mill at 11am, at the main parking area by the bathrooms and playground.

Its a 3k walk, so dress appropriately. Bring a water bottle, bring your kids, bring your dog on a leash!

Aum Peace!

Beginner's Yoga - New Class

2009-09-28T17:06:00.001-04:00

Beginner's Yoga. New Series.

Sep 29-Oct 20 (Tuesday nights), or Oct 1-Oct 22 (Thursday nights).

Have you been considering taking a Yoga class but don't know what to expect? Are you curious but don't want to be the only new person in class? Maybe you tried a Yoga video but feel like you need something more? This four week intensive is just for you.

Pre-register today!
http://hamsa-yogashala.com/

International Day of Peace

2009-09-20T17:11:00.003-04:00

Tomorrow .. Monday, September 21, is the International Day of peace.

The main website .. with a LIVESTREAM:
http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org/

The wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Day_of_Peace

Culture of Peace Initiative:
http://www.cultureofpeace.org/

Peace Vigil:
http://www.idpvigil.com/

Hamsa Yogashala:
http://hamsa-yogashala.com/home

Schedule Change

2009-09-19T20:03:00.003-04:00

Having worked with the present schedule for the past year, I have decided that a change may better reflect the needs of the students (based on feedback I have received). Here is what I have been working on:

MEDITATION
MON-SAT: 6:30AM

SUNRISE YOGA
MON-SAT: 7:15-8:15AM

GENTLE YOGA
MON, WED, FRI: 9-10AM

ALL LEVELS YOGA
MON, WED, FRI: 5-6:30PM, and 7-8:30pm
SAT: 9-10:30AM, and 4-5:30PM

BEGINNER’S YOGA
TUES & THR: 7-8:30PM, Registration Required

Mostly, what I have done is pushed the times back to better accomadate work schedules, allowing ample time to get to class (for example).

The notable changes are:
-Therapy Yoga (Healing Yoga) being offered twice a week (and using its Sanskrit word, 'chikitsa').

-Beginner's Yoga. This is an entry level class designed for those who are new to Yoga or want to return to their basic skills. It is by registration only because it has an instructional format.

-There is one more open or All Level (Hatha) class . An additional class time has been added! (Instead of seven, there are now eight). Plus, the time and dates make this class more flexible.

-Saturday now has THREE classes.

I appreciate your thoughts on this new schedule, so please do not hesitate offering ideas.

Of late, I have been very busy with marketing the Shala, and part of that success has contributed towards adapting the schedule. As to marketing, please vote for the Shala in the Best of Gwinnett:
http://www.gwinnettmagazine.com/bestofgwinnett/content.cfm?action=vote

I am proud of Hamsa Yogashala .. and as students, you should be as well. Come to classes, and invite your family and friends .. spread the word of how great Yoga is!

Doing Yoga is like karma .. you have to get some to give some!

Aum Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Amazing Grace

2009-09-15T11:04:00.002-04:00

Infinite Wisdom, coming through me.

Amazing Grace, can you see the glory?

I feel the Grace within you .. within me.

These words should fill the book of our heart, so that in quite moments when we look back across the years of our life, we can say, "I am filled with grace for who I am now, in this moment. For who I have grown to be, now, in this moment. For who I am is a result of what I have done before."

With this loving thought, take a look in the mirror and honor your life and the lives of those you have touched. Remember too the dark moments and be kind to them as well. Find compassion for the dark moments and yourself while engulfed in that darkness. And think, "I am love, and I am worthy of loving myself, no matter what I have done."

This simple act brings forgiveness, because whatever you may think of yourself, applies to all others in the universe. So free yourself from guilt and remorse, and forgive yourself, and stop judging yourself, and remember to embrace yourself with compassion. For the darkest of deeds are those we commit upon ourselves.

Know this truth: You have always been loved, and you have always been honored, for how you have expressed yourself in all your lifetimes, has been an expression of Amazing Grace. Just as in the song, Amazing Grace.

Not the version that declares you to be a 'wretch', for we must free our soul from such judgment, but the version that reminds us that we are a divine soul residing in a physical body.

Feel free to send these words to someone you know. Do not delay .. send this message today .. do not put off tomorrow what you can easily do right now. Sending this message is an act of loving kindness - from yourself to another, even if you dont like the person you send it to .. send it anyway.

Do you want to push someones buttons? Then push their button of loving kindness!

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a soul like me.

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to love,

And Grace, my love received.

How precious did that Grace appear, the hour I first received.

Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come.

T'was Grace that brought me safe so far, and Grace will lead me home.

Amazing Grace is good to me,

Grace my hope secures.

Grace will my shield and portion be, for Grace will ever endure.

When I've been here ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun.

I've that many days to sing the praise, of Grace when first received.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a soul like me.

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind, but now, I see!

Best of Gwinnett

2009-09-11T16:13:00.002-04:00

VOTE! Hamsa Yoga Shala @ Best of Gwinnett.

Catagory: 'Health & Fitness', then 'Best Place to Workout'.

Hamsa Yoga Shala .. living, working and loving Gwinnett County since 2001!

http://www.gwinnettmagazine.com/bestofgwinnett/index.cfm?CFID=45332147&CFTOKEN=51729170

Health Care and Herbalists / Healers

2009-09-05T09:02:00.002-04:00

Health Insurance: Disempowering for Patients, Harmful for Herbalists and Healers

By Jess Hardin

Yes, I am among the millions of unassured Americans. Unassured by industry claims, administration promises and congressional intentions when it comes to health legislation. No, I am not one of the privileged, able to slap down multiple plastic cards and receive the kind of A-1 care reserved for the well insured, looking down my nose at the less fortunate.

While our work and purpose includes healing others, my family and can’t get medical insurance even if we want it. We don’t qualify for existing state and federal health insurance because our land is considered an asset, and yet not anywhere near enough money comes in to pay the premiums on even the lousiest policy. It is a stretch for us to make small payments to a private subsidized clinic that serves our backwoods community, a wonderful doctor and staff who nonetheless lack the equipment to conduct many tests, and who have to refer their patients to the big-city hospital whenever the condition is serious or requiring surgery.

I have heard people talk about “catastrophic illness” involving medical bills that lead to bankruptcy and ruin, but in my case there will be no such ruinous bills … I simply will not be getting the treatment when needed.

As a technically impoverished healing school, you might think we would be among the first to champion a new system of universal care. Not!

The larger and more standardized a system is, the less personal, regional, flexible and adaptable it becomes. And as poorly managed as private enterprises of any kind can be, it is the official government run systems and programs that have the greatest potential for mismanagement and abuse. In the hands of bureaucrats, even something as seemingly benign as health care becomes a means for the observation, manipulation and control of a country’s citizens.

Of all the so-called solutions, insurance co-ops make the most sense to me, so that participation is strictly voluntary, and its members get to vote on who directs it. But frankly, even the very concept of insurance seems largely absurd to me, unnatural and objectionable.

To begin with, the majority of people with health insurance will pay far more in premiums during the course of their lifetimes, than they would have spent direct-paying doctors. If that weren’t the case, the insurance conglomerates would be losing money instead of making the billions and billions of dollars in profits that they do.

In addition, in an environment where there were no insurance companies, the costs of health care wouldn’t be nearly as high as they are now. Providers can charge the insurers more than they would individuals, leading to doctors ordering expensive and often unnecessary tests that they otherwise wouldn’t have.

A problem with the very concept of insurance itself, is that it tends to make people more dependent and less responsible. Kids sent out into the world with the insurance of a financial safety net tend to be more careless and cavalier than those teens and twenty-somethings who know they can’t count on their parents to pay for every mistake or bail them out of every jam. Similarly, people insured from childhood on have proven to increasingly focus on treatment after the fact, than they do on prevention.

Subconsciously if not consciously, folks may feel less need to concern themselves with the effects of the foods they eat or the exercise they miss, when the believe they can always turn to a doctor to treat the heart disease and adrenal burnout their lifestyle choices may have caused. For the same reason, the longtime insured are also less likely to ever learn how to treat themselves, even when dealing with simple conditions that are easy to both diagnose and affect. They’re less likely to pay attention to their own bodily signs, to experiment with changes in the way they eat, to become familiar with herbal and other natural remedies, to seek advice from an experienced relative or midwife, or to visit and support community herbalists and natural healers.

If that weren’t enough, I am at a gut level repulsed by the very way in which insurance works. All my life I have done what many thought was impossible, doing things differently than others, taking extreme risks, following a dream with little money and little common sense, but also little self doubt and even less restraint. In essence, I bet on myself again and again, bet my life and belongings, even my future. I was all the more careful and tried all the harder exactly because there was no backup, no fallback plan and no net, knowing that I had placed everything I am and own on “myself” in the “first”… “to win.”

It galls me even to be forced to pay car insurance we can’t afford every month, on a Jeep we drive less than ten miles to town and back, forced to bet our scarce funds on a game where I only get paid anything if I screw up and have an accident, or fail to notice some other driver screwing up in time to avoid the collision.

There is something seriously wrong about a government threatening us with jail unless we participate in some profit-producing game, especially one in which the only way for us to win is to lose! And now they want to force me to pay for a health care arrangement where I get fewer benefits the better that I take care of myself, where I have to get sick or do something unaware and hurt myself in order to get any payback, and where I only win the lottery big if I come down with something serious, chronic and largely incurable.

We might better place our bets on our selves, on our driving abilities and the human body’s natural inclination towards health. That way we’re more likely to pay attention to how aware we are being on the highway, and on how our bodies feel as well as how we are treating them.

It’s said that the worst thing that could happen this year is for the Congress to fail to pass on national health bill. It would indeed be tragic for some of us with no other way to get the high dollar, high-tech help. On the other hand, doing nothing in the halls of Congress is always better than doing the wrong thing. And it may prove that those without sanctioned insurance plans may be the most conscious, concerned and caring … the response-able, responsive ranks of the growing unassured.

-Jesse Wolf Hardin
codirector of the Animá Lifeways & Herbal School
-with Kiva Rose
www.animacenter.org
Feel free to share and post this piece.

Junk and Processed Food

2009-08-24T14:01:00.001-04:00

Junk and processed food is not cheaper once you factor in crop subsidies, ecological damage and what we pay in health-care bills after our fatty, sugary diet makes us sick. Conventionally produced food is a lot pricier.

Better Health Through Fasting

2009-08-23T12:27:00.002-04:00

Better Health Through Fasting
By Zafar Nomani
professor emeritus of human nutrition and foods
West Virginia University

With the sighting of the crescent moon, the holy month of Ramadan has begun this year, marking the start of a spiritual boot camp in which Muslims fast without any food or water from sunup to sundown. To many, the rigor may seem too tasking, but, as a veteran scientist of clinical nutrition and as a 76-year-old Muslim man who has fasted since I was a boy, growing up in India, I can say that fasting can be a healthy practice not just for God but for you.

Fasting can be healthy for people of all faiths from Christians to Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and others who fast as a part of their spiritual practice. But it's got to be done right.

(follow link to read full article)

Healthy Food = Eating Disorder ??

2009-08-19T18:21:00.001-04:00

Healthy food obsession sparks rise in new eating disorder
Fixation with healthy eating can be sign of serious psychological disorder

Eating disorder charities are reporting a rise in the number of people suffering from a serious psychological condition characterised by an obsession with healthy eating. The condition, orthorexia nervosa, affects equal numbers of men and women, but sufferers tend to be aged over 30, middle-class and well-educated.

The condition was named by a Californian doctor, Steven Bratman, in 1997, and is described as a "fixation on righteous eating". Until a few years ago, there were so few sufferers that doctors usually included them under the catch-all label of "Ednos" – eating disorders not otherwise recognised. Now, experts say, orthorexics take up such a significant proportion of the Ednos group that they should be treated separately.

Click link to read article.

Whats in your water bottle?

2009-08-19T18:20:00.000-04:00

Fiji Water: Spin the Bottle

Click link to read article.

Smart People and Health

2009-08-19T18:15:00.002-04:00

Why Are Smart People So Ignorant When it Comes to Health, Vaccines and Vitamin D?

A heart disease patient of late
Had an IQ of 168
His brain was immense
But it lacked common sense
And it never engaged when he ate.
-by the Health Ranger

As an observer of human behavior, one of the most fascinating things I've ever witnessed is really smart people dying of diseases that are easily preventable through basic nutrition (vitamin D, plant juices, targeted supplements, superfoods, etc.). I know doctors dying of cancer who take chemotherapy over vitamin D supplements. I know members of MENSA who are killing themselves with junk foods and diabetes. I know extremely intelligent attorneys and physicists who are among the smartest people in their respective fields; but when it comes to basic health, they're completely ignorant. In fact, if you look around at all the "smart" people you know, you're likely to find the vast majority of them are incredibly ignorant when it comes to their own health. They know nothing about basic nutrition, the benefits of superfoods or the dangers of pharmaceuticals. They eat processed junk foods, dairy products and food products contaminated with pesticides and toxic chemicals. They may be the smartest people in the world in their labs or offices, but when it comes to their own bodies, they are among the most ignorant people on the planet. How can this be? How can such high-IQ people remain so utterly ignorant when it comes to their own health? There are two reasons, it turns out. And one of them will blow your mind...

Click link above to continue reading!

Whole Foods to Stop Selling Junk Food

2009-08-07T12:30:00.001-04:00

The Yoga students have heard me bemoan the fact that Whole Foods is 'no more', and that they are 'nothing more than a regular grocery store'. You can imagine my expectations then when I came upon this article. Time will tell ...
______

Whole Foods (WMFI) is, much like Starbucks (SBUX), a reflection of the out-sized personality of its CEO. Both companies expanded madly in the early part of the 'oughts, at about the same time the CEOs' waistlines were expanding, and their health was declining. Working all the time, eating Top Pot doughnuts and 365 chocolate sandwich cookies, can't be great for you. This is 2009: time for a more sober outlook. We'll close stores. We'll stop haranguing competitors in online forums. We'll tighten our belts. We'll start helping our customers eat like us. So yesterday's revelation to the Wall Street Journal, that the company will refocus on healthy foods -- reflecting John Mackey's own recent diet that eliminates refined fats-- fits the pattern.

Sure, Whole Foods has always been about (well, duh) whole foods; those foods that don't really have ingredients, or if they do, it's obvious and clear that they come from nature. Apples. Broccoli. Shrimp. Milk. Nuts. And even today, the produce and meat aisles of Whole Foods are surely some of the stores' brightest attractions. But those make up only a small fraction of the typical Whole Foods store's square footage, and probably an even smaller percentage of the profit.

If you've been keeping up on the latest food media, you know this: the stuff that's bad for you is cheap. On one end of my local Whole Foods store is the beautifully-displayed organic onions, potatoes, cabbages, Tuscan kale and star fruits; on the other end is the deli/bakery, where the foods (while yummy) are decidedly un-whole. Fried chicken shares a display with oil-roasted rosemary potatoes. Pastries range in decadence from the extreme to the unbelievable. There are plenty of refined fats over here on this side... and refined sugars and flours and chemical additives of all sorts... and in every aisle in between.

There is a whole aisle, shelf after deep-stacked shelf, both sides, of cookies and sweets. Another aisle has a dizzying array of chips, each with a dubious claim on nature -- this one is cooked without trans fats, that one is organic, the other one is baked, not fried, still another is made of dried, pulverized, and re-formed vegetables. There's a lot of "value-added" (in other words, markup) here. There's also a lot of evidence that most of the food on Whole Foods' aisles contributes to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and other diet-related conditions.

So Whole Foods will return, as Mackey says, to its roots. "We sell a bunch of junk. We've decided if Whole Foods doesn't take a leadership role in educating people about a healthy diet, who the heck is going to do it?" For a dedicated whole-foodie like me, this idea is thrilling. Many others don't share my excitement; Gabriella Stern spends a short post singing the praises of cheesecake and pizza, writing, "A genuine and dramatic inventory shift could send customers running back to old-fashioned supermarkets... let's not forget that good food is an affordable luxury of the sort Americans just might not want to forego as the economy recovers."

Gabriella may have a different definition of "good" than I do. But I'm drinking Mackey's kool-aid, I suppose, having just finished a "dessert" of a fresh nectarine and whole wheat honey shortbread I baked myself. In my book, "good" can taste delicious and be healthful. Isn't that the appeal of the whole foods of Whole Foods' brand?

I doubt Whole Foods will immediately jettison all of its junk food. In its third quarter 2009 results released yesterday -- in which the company exceeded analyst expectations, with earnings per share of $0.25, or $35.0 million, and sales up 2% over the year-ago quarter, to $1.9 billion -- Mackey made a point of the company's commitment to competitiveness in its 365 private label products (including plenty of cookies, crackers, chips, and other food making a small claim on the concept of "health").

"We have a policy that our 365 private label has to match Trader Joe's prices, unless there is a significant difference in quality, in which case it probably shouldn't be a 365 product," he said. As long as those products are on the shelves, junk will still be alive and well.

But Whole Foods was a leader in asking its suppliers to remove partially hydrogenated vegetable oils and high fructose corn syrup from its snack foods and prepared foods. Now it's harder to find those ingredients, and even mainstream packaged goods and beverage companies are foregoing the stuff. The next frontier for food purveyors (now that "local" has become an almost meaningless bandwagon on which to jump) is "refined" -- flour, sugar, fat. Clearly Whole Foods will be forging ahead and giving its customers less-refined products. Whole foods at Whole Foods. It's hardly a stunning and innovative concept, but in my opinion, it's a great place to hang one's hat.

And with pundits like Michael Pollan and Barbara Kingsolver yelling until their voices get screechy that Americans should stop defining "junk" as "food," owning up to the presence of junk -- and making strides to remove it -- could be the forward-thinking move we most need.

Hard Times Are Jamming the Ashrams

2009-07-16T19:11:00.002-04:00

Shortly after Steven Odnoha lost his job at Intel, he drove three days from Rio Rancho, N.M., to the Himalayan Institute in Honesdale, Pa. For months, Mr. Odnoha had been wondering how he could get the time off to join a yearlong meditation program at the nonprofit yoga retreat. His pink slip, in September 2007, provided the answer.

“I figured if I stayed for a year, the economy would be warming up by then, and I could head back and see what’s available for a semiconductor manufacturing technician,” said Mr. Odnoha, 40, as he picked wild thyme from a small garden outside the institute’s kitchen.

Obviously, the economy didn’t cooperate, but Mr. Odnoha doesn’t mind. Now he spends his days on the Himalayan Institute’s 400-acre wooded campus, practicing hatha yoga and meditation, studying spiritual texts, biking, walking and preparing meals in the institute’s kitchen. In exchange for his cooking duties and an annual fee of $3,000, he gets a private room, three vegetarian meals a day and unlimited access to the institute’s classes, seminars and other events.

The Himalayan Institute is one of many retreats where cash-strapped spiritual seekers can participate in work-study programs in which they pay typically $300 to $900 a month in exchange for a few hours a day of service, like washing dishes, cleaning rooms or weeding gardens.

As the unemployment rate has risen and people have sought refuge from the harsh economy, these work-exchanges have become a hot commodity. The Himalayan Institute received twice as many applications for its summer work-study programs this year as last — its August session is full, with 22 people, compared with 11 last year — and so did two similar retreats, Tassajara Zen Mountain Center in Carmel Valley, Calif., and Satchidananda Ashram in Buckingham, Va. (which is better known as Yogaville).

The people who run these programs say there seems to be a link between the troubled job market and the rising popularity of yoga retreats. Todd Wolfenberg, director of marketing at the Himalayan Institute, said he has seen an increase in applications from recent college graduates and people with professional careers. “I suspect that is due to the fact that they haven’t been able to find a job after college or are leaving a job,” he said. The center has traditionally attracted people whose lives permit extended time off, like writers and entrepreneurs.

Yoga retreat programs can be as short as an overnight visit to Ananda Ashram in Monroe, N.Y., or can last for months or even years.

The long-term residencies usually begin with a monthlong foundational program in which participants commit to a full schedule of classes and meditation. At the Himalayan Institute’s 28-day self-transformation program, the day begins with a 6 a.m. meditation and continues with a full roster of hatha yoga classes, breathing and relaxation practicums and about four hours of light chores, like making beds and chopping vegetables. The program costs $825, and participants receive a private room and three vegetarian meals a day.

“It’s designed for individuals who are between jobs, on leave or sabbatical, or just burned out and have the ability to take time out,” Mr. Wolfenberg said.

On a recent Monday afternoon, 11 participants sat in the institute’s cafeteria chopping cucumbers, red peppers and Swiss chard for the next day’s lunch. Among those sitting side-by-side with bandanas worn headband- or kerchief-style, were a recent college graduate, a chef, the owner of a telecommunications company and the founder of a nongovernmental organization. While some were return visitors, several had never even taken a yoga class before.

“This is not my normal scene,” said Jeffrey Webb, 52, from Augusta, Ga., as he julienned a cucumber. Mr. Webb, who owns a wheel repair business, said he wanted to learn how to slow down. “I’m going all the time,” he said. “So this is an experiment in the alternative-lifestyle adventure.”

Across the table, Laurie Smith, a bartender and waitress from Naples, Fla., explained that she didn’t want to spend her vacation sitting in a beach chair. “I thought I might as well do something that isn’t just lying around and spending money,” said Ms. Smith, 36, who was taking a 10-day course.

“I might as well get something out of it.” Like her cohorts, Ms. Smith said she didn’t mind spending a substantial portion of her vacation chopping vegetables, washing dishes and making beds, pointing out that in a place dedicated to quiet contemplation, these simple tasks provide an easy outlet for conversation. “You’re not interrupting someone’s quiet time,” she said. “You don’t always want to be alone, so you can do the work and hang out at the same time.”

Yehnemsah Oneha, work-study coordinator at Ananda Ashram, says that while cost-cutting and ice-breaking are nice benefits, the true purpose of these work exchanges, sometimes known as karma yoga, is to foster selflessness and good will. “It helps circulate the energy,” she said. “You’re doing it for someone else’s comfort and welfare.”

Ananda plays host to everyone. Weekenders from New York City, who pay full price and come to the ashram for its rolling hills, small pond, deer and geese so unafraid of people they will brush right by guests, circulate among long-term residents, who take unpaid staff positions in exchange for room, board, and unlimited classes in hatha yoga, chanting and Sanskrit. There’s also a pool.

“This is my New York getaway,” said Erin Laubenheimer, a Brooklyn resident, while washing dishes in Ananda’s kitchen. Ms. Laubenheimer, 27, who was laid off from her job in the fashion industry, says the reduced rate she receives in exchange for three hours a day of service makes her short visits affordable. “It’s a great place to get a new start or to heal,” she said.

But Ananda is not a spa. Like the rooms at the Himalayan Institute, the rooms at Ananda are clean but spare — it’s a dormitory, not Canyon Ranch — and work-study guests usually share a room with several other people for a fee in a range of $40 for a weekend day to $425 for a month.
Ms. Oneha says that the ashram’s monthlong immersion program is intended for deep spiritual study and contemplation, not hiding out from the world. “If you’re applying because you can’t deal with life, that’s not a good motivation,” she said.

For this reason, Ms. Oneha doesn’t recommend it for those seeking a cheap refuge. She points out that even those who take full-time jobs at the ashram — and thus can stay there free — quickly realize that karma yoga won’t pay their car insurance or credit-card debt. Savings are essential.
Committing to an unpaid life baking bread and planting trees, however idyllic it might sound in the abstract, can also raise identity issues.

Alisa Phillips, 41, has worked as a yoga therapist, documentary filmmaker and belly dancer, among other things. She is now Ananda’s dining room coordinator. “When I came for the weekend and was doing a lot of dishes, I felt like I was making a righteous contribution,” she said. “When I’m living here and it’s my job, it’s like, ‘Who am I now that I’ve become a dishwasher?’ ”

This is a sentiment Mr. Odnoha understands, but for now he feels content. As he prepares a mixture of dates and buckwheat for the next morning’s breakfast, he says he feels satisfied that his work, however indirectly, is helping the Himalayan Institute’s mission of providing humanitarian aid to poor communities in Africa and India.

“At Intel, I was helping the owner get a new yacht,” he said. “Here. I’m part of something that actually makes a difference.”

FDA appoints Monsanto

2009-07-11T17:47:00.001-04:00

FDA NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: July 7, 2009

Noted Food Safety Expert Michael R. Taylor Named Advisor to FDA Commissioner

Michael R. Taylor, J.D., a nationally recognized food safety expert and research professor at George Washington University’s School of Public Health and Health Services, will return to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to serve as senior advisor to the commissioner.

“I am pleased to welcome Mike Taylor back to the FDA,” Commissioner of Food and Drugs Margaret A. Hamburg, M.D., said in announcing Taylor’s appointment. “His expertise and leadership on food safety issues will help the agency to develop and implement the prevention based strategy we need to ensure the safety of the food we eat.”

Commissioner Hamburg said that Taylor would work closely and collaboratively with her office and with the management of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Center for Veterinary Medicine, the Office of Regulatory Affairs, Congress, and with members of the Obama Administration.

Specifically, Taylor will work to:
Assess current food program challenges and opportunities
Identify capacity needs and regulatory priorities
Develop plans for allocating fiscal year 2010 resources
Develop the FDA’s budget request for fiscal year 2011
Plan implementation of new food safety legislation.

“I am honored and grateful that Commissioner Hamburg has asked me to return to the FDA in the position of Senior Advisor to the Commissioner,” Taylor said. “I am looking forward to working with her, Principal Deputy Commissioner Joshua Sharfstein, and all of the FDA’s dedicated and talented people.”

Taylor has had a long and distinguished career in public service. He began at the FDA in 1976 as a litigating attorney. He served as the FDA’s Deputy Commissioner for Policy from 1991 to 1994, overseeing FDA's policy development and rulemaking, including the implementation of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act and issuance of new seafood safety rules.

From 1994 to 1996, he served at the U.S. Department of Agriculture as Administrator of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) and Acting Under Secretary for Food Safety. During that time, he spearheaded public health-oriented reform of the FSIS. Since 2000, Taylor has worked in academic and research settings on the challenges facing the nation’s food safety system and ways to address them.

Taylor’s recent research agenda has focused on policy, resource, and institutional issues that affect the success of public health agencies in carrying out their prevention-related missions. He served as chair of the steering committee of the Food Safety Research Consortium, collaboration among six universities and a nonprofit think tank to improve food safety decision making and priority setting.

More on Michael R. Taylor:
http://www.gwumc.edu/sphhs/faculty/taylor_michael.cfm

Yoga and Christianity

2009-07-05T18:27:00.001-04:00

Recently, a friend and fellow Yoga teacher related that she was working on finding the middle ground between her Christianity and Yoga. She further related that she knows that Yoga is not religious, but being a Catholic, she felt there was some conflict. Below is the post I sent her. I share it here in the hopes that it helps others discover that Yoga is Integral Spirituality, not religion.
______

First, here are a few wonderful exampls of a Yogi Jesus:

Pic - Jesus with many arms:
http://claudia.weblog.com.pt/arquivo/Jesus%20In%20India.jpg

Pic - A lovely murti (stature) of Jesus:
http://sahajayogafotos.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/jesus-in-india1.jpg

Pic - This is the one on my Facebook page:
http://www.geocities.com/jundalisay/JesusMeditating.jpg

Then .. here is a documentary on the idea of Jesus in India.
http://www.jesus-in-india-the-movie.com/

And another by the BBC (part 1):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DXCZFRsyl8

Here is the 'Tomb of Jesus' in Kashmir, India:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aauXxuLHnQ

St. Issa, or Jesus, and a book by Notovitch entitled The Unknown Life of Christ:
http://reluctant-messenger.com/issa.htm

Someone who successfully merged Hinduism with Catholicism is the Venerable Monk Griffiths (Dom Bede Griffiths), also known as Swami Dayananda:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bede_Griffiths

Last year, I attended a "Yoga for Christians" retreat with a Yoga student, at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, Georgia:
http://www.trappist.net/index2.htm
There, I was meant to meet Father Thomas Francis, who spoke at length regarding how the Church has resculpted the Contemplative Prayer tradition by learning Yoga techniques.

During the retreat, he spoke on a number of interesting subjects, such as:
-How the 16th century Spanish Carmelites had a rich tradition of mystical prayer;
-How Meister Eckhart’s theology of the Godhead relates to Gregory Palamas’ teaching regarding the energies and essence of God;
-How the Rule of St. Benedict could be seen as actually undermining the wisdom of the Desert Fathers;
-How postmodern theologies of the Holy Trinity might be the best hope for a widespread revival of mysticism in our day. (This was one of his favorite topic, where he spoke regarding his personal theory of God Triune, and the work of Father Thomas Merton.);
-How the teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi influenced the Benedictine contemplative Henry Le Saux (or Swami Abhishiktananda), and why these ideas are important for students of Christian mysticism today. (This was his other favorite subject, and notably, he was one of the first Benedictine monks sent to train with the Maharishi.);
-About the importance of the book, The Cloud of Unknowing, and how it may represent Christian mysticism.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cloud_of_Unknowing
(I highly recommend this book.)

In brief, Father Thomas spoke about the need for the Church to return to Comtemplative Prayer, because the Western Church has become enamored of the intellict and ego, and that only a return to Mystical Christianity would save the dwindling numbers within the Church today.

I bought his book, and one by Cynthia Bourgeault. This latter, Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening, reads like a Yoga text, except, its meant for Christians.
http://www.amazon.com/Centering-Prayer-Awakening-Cynthia-Bourgeault/dp/1561012629

While reading the book, I kept penning in the Yogic translation of terms used. For example:
-The "diamond radiance of God", and the "pure diamond blazing light of heaven" is Vajra;
-Being "grounded in our spiritual awareness" is Prarabdha Karma;
-The "energetic prayer well known to mystics" is Dhyana;
-The "prayerful repetition of God's name to keep the mind from wandering" is Japa;
-"A surrendering method .. to relase emerging thought during prayer" is Neti;
-The use of a "sacred word..to make Centering Prayer easier" is Mantra;
-To focus on the "gaps in the stream of consciousness" is Vyana;
-The "Mechanics of Sitting..to keep the body relaxed but alert" is Asana;
-She uses the Greek words "Cataphatic" and "Apophatic" to mean Saguna and Nirguna;
-"Listening to God" by "keeping silent" and "become an empty vessel into which God pours" is Kevala Kumbhak;
-"The Art of Letting Go" is Vairagya;
-Jesus in the desert and the Christian monastics who "performed ascetic feats" are Sadhus;
-The importance and need of "daily prayers" is Puja and Prarthana;
-The lectio divinia as a "gradual and steady movement from mind to heart" is Yoga;
And I could go on, but I will stop there.

In all, the practice of Yoga is the embrace of all religions, shifting through the dogma to reveal the spirituality of the practice. Therefore, Yoga is Integral Spirituality .. pulling pure water from many wells.

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Sahasrara Chakra

2009-06-27T19:15:00.001-04:00

The seventh chakra is every chakra. It is the knowing of deepest consciousness.

Experience reality beyond the physical senses.

Wabi-sabi Yoga

2009-06-27T15:19:00.003-04:00

Wabi-sabi is a Japanese concept that expresses the acceptance of transience. Because Yoga is a non-competitive and non-judgmental practice, wabi-sabi fits beautifully into our daily practice, because it is all that is imperfect, impermanent and incomplete.

When Yogini Valarie Devi sees a student struggle with an asana, she gently reminds them that, “Some days are diamonds and some days are stones.” What she means is that, one day a pose is easy, and on another day it is not. Which ever it is – easy or difficult – we should not glow over our ability or stress over our inability. This is wabi-sabi.

Hamsa Yogashala is open to students who wish to come and sit quietly, or nap, or work on their private practice. The shala – wooded on three sides – is a healing sanctuary with an atmosphere of comfort and acceptance. When we step through the door we should allow ourselves to experience simplicity and modesty, serenity and authenticity.

Our world is one where nothing lasts, nothing is finished and nothing is perfect. Our Yoga practice should reflect this. There is both simplicity and complexity in every Yoga asana, as students, our course is to find the meditative value in both.

Om Peace!

Pranic Healing - Yoga's Daily Self-Care

2009-06-24T06:45:00.002-04:00

I first read about “pranic healing” in Swami Vishnu-devananda’s translation of the Hatha Yogapradipika. Swamiji was expounding on the ancient healing wisdom of Swami Swatmarama, who wrote this classic Yogic text in the early 15th century CE. Briefly, Pranic Healing is an ancient approach to modern illness, one that addresses physical, mental and spiritual dis-ease.

As a Yogini I use Pranic Healing often in very casual ways, like during Yoga class, when adjusting a student. When I gently align a student’s neck, or apply gentle pressure to one of the quads, or softly palpate the spinal erectors, I am allowing Prana – a universal life-force energy – to flow freely from my hands to the student.

Today, many have become familiar with acupressure and acupuncture, and so consider the energy work involved here to be strictly Oriental. This is not the case. For example, Thai Yoga Massage – considered the oldest healing massage in the world – was first developed by an Ayurvedic doctor from India. Unquestionably, Dr. Shivago Komarpaj would have employed Pranic Healing techniques.

According to the Yogic idea of healing, the body ever seeks to heal itself. More often than not, our lifestyle choices impede the bodies innate desire for wellness, creating Pranic/energy disruptions, which manifests as sickness and disease.

Similar to Reiki and other energy modalities, Pranic Healing is no substitute for medical treatment, but an energy technique used to locate, identify and adjust energy imbalances in the body. So what I do in Yoga class, for example, is a compliment to, or part of Hatha Yoga. Specifically to the healing condition being created in any given Yoga pose. (If ever I suspected a serious condition I would speak to the student privately, mentioning the intuitive impression I received from their bodies Pranic Energy Field.)

The beauty of Pranic Healing is in its simplicity - that it can be done by anyone. When we eat pure food and drink clean water, when we do Hatha Yoga and meditate daily, we work with the bodies Prana to maintain overall health and wellbeing.

Hamsa Yogashala will be introducing a Pranic Healing workshop in the coming weeks. It is a two-day basic course in Prana and Pranic Healing that includes practical demonstrations and self-healing techniques. After all, healing is a very personal practice, one that we should take into our own hands.

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Are you toxic?

2009-06-22T09:02:00.000-04:00

More Americans are seeking Whole Health Healing because not all disease can be cured by drug therapy or modern medicine.

Medical research across the world is showing – in the laboratory, in real patients, with studies ranging over many years – that physical disease is, at its deepest level, an expression of environmental toxins, psycho-spiritual pain and lifestyle choices.

The overall approach of doctors today is to treat the symptoms, a practice that ignores prevention and addressing the cause of illness.

The United States spends, literally, billions of dollars on health care and health care reform, yet, we rank 37th in the world and our costs are twice as expensive.

The leading causes of death in the United States are: heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, flu and pheumonia, and they are on the rise. Again, regardless of how many billions of dollars are spent on research and development. Why is this?

One possible answer is the level of toxicity in our society, which is rising at a rate comparable to the rate of the diseases listed above.

We encounter an enormous amount of toxins everyday. According to the Human Toxome Project, the level of lead and mercury, fluoride and chlorinated doxins, pesticides and neuro-toxins (and many others) is on the rise daily.
http://www.ewg.org/sites/humantoxome/healtheffects/

Ask yourself: “Am I too toxic?” Or find out how to discover your level of toxicity. Ask yourself: “Are stressful emotions causing my body to become sick?”. Or, “Have my lifestyle choices lowered my immunity?” Two things you can do:
-Honestly evalutate your lifestyle choices, and
-Seek to discover how you can treat a condition naturally.

The philosophy and practice of Whole Health Healing is a good first-line of defense, one that requires self-responsibility and diligenant awareness.

Yoga – the physical, mental and spiritual practice – has been and remains to be my only means of genuine healing, because it allows me to honor myself while honoring the world around me.

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Won't find Yoga here!

2009-06-20T07:50:00.000-04:00

Most dangerous sport among girls/women: Cheerleading. Cheerleading accounted for 65.2 percent of high school and 70.5 percent of college catastrophic injuries among all female sports. The next most dangerous sports: gymnastics (nine such injuries) and track (seven). http://www.livescience.com/health/080811-cheerleading-injuries.html

The Top 15 Sports Related Injuries in the US:
-Basketball: 512,213
-Bicycling: 485,669
-Football: 418,260
-Soccer: 174,686
-Baseball: 155,898
-Skateboards: 112,544
-Trampolines: 108,029
-Softball: 106,884
-Swimming/Diving: 82,354
-Horseback riding: 73,576
-Weightlifting: 65,716
-Volleyball: 52,091
-Golf: 47,360
-Roller skating: 35,003
-Wrestling: 33,734 http://www.livescience.com/health/060614_sport_injuries.html

And the Top 10 in the World:
-Lawn Bowls
-Base Jumping
-Horse Riding
-Golf-Rock Climbing
-Fishing
-Motorcycling
-Cheerleading
-Cave Diving
-Rugby
http://sasthamcotta.wordpress.com/2008/08/25/top-10-most-dangerous-sports-in-the-world/

And: In 2005, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimated the highest numbers of sport-related injures were reported for:
-basketball (409,799),
-football (376,115) and
-bicycling (317,041).
That's not counting minor injuries that didn't require medical attention. The deadliest:
-riding an all-terrain vehicle, according to the CPSC. The sport accounted for 740 deaths in 2003, one-third of which were children under 16.
http://www.forbes.com/2006/11/15/sports-injuries-fitness-forbeslife_cz_cs_1114dangersports.html

Nope .. won't find Yoga anywhere near a list like this. I even googled it, trying to see if Yoga ranked anywhere close. Nope.

Yet, in India - and increasing so here in the US - Yoga is very much a sport:
http://www.yogasport.yoganet.org/

Clearly, Yogi's are in excellent shape. Certainly comparable to athletes when it comes to strength, flexibility and endurance.

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Self-Health and Balance with Yoga

2009-06-18T09:24:00.000-04:00

Yogini Valarie Devi taps lightly on the singing bowl and a graduate student’s shoulders relax, a mother of three finds a moment of calm, and a real estate agent releases the day’s stress.

Life is fast paced, which is why so many are seeking the calming effects of Yoga to handle the stress of daily living.

According to the Complementary and Alternative Medical Association, 15.2 million Americans utilize the healing benefits of Yoga. On any given new day, there are new medical reports citing how a regular Yoga practice can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, ease depression, promote a good nights sleep, and just make us feel better.

If you find yourself over-reacting or rushing and forgetting what the rush was, then you may need a Yoga class. Forget about Yoga being how to bend like a pretzel, its about quality of life and living. When we breath deep and slow, allowing our body to gently bend and flow with the breath, the we create relaxation and patience – qualities needed in our hectic world.

During Yoga class we are asked to ‘stay with the pose’. This means to focus on what your are doing – from breathing to subtle movement. When our mind wanders to ‘what’s for dinner tonight’, then we are only stretching.

Because Yoga is ‘meditation in motion’, it helps us take charge of our impulses, so that we act instead of re-act. When we sit quietly holding a pose, allowing the breath the fill our body in that pose, then our mind becomes still and we stop trying to control every aspect of our life.

And Yoga is so simple that anyone can do it, at any age, or at any level of physical ability. All you have to have is intent, or the desire to be happy, healthy and whole.

In a country were billions are spent on healthcare, why are so many still unhealthy? Because healing is about prevention, and that’s where Yoga comes in.

More than an gym routine, Yoga is a lifestyle. It opens us to the idea of eating better, to having positive thoughts, to personal confidence and betterment. Yoga is not meant to replace medical care, but to promote wellness. Yoga cannot cure cancer, but it can help us deal with whatever may come our way.

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

quote : Every Child

2009-06-17T19:02:00.000-04:00

"Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man."
-Rabindranath Tagore

Special Needs Yoga

2009-06-16T12:30:00.002-04:00

I was asked if I would be interested in teaching Yoga to some Special Needs children in a summer camp program. Gifted with such an opportunity, I gladly accepted!

There were eight bright-eyed children with loving smiles. When I arrived, they were playing on the outside deck. One of them saw me through the glass and I heard her exclaim: " She's here! The Yoga teacher is here!" I asked the woman in charge what she had told them, and she said "nothing really", just that there would be a "Yoga class". She then added, "They don't even know what 'yoga' is."

I helped them arrange their towels into a circle, so we could sit close to each other, our 'yoga mats' extending out like the petals of a flower. Next to me I placed Yogi Bear - a stuffed bear who does Yoga with me when I teach Yoga to kid's.

The hardest part in classes with kids is getting them to settle down enough to begin. This was not the case with these lovely children. As soon as I asked them to sit, they sat. When I asked them to be still and fold their hands at their heart, they did. When I sang the 'Namaste Song', some hummed, some swayed back and forth, and some did both.

They loved the poses: roaring like a Lion, meowing like a Cat, flying like a Bird, standing strong like a Tree. We barely began when the woman in charge reminded me (as I asked her) that there were 10 minutes left. I started the cool down .. where we sit with folded palms at our heart, smelling the 'flower' in our hands on the inhale, then humming like a bee on the exhale. This is a great way to get kids to breath deeply for final relaxation.

Then came the quiet time. I asked them all to lay down and "be still .. be quiet", and they did. I didnt think this was very remarkable, but when one of the woman's eyes widened about the two minute mark, I started to think that maybe being still was something these beautiful and energetic children did not normally do very often. Five minutes total, I rang the bell with a little song to bring awareness back into the body. All of them seemed calmer, smiling at me softly, sitting quietly. (As a reminder, these are Autistic and Sensory Integration Dysfunctional kids.)

When we sat up, we 'hummed' again, then I said: "And that is the end of Yoga class", which was, seemingly, a cue for me to be mobbed, for they all jumped up at once and ran over to me, surrounding me, touching my jata ('locks'), holding their hands at their hearts, talking at once! I immediately felt supported, uplifted and nurtured having them around me .. their joyful energy was amazing!

In all, their energy was enthusiastic and inquisitive, playful and wise. One little boy (who sat next to me during class) came and stood next to me and asked: "Can I hug you?" When I said "Yes!", he wrapped his tiny arms about my neck, and for that moment, nothing else mattered but that simple gift of love.

Afterwards, the woman in charge told me how surprised she was that they were so still for so long. "How did you do that!?", she asked.

As I was leaving, one little girl told me: "I want to give you a gift from my Special Box. Only Special People get gifts from my Special Box." Then she ranoff. When she returned she handed me a plastic sandwich bag with stickers shaped like hearts and stars and circles.

As I drove home I could hear their laughter in my ears, their hugs around my neck, feel their deep gaze within my eyes, and the warmth of their beautiful energy - freely given - all about me.

Eight more weeks to go!

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

15 Things to Avoid Where Possible

2009-06-12T19:23:00.004-04:00

Fifteen Things to Avoid Where Possible (In Alphabetical Order)

1-AIDS and AZT
2-Aluminium
3-Artificial Sweeteners
4-Anti-Bacterial and Disinfectant Products
5-Breast Milk Substitute
6-Chemotherapy
7-Fluoride
8-GMO Crops
9-Manufactured Chemicals
10-Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
11-Perscription and Over the Counter (OTC) Drugs
12-Pesticides
13-Plastics 14-Sunscreens
15-Vaccines

All of these topics are ones I have commented on over the years, but I have never put all this information in one post. So I gathered all my old posts, added a few new links, and compiled a list of ‘Fifteen Things to Avoid Where Possible’.

As a Yogini and Ayurvedic practitioner I am keenly aware of health and wellbeing. However, it’s as a human being that I say, “Without good health, we have nothing.” With the Internet, there is a wealth of information at our fingertips; even so, just finding it can be overwhelming.

At all times, my first line of defense is personal health, which means my immediate family and I. Secondly, as a Yogini and Ayurvedic practitioner I am very interested in forwarding this information to my friends and clients. Both are why I have researched and compiled this information over the years; so that now, I am able to centralize it, making it easier to access for those who are sincerely interested yet limited in their time.

According to the philosophy and science of Yoga and Ayurveda, discomfort, pain, illness and disease, sickness, depression, stress and soreness are not supposed to interfere with our daily life and living, regardless of our age. What many consider to be ‘part of life’ or ‘aging’ is mostly unnecessary and should not dictate the way we live.

There are many choices in life, so when it comes to health we must choose to be informed or not, equally as to our level of involvement in that choice. In all I do, I choose education. I choose to educate myself, and to educate my family and friends. So with that said, I will state a list of possibilities if you choose to continue reading. If you decide to read this list and/or follow the links, you may experience the following:
-Improved health,
-Increased Memory,
-Attain a healthy weight,
-Reduce pain and discomfort,
-Reduce or lessen the chance of cancer,
-Reduce or lessen the chance of illness,
-Create a clear mind,
-Prolong your life-span,
-Feel good about yourself and your environment.

So, in alphabetical order.

1-AIDS and AZT
To begin, ‘HIV Does Not Cause AIDS’:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW-gp41Q_PM

“What we have been told about AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is that its caused by a tiny retrovirus named HIV, which interesting enough has been around for many, many decades prior to it ever having any link to causing the sudden AIDS epidemic. We are told that any one of us could be at risk with unsafe sex, and that once diagnosed with HIV, we will eventually die from any one of over thirty debilitating diseases as a result. Oddly enough, unlike every other retrovirus that attacks it's victim’s immune system within days, weeks or perhaps a month or two of infection, HIV/AIDS can take up to and even exceed 10 years. Over 100,000 studies have been conducted and yet there are still no solid links that HIV actually is the cause of AIDS to begin with. Perhaps the industry is barking up the wrong tree, and that's why it has still never delivered a cure almost 30 years later, and after utilizing more resources than it took man to make it to the moon. // How did it go so wrong? Well, if AIDS has not been caused by HIV then millions of people have been given a diagnosis of death. Additionally, hundreds of thousands have been given drugs that could potentially cause AIDS themselves.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jzx6wMFlBZQ

AZT, ‘The Deadly Cure’
“Zidovudine (INN) or azidothymidine (AZT) (also called ZDV) is a nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI), a type of antiretroviral drug. It was the first approved treatment for HIV. It is also sold under the names Retrovir and Retrovis, and as an ingredient in Combivir and Trizivir. It is an analog of thymidine.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zidovudine

“Can the antiviral drug AZT, given to HIV-positive mothers in pregnancy and to their newborn babies, protect against mother-to-baby transmission of AIDS? The claim that it does so is entirely speculative. Yet the harm done by the drug is extensively documented. AZT treatment strategy is based on a number of beliefs. One is that certain biological signals, such as elevated "viral load" and "HIV" antibodies, signify HIV infection. Another is that HIV infection is the cause of AIDS. If either or both of those suppositions are untrue, as some scientists argue [see adjoining article "Molecular Miscarriage: Is the HIV Theory a Tragic Mistake?"], then all mothers and babies treated in this way are being uselessly exposed to an unquestionably dangerous chemical.
AZT's proven toxicities include severe muscle pain, weakness, and atrophy; heart muscle changes and malfunctions; bone marrow suppression, with consequent anemia and loss of all types of blood cells; liver failure; and broad-ranging and sometimes irreversible loss and poisoning of mitochondria, the energy "factories" within our cells. The drug also leads to permanent DNA damage, and studies in mice and monkeys have raised concerns that babies exposed to AZT in the womb will face an increased risk of cancer when they grow up.”
http://www.whatisaids.com/mothering/aztpoisoningbabies.htm

2-Aluminum
Some ‘Health Concerns’:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium#Health_concerns

“Though not classified as a heavy metal such as lead, it can be dangerous in high levels. Especially since it can accumulate in ones body, the brain being the worst place it can find itself. Higher aluminum levels have also been linked to Alzheimer’s”.
http://alzheimers.org.uk/factsheet/406
and
http://www.doulton.ca/alzheimers.html

How is aluminum introduced into the body?
“It's used in the manufacturing of cookware, flatware, foil, cans used for soda. It's also used commonly in the following health products [alpha-order by editor]:
Antacids,
Anti-Diarrhea Medications,
Astringents,
Baby Powder,
Buffered Aspirin,
Dentures,
Hemorrhoid Medications,
Lipsticks,
Nasal Sprays,
Talcum Powder,
Vaccines, and
Vaginal Douches.
It's used commonly in the following cooking ingredients:
Baking Powder,
Cake Mix,
Pickling Salt,
Processed Cheese,
Self-Rising Flour, and
Table Salt.
http://www.ghchealth.com/dangers-of-aluminum.html

Aluminum Toxicity:
”Many of the symptoms of aluminum toxicity mimic those of Alzheimer’s disease and osteoporosis. Colic, rickets, gastrointestinal problems, interference with the metabolism of calcium, extreme nervousness, anemia, headaches, decreased liver and kidney function, memory loss, speech problems, softening of the bones, and aching muscles can all be caused by aluminum toxicity.”
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art7739.asp

3-Artificial Sweeteners
Aspartame, Equal, Splenda, NutraSweet, Sugar Twin, are all artificial sweeteners.

“Look for the ingredient aspartame. This artificial sweetener was approved by the FDA in 1981. It is packaged under the brand names NutraSweet, Equal and Sugar Twin. It is used in over six thousand products and is usually listed as ‘aspartame’ in the ingredients list in products like diet soda.”
http://www.ehow.com/how_4483377_identify-artificial-sweeteners.html

“There are ‘92 Known Side Effects of Aspartame’. Again, this leads to falsely diagnosed “conditions” and leads to an over medicated society.”
http://www.sweetpoison.com/aspartame-side-effects.html

“Ironically enough, many studies have actually found that those who consume diet soft drinks are over 30% more likely to gain weight. Which seems to defeat the purpose to begin with, and then of course you get 92 other potential reasons why it was a bad choice.”
http://www.healthcastle.com/diet_pop_health.shtml

A video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yezDGwmGqdM

4-Anti-Bacterial and Disinfectant Products
Personal use items, such as gels, wipes, liquids, or aerosols, sponges, toothbrushes, cutting boards, socks, facial tissues, and the like, are all toxic. Likewise, the measures used to ‘disinfect’ public water supplies.

Home products:
http://www.watoxics.org/homes-and-gardens/factsheets/antimicrobials
and
http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/index.htm

Drinking water:
http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20090301025425data_trunc_sys.shtml

5-Breast Milk Substitute
tudies confirm that breast fed children have fewer links to childhood disorders and behavioral problems.”
Reference: J Hum Lact. 1997 Jun; 13 (2): 93-7. Published by School of Nursing, Wichita State University, Kansas, USA.

“Breastfeeding, a valuable natural resource, promotes health, helps prevent infant and childhood disease, and saves health care costs. Additional annual national health care costs, incurred for treatment of four medical conditions in infant who were not breastfed were estimated. Infant diarrhea in non-breastfed infants costs $291.3 million; respiratory syncytial virus, $225 million; insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, from $9.6 to $124.8 million; and otitis media, $660 million. Thus, these four medical diagnoses alone create just over $1 billion of extra health care costs each year. Breastfeeding may also enhance intellectual development of children according to at least one medical research study. The potential societal benefits of more intelligent children is incalculable even though it cannot be directly measured in terms of dollars.”
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9233193

“An additional $2,665,715 in federal funds is needed yearly in order for WIC to provide infant formula to non-breastfeeding mothers. For the average family, the cost of purchasing formula is twice the cost of supplemental food for the breastfeeding mother. Breastfeeding education and support should be an integral part of health care, especially under managed care which rewards the prevention of health problems and reduced use of health services. http://www.ehponline.org/members/2008/116-10/focus.html

“The mother supports the host defense of the infant in two ways," says Lars Hanson, a clinical immunologist at Göteborg University in Sweden. "One is via antibodies from her blood that are actively transported over the placenta to the infant's circulation during fetal life, and are ready for use from birth on. The other is due to the numerous and complex defense factors provided via the mother's milk, available directly after delivery. Not only is it harming the child by setting them up for a myriad of possible problems in their future. But studies have also found that the lack of a close relationship between mother and child can lead to a whole host of it's own problems later on in life.”
http://www.apa.org/monitor/sep95/attach.html

Finally, there have been several news articles recently regarding breastfeeding woman. Each of these has centered on the ‘decency’ of showing a woman’s breast, even for educational purposes. One such article:
http://mashable.com/2009/05/31/facebook-breasts/

6-Chemotherapy
Remember this recent news story?
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,521732,00.html?test=latestnews

“Chemotherapy, in its most general sense, refers to treatment of disease by chemicals that kill cells, both good and bad, but specifically those of micro-organisms or cancer.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemotherapy

‘The Shocking Truth’:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Cancer:-The-Shocking-Truth-About-the-Effectiveness-of-Chemotherapy&id=347096

A Good Question: “Why – after trillions of dollars of funding and research – is the only effective means of treating cancer have to be a chemical poison that destroys the body along with its immunity system?”

This study debunks chemotherapy as an effective treatment:
“The Contribution of Cytotoxic Chemotherapy to 5-Year Survival in Adult Malignancies”:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15630849?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

This paper was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Volume 16, Issue 8, December 2004, pages 549-560. This peer-review medical journal has been studied, revised and published – and so scrutinized by other doctors, all of whom view such research for credibility and validity. To date, there has been no rebuttal of the findings.

The Findings:
“The overall contribution of curative and adjuvant cytotoxic chemotherapy to 5-year survival in adults was estimated to be 2.3% in Australia and 2.1% in the USA.”

This means that chemotherapy’s assistance in the treatment of cancer is no more than 3%. Or, as this article relates: “Wherever data were uncertain, the authors deliberately erred on the side of over-estimating the benefit of chemotherapy. Even so, the study concluded that overall, chemotherapy contributes just over 2 percent to improved survival in cancer patients.”
http://cancerfighter.wordpress.com/2008/10/10/how-effective-is-chemotherapy/

7-Fluoride
This is a poison that most of us encounter daily. To begin, we must find out: What is Fluoride?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flouride

“The 1984 issue of Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products lists fluoride as more poisonous than lead and just slightly less poisonous than arsenic. It has been used as a pesticide for mice, rats and other small pests. A 10lb infant could be killed by 1/100 of an ounce and a 100lb adult could be killed by 1/10 of an ounce of fluoride. So Fluoride is just slightly less lethal than lead, and not quite as poisonous as the infamous arsenic? If so, why is it put in products that we use daily? For those who feel that fluoride poses little to no threat, based on the amounts used, I have a question: “If it is so toxic, so poisonous, even in small doses – why ingest it at all?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yezDGwmGqdM

“The fluoride used in our water supplies is industrial grade fluoride called Hydrofluosilicic Acid which contains harmful contaminants such as arsenic, barium, cadmium, lead and mercury. It is a byproduct from the phosphate fertilizer industry. Water fluoridation is a cheap way for industry to get rid of their waste and consumers pay the price. // We then drink the water, cook with the water, and bathe in the water. The compounding effect ramps up the levels in our body quickly. Water is essential to a human’s survival, so it makes sense that ingesting clean water will improve overall health. If you haven't already, you should seriously invest in a water filtration system.”
http://www.cleanwateraction.org/feature/clean-water-campaign-why-water-fluoridation-bad-new-jersey

And for your teeth, there is a condition called ‘Dental fluorosis’. It is the result of fluoridation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_fluorosis

Does this look familiar?:
http://www.fluoridealert.org/dental-fluorosis.htm

“In a number of small villages in Sicily, Turkey and India there is naturally occurring fluoride in the water ranging from 0.7 to 5.4 ppm. Here the villagers and their livestock are chronically ill, while neighboring villages with no fluoride have no such illnesses. Premature aging is the overall effect. Children have brown decaying teeth; young adults often have none. Young men are bent over and crippled with pain in their joints and hips. Their skin is wrinkled and they look 60 at age 30 to 40. There is premature hardening of the arteries, loss of appetite and sex drive by age 30. The rate of stillborn miscarriages by 4 months is extremely high.”
http://www.wholywater.com/fluoride.html

8-GMO Foods (Genetically Modified Organism)
The ‘Controversy’:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GMO#Controversy

The World According to Monsanto:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_OJcPKEYDE

The Genetic Conspiracy – Monsanto:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joweZ6uM5iY
”There are a variety of detrimental health effects directly related to the use of GMO crops. I could write an entire thread on this topic alone. Some problems of GMO Crops include the tens of thousands of deaths and debilitating disabilities as well as near deaths, Direct Cancer and Degenerative disease links, Super Viruses, Antibiotic threats via milk, Antibiotic and pesticide threats via plants, Birth defects and shorter life spans;.. // ..The experience of actual GM-fed experimental animals is scary. When GM soy was fed to female rats, most of their babies died within three weeks – compared to a 10% death rate among the control group fed natural soy. The GM-fed babies were also smaller, and later had problems getting pregnant. // Other problems include, soil toxicity, extinction of seed variety, super weeds, plant invasion, terminator trees, super pests, poisonous to mammals, destruction of self sufficient family farming, terminator technology, dependency issues etc.”

50 Harmful Effects of Genetically Modified (GM) Foods:
http://www.raw-wisdom.com/genetically-modified-food

Did you know that some GMOs contain NO DNA?

SAY NO TO GMO!

9-Manufactured Chemicals
Personal care and cleaning products, the ‘Top Ten to Avoid’:
-Methyl, Propyl, Butyl and Ethyl Paraben,
-Diethanolamine (DEA), Triethanolamine (TEA),
-Diazolidinyl Urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea,
-Sodium Lauryl / Laureth Sulfate (SLS / SLES),
-Petrolatum,
-Propylene Glycol,
-PVP / VA Copolymer
-Stearalkonium Chloride
-Synthetic Color(s),
-Synthetic Fragrance(s).

You will probably find these in all your DAILY products. They are used to ‘extend shelf life’, as foaming agents and emulsifiers, as preservatives, shampoos and conditioners, soaps, shaving cream, petroleum jelly (mineral oil), cosmetics, hairspray and other styling aids, fabric softener, mouthwash and toothpaste, bubble bath, hair dyes, sunscreen (another category altogether), and nail polish.Be sure to read the labels on even ‘eco-friendly’ products, because the FDA likes to change the meaning of words. For example, some products listed as ‘organic’ or ‘eco’ / ‘environmentally friendly’ contain Sodium Laureth Sulfate and other toxins.

All 10 of these products have been linked to cancer, allergic reactions and skin rashes, estrogen absorbed via the skin, eye irritants, dry skin and damage hair follicles, contact dermatitis, scalp scurf and dandruff, chapping, asthma when inhaled, headaches and dizziness, coughing, vomiting, and the like.

Many of these are also neurotoxins, which damage the central nervous system, or are Teratogens, which affect the growth of an embryo. This latter includes: ether, propylene glycol, lanolin, acetone and methylene chloride. Nor are all of these personal use products, for some are found in tire sealant, rubber cleaner, de-icer, stain removers, fabric softener, degreaser, paint, adhesive and wallpaper stripper.

For further information:
http://www.proactivehealth.net.au/index.php?mpid=17

10-Monosodium Glutamate (MSG)
Monosodium Glutamate is added to what you eat and hidden as a “flavor enhancer”, “spice”, “food additive” or “natural flavoring”:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monosodium_glutamate

It is in virtually all processed food, fast food, condiments and prepackaged food; in short, it’s a staple of the ‘junk food’ industry. Safeway, Wal-Mart and Costco use it routinely in their products. It’s considered a ‘miracle food’ to these manufacturers because it can make old, stall, burnt, or simply bad food taste good.

“As already stated, the addictive quality is bad news for a society that has grown to contain epidemic levels of obesity. The relation of the introduction of MSG and the growing percentage of Obese Americans, is quite obvious. // MSG Sensitivity is a problem that some may not even be aware they are suffering from. Instead attributing the problems to different issues. Check out the list of Symptoms. It's estimated that potentially 30-40% of our society is suffering from MSG sensitivity without even knowing it; leading to more prescriptions, and poor health. It's also worth mentioning, that although it is listed as a safe additive, society as a whole actually ingests more daily than even they regard as safe.”
http://www.msgmyth.com/know.htm

11-Prescription and Over The Counter (OTC) Medication
“It is no mere coincidence that the drug industry is a billion dollar industry, and that the US just happens to be the most medicated population on earth. In the U.S. , prescriptions have increased over the past decade to 3.4 billion annually, a 61 percent increase. Retail sales of prescription drugs jumped 250 percent, from $72 billion to $250 billion, while the average price of prescriptions has more than doubled from $30 to $68.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharmaceutical_companies

“Drug researchers not directly employed by pharmaceutical companies often look to companies for grants, and companies often look to researchers for studies that will make their products look favorable. Sponsored researchers are rewarded by drug companies,..”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharmaceutical_companies#Controversy_about_drug_development_and_testing

“The top twenty pharmaceutical companies and their two trade groups, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) and Biotechnology Industry Organization, lobbied on at least 1,600 pieces of legislation between 1998 and 2004. According to the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics, pharmaceutical companies spent $900 million on lobbying between 1998 and 2005, more than any other industry. During the same period, they donated $89.9 million to federal candidates and political parties, giving approximately three times as much to Republicans as to Democrats. According to the Center for Public Integrity, from January 2005 through June 2006 alone, the pharmaceutical industry spent approximately $182 million on Federal lobbying. The industry has 1,274 registered lobbyists in Washington D.C.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pharmaceutical_lobby

If you watch television then you are bombarded with drug advertisements that dictate you “ask your doctor”. One side of these commercials is upbeat and flashy, while the other is solely committed to warning you. If you listen carefully, sometimes these side effects are what the drug is meant to actually ‘cure’.

“In 2004 it was stated that on average, each month 40 new side effects or adverse reactions were added to drug warning labels after they had already been approved and were being consumed by customers. In one of the longest delays in changes, widely used Demerol a common pain reliever got a new warning in 2003, 70 years after its introduction. The change? Demerol was passing straight into mothers milk, being passed on directly to suckling babies. A powerful pain reliever being consumed by a baby is terrifying, who knows the full extent of the health consequences of that problem.”
http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/SafetyInformation/Safety-RelatedDrugLabelingChanges/default.htm

”Pletal, approved by the FDA in February of 2004, lists the following adverse effects, reported worldwide: pain, chest pain, hot flashes, cerebral hemorrhage, angina pectoris, hypo-tension, hepatic dysfunction/abnormal liver function, jaundice, vomiting, thromboctopenia, leukopenia, bleeding tendency, paresthesia, hyperglycemia, pulmonary hemorrhage, interstitial pneumonia, pruritus, skin eruptions including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, rash, increase BUN, and hematuria.

The following adverse events occurred OUTSIDE the US prior to marketing of Pletal in the US: Pulmonary Hemorrhage and Stevens-Johnsons syndrome. To be clear, this condition is described as, “Massive bleeding of the heart, and excruciating, disfiguring skin reaction that sometimes kills you”; showed up before the drug was offered in the US. But it was sold to American anyway.”
From the book: ’50 Things Your Not Supposed to Know’ (page 35)
http://books.google.com/books?id=M3VYMwvDKwAC&pg=PA35&lpg=PA35&ots=9P9VobC5TN&dq=pletal+%22Massive+bleeding+of+the+heart%22&ie=ISO-8859-1&output=html

Adverse Reactions:
“Modern medicine kills 750,000 people each year, that's a 16,400% increase over terrorism. The equivalent to crashing 6 fully loaded jumbo jets daily.” // Adverse reactions alone claimed approx. 32,000 people in 2000.”
http://www.naturalnews.com/009278.html

War on Drugs:
“Non-Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Aspirin claimed 7,600 people in 2000. In contrast, all illicit drug use both directly and indirectly claimed only 17,000 people in 2000.”
http://drugwarfacts.org/cms/?q=node/30

NOTE: I am NO doctor. However, after doing the research and reading the warnings, it sure seems to me that, unless it’s a matter of life or death, prescription drugs do more harm than good.

12-Pesticides
On Humans:
“More and more studies are defining the link between pesticides and the growing cancer rates that our society experiences. As if it weren't bad enough that companies like Monsanto were genetically engineering crops to create more of their own pesticides that leads to toxicity in humans, studies now find links between the amounts of pesticide pollution and the growing levels of PCB's in humans, to higher levels of Cancer.”
http://www.pmac.net/pesticide_pollution.html

On the Soil that Grows our Food:
“Pesticides decrease biodiversity in the soil because they do not just kill the intended pest; they often kill many of the other small organisms present. When life in the soil is killed off, the soil quality deteriorates and this has a knock-on effect upon the retention of water. This is a problem for farmers particularly in times of drought. At such times, organic farms have been found to have yields 20-40% higher than conventional farms. Soil fertility is affected in other ways, too. When pesticides kill off most of the active soil organisms, the complex interactions which result in good fertility break down. // Plants depend on millions of bacteria and fungi to bring nutrients to their rootlets. When these cycles are disrupted plants become more dependent upon exact doses of chemical fertilizers at regular intervals. Even so, the fantastically rich interactions in healthy soil cannot be fully replicated by the farmer with chemicals”

Pesticide Pollution:
“A recent study by the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, discovered a 70% increase in the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease for people exposed to even low levels of pesticides. // Pesticides can also endanger workers during production, transportation, or during and after use. Bystanders may also be affected at times, for example walkers using public rights of way on adjacent land or families whose homes are close by crop spraying activities. One of the main hazards of pesticide use is to farm workers and gardeners.”

Pesticides and Children:
“Children are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of pesticides. Studies have found higher rates of brain cancer, leukemia and birth defects in children who suffered early exposure to pesticides. (National Resources Defense Council study).”

Pesticides and the Human Diet:
“The main source of exposure to pesticides for most people is through diet. // A study in 2006 measured organophosphorus levels in 23 school children before and after changing their diet to organic food. The levels of organophosphorus exposure dropped immediately and dramatically when the children began the organic diet. Residues, set by governments, are limited to tolerance levels that are considered safe, based on average daily consumption of these foods by adults and children. But, as we all know, some people do not behave as average!”

All references:
http://www.greenfootsteps.com/pesticides-and-pollution.html
http://www.pesticide.org/hhg/OPSpyrethroids.html
http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/pesticides.htm
http://www.nrdc.org/documents.asp?topicid=6&tag=pesticides

What to do:
Read the label! Then follow the instructions exactly!

Aside from political action, wherever possible, eat organic!

13-Plastics
We are surrounded by plastic.

“..pure plastics generally have low toxicity in their finished state, and will pass through the digestive system with no ill effect (other than mechanical damage or obstruction). However, plastics often contain a variety of toxic additives. For example, plasticizers like adipates and phthalates are often added to brittle plastics like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to make them pliable enough for use in food packaging, children's toys and teethers, tubing, shower curtains and other items. Traces of these chemicals can leach out of the plastic when it comes into contact with food. Out of these concerns, the European Union has banned the use of DEHP (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate), the most widely used plasticizer in PVC. Some compounds leaching from polystyrene food containers have been found to interfere with hormone functions and are suspected human carcinogens. // The primary building block of polycarbonates, bisphenol A (BPA), is an estrogen-like hormone disrupter that may leach into food. // A more recent animal study suggests that even low-level exposure to BPA results in insulin resistance, which can lead to inflammation and heart disease.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastics#Toxicity

“In addition to creating safety problems during production, many chemical additives that give plastic products desirable performance properties also have negative environmental and human health effects. These effects include:
-Direct toxicity, as in the cases of lead, cadmium, and mercury,
-Carcinogens, as in the case of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP),
-Endocrine disruption, which can lead to cancers, birth defects, immune system suppression and developmental problems in children.”
http://www.ecologycenter.org/factsheets/plastichealtheffects.html

Further Exposure:
“People are exposed to these chemicals not only during manufacturing, but also by using plastic packages, because some chemicals migrate from the plastic packaging to the foods they contain. Examples of plastics contaminating food have been reported with most plastic types, including Styrene from polystyrene, plasticizers from PVC, antioxidants from polyethylene, and Acetaldehyde from PET.”
http://www.ecologycenter.org/factsheets/plastichealtheffects.html

What To Do:
-Buy food in glass or metal containers.
-Keep glass jars for storage.
-Do not buy drinking bottles with Bisphenol A.
-Do not microwave plastic containers.
-Do not store fatty foods in plastic containers.
-Do not give children plastic teething rings or toys.
-Check for plastics in your clothing and bedding.
-Avoid PVC and Styrene.

14-Sunscreens
“Most sunscreens only block UVB rays, leaving UVA rays to do damage. Because people believe they are protected, it causes people to stay in the sun too long. And interestingly enough, it's UVB rays that make us burn. So our natural warning signal is slowed, and instead of us beginning to burn and realizing it's time to go inside, we stay in the sun far too long. Furthermore, UVB is how we get Vitamin D naturally. Vitamin D, interestingly enough, is known to help prevent some cancers, most notably, breast and colon. If all this weren't bad enough, keep in mind that when you are lathering yourself up with lotion, you're smearing chemicals all over your skin. Some of those chemicals are toxic, and your pours drink them up and shuttle them all over your body.”
Reference:
-Cedric F. Garland. “More on Preventing Skin Cancer”. British Medical Journal, 2003:327:128 (22, November).
-Thompson, Larry. “Sunscreen, Skin Cancer and UVA”. Healthlink (Medical College of Wisconson), 26 July, 2000. Mercola.com website of Dr. Joseph Mercola
Additional references:
http://dermatology.jwatch.org/cgi/content/full/2007/112/1

Most companies:
“Don’t screen UVA rays at all.”
“Do not pass health and environmental muster.”
“Contain potentially harmful chemicals.”
“Make questionable product claims.”
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=are-sunscreens-safe

15-Vaccines
“A vaccine is a biological preparation that improves immunity to a particular disease. A vaccine typically contains a small amount of an agent that resembles a microorganism. The agent stimulates the body's immune system to recognize the agent as foreign, destroy it, and "remember" it, so that the immune system can more easily recognize and destroy any of these microorganisms that it later encounters.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccines

Some recent headlines:
-1300 Girls Harmed by HPV Vaccines
http://www.naturalnews.com/026293.html

-Measles vs the Right to School
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/columnists/2009/06/09/measles-v-right-to-school-91466-23819703/

-Mandatory Vaccinations for Americans?
http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=13925

-Mom Seeks Immunization Exemption
http://www.wsaz.com/home/headlines/44873567.html

What the National Vaccine Information Center has to say:
http://www.nvic.org//

And the Vaccine Truth.Org:
http://www.vaccinetruth.org/

Many studies suggest that vaccines are not safe, may contribute to childhood autism, contain high levels of mercury, and contain dead cancer cells:
http://www.mercuryautismlink.com/mercury/
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=49094
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0317-05.htm

Regarding the Mercury / Autism link:
‘Study "Disproving" Mercury-Autism Link Published in Journal with Financial Ties to Vaccine Manufacturers’
http://www.naturalnews.com/022479.html

In 1984, Dr. Mendelsohn wrote, “My suspicion, which is shared by others in my profession, is that the nearly 10,000 SIDS deaths that occur in the United States each year are related to one or more of the vaccines that are routinely given children. The pertussis vaccine is the most likely villain, but it could also be one or more of the others.”
http://www.whale.to/vaccines/mendelsohn.html
NOTE: SIDS / “Sudden Infant Death Syndrome”.

“The statistics alone are shady enough, but one also needs to realize that statistics collected by the manufacturers are often skewed and deaths are listed as coincidental, or under other terms such as cot death, MSbP & SBS. In all, Smallpox vaccine infant deaths (UK) were estimated at 25,000 in 1880, and 6,000 in 1921. 780,000 people die from Allopathic (vaccinator) iatrogenic disease in the USA every year, 106,000 from adverse drug reactions. The bottom line: Allopathy has always killed more children than the diseases with vaccination and the suppression of effective non-Allopathic medicine such as Vitamin C which would prevent all cot-deaths and most other child deaths, (known since 1949).”
http://www.whale.to/v/meningitis5.html
http://www.whale.to/a/vaers.html
http://www.whale.to/m/smallpox/deaths.html
http://www.whale.to/vaccine/mmr2.html

Are Vaccines Worth The Risk? Here is a list of ‘Severe Adverse Reactions’:
http://www.hrsa.gov/Vaccinecompensation/statistics_report.htm

Food, Inc

2009-06-11T09:18:00.000-04:00

"When you go to the grocery store there is an illusion of diversity. So much of our industrialized food turns out to be re-arrangements of corn"

The trailer:
http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/455396/Food-Inc-/trailers

A news article:
______

Review: 'Food, Inc.' not for the squeamish
I was warned not to eat before seeing "Food, Inc.," a mind-boggling, heart-rending, stomach-churning expose on the food industry. Unfortunately, no one told me I might never want to ingest anything ever again.

"The industry doesn't want you to know the truth about what you're eating - because if you knew, you might not want to eat it." So says Eric Schlosser, author of "Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal" and one of the film's two principal talking heads. The other is UC Berkeley School of Journalism Professor Michael Pollan, who wrote "The Omnivore's Dilemma" and offers his own dark views on the business of American food production and the contents of American stomachs.

Directed and co-produced by Emmy Award winner Robert Kenner (PBS' "Two Days in October"), "Food, Inc." begins in the grocery aisles and tracks back to the seeds and slaughterhouses that produce, in large part, what we eat. In the process, it throws out one zinger after another, making its case with the methodical and unremitting force of muckrakers trying to radicalize - or at least rouse - a dozing populace.

We learn that the country's top four meatpackers control 80 percent of the beef market. We hear that farmers are subsidized to overproduce corn, which then goes into Coke, Sweet & Low, diapers, Motrin and cattle feed. We're told that the gut of a cow fed on corn breeds the deadliest strains of E. coli; that the Monsanto Co. owns every last one of its genetically engineered soybean seeds; that the Smithfield Hog Processing Plant in North Carolina slaughters 32,000 pigs per day. Fifty years ago, we're advised, it took 70 days to raise a chicken to slaughter. Today it takes 48.

Grim statistics pair off with arresting visuals: a researcher with his hand inside a cow's stomach; conveyor belts full of little yellow chicks, manhandled like car parts; a cow, not quite dead, getting pushed around by a forklift. There's also video of squealing pigs herded to their death on the "kill floor" of Smithfield, where, a union organizer says, the company recruits cheap workers from Mexico who often wind up arrested by immigration agents.

The toughest footage shows Kevin Kowalcyk, a bright-eyed 2-year-old splashing in a lake. He later died after eating burgers contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, prompting his mother to campaign for a law that would strengthen the U.S. Department of Agriculture's power to enforce sanitation and safety standards. But she won't say a word about her eating preferences - no Oprah-like rant against ground beef - for fear of being sued.

"Food, Inc." is almost entirely one-sided, but not for lack of trying. Officials at Monsanto, Smithfield, Tyson and Perdue all declined to be interviewed. The film's long list of producers include Schlosser and Participant Media, the company behind "An Inconvenient Truth," and it has the same flair for the dramatic and spirit of thorny urgency.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/06/11/MVE1184DN6.DTL

And

Meet Your New Farmer: Hungry Corporate Giant
Forget buckets of blood. Nothing says horror like one of those tubs of artificially buttered, nonorganic popcorn at the concession stand. That, at least, is one of the unappetizing lessons to draw from one of the scariest movies of the year, “Food, Inc.,” an informative, often infuriating activist documentary about the big business of feeding or, more to the political point, force-feeding, Americans all the junk that multinational corporate money can buy. You’ll shudder, shake and just possibly lose your genetically modified lunch.

http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/06/12/movies/12food.html?ref=arts

Detoxify and Revitalize

2009-06-10T08:59:00.003-04:00

From an Ayurvedic perspective, we can strengthen our agni ("internal fire,energy, vitality") in three simple ways:
-a weekly Yoga practice,
-healthy dietary changes, and
-detoxifying herbs.

Lets start with Yoga. Ideally you should move your body every day. As a Yogini and Ayurvedic practitioner I recommend a twice-weekly Yoga practice and a five to six time a week personal/at home practice. This routine should strengthen your solar plexus and digestive fire - such as in agni sura (abdominal squeeze and lift), twisting poses, forward and backward bends, leg lifts and abdominal crunches. (The at home practice can be Sun Salutations for 10-15 minutes aday.)

However, this does not mean your Yoga practice should just be another thing you have do in your day. Yoga is about moving with breath (vinyasa), being in the present moment and letting go. It is supposed to prepare us for our inner work - its not just another form of exercise.

I suggest taking the Sunrise Yoga class at Hamsa Yogashala. It begins at 7amand lasts for an hour. There is no better way to start the day than by doingYoga to calm and center. It literally sets the tone of your day.

If your looking for something easy, then the 9-10am Gentle Yoga classes areexcellent. Or if you schedule needs a later class, than the 6:30-8pm session isan excellent place to start. Whatever your choice, there are 20 classes to choose from at Hamsa Yogashala, so simply find one that works for you.

Next, making healthy dietary changes, such as eating nourishing foods, like whole grains, fruits, beans and steamed or cooked vegetables (raw are more difficult to digest), prepared with small amounts of healthy oils such as olive or ghee (clarified butter).

To stoke your digestive fire, sip ginger tea with your meals and spice your food with pungent herbs like ginger, garlic, cinnamon, clove, basil, oregano pepperand chilies.

The goal is to eat in a way that makes you feel good, so that, when you eat, you notice how your food has affected you. For example, after eating, ask yourself:
-"Do I feel satisfied and energized?",
-"Do I feel tired?",
-"Do I feel sluggish?", or
-"Have my thoughts become scattered?"
In all, dont eat in such a way that you feel:
-"::sigh:: Im exhausted! I need a nap!"

Remember, agni is 'fire', and when you put too much wood on a fire, it will smolder and maybe even go out. Likewise, too much food - or the wrong kinds - can smother your digestive fire. Glutinous grains (like corn and wheat), meat, dairy products and oily food requre a strong digestive fire. They can be nourishing but if your agni is weak, they creat ama (which is'heavy', 'thick' and 'sticky'.

Ami accumulates in the weak areas of the body, which are different in every individual, so that for some, ama may collect in their knee joints (causing stiffness), or for some it may block the blood vessels around the heart (causing heart disease). In short, wherever ama is, disease and sickness soon follow.

To prevent this, reduce (or completely avoid) wheat and dairy products for two or three weeks, avoid oily or deep-fried foods and eat lighter grains like quinoa and millet instead. Then, watch for a week or two to see how you feel. Many of my Yoga students relate that they feel 'lighter', 'clearer' and 'more energized'. They is because they have unburdened their agni so that it can burn more brightly.

Finally, detoxifying herbs. The best approach is to cleanse the bowels regularly. When you eat a lot of poor quality food, the ama can stick to the side of your colon, which impedes the absorption of nutrients as well as the removal of waste. This can lead to auto-intoxication, which means that the toxins stick in the colon and begin to leach back into your system.

This can cause some uncomfortable side effects like headaches, fatigue, skin eruptions (acne, hives, rashes), ulcers and the like.

To ensure that your bowels move on a daily basis, add more fiber and water to your diet. I recommend the herb psyllium, which is a soluble fiber that acts like a scouring sponge - loosening and absorbing the ama stuck to the bowel walls - and sending it along its way. Which is out of your body.

If you choose to try psyllium: In the morning, a scant teaspoon (even if the directions on the package recommend more) mixed with two cups of pure water, and drank immediately, is all you need. Then, continue to drink pure water - at least 8oz every hour - to keep the fiber moving, or else it will dry out and cause constipation (if your prone to it).

NOTE: If you take vitamins or supplements, do not take any if you try psyllium. Remember, they will be flushed out with everything else.

By cleansing your system - with Yoga, healthy dietary changes and detoxifying herbs - you remove ama and boost your metabolism, which strengthens your agni so that we feel more alert, energized and full of life.

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

These Last Few Days

2009-06-09T09:36:00.002-04:00

These last few days have been very emotional.

It began with a disturbing dream. No sooner is that recorded on my journal then I receive an email from my sister asking that I call her right away. "Bad news" she wrote.

Loss is .. well, loss. It is emptiness and darkness and sadness and memory that floods the heart. Then there is the sadness of others. The two combined create so much pressure that its amazing the human heart is capable of such resiliance. But it is.

We say, 'Life goes on', or 'We must be strong', and other pithy sayings that are more mumbled in rote than actually believed at the moment. Or perhaps even the long run.

Yes, life does go on, but diffently. Nothing is ever the same once the loss has riped the fabric of our being. Colors are not the same, nor are smells or sound or .. just anything. Its as if, instantly, you have been thrust into a world like your own but different. One that is now missing a key component. Something that made the colors brighter, the smells more rich and sound more intense.

Senses are numbed and stay so, so that life goes on in this new numbed existence. Yes, life goes on .. but different.

And 'religion'. Why does it come to play now, in these moments of bereavement? Well, certainly, every injury needs a support - either temporary or long-term. This I understand, but choose not to lean upon.

In loss I have not chosen the route of religion, not wanting to cloud my sensations with thoughts of a higher power, but letting human emotion sweep over me like a winter storm - dark and sudden, cold and bitter.

"The unexamined life is not worth living", or so said a man who once lived in ancient Athens. I agree with his words for in them I feel their truth.

Numbed from loss? Certainly .. and unrecoverably so. But unable to examine that numbness? No. If anything, it is all too real, to painful, to punch-in-the-gut, air-escaping, world collapsingly clear to not examine.

Which brings me to the message in this post: Encouragement.

Darkness comes .. sometimes suddenly so .. crippling even. And it is followed by Dawn, who is not always the ray of light-encouragement, but a reminder that we must live on with a new reality .. casting light upon the different world around us. For myself, that different insight is one not shadowed by superstition, but worth examining anew. A new world minus one.

The world is filled with broken-hearted and open-eyed examiners. To them the future is ever new, and that is encouraging.

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Recession Meditation

2009-06-06T06:24:00.002-04:00

Stress is finding its way into every layer of life. All the more reason to start or continue the holistic practices of Yoga, pranayama (deep breathing), meditation and Pranic Healing. These are the healthy choice alternatives that we cannot afford to set aside during these trying times!

The current recession amounts to mental stress, which will impact your thoughts, dreams, imagination and daily attitude - personally and professionally. Resorting to smoking or drinking or eating is neither healthy or realistic, for it only creates additional stress.

Recession stress is mental, which directly impacts your body. So the body needs some calming attention, to maintain balance throughout your entire being.

This is where Yoga comes in. I have list here are a few approaches that are easy to either introduce or continue in your life during these trying times. But more importantly, these lifestyle approaches will help you keep not just our head above water, but guide you towards a firm footing.

-Prana Therapy: With all the job cuts, increase in gas and food prices, company closings and the like, our future seems limited. To survive, many feel compelled to work harder, which increases their stress levels. With Prana Therapy you can de-stress your mind by changing your breath, which then changes your energy levels. Once balanced, you become a more effective thinker and do'er, more confident and relaxed in your daily interactions.

This inner harmony then manifests in how you interact with employees and employers, so enhancing your performance and productivity on every level. A weekly Yoga class that includes Prana Therapy - like here at Hamsa Yogashala - will increase your 'game' within a month.

-Do Balancing Poses: It’s easy to get caught up in work related problems and so ignore your personal life. When this happens, you need to 'build awareness' find finding balance.

Yoga's balancing poses keep you aware of the imbalances in life; this happens because the body’s de-stress mechanism is brought to the surface during a Yoga class.

For example, while practicing Natrajasana (Dancer pose) or Vrikshasana (Tree pose), we stand in a way that is not completely balanced, prompting our central nervous system to find balance - which means getting toned and strong, from the inside out.

-Yoga Sleeping: In Yoga, there is a deep relaxation, guided meditation pose called Yoganidra. It is a complete approach to health and fitness through meditation.

Yoganidra encourages the body to let go and relax deeply, to enter the subconscious state, where emotions are bottled-up. There, we can calmly face through these stressers, bolstering our emotional wellbeing.

-Meditate: Self-confidence comes with meditation because it helps you face a situation with calm and a positive outlook.

Your mind is so filled with clutter - from deadlines and meetings, to reports and performance reviews - that meditation is truly the only relief. Meditation helps you to re-evaluate where your at and were you need to be. It helps you see the 'big picture' of career and life and passion of our job.

-Think Positive: Yes, this is part of Yoga, and has been for centuries. Many professionals now are frightened by the recession, which is all the more reason to stay physically and mentally fit.

Yoga works on your mind and body, which increases your overall productivity, increases your creativity, allows you to have more fun with your life and helps you attain a balance between personal and professional life.

For example, if you’ve lost your job or experienced a drastic salary cut, you would visibly become a negative person and will remain in that state for a longer period than actually required. But if you start a Yoga class or continue to take one, you will feel healthy and your mind will soon recover from that traumatic state. With an induced sense of positivism, you can deal with recession stress by looking upon its brighter side, which can be - that you may get a salary hike soon.

-Breath!: In Yoga, your breath is the clearest indicator of your mental state, so if your breath is fast and unsteady, you can do simple breathing exercises to bring it back to normal. Likewise, if your tense and your body is stiff, you can do simple stretches and asanas to relax your body.

Short shallow breathing or heavy deep breathing changes body chemistry and produces different fluids flowing through your body. Some of these cause stress, others can disrupt health, and something alter your wellbeing. Here at Hamsa Yogashala, we practice Bandhas (neuromuscular locks) which balance your hormones and body chemistry, bringing your entire system to its optimum level.

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Meditation

2009-06-03T09:33:00.000-04:00

Meditation is our ability to contact our true self and consciousness (atman or purusha), which is the source of life and intelligence.

Secondly, meditation is the ability to clear out the negative aspects of our consciousness, harmful subconscious habits and impulses that cause pain and suffering. Meditation helps promote our highest impulses and also roots out those which are harmful and intractable.

Nor is meditation 'stopping the mind', which is never recommended, for the mind is always in motion, working to maintain the functions of the body, for example.

Meditation is simply the practice of calming the thoughts, so the mind and body become still, allowing our mental energies to be renewed and transformed.

Further, meditation practice includes many helpful approaches to help attain this condition of calm, such as:
-mantra (a word or phrase of your choosing),
-pranayama (deep and slow breathing), and
-visualization.
And all of these are only aids, or ways to assist us in returning our consciousness to its original peaceful and silent state. Once accomplished, we are able to set aside these techniques, resting deeply in the harmony of our natural self. This is the only goal of all meditation.

In Ayurveda, meditation is an important tool for healing the mind (even though its healing benefits extend to the body). Healing meditation reduces the psychological root or complications of the disease process, which always exists to some degree. Ayurveda recomends meditation for treating specific diseases, particularly psychological disorders in which meditation may be the primary therapy. Ayurveda also prescribes meditation as part of its lifestyle regimens both for health maintenance and life-enhancement. In all, there are many types of meditation in both Ayurvdic and Yogic thought.

Because of the mind's connection with prana, the role of pranic practices in meditation cannot be ignored. Because of prana's further connection to food, the physical body cannot be forgetten either. The Ayurvedic approach to meditation - which is identical to the Yogic approach - is always integral, so includes body, breath and senses.

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Oh Sky, Earth and Spirit!

2009-06-01T06:45:00.002-04:00

"Let us recognize our oneness! Let man know the infinite spirit of the universe, and accept this infinite intelligence, as his guiding light and inspiration. This is the highest ethic, the greatest moral and most profound spiritual quest! Let the mind be flooded with new light and spiritual truth will be revealed."
-Oahspe

Saurkraut and Health Fair

2009-05-31T06:45:00.000-04:00

Sauerkraut first. About 12 days ago I made my first batch of sauerkraut from cabbage grown in the shala's organic garden. I tasted it at ten days. It is amazing! The crispness, the freshness, the 'fermenty' richness .. its in a jar on the kitchen counter .. looking lively and green.

Two days ago I harvested 3+ pounds of cabbage and spent part of the day making sauerkraut (and raw goat milk yogurt). This is the eighth fermented food I have made (idli, natto, dosa, kefir, yogurt, dhokla, saurkraut, sourdough. Then there are the fermented drinks, like mead and tea.).

I am really enjoying both the process of fermentation and the many health benefits. Like promoting the overall health of the intestinal tract, improving the bodies natural enzyme and vitamin absorption, and other pluses. Naturally then, I am also looking forward to preserving with whey and fermentation when the garden starts producing root or vine vegetables.

But moreso is how fermentation is introducing itself to me as an Old Mother. She is older than humans, in that fruits naturally ferment, so have been doing so on their own before we walked our first steps. And for my ancestry, in the Caucasian Region, there have been found vessels containing wine that is 8,000 years old.

Fermentation is a wise teacher of transformation, of changing one thing into something simplier. Ah .. the beauty of simplicity in my life! Yes .. simplicity is something that is blossoming within me - since my resolution at NY, and even moreso since my 50th birthday in April.

Yes .. this Old Mother - perhaps Madhudevate - is the mistress of mystery and miracle, of rising from the dead even. And she is an Old Mother - a woman - because where food was scarce, this wiseone preserved and kept the foods - and the vital nutrients - that kept the hearth healthy in fallow times.

As to the health fair .. I participated in one yesterday at a local health food store (link above). It was quite a success because I met several local healers and reconnected with a few that I hadnt seen in a few years.

Plus .. Lakshmi was with me, for my luck was strong! I won an organic products gift basket!

Locally, I met some massage therapists (both eastern and western), a clinical herbalist, reflexologist, and a fellow Reiki practitioner. Both the therapist and reflexologist took my Ayurvedic classes when they were part of a certification course in Thai Yoga Body Therapy, so we knew some of the same folk and shared some mutual teachers.

And all but one of these were women .. healers all. Shakti is near and dear to my heart, so I dearly love to meet with, to sit with, to share tea with, to exchange experiences with women healters.

In all, it has been a very productive two days - filled with healing and laughter, of new ideas and information!

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Pattabhi Jois Passes Away

2009-05-21T10:15:00.003-04:00

Yoga guru Pattabhi Jois dies at 93

Memorial planned in London for influential teacher of ashtanga yoga

Thousands of devotees of ashtanga yoga will perform their primary series with a heavy heart today after learning of the death at 93 of the influential teacher in the movement, Krishna Pattabhi Jois.

The yoga expert, credited with popularising the ancient system of ashtanga, died at his home in Mysore, India, on Monday. He was responsible for bringing the physically challenging form of yoga to the west, and counted among his followers Madonna, who included the traditional ashtanga chant on her Ray of Light album, and the actor Gwyneth Paltrow.

Ashtanga practitioners perform a series of yoga postures, known as asanas, daily and in strict sequential order. Beginners carry out the primary series, moving on to the secondary series. There are six series altogether, but only a handful of students in the UK are known to have passed the third stage.

Although the yoga positions are believed to be thousands of years old, it was Pattabhi Jois who became the most famous teacher of the Astanga Vinyasa system in the west. He left his native India in 1975 to teach classes in California, and has visited the UK several times, teaching up to 300 students at a time.

In north London, the Triyoga centre in Primrose Hill issued a statement saying: "Guruji was much loved for his heart, his smile, his humour and his devotion – both to his family and to ashtanga vinyasa yoga."

The centre is organising a memorial event on Sunday week, with a sequence of 108 sun salutations in his honour. All are welcome, the centre says, adding kindly: "Come and sit if you prefer."

AND

City's 'Yoga Guru' Pattabhi Jois passes away

Mysore, May 19 (BRS)- Renowned Yoga Guru Pattabhi Jois passed away at his residence here yesterday afternoon. His end came at about 2.30 pm.

He was 94. Pattabhi Jois, who was ailing for the past few days, was active teaching yoga till the end. He is survived by son Manju Jois, daughter Saraswathi and grandson Sharath, apart from a large number of relatives and disciples.

Profile
Pattabhi Jois was born in 1915 to K. Krishna Jois-Subbamma couple in a small village of Koushika, Hassan District.

He began learning yoga at the age of 12 and later under the guidance of T. Krishnamacharya between 1927 and 1945. Subsequently, he enrolled in the Sanskrit Mahapatashala, Mysore and learnt Sahitya Veda and Advaita Vedanta from 1930 to 1956.

He studied ancient yogic texts such as Patanjali Yoga Dar-shana, Hatayoga Pradeepika, all Upanishads and others. He set up a school of yoga called Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute, training hundreds of students in various nuances of yoga. He gained name and fame by his lucid exposition of the curative and medical benefits of practising yoga.

Jois, reverentially addressed as Guruji, was honoured by the title 'Yogasana Visharada' by Sri Shankaracharya of Puri in 1945. He was Professor and Head of the Department of Yoga at Maharaja's Sanskrit College from 1937 to 1973. He has toured extensively across the world, guiding innumerable yoga workshops in the USA, England and France. A number of Hollywood stars and other VIPs are among his students.

His book titled Yoga Mala in Kannada is considered authoritative on the subject and has been translated into English and published by well-known publishing house of the USA namely Farrar, Straus and Giroux (FSG).

Very recently, the Union Tourism Minister honoured him for fostering tourism in Mysore by way of attracting foreigners to the city in large numbers to learn yoga.

Last rites
The last rites of Pattabhi Jois were performed last evening at Chirashanthidhama in Gokulam.

Rethink your Soymilk

2009-05-19T07:30:00.000-04:00

Silk, SoyDream, Pacific Natural Foods and Vitasoy all Rebuked in New Soy Scorecard Ratings

by: Mike Adams

The Cornucopia Institute (www.cornucopia.org) has just released a new report about organic soy products that's sending shockwaves through the soy industry.

By compiling information on the sourcing of soybeans, the use of toxic chemicals for soy protein extraction, and the use or avoidance of genetically modified soybeans, the Cornucopia Institute has created an Organic Soy Scorecard that reveals which soy product companies are truly trustworthy vs. those that are not.

The scorecard (http://www.cornucopia.org/2009/05/s...) takes into account:
-Where the soybeans are sourced from (many companies use "organic" soybeans sourced from China!)

-How the soybeans are processed (some companies bathe soybeans in toxic chemicals, then put the resulting extracts into infant formula!)

-How forthright the companies are in providing information to investigators.

-Whether the company tests for and avoids genetically modified soybeans.

...and other details.

You can read the full report on www.Cornucopia.org

Here's who came out on top.

The soy companies scorecard ..

5-star rating:
-Eden Foods - 100% of their soybeans are grown in the U.S. and Canada.

-Vermont Soy (Vermont) - 100% of soybeans also grown in U.S. and Canada (mostly in Vermont). Low-heat pasteurization helps preserve soybean nutrients.

-Small Planet Tofu (Washington) - Buys solely from American farmers.

-FarmSoy (Tennessee) - Real tofu made from soybeans bought from American farmers.

-TwinOats (Virginia) - Buys soybeans from an organic family farm in Virginia.

-Unisoya / Green Cuisine (Canada) - They grown their own organic soybeans on 400 acres.

4-star rating:
-Organic Valley
-Great Eastern Sun
-Fresh Tofu
-Wildwood
-Tofu Shop

3-star rating:
-Harris Teeter

2-star rating:
-Trader Joe's - refused to disclose sourcing information.

1-star rating:
-Pacific Natural Foods - Buys soybeans from China and refused to disclose the name of the organic certifier in China. Refused to respond to questions about the certification of their "organic" soybeans. Cornucopia wonders whether Pacific Natural Foods is engaged in "a marketing gimmick" when it claims its products are "Certified to the Source." (Certified by who?)

-Vitasoy USA - Buys soybeans from China.

-Westsoy / SoyDream (both owned by Hain Celestial Group) - Refused to share sourcing information.

-Silk (Dean Foods) - Refused to participate. Says the report: "Since Dean Foods acquired WhiteWave, its founder, Steve Demos, has left the company, along with almost all of the pioneering management - those who believed in "green" values. According to Demos, the company is now all about "green, with the dead presidents on it."

Health Fair Georgia

2009-05-18T06:58:00.000-04:00

I started a yahoo list to discuss alternative health and lifestyle approaches. Click on the link above to check it out!

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Aging and Yoga

2009-05-15T06:55:00.005-04:00

"The body is designed to heal itself .. it wants to be healthy, so will rejuvenate itself. All we have to do is assist it by either not dumping toxins in it, or reducing the amount of those toxins."
-Yogini Valarie Devi

Ayurveda, the 'science of life and living', constantly emphasizes the bodies natural resiliancy. In a society that actually encourages / expects us to take drugs, hormone replacement or invasive surgery as we age, Ayurveda - a 4,000 year old practice - tells us otherwise. Yoga has long contended that our body was built to last 120 years .. naturally, vital and strong, with a slow aging process.

Yet, when we look around us, we see those who seem to age faster than others.

To help us live Yogically .. naturally .. and to support the body in its natural desire to be healthy, here are a few simply, at home things you can do.

First, drink green tea.

Instead of coffee, drink green tea. If you have trouble waking-up, it will help you do that, while helping your brain combat the onset of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of mental deneration.

The polyphenols and antioxidants in green tea increase our cognitive and learning ability. Specifically, catechin - a polyphenol found only in green tea - is four times higher than that found in regular (or black) tea.

Couple this with the latest reseach on green tea, that relates how it helps the body loose belly fat, and you add a powerful boost to your weight lose efforts.

Second, up your magnesium.

Our body needs magnesium to maintain healthy bones, but perhaps more important .. to maintain healthy cells, which help the body to produce energy and regenerate more effectively.

Many people hinder their bodies magnisium absorption by eating too much dairy and too much salt, which leach the magnesium from both the bones and cells. So instead of taking a pill, reduce the amount of processed food that you eat.

Once such way is to eat brown rice and wheat germ, which are high in magnesium; whereas processed white rice and white bread / pasta / flour, are not.

Other great and munchy sources of magnisium include: Brazil nuts and almonds, sesame and sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and cashews.

Other ways the body uses magnesium include relief from muscle cramps (its not always lack of water or vitamin B), and protection from UV rays.

Next, try cardamom.

Many of us enjoy chai .. that wonderful spicy tea found in grocery stores. The primary flavor there is cardamom, and its one of the primary ingredients in Ayurveda because it improves circulation, increases energy levels, and stimulates our mental clarity.

Cardamom is also an antidepressant for emotional disorders, so enchances our overall wellbeing. Additionally, bees that are drawn to orchids also love cardamom, which balances their pheromones, which, in humans, directly improves our sexual drive.

In fact, in many ways cardamom is a 'wonder' herb because it also eases indigestion, reduces fever, eases gastro-intestinal discomfort, and just plain tastes great in just about everything. It can be added to tea, baked into breads, and even sprinkled over oatmeal.

Finally, magnolia.

Yes .. that lovely tree with the thick green leaves and beautiful white flowers. In our stressed-out, rapid-paced, tension ridden society, magnolia is a blessing to us all. It will relieve nervious tension, induce sleep, increase mental focus, and ease irritability. Medical research has also shown it to be a powerful aid in the the fight against eating disorders.

Consider how so many of us reach for 'comfort food' when stressed-out. 'Situational foods' like chocolate, ice cream and other sweets temporarily relieve stress, but that is only a short fix for a chronic condition. One that leads to overeating and weight gain.

To break this harmful cycle, magnolia is there to help the body improve digestions, regulate the appetite, and reduce swelling and bloating.

That beautiful white flower, for example, is a powerful remedy for allergies and sinus conditions. And recent medical studies have found that magnolia contains the phytochemical honokiol, which helps the body ward off stress, control the appetite and aid in weight management.

So if you have seen magnolia capsules at the grocery store, now you know why.

Remember .. Yoga is more than just a way to get in shape and loose weight, but it is also a powerful ally for the body to maintain lifelong health and fitness.

All of us are interested in living long and productive lives, to better enjoy the wonders of the world around us ... Yoga and Ayurveda help us do just that!

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Yoga and Health Care

2009-05-12T18:07:00.001-04:00

Increasingly, Americans are supplementing their doctor's care with other therapies. But why?

Well, here is one reason:
"Medicare is in [terrible] shape. The program for hospital expenses will pay out more in benefits than it collects this year and will be insolvent by 2017, two years earlier than the date projected in last year's report."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090512/ap_on_bi_ge/us_social_security

Which explains a survey by the National Institutes of Health, where they found that 38% of adults and 12% of children use some form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM / CAMA).

Even the U.S. Air Force is embracing CAM. Over the next two yearss, its doctors will learn acupuncture (Yoga nadis and marmas) techniques before deploying to Iraq or Afghanistan. Battlefield acupuncture, for example, focuses on alleviating pain and helps treat burns and other traumatic injuries.

In all, the most popular - and effective - alternative health care choices (self-health care) today are:

-Yoga, Yoga Breathing, Meditation: 37.5%

-Yoga Therapy (Yoga massage, Thai Yoga Massage): 18.3%

-Natural and Organic Products: 17.7%

-Chiropractic, Osteopathic: 8.6%

Want to be healthy? Want to regain your health? Worried about the rising cost of health care, or the possibility that it wont exist?

Yoga is the best course of action.

Mother's Day

2009-05-10T07:05:00.000-04:00

In Yoga, women, as mother, are the physical representations of the Divine Mother or Devi. Devi is the female aspect of the divine, and her shining light is seen in every woman. She is the embodiment of consciousness and discernment, and she has many names.

As Durga she is a woman's strength, a protectress of children.

As Saraswati she is a woman's sacrality, her voice of wisdom and gentle encouragement to learn.

As Lakshmi she is a woman's good qualities, her beauty and grace. Her love dispels all darkness and fear.

As Parvati she is a woman's gentle and nuturing side.

As Kali she is a woman's independence and creativity.

As Mahavidya she is a woman's intuition.

As Navadurga she is a woman's joy and happiness.

May you find your Mother within!

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Yoga Stimulus Package

2009-05-07T20:33:00.003-04:00

Want to reduce stress? Then try stimulating yourself! The following routine is a great way to release tension and boost your body and mind!

-Mountain Pose. Begin and end here. Simply stand with your feet together, shoulders relaxed, palms together at the heart, and just breath.

If you want to think of something, then choose pleasant thoughts. Also focus on releasing the small pockets of tension that 'hide' in our eyes and mouth, your neck and shoulders. Just stand, breath and relax for about six breaths.

-Wide-A Standing: Step the legs out (about three to four feet apart), interlock your fingers behind your back, and slowly lean forward, allowing your head to hang down and your arms to lift as high as they can comfortably.

If you want to bend your knees, then bend them. If you want to keep the hands close to the hips, then do that. Just relax, breathe deep, and allow the stretch to happen all by itself. No pushing, no straining, just standing with the legs wide, shoulders open, breathe deep and slow. Try to stay here for six breaths.

-Wide-A Forward Bend with Bat Arms: Release your hands and arms. Step the feet a little closer. Leaning forward, fold the arms, so the hands are resting lightly on the elbows. Breath deep and relax. Let gravity do the rest. Stay here for six breaths.

-Wide Squat: Release the arms and bring the legs a little closer still. Bend the knees and lower the hips into a squat. If you come up on the toes, thats alright. Press the palms together at the heart, or extend the hands forward for balance. Relax deeply, allowing the hips to open. Try to hold this for six breaths.

-Cobra: Slowly drop to the knees and lay on your belly. Inhale deeply and give yourself a full-body stretch, with the hands extended out in front of you. Bring the palms in, beneath the shoulders, and slowly life your chest and chin. The elbows can be bent, but the breath should be deep and slow, so try to hold as long as you can.

-Locust: Slowly lower the chest and chin, and rest for a moment. Make a fist with the hands and place these under the body, in the space where the upper thigh bends, and beneath the lower belly. Place your forehead on the floor and slowly lift your legs off the earth. The gentle pressure from your fists will massage the lower intestinve, and the leg lift will strengthen the lower back. Try to hold this for six breaths. If you cant, do you best, smile softly, and move to the next pose.

-Fish: Roll over to your back and straighten your legs. Bring your hands under your hips, lift your chest - arching - and try to put the back of your head on the floor. Your throat and chest will really be open here, so its a great opportunity to breathe even deeper than you have been. Enjoy this stretch for about six breaths.

-Wind Relieving Pose: Yes .. that kind of wind! Still on your back, arms at your sides, legs together, bend one knee and bring that into your chest. Gently squeeze, holding there, while you breathe six deep and slow breaths. Be sure to do the other leg.

-Leg Elevation: Ahhh .. everyones favorite pose! Up against a wall, butt touching or very close, legs straight up the wall, simpy relax and enjoy the reverse blood flow from the legs. If you have a weak spine or stiff hamstrings, then do this up against the couch, so your knees are bent. Hold here for six breaths. Try not to fall asleep!

-Back to Mountain Pose, where it all began.

Yoga Family

2009-05-06T08:09:00.000-04:00

I am a Yogini. I teach Yoga at Hamsa Yogashala. My students are my family. Just as, no matter where I go - visiting another city, another state, another country - when I take a Yoga class there, I find a group of likeminded souls engaged in a physical practice with a deep spiritual root. They too are my family.

How can this be? Because I, like all of them - some 17 millions of them - are working to be the best self I can be.

When you take a Yoga class, a meditation workshop, a vegetarian cooking class, or have Yoga Therapy, you become part of a greater community that extends around the world.

In South America or Russia, in Africa or Alaska, in China or India .. you will find an kindred spirit that marks no boundary lines, that knows no laws or restrictions, that extends back tens of thousands of years, that everyone on the planet can do and benefit from.

Yoga is not new, so its not a fad. Yoga does not belong to India alone, so its not a 'Hindu practice'. Yoga is not another exericise routine, but a body and mind lifestyle.

Nor is Yoga a religion .. which seems to be suffering world wide. Jews are worried about intermarriage, liberal Protestants are concerned about lowered attendance, Catholics are marshalling the masses, and the Episcopal church has been rocked with change. Unlike all of these, Yoga is not a religion .. so is neither limite or restricted by narrow religious traditions in a multicultural age.

Yoga means "union". The union of body and mind .. the union of warring groups to find peaceful solutions .. the union of ethinic factions to celebrate their diversity .. in short, people the world over are hungry for a real and lasting union of harmony and balance that actually addresses the physical and mental-emotional conditions of their lives.

Yoga is a Bodymind Science, an interview

2009-05-05T18:25:00.005-04:00

Wisdom Yogini Valarie Devi teaches regular classes at Hamsa Yogashala in Gwinnett County, Georgia. There, she demonstrates the practice and application of Yoga and concentration. In all, she teaches that Yoga is a bodymind science that uses poses, deep breathing and focus to cope with the stress of everyday life.

Here, Yogini Valarie answers some frequently asked Yoga questions.

Q: What is your role at Hamsa Yogashala?

A: Teaching Yoga for physical and mental health. I do this through regular Yoga classes, Yoga Therapy - which is a form of massage and holistic life practice - and living a life of peace and balance, so that others may see that they too can have joy and happiness.

Q: What makes Hamsa Yogashala different from other studios?

A: I teach traditional Hatha Yoga in its original sense, as both a physical and spiritual discipline and practice. I teach that both must be in balance, after all, it is difficult for us to grow - to realize our true potential - when we are ill or suffer physical or mental pain.

Q: What are your students seeking when they come to your classes?

A: Right now, they are very concerned about the economy, which is creating stress and restlessness in their lives.

Q: How does a Yogini help someone through a bad economy?

A: I set an example for them so that they can understand that, if you want to continue to get what you have been getting, then continue to do what you have been doing. There is a great deal that we can learn from the current economy .. such as gratitude .. for we have the intelligence and opportunity to change, then accept that change to embrace the next opportunity. This is the wholeness of Yoga.

Q: So, if someone is concerned about losing their job, how is coming to a Yoga class going to help that?

A: Yoga is self-help. It is looking for the next possibility with grace, strength and balance. Like so many things, this takes discipline and practice .. which is why we come to Yoga class, to learn these things. To face our reality - our self - then grow and become stronger for it.

Q: I've never met a Yogini before. I have known Yoga teachers, but not a real Yogini. What does that mean?

A: When I was three years old I told my mother that I wanted to "live a life of prayer". Before I was born, my grandmother had several dreams about me. She related on several occasions, while my mother was pregnant, that I would be born "with a fire in the head", and that I was protected by "a fierce warrior woman". I was raised in a family that embraced many world religions, so from an early age I studied these. My Yoga studies began at the age of eleven when I came upon the teachings of Sri Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh. Because his teaches so deeply influenced me, I often consider him as my kulagura, or family teacher. Because of his words, it wasn't long before I was reading the Bhagavad Gita, the Bhagavata Purana and the Ramayana. In all, I have dedicated my life to Yoga, Yoga Therapy, and the divine Mother. Throughout my life I have traveled .. living in ashrams in monestaries, in communes or just walking the path before me, as I did while in India.

Q: What did you do for money?

A: I do not travel as a tourist, but as a sacred pilgram. This is part of the Yogic tradition, even before I learned this, I naturally accepted this lifestyle.

Q: Can you explain about enlightenment? Like, what where you doing when it first happened to you?

A: I have had innumberable moments of spiritual ecstasy. The earliest memory I have is when I was three. I was playing in an open field, not far from my grandparents home, when a dark storm cloud appeared on the horizon. It quickly grew in strength, blackening the sky. The backdrop of dark churning clouds against a summer blue sky, of cool moisture and electricity against the smell of fresh hay and warm air caused me to become wholly absorbed so that I lost outward consciousness and experienced ineffable power and joy.

Q: So you, as a Yogini, teach Yoga and meditation? What do other Yogins do?

A: I simply share what I have learned along the way. The other Yogins I know - like Yogi Bharata and Yogi Ram Das - do the same.

Q: Are you engaged in any charity work?

A: Yes, I am. First, I offer free Healing Yoga classes at Hamsa Yogashala. Then I give my energy to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which uses public information to protect public health and the environment. My grandmother always told me, "To be aware, we must also beware."
http://www.ewg.org/

Q: Why would someone take Yoga at your studio, why not a gym?

A: My students come for physical health and mental wellbeing. They never leave empty-handed.
______

About Yogini Valarie Devi:
She is a recognized and respected Yogini, and has been called a "teacher's teacher". Throughout her life, she has been compelled to manifest the deeply spiritual heritage of Yoga, to experiment and play with Yoga, to bring her students back to their natural breath, to heal, to meditate, to chant, and to live Tantra and Yoga everday.

Yoga, Breast Cancer and Depression

2009-05-03T18:20:00.000-04:00

Yoga cuts depression by half in breast cancer patients

Yoga not only provides emotional benefits to women with breast cancer, but also reduces their chances of depression, says a new study.

The study, published in a special issue of Psycho-Oncology focusing on physical activity, found that women undertaking a ten week program of 75 minute Restorative Yoga (RY : Healing Yoga) classes gained positive differences in aspects of mental health such as depression, positive emotions, and spirituality (feeling calm/peaceful) compared to the control group.

RY is a gentle type of yoga, which is similar to other types of yoga classes, moving the spine in all directions but in a more passive and gentle way. Props such as cushions, bolsters, and blankets provide complete physical support for total relaxation with minimal physical effort, and so people in differing levels of health can practice yoga more easily.

Forty-four women took part in the study, with 22 undertaking the yoga classes and 22 in the waitlist control group. All of the women had breast cancer; 34 percent were actively undergoing cancer treatment while the majority had already completed treatment.

All participants completed a questionnaire at the beginning and end of the ten-week program, asking them to evaluate their quality of life through various measures. The results clearly showed that the women who had been given the RY classes experienced a wide range of benefits compared to the control group (who were later all invited to attend identical RY classes).

"Evidence from systematic reviews of randomised trials is quite strong that mind-body therapies improve mood, quality of life, and treatment-related symptoms in people with cancer. Yoga is one mind-body therapy that is widely available and involves relatively reasonable costs," said lead researcher Suzanne Danhauer, Ph.D., based at Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

"Given the high levels of stress and distress that many women with breast cancer experience, the opportunity to experience feeling more peaceful and calm in the midst of breast cancer is a significant benefit," the expert added.

The study found that women who started with higher negative emotions and lower emotional well-being derived greater benefit from the gentle yoga intervention compared to the control group.

Women in the gentle yoga group also demonstrated a significant within-group improvement in fatigue, while no such change was noted for the control group.

Yoga and Health

2009-05-01T06:47:00.003-04:00

Yoga is an ancient practice that has been embraced worldwide for millennia. Today, many Americans are learning the many benefits of Yoga. Aside from being one of the hottest fitness trends to sweep the country, it is heralded by physicians as an amazing health boost.

There are nearly 11 million Yoga practitioners in the United States today, practicing many different forms of Yoga - from gentle to 'hot', to vinyasa to another lineage - and all of them are receiving health benefits from their practice.

For example, here are several ways Yoga can help improve your health.

-Yoga increases flexibility. Yoga increases the range of motion in our joints, adding additional and necessary lubrication. It also stretches the soft tissues of the body, such as the ligaments and tendons. One medical study has shown that Yoga participants enjoyed a 35 % increase in flexibility after just two months. Increased flexibility keep us feeling and looking youthful.

-Yoga builds strength. "Yoga teaches us to bench press our body weight", says Yogini Valarie. When practiced correctly, nearly all Yoga poses help build core strength in the deep abdominal muscles, while building muscle, which promotes bone strength.

-Yoga is good for your back. One of the most common complaints in America today is chronic back pain. "Every Yoga class I teach, focuses on Yoga Therapy. There simply can be no other approach for me", says Yogini Valarie. Some Yoga teachers have taken the time to study Yoga Therapy, which focuses on breathing, concentrated movement, low-impact flexibility and muscle exercises. One research study showed that Healing Yoga classes - like those offered at Hamsa Yogashala - helped people with lower back pain twice as much as medication did.

-Yoga is good for mental health. How could a practice that incorporates relaxation, meditation and deep breathing not be good for our mental health? Yoga is an excellent stress reducer, and there's a lot of stress going around right now.

-Yogic breathing can improve lung function. The deep and mindful breathing that is part of Yoga can lead to better sports performance and endurance.

-Yoga is good for heart health. Yoga has been proven to lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate, and that's very beneficial for people with hypertension. Yoga has also been associated with lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

-Yoga helps with balance. "As we age, we may loose our hair, loose our good eyesight, or loose our sex-drive. Medicine has a pill or procedure for all of these. However, the only sure fix for loss of balance is Yoga", Yogini Valarie. For older people, the balance techniques learned in Yoga can help prevent falls, which are often the first step to failing health.

Kirtan

2009-04-30T05:23:00.004-04:00

Kirtan means "to repeat". It is a call and responce form of chanting that has been known for centuries and is an integral part of many cultures and spiritual traditions throughout the world.

Yogini Valarie Devi begins every Yoga class with Kirtan, specifically, the Shanti Mantras, or Peace Chants. After a busy day, rushing to Yoga class, sitting down, being still, and raising your voice with others creates a spirit of community that is soothing yet powerful, transformational and relaxing. "Kirtan is an opportunity to decompress", says Yogini Valarie.

Today, some Yoga classes have no music, and others have blaring hip-hop beats that are far from calming. The Shanti Mantras at Hamsa Yogashala are sung softly and gently to help find our quiet mind.

Kirtan is a form of Bhakti Yoga, or the Yoga of devotion, which is a beautiful tradition of love and acceptance of self and others. Nor is any singing ability required, for Kirtan is something everyone can do.

A primary emphasis at Hamsa Yogashala is Pranayama, or 'Yogic breathing', and Kirtan is the simplest way to learn how to breath. The natural rhythm requires no special training or preparation, so from the beginning the cadance releases surface tension and prepares the bodymind for Yoga.

There are many wonderful examples of Kirtan on youtube. For example:

Jai Uttal has an Introduction to Kirtan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFEFxrb_yJ8

Krishna Das - Grace:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a19I8FtPscs&feature=related

JaiMa James - Let Peace Begin With Me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yv8bHRHYyvM

David Newman - Shiva Shambho:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_YfrIYEaW4

George Harrison - Gopala Krishna:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7eFQMakhDE&feature=related

Power Food Pairs

2009-04-27T17:21:00.002-04:00

Power Food Pairs
By PREVENTION

Want more protection against skin cancer? Drink coffee before a workout. Trying to build muscle? Stretch between sets. Hoping to reduce your risk of stroke? Squeeze a little lemon into your green tea.

Though seemingly random, these unusual combinations highlight the latest findings from the emerging practice that we call "synergistic medicine," which pairs health-boosting strategies from fields as divergent as kinesiology, neuroscience, and dermatology - with truly outstanding results. We have rounded up the best dynamic duos for knocking out memory loss, fatigue, disease, weight gain, and more. Talk about power couples!

Protect Your Heart : Green Tea + Lemon
In a study of more than 40,500 Japanese men and women, those who drank five or more cups of green tea every day had the lowest risk of dying of heart disease and stroke. Researchers attribute the protective effect to catechins, powerful antioxidants. Trouble is, less than 20% of these relatively unstable compounds survive digestion. To get more out of every cup, squeeze in some lemon juice. The vitamin C in lemons helps your body absorb 13 times more catechins than it can obtain from plain tea alone, according to a Purdue University study.

Sip to your heart's content: With the catechin boost from vitamin C, you can help your heart by drinking just one or two cups daily. If lemons make you pucker, squeeze in some orange, lime, or grapefruit juice; they increase antioxidant absorption, too, though to a lesser extent. Just skip the milk - it actually interferes with absorption - and stick to freshly brewed tea, hot or iced. The catechins in ready-to-drink bottles are ineffective.

** Yoga note: I enjoy green tea in the morning before breakfast. Adding lemon to it is both refreshing and internally cleansing.

Boost Brainpower : Exercise + Music
Twenty-one minutes of exercise is all it took to lift the moods of cardiac rehabilitation patients in an Ohio State University pilot study. But when participants listened to Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons on headphones, they performed significantly better on a verbal fluency test afterward.

Researchers believe exercise boosts cognitive performance by stimulating the central nervous system, and the addition of music may help organize thoughts.

Move and groove: Though researchers haven't explored whether these findings can be generalized to apply to healthy adults, it can't hurt to exercise with your MP3 player. Stick to the same routine the study participants followed - gradually increase the slope and speed on your treadmill every 10 minutes until you can speak only in short sentences (walk for a minimum of 21 minutes). And listen to the music of your choice; any genre should work just as effectively as classical.

** Yoga note: Yoga should be done to music, which is why I not only play CDs during class, but play traditional Indian music that was designed to increase concentration.

Rev Immunity : Pot Roast + Carrots
This popular comfort food makes you feel good for a reason. Carrots are chock-full of vitamin A, a retinol that plays a key role in preventing and fighting off infections. But without the zinc in the beef, your body wouldn't be able to use it. Vitamin A can travel through the blood only when it's bound to a protein. "And zinc is required to make that retinol-binding protein," says Roberta L. Duyff, RD, author of American Dietetic Association Complete Food and Nutrition Guide. "So if you don't have enough zinc, vitamin A is not going to move from the liver to the tissues, where it does its job."

Germ-fighting combos: Dark orange, yellow, red, and green fruits and vegetables are good sources of vitamin A. For a little lighter fare, pair them with zinc-rich proteins: Slice fresh mango into low-fat yogurt, eat a small sweet potato with your fish, or stuff your chicken with spinach, Florentine-style.

Flush Fat : Burger + Frozen Yogurt
The next time you eat a food high in saturated fat, follow it with a low-fat, calcium-rich dessert. Calcium binds to fatty acids in the digestive tract, blocking their absorption. In one study, participants who ate 1,735 mg of calcium from low-fat dairy products (about as much as in five 8-ounce glasses of fat-free milk) blocked the equivalent of 85 calories a day.

Beef up calcium: Researchers haven't determined exactly how much calcium you should consume with each high-fat meal, says Cynthia Heiss, PhD, RD. "But by including a glass of fat-free or soy milk or a fortified juice with a fatty meal, you may get a boost if you're trying to lose weight," she says.

Ward Off Heart Disease : PLAC test + HSCRP test
These tests measure Lp-PLA2 and CRP levels, two important markers of the kind of inflammation caused by the accumulation of plaque in your arteries - a big predictor of heart disease. When doctors added the results of these screenings to their usual assessment of risk factors (blood pressure, cholesterol, etc.), they ended up reclassifying 39% of intermediate-risk patients - including 11% who were in need of more serious treatment - reports a new study published in the journal Stroke. Many of these patients may now be candidates for statins.

Get the tests if: You're middle-aged and your cholesterol is normal but you smoke, have gained weight, have a family history of heart disease, or have borderline hypertension, says Christie M. Ballantyne, MD, study coauthor and director of the Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention at Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center in Houston. If you do get put into a higher-risk category, statins aren't the only treatment. Lp-PLA2 and CRP levels both respond well to diet and exercise.

Save Your Eyesight : Salad + Avocado
Spinach may be good for your eyes, but avocado makes it even more effective. Researchers at The Ohio State University found that when adults ate a lettuce, spinach, and carrot salad with or without 3 tablespoons of avocado, the avocado eaters absorbed 8.3 times more alpha-carotene, 13.6 times more beta-carotene, and 4.3 times more lutein than the others. Researchers believe the healthy fats in avocado increase the absorption of these fat-soluble carotenoids, which are associated with a decreased risk of macular degeneration and cataracts.

Go green: In the study, 3 tablespoons of avocado was nearly as effective as 6, so spare yourself the extra calories. Use a Hass avocado if possible - it has a higher monounsaturated fat content - or try swapping in another healthy fat source, such as safflower oil, nuts, or olives.

Build Muscle : Strength Train + Stretch
Weight-training builds strength by causing tiny tears in the muscle, which then quickly repairs itself, ending up bigger and stronger. Fast-track your strength gains by adding static stretching - in which you hold a stretch for 10 to 30 seconds - to your routine. Three studies led by Prevention advisor Wayne L. Westcott, PhD, found that adults who stretched either between or immediately after strength-training exercises developed about 20% more strength than those who only lifted weights.

Lift and Reach: Rest at least a minute between sets and use that time to stretch the muscle you've just worked. For instance, if you just did leg extensions, stretch your quadriceps by pulling your right ankle toward your butt while standing on your left leg. Hold each stretch for 20 seconds.

** Yoga note: Yoga builds muscle. I cant make that any more clear. The info above is just another example of how modern medicine is confirming the stretch / strength combination found in almost every Yoga asana. Likewise, when doing the strength asanas, they not only build muscle, but increase our bone density (something that is very important as we age).

Avoid Metabolic Syndrome : The Mediterranean Diet + Nuts
A Mediterranean-style diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, beans, fish, olive oil, and grains, is associated with everything from weight loss to a reduced risk of Parkinson's and heart disease. Now, new research shows that people with metabolic syndrome - a condition characterized by high cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar and excess belly fat - can reduce these symptoms by adding an extra serving of mixed nuts to the healthful regimen. In a large study, Spanish researchers instructed people at high risk of heart disease to follow the diet with slight variations. Among the group that added 30 g of nuts, the incidence of metabolic syndrome decreased about 14% within a year (as opposed to, say, a 6.7% decline in those who added a little more olive oil). Researchers believe the fiber, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids in the nuts helped regulate insulin, blood pressure, and inflammation.

Healthy snack attack: Participants in the study ate about five walnuts, five hazelnuts, and five almonds daily. Kathy McManus, RD, director of the department of nutrition at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, recommends eating the same amount (approximately 1 ounce) to take the edge off late-afternoon hunger. Sprinkle the mixture over Mediterranean diet-friendly yogurt, hot oatmeal, or a small salad.

Fight Fatigue : Eggs + Orange Juice
If you don't eat much meat, you may be feeling sluggish because you're not getting enough iron. Reason: Your body can readily absorb iron from meat (heme iron), but only 2 to 20% of the nonheme iron found in veggies, beans, and eggs makes it into your bloodstream. An effective booster: vitamin C. "It's the most potent promoter of nonheme iron absorption," says Elaine Magee, MPH, RD, author of Food Synergy. Vitamin C keeps the iron up to 6 times more soluble - meaning your body can now use 100% of the nonheme iron you eat and stave off fatigue-causing anemia.

"C" that you get more iron: Wash down your morning omelet with a glass of C-rich orange juice. Or toss iron-rich tofu and C-dense broccoli into your salad. Keep the cooking to a minimum (or at low temperatures) and cut your produce into thick chunks. Vitamin C is easily destroyed by light, heat, and air.

Bolster Your Memory : Curcumin + Black Pepper
Curcumin may be known for its anticancer properties, but this compound (found in the spice turmeric) is also making waves in Alzheimer's disease research. A recent study found that, compared with those who got a placebo, Alzheimer's patients who took 1 g of curcumin either as a supplement or mixed with food reduced the buildup of plaque in their brains. However, curcumin tends to be poorly absorbed, so you'll need to mix it with black pepper to increase its absorption up to 2,000%.

Spice up your palate: Turmeric has been used for centuries in Indian curries but may taste strong to an American palate. Start with 1/2 teaspoon daily, suggests Bharat B. Aggarwal, PhD, professor of cancer medicine at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Once you get used to the flavor, mix it with black pepper to make a great rub for fish or chicken.

** Yoga note: Turmeric Tea is one of those 'Yoga secrets'. Try this Yoga Milk recipe:
-2 Tbsp turmeric
-1/4 cup water
-1/8 tsp black pepper
-1 cup soy or cow milk
-1 tsp almond oil
-honey to taste

Stir the turmeric and water together in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer and allow to cook, stirring, until a thick paste is formed.
Use 1/2 to 1 tsp of this turmeric paste for each cup of Yoga Milk tea.

Add turmeric paste, black pepper, milk and almond oil to saucepan, set stovetop to low. Bring milk just to a boil then remove from heat. Add the honey and whisk briskly.

In addition, I will occasionally add a small shake of turmeric and black pepper to my green tea in the morning

Sidestep Skin Cancer : Caffeine + Cardio
Research shows that caffeine and exercise both have anticancer properties; combined, they offer powerful protection against skin cancer. In research on animals exposed to UVB radiation, Rutgers University scientists learned the pairing increased the animals' ability to destroy skin cancer cells by up to 4 times. Allan H. Conney, PhD, the director of the laboratory for cancer research at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers, suspects that caffeine inhibits ATR-1, a genetic pathway that prevents damaged cells from self-destructing. Both caffeine and exercise also decrease tissue fat, which research shows helps cells deconstruct.

Have a cup, then walk: Drink a strong cup of coffee an hour before exercise, recommends Monique Ryan, RD, a registered dietitian and author of Sports Nutrition for Endurance Athletes. (**If your blood pressure is elevated, skip the caffeine.**) Caffeine can also increase endurance and delay fatigue - helping you walk longer and stronger. Just don't forget the sunscreen.

Swine Flu and pandemic

2009-04-26T06:00:00.003-04:00

Several of the Yoga students have been talking about the Swine Flu and a possible pandemic, so I decided to post a few tried and true cold and flu remedies that can be made at home.

! Understand that I am not a doctor !

What follows are only suggestions.

Regarding Echinacea: It is a short-term, strong immuno-provoker. However, after 2 to 3 weeks of daily use, it can overtax the immune system, which can lead to an immuno-suppressant effect.

Regarind Swine Flu: With this current strain, preventative immuno-boosters may be counter-productive. This is due to early indications - as established by the CDC - of a 'cytokine storm' pathology.

What follows are only suggestions.
______

First, for prevention, a family remedy. During flu season, drink a daily tea made from:
-2 Cinnamon sticks
-1 Tbls Echinacea (or 1 Echinacea tea bag)
-1 clove Garlic (minced)
-1 tsp Honey (to taste)
-juice of 1 Lemon
-2 Star Anise
-1 shot Whiskey

Add the cinnamon, star anise, echinacea, garlic and lemon to 2 cups of water. Boil and remove from heat. Let steep for 3 minutes. Add the shot of whiskey, and honey to taste.

Next .. if you are already having cold or flu symptoms, this next recipe may help you sweat it out.

-3 cloves of Garlic (minced)
-1 inch fresh Ginger Root (minced)
-1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper (powder is fine)
-1/2 tsp Dill
-1 bag of Black Tea
-juice of 1 Lemon
-Honey to taste

Boil 2 cups of water, lower the heat and allow to simmer. Peel and crush the garlic and ginger .. add to the simmering water. Add the cayenne, dill, tea bag and lemon juise .. remove from heat. Steep for 5 minutes, strain, and add the honey, allow to cool. This is best drank before going to bed at night.

Finally .. if your not sick yet, but feel on the edge .. then try this recipe:
-juice of 1 Lemon
-1/2 Lemon rind
-1/2 a Lemon (cut into small pieces)
-1 Cinnamon stick-1 tsp Thyme (or 3 fresh sprigs)
-1 inch Ginger root (minced)
-Honey to taste

Add the lemon juice, the lemon rind, and the cut-up lemon, with the cinnamon, thyme and ginger, to 2 cups of water. Boil, then immediately take off heat and let steep for 5 minutes. At room temperature, add the honey to taste (never boil honey). You should drink 3 to 6 cups of this a day.

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Peacock Pose at 83

2009-04-24T20:26:00.002-04:00

Grandma Still Teaches Yoga at 83

(April 23) - Bette Calman is 83, but she has no trouble doing a headstand or sitting in lotus position. Downward dog is no stretch for her.

A grandmother who lives in southeastern Australia, Calman has been teaching yoga for 40 years -- and it shows. The octogenarian is more limber now than many people in their 20s.

"You're never too old," Calman told Britain's Daily Mail newspaper. "The body is a remarkable instrument," she said. "It can stretch and stretch, and get better all the time. Forget age."

Calman was a yoga pioneer in Australia in the 1950s. She has written three books on the discipline, including one called 'Yoga for Arthritis.'
"Even a basic posture, or just going to a window and breathing deeply, can have big benefits," she told the Mail.

Calman teaches as many as 11 classes a week and has no plans to cut back her schedule.

"Yoga keeps you young," she said.

PICTURES!
http://www.aolhealth.com/condition-center/arthritis/news/article/_a/bbdp/yoga-grandma/444345?icid=mainhtmlws-maindl3link3http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aolhealth.com%2Fcondition-center%2Farthritis%2Fnews%2Farticle%2F_a%2Fbbdp%2F%0D%0Ayoga-grandma%2F444345

Stressed-Out in Atlanta

2009-04-21T03:56:00.004-04:00

Atlanta has to be one of the most stressed-out cities in the world these days, what with the economic uncertainty, the swine flu, and a growing population that threatens the quality of life.

Which is why one woman - a Yogini recognized as a healer, a 'teacher's teacher', a center of calm and inner peace - has opened her doors for FREE YOGA classes.

Hamsa Yogashala in Gwinnett County is the first step to re-tooling our lives towards inner calm in a sea of turmoil.

One of Yogini Valarie Devi's students, some of whom have been taking her classes for ten years, say, "My life was tough. I spent so much time in my car, working in a volitile industry, I was nervous, stressed out and started loosing my hair!" Until Kathy Watson took a Yoga class at Hamsa Yogashala.

"Breathing is the singlemost important thing that we do, which is why we should learn to do it well", says Yogini Valarie. And she is right. Scientific and medical research has proven that deep breathing coupled with coordinated movement will reduce anxiety and stress, promote and improve health, and bring about an overall sense of calm.

"Yoga is inner peace without religion", says Yogini Valarie, "Its all about getting to know ourselves, and enjoying that self-discovery."

"I have been taking Yoga for twice a week now, and have seen a difference in how I feel when I wake up in the morning, how I treat my family, my co-workers, and just everyone I meet in general", says Renee Stoddard.

Hamsa Yogashala has THREE FREE YOGA classes EVERY THURSDAY, at:
7-8am
4:30-5:30pm, and
6:30-7:30pm

Georgia Vegetarian

2009-04-17T15:52:00.000-04:00

I started a list for vegetarians and vegans in Georgia. It will be a great place to share recipes, meet other health conscious folk, and share notes on area restaurants.

Join here:
GAVegetarian-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Physical Fitness and Yoga

2009-04-16T06:27:00.000-04:00

I hear all the time that Yoga is not a 'good form of exercise because there is no cardio or core work'.

When I am told this, I merely smile and invite them to a Yoga class.

After a basic Hatha session, these dear souls are breathing deep, sweating, and can feel every muscle in their body because it has been activated and so invigorated.

In all, I think the fitness industry does a very good job of promoting the fact that they alone have the key to fitness. In their stale air, mirror walled, pounding music filled gyms, they jump in aerobics or spin in cycling class or pound away at the weights or run countless miles to nowhere on machines.

Conversely, Yoga requires little to no equipment, and its approach to physical fitness matches perfectly with what modern sports physicians now all agree. Namely, that "physical fitness" means : strength, flexibility and endurance. That is the three-way winning combination of Yoga, and has been for 10,000 years.

Yet .. Yoga takes it one step further, because Yoga incorporates a body/mind connection. In fact, that is what the word yoga means, to "yoke" or unite the body/mind. This too is something that sports therapists are starting to suggest, and is actually the long-time practice among Olympiads and professional atheletes. For, when we can see, in our mind's eye, what we aim to do - when we can visualize the goal - then it will manifest in the body.

In all, our physical practice must be aimed at our goal, and all too often, most well-intentioned souls do not have a clear idea of what that is other than 'be in good shape'. Or, follow the latest fitness regime as outlined by the fitness industry.

So it is that many spend many dollars and much time in a gym trying to achieve something that leaves them feeling vaguely unsatisfied.

Yoga has been around for as long as it has because it works. Its really that simple. But why does it work? Well, because Yoga is simply the way our body was designed to work. Hundreds of thousands of Yogis over the course of hundreds of years have studied human movement to arrive at the optimum exercise practice for our body.

In short: If you were given an owner's manual at birth, it would be a book on Yoga.

So do yourself a favor and take a *real* Yoga class, from a *real* Yogin (as compared to a gym class that is merely stretching to music). You will be glad you did!

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Your Body

2009-04-14T07:50:00.000-04:00

Every cell in your body knows exactly what to do and how to do it perfectly, whether its a liver cell, a brain cell, a bone cell, or some other. Likewise, detoxifying is a natural part of the nature of every cell.

Help you body do what it does best by doing Yoga, eating right and having positive thoughts.

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Wisdom of Mankind

2009-04-13T04:46:00.000-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfrROd5ft14&feature=channel_page

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Diet

2009-04-11T12:40:00.000-04:00

We have all heard of the 'father of disease'. No doubt his wife's name is 'Improper Diet'.

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

First Fifty

2009-04-08T11:16:00.004-04:00

Today is my birthday! I am half-a-century!

I have never been one to shy away from my age. I am who I am - warts and all - because of what I have done, where I have been, and the beautiful souls I have encountered and chosen to align with along the way. I am proud of my life, proud of my accomplishments, proud and comfortable in my skin. In the morning, looking in the mirror, I can breathe deep and smile at myself, for I am content.

My life is blessed and filled with a bounty of Yoga. In fact, the thread of Yoga in my life is a strong, supportive, and constant presence, one that has been lovingly nurtured for these last 39 years. Nor have I squandered this Yogic gift, which is not to say I have not made mistakes - for we all have - just that, I boldly embrace my mistakes, then move on. Something I learned on my Yoga tapas.

A Yoga tapas is a "mat" or "sticky mat". This is a Sanskrit word that means "austerity, discipline, effort". Its an important concept to keep in mind while practicing Yoga in a class or while living your life day-in and day-out.

Yoga has taught me that part of being human is our ability to adapt, adjust and accomidate, and I have taken full advantage of this evolutionary trait. Which was sage advice from Swamiji Vishnu-devananda.

In my life, there has been hardship and advantage, profound loss and assistance, burden and aid .. and in all, I have remained centered in Yoga. For Yoga is a sutra - a "thread" - that flows through my life, ever supporting my every step, firming my every pose. Beyond doubt, Yoga has taught me to embrace greatness, because I have embraced my life with passion.

This passion - a Yogic concept - includes positive perspective and an undaunted ideology. For example, at every crossroad, where a decision was called for, I chose passion .. so that I became passion, and in so doing, passion became me. This is something I learned on my Yoga tapas.

Certainly, I am not saying that every course of action is the 'right' one - or that which leads to maximum potential - but that I did not shy away from any challenge, life situation or pose. And regardless of the outcome of my actions, I have kept my eye on Yogic excellence, which includes rejecting the ordinary.

Some of my life choices - well intentioned at the time - have fallen to the wayside. This is the nature of evolution: That ideas begun, that do not gain momentum, must be cast aside - even if they are favorite projects. So at every turn I have done my best to be honest and rid myself of dross - which is a Yogic trait that I greatly admire. Which is why, today, on my birthday, I have no baggage.

Lets be honest: Being 'who you are' is not as simple as it sounds, for it takes intelligence and motivation and personality, which are not innate abilities but things acquired along the way. For me, they have been acquired on my Yoga tapas. And lets be honest again: Many souls may feel 'prone to greatness', as if they have a 'destiny to fulfill', but excelling in anything has nothing to do with innate gifts, and sometimes, little to do with intent (which often falls to the wayside).

As I look forward into my next fifty years on Earth - standing with feet deeply rooted on my tapas, arms reaching outwards, my head extending upwards - I am able to clearly look back to see - to experience anew - all that has past.

And what do I see?

My life, thus far, has been marked by hard-work - by tapas, or austerity and discipline - or the idea that there is no free-lunch. In fact, I have developed a 'ten year rule', meaning: If you truly want to achieve something, work on it for ten years. Which also explains what I mean when I say: I have been a Yoga student for 39 years, and I am still working on it! I am still a student!

Aside from hard-work, I have had lots of practice - which is also tapas; and, as we all have heard, 'practice makes perfect'. Anyone who has read my emails or read this blog, or better yet, knows me personally, know that I live Yogically! I have accomplished what I have accomplished, and arrived at a place of wholeness because of living Yogically. This means that I explicitly intend to improve every action, every pose - to adapt, adjust and accomadate that which fails or simply doesnt 'feel' right. And so it is that, through persistant repetition, I have accomplished so much.

This is nothing less than what happens on a Yoga tapas.

Anyone can do a headstand or warrior pose or scorpion pose, but can they also continually observe the results of their Yoga practice - the life practice - and make appropriate adjustments, day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year? That is how, as a Yogini, I achieve living Yogically.

Which brings me to the third aspect of my success: consistancy - which is, yet again, a part of tapas! And as 'they' say, consistancy is crucial. I am who I am 24 / 7 / 365. I am who I am to strangers I meet, to family members, to my friends - again, warts and all. I do not shy away from my successes or my failures. Living Yogically simply means getting closer to the ALL that I AM.

Every judgment I have come to, every interaction with another human soul, every source of information I have drank from, every pose I have meditated in, and every decision I have made, has all been derived from imperfect information. Why? Because there is no such thing as 'perfect information', just as there is no such thing as a perfect pose! At every turn its been all about what I have been already doing, which means - for me, as a Yogini - its not about getting something done, but experiencing who I AM.

And karma? As a Yogini I live my life around and through karma, but, what does that really mean? Well, every action (karma) is rooted in finding, analyzing and presenting it as an accomplishment or an improvable skill. This means that karma is not cast in stone, but based on understanding at that moment, or forming a coherent perspective on a given subject at a given time. Which means that karma is an improvable skill; meaning, not always 'right' in the long run, but 'right' at that moment.

Life is a living experience!

This is Living Yogically: Hard-work, Practice, Consistancy. This is Yoga tapas. And in each, living Yogically means seeking more information so that a new or different perspective - and pose - can be reached (achieved) and something can be made better. Clearly, this takes a long-term view, because 'getting better' or 'being a better person' or 'becoming who you are' .. becoming a Yogin, does not happen overnight, but over the course of a long time.

As a human being, I have had fifty years of practice, and as a Yogini, I have had thirty-nine years of practice - both mean looking at the big picture or grasping the larger sense. Never has it been about doing one thing well - doing one pose well - or just 'because', but to improve and increase my concentration and focus to improve my life. To improve my tapas.

And feedback is crucial in all of this - and dont we all get plenty of that!

Well .. where some may shy away from criticism - waiting for it, hiding from it, half hoping it never really comes - as a Yogini, I seek it .. deliberately. Not seeking feedback equevacates to not caring, to not learning. And being the deeply passionate and caring Yogini that I am, I know that being better means listening to others. Something I learned on my Yoga tapas: Listen to your Yoga teacher!

As a Yogini I consciously create my reality - meditating on how things work and flow and fit and influence each other, including both worst and best case scenerios. Over the years I have learned, Yogically, through hard-work, practice and consistency, that the more focused my meditation is, the more deliberate - and so Yogic - my life has become. This means holding the future - the desired outcome - firmly and deliberately in my mind, while being able to quickly respond to unforesee circumstances and conditions, so that benefit is gained. Again, this is wisdom easily gained on a Yoga mat.

Living Yogically means deliberate hard-work, deliberate practice and deliberate consistancy. Where many may do things sporadically, I do things regularly. This is the way of Yoga.

Some students of Yoga's life lessons may think they work hard already so never challenge themselves to go further or with more intent. Some students of Yoga's life lessons may view extra steps or added effort as painful or difficult or 'too much', and their result / outcome indicates this. Again, this too is discovered on the Yoga mat.

In these first fifty years I have not been a total hostage to my environment or circumstance. I have made my life what I willed it to be - Yogically, which means consciously, purposefully, deliberately. That means, I have created my own reality, which is far more than a cliche, but a true truism. Nor is this idea a popular one - even where its thought to be understood. Along the way I have met many who speak much but accomplish little, and when I delve into this matter with them, I often see that they were expecting their 'innate gift' or a 'divine blessing' to grant them a free-pass, and so allow them to coast through life with no hard-work, no practice and no consistancy. In short, they chose the path of least resistance, hoping to coast on the waves of the wave-makers.

As a Yogini, I am a wave maker.

Yogah citta vrtti nirodhah
-Rajayog Sutra 1:2

Vrtti are "fluctuations, movements, waves" of the mind, and Yoga teaches us how to direct and focus them.

I do tapas on my tapas to attain tapas. Thats something I learned while doing Yoga.

Tapas is the bed of nails that a Yogin lays on, it is the cutting edge of every new venture, and the blazing of new trails. Tapas is peering deeply where no path exists. Some who attempt to live Yoga may fall prey to the challenges before them, turning and running away from the tapas before they have even begun. But .. Yoga means 'life' .. and that is something none of us can run from.

This is why I am so excited about the next fifty years ahead of me - its all unknown territory!

At the first of this year I decided to dedicate myself anew to Peace and Truth .. making them my 'gods'. This was a good decision on my part, a good place to start the New Year, and, though it has been challenging, it has been a rewarding condition to nurture. So it is, that, standing here, upon my tapas, at the apex of my life - this great adventure - I am able to look back at the first fifty and look forward into the next fifty. And so it is that I have given my self - self-chosen - the gift of perspective.

Hard-work never ends, nor does practice and consistancy, for living Yogically is, and will continue to be, the nature of my every inhale and exhale.

Om Peace!

Live Yoga!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Yoga Wisdom

2009-04-06T11:10:00.003-04:00

As a Yogini, I am a master in the art of living, for I make little distinction between work and play, between labor and leisure, between mind and body, between information and recreation, between love and faith.

As a Yogini I can barely discern which is which, for I simply pursue all I do with excellence; leaving others to decide whether I am working or playing. To me, I am always doing both.

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Need to Stop and Take a Breath?

2009-04-03T11:04:00.002-04:00

Do you ever feel like you just need to stop and take a breath?

Then come to Hamsa Yogashala and do just that!

Every class (all 20 of them!) is an opportunity to learn effective, calming and health creating breathing techniques!

Deep and concentrated breathing is the best way to create mental clarity, physical energy, release toxins, reduce stress, and just stop to relax for a moment.

So join us and take a moment to simply breath!

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Power of the Mighty Sun

2009-03-31T10:53:00.003-04:00

This is a news article about Sun Yoga (Sooryayog, or Suryayoga). Please follow the link to visit the site.
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The power of the mighty sun

by: Rajeev Prasad

KOCHI: In 1999 Sooryaji Jowell went to the Guru Dattatraya mountain peak in Girnar in Gujarat to meditate. There he met a tall, broad-shouldered sadhu who was covered in ash. “He stood in front of me and said, ‘Follow me’,” says Sooryaji. The young spiritual seeker meekly followed the sadhu to his underground cave. It was full of light inside. The sadhu told Sooryaji about the state of the world and concluded, “The sun will guide you.” Then he gave Sooryaji a dry fruit.

When he ate it, something happened.

“A force entered me,” he says.

Thereafter, Sooryaji went to Tapovan in the Himalayas and meditated in a cave for 18 days non-stop. “It was extremely cold. Every morning I had to break a sheet of ice at the entrance to go out.” One day, an intense desire arose in him to see the spiritual masters. Tears rolled down his face as he began an intensive meditation. “Then I saw two beautiful faces, with long hair. There was no doubt that I had seen Jesus Christ and Mahavatar Baba (the founder of Kriya Yoga). It was such a wonderful experience.” From the Himalayas Sooryaji went to Mumbai and started the Sooryayog Foundation in 2003 and the Kochi branch on LFC Road in 2005. And now there are centres all over India.

“If you eat and drink sunlight through the eyes, which are the windows of your spirit, all your problems will vanish. Plants absorb light through photosynthesis. Man can do the same with the help of Sooryayog.” To the sceptic, he says there is a scientific basis to what he is saying.

He shows two books, Light, Medicine of the future: How we can use it to heal ourselves now, by Jacob Liberman, and Sunlight and Health in the 21st century, by Richard Hobday.

“Sunlight is the basic component from which all life originates, develops, heals, and evolves,” says Liberman.

“It has been used for healing since the time of ancient Egypt.”

Incidentally, the famous Egyptian Queen, Nefertiti, was a sun worshipper.

In a review of Hobday’s book in Amazon, J. Hagg writes: “Sunlight can heal diseases like breast cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, and osteoporosis.

Before antibiotics, sunlight was used successfully to speed up the healing of wounds.” Every day, Sooryaji and a group of people go to the Jawaharlal Nehru International stadium at Kaloor at 6.30 am before the sunrise. A silver coin is placed at the centre of the forehead.

“This will attract the cosmic consciousness,” says Sooryaji. “It will also activate the third eye.” Members are asked to look at the sun for five minutes. “After that, they have to close their eyes, bow down to earth, clap their hands vigorously for several moments and laugh. Your depression vanishes when you laugh.” The foundation members wax eloquent about him. Says Anita Madan, “He knows how to bring an awareness of the self. He is a friend in times of bliss and woe.” Adds Sajini Jacob, “Sooryaji has answers for everything.

I feel at peace when I am with him.” To all of them Sooryaji says, “Chant the name of HARI OM, acknowledge the short life he has given you. He wants you to HURRY HOME, to your real father, the eternal master.” ooryaji admits there are other methods to purify oneself but Sooryayog is the most powerful. “That is why Sri Ram, Krishna, Hanuman, Jesus Christ, Prophet Mohammed, Raman Maharishi and Mahatma Gandhi all looked at the sun.” This son of Kerala was born in Thulasipara, Idukki, the eldest child of a farmer. From an early age, he had a spiritual bent. “I would have visions of planets and galaxies. Sometimes I drew them on paper, but I was afraid to tell anybody because I felt nobody would understand.” It was only when he finished his BA in Philosophy from SN College in Kollam that he felt this intense inner urge to seek God and set off on his travels.

Today, at 37, he smiles easily and speaks with deep emotion about Sooryayog. He says that most people are unhappy. “That is why I am giving them light. You have to get rid of the bad karma in your life. Discipline yourselves and purify your mind. Let Universal love flow into you.”

shevlins@gmal.com

Green Yoga

2009-03-27T10:47:00.003-04:00

What a great idea! Recycle your Yoga mat!

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle your Mat here:
http://recycleyourmat.com/

If you just toss your old mat then it goes into a landfill!

Yuck!

Instead, recycle your mat, and get a discount on a new one from Manduka:
http://manduka.com/

After all, being healthy and living healthy is very much a part of Yoga!

Om Green!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Yoga is NOT scary!

2009-03-24T10:35:00.003-04:00

Yea, yea .. all your friends are going it. At work people are talking about it .. even your mom took a class! So why havent you been yet?

Yoga can be scary sometimes when we look at Yoga books and see people twisted up like a pretzel. Honestly! Can that be healthy!

Well .. yes, actually, it can be!

Many people are reluctant about Yoga because they simply dont know what Yoga is. Its that 'fear of the unknown' thingie.

First off .. you do not have to be flexible to attend a Yoga class. In fact, as a Yogini I will tell you that "flexibility is a state of mind", and second, you come to Yoga to learn how to be flexible .. and strong .. and graceful .. and healthy .. and so much more!

Yoga is not a religion or a cult, but a fitness program that just happens to consider physical exercise and mental peace of mind as two sides of the same coin.

Yoga .. real Yoga (not gym yoga or community center yoga) .. has a different focus from other exercise programs. For example, in Yoga, we dont 'do' a pose, be we 'become' a pose (this is that whole body / mind connection again). And though it sounds mysterious, its really just another way of saying: When you do Yoga, you are thinking about Yoga (not your kids or your job, how many calories you are burning or whats for dinner).

So .. come take a Yoga class! And if your still not convinced .. come take a FREE Yoga class on Thursdays!

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Doctors Recommend Yoga

2009-03-21T10:22:00.003-04:00

This is a news article. Click link above to goto site.
______

Jennifer Bockhorst leaves work a bit early most Wednesdays to drive from Abingdon, Va., to attend a yoga class in Kingsport. After suffering from migraine and tension headaches for years, Bockhorst decided to try yoga for the treatment and prevention of these headaches.

“I bought my first yoga video in 1997 and for about 10 years did yoga off and on with different videos. And though this did help my headaches, you never push yourself as hard with a video as you do in a class,” Bockhorst said.

She has since been regularly attending yoga classes at The Red Clover Wellness Spa and Yoga Studio in Kingsport and says the improvement in her headaches has “been really dramatic.”

“I still get migraines, but not nearly as often and they don’t last as long,” Bockhorst said.

At least two local physicians won’t dispute what Bockhorst’s yoga experience has brought her.

Dr. Reid Blackwelder is not only a physician at East Tennessee State University Family Physicians of Kingsport, he also practices yoga and teaches Bockhorst’s yoga class at The Red Clover and says he recommends it to his patients “all the time.”

Some recent studies conducted at Duke University and the University of North Carolina have shown that there are indeed proven health benefits for patients who practice yoga. Specifically, these studies have looked at patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, hot flashes, and sleep and energy levels for postmenopausal women with early breast cancer.

But Blackwelder points out other studies show yoga can help people who also suffer a whole host of other ailments as well, including depression, hypertension, arthritis, chronic back pain, anxiety and stress.

And it’s this stress so many of us experience in our daily lives that can only exacerbate an already existing health condition.

Dr. Lisa Broyles, a family practice physician with Blue Ridge Primary Care in Johnson City, said the stress of medical school is what initially drew her to yoga. And today she does yoga on her lunch break, especially if she’s had a stressful morning or a difficult encounter with a patient. She said she keeps a yoga mat, yoga music and a lavender eye pillow in her office at all times.

“In so many ways, yoga is not only good for your physical body, but mentally, it teaches you to be calm in the midst of stressful situations,” Broyles said.

Because the health benefits yoga provides are numerous, Broyles said she does often recommend it to her patients.

“By becoming more in-tune with your body you are able to optimize your health. You begin to listen to your body. Women who take yoga have a better self-image and self-esteem. They have fewer eating disorders, less depression and anxiety. It also can improve obsessive-compulsive disorder because it teaches you to listen to your body. When there’s something out of harmony, it teaches you what’s going wrong and how you can fix it instead of having to rely on medications,” she said.

It’s been around for thousands of years, and though this ancient Hindu practice originated in India, yoga is becoming more and more popular with Westerners, with millions now taking part in what’s proving to be much more than just a “fad” or “trend.”

Most Westernized yoga is comprised of controlled breathing and poses that may often be named for mammals, fish or reptiles. Meditation may also be a third component of some types of yoga, bringing “harmony” to the body and mind, said Broyles.

“With each posture you take one breath in. When you take your deep breath as you’re doing a certain posture, you’re bringing in peace and when you exhale, you’re breathing out stress,” she said.

Improved flexibility is another bonus yoga brings.

As we age, we lose much of the flexibility in our joints and muscles, which can often lead to injuries and other aches and pains.

“Yoga lubricates the joints. It improves flexibility of the spine and strengthens muscles that help bones not rub on bones. It actually makes the body younger again,” said Broyles.

Blackwelder says, thanks to yoga, he has flexibility today at age 51 that he hasn’t had since his days in college.

And anyone of any age can do some sort of yoga, experts say.

“One of the most important treatments for depression, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and obesity is exercise. And we all know that. But the reality is to get an out-of-shape 270-pound patient with heart disease and diabetes out exercising, whether it means going to the gym, riding a bike or even walking, may not be realistic. But yoga doesn’t require the same strength or cardiovascular level to jump in. Anybody can do some versions of yoga. It’s a great entry point [to exercise] for people with heart disease or diabetes,” Blackwelder said.

Broyles said she believes one reason the medical community is finally starting to come around on the issue of yoga and realize it can be a very real treatment option for many patients is because this is what patients want.

“The medical community is recognizing there’s more to us than our physical bodies and that people need something that blends their mental and spiritual health with their physical, and yoga is the perfect avenue for that,” said Broyles. “I think younger doctors are realizing a holistic approach to health is better. Medical schools are even starting to be more open-minded to teaching students and encouraging them to look into some alternative help and realizing that our patients are complete people. They’re encouraging a physical exam that encompasses knowing your patient’s hobbies, likes, dislikes and religion. Certainly a more holistic approach to medical training encourages a more holistic doctor in the future,” she said.

Because yoga did originate from Eastern culture, some Westerners may be reluctant to give it a try, fearing it goes against their own religious beliefs. But Broyles points out yoga can easily be individualized and may even make you feel closer to God.

“I think that certainly it did come from a Middle Eastern background, but that doesn’t mean you can’t adapt it to what you want it to be for you. You can even listen to Christian music as you do it. I would say that I am a Christian, but yet I really enjoy yoga. I admit that when I first heard about yoga, I was a little concerned about it, but after getting into it, I realized it actually improved my relationship with God in that I could really focus and meditate better. Your meditation is simply focusing on whatever you consider God to be for you,” Broyles said.

Blackwelder agrees and says because yoga is part of another culture it is readily associated with other beliefs, but is certainly not the basis of any religion or belief system.

“From a health perspective, yoga is an exercise program that can be used to improve strength, balance, muscle tone, flexibility and breathing. It can be a great time to pray, which transcends all religions,” he said.
To help minimize yoga-related injuries, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends the following:
• If you have any medical conditions or injuries, speak to your doctor before participating in yoga.

• Work with a qualified yoga instructor. Ask about his or her experience and credentials.

• Warm up thoroughly before a yoga session — cold muscles, tendons and ligaments are vulnerable to injury.

• Wear appropriate clothing that allows for proper movement.

• Beginners should start slowly and learn the basics first — such as breathing — rather than trying to stretch too far.

• If you are unsure of a pose or movement, ask questions.

• Know your limits. Do not try positions beyond your experience or comfort level.

• Learn what type of yoga you are performing. There are hundreds of different forms of yoga, some more strenuous than others. It is important to learn which type of yoga will best suit your needs.

• Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, especially if participating in Bikram or “hot” yoga.

• Listen to your body. If you are experiencing pain or exhaustion while participating in yoga, stop or take a break. If pain persists, speak with a physician.

Blackwelder hopes yoga will become more common in the Tri-Cities. With more and more yoga classes being offered locally, including some at the Greater Kingsport Family YMCA and the Kingsport Senior Center, patients have more options than ever to give this form of exercise a shot and experience the potential benefits for themselves.

For Bockhorst, the benefits are immeasurable. The time spent each week doing yoga is what she calls her “calm hour.”

“I feel calmer for days afterwards, and if I have to miss a class, I feel it the next week,” she said.

Stand on your Head!

2009-03-18T09:51:00.000-04:00

Standing on your head is lots of fun! No .. really! Im serious!

:D

However, with that said, I do not recommend headstands unless you have a Yogin guiding you. This means, dont do a headstand in a gym class or a class taught at a community center. Find a qualified Yogin to help you with this powerful and extremely beneficial pose.

So .. why do a headstand?

Well, FIRST, it helps us see the world around us from a different perspective. A new perspective on life helps us change the way we think and do things - to find other solutions to the actions we currently take.

SECOND, headstands reduce facial wrinkles! Yes, its a natural face-lift! When we stand on our head the blood rushes to our head, revitalizing the facial skin, helping to remove toxins that reside there. Headstands make our skin glow, our hair thicker, with fewer gray hairs.

Number THREE: Headstands balance the hormones by stimulating the endocrine system by providing oxigenated blood to rush to the pituitary and hypothalamus glands. These glands are vital to our overall well-being because they regulate other body functions .. like our sex drive, for example. In a headstand, we actually stimulate the thyroid, adrenal and pineal glands, meaning we release stress, which improves our physical and emotional health.

FOURTH good reason: Headstands exercise the heart and encourage venous return. Standing up, the heart is constantly pumping blood upward to the brain, which takes a great deal of effort. In a headstand the heart actually takes a rest, and so reduces heart strain.

FIFTH: Increase your brain function! Headstands rush fresh blood to our brain, stimulating brain cells. This acts to improve our memory and concentration, our ability to think clearly and organize thoughts.

Number SIX: Medical studies have shown that people who do headstands regularly never suffer from an Ischemic Stroke, which is the result of a blockage in an artery that leads to the brain. Headstands have also proven to be good therapy for migraine and headache suffers, those with Parkinson's disease, senility and other nervous system disorders.

SEVENTH .. headstands make us feel good! Yes, they relieve stress and depression. Standing on your head is very calming and soothing.

Number EIGHT! Headstands encourage drainage of lymphatic fluid so the entire body experiences a regular detoxification! Why pay for an expensive detox when you can stand on your head!?

NINTH good reason: Headstands build a strong Immune System (this too is medically proven).

Wow .. number TEN: Respiration is improved, because headstands promote deep breathing which clears the lungs, creating healthy lung tissue.

ELEVENTH reason .. your Digestive System is cleansed of congested blood and matter, so toxins are flushed out of the body. All the fresh and oxigenated blood that gets moved around in a headstand invigorates the liver and kidneys, the stomach and intestines.

TWELVE! Our muscles and bones get stronger! Yes, headstands create musculoskeletal strength! Headstands strengthen our spine and neck, our shoulders and arms, also the abs and legs.

So .. what are you waiting for? Come to Hamsa Yogashala and learn how to get healthy by standing on your head!

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Ajna Chakra

2009-03-16T19:11:00.002-04:00

The sixth chakra - our ability to perceive realms beyond, to transcend time.

Inner sight, intuition, clarity of mind and focus are found at the inner eye.

Kriya Yoga

2009-03-15T09:03:00.003-04:00

The Bhagavad Gita - an important Yoga text and considered one of the most important classics of the world - tells a story about a great battle; and though it depicts a historic event, it is actually a metaphor for the human bodymind and the higher self.

Briefly: The mind controls the five senses of sight and sound, touch, taste and smell. As such, the mind is often destracted by these things, like the sight of a action movie, or the sound of rock music, or the touch of a soft fabric, the taste of a delicious meal, or the smell of an intoxicating aroma.

At no time should these be considered 'bad' things, simply distracting ones, for they keep us from focusing on our breath and breathing. Thousands of years ago the ancient Yogins realize that the bodymind is linked to the higher self through the breath, so it is that this has become the cornerstone of Yoga.

The Bhagavad Gita talks a lot about Yoga .. like Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jhana Yoga and Kriya Yoga.

Kriya Yoga is the Yoga of action or 'taking charge' of our life. Specifically, in the Bhagavad Gita, this is done through the breath, utilizing breathing techniques. Kriya Yoga then, is a way to accelerate conscious development, and creating a profound sense of tranquility and union with your higher self.

In one example, Kriya Yoga explains the "Cave of Brahman", which is a poetic term for the creative lifeforce within the bodymind, and which radiates outwards into the twenty-four vital centers of the body via the medulla, the cerebellum and the spinal cord.

The pituitary and pineal glands - also inside the Cave - are polar opposites, such as male / female, hot / cold, night / day, morning / night, and the like. These opposites represent the duality we experience as humans, meaning how we feel 'alone' or 'isolated' or not connected to our higher self. Kriya Yoga regulates these opposites - through Yogic breathing techniques - to calm the entire nervous system, which regulates the bodymind fluctuations, and so helps us arrive at a place of self-realization. Which simply means that we realize our true or higher self.

In that peace [self-control and self awareness by mastering the breath] all pains [sense of seperateness] are destroyed, for the intellect of the tranquil-mind [those who meditate] soon becomes steady [calm, blissful, at peace].
-Bhagavad Gita, 2:65

In all, the Bhagavad Gita describes life as a journey of co-creation, where we travel from one breath to the next, learning to not pick-up more baggage - such as worries and concerns - then we can carry. Through Yoga we realize that life's journey can be a pilgrimage or a vacation, one that has a cherished and nurturing goal .. which is nothing less than self-realization.

In a Yoga class we learn that every pose has three parts: a beginning, a middle and an end. So when we reach the end of that pose, we return to the beginning. Yoga then, is a journey that, once achieved, we return to where our journey all began!

Yoga helps us become co-creators of our life, ever re-creating the moments of our existence, helping us choose wisely, consciously, our innate powers of creation.

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Vishuddha Chakra

2009-03-13T19:02:00.001-04:00

The fifth chakra is the sound of ether.

Our purpose becomes purified here, our resolve moves towards service to others.

Yoga Tips

2009-03-12T08:39:00.003-04:00

Yoga is the best way to relax both your body and mind while getting an excellent work-out. What a win-win situation!

Yoga has numerous health and well-being benefits, is cost- and time-effective, and can be practiced anywhere. So whats stopping you!?

In all, Yoga gives us back control of our body, mind and consciousness, while increasing flexibility, creating overall fitness, reducing stress, and promoting a healthy and natural lifestyle.

Below are some Yoga tips .. little things to know that will make you feel more comfortable before you begin a class.

-Find a good Yoga mat. The traditional word for this is "tapas". A Yoga tapas can be found almost anywhere today - from Target to Walmart. Make sure its not too thick, and should lay flat. Most tapas on the market today are clearly marked 'for yoga'.

-Learn Yoga from a Yogin, not a physical trainer. Gyms today have physical trainers, or those who are schooled in physical fitness, like weight-lifting and cardio machines. Generally, they take a 2-3 hour class in Yoga to be certified.

I am a Yogini who has been practicing and living my Yoga for 39 years. Over the years I have met many students who have taken 'gym yoga', so am confident when I say: to learn Yoga, learn from a Yogin!

-Free Yoga! Hamsa Yogashala has FREE Yoga classes EVERY Thursday. Healing Yoga is a great way to help you feel better. These classes are specially designed to restore health while gently detoxing the system.

There are THREE FREE Healing Yoga classes on Thursday:
7-8am
4:30-5:30pm, and
6:30-7:30pm.

Healing Yoga is more gentle than Gentle Yoga, so is a great way to introduce yourself to both a traditional Hatha Yoga class and get a quick-fix!

-Listen to Your Yogini! I will never ask you to push or strain, grunt or groan in a Yoga class. In fact, if you are doing these things, then you are not doing Yoga at all.

Yoga is natural bodily movement, and though your body no longer moves that way, it does know how to move. Reawakening our ability to move organically is one of the reasons we do Yoga.

-Dont eat (too much) before class. Or, eat a light meal about one hour before class. Bottom line: You know your body better than anyone, so decide what you should or should not eat so you dont get light-headed or feel too full.

-Arrive at least 10 minutes BEFORE class starts. Some students like to come 30 minutes early because Hamsa Yogashala is a REAL Yoga studio. Its atmosphere is peaceful and quiet, calming and .. well, very Yogic-like. So come early, lay down and relax, meditate or quietly chat with others, but please come before class starts.

-Where to sit? Many new students want to sit in the back of the class. Lots of times they will say its because they dont want the teacher to see them. A true Yogin - like myself - will walk the room, helping each student find the pose that is best for their body. So .. there is no 'back' or 'front' at Hamsa Yogashala.

-Wear Loose Clothing. Wear something comfortable, like those fun-colored pajama pants at Target, or stretchy pants and a baggy t-shirt. Sure, you can buy the expensive Yoga clothes, but more importantly, wear something you feel comfy in, that doesnt interfer with movement.

-Learn to Breath! Most of us think that, since we have been breathing since we were born, that we know how to breath. Even so, most of us breath too fast or too slow, too shallow or too uneven. The hardest thing you will ever learn in Yoga class is how to breathe - and it generally takes about two years to learn!

See you soon!

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Anahata Chakra

2009-03-10T19:11:00.001-04:00

The fourth chakra is balance and expansiveness. It is our ability to love unconditionally.

Find your natural rhythm in the heart's center.

Three Healthy Things

2009-03-09T14:52:00.000-04:00

Being healthy is easier than you may think.

We all want to be healthy, to feel 'better', more energetic, less tired, to have a better body, and just feel good about ourselves. And there are loads of magazine articles and websites and friends who are quick to tell us how to be healthy. In fact, there is SOOO much information that it gets very confusing, or you dont know who is 'right' or who you should listen to.

There is no such thing as the 'perfect' diet or the 'perfect' food or the 'perfect exercise program, because each of us is different .. with different life experiences and ages and health conditions and outlooks. But, there are Three Healthy Things we ALL can do.

1. Sleep. We should sleep eight hours a night. Its really easy when we shutdown all our electronics for the night, drink a warm cup of tea - like chamomile or valerian - and focus on sleeping.

Sleep is important because it gives the body and mind an opportunity to restore itself. But i'll bet you didnt know that sleep determines your appetite, your attitude, your energy level and your immunity. And more importantly: diet. If, for example, you eat white flour, white sugar and milk, then you are disrupting your bodies ability to sleep and so self-heal.

2. Yoga, twice a week. Yes, you are probably thinking: "Well of course she said 'yoga', its a yoga blog!" But in truth, more and more medical universities are confirming that Yoga, twice a week, is healthy for the body and mind.

This is not too difficult to understand because Yoga is natural bodily movement, so when we move naturally, then the body is happy. And when the body is happy, the mind too is content and calm. Plus, a twice weekly Yoga class will help you sleep better because the body is doing the most organic exercise routine on the planet .. which means its health will be restored.

3. Meditate and / or practice Positive Thinking. Most of us have so much background chatter in our head - thinking about bills or work, kids or friends, worrying and judging and complaining and defending - that we think this is normal. In fact, all this chatter probably keeps you awake at night.

Calm the chatter with deep breathing and pleasant thinking. Take a slow and relaxing inhale and be grateful for something. Exhale deeply and completely and smile softly to yourself. In that 5-7 seconds you have been optimistic and so reduced stress. Baby steps are the most important ones! Eventually, you will be able to calm the body and mind for one minute, then three or fifteen.

So there you have it: Three Healthy Things. And the best part? They are free! No prescription required, no professional assistance needed.

If your not doing self-health, then what do you expect?

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Manipura Chakra

2009-03-07T15:09:00.001-05:00

The third chakra is choice and action, vitality and will.

Achievement is found here, inspiration and self-worth.

Can't Sleep?

2009-03-06T14:42:00.002-05:00

Our body and mind have an 'internal clock', one that is often set, inadvertantly, by our environment.

This means that in our rush-a-day world, our body and mind are used to being hurried, so when it comes to the evening - even after work and dinner - they are not willing to slow down.

Yoga suggests we create an 'electronic sundown' to purposefully signal that evening is come and restorative sleep should follow.

Just as your body and mind have been trained to be awake and alert all day - sometimes with artificial aids like caffiene - so to must we train our body to let go and sleep.

A good way to do this is turn off the television, the computer and your cell phone at 10pm. Drap a light kercheif across your digital clock and/or any other blinking or glowing light source.

Light effects the melatonin levels in the brain, which has a direct impact on our ability to sleep at night.

So go to bed, do some light reading to relax, then turn off the light and do deep and slow breathing. Having turned off or down all the electronic sources that can disturb you, and having turned off the lights, the body will readily respond. After all, the body wants to be healthy, and it knows that sleep is very healing .. so help it out!

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Svadhisthana Chakra

2009-03-04T07:02:00.001-05:00

The second chakra - or ability to change, to flow.

Freedom and creativity, indulgence and desire.

Beautiful Music

2009-03-03T14:35:00.003-05:00

Classes at Hamsa Yogashala are done to beautiful, relaxing and restorative music.

Hamsa Yogashala is not a gym class with the clanking of barbells in the background, and its not a school library with canned new age music. All our Yoga sessions have lovely chakra / energy music, or traditional Yoga music playing softly in the background.

Numerous studies have proven that gentle and relaxing music actual teaches the body to slow down.

The intennal rhythms of the body and mind will speed up or slow down to match our environment. So if we are in the gym and there is pounding music, then our body and mind will mirror that. No matter how hard we try to relax and strengthen.

A good example is at the beach, where our body and mind will naturally match the gentle sound of surf and wind, allowing us to release the stress of a busy and speeded up lifestyle. This science is called 'entrainment', and whether we walk in the wood, listening to birdsong or trickling water, or rush down a crowded city street, our surroundings directly impact our health and wellbeing.

Come to Hamsa Yogashala and experience Yoga to relaxing music and see for yourself what a difference it makes in your practice!

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Muladhara Chakra

2009-03-01T19:02:00.001-05:00

The first chakra, the foundation - the solid earth upon which we stand.

Safety and security, suvival and basic needs - these are Muladhara.

FREE Yoga

2009-02-27T14:31:00.002-05:00

Healing Yoga is the perfect solution to the over-stressed life we encounter daily.

I created Healing Yoga to be restorative and supportive, to exert little to no energy, to remove energy blockages in the body (through pressure points), and so revive us when we are sick, run-down, mentally drain, burned out and essentially spent.

Healing Yoga is FREE three times a day on THURSDAY. Do your body and mind a favor and join us!

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Daily Adaptogen

2009-02-24T13:56:00.005-05:00

An adaptogen is an Ayurvedic herbal formula. Ayurveda is the oldest system of medicine on the planet; the word means 'art of living'. Ayurveda identifies the cause of disease as a seperation of mind, body and consciousness, due to the degenerative effects of mental, emotional and physical stress. Nor is this my idea alone, for Ayurveda has been readily tested by the American Medical Association, and shown effective in reducing stress by 85%.

A daily adaptogen is an excellent way to energize you, being far better and healthful than a cup of coffee. Additionally, adaptogens are very beneficial for those who are generally tired, weak or suffering from old-age and physical illness. In all, an adaptogen helps the body adapt to physiological and psychological stress. // Whatever your reason, a daily adaptogen will combat the stress and toxins we encounter in every aspect of our live, so are perfect for a peaceful and anti-aging program.

In Ayurveda, there are many adaptogens, most are both readily available and easy to take.

Ashwahganda and Chyawanprash are both found in Indian grocery stores. They are herbal mixtures that are easily spread like jam on a piece of bread. They also have a wonderful taste. Both tone and normalize bodily functions while strengthening our resistance to stress and daily toxins. In particular, Chyawanprash is excellent for building immunity and lessening the symptoms of depression.

Turmeric. Yes, the same turmeric found in the spice section at the local grocery store. This is an excellent anti-inflammatory and has a regenerative effect on the liver. Likewise, it has been proven to resist cancerious tumors. A simple tea can be made from a pinch of turmeric and drank for breakfast.

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

"Namaste"

2009-02-21T13:51:00.003-05:00

"Namaste" is a Sanskrit term that means 'mutual respect', or, what makes us human is the humanity we show each other.

More than an expression - akin to 'Aloha', which can be used to say 'goodbye' or 'hello' - it’s a worldview that sees humanity as a web of family rather than a mass of individuals.

When you relate in this way, you feel connected, energized and have a sense of abundance.

So the next person you meet: touch your palms in front of your heart, and with sincere intent, wish them "Namaste!"

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

Love

2009-02-18T04:03:00.000-05:00

You get what you focus on!

How many times have so many of you heard me say this?

Countless times, no doubt, because it is a true statement and one that I live by.

For example: If we want love, then its best to start in small ways to love all things.

This can mean, petting your cat or hugging a tree even, because every animal and every leaf on a tree contains atoms of the divine, so are part of all existence. Understand this and come closer to loving yourself equally as those around you.

Nor is love relegated to physical love alone, for the body does not need to be loved, but our Being does.

Most of us are curious .. its part of our nature. As such, get curious about what would happen or how our life would change if you started to love yourself and love others. Think of it as an experiment, to see if it works. Afterall, Yoga has long recommended that we be the scientist, seeking answers for ourselves. So get curious about love, about devotion and dedication to your Yoga practice.

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

I'd rather be 'mad'

2009-01-26T07:46:00.000-05:00

Living everyday is pure love; and sadly, it seems, society is against being this way.

Society often mocks those who let go and love every plant, every animal, every human being. Society likes to say that those souls are "mad". So that society only approves of societal love, or that love which is 'give and take', meaning 'love with a reason', or love with strings attached.

Those who love life and all that lives .. dont give up on your love! Let love for all things flow from your heart! See love in everything!

Feel the tenderness of new shoots. See the kindness in an animals eyes. Know that every human, including yourself, is part of god-consciousness.
This is real love.

It is not easy to go deep inside our self, to find the love there, and to bring it out and share it with society. But when we can, we start to feel that common thread of life that connects us all. And when we can do this, we start loving everything and everyone, regardless of the societal notions to do otherwise.

No .. its not easy opening our self to this transformation. After all, any change in our self is a change in our consciousness .. a true paradigm shift. Even so, know that love is the only thing that can bring us to a place of true living.

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi