Recently, I have met with a few souls who have mentioned their concern about the economy in general and their personal finances in particular. It is important to understand that: what you think you manifest. This is as simple as thinking 'kitchen', then going there.
With this idea in mind, you can put it into practice by thinking 'wealth'. Over the years, some have called this 'positive thinking', but what that means is to simply state what your attention and intention.
In some cases, positive thinking works very well for the here and now, but for others, not so much. For example, if you are concerned about finances while thinking positively about finances, depending on the power of either thought,one will cancel out the other.
If you want to effect substantial change in your finances - in your very life - you must think 'different' thoughts. What is different from 'lack'? Abundance. What is different from 'fear'? Hope.
Om Peace!
Valarie Devi
Friday, July 25, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Janma
Janma. That means "genesis" or "beginning".
When we sit upon our tapas (Yoga mat) and take a deep breath, we enter janma.
Janma is play, it is a game, something we do for joy and consciousness. In the beginning was the All, and the All became many so it could play.
Yoga has no directive, no goal, no purpose but playing and being playful. Janma Yoga is like a brilliant sun which illumines our personality, our independent decision, our unique life, the search for something new, for novelty and originality.
Om Peace!
When we sit upon our tapas (Yoga mat) and take a deep breath, we enter janma.
Janma is play, it is a game, something we do for joy and consciousness. In the beginning was the All, and the All became many so it could play.
Yoga has no directive, no goal, no purpose but playing and being playful. Janma Yoga is like a brilliant sun which illumines our personality, our independent decision, our unique life, the search for something new, for novelty and originality.
Om Peace!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
We are Truth
We are Truth. Yet, we can not possess any greater level of truth than what we are willing to accept and then manifest in every facet of our life - in every thought, word and deed.
Om Peace!
Om Peace!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
How To Live 100 Years
This is an excerpt from one of Swami Sivananda Ji's many books. This information is about 100 years old and still valid.
______
HOW TO LIVE HUNDRED YEARS
by Swami Sivananda
Preface
Gerontology is an ancient science! Since time immemorial Man has sought ways and means to conquer death; because, he is immortal. There is an innate urge in him to express that immortality, and to experience that immortality here and now.
The Isavasya Upanishad enjoins upon man the duty to try to live for a hundred years, performing right actions. The Rishis had in their forest-research-laboratories discovered various methods of prolonging life—Pranayama, Asanas like Sirshasanaand Sarvangasana, prayer, Havan, certain herbs, and Kaya Kalpa. They discovered that those living beings which breathed slowly, with less number of breaths per minute, lived longer, and that suspension of breathing led to hibernation and prolongation of life! They prescribed Pranayama for long life. But, let us never forget that long life in itself is not an undiluted blessing! Health, strength and vitality are not unalloyed blessings in themselves. It depends upon how they are utilised. Life should not mean prolongation of the miseries of old age, a gradual decay, a living death. Life should be so lived as to keep you in full vigour till the hundredth birthday. Even this will not do, is not enough. Till that day, you must lead the divine life, a life of selfless service to humanity, in such a manner that on your hundredth birthday people will still pray whole-heartedly to the Lord that you will live for another century.
Spiritual dedication, dedication to a noble humanitarian cause, is one of the most important factors in the prolongation of life. Other factors are: equal wear-out of all the vital organs of the body (without one decaying faster), absence of chronic diseases, warm-hearted love towards fellow-men, especially to the younger generation, zealous interest in some useful occupation and a will to live, and live for a mission. At the same time, there must be a willingness to accept the inevitable changes that occur as age advances. Dr. Crampton, a noted geriatrician, says: "If a man has sense enough to realise that in many different ways he is not what he was ten years ago, and acts accordingly, he is way ahead of the game. Know your limitations—adapt yourself to them—and enjoy your privileges to the utmost." And, that is very sound advice.
Be cheerful. Be child-like. Be youthful in your eagerness to know and to do. Rest in God and know, that the soul is birthless, deathless, ageless. Above all, meditate regularly and know that you are the Immortal Atman. You will be blessed with health and long life. May you all become centenarians and benefactors of humanity.
May God bless you all!
Swami Sivananda
For the free online book:
http://www.sivanandadlshq.org/books/es12.htm
Om Peace!
Valarie Devi
______
HOW TO LIVE HUNDRED YEARS
by Swami Sivananda
Preface
Gerontology is an ancient science! Since time immemorial Man has sought ways and means to conquer death; because, he is immortal. There is an innate urge in him to express that immortality, and to experience that immortality here and now.
The Isavasya Upanishad enjoins upon man the duty to try to live for a hundred years, performing right actions. The Rishis had in their forest-research-laboratories discovered various methods of prolonging life—Pranayama, Asanas like Sirshasanaand Sarvangasana, prayer, Havan, certain herbs, and Kaya Kalpa. They discovered that those living beings which breathed slowly, with less number of breaths per minute, lived longer, and that suspension of breathing led to hibernation and prolongation of life! They prescribed Pranayama for long life. But, let us never forget that long life in itself is not an undiluted blessing! Health, strength and vitality are not unalloyed blessings in themselves. It depends upon how they are utilised. Life should not mean prolongation of the miseries of old age, a gradual decay, a living death. Life should be so lived as to keep you in full vigour till the hundredth birthday. Even this will not do, is not enough. Till that day, you must lead the divine life, a life of selfless service to humanity, in such a manner that on your hundredth birthday people will still pray whole-heartedly to the Lord that you will live for another century.
Spiritual dedication, dedication to a noble humanitarian cause, is one of the most important factors in the prolongation of life. Other factors are: equal wear-out of all the vital organs of the body (without one decaying faster), absence of chronic diseases, warm-hearted love towards fellow-men, especially to the younger generation, zealous interest in some useful occupation and a will to live, and live for a mission. At the same time, there must be a willingness to accept the inevitable changes that occur as age advances. Dr. Crampton, a noted geriatrician, says: "If a man has sense enough to realise that in many different ways he is not what he was ten years ago, and acts accordingly, he is way ahead of the game. Know your limitations—adapt yourself to them—and enjoy your privileges to the utmost." And, that is very sound advice.
Be cheerful. Be child-like. Be youthful in your eagerness to know and to do. Rest in God and know, that the soul is birthless, deathless, ageless. Above all, meditate regularly and know that you are the Immortal Atman. You will be blessed with health and long life. May you all become centenarians and benefactors of humanity.
May God bless you all!
Swami Sivananda
For the free online book:
http://www.sivanandadlshq.org/books/es12.htm
Om Peace!
Valarie Devi
Monday, July 21, 2008
All Classes, All Levels
A traditional Hatha Yoga class is open to beginners, intermediate practitioners and advanced students. Regardless of your age or physical condition, your Yoga instructor should be able to work with you in any class at any time.
Hamsa Yogashala has such a trained Yogini. Every class - from Sunrise Yoga to Gentle Yoga to Hatha Yoga offers breath work, stretching, relaxation and detoxification. Even if you have never taken a Yoga class before.
Om Peace!
Hamsa Yogashala has such a trained Yogini. Every class - from Sunrise Yoga to Gentle Yoga to Hatha Yoga offers breath work, stretching, relaxation and detoxification. Even if you have never taken a Yoga class before.
Om Peace!
Friday, July 18, 2008
Maya
Maya. That means "change" or "changability".
Maya Shakti, the 'power of change' is a veil of illusion; and that illusion is that 'everything stays the same'. Not us, not anyone or anything we know. To think that someone cannot change is ignorance. To think that we are beyond change is ignorance.
Yoga helps us move past ignorance so that we can understand and embrace our true nature. The human body is composed of countless elements, from cells to peptides. The human body is in a constant state of change-maya.
We are divine. The Self within is the very dust of creation. Modern science and ancient wisdom agree that there exists a single primordial substance to which all forms can be reduced. This is the dust of creation. The cosmic particles the dance together and seperate - in ever different patterns - taking delight in its ability to change!
Om Peace!
Valarie Devi
Maya Shakti, the 'power of change' is a veil of illusion; and that illusion is that 'everything stays the same'. Not us, not anyone or anything we know. To think that someone cannot change is ignorance. To think that we are beyond change is ignorance.
Yoga helps us move past ignorance so that we can understand and embrace our true nature. The human body is composed of countless elements, from cells to peptides. The human body is in a constant state of change-maya.
We are divine. The Self within is the very dust of creation. Modern science and ancient wisdom agree that there exists a single primordial substance to which all forms can be reduced. This is the dust of creation. The cosmic particles the dance together and seperate - in ever different patterns - taking delight in its ability to change!
Om Peace!
Valarie Devi
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Yoga Therapy
Largely unknown in the West, Yoga Body Therapy combines deep tissue massage with coordinated breathing and Yoga stretching.
Your Yoga teacher, Valarie Devi, has spent most of her life studying Yoga and traveling the world studying the art of Yoga Body Therapy. Recently returned from India with the intention of sharing both Yoga and Yoga Body Therapy, I am exciting about sharing the deeper and more lasting benefits that I have learned.
Through both Yoga and Yoga Body Therapy, the goal is to bring the body back to a place of harmony. I have been a student of many Yoga forms since childhood, and can honestly say that Yoga and Yoga Body Therapy are the most comprehensive and intelligent ways to approach the body.
By weaving together ancient wisdom into a modern practice, a comprehensive and practical form emerges. Something similar to martial arts, when one studies and closely adheres to a form, there is freedom. Freedom within form.
Hamsa Yogashala offers daily evening classes for students to learn the framework and skills of a personal holistic Yoga practice. For each class is an immersion into the enriching experience of Yoga.
I have created a Yoga program that aims to heal from the earth up. A practice that weaves together the vital organs, the bones and muscles, with the breath, to create ease within the mind. For when the body and mind are in harmony, the energy or spirit of purity, flows naturally.
The goal of Hamsa Yogashala is to create and hold that sacred space for the student to heal them self.
Om Peace!
Valarie Devi
Your Yoga teacher, Valarie Devi, has spent most of her life studying Yoga and traveling the world studying the art of Yoga Body Therapy. Recently returned from India with the intention of sharing both Yoga and Yoga Body Therapy, I am exciting about sharing the deeper and more lasting benefits that I have learned.
Through both Yoga and Yoga Body Therapy, the goal is to bring the body back to a place of harmony. I have been a student of many Yoga forms since childhood, and can honestly say that Yoga and Yoga Body Therapy are the most comprehensive and intelligent ways to approach the body.
By weaving together ancient wisdom into a modern practice, a comprehensive and practical form emerges. Something similar to martial arts, when one studies and closely adheres to a form, there is freedom. Freedom within form.
Hamsa Yogashala offers daily evening classes for students to learn the framework and skills of a personal holistic Yoga practice. For each class is an immersion into the enriching experience of Yoga.
I have created a Yoga program that aims to heal from the earth up. A practice that weaves together the vital organs, the bones and muscles, with the breath, to create ease within the mind. For when the body and mind are in harmony, the energy or spirit of purity, flows naturally.
The goal of Hamsa Yogashala is to create and hold that sacred space for the student to heal them self.
Om Peace!
Valarie Devi
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Five Personal Principles
The five personal principles of positive action are purity,
contentment, a disciplined life,
study of the sacred texts, and worship of god.
Raja Yoga Sutras, 2:32
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Am I doing it right?
The sweet satisfaction of pleasure becomes the sensation of all our work when we are doing things right.
Are you happy? Are you satisfied?
When we relish the pose while doing the pose, not dreading it, not fretting it, then we are doing it right.
Om Peace!
Valarie Devi
Are you happy? Are you satisfied?
When we relish the pose while doing the pose, not dreading it, not fretting it, then we are doing it right.
Om Peace!
Valarie Devi
Monday, July 14, 2008
Sanskrit 101
Hmsa Yogashala is a traditional Hatha Yoga studio so we use traditional Sanskrit words and phrases before, during and after class.
Far from being difficult, Sanskrit is easy to pronounce, because you ‘say what you see’, and makes more sense to use than the English translation.
Here are some typical things you will here at Hamsa Yogashala:
-Anjali Mudra. This is a hand position, where the palms are lightly pressed together in front of the heart.
-Asana. This means “sit, pose”, so you will here this often, because Yoga has lots of poses! Mostly, you will hear it at the end of a word, like: Bal-asana, “Child’s pose”, and Dand-asana, “Staff pose”, and Tad-asana, “Mountain pose”.
-Chakra. This means “wheel” and are the naturally occurring energy centers within the body. They correspond with muscles, bones and organs.
-Mantra. This means “word, saying, prayer” and can be a single word or a phrase. Mantras are sometimes used during meditation.
-Mudra. This means “seal” and can be a hand gesture or an asana.
-Namaste. This is a traditional greeting. It means “The light in me recognizes the light in you." When greeting someone, you can say “Namaste” and put your hands in Anjali Mudra.
-Prana. This is the “vital life force” that permeates all that lives. Other words for this life force include chi, qi and ki. In Yoga we access this naturally occurring energy through deep breathing.
-Pranayama. This is “life force work” or “breath work”. Yoga and deep breathing go hand-in-hand.
-Surya Namaskar. This is the “Sun Salutation”, Yoga’s oldes Vinyasa or “breath flowing movement”. Surya Namaskara emphasizes the foundation of many poses so is used to begin a class to gently warm and stretch the body.
-Ujayii-pranayama. This is “exalted breath work” and the type of breathing Yoga is most known for. It is a deep, rhythmic and audible breath that creates warmth in the body, lowers the blood pressure, relieves headaches, and creates an overall feeling of wellbeing.
-Vinyasa. This means “breath flowing movement” or the coordinated way the asanas are done with the aid of ujaji-pranayama. For example, if you raise your arms you inhale, and as you exhale you lower your arms. This movement is Vinyasa.
Now your ready for your first Yoga class! So grab your tapas and head over to the shala!
:D
Far from being difficult, Sanskrit is easy to pronounce, because you ‘say what you see’, and makes more sense to use than the English translation.
Here are some typical things you will here at Hamsa Yogashala:
-Anjali Mudra. This is a hand position, where the palms are lightly pressed together in front of the heart.
-Asana. This means “sit, pose”, so you will here this often, because Yoga has lots of poses! Mostly, you will hear it at the end of a word, like: Bal-asana, “Child’s pose”, and Dand-asana, “Staff pose”, and Tad-asana, “Mountain pose”.
-Chakra. This means “wheel” and are the naturally occurring energy centers within the body. They correspond with muscles, bones and organs.
-Mantra. This means “word, saying, prayer” and can be a single word or a phrase. Mantras are sometimes used during meditation.
-Mudra. This means “seal” and can be a hand gesture or an asana.
-Namaste. This is a traditional greeting. It means “The light in me recognizes the light in you." When greeting someone, you can say “Namaste” and put your hands in Anjali Mudra.
-Prana. This is the “vital life force” that permeates all that lives. Other words for this life force include chi, qi and ki. In Yoga we access this naturally occurring energy through deep breathing.
-Pranayama. This is “life force work” or “breath work”. Yoga and deep breathing go hand-in-hand.
-Surya Namaskar. This is the “Sun Salutation”, Yoga’s oldes Vinyasa or “breath flowing movement”. Surya Namaskara emphasizes the foundation of many poses so is used to begin a class to gently warm and stretch the body.
-Ujayii-pranayama. This is “exalted breath work” and the type of breathing Yoga is most known for. It is a deep, rhythmic and audible breath that creates warmth in the body, lowers the blood pressure, relieves headaches, and creates an overall feeling of wellbeing.
-Vinyasa. This means “breath flowing movement” or the coordinated way the asanas are done with the aid of ujaji-pranayama. For example, if you raise your arms you inhale, and as you exhale you lower your arms. This movement is Vinyasa.
Now your ready for your first Yoga class! So grab your tapas and head over to the shala!
:D
Friday, July 11, 2008
Shuddhi
Shuddhi is "purification". But more than that, its a 'comfort zone'.
Shuddhi occurs when everything goes your way, when life seems to flow easily, without hinderance. When you walk and talk and drive and do your job with an overall sense of ease and fluidity, that is shuddhi.
Shuddhi occurs when our energy level is increased. One such energy level is our health. So when we are health - all the internal organs for example - we are in shuddhi. But shuddhi is also mind and emotion, so that when our thoughts are undisturbed and our feelings are simply 'there', then we are in a state of pureness.
Doing Yoga helps us get in shuddhi .. as does getting a good night sleep, eating wholesome food, spending time with friends (like in Yoga class), and simply stopping and enjoying the lovely weather.
Om Peace!
Valarie Devi
Shuddhi occurs when everything goes your way, when life seems to flow easily, without hinderance. When you walk and talk and drive and do your job with an overall sense of ease and fluidity, that is shuddhi.
Shuddhi occurs when our energy level is increased. One such energy level is our health. So when we are health - all the internal organs for example - we are in shuddhi. But shuddhi is also mind and emotion, so that when our thoughts are undisturbed and our feelings are simply 'there', then we are in a state of pureness.
Doing Yoga helps us get in shuddhi .. as does getting a good night sleep, eating wholesome food, spending time with friends (like in Yoga class), and simply stopping and enjoying the lovely weather.
Om Peace!
Valarie Devi
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Meditation
The success of your meditation will not be measured
by the brilliant ideas you get or the great resolutions
you make or the feelings and emotions that
are produced in your exterior senses.
You have only really meditated well when you have come,
to some extent, to realize God.
Yet even that is not quite the thing.
-Thomas Merton
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
The Perfect Body
Your body is perfect if it functions on its own, and you dont interfere. Your consciousness is pure if it functions on its own, and the body does not interfere. If you live in a non-interfering existence, you are pure.
Om Peace!
Om Peace!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Zen
There is a Zen saying: If you are in a hurry, you will never reach. You can even reach just by sitting, but in a hurry you can never reach. The very impatience is a barrier.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Hear the Flute!
The flute is a symbol of our breath. The sound of the flute fills the heart with delight, just as breathing deep and slow in Yoga class fills the body with strength and grace.
When we practice the breathing exercises in Yoga class we bring the body and mind together to make beautiful music.
Ham-Sa is the sound of our breath. Ham is the inhale and Sa is the exhale. Hamsa is divine swan, the pure white breath that fills our body with spirit.
Om Peace!
Valarie Devi
When we practice the breathing exercises in Yoga class we bring the body and mind together to make beautiful music.
Ham-Sa is the sound of our breath. Ham is the inhale and Sa is the exhale. Hamsa is divine swan, the pure white breath that fills our body with spirit.
Om Peace!
Valarie Devi
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
