All of life .. everything in the great web of life .. is interconnected.
Our individual health and happiness is not separate from the health and happiness that others seek.
Our individual inner strength and spiritual wisdom affect the world outside us, just as the innter strengths and spiritual wisdom of others affect us.
Earth, air, fire, water .. all .. we are totally dependent on these forces of nature. For it is these forces which constantly supply the nourishment we need. If these forces, within us, are weak, we will not achieve health or happiness.
In the same way, there is a collective intelligence, and if this collective pool of intelligence is undernourished, then our individual intelligence becomes confused and disoriented.
The best way to help yourself is to keep nature healthy and strong, for we are an integral part of it.
Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi
Showing posts with label gwinnett. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gwinnett. Show all posts
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Monday, November 24, 2008
"Hamsa" and "Shala"
This past weekend, several retreatees asked if I had a business card. I asked Dayna if it would be alright for me to give them out since it was her retreat and I did not want to detract from her efforts. She was agreeable to the idea so I handed out all that I had in my bag.
Frequently, I found myself explaining what "hamsa" and "shala" meant, so thought that I would explain that here as well. I know that most of you understand these words, having been long-time students, but there are a few new souls here so it is a good idea to review these words and their Yogic meanings.
"Hamsa" means, literally, "swan, gander"; however, there are several alternate meanings. Such as, "advanced sannyasi", or "advanced renunciate". For example, I am a sannyasi or renunciate. The best translation for sannyasi in English is "nun", which, according to the dicitionary means, "a woman member of a religious order, esp. one bound by vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience". So, as a Yogini, I did indeed take sannyasin vows. However, many in the States consider this to be a non-married woman, which is not necessarily the case. Just as Episcopal Priests can marry, so too can Yogins.
Likewise, "hamsa" refers to the breath/prana, as it moves within the body. Breath is seen as the physical manifestation of our spirit - that divine spark gifted us by god. When a baby is born, its first breath is an inhale, or "ham", and when we die or last breath is an exhale, "sa". So that every inhale is "ham" and every exhale is "sa". Hamsa then is considered the "innate mantra", or the one mantra that all living/breathing things share. Further, this idea is seen in the _Maha Vakya Upanishad_ (which is part of Ayurveda, or the health and healing aspect of Yoga). In this text, hamsa is expressed as "hamsa soham" or "I Am That / That Am I". This corresponds to Exodus 3:14 which reads:
"And God said unto Moses, "I AM THAT I AM": and he said, Thus shall you say unto the children of Israel, "I AM has sent me to you."
Because hamsa is the breath/prana, it is also referred to as the "heart of Yoga". And so integral is the idea of hamsa to Yoga that there is even a Hamsa Chakra - which is part of Vishuddi Chakra or the throat chakra (which is, of course, were we breathe). According to Yogic thought, the Hamsa Chakra is the center of discrimination and discernment, which helps us choose the right course of action in our everyday lives. If we consider the breath again – Hamsa Soham / I Am That, That Am I – this makes sense, because, when we trust in god, all our actions are the right ones.
One of my favorite Yoga parables relates:
Hamsa kshveta ha, baka ha kshveta ha.Ko bhedo hansa bakayo ho.Neera ksheera vivek e tu.Hamsa ha hamsaksh, baka ha baka ha.
"The crane and the swan, both are white.So what is the difference between the two?If you mix water and milk together,the hamsa (swan) will drink only the milk.It can pull only the milk from the water,while the bakha (crane) cannot."
My idea of an inhale/hamsa mantra that is positive, and an exhale/bakha mantra that is negative, is based on this parable. For example, in class, when I have suggested that the students inhale something positive and exhale something negative – like joy and sadness, or prosperity and poverty, or calm and turmoil – we are using a form of our innate breath. Another way of expressing this idea is a common childhood sing-song: In with the good, out with the bad.
Hamsa, as the swan that is the 'heart of yoga' is the power of breath that is always with us, like the presence of god, but also assists us in rising above the stress of the physical world. And in so doing, allows us to fly, or evolve, upwards into our natural state of being.
Regarding "shala", that means both "school" and "sanctuary". Not only is it a place where we learn Yoga, but it is a refuge from the rush of daily living, which is why I have always encouraged the students of Hamsa Yogashala to go there to simply relax, unwind, nap or meditate.
Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi
Frequently, I found myself explaining what "hamsa" and "shala" meant, so thought that I would explain that here as well. I know that most of you understand these words, having been long-time students, but there are a few new souls here so it is a good idea to review these words and their Yogic meanings.
"Hamsa" means, literally, "swan, gander"; however, there are several alternate meanings. Such as, "advanced sannyasi", or "advanced renunciate". For example, I am a sannyasi or renunciate. The best translation for sannyasi in English is "nun", which, according to the dicitionary means, "a woman member of a religious order, esp. one bound by vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience". So, as a Yogini, I did indeed take sannyasin vows. However, many in the States consider this to be a non-married woman, which is not necessarily the case. Just as Episcopal Priests can marry, so too can Yogins.
Likewise, "hamsa" refers to the breath/prana, as it moves within the body. Breath is seen as the physical manifestation of our spirit - that divine spark gifted us by god. When a baby is born, its first breath is an inhale, or "ham", and when we die or last breath is an exhale, "sa". So that every inhale is "ham" and every exhale is "sa". Hamsa then is considered the "innate mantra", or the one mantra that all living/breathing things share. Further, this idea is seen in the _Maha Vakya Upanishad_ (which is part of Ayurveda, or the health and healing aspect of Yoga). In this text, hamsa is expressed as "hamsa soham" or "I Am That / That Am I". This corresponds to Exodus 3:14 which reads:
"And God said unto Moses, "I AM THAT I AM": and he said, Thus shall you say unto the children of Israel, "I AM has sent me to you."
Because hamsa is the breath/prana, it is also referred to as the "heart of Yoga". And so integral is the idea of hamsa to Yoga that there is even a Hamsa Chakra - which is part of Vishuddi Chakra or the throat chakra (which is, of course, were we breathe). According to Yogic thought, the Hamsa Chakra is the center of discrimination and discernment, which helps us choose the right course of action in our everyday lives. If we consider the breath again – Hamsa Soham / I Am That, That Am I – this makes sense, because, when we trust in god, all our actions are the right ones.
One of my favorite Yoga parables relates:
Hamsa kshveta ha, baka ha kshveta ha.Ko bhedo hansa bakayo ho.Neera ksheera vivek e tu.Hamsa ha hamsaksh, baka ha baka ha.
"The crane and the swan, both are white.So what is the difference between the two?If you mix water and milk together,the hamsa (swan) will drink only the milk.It can pull only the milk from the water,while the bakha (crane) cannot."
My idea of an inhale/hamsa mantra that is positive, and an exhale/bakha mantra that is negative, is based on this parable. For example, in class, when I have suggested that the students inhale something positive and exhale something negative – like joy and sadness, or prosperity and poverty, or calm and turmoil – we are using a form of our innate breath. Another way of expressing this idea is a common childhood sing-song: In with the good, out with the bad.
Hamsa, as the swan that is the 'heart of yoga' is the power of breath that is always with us, like the presence of god, but also assists us in rising above the stress of the physical world. And in so doing, allows us to fly, or evolve, upwards into our natural state of being.
Regarding "shala", that means both "school" and "sanctuary". Not only is it a place where we learn Yoga, but it is a refuge from the rush of daily living, which is why I have always encouraged the students of Hamsa Yogashala to go there to simply relax, unwind, nap or meditate.
Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Yoga for Christians
Camille, my dear Yoga friend, and I, spent the weekend at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit attending a "Yoga for Christians" retreat.
http://www.trappist.net/
It was presented by Dayna Gelinas of New Day Yoga, and Father Thomas Francis, a Cistercian Monk. The focus of Dayna’s practice is, "to lead people, through yoga and centering prayer, toward a fuller life in Christ, led by the Holy Spirit, renewed in mind, and strengthened in body."
http://www.newdayyoga.com/
Frather Thomas' focus is on the "need to deepen our commitment to God" through Contemplative Prayer or "understanding and experiencing the central place of the Triune-God in [our] lives" (*).
Camille and I shared a room, ate many of our meals together, and sat next to each other during the presentations – and for myself, I had a wonderful time.
By far, this was the most beautiful and meaningful Christian experience I have ever had the joy of partaking in. Likewise, the retreat was educational. For example, I have long sought out those bible verses that relate to Yoga, breathing and meditation, and now I have many wonderful examples.
By way of comparison, I could discern little difference between Yoga as it is taught in an ashram and Yoga as it was presented by Dayna at the Monastery. Our rooms were clean and ample for our needs; silence/mauna ("instrospection and reflection") was emphasized and rewarding; ritual/puja ("worship, adoration") was loving, gentle and filled with divine energy; and the monks/swamis ("master of Self") embodied the difference between reading spiritual scripture and living a spiritual life.
Dayna's asanas were gentle and nurturing, relating the basic Yoga 'limbs', namely: asana/body; pranayama/breathwork; dharana/concentration, chanting; dhyana/meditation, prayer; and Samadhi/contemplation. The only term I was unable to immediately identify to its original Yogic model was "Centeredness Prayer". I was finally able to make that correlation during Father Thomas' presentation on Centeredness Prayer, which he likewise referred to as "Contemplative Prayer". Both terms are the English equivalent of Samadhi Dhyana, or "meditation on the triad, sameness meditation".
For example, Yoga is meant to prepare us for Samadhi Dhyana, which is the highest state of meditation/prayer, in which our spirit resides within its natural state – unfettered by body and soul – within the god-self, or, as Father Thomas expressed, "within God-Triune". To stress how identical these two ideas are, both of them – Centeredness/Contemplative Prayer and Samadhi Dhyana – are conditions that are present all the time because they reflect our natural and true being. So that when we learn the Samadhi/Contemplative practice, we open ourselves to our inner grace.
The only unfamiliar aspect of the weekend was the food in which we ate (which I can not say was the same for what the monks ate). The food, though sufficient for our needs, was overly processed, which is quite unlike my experiences in ashrams (Hindu monasteries). One of the five basic aspects of Yoga is "right diet", or Ayurvedic diet, which means eating pure/sattvic food, high in the lifeforce/prana. Food that is pure, close to the source, without preservatives or artificial flavorings calms the mind and sharpens the intellect. Such a diet is easily digested, supplies maximum energy, increases vitality, and eliminates fatigue, so has a profound effect on the physical and spiritual body. This is why Yogi’s for thousands of years have preferred a pure/sattvic diet to one that is denuded of the lifeforce. Eating like a Yogi helps us attain and maintain a high standard of health, a keen intellect, and serenity of mind.
Because I brought fresh fruit and nuts with me, this was a small matter in a sea of metta/loving kindness. In all, I always knew that Christianity and Yoga shared a similar ideal, I just never realized how much – let alone how much information a Monk would have on the subject. Father Thomas, for example, related during his presentation that he "read, reflected, responded and received" wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita and considered it 'one of the worlds greatest spiritual god-texts', and that he particularily enjoyed the writings of Sri Ramana Maharshi:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramana_Maharshi
In all, this was a blessed and joy-filled weekend with my own personal "trinity" of: Camille, Dayna and Father Thomas.
Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi
*Angels: Our Guides to Contemplation for the Third Millennium – Trinitarian and Cosmic, by Father Thomas Francis, O.C.S.O., pages 3-4.
http://www.trappist.net/
It was presented by Dayna Gelinas of New Day Yoga, and Father Thomas Francis, a Cistercian Monk. The focus of Dayna’s practice is, "to lead people, through yoga and centering prayer, toward a fuller life in Christ, led by the Holy Spirit, renewed in mind, and strengthened in body."
http://www.newdayyoga.com/
Frather Thomas' focus is on the "need to deepen our commitment to God" through Contemplative Prayer or "understanding and experiencing the central place of the Triune-God in [our] lives" (*).
Camille and I shared a room, ate many of our meals together, and sat next to each other during the presentations – and for myself, I had a wonderful time.
By far, this was the most beautiful and meaningful Christian experience I have ever had the joy of partaking in. Likewise, the retreat was educational. For example, I have long sought out those bible verses that relate to Yoga, breathing and meditation, and now I have many wonderful examples.
By way of comparison, I could discern little difference between Yoga as it is taught in an ashram and Yoga as it was presented by Dayna at the Monastery. Our rooms were clean and ample for our needs; silence/mauna ("instrospection and reflection") was emphasized and rewarding; ritual/puja ("worship, adoration") was loving, gentle and filled with divine energy; and the monks/swamis ("master of Self") embodied the difference between reading spiritual scripture and living a spiritual life.
Dayna's asanas were gentle and nurturing, relating the basic Yoga 'limbs', namely: asana/body; pranayama/breathwork; dharana/concentration, chanting; dhyana/meditation, prayer; and Samadhi/contemplation. The only term I was unable to immediately identify to its original Yogic model was "Centeredness Prayer". I was finally able to make that correlation during Father Thomas' presentation on Centeredness Prayer, which he likewise referred to as "Contemplative Prayer". Both terms are the English equivalent of Samadhi Dhyana, or "meditation on the triad, sameness meditation".
For example, Yoga is meant to prepare us for Samadhi Dhyana, which is the highest state of meditation/prayer, in which our spirit resides within its natural state – unfettered by body and soul – within the god-self, or, as Father Thomas expressed, "within God-Triune". To stress how identical these two ideas are, both of them – Centeredness/Contemplative Prayer and Samadhi Dhyana – are conditions that are present all the time because they reflect our natural and true being. So that when we learn the Samadhi/Contemplative practice, we open ourselves to our inner grace.
The only unfamiliar aspect of the weekend was the food in which we ate (which I can not say was the same for what the monks ate). The food, though sufficient for our needs, was overly processed, which is quite unlike my experiences in ashrams (Hindu monasteries). One of the five basic aspects of Yoga is "right diet", or Ayurvedic diet, which means eating pure/sattvic food, high in the lifeforce/prana. Food that is pure, close to the source, without preservatives or artificial flavorings calms the mind and sharpens the intellect. Such a diet is easily digested, supplies maximum energy, increases vitality, and eliminates fatigue, so has a profound effect on the physical and spiritual body. This is why Yogi’s for thousands of years have preferred a pure/sattvic diet to one that is denuded of the lifeforce. Eating like a Yogi helps us attain and maintain a high standard of health, a keen intellect, and serenity of mind.
Because I brought fresh fruit and nuts with me, this was a small matter in a sea of metta/loving kindness. In all, I always knew that Christianity and Yoga shared a similar ideal, I just never realized how much – let alone how much information a Monk would have on the subject. Father Thomas, for example, related during his presentation that he "read, reflected, responded and received" wisdom from the Bhagavad Gita and considered it 'one of the worlds greatest spiritual god-texts', and that he particularily enjoyed the writings of Sri Ramana Maharshi:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramana_Maharshi
In all, this was a blessed and joy-filled weekend with my own personal "trinity" of: Camille, Dayna and Father Thomas.
Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi
*Angels: Our Guides to Contemplation for the Third Millennium – Trinitarian and Cosmic, by Father Thomas Francis, O.C.S.O., pages 3-4.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Yoga Winter Soup
This is a perfect winter soup for both Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Celery Root and Cashew Soup
serves 6-8
1 Tbls butter or margarine
3 cups chopped celery roote
4 stick of celery
2/3 cup cashews
4.5 cups water
1 potato, chopped
2 and 1/4 cups milk (soy or cow)
salt and pepper to taste
toasted cashews and parsley sprigs to garnish
1. Saute the celery root, celery and cashews in melted butter until lightly browned.
2. Add water and potato. Cover and cook over medium heat for 25 minutes, or until the veggies are tender.
3. Add the milk to the cook veggies, then pour all into a blender or food processor. Puree. Return the soup to the pan, season with salt and pepper, and return to a warm temperature. Its ready to eat! Garnish with cashews and parsley and enjoy!
Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi
Celery Root and Cashew Soup
serves 6-8
1 Tbls butter or margarine
3 cups chopped celery roote
4 stick of celery
2/3 cup cashews
4.5 cups water
1 potato, chopped
2 and 1/4 cups milk (soy or cow)
salt and pepper to taste
toasted cashews and parsley sprigs to garnish
1. Saute the celery root, celery and cashews in melted butter until lightly browned.
2. Add water and potato. Cover and cook over medium heat for 25 minutes, or until the veggies are tender.
3. Add the milk to the cook veggies, then pour all into a blender or food processor. Puree. Return the soup to the pan, season with salt and pepper, and return to a warm temperature. Its ready to eat! Garnish with cashews and parsley and enjoy!
Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Troubled Times
In our troubled times, with stress and anxiety over the financial downturn at an all time high, with political uncertainty, and plummeting investments, more people are turning to Yoga.
Watching the morning news, either at home or on the ride to work, is stressing enough. Then when you or a friends company starts downsizing, its only natural to try to seek solace from the turmoil in a practice that offers balance and peace of mind.
Hamsa Yogashala is such a calming place .. an oasis in a sea of uncertainty. Here, you can come, sit, be still, relax, and learn time proven techniques to soothe and heal the body and mind.
Healing Yoga on Thursday is a weekly class for optimum health and well-being. Designed by Yogini Valarie, Healing Yoga is a weekly wellness program that detoxifies and cleanses the body, helping it return to a state of health and vitality.
Its always darkest before the dawn, and right now, its very dark. The demands of the world are becoming so intense that it is only natural - and self-preserving - to seek an island of inner peace and learning practices that help us with our fear and worry.
Yoga and Meditation are the best body and mind healing practices in the world. Combined, they help us restore balance, release stress and awaken the body's innate healing responce.
Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi
Watching the morning news, either at home or on the ride to work, is stressing enough. Then when you or a friends company starts downsizing, its only natural to try to seek solace from the turmoil in a practice that offers balance and peace of mind.
Hamsa Yogashala is such a calming place .. an oasis in a sea of uncertainty. Here, you can come, sit, be still, relax, and learn time proven techniques to soothe and heal the body and mind.
So many people have been hit hard by our current financial crisis,
and are honestly struggling to make the best of what
they have while coping with fear and uncertainty, anger,
frustration and loss. Which is why every class at Hamsa Yogashala teaches relaxation and deep breathing, so that students have an
opportunity to return to healing and calm centeredness.
Healing Yoga on Thursday is a weekly class for optimum health and well-being. Designed by Yogini Valarie, Healing Yoga is a weekly wellness program that detoxifies and cleanses the body, helping it return to a state of health and vitality.
Its always darkest before the dawn, and right now, its very dark. The demands of the world are becoming so intense that it is only natural - and self-preserving - to seek an island of inner peace and learning practices that help us with our fear and worry.
Yoga and Meditation are the best body and mind healing practices in the world. Combined, they help us restore balance, release stress and awaken the body's innate healing responce.
Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Yoga and Meditation
Many students new to Yoga get stuck on all the Hindu gods.
Yoga is not about them .. its about you.
Krishna, in the Bhagavad Gita, is an example of a Yogi.
Look to that example.
-Yogini Valarie Devi
I always tell my students that, "Yoga is more than the poses." The new students often ask, "What does that mean?"
Being a Yogi is more than taking a Yoga class. To be a Yogi you need to be in samadhi, which means "standing within one's Self". Samadhi is a way of thinking that becomes a state-of-being.
For example, when you are doing a Yoga pose you are not doing Yoga, but concentrating on doing a Yoga pose. Which is why I explain to my students that they need to "Stop doing Yoga! Become Yoga!" This means being in the moment, being in the 'now', this means that every Yoga pose is a meditation, a singular expression of beingness.
When the mind is perfectly still within a Yoga pose, not striving to do it any better, not thinking about how it should be done; and when the mind is simply there, breathing, relaxed, with no expectation or attachment to what that pose is or means, then that is Yoga.
A Yogini is someone who is wholly absorbed in Creation - in enstasy (samadhi).
Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi
Friday, September 26, 2008
Introduction to Ayurveda, part one
Ayurveda is rooted in ancient India; thought by many historians and scholars to be the oldest healing system on our planet.
'Ayuh' means life, and 'veda' means 'knowledge'.
Ayurveda focuses on the nature, scope and purpose of life, to include the metaphysical reality.
Ayurveda defines life as the conjunction/union of body, mind and spirit found in the Cosmic Consciousness and embracing all of Creation.
Ayurveda tells us that the purpose of life is to realize the creation - both internally and externally - and to express this creation in our daily life.
The purpose of Ayurveda is to heal and to maintain the quality and longevity of life. It is an art - the art of daily living - and has evolved from practical, philosophical and spiritual illumination, rooted in Creation. To those interested, it offers a profound understanding of each individual's unique body, mind and consciousness. This is the true foundation of health and happiness.
Traditional Western medicine, herbal therapies, surgery, energy-work, and many others, all have their roots in Ayurveda. Because of its broad scope, combined with length of development - over the course of many hundreds of years - Ayurveda embraces all health care disciplines and weaves them into an integrated treatment plan for each individual. This ancient approach includes surgery procedures, psychological or spiritual counseling, rejuvenation of the body, mind and soul, and much more, fully encompassing all these treatments and coordinating them appropriately.
This is why Ayurveda is called a 'living science', because it incorporates modern developments and techniques along with ancient wisdom. Many modern medical regimens are too specialized to design a plan that includes elimination of the cause(s), treatment of the condition, rebuilding of the body and the continueing support of a rejuvenation program; whereas Ayurveda is uniquely capable of suggesting a treatment regimen appropriate to each individual.
During Britian's occupation of India it introduced Western medicine, considering it superior to any other form of medical treatment; even suppressing and banning/out-lawing the practice of Ayurveda in some cases. Many Indians followed these new laws and adopted Western medicine, succumbing to the lure of quick fixes, pill popping, and a shot for everything - like their Western counterparts - avoiding personal responsibility for their own health.
Today, Indians are returning to their traditional and historical means of health and well-being - just as many Westerners are also embracing these ancient and highly effective approaches.
Western medicine tends to suppress symptoms and does not help to prevent problems from recurring. Western medicine is extremely helpful for acute conditions and trauma, it tends to overlook the importance of individual response to the streses and conditions of DAILY life and living. Western medicine focuses on specialization - a concept that does not exist in Ayurveda; for Ayurveda focuses on more than just an organ or system, but on the entire and whole (holistic) person.
Ayurveda - like all healing systems - has a basic foundation. For Ayurveda this is the Shad Darshan ("six seeings", or 'Six Philosophies'). This 'seeing' is both internal and external - which explains Ayurveda's dual approach of science and energy-work, or external and internal healing techniques.
The knowledge of Ayurveda, developed by ancient rishes/sages, come to us through the sutras (meaning, "suture", or 'threads, strings, verses'), and the Atharva Veda (one of the four principal Vedas). Recognized today as a primary text on Ayurveda is the Charaka Samhita ('Charaka' was a noted Ayurvedic practitioner, 'samhita' is a methological collection of texts or verses.)
Written on or around 400 CE, the Charaka Samhita is the oldest Sanskrit Ayurvedic text known to exist; being so concise as to contain even the five subdoshas of Vata.
Second to this valuable work is the Sushruta Samhita, written by Rishi Nagarjuna. It contains detailed information on surgery, blood conditions, and the five Pitta subdoshas. Other notable works are the Ashtanga Hridayam and the Ashtanga Sangraha, both written by Rishi Vagbhata in the 6th c CE. ('Ashtanga' means eight-limbed, and 'hridayam' means "nourishing, heart-healing"; 'sangraha' is "solidarity, upliftment, well-being". Respectively, these texts are "Eight-Limbed Heart-Healing", and "Eight-Limbed Well-Being".)
From mythology we learn that Brahma, the primal creator, taught Ayurveda to Prajapati, who then passed it on to the Ashvin Twins. In turn, they taught Indra, who passed the knowledge to Atreya (6th c BCE). He is said to have taught Agnivesa (15th c BCe), who wrote a major and often cited Ayurvedic text which no longer exists in its entirety.
The six roots of Ayurveda - the Shad Darshan - are also the six systems of Indian Philosophy. Listed below is the philosophy and its lineage founder:
-Sankhya / Kapila,
-Nyaya / Gautama,
-Vaisheshika / Kanada,
-Mimamsa / Jaimini,
-Yoga / Gorakhnath, and
-Vedanta / Badarayana.
Three of these systems - Sankhya, Nyaya, Vaisheshika - predominantly focus on the material world. The other three - Yoga, Mimamsa, Vedanta - observe the inner reality. Again, the darshan/sight of both inner and outer bodymind are taken into account in Ayurvedic healing techniques.
Combined, the six create a 'whole' and so total approach to health and well-being - on every level of being.
Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie
'Ayuh' means life, and 'veda' means 'knowledge'.
Ayurveda focuses on the nature, scope and purpose of life, to include the metaphysical reality.
Ayurveda defines life as the conjunction/union of body, mind and spirit found in the Cosmic Consciousness and embracing all of Creation.
Ayurveda tells us that the purpose of life is to realize the creation - both internally and externally - and to express this creation in our daily life.
The purpose of Ayurveda is to heal and to maintain the quality and longevity of life. It is an art - the art of daily living - and has evolved from practical, philosophical and spiritual illumination, rooted in Creation. To those interested, it offers a profound understanding of each individual's unique body, mind and consciousness. This is the true foundation of health and happiness.
Traditional Western medicine, herbal therapies, surgery, energy-work, and many others, all have their roots in Ayurveda. Because of its broad scope, combined with length of development - over the course of many hundreds of years - Ayurveda embraces all health care disciplines and weaves them into an integrated treatment plan for each individual. This ancient approach includes surgery procedures, psychological or spiritual counseling, rejuvenation of the body, mind and soul, and much more, fully encompassing all these treatments and coordinating them appropriately.
This is why Ayurveda is called a 'living science', because it incorporates modern developments and techniques along with ancient wisdom. Many modern medical regimens are too specialized to design a plan that includes elimination of the cause(s), treatment of the condition, rebuilding of the body and the continueing support of a rejuvenation program; whereas Ayurveda is uniquely capable of suggesting a treatment regimen appropriate to each individual.
During Britian's occupation of India it introduced Western medicine, considering it superior to any other form of medical treatment; even suppressing and banning/out-lawing the practice of Ayurveda in some cases. Many Indians followed these new laws and adopted Western medicine, succumbing to the lure of quick fixes, pill popping, and a shot for everything - like their Western counterparts - avoiding personal responsibility for their own health.
Today, Indians are returning to their traditional and historical means of health and well-being - just as many Westerners are also embracing these ancient and highly effective approaches.
Western medicine tends to suppress symptoms and does not help to prevent problems from recurring. Western medicine is extremely helpful for acute conditions and trauma, it tends to overlook the importance of individual response to the streses and conditions of DAILY life and living. Western medicine focuses on specialization - a concept that does not exist in Ayurveda; for Ayurveda focuses on more than just an organ or system, but on the entire and whole (holistic) person.
Ayurveda - like all healing systems - has a basic foundation. For Ayurveda this is the Shad Darshan ("six seeings", or 'Six Philosophies'). This 'seeing' is both internal and external - which explains Ayurveda's dual approach of science and energy-work, or external and internal healing techniques.
The knowledge of Ayurveda, developed by ancient rishes/sages, come to us through the sutras (meaning, "suture", or 'threads, strings, verses'), and the Atharva Veda (one of the four principal Vedas). Recognized today as a primary text on Ayurveda is the Charaka Samhita ('Charaka' was a noted Ayurvedic practitioner, 'samhita' is a methological collection of texts or verses.)
Written on or around 400 CE, the Charaka Samhita is the oldest Sanskrit Ayurvedic text known to exist; being so concise as to contain even the five subdoshas of Vata.
Second to this valuable work is the Sushruta Samhita, written by Rishi Nagarjuna. It contains detailed information on surgery, blood conditions, and the five Pitta subdoshas. Other notable works are the Ashtanga Hridayam and the Ashtanga Sangraha, both written by Rishi Vagbhata in the 6th c CE. ('Ashtanga' means eight-limbed, and 'hridayam' means "nourishing, heart-healing"; 'sangraha' is "solidarity, upliftment, well-being". Respectively, these texts are "Eight-Limbed Heart-Healing", and "Eight-Limbed Well-Being".)
From mythology we learn that Brahma, the primal creator, taught Ayurveda to Prajapati, who then passed it on to the Ashvin Twins. In turn, they taught Indra, who passed the knowledge to Atreya (6th c BCE). He is said to have taught Agnivesa (15th c BCe), who wrote a major and often cited Ayurvedic text which no longer exists in its entirety.
The six roots of Ayurveda - the Shad Darshan - are also the six systems of Indian Philosophy. Listed below is the philosophy and its lineage founder:
-Sankhya / Kapila,
-Nyaya / Gautama,
-Vaisheshika / Kanada,
-Mimamsa / Jaimini,
-Yoga / Gorakhnath, and
-Vedanta / Badarayana.
Three of these systems - Sankhya, Nyaya, Vaisheshika - predominantly focus on the material world. The other three - Yoga, Mimamsa, Vedanta - observe the inner reality. Again, the darshan/sight of both inner and outer bodymind are taken into account in Ayurvedic healing techniques.
Combined, the six create a 'whole' and so total approach to health and well-being - on every level of being.
Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie
Friday, September 19, 2008
Yoga - True or False
When friends and Yoga students look at my physique they often ask, "You only do Yoga? You dont lift weights or do another kind of exercise?"
They ask because, at 49 years young, I am slim, muscular, flexible, have amazing endurance, loads of energy, and put most the 20 and 30-somethings to shame.
No .. I dont do cardio or lift weights, and I am not double-jointed or 'naturally flexible'.
In fact, I hear so many falsehoods about Yoga that I decided to set the record straight .. so here goes.
True or False: You have to be flexible to do yoga.
My inner-Yogi's first responce is: "Flexibility is a state-of-mind". More down-to-earth, "No", you do not have to be flexible to do Yoga. In fact, being stiff can be a good thing in Yoga because it keeps you from over stretching.
Yoga is a gradual process that teaches us to return to our natural bodily movement, the natural fluidity of youth. It has taken us time to get out of this condition, so takes time to get back in - which is how Yoga also teaches us acceptance and patience.
With a weekly Yoga practice, both strength and flexibility develop naturally and evenly throughout the body (and mind). After all, we cannot be flexible without strength, and we cannot be strong without flexibility.
True or False: Yoga is aerobic.
The exercise and fitness industry has convince people that in order to be in good shape or to loose weight, they have to do cardio. Straight-up: This is incorrect.
Nonetheless, for those who feel the need to 'burn', Yoga does have a healthy, evenly paced routine that promotes power, fluidity and amazing endurance.
Ashtanga Yoga, 'Power Yoga', 'Flow Yoga' and Vinyasa Yoga are all new - and very Westernized - froms of Yoga. They are geared towards Americans who are convinced that exercise must be strenuous.
So, "Yes", some forms of Yoga are aerobic. In a typical Ashtanga class, for example, you will begin with 15-20 minutes of, well, Yoga's version of a squat thrust. But instead of a squat thrust with three parts (standing, squatting, thrusting), Yoga's version has a nine-point squat thrust that is followed by another version with a 17-point squat thrust.
After this warm-up, the session begins, so for the next 30-40 minutes each pose is 'threaded' by another Yogic squat thrust. Even the cool-down portion is intense, starting as it does with a Headstand that leads into a back roll and Shoulderstand. In all, Ashtanga Yoga is a 90 minute routine to satisfy even the most hard-core, cardiovascular craved gym fanatic.
True or False: Yoga is not exercise.
For many years I taught Yoga in gyms (not 'gym yoga'). Even there, with the air conditioning set at 62 degrees, students would walk out of class dripping with sweat. Much to the amazement of many gym-goers.
Sports Specialists and physicians all agree that "optimum health" is defined as: strength, flexibility and endurance.
Lifting-weights brings strength, but limits flexibility. Running on a treadmill brings endurance but limits flexibility. Yoga has all three. So, "Yes", Yoga is exercise, and through numerous studies over the course of several decades, is proving to be the "best" exercise for every age. In fact, unlike many other exercises, Yoga is meant to be done for life. I dont see many 90 years old lifting weights or running, but I see lots of 90 year olds doing Yoga that even a 20 or 30 year old cant do.
True or False: I have too much energy to do Yoga.
I hear this one a lot .. students going back to the have-to-have-cardio mindset. If you have too much energy, working out at a frantic pace does not remove that energy, it just exhausts you. Yoga finds that middle ground.
One of the reasons so many think that Yoga is not exercise is because the poses are done very slowly. In fact, the point is to "flow" from one pose to the next - without jerking of straining. Try doing that in a bench press.
And it is that state of fluidity, that movement with breath, found in Yoga that helps you to balance out all your energy. Too often, people either have "too much" energy or "not enough", or feel "tired yet energized". Yoga is that middle ground, that balancing point that shows us how to have energy when we need it and when we dont, to slow it down.
True or False: "Yoga is religious."
Because Yoga is rooted in Indian culture, and India's cultural religion is Hinduism, many mistake Yoga with religion.
Yoga poses define natural bodily movement, and because every human being on the planet has a body, Yoga is simply the "owner's manual" - teaching us how to move the body and how to maintain health in the body.
Unfortunately, gym yoga or fitness yoga is not the same as Yoga taught in a shala or "studio". The reason for this that Yoga is taught only as an exercise, and like most exercise, never teaches proper body alignment or breath coordination. A gym yoga class is simply aerobics with Yoga poses.
Which is why Yoga is best done in a shala (a Yoga studio) because there - with a well-trained instructor - it can be taught traditionally, with all the proper foot and hand alignments, breathing exercises, physical and internal organ manipulations that bring about the total package that is Yoga.
And it is the 'total package' that many confuse with religion, because Yoga makes us feel good about ourselves, not just physically, but emotionally and intellectually as well. That sense of a 'higher power' that some may experience in Yoga class is simply their own sense of self-centeredness.
So, get past the preconceived idea that Yoga is religion and take a real Yoga class, from a real Yogin, then you can see for yourself that Yoga was specifically designed for optimum lifelong health and fitness.
Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi
They ask because, at 49 years young, I am slim, muscular, flexible, have amazing endurance, loads of energy, and put most the 20 and 30-somethings to shame.
No .. I dont do cardio or lift weights, and I am not double-jointed or 'naturally flexible'.
In fact, I hear so many falsehoods about Yoga that I decided to set the record straight .. so here goes.
True or False: You have to be flexible to do yoga.
My inner-Yogi's first responce is: "Flexibility is a state-of-mind". More down-to-earth, "No", you do not have to be flexible to do Yoga. In fact, being stiff can be a good thing in Yoga because it keeps you from over stretching.
Yoga is a gradual process that teaches us to return to our natural bodily movement, the natural fluidity of youth. It has taken us time to get out of this condition, so takes time to get back in - which is how Yoga also teaches us acceptance and patience.
With a weekly Yoga practice, both strength and flexibility develop naturally and evenly throughout the body (and mind). After all, we cannot be flexible without strength, and we cannot be strong without flexibility.
True or False: Yoga is aerobic.
The exercise and fitness industry has convince people that in order to be in good shape or to loose weight, they have to do cardio. Straight-up: This is incorrect.
Nonetheless, for those who feel the need to 'burn', Yoga does have a healthy, evenly paced routine that promotes power, fluidity and amazing endurance.
Ashtanga Yoga, 'Power Yoga', 'Flow Yoga' and Vinyasa Yoga are all new - and very Westernized - froms of Yoga. They are geared towards Americans who are convinced that exercise must be strenuous.
So, "Yes", some forms of Yoga are aerobic. In a typical Ashtanga class, for example, you will begin with 15-20 minutes of, well, Yoga's version of a squat thrust. But instead of a squat thrust with three parts (standing, squatting, thrusting), Yoga's version has a nine-point squat thrust that is followed by another version with a 17-point squat thrust.
After this warm-up, the session begins, so for the next 30-40 minutes each pose is 'threaded' by another Yogic squat thrust. Even the cool-down portion is intense, starting as it does with a Headstand that leads into a back roll and Shoulderstand. In all, Ashtanga Yoga is a 90 minute routine to satisfy even the most hard-core, cardiovascular craved gym fanatic.
True or False: Yoga is not exercise.
For many years I taught Yoga in gyms (not 'gym yoga'). Even there, with the air conditioning set at 62 degrees, students would walk out of class dripping with sweat. Much to the amazement of many gym-goers.
Sports Specialists and physicians all agree that "optimum health" is defined as: strength, flexibility and endurance.
Lifting-weights brings strength, but limits flexibility. Running on a treadmill brings endurance but limits flexibility. Yoga has all three. So, "Yes", Yoga is exercise, and through numerous studies over the course of several decades, is proving to be the "best" exercise for every age. In fact, unlike many other exercises, Yoga is meant to be done for life. I dont see many 90 years old lifting weights or running, but I see lots of 90 year olds doing Yoga that even a 20 or 30 year old cant do.
True or False: I have too much energy to do Yoga.
I hear this one a lot .. students going back to the have-to-have-cardio mindset. If you have too much energy, working out at a frantic pace does not remove that energy, it just exhausts you. Yoga finds that middle ground.
One of the reasons so many think that Yoga is not exercise is because the poses are done very slowly. In fact, the point is to "flow" from one pose to the next - without jerking of straining. Try doing that in a bench press.
And it is that state of fluidity, that movement with breath, found in Yoga that helps you to balance out all your energy. Too often, people either have "too much" energy or "not enough", or feel "tired yet energized". Yoga is that middle ground, that balancing point that shows us how to have energy when we need it and when we dont, to slow it down.
True or False: "Yoga is religious."
Because Yoga is rooted in Indian culture, and India's cultural religion is Hinduism, many mistake Yoga with religion.
Yoga poses define natural bodily movement, and because every human being on the planet has a body, Yoga is simply the "owner's manual" - teaching us how to move the body and how to maintain health in the body.
Unfortunately, gym yoga or fitness yoga is not the same as Yoga taught in a shala or "studio". The reason for this that Yoga is taught only as an exercise, and like most exercise, never teaches proper body alignment or breath coordination. A gym yoga class is simply aerobics with Yoga poses.
Which is why Yoga is best done in a shala (a Yoga studio) because there - with a well-trained instructor - it can be taught traditionally, with all the proper foot and hand alignments, breathing exercises, physical and internal organ manipulations that bring about the total package that is Yoga.
And it is the 'total package' that many confuse with religion, because Yoga makes us feel good about ourselves, not just physically, but emotionally and intellectually as well. That sense of a 'higher power' that some may experience in Yoga class is simply their own sense of self-centeredness.
So, get past the preconceived idea that Yoga is religion and take a real Yoga class, from a real Yogin, then you can see for yourself that Yoga was specifically designed for optimum lifelong health and fitness.
Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Green Yoga
Yoga is about change. And from its beginnings, has been centered on earth, on the abundant planet, on life and living and sharing all-that-is, for we are connected to all-of-that.
There are so many issues at the forefront of our daily lives. We are literally bomboarded with war and a sinking economy, with oppression and seemingly endless violence, with nuclear threats and biological warfare, and the list goes on. In fact, this list is so dark and depressing that many act out in violent and fearful ways, or resigned and defeated ways.
So were do we begin? Where can we start to make our world a better place?
On your tapas .. which is your Yoga mat. This is where our heart is found, which is our center. While sitting there and doing poses named for animals and elements - like elephant and lightening bolt - recall the green earth around you.
Sometimes it feels like car-pooling and composting, recycling and buying locally, are simply not enough. Which is why we must do this work, first, from within - from the place of Green Consciousness.
When we think green - internally, spiritually - we reflect green back to our environment. This means that we must adjust our way of thinking and being. Further, this means, if on your tapas, you feel an overwhelming sense of peace and holiness, then let this radiate in all aspects of your life. Expand your Yoga experience to your home experience, to your job experience, to your driving experience.
Know this: As you extend your Yoga Consciousness into every level of your life and living, those you come in contact with become part of that higher consciousness, just through interaction with you. Because none of us know the effect of a single word on a single individual that we encounter - whether later that evening, or later in their life - know that when we embrace an attitude of Green Yoga, we embrace the same for all we encounter.
Every drop fills the bucket.
Today, many talk about the power of prayer. If you believe in the power of prayer, then pray for people to awaken!
Om Peace!
Valarie Devi
There are so many issues at the forefront of our daily lives. We are literally bomboarded with war and a sinking economy, with oppression and seemingly endless violence, with nuclear threats and biological warfare, and the list goes on. In fact, this list is so dark and depressing that many act out in violent and fearful ways, or resigned and defeated ways.
So were do we begin? Where can we start to make our world a better place?
On your tapas .. which is your Yoga mat. This is where our heart is found, which is our center. While sitting there and doing poses named for animals and elements - like elephant and lightening bolt - recall the green earth around you.
Sometimes it feels like car-pooling and composting, recycling and buying locally, are simply not enough. Which is why we must do this work, first, from within - from the place of Green Consciousness.
When we think green - internally, spiritually - we reflect green back to our environment. This means that we must adjust our way of thinking and being. Further, this means, if on your tapas, you feel an overwhelming sense of peace and holiness, then let this radiate in all aspects of your life. Expand your Yoga experience to your home experience, to your job experience, to your driving experience.
Know this: As you extend your Yoga Consciousness into every level of your life and living, those you come in contact with become part of that higher consciousness, just through interaction with you. Because none of us know the effect of a single word on a single individual that we encounter - whether later that evening, or later in their life - know that when we embrace an attitude of Green Yoga, we embrace the same for all we encounter.
Every drop fills the bucket.
Today, many talk about the power of prayer. If you believe in the power of prayer, then pray for people to awaken!
Om Peace!
Valarie Devi
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