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  1. Cool, Calm, and Focused — Ujjayi Breath for Victory Over Stress

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    When the breath wanders the mind also is unsteady. But when the breath is calmed the mind too will be still, and the yogi achieves long life. Therefore, one should learn to control the breath. ~Svatmarama, Hatha Yoga Pradipika(1) Ujjayi means victory and in Yoga, victory refers to gaining inner freedom and mastery over ourselves. Ujjayi can be a practice that supports re-gaining control and focus …Read More

  2. Cultivating Gratitude and Space For The Healing Silence Within

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    Can you coax the mind from its wandering and keep to the original oneness? Can you let your body become supple as a newborn child's? Can you cleanse your inner vision until you see nothing but the light? … Lao Tze, from the Tao te Ching, Chapter 10, Translated by Stephen Mitchell(1) As I write this on "Black Friday", one of the busiest days for the year, as well as the cusp of the busiest time…Read More

  3. Getting Rid of Tension with Long Sat Nam Meditation

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    “Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” Gautama Buddha(1) Taking time for ourselves in this season can take many forms. Certainly a consistent approach, however simple and brief, can begin the process of toward helping us move through the many moods and attitudes that obscure our experience of the peace that is within. “Long Sat Nam”** is a very simple and potent meditation pra…Read More

  4. Holiday Possibilities—5 Ways Yoga Can Help Us Thrive in Stressful Times

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    In order to carry a positive action, we must develop here a positive vision. – The Dalai Lama(1) It may seem early to say this but the holidays are coming up sooner than we think! Whether this statement produces anticipation or dread is more a matter of our choices and attitude than many believe. Of course, there are seemingly endless obligations and duties, added expenses and that dreaded “co…Read More

  5. Backwards Breathing–A Soothing Breath for Belly and Back

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    Low back trouble, digestion or elimination problems? Here a simple breathing and imagery exercise to help soothe and relax you. ***Most Yogic breathing emphasizes techniques are designed to move prana(vital energy) to energize and fuel asana(posture and meditative) practices. When using breath in a more targeted way we can address the specific component(Vayu or wind) of energy that moves within di…Read More

  6. Hanging on…. Keeping Yoga In Chaotic Times

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    “Much of [Yoga/Meditation] practice is remembering, remembering the breath, remembering to be mindful, remembering our true nature and remembering the space it is all floating in” Stephen Levine, from “Guided Meditations, Explorations, and Healings”, Anchor Books, p172 Sometimes the difference between an agitated and stressful experience and one of calm, ease and even joy can be to "take a…Read More

  7. New Perspectives: The Yoga of Wiser Choices, Less Stress and Better Lives****

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    “Do you have the patience to wait Till your mud settles and the water is clear? Can you remain unmoving Till the right action arises by itself?” ― Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching(1) In work and play it may often seem the only way success, victory and even happiness is gained is by having won advantages over adversaries and colleagues alike. The individual self(ego), in opposition to some “other enti…Read More

  8. Wiser Ways Toward Wellness: The Yoga of Caring For Ourselves Across the Seasons of Life

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    We are in a continual healing cycle. We are such perfect machines, that our body and mind are healing as we breath and as our hearts beat. While we sleep, our bodies are free to do their job. Most of the time, though, the healing process needs our conscious help. In order to keep our bodies and minds operating in their top form, we need to do a lot of work ourselves.(1)                   …Read More

  9. Chandra-Bhedana Pranayama—Cultivating Calm and Awakening the Intuitive Self

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    In the previous article/post, Yoga, Equanimity and the infinite Power of Awareness we discussed re-gaining a sense of Equanimity within that can help us develop the faculty of awareness that is at the center of healing. These are not concepts and philosophical notions but can be to be the outcomes of skillful Yoga practice. For so many of us with busy lives, beginning the process from being stres…Read More

  10. Keep It Growing–Yoga for the Rest of Your Life

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    "The Only Constant is Change"         Common traditional Buddhist Axiom, One of the most amazing aspects of a vital Yoga and meditation practice is realizing its ability to evolve to serve our needs and goals throughout the lifespan. As our needs change with age or other circumstances, so may what we do to meet them. Over the last few years the discipline of Yoga itself has changed beyond imag…Read More