A Student of Yoga develops their body by the practice of asanas (postures), for they know that the body is a necessary vehicle for the spirit. A soul without a body is like a bird deprived of its power to fly. BKS Iyengar
This is my favorite quote for yoga. When people would ask Iyengar why he put so much emphasis on the physical body, alignment, and so forth, this was his reply.
The yogis practiced the postures so their physical body would not keep their mind from their meditation. We know this as well. When we feel physically uncomfortable, sick, etc., it keeps us from the full joy of life. We need our body happy in order for our whole self, Mind/Body/Spirit, to be happy. We are not one of these, we are all of these. No part exists without the other.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Self-Myfascial Release/Foam Rolling
Self-myofascial released is another stretching technique that focuses on the neural system and fascial system in the body (the fibrous tissue that surrounds and separates muscle tissue). By applying gentle force to an adhesion (knot), the elastic muscle fibers are altered from a bundled position (that causes the adhesion) into a straighter alignment in the direction of the muscle and/or fascia. Gentle pressure (such as rolling on a foam roller) will stimulate the Golgi Tendon Organ and create autogenic inhibition, decreasing muscle spindle excitation and releasing the hypertonicity of the underlying musculature.
It is crucial to note that when a person is using self-myofascial release they must find a tender spot and sustain pressure on that spot for a minimum of 20-30 seconds. This will increase the Golgi Tendon Organ activity and decrease the muscle spindle activity thus relaxing the muscle fibers, allowing them to begin to come back into proper alignment. The length of the hold on a tender area depends on a person’s ability to consciously relax in the midst of intense sensation . It takes at least 5 sessions to recognize a noticeable change.
This technique will help restore the body back to its optimal level of function by resetting the proprioceptive (internal self awareness of where your body is in space) mechanisms of the soft tissue.
Self-myofascial release is suggested prior to physical activity, flexibility training, or other sport specific training sessions, for helping to correct postural distortion patterns and lessen the possibility of injury. Before a competition, activity, or training session, you would only use this technique on the shortened and/or overactive muscle groups, and then follow that by static stretching those same muscle groups. After your training session, activity, or competition, you can then roll out the whole body to bring the muscles back to their pre-activity length. Using this technique will help maintain optimal range of motion and help to shorten recovery time after competitive activities. It is a great addition to a cool-down session, after an activity, to bring the muscle fibers back to their pre-activity length.
How long do you want to move, and move well? Consider learning this valuable skill.
In a yoga setting, those postures that seem out of reach, and make you frown, can become accessable.
I'll be waiting at 'Breathe: A Yoga Studio', Tuesday Evenings, at 7:00 PM
Self-myofascial released is another stretching technique that focuses on the neural system and fascial system in the body (the fibrous tissue that surrounds and separates muscle tissue). By applying gentle force to an adhesion (knot), the elastic muscle fibers are altered from a bundled position (that causes the adhesion) into a straighter alignment in the direction of the muscle and/or fascia. Gentle pressure (such as rolling on a foam roller) will stimulate the Golgi Tendon Organ and create autogenic inhibition, decreasing muscle spindle excitation and releasing the hypertonicity of the underlying musculature.
It is crucial to note that when a person is using self-myofascial release they must find a tender spot and sustain pressure on that spot for a minimum of 20-30 seconds. This will increase the Golgi Tendon Organ activity and decrease the muscle spindle activity thus relaxing the muscle fibers, allowing them to begin to come back into proper alignment. The length of the hold on a tender area depends on a person’s ability to consciously relax in the midst of intense sensation . It takes at least 5 sessions to recognize a noticeable change.
This technique will help restore the body back to its optimal level of function by resetting the proprioceptive (internal self awareness of where your body is in space) mechanisms of the soft tissue.
Self-myofascial release is suggested prior to physical activity, flexibility training, or other sport specific training sessions, for helping to correct postural distortion patterns and lessen the possibility of injury. Before a competition, activity, or training session, you would only use this technique on the shortened and/or overactive muscle groups, and then follow that by static stretching those same muscle groups. After your training session, activity, or competition, you can then roll out the whole body to bring the muscles back to their pre-activity length. Using this technique will help maintain optimal range of motion and help to shorten recovery time after competitive activities. It is a great addition to a cool-down session, after an activity, to bring the muscle fibers back to their pre-activity length.
How long do you want to move, and move well? Consider learning this valuable skill.
In a yoga setting, those postures that seem out of reach, and make you frown, can become accessable.
I'll be waiting at 'Breathe: A Yoga Studio', Tuesday Evenings, at 7:00 PM
Sunday, January 6, 2013
The Chakras:
http://www.spiritdove.com/a_chakras.htm
The word 'chakra' is a Sanskrit word meaning 'wheel'. They are vortices of concentrated energy within our subtle body (aura) and they assimilate life force energy. Each chakra is associated with an organ and endocrine gland and each resonates at a different frequency which corresponds to the color spectrum. They are not visible to the human eye, being part of the energy system of the body.
There are hundreds of these energy centers within our aura but there are seven major chakras. Each of these relates to one of the seven levels of the aura and has a different color. Sometimes chakras can seem to be overactive and too open or sluggish and too closed. Ideally they are balanced individually and with one another, though this is rare due to our stressed lifestyle and level of spiritual development.
The Seven Primary Chakras
1st The Root Chakra known as the 'muladhara' in Sanskrit is located at the base of the spine.
2nd The Sacral Chakra or 'svadisthana' is located about 2 inches below the naval.
3rd The Solar Plexus or 'manipura' is located approximately 4 inches below the tip of the sternum.
4th The Heart Chakra or 'anahata' is found in the center of the chest area near the physical heart.
5th The Throat Chakra or 'vishuddha' is in the throat hollow over the larynx.
6th The Third Eye or Brow Chakra--'ajna'-- is in the middle of the forehead near the bridge of the nose
7th The Crown Chakra or 'sahasrara' is located directly at the top of the head .
When we do not feel well it is because something within our aura, and hence our physical body, is out of balance. This imbalance will show up in the chakra functioning. There are ways in which to balance our chakras, i.e. our mind, body, and emotions. Some are listed here, along with a little bit of information on colors and essential oils associated with each chakra.
The Root/Base Chakra. Located at the coccyx.
It is depicted as a lotus of four petals within which is a square and a downward pointing triangle. This chakra is concerned with basic survival, physical needs, the bones and skeletal structure and the adrenal glands. Its color is red; element is Earth energy. If insufficiently open one may feel spaced out and un-grounded. It is associated with the sense of smell. It resonates to the sound of drums.
Gemstones - Ruby, Red Jasper, Garnet, Hematite, Bloodstone, Smokey quartz.
Essential Oils Clary Sage, Patchouli, Cedarwood.
An un-balanced or blocked chakra: self-centered, bullying, dishonest, hyperactive. lack of confidence, low self-esteem, fearful, alienated, homeless. In balance one feels balanced, grounded, independent, healthy.
To balance a root chakra you may add the chakra-related ingredients mentioned above. Wear something red or burn a red candle. Wear a garnet or ruby if you have one. Music of drums and low vibrational sounds has a grounding effect which helps balance this chakra. Walk around outdoors, preferably near trees, and barefoot. The flower essences that vibrate to the color red - Dr Bach's Flower Remedies - Red Chestnut, Cherry Plum or Aspen.
http://www.spiritdove.com/a_chakras.htm
The word 'chakra' is a Sanskrit word meaning 'wheel'. They are vortices of concentrated energy within our subtle body (aura) and they assimilate life force energy. Each chakra is associated with an organ and endocrine gland and each resonates at a different frequency which corresponds to the color spectrum. They are not visible to the human eye, being part of the energy system of the body.
There are hundreds of these energy centers within our aura but there are seven major chakras. Each of these relates to one of the seven levels of the aura and has a different color. Sometimes chakras can seem to be overactive and too open or sluggish and too closed. Ideally they are balanced individually and with one another, though this is rare due to our stressed lifestyle and level of spiritual development.
The Seven Primary Chakras
1st The Root Chakra known as the 'muladhara' in Sanskrit is located at the base of the spine.
2nd The Sacral Chakra or 'svadisthana' is located about 2 inches below the naval.
3rd The Solar Plexus or 'manipura' is located approximately 4 inches below the tip of the sternum.
4th The Heart Chakra or 'anahata' is found in the center of the chest area near the physical heart.
5th The Throat Chakra or 'vishuddha' is in the throat hollow over the larynx.
6th The Third Eye or Brow Chakra--'ajna'-- is in the middle of the forehead near the bridge of the nose
7th The Crown Chakra or 'sahasrara' is located directly at the top of the head .
When we do not feel well it is because something within our aura, and hence our physical body, is out of balance. This imbalance will show up in the chakra functioning. There are ways in which to balance our chakras, i.e. our mind, body, and emotions. Some are listed here, along with a little bit of information on colors and essential oils associated with each chakra.
The Root/Base Chakra. Located at the coccyx.
It is depicted as a lotus of four petals within which is a square and a downward pointing triangle. This chakra is concerned with basic survival, physical needs, the bones and skeletal structure and the adrenal glands. Its color is red; element is Earth energy. If insufficiently open one may feel spaced out and un-grounded. It is associated with the sense of smell. It resonates to the sound of drums.
Gemstones - Ruby, Red Jasper, Garnet, Hematite, Bloodstone, Smokey quartz.
Essential Oils Clary Sage, Patchouli, Cedarwood.
An un-balanced or blocked chakra: self-centered, bullying, dishonest, hyperactive. lack of confidence, low self-esteem, fearful, alienated, homeless. In balance one feels balanced, grounded, independent, healthy.
To balance a root chakra you may add the chakra-related ingredients mentioned above. Wear something red or burn a red candle. Wear a garnet or ruby if you have one. Music of drums and low vibrational sounds has a grounding effect which helps balance this chakra. Walk around outdoors, preferably near trees, and barefoot. The flower essences that vibrate to the color red - Dr Bach's Flower Remedies - Red Chestnut, Cherry Plum or Aspen.
At Breathe, "Yoga for Women", Monday at 9:00 AM, we will be exploring the Root Chakra, Muladhara, through our Yoga practice. What is stuck and needs a little oil =}? What parts of us are affected when this chakra is mis-firing? This chakra's color is red, so when you are stuck at your root, wear some RED to bring strengthen to this chakra. When you strengthen and ground your root chakra you can then use that stability to soar.
Chakra Beats by Andrea Brook
Muladhara: The Root Chakra. The color Red.
Muladhara Can you feel this word? Let it resonate in your body. Where do feel it? Allow the sound to move down, all the way along the spine, to the base, to the root, to your ground.
Muladhara Feel it resonate. Here lies the first of seven major chakras. Feel it spinning.
Muladhara This word means root. It also references support. At our first chakra, we root down, into ground, like a tree. We allow our energy, like roots, to sink deeply, so we may drink up the nutrients of life, in order to be nourished with what we truly need.
Like a child in the womb we surround ourselves with that which we need most: family, love, a home, the surroundings that give us life, that nourish us. A foundation where we can set our feet, rest our body, allow ourselves to feel what we need to become everything that is our right. Our right to be. Our right to exist. Our right to discover the most beautiful life we can.
We utilize gravity, not a heaviness, not a weight upon us, but a means of moving through life. A way in which to keep us connected; solid. A way in which to move through our lives, on our path, so that we can grow, expand, open up, and live fully; to move upward and touch every aspect of our being, our body, and our life.
What do you draw upward into your life? What would you like to? Lets draw up sounds, images, feelings, tastes, smells, experiences that nurture us, and yet also inspire us. Although there are limits, it helps us to recognize when to come back to our roots, to relax, to be, to touch the earth, our mother earth, again like the womb. We are held by her grace, allowing through everything: root, ground, earth, family, body, our temporary home: Nurturing, foundation, support.
Muladhara The beginning of your life, of everything.
Muladhara
Chakra Beats by Andrea Brook
Muladhara: The Root Chakra. The color Red.
Muladhara Can you feel this word? Let it resonate in your body. Where do feel it? Allow the sound to move down, all the way along the spine, to the base, to the root, to your ground.
Muladhara Feel it resonate. Here lies the first of seven major chakras. Feel it spinning.
Muladhara This word means root. It also references support. At our first chakra, we root down, into ground, like a tree. We allow our energy, like roots, to sink deeply, so we may drink up the nutrients of life, in order to be nourished with what we truly need.
Like a child in the womb we surround ourselves with that which we need most: family, love, a home, the surroundings that give us life, that nourish us. A foundation where we can set our feet, rest our body, allow ourselves to feel what we need to become everything that is our right. Our right to be. Our right to exist. Our right to discover the most beautiful life we can.
We utilize gravity, not a heaviness, not a weight upon us, but a means of moving through life. A way in which to keep us connected; solid. A way in which to move through our lives, on our path, so that we can grow, expand, open up, and live fully; to move upward and touch every aspect of our being, our body, and our life.
What do you draw upward into your life? What would you like to? Lets draw up sounds, images, feelings, tastes, smells, experiences that nurture us, and yet also inspire us. Although there are limits, it helps us to recognize when to come back to our roots, to relax, to be, to touch the earth, our mother earth, again like the womb. We are held by her grace, allowing through everything: root, ground, earth, family, body, our temporary home: Nurturing, foundation, support.
Muladhara The beginning of your life, of everything.
Muladhara
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