What Is Yoga?

It may seem like a hot new trend, but yoga actually began more than 5000 years ago in India. The word yoga is Sanskrit (one of the ancient languages of the East). It means to "yoke," or unite the mind, body, and spirit.

Although yoga includes physical practice, it is also a lifestyle practice for which exercise is just one component. Training our mind, body, and breath, as well as connecting with  our spirituality, are the main goals of the yoga lifestyle.

The physical part of the yoga lifestyle is called Hatha Yoga which focuses on Asanas, or poses. A person who practices yoga goes through a series of specific poses while controlling his or her breathing. Some types of yoga also involve meditation and chanting.

With a regular practice we experience many benefits. It can improve flexibility, strength, balance, and stamina. In addition it reduces anxiety and stress, improves mental clarity, and even helps us sleep better. This practice is a commitment we make to ourselves, for ourselves but benefits those around us. A healthy body and mind are very attractive – we owe this to ourselves.

Yoga and Breathing.

Plant a seed within yourself and watch it grow!!!

Breathing - is the most vital function of life, yet we hardly take notice of it.

Our very first act is to inhale and our last is to exhale.

Every moment between our birth and death involves the process of breathing.

It is the one function of the body between conscious and unconscious awareness.

For example we can consciously control our breath at will yet when we attend to other things our breath continues unabated under unconscious control.

Why then do we not see the power of the breath?

The breath can be a means to self understanding, spiritual growth and increased awarness?

Pranayama literally means the regulation or control of the breath.

 Consistency is key.

Get to know yourself

 Om Shanti

 Peace

Yoga Mary

Namasthe, here are a few details with regards to the professional side of Mary's journey through life. She came to this country many moons ago from India. The idea of practicing yoga was of no interest to her. The Beatles seemed to have much more rhythm and flow than the idea of engaging ones body, mind and breath.

She worked at Saks Fifth Avenue for seventeen years in Beverly Hills.  Some pay a great deal for external beauty and for a time it even works.

Then one day a friend asked whether she would like to attend a yoga practice instead of going to the gym, she agreed, thinking " I owe myself a break today". She attended the class and thought she would never live through it. However, she did and could not wait to attend the next days practice.

This ancient practice did not come easy to Mary. She was determined though, for the joy received surpassed any challenges encountered. However as Woody Allen says, “80 %  of success” is showing up”. Mary did  that for five years, five days a week.

In 2002  Mary was asked  to relocate to Woodland Park in Colorado and help organize special events at the Relational Yoga Mandiram,  under the direction of John McAfee – John realised that  viruses within were more difficult to deal with, than those on a PC and Yoga made a huge difference.   Mary helped organize Silent Retreats, Kryias and Satsangs. She has been teaching a class for eight years  and often  wonder how she ever survived without this very noble practice.

Recently she began teaching yoga at  a recovery center - the practice is a challenge for those recovering from addiction- but the response  is excellent and for Mary- a great learning.

Namasthe

Let's share the Joy of Yoga.