Yoga Flavored Life » Philosophy

The Heart of Bliss – Unconditional Love (Dimensions of the Heart in Yoga – Part 5)

Charlotte Bradley — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 12:59:03 +0000

This is the last part in a 5-part series looking at the dimensions of the heart in yoga in view of the kosha model. We have been considering how yoga can affect all levels of the heart (see Part 1 here). The first four parts of this essay were published some time ago and I somehow forgot to publish this one! Thank you to the kind words and reminder from a reader who sent me an email wondering where part 5 was….!

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The anandamaya sheath is comprised of bliss. In the bliss sheath, the heart is manifested as unconditional and infinite love. In yoga (and across many spiritual traditions) the heart center is thought to be the seat of our soul – our Divine self.

“If you want to know me, look inside your heart.” - Lao Tzu

“The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart.” -Buddha

“I looked in Temples, Churches and Mosques. I found the Divine in my heart.” –Rumi

Consider your actions when you are speaking to someone about yourself, notice your hand gestures. You motion towards your heart as you say “I am Charlotte Bradley”. Nischala Devi Joy points out that this gesture reveals the truth – I am here, I live in my heart.

According to the Yoga Sutras (1.2), “Yoga is the uniting of consciousness in the heart.”

Yogah Chitta Vritti Niordahah: Chitta is the individual expression of the Divine Consciousness, Chit.

The next sutra (1.3) is interpreted as: “United in the heart, consciousness is steadied, then we abide in our true nature – joy.” Nischala Joy Devi explains that when consciousness is united and remains undisturbed, our true, divine nature shines through and is expressed as joy and infinite love. We can look to some inspirational examples of ahimsa in the unconditional love exhibited by people such as Mother Teresa, Ghandi, Jesus and the Dalai Lama. This compassion dwells in each of us.

“Through compassion you find that all human beings are just like you.” – The Dalai Lama

“Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.” –Mother Teresa

Yogic Tools for the Joyful Heart

1. Ahimsa

Embracing reverence and love for all (Ahimsa), we experience oneness. Everybody experiences joy, pain, love, sadness. As we develop an empathy with others, our individual experience becomes the experience of all.

Experience the Joy of Living with Reverence for All

“Ahimsa is a vast and continuous practice. Rather than waking up tomorrow morning and vowing to have reverence for everyone and everything all the time, it is better to choose something specific and obvious. Giving yourself the opportunity to succeed is in itself Ahimsa.

Is there a person or a situation that can assist you in your practice? Is there someone whom you have treated unkindly or who has treated you and kindly? Perhaps it was someone at the office who could be soothed by an offering of flowers or a healthy treat. Healing the hurt that already exists is a great beginning to the practice of Ahimsa.”

Source: The Secret power of Yoga; p.183

2. Meditation

The Buddhist practice of loving-kindness teaches us compassion fore everyone. You begin by engendering love for yourself and then expanding the circle to loved ones, friends, neutral persons, those you dislike, and extend the meditation to include everyone.

In the practice of tonglen we take on the pain of others (inhaling the darkness) and wish them free from suffering (exhaling and sending them light). Tonglen translates as “sending and receiving.”

3. Bhakti Yoga

“Boundless love and devotion unite us with the Divine Consciousness” (Sutras 1.23)

Bhakti yoga is devotion to the Divine. The heart protects itself from the outside world by curling up and encasing the Divine within. But the practice of devotion can open the heart and allow us to experience our true nature (joy). Bhakti yoga is often misunderstood as a path for people who are highly emotional or perhaps religious. However, we are each on our own path of devotion. Powerful experiences, such as witnessing the birth of a baby or contemplating the vastness of the ocean fill us with both gratitude and humility and link us to our hearts. (The Secret Power of Yoga, p.59)

We have looked at how the heart is expressed in all five koshas; annamaya, pranamaya, manomaya, vijnamaya and anandamaya. The physical heart pumps blood throughout our cardiovascular system nourishing all of our cells. The heart center vibrates with its own energy, communicates and interacts with our brain, feels our emotions, guides us with its wisdom and houses our Divine Soul. Using the tools available to us through yoga, we can affect the heart at each level creating wholeness and coherence and finding the joy we are meant to live.

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Dimensions of the Heart in Yoga (A 5-Part Series)

Part 1: The Physical Heart (The Heart of Annamaya Kosha)

Part 2: The Energetic Heart (The Heart of Pranamaya Kosha)

Part 3: The Intelligent Heart (The Heart of Manomaya Kosha)

Part 4: The Wisdom Heart (The Heart of Vijnamaya Kosha)

Part 5: The Heart of Bliss – Unconditional Love (The Heart of Anandamaya Kosha)

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Resources

Warner, Mona (2008). 200 Hour Level Yoga Teacher Training Manual.

Devi, Nischaala Joy (2007).The Secret Power of Yoga

Devi, Nischaala Joy (2000).The Healing Power of Yoga

Faulds, Richard (2006). Kripalu Yoga, A Guide to Practice On and Off the Mat

Clark, Bernie (2007). YinSights.

McCall, Timothy (2007). Yoga as Medicine; The Yogic Prescription for Health and Healing

http://www.cdc.gov/heartDisease/statistics.htm

The Heart Math Institute http://www.heartmath.org

http://www.sahajayoga.ca/Meditation/heartchakra.htm

http://www.banyanbotanicals.com/yoga/kapha/thymus.html

http://www.meditationiseasy.com/mCorner/techniques/soham.htm

Rea, Shiva (2007). Radiant Heart Yoga (DVD)

Grilley, Paul (2007). Chakra Theory and Meditation (DVD)

http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.3483991/k.34A8/Statistics.htm#hearttransplants

Finger, Alan (2005). Chakra Yoga

http://www.dlshq.org/download/practicekarma.htm#_VPID_99

Hay, Louise L. (1999).You Can Heal your Life

Weintraub, Amy (video – Breath of Joy) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OZ3v3w1h0g&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fyogaflavoredlife.com%2Fwellness%2Ftry-breath-joy-energize-uplift-and-cleanse.html&feature=player_embedded

http://www.how-to-meditate.org/loving-kindness-meditation.htm/

Yoga Journal Online

A Little Gift to Share with You

Sean Rogders — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 01:17:03 +0000

Spiritual consciousness often begins with a sudden realization that all the objects our five senses bring to our attention are unreal and far from the reality of things. This is the moment in our practice that we catch the first glimpse of a higher self. Despite the fact that we may believe it, have faith in it – KNOWING for the first time is not something you can explain in words.

It is the moment where any lingering doubt in our minds as to the sanity of our beliefs or faiths is forever dispelled, no matter how deep it may hide. From this first consciousness changing event, we become energized and light, realizing that this deep knowing is now forever part of our being.

Aside from these same words echoed throughout the ages by sages, yogis, and prophets – western science has seen this truth reflected in our illusion of reality as well. The field of quantum physics has found many of its scientists turned into spiritualists in the face of undeniable truth: In the manner of sages of old – a tiny riddle of sorts -

We are as everything around us is at our known physical level
Particles of light dancing in and out of existence
Playing on the background of the night…

Focused consciousness alone as the particles play
The only way to material is born
Yet almost empty this physical remains…

Yoga and mine this remembrance allow
For all of life truly is spirit alone
Playing still on the background of pure light…

No destination in any of our lives…only REALIZATION.

Deep in my own quest of being nobody and going nowhere while meditating in a cave, I discovered one of my own realizations…but I’m going to drift a little first.

Yoga

Both Yoga and meditation – and I think of Yoga personally as an active form of meditation – are truly about one goal and one goal alone: The realization of a state of oneness with Divine Consciousness which will pervade all aspects of our lives and allow us to become the “shining mirror” reflecting Divine Consciousness outwards in an ever expanding field of true Divine Love.

Yoga accomplishes this for some (myself included, as I’m finding out) on a level unique to it and other such practices such as Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and various more spiritually-based forms of Kung Fu. In Yoga, the mind of the practitioner becomes focused on the action occurring during the asana at first, which is ultimately incorrect – but it does give the lazy mind a crash course in attentiveness. From there, it is easier for some to quieten the mind and allow the body to be doing the posture, the mind focused on no thought and feeling the true peace that inner silence offers.

Meditation

Meditation, on the other hand, requires more will in the beginning phase, especially if you are practicing under someone or in a class demanding certain ‘sitting’ styles. While it is very true that enhanced and beneficial effects are achieved through these styles, it is important to remember that they were developed in a culture used to very little sedentary time among many other factors. For those in the West who may lack the flexibility to assume one of these seated postures, I recommend sitting on a chair where your knees will maintain a ninety degree angle and you can place your feet flat on the floor naturally. Sitting upright for any extended period can be painful to some the first time – this is unavoidable but will dissipate as your spine corrects itself to its natural position.

Place your hands on your knees palm upward or palm downward, you may choose to touch your index finger and thumb together and place your hands in your lap. Then…consider taking Yoga!

To the point – I can’t help but ramble some days…

Given that meditation, Yoga, and all the other forms of awakening ourselves to the realization that were and are always one with Divine Consciousness…I offer meditating on this during your practice, see the deeper realizations under these few words – whether Yoga, meditation, or otherwise:

I am one with Divine Consciousness
My body and mind are Divine Consciousness
I am Divine Consciousness

Some thoughts to get you thinking:

The kingdom of Heaven lies within you.
The Infinite power of the Divine is individualized in each of us.
There is nothing to attain…just silence within.

Namaste

Inner Stillness

Sean Rogders — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 14:14:44 +0000

Calm

I hope you can believe me when I say this really happened…it did. I was just about to email Charlotte my article for this week when I realized the folder was missing from my desktop. There was a thunderstorm last, and my laptop was plugged in – it was gone, the article, the folder – all gone…and no, it is not a modern day version of “my dog ate my homework!”

Prior to my retreat, my level of awareness was much different, apparently. When this sort of thing used to happen, I could go a whole gauntlet of self abuse depending on how important the document was, what I had planned to do with my time…Anger, blame, frustration, even passing it around to others was more than possible. Tonight (it is now 12:02 am Friday morning), I had a chuckle at the irony of it. Six hours had gone into the article I had written. Every once and awhile it does not come easy; the words refuse to flow out onto the virtual paper, attention drifts. Despite the time it took to finally finish the article, it led to this article and a signpost along the path that I was made aware of. “Calm” is not a word I particularly like, to be honest. I prefer the word “stillness” instead – calm is subject to much too many interpretations, so we are going to use this word from now on.

Stillness of mind

When we practice inner stillness in our everyday actions and activities, one of the benefits is that we avoid getting caught up in our Ego’s fits about how everyone hates me, even God is out to get me, why does it happen to me, “oh I’m going to be up all night,” “now I’m never going to…” do I need to continue?

When I found the article was lost for good, I maintained no opinion about its loss. Instead, I accepted that there was good reason for its disappearance. In this state of inner stillness, the reasons are not always immediately forthcoming, but we are able to look for the upside of situations instead of focusing on the downside. Over time, events in our lives we would normally label as bad begin to disappear all by themselves as we become more and more accustomed to approaching our lives from this still core within ourselves.

Illusion

In stillness, we see the illusion that external problems really are. Through a simple change in our thoughts and by exercising a little control over our Ego’s, we discover that external difficulty is nothing more than a mental construct we have perpetrated though our own consciousness.

Whether we can accept it or not, our daily lives are clouded by a false sense of reality most of the time. Cultivating stillness of the mind allows the true core of your being to shine through, dispelling the illusory appearance of this physical world and allowing the infinite beauty of creation to become apparent. This does not mean that everything around you is going to disappear in a puff of smoke, but it does mean that you will see the perfection of the Divine in all things.

In our Yoga class, home session, or Yoga of daily living, pay close attention to the labels your mind places on experiences, feelings and interactions. Notice how the label your mind attaches to the situation determines your reality. Laugh when you feel like crying, smile when you want to frown, hold the stretch and focus breath and awareness, meditate until self-awareness vanishes and you find out what you really are…

Fixing the consciousness on one point or region is concentration (dhāraṇā).

A steady, continuous flow of attention directed towards the same point or region is meditation (dhyāna).

When the object of meditation engulfs the meditator, appearing as the subject, self-awareness is lost. This is samādhi.

These three together [dhāraṇā, dhyāna and samādhi] constitute integration or saṃyama.

From mastery of saṃyama comes the light of awareness and insight.

I wish you all a wonderful week and progress on your journey. May the light of awareness and insight shine forth from your being and become a beacon of love and compassion for all humanity.

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Hello and Welcome…!

Sean Rogders — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:24:28 +0000

It has been a long time since we’ve had the opportunity to share, and I am happy to be back! I wish to thank Charlotte first and foremost – her kind words and encouragement to return to writing for this wonderful website of hers has given me strength. I also wish to thank you, the reader, for your open minds, comments, and opportunity to share with you. Going forward, these articles will not always be book reviews – my hope is to broaden horizons, and I will value your input.

When last we spoke, I was heading out on a thirty day retreat in a cave in order to reconnect myself to the Divine presence in all of us, still my mind, and restore inner balance in harmony with all Creation. Throughout the following weeks I will speak about specific experiences during the forty days I ended up on retreat, but for now I would like to talk to you about one realization in particular, as well as a wonderful book for you to read where my own words fail.

In Giving

When giving, we should strive to give naturally and freely, without thought as to return or recognition. In reality, when we offer up a gift of time, money, food, etc… freely and from our hearts, we are engaging in communion with the divine presence within the other person. This state of consciousness is realized in anyone who has truly found their own inner divine presence. In this moment, we truly understand that we are one with all people, animals, our world – and ultimately all Creation. This truth is found it all religions, but for sake of space…

¹Theirs was the fullness of heaven and earth; the more that they gave to others, they more they had.

Chinese Scripture

Let one conquer the mean man by a gift. Charity is rich in returns; charity is the greatest wealth, for though it scatters, it brings no repentance.

Hindu Scripture

It is more blessed to give than receive…Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom.

The Bible

¹Excerpted from The Infinite Way by Joel S. Goldsmith ISBN-13: 978-0875163093. This book is not one that will do renting from the library, I’m afraid. There is so much simple wisdom in this book that it is worth owning and re-reading over and over.

Divine Within

In realizing this within ourselves far beyond thought (although thought is a good beginning) we see our connectedness with all life…forgive me if I wax poetic!

Waves on divine water of life’s Infinite Ocean.
Always seeking outward what they already are.
The Yoga or Yoke; worn by all.

Our path of Yoga, leads there too.
In centering ourselves, quieting the mind.
The Yoke is lifted, you’ll surely find.

I realize the Divine within myself,
And therefore everyone else too
Go within; see your Self – only this will do.

Truth

In any form of Yoga, our practice leads to stillness within; a balance and harmony of higher conscious states which once fully realized become forever a part of our awareness. Yoga shows us that we are not at the mercy of our body, but through practice and focus the body not only responds, but works with us towards achieving this peace.

I think we can agree that Mind over Matter is an accepted axiom in today’s society, but we often forget the real equation looks more like this: Spirit over mind AND matter. Ours is nothing more than a journey within ourselves, one day to finally make the realization we already are what we seek. Yoga does not take us on a journey external to us, but uses silent techniques that are designed to speak to us without words, beyond thought. Balance, fitness, flexibility – these are not goals in Yoga, they are by-products of the effects of calming the mind and learning to become aware of our true being.

The Infinite Way

The Infinite Way by Joel S. Goldsmith is not a book on Yoga, but a book meant to awaken the reader to the spiritual truths common to all major religions and philosophies. In this way, it is directly applicable to not only our Yoga practice but also our daily lives and interactions with those around us. Joel Goldsmith’s chapter entitled “Wisdoms of the Infinite Way” contains page after page of truths to meditate on and bring into any practice, no matter what your beliefs.

I would love to hear your comments and challenge each of you to try a little experiment…Just for a morning, or perhaps an afternoon – all day if possible: No matter what you choose to call the Divine, try to keep awareness in all your dealings with others that they too are part of the same truth echoed in “The kingdom of God is within you.”

Peace to you all, my fellow waves on the ocean…each our own, yet part of the Infinite Whole.

The Wisdom of Yoga: A Seeker’s Guide to Extraordinary Living

Sean Rogders — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:12:31 +0000

The Wisdom of Yoga: A Seeker’s Guide to Extraordinary Living By: Stephen Cope (2007) ISBN 978-0553380545

With the crisis in Haiti still at the center of our attention, we are going to take another one of this author’s notorious segues off the beaten trail before discussing this beautiful book by Stephen Cope. With your kind patience, I would invite you to our supper table last night…

We have three girls, of whom two are young teenagers and the third is doing her best to catch up with her sisters. Our middle child had missed the bus; quite an inconvenience given the one hour return trip into town to retrieve her. As usual, I had the late afternoon supper activities planned in advance with my wife and well under way when the call came. Her reason for missing the bus; sitting with a friend in the office so she would have company while her friend waited for the phone. I admit I was angry, and arrived at the table steaming when supper was finally ready. Our whole family participates in a Buddhist tradition of not eating past five o’clock – it was now five-thirty and we had just begun. Grrrrr!

The Yoga of offering food

Thankfully, my wife quietly reminded me that speaking in anger would not accomplish anything, and I should eat a little first and relax a bit before speaking. That is her code for “stop being such a baby,” and I deserved it, I know. I sat down and growled to our daughter that I would have words with her later regarding the bus incident and commenced to eat. My first bite reminded me of another Buddhist practice which became the discussion point of our meal and ties in with not only Haiti but the real topic of this article, the book review.

There is a practice known as The Mahayana way, the Yoga of giving food. In the Mahayana tradition, we mindfully are thankful for each bite, and with awareness make charity of our food to all of humanity, past, present and future. In our family discussion, we talked about the people who had died in the Haiti earthquake, as well as those still struggling to survive. When we see hunger and starvation, or a lack of anything we take for granted so easily, we need to be mindful of how fortunate we are and generate compassion for those suffering.

Compassion for others

Our middle daughter (the one who missed the bus) asked if we were going to do anything to help those in Haiti. My reply was yes, but we were already beginning to do something to help simply by bringing compassion for others into our daily activities, including eating. In learning to make a conscious offering of any activity that brings physical, mental or spiritual fulfillment, we move our awareness away from being self-centered and become centered on all of humanity. These thoughts and intents generate actions that not only you will take, but actions that others will participate in as well.

My daughter’s response absolved her completely in regards to the bus: She said that caring for others shouldn’t be only when we see it on TV and in the news, but should be a daily commitment with herself – her mind was not in the right place when she went to the office with her friend, but her friend did not want to be alone and she acted from the heart in staying with her… My daughter then added it was wrong to do and would accept whatever punishment was coming to her.

What could I say? The student surpasses the teacher, it appears. What she did was not wrong, but the embodiment of a lesson we have always strived to teach our children. In our adult lives of modern chaos, careers, relationships, family dynamics, global upheaval – awakening to simple wisdom with childlike wonder is more relevant than ever before…and the subject of The Wisdom of Yoga.

Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

Using the real life daily problems of a group of yoga students and friends, Stephen Cope brings to life the teachings of the Yoga Sutra; a text revered for nearly two thousand years as containing the complete body of the wisdom of Yoga. The Wisdom of Yoga reveals the teachings of this difficult and enigmatic Sutra through the life stories of close friends and Yoga students, showing the principles at work in their daily struggles.

There are many whose definition of yoga is seen as a rejuvenating and invigorating series of Asanas and breathing exercises, but these physical practices are only the tip of the iceberg of an immeasurable body of wisdom and ancient spiritual science. In Patanjali’s own words, the first two Sutras of the Yoga Sutra read: “Now the teachings of Yoga. Yoga is to still the patterning of consciousness.” Raj Yoga (or the wisdom tradition) is brought to life in The Wisdom of Yoga as an effective tool for diagnosing and repairing the inner workings of Mind, Body and Spirit.

Eight limbs

Through Stephen Copes personal stories, readers will be able to identify similar core struggles in their own lives. The eight limbs of Yoga (behavior, discipline, posture, breathing, sense cessation, concentration, mediation and finally enlightenment) are used to artfully demonstrate their effects in uncovering the roots of our own fears, illusions and self-deception through the lives and actions of Copes characters. By interweaving their daily predicaments with insights from religion, philosophy, neuroscience and modern psychology, The Wisdom of Yoga. demonstrates the suitability and practicality of the Yoga Sutra and its teachings of awakening.

Stillness

One of the profound lessons of The Wisdom of Yoga is found in the Sanskrit word Nirodha, used in the original second verse of the Yoga Sutra. This is defined as ‘cessation’ or ‘to make still’ and is both the goal and path of Yoga practice. Through cultivating this stillness of consciousness, we are able to see the world around us more clearly and with deeper insight, intuiting the answers to our needs and the needs of those around us.

Through The Wisdom of Yoga, a step-by-step path exists, laid out in ancient antiquity for awakening mankind to a greater reality and Truth. This is not a path where you will be told what truth is, however. It is a map pointing to waypoints of reference along your own path to the realization of your true existence and human potential. In short, it gives the tools to find the answers for yourself.

The Wisdom of Yoga rates and is a must read in today’s modern society. If you enjoy the physical aspects of Yoga, you have only begun to expose the tip of the depth and breadth that is Yoga. Dive deeper and enjoy the journey.

I dedicate this offering to the people of Haiti and all of those who suffer in this world. May your plight realize compassion in all humanity and not go on in vain. By diminishing our number by one, we diminish the whole of ourselves. May we all realize true wisdom and compassion for each other and all of nature’s beauty in all our activities…

Namaste

A Different Kind of Resolution

Charlotte Bradley — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 15:51:49 +0000

photo credit: Elaine with Grey Cats

I had a great New Year’s day. I attended a yoga class at a studio that I love with an amazing teacher who always brings cool insights to class and reminds me of why I love yoga. There is always something new to learn and I am humbled by how little I really know.

Instead of opening by wishing us all a happy new year, she instead wished us all the space to create. I thought this was so beautiful and empowering. Imagine a world where we all took that opportunity and made it a priority to create.

The end of the year brings about a mood of reflection. We think about the different things that have occurred over the past year. There are happy moments, sad ones, things that we feel good that we have done and probably a long list of things we meant to accomplish but didn’t.

Yoga is a “come as you are” practice. So rather than starting off the new year thinking or wishing that things had been different, perhaps we would benefit by directing some energy into accepting the way things are and being grateful for the lessons we have learned.

This doesn’t mean that we need to let go of our aspirations or intentions to direct the flow of change.

I learned a Sanskrit term in my New Year’s Day yoga class – sankalpa. It means intention. It is like a resolution but it comes from within. Whereas a resolution implies stopping something (such as – I will lose weight or I will cut down on caffeine), sankalpa is an intention that is formed in the mind or heart and is usually part of a spiritual practice.

We spent the New Year’s day class uncovering our sankalpa. Our instructor, Sylvie, led us through poses and pranayama where we focused on using our intuition to find own sankalpa, our intention for the year to come. For example, during the opening meditation, we took a moment to ask ourselves what our sankalpa was and then focused on listening to the answers that arose.

We did this a number of times throughout the class while holding a pose or practicing a breathing technique and then during savasana. To close the class, Sylvie led us through a meditation. Mentally we repeated the intention to ourselves using our name and being specific; “I Charlotte Bradley am open to courage, strength and compassion.” To seal the intention, we mentally repeated the word “sankalpa” three times.

Deepak Chopra teaches “Sankalpa is the subtlest level of intention at the cusp of choiceless awareness and thought.” When we bring an intention into conscious awareness, we are moving towards the creation or manifestation of that intention.

As we step into 2010, take your next yoga practice to uncover your own sankalpa or internal resolve. And as Sylvie hoped for all of us, I wish you the space to create.

No related posts.

Setting an Intention for Your Yoga Practice

Charlotte Bradley — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 22:46:29 +0000

photo credit: Navin Thakur

At the beginning of yoga class or at the start of our own personal practice, we sometimes set an intention or dedicate the practice to something or someone special. Setting an intention acts like a contract between the universe and ourselves. Not a contract in the sense that we have to do things a certain way, more that we plan to devote this time to being a certain way.

Setting an Intention

Start by taking the first 2 minutes of your practice to quietly focus on your mind, breath and body. Set your intention in your mind by first scanning the myriad of thoughts that are there right now. Search those thoughts for the one that is meaningful to you today. Ask yourself, “How am I going to be in this practice?”

Set your intention with your breath. Consciously breathe in then slowly breathe out. Follow your breath, letting your thoughts flow and ride the breath.

Set your intention with your body. Acknowledge the gift of your health and your ability to move around and be in this physical world. Bring your intention into focus by aligning your body, breath and thoughts.

Setting an intention helps to bring clarity to your practice. It is also motivating to have a clear focus. It gives your yoga practice another layer of meaning.

In his book, Turn Stress into Bliss, Michael Lee suggests asking yourself, “What is it I am hoping to create in my life by doing this practice today?” Perhaps it is wellness, a sense of peace or acceptance, or maybe you would like to dedicate your practice to someone else who could use the energy.

Don’t confuse your intention with trying to attain a specific goal. There is a difference. Phillip Moffat explains it eloquently in his article for Yoga Journal:

“Setting intention, at least according to Buddhist teachings, is quite different than goal making. It is not oriented toward a future outcome. Instead, it is a path or practice that is focused on how you are being in the present moment”

Once you have finished your asana, consider carrying the intention with you into your day, expanding your yoga practice to other aspects of your life. How would you like to be today?

Yoga Postures and Acceptance – What I Learned Falling out of Half Moon

Charlotte Bradley — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:38:24 +0000

According to the Yoga Sutras, the intention while practicing asana (the physical poses in yoga) is to find a place that is steady and comfortable. One way that this can be interpreted is to be fully present and alive in the now.

By learning to be present and to participate in a way that is both steady and comfortable means to free yourself from any thought or sensation that it brings about self judgment. This is true when practicing yoga postures but is also a way to practice yoga in your everyday life.

During our practice we may think things such as “I can’t do this posture” or “Everyone is so much more flexible than I am” or “I will never be strong enough to do that.” These thoughts are disruptive to our practice, carry negative energy and make it difficult to be present.

During your next yoga practice, try to abandon self-criticism. If you do criticize yourself or someone else, notice the judgment. Examine how it has affected your emotions, your body and your breath. Then let it go.

If you find you are forcing in a posture or in any part of your life, ask yourself if this is in the true spirit of yoga? When something is steady and comfortable, there is no forcing involved.

Acceptance Nurtures Contentment

Santosha is one of the niyamas (an observance of personal behavior) that makes up the eight-limbed path of yoga. It means contentment. Contentment requires present moment awareness and implies acceptance without resignation. By letting go of our attachment to the need for control, power, and approval, it becomes possible to be okay with things as they are right now.

Acceptance Brings About Awareness

According to Kripalu yoga, the first stage of yoga practice is to stretch and strengthen the body with awareness. As you encounter tension in your body, try remaining present, cultivating compassion and self acceptance. This allows you to release tension by relaxing and softening into the posture to feel and be with the sensation that is actually there.

I just got back from a yoga class where we practiced a posture that I find very difficult – Ardha Chandrasana (Half Moon). For me, the balance is very challenging in this pose and it often leaves me feeling frustrated. I groaned inwardly when my teacher mentioned we were about to practice Half Moon. But then I decided to just be okay with whatever happened.

Well, I fell out of the pose…more than once… But it wasn’t a big deal because I had decided not to let it be. I actually laughed out loud and continued on to have a very rewarding practice. It felt good and I appreciate Sylvie for creating a class environment where I was comfortable enough to fall and laugh! (Check out her awesome classes at Core Elation if you are in the Ottawa area)

Practicing Acceptance in Asana

Choose a posture that you find challenging. Practice the posture with the intention of seeking ease, comfort and acceptance. The goal is not to be perfect but to practice acceptance. I think you will find this practice incredibly freeing.

Practicing Acceptance Beyond the Postures

Are there any areas in your life that you would like to change, places that feel neither steady nor comfortable? Perhaps you can start by making changes in your mindset, cultivating acceptance rather than resistance thereby making room for change to grow and happen.

Why Prayer Hands in Yoga?

Charlotte Bradley — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 18:53:11 +0000

Anjali Mudra (pronounced UHN-juh-lee muhd-RAAH) is a gesture that is a part of almost all yoga classes. It may be used at the beginning or end of class as well and hearing sun salutations. Anjali mudra is also referred to as prayer hands. The palms of the hands are brought together in front of the heart.

In Sanskrit, mudra means sign or seal. It refers to sacred hand gestures and body positions that bring about a certain inner state and have symbolic meaning. Anjali comes from “anj” in Sanskrit and means “to honor or celebrate”.

When the hands and fingers are placed in a particular pattern, the energy within the body can be redirected and changed. Mudras are often used during meditation and in the East, mudras have long been used medicinally. Anjali mudra opens the heart, calms and balances the mind and reduces anxiety.

By bringing our hands together at our heart center we are connecting to both the right and left sides of the brain. This is symbolic of uniting both our masculine and feminine energies. It is said that the right hand represents our divine self and the left hand represents our worldly nature.

The hand gesture of Anjali Mudra is often accompanied by the greeting Namaste which means “The light in me bows to the light in you.” We use Anjali mudra to communicate our heartfelt energy. It is a humbling gesture offered to family, friends, students and strangers.

Yogis view the spiritual or energetic heart as a lotus flower in the center of the chest. Anjali Mudra acknowledges the energetic heart and directs it to open to the light. Practicing Anjali mudra is an excellent way to induce a meditative state.

Prayer hands are often incorporated into various seated and standing postures, such as Mountain Pose (Tadasana), Tree (Vrksasana), Warrior 1 (Virbhadrasana 1) and Squat (Malasana). During Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskara), Anjali Mudra can be practiced at the beginning, at the end and during the lunge sequence. Used during asana practice, this mudra is balancing and harmonizing and helps to keep us centered and positive.

Take care not to harden the pose by slamming the hands together! Press the hands together gently, maintaining a slight dome shape between the palms.

A Short Exercise for Discovering Union and Centeredness with Anjali Mudra

Start by sitting in Easy Pose (Sukhasana).

Feel your spine lengthen as your crown reaches towards the sky. Extend the back of your neck and tuck your chin slightly.

Notice the energy that rises and flows from your tailbone to your crown. Take two deep breaths here.

On your next inhalation, cross your legs the opposite way.

Open your palms and extend your arms to the side. Slowly draw your hands together at the center of your chest gathering the energy into your heart. Take two deep breaths.

Notice how both sides of our nature connect here at the heart. Bring an awareness of this centered state into your yoga practice and your day.

What are you Thankful for Today?

Charlotte Bradley — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:47:18 +0000

This weekend is Canadian Thanksgiving. We are having dinner with our family and friends in the party room of my mom’s apartment. My boys are very excited. I asked them if they knew what Thanksgiving was all about. My son Patty (that’s him on the right grudgingly accepting a kiss from his brother) said that it was for celebrating family and saying thanks. He wasn’t quite sure what we were saying thank you for but his answer made me smile and I think he was heading in the right direction!

Thanksgiving is of course a time of gratitude. It is a chance to reflect on the wonderment of life.

What Is Gratitude?

Gratitude or thankfulness is a positive emotion, a feeling of appreciation for everything. Historically, it has been an important part of many different religions. In the field of psychology, gratitude has recently become the focus of new research.

Gratitude is a very powerful form of mindfulness practice. According to the Buddha, any human birth is precious and worthy of gratitude. By practicing gratitude consistently, we can create a greater connection with life and everyone around us. We begin to realize that we exist in a much larger context and our own story is only a small part of that.

I really like the following quotation because it so clearly illustrates how important it is to be appreciative all of the time and not just save our gratitude for certain traditions, situations or times of the year.

“You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink.” ~G.K. Chesterton

Gratitude and Wellness

It is not much of a stretch to be thankful for all the great things in our lives. However, it is certainly much more difficult to be thankful when things aren’t exactly going as planned.

In an article for Yoga Journal, Philip Moffat writes that practicing gratitude is not an antidote to life’s problems. But he says;

“The understanding you gain from practicing gratitude frees you from being lost or identified with either the negative or the positive aspects of life, letting you simply meet life in each moment as it rises.”

Research has shown that people who are more grateful have a greater feeling of well-being. They are happier, less stressed and more satisfied with life. They have more positive ways of coping with difficulties that they face.

Yoga and Gratitude

In a yoga class that I sometimes attend, after savasana the instructor always reminds us to take a moment to feel appreciation for something or someone in our lives and also to be thankful for our ability to do yoga. I love that.

Yoga helps us learn to be grateful for the present moment. It allows us to find peace with the entire spectrum of experiences including sadness and joy. The darker moments in our lives are lessons that enable us to grow.

In Yoga, gratitude is one of the Yamas or precepts yogis strive to live by.

Acknowledging abundance (Aparigraha), we recognize the blessings in everything and gain insights into the purpose of our worldly existence. ~ The Secret Power of Yoga – Nischala Joy Devi

In the Secret Power of Yoga, Nischala Joy Devi describes an exercise for experiencing abundance whereby we let things go… She suggests that we clean out our closets or a drawer and give away the contents to a charity with which we feel connected. Creating an empty space makes room for new things to abundantly fill our lives.

Happy Thanksgiving and a special thank you to all of you for your interest in exploring yoga with me and for taking the time to read what I write.