All Yoga's topics - tribe.net

gift of pretty pictures>

2009-12-25T07:02:23Z

advanced yoga poses by flexible females >

http://tribes.tribe.net/contortionworship

posted in All Yoga - 0 replies

A Christmas Mantra

2009-12-25T05:30:15Z

Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy!

Joy to the world, the Lord has come.
Let earth receive her king.
Let every heart prepare him room.

And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing!

posted in All Yoga - 0 replies

The Elephant Headed God : Ganesh / Ganapati in pre Vedic India, Vedic India, and Buddhist tantra.

2009-12-20T18:20:46Z

The Elephant Headed God : Ganesh / Ganapati in pre Vedic India, Vedic India, and Buddhist tantra.

From tribe Buddhism:
http://zenbuddhism.tribe.net/thread/989ff1b7-12be-49b7-b950-0a064744c6af

Re Qatana:
"Um, Ganesh is a HINDU deity, far pre-dating the Buddha, and has absolutely nothing to do with Buddhist philosphy or practices. Ganapati is a HINDU puja."

Qatana, you are quite wrong.

I have a Hindu empowerment of the Thousand Names of Ganapati / Ganesh. I also have two empowerments of Ganapati in the Indo-Tibetan tradition of the Sakya School, which is one of the major schools of Buddhist tantra.

The "Buddhist Ganapati" is significant in both the Sakya and Gelugpa schools of "Tibetan Buddhism". It is one of several significant Hindu-derived or Hindu-like deity yogas in Buddhist tantra, which on a practical functioning level is largely polytheistic.

You can see a short ( restricted to initiates ) Ganapati practice available for sale on the Gelugpa web site
www.fpmt.org

The Buddhist Ganapati is also known in classical Indo-Chinese-Japanese tantra of the Shingon school. This means Buddhist Ganapati travelled to Japan SEPARATELY from the central Asian Nepalese Tibetan connection. Thus it is guaranteed to have been practiced by Buddhists in ancient India before the development of "Tibetan Buddhism", and independently of "Tibetan Buddhism".

Similarly, I have a Saraswati ( Hindu Goddess of Learning ) empowerment in the Sakya tradition. But the Buddhist tantric Saraswati is distinctly Buddhist in terms of the practice, and does not conform to the classical Hindu mode of practice.

For example, the Hindu Saraswati has the basis seed syllable AYIM. The Buddhist Saraswati has the syllable HRI. So they look and function very similarly, but they are definitely not identical.

Note also the Hindu Ganapati has the basis seed syllable GAM. The Buddhist Ganapati has the syllable GAH. So they look and function very similarly as well. But all Buddhist tantric practices, such as Buddhist Saraswati and Buddhist Ganapati, are given always and only in the context of Buddhist Mahayana refuge vows.

It is incorrect to say that Ganapati was originally a Vedic Hindu deity. Ganapati far precedes the rise of Vedic culture in ancient India. Ganapati is a pre-Vedic indigenous archetype and deity, later incorporated into Vedic practice, like many diverse local village forms of "the Great Goddess".

Thus, Ganapati is pre-Hindu, Hindu, and Buddhist all at the same time.

Tantric Buddhist Ganapati in the Sakya School is, according to the rite of initiation, a sub-manifestation of Amitabha Buddha as Avalokitesvara ( "Chenresig" ). He is Twelve Armed and crowned by Amitabha Buddha. This may not be true of the Japanese Shingon school of tantra.

Current Hindu scholarship admits that the tantric Buddhists claim Twelve Armed Red Ganapati - the form I have received repeatedly from the Sakya school - may well be Buddhist in origin. The Ganapati Hrdaya Mantra follows a more Buddhist structure and clearly relies on the seed syllable GAH, rather than the seed syllable GAM characteristic of Hindu Ganapati practice. The Hindu scholars admit that Buddhists claim the Ganapati Hrdaya mantra as being Buddhist in origin, not Hindu in origin. They do not necessarily accept the claim, but it is quite reasonable.

Several Buddhist deities have become part of the Hindu pantheon, including Avalokitesvara and the Goddess Vasudhara. This is accepted in modern independent university scholarship.

Sometimes the Hindu Ganapati is seen as opposing Buddhist teaching and practice. There is a form of Six Armed Mahakala, a primary Buddhist protector deity, which tramples on a two armed Hindu Ganesh. I have that empowerment twice from the great Kagyu master Kalu Rinbochay.

Thus, Ganapati is found in three of the major schools of Tibetan Buddhism, the Kagyu, the Gelugpa, and the Sakya, as well as in the independently derived Japanese Buddhist school of Shingon. Buddhist Red Twelve Armed Ganapati is also known in Nepal. Thus the Buddhist lineages of Ganapati spread across all of northern Asia.

Buddhist Twelve Armed Red Ganapati has been repeatedly given in San Francisco ( 2x ), Vancouver BC ( 3x ), and in Seattle Washington ( 3x ), foe eight times total. I am directly connected with all three of the relevant local fellowships, which are all Sakya / Tibetan lineage.

I have written on Buddhist and Hindu Ganapati, here and elsewhere, to demonstrate one of the key links between Hindu tantra and Buddhist tantra. This is straightforward, but obviously has been questioned and/ or attacked by some ignorant people, some very ignorant and even aggressive people.

There are quite a few people here and there who have either the Buddhist or Hindu transmission of Ganapati. Almost no one except myself has both.

I understand your confusion on this point. The difference is that I am a published Buddhist liturgical scholar and tantric Buddhist guru. You have been answered.

There are quite a few "yoga teachers" on tribe.net, but few know or use Ganapati practice. Ganapati is key to the Hindu systems of practice, and it is typical for any Hindu rite to begin with a Ganapati practice.

The point here is that Buddhists also have a distinct and well-developed Ganapati transmission and practice. It is an effective practice, I have a connection with Ganapati, through my original Buddhist Sakya transmission, not through the later Hindu Thousand Names of Ganapati ( received from Vedacarya Ashley-Farrand ).

Buddhists and Hindus share a tremendous amount of spiritual culture, not just Ganapati and Saraswati and Tara and so forth. This is in direct contrast to the complete gap between Hindu-Buddhist culture and monotheistic culture, Islam in particular. That is the real point.

All the Hindu and Buddhist practices of Tara are completely unacceptable in Islamic totalitarian culture. That means all of Tibetan culture, all tantric culture, and all Goddess practice is illegal under the arbitrary law known as Islamic Sharia.

In contrast to this, I support a broad range of non Buddhist as well as Buddhist practices, including some Hindu, some Taoist, some Shinto, some native American, and some shamanic practices. I have strong connections with all of these.

I am an individually licensed tantric Buddhist guru and a Pipe Carrier of the Lakota Sioux. I practice for All Our Relations. I know my stuff, and I'm here to help people make valid and worthwhi;e connections, both outer and inner. That's my job.

Some practices, like Ganapati and Tara Devi, and also Ayurveda, are demonstrably major bridges between Buddhist and Hindu lineages of classical tantric and yogic culture. Thus, I emphasize these to show the commonality in a world where "religion" is too often employed to divide and disempower people, to oppress and hurt, and to destroy classical culture, and spiritual culture in particular.

As Sting has pointed out:
There is no religon in the path of hatred.

Now you know. And since I make detailed responses to challenges to these my teaching posts, this communication is clearly not spam. Instead, it is help and an effective means of building bridges among different tribes and cultures.

For more details on Ganapati practice, both Hindu and Buddhist, see
http://ganesh.tribe.net/thread/1b62bb97-6b82-46f1-be58-475d29bb211e

Sarva mangalam! Siddhi rastu!

KT

posted in All Yoga - 87 replies

backbends!

2009-12-19T09:08:10Z

so i followed an ad from this tribe that took me to hotyoginstructor.com and i got my first e-mail:

"How about you? Did you know that BACKBENDS were a
CRUCIAL part of your overall health before you went to yoga?"

so Taoism speaks of the spine as the communication centre.. and all the chakras are located along the structure thereabouts..
and there's the extensors http://thebonearchitect.blogspot.com/2009/11/what-exactly-are-spinal-extensors.html

and and and.. that's all i got so far :D

posted in All Yoga - 4 replies

whats safe while menstruating ?

2009-12-14T00:42:16Z

hi all !
i have recently gotten back into daily practice again, an hour each day. sometimes hatha usually vinyasa. my cycle is coming up and i dont want break my stride so to speak. i know you are not supposed to to inversions while menstrating. but what can i continue to do ?
if it were only 3 days i wouldnt mind but it is more like 7 on average.
any suggestions appreciated, thank you

posted in All Yoga - 9 replies

Your Experience of the Eightfold Path

2009-12-14T00:41:03Z

Hello.

What have your experiences with the eightfold path been?
What do they mean to you?

The Right View,
The Right Intentions,
The Right Speech,
The Right Action,
The Right Livelihood,
The Right Effort,
The Right Mindfulness,
The Right Concentration.

You are experiencing. What is that?

posted in All Yoga - 40 replies

the Dalai Lama & animal testing

2009-12-11T09:16:58Z

hey

i'm just hopin to get some opinions on my position.. the day i read that the Dalai Lama said somethin like "animal testing is fine so long as it works to serve the greater compassion" i kinda flipped out.. am i over-reacting or what? like takin the whole 'non-violence' thing too literally?

thanks~

posted in All Yoga - 22 replies

Death meditation

2009-12-10T08:36:12Z

does anybody have any experience? any thoughts?

posted in All Yoga - 44 replies

Your favorite music/chanting/sounds for yoga and meditation

2009-11-26T19:02:01Z

Namaskar all,

I'd like to start adding some pleasant sounds to my yoga practice just to change things up and see how it influences my mood, motivation, movements etc.

Also, as much as I really try to quiet my mind meditating - it is still such a monkey mind (much better than before yoga, but meditation is still a battle for me sometimes)!! I have tried different guided meditations, and have found two that I really like - but even get distracted with those too. SO... I'd like to try out some chanting CDs or nature sounds or pleasant music to drown out some of the internal and external distractions.

Any suggestions? CDs? Links? Downloads? Music artists/groups?

What are your favorite yoga/meditation sounds?

Thanks!

Rittamatra

posted in All Yoga - 12 replies

(repost ) "Tantra and spiritual power?" Here is a definite answer, in terms of Buddhist tantra.

2009-11-21T23:46:43Z

Title
"Tantra and spiritual power? Here is a definite answer, in terms of Buddhist tantra."

Sentient, on tribe Tantra

" think a lot of people, especially in the west, got interested in tantra because of its sexual practices and people seem to like sex. Some people go a little deeper and want to use it to take their love making to a deeper level that incorporates the emotional and higher energetics. What about people who really use it as a meditation, who learn to raise energy for psychic or spiritual practices? What can tantric practices be used for in the practical application of psychic discipline and spiritual practice, beyond the temporary experience of it? A lot of psychic energy is being directed. What can it be used for?"

http://tantra.tribe.net/thread/ee95fef5-e011-4547-951d-23f4f2ed024e

Re Sentient:
"What about people who really use it [ tantra ] as a meditation, who learn to raise energy for psychic or spiritual practices?"

Tantra means several things. It means "integration", "wholeness", as in integration / wholeness of psychophysical experience, through integrative yogic discipline, and in the Buddhist usage it also means
"primordial pure awareness", specifically the Basis Path and Result of Awareness Yoga. Awareness yoga is in one of two major categories, Atiyoga / Dzogchen / Great Perfection, and Mahamudra / Chagyachenpo / Great Seal.

In each of these three sets of terms, the first term is Sanskrit, the second is Tibetan, and the third is an English language approximation. In either Buddhist system, the basic idea is that Basis = Path = Result, or
Basis Buddha = Path Buddha = Result Buddha.

Basis Buddha is you, specifically your own primordially pure awareness, or mine for that matter, which is temporarily obstructed or limited, resulting in a lower energy, divided state of awareness. But the original pure awareness within each individual is never lost nor can it be destroyed, even by physical death.

From one perspective, the teacher known as Guru Sakyamuni Buddha developed or realized his own pure Buddha nature over a period of one thousand lifetimes, with five hundred "impure" lifetimes and five hundred pure lifetimes.

This resulted in an extraordinary event which is the refounding of Buddhist yoga in the current world age. The current founder Buddha Guru Sakyamuni Buddha manifested three defining attributes
1) wholeness and completeness of awareness
2) wholeness and completeness of compassion
3) wholeness and completeness of power, meaning spiritual power.

You asked about spiritual power, so I will give you a concrete, specific historical act of power manifested by Guru Sakyamuni Buddha.

Once, about twenty five hundred years ago or so, the historical Guru Sakyamuni was attacked by a large, wild, ferocious stampeding elephant. This elephant was specifically provoked by Guru Sakyamuni's cousin Devadatta in hopes of killing Guru Sakyamuni.

The elephant was charging straight towards Sakyamuni, and as I understand matters, some people nearby were trying to flee, since a raging elephant is a powerful and unpredictable force, that might turn in any direction.

Guru Sakyamuni saw the elephant charge straight towards him, and he just stood there. This was not because he was lacking attentiveness, nor because he was frozen with fear. He was standing there to address a problem, not only for himself, but for others present.

So, the elephant is making a straight line for Guru Sakyamuni, and Sakyamuni is standing there for a long moment considering the elephant. Then Sakyamuni raises his right hand palm forward in the Abhaya hasta mudra, the Sacred Hand Gesture of Fearlessness. Then the crazed elephant stops dead in its tracks right in front of Guru Sakyamuni, becomes completely calm, and the problem is solved.

Now in Honolulu Hawaii, it took a lot of effort to stop a rampaging elephant that was tearing up a main downtown avenue some twelve years back. It took a lot of firepower to bring that elephant down, to cripple and kill it.

But to all appearances, all that Guru Sakaymuni did when he was attacked, was to make a simple hand gesture, and the huge and dangerous problem was resolved in the space of one breath.

This is a definite expression of spiritual power, of the power of a great mystic and yogi and indeed a true Buddha. It's not a magic trick nor any kind of swindle nor rumor of what may have happened. It is simply put, a direct manifestation of jnana ( wisdom ) karuna ( compassion ) and bala ( power ).

The overall tradition of Buddhist yoga remains alive today, at varying levels of effectiveness and completeness. Great acts of power have been performed over the centuries since Guru Sakyamuni originally taught. I myself have seen and experienced some real acts of power in the Buddhist tradition, as well as in some other traditions.

For example, I once saw a native American bring a lame woman to ( begin to ) walk in one very short healing session, back in 1983. She actually was beginning to lift her legs. The teacher, Rolling Thunder, said
"I did not expect this to happen in one session. I thought it would take three sessions. I did not perform this healing. It wasn't me. You healed yourself."

So here is the real teaching on wisdom compassion and power: wisdom compassion and power are already within us. That is the core meaning of tantra in the Buddhist tradition. There is an equally important core meaning known as Lineage and Transmission, which means connecting with an authentic guru and receiving abhisekha, or transmission/ empowerment. And also there is samaya, which means maintaining the sacred connection, through ethics and self-reflection.

In the mid 1980s Buddhist tantra saved my life, through a series of major transmission cycles and several million mantra recitations, and so forth. The abhisekha/ transmissions were mainly from
- HE Luding Khen Rinbochay ( the principal Sakya Tibetan Ngor lineage holder )
- HH Kalu Rinbochay ( the principal Shangpa Kagyu Tibetan lineage holder ) and
- HH Chetsang Tulku Rinbochay, one of the two principal Drikung Kagyu Tibetan lineage holders
- Longchen Nyingtik Breakthrough from Ven. Lama Terton Sogyal Tulku ( Nyingma, Rigpa Fellowship ).

This includes three primary cycles of transmission from HH Kalu Rinbochay.

I was therefore able to receive power, healing and purification, and so able to develop some power, healing, and complete some purification, when these were most needed to save my own life.

There was no way a western muggle doctor or shrink could address the kind of problem I faced, which in retrospect seemed about as easy to handle as a wild charging elephant. So I didn't talk to any. I took the medicine of Buddha Dharma, the Discipline of Awareness.

I have never believed in "faith healing." When I was very young, a little girl died because her parents provided her only Christian faith healing. She had appendicitis and her abdomen ruptured. Over forty years later, I still do not believe in faith healing, certainly not as the muggles do.

But there is spiritual power, there is yoga, and there is healing. At least, these are present as possibilities.

I myself am a medical yogi, an inner medical tantrika. I took my final exams over twenty years ago. In all that time, I have never believed in a personal creator God, nor in faith healing, nor really in any of what the yogically illiterate call "religion".

I don't have a personal religious belief to espouse. I study and practice yoga, mainly Buddhist tantra, along with a large set of related and similar practices from across Asia, plus various protocols for high level wellness from all over, including Native American teachings.

There are many many classical and and traditional practices that really work. My own experience is that the tantra - considered in the broader sense - is the deepest and most powerful and most broadly acting spiritual discipline. A lot of it has to do with breathing techniques ( pranayama ) and visualization, based on lineage transmission and sacred commitments as mentioned earlier.

Vajradhara Kalu Rinbochay wrote a book:

"The Dharma: That Illuminates All Beings Impartially Like the Light of the Sun and the Moon"
by Kalu Rinpoche (Author)
# Paperback: 222 pages
# Publisher: State University of New York Press (October 1986)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 0887061575
# ISBN-13: 978-0887061578

There is also

"The Crystal and the Way of Light: Sutra, Tantra and Dzogchen" by Chogyal Namkhai Norbu and John Shane

# Paperback: 176 pages
# Publisher: Snow Lion Publications (October 25, 1999)
# Language: English
# ISBN-10: 1559391359
# ISBN-13: 978-1559391351

For general purposes, these are two books I have been recommending to many here and there over the years. They are both very accessible and together provide a good foundation for further study in more technical areas of Buddhist tantra. ( My own core Buddhist stack of books and materials and sadhanas and notes is over sixteen feet tall, but you don't need more than a small functional set of teachings and transmissions and texts to engage this path. )

I am really thankful for the efforts of these two Buddhist gurus, as well as many others ( over sixty Buddhist gurus in fact ). I have benefited greatly thereby. Perhaps you can too. It's mostly about doing your homework, it's mostly about effective yoga sadhana.

It's mostly about awareness and responsibility and caring enough. . . and prioritizing what matters in the long term.

You have been helped.

Sarva mangalam. Siddhi rastu.

KT

posted in All Yoga - 2 replies

yogic diet - questions about protein and caffeine

2009-11-14T02:28:44Z

Namaskar radiant beings!

Hello all,

I have a few questions about the yogic diet, and certain foods that my body just can't seem to function without. I have been practicing yoga on and off since adolescence and have in the past few years gotten much more into my practice and have been wanting to adopt the Sattvic diet. However my body seems to have issues when it comes to protein and caffeine.

1. I have been trying to go full vegetarian (ovo-lacto) for three years now, however I find that when I don't eat at least some animal protein my body feels sick and weak. When I first began "vegetarianism" I allowed myself to eat seafood about 2-3 times a week, I realize that fish are of course animals too and took them out of my diet. However during the times that my diet has been completely meat free (which have lasted anywhere from 3 weeks to 6 months) I find that I feel weak/get sick more easily.

I try to get protein from other sources, I have a fruit protein - yogurt - fruit - flax shake every morning, and then lunch and dinner generally consist of rice and vegetables, a pasta, or a tofu/bean dish. I try to eat nuts but I have a slight allergy to many tree nuts so don't consume them often.

As much as I'd like to cut out meat completely, it seems that my body just needs some meat in the diet. Has anyone else had a similar issue with protein deficiency in the yogic diet? What foods do you suggest as a solid substitute for meat? I feel like I have tried everything!

2. I love caffeine, I work with kids at my day job and need to be very active during my work hours. But I know that caffeine is a) not good for the body in general, b) not good for mindfulness. There must be a way for me to find this vibrant energy source naturally within my body through yoga, meditation, chakra opening - but I haven't found it yet.

Yoga makes me feel great, it helps me relax and find peace and happiness - but it does not give me energy. Does anyone have suggestions of specific asanas or sequences or meditations that energize you? Maybe an energizing morning sequence? I don't expect to be wired from yoga but I always hear people commenting that yoga has increased their energy level so much, and for me I find it relaxing.

Thanks in advance for all your advice!

Namaste,

Rittamatra

posted in All Yoga - 33 replies

developed a spin [astanga yoga]

2009-10-30T23:55:25Z

I am noticing that my orientation spins about 10 degrees toward the left per sun salutation cycle. Anyone ever have this happen, and any guesses as to why? Is there a remedy to change this?

posted in All Yoga - 5 replies

washing your mat :)

2009-10-27T04:19:07Z

What would you say is the best way to wash your mat? Particularly if your essential oils spilled on it :) Other than wiping with warm water, I haven't ever washed a mat! Seems like quite an essential little tid bit on mat care. .. what else does anyone do for mat care?

Thanks!
Lynn

posted in All Yoga - 2 replies

skinny with beer belly...

2009-10-24T18:47:29Z

I'm pretty sure I'm around 10% body fat, when I tighten my ab muscles, you can see my ab muscles and it looks like I'm in good shape, but when I'm relaxed, my stomach protrudes around 2 inches forward. I'm recently found out about the inner abs and doing "stomach vacuums" to strengthen them. I'm not getting much success out of it so far though. Is it possible that having tight muscles somewhere on your body can have an effect of lengthening the inner ab muscles and prevent them from being able to tighten up? I have pretty bad posture and am pretty sure my chest and back muscles are pretty tight... I'm been told before that I have a minor form of pectus excavatum by an x-ray person when I had some chiropractic work done on me. It's where your sternum sinks in a bit, I think its pretty minor and its only noticeable from the side view, it still sucks though, I try to develop my chest muscles and only the sides grow, the center of my chest is like skin and bones... Ever since middle school I've notice that problem about my abs and kept "sucking it in" so I wouldn't look "fat" though I always been skinny (just my stomach sticks out). I probably always had this problem though, and I just learned a few years ago that it was a bad thing to try to suck it in all the time like that...

posted in All Yoga - 2 replies

exhaustion

2009-10-20T09:05:28Z

I have a quick question: I have been practicing off and on for about 2 years and I keep going through phases- for instance I was doing about 1 hour of my own practice- prim ashtanga with some of my own stuff thrown in- I was loving it- could see changes in my body and how well I was holding poses ( I was also running 5km about 3 x a week)- and then, I just STOP...for 2 weeks maybe three and then I will go back. However, this time I am exhausted- not just tired- sleeping all of the time- but my legs, in particular, are so tired and sore. I don't know what's wrong with me. One note: I was taking dexedrine for ADD- which is a stimulant- but had to go off because it was making me sick. As a ressult of that I know I am eating more etc. and am generally out of whack but I don't think thats causing the exhaustion????? I am actually hoping that I can develop a good practice which will make the medication unnecessary-only because I seem to be sensitive to it. Am I just lazy?????????? Thanks....

posted in All Yoga - 18 replies

Animals and yoga :)

2009-10-20T09:00:32Z

I know this is kind of random, but I just wanted to share this funny tidbit because of how much laughter it has brought into my life!

I have a yoga cat, every time I start doing yoga my cat joins me and it is adorable. He will lay and stretch and purr with me for over an hour. Then I noticed recently, when ever I do bellows breath he gets SO excited and jumps all over the place, purrs and wants to play... HILARIOUS! It must be some sort of communication form to him, because just tweaks out everytime.

I ought to put up a video of it sometime!

Just wanted to share with you all, does anyone else have pets that like to do yoga? Or that react in this funny way to the pranayamas?

posted in All Yoga - 7 replies

self defense

2009-10-12T23:34:14Z

Hello all, I had an interesting and unpleasant encounter tonight and I would like your honest opinion on the situation. I know those of us who practice yoga normally should not drink and I do my best not to, but it was a friends birthday SO....

I went out with a few of my friends tonight, had a few drinks too many but did not get out of control. I chose to leave early as I do not really enjoy being out at the bars past a few glasses of wine. As I was walking home, a stranger struck up a conversation with me, I chatted nonchalantly as I walked home (the bar my friends were at was only a 10 minute walk from my house) didn't really think anything of it.... but then he grabbed me from behind! So out of reflex and self defense I slapped him in the face as hard as I could!!

Now I am home safe, and feeling both guilty and violated by what happened. I think defending myself was the right thing to do but I also feel strange about inflicting physical violence on another person. I know that self defense practices like kung fu and ju jitsu (sp?) are common among followers of the eastern tradition so I am curious what the views on self defense are?

I felt endangered and acted out of reflex. Not looking for a justification of my actions, but I guess I am not really sure what I am looking for... I feel a) violated b) guilty for being physically violent c) embarrassed for putting myself in that situation d) angry e) unsure.

Perhaps this post should have been left as a personal journal and not shared, but then again - I imagine there are many people who have had similar things happen to them... and as I look back with a slightly less instinctual point of view, I hope anyone who has had an experience such as this did have the ability to fight back.

While I do not claim to be spectacular or perfect, I do consider myself an ethical and moral person, and I am disgusted when I have experiences such as this!! Why do people who think it is acceptable to fondle a stranger exist?!

I try to keep the Buddhist/Yogic point of view that there are Old Souls and Young Souls and some have much more growing to do than others, but I live in a big city and find it frightening how many "angry ghost" types I see on my day to day! I understand that there are people who need to learn more, and people who are just lost and have not found there way through no fault of there own other that naivete.... BUT how do we explain these people that abuse others, physically, verbally, mentally, financially, socially, etc??

How do we create a existence where those of us who mean no harm do not get taken advantage of, while at the same time elucidating reality for those who find material/violence/power/money to be their God?

posted in All Yoga - 8 replies

heart and throat chakras

2009-09-22T08:35:21Z

hey all..
so this is my very first post on (any) tribe!
i am working on opening/strengthening? my heart and throat chakras. they have been what i feel as closed up or mostly inactive for as long as i can remember. i know some postures that are good, such as camel, bridge.. i am wondering if anyone has any other postures or any insight into this that might help me to consider.. thanks in advance, namaste*

posted in All Yoga - 6 replies

White Tantric Yoga in India?

2009-09-15T14:41:41Z

I am intrested to know if there are any white tantric yoga courses in India, or anything similar?

posted in All Yoga - 0 replies

YOGA DANDA

2009-09-14T06:19:12Z

Namaskar!

Has anyone of you made use of the yoga danda for balancing air flow in your nostrils?

Did you encountered difficulties because of lack adjustement between your trunk length and the size of the danda?

Where did you get your danda?

-----------------

Yoga danda is a rod or cane placed below your armpit which contributes to balance air flow in your nostrils, thus balancing ida and pingala nadis, thus activating sushumna and achieving success in meditation and pranayama.
Example: when left nostril is blocked, the danda is placed below the right armpit, and it is said that left nostril is thus opened.

Thank you

posted in All Yoga - 7 replies

Can yoga restore spinal curve?

2009-09-14T02:46:20Z

Is this possible? Can learning to do yoga poses help to bring back the curves in your upper and lower back? I know yoga is supposed to help out with balance and stuff, but can it do these things related to bone structure? Sounds like a chiropractor thing rather than a yoga thing to me, but still want to get some opinions...

posted in All Yoga - 4 replies

the meaning of om namo bhagavate vasudevaya

2009-09-04T16:07:44Z

i'm looking for the meaning of the essence of this mantra

tnx

posted in All Yoga - 12 replies

Yoga in LA? psycho-therapy, healing, etc..

2009-09-02T20:06:00Z

I'm looking for something or someone specific. I want to learn Kundalini yoga, I think now is a perfect time for me to do that. I also would love to tie it into my learning to become a psycho-therapist and my own practice of mediation. I am always looking to connect the dots.
Does anyone know of a person ( maybe a funny, fearless women or a sensual, gentle man or any combination thereof) who I could consult with. I really would like to have a conversation about energy and psychology and whatnot and how Kundalini may help me and my clients in that area. The large pciture is to have a relationship other therapist/ body workers who can compliment me and my client's psycho-therapy work.
Thanks,
Aschleigh

posted in All Yoga - 0 replies

Let's trade spiritual Web addies

2009-08-31T14:34:50Z

I'm very happy to see how active All Yoga is. What a contrast with so many Tribe forums. Things have slowed down so much on a lot of them, with way fewer posts.

Here's a good spiritual discussion site: people serious about personal development, spiritual things, psychic stuff, achieving goals, being healthy:
www.stevepavlina.com/forums/

Please post some other web addresses. And can you say a little about what's the scope, and why the site is good?

Blessings on your path..

posted in All Yoga - 4 replies

TTC in India....Sivananda or better???

2009-08-31T05:14:25Z

Namastae Beautiful Beings,
Am soon to return to the motherland and asking for advice and recomendations for Yoga TTC. Sivananda has been an option for me, but before I commit, I'd love some response to any other places in India for me to train at, that you may have been to, or can recommed.
Divine Thanks :)

Nadja ~ Om Shanti

posted in All Yoga - 2 replies

Strengthening inner core

2009-08-26T06:20:42Z

I have no experience at all with yoga, but I just learned the difference between the inner and outer abs and that when people say "the core" its often mistaken for the outer abs.

I have really bad posture...and have had that for years. I'm 23 now, but back in the 7th grade I had a pretty bad back spasm and also found out that I had scoliosis (my back problems actually go even further than this actually, but I'll skip it). My scoliosis has improved a lot since then, though some more minor things have happened since. But the thing I want to correct the most right now is how much my stomach protrudes. I'm around 5'11 and around 147 pounds, so that's pretty skinny, yet my stomach sticks out a lot. I used be more active and do lots of sit ups, and I never had a flat stomach. I can see that the sit ups kind of worked cause I have abs when I flex them, but then I have a big tummy when I'm neutral. I'm pretty inactive now though...just study, eat, and play video games =/

So, I know life style has an effect on my posture, but are there any good exercises I can do that work my inner abs? I feel like maybe my spine is too compressed for this to be possible. When I'm neutral, I have a "swayback" posture, when I try to stand tall and have good posture, I have that posture where my stomach, though flatter sticks out more and my butt too the other direction. Also, I remember a chiropractor asking me to sit on the ground with my legs extended straight out and to try to lift my upper body up to form a "L" looking form. I can't do that, as hard as I try, my back is just rounded...

posted in All Yoga - 8 replies

India is calling you for yoga!

2009-08-11T01:42:57Z

Hello my dear friends!
I am very pleased to let you know that this year there will be a massive yoga gathering in India again and it will start in October at the following location :India, Karnataka, Gokarna, Kudlie beach, follow this link to see out site if you like
www.jyotishivam.com/
Anyone who is interested please contact me or Serguei in India in order to see the dates available. We are getting full for the season but there is ALWAYS an option to get your lodging near by and surly we will be able to provide you with the best yoga classes ! This place is a very powerful landmark of India, the cave where Lord Shiva came into our realm from the cave, which is right above our retreat ! Walking distance is a few hundred feet! Come and find the way to YOURSELF there.
Om Namah Shivaya!
With love
Olessya

posted in All Yoga - 0 replies

a few Tibetan yoga videos

2009-08-08T13:43:08Z

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSyqAJUYJdk
A video discussing the Five Root Yantras (rtsa ba´i ´khrul ´khor lnga) from the _byung ba´i thig le_ section of the Tibetan tantra called _ma rgyud songs rgyas rgyud gsum rtsa 'grel_ as well as yantras from the text _ rdzogs pa chen po sku gsum rang shar las bogs ´don ´khrul ´khor sgyu ma´i rol mo_

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk4NIQL6s2c
A demonstration of numerous yantra methods (rlung ro bsal ba, tshigs sbyong lnga, rlung bsang brgyad, dung, gri gug, phur bu, and sdom) from the an eighth century text by Vairocana called _‘phrul ‘khor nyi zla kha sbyor bzhugs so_

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG6w036k8u4
An impressive demonstration by a Tibetan teacher( spyan snga rin po che) of a yantra-yoga method discussed in the Tibetan text _bde mchog snyan rgyud kyi rtsa rlung 'khrul 'khor gyi skor_.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-wuOYlxMSY
A clip from a program on History Channel. Shows Bensons’s scientific measurements of the “inner fire” method taught in a text called _rdzogs pa chen po sku gsum rang shar las thun mong gtummo'i nyams len ye shes me dpung bzhugs so_

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbB6r4p6BJk
In this video a teacher (slob dpon bsod nams bzang po) supervises three yogis doing yantra, and later another teacher (a pho rin po che), who the video says is about 90 years old, also does yantra.

posted in All Yoga - 1 reply

Dedication or Admiration?

2009-08-06T18:20:37Z

I definitely relate to this. I remember in the past when I would skip yoga class if I knew my teacher was going to be away. However, I would just practice on my own, even though it wasn't the same. I used to visualize my teacher's voice for inspiration. It worked sometimes. Then if I showed up to yoga class and there was a sub, I would feel a little disappointed but do my best to enjoy and be in the full experience. I like this article that yoga journal sent me. I hope you do too!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I visited a teacher-friend's yoga class recently to find it packed solid. Later that day, she told me her crew of regular students were unshakable in their enthusiasm for yoga class. With one exception: When she announced a sub would be teaching for her, her loyal students were nowhere to be found.

Could it be that her robust army of dedicated students are attached to their teacher, rather than dedicated to their practice? It's only human to have preferences, but when does your attachment to the teacher hinder your progress?

This week, assess your dedication to your practice. If you removed your favorite teachers from the equation, would you find the inner fire to continue practicing? Read how one yogini's traumatic experience of losing her teacher helped her find her practice. Finally, get all of the tools you need to become self-reliant and establish a strong home routine."

Om Shanti,
Andrea Kowalski

IN THIS ISSUE
Your Favorite Teachers

Hundreds of readers wrote in to share comments about their favorite teachers.

www.yogajournal.com/practice/2666
Yoga Diary: On Her Own

A yogini loses a teacher and gains a practice.

www.yogajournal.com/lifestyle/2651
Home Stretch

Roll out your yoga mat at home and you'll find the freedom to experiment, to evolve, and to become your own best teacher.

www.yogajournal.com/practice/2591

posted in All Yoga - 1 reply

Thai Yoga Massage DVD?

2009-08-05T04:05:39Z

Namaste Beautiful Friends
Does anyone know a good thai yoga massage DVD? I am intrested to practice some, but i dont want to spend hundreds of dollars to take a class right now

posted in All Yoga - 2 replies

2009 U.S. Teaching Schedule/ Intro For H.E. Gochen Tulku Sang Ngak ( Tibetan Buddhist Nyingma lineage )

2009-07-20T20:48:33Z

2009 U.S. Teaching Schedule For H.E. Gochen Tulku Sang Ngak ( Tibetan Buddhist Nyingma lineage )

Keywords: Nyingma, Great Perfection / Dzogchen, tantric transmissions and retreats, H.E. Gochen Tulku Sang Ngak, Ewam USA.

Here I provide details on the current 2009 teaching schedule, practice centers, and background for H.E. Gochen Tulku, a most accomplished Tibetan yogi.

His Eminence is a major teacher and incarnate guru in the Earlier Transmission ( Nyingma ) of Buddhist tantra into Tibet from India, as established by the Great Guru Padmasambhava, in particular of the Primordial Awareness Yoga known as "Atiyoga", that is, the Great Perfection, a.k.a. "Dzogchen" in Tibetan.

For more information on esoteric Buddhist tantra in the form of Nyingma and Dzogchen materials, see Snow Lion Publications online
http://www.snowlionpub.com/
and the book
"The Crystal and the Way of Light", by Namkhai Norbu.

For current information on H.E. Gochen Tulku, his Evam USA organization and their projects and teaching schedules, see
http://www.ewam.org/

H.E. Gochen Tulku is a lineage holder and has even transmitted a major tantric / atiyoga cycle TO H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinbochay, but is not yet well known in the West. He is nevertheless a very important teacher in several western Nyingma fellowships such as Chagdud Gonpa Foundation and the Dudjom Yeshe Nyingpo.

I have seen this teacher several times from 1997 to 2000, and received numerous major transmissions, including some that are both extremely rare and very powerful. He is truly extraordinary and I strongly recommend him to those who wish to connect with the inner Early Transmission and the Great Perfection.

This year he is teaching in Montana, Colorado, and California ( see below ). This schedule includes extraordinary healing practice ( Vajra Armor ), and extraordinary goddess yoga ( White Dakini ). Note that I do *not* represent this teacher, and schedule details are subject to change.

The merit of sharing this teaching is dedicated to the life and spiritual work of H.E. Gochen Tulku, with great gratitude, and to the continued development of these tantric lineages, with the hope that these will be profoundly beneficial to many.

Sarva mangalam. Siddhi rastu!

KT

"Tulku Sang ngag Rinpoche, the sixth Gochen Tulku, is an incarnation of Gyalwa Chokyang, one of the close disciples of Padmasambhava. Recognized at the age of three, Rinpoche began learning religious rituals and liturgies, as well as traditional Tibetan medicine, at an early age.

"Rinpoche met his root guru, Tulku Orgyen Chemchok, in a Chinese prison where he was held for nine years. Here he received teachings and secret transmissions. Upon release, Rinpoche met his other root teacher, H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, with whom he traveled, studied, and practiced intensively for nearly fourteen years.

Rinpoche teaches worldwide and oversees his two retreat centers in Pharping: Yuloko Nunnery and Phurpaling, a dharma center in Taiwan and his U.S. retreat center, Ewam Sang-ngag Ling, located in Arlee, Montana."

Contact info

- - Ewam USA - -

Sang-ngag Ling - Arlee, Montana
406-726-0217

PO Box 330
34574 White Coyote Road
Arlee, MT 59821
ewammontana@blackfoot.net

Samten Ling - Tuolumne, California
(near Sonora)
209-928-1326
michaelirw@mlode.com

- - Ewam Nepal - -

Phurba Sang-ngag Ling
Phone: 977-1-4710-093

Turquoise Leaf Nunnery/Yuloko
Phone: 977-1-4710-094

To contact Nepal Centers:
P.O.B. 7032
Devi G.B.S. Pharping
Kathmandu, Nepal
e-mail for both: ewamnepal@hotmail.com

- - Ewam Asia - -

Ewam Phurba Ling Taiwan
Dr. Choeji Lodoe Tashi
1F and 4F, No. 76, Sec 1. Hsiu Lang Rd
Yung Ho City, Taipei Hsien, Taiwan
Phone: (02)2928-7993 - (02)2920-5294

Ewam Taichung
Dr. Choeji Lodoe Tashi
F3, No. 105 Nan Yang Rd
Feng Yuan City, Taichung, Taiwan
Phone: 886-4-2529-5973

Ewam Hong Kong
Flat F, 18/F. Block 1, Pierhead Garden
Tuen Mun, NT, Hong Kong

-------------------------------------------------

Schedule for H.E. Gochen Tulku Sang Ngak for 2009

White Dakini Drub Chen
with Tulku Sang ngag Rinpoche & Lama Tsultrim Allione
August 23 - 31, 2009

Tara Mandala Colorado
See http://www.taramandala.org/

White Dakini Drub Chen. For the first time in the West a Drub Chen (Great Accomplishment Ceremony) of the White Dakini ( White Goddess ) practice from Do Khyentse’s Dzinpa Rangdröl (Self-Liberation from Fixation) treasure cycle will be performed. This lineage comes directly from Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche to Tulku Sang ngag who will be the Vajra Master at the Drub Chen.

We will experience a traditional empowerment given by Tulku Sang ngag, and we will be lead through an in depth process of learning and practicing the White Dakini mandala. This White Dakini practice is the union of Machig Labdron and Yeshe Tsogyel surrounded by the dakinis of the five families. During the retreat, in addition to the precious teachings from Tulku Sang gnag, Lama Tsultrim will help frame the experience through discussion and further teachings.

The White Dakini practice will be established as a key practice at Tara Mandala and links directly to Machig through Yeshe Tsogyel, her previous incarnation. This is an opportunity to be in the first group receiving this lineage transmission and is open to anyone interested. In addition, it is a strictly closed retreat and requires intensive practice and the ability to hold the container.

During the Drub Chen traditional instruments will be played, a mandala will be created, and continual mantra recitation will occur. The participants will experience deep immersion in the Vajra world. This is an exciting deepening of the tradition at Tara Mandala and we encourage everyone drawn to be here to come. Mipham Rinpoche said, ”One Drub Chen is equal to seven years of solitary retreat.”

Price
Double: $1,553 - $965
Queen Double: $1,575 - $1,080 - SOLD OUT
Queen Single: $1,685 - $1,190 - SOLD OUT
Camping: $925 - $650
Suggested Dana: $160 - $320

Buddhahood Without Meditation

Sept 8-15th, Arlee Montana
http://www.ewam.org
http://www.ewam.org/pages/directions.php

Please register by August 1st, to register and pay for this retreat, click here, see below for retreat costs. This is a restricted retreat so please contact Devi in the office for more information at 406-726-0217.

Widely known by its subtitle, Nang-jang (Refining Apparent Phenomena), presents the view of the Great Perfection through the approach known as t'hreg-chhod (cutting through solidity). The nineteenth-century master Dudjom Lingpa received these teachings in visionary dialogue with fourteen enlightened beings, including Avalokiteshvara, Vajrapani, Longchenpa, and Saraha.- The Dudjom lineage, based on the terma, or hidden treasures, revealed by Dudjom Lingpa and his immediate rebirth, His Holiness Dudjom Rinpoche (1904-1987), late head of the Nyingma school of Buddhism, is one of the principal modern lineages of Dzogchen Transmission.

RETREAT COSTS:
Non-Member $560.00
Non-Member/Camping $505.00

Member $476.00
Member/Camping $428.00

Guya Garbha ( Hundred Deities / Bardo ) – Shedra Retreat

Sept 20-27th
Arlee Montana
http://www.ewam.org
http://www.ewam.org/pages/directions.php

Prerequisites for these teachings are the prior Shedra retreats on the first part of a commentary on the Treasury of Precious Qualities - A Commentary on The Root Text of Jigme Lingpa. This book presents the entire Buddhist path according to the Nyingma School. Tulku Sang-ngag began giving these retreats at Ewam in 2002 and finished the text in 2007 which are available on CD. , Lama David Curtis also taught this text over the course of 3 years. This year Rinpoche's brother, Khenpo Ngawang Gelek, will continue these teachings and Rinpoche will give the empowerment. There are no translations of this part of the text yet.

If you are interested in this retreat, please contact Devi in the office as soon as possible at 406-726-0217 or via email.
( It is important to get an idea of how many people are coming to this retreat to plan accordingly. )

RETREAT COSTS: Non-Members $500.00
Non-Members/Camping $450.00

Members $425.00
Members/Camping $382.00

The Nature of Mind ( Great Perfection )
Root Text by Jamgon Mipham Rinpoche

October 14th - 19th
Ewma Samten Ling, Tuolumne California ( near Sonora )
Contact phone 209.928.1326
Email
michealirw@frontiernet.net

Vajra Armor Retreat

November 5-8
Mt. Shasta, CA
please contact John Cashman at (530) 926-5196.

"The Vajra Armor Mantra (Tib. Dorje Go-Drab), is among the most powerful healing practices in Tantric Buddhism. Long held as a secret practice, it has been practiced for over a millenium by tantric adepts and Tibetan physicians as an effective method for treating diseases, purifying negative energies and protection from misfortune.

"The Vajra Armor Mantra was first introduced into Tibet in the eighth century by Padmasambhava, who had collected various teachings and practices on this mantra from the ancient Indian Buddhist tradition. After teaching his close disciples in Tibet, he hid the Vajra Armor teachings in 124 places, to be discovered by future ‘treasure finders’ as prophesied in his writings.

"Padmasambhava predicted that a time would come when there would be a great need for this mantra and to preserve the integrity of the teachings and lineage, he hid different versions of this practice in many different places for safekeeping, until the designated treasure finder would reintroduce them to the world.

Over the past one thousand years, there have been numerous major teaching cycles of the Vajra Armor Mantra that have been revealed, including those of Dorje Lingpa, Mipham, Dudjom Lingpa, and Trak-t’hung Namkha’I Jigme. These teachings outline a deep and profound path to realization and ultimately to Buddhahood through the practice of healing and rebalancing the outer and inner elements."

----------------------------------------

posted in All Yoga - 1 reply

Ana Forrest question

2009-07-11T04:11:41Z

Hallo,

I'm thinking of doing an Ana Forrest Intensive training course (24 days) and would like to hear opinions or comments from others who are familiar with her courses/teaching/style.

I have surfed the yoga tribes for related threads and have read the posts with interest.......but these postings are now quite old (+/- 3 or more years ago).

The Ana Forrest intensive interests me because:
- it has a very intensive schedule (6 am-5pm) and I want to immerse myself for a period of time in this manner.
- it sounds personally challenging.......am I tough enough??.
- it sounds well constructed.
- I like the idea of the teacher being an older woman....I can relate to that being a 47 year old woman myself.

I am a bit apprehensive about her emphasis of yoga as a form of therapy and healing....I don't feel "screwed up" enough for this, just the normal hang ups!!

I'd love to hear newer experiences or comments......

Thanks and regards
Rosemarie

posted in All Yoga - 15 replies

Most Influential Yogic Text?

2009-07-11T02:19:38Z

I understand that you may pull knowledge and understanding from many different places however I have 2 questions.. if you can answer within the parameters of the question I'd LOVE it but if not, I will forgive : )

1.) When you first began your Yogic Journey, which text on the subject did you find most helpful. (if you'd like to break down into 2 answers for just posture & another reccomendation for the more universal / spiritual aspects that's cool)

2.) Now... if you could choose only one Yogic Text to have access to for the rest of this life, which would it be?

: )

Me? I can't answer yet.. but I'm itchin to hear yours!

posted in All Yoga - 9 replies

Any Child DVD Suggestions?

2009-07-06T05:23:53Z

I have found yoga to really help reorganize my life and to leave me with a focused mind which really helps me destress and be productive. My friend has expressed interests to me and she is even worse than I was with being disorganized and feeling over burdened. She is a single mother with a 2 year old and I understand what little time she has she wants to spend with her child. My question is, are there any DVDs that she and her babe can do together that is both fun for the child but helpful for my friend? I am looking to get her this as a gift so any suggestions would be greatly appreciate. Thank you.

posted in All Yoga - 3 replies

what about a teacher places them above and beyond the rest

2009-07-05T04:37:30Z

namaste everyone!

I am curious to hear what you believe sets you apart from other yoga teachers who follow the standard western one hour session.
what do you think is a standard approach, what is it that a teacher does that makes you think they have gone above and beyond the norm. I particularly liked an intermediate class taught by a male instructor whose energy was particularly calm and inviting. His foundation was more traditional vs the westernized form of exercise. he used proper names of poses did his best to educate the class while teaching with the little time he did have. what is it that separates you from the status quo and makes your style special?

I am traveling to india and took the opportunity to take a teacher training course for 600 US dollars (150 hour certificate) or 950 US dollars (200 hour certificate) in Rishikesh from http//:www.rishikeshyogpeeth.com. this is certified through the Indian Government but I am not entirely sure if it is certified with the YA as this is entirely new to me =)

if anyone would like to take a look at the website, which sadly is not as informative as it could be (i have had to gather most information via email) and tell me what you think. it is not quite as intensive as i would like but the next best and cheapest option was in madurai for 1700 and i simply can not afford that.

bless you all, much love to you.
scottie

posted in All Yoga - 13 replies

Yoga @ )'(

2009-07-03T18:19:36Z

Just posted on the teaching tribe....we are the Mile High Club & we are looking a couple of experienced teachers that would like to teach at burning man. Or if you would like to assist teach please let me know.

Ms. Leah
Mile High Club

posted in All Yoga - 0 replies

The Guhyagarbha-Tantra and the Guyhasamaja-Tantra (Free)

2009-06-25T01:55:33Z

I apologize for x-posting this to a few groups. I just want to get the word out.

I'm very excited about being able to offer a few new resources on my site http://vajrayana.faithweb.com

I’ve added a copy of Gyurme Dorje’s doctoral dissertation _The Guhyagarbhatantra : and its fourteenth century commentary phyogs bcu mun-sel_ to the "Nyingma Studies" page.
and. The Guhyagarbha Tantra is the main tantra of the Maha-yoga class and the primary Tantric text studied in the Nyingma tradition. It is believed to be one of the earlier tantras still extant. Lonchenpa's text on the condensed tantra by is regarded as one of the best commentaries on this tantra. It is over 1500 pages long but is only about 28 MB
http://vajrayana.faithweb.com/guhyagarbhatantra.pdf

I added Francesca Fremantle's doctoral dissertation _ A Critical Study of the Guhyasamaja Tantra_ to the "Archive" page. Fremantle’s translation was a true landmark in Indo-Tibetan studies. The Guhyasamaja Tantra was one of the 18 major tantras of the Nyingma school, and was an important Anuttara-yoga practice in the Kagyu and early Sakya schools. It is also the central tantra of the Gelug school. Like the tantra above, it is among the earliest dateable tantras still extant.
http://vajrayana.faithweb.com/A%20Critical%20Study%20of%20the%20Guhyasamaja%20Tantra.pdf

Two doctoral dissertations on closely related subject are listed below for those who want to research these traditions further.

_Penetrating the Secret Essence Tantra: Context and Philosophy in the Mahayoga System of rNying-ma Tantra_ by Nathaniel DeWitt Garson. It deals with the Guhyagarbhatantra.
http://vajrayana.faithweb.com/Mahayoga.pdf

_Vajrayana and its doubles: A critical historiography, exposition, and translation of the Tantric works of Aryadeva._ by Christian Konrad Wedemeyer. Contains English translations of many of the works of Aryadeva on the Guhyasamaja Tradition. http://vajrayana.faithweb.com/aryadeva.pdf

Warm Regards,
Ryan

posted in All Yoga - 0 replies

Two weekends of Yantra Yoga at Dondrub Ling, Berkely CA July 16-19 and July 23-26 2009

2009-06-20T20:20:01Z

Naomi Zeitz, a longtime student of Choegyal Namkhai Norbu, is an authorized teacher of Yantra Yoga, one of the oldest surviving complete systems of yoga, practiced and taught within an uninterrupted lineage of Tibetan Buddhism since the 8th century.

JULY 16 - 19: INTRODUCTION TO YANTRA YOGA
The first weekend’s introductory course is open to all. Included are working with complete breathing, which is the base of Yantra Yoga, and learning the first two preliminary series, including the Eight Movements. The Eight Movements can be used in daily life to harmonize breathing and energy and may create great benefit for all who practice them.
Thursday, July 16 9:30am – 12:00noon and 4:00pm – 6:30pm
Friday, July 17 9:30am – 12:00noon and 4:00pm – 6:30pm
Dakini Day Ganapuja, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Saturday, July 18 9:30am – 12:00noon and 4:00pm – 6:30pm
Sunday, July 19 9:30am – 12:00noon and 4:00pm – 6:30pm

JULY 23 – 26: ADVANCED YANTRA YOGA
The second weekend’s course is open to those who have received transmission from Choegyal Namkhai Norbu and who also are familiar at least with the Tsigjong and Eight Movements. Included are the First and Second Series of Yantras and their related Pranayamas: “The Four Characteristic Conditions” and “The Four Profound Applications.”
Thursday, July 23 9:30am – 12:00noon and 4:00pm – 6:30pm
Friday, July 24 9:30am – 12:00noon and 4:00pm – 6:30pm
Saturday, July 25 9:30am – 12:00noon and 4:00pm – 6:30pm
Anniversary of Dharmachakra Ganapuja, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Sunday, July 26 9:30am – 12:00noon and 4:00pm – 6:30pm

COST
$200 for both weekends with paid early registration by Monday, June 29
$250 for both weekends (after June 30)
$130 for a single weekend (eight sessions)
$20 for each session

To register, please contact Leticia Recepter at 510 292-0960 or leticiarecepter@yahoo.com.ar

Please make checks to Dzogchen Community West Coast
And mail to:
Dzogchen Community
Yantra Yoga Weekends
2728 Adeline St., Suite D, Berkeley CA 94707

posted in All Yoga - 0 replies

Bhagyodayam Yoga or the “Rise of Fortune Yoga"

2009-06-14T05:22:26Z

THE RISE OF FORTUNE YOGA

Bhagyodayam Yoga or the “Rise of Fortune Yoga" is the knowledge of the self-the Natural Yoga, Atma Sadhana. The practice of this Yoga is the righteous duty of the self. This knowledge is a direct perception which is attained through the blessings of the Guru. This knowledge is perceived within. The correct dwelling place of a yogi in this universe is his/her own body. The wonderland of a yogi inside this body-land is his spine and brain. To a yogi the spine is known to be the pathway to the mystical inner yoga.

This Inner Yoga says, it is not necessary to think or worry. While facing a crisis, it is important to remain calm and peaceful. If we are overly connected with the external world we will not be able to still the mind. How does one control one’s emotions or detach oneself from the external world? One must develop a sense of trust in the universe, process of life or God. That Ultimate takes care of us and brings us all that we need. There is a very good reason why this happens. We are always a part of that supreme reality or that supreme reality is not separate from us. Therefore the supreme reality takes care of us. Detachment and trust are two important things to transform one’s life. If one realizes what is eternal, changeless and stable by means of inner yoga ,one is never born again, "Inner Yoga” or “Bhagyodayam Yoga” is predominantly concerned with non difference. It is the potential for everything. Inner Yoga is a word used to refer to the unnamable - stillness in motion. Inner yoga is empty like a bowl. Stillness implies the potential for usefulness. We can find that the wisdom of stillness implies the potential for usefulness. We can attain the wisdom of stillness, when we are silent, quiet and flexible. It’s aim is to achieve an integral growth and an integral consciousness. It insists on the value of the Inner Yoga as a means for the attainment of freedom and immortality.

Bhagyodayam Yoga or Inner Yoga as a joy of contemplation gives the person the joy of self discovery. This yoga emphasizes practice. It belongs to the deeper substratum of all religions. It is the language of a different world. In what words can they be given? What phrases can be used for them? That is about the wonderful silence and stillness. It is nothing else but the depth of our own life which is silent like the depths of the great sea, so silent and still. It is the surface of the sea that makes waves and roaring breakers; the depth is still. So the depth of our own being is still and silent. Stillness is an attainment ,a happiness, a joyfulness. The use of stillness is a greater power. A perfect yogi realizes the power of the word and the splendor of stillness. There are different ways to learn and practice this “Art of Stillness”.

Ancient yogi’s attained this great power from their Guru and from silence. This is not only desirable but often a necessity; for there is much that causes words and language to fail in transmitting the essence; through the practice of Inner Yoga, one receives inner corrections and self discipline. The practice of this Inner Yoga is a powerful technique for stilling the mind. When we are still and silent are reach the truth-the truth within us. We reach the centre. Then all thought disappears and Truth appears. Then we become calm serene and peaceful. Serenity makes our mind more tranquil.

The constant and persistent practice of this sublimed and dignified physical and spiritual discipline (Inner Yoga) will radiate a brilliant glow within, generating good health, happiness, uninterrupted mind, intellectual vigor, intuitive knowledge and bliss. We can constantly practice this inner yoga to improve one’s personality, to regulate one’s habit and life patterns, to get rid of some unwanted indulgence and addictions and to improve the quality of life and finally it can be used for the attainment of liberation and immortality. If one reaches an able Guru, even an ordinary person may build a robust and stable life. If they follow the instructions of a Guru they are relieved of the cycle of birth and death.

Beauty arises in the stillness of your presence, stillness or presence is needed to become aware of the beauty, the majesty, the sacredness of nature. To become aware of such things the mind needs to be still. Your total presence is required. Whenever or wherever there is stillness, there is beauty, the inner nameless essence shines. Go deeply into it. Wherever you are be there totally. The other benefit of practicing Inner Yoga is a significant slowing down of the aging process. The accumulation of time of past and future greatly impairs the cells capacity for self renewal.

It has been said “stillness is the language God speaks, and everything else is a bad translation”, “Stillness is an other word for space”. The practice of Inner Yoga navigates our mind to the direction of the supreme reality and we shall attained the Divine (Godly quality) “Bliss & Peace”. Like that, any disease will destroy the state of freedom. The practice of Inner Yoga in the right way one will receive freedom from many diseases and attain emancipation. In the state of stillness, the soul seeks its refreshment stillness, the great unseen power, the miracle of life. In the world of all religions the practice of stillness plays a most vital part. That is the reason why the idea of complete silence before spiritual study is strongly advocated by all of the mystic teachers and illumined yogis.

Inner Yoga is sublime and mysterious, a great way to transcend the ordinary and enter in to extraordinary yogi hood. Inner Yoga is the most noble, beyond subjective feeling and ignorant judgment. Inner Yoga or Bhagyodayam Yoga is a treasure. If you understand it, it can extend your life span, because it is centered and straight ! Inner Yoga is a priceless pearl containing creation !!

www.bhagyodayamyoga.com/home.htm

posted in All Yoga - 0 replies

tantric Buddhist empowerments this June & July in San Francisco and Oregon: His Holiness Lama Getse ( Nyingma tradition )

2009-06-14T00:49:40Z

tantric Buddhist empowerments this June & July in California and Oregon: Lama Getse ( Nyingma )

Keywords : tantric Buddhist transmission, Nyingma lineage, Orgyen Dorje Den, Oregon, 2009 tour for His Holiness Getse Rinpoche.

From Orgyen Dorje Den ( San Francisco ):

"HH Getse Rinpoche will be visiting the U.S. in the next few weeks ( June - July 2009 ), and has been invited to Orgyen Dorje Den in Alameda, Dorje Ling in Portland, and Tashi Choling in Ashland to give empowerments and teachings. A general schedule is listed below; as details of times and events become available, we will pass them along by email. Stay tuned!

"H.H. Katok Getse Rinpoche is a highly esteemed incarnate lama of the Katok branch of the Nyingma lineage. He was recognized as a tulku by His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa, the previous Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, and Adzom Gyalsé Rinpoche. From a very early age, he received teachings and empowerments from Dudjom Lingpa’s son Tulku Nyida, Khenchen Jigmé Puntsok Rinpoche, Adzom Drukpa, Katok Moktsa Rinpoche, Khenpo Ngakchung, and H.H. the Dalai Lama. H.H. Getse Rinpoche has done many years of retreat, taught widely throughout Asia and is well known for his mastery of the Dzogchen approach. Fulfilling a request made by Chagdud Rinpoche, Katok Getse Rinpoche serves as the head lama of Katok Ritrod, Chagdud Gonpa’s retreat center in Parping Nepal."

See
http://www.orgyendorjeden.org/contact.html

N.B.: I do not represent this center nor do I know this teacher, but Orgyen Dorje Den hosts amazingly good tantric Buddhist teachers, sometimes on very short notice. These are typically of the Nyingma lineage, and the transmissions are of very high quality and power in my own experience. The transmissions may well include full Great Perfection Awareness Yoga ( atiyoga, dzogchen ) authorization.
I do have transmission in the Kathok tradition through H.E. Kathok Tulku, and this is a very powerful and effective lineage, for which I have the highest respect.

See the books
(1) "Crystal and the Way of Light"

"Crystal and the Way of Light
Sutra, Tantra & Dzogchen
Crystal and the Way of Light"
Author(s) : Namkhai Norbu

ISBN : 1559391359

Publisher : Snow Lion Publications
Published : 2000
Category : Bon and Dzogchen
Category 2 : Tibetan Buddhism: Dzogchen
Synopsis:
Namkhai Norbu examines the various levels of the spiritual path of Tibetan Buddhism from the point of view of Dzogchen - said by many to be it's highest teaching, in which the "self-perfected state" that is the individual's own nature is directly introduced by the master to the disciple from the very beginning of their relationship.

By interweaving his own life story with the teachings, he sets Dzogchen in its traditional context and reveals its powerful contemporary relevance. He discusses the base, path and fruit of Dzogchen practice and describes his education and how he met his principal teacher who showed him the real meaning of 'direct introduction to Dzogchen.' He describes Dzogchen in relation to the various levels of the Buddhist path including sutra and tantra.

"One of the most significant contributions to the understanding of Tibetan Buddhism to have appeared in recent years."The Middle Way.

and

(2) "Tantric Practice in Nyingma"
Author(s) : Khetsun Sangpo Rinpoche and Hopkins, Jeffrey
ISBN : 0937938149

Publisher : Snow Lion Publications
Published : 1986
Category : Tantra: Vajrayana Buddhist
Category 2 : Tibetan Buddhism: Nyingma
Synopsis:
The essential internal and external preparatory practices required before entering the path of Great Perfection (Dzogchen), in the form of an accessible and lucid commentary on the first part of Patrul Rinpoche's "Words of My Perfect Teacher". Also included is a section on daily meditations and recitations. Khetsun Sangpo Rinpoche's commentary contains the classical Nyingma presentation of the tantric practices that lead to the realization of Buddhahood.

At this time the Oregon centers do not have information available on this tour of HH Getse Rinpoche.

May this be beneficial.
Sarva manglam! Siddhi rastu!
KT

Preliminary schedule

Orgyen Dorje Den, Alameda, California: June 20-21
www.orgyendorjeden.org

Saturday: Vajrasattva empowerment and teaching
Sunday: Vajrakilaya empowerment and teaching

Orgyen Dorje Den 2244 Santa Clara Avenue Alameda, CA 95401 Phone: (510) 337-1163 Email: orgyendorjeden@gmail.com

Dorje Ling, Portland, Oregon: June 27-28
www.dorjeling.info/

Tashi Choling, Ashland, Oregon: July 3-5
www.tashicholing.org

Each dharma center will need support before, during, and after each event--if you are able to contribute time, funds, or other resources, please contact the centers through their websites listed above. Your assistance is vital in order for these unforeseen, auspicious transmissions to manifest!

posted in All Yoga - 0 replies

Life is One: communicating with Plants

2009-06-12T02:26:15Z

Hi & Namaste

I want to find other people who may have been using telepathy or life-force (prana, qi) to deliberately & creatively interact with plants.

I'm referring to things along the line of plant/human telepathy, or a person using his/her energy aura (or 'personal exudation') for the purpose - something that is shared with the plants and/or soil. Or some sensitivity you may have to the energy field of the plants themselves.

In Paramahansa Yogananda's classic, Autobiography of a Yogi, the author discussed direct interaction with plants as explored in the work of Dr. Bose (of India). This is also the case in later work along these lines (reported in The Secret Life of Plants, and other books). Slightly in contrast with this, in the Findhorn community, in Scotland, two of the community's founders regarded the interaction more in terms of an intelligence behind or with the plants, rather than in the plants themselves (they produced cabbages weighing more than 40 pounds, on a basically sand soil).

I don't care about which specific explanation you may subscribe to. I'm maybe less interested in the theory of all this, and more concerned with the experience.

A few decades ago, the psychic-energetic encouragement of plant growth was explored by Soviet scientists investigating the abilities of spiritual healers in Russia. In the much more recent book The Celestine Prophecy, author James Redfield depicts a situation where some new-age scientists in South America are exploring the effect of human visualization on the growth of plots of plants.

Anyone care to share experiences or thoughts along these lines?

Tanemon

posted in All Yoga - 118 replies

New Tattoos and Yoga

2009-06-09T15:40:15Z

I am not very vocal on this tribe, just here to listen and learn mostly, but I have a question for you all...if you do not mind.

I have recently begun teaching yoga at my university. Yay! I also (trying not to jinx it) am scheduled for a new tattoo on Saturday!!!!!! So...Tattoo on Saturday...teach yoga on Fridays. Will it be ok by then for just a basic gentle class you think?

I know the basics, stay away from strenuous exercise to that area (which will be upper back/shoulder area). With just about a week between the new tattoo and the yoga class, I imagine if I keep it simple I should be ok. It's simple anyway, but maybe more speaking and less doing with the arms for demonstration?
Thanks for all of your input!

And wouldn't you know it...I'm getting a couple of pimples in that area. Just in time right!?!

posted in All Yoga - 3 replies

What is your favorite mantra yoga helped you learn via experience?

2009-06-08T20:33:41Z

Sayings that help you remember what you deeply know. Ideas you'd like to practice more. Words that move you or provide comfort. Even images that help you in your practice. Words you put together or famous quotes. (I know that covers a lot)

Or simplify it to your favorite mantra/spiritual phrase.

I usually let go a lot with this one: Feel that you are always just where you need to be.

Something yoga taught me and I put into a mantra myself.

I'm really eager to hear these, and what they do for you. I love when we share stories!

Lynn

posted in All Yoga - 18 replies

hands tingle like they're falling asleep

2009-06-08T17:47:26Z

Hi!

So, this has happened a few times in 2 specific asanas, and I am wondering if anyone has had, or has had a student experience this also.

In Utthita parsvakonasana [extended side angle pose] and Utthita Trikonasana [ extended triangle pose], 2-3 cycles of breath in, my raised hand and fingers start to tingle like they will fall asleep.

Why is this? and is there a modification or prep. exercise to alliveate this from happening?

thanks!

namaste

niki

posted in All Yoga - 4 replies

creating own practice

2009-06-04T20:51:06Z

i want to create my own routine to practice roughly 3 days a week about 45 mins in length. i have been attending a hatha class once a week for the past 6 months and have also used some dvds at home on additional days.
i want to get away from the dvds and do my own thing. anyone have any pointers on how to structure my practice , what order to do things, etc ?
any and all input is appreciated ! thanx.

posted in All Yoga - 20 replies

Is there a mantra equivalent?

2009-06-01T12:30:38Z

Hey all. I have been wondering, I have a little mini-mantra that I say to myself in English, and I was wondering if there was an equivalent in Sanskrit or something like that.

It's just a little basic mantra that helps calm me and center me. I just breathe deep and say (in my head): Good enters (exhale) negative leaves, becomes good and goes where it needs to go.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks!

posted in All Yoga - 2 replies

Searching for Kirtan in Boston

2009-05-30T19:55:25Z

Hello Everyone!

I'm searching for a Kirtan group in Boston...does anyone know of anything going on? Thanks!

Blessings,
Naraya

posted in All Yoga - 5 replies

looking for yoga teacher training in Costa Rica

2009-05-28T23:04:40Z

well!
I am off on my next life chapter!

Ideas? gracias namaste

posted in All Yoga - 1 reply

Lama Mingyur Rinpoche: tantric Buddhist teaching and empowerment tour June - August 2009

2009-05-28T00:07:06Z

Lama Mingyur Rinpoche: tantric Buddhist teaching and empowerment tour June - August 2009

Keywords : Mahayana Buddhist transmission, mantra yoga, Heart Sutra, Karma Kagyu lineage of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism, 2009 Tour, Portland, deity of "Liberating Compassion" Avalokitesvara empowerment ( a.k.a. Kuan Yin, Kannon, Chenresig etc. ).

Summary: His Eminence Yongey Mingyur will be giving a tantric Buddhist empowerment ( highest yoga tantra ) for Avalokitesvara in Portland this June 19, and later, other cities as well. This major tantric guru of the Karma Kagyu lineage is on international tour through August.

" If we try too hard, meditation becomes difficult. But it is so easy... Meditation is resting in our own natural awareness. "
His Eminence Yongey Mingyur Dorje Rinpoche

His Eminence Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche is a younger yet also major teacher in the Indo-Tibetan tradition of vajrayana and tantra, specifically as a retreat master in the Karma Kagyu lineage. He is the son of the great Nyingma master Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, and his main residence is Sherab Ling, the seat of His Holiness Khentin Tai Situpa, a principal Kagyu guru.
http://www.mingyur.org/biography/index.html

Although quite young, HE Yongey Mingyur is an accomplished master of both the Great Seal ( Mahamudra ) and Great Perfection ( Dzogchen ) traditions of pure awareness yoga. I have received from His Eminence both the Tsik Sum Ne Dek ( Great Perfection Breakthrough ) and Karma Pakshi Great Seal guru yoga empowerments some years back, and both transmissions were quite powerful.

His Eminence is also establishing fellowships in North America ( e.g. San Jose CA and Phoenix AZ ) and participating in western scientific studies on mind science. He is the author of two well received books on meditation, including the recently released "Joyful Wisdom - Embracing Change and Finding Freedom".

This young teacher is clearly one of the most important of the new generation of tantric Buddhist gurus teaching in the West, in terms of the quality and quantity of his teaching work, and the deep and broad impact he is beginning to have. ( See "Yongey Foundation Links" at http://www.mingyur.org/links.html ).

This year he teaches coast to coast and also in Brazil. For information on the North American Tour continuing through August, see
http://www.mingyur.org/schedule.html

The main event of the Portland visit is a major empowerment for the meditation deity Avalokitesvara. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalokitesvara

and many book titles and other resources from Snow Lion Publications. See
http://www.snowlionpub.com/

and the Kagyu bookstore for the Karma Kagyu lineage seat in North America at Woodstock New York:
http://www.namsebangdzo.com/

Avalokitesvara is a primary and pre-eminent deity and practice for Buddhists worldwide. Avalokitesvara is the renowned deity of "Liberating Compassion", known in many parts of the Far East as Kuan Yin ( China ), Kwannon ( Japan ), Kwan Seeum ( Korea ), Kwan Theum Botat ( Viet Nam ), etc. This is a major practice for both general Mahayana ( Great Way ) Buddhists and also for esoteric / yogic ( tantric ) Buddhists, and thus unites and helps all schools of Buddhist practice in many different cultural contexts, both Asian and Western.

This is a most well known and quite universally practised pagan / polytheistic deity yoga of South Asian Buddhist origin. For example, it has become incorporated into some Hindu practice lineages, such as that of Swami Nikhilesvarananda. It is very similar to or overlaps the practice of Blue Throated Siva, as shown in one of the mantras for Blue Throated Avalokitesvara.

The influence of Avalokitesvara is vast throughout the world, and in different Buddhist lineages. Several of my teachers are considered to be emanations of Avalokitesvara including ( the late ) HE Deshung Tulku Rinpoche ( Sakya ), HH the Seventeenth Karmapa Urgyen Trinley Dorje and the Karmapa lineage, HH the Dalai Lama and the Dalai Lama lineage, and so forth.

His Eminence Dzongsar Rinpoche ( Sakya and Nyingma lineages of Tibetan Buddhism ), who teaches worldwide, has stated that Avalokitesvara is the most broadly and most commonly practised of all Buddhist mantras worldwide.

Avalokitesvara is without doubt the most well known Buddhist ( or other ) esoteric spiritual practice in the West ( either as "OM MANI PADME HUM" or as the "Heart Sutra" or as other variants, see below ).
Many tens of millions of Buddhists recite daily either a Sanksrit formula for Avalokitesvara or a meditation text associated with this deity, as in (1) and (2) following.

1) One of the root mantras ( esoteric invocations or evocations ) of Avalokitesvara is
"OM MANI PADMA HUM", which is discussed at
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Om_mani_padme_hum

2) Avalokitesvara is the source of the primary Buddhist text Prajna Paramita Hrdaya, the Heart or Essence of Transcendent Wisdom, which is recited daily in many Buddhist countries, such as the Chinese and Japanese Zen schools. See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_sutra
This is a primary and central and definitive text for many of the Mahayana Buddhist schools, both outer and inner.

An example of a deeper and essentialized practice focused on Avalokitesvara is given in the book
"The Union of Mahamudra and Dzogchen"
by Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche
ISBN 962-7341-13-9
Rangjung Yeshe Publications

This is a commentary on "The Direct Instructions of the Compassionate One" originally given by Karma Chagmey Rinpoche the First.
See
http://www.snowlionpub.com/html/product_6174.html
THE UNION OF MAHAMUDRA AND DZOGCHEN
by Chokyi Nyima Rinpoche
240 pp.
# UNMADZ - $ 18.00

"Teachings on the complete path to enlightenment in 8 songs by the 17th century yogi/poet Karma Chagmey explicated with Rinpoche's trademark brilliance and humor.
'This advice spoken through personal experience embodies the quintessence of the Dharma.'--Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche"

Please note that I do not formally represent this teacher nor the fellowship hosting him in Portland.

Sarva mangalam! May it be beneficial!
Siddhi rastu! May there be accomplishment!

KT

See
Hosted by Portland Dharma Group
www.portlanddharmagroup.org
503.341.7776

From
http://www.portlanddharmagroup.org/Mingyur2009/Mingyur.html

schedule

16 June
7:30 pm
Book signing at Powell's Books for
"Joyful Wisdom - Embracing Change and Finding Freedom"
http://www.mingyur.org/book/joyful_wisdom.html

17 June - 18 June
Public talks 7 - 8:30 pm
First Congregational Church
1126 SW Park Ave, Portland OR

19 June
7pm
Avalokitesvara [ Chenrezig ] empowerment
First Congregational Church
1126 SW Park Ave, Portland OR

[ end listing and discussion ]

posted in All Yoga - 2 replies

Pattabhi Jois passes away

2009-05-25T02:41:01Z

http://hamsa-yogashala.blogspot.com/

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

posted in All Yoga - 1 reply

Mantra

2009-05-24T14:24:06Z

Lynn,

At your request, here's what I know about mantra, although I'm no expert.

" One should practise the Mantra along with its Matrikas (proper intonations of the sounds) and others for a period of twelve years;
22. Then he gradually obtains wisdom along with the Siddhis, (such as) Anima, etc. Persons of weak intellect who are the least qualified for Yoga practise this." Yoga Tattva Upanishad, 1.21

Let's see if that's enough to get the discussion rolling.

posted in All Yoga - 10 replies

Sun Salutation

2009-05-24T09:23:54Z

Surya Namaskar.

with detailed description.

http://utube.smashits.com/video/SgR1H_5IjdA/How-to-Do-Surya-Namaskar-Yoga-Poses-How-to-Relax-After-a-Surya-Namaskar-Yoga-Workout.html

posted in All Yoga - 1 reply

GAIAN MIND SUMMER FESTIVAL “Celebrating the Dance of Life!”

2009-05-21T10:05:06Z

GAIAN MIND SUMMER FESTIVAL
“Celebrating the Dance of Life!”

Presenting the 8th Annual
GAIAN MIND SUMMER FESTIVAL
Thursday, June 11th to Sunday, June 14th, 2009
Ramblewood, Darlington, Maryland, USA

Join us for four days and three nights of Transcendental Dance, Visionary Arts, Healing Arts, Lectures and Workshops in the open air – truly, a magical event which has established itself as the annual summer tradition for the global Trance Tribes!

Gaian Mind Summer Festival showcases visionary arts, lectures, workshops, spiritual dancing, tribal drumming, healing arts, yoga, sweat lodge and a wide variety of progressive and enlightening information to stimulate self-healing, spiritual growth, and expansion of human consciousness. Currently in its eighth year, the Gaian Mind Summer Festival features the world's leading international talent in psychedelic trance music, plus the finest national and regional talent from the USA, becoming the premier destination for hundreds of dancers from all over the world.

2 Stages of Music:
Psytrance & Progressive Trance
Downtempo & Chillout

Lectures & Workshops Featuring:
Evolver Salon featuring CHARLES EISENSTEIN
The Dance of Liberation by PARASHAKTI
What on Earth Is Happening? A Groundbreaking Presentation on Human Consciousness by MARK PASSIO
History of Electronic Music and Its Effect on Human Consciousness by BUDDHA BOMB
Yoga
QiGong
Daily Sweat Lodge
Hoop Dance
Poi & Circus Arts
Alternative Energy, Mayan Calendar, and more!!

Performances Featuring:
Ceremony & Performance by SEPHIROTH DANCE
Blacklight Archetypal Dance Performance by ARCHEDREAM FOR HUMANKIND
Poetry Jam hosted by PLUMDRAGONESS & THE ELEMENTS
Fire Performances, Live Painting, and more!!!

Also Featuring:
Psy Cinema
Visionary Art Gallery
Nightly Fire & Drum Circle
Healing Area
KINDERTRIBE Children's Area & Activites

Including:
FREE 24-Hour Coffee/Tea Service by CAFÉ KAIA
Full-Serve Chai Shop by PUTALI
Merchant Village
Hookah Lounge
Spring-fed Pond w/ Boats
Swimming Pool
Spacious Campgrounds for Tent Camping
Bunk-Style Cabin Accommodations Available
Hot Showers & Flush Toilets
FREE Drinking Water
FREE & Secure Main Parking

Dates:
Thursday, June 11th to Sunday, June 14th, 2009
Gates open on Thursday at noon - Drum Circle at dusk.
Amplified music starts on Friday at 10:00am.

Tickets:
Advance - $125 (April 9th – June 1st)
Gate - $150* (June 11th – June 14th)
*Will Call or Cash Only at the Gate – no Credit Cards or Personal Checks.
Children under 16 admitted FREE with parent or legal guardian.
Optional Meal Plans & Cabin Accommodations available at an additional charge.

Payment:
Credit Card (VISA/MC/DISCOVER) payments - www.BrownPaperTickets.com

Location:
RAMBLEWOOD – 2564 Silver Road, Darlington, MD 21034, USA
www.ramblewood.com
Leave No Trace. No Dogs Allowed.

www.GMSF.us / www.Gaian-Mind.com

Questions & Concerns can be addressed to gmsf2009@gaian-mind.com.

posted in All Yoga - 0 replies

Buddha Body Yoga

2009-05-19T17:15:51Z

I just read this article in the NY Times about Buddha Body Yoga Class, yoga for overweight and big people. I found it very informative and wanted to share with everyone.
Thanks,
-Liz

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/health/nutrition/14fitness.html

posted in All Yoga - 0 replies

Enlighten Up!

2009-05-18T05:13:32Z

I just saw the preview release of this movie!

It is fun, interesting, silly, thought-provoking..

I really liked it.

posted in All Yoga - 4 replies

His Holiness the Dalai Lama ( world class tantric yoga teacher and humanitarian ) : introduction, current international schedule, resources

2009-05-16T19:19:32Z

N.B. In the overall Buddhist tradition known as Mahayana, the practice of "karma yoga" or universal humanitarian service is of equal importance to formal yoga sadhana. HH the Dalai Lama believes and practices this way, and I as a western tantric guru do also.

Keywords : HH The Dalai Lama, public Dalai Lama talks on world peace, Dalai Lama resources and current schedule, Nobel Peace Prize, universal human [ secular ] ethics, deep permaculture ethics.

Summary: Provided here is (1) the current tour schedule for His Holiness the Dalai Lama [ for California, Massachusetts, New York, Denmark, Iceland, Netherlands, India, Germany ], (2) an introduction to the life and work of HH the Dalai Lama, (3) book references and resources, and (4) curriculum vitae.

HH the Dalai Lama:
“Never give up.
No matter what is going on.
Never give up.
Develop the heart.
Be compassionate.
Not just to your friends but to everyone.
Work for peace in your heart and in the world.
Work for peace and I say again:
Never give up.
No matter what is happening.
No matter what is going on around you.
Never give up.”

Introduction:

All Our Relations. Mitakuye Oyasin.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama is one of the pivotal figures of our time. He is, more than anyone else that can be presently named, a world citizen and world teacher.

His work in ethics, human rights,world peace, psychology and education, Buddhist teaching and East West relations, is second to none in our generation.

In addition to a Nobel Peace Prize and the US Congressional Gold Medal, HH the Dalai Lama has received scores of honorary Doctorates ( in Laws, Philosophy, Human Letters, Divinity, Buddhist Philosophy, and so forth ) from major teaching centers worldwide. These include Columba, Brandeis, Universite de Paris, Benaras Hindu University, Hebrew University Jerusalem, U California San Francisco, and Rissho University Tokyo. He is an honorary citizen of Canada, of Roma Italia and so forth.

He speaks worldwide and has published more than seventy two books.

He is one of the most respected and revered persons on the the planet. On one visit to New York City some years back, forty thousand people turned out to see the Dalai Lama in the park.

When the Dalai Lama gives the Highest Yoga Tantra initiation ( abhisekha ) of Kalacakra, the attendees sometimes number 100,000 or even 200,000. HH the Dalai Lama has given this initiation thirty times in different parts of the world. In addition to being a master of the Great Seal ( Mahamudra ) lineage of Buddhist tantra, he also gives initiations of the Great Perfection ( Mahasandhi, Atiyoga ), for example in London, in San Francisco, and Paris.

You can see him this year at public talks in several areas, such as California, Massachusetts, New York, Europe, and India. A current schedule is provided below.

I have seen HH the Dalai Lama give extremely worthwhile empowerments in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and represented him to the State Legislature of Hawaii in 1993, where he was invited to give a talk, and did. I have listened carefully to him conferencing with Hawaiian elders in public and was struck by the care and attention he gave in listening to others, and in asking questions.

HH the Dalai Lama has written extremely important books on psychology and ethics, and I recommend these to the general public for self-help purposes, and also recommend some of his books to those committed to public service, especially in the area of multiculturalism, international human rights work, and the international Green Party movement.

Because of the profound confluence of modern events, global economics, environmental issues and human cultures, the importance of broader and deeper human co-operation becomes more and more important.

To obtain a broader and clearer understanding and principles for working with these most important issues, studying the secular works of the Dalai Lama is of great value and importance.

Similarly, His Holiness is one of the few people who can and does speak for the diverse Buddhist populations and traditions worldwide. He has taught senior Japanese tantric Buddhist gurus of the Shingon lineage in their country, for instance. His Holiness is a paragon of the Buddhist renunciate order ( bhiksu-sangha ), of Buddhist scholarship, and of the Mahayana Great Way lineages, all of which are profoundly universal.

This teacher is one of our very very best, be you a psychologist or academic, a diplomat, a tantric yogi, or a Buddhist practitioner. He has completely revolutionized Buddhist teaching, parts of popular modern culture, the understanding of international diplomacy and so forth in our lifetime.

This is someone who actually embodies many of the key principles of the United Nations treaties on human rights, and also the key Buddhist Mahayana principles and teachings. It is important to note that the Mahayana Buddhist principles and the principles of the UN human rights work are essentially identical. There are universal principles that take us all forward, individually and together. In Buddhist Sanskrit these terms are, for instance pratitya-samutpada and karma. Now you know.

The final point I wish to put forward to all is this: the Dalai Lama believes in all of us as people who *already* have sensitive human hearts that can be educated and developed, and he shows all of us a very real and practical way forward, a way based on self-understanding, listening and mutual respect, and patient co-operation.

You could do worse, and please remember that due to impermanence, this elder teacher will not live forever. It is not clear how anyone anywhere can replace him.

I see no real alternative to respect and co-operation for the common good, because we are one world. For this broader and deeper reason, and not specifically because he is a Buddhist guru, I support this teacher. He was not allowed by their government to attend a recent peace conference in South Africa, but he is available to you, and he is here for All Our Relations. May he live long and may his brilliant consciousness reach many many more.

Thank you,
KT, Rio Earth Summit Green Party organizer and so forth

In partial fulfillment of my formal Mahayana teaching responsibilities.
Sarva mangalam! Siddhi rastu!
[ May it be auspicious! May there be accomplishment! ]

John David Bartoe, Challenger 8 NASA space mission, July 1985:
“As I looked down, I saw large river meandering slowly along for miles, passing from one country to another without stopping. I also saw huge forests, extending across several borders. And I watched the extent of one ocean touch the shores of several continents. Two words leaped to mind as I looked down on all of this: commonality and interdependence. We are one world.”

Some of the following materials are taken from
http://www.dalailama.com/
Published books and multimedia materials are available at libraries throughout the world, and from Snow Lion Publications at
http://www.snowlionpub.com

From the official web site:

“Universal Recognition

“His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a man of peace. In 1989 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent struggle for the liberation of Tibet. He has consistently advocated policies of non-violence, even in the face of extreme aggression. He also became the first Nobel Laureate to be recognized for his concern for global environmental problems.

“His Holiness has travelled to more than 62 countries spanning 6 continents. He has met with presidents, prime ministers and crowned rulers of major nations. He has held dialogues with the heads of different religions and many well-known scientists.

“Since 1959 His Holiness has received over 84 awards, honorary doctorates, prizes, etc., in recognition of his message of peace, non-violence, inter-religious understanding, universal responsibility and compassion. His Holiness has also authored more than 72 books.

“His Holiness describes himself as a simple Buddhist monk.”

“Three Main Commitments in Life
“Firstly, on the level of a human being, His Holiness first commitment is the promotion of human values such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment and self-discipline. All human beings are the same. We all want happiness and do not want suffering. Even people who do not believe in religion recognize the importance of these human values in making their life happier. His Holiness refers to these human values as secular ethics. He remains committed to talk about the importance of these human values and share them with everyone he meets.

“Secondly, on the level of a religious practitioner, His Holiness second commitment is the promotion of religious harmony and understanding among the world's major religious traditions. Despite philosophical differences, all major world religions have the same potential to create good human beings. It is therefore important for all religious traditions to respect one another and recognize the value of each other's respective traditions. As far as one truth, one religion is concerned, this is relevant on an individual level. However, for the community at large, several truths, several religions are necessary.

“Thirdly, His Holiness is a Tibetan and carries the name of the Dalai Lama. Tibetans place their trust in him. Therefore, his third commitment is to the Tibetan issue. His Holiness has a responsibility to act as the free spokesperson of the Tibetans in their struggle for justice. As far as this third commitment is concerned, it will cease to exist once a mutually beneficial solution is reached between the Tibetans and Chinese.

However, His Holiness will carry on with the first two commitments till his last breath.”

Upcoming Schedule
2009
Lecture in Santa Barbara, CA, USA on April 24: His Holiness will give a lecture on The Nature of Mind organized by the University of Santa Barbara at the UCSB Events Center. Contact Website: www.religion.ucsb.edu/dalailama/
Public Talk in Santa Barbara, CA, USA on April 24: His Holiness will give a public talk on Ethics for Our Time organized by the University of Santa Barbara at the UCSB Events Center. Contact Website: www.religion.ucsb.edu/dalailama/
Public Talk in Berkeley, CA, USA on April 25: His Holiness will give a public talk on Peace Through Compassion organized by the University of California, Berkeley at the Greek Theater. Contact Website: www.berkeley.edu

Public Talk in Boston, MA, USA on April 30: His Holiness will give a public talk to the Harvard University Community on Educating the Heart organized by Harvard University at the Memorial Church. Contact Website: www.harvard.edu
Inauguration of The Dalai Lama Center on April 30: His Holiness will inaugurate The Dalai Lama Center at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) by giving a talk on Ethics and Enlightened Leadership. Contact Website: www.thecenter.mit.edu
Panel Discussion in Boston, MA on May 1: His Holiness will participate in a panel discussion on Meditation and Psychotherapy – Cultivating Compassion and Wisdom organized by the Harvard Medical School Department of Continuing Education at Boston Park Plaza Hotel. Contact Website: www.cme.med.harvard.edu/index.asp?SECTION=CLASSES&ID=00292525&SO=Y
Teaching in Boston, MA on May 2: His Holiness will give a teaching in the morning on What Is Buddhism & Commentary on The Four Noble Truths organized by the Tibetan Association of Boston at the Gillette Stadium, Foxboro. Contact Website: www.bostontibet.org
Public Talk in Boston, MA on May 2: His Holiness will give a public talk in the afternoon on The Path to Peace and Inner Happiness organized by the Tibetan Association of Boston at the Gillette Stadium, Foxboro. Contact Website: www.bostontibet.org

Public Talk in New York, NY on May 3: His Holiness will participate in a conversation with Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and moderated by Pico Iyer on Wisdom & Compassion for Challenging Times and organized by The Tibet Fund at The Town Hall. Contact Website: www.tibetfund.org

Teaching in New York, NY on May 4: His Holiness will give a teaching on The Quintessence of Compassion organized by The Tibet House at The New Beacon Theater. Contact Website: www.tibethouse.org
Public Talk in Albany, NY on May 6: His Holiness will give a public talk on Compassionate Ethics in Difficult Times organized by the World Ethical Foundations Consortium at the Albany Palace Theater. Contact Website: www.worldethicalfoundations.org

Teaching in Copenhagen, Denmark from May 30 & 31: His Holiness will give a day and a half teaching on Nagarjuna's Commentary on Bodhicitta (jangchup semdrel) & Kamalashila's The Middling Stages of Meditation (gomrim barpa) at the Bella Center. Contact Website: www.dalailama.dk
Public Talk in Copenhagen, Denmark on May 31: His Holiness will give a public talk on Peace Through Inner Peace at the Bella Center. Contact Website: www.dalailama.dk

Public Talk in Reykjavik, Iceland on June 2: His Holiness will give a public talk on the topic on Values, Attitude and Happiness at the Laugardalsholl Sporting Arena. Contact Website: www.dalailama.is

Teaching in Amsterdam, The Netherlands on June 4: His Holiness will give a teaching on Shantideva’s Chapter 6 on Patience from A Guide to the Bodhisattva’s Way of Life at the Rai Congress Center. Contact Website: www.dalailamanederland.nl
Public Talk in Amsterdam, The Netherlands on June 4: His Holiness will give a public talk on The Power of Compassion At A Turbulent Time at the Rai Congress Center. Contact Website: www.dalailamanederland.nl

Teaching in Kaza, H.P., India from July 10 to 12: His Holiness will give three-day teachings at the request of the Sakya Monastery in Kaza. On July 10 His Holiness will give a Buddhist teaching (topic yet to be decided). On July 11 and 12 His Holiness will confer the Avalokiteshvera Initiation (chenresig wangchen).

Teaching in Frankfurt, Germany on July 30 & 31: His Holiness will give a day and a half teaching on Kamalashila's The Middling Stages of Meditation (gomrim barpa). On the morning of July 31 he will confer an Amitabha Empowerment (opakmey jenang). Contact Website: www.dalailama-frankfurt.de

Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech
[ University Aula, Oslo, 10 December 1989 ] :

Your Majesty, Members of the Nobel Committee, Brothers and Sisters.

I am very happy to be here with you today to receive the Nobel Prize for Peace. I feel honored, humbled and deeply moved that you should give this important prize to a simple monk from Tibet I am no one special. But I believe the prize is a recognition of the true value of altruism, love, compassion and non-violence which I try to practice, in accordance with the teachings of the Buddha and the great sages of India and Tibet, I accept the prize with profound gratitude on behalf of the oppressed everywhere and for all those who struggle for freedom and work for world peace.

I accept it as a tribute to the man who founded the modern tradition of non-violent action for change Mahatma Gandhi whose life taught and inspired me. And, of course, I accept it on behalf of the six million Tibetan people, my brave countrymen and women inside Tibet, who have suffered and continue to suffer so much. They confront a calculated and systematic strategy aimed at the destruction of their national and cultural identities. The prize reaffirms our conviction that with truth, courage and determination as our weapons, Tibet will be liberated.

No matter what part of the world we come from, we are all basically the same human beings. We all seek happiness and try to avoid suffering. We have the same basic human needs and is concerns. All of us human beings want freedom and the right to determine our own destiny as individuals and as peoples. That is human nature. The great changes that are taking place everywhere in the world, from Eastern Europe to Africa are a clear indication of this.

In China the popular movement for democracy was crushed by brutal force in June this year. But I do not believe the demonstrations were in vain, because the spirit of freedom was rekindled among the Chinese people and China cannot escape the impact of this spirit of freedom sweeping many parts of the world. The brave students and their supporters showed the Chinese leadership and the world the human face of that great nation.

Last week a number of Tibetans were once again sentenced to prison terms of upto nineteen years at a mass show trial, possibly intended to frighten the population before today's event. Their only 'crime" was the expression of the widespread desire of Tibetans for the restoration of their beloved country's independence.
The suffering of our people during the past forty years of occupation is well documented. Ours has been a long struggle. We know our cause is just Because violence can only breed more violence and suffering, our struggle must remain non-violent and free of hatred. We are trying to end the suffering of our people, not to inflict suffering upon others.

It is with this in mind that I proposed negotiations between Tibet and China on numerous occasions. In 1987, I made specific proposals in a Five-Point plan for the restoration of peace and human rights in Tibet. This included the conversion of the entire Tibetan plateau into a Zone of Ahimsa, a sanctuary of peace and non-violence where human beings and nature can live in peace and harmony.
last year, I elaborated on that plan in Strasbourg, at the European Parliament I believe the ideas I expressed on those occasions are both realistic. and reasonable although they have been criticised by some of my people as being too conciliatory. Unfortunately, China's leaders have not responded positively to the suggestions we have made, which included important concessions. If this continues we will be compelled to reconsider our position.

Any relationship between Tibet and China will have to be based on the principle of equality, respect, trust and mutual benefit. It will also have to be based on the principle which the wise rulers of Tibet and of China laid down in a treaty as early as 823 AD, carved on the pillar which still stands today in front of the Jokhang, Tibet's holiest shrine, in Lhasa, that "Tibetans will live happily in the great land of Tibet, and the Chinese will live happily in the great land of China".

As a Buddhist monk, my concern extends to all members of the human family and, indeed, to all sentient beings who suffer. I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood. We need to cultivate a universal responsibility for one another and the planet we share. Although I have found my own Buddhist religion helpful in generating love and com¬passion, even for those we consider our enemies, I am convinced that everyone can develop a good heart and a sense of universal responsibility with or without religion.

With the ever growing impact of science on our lives, religion and spirituality have a greater role to play reminding us of our humanity. There is no contradiction between the two. Each gives us valuable insights into the other. Both science and the teachings of the Buddha tell us of the fundamental unity of all things. This understanding is crucial if we are to take positive and decisive action on the pressing global concern with the environment.

I believe all religions pursue the same goals, that of cultivating human goodness and bringing happiness to all human beings. Though the means might appear different the ends are the same.
As we enter the final decade of this century I am optimistic that the ancient values that have sustained mankind are today reaffirming themselves to prepare us for a kinder, happier twenty-first century.

I pray for all of us, oppressor and friend, that together we succeed in building a better world through human under-standing and love, and that in doing so we may reduce the pain and suffering of all sentient beings.
Thank you.

[ end posting ]

posted in All Yoga - 4 replies

Beautiful Yoga CD - Spirit Lounge

2009-04-29T18:31:17Z

I'm loving this CD for Yoga. It's an eclectic mix of meditative and world beat sounds with music by Snatam Kaur, Miten, Deva Premal, Aethera, Manish Vyas, Terry Oldfield, Tulku, and Prem Joshua.

Here are samples: http://www.newearthrecords.com/web/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=0&idproduct=1585

Anymore recommendations?

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bikram yoga poses picture

2009-04-29T16:12:52Z

http://bikram.tribe.net/photos/858457dd-83b9-4ea8-bc4a-3e05ea3b3543

email me privvy if you'd like the 1.4MB copy

tastysammichez(at)hotmail(dot)com

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Family Yoga Camp, July 10-17, Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm in Grass Valey

2009-04-25T21:51:41Z

If you'd like to share yoga with your kids, the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Farm will be hosting their annual week-long Family Yoga Camp, July 10 through 17. It's a sweet, amazing opportunity to get serious quality time with your kids and your practice - and your kids' practice!

The schedule is set up to allow parents time for meditation, asana practice and pranayama, while the kids are doing their own practice or other fun activities. Everyone eats together, may go to classes, does a little karma yoga & has time to just be. Older teens could easily take the adult classes, as desired (I started when I was 14, oh so many years ago...), while pre-school to middle school age kids do kid activities. You can tent camp or stay in one of the Farm's cabins - it's a pretty darn cheap family vacation. Kids are half-price.

The camp is organized by Vidya Chaitanya, a long-time yogini who is the Director of the Sivananda Yoga Center in L.A. & was Asst. Director at the Yoga Farm for many years.

This will be our 3rd year going. It's a trip to see our now 11-year-old boy-boy son, who likes nothing better than nerf gunning his friends, playing on the computer, and being cheerfully rude, shift gears into ashram mode and get chill and even satvic. There's a pond on the property for swimming ('cause it gets warm!) and we always go to the Yuba River a couple times during the week. There's Satsang twice daily, you can sing kirtan with the kids, have delicious Ayurvedic food, hang out with other yogi parents, expose the kids to vedic philosopy and the young adult yogis who do activities with them (nice role models).

Like international travel, it gives kids a chance to see and experience another way of life, and to experience family life within an community. We load up the mini-van and drive all the way up from Ventura County - it's worth it. Come and join us!

More description and registration info is at: www.sivanandayogafarm.org

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Dandayamana–Bibhaktapada–Janushirasana

2009-04-20T02:29:05Z

Hi there,

I'm hoping someone can help me with this. When I go into the pose (partially as I don't yet have the flexibility to straighten my leg the whole way) on the right, I'm fine. When I do this on the left, I feel intense pressure in my upper left abdomen and have to release the pose.

Any ideas of what might cause this and ways that I can stop experiencing this?

TIA
Kina

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Here comes the Sun. Sanskrit mantras for Sun ( Surya ) and Moon ( Chandra )

2009-04-19T20:51:35Z

Here comes the Sun.

Sanskrit mantras for Sun ( Surya ) and Moon ( Chandra ) from the Vedic traditions of Sanatana Dharma ( Hindu culture ), and a related mantra from Vedacarya David Frawley. Plus some George Harrison.

Sun and moon worship are very ancient and universal pagan practices. I personally have really missed the sun for many months due to a winter that extended through early April.

We all share the same sun over the same earth. Let's celebrate the healing strength of the natural elements. All Our Relations.

May the Circle Be Open And Unbroken!

Acarya KT, inner medical tantrika and dharmapala-guru

http://www.mailerindia.com/slokas/mantras/index.php SakamGayatri

9. Surya Gayatri: Worship with this mantra is very beneficial for curing grievous diseases.

Om Bhaskaraya Vidmahe
Divakaraya Dhimahi
Tanno Suryah Prachodayat

10. Chandra Gayatri: For the removal of suffering and to get peace from dejection and worries, this mantra has been used for the worship of this Divine Shakti.

Om Shirputraya Vidmahe
Amrit Tatvaya Dhimahi
Tanno Chandrah Prachodayat

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surya

Surya Namaskara, or the "Sun salutation"

A well-known Hindu mode of worship of the devotional movements of Surya is done at the rising of the Sun, known as Surya namaskara (Sun Salutation). Ten yogic postures are assumed in successive flowing movements to complete one namaskar. Twelve sacred Hindu mantras uttered and for each mantra one complete namaskar is done. Ancient practice is to do 108 namaskaras a day. It is considered most auspicious by Hindus to do this.

The 12 mantras for surya namaskara:

1. aum mitraya namah
2. aum ravayé namah
3. aum suryaya namah
4. aum bhanavé namah
5. aum khagaya namah
6. aum pushné namah
7. aum hiranyagarbhaya namah
8. aum marichayé namah
9. aum adityaya namah
10. aum savitré namah
11. aum arkaya namah
12. aum bhaskaraya namah

http://www.yoga-training-you.com/surya-mantra.html
A great astrologer said:
"To transcend the stars we must become the stars."

The Planetary Mantras

I've given several examples of powerful mantras for each planet. Choose one or more mantras from each planet and put it to practice.

Surya Mantra -- Sun Mantras

Om suryaya namaha

Om savitri namah

Om adityaya namaha

Om ravaye namaha

These four separate mantras can be repeated at least 108 times a week. Best on Sunday, the day of The Sun, during the day.

Chandra Mantra -- Moon Mantras

Om somaya namaha

Om chandraya namaha

Should be repeated on a Monday, the day of The Moon, or in the evening, particularly around the Full Moon.

also . . .

The Mantra to the Supreme Light
By David Frawley
From American Institute of Vedic Studies
http://www.vedanet.com/

Above is the Mantra to the Supreme Light, Param Jyoti Mantra, which is a famous Vedic, Vedantic and Tantric Mantra. We could also spell it phonetically as OM HREEM HAMSA SO HAM SWAHA! This mantra brings us into the Divine or inner light and causes it to resonate in our body, breath, speech and mind.

The Mantra for the Supreme Light is the main mantra for the American Institute of Vedic Studies. We recommend all our friends and students to chant it regularly. We initiate individuals into this mantra and its many variants. It is the core form of an entire set of mantras of which there are several dozen versions that can be used for many different purposes. We also use this mantra along with other important mantras like the famous Tantric Panchadashi Mantra to Tripura Sundari.

This Mantra to the Supreme Light is first a Vedantic mantra. Om is the Supreme Brahman. Hrim is the mantra of the spiritual heart. Hamsah is the mantra of the liberated soul. So'ham means "I am He", meaning the Supreme Being. Swaha indicates consecration into the light. The mantra can be used along with meditation to realize the Self within.

The Mantra to the Supreme Light is a Tantric mantra. Om is the Supreme Shiva. Hrim is the the Supreme Shakti. Hamsa So'ham is the unification of Shiva and Shakti in our breath and consciousness. Swaha indicates consecration into the light. This mantra can be used along with the worship of the Goddess to bring her presence into our hearts.

The Mantra to the Supreme Light is a Yoga mantra. Om is the supreme guru. Hrim is the light of the awakened Kundalini. Hamsa So'ham is the balancing of the Sun and Moon, or solar and lunar forces, the Ida and Pingala Nadis. Swaha indicates consecration into the light. The mantra can be used along with pranayama to empower the breath and open the chakras.

The Mantra to the Supreme Light is an Ayurvedic mantra. Om is the cosmic prana. Hrim is the health giving power of the spirit heart. Hamsa So'ham is the power of the breath to give vitality and promote rejuvenation. Swaha indicates consecration into the light. The mantra can be used to bring the cosmic prana into us for healing purposes.

The Mantra to the Supreme Light is an astrological mantra. Om is the mantra of the cosmic light. Hrim is a mantra for the Sun. Hamsa So'ham is the energy of the Sun as the power of life and consciousness. Swaha indicates consecration into the light. The mantra can be used to propitiate weak planets in the Vedic birth chart, starting with the Sun.

The Mantra to the Supreme Light is an important mantra for usage at the winter solstice, the equinoxes and summer solstices for the worship of the Sun. With the mantra Shrim (Shreem) instead of Hrim, it can be used at the new, half and full Moons, for the worship of the Moon and the Goddess.

[ end article ]

And here is a Buddhist Sun Goddess mantra, from the oral ( lineage holder ) tradition, which I received in 1983:

OM MARICIYE SVAHA

From George Harrison
( copyright retained )

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
and I say it's all right

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it's all right

Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it's all right

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...

Little darling, I feel that ice is slowly melting
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
and I say it's all right
It's all right

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Deva Premal & Miten - first time in Boston!

2009-04-14T23:06:42Z

Om Namah Shivaya

We are ecstatic that Deva Premal & Miten with Manose are coming for the first time to Boston!

The concert will be at the Regent Theatre in Arlington, MA on Sep 10th, 7:30 PM.

Their beautiful music will truly speak to your heart and move your soul.

Tickets are now on sale at www.shunyamproductions.com. The concert is selling out fast, so don't wait!

We hope to see you at this unforgettable event! Please tell all your friends about it.

Om Shanti

Veena & Shunyam

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Find out how to use your voice to save your life

2009-04-14T01:52:15Z

What if you had a device that would reliably produce peace of mind, elevate your mood, and support your growth into who you most wish to be?
Good news: you have just such a device. It's your voice!
The ancients understood that our voice is the steering wheel of our thoughts and feelings. When you focus your attention on the sound of your own voice while repeating time-tested mantras ("mind-protectors"), you lead your mind and heart in an Ultimately True, Beautiful, and Healthful direction. And because we all live in the atmosphere of our thoughts, your quality of life will be dramatically improved.
Kailash (Kurt Bruder, Ph.D., M.Ed.) provides you with the tools you need to take up or deepen a life-saving practice of devotional chanting in his groundbreaking book & CD set, Following Sound into Silence: Chanting Your Way Beyond Ego into Bliss (Hay House).
To discover what several leading figures in sacred sound and spirituality have to say about this extraordinary resource, please use this URL link:

http://OmKailash.com/fsis_testimonials.html

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India 3rd top consumer and recycler of plastic

2009-03-27T20:40:49Z

Check out the story:
http://marketplace.publicradio.org/display/web/2007/05/25/indias_plastic_plague/

"In the U.S., towns squabble over who will have to absorb all this plastic. But in India they want the stuff. Dealers here buy plastic from all over the world, especially Europe and the U.S. Then guys like Vinod sort it out by color and quality and resell it to factories, who restyle it into new plastic stuff. So this market is the heart of India's recycling industry. In the U.S., only about 10 percent of plastic gets recycled. But in India more than half is reused.

And here's the thing: There's no government recycling program in India. This is all ad-hoc small businessmen."
"ANITA AHUJA: 'I mean, we are the third, now, the biggest manufacturers and consumers of plastic. First is America, second is China, third is India. And our middle-class population is increasing so there's going to be much more consumption of plastic
It's really sad — I mean, for the drains, for the river. I mean, the world has produced enough plastic, and now we should not produce anymore. And we should recycle, because the plastic cannot be destroyed. "
crazy..
we really should demand that these companies stop producing plastic and reuse what is already there. theres moreeeeeeee than enough plastic to meet anyones needs.

posted in All Yoga - 1 reply

Yoga on BALI

2009-03-24T15:30:40Z

going next month...any suggestions or people to look up?

many thanks,
Dawna

posted in All Yoga - 2 replies

Suppression of Rational Philosophy

2009-03-15T15:07:36Z

India, the motherland of yoga, has lng been dominated by the religious establishment, which kept the country in a backward and impoverished state until recent times. The society was dominated by the Brahmins, whose religion is represented by the philosophy known as A-dvaita (non-dual) Vedanta.

Rational philosophies like Samkhya and Yoga, which are more like science than religion, were distorted beyond recognition and absorbed into the religion of the Brahmins. Buddhism largely relocated to Tibet, where they have been able to preserve the Buddha's teachings intact, a task that would have been impossible in India.

To this day here on tribe we see obnoxious attempts to suppress rational philosophy by creating confusion and distraction, all the while attempting to distort the practice of yoga into the practice of relgion.

posted in All Yoga - 4 replies

Advaita vs. Reality

2009-03-15T14:54:29Z

The counter intuitive notion of absolute Advaita is contrary to not only Vedanta, but to tangible perception as well. Both tattvas of duality and oneness are described in the host of Vedic literatures. Fundamentalist advaitist try to deny the statements of variety and duality with a juggled philosophy of illusion superior to Sat, eternal truth.

How is one to understand dvaita and advaita

Drop of ocean water

A drop of ocean water is qualitatively one with the ocean, the same percentage of nitrogen, salts, etc

A drop of ocean water is quantitatively different from the ocean, a drop is a drop and the ocean is the ocean.

The same understanding applies to the Vedic understanding of the soul. Qualitatively one with the supreme, quantitatively different.

For example you do not know when I have to go to the bathroom unless I indicate that to you. Our consciousness is limited to our body.

If we look at the Bhagavad Gita, the first teaching is that the soul is individual and remains so even after liberation. That is also consistent in the Yoga sutras. And the Sankhya philosophy of the ancient sage Kapila the son of Devahuti.

Borrowing on the fame of Kapila Devahutri putra a later writer of the name Kapila founded his own philosophy of samkhya but with out the element of the God, Bhagavan.

posted in All Yoga - 5 replies

I just tried to do turtle pose...

2009-03-12T23:39:35Z

Wow! I had NO idea my hips were so tight (more like atrophied!) until now! Any tips or pose suggestions to help prepare for turtle?
Namaskar

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Sirsasana (headstand)

2009-03-07T17:02:32Z

I've been practicing astanga and mandiram vinyasa for just under a year. I'm now trying to learn to do a headstand without leaning on a wall, but I'm having a rather difficult time. I feel like I'm strong enough, but I have a really hard time keeping my balance and getting of the floor without inertia (as I've heard you're supposed to, by lifting your legs up slowly and "unrolling"). Can anyone offer some tips? Thanks in advance and blessings...

posted in All Yoga - 7 replies

rodney yee

2009-02-27T11:59:38Z

a friend recommended his am-pm yoga dvd for beginners...is it good?...should i bother? ..............thanx

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Best Asanas for Long Meditations

2009-02-19T14:59:24Z

~*Namaste and Mehta to All Beings*~
I am wondering which Yoga Asanas are best for long meditations(1+hour at a time). I use pigeon pose, forward bends, and one where i am in easy pose , legs parralell to body and put one foot on top of the oppisite knee and lean forward head to ground, then switch sides after a while. Anything that opens the hips and works on the knees i feel is beneficial.
What do you use?
Shanti

posted in All Yoga - 9 replies

tantric empowerments in Vancouver BC this December

2009-02-15T20:57:48Z

Keywords : tantric Buddhist empowerment, major empowerment cycle in highest yoga tantra and mahamudra, Sakya lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, Sakya Tsechen Thubten Ling and Her Eminence Jetsun Kusho.

OM SVASTI.

This December 2008 a major tantric empowerment cycle of the New School / Mahamudra lineage of vajrayana will be given in Vancouver British Columbia. These are the "Thirteen Golden Dharmas of Sakya", a comprehensive set of transmissions central to the Sakya School of Tibetan Buddhism, to be bestowed by Her Eminence Jetsun Kusho at Sakya Tsechen Thubten Ling, her tantric practice center.

"Her Eminence Jetsun Chimey Luding, or HE Jetsun Kusho, is a leading female teacher of tibetan buddhism living in the West. Jetsunma is one of three women in the history of Tibet to have given the Lamdre ("path and its fruition") teachings, the special system of contemplative and meditative practice of the Sakya order. Thus, she is a thoroughly trained lineage holder.
HE Jetsun Chimey Luding is the Resident Spiritual Director of the Sakya Tsechen Thubten Ling Center in Vancouver, Canada."

Translation from Tibetan will be by the eminent translator and Sakya scholar Jay Goldberg.

Dates:
December 20th through December 26th 2008
( see schedule below ).

Location:
Sakya Tsechen Thubten Ling (STTL)
9471 Beckwith Road
Richmond, BC Canada V6X 1V8

Contacts and references:
Tel: 604-275-5506
email: sakyatsechenthubtenling@shaw.ca
http://www.sakya.thinkbig.ca/

Discussion:
Her Eminence is a remarkably good teacher. I have three Vajrayogini empowerments from her. She is a primary lineage holder of the Sakya school, and considered a manifestation of the Great Goddess Vajrayogini herself. Vajrayogini is a central and highest practice of all the New Schools of Tibetan Buddhism, up through and including the Mahamudra teaching of primordial pure awareness.

It is not possible to practice these teachings without empowerment from a qualified lineage holder. Empowerment will include vows of basic Buddhist ethics ( the Ten Precepts ) and sacred vows of Mahayana / Great Way - Universal Service. Buddhist refuge and Mahayana vows are an integral part of every single tantric Buddhist empowerment, as is a commitment to some continuing meditative practice, typically involving mantra recitation.

Mantra means Sanskrit recitation of the names and activities of transcendent beings, i.e. Buddhist angels, in the context of ritual magic and yogic discipline. The purpose of these practices is primarily to develop the transcendent Wisdom, Compassion and Power ( jnana, karuna, bala ) of the fully realized Buddhas, and thereby to become capable of serving the highest good in all humanity from an inner elevated spiritual level. The path includes relative benefits such as inner healing and so forth, but no claims can be made regarding any one practice for any one practitioner.

Buddhist tantra, while a clear and formal spiritual discipline, is a culturally open and flexible path. This empowerment cycle will include a Hindu goddess ( Tinuma / Parvati ) and a Buddhist form of a primary Hindu deity, Avalokitesvara as Ganapati.

Note that I do not in any office represent this teacher or fellowship, and that arrangements may change. Please contact and preregister for all events, and be sure to show up quite a bit early, freshly washed and so forth. When the doors close they close. Space may well be quite limited.

Note also the prerequisite empowerment - either Sakya Hevajra ( included at the beginning of this series ) or Sakya Cakrasamvara. There are no substitutions though other lineages of these transmissions.

May the lineage of Her Eminence Jetsun Kusho flourish long, and may these teachings greatly benefit many.

Sarva mangalam! Siddhi rastu!
May All Benefit! May there be accomplishment!

Written in partial fulfillment of my vajrayana teaching vows, and with great respect for this teacher and lineage.

KT

The following resources are available from Snow Lion Publications
http://www.snowlionpub.com

For an overall survey of the meaning of tantric Buddhist empowerment, see
"EMPOWERMENT"
by Tsele Natsok Rangdrol

"The empowerment ritual is the indispensable entrance door to Vajrayana Buddhism. It activates our natural right to an enlightened rule over our life and spiritual practice. [ The book ] 'Empowerment' contains a wealth of instructions on Buddhist training, particularly Mahamudra and Dzogchen."

For a brief teaching on Mahamudra, see
"CLARIFYING THE NATURAL STATE", by Dakpo Tashi Namgyal
and
"AN OCEAN OF THE ULTIMATE MEANING: Teachings on Mahamudra"
by Khenchen Thrangu

"A practical manual for both teacher and student alike, Clarifying the Natural State covers the path from mindfulness to complete enlightenment, simply and methodically. Presenting the profound and ultimate instructions of Mahamudra, it embodies the realization of India and Tibet's greatest masters."

"Elevate your experience and remain wide open like the sky.
Expand your mindfulness and remain pervasive like the earth.
Steady your attention and remain unshakable like a mountain.
Brighten your awareness and remain shining like a flame.
Clear your thoughtfree wakefulness and remain lucid like a crystal."
--Dakpo Tashi Namgyal

MAHAMUDRA: The Natural Mind DVD
by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

7.5 hour, 4-DVD set.

#MANADV - $ 48.00
Mahamudra is the natural state of the mind: luminous, spacious, unhindered and free from dualistic concepts. In these talks, Mingyur Rinpoche provides a brilliant, engaging and accessible introduction to the practice of Mahamudra. With joy, humor and examples that are easily understandable by Western students, Rinpoche explains the meaning of Mahamudra and reveals how it is that our failure to recognize our nature of mind causes us to suffer. He provides extensive practice instructions on objectless meditation and meditation with a variety of supports including mantra, visual objects, sound, thoughts and emotions. In the fourth talk, Rinpoche presents an especially extensive and beneficial teaching on using pain as a support for meditation. For each practice he guides students through a practice session and answers students' questions about the practice. This teaching includes an extremely accessible explanation of Buddha-nature and emptiness.

For basic teaching on Vajrayogini, see
"VAJRAYOGINI: Her Visualizations, Rituals and Forms"
by Elizabeth English

"SUBLIME PATH TO KECHARA PARADISE: Vajrayogini's Eleven Yogas of Generation Stage Practice"
commentary by Sermey Khensur Lobsang Tharchin

"INITIAL PRACTICES OF VAJRAYOGINI: An FPMT Manual for Initiates" ( Restricted text )
FPMT

"Vajrayogini is the ultimate flowering of the female energy within all of us. This great manual includes short and longer versions of the sadhana, tsog and other offerings, preparing for retreat, guide to hand mudras and more. Spiral bound to lie flat during practice."

----------------------------------------------------

13 Golden Dharmas Empowerments
A series of empowerments unique to the Sakyapa

Hevajra - this is the central practice of Sakya lineage. The complete Sanskrit source tantra has been maintained, along with the practice lineage, since ancient India. See
"The Concealed Essence of the Hevajra Tantra, with the Commentary Yogaratnamala", by G.W. Farrow and I. Menon, published by Motilal Banarsidass.

This is a comprehensive inner yogic discipline. See
"The Triple Tantra", by Panchen Ngawang Choedak, Gorum Publications Autralia.

The Three Red Ones - (1) Vajrayogini of Naropa, (2) Vajrayogini of Indrabhuti, (3) Vajrayogini of Maitripa.

The Three Red Deities - (4) Uncommon Kurukulle ( an esoteric form of Red Tara ), (5) Ganapati ( Twelve Armed Ganesh - manifestation of Avalokitesvara ), (6) Takkiraja ( protector deity ).

The Three Small Red Deities - (7) Kurukulle Golden Chain ( a form of Tara ), (8) Tinuma ( e.g. Hindu goddess Parvati / Uma ), (9) Red Vasudhara ( Wealth Deity Tara ).

Four Other Deities - (10) Black Manjushri ( wrathful wisdom bodhisattva to reverse spells and sorcery ), (11) Multicolor Garuda ( for protection and healing ), (12) Singha Nada ( Lion's Roar Avalokitesvara ) and (13) Red Jambhala (mundane wealth deity ).

Pre-requisite: Hevajra or Chakrasamvara empowerment required. Participants who have received either empowerment from a Sakyapa teacher before will not need to take Hevajra empowerment again in order to receive the 13 Golden Dharmas.
Location: STTL center in Richmond

Hevajra empowerment - December 20 & 21
Saturday, December 20 - 6:30 pm
Sunday, December 21 - 2:30 pm
- Sadhana is available.

Other empowerments - December 22 - 31
( Partial attendance may be possible. )

* Sequence of the 13 empowerments will be announced on December 20.
* Mon - Sat: Empowerment starts at 6:30pm
* Sunday, December 25 & 26: Empowerment starts at 2:30pm.

More than empowerments are scheduled on these days.
- Sadhanas are available.

Suggested Donation: For entire series of empowerment - $350 CND

* Per empowerment - Hevajra $100
* Vajrayogini of Naropa $50
* All others - $30

-------------------------- end announcement -----------------

posted in All Yoga - 10 replies

Chant 4 Change Inaugural Kirtan Washington DC

2009-02-13T01:19:32Z

Did anyone here in the All Yoga tribe go? Dave Stringer, Jai Uttal, Gauravani, Shiva Rea!!!
here is some footage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRAlysaTfA8
more on http://www.Chant4Change.com

posted in All Yoga - 0 replies

Does anyone here have experience with Kundalini Yoga?

2009-02-07T23:57:46Z

What are some of your experiences in Kundalini Yoga?

:D

Michael

posted in All Yoga - 3 replies

Traveling to Bali mid April - any suggestions / travel tips?

2009-02-06T16:18:49Z

There are 2 of us traveling to Bali in search of yoga, relaxation, bodywork and adventure. We are on a budget and are interested in accommodations (2 beds, kitchen facilities) close to the Yoga Barn...Please, if you can help, we are really looking for the basics, but clean, and cheap.

We will be arriving April 16th and leaving April 30th. Any help or suggestions / contacts would be greatly appreciated as we are new to Bali.

Thank you so much for any and all ideas that you send our way...

many blessings to all,
heart to heart,
Dawna

posted in All Yoga - 0 replies

love

2009-02-06T15:26:42Z

~`~`~`~`~`~` ~`~`~`~`~ `~ ~`~`~`~`~`~` ~`~`~`~`~ `~

Gamble everything for love,
if you're a true human being.

If not, leave
this gathering.

Half-heartedness doesn't reach
into majesty. You set out
to find God, but then you keep

stopping for long periods
at meanspirited roadhouses.

- Rumi

posted in All Yoga - 2 replies

New!!! Somatic Bodywork Practice in Oakland!

2009-02-06T02:11:53Z

Greetings!

I have opened an Integrative Bodywork practice in Oakland. Please, feel free to check out my profile to learn more about my practice. Or you can go directly to my website: www.peaceandhealing.vpweb.com

Blessings,

* ilahi *
Founder of Peace & Healing Wellness Practice

posted in All Yoga - 0 replies

Resolution: YOGA!

2009-02-04T23:00:12Z

I haven't practiced any form of Yoga in a few months now. For so many reasons. I stopped teaching when I became pregnant because the form of Yoga I taught was a mish mosh of Ashtanga, Iyengar and Vinyassa that was at times very challenging physically. This pregnancy has been the perfect opportunity for me to connect with the inner most forms of Yoga.. the inner most me. I feel like I'm in a funk but realized recently that I don't have a 'place' to practice since I moved 5 months ago.

I still have unpacked boxes in my room, which would normally be where I'd roll my mat out. And to those folks who are giften in the art of Yoga anytime, anywhere.. I am not that person. I NEED to have a 'spot' that's sacred that I can step into (and bring with me when I step out of it). It's a sort of conditioning thing for me. Anyone relate to that? Needing or desiring a sacred spot. I know that when I step into this physical place I can let everything dissipate. Fear, worry, etc.. For whatever reason, that's hard for me to do without a 'spot'.

So my New Years Resolution is to create some material space to help me create some spiritual space. Think it's important for this baby and for my heart. It's been awhile since I've gone on a breathing journey and I'm at the point where I miss those journey's so much. They were magical and revealing. I think however, I did need this time to reflect on my practice and *miss* it. Makes the return so much.. sweeter.

Any Resolutions of your own??

K

posted in All Yoga - 33 replies

Teaching Yoga to the Little Ones

2009-02-04T06:22:55Z

I work as the program coordinator at a child development center. I'm expected to develop a yoga program for children 6 weeks to 5 years in the next year. I'm looking for resources to make this possible. The center owns a yoga kids dvd, the yoga pretzels cards, the story time yoga book and yoga for the special child. I love yoga for the special child and am constantly inspired by it. The only problem that I can see with the methods that are proposed in that book is that some children don't like their body to be manipulated for them. My daughter is a prime example. I started working with her at 6 months and a year later she still won't let the process happen.

I want to understand teaching yoga to young children. If you have any experience, ideas, book titles or anything to share with me, it would be greatly appreciated.

posted in All Yoga - 4 replies

Love poems from Rumi, for this Valentine

2009-02-03T16:37:04Z

To all of you that feel the call to explore the endless potential of love, journey now with love’s greatest student – and master – the 13th century mystic poet of Persia : Jelaluddin Rumi. Rumi’s incredible, profound verses invite us to experience a love beyond our senses, beyond time, beyond language: a love that removes all boundaries and answers all desire.
Sina Yasavolian recites selections of Nader Khalili’s translations in a graceful, lyrical dance to an original musical score by Hamoon Tehrani . His music awakens our hearts as Sina’s soothing voice and Rumi’s sensitive words transport our spirits to a place of union with the infinite divine presence. In her readings, Sina exhibits a deep respect and understanding of Rumi’s writing, which she generously shares with us. Do more than listen to this poetry and music; let it color your soul. You can buy and download these music, directly from this site. hope you enjoy it.
you can visite these web site for the CD.

http://trueloverumi.com/shop.html

http://cdbaby.com/cd/sina2

http://www.amazon.com/Rumis-Love-Sina/dp/B0012DKIBU/ref=sr_1_35?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1233635484&sr=8-35

love and light

Sina

posted in All Yoga - 0 replies

what kind of yoga do you teach or practice

2009-02-03T00:30:46Z

I teach waveyoga

I practivce flowing vinyasa from hatha, anusara and Shia Rea trained teachers

posted in All Yoga - 20 replies

article in Yoga Journal about a yoga teacher being sued for sexually touching women

2009-01-30T02:23:25Z

It occurred in Aspen. There's a long article on init in the Aspen News.

The teacher was charged and after the first incident of allegation.. then other women 'came forward".

Also the 'victim' went back over an d over for more classes and then made her allegations.

I am bothered by the whole thing.
It also brought to mind a post from awhiel ago about a yoga teache r who threw someone to a mat...

posted in All Yoga - 32 replies

Can anyone help me on this?

2009-01-28T06:21:32Z

I am totally amazed.

I have been ... in a ... "Devil's Circle" of ignorance for the past few years. It's leading me here now ... and I'd like to ask for any comment or advice from anyone who has knowledge.

All this ... ENERGY running up and down my spine ... beings in my head and around me ... taunting me to meditate again. Being a loner, I never joined a songha nor got a teacher. I used to do Vipassana Mediation ... and I went deep ... then I stopped ... and then ... all this began.

It took me out of my life ... and onto a road of learning ... that has finally brought me back to California ... and now to look at Yoga.

About a year ago I became a truck driver, and every day was pure torture. All that energy playing around my waist ... my throat ... the back of my neck ... inside my head ... all the messages!! The graphic on the Kundulini tribe page looks like what's happening (part of it) inside my body ... except it doesn't go anywhere and I don't know what to do with it so it's painful and sometimes ... torturous.

I'm trying to reach outside the circle of delusion/confusion ... and to arrive at what may be the answer. Greek Orthodox religion and Christ-Centered comptemplative meditation ... or does the answer rest with yoga. Kundalini Yoga specifically?

From what I'm reading ... it may be both ... but certainly ... answers are here. Can anyone be so kind as to comment?

posted in All Yoga - 5 replies

THE ENERGY BEHIND ENLIGHTENMENT

2009-01-23T17:58:53Z

Most people use ten percent or less of the Brain. Through the awakening of Kundalina energy the brain can organically evolve to a higher performance. No time has been spent investigating perhaps the most powerful energy of nature. Religious experience and its root.

Kundalini is the evolutionary potency in all humans. A fundamental bioenergy. It comes from an Indian word meaning “to join the soul with the cosmic soul,” In the ancient Indian language Sanskrit it is a term referring to a coiled force or energy originating at the base of the spine, and seated near the sex organs a coiled up sleeping snake. Implies latent energy or potential to expand. Serpent Power when activated travels up the seven chakras which are the nerve centers along the spinal cord and enlightens the mind. Expanding consciousness the nirvana of Buddha. It is responsible for human evolution and all-psychic abilities genius and spiritual illumination. Kundalini is the biological way to expand the mind.

Kundalini is the “secret” behind yoga and all other esoteric psychology’s and genuine occult mysteries. A scientifically measurable biochemical essence Kundalini is the substance that is the nourishment of consciousness. It penetrates the nervous system and influences the nerves to become the instrument of higher consciousness. This subtle substance is a snake-like force that fuels the mind in order to sustain a more active state, producing an awakened Kundalini individual, Note: snakes have two hemi penises and the power to hypnotize.

Such inner power is represented by the two snakes on King Tut’s headdress and the feathered serpent of Mexico and South America, The serpent in the Garden of Eden. The upward flow of Kundalini nectar (prana force, bioplasmic stream) is concentrated in the reproductive fluids of both men and women. When Kundalini is activated a reverse action takes place, feeding the center of the brain. “cavity of Brahma” in the brain’s ventricular cavity. Kundalini is the power that controls it. All great saints’’ mystics’ poets and people of genius, as well as the insane were influenced in this way.

If an experiment were performed it would prove the existence of the Kundalini force and show its physiological effects on the body. It could bridge the gap between science and mysticism and show the essential truth of religious experience and tradition. Religion has always been a companion of humanity. Religion came to guide humanity. No scientist could doubt the reality of this phenomenon once it has been observed and measured.. Such an experiment would uncover the vale of darkness and delusion under which humanity has been living. This evolutionary force needs publicity and actual proof would provide it. The results will speak for themselves. It will be a discovery more important than anything that has preceded it.

It is only from an awakened perspective that such observation can be made and this potential lies within everyone. As humanity evolved from cave men to the United Nations it becomes inevitable that this discovery will come to light and that there is indeed a purpose. A planned creation to our being. God protects our blue-green planet earth from the inferno of intergalactic space. Why? Because humanity has to attain to other states of consciousness for which all these recourses are needed to do this. We have been granted an intelligence to make the best use of it.

Life’s purpose and evolution’s power lead to cosmic laws, which must be obeyed for nature’s divine grace within us all to come to light. These laws as spoken of in all religions occult and mystical beliefs describe a path to enlightenment. As great empires have come and gone, so too must humanity’s faiths change.

My teacher, the late Pundit Gopi Krishna, an Indian Yogi-scientist and world renowned expert of Kundalini who has written over twenty books on the subject states, “We all know what happened whenever a political system became despotic and oppressive, a social system exacting and corrupt, and a religious system excessively authoritarian and dogmatic. There arose a demand for revision and reform. Political revolutionaries, reformers and prophets appeared on the scene, The old system was overthrown often with dreadful bloodshed, suffering and pain and a new one installed in its place. We have to cooperate with inner evolution.”

What is needed for a more positive harmonic peaceful and prosperous existence is a fuller understanding of humanity’s need for god. As society accelerates the brain must work increasingly beyond the point of balance. We are giants of intellect and dwarfs of the spiritual. We give no time to the spirit. Bringing on grave consequences. Gopi Krishna says. “ We have given too much emphasis to the material side of life at the cost of the spiritual side.” Time must be set aside for prayer, meditation, yoga or some other spiritual act in order to keep life’s evolutionary needs in balance and maintain inner sanity. Yoga meditation provides a channel for the opening of a powerful energy (inspiration) which can enable anyone to blossom into a genius, an artist, a poet, a mystic.

If this force awakens in an impure or out of balance form it can result in evil genius fanaticism delusions of grandeur, or mental illness (like manic depression and schizophrenia). There is a lot that is not understood that kundalini research will explain.

The brain is subject to the influence of countless factors connected with the life environment and the family history of an individual. When even slightly tainted or stained do to the pressure of reality or various causes such as wrong mode of life, unhealthy environment, faulty heredity, shock, frustration, repression, tension and numerous other factors. If the mind is abnormal the brain too must be a shareholder in the abnormality. There are subtle changes in some neuronic structures in the cranium. The real root of the abnormality is an impure or toxic condition of the prana. If you do not live a disciplined life then the awakening of this center can be unhealthy. A distorted vision of the same power. It means that the system is not pure and that the energy is not working in a healthy way.

There is a positive spiritual energy force within us all. Which has a physical counterpart in the human body that feeds a certain portion of the brain cavity of Brahma. This is a living electricity or intelligent energy that is needed to open the brain. The macrobiological changes and its effect can be observable and scientifically verified. Elevations of consciousness can only occur through the transformation brought by kundalini and by no other agency.

Nature shows compassion to humanity in order to help guide us safely through transgressions. God to me is a universal god that is not tied to any one organized religion. It gives us chance after chance. But when we digress off the path unhealthy results occur. We can not blame nature but ourselves. We have intelligence, we have reason, and we have learning. But if by having everything we ignore it then of course nature has no alternative except to teach us by suffering. Heaven is always merciful and all compassionate.

Great prophets, mystics, inventors, sages and people of genius have come to guide our race towards evolution’s goal. The study of the past will show the common thread within these great men and woman. Study is needed in order to educate us about how life should be led to be more in harmony with the forces of nature, which govern our life. A life of humility – love – purity - truth - moderation and compassion.

But how can we prove kundalini’s effect on the body? We can perform an experiment in a controlled environment. This experiment would take on hundred individuals with a healthy average intellect - normal typical people all with a great urge to awaken with a deep passion for spiritual matters and who are prepared to mold their lives in consort with the spiritual laws. Men and women aged twenty to thirty five. They would be put in a peaceful environment and subjected to various tests over a period of five years or more.

Scientists can observe them as the subjects try to awaken their kundalini. They will awaken to differing degrees. Tests will document the physiological changes that occur and will provide the empirical proof of what happens to the body as the kundalini force is awakened. I hypothesis that there are definitive biological differences in the blood, the cerebrospinal fluid and the composition of the brain matter in its subtle layers. Research on brain mapping. EEG ceg ces and the electricity in the body may show the kundalini force. The brain activity will be increased and its effect will be found all over the body. There will be metabolic processes, which can be measured. There will be physiological changes, which can be measured. This will convince the biologist that this change of the mind of the brain has physiological counter part. The result will start humanity towards a greater understanding of this evolutionary mechanism.

Once it is proved that the potential to awaken lies within everyone and is the most valuable asset we have, people will strive for it. The result on humanity will be comparable to the splitting of the spiritual atom. Instead of releasing a nuclear holocaust it will unleash the beginning of a utopian age, our cosmic destiny that can transform a mortal into an immortal and eternal source of happiness.

The awakening of these energies produces genius in mortal man or woman. Creativity, love and compassion emerge and pathways are opened to a future, awakened humanity. We will become the trailblazers of our own inevitable destiny. A utopian age of peace and harmony will follow. All political and spiritual processes will be developed for the highest good. Individuals will develop their “inner Sun” to the fullest during their lifetime. Kundalini research is part of an evolutionary force that compels us to look for enlightenment as an experience accessible to all. To awaken is the goal nature has set for us.

The time is right for we can use state of the art technology to study the phenomenon. We can study the common thread that lies at the root of all religion mysticism which is to guide humankind’s understanding of evolutionary change The understanding of kundalini is now becoming provable for the first time.

Sigmund Freud in fact understood that the libido is directly responsible for mental imbalances. At some point in time we will discover that all we know can be reduced to the bio-chemical. This center of the brain cavity of Brahma is still undiscovered but could be called the “third eye” or the “philosopher’s stone”. Kundalini will for the first time reveal how energy is supplied to the brain and that it is superintelligent. Freud’s concept about libido is of a psychic energy drawn from the libidinous tendencies in human beings. Which is to say the reproductive energy but only from a psychic point of view. He does not say that it has organic roots. This is what famed psychologist Wilhelm Reich emphasizes that this libido must have roots deep in the biochemical structure of the body.

The sex organs in a state of awakened kundalini produces a vast amount of fluid to feed the newly activated part of the brain. Sexual energy may well be directly connected to a mechanism that is affected by evolutionary advancement. Kundalini is the fundamental bioenergy stored primarily in the sex organs. This basic life force is normally associated with the genitals for simple continuance of the species by providing a sex drive. The tie in to the human sex drive and higher consciousness must be explored. Why do men have ejaculation while asleep or wake up with erect penises. There is a force of nature that needs physical release to be sane.

It is called the “goddess Kundalini” or “Mother Nature” because a mother’s love is similar to the bliss of higher consciousness. Woman have more feelings! Life is part of them - menstruation each month reminds them of that. Soulmates, man-woman have intercourse to prolong the race (children). Plus experience the love, kundalini evolutionary force of completion, happiness and bliss that keeps growing.

Sexual or relaxation exercises may release inner pressure of an over-taxed libido. An evolutionary super-nectar, extraordinary life force feeds the mind, a kissing food of unlimited bliss. The sublimation raising up of sex energy is the basic lever of all spiritual disciplines. But the all-inclusive nature of sex energy is a misnomer. Reproduction is but one of the aspects of the life energy of which the other theater of activity is the brain.

Humanity’s basic needs are for sex, god and a need for prayer to control our environment i.e.. hope within everyone lies the ability to awaken. Humanity needs love to balance our own unbalanced state and give us time to meditate, to control our over-taxed brain. Humanity’s sex drive may well be the only time some people relax from their hectic lifestyles. There is a need to just kick back and enjoy. Sex could be a form of deep meditation and experience between two soul mates. Loves deep blissful passion, kundalini’s purest expression an active prayer one of the most powerful forces in the universe. A positive experience that ends in an explosion of uncontrollable bliss. However for the average person, sex is not a deep meditation but is merely a physical release, a small slice of love’s true potential.

What is needed is that deep magnetism of love - a yin/yang of a universal constant. First came the big bang theory for the creation of the universe, now the love theory of creation states that the universe is a constant - always was here. That pure love magnetism, that yin/yang. Example. Trees love earth. Earth love the sky the sky loves the stars space… Love is consciousness … The universe is male and female and in love with both forces.

Suppression of sexuality out of contempt or hatred of our lower nature is an act of ignorance leading only to atrophy of the sexual system. Celibacy is contrary to nature. Since enlightenment is an evolutionary process with heredity playing an important role stamping the genera of the enlightened so that their biological gains through spiritual disciplines can be passed to their progeny. DNA research will eventually discover the consciousness gene.

Sexual energy has been represented in ancient art and statues by an erect organ. Showing the upward streaming of the reproductive essence that effects the transformation of consciousness.

In order to discover the factual evidence behind consciousness, one must first study kundalini energy and its effects. Scientific proof will free humanity to accept the fact that within everyone lies the temple of god leading to a clear realization of our own divine nature. Man’s incomprehensible inner bliss and oneness with divinity and a way of life that overpowers doing wrong or any other action that goes against this cosmic evolutionary force. The misunderstanding of kundalini has led to environmental decline that seems rooted to ultimate destruction of Planet Earth i.e. ozone layer, burning of rain forests, religious wars and terrorism, rape and murder….

It is one relationship not just to their own kundalini but also towards each other. It is the combination of the two that will lead not only to harmony but also to sharing and ultimately to progress. The appeal especially in these times is kundalini which offers hope promise. There is negative energy (i.e. ours) that can be transformed into positive communal conscience which will try to eradicate feelings of helplessness, negativity, pain and the burden of feeling isolated.

Why are people so selfish? Due to not having an understanding of kundalini. Just desperation, helplessness and power struggles which lead to hurting others and ourselves or apathy both of which have a profound effect on our history and the mood of the energy.

Our goal and objective is to create a paradise on earth. A peaceful co-existence, long lives, greater achievements and more freedom. A utopian society living by the laws uncovered by the experiment. A union with the divine is a sum total of the physical laws of the universe. We are in the process of taking the next evolutionary leap. The new century is here.

The study of what lifestyle would be best to advance ones inner potential is a task that may take eons to complete. With the help of divine grace may we free the veil that covers the eyes of the blind masses. We who have been chosen for this colossal task are the humble instruments of this evolutionary force. We will do our part to understand this unfathomable awareness of our eternal souls. The universe is ruled by an intelligent power! Consciousness does not change in birth or death it is bigger than our individual soul. Consciousness is an eternal om...

posted in All Yoga - 3 replies

Baby yogi breathing?

2009-01-21T16:26:18Z

I am curious to know if anyone has heard anything about this.... I've practiced yoga thruout my entire pregnancy she's due in just a few weeks. I am wondering if she is going to come out breathing in the yogi fashion of filling her belly as she inhales and deflating her belly as she exhales..... Is this something babies pick up from the womb? Or do they learn this as they are young lying next to yogi parents.... I have breathed in this manner since middle school so she has never really experienced me breathing in a shallow or more Western like manner... Just a thought that popped into my head and wondering if anyone had any ideas..... Thanx!

posted in All Yoga - 3 replies

Visualization & Self-Hypnosis with Hatha Yoga

2009-01-17T15:42:57Z

I've been really enjoying mixing visualization and self-hypnosis with my Hatha Yoga asanas! The visualization side, I use to see the entire routine before I do it, as well as see a deepening of the position. And the self-hypnosis side, to project the state I want to be in before, during and after asanas. Is anyone else using visualization and self-hypnosis with their Hatha Yoga sessions?

:D

Across whatever distance, I send my love,

Michael

posted in All Yoga - 4 replies

Mass Kundalini Awakening session

2009-01-16T18:26:22Z

Namaste to All
I am here inviting All of you sincere seekers to join mass Kundalini Awakening session with me.
I am going to start it from 21 Jan to 26 Jan 2009 at 10.00 IST(Indian Standard Time) which is +5.30 GMT.
The session will be for one and half hrs daily and hope all of you sincere seekers will spare your time to sit at the same time according to your Country Time Jone and get the benefit of this mass Kundalini Awakening session through Shaktipat/Mystic Initiation in Siddha Maha Yoga.
Any question on this invited.
I am authorizing charlyne pich, who has recieved Shaktipat for Kundalini Awakening recently to guide and reply the questions of all seekers.
OM

posted in All Yoga - 4 replies

Karma yoga, And a <ot> call for help

2009-01-16T03:57:43Z

living the practice takes on many forms and postures... consider this please...

Dear Ones, Please read and notify those you think might help of this crisis.

''Emergency Winter Heating/Utility Assistance Program for the Native American Elders, Disabled, and Seriously Ill.''

Winter in South Dakota started early Autumn 2008 and has been
exceptionally brutal with days and nights already breaking many records
for below 0*F temperatures and reported wind chill factors defying
comprehension at -72*F.

On the Pine Ridge Oglala Sioux Reservation, this has set even the
most solid of reservation organizations scrambling for heating fuel.
Add to the problem a 33% increase in propane costs this year and it has
become a very tenuous situation.

Sadly, like everywhere, it's always the elders and sick who are the most at risk.

Still there are many qualified elders and disabled from the Reservation
on a waiting list for assistance.

Bitter cold temperatures and snow still persist and are expected to
continue well into March 2009.

But with the early onset of winter and the blizzards and extended frigid
temperatures creating extreme need, funding is low or depleted
at this point for most of them.

The ultimate goal will be the programs provided which will continue
to keep people alive and warm, one family at a time.

www.republicoflakotah.com/

Please visit www.nativeprogress.org
to help send money, food, blankets etc...

Sooper Bear spoke to a lady named Jeri Baker and a gentleman named John DuBray this morning.
JERRY: 570-460-6567
JOHN: 605-441-5477

www.nativeprogress.org/content/view/49/112/

Jeri provided the above website to peruse:
John gave the following address for mailing supplies:

ONE SPIRIT
28080 ALLEN RD
ALLEN, SOUTH DAKOTA
57714

NATIVEPROGRESS.ORG
www.nativeprogress.org/

The woman in charge of directly working with the elderly on the reservation is:

LINDA BULL BEAR
605-454-0007
LBULLBEAR@NATIVEPROGRESS.ORG

FEMA is not helping. I repeat, FEMA is NOT helping.

Thank you Sooper Bear and Crow's World for the tip...

Please- lets all do whatever we can and also pass along this message... Thanks
Blessed Be / Namaste'
Siz'l

"The survival of the world depends upon our sharing what we have and working together. If we don't, the whole world will die. First the planet, and next the people."

FOOLS CROW
Ceremonial Chief of the Teton Sioux

posted in All Yoga - 0 replies

Without getting preachy...

2009-01-15T23:44:29Z

Describe your personal experience of unity and unification that you've had as a result of practicing yoga?
Remember, we're not looking for a sermon. Just a description of your personal experience.

;)

Across whatever distance, I send my love,

Michael

posted in All Yoga - 11 replies

Welcome to our Yoga retreat in India!

2009-01-15T23:35:00Z

http://atlanta.tribe.net/template/pub%2Coc%2CDetail.vm?plugin=blog&inst=14116629&topicid=34171c90-4289-40bd-89bd-2ce03867b571&commentid=e707f51a-393d-4ec8-9e8c-bffd829733d0#e707f51a-393d-4ec8-9e8c-bffd829733d0

Namaste!

posted in All Yoga - 1 reply

I am sad this tribe has turned to sex and preaching

2009-01-13T15:33:52Z

I open tribe. I see that there is a post in yoga. I go. Its sex or preach.
Duh..
I wish you all well.
One of my resolutions is to use my time in a more nourishing way.

This tribe, for all the good it can do, has become a bit low energy.

Maybe we will see one another in the spring.

posted in All Yoga - 27 replies

Kapila who?

2009-01-13T01:52:00Z

Kapila Muni.

If Patanjali was the father of Yoga, Kapila Muni was the great-grand-daddy. I've put together some of the legendary accounts of the Paramarsi for your reading pleasure.

http://samkhya-yoga.org/blogs/samkhya/pages/kapila.aspx

posted in All Yoga - 0 replies

Yoga For Sex?

2009-01-05T18:22:35Z

Hmmm... Anyone experience this?

"Another year, another batch of resolutions: eat right, exercise more, pay bills on time etc. All good in theory, but potentially dull in practice.

"In 2009, then, resolve to have better sex. According to a recent review article in the Dec. 3 issue of The Journal of Sexual Medicine, sexually unsatisfied women who practiced the Eastern techniques of mindfulness and yoga reported improvements in levels of arousal and desire, as well as better orgasms. In addition, yoga has been found to effectively treat premature ejaculation in men."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28449394/

posted in All Yoga - 10 replies

Snow Yoga

2009-01-04T04:03:52Z

We have 8 inchesof snow in Seattle.

Most city activities are cancelled.

I am off in a bit to walk.

My yoga/danc eto dauy will be walkign gently, appreciating the view of snow covered hills.

Tomorrow I shall put chains on my car and drive a bit.

My snow yoga shall be movement and appreciation.

Plese do a few poses for me if you get to go to a studio today.

namaste

posted in All Yoga - 15 replies

I think my yoga teacher has a crush on me

2008-12-31T17:36:51Z

Okay, I am in a bit of an awkward position. I recently started going to a yoga centre run by an organization I have practiced with in the past. On Wednesday I took a class and I sensed (in that way that women can sense) that the teacher might have some sort of attraction to me. I let it slide, because he wasn't being creepy or inappropriate and was remaining professional. Except at one point when I had a lot of tension in my feet after one of the asanas and he came and kneaded them with his while I was on my belly. That seemed a little odd but if it were a woman I would have thought nothing of it.

Then after class he offered me a ride home (I live really close) and is it was night and not that safe for me to be out alone I accepted. He didn't try anything weird and was very respectful. The next day we got to chatting (he wan't teaching that course) and ended up having coffee. He subtly mentioned at some point that he found me "beautiful" and pretty much made it clear without being creepy that he liked me. Today he brought me a gift. It's pretty clear he is trying to slowly engage in dating but I am not sure this is really appropriate. The place where I practice does not list the facilitators and they change all the time so I don't know who will teach a class on any given day. I only have had a class with im on that one day that we met and I think he is a good instructor so I don't want to try to avoid his classes or anything. I am however concerned that he might be tempted to give me extra attention in class which is not okay. Plus, he's a nice person and hasn't shown me any disrespect or creepiness, but I just am not sure how appropriate all of this is.

I taught writing for years and I remember having a couple of students who developed crushes, which I think is something every teacher has to deal with. However I have never had a crush on any of my students, nor have I ever had a teacher or professor behave like this. What should I do? I think I can keep our friendship platonic long enough for him to get over his puppy-crush and find ground in the friend category, so maybe that's the next step forward. Anybody have any similar experiences? And teachers, is the foot kneading thing inappropriate? Thanks for your insight.

posted in All Yoga - 93 replies

Happy New Year to All

2008-12-31T15:25:29Z

and a high handstand and round wheels to you
deep quiet stretches
and

round undulating twists

your friend
Cathy

posted in All Yoga - 0 replies

Hand Stands

2008-12-29T22:56:01Z

I have a block with this pose.

I can get up into it from crow, but I can't stay. I can use the wall fine, and hang out for a while, but I think my shoulders are too floppy, so my arms aren't resting down, they are still pushing. My head also isn't really letting go, which I think is part of the problem. does anyone have advice for this pose? I made a good step by keeping my shoulders above my wrists if I kick up, that prevents a full fly over. I also finally got flipping all the way over... so I'm not as afraid (can't quite land in a perfect wheel, but getting closer : )

I want to be able to go up and just stand still pretty much indefinitely. Help please!

posted in All Yoga - 4 replies

FREE Yoga class!

2008-12-28T03:14:59Z

New Year's Eve Satsang ("good company") at Hamsa Yogashala

Begin the year at the point of highest inspiration, determination
and resolution! Come sit with us in loving kindness to personally
reflect on the passing year. With a clear mind, let go of what
needs to be let go of – releasing that which holds you back. Make a
statement to yourself and the world that for the coming year, your
intention and purpose is to embrace centeredness and calm abiding,
joy and mindfulness.

FREE Yoga class on Wednesday, December 31, 6:30-8pm! Afterwards, we will gather in Satsang ("good company"), to focus our intent – with the entire world – for World Peace.

What: Centering Prayer and meditation for personal and World Peace
on New Year's Eve. (Christian / Inter-Faith)

Who: Your joy and compassion for yourself and the world. Invite
your family and friends for a safe and sensical New Year's Eve
celebration.

When: New Year's Eve, Wednesday, December 31.

Where: Hamsa Yogashala
1955 Round Road
Grayson, GA 30017
404 / 455 - 3667

Bring: A potluck dish to share (non-alcoholic drinks will be
provided).

How Long: Either come for the FREE Yoga class (6:30-8PM), or arrive at 9pm. Come for a few minutes or for the entire evening.

Cost: FREE Yoga class (but donations are appreciated)

Anything Else: Bring a favorite pillow to sit on (chairs will be
available). Group prayer, singing, walking meditation, fun and
laughter!

Om Peace!
Yogini Valarie Devi

posted in All Yoga - 1 reply

Information on kirtans

2008-12-27T19:12:33Z

Hello
My name is Paul.
I run a kirtan email list for New England (mostly Boston area)
If you would like to be included on this give me a shout.
Did you know that there is a regular kirtan event in Lincoln with Prajna every month? She get's around 100 people
Did you know that there is a regular kirtan in Arlington with Shubal every month? He get's around 50 people
Did you know Krishna Das (well known kirtan wallah) will be in Portsmouth NH on January 21st? He fills the place
Did you know South Boston yoga has a regular kirtan (kirtan wallahs vary) every month?
Many more happenings.
Let me know
In light
Paul :-)

posted in All Yoga - 1 reply

Pregnancy & Yoga

2008-12-27T00:31:09Z

Let me first say that this is NEW territory for me. I found out about 3 1/2 months ago that I was pregnant. I knew something wasn't quite right. Inversions felt strange to me for the first time so I knew something was up. I stopped teaching due to sickness almost every day, all day. I never was sick with my boys and it turns out, this is a girl.. Go figure : )

I finally feel better and more like, me.. I've always enjoyed a rigorous practice and would like to begin my practice again but am unsure of what's safe / not safe. Additionally, I've never practiced Yoga while pregnant before so I could use some helpful information from others who are trained specifically in this area or who have actually practiced while pregnant. (Kimberlee, I know you'll have some good info!)

I'll check around the net for some advice but thought I'd start with you folks first : )

Thanks

Katrina

posted in All Yoga - 20 replies