Thursday, March 16, 2006
Blogging Rhythm...
My schedule is beginning to become quite busy with teaching Yoga throughout Dallas. This week, I began teaching classes at the Pizza Hut Headquarters off of the Tollway. I've always wanted to teach in a corporate environment, so this is a dream that has come true. Also, the True Yoga DVD will be out in about a month, so stay tuned and I'll keep you posted. With my new schedule, I will be getting into a rhythm of blogging on Tuesdays and Thursdays and sometimes Fridays. (Of course a Monday/Wednesday post may slip in there from time to time, too.) So, be sure to check in on those days for new posts about Yoga and everything else in between...
Today, I'd like to share something from Light on Yoga, by B.K.S. Iyengar, a must read for anyone who enjoys Yoga...
"As a fire blazes brightly when the covering of ash over it is scattered by the wind, the divine fire within the body shines in all its majesty when the ashes of desire are scattered by the practice of pranayama. (Control and Expansion of the Breath)
'The emptying of the mind of the whole of its illusion is the true rechaka (exhalation.) The realisation that "I am Atma (spirit)" is the true puraka (inhalation). And the steady sustenance of the mind on this conviction is the true kumbhaka (retention). This is true pranayama,' says Sankaracharya.
Every living creature unconsciously breathes the prayer 'So'ham' (Sah=He: Aham=I-He, the Immortal Spirit, am I) with each inward breath. So also with each outgoing breath each creature prays 'Hamsah' (I am He). This ajapa-mantra (unconscious repetitive prayer) goes on for ever within each living creature throughout life. The yogi fully realises the significance of this ajapa-mantra and is so released from all the fetters that bind his soul. He offers up the very breath of his being the the Lord as a sacrifice and receives the breath of life from the Lord as his blessing."
If you practice meditation, I encourage you to use this mantra with your meditations, inhaling "Soham" and exhaling "Hamsa".
Happy Breathing...
Read more
Today, I'd like to share something from Light on Yoga, by B.K.S. Iyengar, a must read for anyone who enjoys Yoga...
"As a fire blazes brightly when the covering of ash over it is scattered by the wind, the divine fire within the body shines in all its majesty when the ashes of desire are scattered by the practice of pranayama. (Control and Expansion of the Breath)
'The emptying of the mind of the whole of its illusion is the true rechaka (exhalation.) The realisation that "I am Atma (spirit)" is the true puraka (inhalation). And the steady sustenance of the mind on this conviction is the true kumbhaka (retention). This is true pranayama,' says Sankaracharya.
Every living creature unconsciously breathes the prayer 'So'ham' (Sah=He: Aham=I-He, the Immortal Spirit, am I) with each inward breath. So also with each outgoing breath each creature prays 'Hamsah' (I am He). This ajapa-mantra (unconscious repetitive prayer) goes on for ever within each living creature throughout life. The yogi fully realises the significance of this ajapa-mantra and is so released from all the fetters that bind his soul. He offers up the very breath of his being the the Lord as a sacrifice and receives the breath of life from the Lord as his blessing."
If you practice meditation, I encourage you to use this mantra with your meditations, inhaling "Soham" and exhaling "Hamsa".
Happy Breathing...
Read more
posted by Leanne @ 9:44 AM 
