Welcome to the Living Practice Fall 2004
On Yoga & Joy By Dr. Kev
The Joy of Yoga by Trudy at Rainbow Yoga
Pause for Thought By Barbara Griggs
Yoga and Joy by Jan Throndson
This Work is Very Fun By Mark Lilly
Joy Is Who We Are By Veronica Vaiti
The Keys to Meditation By Aaron Hoopes
Personal Ritual, Creating Your Meditation Practice
By Maryann Laraia
My Golden Meditation by Sharon Voorhees
lkanah Children's Orphanage By Nicole Daignault (Coco)
On Yoga & Joy By Dr. Kev
No matter how rough it gets,
without yoga, it would be worse.
With it, everything becomes possible,
and that is my limitless spring of joy!
www.yogaclass.com
The Joy of Yoga by Trudy at
Rainbow Yoga
Why do I do yoga?
Yes... I understand that yoga enhances the metabolism and helps to
regulate weight.
Yes... I am aware that I do everything better when I am true to my
yoga practice. I have more patience, endurance and a clearer mind.
Yes... I know about the therapeutic side of yoga, I myself have
experienced the healing power of yoga in so many ways.
Yes... I realize that regular practice can often prevent the illnesses
or aches and pains of daily life. I am living proof, after over 30
years of practicing yoga, I feel physically and mentally stronger than
many people my age around me. I carry wood, cook on a fire, walk long
distances, teach yoga, teach 14 4 year olds and work 14 hour days but
I am rarely sick and almost never really sick. I put it to yoga.
But I do not practice yoga for any of the above reasons.
I practice yoga because it gives me joy! I never fail to feel better
after my yoga practice, I walk with a feeling of lightness, I feel at
one with my body, I feel glad to be alive, I feel a tingling all over,
I radiate joy and feelings of well being. Ah, the joy of yoga!
Rainbow Yoga, Dominica
Yoga in the Isle of Nature
http://www.geocities.com/rainbowyoga
(767) 315-6722
Pause for Thought By Barbara Griggs
I am a tree which stands by the path you tread,
If you can learn something from me, stay awhile,
I cannot take you my way because my roots are in my own piece of ground
and my branches reach up to my own personal sky,
If you wish to lean against me for a time and warm in the sun
which filters through the leaves
then share my stillness and become one with me,
But do not stay too long -
or part of you will become lost in me,
Do not take one of my branches to use as a prop
for I am unaware of which are weak and which are strong,
While looking at me reflect on what we may share
and maybe we can tread this path in harmony.
Yoga and Joy by Jan Throndson
Joy...A very glad feeling, happiness, great pleasure, delight.
Sometimes I feel I know so little about this topic. Other days joy
just springs upon me unbeckoned. It just is. I love when that
happens. I probably take it for granted while it's happening, though
awakening to it first thing in the morning definitely gets my
attention. I bounce out of bed, head into the day, and
everything just falls into place, flows beautifully, feels amazing.
On the days, and sometimes it's been weeks, or even years, that joy
seems hidden, hard to find, impossible to reach, I've got to pull out
my life tools. Yoga is one of them, a very big one. As soon as I get
down on the cool floor and spread out on my back, resting my weight,
it's like a huge surrender. I let go of my weight, physical, mental,
emotional, even spiritual, and begin to
feel the relief of not going or doing. Just being on this floor, my
back on the earth, my chest spread open, my heart relaxing, my lungs
opening, my eyes sinking deep into my skull is IT!! IT is bliss, joy,
all-pervading happiness through every muscle, bone, cell and point of
awareness in my Being. Oh my God, I'm actually just being, and it's
feeling really, really good. I could do
this some more, and I even feel a little smile creeping into my body.
Yes, my body is actually smiling now, and by and by this smile even
reveals itself upon my lips, cheeks, forehead and eyes. My face is
smiling now and only a moment ago I was so caught up in getting my
ducks in a row, doing things right. But this just feels right. Just
being becomes joy, and I let go some more and here comes another
mega-wave of the joy stuff again!
Somehow, as I relax into this, I get the picture...the Bigger Picture,
that all is ok, right, even good with everything, everyone, and most
especially with me. This makes me very happy, and then the feeling of
gratitude comes over me. Gratitude seems to magnify joy a billion
times over, and this makes me even happier in a deeper way. Gratitude
becomes the way to sustain my joy, even find my joy when it appears to
be missing. On a down day, if I can find my way to a tiny bit of
gratitude for something, and then something else, and maybe one more
thing, the joy begins to flow again. Of course, it was never
missing. Just my awareness was.
Now, back to this floor. How happy I feel to be here. The feeling
great pleasure in my back being connected to the floor to the Earth,
and the stream of breath coming from the air, the Sky, through my nose
is just adding to the delight of it all. It's really simple, this joy
stuff, if I let it be. If this is
all it takes, maybe I'll let go and sink deeper into this joy, bliss,
and the wonderment of how gratitude amplifies it all. What a lovely
ride.
Jan Throndson teaches yoga and dance at Yoga Works in Orange County. She teaches a workshop called Cosmic Radiance Rainbow Dance and Woman Retreats too. Contact Jan at JanThrn@aol.com
This Work is Very Fun By Mark Lilly
One of the joys of this work that I didn't foresee was how fun it is. On Friday I was teaching at the Community Transitional School. We did crow pose, half hand stand and the other usual poses, and then everyone lay down for Savasana. We were in a cafeteria, since they were removing insulation from the gym where we usually have class. Ten seconds after our group of ten to fourteen olds let go into the relaxation, a troop of five, six and seven year olds came barreling down the stairs for snack. They stopped abruptly, surprised to see the big kids lying on their backs where the snack tables should be. I told the big kids to lie back down and appreciate their breath and I walked over to the group of youngsters and told them we were doing yoga. Then i asked them to raise their arms as high overhead as they could. They all did.
For the next few minutes, I talked the big kids through an appreciation of the hard work they had done that day, a mindfulness of their breath and uniqueness, all the while miming to the little kids to rise up on their toes, to quietly sweep their arms out to the sides, to be still but strong. They got it, and didn't make a sound.
We ended soon thereafter, and while the big kids moved on to kickball, the younger ones helped me fold neglected mats, move the tables back, push chairs into place. They were way into it!
I left that day feeling so touched to have connected with so many young people, and so grateful to have been able to share this practice of yoga with two dozen of tomorrow's adults.
Another day I was blessed to watch nine youth at Outside In practice sun salutations in unison. It was a spiritual choreography. Another class a young woman at the White Shield Center told me she couldn't do shoulder stretches because she had an injury, only to have her tell me ten minutes later that she had been lying and she could do it. She trusted me and herself enough to tell the truth. It was beautiful.
We're working on
putting together a plan to directly help the youth with critical
issues, issues that go beyond the yoga mat. Details are still sketchy,
but a peek at
Home Boy Industries will give you a heads up to some of our ideas.
In closing, thanks for your sustaining interest in Street Yoga. All
the emails and phone calls, with ideas and support are wonderful.
Blessings to you all! Mark Lilly, director of StreetYoga.
http://www.streetyoga.org
The Keys to Meditation By Aaron Hoopes
In true meditation there is none of the nonsense about emptying the
mind or stopping your thoughts, or even contemplating your navel. That
having been said, the Buddha listed roughly forty different methods of
meditation and other ancient texts speak of over one hundred different
ways to practice. There are more than enough books that go into the
details of meditation methods, so I will refrain from doing that here.
Just be aware that if you are having difficulty meditating, there are
methods that might help put you into the ideal frame of mind.
Everyone is different and the methods of reaching a perfect state of
meditation differ for each individual. It is important to find a
method of quieting the mind and relaxing the body that suits you
particularly, but remember not to get caught up in the method itself.
The act of sitting quietly and breathing is what is important. Set
aside whatever time you can spare (five minutes in the morning and
evening is plenty to start). Remember you are not doing this for
anyone but yourself. It makes no difference to anyone if you sit for
five minutes or five hours. It is the state of existing that matters.
Awareness of the thoughts in the mind and the breath in the body is
all you need to be concerned with.
The Keys
The body and the mind reflect each other. As one calms, the other
relaxes and vice versa. Sometimes it helps to have some keys to
concentration in order to bring the mind in tune with the body. These
keys are general qualities of the breath that we want to have as a
framework for our breathing. They work in two ways. First, by bringing
quality to the breath within the body, we relax and enhance our
breathing practice. Second, by focusing on these keys to
concentration, we calm the mind and bring our thoughts into harmony
with our breath.
Deep and Long
Breathing that concentrates on the keys of deep and long draws the air
fully and completely within the body - not in the sense of inhaling to
the maximum and tensing up the muscles, but in the sense of actually
feeling the breath reach all of the deepest recesses within. Keeping
the chest and surrounding muscles relaxed allows the breath to fill
the lungs to their ideal capacity. Then inhalation and exhalation
should be lengthened, allowing the body time to become used to the
deep expansion within. The longer and deeper the breath, the more in
tune with the natural world around us we become. Deep and long
breathing relaxes the body, calms the mind, and focuses the spirit.
Silent and Slow
Breathing that concentrates on the keys of silent and slow allows even
more relaxation. The silent breath is felt with the whole body instead
of being heard. We become aware of the feeling of the lungs being
filled. Slowing the breath relaxes the entire breathing process and
extends the length of the breath to a point where it reaches a calm
and natural state. Silent and slow breathing calms the body, relaxes
the mind, and brings peace to the spirit.
Soft, Even and Continuous
Breathing that concentrates on the keys of soft, even and continuous
brings completeness to the breath. Soft breath loosens the mind’s
control over the breath allowing it to reach a more spiritual level.
Keeping the breath even brings the mind into a meditative state where
thoughts flow with the breath. Continuous breath is like a circle.
Inhalation creates exhalation which in turn creates inhalation. Soft,
even and continuous breath brings the body and mind together in a pure
calm and relaxed state that allows the spirit to open up and expand.
With the tranquility that meditation brings, comes an appreciation for
life as you begin to truly observe the world around you. You also
begin to experience improved health as your body relaxes and functions
naturally without the blockage that stress and tension bring.
Meditation is simply the practice of existing in a quiet place and
turning the attention inwards. By concentrating on your breathing and
letting your thoughts flow of their own accord, you can find a deep
inner stillness that will help you deal with the stresses and tension
of life.
Aaron Hoopes has over twenty years experience in the martial arts and
yoga. He has lived and trained in Japan and Australia and is the
founder of Zen Yoga. He is the author of two books; Perfecting
Ourselves: Coordinating Body, Mind and Spirit and Breathe Smart: The
Secret to Happiness, Health and Long Life. His new deep relaxation CD,
Inner Sunrise, has just been released. He has taught the Art of
Breathing, Stretching and Relaxing to his students around the world,
from children to seniors - his teachings are accessible to all. For
more information see his website at
www.artofzenyoga.com
Personal Ritual, Creating Your Meditation Practice
By Maryann Laraia
When beginning to meditate, it is good to have a routine or ritual. Routine and ritual will key the mind into what is going to follow. The routine / ritual can be simple or elaborate, whatever suits your personality. A basic routine is deciding to relax and meditate every day at the same time and in the same setting.
Time
What time of day is best for meditation? Decide on what time slot fits your schedule best to meditate. For beginners to make meditation a habit, it is recommended to set a definite time each day. This way if you miss your meditation appointment you are aware of the omission and can reschedule with yourself before the day is over.
Setting
Meditating in the same place when starting is also helpful to develop habit and focus. The optimum setting is one that is comfortable and quiet with minimum distractions obviously away from telephones, TV, adults or children interrupting. Some meditators have to compromise on comfort to gain quiet. I know people who meditate in their bathroom or garage to access quiet time. You might want to try several locations before settling on your favorite. If you are interrupted, just acknowledge what is happening and return to your practice when possible. Eventually you will be able to be in a light meditative state anywhere, even with your eyes open.
Ritual can be as simple as just knowing it is the time that you decided to meditate and going to your meditation place. Or, you can elaborate and use candles, incense, crystals and other background objects that aid your sensation of peace or power. I do not recommend using music during meditation as your mind will listen to the music instead of focusing. Keeping brief notes or a journal on your daily sessions is also recommended.
Clothing
It is best to wear non-restrictive clothing with as much natural fiber as possible. Loosen belts, ties and if possible remove shoes and socks for some styles.
Posture
Sit however is comfortable for you. If you enjoy sitting with a pillow on the floor, go for it. It is also perfectly acceptable to sit with a straight back in a chair and let the chair support your back. (I sit in a chair with my back supported and my legs crossed under me.) Your legs do not need to be crossed and the feet can rest on the floor. Observe the position of your shoulders, neck and head. Relax your shoulders down and lengthen them straight out. Relax your neck muscles. Feel that your head is balanced and centered on your neck. Image that your head is a fish bowl and if it is tipped forward or back, you will spill water and fish out! Check if your jaw is relaxed by allowing the lower jaw to drop slightly.
Breathe through your nose. Begin each lesson observing a few breathes expanding the abdomen on the inhale and contracting the abdomen on the exhale.
How long to meditate? A ten to fifteen minute meditation session will give you results. If you choose to meditate longer, it is because you enjoy the activity (or should I say non-activity). Greater results are not necessarily achieved by time spent in practice as much as your consistency and concentration during practice. Decide how long your meditation will be. Choose whatever works best for you to time the session. Set a timer to ring when your session ends or tell your mind to alert you when the set time has passed. Eventually your mind will know precisely when your set time is up. Do not use this method until you have perfected it if you are on a tight schedule.
During meditation and visualization you will be aware of any outer physical situation that requires your immediate attention. Remember, meditation is a state of heightened awareness, not of unconsciousness. Most important, enjoy yourself as you explore your meditation practice.
Maryann Laraia is a Certificated Hypnotherapist, researcher and Meditation Teacher. She began studying the mind / body connection after a telepathic experience in 1971. For more instruction on meditation from Maryann, please visit http://www.lulu.com/maryannlaraia
For information on biofeedback, brain entrainment, affirmation and subliminal software which enhances hypnosis, meditation and visualization please go to http://www.hypnosisimprovelife.com
"What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity.
These are but trifles, to be sure; but, scattered along life's pathway,
the good they do is inconceivable." - Joseph Addison
My Golden Meditation by Sharon Voorhees
Last Saturday morning at the end of Megan's 11:00 AM class, I went into a deep meditation. I envisioned God in front of me releasing a beautiful white dove into the brilliant blue sky. He turned to me and in a clear precise voice said "Follow the dove, you are free". I was suddenly lifted up and flying behind the dove in circular motions. I was barefooted wearing a flowing baby blue and ivory chiffon dress with my golden hair swishing behind me. These moments seemed to last for quite some time and were very liberating. I continued to fly when I came upon a large arched tunnel. God profoundly spoke to me again with these words, "Don't be afraid of death". I followed the pathway leading through the tunnel. It appeared to expand wider and wider as I flew through. At the end of the tunnel was an ornate mahogany wooden door shaped like an archway. The doors swung open away from me into a space of beautiful pastel colors of blue, pink and yellow swirling around me. I felt totally at peace, like nothing in the world mattered. A light beamed down like the sun which made the colors even more spectacular. Lush green apple trees were standing tall landscaped with rows of bright colored flowers. I have never had a near death experience or anything of that nature before so if this was Heaven, then it is truly a beautiful place to end your life. I am happy to share such a wonderful meditation.
Sharon Voorhees has been spiritually connected with God for many years building a meditation practice and a practioner of yoga for over four years. The benefits she has received from practicing yoga on a regular basis are tenfold. She believes that her yoga practice releases the tensions in her body, strengthens her weaknesses and helps expand her mind. Sharon’s yoga practice facilitates more awareness of who she is, what she wants, what she needs and how that over flows into our society. svoorhees@stradaproperties.com
Joy Is Who We Are By Veronica Vaiti
If you’re new to yoga or a seasoned practitioner, chances are you’ve come across the concept of “joy” being expounded upon in one way or another by teachers or fellow yogis. What exactly is meant by this JOY, where does it reside or derive from and more importantly, how does it relate to yoga?
As my teacher’s teacher says, “Joy is who we are if we are not preoccupied with something else.” Ok, pretty simple, right!? If we move from the position that our lives are basically molded by our perceptions, through our senses that is, then the moments when our direct perceiving/experiencing is impeded by our uncanny tendency and temptation to evaluate what we perceive we ultimately cast a judgment upon that experience. It is this tendency of ours to appraise and attach a value to our perceptions that leads us to then stand in our own way of the direct experience of joy gleaned from pure perceiving.
How can this experience of joy be found in my yoga practice you may ask? The next time you find yourself struggling with your balance in poses like natarajasana (dancer’s pose) and bakasana (crow pose), or cringing in shoulder and hip openers like baddha parivrtta trikonasana (bound revolving triangle pose) and eka-pada-rajakapotasana (one leg king pigeon pose) first take note of the words of praise or ridicule or ideals floating about in your mind. For instance you might think “oh, why can’t my pose look like the picture I saw in last months Yoga Journal,” or “I hate that my hips are awfully tight.” Then, return your focus to your breath, again without judgment, just noticing the movement of the breath in your body as it exists in this moment in whatever contortion your body may be in. With focus on your breath and not lost in your ideals of what your pose should be tune into the fact that your body IS breathing, your body IS moving and just experience the present state of “whatever your pose at this very moment may be.” Perhaps, your heart and mind may stumble into that space in which sheer joy resides. And just enjoy!
Veronica Vaiti, MSW, RYT teaches Hatha Vinyasa yoga and conducts individual and couples psychotherapy in New York City. Veronica can be reached at vvaiti@nyc.rr.com
Elkanah Children's Orphanage By Nicole Daignault (Coco)
Born to Manifest the Glory - Nelson Mandela, 1994 Inaugural Speech
Our deepest
fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and
fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a
child of God.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking,
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.\\
We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we
unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.
Namaste! Greetings from India! This is my second trip to Mother India. Four years ago I did my Yoga teacher training in Benares and then traveled to south India, Mamallapuram, where I met the children of the Elkanah Orphanage. My heart opened. Here is my story of inspiration for you.
Elkanah Children's Orphanage is a one-room, one-man show. Beginning with two abandoned children seven years ago, Reverend Bilaventhiran (Bila) now cares for thirty-five children and has sold all his possessions in order to feed and clothe them. They sleep on the floor without sheets and pillows, they eat on the floor of the "kitchen" - a thatched-roof hut with two small fire pits over which meager meals of rice and dhal are cooked. They have neither toys nor toothbrushes but what they do have in abundance is the love of Bila and the local women who volunteer their time to cook for the lot of them.
It was Bila’s love and enthusiasm that inspired me to return to the orphanage. Four years later, I emailed Bila from Thailand to let him know I was ready to help. His response to me was that I had helped all along simply by staying in contact, unlike any other tourist he'd met. This had helped to keep his hopes alive. He told me that the love I had sent to the children was the most important gift of all.
Bila's positive attitude has allowed me to maintain my own light. The children call me "Aunty Coco" and they showered me with hugs and kisses! I began to learn their individual personalities, despite language barriers. The older boys and girls were so helpful, loving, and playful with the younger ones. There are no single quarrels or discipline problem and not once has a child expressed desire or want for anything material. I am humbled each moment by the positive attitudes I have witnessed here. I am lifted by each pile of laundry I cleaned, each floor I swept, and each long head of thick black hair I braided.
These actions helped to keep me in the here. And now, I believe in the power of LIVING IN THE NOW and SHINING YOUR LIGHT as a means of making one's dreams manifest. I am aware of my divinity and have declared myself a magician!
Stepping into the light can be painful at first. It is the most difficult path to walk and those who dare to do so find themselves continuously tested, but when presence is maintained the tests are easily passed. One's faith in the now only grows stronger! I hope my story inspires others to live out their dreams no matter how large and intimidating they may be.
I welcome your communication elkanahorphanagevisions@yahoo.ca
The website for the orphanage is www.elkanah-orphanage.com and is full of photos, information and updates on what is currently happening! Namaste, Coco.