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How Yin Yoga Can Help Us Heal

By Biff Mithoefer –  The practice of yin yoga is a return to yoga’s ancient meditative roots. It’s a very simple practice; in its simplicity lies its quiet power. There are two things that make a yoga asana more yin. First, the posture must allow muscles to relax. It is only when the muscles relax that we may access the deep yin parts of the body, the connective tissue. Perhaps most importantly, the asana must be done with an attitude of yin acceptance. To understand what this means, we must have some understanding of the Taoist concepts of yin and yang. Yin Yoga Can Help Us Find Equanimity In Our Lives Taoist tradition speaks clearly of the unity of all things. From the Tao–that place before and beyond duality–came the whole manifested universe, the realm of yin and yang. The polarities of yin and yang began when the universe separated

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April 2, 2015
Meditation

What is the meaning of Om?

Om is a sound and symbol, rich in meaning and depth, often chanted at the beginning and end of yoga classes. It appears at the beginning and end of most Sanskrit (ancient language originated in India) prayers. It is a mystic syllable, considered the most sacred mantra. Hindus believe that as creation began, the divine, all-encompassing consciousness took the form of the first and original vibration manifesting as sound “OM”. Hindus believe the mantra “OM” is the name of God, the vibration of the Supreme. It is sometimes chanted as three sounds, a-u-m, symbolic of the three major Hindu deities: Bhrahma Shakti (creation), Vishnu Shakti (preservation) and Shiva Shakti (liberation, and/or destruction). Om reminds us that we have the ability to move past our physical and mental states of consciousness and connect with the divine – both in ourselves and others. It has been said that Om is the sound of

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January 11, 2014
Articles

Hand Counting Meditation Practice

Counting on the fingers is an ancient Indian ritual used for breathing exercises and meditation. One does so by placing the thumb in various positions each time we breathe in. Move the thumb around the knuckles in a circular manner. See the diagram below. Doing so, you take 12 compete breaths. Consider that one round. You can keep track of your rounds with your other hand. When sitting down to meditate, I like to breathe 10 rounds of 12. When accessing this method to calm down, become centered and grounded anywhere, anytime, one complete round of 12 breaths can be practiced. Don’t worry if you lose count as you go around. Just begin again. If you can, practice this hand counting meditation every morning when you get up. If successful there, you may add it into your day at noontime and before bed. Set realistic goals. Start slowly. Soon you

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May 22, 2012
Articles

Meditations & Poems of Comfort

A Few Meditations and Poems of Comfort, Solace and Inspiration Practice the verses below by Thich Naht Hanh in sync with your breath: Breathing in I calm my body. Breathing out I smile. Dwelling in the present moment. I know this is a wonderful moment. Breathing in, calm. Breathing out, smile. Present moment. Wonderful moment.          – Thich Nhat Hanh The Peace of Wild Things When despair for the world grows in me and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be, I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me

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May 22, 2012
Articles

Breathing Techniques (Pranayama)

Breathing Techniques (Pranayama) Breathing Techniques are best learned with a teacher. That being said, you can follow these directions and practice on your own. Just set time aside to assimilate the effects of the breathing practice into your being. Warrior Breath The warrior or ocean sounding breath is focusing, grounding and aids in concentration. It is called the ocean sounding breath because you make an ocean sound by contracting the glottis with the inhalation and exhalation. This breathing technique is done through the nose with the contraction engaged on the inhalation and exhalation. To make the ocean sound, draw air in towards the back of the throat. As you exhale, press air towards the roof of the mouth. Draw the inhalation out to meet the exhalation in intensity and duration. Repeat, feeling the ebb and flow of the tide. Three-Part Breath The three-part breath or complete breath is nourishing, calming

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May 22, 2012