Does Meditation Help Quit Smoking
Does Meditation Help Quit Smoking |
- Does Meditation Help Quit Smoking
- Does Stress Management Meditation Really Work?
- Milton dad Andy Kelley brings meditation to elementary schools
- Students find their centers in Milton meditation class
- Health Benefits of Yoga - Both for Body and Mind
- Yoga is Most Beneficial When Everything is Right
- Can yoga and meditation help bring peace to Afghans? - msnbc.com
- Meditation to Relieve Stress
- Dahn Yoga in New Mexico to Host to National Stress Reduction Event - YAHOO!
- How Hippie Meditation Helps Us All - Huffington Post
- The Benefits of Meditation
- Can Hot Yoga Lose Your Weight Faster?
- 'Why I Love Yoga' - Huffington Post
- 20 Benefits of Meditating
- New Exeter studio offers yoga to kids - Seacoast Online
- Andie MacDowell stays in shape with yoga - AZCentral.com
- Improve Physical and Mental Health Practicing Meditation
- Yoga - Helping with Anorexia and Bulimia
- Can Yoga and Meditation Help Bring Peace to Afghans? - Int'l Business Times
- Finding a Yoga Teacher Training Program
- Lululemon and Ayn Rand: Thoughts from a San Francisco yoga practitioner - YAHOO!
- Why we should Practice Meditation
- Murder At Lululemon: Yoga's "Heart Of Darkness"? - Huffington Post
- What is a yoga retreat?
- Finding Love: A Path To Satisfaction
| Does Meditation Help Quit Smoking Posted: 09 Dec 2011 08:00 AM PST Article by Nathalie Fiset Is it true that meditation could really help a smoker in any way possible? Possibly, yes. We cannot disprove something that is yet to be proven, in this case the alternative medical approach called meditation. Meditation has long been considered as one of the very few ways by which man could access himself without really having to accommodate the intervention of the logical mind. Meditation helps relieve the stress of everyday life and it helps the person rejuvenate his mind to function more effectively. Apart from these, meditation is also considered as a cure to some diseases and disorders, especially those that are infiltrated mostly by stresses. Stress though doesn't have to be physical; oftentimes it is what affects the mind of the smoker that causes more aggravated troubles. It makes the mind weak resulting to the deterioration of the body and the will to continue what was first a goal. Thus, people who want to quit smoking ought to consider methods that may not be supported by medical science but nonetheless effective enough as to warrant results that are directly or indirectly connected with the target object. Millions of Americans each day attempt to break the habit that have cost them money, lost of social acceptance and of course the worth of each second of their lives. Normally, they would start out strong, having the full conviction to call power for mind to take over matter. In this way, they could easily repress the urges without really having to to battle their own want to smoke. They simply have the stamina to continue what they have set their minds for. But by the time they come upon the serious emotional barrier they will, in just a matter of seconds, consider relapsing. This is when some people find themselves heading back to the smoking area which they consider as their comfort zone. However, too few people would really be able to make the difference and continue to pursue his smoking cessation program. Thos who ran at the slightest provocative ! emotion to smoke will find initial relief. But this is followed by the fear, guilt and consciousness- sometimes over consciousness- on the hopelessness of his case. Thus the breakdown. But this must not be so. Thus, meditation comes in rescue. But as you might see later, meditation to help quit the smoking habit acts in two very dissimilar ways. For one, it will relive the person from the pressure of temptations but on the other hand, the person will be rescued from the pressure of not being able to meet the goal. The former conceives the smoking cessation on a much brighter side since meditation could help drive the person with complete motivation to stay quit even when the mind calls for a last smoke. But the latter will somehow help prepare the person to commit himself to the quit smoking plan...again. The question of whether mediation helps does not inquire on HOW exactly this method helps but on the possibilities of supporting helpful measures. Again, our answer to that is yes even if this means that meditation contributes too little in the greater scheme of things when smoking cessation is concerned. Let us show you the reasons... Quitting a habit needs mental conditioning that would prepare the mind to the battles that it would encounter sooner or later, depending on the threshold of the smoker. Let us stress that smoking and nicotine are very addictive and once a person begins a program that would eliminate these components in his system, his body would react with either the dramatic or gradual change. But once the body or the mind reacts to the changes, the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal would arise. These are the very last thing you would really want to face but you have no choice but to face them. There are a lot of methods and techniques that would you get through a day of nicotine withdrawal symptoms. If you want, you could self administer nicotine replacement devices. BUT there are other options aside form those that you would spray, attach or inhale nicotine substance wit! h. You c ould devise a way by which you can repress the urges without really having to use anything but the power of your mind which by the way, has been proven to be so powerful that it could do anything you would ask from it. So if you want to try something that is definitely not a health hazard and something that could contribute to your general well-being, why not summon the powers of meditation and create changes in your life for good. About the AuthorFor more information on how to stop smoking please go to:http://www.stopsmokingforbetterhealth.com/does-meditation-help-quit-smoking.htmlhttp://www.stopsmokingforbetterhealth.comhttp://www.drnathaliefiset.com 
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| Does Stress Management Meditation Really Work? Posted: 09 Dec 2011 07:00 AM PST Article by Ray Miller Some people like me initially used to be very skeptical about the very concept of Stress Management Meditation! The question that crossed my mind like others is how can one possibly sit and concentrate when stressed out? However, seeing others experiencing relief and a positive change in life practicing Stress Management Meditation, made me change my perspective and rethink! There's no denying the fact that our mind is the first one to get affected under stressful conditions. The synchronization of our thoughts is disrupted whenever worries seep deep into our consciousness and starts controlling how we think. The solution that stress management meditation offers is learning the art of focusing all our energy to tell our mind to relax implementing the ancient skill of meditation. Meditation helps you to focus your mind on a single idea, letting everything disturbing just dissolve away to nothing. One such stress management meditation technique is the 'chakra meditation', which significantly helps in the development of energy and mind control, with the bonus of being highly effective in developing an individual's deeper consciousness. Here is a set of relaxation responses through natural, deep breaths towards the diaphragm. Find out how easily you can slide into a relaxation mode with these: 1. Breathe naturally and deeply-Remember, just inhale deeply, naturally, and slowly only through your nose as you perform each relaxation technique. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Feel the air being drawn deep into your lungs by your stomach muscles and diaphragm. 2. Position your back in an upright posture- This helps to keep you aware and awake, so that you gain control over your autonomic responses. 3. Relax your shoulders- Most people tend to tense their shoulders trying to sit or stand in an upright posture. Relax your shoulders to relax both sides of your neck. Tensed up shoulders lead to neck tension, and then tension in the head which result! s in hea daches and dizziness. 4. Hold your head up, but loosely- Keep your head upright, but feel as if it is floating. This allows improved circulation of fluids going to and from your head. 5. Relax vision- Focus as if you're gazing vacantly towards a distant horizon. Keep breathing deeply and naturally. For stress management meditation seek a peaceful place. You always have to start with a serene and solitary place for stress management meditation. So choose a location with the least amount of noise or even go camping out with nature! You can use scented candles, incense or oils that will help to induce your mind into a relaxed meditative state! About the AuthorWant to know about more Stress Coping Techniques that you can use everyday? Visit: http://www.stress-and-anxiety-help.com/top-stress-reduction-techniques 
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| Milton dad Andy Kelley brings meditation to elementary schools Posted: 09 Dec 2011 07:00 AM PST MILTON - Yoga helps 9-year-old Mayu Joiner concentrate in school. It teaches Kate Delaney, 10, how to calm down when she feels frustrated, and prevents Shea Flanagan, also 10, from getting angry at a classmate. On Monday mornings, these Milton fourth-graders awake early and make their way to the library at Collicot Elementary School to attend a voluntary 45-minute meditation class. They sit in a circle, a mixed-age group in grades 1 through 5, dangling their feet from adult-sized library chairs. Andy Kelley, a Milton dad, teaches the class. On a recent Monday, listening was the theme. After an opening exercise in which each child greeted another with an observation or compliment, Kelley talked about the concept of mindfulness - being mentally present - and the difference between observation and judgment. He pointed to his watch. He asked the children if it was ugly. "No,'' came the reply. But even to call it a pretty watch, he said, is to make a judgment rather than a mindful observation. Later, the children took turns improvising rhythms on a drum. "Let's see how in tune we are with each other,'' Kelley said. As each child played a rhythm, the rest listened, and then repeated it by clapping their hands. Students say the course is fun, because they make friends outside their classrooms. They also say they learn important things, like how to keep their mind on a task and think before they act. "Sometimes it's very hard for me to concentrate in school, and it helps me concentrate,'' Mayu said. "I catch Mayu doing meditation at home, which I never thought I would,'' said her mother, Ami Joiner. Toward the end of the class, Kelley led the children in a five-minute silent meditation, asking them to breathe deeply and keep their eyes closed - which, save for the occasional peek, they did. "It's fun, and it teaches you to calm down when you get frustrated,'' Kate said afterward. "And it makes you pay attention more and listen more.'' Her mother, Amy Delaney, and a couple of other parents observe the class when they can. Children often struggle with social interaction, academics, or confidence, Delaney said. She has watched meditation boost her children's confidence. Sometimes they take what they've learned and use it at home. At the dinner table, they'll say, "Let's listen to our breath,'' she said. Delaney wasn't a meditator before she signed her three children up for the class. But she sees great value in it, as the children learn life lessons and improve their focus. The children see changes in themselves, too. "I've been having trouble with someone at school, so this helps me channel my energy so I don't get mad at her,'' Shea said. When he starts to get angry, he thinks about being calm. A decade ago, Kelley was far from calm himself. He worked too many hours and had no time for his wife or newborn son. He kept waking up during the night. A few years went by, and he tried meditating on and off. Then his wife gave him a book by Deepak Chopra, "Perfect Health,'' about mind-body awareness and healing. Kelley didn't read it right away, but when he finally did, he decided to take a weekend class with Chopra in New York. After the class, he had more confidence he was meditating effectively. His wife noticed him sleeping better, and at work he became more reflective instead of reacting too soon. He said it made him a better manager. He decided to study at the Chopra Center in California, and became a certified instructor. In August 2010, with his wife's consent, he took the plunge and left his job making video advertisements for websites. He started teaching meditation and mindfulness workshops for corporate clients. In the fall of last year, he taught meditation at Glover Elementary School in Milton, where his son, Hayden, is in third grade. Today Kelley teaches three classes at Milton elementary schools, continues his work for business clients, and markets himself as the "Boston Buddha'' - though he is not Buddhist. Kelley says Boston symbolizes hard-working, everyday people like him, and they can benefit from meditation as he has. What he likes best about teaching meditation to children are the reactions on their faces and their genuine, unguarded answers. At a time when the perils of bullying are so often on the minds of parents and schools, Kelley suggests his students ask themselves before they make a remark, "Is it true? Is it nice? Is it necessary?'' His son, who has been practicing meditation for three years, likes the results. He feels more aware, kinder, and the focus helps him with his schoolwork. For Dad, that's good news, even if the paychecks aren't what they used to be. "I'm not making close to what I was,'' Kelley said, "but the happiness quotient is much higher.'' Jennette Barnes can be reached at jennettebarnes@yahoo.com. © Copyright 2011 Globe Newspaper Company.  Read More @ Source What is meditation? Simple ways and means. 
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| Students find their centers in Milton meditation class Posted: 09 Dec 2011 06:00 AM PST MILTON - Meditation helps 9-year-old Mayu Joiner concentrate in school. It teaches Kate Delaney, 10, how to calm down when she feels frustrated, and prevents Shea Flanagan, also 10, from getting angry at a classmate. On Monday mornings, these Milton fourth-graders awake early and make their way to the library at Collicot Elementary School to attend a voluntary 45-minute meditation class. They sit in a circle, a mixed-age group in grades 1 through 5, dangling their feet from adult-sized library chairs. Andy Kelley, a Milton dad, teaches the class. On a recent Monday, listening was the theme. After an opening exercise in which each child greeted another with an observation or compliment, Kelley talked about the concept of mindfulness - being mentally present - and the difference between observation and judgment. He pointed to his watch. He asked the children if it was ugly. "No,'' came the reply. But even to call it a pretty watch, he said, is to make a judgment rather than a mindful observation. Later, the children took turns improvising rhythms on a drum. "Let's see how in tune we are with each other,'' Kelley said. As each child played a rhythm, the rest listened, and then repeated it by clapping their hands. Students say the course is fun, because they make friends outside their classrooms. They also say they learn important things, like how to keep their mind on a task and think before they act. "Sometimes it's very hard for me to concentrate in school, and it helps me concentrate,'' Mayu said. "I catch Mayu doing meditation at home, which I never thought I would,'' said her mother, Ami Joiner. Toward the end of the class, Kelley led the children in a five-minute silent meditation, asking them to breathe deeply and keep their eyes closed - which, save for the occasional peek, they did. "It's fun, and it teaches you to calm down when you get frustrated,'' Kate said afterward. "And it makes you pay attention more and listen more.'' Her mother, Amy Delaney, and a couple of other parents observe the class when they can. Children often struggle with social interaction, academics, or confidence, Delaney said. She has watched meditation boost her children's confidence. Sometimes they take what they've learned and use it at home. At the dinner table, they'll say, "Let's listen to our breath,'' she said. Delaney wasn't a meditator before she signed her three children up for the class. But she sees great value in it, as the children learn life lessons and improve their focus. The children see changes in themselves, too. "I've been having trouble with someone at school, so this helps me channel my energy so I don't get mad at her,'' Shea said. When he starts to get angry, he thinks about being calm. A decade ago, Kelley was far from calm himself. He worked too many hours and had no time for his wife or newborn son. He kept waking up during the night. A few years went by, and he tried meditating on and off. Then his wife gave him a book by Deepak Chopra, "Perfect Health,'' about mind-body awareness and healing. Kelley didn't read it right away, but when he finally did, he decided to take a weekend class with Chopra in New York. After the class, he had more confidence he was meditating effectively. His wife noticed him sleeping better, and at work he became more reflective instead of reacting too soon. He said it made him a better manager. He decided to study at the Chopra Center in California, and became a certified instructor. In August 2010, with his wife's consent, he took the plunge and left his job making video advertisements for websites. He started teaching meditation and mindfulness workshops for corporate clients. In the fall of last year, he taught meditation at Glover Elementary School in Milton, where his son, Hayden, is in third grade. Today Kelley teaches three classes at Milton elementary schools, continues his work for business clients, and markets himself as the "Boston Buddha'' - though he is not Buddhist. Kelley says Boston symbolizes hard-working, everyday people like him, and they can benefit from meditation as he has. What he likes best about teaching meditation to children are the reactions on their faces and their genuine, unguarded answers. At a time when the perils of bullying are so often on the minds of parents and schools, Kelley suggests his students ask themselves before they make a remark, "Is it true? Is it nice? Is it necessary?'' His son, who has been practicing meditation for three years, likes the results. He feels more aware, kinder, and the focus helps him with his schoolwork. For Dad, that's good news, even if the paychecks aren't what they used to be. "I'm not making close to what I was,'' Kelley said, "but the happiness quotient is much higher.'' Jennette Barnes can be reached at jennettebarnes@yahoo.com. © Copyright 2011 Globe Newspaper Company. Read More @ Source Piano Songs - Piano - Relaxing Music - Meditation Music - Soothing Music by J. Michele Bodine # 3 
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| Health Benefits of Yoga - Both for Body and Mind Posted: 09 Dec 2011 06:00 AM PST Article by Peter Hutch Yoga has been practiced by ancient mystics and philosophers for thousands of years. Most people who hear the word yoga immediately think that this particular activity is simply a way to increase flexibility. In reality however, yoga offers so many more health benefits. Aside from its weight loss properties, yoga is also known to offer certain preventative medicine properties. There are different kinds of health benefits of yoga. Usually, the benefits received from a type of yoga depend on the kind of yoga a person is practicing. One of the kinds of yoga that is gaining in popularity thanks to its health benefits is laughter yoga. Yoga is often credited with physical benefits such as better flexibility, stable heart rate, toned muscle and increased stamina. In yoga sessions and class, people are taught to stretch their muscles so that they can be agile and flexible. But for new observers, the benefits of yoga only seem to be physical. Yoga offers more than the benefits to the body. Studies have shown that Yoga also provides key benefits to the mind. Yoga is the coming together and oneness of body and mind. It is the consolidation of the movement (positions) and the breathing that makes the body tense and relax leading to the calmness of mind and spirit. Effectively done, it makes your whole being refreshed and rejuvenated. Yoga also gives you the ability to shut the noises of the world and get yourself into a trance of silence and solitude. One of the most profound benefits of yoga is stress management. Imagine a stressful day at work or at home. The fast-paced environment requires you to be constantly worrying about the next thing. With yoga, you can benefit from relaxed breathing with a reasonable degree of control. Such activity allows your body and muscles to relax and think about peaceful thoughts, diverting your focus on stress. Even flexing activities could help a stressed person by loosening the tight muscles. Often when someone is stressed, the muscles are as well.! M any people feel that practicing yoga on a continual basis helps not only physical well-being, but also mental and psychological well-being. Yoga helps to calm the mind, allowing practitioners to feel a sense of inner peace and balance. Another benefit of yoga is its power to ease muscle and joint pains. Through performing the various poses, you will increase circulation to all of the parts of your body. You will also stretch out tendons and muscles. The combined effect is a decrease in soreness and reduced joint pain. This is especially good for arthritis sufferers and those who suffer from back aches. One of the most profound benefits of yoga that happens is the capability of putting your internal mind as well as your body into a state of harmony, mainly through the use of meditation. Meditation gives you the ability to clear your inner mind and provides much needed inner peace. The meditation aspect of yoga can assist in taking away stress that is unhealthy from both your body and your mind. There are negative aspects of stress that effects your endocrinal, emotional as well as physical systems. About the AuthorRead about Natural Supplements, Herbal Remedies. Also read about Vaginal Discharge and Uterine Bleeding 
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| Yoga is Most Beneficial When Everything is Right Posted: 09 Dec 2011 05:00 AM PST Article by steve.last Almost anything you read, watch, or listen to about yoga will tell you to practice often, but one of the yoga tips that sometimes get skipped is that you must practice it right. Meditation can be helpful in establishing a calm and peaceful state of mind. But if discomfort exists the chances are that meditation and relaxation state will suffer. A good meditation yoga mat along with a pillow enables you to sit comfortably in meditation postures, plus some other factors need taking care of. Always practice only the right age and developmentally appropriate yoga poses, breathing exercises, chanting, mantra meditation, and relaxation techniques. Many recently have been talking a great deal about child yoga, and we will say here that if you take your children to lessons, do make sure that the trainer offers a truly child-friendly relationship to the physical and philosophical traditions of yoga. In the right environment your children will grow and experience creativity, self-acceptance, interpersonal skill development, positive thinking, non-attachment, and environmental awareness, but as a parent we must stress that there are good facilities and sometimes bad, as in all walks of life. As we grow older yoga can be especially beneficial. Aging normally brings along several chronic ailments and diseases for most of us. Staying active is the key factor to staying young and slowing the aging process and yoga most definitely will help with that. However, to get it right you must take the advice of your yogi and not push your body to achieve the next stage in the poses by stretching too hard or too fast. Again, in line with yogic practices, many yogis believe that in addition to the physical body, there is a second body comprised of many energy lines. They use the theory to avoid problems as you progress. Listen to the guidance given, and observe it! Get your yoga practice right and many cures have been suggested achievable through yoga. Yoga cures different incurable diseases ! by achie ving balance. Yoga is most important for our body and mind. Yoga cures an individual of a lot of illnesses. One has to practice the postures, breathing techniques, and dietary regulations and incorporate yoga in their lives to attain the benefits. Asana, or posture, is only a small part of the overall system. Asanas help achieve relaxation and control of the muscle groups. When the body relaxes, it becomes comfortable posture and one can maintain it for longer duration, which is the purpose of Yoga. Good sleep is important for the body to replenish itself and for the greatest productivity and enjoyment of the day time. Sleep means total relaxation of body and mind, no activity of mind, no movement in mind. It is the state of unconsciousness as for as outwards moving consciousness is concerned. Many people say that as soon as you start yoga you will find that your sleep improves. This is a remarkable achievement which helps many people. Sleep problems are some of the most common problems that parents face with their kids. Some children may have chronic sleep difficulties, and many children are actually going through their days sleep-deprived. Acne can be helped by yoga. Yogic treatment of acne begins with taking extra care to wash your hands properly with a mild soap many times a day. This will effectively prevent bacteria from entering into the body system. The yogic lifestyle can help prevent and cure cardiovascular heart diseases. Proper life-style and diet play a key role in managing and avoiding heart disease. Asthma can be eased by yoga in some cases. Asthma is thought to be very often caused by a combination of factors, most are physical from the environment around us, but genetic factors feature too. Whatever the cause, asthma is a breathing problem that results due to the sudden constriction of the airways that channel the air to and from the lungs. Although there are many triggers that can set off an asthma attack, those thought most common are those s! uch as d ust and other air borne fragments allergies, cold, humidity, animal hair and so on. If you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways are inflamed (swollen). However, that healthy living and other more specific yogic actions will help, is a theory held by many. Anyone involved in yoga will tell you that yoga cures the person as using the principles of nature, but yoga has to face many obstacles, which if avoided and if you get it right it quite possibly can give almost instant results. So, put simply; Yoga cures impossibilities by some of these simple methodologies connected with postures not known to many. Once you have been trained in these methods and postures, they become very easy and simple, but highly effective. About the AuthorYoga is one of Steve Evan's favourite subjects. We encourage you to go to his Yoga for Children web site where he writes about the kids yoga mats. 
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| Can yoga and meditation help bring peace to Afghans? - msnbc.com Posted: 09 Dec 2011 05:00 AM PST KABUL — As the Afghan government's Western backers pour in cash, and tens of thousands of foreign soldiers patrol the country, a French human rights activist is trying a new way to break the cycle of violence in Afghanistan: yoga and meditation.
"In thirty years of war, we've tried everything and nothing has worked," said Amandine Roche, who believes it is better to try to rid the mind of vengeful thoughts than to disarm a fighter at gunpoint. Her organization, the Amanuddin Foundation, aims to promote nonviolence by teaching techniques of calm. Volunteering since February as she searches for funds, she has given classes at which she demonstrates yoga and meditation to men, women, children, police officers, soldiers and former Taliban insurgents. "It's a new solution to an old problem. War starts in the minds of men, so peace starts in the minds of men. You cannot bring peace with the means of war, it's as simple of that." The most recent conflict, which started with the U.S.-led overthrow of the Taliban government in 2001, has killed thousands of soldiers and civilians, and cost tens of billions of dollars. According to United Nations figures, 2011 is the most violent year since the war began: all signs, Roche argues, that the Western military and diplomatic effort isn't working. "My project might look crazy, but what is more crazy?" Key to her work is the idea that peace cannot be imposed from outside, but must come from within an individual, she said. "I've become firmly convinced that nonviolence is not the best way for Afghanistan, it's the only way." The young Afghans who have tried yoga and meditation have been receptive. "When I do yoga exercise I forget all of my pains and I feel comfortable," said Masoda, a 12 year old schoolgirl at one of Roche's classes for children in the capital Kabul. INNER SHOWER It might be quite a leap from working with children to bringing that same peace of mind to the gunmen of Afghanistan, but Roche, who was detained by the Taliban in 2001, says they are human too. "My vision is to teach meditation to all the insurgents, to organize vocational training for them to become mediation teachers, so ... they can go back to society, they have a job, they can reintegrate, and they will become peaceful." "Meditation is like an inner shower," she said. "You feel dirty when you don't take a shower for one week, you feel the same with your mind when you don't meditate. It helps you to purify your mind, be rid of all the negativity, frustration." On Monday, the German city of Bonn is hosting a major international conference about the future of Afghanistan, at which the West will signal its long-term support for the country. But evidence of the damage done by the cycle of attack and revenge is everywhere in Afghanistan. This week, in reaction to a NATO raid along the Afghan-Pakistan border that killed 24 of its soldiers, Pakistan pulled out of a major international conference on the future of the country. "You look at the story of Afghanistan -- from the British to the Russians to the Mujahideen, the Taliban, now democracy -- it's always revenge for the past war," Roche said. "It's never ended. If once, one day someone says 'I stop, and you stop, and let's stop together' ... let's see." Still, Roche, who has worked on peace-building projects in Asia, Africa and South America, knows there are no easy fixes for the troubles of Afghanistan. "I'm not a prophet, I don't want to convert people. It's not even a solution, it's a tool. I don't pretend I'm going to save Afghanistan." Copyright 2011 Thomson Reuters. Click for restrictions. Read More @ Source Hawaii - Relaxing Music - Mindfulness Music - Soothing Music by J. Michele Bodine # 6 
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| Posted: 09 Dec 2011 04:00 AM PST Article by Brenda Williams Living in today's high tech world stresses our bodies in ways our ancestors never experienced. The stress may be job related or home related or both. No matter what the source, stress depletes our energy and lessens the quality of our life. Some people seek out unhealthy solutions to stress such as smoking, excessive use of alcohol, drugs, and over eating. While this may appear to temporarily lessen stress, over the long term it makes it worse. However there are healthy ways to deal with stress without resorting to prescription medications. One of these is meditation. Meditation is a relaxation technique, which brings the mind and body into a state of tranquility. Meditation has been practiced in Asia since ancient times. Meditation is cost less. It requires no equipment and can be done by anyone. All you need is a time commitment. First, you must detach yourself from your world. That means turn off your cell phone, unplug your land phone, and find a place where you can spend thirty to fifty minutes without anyone disturbing you. Then assume one of the meditation postures that is comfortable for you. If you decide to sit, sit in firm chair with an upright back. Have your feet together and flat on the floor. Your hands should rest on your lap. If you're sure you won't fall asleep you can lie down. Lie flat on your back with your hands resting by your side. You can also kneel or use a lotus position if you can relax in these positions. But some people may find them difficult. Once in position, begin to breathe deeply. Breathe in and out through your nose and keep your mouth closed. Breathe deeply and slowly. Starting with your toes, imagine them relaxing. Then proceed up your body, imaging each part feeling relaxed until your entire body is totally relaxed. Once your body is relaxed, imagine a beautiful place where you would enjoy being. It can be by a mountain stream, by the seashore, in a beautiful valley, wherever you would love to be. This ! place is full of beautiful trees, plants, and flowers. Interesting but friendly animals roam around. The breeze gently caresses your face. It is warm but not hot. It is the perfect place to be. Here you are safe. No one can hurt you. You can just sit and relax or you can roam around, touch the luxurious plants, smell the pretty flowers, wade in the water, and pet the gentle animals. Explore, listen, enjoy. This is your special place. You can return to it anytime you wish to. It will always be there waiting for you. In this special place you will always feel calm and relaxed. Once you have learned how to travel to your special place, you can do it any time you have the time. If you are bothered by a problem, going to your special place might bring a solution. It may take a little practice for you to learn to meditate in this way. If you encounter difficulties you can get help. If you live in an urban area, you will find many meditation classes available. But if there are no classes near you, you can always purchase books and tapes. The tapes are guided meditations. You simply find a quiet place, assume the meditative posture, and then follow the instructions on the tape. Meditation is not difficult to learn and it is a powerful stress buster. About the AuthorHealthy Drug Recovery Healthy Rehab 
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| Dahn Yoga in New Mexico to Host to National Stress Reduction Event - YAHOO! Posted: 09 Dec 2011 04:00 AM PST A special Dahn Yoga meditation event will take place in the Land of Enchantment. In time for the holidays, New Mexico Dahn Yoga will host "The Power of Stress Reduction" on December 17th at the Albuquerque Convention Center. Gilbert, Arizona (PRWEB) December 06, 2011 New Mexico is called it the Land of Enchantment because of its natural beauty--from its open skies to its vast desert vistas and beautiful mountains. But it is also enchanting as a home to ancient sacred sites and as a place of wonder to which many people have come seeking spiritual sustenance. It is no surprise that Dahn Yoga has selected New Mexico as a key site to host part of its nationwide "Power of Stress Reduction" event series on December 17, 2011.Though yoga has become widespread in American culture, Dahn Yoga offers a unique perspective, in that it favors integration over specialization. Stress Reduction is integrated into all aspects of practice. According to Dahn Yoga CEO, Dong Hoon Cha "the yoga most people know is only part of an important process. Yoga calms the body and mind in preparation for meditation." Dahn Yoga teaches that through meditation, we can learn important stress-management skills. Deep breathing, relaxation and focus enable us to manage our responses to life's circumstances. In addition, Dahn Yoga meditation helps individuals develop awareness and acceptance of their physical body, their thoughts and emotions. This, in turn helps practitioners develop better relationships with other people and with their environments. Based on Korean tradition, Dahn Yoga meditation focuses on movement, enabling practitioners to experience the benefits of meditation more quickly. The "Power of Stress Reduction," a dynamic and entertaining nationwide workshop, will feature: Simple, powerful meditation techniques; live music performance; martial arts demonstration; Collaborative Stress Reduction; and an inspirational presentation by Ilchi Lee, Dahn Yoga founder and author of The Call of Sedona. All participants will receive Dahn Yoga's biggest giveaway ever: a free one-month Dahn Yoga Membership. In the New Mexico, the event will be held at the Albuquerque Convention Center on Saturday, December 17th from 1:00 to 5:00 PM, with an informational expo from 11:30 AM to 6:30 PM. About Dahn Yoga: Dahn Yoga is a dynamic mind-body practice originating in Korea. Dahn Yoga classes combine stretching, flowing movement, deep breathing exercises and meditation in a simple and easy to learn format. Dahn Yoga is often taught alongside Tai Chi, QiGong and Mediation classes. In the United States, Dahn Yoga classes are offered at Dahn Yoga & Health Centers, Inc., a national leader in health and wellness. Dahn Yoga classes are also offered at Body & Brain Holistic Yoga franchises and affiliate and community-based locations. For more details on The Power of Stress Reduction series, visit http://www.powerofmeditation.net or contact Albuquerque Dahn Yoga at 505-797-2211. ### Joseph Alexander Read More @ Source Monthly Stress Reduction Anapanasati in Sinhala by Ven. Ranmuthugala Buddhavansa Thero 31 Jul 2010 
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| How Hippie Meditation Helps Us All - Huffington Post Posted: 09 Dec 2011 03:00 AM PST Over the weekend, I attended the third annual "Change Begins Within" benefit celebration, presented by the David Lynch Foundation in Los Angeles. The foundation donated $ 1 million to teach the Transcendental Meditation technique, TM, to active-duty military personnel and veterans and their families suffering from post-traumatic stress. David Lynch, the film director, is a long time meditator and speaks about TM with veracity and authenticity. His message is clear: TM practice reduces negativity. Who doesn't want that? I want it. And can it come in a pill? I only want to take pills to make me feel better; they're so easy and convenient. Though sometimes I hate driving to CVS because I get a weird feeling from the Gower Gulch strip center in my neighborhood. But if that's the most inconvenient task, I could make it worthwhile and pick out some cool Essie nail polish or fulfill my chocolate cravings by purchasing a Snickers or, if feeling inspirational, a chocolate "health" bar. Chocolate, and trendy nail polish, make me feel good. For a while. Which is why I started TM. And then quit. How was I supposed to work, work out, go out, eat out, shop, sleep and find 20 minutes morning and night to sit still and be quiet? Impossible. Until a friend reported that I'd inspired he and his wife to take a TM class. How had I done anything of the sort? He went on to divulge, miraculously, normal stresses from work had melted away. Things he normally would've freaked out about, he let wash over him. Then things got interesting. Jobs floated in from unexpected places. He'd had the best few months' of work and had me to thank. Yipes, I'm a total imposter, I realized. I'd better get back to meditating fast, I thought; if not to hold my head high, then to get in a few good months. Off I went back to the 20 minutes. I'd yo-yoed so many times that at least now I had some perspective. I realized driving to CVS, shopping for Snickers and Essie colors took about 20 minutes and nothing permanent ever came of that. Reducing stress, anger and negativity via mediation isn't easy. Our time is occupied by so many choices. But easy choices lead to superficial and temporary fixes. Life's irony is that nothing is easy unless and until it follows selfless work. The only way work becomes less "work" is through practice: a daily, non-debated, habituated practice. David Lynch introduced TM best at the Change Begins Within benefit: 1. Mankind was not meant to suffer. Bliss is our nature. 2. Transcendence is akin to an experienced gardener watering the root of a tree instead of the leaves, and thus the tree grows to perfection. 3. For the individual, transcending is watering the root. 4. Transcending is the experience missing from today's lives. 5. TM is a mental technique; an ancient form of meditation brought to our present time by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. 6. A mantra is given with a specific sound vibrational thought. 7. The mantra is designed to do a specific thing. 8. The mantra turns the awareness within. Instead of being pointed out-out-out, it's now pointed within-in-in-in. 9. Change begins within. 10. Each deeper level of mind and intellect has more happiness and the happiness is like a magnet that pulls us within. At the border of intellect you transcend and you experience that big ocean. You begin to expand whatever kind of consciousness you had to begin with. 11. The side effect of expanding consciousness is that negativity begins to recede. As I write this, a friend emails me from India. Tomorrow she embarks on her first TM class. She's nervous. She's never closed her eyes and just sat with people. Will her eyelids rebel, flutter and flip up? Will she internally explode? Cause a scene? Run out of the room? She doesn't feel ready. She said: My Dad knows vets from his small Okie town of Wagoner, population 8,000, that practice TM. It makes me want to cry to think of these good ole boys and how desperately paralyzed with trauma they must be to try "hippie meditation" but it helps them! If it can help them, I know there's a chance for me. Follow Leslie Hendry on Twitter: www.twitter.com/azawhistle Read More @ Source Shiva Meditation in the Himalayan Caves 
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| Posted: 09 Dec 2011 03:00 AM PST Article by Jane Michael Japanese Garden Meditation 
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| Can Hot Yoga Lose Your Weight Faster? Posted: 09 Dec 2011 02:00 AM PST |
| 'Why I Love Yoga' - Huffington Post Posted: 09 Dec 2011 02:00 AM PST By Deborah Dunham for Blisstree.com Continuing with their weekly column, "That Girl", Blisstree.com is celebrating the accomplishments of real women who make health and fitness a priority because they know that true athletes come in all shapes, sizes, ages and athletic abilities from around the world. So this week celebrate Kella Vangsness, who says that yoga and a healthy diet to stave off numerous food allergies have gotten her healthy, balanced and focused on doing as much as she can for as long as she can. Meet: Fitness/health accomplishment you are most proud of: More from Blisstree.com: What inspires you to get fit every day? What do you do when you don't feel like working out? Favorite energizing meal: What's your favorite way to chill post-workout? What is your top kick-ass workout? Where is your favorite/most unique place you've ever run? What's the biggest lesson you've learned through sports?  FOLLOW HUFFPOST HEALTHY LIVING Read More @ Source Crystals Aur Hum - Mindfulness and Crystal Healing for Beginners - Crystal Aur Hum 
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| Posted: 09 Dec 2011 01:00 AM PST |
| New Exeter studio offers yoga to kids - Seacoast Online Posted: 09 Dec 2011 01:00 AM PST Today's most viewed articles
Buy This Photo Alicia Rossman, a yoga teacher at Exeter's newest studio Zev Yoga, teaches children the fundamentals as part of the Let's Get Movin' program.Courtesy photo December 09, 2011 2:00 AM EXETER — Yoga has been used for exercise, relaxation and to hone one's spiritual side. While yoga is practiced by adults, instructor Alicia Rossman has created a program called Let's Get Movin' to expose children to the art form. Residents can learn more about the program offered at Zev Yoga during an open house on Saturday. "Basically it's a yoga program designed for kids," said Rossman. "It's a little different from adult yoga so the kids can have fun while learning the basics of yoga. We'll have themes like 'let's go on a safari' and lessons that the kids can relate to and learn from." Go & DoOpen house When: 2 to 3:45 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10 Where: Zev Yoga, 175 Water St., Exeter Cost: Free Let's Get Movin' Zev Yoga's "Let's Get Movin'" kids program starts Jan. 14 at its Water Street studio. Open to kids ages 4 to 13. Sign up before Jan. 14 and pay only $ 25 a month. Otherwise costs are $ 150 for six months, $ 120 for three months, $ 50 for one month, and $ 15 for drop-in. Before the program kicks off enjoy one of the following free sessions: Wednesday, Dec. 14: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Newmarket Public Library, 1 Elm St. Friday, Jan. 6: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Nichols Memorial Library, 169 Main St., Kingston Wednesday, Jan. 11: 4 to 4:45 p.m., Mary E. Bartlett Library, 22 Dalton Road, Brentwood Friday, Jan. 13: 3:15 to 4 p.m., Kensington Library, 126 Amesbury Road Wednesday, Jan. 18: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Wiggin Memorial Library, 10 Bunker Hill Ave., Stratham Wednesday, Feb. 8: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., Paul Memorial Library, 76 Main St., Newfields Rossman added that a lot of animal titled poses are utilized in the program. Rossman began practicing yoga in high school. As a UNH student studying nutritional sciences, Rossman took advantage of free yoga classes at the Durham school. During her last three yoga classes at UNH, Rossman approached the instructor to ask about becoming a certified teacher herself. After a year and a half of training, she received her certification to teach children through Child Light Yoga in Dover. Rossman loves yoga because of its ability to help her relax and focus on her own stress. Rossman then began taking classes at Zev Yoga. According to Rossman, the teachers at Zev were welcoming and presented a calming atmosphere. Towards the end of September she asked owner Jonas Zev Amberger if he would be interested in starting kid's yoga. From there she was allowed to launch the kid's program. The Saturday open house is meant to be a way for parents and kids to get to know Rossman. "I want the kids to feel comfortable and excited and welcome," Rossman said. It will primarily be a meet-and-greet, but Rossman said she will also incorporate a few yoga poses to get the kids excited. There will also be a raffle for one free month of yoga classes and a kid's mat. "Let's Get Movin'" at Zev Yoga will officially start on Jan. 14. If you sign up before classes start, pay only $ 25 a month. There is a full six months of the program for $ 150, but kids are not expected to go to each class. It costs $ 120 for three months, $ 50 for one month, and $ 15 for a drop-in. The Zev yoga program is open to kids age 4 to 13. Rossman began teaching kids this past summer at the Brentwood Recreation Center. Before that she taught adults for two years, and has practiced herself for eight. She enjoyed teaching kids over the summer and received feedback, which led to the "Let's Get Movin'" program. The program is also offered for free at seven different libraries across the Seacoast. Rossman plans to incorporate her nutritional science background by discussing healthy lifestyle options, like choosing oatmeal for breakfast over a Poptart. According to Rossman, the kids in her classes provide a variety of reasons for enjoying yoga. It helps them stay healthy, focused, and they can use the breathing techniques incorporated in yoga to calm down when having a bad day or feeling mad. It also helps to create a community for kids who don't play other sports. For more information on Rossman's yoga offerings visit www.seacoastyoga.blogspot.com/.  Reader Reaction We reserve the right to remove any content at any time from this Community, including without limitation if it violates the Community Rules. We ask that you report content that you in good faith believe violates the above rules by clicking the Flag link next to the offending comment. New comments are only accepted for two weeks from the date of publication. Read More @ Source Hawaii - Relaxing Music - Slow Instrumental Yoga Music - Relaxdaily by J. Michele Bodine 
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| Andie MacDowell stays in shape with yoga - AZCentral.com Posted: 09 Dec 2011 12:02 AM PST Dec. 8, 2011 10:07 AM Andie MacDowell cleanses herself by practicing Ayurvedic medicine - which involves her not talking for a day. The 'Four Weddings and a Funeral' star has revealed she uses traditional Indian medicine to beat work-related stress and one of the key aspects of the practice is remaining silent. Speaking about her beliefs, she said "I've been practicing Ayurvedic medicine and I've read the Bhagavad Gita and Rumi and these are very important. "I will do simple cleanses and have a day where I'm quiet and don't talk. I need to have this experience, especially after work has been really intense." The 53-year-old actress does yoga every day and has credited the meditative discipline for helping her keep an uncluttered mind and for improving her decision making. In an interview with Yoga magazine, she said: "Yoga's helped everything. It's helped my outlook, how I interact with people, it's made me more conscious, it's helped me be able to focus, make better decisions, think on my feet. I don't know what I'd do without it. It's my sanctuary. Now Andie has mastered the physical requirements of yoga she is now following the discipline down a "spiritual path". Read More @ Source 
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| Improve Physical and Mental Health Practicing Meditation Posted: 09 Dec 2011 12:00 AM PST Article by Groshan Fabiola The experts agree that one of the best ways to enhance mental health and relieve stress without resorting to unhealthy behaviors is by practicing the art of meditation. Meditation facilitators such as the respected Christine Breeze have been teaching people how to live in the moment, reach enlightenment and become awakened for years. The world continues to become more stressful, and this ancient art form has become more popular than ever. There are many benefits that one can attain by meditating on a regular basis. Besides the stress relief and enlightenment that experts like Christine Breeze provide through their guided meditations and self-guiding meditation CDs, many people also describe improvements in their physical health after they add this practice to their life. Some of the physical benefits of meditation include slowing the heart rate and thus reducing strain on the heart, reducing stress hormones such as cortisol, and decreasing free radicals that lead to high blood pressure. Studies have also shown that meditation can increase the flow of air to the lungs, which helps facilitate better breathing and raises DHEA levels in order to decelerate aging. While experts such as Christine Breeze agree that the physical benefits of meditation are great reasons to begin doing it on a regular basis, the spiritual and psychological benefits are widely believed to be the most notable. Meditation decreases irritability and anxiety, improves memory and makes it easier to learn and grow. As a consequence, it also gives rise to a more positive outlook on life and provides those who practice it with feelings of rejuvenation and youthfulness. Most importantly, however, is the ability to live in the now and see yourself for the wise, loving, intelligent, eternal consciousness that you are. When you truly begin to meditate with your heart and mind in the right place, you will see you never needed to change or fix anything in the first place, but rather you will become more aware and mor! e able t o live in the moment. About the AuthorFor more resources about Christine Breeze or for the full story of Christine Breeze please review Christine Breeze. Chakra 6 - The Indigo Float Meditation Video 
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| Yoga - Helping with Anorexia and Bulimia Posted: 08 Dec 2011 11:00 PM PST Article by Barbara Tomasik YOGA FOR ABS AND CORE STRENGTH 
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| Can Yoga and Meditation Help Bring Peace to Afghans? - Int'l Business Times Posted: 08 Dec 2011 11:00 PM PST It's no secret that the war in Afghanistan has kept more than a few businesses aloft in these critical financial times but a French human rights activist is attempting a fresh way to break down the cycle of violence in Afghanistan: yoga and meditation. Amandine Roche's group, the Amanuddin Foundation, aspires to advance nonviolence by teaching techniques promoting calmness in both mind and body. "In thirty years of war, we've tried everything and nothing has worked," Roche said, a supporter in the adage that it is better to try to rid the mind of rancorous thoughts than to neutralize a fighter at gunpoint. Central to her work is the idea that peace cannot be forced from outside, but must come organically from within each human being involved. Volunteering since Feb. of this year, she looks for financial backers in order to continue giving classes where she give yoga and meditation demonstrations to men, women, children, police officers, soldiers and former Taliban insurgents. Like us on Facebook "It's a new solution to an old problem. War starts in the minds of men, so peace starts in the minds of men. You cannot bring peace with the means of war, it's as simple of that," she states simply. The most up to date conflict, which began with the U.S.-led overthrow of the Taliban government in 2001, has taken the life of thousands of soldiers and civilians and has cost well over billions of dollars. According to United Nations figures, 2011 is the cruelest and most brutal year since the war began: all indications that the Western military and diplomatic endeavor just isn't working. The young Afghans who have participated in her yoga and meditation classes have been particularly interested. "When I do yoga exercise I forget all of my pains and I feel comfortable," said Masoda, a 12 year old schoolgirl living at the capital Kabul. To contact the editor, e-mail: Read More @ Source Greetings E-Card - Happy Birthday - Relaxing Music - Meditation Music - Soothing Music by J. Michele Bodine 
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| Finding a Yoga Teacher Training Program Posted: 08 Dec 2011 10:00 PM PST Article by Harton Bialie DETOX YOGA ; With Esther Ekhart 
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| Lululemon and Ayn Rand: Thoughts from a San Francisco yoga practitioner - YAHOO! Posted: 08 Dec 2011 10:00 PM PST COMMENTARY | I've been an active yogi and very present practitioner in the San Francisco yoga community for the past 12 years. I've witnessed many changes in the way people practice and the evolution of yoga in the city, as well around the world, and have been flowing along with it. But I must confess the recent controversy around Lululemon and their inclusion of an Ayn Rand quote on their new shopping bag threw me off a bit. And all the while, I was not that surprised. This is a sign of the times for yogis, and a cue asking us to pay even more attention to what really matters in the practice. Back 12 years ago, when I started my yogic path in this city, San Francisco had its share of ashrams and places where people practiced yoga in small groups under the gaze of long-bearded gurus displayed in smiling photographs - very '70s, flower-powerish. Then the whole trendy, very crowded yoga studio thing started with the late Larry Schultz and his It's Yoga. But while I was taking classes there, nobody needed to have special brands or specific yoga clothing. Whatever was comfortable and flexible enough would suffice. And I even saw a long-bearded Indian guru come by and show some magic poses and amaze everyone. Schultz considered Savasana - the corpse pose - the most important part of his class. No need for special elasticity or sweat absortion or whatever super powers an outfit might promise you. Fast-forward to 2011: everyone wearing mostly Lululemon, many classes in the city focusing a lot more in postures and achieving certain heights, lots of health clubs and gyms offering yoga classes in rooms with mirrors (big no-no for yoga). It takes a lot of discernment, clarity, focus, and awareness to distinguish real seekers and truthfully spiritual teachers from gymnasts and acrobats that find ganesha cute. I don't mean to say one is better than the other - they're just different. Yoga practiced without spirituality is not really yoga - it's just something else. Postures, or asanas, are just one of the Eight Limbs of Patanjali's Yoga Sutra. According to the New York Times, Lululemon's blog states that Dennis J. Wilson, the company's founder and chairman, first read "Atlas Shrugged" when he was 18 years old. "Only later, looking back, did he realize the impact the book's ideology had on his quest to elevate the world from mediocrity to greatness," the blog post explains, also saying: "Our bags are visual reminders for ourselves to live a life we love and conquer the epidemic of mediocrity. We all have a John Galt inside of us, cheering us on. How are we going to live lives we love?" "The epidemic of mediocrity" … That doesn't sound much like self-acceptance, letting go, and connecting to the spirit that is present is each and every one of us. Wanting a life that we love is very different than surrendering to the fact that we are divinity already. If you still want a so-called life that we love, you are clinging to desire. Just accept the fact that nothing is holding you away from the happiness within. According to Gregor Maehle in his book "Ashanga Yoga, Practice and Philosophy," yogic philosophy must be thought together with the practice: "The practice of asana (posture) alone poses a danger. According to K. Pattabhi Jois, 'Partial yoga methods out of line with their internal purpose can build up the 'six enemies' (desire, anger, greed, illusion, infatuation, and envy) around the heart. The full Ashtanga system practiced with devotion leads to freedom within one's heart.'" But maybe the Lululemon bag controversy is a distraction, and like Maya, the veil of illusion, necessary for a seeker to distinguish the ultimate reality, the essence that matters. Go practice yoga not caring if you wear the brand name or not, and not minding if your next mat neighbor seems more into achieving a nicer looking derriere than reaching Samadhi. In the end, we are all only human. Some people do come into yoga looking for a better body. The ones that find the true path and stay in it end up with much more. Wilson may have gotten it wrong this time around with the Lululemon bag, but hopefully one day he'll get it. Isabel Bonfatti is a San Francisco journalist with a master's degree in anthropology and a wandering eye for art, food, music, and sustainable living. She is finishing her first novel. Read More @ Source 19 Yoga Inner Self: University of Metaphysical Sciences 
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| Why we should Practice Meditation Posted: 08 Dec 2011 09:00 PM PST Article by Swami Amitabh Most of us just Waste away our Life energy and in the end die with Regrets. Actually we don't get proper guidance in Life about using our energy in a proper way. Meditation is one activity which should be a essential part of every individual life. Meditation not only transforms our life but also adds grace to it and fulfills us from with in. Most part of our Life revolves around pursuing a particular desire. That desire could be of sex, fame, money or some thing else. But the end result is that it takes away most of our life energy and we don't even realize this fact untill its too late to do any thing and even if we realize it then also most of us do not know how to get out of this desire which is sucking all my energy. Meditation is the solution to this problem. Meditation not only gives clarity to us but also fulfills us from with in. Meditation means understanding the Mind and its content. In Meditation we do not try to reform, educate or change the mind in any way. But we try to be aware of the Mind content in a very passive way, in a very non-interferring way. When we become aware of our thoughts, feelings, desires and passions then we actually see the stupdity of it and just seeing this brings a transformation. It changes the whole Quality of energy and that desire drops on its own and that is beauty of Meditation. All that energy which was going in pursuing that desire becomes free and fulfills from with in. Slowly as become free from the desires, More silence is experienced by us and more fulfill we feel from with in and our life becomes a blessing rather than a constant misery. Teachings of Buddha Sanghahttp://www.messagefrommasters.com/ Meditation Techniqueshttp://www.messagefrommasters.com/Meditation/Meditation.htm About the AuthorMeditator and Seeker of Truth 
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| Murder At Lululemon: Yoga's "Heart Of Darkness"? - Huffington Post Posted: 08 Dec 2011 09:00 PM PST Last week's guilty verdict in the trial of 28-year-old Brittany Norwood -- accused of first-degree murder in the grisly slaying of her 30-year old co-worker Jayna Murray -- has brought to a close -- for now, at least -- the latest ugly chapter in the history of Lululemon, the posh yoga apparel company whose suburban outlet on the outskirts of Washington, DC was the setting for a killing that seasoned homicide detectives have described as one of the worst they've ever seen. It would be tempting to dismiss the savage murder -- Norwood stabbed and bludgeoned Murray an estimated 330 times over the course of 20 minutes, severing her spinal cord -- as a bizarre and random event. That's surely what the Canadian-based Lululemon, which seems to have nine lives when it comes to recurring scandal and controversy, is hoping for. But for the American yoga community, which extols the virtues of peace and non-violence, the killing raises deeply disturbing issues. How could two female "yogis" -- the Sanskrit word for devotees of the ancient Hindu practice -- arrive at a place where lethal force became an "option"? And what kind of workplace environment would fuel, or at least fail to ameliorate, such a dispute? Lululemon is no typical workplace, in fact. It's highly competitive -- indeed, cultish -- corporate culture has raised serious ethical concerns for years, and so have the company's exploitative marketing and advertising policies. But those concerns have largely been ignored, or downplayed, because of Lululemon's position as the yoga industry's leading "pioneer," with net revenues of $ 239 million projected for 2011, six times the level reached in 2004. The company, with stocks publicly traded on Wall Street since 2007, has been in the forefront of re-branding yoga as a trendy, eco-friendly lifestyle, similar to the way an earlier generation of marketers exploited urban hip-hop to reap billions from suburban whites starved for "authenticity." In fact, most of America's up-and-coming yoga "gurus" -- men like John Friend, a self-styled corporate mogul -- who are anxious to see their spiritual movement expand -- and their own celebrity enhanced -- have struck a Faustian bargain of sorts with companies like Lulelemon. They've largely stayed quiet, amid a string of controversies like this one, hoping to exploit yoga's commercial success, even if Lululemon's commitment to yoga as an authentic "wellness" practice -- in fact, even much of the pricey apparel it sells has no actual relation to yoga -- remains dubious at best. The seeds of the company's problems were planted early, with its initial founding in Vancouver in 1998. Former CEO Chip Wilson, an avid snowboarder, said he came up with "Lululemon" because he delighted in the idea that trying to pronounce the name -- with its three syllables beginning with "l'" -- would pose a special challenge for the Japanese, whom he enjoyed making fun of. From that less-than-enlightened starting point Wilson went on to create a huge controversy in 2005 when he announced that the firm would rely on child labor and "sweat shops" in China, after three competitors in his native Vancouver went belly up due to rising labor costs. Wilson, with characteristic elan, argued that Lululemon would be giving poor Chinese youth jobs, and should be applauded, not lambasted, for wanting to assist in Third World "development." Critics didn't see it that way, of course, noting that Chinese youth would be better off getting an education, and that sweatshop workers, usually young women, couldn't support themselves with the wages they'd be paid. But Wilson, still smarting from criticism from Canadian trade unions that his past use of local non-union Vancouver labor hadn't really demonstrated a socially responsible commitment to the welfare of his workforce, would hear none of it. It took only a year for Lululemon to step into an even larger controversy. In 2006, the firm rolled out a line of "Vita-Sea" apparel bags that it claimed were made with seaweed fiber, and had health and medicinal effects for consumers, including stress reduction, through the release of amino acids and vitamins into the skin's natural moisture. But skeptics, including the New York Times, decided to sponsor lab tests, which revealed that Lululemon wasn't just misleading consumers: it was lying. There was no seaweed of any kind in the bags the newspaper tested. There was no difference, in fact, between the Lululemon bags and other bags made of cotton - except that Lululemon's, of course, were a lot more expensive. Company executives, with characteristic arrogance, refused to issue an apology and privately chalked it up as a "growth" experience. But apparel industry watchdogs weren't amused: a major investigation of the eco-claims of a large number of mainstream companies ensued. And then there's Lululemon and sex. Sex-based advertising has become increasingly How has Lululemon managed to fend off one scandal after another? Recording record profits year after year for your shareholders surely helps, but so does the firm's clever co-optation strategy. Most of its stores offer free weekly yoga classes taught by "neighborhood" yogis who often turn out to be specially recruited fitness pros new to yoga but who have already drunk the Lululemon kool-aid. The company calls these local yogis "brand ambassadors" -- currently, there are roughly 1,000 nationwide -- and often features them in Lululemon publications. It's a win-win deal: the yogis get free marketing, and a ready-made pool of prospective yoga clients. Lulu reaps extraordinary "word-of-mouth" and gets more shoppers into its stores, where they typically receive 15% discounts just for attending the free yoga class. Lululemon is quite blunt in its assessment of the "typical" yoga personality. Wilson early on experimented with yogis who extolled the virtues of stillness and introspection -- genuine yoga, that is -- but found that as workers, hard-core spiritual yogis didn't move his merchandise fast enough. Wilson is also devotee of the Landmark Forum, a successor organization to EST "human potential" movement started by Werner Erhard in the 1970s. Wilson and his successors talk a lot about transitioning people from "mediocrity to greatness," and freely admits that he likes to recruit highly competitive "Type-A" personalities to staff and run his stores. That's great for business, perhaps, but the concentration of estrogen and ego, heightened by a faux Tantric mysticism that celebrates every woman as a reincarnation of Shakti -- or worse, Kali, the goddess of destruction -- has the potential to turn your company into a furnace of creativity -- or simply an emotional powder keg. Which is why for Lululemon, the less said about the workplace murder, the better, perhaps. Last Thursday, in a bizarre public statement, the company's CEO Christine Day, who's anxious to do for the company what she previously did for Starbucks -- expand its empire overseas - personally thanked the judge, the prosecutor, the police, and the jury for their speedy resolution of the case. Her statement contains none of the language one might expect from a company genuinely concerned about the welfare of its employees, other than stating that Norwood's behavior was "contrary to our values." There was no mention of the incident as a "terrible tragedy" or the need for "healing" in the two families, let alone any call for "reflection" or a promise to review internal policies. Just the usual exculpatory language one might expect from a company that's boldly taking yoga where it's never gone before and that clearly doesn't want a nasty, still-unexplained murder conducted on its premises standing in its way. Occupy Wall Street? That's the new rallying cry of yoga progressives. And why not -- that's where you'll find Lululemon's investors, extolling the firm's phenomenal growth and record profits amid the nation's rampant joblessness and recession. But that's why protesting yogis might want to take their critique of greed and capitalism one step further, and end their semi-official silence on a company that's more predator than partner, more pariah than pioneer. The demand for corporate responsibility, like most things in life, begins at home. Physician, heal thyself. Correction: A previous version of this post incorrectly stated that Werner Erhard was an "ex-Scientologist". Read More @ Source Meditation With Sri Sri Ravi Shankar 22nd February 2010 
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| Posted: 08 Dec 2011 08:00 PM PST Article by Nellie Ford Yoga is fast becoming the most popular relaxation and fitness hobby in the western world. People who value the worth of good health are learning that yoga gives a wonderful outlet for relieving stress, as well as improving mental and physical health. Yoga is best practiced in a stress-free setting. We all know how challenging it can be to get away from stress in our modern world. Everyday concerns such as work, family, worries about money etc can make it almost impossible to find serenity in our lives. Attending your regular yoga class gives you a relief from the world for only a short hour or so. As soon as you leave, you're back into the strain of the 21st century. If this sounds just like your life, then contemplate taking a yoga retreat. A yoga retreat offers a casual setting far away from your routine fast-paced life. Yoga retreats are held in the most tranquil corners of the earth - places where you can re-connect with nature and with yourself. Imagine yourself standing calmly on a beach as the sun begins to peep over the rim of the earth. An hour of yoga practice and you are feeling great. And now it's just a short amble up the beach to a healthy, nutritious breakfast with a view over the ocean, followed by some gentle meditation and maybe a quick swim in the pool. Most yoga retreats will entail two guided yoga sessions per day, usually some meditation and discussion of philosophy and then the day is yours - explore the beauty of the world, and find yourself. If all you would like is a stress-free vacation away from work, a yoga retreat can give you an idea about how to relax and wind down like you never have before. If you want to take a yoga retreat to improve your yoga practice, a yoga retreat gives you with a tranquil atmosphere where you can concentrate on the art of yoga. At a yoga retreat you will encounter others who are dedicated to the art of yoga - yoga believers from all over the world. It is not unusual to leave a yoga retreat with a whole ! new coll ection of lifetime friendships. The retreat will become a place of community where people can get pleasure from yoga in a social atmosphere. You will find yourself in conversation with people ready to share their passion for yoga and its positive effects. The yoga teachers who lead the retreat will be ready to give special guidance to all participants, whether you are a beginner or a more practiced yogi. A yoga retreat gives you a rare chance to find peace without having to be concerned about the concerns of work and home. About the AuthorA range of yoga retreats in Fiji is held at Daku Resort in Savusavu in Fiji.Daku Resort is a beautiful little resort right on the water on Vanua Levu.Read more about yoga in Fiji at http://www.yogainfiji.com. 
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| Finding Love: A Path To Satisfaction Posted: 08 Dec 2011 08:00 PM PST On Spirit Journeys' calendar is a new workshop titled Finding Love: A Path To Satisfaction. This workshop is being held at the Bodhi Manda Zen Center in Jemez Springs, New Mexico from August 15-18, 2012. Designed for those that are you ready to release the fear, shame, doubt, or grief that keep them from finding love and letting it in, this workshop will explore the things that keep participants from having a fulfilling and lasting relationship with another man. The goal is to unlock minds and hearts and allow attendees to love and to be loved. This workshop is open to both single gay men as well as couples; any man that is looking to improve their capacities to love and to be loved is welcome. This workshop will explore such things as: Seeing and Dissolving the Habits that Sabotage Love Keeping The "Fire" Alive In A Relationship Taking the "Hard Work" out of Relationship Creating Trust, Acceptance, and Intimacy Becoming We: What It Means To Be A Couple Balancing "I" and "We" Overcoming Fear and Growing Into Unconditional Love Kindling the Fires of Passion Without Getting Burnt The Passionate Arts of Erotic Touch and Sensual Living The time at the workshop will be exploratory, experiential and inspirational; looking deeply to uncover the stories and wounds that keep men from living a free and joyous life. Participants will see through these stories and bring love to these wounds, freeing themselves to be their authentic self. The freer men are the more open they are to others and the easier love can find its way into their. And nothing is sexier or more lovable than authenticity! The daily schedule incorporates a balance of group sessions and leisure time. Movement exercises, erotic touch, breathwork, visualizations, discussions, journaling, personal contemplation and group sharing are just some of the activities offered during the workshop. No previous experience is necessary for any of the activities planned. Instruction, guidance and support by qualified facilitators are provided throughout the workshop. Plan to come with an openness and enthusiasm to fully participate in the group activities as this is vital to the workshop process and the evolution of community. Most gay men rarely have a chance to be in the company of other gay men in a setting that lacks pretense and superficiality. One comment that is frequently heard during Spirit Journeys' events is "I can't believe how comfortable and close I feel among a group of gay men that I just met." The foundation of all of Spirit Journeys' retreats and workshops is a remarkable experience of intimacy, trust, nurturing, and honest communication which unfolds among the participants. During these weekends, participants will learn the basics of yoga and breathing practices. Using a step by step, practical approach, integration of the essential elements of tantric sexual techniques will also be taught. Some of the benefits of learning to channel erotic energy are unlocking creativity, transformation of sexual experiences and significantly altering many other aspects of life. Spirit Journeys Mission: To create opportunities for participants to grow mentally, emotionally and spiritually; to create environments where they can feel safe enough to "step outside of their box" and move towards living a freer, more joyous life. For additional information on Spirit Journeys' special gay vacations and gay retreats, visit www.SpiritJourneys.com. Read More @ Source Relaxing Sounds - Zen - Chinese Bamboo Flute with Nature Sounds 
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