Nov
29
Nov
28
- Yogic ideas and concepts that seem odd at first, like awareness, do eventually turn out to be correct. We experience truth ourselves. #yoga #
- My intention today is to use Awareness and Loving Understanding in all dealings with people and myself as much as I can. #yoga #
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Nov
27
My intention today is to use Awareness and Loving Understanding in all dealings with people and myself as much as I can. #yoga
Nov
24
Last weekend I got back from the third residential weekend on the yoga teacher training course at Mandala Yoga Ashram. I would have blogged about the second residential weekend, but moving the weekend before and having to settle into the new place and area (Nantwich, Cheshire) meant I only just had time to complete the home work ready for the last weekend.
Everyone on the course is so nice, we all get one well, and it’s obvious people are settling into the course. Now we have completed a few micro teachings for pranayama I’m feeling more confident about teaching, and looking forward to the first asana micro teaching. The teaching is very good, and spending time at the ashram is always a positive experience.
This time I managed to fix a bench during karma yoga, and enjoyed the chanting (mantra) and Satsang session. The anatomy and physiology continues to be interesting, how could it not be, the human body is amazing. The most revealing aspect of this weekend, was the introduction to mudras. Mudras are fantastic, I never understood what affect they had, but as always with the ashrams teaching, the subject was very effectively presented.
Om Shanti Shanti
Nov
24
Yogic ideas and concepts that seem odd at first, like awareness, do eventually turn out to be correct. We experience truth ourselves. #yoga
Nov
19
Breathing can be used as a focal point in well being on a daily and moment by moment basis. The state of breathing within an individual is a very good indicator of state of mind and body. So two aspects are important in using breathing in an ongoing way, to develop and maintain wellness. What are they? Awareness and control of the breath.
Breath Awareness, by maintaining some level awareness at all times, or as often as possible, you can know when to re-adjust yourself to correct mental and physical posture and wellness issues. This awareness is like hearing, you may be hearing things but you still get things done. So in the same way, you hear your breathing so to speak, and act accordingly. Like when some one says your name, you were listening and working, but still working, and your name being mentioned interrupts you and gets your attention.
Breath control, when you know your breathing is telling you something, you need to know how to re-adjust your breathing and state of being. The only real way to learn is from a teacher, but try breathing with awareness into your abdominal area until you are more relaxed and focused.
There are whole books written on the subject of breath control and pranayama, but not many I have read will explain the practical daily application of it in your life. It’s my intention to hold a workshop on this in the future, please let me know if your interested.
Nov
17
“The more we understand ourselves, others and the differences, the easier our path becomes. Obstacles become play things.” – Russell Smithers (November 2009)
Copyright © 2009 Russell Smithers
