Nov
29
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.
Apr
7
Sometimes people find themselves reacting or not acting in the most appropriate of ways. This will affect the person, other people and the general situation. Many wise people may recognized these negative behavior patterns and want to change. Unfortunately it’s not always obvious how we can change. Yoga like Ashtanga for example is holistic and in time with good teachers, dedication and regular practice we change ourselves.
Affirmations are like mantras, they are a tool that can target a specific areas precisely and quickly. They are effective in changing the way we react so in the future we can act more appropriately. Affirmations help us move toward the light, first because our intention is to change, and secondly because we take the time to make the changes. So as meditation helps us have greater control over our minds, and asana practice helps us meditate, so affirmations are like using our mind muscle positively, we are what our thoughts are essentially, change our thoughts and we change ourselves. Control our mind, and we control ourselves.
Affirmations are a way to state how we want to be or act before we are able to act or be the way we would like too. The effect of using affirmations is to modify our selves repeatedly until we are changed; and work like pills you take regularly until the problem disappears. Unlike modern medicine that normally masks symptoms, affirmations change the core so positive behavior emanates more naturally, with ease and eventually without effort, we become what the affirmation is.
The following is an example of an affirmation I have used in the past;
“I am calm, positive, objective and understanding in all situations. I let people finish what they are saying, digest and then respond positively and appropriately. I respond with understanding and care for the person I am talking with so we both benefit positively. My response takes into account the wider picture and the important details.”
We use an affirmation by repeating it a number of times a day. We could decide to repeat it 10 times in the morning, and 10 times before we go to bed. There are many variations on this, depending on how quick you want to resolve a problem, or how big the problem is. Essentially it’s up to the person to decide. It might be I need to change when and how often I use the affirmation. We stop using an affirmation when it feels like the medicine has worked it’s magic.
Should you wish you learn more about affirmations, please use the links below;
- www.jbactors.com/actingreading/actingencyclopedia.html
- www.hypnosis.edu/glossary/a.asp
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affirmations
Copyright © 2008 Russell Smithers
Jan
8
The other day I spoke about the Untamed Mind and discussed how deep understanding is different to intellectual understanding. I spoke about knowledge only being true knowledge, when you know something from deep within after a flash of understanding. That knowledge gained for myself has taken a few years, but certainly will help keep me on my journey, after all;
“It’s good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters in the end.” (Ursula K. LeGuin)
I think it was David Swenson (Ashtanga yogi) who said that he knows yoga more by it’s absence, today I had a deep understanding of this, although intellectually I could see how this may be true, it wasn’t until this morning that I understood it fully for myself. This understanding probably came about after a few weeks of not practicing over Christmas, then 5 days back into my personal practice, suddenly I understand it for myself.
So from my perspective the important in life are things that can be understood at the deep level, the knowing without doubt, not because I have a big ego, but knowledge beyond ego that anyone can prove for themselves, if they take the time with genuine intention to tread the path.
Namaste
Copyright © 2008 Russell Smithers
