Relaxation - Vairagya Bhav (let go)

When I was at The Yoga Institute in Mumbai-India, we had lectures from Hansaji. Her speech was always enlightening. Her soothing words always helped me to look at life with a different perspective. Read her article on 'Relaxation' through the link at the end of this article. She has beautifully described "Vairagya Bhav" which means 'let go'.

In this materialistic world, how many of us can let go of our desires, needs and wants? How many women can resist their temptation when they see a bag at COACH, FENDI, LOUIS VUITTON or whatever brand they love. Can you walk past MAC, LO'REAL, CLINIQUE without lusting after their new range of eyeliners, lip-gloss or eye-shadows?

Can you 'let go'?

If you are like me, then probably you would be really attached to people that you love. Over-attachment to people or things is sometimes the root cause of our stress. We must try to follow Vairagya Bhav to make life easier.

TIPS - IF YOU WANT TO FEEL LIGHTER, HAPPIER AND ORGANIZED, THEN:

1) Make space for your new clothes.Get rid of all clothes in your closet that you possess since many years and you won't ever wear them again. You just keep them thinking that someday you will and that day never comes more than once in 2 years. Give them away to the 'Homeless'. "LET GO".
2) Check your drawers. Throw unwanted papers, dried up pens, broken jewelry pieces, old magazines etc. "LET GO".
3) Have a look at your bathroom or dresser. There might be atleast 20 bottles of lotions, perfumes and oils. Start using the ones that have little quantity left and discard them. Make space, make your life easier. "LET GO".
4) Throw away medicines or food items that have passed their expiration date. Live healthy, live better. "LET GO".
5) Don't save your old slippers, shoes where the sole has given up. "LET GO".

DEAR READERS, TRY "VAIRAGYA BHAV". I'D LOVE TO HEAR ABOUT THE EFFECT IT HAD ON YOUR LIFE. Happy Reading!!!



http://www.theyogainstitute.org/relaxation_hansaji_jayadeva_yogendra.htm

Video on Introduction to Yoga - Shilpa Shetty

Shilpa Shetty is an Indian Actress with a fabulous body. I will post more videos where she is demonstrating the various Yogasanas and Pranayam Techniques.

Yoga -Meaning of Namaste, Om, Buddha and Meditation

Dear Readers,
I found this wonderful page describing 'OM', 'Buddha', 'Namaste' & 'Meditation'.
The words describing each term are beautifully framed and are explanatory. I am sure you will enjoy reading it as much as I did.
http://www.freespirit-yoga.ca/insights.html

Yoga- PREPAREDNESS

Yoga is union of mind, body and soul. Preparedness is an important virtue of Yoga.

All men make mistakes especially if they plunge into an activity without knowing who is right or what is right. We may enter a street fight and later regret it. Many a times, we regret an impulsive action or spoken words in a situation because we were not prepared.

If one gets conditioned to do a kind of work, one does it better. Sportsmen condition themselves by running, bending and stretching. Any kind of warm up exercise prepares us to do the activity better.

Yoga insists on preparation through meditative postures.

Yoga - Faith

Yoga teaches us about many virtues that we know exist, but never really give them much time or thought. They are an integral part of our life.

Faith is an important virtue in Yoga. A man rises as high as his faith.
We must have faith in ourself, others, God, surroundings in nature etc. A man who has poor faith is perpetually anxious, disintegrated and ineffective.

In Yoga, 'FAITH' is an UPAYA or technique. One has to build it up. Doing things and succeeding helps. Nothing succeeds like success.

" Faith is a living Daring Confidence in God's Grace, so sure that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times."

Why Yoga?

When I was under training to be a 'Certified Yoga Teacher' at The Yoga Institute, Mumbai, this is what I learnt.

Understanding the causes of stress and ailments:
It is observed in today's world that a major segment of society is unhappy, miserable, worried, full of stress and anxiety. It is also seen that there is no harmony between desires and resources, thus culminating into sorrow. This happens inspite of having all the prerequisites and when civilization is at its peak with the most refined technology available. The comforts that take man on a whirlwind tour become the cause for many psychosomatic diseases.

Modernization/Urbanization takes us away from nature and people from all walks of life suffer from diseases. The beginning is with slight aches, depression, high or low blood pressure, Cardiac arrests, Paralysis and diseases alike. Usually, a family life makes endless demands overwhelming us and all our efforts. The reaction of unforeseen complication in life, viz. delays, errors, misunderstanding, emotions, panic lead to Insomnia, nervousness, stomach upsets, chest pains etc.

How does Yoga help us?
Yoga is a Science, Philosophy, Technique in the form of mental and physical discipline that can be followed to avoid, prevent and restrict problems/diseases mentioned above.

Simple techniques like proper breathing, relaxation, stretching body parts result in removal of common ailments and help to manage the stress. Yoga is not only resistance to emotional storms but the best kind of health insurance starting a beneficial cycle with improved functioning of glands leading to better metabolism, vitality, vigor & a pleasant appearance. Yoga improves concentration, helps complete integration with self, control of thoughts and thus living a full healthy life.

Yoga should be imbibed by all.

Yoga - Definitions

Yoga is a way of life. Yoga has been defined in various forms.
1) J.Krishna Murthy - Awareness is Yoga.

2) Saint Arbindo - Overall development of personality by gaining knowledge of self, to develop oneself physically, mentally and spiritually.

3)Yog Vashishta- Yoga is to act without any tension or stress in mind.

4) Bhagwat Gita II-50 (Yogah Karmashu Kaushalam) - Do the work skillfully. Skill in work leads to perfection in work and perfection leads to excellence. Excellence in work in Yoga.

5) Patanjali Yoga sutra II-I (Yoga Schitta Vritti Nirodha) - To control the mental modifications of mind and its regulation is Yoga.

6) Bhagwat Gita II-48 (Samatvam Yoga Ucchate)- Evenness of mind. Balanced state of mind is necessary to look at any situation, may it be success or failure, to keep the mind steady in any situation. To remain in a balanced state of mind is Yoga.

Yoga - Introduction

A few friends at San Francisco State University (SFSU Class) suggested that I should write about Yoga, Meditation and Stress Management as I am a certified Yoga Teacher. The idea appealed to me and I will be talking about this vast subject in different articles. Many people are under the misconception that Yoga is just another form of workout. It's way beyond our physical being.

What is Yoga?

Yoga is a way of life, an integrated system of education for body, mind and inner spirit. The word "Yoga" originates from the Sanskrit word "YUJ" which means "to join" or "come together" or "unite". Yoga is union of body, mind and soul.

The philosophy of Yoga was written 2000-3000 years ago. It was saint Patanjali who systematized Yoga and is known as the Grammarian of Yoga.

Yoga has been taught in India since thousands of years and still holds a strong position after many scientific discoveries and competes with the most modern scientific knowledge. Yoga deals with the universal truth; it is a practical aid. Everyone must practice its techniques and reap the benefits of life to it's fullest.