Jan 30, 2007

YOGA And MEDITATION



YOGA

YOGA: In a Hindu theistic philosophy; union of self and the Supreme Being is sought through a state of complete awareness and tranquillity attained by certain physical exercises

Yoga Means Union

Although many people think this term refers to union between body and mind or body, mind and spirit, the traditional acceptance is union between the Jivatman and Paramatman that is between one's individual consciousness and the Universal Consciousness.

Therefore Yoga refers to a certain state of consciousness as well as to methods that help one reach that goal or state of union with the divine.

The 5 points of Yoga

In an effort to simplify and clarify the complex philosophies and teachings of Yoga, Swami Vishnu-devananda summarized the wisdom of Yoga in 5 principles. These principles show the way to developing physical and mental health as well as spiritual growth.

These 5 points or principles are:

Proper Exercise (Asanas)

Proper Breathing (Pranayama)

Proper Relaxation (Savasana)

Proper Diet (vegetarian)

Positive Thinking (Vedanta) and Meditation (Dhyana)

The 4 paths of Yoga

Another good way to begin your study of Yoga is by being acquainted with the four paths of Yoga

Jnana Yoga (The Yoga of wisdom or knowledge)

Raja Yoga (The Yoga of Self control)

Bhakti Yoga (The Yoga of Devotion)

Karma Yoga (The Yoga of Action)

Yoga is Not a Religion

Yoga is not a religion. People of many different faiths — Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jews — as well as agnostics and atheists, practice yoga because of its numerous benefits and life-enrichment. Many millions practice yoga for its asanas, its physical exercises, which are regularly acclaimed to be extraordinarily health-giving by many doctors around the world.

And, too, many millions practice some form of yoga meditation in order to contact their higher consciousness, or commune deeply with the Lord. Many who practice yoga meditation are deeply religious, while many others who practice these meditations are agnostics seeking verifiable experience and personal transformation.

A yoga devotee strives to live in an ongoing and progressively more joyous state of harmony. Body, mind, and emotions are brought into attunement with one another and with one's soul, or spiritual self. The devotee finds this ongoing state of harmony not only to be a wonderful way to live but an essential factor in becoming enlightened — living in higher consciousness.

Why Do Yoga?

The short answer is that yoga makes you feel better. Practicing the postures, breathing exercises and meditation makes you healthier in body, mind and spirit. Yoga lets you tune in, chill out, shape up -- all at the same time.

YOGA:

Improves muscle tone, flexibility, strength and stamina

Reduces stress and tension

Boosts self esteem

Improves concentration and creativity

Lowers fat

Improves circulation

Stimulates the immune system

Creates sense of well being and calm.

Westerners have considered YOGA as a physical exercise and opened several classes to gain monetarily.

But the basic and the root of this exercise is to breathe unifomally. One breath at a time.

One thought at a time. Anlyze the thought and execute one at a time before accepting another thought.

Very often individuals have 2 thoughts enter in the mind. This causes an increase in breathing

and sometimes choke.

Yoga helps to execute one thought and one breath at a time.

The food that we eat does not reach the soul.

Fasting does not enhance spiritual advancement.

We eat for our physical fitness.

But we usually overeat because it tastes really good.

Then we exercise. Sometimes we avoid or procrastinate

and end up joing gym to work out.

Attend for 4/5 times and eventually quit.

Where there is a WILL there is a WAY.

Control your mind in the first place and you become physically and mentally perfect.

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MEDITATION

Meditation could be termed as being spiritual, relaxation, peace of mind, fitness, or an ongoing state of mind of mindfulness or awareness.

Meditation tips

Understanding Meditation

When beginning meditation practice, one often wonders how meditation will help and also, what should one expect from this practice?

Meditation is a form of quietly 'letting go' of one's everyday reality, and becoming silent, in the embrace of eternity.

By assuming a comfortable, yet alert posture, in a quiet, undisturbed location, it is best to first let your mind wander and as questions pop to mind, try answering yourself, silently. This is for me the best way to not only clear one's mind of worries, but find solutions to what is stressful, in our lives.

This would seem contrary to many meditation practitioners, but I have been doing meditation practices for years, and find this is the best way for not only myself, but others.

As we begin, sitting quietly, questions that seems so large and intruding before meditation, become distant, as they seem to fade away, in our minds. One will 'hear' in his 'still small voice within', answers that at first seem to be coming from ourselves, but soon you will understand that you could not possibly have discovered these same answers, without meditation and focus. This is the main point of meditation. Quiet contemplation that soon fades away into, self discovery.

Category: Meditation tips

Self hypnosis promises the most as a meditation tool!

Meditation is considered as one of the best way to reduce stress, lower your blood pressure and increase longevity, while there are several ways to use meditation as a relaxation method, self-hypnosis gives you the additional benefit of at least a temporary behavior modification tool, contrary to what you might imagine self-hypnosis is a very simple procedure that you can learn very quickly an only requires a few days of practice to master, this is what you do in a few easy steps:

Select a comfortable position like seating, lying down, etc, away from all distractions for at least 10 minutes.

Close your eyes an concentrate on relaxing your entire body from one

end to the other.

Start at your feet, feel your toes and feet relaxing, keep repeating rhythmically to yourself the word Relax –

Relax as a mantra as you feel a warm tingling sensation in each muscle in your body, whatever happens just relax, anything you do is a plus, we are not looking for perfection, each time you do this it gets better and easier. Feel your feet totally relaxed keep your thoughts in relaxing the part of the body you're working on experience the calming down effect of letting down of all tension.

Travel up to your legs concentrating in your principal muscles, your ankles, your calves, your knees, your thigh, hamstrings, torso, abdominals,

your chest, back, hands, arms, head and face. Feel the pleasure as each part

of your body is reed of tension undergo the transformation from tightness

to looseness.

When you reach your chest pay particular attention toward your breathing, make sure to do a deep breathing, inhaling and exhaling to a totally relaxing pace let go of all tensions feel the tightness disappearing from your back and shoulders, come into contact with the feeling of relaxation in each part of your body as your travel through it, include your face muscles, your neck, follow a sequence to include the entire body.

After covering all your main body parts independently go around your

body a second time now at a faster pace while concentrating in larger portions

of your body feeling your entire feet and legs completely relaxed feel the

gentle warmth traveling your entire body, keep your though in this

sensation, you are still repeating to yourself to relax, as you

approach your chess area go through a breading cycle.

Once you accomplish a state of deep relaxation where your thoughts are away from your usual routine an into your body you may select to give yourself a suggestion at this point you are in a very susceptible state, you may repeat to yourself:

I will come out of my self-hypnotic state full of energy ready to do my project X with enthusiasm, or you may say to yourself: whenever I experience anger I will feel love and trust for myself or others and I will react with compassion. I will have a strong desire to forgive myself and others. Repeat these or other suggestions several times during your hypnotic condition do not attempt to make multiple suggestions in the same session.

Try it now, do it today, you will see instant results; just don't expect miracles only improvements. Develop a routine to meditate once to twice a day, remember the more you do it the easier it becomes, in a few weeks you will be able to relax under the worst types of conditions and very quickly.

Meditation as part of a strategy to take care of your emotional health and well-being can add decades to your life and will greatly improve your ability to relax and concentrate, additionally, self-hypnosis in particular will take advantage of the power of suggestion in practically any area of your life where you can use a little help.

A study by the Medical College of Georgia found that two 15-minute meditation sessions each day — once at home, the other at school — helped teenage students lower their blood pressure over four months.

Meditation is just one of several things — including healthy eating, exercise and even medication — that can help lower blood pressure, said Dr. Elizabeth Ofili, chief of cardiology at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta .

She added that people regularly need to have their blood pressure checked: "It's never too early to be aware of the risk of blood pressure."

Besides reducing their blood pressure, students who meditated also had lower rates of absenteeism, school rule violations and suspensions than those in the control group, Barnes said.

"It's noteworthy for educators — meditation might be included in the school day as a program for reducing stress in the schools," Barnes said.

People all over the world spend millions of bucks to join classes because in realistic they are unable to discipline themselves. They need someone to do for them. When they spend they learn but fail to learn not to spend.


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