Health and Happiness Over The Holidays

The Sound of Om (morning meditation)

Anahata sounds or melodies are the mystic sounds heard by the yogi at the beginning of his cycle of meditation. The anahata sound is due to the vibration of prana in the heart. This is a sign of purification of the nadis or astral currents due to pranayama. The sounds are heard through the right ear, with or without closing the ears, but they are more distinct when heard through closed ears. The ears can be closed by introducing the two thumbs into the ears through the process of yoni mudra. Close the ears with the thumbs and hear the sounds very attentively.

The sound that is heard is of ten kinds. The first is like the sound of the word 'chini'; the second is like 'chini-chini'; the third is the sound of a bell; the fourth is that of a conch; the fifth is that of a lute; the sixth is the sound of cymbals; the seventh is that of the flute; the eighth is that of the drum; the ninth is that of a double drum, and the tenth is like that of thunder.

The mind can be fixed on any of these sounds. This also will lead to samadhi. Sometimes you will hear the melodious sound of OM during this meditation.

Thank you for sharing your Christmas Eve Day with us.

Have a Happy Holiday!

Magic Carpet (morning meditation)

We are going to begin with relaxation so find a comfortable place in which to sit or lie, close your eyes and take three deep breaths, in—out, in—out. We’re going to relax our bodies starting at the top of our head and working down to our toes. Relax your scalp, relax your brow, relax your chin, cheek, ears, relax your nose, relax your eyes, eyelids, relax your lips; imagine them fat, full completely relaxed. Relax your tongue, the roof of your moth, your throat; relax all the muscles in your throat. Relax your neck, feel the tension leave your neck. Relax your hands, your fingers, feel the tension flow out of your fingers.

Enjoy the feelings of both arms being heavy, at ease, completely relaxed. Relax all the muscles of your back, spinal column, relax the muscles of your chest, your abdomen, relax the muscles of your pelvic area, your buttocks. Let the seat you’re in or the bed you’re lying on support the weight of your buttocks, then relax your thighs, your knees, the muscles of your lower legs, Relax your feet, your toes. Imagine all the tension flowing out of your toes so that both legs and both feet are heavy, relaxed and free of any tension. Relax your mind, your heart, your lungs and all your internal organs. Lie or sit there for a moment enjoying the feeling of total relaxation.

Now imagine yourself walking down a country road. Meadows and trees are around you. Completely relaxed—completely at ease. Walking, enjoying the beauty in front of you. Suddenly, in front of you, you see lying in the middle of the path, the middle of the road, some object. As you walk closer, you realize it’s a carpet. As you walk even closer and right up to it, you know it is a magic carpet.

With great confidence and peace, you walk on to it and you sit down, perhaps cross-legged. As you do this the magic carpet slowly rises, into the air and it starts to move forward, forward into the future, five years from today and it stops over your home. And you look down and what you see is very pleasing. Everything you’re looking at pleases you. You see the building in which you are living five years from now, and you see yourself in the building, in the home and you see yourself doing and talking and moving about in ways that are pleasing.

Look at the details of your home. The colors and the sounds. Are there other people in your home? People that would please you to have there. Who are they? What are they doing? What have you been doing or what will you do with the rest of this pleasing day in the future? Where have you been, where are you going? And look outside around your home. What do you see there that pleases you? Colors, sounds, people, perhaps a building?

What does the outside, the environment around your home look like? What things please you? Let’s go back into your home and we’re imagining it as if the roof is off and you can see right into the rooms.

Again, what are the people doing? Who are the people? What is the atmosphere? What sounds do you hear that please you? What colors do you see that please you? What words do you hear that please you? What are you doing that pleases you? If there are people around you, what are they doing that pleases you.

And now, take one last look at this picture in the future of what pleases you to see happening five years from now. And now you notice that the carpet is slowly moving away. Slowly moving back into the present, gently lowering you on that country road. Finally the carpet touches the ground; you stand up and you continue on your walk, content, perhaps with a smile on your face. You have seen what pleases you and you walk on down the road enjoying the beauty around you.

And now, when you’re ready, open your eyes and come back to this room, to this place, carrying the feeling of contentment and pleasing images with you.

What I've Learned (morning meditation)

I've learned that no matter how much I care, some people just don't care back.
I've learned that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.
I've learned that it's not what you have in your life but who you have in your life that counts.
I've learned that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes. After that, you'd better know something.
I've learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to the best others can do but to the best you can do.
I've learned that it's not what happens to people that's important. It's what they do about it.
I've learned that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
I've learned that no matter how thin you slice it, there are always two sides.
I've learned that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I've learned that it's a lot easier to react than it is to think.
I've learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I've learned that you can keep going long after you think you can't.
I've learned that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I've learned that either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I've learned that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.
I've learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I've learned that learning to forgive takes practice.
I've learned that there are people who love you dearly, but just don't know how to show it.
I've learned that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I've learned that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.
I've learned that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.
I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I've learned that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I've learned that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.
I've learned that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I've learned that you should never tell a child their dreams are unlikely or outlandish. Few things are more humiliating, and what a tragedy it would be if they believed it.
I've learned that your family won't always be there for you. It may seem funny, but people you aren't related to can take care of you and love you and teach you to trust people again. Families aren't biological.
I've learned that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I've learned that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I've learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.
I've learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I've learned that sometimes when my friends fight, I'm forced to choose sides even when I don't want to.
I've learned that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.
I've learned that sometimes you have to put the individual ahead of their actions.
I've learned that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I've learned that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
I've learned that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
I've learned that no matter how you try to protect your children, they will eventually get hurt and you will hurt in the process.
I've learned that there are many ways of falling and staying in love.
I've learned that no matter the consequences, those who are honest with themselves get farther in life.
I've learned that no matter how many friends you have, if you are their pillar you will feel lonely and lost at the times you need them most.
I've learned that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.
I've learned that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.
I've learned that writing, as well as talking, can ease emotional pains.
I've learned that the paradigm we live in is not all that is offered to us.
I've learned that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
I've learned that the people you care most about in life are taken from you too soon.
I've learned that although the word "love" can have many different meaning, it loses value when overly used.
I've learned that it's hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice and not hurting people's feelings and standing up for what you believe.

Autobiography in 5 Short Chapters (morning contemplation)

I
I walk down the street.There is a deep hole in the sidewalkI fall in.I am lost ... I am helpless.It isn't my fault.It takes me forever to find a way out.

II
I walk down the same street.There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.I pretend I don't see it.I fall in again.I can't believe I am in the same placebut, it isn't my fault.It still takes a long time to get out.

III
I walk down the same street.There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.I see it is there.I still fall in ... it's a habit.my eyes are openI know where I am.It is my fault.I get out immediately.

IV
I walk down the same street.There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.I walk around it.

V
I walk down another street.

by Portia Nelson

Are You A Banker?

Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with $86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day. Every evening deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out every cent? of course!!!!

Each of us has such a bank. Its name is TIME. Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose.

It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the remains of the day. If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is yours. There is no going back. There is no drawing against the "tomorrow".

You must live in the present on today's deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness, and success! The clock is running. Make the most of today.

Sweat Lodge

My experience was nothing short of extraordinary. The day was one filled with contrasts:
Fear and Courage
Doubt and Confidence
Chaos and Tranquility
Darkness and Light
Hot and Cold
Fast and Slow
Isolation and Community
Honoring the past and welcoming what is to come

The day was also a delight for the senses:
The smell of the medicinal herbs as they landed on the hot lava rocks, the touch of the cold earth under bare feet, the intensity of the heat raging from the pit, the taste of the cold blueberries, the utter lack of sight in the darkness, and the return of the light. The sounds of the beautiful songs during the ceremony, along with the beating of the drums and shakers still resonate in my heart.

Participating in the sacred lodge ceremony was an honor. The lessons shared during the day have given me much to think about. Thank you to Dennis and his Circle of Life friends who welcomed us into their arms and hearts. It proved to be a day of learning, experiencing and growing. What a blessed addition to my holiday season. Miigwetch~

What Matters Most

Q: I have so many things I have to get done in the day, how can I squeeze in one more hour for yoga?

A: Use your yoga practice to cultivate clarity in order to determine what matters most.

A well-known time management story from www.loyaltyleader.com

As this man stood in front of the group of high-powered overachievers, he said, "Okay, time for a quiz." Then he pulled out a one-gallon, wide-mouthed Mason jar and set it on a table in front of him. He produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, "Is this jar full?" Everyone in the class said, "Yes." Then he said, "Really?" He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. He dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks. Then he asked the group once more, "Is the jar full?" By this time, the class was onto him. "Probably not," one of them answered. "Good!" he replied. He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in and it went into all the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more, he asked the question, "Is this jar full?" "No!" the class shouted. Again, he said, "Good!" Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim. Then he looked up at the class and asked, "What is the point of this illustration?" One woman raised her hand and said, "The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard, you can always fit some more things into it!" "No," the speaker replied, "that's not the point. The truth this illustration teaches us: If you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all."

What are the "big rocks" in your life? Time with your loved ones? Your faith, your education, your dreams? A worthy cause? Teaching or mentoring others? What are the big rocks" in your life? Remember to give these rocks priority or they'll be squeezed out by far less important activities that can keep you from spending time on the things that matter most in your life.

day thirteen -
of 108 days -
i feel i'm doing well -
coming out of a haze -

though things aren't always perfect -
i will keep on going -
sometimes practice is ugly -
till beauty starts showing -

so there is my update -
practicing love and no harm -
now i want to do yoga -
so i can stay warm!

j.m.

Today is a Gift

Yesterday is History
Tomorrow a Mystery
Today is a Gift
That’s why it is called the Present.
Enjoy Now!

Unknown

Above is the meditation tip of the day from www.deeshan.com

On our journey of 108 days of Yoga, it’s easy to drop into the mindset of trying too hard at the beginning. This is a common mistake of many Yogi’s, not just new practitioners. We live in a highly competitive society which leads us to think we should be able to do more today than yesterday or a week ago. How can we stay centered in our own experience and drop the mindset of pushing and surpassing previous results or accomplishments?

In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, the state of Yoga is reached through the combination of persistence and detachment. Trying too hard in class is usually our attachment to specific results of our actions. If we let go of our expectations on the mat and approach our practice with persistence and detachment we can bring this into our everyday experiences. Give yourself permission for discovery in our body, breath, mind, heart and spirit. Since our breath connects us to the present moment, paying attention to our breath brings us into the present moment. We can use the inhalation to clarify our intention and inspiration. We can use our exhalation to relax and let go of any expectations or results.

Debbie's Vision Board

You imagined your future, placed a few things in your pink balloon, or at least tried. Over the weekend, as you flipped through magazines or surfed the internet you started to see images, thoughts, words and phrases that you want to manifest in your life. It’s time to document your future. Find these images again and put them on your vision board. Do you want more joy and happiness in your life? Find images that would represent that for you or just the words alone will work. The more creative and detailed you are, the more powerful and accurate it will be. Create the vision board to inspire you - not to impress anyone else. It communicates to you and inspires you on the most essential level.

"The crazy thing about creating my vision board is that it wasn’t much different from my current life now. It was plus-ing or expanding upon things in my life and at the same time simplifying my life. And yes, there were a few indulgences that showed up, like a hybrid Mini Cooper, boat with a cuddy and trip to Machu Picchu.

What surprised me was that a few things I thought I wanted, I didn’t want enough to put on my board. It was a “huge” relief to finally let those things go. Going through the process of documenting my future, I feel like I’ve just opened myself up to many more possibilities. That must be the “big blue sky” on my board."

Pink Bubble Meditation

This simple and wonderful meditation is what we practiced today, from Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain 1978.

Sit, close your eyes and breath deeply, slowly, and naturally. Gradually relax and feel this meditation taking you deeper and deeper. Imagine something that you would like to manifest. Imagine that it has already happened. Picture it as clearly as possible in your mind. Now in your mind's eye surround your fantasy with a pink bubble. Pink is associated with the heart. If this color's vibrations surrounds whatever you visualize, it brings to you only that which is in perfect affinity with your being. The third step is to let go of your bubble and imagine it floating off into the universe, still containing your vision. This symbolizes that you are emotionally 'letting go' of it. Now it's free to float around the universe, attracting and gathering energy for it's manifestation. There is nothing more you need to do.

Vision, Passion, and Discipline

All our life we have been told to set goals, write them down and work towards completing them. We know this can work, but it can be so boring. One alternative is to create a vision board?
To create a vision board, all that is needed is a goal, or a dream and to be open to the possibilities of your imagination. Find pictures, sayings and cut and paste them on a board so you can see your possibilities daily. In the process, you will feel inspired, uplifted and you’ll have a sense of direction. It’s a way to document what your inner compass is telling you.

It’s not magic, just creating the board is not enough. You need vision, passion and discipline.

Vision is seeing with the mind's eye what is possible in you, others, in projects, and in causes. Vision results when our mind is open to possibility. As William Blake once said, "What is now proved was once only imagined." When we have no vision, or forget our capacity to choose or create, we fall prey to becoming the victim.

Passion is the fire, desire, strength of conviction and the drive that sustains the discipline to achieve the vision. Passion arises when human need overlaps unique human talent. You don’t have to be the most talented athlete to win the race. You can have average talent with a greater passion and cross the finish line first. Without passion the void is filled with insecurity and empty chatter. In relationships with others, passion includes compassion.

Discipline is paying the price to bring that vision into reality. It's dealing with the hard, brutal facts of reality and doing the work. Discipline arises when vision joins with commitment. The opposite of discipline and the commitment is indulgence-sacrificing what matters most in life for the pleasure or thrill of the moment. The journey, doing the work, holds the lesson and the gift.

Getting Committed!

The commitments have been coming in from all around the U.S. If you missed our December 1st kick-off, not to worry. You can commit or recommit anytime on your journey.

Don’t forget to e-mail us midwestpoweryoga@aol.com what has “opened up for you” or “what insights came to light” along the way. Here’s a sampling of the commitments sent in this week:

108 days of yoga
i wonder if i should commit.....
that's a lot of yoga & meditation
everyday...oh holy sh@$#*t!

i think that i could do it
i could practice everyday
the meditation would be hard for me
it's hard for me to "stay"

i think that i will do it
i'll be creative in getting it done
it could change my whole perspective...
this could be lots of fun!

so shopping over christmas....
sitting by a fire with a log
i can only begin to imagine
where i might take my next down dog!

i know we'll share our stories
trials and mishaps along the way...
i wonder how we'll feel
and what we'll have to say!

so with this rhyme i will commit
i'll practice everyday
i'm guessing it won't be pretty
but on the path i'll try to stay

good luck to fellow yogi's
and all yogini's too
we'll practice this together
with support we'll all get through!

i need to wrap this rhyme up
i'm saying this and that
my biggest wish is that this will help me
take my yoga off my mat!

**Committed by J.M.

I commit to practicing everyday for 108 days……….for one hour, yoga, in a group, DVD or CD and AT LEAST 10 mins. of meditation EVERYDAY. And to be in the sound frame of mind that is not searching but knowing there is peace, harmony and balance within and to wait patiently and without anticipation for the spirit within to open and blossom the inner edges of my mind, body and soul.

**Committed by S.L.

I think this will be a really good thing for me since I’m injuring myself with every other workout I’ve been doing. I think this is a really good idea and I’m curious to track myself on this little journey. I'm excited about just doing yoga for working out. Please let me know when the 108 days are up.

**Committed by K.K.

I plan on doing the 108 days of yoga. Through my practice I have realized that off the mat just breathing, breath by breath, I have been able to concentrate on right now and become a calmer person. I have also become more aware of my body and mind.

**Committed by B.P.

Day 5, High 5!

**Submitted by L.A.

108 Days of Yoga

Hello fellow yogis. Since we're new to this blog thing it will take us a while to get it all together. But since patience is a virtue it will be a good learning experience for all of us. On Saturday, December 1st we began our journey with an all day bootcamp at MPY. Staff brought their A game and the participants added their sweat and heart to make it truly magical. Thank you to all who joined us.