So here I was finally home and in a winter wonderland. The Christmas tree had dried out and the timer on the lights had reset to turn on during the day, as there had been a power outage for many hours… I felt disoriented as I had not yet completely disconnected from Bangalore and Mysore. My mind was awake, but my body felt like it needed to crash and sleep.

It has now been four days since my return and I am still jet lagged. This always happens. Its not a new routine. Life is still not normal, the snow is still around and finally melting, but the cabin fever is atrocious. My munchkins and I had a nice Xmas day and my older pushed me to take them out - they had had enough of being trapped in the house the last seven days. We saw a movie “Bedtime Stories” and it brought so much joy to all of us, as we too make up stories at night, all from real life experiences.

In the meantime, I must say, I have gained a new respect for nature. I am more aware of the atrocities we have committed with the indiscriminate burning of fossil fuels and waste of energy. I am guilty as charged. Read the rest of this entry »

This emphasis on the brain is reflected in an important part of the Brain Wave Vibration website: BrainTV. BrainTV is videos, videos, and more videos of news, tips, interviews, and success stories about Brain Wave Vibration, Dahn Yoga, and their founder Ilchi Lee. It introduces and supports the Dahn Yoga practice and can even warm and inspire your heart.

Dahn Yoga practice is based on the fact that the brain is the management center for our mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health. With its help we can all consciously and mindfully choose our thoughts, emotions, and habits and not be subservient to our external circumstances or our past.

Yoga Central in Mount Dora sees it as something more when it celebrated the occasion with its 11th annual Winter Solstice Celebration.

The winter solstice, which means stopped sun, is an astronomical event occurs every year as the sun’s rays are strongest in the southern hemisphere below the equator. It marks the beginning of the sun’s journey back up north as well in addition to the shortest day of the year for those in the north.

In the meantime, people tend to escape the darkness and cold weather the season brings by retreating within their own homes, said Amber Johnson, massage therapist and administrative director for Yoga Central. They can look within themselves and seek out the light of their own spirits during times of overwhelming darkness such as the fall and winter seasons bring. “(The winter solstice) an ancient celebration in many cultures,” said volunteer Merlin Mercer. “For many cultures, it’s not seen as the celebration of winter. Instead, they celebrate it as a time of renewal as the day gets gradually longer and the coming spring season.”

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dementia — all of which set in with age. Tired with allopathic medicines, they are now turning to reliable and traditional methods, one of which is yoga.

Towards this, NIMHANS Advanced Centre for Yoga Science jointly with Moraji Desai National Institute of Yoga, New Delhi, will hold a seminar on yoga for the elderly on Tuesday. Yoga is getting popular among senior citizens, especially when face with diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, arthritis and 

According to NIMHANS psychiatrist Dr Sivakumar, those with depression and mild cognitive problems have higher risk of developing dementia.

G H Naveen from the Advanced Centre for Yoga Research recommended balancing postures, pranayama and meditation to improve one’s health. Read the rest of this entry »

This intentional slowing down to take some time for yourself can offer some insight into where you are holding your attention in you life and where you would like to hold you attention. It seems that we often lose sight of what we actually DO HAVE around us. Next, when you go to set your goals for the new year, keep your AWARENESS on the areas of your SELF and your LIFE where you’d like to make the most CHANGE or IMPROVEMENT. Write down your intentions so that you can see them regularly and have something to reference each day to keep you in line with the direction that you want to go. Keep in mind as the New Year arrives and the days begin to flow by that each day is a NEW day and if you should falter against your goals you can always choose to start anew.

Hopefully these techniques can help you to stay focused on your Goals and New Years Resolutions as we celebrate this year and transition into 2009. Peace to all of you this Holiday Season and HAPPY NEW YEAR from all of us at COIL Yoga!As 2009 rests upon the horizon many of us begin to think about the past year that we’ve experienced, at the same time as preparing for the year to come. While the economy has been experiencing a downturn and our society has been feeling the effects, many people are losing their homes, jobs, retirement savings, etc. It has become so easy to focus on and take notice of what we don’t HAVE. In fact, this is a great time in everyone’s life to slow down and take a moment to reflect on what you want to CHANGE in your life. Read the rest of this entry »

The yoga classes are open to the public, and are appropriate for any age. The classes focus on various levels of emotional, spiritual, physical and mental healing.Certified Yoga instructor Karen Branco, an employee of The Bellevue Hospital, teaches the classes. Class fee is $20 for the six-week session. The next session will begin on Jan. 7 and runs through Feb. 11.

According to Branco, when relaxation is promoted to the body, one’s natural body chemistry is then enhanced, improving mental and physical fitness.

“Yoga is about stretching and breathing exercises,” Branco said. “Anyone of any age can perform yoga exercises, always ‘listening’ to your body and performing the stretches and exercises as your body allows.” The stretching and breathing exercises are performed both on a mat or blanket, and standing up. Participants go at their own pace.

That’s not to say this popular instructor at Kansas Siddhi Yoga is all talk. Her graceful demonstrations of difficult postures could lead even the most enlightened to feel jealous. Her flowing sequences give away her primary profession as a chiropractor who understands the intricacies of human anatomy. But in this age of yoga DVDs and fancy alliance certifications, Kucera isn’t clinical or pretentious. She’s able to read the room and tailor each class to the students’ energy levels — whether a challenging pace or something a bit more indulgent.

Whereas many instructors teach their classes in the hushed cadence of a dog trainer in a library, Kucera sounds like a friend, chatting brightly over a cup of coffee. What better way to relax?The purpose of yoga isn’t the strength to balance on your forearms or the flexibility to arc your leg upward until your toes touch the crown of your head. The physical acrobatics are just a fancy way to get the mind to calm down and give the body permission to do nothing but breathe. So Sarah Kucera has it pretty easy. Her warm, authentic demeanor seems to melt the stress from her students when she greets them at the sign-in sheet.

The list goes on and on. There is no doubt that I am connected intimately with the earth. Each bite that enters this mouth and is broken down by these teeth is a reminder of the gifts that the earth offers. I have no choice but to offer back.

Just before that first piece of sustenance enters this physical form, I silently whisper, “May this food provide this body with health, vitality, strength, flexibility, and balance. Thank you.” This is not a rote ritual, but rather a conscious consideration and appreciation.

Then the first few bites are savored with closed eyes and all focus goes to the taste buds, the sounds of transition, and the marvelous texture of this gift. Taste explosion.

The chicken scrambling about the yard and laying an egg while the farmer slept. How this new life is given up to provide protein and life for my family.

The wheat fields shimmering in the sunlight as a gentle breeze helps them to dance and sway. The soil providing a foundation for the tall stalks and the rain giving life. Hundreds of tiny grains milled and brought together with yeast and water to bring the slice of bread now on my plate.

Also keep in mind that the time in between your yoga class is just as important as the class itself. This is a period when your body can flush out toxins, rebuild itself, and get the rest it needs.

Just as Step Three of my five-step series invited new yoga practitioners not to compete, this fourth step is reminding you to allow yourself the freedom to not push so hard that you push yourself right off the mat and out of the studio.

Taking one class a week is a great way to start. Maybe after about six weeks, you can add in another class – but only if your body feels like it is ready. And another month after that, if all’s still going well, you could consider adding a third class, but not more than that. Taking yoga seven days a week is a lofty and unrealistic goal for a beginner, as it’s important to not push yourself but rather take time for your body to adjust and be open to this new practice.

A. Benefits of Kundalini Yoga Modified Wheel Pose:

Excellent to build and increase flexibility of your back and spine.
Also promotes flexibility in your shoulders and upper thighs.

Stretches the entire abdominal region and helps improve your digestive system.

Stretches the female reproductive organs, massaging and toning them.  Improves conditions related to these organs.

Strengthens your legs and thighs.
Expands your respiratory system and improves lung capacity.
Activates and help heal the Vishuddhi Chakra (Throat Charka) and promotes healthy thyroid function.

B. Practice Tips for Kundalini Yoga Modified Wheel Pose:

Modified Version of Modified Wheel Pose:  If you find the full version of Modified Wheel Pose too difficult, I suggest starting with the modification to this exercise which is demonstrated in illustration #1 above.  In this modification, interlace your fingers as shown and push down against the floor with your arms as you thrust up with your hips and navel.  All else is the same as the full version, except that you don’t grasp your ankles in the modified version.  This modified version will also bestow many of the same benefits and you can use it to slowly increase your flexibility and strength, until you can do the full version. Read the rest of this entry »