If you wait by focusing only on that one moment in time in the future, you miss out on our life. You basically choose to abandon participating in your life in the present moment. Your whole world becomes the impending results, and your imagination will probably be quite overactive.

Yoga tools are actually quite simple, and can help you live your life with more pleasant moments. You can exercise your right to choose how you will be present with your life in any given moment.

Here are some suggestions on ways to use yoga tools:

Body Awareness – Listen as calmly as you can to the messages of the body by feeling the sensations: tingling, temperature, pressure, discomfort, etc.

Breath Awareness – Focus on the movement of the breath from neck to abdomen. Or listen to the sound of the breath.

Breathing Pattern – Become aware of the pause at the end of the exhalation, and comfortably extend it by a seconds or two.

Self Study – Journal on an experience. Choose a positive or negative experience.

Relationships - Ask a trusted friend to spend some time with you, and share your feelings with honesty.

I hope you capture many peaceful and pleasant moments. Do let me know how you fare.

Heather Greaves, Student of Yoga – heather@yogatogo.com

Besides a good talking to, what are the techniques that have worked for you when the cowardly companion of the mind must be made into a helpful ally? Here are few I have tried. I call them the beg, borrow, or steal trio. They can give the mood a boost. One technique might work one day, and another day another one might just do the trick.

Technique 1 – Beg

This works well when there is a feeling of helplessness. You do not know where to turn. Every idea has met a dead end. You feel exhausted and defeated. This is time to pray. To feel fully the desires of your soul. To know within your heart, what you really, really want. These heart felt desires are prayers. The feelings can happen spontaneously, and you can also stop, search your heart, and elicit the feelings intentionally. I call it begging.

Technique 2 – Borrow

Borrowing works when within there is a little determination within. It is possible to recall the significant victories in the past, and just how uncertain those times were.  There is a chance you will find that magic ingredient that worked previously and is missing right now. Maybe it was faith that gave stability. Identify it, borrow it from yourself, and use it again.

Technique 3 – Steal

I find this technique works when I know and feel there is an answer somewhere.  The mind can become an ally by thinking about people that have been in a similar challenging situation. For example, it could be my ancestors, a distant acquaintance, or a religious figure. These individuals remained courageous and showed strength of character. Simply by thinking of their virtue, I feel more virtuous. It is like taking from them without asking their permission. Just think of their courage, and there it is – a courageous feeling.  Is it somewhat like stealing?

Remember the trio:  beg, borrow or steal to make Mind an ally.

How do we care for this heart that is always on?

Here’s quick advice for a healthier diet from the mayo clinic website: Eat grass-fed beef, limit unhealthy fats, choose low fat protein sources, use omega-3 fatty acids, enjoy walnuts and almonds, savor healthy chocolate in moderation, eat more vegetables and fruits, select whole grains, reduce salt in food, practice moderation.

If exercise is bad word for you, think of staying active instead. Staying active will help to keep the heart healthy. Keep moving: walk, swim, dance, take the stairs. Do what you love doing, what gives you pleasure. This way you can keep that activity up easily. Other steps for a healthy heart: quit smoking, meditate, let go of revenge and greed, bring more love in your life.

You will relax more, breathe better, think more clearly, be more energized, and need less sleep. And you will need less pharmaceutical drugs.

The heart is quite central to yoga. Yoga means union, to bind, to yoke. The foundations of yoga are the Yamas and Niyamas. These two limbs of yoga, suggest that we relate to others in a non-violent way, and to ourselves with truth. When we do so, another amazing thing happens.  We begin to open the heart and release the pain held there.

May we experience deeper and fuller breaths as we  accept ourselves, and love life more and more.

Researchers, from Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (SVYASA) and Bangalore Institute of Oncology (BIO), tested yoga relaxation techniques on those living with breast cancer in second and third stage and found that the exercises were not only successful in fighting the side effects of the ailment, but also helped maintain immunity levels to fight the disease.

Yoga techniques include poses, breathing, hand positions, meditation and relaxation. Singling out relaxation, there are at least ten yogic relaxation techniques to quiet the mind and relax muscle tension. Benefits from relaxing mind and body affect us physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. They include:

• Reduced muscle tension
• Increased productivity
• Contributes to increased energy levels
• Increase ability to communicate with others
• Reduction in compulsive and impulsive behaviour
• Increased self acceptance and inner peace
• Reduction of stress related physical symptoms

Self-observation and self assessment can be an ongoing practice, on and off the mat. In a formal yoga on the mat practice, we can pay attention to many intricate details of our physical body. And on the other hand, we may find that simply being aware of whether we are maintaining length in the spine, might suffice for self assessment of the physical.

Moving with the breath, or maintaining awareness of the movement of breath while we hold a pose, develops self-observation. And on a more subtle level, awareness and self assessment of how grounded we are, or how much lightness we experience could keep us balanced energetically.

On deeper levels, as we remain steady in the pose, we might observe how much sadness our heart holds, and/or how much determination we feel. The longer we are able to hold the pose, we may observe ourselves enveloped with feelings of softness, surrender or courage.

The more we are able to connect with all levels of our being, the more we improve health and foster the sense of well being. Energy follows our attention.

How are you developing your self-observation skills as you relate to the world?

Today’s yoga practice started with a warm shower to freshen the body (I hope to get back to cold ones when the temperature rises). A reading on personality types inspired me and freshened up the mind. This was followed by a practice on the mat that began with a centering chant.

The warm-up was core strengthening. I kept awareness of my breath in order to synchronize it with the movement, and this increased mental focus. The rhythmic chant playing in the background was an encouragement for me to keep up… and I needed that towards the end.

I rested after the warm up to allow my heart beat and breathing to slow down a bit. And I remained aware of what was happening in my body and the thoughts in my mind. Some body parts pulled my attention.

This is day 2 of the Kundalini Yoga Sat Kriya workout – a series that helps digestion and elimination, and any sexual ailments. It is very strengthening and builds endurance. I enjoyed the kriya workout and the short rest periods during the series. Day 2 was easier than Day 1. The longer relaxation at the end was soothing for my body and soul. I floated away with the healing chant that also doubled as a 10-minute timer.

I had time to include the special 1000-day meditation chant at the morning practice today. The practice ended with me heartily singing the Kundalini closing prayer:

May the long time sun
Shine upon you
All love surround you
And the pure light
Within you
Guide your way on

Yes, courage came with a good workout and a song in the heart. Let’s keep the faith.

Begin your journey with an open mind, otherwise you will miss many wonderful opportunites to see things in a different perspective. When your practice is done with an open mind, you eventually discover and meet your true self. Yoga is about discovering who you are and as a teacher, you should know who you are so that you can guide your students on their own journey of self-discovery.

2. What is one thing that every yoga teacher trainee must avoid?

Never doubt yourself. Always believe in yourself and your abilities as a teacher and as a student. Each time you bring yourself to your mat is a new experience, a new opportunity to learn and grow.

3. Is being a yoga teacher just trendy or is it here to stay?

I believe that yoga is here to stay. Although the western philosophy of yoga is different from the eastern philosophy, it has become more widely popular in so many forms. Yoga is constantly evolving, just as we humans do. However, I believe that any form of a yoga practice should always have the emphasis on Mind, Body and Soul. This way it will be a true and meaningful practice and not just a trendy fad that will be forgotten when the next new “exercise” comes along.

4. Can a yoga teacher still be successful if they are in a crowded niche?

Absolutely! Yoga offers up so many opportunities for a teacher to diversify him or herself. I believe that the sky is the limit with yoga practice and making it your own! If everyone practiced yoga, don’t you think the world would be a much more loving place?

“It is not that the student needs to accommodate him or herself to yoga, but rather the yoga practice must be tailored to fit each person.” T.K.V. Desikachar

5. What has the yoga teacher training done for you?
Where do I begin? In a nutshell, the teacher training was transformational for me. I learned so many things about yoga, life and myself. The training provided me the opportunity to push myself beyond my limits and to build up the strength and courage to face many challenges. I feel like a new person and the possibilities are endless for me to go out into the world and share my new yoga knowledge with others. Last but not least, the yoga training enabled me to meet many wonderful and special people, ones I know I will have friendships with for a long, long time to come.

Yoga is an endless journey and I am forever grateful for the teachers that have come into my life to help me along the way. It is through their teachings that I have been inspired to teach others.

Francesca Di Falco is a recent graduate of the yoga teacher training program here at Body Therapies Yoga Training.

As below our feet or seat… so it is above.

Eruption of Energy

The year 2010 has begun with Earth releasing energy causing its area known as Haiti to quake and tremor. Without so much as a by-your-leave, Earth released energy by the rupture of a geological fault without a warning.

Earth did what she needed to do; she released energy that was pent-up holding that which could be held no more. Earth must be freer now.

Healing Trauma

I am reminded of Dr. Peter Levine’s work in resolving and healing the psychological wounds of trauma through the release of energy trapped in our bodies’ tissues. Energy that was aroused because of a threat or challenge and for whatever reason was never discharged.

That aroused energy remains stuck in the body, manifesting post traumatic symptoms until it is finally released. Shaking and tremors accompany this release. It is a very physical experience. And the secret to healing trauma in this way lies in listening to the body’s voice.

“Riot is the language of the unheard.” Martin Luther King

Haiti’s Healing

We rush to the aid of the people in Haiti, with our toxicity, glory and yes, our faults. In our pain, we cry for things to be better, not perfect, just better. And also pause to remember, we like the Earth, have faults.

Living on Earth, we are humbled by Her faults from time to time, and experience just how vulnerable we really are…Vulnerable to the faults of Nature, the faults of our brothers and sisters, the faults of our systems, and ourselves.

There are many millions that have experienced and are still experiencing fear and helplessness from the numerous threats as a result of the Earth’s faults. I pray that once the threat has passed, they experience calm down deep within the tissues of their bodies … sooner rather than later.

An now for similar articles in the pursuit of spiritual, psychological, and mind-body health and happiness visit http://www.soulscode.com/

The Tropical Winter Break starts with snacks and a mix and mingle, followed by an in-depth informative discussion on the topic for the month. The session ends with dynamic movement and deep relaxation. Stay overnight for a mini retreat. Dorm style accommodation is available at a reasonable rate.

Saturday’s treat starts with a restorative yoga class designed to bring the theme to life in a personalized way. Keep the theme alive as you partake in Caribbean delights, a spa treatment of your choice, sauna and a Kundalini yoga class in the afternoon.

Jan. 29 p.m. & 30 – Gems, Stones, and Your Life
Feb. 26 p.m. & 27 – Express Yourself Carnival Style
Mar. 19 p.m. & 20 – Spring Forward with Focus

Gems, Stones, and Colors in Your Life
Bring your favourite gems, stones and story. In Ayurveda, gems are used for healing. What gems and stones have been prominent in your life? What are their energetic qualities and problem solving capabilities? Why should we care how they came to be in our hands?  Meditate with a gem of choice.

Express Yourself Carnival Style
Come with mask and/or costume and story. How essential is music, rhythm and dance to human existence? In what ways can the goal of a future Samadhi, Nirvana and Liberation prevent us from living fully in the present?
Flow, dance, and refresh the mind… experience a meditative mind.

Spring Forward with Focus
Bring journal and coloured pens or pencils. Honour the milestone of another Spring. Where are you now? Where do you want to go? Review and experience desires, goals, dreams and let a choice of yogic techniques help you.

For more details click here.
Register by calling the facilitator, Heather at 905-628-6463 or email at heather@yogatogo.com

Somewhere along the anger line, we do remember. And it’s with some curiosity we can stop, take a breath, close the eyes and look within. That’s how we’ll come to know ourselves better and what’s really going on.

Here’s a kind of anger test for personal reflection.  The fire of Anger gives important feedback. The hotter the fire the more light to be shed.  The pointers for personal reflection and action. Choose the one(s) more relevant to you.

• Even if it seems unfair, can you forgive yourself and others?
• If  lately you feel you are being taken for granted, are you meeting your own needs?
• Does failure in the project really mean you are unworthy of love?
• If in spite of it all you are still misunderstood, can you still do what you planned to do?
• Can you show up even though you’d rather disconnect from others?
• Must you be 100% sure before you act?
• When you can’t get what you want, do you jump or escape to the future?
• Are you giving others their freedom, just as you want your freedom?
• Can you yourself count yourself as important too?

Have fun as you personally reflect on the anger test. And if you would like to share any of your discoveries, send me an email at heather@yogatogo.com. I’d love to hear from you.,

In the quiet, listen. There’s a beat in the quiet. Will you march or dance? Have you decided if you will be excited?

It is amazing that a decision to be upbeat when it is okay to be so, can change posture and facial expression; and of course fosters a good feeling.  And any doubt about the future, big or small, that was hiding in the background, is exposed. “How long were you there?”

Creation time. Yes, emotions must play a vital part. They bring color, facial expressions, and movement. Is it a dance or a march? Keep moving if you can, with gratitude.

Time marches on. Keep dancing.  If you cannot move your feet, and you notice some resistance to that, breathe in any disappointment right into your heart and breathe out peace or love. Relax into the situation as it is, then breathe in any fear or pain, and breathe out love.

It is as it is. Time marches on. We march on.

Wishing you the very best in 2010.