Yoga Arts and Crafts

What is Mantra? Mantra is the repetition of sacred sounds in the form of words, phrases, syllables, or prayers. When we repeat mantra we send our vibrations from our body into the universe, creating harmony between us and the world. Mantra yoga can be seen as “the science of sound” where we access the inner sound, the “nada” through the outer sound, the “mantra”. Some of the sacred Sanskrit words Patanjali talks of the use of mantra when he says, “Siddhis are born of practices performed in previous births, or by herbs, mantra repetition, asceticism, or by samadhi.” (“The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” with translation and commentary by Sri Swami Satchidananda, chapter 4, v 1, p307) How can we use mantras? There are various ways of reciting mantra , (or practising japa), such as chanting or speaking aloud (vacika), whispering (upamshu), writing, or silently (manasa). The most powerful method is silent repetition, also called Manasika Japa . This is because the thought is...

Niyamas - Personal Observances for Spiritual Growt h Saucha - purity, cleanliness Santosha - contentment Tapas - heat, intense practice that leads to transformation Svadhyaya - study of the Self Ishvarapranidhana - trust, confidence, love and faith in life's creative principles, surrender to or connection with a higher being These are qualities that when cultivated even to a small degree can result in some increase in the level of harmony in our inner lives. Rather than being a list of criteria or rules, these are qualities that yoga enables us to be comfortable with, as we feel their benefits physically, psychologically and spiritually. Through their observation positive changes in our outer lives may naturally occur. However, in order to bring the ancient wisdom of the yoga sutras to life it is necessary to simultaneously be practicing the physical side of yoga. See Asana - The Third Limb of Yoga

"Smaller than a grain of rice,  smaller than a grain of barley, smaller than a mustard seed,  smaller than a grain of millet  is the Self.  This is the Self dwelling in my heart,  greater than the earth, greater than the sky,  greater than all the worlds." Selected From The Chandogya Upanishad 

Book One 1.1. Atha yoganusasanam 1.2. Yogah chitta vritti nirodhah 1.3. Tada drastuh svarupe avasthanam The first three sutras introduce the subject and tell us of the goal and meaning of yoga. 1.1. Now the auspicious exposition of yoga is being offered. This is an auspicious occasion. The offering of yoga is made to the student at the right time, once the student has spent some time on an inner search, and therefore when it is likely to make sense and be useful. 1.2. Yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations in the mind (citta vritti) or a calming in one's state of being. The thoughts in the mind are calmed through the practice of postures, breath work, and concentration, leading to meditation. A mindful approach is required as meditation is interlinked with the physical side of yoga. As the nature of the mind is to fluctuate, so yoga ends up being a way of life. 1.3. Then the practitioner is able to see clearly and dwell joyfully in his/her true nature, wh...

An article written by NM Harmony My childhood and teenage years were very happy. In my adulthood, I suffered from many hardships (stress, anxiety, a stiff body due to long hours and hard work for many years, supporting my own plus my fathers family of 12 for 30 years, bladder cancer and subsequent surgery than went wrong, hypertension for 8 years, blurred vision for about 5 years, a urostomy, and an ileostomy). Despite all this, at 64, I am one of the happiest persons in the world. Partly this is due to my will power. But partly and certainly, it is due to the practice of YOGA over the last 30 years or so. The first thing I do each morning without fail is yoga for 30 to 45 minutes in a very gentle slow way where all limbs are stretched gently and slowly to the maximum until there is a tingling sensation in all of my body's cells or at least in those limbs I am stretching. I can even do the shoulderstand - I had practiced this before the operation but even now with my two bags (uros...

Chakrasana, the Wheel.  We rarely bend backwards in normal life so our spines can miss out on the benefits of performing this pose. Safety in yoga is key and when practiced in the correct way this pose can have many benefits.  Stemming from every yoga pose are a variety of gentle variations to explore whilst still reaping the many benefits the pose has to offer and at the same time gaining more self knowledge and awareness.  There are variations such as Salabhasana (Locust), Setu Bandhasana (Bridge), Adho Mukha Svanasana (Upward Facing Dog) - pictured above, and Bhujangasana (Cobra).  Backbends help to rejuvenate the spine, develop physical strength and vitality, and relax the nervous system. They keep the body supple, the mind active and alert. Doing relaxing variations can benefit us if we are feeling sensitive and emotional. The opening of the chest energises the lungs and breathing becomes deeper so that oxygenated blood is able to circulate all over the body m...

One of the ways the Seva Sadan Society raise money for underpriviledged girls in Mumbai is by running a cafe called "By the Way". I happened to come across this place, on one of my trips, and was happy to do so as the food was delicious. The experience was amazing too - if you take a look through the back door, you'll see a courtyard and a school. I happened to go back there when the children were playing and spent some time with their them as well as the teachers there. Hearing the girls sing and talk of their activities was so much fun I took my friends and family back there to meet them. One of the paths to yoga is karma yoga - the yoga of selfless service. The people who run this organisation put so much positive energy into it, that I felt inspired to help. See http://www.sevasadan.org/ for further information on the Seva Sadan Society, Mumbai. A few lines from the Isha Upanishad: "Those who see all creatures in themselves And themselves in all creatures know...