Simple Living
Simple living is effortless. But unfortunately, today our living is very complicated.
Why is it complicated? - Our living is nothing but employing sense organs (eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin) and the organs of action (arms, legs) to achieve things. We merely exist. You can either exist in the world or you can live in the world. Most of us only exist and all our actions are primarily reactions (to situations, people and things around us). We don't execute the action, but it is anger, desire etc. that execute the action through us. Whatever desire wants to do, it does through our mind and body and then that desire goes away. Whatever anger wants to do, it does and then goes away. Finally who suffers? We suffer.
What is simple living?- Simple living is intelligent living. Intelligent use of the instruments (sense organs and organs of action) is called living. That means that you do what needs to be done. Period. You need not project, fancy and then do the action. We start associating desires and expectations with our actions. Do whatever needs to be done at any point of time, at any place. Do it to the best of your abilities and then move on to the next one. In short, Simple living means doing what needs to be done at that moment.
Why it is difficult to follow this?- Because we mix up our duties with wishes. Then we find that there are many things (instead of that one task at that moment) and then get trapped.
Should I do this all the time?- Unfortunately there is nothing like "all the time"! It is only this moment that is there for you. This is the only moment that you should or need to handle. The past is gone and future is unknown. We are supposed to do what is needed at this point of time and let's just do it. Is it that difficult?
What happens when we live simply?- There is continuity between your thoughts, speech and action. You are not doing something and thinking something else and then saying something totally different! What I think is what I speak and what I speak is exactly what I do.
It is as straight forward as this!
Advice for Beginners to Yoga
People start yoga with many preconceptions. Like expecting instant cure or weight loss, assuming that asanas are difficult to do and that yoga is not for them because either they are physically too unfit or too fit !
Here is some advice for beginners which will make your yoga practice more effective and also minimize injury or strain:
1. Begin with small expectations and keep in mind that it takes time to restructure muscles, bones, tissues and posture. Practice as many basic asanas as you feel comfortable with.
2. First understand how to get into a posture and then with time and regular practice understand how to refine it. Learn how to observe, rather than what to observe. The asanas connect you to the inner world within you.
3. Practice asanas when you are fresh. Early morning is the best,when our minds are stress free. If your muscles are stiff in the mornings, practice in early evenings. Do not practice after a heavy meal. Practice daily.
4. If at first, you do not get a particular asana right, practice an asana with similar movements. Do not stop doing that asana. The physical body, emotions, mind and consciousness are trained gradually in yoga.
5. If any part of your body is aching, doing yoga will relieve the tension . Do not stop your practice. Locate the discomfort and through your intelligence send soothing sensations with each breath into that area.
6. Practice asanas in the prescribed sequence to derive maximum physical. mental and spiritual benefits. However, understanding the significance of the sequence takes time. Take a yoga course and then decide which sequence works for your body and physical conditions. Do not begin the session with a back bend.
7. Hold the asana for as long as possible to maximize its benefits and to build strength. The reason being that body takes a longer time compared to the brain to be awakened. Bring the awareness to all parts of the body for the whole time you are in that posture.
Enjoy each step of this amazing journey to complete wellness!
10 tips to get the most out of your yoga class
The benefits of yoga are plentiful. Studies prove, practice shows, and history knows that yoga is more than just an exercise class that you struggle to fit into your schedule.
Yet it’s often those classes in the local studios that remind us it all begins the moment we roll out the mat. As a yoga teacher, I feel blessed to see that people go to great lengths to make sure they find time to squeeze in their favorite yoga classes.
But not every class leaves you feeling blissful and ready to take on the world. So what makes one class feel like a path to enlightenment, and another a struggle to get through? Maybe it isn’t so much about the teacher or the studio, but about what we do to get the most out of a class. Here are a few tips to keep the yoga in the yogini.
1. Come to class free of expectations. Don’t expect the teacher to offer you the secret to life, don’t expect the other students to leave the window spot open for you again, and don’t expect your tired body to be able to hold the sideways crow after you were up till midnight tending to a vomiting toddler. Letting go and experiencing what really is is the only truth. Moving into each class with an open mind allows you to fully experience the moment instead of wrestling with what you had hoped it to be. Let’s face it: much is out of your control anyway. Your favorite teacher might be replaced by a sub, your ex's girlfriend might show up and settle in next to you, and your left foot might get a cramp. Dealing with the unexpected is part of the practice. Beginning without expectations gives you a fighting chance. Let it all go, so you can stay.
2. Have an intention. An intention is about the state of being during, not about the final result. So pick an intention to keep your mind focused on every breath of the practice. This will allow you to experience the moments instead of struggling with the idea of the end result—like a perfect pose or open hips.
3. Free yourself of distractions. A big part of a yoga class is staying focused and not letting your mind chatter so loudly that you can’t hear the teacher telling you to grab a block for triangle pose. It helps to clear away any distractions from the get-go, such as a full bladder, uncomfortable clothes, or bangs that flop in your eyes. Don’t wear that cute yoga top if you have to keep dropping out of warrior II to pull it down over your belly. The bottom line is, if you’re distracted by these minor annoyances, you are not present in the practice. It’s that simple.
4. Disclose physical limitations to the instructor. Tell him that your lower back hurts, you just had knee surgery, or you have a trick shoulder. Part of his training is to offer you modifications so that when everyone else is perched in peacock, you aren’t splintering your wing because you were too shy or had too much of an ego to speak up about your needs.
5. Honor your own inner teacher. Let the instructor be your guide, and let your inner voice be your guru. That’s right...the experienced 500-hour instructor in front of you is to serve only as your guide. Sure, you can learn from her, but ultimately the goal of yoga is to strengthen and balance so you can honor your own inner teacher. This frees you from playing internal mind ping pong about the instructor. If something she says resonates, take it in. If something doesn’t, let it go. It’s your practice. Listen to your true guru. Which brings us to the next point…
6. Listen to your body. Your amazing body is a unified part of that divine guru within. If you are more concerned about looking good than being good to yourself, you will ignore your hamstrings when they are screaming at you, or even worse, you won’t hear their cry. Become subtle enough to detect that voice whispering (sometimes in the form of a held breath) that says it’s time to drop down to child’s pose. Respect your Self.
7. Leave your phone at the door. Respect the time devoted to the practice. Don’t bring a watch, phone, or any other device that can connect you to the outside world. Let go of those thoughts that drag you out of the studio and into the office. In yoga, you are nowhere but there, so stressing about how much time is left of class so you can get to the meeting, or why your mother-in-law just texted you, brings you out of the moment. Which equates to: yoga moment lost.
8. Bring your own stuff. A favorite yoga mat that ritualistically brings you back to the practice can get you in that spontaneous calm state a little more fluidly. Kind of like Pavlov’s dog salivated when he believed he’d be fed, our bodies and minds begin to relax knowing it’s time for the practice.
9. Breathe. Simple, powerful, and vitally important: breathe. On the mat, and off, you’ll get more out of whatever you do and whatever you think if you inhale and exhale mindfully. It will keep you balanced, grounded, practicing within your capacity, and mostly, will allow you to fully experience and appreciate the moments in your practice. Which brings us to the final point…
10. Be grateful. Feel thankful for getting yourself to the studio, onto the mat, and into the moment. Your attitude of gratitude will infuse your practice with the yogi’s grace and will help ensure that what you’ve gleaned in class will remain with you long after you’ve rolled up the mat and walked back into the world.
Different types of yoga. What and for whom they are.
Ashtanga: A more athletic method, Ashtanga is a traditional practice focused on progressive pose sequences tied to the breath. The Primary Series, made up of about 75 poses, takes about 90 minutes to go through and promotes spinal alignment, detoxification of the body, and building strength and flexibility. And there ain’t no stopping in this class— continuous flow is central to its practice.
Bikram: A series of 26 basic postures, repeated twice each, practiced in a 105-degree studio. This method, created by Bikram Choudhury, has inspired similar “hot” and “warm” yoga classes.
Hatha: Most modern forms of yoga fall under this traditional branch. Classes called “Hatha” are typically basic with a classic approach pairing breathing exercises with postures. Beginner-friendly.
Integrative: Formally known as Integrative Yoga Therapy, this method was developed specifically for medical settings and is used for patients with everything from heart disease to AIDS to psychiatric disorders.
Iyengar (i-ying-ger): This form holds poses for much longer than other yoga practices, encouraging students to feel each muscle’s role in the pose. Iyengar often incorporates props like belts, blocks, blankets, and chairs and is a good practice for people with injuries or specific physical limitations. Beginner-friendly.
Kripalu (kree-pah-loo): With a focus on getting in touch with the body, each class of this method moves through three phases: basic mechanics, mediation and long-held poses, and a flowing sequence. Beginner-friendly.
Kundalini: A fluid, energetic method that keeps practitioners moving through poses. The sequences are made up of rapid, repetitive movements intended to awaken the body, mind, and spiritual strength. This practice works to tap into the inner “Kundalini" (aka "serpent" energy).
Power Yoga: This method has an athletic edge and was created for Westerners back in the ‘80s. It’s often practiced in a mildly heated room, and classes may vary greatly based on the teacher’s style, as it doesn’t follow a set progression of of asanas.
Prenatal: A type of yoga designed for moms-to-be and even new mamas. By focusing on yogic breathing (think of it as the hip version of Lamaze) and strengthening muscles, some say prenatal yoga may even ease and speed up delivery. Beginner-friendly.
Restorative: Relaxation is key in restorative yoga, which is especially great for anyone recovering from injury (or in need of some serious chill time). Expect easy (often modified) standard asanas held for an extra-long time to allow the mind to tune out and calm down. Beginner-friendly.
Sivananda (shi-vah-non-dah): A slow-paced, spiritual method that incorporates sun salutations and the same 12asanas in each class. This school of yoga focuses on breathing, relaxation, diet, exercise, and positive thinking as the means to a healthy lifestyle.
Viniyoga: This class is personally tailored to each yogi with plenty of one-on-one attention from the instructor. It encourages adapting postures to personal abilities and needs. Beginner-friendly.
Vinyasa: This is a wider category of yoga practices including Ashtanga, Power Yoga, and Jivamukti Jivamukti, among others. Generally, vinyasa classes are flowing and rhythmic. A vinyasa is also any progression of flowing postures (see below).
Yin: A slow-paced, meditative practice, Yin gives muscles a break and allows gravity to do the work during poses. Yin aims to lengthen connective tissue as a complement to strength-based classes. Beginner-friendly.
Some differences between Yoga as therapy and conventional medicine.
"The part can never be well unless the whole is well"- Plato.
Yoga is about holism and conventional medicine CM is about reductionism. The latter approach reduces the complexity of illness to one factor and then attacks it with a drug or surgery or a herb. No doubt, conventional medicine is a valuable tool in right circumstances but ideally it can be used as part of an overall holistic approach.
Some differences between the two therapies are:
1. Yoga is slower in onset. CM is faster in onset.
2. Effects of yoga tend to increase over time while effects of CM wane over time.
3. Yoga is less good at dealing with acute problems compared to CM.
4. Yoga is very good at dealing with chronic problems as compared to CM.
5. Yoga Side effects of yoga are often positive while CM has usually negative side effects.
6. Yoga is patient controlled. CM is doctor controlled.
7. According to yoga, health is defined as a high level of physical, emotional and spiritual well being. According to CM, health is absence of symptoms and signs of disease and normal lab tests.
One main reason yoga is such a powerful force to improve health is that YOU do it. A yoga teacher may help you get there but YOU need to do the work. A holistic therapy involves patients in their own care which empower you in ways that passively receiving drugs or surgery do not.
So, get up and take active part in your own care and improve your health and how you feel !