Yoga Chitta Vritti Nirodha, a video

The Importance of Meditation in Your Yoga Practice

For some, yoga and meditation go hand in hand. For others, meditation is one of those things that is known to be beneficial, but has nothing to do with your practice on the mat, unless we are talking Savasana (aka Corpse pose).

However, yoga is defined in the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, as  "the complete settling of the activity of the mind.” In Sanskrit:  yogash chitta-vritti-nirodhah (Yoga is the complete settling (nirodha) of the activity (vritti) of the mind (chitta).) 




As we learned in a previous post, 8 Limbs of Yoga: The Basics, the physical poses of yoga as we know it is just one limb. The very act of asana, or physical poses, is preparation for your "seat". As you stretch and strengthen your body, you are really priming your physical body to sit in meditation (the slimming waste line, toned arms, increased self-esteem, and overall blissness are just perks, really).


The perks of meditation-- psychological, physiological, and spiritual-- are endless. Leaving even the hesitant of potential meditators wondering why they haven't started yet.....


Psychological Perks

1. Decreased levels of anxiety and stress, eliminating many stress-related ailments. 
2. Enhanced creativity and intuition. 
3. Ease in enabling our mind to enter alpha, theta and delta waves very easily, which are the basis of deep relaxation and stress-relief. 
4. Develop willpower, boost self-confidence and foster a positive mentality.
5. Raised levels of emotional equilibrium. 
6. Improved memory, ability to retain information, and increased concentration, focus and productivity. 
7. Increased level of serotonin in the body, which helps in resolving problems with obesity, depression, migraines, insomnia, and fatigue.
8. Ability to overcome fears, phobias, and bad habits such as nail biting, alcohol addiction and smoking. 
9. Sharpened intelligence and improved perceptual ability. 
10. Enhanced levels of tolerance and patience. 

Physiological Perks

1. Reduced heart, respiratory, and metabolic rate. 
2. Lowered cortisol levels (stress hormone), providing relief from the adverse effects of cortisol. 
3. Reduced muscle tension and enhances the quality of living. 
4. Reduction in the production of free radicals that are responsible for tissue damage and premature aging. 
5. Improved breathing ability and awareness, increasing the airflow to the lungs and enhancing the level of strength, vigor and energy. 
6. Boost the immune system and slows down the process of aging. 
7. Reduced symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome. 
8. Enhanced functioning of the brain. 
9. Relief from migraines, headaches, and other neurological and nervous system problems.
10. Strengthened pre-frontal cortex, known to aid in judgement and self-control.

Spiritual Perks

1. Inner happiness, resulting in total peace of mind. 
2. Knowledge that contentment comes from within. 
3. Constant source of bliss, despite circumstances and events beyond our control. 
4. Improved human qualities such as compassion, self-growth, and gratitude. 
5. Improved wisdom and deep understanding of self and others. 
6. Decreased amount of judgement of self and others
7. Small steps towards enlightenment.
8. Ability to stay in the present moment.
9. Increased connection to others, nature, and the universe.
10. Beautiful realization of cosmic consciousness and our true eternal nature. 
11. Bliss, bliss, and more bliss!

Love Yoga Challenge. Countdown to Valentines Day.

 Ayuh Yoga Studio Presents

Love Yoga Challenge

Starts: Saturday, January 14th  

Ends: Tuesday, February 14

The Goal:

Practice Yoga 30 times in 30 days. Grow your practice in love. Tone and make a healthier you by Valentine’s Day! Love yourself every day with yoga practice. Take time for yourself every day. Strengthen your core. Get/stay fit. Say hello to your limits. Deepen your knowledge of yourself and yoga. Gain confidence. Integrate an organic balance. Be a part of the Ayuh community. [Insert goal here].

Love Yoga Challenge Guidelines:

1.  Sign up on the Love Yoga Challenge sheet at the front desk or by emailing rebecca@ayuhyoga.com.
   
2. Starting Saturday January 14^th, practice yoga 30 times in 30 days until Tuesday, February 14^th.
   
   
3. After each practice, mark your accomplishment on your designated row on the Love Yoga Challenge Board (in the front lobby of the studio).
   
   
4. Practice every day. Double up. Triple up. It doesn’t matter. Just be sure to practice yoga at Ayuh Yoga Studio 30 times in 30 days!
   
   
5. LOVE YOGA.                   

The Ayuh Wellness Winter 2012 Cleanse – With Talya Lutzker, Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner

Why We Cleanse
The Ayuh Wellness Winter Cleanse takes place January 29-31st.

Learn more at the Informational night Wednesday, January 11 at 5-6pm!

Cleansing – especially with structure and support - is one of the best places to start taking action towards greater health and vitality.

Although it may be challenging at first, the rewards outweigh the “sacrifice” of cleansing, as you will see…

• Wash the body “from the inside out”
• Reset our sensitivity to hunger and understand our cravings better
• Allow the digestive system to rest; gaining more energy, improving body awareness
• Benefits include: clear skin, weight loss, increased energy, better sleep and reduced pain such as headaches and general fatigue

Regular cleansing may even help reverse diabetes, lower cholesterol, and prevent diseases like cancer and heart disease.

How We Cleanse

The simplest way to approach a cleanse is by simplifying and
purifying your diet.

Ayurveda rests on the premise that our digestive system is the root of our vital health.

What do we mean by a “clean” diet? Cleansing foods are virtually free of substances that contribute to improper digestion. In Ayurveda, the term “ama” refers to all “toxic” waste buildup in the body, some indications that you have excess ama is a tendency towards indigestion, allergies, frequent colds or flu, chronic yeast issues, candida, certain food intolerances, acne and other skin issues.

“Ama” is a natural result of frequent overeating or eating excess animal protein, dairy, sugar, processed foods, flours, salt and breads into the body.

Informational Meeting:

Find out if this cleanse is right for you!
Wednesday, January 11th 5-6pm, FREE

• Meet Talya Lutzker, Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner, Nutritional Counselor & Caterer/Chef
• Receive Pre-Registration Discount ( $65 Pre-Registration Discount (offered Jan 11th only))
• Learn about decreasing toxins, six organs of elimination, & stimulating removal of toxins in the body
• Learn why cleansing is an Anti-Aging practice

Cleanse Registration January 12th-24th

Cleanse Orientation and Kick-Off:
Saturday, January 28th, 12:30-2:30

• Ayurvedic catered lunch (DELICIOUS!)
• Details of 3 day Ayurvedic food-based cleanse
• Cleanse Manual & recipes
• Ask questions, join together as community
• Mandatory for all registered cleansers

Monday, January 30th: Teleconference call, for all cleansers- 8pm

This is a starter cleanse and great for anyone interested in "cleaning up their diet" and learning about
Ayurveda. “Talya has a wonderful way about her and eases people into healthy life styles with grace.”

Costs of Cleanse
$65 Pre-Registration Discount (offered Jan 11th only)
$90 for Ayuh Students
Includes Orientation workshop, Ayurvedic Cleanse Manual & Recipes, Ayurvedic catered lunch,
daily email support, & 1/30 teleconference call.


Our Cleanse Program provides support!

• Group Orientation Meeting,
• Catered Orientation Ayurvedic luncheon
• Teleconference call
• Daily email encouragement
• Cleanse binder with detailed information, suggestions & recipes

Our Cleanse includes meal plans, shopping lists and simple recipes to help you implement this healthful diet. Our cleanse focuses on what you CAN have - whole, delicious food (not supplements, fasting or calorie restriction) and community support. We designed this cleanse so that it is accessible to people who are new to cleansing, and effective for people long familiar with the cleansing process. We encourage you to continue with yoga as a lifestyle choice.

This cleanse was developed through extensive research on cleansing and successful cleansing regimes. It has also been designed based on Talya’s 10 years experience in offering Ayurvedic nutritional guidance and instruction. She is also the author of “Talya’s Kitchen Ayurvedic Cookbook” and has been taught cleansing cooking classes since 2004.

Recommended Reading:
“Ayurveda: The Science of Self-Healing” by Vasant Lad
“Talya’s Kitchen Ayurvedic Cookbook” by Talya Lutzker
“If the Buddha Came to Dinner: How to Nourish Your Body to Awaken
Your Spirit” by Hale Sofia Schatz

Copyright Talya’s Kitchen 2009. www.TalyasKitchen.com

Summer, Meet Fall. A Smoothie.

all you need (besides love):

1-2 fat mangos


1-2 cups organic grapes

1 teaspoon ground sage

1 teaspoon cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, clove)

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1-2 teaspoons  turmeric powder

3-6 stalks of kale

2-4 tablespoons coconut oil

all you do (besides be love):

1. add all the above into a blender.
   
2. blend on high speed
   
3. devour!

all the goodness is made up of:

as you perform step 3 above, know that while tasting delicious, this summer fall mash-up is full of goodness.

mangoes:
loaded with potassium,  vitamin B6, A, C, and E. includes beta and alpha carotene, pre-biotic fiber. protects against breast, colon, and prostrate cancer.

grapes:
storehouse of numerous health promoting phyto-nutrients such as poly-phenolic antioxidants, vitamins A, C and K, and minerals.

kale:
provides rich nutrition ingredients that offer protection from vitamin A deficiency, osteoporosis, iron deficiency anemia, and believed to protect from cardiovascular diseases and, colon and prostate cancers.full of vitamins K and A, as well as TONS of antioxidants and iron.

sage:
rich source of minerals like potassium, zinc, calcium, iron, manganese, copper, and magnesium.

cinnamon:known to have anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-septic, local anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, rubefacient (warming and soothing), carminative and anti-flatulent properties. Cinnamon has highest anti-oxidant strength of all the food sources in nature. it also comes full loaded with a variety of essential oils.


cayenne pepper:
full of vitamin B group, C and A, with high levels of essential minerals and potassium.

turmeric:just a few grams of turmeric per day either in the form of powder, crushed root or fresh roots can provide enough nutrients to help you keep away from anemia, neuritis, memory disorders and offers protection against cancers, infectious diseases, high blood pressure and strokes.

Let me know how yours turns out (so i can come over)!

source: yogitimes

Fall into Yoga

I have something I need to share with you.

Recently, I went to Mt. Madonna Center and participated in a one week yoga teacher training immersion. This week immersion is followed by a selection of 4 day weekends.One of which is this weekend.

During this one week immersion I learned more than I ever thought I could about the yoga sutras, ancient purification techniques, proper asana poses, anatomy, meditation, sanskrit, yoga theory, MYSELF, other people, Hanuman the monkey god, Hinduism--- you get the point.

In this one week time period, I did asana (physical yoga postures) for an average of 3.5 hours a day. Multiply that by 7 and you have 24 hours of yoga. Did I mention this was all in just a week? What a groove right?

But that's not my confession.

My confession is that, since that amazing experience--- I haven't meditated (in the traditional sit straight up and concentrate sense) or practiced yoga. I have not even stepped foot at Ayuh studio. That is almost 2 weeks without any yoga in my life.

I just get so busy.
Too busy for the very thing that sustains me and gives me bliss.

Then today I met up with one of my favorite yogini's (Mi-An). Hanging out is something we have not been able to do in more than a month. Because of me.

I just get so busy.
Too busy for my favorite friends.

We met outside Ayuh studio so we could take just one car. Our plan was shopping, health food store stop, and then yoga. By the time we got to the health food store, we had talked ourselves out of yoga. Even though the next portion of my YTT is this weekend.

Oh the shame, when all my fellow YTT students hear that I failed to keep up my personal practice.
Oh how my entire body is yearning for my dose of bliss.
Oh how I'm just too busy. Too tired. Overwhelmed. Burnt out.

As we neared Ayuh studio  to drop her off at her car, I saw the studio. Then through the window, I saw one of my favorite teachers (Sparkle). I felt a sense of something...

My friend and I both looked at each other. How silly to be so close and already dressed for the occasion and not actually participate in the act.

"Maybe we could just go in and say hi...", I meekly said.

"Maybe we should just practice and think about how amazing we will feel", my friend said.

I parked the car, and we got our mats out. My heart fluttered.

As we walked into Ayuh studio, my body began to melt.

When I laid my mat down for the first time in so many days, a knowing overcame me. That sense I had felt moments before, was that of coming home. It flooded me.

I looked around and saw so many of the familiar yogi faces. There was no need to be busy. No need to be judged or judgmental.

As the practice began, my body and soul just fell into yoga. It became my thoughts, my emotions, my words, my postures, and my breath. I was yoga. And I was home.

When the practice was over, and our teacher said her ending prayer and Namaste, my eyes watered with such immense gratefulness.

In an effort to celebrate this beautiful season, grab your mat, take your favorite yogi by the hand, head to Ayuh studio, and let's all

                     fall
                                            into
                                                          yoga.

ओम् तत् सत्
Hari Om Tat Sat!
The Supreme Being is the Absolute Truth

What's Your Yoga?

I'm constantly telling people off the street to do yoga. Just ONCE! I say. Sometimes I get an Amen!, other times I get the stink eye.

Example:

My new neighbor was walking past my house the other day when I was getting out of the car. We hadn't formally met yet, and our first conversation went something like this:

Me: Hidey Ho Neighbor!
Neighbor: Hidey Ho! (laughing)
Me: Nice walk?
Neighbor: My neck sure does hurt from [insert injury]. Thought I'd get some fresh air.
Me: You should really try yoga.
Neighbor: ::blank stare::

In less comical situations, questions do come up on the different styles and types of classes to take, when presented with my DO YOGA RIGHT NOW! conversations.

If you are one of me and want to spread the Yoga Bliss all around the world (I know you are out there), or are on the other end of the spreading-the-yoga-love-fever, I came across this aesthetically pleasing and gloriously informative What's Your Yoga? quiz from the wonderful blog of Alison Hinks (yoga teacher and artist based in Durham, NC). 

If the link doesnt work, click here to find your yoga!

I took this quiz 5 times (because it was fun!) and have decided that second by second, on any given day--- all of yoga is for me. And you too.

Share your quiz results below! 

(Mad props to Alison Hinks for letting me share! Can't wait to read more of you.)