New Blog Website by Janet

Hi Everyone!  Hope you have a nice long weekends!

There is something new I would like to share with everyone.  For those who has been with me might know I have a website https://sites.google.com/site/janetyogahut/ where I always update my class schedule there.

And I have a blog https://janetyogahut.blogspot.com/ to share with everyone about yoga and my activities although I have not been so active with my current blog already like last time...:-)

Currently I'm working on a new blog website since August 2019 and now is ready to share with everyone here!

https://janetyogaspirit.com

In fact, it has been launch out to public since August 2019 already.  But at that early stage there is nothing much to share yet and it is not that presentable too.  But now I think it is time to share with everyone here..:-)

There are not many posts yet since it just started in Aug 2019.  But it will increase as time go by.  Currently I'm working on writing a new post to talk about ego-friendly which I will public out once I have finished.

This newbie blog website https://janetyogaspirit.com I have build it myself completely.  I don't have much website building knowledge.  So I actually learn through online and build it at the same time. I'm still learning!  Therefore it is just a simple website. I have not reach that stage which can do those complicated stuffs yet...:-)

Once I have completely touch up my this newbie website, I am planning to work on another new website about everything about Yoga under one roof.  This might be a big project which might take even more times.  Will get you all update!

Yes, I admit it is a hard work and take alot of time.  But when you see your newbie website which is designed by yourself, you will feel good..:-)  This kind of joyful feeling is money cannot buy.  And you get to learn new skill too!

It actually quite fun and interesting to build a website. It is like designing and decorating your house. From something look plain to something look nice and beautiful, that kind of feeling cannot be described...:-)

 A website doesn't mean for business only.  It can be a personal website about your hobbies or interests or your family to share with your friends and relatives! Just have fun during the process of learning and building at the same time.  No need to be too serious and over stress yourself...:-)

Everyone is welcome to leave any comments or suggestions on my any posts in my newbie website. I am more than happy to receive and read your comments and suggestions and answer any of your questions...:-)

Enjoy your little tour at https://janetyogaspirit.com !  Thank you for your time and support...:-)

Namaste.

Practice Yoga Even While You Are Travelling

Never has an excuse for stopping your yoga practice even while you are travelling overseas!  A lot of people giving excuse for not be able to do yoga practice while they are travelling like no time or too troublesome to bring a yoga mat along while travelling.

Get a light weight travel yoga mat which doesn't take up too much of the space and weight to your luggage!  Nowadays there are such light weight travel yoga mats available in the market which solve the problem for people who need to travel.

Giving you the convenience to practice your yoga anytime at anywhere as it is very easy and light to carry around while you are on a move.

Some of you might say "But I have no time to practice while I'm overseas?!"  You can just practice your Sun Salutation which is enough for your day if you have no time for other yoga poses.  

Just give yourself 10-15min for Sun Salutation won't take up too much of your time.  Time is manage by you.  It is just that are you willingly to arrange this 10-15min yoga practice time in your busy schedule.  Nothing is impossible if you are willing to do it.

I ever have my yoga practice at a peaceful lake side while I'm in Australia. You will never know when you just suddenly have a mood to do some yoga practice when you happen to come across some nice peaceful places..:-)

10% Discount for Online Registration for Group Yoga Class

There is a good news!  The promotion of 10% discount for online registration for yoga group classes at various community clubs/centres has been extended until March 2020.

My yoga classes at various community clubs/centres are just 5 min walk away from MRT Station.  I have morning and night classes.  You may find below link for a list of yoga classes conducted by me at various community clubs.  

Click Here

You may also like to check it out for more details about my classes by visit my Website.

Whether you are completed new to yoga or a regular yoga practitioner, all are welcome to join my classes.  

I have Yoga for Seniors class too.  Therefore, you are never too old to learn yoga!  By the way, doesn't mean only seniors can join this Yoga for Seniors class.  Anyone can join!  

I have come across a young lady join this class too because she want to keep her senior mother accompany.  If you like, you can arrange one whole family join together.  It help to improve the bondage among your family too!

Yoga for Seniors is a very gentle yoga class conduct in a slow pace.  It is suitable for everybody from teenager  to old age.  If you find that you are struggling and cannot follow up with a normal yoga class, you may consider to start from this class too.

Everybody can learn yoga.  Never give yourself an excuse.  I have been heard a lot of people giving excuse to themselves either they are too old to learn or their bone and muscles are too stiff to stretch. 

In fact, the more stiff you are, the better reason for you to start learning yoga and stretch your body muscles.  Our body muscles need to regular stretch it in order to improve and maintain our flexibility.  

Yoga not only help to improve your flexibility, it also help to build up your strength and increase your mindfulness.  A lot of times our injury incur in our daily life are caused by our body stiffness and weak legs and also not having a mindful state of mind.

So stop giving yourself excuse again for learning yoga.  Nothing is too late to start if you are willingly and take action.  So don't wait anymore.  Act now!

May everybody have a healthy body and mind.  These are the real true wealth!

Namaste.

Yoga Pants Reviews

How To Shop For Clothes Online

There are people don't like to shop for yoga clothing especially yoga pant online. Because they find that it is very difficult to get the right yoga pant without physically feel it and try it on.

However, to get a yoga clothing online can be cheaper than shopping at the boutique shops.  And it is not that difficult to shop online actually if you know the best places to shop for clothes online.  

Best Places To Shop For Clothes Online

• Visitors Traffic

Look for the online places with a lot of visitors traffic. One of the well-known place is Amazon. Because by knowing there are lot of visitors which mean there are lot of visitors have bought the products there.

• Real Customer Review

Next is to lookout for real customer review. Place like Amazon do allow for customer review regardless is positive review or negative review.

And they can show you how many reviews there for individual product. Lookout for 4 to 5 stars as they are consider good to best reviews.

Just play around with the "Search" engine to find more information. I have done some searching on Amazon for the best yoga pants review as follows for your reference.  Please find below examples.

1. Example 1
2. Example 2
3. Example 3

 

Important Of Review

This is where you will learn lot of information about the product. From the reviews, you will be able to decide is this the right product you are looking for.  Because you are learning from the experience of others who have purchase the products.

We also have to read about the negative reviews because doesn't mean there is negative review about this product which mean this product is not good.

 As I have read one of the negative review that the buyer is disappointed with the yoga pant she purchase because it is not what she is looking for as the material is thicker than what she expect.

But then I have read another positive review that the buyer is happy with the good quality of the yoga pant as it doesn't see through.

Therefore, the question come to what you actually looking for in the product.  Because what you are looking for doesn't mean the same as what others are looking for in the product. If the product is exact what you are looking for, you will consider it as positive review.  If not, you will consider it as negative review.

Therefore, it is a positive or negative review is very subjective to individual.  So don't judge by the word "positive" and "negative".

 Have an open mind when looking up for information.  See it as what it is with no judgment.  To apply it here mean see "Review" as a review with no judgment whether it is a positive or negative reviews.

Hope my post does help you in your online shopping and look for the right product that you are looking for.  Enjoy your shopping!..:-) 



*This post may contain affiliate links

10% Discount Promotion for Online Registration

Dear All,

There is a 10% discount promotion for online registration only till September 2019 at OnePA site.  For a list of Yoga Classes at Various Community Club/Centre conducted by me for Online Registration please click the link below.

https://www.onepa.sg/trainers/ng-mui-yin

Don't miss out this promotion as it doesn't happen very often!  In fact, this is OnePA first time giving this promotion.

Hope to see you soon on the yoga mat again.  Please don't stop practising yoga.  It benefit you in long terms.  You will see and feel it how it beneift your body and mind if you practise it regularly.  There is always a yoga class that suit you.  Don't forget, yoga is not meant for people who are flexible.  The more inflexible you are the more you should start practising.  Don't let a picture of an advance yoga pose that scare you off.  Who said that you are required to attend that advance yoga pose?  You just stretch how much you can.  Our individul's body has it own limit.  Even a Yoga Teacher herself also has her own body limit.  And our body change too as age come by.  As long as you feeling the stretch from a pose you are gaining the benefit from it.  So it is not important whether you can attend a perfect yoga pose.  Most important is you have do the posture correctly to get the right stretch.

And also don't let your age become limitation to you to join a yoga class as I have Yoga for Seniors class too. Yoga is for everyone.  Don't give limit and excuse to yourself.  See you real soon!

Namaste.

Is it True that Yoga Class is meant for People who are Flexible?

Do you have the feeling of joining a yoga class but don't dare to join because you think you are not flexible enough?  I realise alot of people have this mentality. Thinking that yoga class is meant for people who are flexible to join. It is not truth! In fact the more inflexible your body is the more reason you should join. Because through yoga postures it help to improve your body flexibility and strengthen your muscles. 

Yoga is for everybody. There is nothing to be shy or feel uncomfortable because of your inflexible body. Yoga is a practice for yourself. You should pay attention and work inside you not outside you. So why put your attention of people outside you and bother about what they will think of you? It is your practice. Not their practice. 

Namaste.

New yoga classes start at Cheng San CC and Macpherson CC

Hi everyone,

I will be starting my next new yoga classes at Cheng San Community Club and Macpherson Community Club in end of Nov 2018 and Jan 2019 respectively.  Please visit my website at https://sites.google.com/site/janetyogahut/ for more details if you are interested.  Kindly sign up the course before the commence dates if possible.

I understand that it is coming to year end and everybody are in holiday mood now especially for the coming Christmas Day and New Year. And next follow will be the Lunar New Year in beginning of Feb next year.  But all these shouldn't be an excuse to you to stop practising yoga but in fact it should be a even better reason to continue with the practising because you will be tempted to eat more during these period.

You need to keep a balance in your life in order to have a healthy body and mind.  Nothing is more important than that.  Because with a healthy body and mind then you can really enjoy life!  Hope to see you all soon on the yoga mat and enjoy the holiday festival at the same time 😃

Namaste

Yoga Class Resume Back in Singapore

Hi!

I'm station back in Singapore again.  My yoga classes will be resume back in Singapore with some changes.  I will be focus more on the private classes and corporate classes.

Why not form your own group of class with your family, friends and colleagues at your own convenient place and time?  Isn't it more comfortable and fun? 

Please visit my newly updated website for more details and information.  Will share more with you all soon.  Take care.

Namaste

FREE Yoga Classes @ Bishan North Community Centre

There will be a 5 sessions free yoga course available at Bishan North Community Centre.  Please check the free class schedule as follow.

Beginner Yoga Class

Start date : 21/9/15 to 19/10/15 (Every Monday)
Time : 7pm to 8pm

Intermediate Yoga Class

Start date : 24/8/15 to 21/9/15 (Every Monday)
Time : 8pm to 9pm

Free course has to be registered at Bishan North Community Centre office counter only.  Free course apply to Singaporean and PR only.  Foreigners have to pay for the 5 sessions course. 

Please register fast if you are interested.  Once the class is full, Bishan North Community Centre will stop take in any more registration.  You may also refer my website at https://sites.google.com/site/janetyogahut/classes/big-group-class-12-30-pax for more details.  Thank you and see you soon!

Yoga for Seniors

New update!  I will be going to start Yoga for Seniors classes soon in October at Cheng San Community Club, near Ang Mo Kio Mrt Station. 

These classes will be suitable for senior citizen with age 50 yrs old and above.  In fact any one who is physically weak and find the normal yoga class too tough can consider join too.   It is a gentle and slow pace yoga class at the same time work on your muscles and different of your body to strengthen them and improve the flexibility.

I will be opening 2 yoga for seniors classes on 21/10/14 Tuesday 10am to 11am and 11.15am to 12.15pm.  I will update my website http://sites.google.com/site/janetyogahut with the commence date once Cheng San CC open up their system for registration of these classes.  Please check my website for the latest update.

Thank you & have a nice day and good health!

Yoga Posture: Dancer pose (Natarajasana)

Nataraja (nata=dancer; raja=lord, king) is a name of Siva, Lord of the Dance.  Siva is not only the god of mystical stillness, death and destruction, but also Lord of the Dance.  In His Himalayan abode on Mount Kailasa and in His southern home, the temple of Chidambaram, Siva dances.  The God created over a hundred dances, some calm and gentle, others fierce and terrible.  The most famous of the terrible ones is the Tandava, the cosmic dance of  destruction, in which Siva, full of fury at his father-in-law Daksa for killing his beloved spouse Sati, surrounded by his attendants (ganas), beats out a wild rhythm, destroys Daksa and threatens the world.  Siva, as Lord of the Dance, has inspired some of the finest Indian sculptures and South Indian bronzes.

This vigorous and beautiful pose is dedicated to Siva, Lord of  the Dance, who is also the fountain and source of Yoga.

This asana stretches the upper body and developes balance.  This difficult balancing asana develops poise and a graceful carriage.  It tones and strengthens the leg muscles. The shoulder-blades get full movement and the chest expands fully.  All the vertebral joints benefit from  the exercise in  this pose.


Note: Please perform the yoga under the guide of a certified yoga teacher especially for beginner. You are at your own risk and responsible if you perform on your own. Whatever provided here is just act as an information.

Source from Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar
                     Yoga Mind & Body by Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre

Yoga Posture: Side of Chest Stretch (Parsvottanasana)

Parsva means side or flank.  Uttana (ut=intense, and tan=to extend, stretch, lengthen) means an intense stretch.  The same implies a pose in which the side of the chest is stretched intensely.

This asana relieves stiffness in the legs and  hip muscles and makes the hip joints and spine elastic.  While the head is resting on the knees, the abdominal organs are contracted and toned.  The wrists move freely and any stiffness there disappears.  The posture also corrects round and drooping shoulders.  In the correct pose, the shoulders are drawn well back and this makes deep breathing easier.

This standing forward bend is excellent for opening both the hip and  shoulder joints.  It provides a strong stretch for the back of the legs and gently contracts the abdominal organs.  Regular practice of Parsvottanasana stimulates and tones the kidneys, an effect you can feel once you are comfortable in the final pose.  The asana also helps to remove stiffness in the neck,  shoulders, and elbows.

Other benefits of the asana includes cools the brain and soothes the nerves.  Relieves arthritis of the neck, shoulders, elbows and wrists.  Improves digestion.  Tones the liver and spleen.  Reduces menstrual pain.



Note: Please perform the yoga under the guide of a certified yoga teacher especially for beginner. You are at your own risk and responsible if you perform on your own. Whatever provided here is just act as an information.


Source from Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar
                     The Yoga Bible by Christina Brown
                     Yoga The Path to Holistic Health by B.K.S. Iyengar

Breathing

More than how deep you go in the postures, the essence of yoga lies in the breath.  If you can breathe, you can do yoga.  Get to know your breathing intimately.  Better even than your best friend, know that your breath will always be there for you as you move through life.  Good breathing is reassuring, soothing, and healing.  It will bring your postures alive.  Reconnecting with your natural breath will bring feelings of cleansing, lightness, and clarity.  Holding the breath dulls awareness, creates tension, and impedes the feeling of flowing freedom that yoga brings to the bodymind.  Conscious breathing within each posture keeps the mind alert and lets your practice be exploratory rather than routine.  Conscious breathing with each posture will draw your mind to the present moment.  Distractions are minimized once the mind is reined in and it becomes easier to find the essence of yoga - mastery of the mind and reconnection with yourself.

As your breathing becomes more conscious, you'll find it a useful tool to measure your proficiency in a posture.  Once your breath stays steady, your asana practice moves closer to perfection.  Let your breath be round and smooth during your asana practice.  Should the breath cease to flow naturally and become jagged, jerky or forced, take it as a sign to ease off on the intensity of your practice.  Incorporate Warming Breath (Ujjayi Pranayama) into your posture work.  A warmiing breath is one that stokes the internal fire and warms the system.  The steady, pleasant sound of warming breath provides a point of focus for the mind and  prevents it from dancing away.

If using Warming Breath becomes difficult, or if you feel it creates stress in the system, return to steady natural breathing.  Should you notice that your breath freezes and you forget to breathe out, use circular breathing - a flowing sort of breathing where the breath is not held and there is no long pause between the inhalation and exhalation, or between the exhalation and inhalation.  Remember not to hold your breath in.  Holding your breath is part of the natural startle reflex, and something that happens often as students find themselves in a new and strange yoga position.

Breathing through the mouth is rarely done during yoga practice.  Breathing through the nose filters and warms the air before it enters the lungs.  Let your breathing become intuitive but, in general, inhale when opening or unfolding the body, when you come up out of a pose, when raising the arms, or while twisting the upper back, or expanding the chest such as when bending backward.  Most people find that exhalation comes naturally when moving downward, lowering the arms or legs, bending forward or sideways, or twisting the lower back.


Source from The Yoga Bible by Christina Brown

The Asanas

Yoga asanas are postures that rebalance the body. They bring strength to the weak areas of the body; they bring softness to the tight spots.  They give you a workout, with the added bonus of a work-in.  Not only do they create space in the physical body, they offer a sense of psychic spaciousness.  By freeing up the outer body - the physical body, the muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, and  visceral organs - asanas build and control the prana, or vital force, of the body's subtle energies - energies that are finer and more subtle than those of the gross physical body that we can see.  Asanas are considered to purify and heal the body as well as those subtle energies.  Hatha yoga is great do-it-yourself preventive medicine.

The first thing people say to me when they discover I teach yoga is, "I'm not flexible enough for yoga." I often tell them, "That's why the rest of us do it!"  Don't let a stiff body be an excuse never to start yoga.  You should just start practicing from wherever you are right now.  Don't judge your practice by how far you can or can't stretch.  Never feel inadequate because you can't hold a pose for long, or because it doesn't perfectly mirror the pose in a picture.  Practice spreading your awareness through your whole body.  More than poise in your posture, seek grace in your breathing.  Just start the journey.  You never know where it might take you.

I use the term "edge" to describe the point at which the strong challenge comes into a pose and where you feel you have reached a new frontier.  It's the point between comfort and  discomfort, when you feel you have reached your limit.  You will find that this point varies from day to day.  You may notice your physical edge is different from your mental edge.  Be flexible and adjust your practice to honor both.  Move slowly as you approach your edge.  As you hover there, your body will eventually release and open and present you with a new edge.  Wait for your inner cue.  Don't rush like a bull at a gate - that would be disrespectful.  Be patient, and wait for your body to let you in.

Stay mentally present while you practice.  Let your mind become absorbed in your work and in the subtle sensations of your body.  Allow your practice to become a sort of conversation with your body.  Be reflective, be respectful, be responsive.


Source from The Yoga Bible by Christina Brown

Iyengar Yoga Course Retreat in Rishikesh, India

I have just gone for a residential Iyengar Yoga Course in Rishikesh, India.  This is a 10 Days course.  This residential iyengar yoga course is held at the enchanting bank of river Ganga, Arsha Vidya Pitham (Swami Dayananda Ashram) Rishikesh from October 30-November 7, 2011.

Rishikesh, revered by countless millions, has been a home to many spiritual seekers, teachers and ascetics for several thousand years. The ashram, on the banks of the famous Ganga River, is the home and school of our beloved H.H. Swami Dayananada Saraswati. This ashram has been invoked and blessed by many thousands of incredible minds and hearts from all over the world that have come to seek the traditional teaching of the Vedas.

I would like to share some photos of the Ashram, Ganga River and the village of Rishikesh with all of you.  Enjoy!

Temple inside the Ashram

Inside the Ashram

Inside the Ashram

Inside the Ashram

Canteen in the Ashram

Canteen in the Ashram

Yoga hall in the Ashram

Gate to the ganga river from Ashram

View of ganga river from the Ashram

Ganga river outside the Ashram

Ganga river outside the Ashram

Me posing at the Ganga river

View of the Ashram from the Ganga river

Rishikesh, India

Rishikesh, India

Rishikesh, India

Ganga river in Rishikesh, India

One of the bridge over Ganga river in Rishikesh, India

Ganga river in Rishikesh, India

Sunset by the Ganga river of Rishikesh, India

Yoga Posture: The Warrior III (Virabhadrasana III)

This posture is an intensified continuation of Virabhadrasana I. 

The illustration conveys the harmony, balance, poise and power attained by practising this asana.  It helps to contract and tone the abdomnal organs and makes the leg muscles more shapely and sturdy.  It is recommended for runners, as it gives vigour and agility.

All the movements of this asana improve one's bearing and carriage.  When we stand badly, by throwing  the weight on the heels, we retard symmetrical growth and hamper spinal elasticity.  Standing with the weight on the heels causes the stomach to protrude and lessens bodily and mental agility.  This asana helps one to stand firmly on the soles of the feet, keeps the stomach muscles in and gives agility to the body and the mind.


Note: Please perform the yoga under the guide of a certified yoga teacher especially for beginner. You are at your own risk and responsible if you perform on your own. Whatever provided here is just act as an information.


Source from Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar

Yoga Posture: The Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II)



This pose is named after Virabhadra, a legendary warrior.  His story is told by the famous Sanskrit playwright, Kalidasa, in the epic, Kumarasambhava.  Regular practice of this asana helps to develop your strength and endurance.  The steps exercise your limbs and torso vigorously, reducing stiffness in your neck and shoulders.  It also makes your knee and hip joints more flexible.

This pose improves breathing capacity by expanding the chest.  It helps in the treatment of a prolapsed or slipped disc.  It alleviates the condition of a broken, fused or deviated tailbone.  It reduces fat around the hips and relieves lower backache.

This pose helps you build strength, confidence and a feeling of power.  It also tones your legs, hips and thighs.  Through this pose the leg muscles become shapely and stronger.  It relieves cramp in the calf and thigh muscles, brings elasticity to the leg and back muscles and also tones the abdominal organs.

Do not allow the torso to either move right or left or tilt forward.  To guard against this, make sure that your right armpit and your right hip are in a straight line.


Note: Please perform the yoga under the guide of a certified yoga teacher especially for beginner. You are at your own risk and responsible if you perform on your own. Whatever provided here is just act as an information.


 
Source from Yoga The Path to Holistic Health by B.K.S. Iyengar
                      Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar
                     The Woman's Book of Yoga & Health by Sparrowe Walden

Yoga Posture: The Proud Warrior (Virabhadrasana I)



The Proud Warrior pose is also known as Warrior I. 

Daksa once celebrated a great sacrifice, but he did not invite his daughter Sati nor her husband Siva, the chief of the gods.  Sati, however, went to the sacrifice, but being greatly humiliated and insulted threw herself into the fire and perished.  When Siva heard this he was gravely provoked, tore a hair from his matted locks and threw it to the ground.  A powerful hero named Virabhadra rose up and awaited his orders.  He was told to lead Siva's army against Daksa and destroy his sacrifice.  Virabhadra and his army appeared in the midst of Daksa's assembly like a hurricane and destroyed the sacrifice, routed the other gods and priests and beheaded Daksa.  Siva in grief for Sati withdrew to Kailas and plunged into meditation.  Sati was born again as Uma in the house of Himalaya.  She strove once more for the love of Siva and ultimately won his heart.  The story is told by Kalidasa in his great poem Kumara sambhava (The Birth of the War-Lord).

This asana is dedicated to the powerful hero created by Siva from his matted hair.

In this pose the chest is fully expanded and this helps deep breathing.  It relieves stiffness in shoulders and back, tones up the ankles and knees and cures stiffness of the neck.  It also reduces fat round the hips.

It relieves backache, lumbago and sciatica.  It strengthens the back muscles, tones the abdominal muscles, relieves acidity and improves digestion.  It strengthens the bladder and corrects a displaced uterus.  It relieves mentrual pain and reduces heavy menstruation.


Note: Please perform the yoga under the guide of a certified yoga teacher especially for beginner. You are at your own risk and responsible if you perform on your own. Whatever provided here is just act as an information.



Source from Light on Yoga by B.K.S. Iyengar
                      Yoga - The Path to Holistic Health by B.K.S. Iyengar

Yoga Posture: The Revolving Lateral Angle (Parivrtta Parsvakonasana)

Picture 1

Parivrtta means revolved, turned round or back.  Parsva means side or flank.  Kona is an angle.  This is the revolving lateral angle posture and can also known as cross lateral angle posture.

This pose being a more intensified one than Parivrtta Trikonasana (The Lateral Angle), has a greater effect.  The hamstrings, however, are not stretched as much as in Parivrtta Trikonasana.  The abdominal organs are more contracted and that aids digestion.  The blood circulates well round the abdominal organs and the spinal column, and they are thus rejuvenated.  The asana helps to remove waste matter from the colon without strain.

Picture 2



Beginners may want to bring the hands together in prayer position in front of the sternum (picture 1) instead of extending the arms (picture 2).

This posture encourages the lungs and ribs to expand.



Note: Please perform the yoga under the guide of a certified yoga teacher especially for beginner. You are at your own risk and responsible if you perform on your own. Whatever provided here is just act as an information.


Source from Light onYoga by B.K.S. Iyengar
                      Ashtanga Yoga for Women by Sally Griffyn & Michaela Clarke

Why Meditate?

Meditation is a state of consciousness that can be understood only on a direct, intuitive level.  Ordinary experiences are limited by time, space, and the laws of causality, but the meditative state transcends all boundaries.  While you meditate, past and future cease to exist.  There is only the consciousness of I AM in the infinite, eternal, NOW.


What is Happiness?

Everyone wants to be happy; this is a universal fact.  Most people believe that some material object will bring this happiness - money, the perfect spouse, the dream job, a new car, a big house with swimming pool - but in truth the list of what would make you completely happy is never-ending.  Each "thing" will please only for a short time, until the novelty wears off.  As long as you think that happiness will come from something outside yourself, you will never be happy.  Happiness, the blissful state, comes from within your own self.  Anyone who believes otherwise is like a person wandering in th desert, constantly disappointed by mirages of water and shade.  Worldly happiness is equally elusive, always just beyond our grasp.  Two famous stories, told below, illustrate the reason why.


Searching for Sweetness

A man went to visit his guru, and when he arrived he found the teacher sitting in the yard in front of a massive pile of hot chilli peppers.  The teacher was eating the chillies, one by one.  Tears of pain were running down his face and he was sobbing "This is terrible", over and over.  When the man asked his guru why he was doing this, the teacher replied, "I am looking for the sweet one".  His actions exemplify the way in which most of us spend our lives.  We should know from past experience that "the sweet one" does not exist, but we continue to search for our happiness in external objects.  However, the sum total of all the pleasures of the physical world are nothing compared to the blissful state of meditation.


Looking in the Wrong Place

Once, an old woman dropped her needle.  A passer-by saw her searching in her garden and offered to help.  After looking for some time without success,  the kindly stranger asked the woman exactly where the needle had fallen.  He was amazed to learn that she had dropped it inside the house.  "Then why are you looking out here?" he asked.  "You will never find it."  She replied that her house was too dark, so she was looking outside, where there was more light.  Most of us are like that woman.  We are looking for our lost happiness where the bright lights are, but it isn't there to be found.


Physical  Benefits

Meditation provides a lasting spiritual rest, which must be experienced to be understood.  Once you can meditate, the time you normally devote to sleep can gradually be reduced to as little as three hours per night, and you will still feel more rested and peaceful than before.  By reducing heart rate and consumption of oxygen, meditation greatly reduces stress levels.  It seems that each part of the body, even down to the individual cells, is taught to relax and rejuvenate.  Meditation helps to prolong the body's period of growth and cell production, and reduces the decaying process.  After the age of 35, our brain cells die off at a rate of 100,000 per day, and they are not replaced, but meditation can reduce this decline, as it changes the vibratory make-up of both the body and the mind.  In this way, meditation can prevent or minimize senility.


Mental Benefits

We each possess vast inner resources of power and knowledge, much of it brought with us from past lives. In meditation, new patterns of thinking come to the surface and develop as we experience a new view of the universe, a vision of unity, happiness, harmony, and inner peace. Negative tendencies vanish, and the mind becomes steady.  Meditation brings freedom from fear of death, which is seen as a doorway to a new name and form.  People who meditate regularly tend to develop magnetic and dynamic personalities, cheerfulness, powerful speech, lustrous eyes, physical health, and boundless energy.  Others draw strength from such people and feel elevated in their presence.  Meditation is only possible when all mental modifications (thought waves) have been stilled, and with this comes mental peace.


States of Consciousness

Waking State

This is the normal everyday state of awareness.  The conscious mind is functioning.  You know that you are awake.  The intellect is working.  You are thinking and reasoning, and you are aware of your physical environment.  Time, space, and causality are in full control in the waking state.


Dream State

Contrary to popular belief, this intermediate state between waking and deep sleep is not a restful state, as mental energy is being expended.  The intellect is not functioning, but there remains some awareness of the physical world.  Regular asana practice will help you to relax at night and enter deep sleep.


Deep Sleep

When the mind is relaxed it will go into the state known as deep sleep.  The mind is blank; there is no awareness of yourself as a separate entity.  The ego identity does not exist.  There is no awareness of "I am doing..." nor of your physical environment, nor even an awareness of your own being.


Meditation

As in deep sleep, neither body consciousness nor awareness of an external physical reality exists.  Nor do time, space, or causality, but in meditation the awareness is transcendental.  It is the continuous flow of one thought of the Supreme, as identification of the individual with the divine.


Source from Yoga Mind & Body by Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre