Archive for the Category » Meditation «

Nov
09

Children’s Meditation… Life Strategy.

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In a recent post I addressed, through the words of Deepak Choprah, the importance and power of meditation in enhancing the lives of our children.

Through meditation- sitting in stillness, engaging and developing the frontal portion of the brain, we encourage the best in who we can be:  compassion, empathy, love, and ultimately, happiness.

And isn’t that really what we want for our kids… particularly knowing that all the stuff (TV, video games, mp3′s and all the rest!) isn’t really doing it.  Ironically,  at least for my own kids, indulging in these pursuits as fun as they may think they are, tends to make them just plain unpleasant rather than happier!

For those of us who make a practice of sitting in meditation know what hard work it can seem.  And if it’s this hard for an adult how possibly can my high energy seven-year-old son manage?  Well, not on his own, that’s for sure…

“Thump… thump, thump!”

“What’s going on in there?”

“I’m meditating!”

Now, unless my child is gifted at telekinesis, somehow the school chairs came to be overturned with a cat cowering beneath for cover!

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Category: health, Kids, Meditation, Spirit, strength, surrender  Leave a Comment
Nov
05

Looking for Transformation in Meditation? Try a Stool!

meditate_002 Most of us, when we think of meditation, envision someone in quiet repose, silent tranquility, cross-legged on a flat, hard surface surrounded by shoji sceens or perhaps somewhere serene such as a dock or beach… or mountain top.

And wouldn’t that be lovely? To find such focus and quiet as to take comfort on a rock?!

Unfortunately, for many of us who attempt to establish a routine of regular meditation, outside of managing the raging, persistent monkey-mind, is the difficulty in finding a position, whether in a chair or on the floor, that allows for adequate comfort so as to better allow for a quieting of the mind.

Cramping knees, a growing nag from the lower back or aching ankle bones, compressed into the floor with their own weight, can easily derail our noble attempts at mental stillness, let alone actually seeing through that ellusive third eye.

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Nov
04

Etsy: Tranquil Images for Yoga & Meditation by tlcpix

From the annals of Etsy yet again… these images by tlcpix are meant to evoke feelings of peace and serenity.  There are a number to choose from… from landscapes to flowers to old barns and the like, black & white and colour… and tlcpix keeps her selection growing.

If you’re looking for beautiful, tranquil images for your home, office or yoga/meditation space these are for you.  Check out more at the Etsy shop of tlcpix.

Category: etsy, Meditation, Products, Spirit  Leave a Comment
Nov
02

Gentle-ness and Ease… Power in Listening

stream_01After a crazy Halloween weekend, with all of its various excesses, primarily candy and Fireballs (I did say crazy…!) I was eager for this morning’s practice knowing I needed it to clear the cobwebs.

Well, as eager as I may have been, the ol’ bones were not so.  The juices took some time to get flowing, the furnace some time to get warm and therefore the joints, muscles and tendons some time to let go and allow me to move, albeit slowly, through my practice.

What also took some time, was me convincing myself… or shall I say the gentle voice inside my head, when it was finally able to make itself heard over the mean, nasty critical voice inside my head, convinced me after several turns through less than energetic sun salutations A and B, that I could pull back.  That it was quite alright to take it slow.  Let everything move at a pace it- I- needed rather than that which I’d have preferred.

That takes some doing, I must say.  Outside of a vacation, and even then it can be questionable, what with all the activities we tend to plan… we are so not conditioned to taking a step back into ease.  Into letting our bodies say, through their tension and tenderness, ‘go gently’.  Closing the door to the judgment of our own minds and expectations and allowing quiet and serenity through instead.

We are far more inclined to push forward, ignoring the signs and twinges, in our quest for the ‘challenge’ that is often synonomous with yoga, and the ‘workout’ that yoga, in our 21st century fast & furious frame of mind, has become.  Also, as with many of us, I enjoy the feeling of pushing and challenging my body in yoga in the seemingly unlimited ways it can do so.  It’s an activity in which my body typically accepts, embraces and responds to pushing further… hence it’s one I enjoy the most.

But sometimes in yoga- as in life- the challenge comes in stepping back, embracing ease.  Consciously saying, and accepting- that with this general feeling of lethargy, I will pass on my powerful sequence today and enjoy some balance.  Perhaps, with this little twang in my lower back, I might better enjoy some gentle focus on the core.

I’ll revisit this all again in my practice tomorrow… but today I take satisfaction in having done it… and listened.

Category: health, Meditation, Practice, Spirit, strength, surrender  Leave a Comment
Oct
31

Develop Your Frontal Lobe… & Your Emotional Intelligence. Meditate!

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The horrendously tragic story about the fifteen-year-old victim of a recent gang-rape in California brings to bear more than just questions about “WTF is up with kids these days”, but really, “How the hell did it get this bad and what can we possibly to about it?!”

This past week Deepak Chopra was on Larry King to offer his unique insights into the incident and the perpetrators in particular, one of several on a  panel discussing the issues and motivations precipitating the heinous crime.

Despite the flashy, diamond encrusted spectacles (he wasn’t wearing them this night) and the fact that at this point he rivals only Danielle Steel in literary proliferation, I still really like him.  And I couldn’t help but nod in agreement with everything he, and his colleagues, had to say.

With the number of incidents of these kinds of crimes only growing among teens, made worse with their documentation for posterity and public consumption on sites such as facebook and YouTube, the conversation inevitably turned to the children’s ‘emotional intelligence’, or lack thereof, and their disregard, or more likely, their complete incapacity, for compassion and empathy.

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Category: Kids, Meditation, Spirit  One Comment
Jun
02

So Angry I Could Spit… Where’s My Mat?!

angryThere are moments in this life… work-at-home husband, homeschooling the kids,  large dog, three new kittens, impending spousal unemployment (read: formerly work-at-home husband somewhere-on-the-golf course)… where the tension just seems to mount.

In mere moments, fear, frustration, and just the build up of stress and anxiety, plain and simple, yanks you by the sharp tongue, unwillingly of course, to that place where all bad energy resides and manifests in bad attitude, negativity and sometimes- ahem- just nasty, toxic interactions with those close to you (read: husband).

We’ve all heard the sage advice to ‘count to ten’, of course.  But my question, as the aspiring yogini I profess to be, is how can my practice enhance my ability to manage my frustration… retard my tendency to fly off the handle… or ease my propensity to suffocate on my anger in seething silence.

I meditate.  I practice.  But sometimes… sometimes… in the heat of the moment… is there something, yogically, I can draw on, to provide me with much needed support to get me through it without letting my anger undermine that which I am working so hard to control?

Or should there be?

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Category: health, Meditation, Spirit, surrender  Leave a Comment
May
27

Downward Dog-gin’ It!

Adho Mukha SvanasanaWould I be in danger of being stoned… or possibly flayed… right here on my yoga mat if I admitted I don’t like Downward Facing Dog?

Occasionally, in the heat of Sun Salutations, I find some solace in taking the posture… sighing into it… but then, remembering my form, back to work.

Unlike Savasana, where the work is largely mental, with a hint of the spiritual, for me, Downward Dog requires considerable effort on all fronts: the mental, spiritual and just downright physical.

More often than not, the sigh- upon recalling there is proper form involved- is replaced by an “Ugh!”, uttered through the exhausted heave of my exhale… followed by shallow, inadequate breaths… until, finally- yes, finally- I embrace my last inhale and take my steps, depending on my level of energy, my hop forward to the exalted release of forward bend.

But, here’s the thing:  Downward Dog is supposed to be a posture of rejuvenation… of healing and renewal!  If this is the case… then why, why, WHY do I dislike it so?!

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Category: Meditation, strength, surrender, Trends  Leave a Comment
May
14

Savasana… Worth the Effort

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How often can you say that you let go, relax, completely?  Even if you are one who meditates, meditation is still an activity of engagement and distinct focus.

Savasana, as in any yoga posture, requires a certain focus. However unlike in meditation, rather than constantly directing attention to non-attention, shall we say, it is a practice of directing attention to complete and total relaxation.  An emptying from the scalp to the toes, from the spine to the internal organs.

Allowing oneself to sink, heavy into the earth, easing all tension from muscles and joints, allowing the eyeballs to roll back in the sockets, the tongue to lay heavy at it’s root and the stomach and neighbouring organs to lower into the wall of the spine… oh, while remaining awake of course.

This pose is about letting go entirely.  Proper relaxation is integral to healthy functioning of mind and body providing a clarity of thought, aiding in judgment and desicion making.   And in today’s hectic and increasingly stressful environment, at work and in the home, true relaxation is difficult to come by and to many, difficult to justify.

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Category: health, Meditation, Postures, Spirit  One Comment
May
05

Guest Post…. Diets In Review

I was recently asked to contribute over at the diet blog, Diets In Review.  I was honoured as there is heaps of information and it was a pleasure offering a little insight on the power of meditation, a subject near and dear to my heart.  I take on the power of meditation in battling stress as well as weight loss, so check it out!

Take a read, and while you’re over there be sure to peruse some of the other information on health and fitness.

Category: Blog, Meditation, Spirit  2 Comments
Apr
17

Little Yogis… by Wai Lana

Wanting to introduce your tiny tots to yoga? Wai Lana, one of the originals in bringing yoga to the mainstream… you’ve seen her, I know.

The beautiful woman, often balancing precariously on a rock overlooking the sea. Known as much for her long, black hair and flowers strewn about her head, as for her peaceful, picturesque locales.

Who better to inspire our little ones?

In Wai Lana’s Little Yogis™
Fun Exercise Book,  how far can a grasshopper jump?  Where does oxygen come from?

With the Fun Exercise book, your kids will learn, laugh, and experience the wonderful benefits of yoga’s most playful poses. The whole family will love the hilarious characters, charming illustrations, and fun-filled activities.

Filled with secret waterfalls, pink elephants, silly monkeys, and rainbow butterflies, Wai Lana’s Fun Exercise captures the imagination while helping your kids grow strong, flexible, and focused.

It’s the perfect companion to her Little Yogis™ DVDs and CDs.

If you’d like it all-in-one, check out the full Fun Exercise Kit: Wai Lana’s Little Yogis.

• All kinds of fun exercises for strong bodies and sound minds
• Educational and entertaining
• Stimulates physical, mental, and emotional development
• 64 colorful pages, 11”x8”, hardbound


Category: Kids, Meditation, Practice, Products, reading, Spirit  Leave a Comment
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