What is Yoga? June 13, 2007

What is Yoga, you ask?
If you’re interested in Hatha Yoga, Yoga Retreats, Yoga DVDs, or just want to Learn About Yoga, you’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re interested in Yoga for Beginners, or staying in the Yoga Zone throughout all moments of your life, I look forward to a continuing connection with you!

Yes, Yoga has become a buzz word here in the U.S., a very popular and healing activity for Americans from all walks of life. The word Yoga means ‘union,’ from the Sanskrit root word Yug (to join).

It is the alignment and harmonizing of body, mind and soul that tends to leave the practitioners, the Yogis and Yoginis in a state of peace, bliss, well-being, and contentment…more or less, depending on their situation!

So how is this bliss, peace, well-being and harmony achieved, you may ask? It is achieved through the steady, slow and repeated practice of various components of most yoga classes.

These components of the yoga classes include: Deep Relaxation (Savasana), Breathing Exercises (Pranayama), Yoga Postures (Yoga Asanas or “Hatha Yoga”), More Deep Relaxation (Savasana…pronounced “shavasana”), and Meditation (Dhyana).

Ideally, each yoga class will also include information about the Yoga of Wisdom (Jnana Yoga…pronounced “gee-anna”), and the Yoga of Devotion (Bhakti Yoga). It is most effective if yoga students and practitioners take at least a few yoga classes per week or have a daily practice at home.

Stay tuned for more information about Hatha Yoga, Yoga Retreats
and our upcoming DVD, “Gentle Yoga.”

Healing Music June 13, 2007

Healing Music comes in all shapes and modalities…from Indian Music to Chanting & Kirtans, to Angel Songs and more…From Instrumental Music to Jazz, and back to Music for Meditation and Massage.

It is amazing what an impact sounds can have on the human nervous system! Have you ever noticed how you feel in a noisy, machine-filled environment, versus how you feel when you are listening to relaxing music?

From Robert Gass’ CDs of the Pachylbel Canon, to Richard Halpern’s deeply relaxing music, to the healing sounds of Georgia Kelly’s harp music, music has the capacity to soothe the nervous system, reduce or eliminate stress, and even transform consciousness!

Specifically, chanting the names of God/Goddess/True Self again and again, either on one’s own or in a group (as part of a “Kirtan” or group chanting event), is a powerful way to transform consciousness. 

“How does that work?” you may ask…You can try an experiment: Start chanting your favorite Sanskrit or Hebrew chant or song. You may want to do this while listening to a CD in the car or the kitchen. If you don’t know any of these chants, I encourage you to check out the music of Krishna Das, or Yofiyah, or my own CD, Peace Chants, available at www.OmShalomCounseling.com

After you listen to the song for the whole length of the song, try turning off the CD and continuing to sing that same chant on your own for another 10 minutes. Later in the day, the joyful melody and sacred words will flow back into your consciousness…Check it out!

Stay tuned for more information about Indian Music, Kirtan, Angel Songs, and the Chanting of God’s Name…a life-transforming experience!