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E W S L E T T E R.. A R C H I V E S
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O G A L I C I O U S #35
— March
2004
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Namaste Yogis and Yoginis, Yippie! It’s almost here; a
time of new beginnings, renewal, planting seeds, purification and
Spring Cleaning! Spring actually arrives in most of the Northern
Hemisphere, on the Equinox, March 20. This issue of Yogalicious
offers ideas to help harness this powerful spring energy to help
you make the shifts necessary to lighten up, and bloom open. |
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IN THIS ISSUE ——
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| WORDS OF WISDOM |
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"Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly." — Author Unknown |
| YOGA FOR SPRING |
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Yoga always places a high value on purification of body and mind at all levels, all the time. But maximize this process by harnessing the spring energy. A spring yoga practice should build some extra heat and incorporate more twists and inversions. Heat helps generate sweat and naturally detoxify our bodies. Twists stimulate the organs (especially the liver) and balance the hemispheres of the brain to enable greater mental and emotional balance. Inversions aid the flow of blood back to the lungs and heart for purification. In addition, inversions and most yoga asanas assist the lymphatic system. The Lymphatic system circulates lymph fluid and transports cellular waste, viruses, and bacteria from the tissues to the lymph nodes. Enjoy your practice knowing you are cleansing every class! back to top |
| SPRING BEAUTY |
| Oh, give us
pleasure in the flowers today; And give us not to think so far away As the uncertain harvest; keep us here All simply in the springing of the year. -- Robert Frost back to top |
| EXPERIENCE THE SPRING – WALKING MEDITATION |
| Take a walk on the next spring-like day to notice all the new growth that nature provides us. Smell the freshness in the air. Listen to the song birds that have returned. Walking Meditation is an amazing way to experience the freshness that Spring brings (as well as the budding flowers). And for some, it’s even more centering and satisfying than sitting meditation. To do it, simply walk with slow, small, deliberate, balanced, graceful footsteps. Go just slow enough that you feel comfortable. Be mindful of your breathing, without trying to control it, allowing it to be full and natural. You can let your arms hang comfortably. I like holding my hands, fingers intertwined, in front of my belly. Walk with a relaxed gaze. You don't need to focus on anything special. Simply be mindful of the beauty of your surroundings, both externally and internally. Thich Nhat Hanh often instructs to be aware of how you are "touching the ground" - offer the ground peace and love with your steps. I also like to be aware of how the ground supports me. Feeling the solid earth under each step, I can trust that it will hold me up. This helps me let go more (especially of my shoulders). Try walking for 10 minutes perhaps build up from there. (Don't worry; you don’t have to walk so slow that people will wonder what you are doing.) For more information read "THE LONG ROAD TURNS TO JOY: A Guide to Walking Mediation" By Thich Nhat Hanh |
| HARMONY |
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Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony" -- Mahatma Gandhi back to top |
| LIGTHENING UP |
| Spring cleaning is actually an old ritual that was performed to remove any negativity from the previous year and prepare the home to allow for the new to come in. However, for many of us "holding on" feels more safe and comfortable. We often resist change, thinking we will be happier with the way things "are". This holding on can keep us from being truly happy. So what is happiness anyway? Read on… back to top |
| WHAT IS HAPPINESS? |
| "Everyone is seeking to maximize happiness and minimize unhappiness. Therefore, the pursuit of happiness was written into the American constitution as a basic human right. However, the constitution does not offer a clear explanation of what happiness is. Nor does it tell us how to realize happiness… What, then, is happiness? First of all, we must note that happiness is often confused with pleasure…The particular sting of pleasure is that it is short-lived. Hence we often hunt after a pleasurable repetition and in the process run the rise of becoming ‘addicted’… However much the pleasure, we always hunger for more. Happiness, on the other hand, is deep, full and enduring. It is satisfying in itself. Therefore it gives us peace and tranquility… The person who is happy does not look for greater happiness. But pleasure always spurs us on the experience greater pleasure. Happiness, however, sets us free." -- Georg Feuerstein back to top |
| PRACTICING HAPPINESS |
| Spring is a happy season. With the buds bursting and birds singing – our hearts natural feel more open. For most of us, it’s simply easier to experience happiness, when things feel more comfortable. This is the perfect opportunity to practice ‘happiness’. Happiness, it has been said, is an "inside job". The yogis believe that we can choose how we react to situations, thus being happy in any situation life presents to us becomes a choice. Happiness is not a mysterious occurrence. Happiness is a behavior. It’s a conscious decision; a determined attitude. These are choices we make, each day, each moment of our day, with each thought we have (or don't have). We need to practice happiness. back to top |
| SCIENCE STUDIES HAPPINESS |
| http://www.wired.com/news/culture/0%2C1284%2C60452%2C00.html back to top |
| HIGHLY RECOMMENDED READS |
| Deeper Dimensions
of Yoga by Georg Feuerstein Faith by Sharon Salzburg back to top |
| SPRING CLEANING MINI-RETREAT |
| Sunday April
4. 2:00-4:30pm. www.devotionyoga.com
201 610 9642. $45 in advance. $50 at the door. Open to the Blooming Energy of Spring in this rejuvenating workshops integrating, cleansing, balancing, and relaxation techniques. Flow through a perfectly orchestrated series of restorative poses, breathing techniques, gentle asana, self-reflexology pressure points, meditation and aromatherapy. back to top |
| GREAT YOGA CLOTHES |
| Last issue I mentioned Lotus Yoga Wear but gave you the wrong web address: go to http://www.lotusyogawear.com back to top |
| INNER CLEANSE |
| Spring is the perfect time to cleanse our bodies after the sluggish winter. Our energy levels are high, and fresh foods and herbs are more available. For 10 ways to spring clean your diet check out: http://www.melissadianesmith.com/Articles/SpringCleanArticle.html back to top |
| HEALTHIER AGENTS TO CLEAN YOUR HOUSE |
| Here is a sampling
of how certain household ingredients can aid in cleaning. Baking soda - cleans, deodorizes, scours, polishes, and removes stains. Cornstarch - cleans and deodorizes carpets and rugs. Ketchup - cleans copper. Lemon juice - cuts grease and stains on aluminum and porcelain, whitens. Salt - makes an abrasive, but gentle, scouring powder. White vinegar - cleans windows, shines metal surfaces, removes mildew, stains, grease and wax buildup. back to top |
| FRESH AND FEARLESS |
| The Spring is
fresh and fearless And every leaf is new, The world is brimmed with moonlight, The lilac brimmed with dew. Here in the moving shadows I catch my breath and sing- My heart is fresh and fearless And over-brimmed with spring. Keep your faith in all beautiful things; in the sun when it is hidden, in the Spring when it is gone. - Roy R. Gilson back to top |
| As always, thank
you for sharing your time with me here. I am grateful to have this
opportunity to share with you. I would love to hear your ideas or
suggestions. Please email me if you have an email address change or
would like to add a friend to this distribution. With Great Joy, Jillian |