“Karma karma karma karma, karma chameleon
You come and go, you come and go.”
        –Culture Club (yes, I am a child of the 80s as well as a yoga practitioner)

Karma is a rather popular subject these days, as it’s made its way to bumper stickers and inspirational photo posts on Facebook. What is Karma? Is it cause and effect? Or, in regards to yoga, is it selfless service (which is puzzling if Karma implies cause and effect because the action wouldn’t quite be selfless, as a certain outcome — good Karma or getting what you give — would be desired)? Many say that Karma is a bitch. I prefer to think of Karma as a teacher. 

Recently I was participating in a discussion in which the person speaking gave Karma a more punitive spin. He had done something “bad,” therefore what came back to him was “bad.” It’s the ole payback scenario. Which takes us back to Karma being a “bitch.” I disagree. Perhaps it’s the same outlook that makes me a bad Catholic — I’m not a fan of original sin — but I look at Karma as a teacher that offers us an opportunity to be a better person. 

This has shown up for me in many ways over the past few months. It’s true confession time: In the past, I’ve blamed others in relationship rather than see it for what it is — a mirror for my actions. It’s easy to point the finger at someone else rather than shine the light on yourself and actually see what you do/how you are being in relationship. These days I’m endeavoring to take more responsibility, which has required a heavy does of honesty on my part. This has become my yoga pratice — tell the truth, admit to the fact that what’s showing up is a direct reflection of how I’m showing up, take responsibility for my life and relationships.

Lucky for me, I’ve been staring at a mirror for the past few months (figuratively). I’ve been on the receiving end of what I would consider less than stellar treatment in a relationship, which not only hurt me, but left me frustrated and angry. A person who I had considered trustworthy proved to be anything but. There was a big contradiction between words and action, and rather than meet things head-on and talk things out to clear up any misconceptions, the other person shut down and went into avoidance mode. In what felt like a blinding flash of clarity I really saw this person — and I understood why his life had unfolded the way it had.

And I got a huge lesson myself, for I’ve operated in the exact same way. Yes, I’m still hurt by this person’s actions, but more importantly, I realized that it’s all too easy to point the self-righteous finger and say, “You’re the bad one here.” Blame — oooohhh, that’s a big one. Placing the blame on the other person gives you the excuse to come out looking squeaky clean in the situation. Unfortunately, while it may get you off the hook temporarily, it actually causes future suffering beacause you repeat the behavior and relive the same situation over and over again. Ironically, while part of me was pointing my figure indignantly at the other person, my ego resisted judging this person because if I allowed myself to deem this person “bad” then what does that say about me, for I picked someone who mirrors me? Judging person as bad=I’m bad too. Ouch.

Eek. Not a pretty situation. It sure was an enlightening one, though. With a little help from Karma, I got to shine a light on how I am in relationship (which was scarier than my skydive last week, for it can be harder to admit to one’s murky dark side than it is to jump out of a plane at 13,500 feet). Rather than keep denying it and continuing to choose relationships (and I’m not just talking about romantic ones) from this place, I’m now free to have relationships that are deeper and more fulfilling — and feel a heck of a lot better to be in (for both myself and the other person). 

So for me, Karma has been a journey to knowing better/awareness leading to doing better/acting more consciously, which ultimately leads to being better/being more conscious. Bitch doesn’t enter the equation.

Granted, this doesn’t get the other person off the hook — his actions were hurtful at best and deceitful at worst — but it does make me more compassionate (been there, done that, not doing it anymore) and it’s not my place to teach someone else a lesson. It would seem that Karma takes care of that all by itself.

When I find myself wanting to oh-so-helpfully point out the fact that this behavior has gotten this person bad results in the past and has resulted in many relationships gone sour, I smile at the deflection tactic, for I know that it’s a sign for me to take a look at how MY behavior has resulted in poor relationships in my past. 

In the past few months, I’ve been accused — by two different people — of behavior that I didn’t engage in. I got all indignant about it, blaming the ones accusing me of the behavior (“They’re just insecure.” “They don’t trust me and that’s their problem.” blah, blah, blah) before I stopped and wondered why they would accuse me of something that I didn’t do? Did my current behavior imply that I was being dishonest or sneaky? Have I been dishonest or sneaky in the past? Asking those questions of myself got me some hard answers and has made me more cognizant about how my behavior could be miscontrued. 

Yes, when the student is ready, the teacher does appear. For that I am grateful. Now I have a clearer vision not just of what I want in relationship, but more importantly, who I want to be in relationship. That’s not a bitch — it’s a boon.

Here’s to Karmic gifts, valuable lessons, and a whole lotta truth-telling!

Namaste!

Amazon.com Widgets

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/EverythingYoga/~3/LiNCVlqWitM/karmic-gifts.html

Well, last week I talked about how to become a yoga instructor, but Tao Porchon-Lynch of a suburb just outside of New York City has something to teach all of us. This week, she was officially confirmed, by the Guinness Book of World Records, as the oldest yoga instructor in the world at the ripe age of ninety-three years old. You can watch the news story on Tao by clicking this link.  On top of her yoga career, Tao is also an accomplished competitive dancer, showing that she can shake her hips in moves that will have you shaking your head in disbelief.

When you watch the video, Tao can easily bend into any pose asked of her and she insists that her students are equally pushed to their comfortable limits. The classes she runs are small and intimate and her followers seem both loyal and thankful to have such a dedicated instructor to impart her knowledge.

Undoubtedly, Tao is nothing if not an inspiration and confirmation of all that yoga can do for our minds and our bodies. After a hip replacement that threatened to end her yoga career, she refused to hear from her doctor that her new hip came with physical limits and continues to teach yoga with impressive flexibility. Instead, she jokes about sending her doctor a photo of her impressive Lotus pose. Furthermore, Tao seems to possess a calm demeanor, patience and calmness that we’re all so desperately seeking, proving that the mental benefits of yoga go far beyond that initial exercise high in the studio.

Physically, Tao is living proof of the health benefits yoga provides. Her body rivals mine when I was eighteen (which is a far cry from where I am now!), and certainly, she looks like she could outrun me despite being nearly sixty-five years older. She claims that she will teach yoga until she cannot breath any longer, as her practice is a part of her.

Not all of us will reach the age of ninety-three, and certainly, we won’t all be able to keep up our practice until the end of our days. But Tao is a reminder that if we persist, calm our minds, dedicate ourselves to our practice and remain positive, anything is possible and all can be achieved. Occasionally, we all need this kind of reminder.

Kelly

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/YogaFlavoredLife/~3/kOqUfe979YU/the-worlds-oldest-yoga-teacher.html

nazreth

What does bloodletting, scurvy, and our understanding of saturated fat have in common?

Before I share the answer with you, allow me to say that while we live in an era of unparalleled educational opportunities, there are some things that are still undervalued, and often unappreciated.

Skepticism, curiosity, and the ability to think and research for oneself, are not always met with enthusiasm.

Even when there’s concrete evidence to support the view of the minority, popular opinion is not something that likes to go away without a fight.

Take, for example, the advice, “Eat less saturated fat.”

That has been the message from health professionals, like me, for years now.

But, while we have dutifully reduced the percentage of calories we take in from saturated fat over those years, what can’t be ignored is that we continue to have worryingly high rates of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.

Is it just that people don’t heed the advice, or is there more to it than that?

Learning From History

In 1593, Admiral Sir Richard Hawkins, recorded that orange and lemon juice should be drank as a means of preventing scurvy. In 1614, John Woodall, Surgeon General of the East India Company, published a handbook for apprentice surgeons aboard the company’s ships, which gave similar advice.

And yet, for another 200 years, men aboard ships continued to die due to scurvy, resulting in an estimated 200 million deaths between 1500-1800.

It’s eradication from the Royal Navy didn’t come until the 1790′s, when finally, the chairman of the Navy’s Sick and Hurt Board, put the long-ignored prescription of fresh lemons to use during the Napoleonic Wars.

A similar story is seen in the history of bloodletting. A practice which went on for 2,000 years as a cure-all for sickness and disease.

In 1628, William Harvey disproved its widely believed ‘benefits’, and yet, over 200 years later it was still being recommended at the Royal College of Physicians.

Can a similar story be seen in the history of saturated fat? Possibly.

What is beyond doubt, however, is that we’ve become so conditioned to think saturated fat isn’t good for us, that the mere suggestion this may be bad advice makes most people think you’re a quack.

To understand the current popular opinion surrounding saturated fat, it’s important to go back a few years to an important publication by Ancel Keys.

Stick with me. This gets interesting.

How Did The Diet-Heart Hypothesis Originate?

The first scientific indictment of saturated fat came in 1953.

In that year, physiologist, Ancel Keys, published a highly influential paper, “Atherosclerosis, a Problem in Newer Public Health.”

He concluded that while the total death rate in America was declining, the number of deaths due to heart disease were steadily climbing.

He blamed a diet high in fat for these heart disease deaths. This belief is what became known as the diet-heart hypothesis.

And, it wasn’t well received by his peers at the time.

One of the main problems with Keys method was, that although data was available for 22 countries, he only used 6 countries (later 7) in his comparison.

As a result, his research showed an increase in heart disease cases, which corresponded with an increased fat intake.

However, when the 22 countries are included, the data looks more like this:

The second graph shows such a weak correlation, that Keys’ hypothesis is totally demolished.

Statistician, Russell Smith, had this to say about Keys’ research:

“The word “landmark” has often been used… to describe Ancel Keys’ Seven Countries study, commonly cited as proof that the American diet is atherogenic… the dietary assessment methodology was highly inconsistent across cohorts and thoroughly suspect. In addition, careful examination of the death rates and associations between diet and death rates reveal a massive set of inconsistencies and contradictions…

It is almost inconceivable that the Seven Countries study was performed with such scientific abandon. It is also dumbfounding how the NHLBI/AHA alliance ignored such sloppiness in their many “rave reviews” of the study…

In summary, the diet-CHD relationship reported for the Seven Countries study cannot be taken seriously by the objective and critical scientist.”

(Source: Diet, Blood Cholesterol and Coronary Heart Disease: A Critical Review of the Literature, Volume 2, November 1981, pages 4-49)

You may be asking yourself why Keys would leave out such incredibly important data?

The phrase “cherry picking” comes to mind.

The fact that Keys did not consider other factors, such as smoking, sugar intake, and exercise frequency, make his conclusions merely a shot in the dark as to a possible cause.

This study has, unfortunately, been cited for decades as “fact.”

Brief History Of The Diet-Heart Hypothesis

In the 1950s, Keys and others promoted a low fat diet, which they labeled the Mediterranean diet.

In 1957 the American Heart Association proposed that modifying dietary fat intake would reduce the incidence of coronary heart disease.

In 1961, William Kannel published the landmark paper, “Factors of Risk in the Development of Coronary Heart Disease.” In the following years the term “risk factor” became commonplace.

Also in 1961, the American Heart Association published a report on preventing coronary heart disease, which pointed to reducing certain dietary fats to lower the level of risk.

The report was cautious, however, stating:

It must be emphasized that there is as yet no final proof that heart attacks or strokes will be prevented by such measures.

In fact, they made these recommendations for those who were at risk of cardiovascular disease, either by heredity, or because of a prior heart attack or stroke.

At this time, they were not recommending a low fat diet for all.

According to Daniel Levy, current director of the Framingham Heart Study, the sense of urgency concerning dietary fat and heart disease did not come until 1977.

That year, the U.S. Senate’s Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs, put the diet-heart hypothesis on the national agenda when it published, “Dietary Goals in the United States.”

This report stated:

Too much fat, too much sugar or salt, can be and are directly linked to heart disease, cancer, obesity and stroke.

In 1983, a turning point in the obesity/heart disease studies came with the publication of an article based on the Framingham studies. This article cited obesity as an independent risk factor for heart disease.

This was significant because it lent further support to the low fat approach to diet.

Many scientists believed a low fat diet may not only prevent heart disease, but it could also promote weight loss, and as a result, reduce the incidence of obesity.

By 1984, the scientific consensus was that a diet low in fat was appropriate for high-risk patients, but also as a preventive measure for everyone, except infants.

Still Only A Hypothesis

The strange thing in all of this is that the diet-heart hypothesis remained exactly that, a hypothesis.

No studies provided conclusively that saturated fat led to heart disease.

Yet, this notion became ingrained in public health policy, and was widely promoted by health professionals, as if already a proven, indisputable fact.

From 1984 through the 1990s, dietary fat was increasingly blamed for heart disease, as well as for the increasing obesity levels.

Then, when the National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference issued, “Lowering Blood Cholesterol to Prevent Heart Disease,” in 1984, it was endorsed by the American Medical Association, and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

And, while some scientists and physicians remained skeptical, the argument in favor of the low fat diet for all was the “gold standard” advice, as a result of this report.

 The Food Industry

By the 1980s food manufacturers had noticed the profit making opportunities to be had through the low fat diet approach.

They began replacing fat with sugar, which lead to “Snackwell’s phenomenon.” Basically, low fat foods having just as many calories as the former high fat versions.

The result was that people ate more of the low fat food than they otherwise would of the normal cookies, because they believed them to be healthier.

So, in the 1980s and 1990s these low fat, high sugar products began to fill grocery store shelves, in response to consumer demand.

In 1988, in an effort to raise funds and promote better health, the American Heart Association introduced its program to label foods with their “heart healthy” seal of approval.

Food companies were then able to pay for the rights to label their foods with this seal of approval.

Many of these products were packaged foods like breakfast cereals.

One of the main problems was that fresh foods were not labeled, which to some, may have given the impression that these highly processed foods were more heart healthy than fresh foods.

Did all of this mean that as long as a food was low in fat, it could be eaten to appetite?

If so, it’s clear why a diet filled with low fat foods may ironically be promoting obesity, despite its heart healthy seal of approval from the American Heart Association.

Has The Low Fat Diet Been Successful?

Interestingly, from 1950 to 1998 mortality rates from heart disease decreased 53 percent.

However, in 1998, physicians Daniel Levy and Thomas Thom noted a “puzzling paradox.”

While mortality from heart disease had decreased dramatically from 1950 to 1998, the incidence of heart disease remained about the same.

In addition to this, a study covering the years 1987 to 1994 suggested that the reduced mortality rate was the result of medical and/or surgical intervention, and secondary rather than primary prevention.

Unfortunately, these figures do little to clarify the role of the low fat diet in relation to heart health.

(Thanks to Ann Berge and her extensitve report, “How the Ideology of Low Fat Conquered America,” for an overview of the history of saturated fat.)

Saturated Fat: Good Or Bad?

A number of very large, expensive studies have looked at the relationship between heart disease and saturated fat.

Cochrane Collaboration

In 2000, a respected international group of scientists, called the Cochrane Collaboration, conducted a meta-analysis of the scientific literature on cholesterol-lowering diets.

They included 27 trials, with more than 18,000 participants.

And, although the authors concluded that reducing dietary fat may help reduce heart disease, their published data actually showed no significant effect of a low fat diet on overall mortality, cardiovascular mortality, or cardiovascular events.

Women’s Health Initiative

In 2006, the Women’s Health Initiative (reportedly costing American taxpayers $725 million) found that a diet low in total fat and saturated fat did not significantly impact heart disease risk.

This study followed slightly over 48,800 postmenopausal women for 8 years.

Meta-Analysis

A meta-analysis published in 2010, pooled data from 21 studies, and included almost 348,000 adults.

The researchers found no difference in the risks of heart disease and stroke between those with the lowest and highest intakes of saturated fat.

Reduce Refined Carbs

One of the main problems I have with encouraging a low fat diet, is that you have to replace the fat with something, and that usually means replacing it with carbohydrates, mainly of the refined variety.

A study in 2010, noted that there are few studies to support the notion of replacing saturated fat with carbohydrate.

They concluded the emphasis should be on the limitation of refined carbohydrate intakes, and a reduction in excess weight.

A recent 2011 study, found that dietary intake of saturated fats is associated with a modest increase in serum total cholesterol, but not with cardiovascular disease.

These researchers noted, however, that replacing saturated fats with carbohydrates, particularly those with a high glycemic index, is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

Interesting. So removing fat and adding sugar increases the risk of cardiovascular disease?

Can anyone say ‘low fat yogurts’?

But, let’s not just pick on yogurt. Pretty much everything with bold low fat labels, is packed with sugar instead.

LDL Subfractions

If you’re not familiar with the term LDL Subfractions, don’t worry. I intend to write about this in a more complete way in the future. However, let me give you a relevant synopsis to add weight to the discussion around saturated fat.

Dr. Krauss, professor of nutritional sciences at the University of California, Berkeley, has been studying the effect of diet and blood lipids (low and high density lipoprotein, commonly referred to as LDL and HDL, and fatty acids) on cardiovascular disease for years.

In 1980, Krauss and his colleagues discovered LDL cholesterol comes in a series of different sizes, known as subfractions. Some LDL subfractions are large and fluffy. Others are small and dense. And, it is this distinction that is important.

While all LDL cholesterol is bad, the small, dense LDL subfractions are really bad, since they greatly increase the risk of developing clogged arteries.

Interestingly, Dr. Krauss found that when people replaced carbohydrates in their diet with fat, whether saturated or unsaturated, the number of small, dense LDL particles decreased.

Trans Fats

So, does all of this mean you can eat as much fat as you want?

No, certainly not.

It’s clear there is some association between fat and heart disease. Unfortunately, most studies don’t differentiate between saturated fat and trans fat. I believe this is a big mistake.

Trans fat is known to increase LDL cholesterol levels (as we noted above, LDL cholesterol is bad), while also lowering HDL (good) cholesterol levels.

This is bad news, and the opposite of what we need for good health.

So, if there is one thing you should definitely be avoiding, it’s artificially hydrogenated oils. The trans fats from partially hydrogenated oils are more harmful than naturally occurring oils.

The main culprits to be aware of are margarine, shortening, and partially hydrogenated oils. You will find these in most processed junk foods, and deep fried foods.

At the end of the day, the best way to avoid trans fats is to make sure you are choosing a whole, natural, and minimally processed diet, as much as you possibly can.

The Way Forward

I have struggled with this issue for some time. And, this article is merely a drop in the ocean of all that could be said.

I am well aware that this is information most health professionals won’t be telling you, and until you’ve been through four years of university training in Human Nutrition and Dietetics, you won’t understand how difficult it is to teach something that’s contrary to what you have been taught.

However, something I’ve discovered in recent years is that no one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.

What good is a degree, if you’re not willing to continually research for the truth, and present that truth no matter how much it goes against the grain?

If the health of our nation is to improve, we need open minded scientists and health professionals who speak truth, and don’t simply regurgitate what they are told to say.

It’s important that we are real with ourselves, and others.

What about you — do your beliefs stand up to the available research on this topic of saturated fats? Please share any interesting studies you know of on this topic with me, too.

Note: If you enjoyed this article, sharing it (on Facebook, etc) is a great way to say ‘thank you’.

Article source: http://www.dietriffic.com/2012/05/16/saturated-fat-good-or-bad/

Posted on May 14th, 2012

Question: How do you find bliss?

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Sivana has an extensive selection of OM jewellery, malas and anything else you may need to add an extra element of bliss to your yoga practice. Their Home Lifestyle section also offers some great statues to create a zen-like space in your home or yoga studio.

Enter on Facebook, too! Join your My Yoga Online community on Facebook and enter to win there, too.

Share the love. Tell your friends about this great giveaway. Just click ‘SHARE’ at the top of this post.

The fine print: Click here to read the official contest rules. By submitting a comment on this blog or commenting on or ‘liking’ the Facebook post, you agree to the official contest rules.

Tags: My Yoga Online, Tuesday Giveaway, Om Bliss Necklace, Om Jewellery, Free Om Necklace, Sivana, Sivana Spirit, Jewellery giveaway

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Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/MyYogaOnlineNewWorldBlog/~3/tBl4fCpt7BQ/sivana-om-bliss-necklace-tuesday-giveaway

The sound I effortlessly found emitting from myself as I settled in to listen to Julie Dittmar and Matt Kahn give this presentation on the absence on the spiritual path was that of an extended “Ahhhh.” It feels so good to enter into the energy these two teachers emit and know that permission has been given to relax and simply “be.”

I first encountered Spiritual Teacher Matt and Yoga Teacher Julie at the 2011 YogaHub Conference. I found Matt’s teaching so different and so powerful that I sought him out afterwards for some of the one-on-one sessions he offers called “Direct Transmissions” — which can be done via Skype. The effects of my work with Matt, or simply being a receiver to his transmission of Archangel and Ascended Master energy and activation, are still unfolding. My awakened crystalline DNA and the shifts initiated by Matt only begin in the session. They continue to reveal themselves in the weeks and months to come. And so it was with happy anticipation that I entered in this YogaHub session with Matt and Julie, and I was not disappointed.

Julie began the session by explaining that what we were engaging in was the branch of yoga called Dhyana Yoga, a type of yoga that is contemplative. As we received the transmission of energy from Matt, we could also move into Bhakti Yoga that is a joyful, loving devotion in our journey to our true divine nature. She explained we were like flowers blossoming in the garden of humanity, with the ego falling away and opening up new fields of possibility. The result, this Bhakti Yoga, was reverent gratitude for what was there all along.

The excitement both Matt and Julie feel for this particular time on our planet is palpable in their voices. One thing I noticed was an unusual clarity of vocal quality, voice energy — something I’m very attuned to from decades in radio broadcasting and from my own acute clairaudient gifts.
There was what I would best describe as a crystalline quality to the sound of their voices. At the same time I was noticing this, I also experienced a kind of pulsating energy around my heart chakra as it seemed to open to encompass more space and allow more reception of loving energy to be received and flow back out in a kind of heart-breathing exchange. As Matt talked about the effortlessness of freedom in the spiritual path, the vibration was pulsing in such a way as to connect to my 5th, or Throat Chakra — and I was feeling the welling up of energy we recognize as welling up with emotion or tears. Sometimes we call that being “choked up” — but that’s really a misnomer. There’s nothing choking about this sensation — it’s the opposite, it’s the opening up of energy, not the choking off of it. It is simply because in our society we don’t like to be seen showing unexpected emotion or crying in situations where others might see us, that we’ve been programmed to “choke” it off, like restraining a sneeze! We do that, it’s not the energy doing the choking. My advice is — don’t choke it. Let the sensations that arise during these session with Matt’s transmission of energy simply flow and “be.” If tears well up, let them flow. If sensations arise in the throat, the heart or other energy centers, allow the flow. Energy is moving and healing and transforming in this safe, sacred heart centered space.

The central teaching that Matt presents here is that Truth — as in Divine Truth — can’t be pursued, is not something accomplished and does not respond to the effort or struggle of a practice. In fact, all those spiritual practices leave us exhausted and wanting for — Truth. If it can’t be found or maintained by effort, how do we explore the realm of Truth? Matt’s teaching is that it is by letting go of those efforts and following one tool — our INTEREST — that we will find the key to effortlessness. Gradually for some, spontaneously for others, he said, you will find yourself becoming interested in exploring effortlessness. You will become more attentive, and see beyond the story. Without expectation of success or failure, we can come to the joy of effortless freedom.

It was helpful that Matt didn’t make the teaching only about an exalted state of spirituality, but pointed out the sheer humanity and how all we need do is notice — notice our heart beats, notice our breath, notice how effortlessly an argument can spring up and how effortlessly the emotions around the argument can emerge. But then notice how effortlessly reconciliation can occur and all shifts. We all do this all the time, but now awareness increases. Notice the effortless joy and awe of looking on as the sun sets, or the joy of seeing a child at play.

Matt’s prescription for daily effortlessness includes getting a bunch of “Hoorays!” into our emotions and way of seeing. Stuck in traffic? Hooray! Frustrated? Hooray! Notice how effortless that frustration was! Be amused by it all, and hooray for that!

The essential ingredient for effortless freedom turns out to be — EQUALITY. And this is something taught by all the great spiritual teachers, something found in A Course in Miracles, and something made alive by a contemporary teacher like Matt: Equality is a sacred gift. Treat all these things as equal. Don’t discriminate between the annoyance of standing in line at the supermarket and the joy of a sunset. Welcome each experience equally. Hooray! It’s all the same. Or “same same” as Julie says, in her story of a cross-cultural experience in trying to convey she wanted a dress made — same dress, different color. “Same same.” They’re equal.

Have a spiritual garage sale, Matt suggests, and unload the old efforts and practices that have not yielded what you’d hoped. They may have some use to someone else at a particular time, but they are no longer useful to you.

Matt is urging us in this transmission of his energy and teaching, to shift allegiances — to align with an interest in effortlessness, equality, openness, simplicity and — hooray for this one — happiness!

I’m in.

And my heart’s still vibrating from the clarity of the transmission. A visit to this Dhyana/Bhakti sacred space is an effortless hour of joy with Matt Julie. I only wish I was in Seattle for their in person satsangs!

Effortless Freedom: Julie Dittmar Matt Kahn

Tags: Mary Ellen O’Brien, Matt Kahn, Julie Dittmar, effortless, freedom, direct transmissions, Dhyana Yoga, divine truth, emotion

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Yogahub/~3/7pLZ1oNLdlQ/

The sound I effortlessly found emitting from myself as I settled in to listen to Julie Dittmar and Matt Khan give this presentation on the absence on the spiritual path was that of an extended “Ahhhh.” It feels so good to enter into the energy these two teachers emit and know that permission has been given to relax and simply “be.”

I first encountered Spiritual Teacher Matt and Yoga Teacher Julie at the 2011 YogaHub Conference. I found Matt’s teaching so different and so powerful that I sought him out afterwards for some of the one-on-one sessions he offers called “Direct Transmissions” — which can be done via Skype. The effects of my work with Matt, or simply being a receiver to his transmission of Archangel and Ascended Master energy and activation, are still unfolding. My awakened crystalline DNA and the shifts initiated by Matt only begin in the session. They continue to reveal themselves in the weeks and months to come. And so it was with happy anticipation that I entered in this YogaHub session with Matt and Julie, and I was not disappointed.

Julie began the session by explaining that what we were engaging in was the branch of yoga called Dhyana Yoga, a type of yoga that is contemplative. As we received the transmission of energy from Matt, we could also move into Bhakti Yoga that is a joyful, loving devotion in our journey to our true divine nature. She explained we were like flowers blossoming in the garden of humanity, with the ego falling away and opening up new fields of possibility. The result, this Bhakti Yoga, was reverent gratitude for what was there all along.

The excitement both Matt and Julie feel for this particular time on our planet is palpable in their voices. One thing I noticed was an unusual clarity of vocal quality, voice energy — something I’m very attuned to from decades in radio broadcasting and from my own acute clairaudient gifts.
There was what I would best describe as a crystalline quality to the sound of their voices. At the same time I was noticing this, I also experienced a kind of pulsating energy around my heart chakra as it seemed to open to encompass more space and allow more reception of loving energy to be received and flow back out in a kind of heart-breathing exchange. As Matt talked about the effortlessness of freedom in the spiritual path, the vibration was pulsing in such a way as to connect to my 5th, or Throat Chakra — and I was feeling the welling up of energy we recognize as welling up with emotion or tears. Sometimes we call that being “choked up” — but that’s really a misnomer. There’s nothing choking about this sensation — it’s the opposite, it’s the opening up of energy, not the choking off of it. It is simply because in our society we don’t like to be seen showing unexpected emotion or crying in situations where others might see us, that we’ve been programmed to “choke” it off, like restraining a sneeze! We do that, it’s not the energy doing the choking. My advice is — don’t choke it. Let the sensations that arise during these session with Matt’s transmission of energy simply flow and “be.” If tears well up, let them flow. If sensations arise in the throat, the heart or other energy centers, allow the flow. Energy is moving and healing and transforming in this safe, sacred heart centered space.

The central teaching that Matt presents here is that Truth — as in Divine Truth — can’t be pursued, is not something accomplished and does not respond to the effort or struggle of a practice. In fact, all those spiritual practices leave us exhausted and wanting for — Truth. If it can’t be found or maintained by effort, how do we explore the realm of Truth? Matt’s teaching is that it is by letting go of those efforts and following one tool — our INTEREST — that we will find the key to effortlessness. Gradually for some, spontaneously for others, he said, you will find yourself becoming interested in exploring effortlessness. You will become more attentive, and see beyond the story. Without expectation of success or failure, we can come to the joy of effortless freedom.

It was helpful that Matt didn’t make the teaching only about an exalted state of spirituality, but pointed out the sheer humanity and how all we need do is notice — notice our heart beats, notice our breath, notice how effortlessly an argument can spring up and how effortlessly the emotions around the argument can emerge. But then notice how effortlessly reconciliation can occur and all shifts. We all do this all the time, but now awareness increases. Notice the effortless joy and awe of looking on as the sun sets, or the joy of seeing a child at play.

Matt’s prescription for daily effortlessness includes getting a bunch of “Hoorays!” into our emotions and way of seeing. Stuck in traffic? Hooray! Frustrated? Hooray! Notice how effortless that frustration was! Be amused by it all, and hooray for that!

The essential ingredient for effortless freedom turns out to be — EQUALITY. And this is something taught by all the great spiritual teachers, something found in A Course in Miracles, and something made alive by a contemporary teacher like Matt: Equality is a sacred gift. Treat all these things as equal. Don’t discriminate between the annoyance of standing in line at the supermarket and the joy of a sunset. Welcome each experience equally. Hooray! It’s all the same. Or “same same” as Julie says, in her story of a cross-cultural experience in trying to convey she wanted a dress made — same dress, different color. “Same same.” They’re equal.

Have a spiritual garage sale, Matt suggests, and unload the old efforts and practices that have not yielded what you’d hoped. They may have some use to someone else at a particular time, but they are no longer useful to you.

Matt is urging us in this transmission of his energy and teaching, to shift allegiances — to align with an interest in effortlessness, equality, openness, simplicity and — hooray for this one — happiness!

I’m in.

And my heart’s still vibrating from the clarity of the transmission. A visit to this Dhyana/Bhakti sacred space is an effortless hour of joy with Matt Julie. I only wish I was in Seattle for their in person satsangs!

Effortless Freedom: Julie Dittmar Matt Khan

Tags: Mary Ellen O’Brien, Matt Khan, Julie Dittmar, effortless, freedom, direct transmissions, Dhyana Yoga, divine truth, emotion

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Yogahub/~3/3MJuo_zLLwc/

With my latest venture into the world of yoga instructing, I’ve been doing some research on what it takes to become a yoga instructor. I’ve already written a post on the qualities that we all look for in a yoga teacher, which range from compassionate to caring to dedicated. Although we’ve all fallen prey to a bad instructor or two, this posts looks as the structure and necessary qualifications for yoga instructors and how one can go about getting qualified, in a business with increasing demand.

Yoga instructors are required to be certified as having 200 hours of education in order to instruct, although requirements can differ from province to province. The next step is to find an instructor that you trust to teach you the method of yoga you wish to instruct. Ask around and get advice from people you know who practice yoga on a regular basis or visit an ashram. Much like any business, there can be a lot of hacks out there. The cost to train as an instructor can range anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of dollars, so make sure you’re getting the most for your money. Yoga instructor training can be done over several straight days or over a series of evenings and weekends, so there is usually tons of selection for those who are already working.

If you choose not to work directly for a specific studio, you can choose to use your new-found training to run your own business of yoga instructor, taking up contracts teaching at different studios or even running your own. Running your own business has some side benefits, although it can be a headache all it’s own. On top of tax write offs that can benefit you at the end of the tax year, you can even write off a portion of your house bills, should you use some of your home for office space. However, Canadian tax law dictates that every receipt and expense be accounted for, so if bookkeeping isn’t your bag, then perhaps working for a studio is in your best interest, since being your own boss isn’t necessarily as easy as it seems. Trust me, I know.

All this being said, instructing isn’t for everyone. For those who are shy to be on display and tend to place their mat at the back of the room, perhaps this isn’t the career for you. Furthermore, most instructors don’t make a mint but rather, it seems to be more of a labour of love or a side job on top of other full time work. Being a yoga instructor can be demanding physically as much as it is emotionally and so instructors must be prepared to give all of themselves to each and every class, and sometimes, all you really want is a long nap.

More and more people are becoming qualified yoga instructors, since there seems to be a high demand for this kind of work. But before jumping into the business of bending, stop to ensure that this is the right path for you, your body and your mind.

Kelly

Article source: http://www.yogaflavoredlife.com/getting-started/how-to-become-a-yoga-instructor.html

After a soak in the Roman Bath and then 20 minutes in the sauna, I headed to the shower to cool off. A woman was exiting her shower stall at the same time I was walking into the shower area. Directly across from the shower stalls are mirrored cubbies. The woman exiting the stall practically walked right into me, as her eyes were locked on her reflection in the mirror opposite her. I’m not sure if she even realized I was there, her attention so focused on her reflection.

Then there’s the whole Sauna/Steam Room/Roman Bath scene…some women go in au naturel (that would be me) while others go in covered by a bathing suit or towel. Again, eye contact was severely limited because everyone seemed to be focused on everything below the neck. 

Hmmmm…what’s with the preoccupation with everyone’s body?

I know, I know — the media, airbrushing, etc. Still, I was a bit taken aback by the external focus. 

Which brings me to Yoga class. I know folks like to practice in front of mirrors for alignment purposes, but UCK — I hate practicing in a studio with mirrors. Again, it draws the attention to the external. Of course if there are no mirrors, there’s always the option to check out your fellow practitioners on their nearby mats for external stimulation. 

What are we looking for? Are we looking in judgment or comparison, or are we looking in love? Why are we looking?

I’ve been asking myself questions like these lately, as I’ve been evaluating how I spend my time. I realize that I live in 2012, but my focus is too external for my taste (and my emotional health). Yes, I gave up my TV about 5 months ago, but I find myself on the Internet a bit too much. I constantly remind myself — more sitting, less Web surfing. When my focus is too external, my internal goes a bit wonky. I’m slower to acknowledge (or even recognize) my feelings; I’m out of touch with my desires; I’m a bit more scattered; I’m a little less happy, as I end up spending less time on/with the things/people that I value. The more time I spend tapped into my internal world, the more attuned I am to myself and others.

I have a friend (actually I have a few friends like this, so consider this a combination of many people into one) who runs from one thing to another. This person’s life is a cycle of work, volunteer work, social obligations, and errands. A mutual friend of ours commented on this person’s seeming hamster wheel of a life and asked: “What makes her run? What’s she running from?” Emails and phone messages go unanswered as she runs from one thing to the next. I thought she was happy with her lifestyle, as she’s made certain choices in order to have it, yet one day her frustration boiled over and she exclaimed, “When do I get what I want to do? Hell, I don’t even know what I want!”

Perhaps she needs a little internal focus to balance our her extreme external focus?

Some years back when I was getting my Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy certification, I found myself flummoxed by my sessions with one particular practice partner. Every time we got together to do a session, he expressed excitment over how much he enjoyed the work we did together. And yet every time we did a session, he fell asleep. The first time it happened, I figured he was tired (ironically, he too, had a packed schedule). The second time it happened, I wrote it off to yet again to lack of sleep. By our third session, I brought it to my mentor. She responded to my query by saying that often people use sleep to avoid something. In this case, the yoga therapy sessions my partner and I were engaging in brought up a lot of emotional stuff for him. Perhaps he was sleeping in order to avoid what came up during a session?

It’s very similar to external focus — it’s a way for us to distract ourselves from what’s going on inside. In essence, we are sleeping because we are ignoring what’s inside and instead, focusing on the amusements outside. 

Monday’s skydiving experience was captured on film (for posterity and bragging rights, I suppose). Often people ham it up for the videographer — there are a lot of funny faces and hand gestures. I, on the other hand, was totally oblivious. I only looked at the camera only when it was literally in my face. I was too focused on the amazing experience of freefalling out of a plane, seeing the view, feeling the cold air against my skin, hearing the loud sound of falling out of the sky in my ears. My focus was totally locked into sensory mode and I was soaking in the whole experience, the videographer forgotten. I suppose you could say I was much like that woman in the spa — I was enraptured. Except I was enraptured by the experience, not by the static going on around me.

Try as I might, I don’t always live my life that way. I, too, get distracted by it all. Let’s face it, there’s a lot to be distracted by. And there are always those folks who pshaw the whole thing: “What, are you going to move to a cave and meditate all day? That’s not real life! And all of that contemplating your navel makes you a bit selfish, don’t you think?” Funny, I find that when I don’t do my so-called navel gazing, I’m a lot less in tune with the folks around me. I’m too distracted to notice subtle emotional cues and the like.

It sort of reminds me of sharing a tea/lunch/dinner and conversation with a friend who is more focused on what’s going on around her than on our interaction. It’s a bit disconcerting when you find someone’s attention wandering to his cell phone or his eyes darting back and forth taking in the social scene around us rather than our conversation. Being on the receiving end of this a time or two myself, I endeavor to be careful about where my focus is when I’m out with someone.

Where’s your focus? Are you focused “out there” because you want to avoid what’s inside or because you don’t know any better or because you’re simply sloppy?

They say happiness is an inside job. I’m inclined to agree. Of course if you never go inside…(you finish the rest)

Namaste!

Amazon.com Widgets

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/EverythingYoga/~3/W2IFa26Qwnc/mirror-mirror-on-the-wall.html

(This is not an example of One Tooth apparel)

I’ve written a few articles about yoga apparel, mostly because I’m a bit of a clothes horse and I’m always on the lookout for new yoga clothing, especially now that I work from home and stretchy pants take me from work to yoga, all in one fell swoop. So when I came across One Tooth Yoga clothing, I was more than excited. With the first store having opened up just a few blocks from my house, One Tooth quickly expanded across Canada in a very short period of time and now their are two stores within minutes from my house (dangerous, I know)!. With prices that are right and styles that are too cool for words, I just had to write a post about this awesome company.

The website details how One Tooth came to arrive at such a unique name. Apparently, folklore from the hometown of the founder of the company dictated that anyone who told a lie would lose a tooth, and since morals and values were extremely important to the owner, he decided on the name One Tooth in order to remind him of the original concept of the company. Today, it is obvious that these morals have been retained throughout the franchise, lending to the hometown Canadian feel that seems to get lost in larger conglomerates.

The company also maintains their Canadian roots, ensuring that all clothing is still made right in Canada, instead of farming out production to other countries where prices may be lower but quality tends to sag. And certainly, all of their products maintain true quality, style and great fabrics and colours, competing with some of the larger yoga apparel companies, with their supple fabrics and innovative design unique to One Tooth. Furthermore, the price tags won’t shock you and in fact, are a nice change from some other companies. I can assure you, upon trying on everything from coats to shorts, all of their items are well-made, comfortable and stylish. And for my fellow ladies with a bit of “somethin’ somethin’ in the front,” One Tooth offers a wide range of bra tops that can be worn all day for endless comfort and support. I’m officially in love with this company.

I encourage you to check out one of their shops, now found across Canada, and indulge in a little affordable luxury. You won’t regret a purchase from One Tooth and furthermore, you’ll be supporting the Canadian economy every step of the way.

Kelly

Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/YogaFlavoredLife/~3/hifoZyILrQg/one-tooth-yoga-apparel.html

fuzzcat

Yes, I know. It seems like everything is a potential killer nowadays.

But, this one is particularly disconcerting for many of us.

You see, for years we’ve been led to believe that as long as we follow a regular exercise program, our health should be okay.

At least, it should be much better than those who don’t follow a regular exercise program.

Makes sense, but it’s not telling the whole story.

The sobering news I’m bringing to you today, is that your basic exercise regimen may not be enough. Depressing, or what?

So, what’s the problem?

Well, according to recent research, sitting a lot is bad for our health. Much worse than what we’ve understood up to now.

It’s so bad, that even if you do meet the recommended amount of exercise each week, but are otherwise pretty sedentary, you’re still not doing enough to prevent disease caused by lack of activity.

Sedentary Lifestyles

Many of us have sedentary jobs, where we sit at desks all day long.

Then, we come home to more sedentary activities, such as eating and watching television. For the health conscious among us, there may be 30 minutes of activity thrown in somewhere, too.

So, for office workers who exercise, the day breaks down something like this…

You do 30 minutes of exercise, and sleep 8 hours at night. That leaves 15.5 hours in your day.

If you spend most of those remaining 15.5 hours in front of a computer screen, and a few more on the couch watching “Everybody Loves Raymond” reruns, this is where the problems comes in.

Because, when you add it all up, that’s a lot more sitting than standing or moving.

The Research

There have been a number of studies on the topic of inactive lifestyles in recent years.

1. Heart Disease Risk

One of those studies, which looked at men and their risk of dying from heart disease, calculated how much time they spent sitting in cars, at their desks, and in front of the television.

The researchers found those who sat most were more likely to die prematurely.

They found that men who reported more than 23 hours of sedentary activity per week had a 64 percent greater risk of dying from heart disease, compared to those who reported less than 11 hours a week of sedentary activity.

2. Improved Measurements

An earlier Australian study found that those who regularly broke up their sedentary time with movement, had healthier waist circumferences, body mass index, and triglyceride levels, than those who did not take breaks during long periods of sitting.

3. Activity Levels

A Finnish study demonstrated that exercise for fitness, regardless of its duration, does not decrease the overall time spent being inactive, during a normal day.

They concluded it is possible to make an improvement, however, with only slight modifications in daily activities.

4. Television Screen Time

Another study found that each hour spent in front of the television was associated with an 11 percent increased risk of death from all causes.

A 9 percent increased risk of death related to cancer.

And, a 18 percent increased risk of death related to cardiovascular disease.

While the study focused specifically on television watching, the findings suggest that any prolonged sedentary behavior, such as sitting at a desk, may pose a risk to your long-term health.

5. Mortality Risk

A further Australian study concluded that,

Prolonged sitting is a risk factor for all-cause mortality, independent of physical activity. Public health programs should focus on reducing sitting time in addition to increasing physical activity levels. (Source)

Why Is My Job Killing Me?

As yet, we’re not entirely certain why sitting is so bad for our health.

But, if you think about it, sitting is one of the most passive things you can do.

You actually burn more energy by fidgeting or chewing gum, than you do sitting still in a chair.

Major Muscle Group Inactivity

One reason for these ill effects, may be the inactivity of the larger muscle groups, when you sit for a prolonged period.

Our muscles make up a large part of the body, and are critical in regulating carbohydrate and fat metabolism, etc.

When those major muscle groups (e.g. the gluteus maximus) aren’t moving, metabolism slows down and you don’t use much energy.

The knock-on effect of this is the potential to gain weight easily, making you more prone to the health problems that fatness brings.

Reduce Sitting Time

The main message coming from these studies seems to be that we all need to reduce our sitting time throughout the day, even if we exercise regularly.

If your job requires a lot of sitting, that can be difficult.

But, it is important to emphasize that even slight modification in your “inactive time” can make you healthier.

How To Move More Everyday

If you spend most of your day shifting from one chair to another, what can you do to get more movement into your day?

1. Add Hourly Movement

If you are mostly desk-bound, you need to be adding a few minutes of movement each hour.

Even if you are simply standing up to stretch, take a short walk to the printer, or even make a cup of tea, it’s better than nothing.

This also includes things like parking further away than you need to, using the stairs rather than the elevator, and walking over to a colleagues desk, instead of emailing or calling them.

While this may not sound like much, an Australian study found that 1 minute mini-breaks throughout the day, can actually make a difference.

Don’t worry if your colleagues laugh at your efforts — why not share this article, and help spread the health benefits with them, too

2. Walk At Lunchtime

This is particularly important if you tend to eat lunch at your desk.

Try making a date with yourself to get up and go out for lunch each day.

If you take lunch with you (and I encourage you to do that!), then take it to a local park to eat, rather than sitting inside.

You will feel so much better for it, both physically and mentally.

3. Use A Standing Desk

Rumsfeld Modern Desk

When the standing desk first came out, I thought it was a crazy idea.

But, after reviewing the evidence, I can really see the benefits.

Think about it, compared to sitting, standing in one place is hard work.

To stand, you have to tense your leg muscles, and use the muscles of your back and shoulders. You often shift from one leg to the other. And, all of this burns energy.

John Knox, creator of Rumsfeld Modern Standing Desk, says it can be hard to stand all day long, so you need work up to it.

He recommends moving your computer to a standing desk, and then back again, as an ideal place to begin.

Check out Leo’s standing experiment, where he lost 3 pounds, despite exercising less than usual, and making no changes to his diet.

Stability Ball

Another idea is to replace your desk chair with a stability ball.

The benefit of sitting on an exercise ball, is that it will strengthen your core muscles, while also improving balance and flexibility.

Rocking Chair

Or, try a rocking chair to sit on at home.

Rocking involves a continuous gentle flexing of the muscles, which expends more energy than sitting still.

For tips on how to be more active, check out my readers best advice in the linked article.

How To Put This Into Practice

I think it’s very easy to get ingrossed in your work and forget the time.

Before you know it, a couple of hours have passed, and the only movement you’ve made is to flex your fingers across the keypad as you type.

So, I recommend using an online timer.

Set the timer to go off once each hour to remind you to get up for a short break.

Try standing and moving more often over the next couple of days, and then let me know how you get on by leaving a comment below.

How do you make sure you keep yourself moving throughout the day?

Note: If you enjoyed this article, sharing it (on Facebook, etc) is a great way to say ‘thank you’.

Article source: http://www.dietriffic.com/2012/05/08/is-my-job-killing-me/