yoga mission

DEMYSTIFYING YOGA

As I to try express myself and to share with you all that resides in my being, I realize the gross limitations of man-made languages, of incompetent vocabulary and the petty nuances of written communication that need to be considered…but then I questioned myself, why is it that I want to share all this with you? The unequivocal response received was: Because I love you, I care for your well being and most importantly, because it is our "birth right to evolve". At a materialistic level, I understand this may be difficult for some to comprehend but regardless, I make my intention known. During my early years as a voluntary social worker, I spent a lot of time in morgues and Anatomy dissection labs surrounded by cadavers and their body parts laid out on demo tables and preserved in formaldehyde septic tanks. I must admit; I enjoyed being with cadavers because it is in their morbid company that I first began to appreciate the dynamic interaction of finer forces inside and outside our mortal coils. It is these "subtle interactions" that bridge the divide between life and death and when understood, give clearer meaning to the chemistry of life. The techniques and practice of Yoga are all about being able to decipher this code of ongoing interactions, which in turn enables you to see through the clutter of hypocrisy and confusion so that the veil of delusion can be pierced with the arrow of your loving conscious objective discrimination.

WHO IS A YOGI?

One whose body is vigorous, mind clear, spirit exalted, blood pure, nerves disciplined, physique resistant to disease and when one has made their physical frame an instrument worthy of Divine service - that is the beginning of attempting to become a Yogi.

When one serves his creator and fellow souls unconditionally, performs all tasks joyfully, when one is humble in success and cheerful in adversity, when one is indifferent to praise or offence and when one bows down in gratitude for the difficulties and obstacles one encounters - that represents the progress of a Yogi.

One who is master of his thought and ruler of emotion, when amid all vicissitudes one’s calm enjoyment of inward peace is complete, when every detail of existence evokes wonder and awe in one’s consciousness, when one feel each moment of life to be a miracle, when one merges the infinitesimal soul in the ocean of infinite silence and when one truly loves all living things as part of oneself - that is when, one becomes a Yogi.

ATTITUDE

The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.

Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.

It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a business or a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.

Urdhva Dhanurasana

(Upward Bow)

Easy Half Spinal Twist

PRAYER OF SAINT FRANCIS

Make us worthy Lord to serve our fellow men throughout the world, who live and die in poverty and hunger.

Give them through our hands, their daily bread and by our understanding – love, peace and joy.

Lord, make me a channel of thy peace.

GRATITUDE

Thank you my creator for each new day you give to me;

For earth and sky and sand and sea;

For rainbows after spring time showers;

Autumn leaves and summer flowers;

Winter snowscapes so serene;

Harvest fields of gold and green;

Beauty shinning all round;

Lilac scent and Robin sound;

Stars that twinkle high above;

And all the people I love !

Urdhva Mukha Svanasana

(Upward Facing Dog)

Urdhva Dhanurasana (Upward Bow)

HAPPINESS FORMULAE

DO NOT BE ATTACHED TO PEOPLE AND THE RESULTS THEY ARE EXPECTED TO DELIVER.

MAKING PEOPLE AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES A PART OF YOUR CONSCIOUSNESS - IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF ALL MISERY

NO DEPENDENCE = NO DISAPPOINTMENTS

MYSELF

I have to live with myself, and so,

I want to be fit for myself to know;

I want to be able as days go by,

Always to look myself straight in the eye;

I don't want to stand with the setting sun

And hate myself for the things I've done.

Halasana (Plough)

THINK

If you think you are beaten, you are.

If you think you dare not, you won't.

If you think you are outclassed, you are.

If you like to win but you think you cant,

Its almost certain you won't.

You've got to think high to rise.

You've got to be sure of yourself before you can ever win a prize.

Life's battles are not always won by the stronger or faster man.

But sooner or later the man who wins, is the man who thinks he can!

FROM HEALTH TO SUPER CONSCIOUSNESS

The person performing yogic practice must have the aim to achieve health and super-consciousness. Healthiness is the first and most encouraging step, in the path of development of consciousness. If you do not achieve health while performing yogic practice, remember then, that you have been missing something or not doing practice through proper way.