| Yoga Study Books | |
In February, we began our study of the original yoga knowledge, and building a bridge to our JudeoChristian traditions. The 196 yoga sutras, or little lessons, were compiled some 500-800 years before Christ. You can find many translations and interpretations on the Internet for free if you'd like to follow along. Sanskrit is hard to translate into English. However, I enjoy these two translations as the commentators often set the lessons in a Christian context. Here are my picks for the best two:
How to Know God: The Yoga Aphorisms of Patanjali
by Swami Prabhavananda by Vedanta Press & Bookshop
Paperback 
List Price: $10.95
Our Price:
New and used from $7.55 Buy Now
Below is a brand new translation/commentary--the one above was written in the 1930s I believe. The cover is a bit scary for Westerners, but the commentary makes the sutras, well--rather enlightening!
The Wisdom of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras: A New Translation and Guide by Ravi Ravindra
by Ravi Ravindra by Morning Light Press
Hardcover
List Price: $14.95
Our Price: $11.21 Buy Now |
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| Announcements | |
Your yoga coach will be taking a day off on July 5.
Welcome to new yoga students in my beginner studio class: Mother/daughter team of Cecilia and Celina, and also Rocio.
If you know someone who might benefit from the information in this column, please forward using this link:
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Spiritual Formation |
Yoga Sutra I.36 Concentration may also be attained by fixing the mind upon the Inner Light, which is beyond sorrow.
The scripture below is such a beautiful companion to our sutra for the day that I feel no need to embellish.
Bible Study: Isaiah 60 (from BibleGateway.com)
Key Bible passage: Isaiah 60: 19-20
19 The sun will no more be your light by day,
nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you,
for the LORD will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.
20 Your sun will never set again,
and your moon will wane no more;
the Lord will be your everlasting light,
and your days of sorrow will end.
There are people on this earth who are perfect embodiments of this scripture. They have read and believed, and you can sense this Inner Light shining when they walk into a room.
TODAY'S CONTEMPLATION
This entire chapter of Isaiah is a paean to the joy and power of living in this light:
1 Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
2 See, darkness covers the earth
and thick darkness is over the peoples,
but the LORD rises upon you
and his glory appears over you.
And it ends with this startling prophecy:
22 The least of you will become a thousand,
the smallest a mighty nation.
I am the LORD;
in its time I will do this swiftly.
Do you sense this light in others? Do other people see the light of God in your presence? After reading this chapter, take a few minutes to visualize the light of God dwelling in your heart. See if this radiance doesn't stick with you through your tough challenges today. |
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| Cheaters Never Win--Now There's Proof! | |
In a study I found terribly interesting recently published in the Association for Psychological Science Journal, results seem to indicate that practicing unethical behavior can cloud our judgment and lead to more extensive unethical decision-making.
Here's the setup: young women participated in a study where half wore expensive Chloe designer sunglasses ($300) and half knowingly wore cheap knockoffs. All were asked to sit and take a simple math test, ostensibly to test the comfort of these glasses under normal conditions. Then, they self-scored their tests. Those wearing the fakes were more than twice as likely to cheat and over-report their test grades. In another test with the same group, the "fakers" were much more likely to judge others as unethical. And, when asked to report on themselves, the fakers reported more self-esteem problems.
This is odd, especially since the common wisdom is that people buy knock-offs of expensive goods because they believe it will raise their esteem both with others and themselves. Yet when it comes to the evidence for these "fakers" under testing conditions, just the opposite is true. The women in this study felt better about themselves when they believed they were "authentic" and were obviously emotionally disrupted when doing something--even something small in this case--that was a tad unethical.
The test has so many interesting ramifications with human behavior. If you'd like to see the complete report, click here. Warning: it's pretty sciencey. I was quite impressed with how the researchers controlled for other factors in how they designed their tests. It's hard to stuff a summary of their report into a few paragraphs, and I hope I've represented it fairly.
Bottom line: looking at the other side of the coin, a broad interpretation of the results above may seem to indicate that practicing integrity is self-rewarding. |
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Table Balance | |
This simple balance pose is usually the beginner pose to introduce the concept of developing good body balance and awareness. Because it strengthens the lower back, it's beneficial for newbies and experienced yogis alike. When I was at physical therapy yesterday for my shoulder, I noticed two patients there in this pose. The therapists explained this is one of the most important exercises they do to help people with lower back problems get back in the game. They didn't realize it has been one of the classic yoga poses for centuries.
Practice balancing and breathing and focus deeply on steadying your limbs. I believe it helps to mentally think about pushing down with the hand & foot that are on the floor. For more of a challenge, move with your breathing and change up the foot/hand on the exhale. Or, try the Cross the Table move I featured a few months ago, where you balance in Table and reach with the right hand to grab the right foot and lift both as high as you can in balance. Then, right hand to left foot. Change sides. This is student Joyce Chaffin below.
If you'd like a more structured way to practice yoga, try the new Redeeming Yoga Workbook and Journal, now available for sale on-line. It contains an 8-week program of meditations, health tips, Bible study, plus room for journaling. Click here to order now! |
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Thank you so much for spending time here today. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to E-mail me at sarah@redeemingyoga.com. I'm obligated to say that none of the information contained in this E-letter should be construed as medical advice. Before you modify your diet or fitness regimen, please check with your doctor.
Sincerely,
Sarah Riehm
Redeeming Yoga |
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