| 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! | |
No classes from Monday, July 19 to Friday the 23rd
I will be holding my regular Beginner's Class on Saturday morning July 24 from 9 to 10:15. Because of vacation & travel schedules, I do have two spots open this Saturday if you want to make up a class or just try it out. Shoot me an e-mail at sarah@redeemingyoga.com if you'd like to attend. |
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Spiritual Formation |
Yoga Sutra I.41 Just as the pure crystal takes color from the object which is nearest to it, so the mind, when it is cleared of thoughtwaves, achieves sameness or identity with the object of its concentration.
When I hear the word "crystal" in a spiritual context, my mind jumps immediately to Teresa of Avila. In a blinding vision she experienced on Trinity Sunday in the year 1577, she saw a crystal orb and inside it a castle containing many rooms, the crystal being a metaphor for the soul. This became the basis of her most famous book, Interior Castle. She describes the soul's journey to the center of this castle, which represents union with God, by going through the outer rooms of Humility, Prayer, Meditation, Quiet, Illumination, and Dark Night. In this sutra, the "object of concentration" is God.
(from BibleGateway.com)
Key Bible passage: 2 Corinthians 7:1
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
The crystal is the ultimate metaphor for human purity and perfection. When you mention the word "perfect" in a Christian context, most likely you'll be subject to criticism: "Only Christ is perfect. Man can never hope to be." John Wesley took it in the chin often for urging people to make progress toward "Christian perfection." Yet Christ himself calls us to perfection in Matthew 5:48: "Be ye perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect." As the sutra teaches today, meditating on the perfection of God helps us purify our mind.
Reflecting on the key passage for today, what might be contaminating your body or mind that keeps you from living in the light? "Out of reverence for God," what can you do to work toward perfecting holiness in your own life? |
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| Surprising Sources of Heartburn | |
Heartburn, that smoldering feeling in the lower chest, affects 40% of Americans at least one day a month, according to the American College of Gastroenterology. This painful problem, though serious, has nothing to do with heart health. It occurs when excess stomach acid escapes into the upper esophagus. Most people assume that spicy or exotic foods cause heartburn, yet there are many other causes.
Researchers are becoming alarmed at the escalating use of heartburn medications, both over-the-counter and prescription. Drugs known as "proton pump inhibitors" such as Prevacid and Nexium are among the most commonly prescribed drugs in the U.S. In 2009, they were the third-largest class of drug in the country with $13.6 billion in sales, representing more than 110 million prescriptions, according to IMS Health, a health-care market research firm. "These medications definitely have benefits for a vast number of patients, but they also carry some really meaningful risks of diseases that can be catastrophic," says Dr. Michael Howell, director of critical-care quality at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. "Every doctor should look at every patient and give them the lowest level of gastric acid suppression that they think is safe. For many patients, that would be none."
Below are some often overlooked causes of heartburn. If you suffer from heartburn, before you turn to a prescription drug, look into curbing some of these surprising sources of heartburn:
- With all the news this week of drinking on the rise in America, it's no surprise that heartburn is on the rise as well. Alcohol consumption produces more stomach acid plus also relaxes the esophageal sphincter, allowing gasses to escape causing heartburn symptoms.
- Smoking can weaken the valve between the stomach and esophagus, thus triggering heartburn.
- Many over-the-counter pills and supplements are known heartburn triggers. The most notorious culprits are ibuprofen and naproxen (Aleve). My oft-recommended supplement fish oil has also been known to cause heartburn. Many other prescription drugs, especially those used to treat asthma, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis can make heartburn worse. If you suffer from heartburn, ask your pharmacist or doctor about possible drug side effects that may be triggering heartburn.
- The more overweight you are, the more likely you'll suffer from heartburn, according to a study published in the 2003 Journal of the American Medical Association.
- Stress can exacerbate heartburn, but not in the way you might think. In an interesting study in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research, stress did not cause an increase in stomach acid, but it did increase a person's awareness of symptoms. In the study, stress seemed to cause a heightened sense of discomfort.
- Blame your parents! An estimated 30-45% of sufferers inherited the heartburn gene from parents. Yet you can reduce or eliminate heartburn symptoms by lifestyle modifications suggested above.
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Marichi's Twist | |
Exercise is a commonly prescribed and natural prescription for heartburn sufferers, and I believe the wonderful abdominal twists found in yoga help relieve symptoms. To enter this pose, hook opposite elbow to knee. Push with the elbow and pull with the rear hand to achieve a 90-degree angle with your torso.
Unfortunately, Yoga Journal now only has instructions for the more advanced Marichi's Pose III in the bound position, beyond the ability of beginners and many intermediates so I will not direct you to their site for instructions.
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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