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Purna Yoga teaches the mind, the body and the emotions how to be at home with the spirit. |
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| Dear Students and Friends,
We trust you are having a peaceful, warm summer. Summer is the ideal time to get your Purna Yoga practice going strongly so that the effects last all through the winter!
See you in class.
In the Joy of Light,
Aadil and Mirra |
| Asana |
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The Many Miracles of Sarvangasana
Last month I shared the "miracle" of inversions. I would like to add some of the unique and perhaps unknown benefits to the body when you do Sarvangasana -- one of my favorite poses. In Sarvangasana, the head is bowed toward the Heart Center in an act of surrender. Parts of the brain also surrender. When the back of the head is placed on the floor, the base of the head (the occiput) is in traction. This has the subtle effect of compressing one of the four fluid-filled sinuses in the brain. In addition, the neurological firing of the "reptilian" part of the brain diminishes. The reptilian brain controls the sensory-motor skills, and is the oldest, most survival-based aspect of the brain. Once the pose is released, there is a flood of fresh cranial fluid circulating in the body, removing metabolic waste and delivering oxygen and glucose to the brain. This stimulation to the brain in Sarvangasana causes the mind to link more closely with the Heart Center. The head is no longer on "top" and can glimpse the source from which it was created. In Sarvangasana, the calming and the nurturing you feel helps you to connect with the feeling of Grace -- a miracle you should avail yourself of every day!
Aadil |
| Meditation |
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The Logic of the Heart
When I was growing up, I kept hearing how illogical some of my decisions were, because they were not based on empirical evidence that could be seen or heard. As I went deeper into meditation, I asked what does "logic" really mean. The answer I received was, "logic is the gathering of information on which to base a decision." Based on this definition, the mind, which gathers information from its five senses, cannot give a proper, truthful, logical answer. The heart, which relies on all six senses, is therefore more truthful and reliable for an answer because it sees and feels the bigger story. The information you receive from the Heart Center comes from your higher intuition, your Soul, and The Divine. So remember, when you are asked to be logical, you are being asked to go straight to your heart. Your heart automatically gathers the data from all six senses and will help you to see and feel the bigger picture. the future.
Mirra |
| Philosophy |
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| How to Use Philosophy
Philosophy - by itself - is a waste of time. Knowledge does not mean anything; it is useless until it is applied in our lives. We must use what we know in our lives for it to be of any benefit. Purna Yoga is an ongoing attempt to embody the philosophy of Sri Aurobindo which teaches us how to transform this human life into a Divine life. In this type of yoga, the body is refined and tuned so that we can become aware of how our lifestyle affects our mind, emotions, and physical health. We see where we are open to the flow of The Divine and where we are blocking it. Then we can use the tools of Purna Yoga asana, meditation, nutrition, and philosophy to heal and grow and become our True Divine Selves. |
| Nutrition |
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Inflammation
As we age we become prone to such diseases as atherosclerosis, cancer, diabetes, congestive heart failure, arthritis, and Alzheimer's. Researchers are confirming that chronic inflammation is one of the leading causes for these degenerative diseases. Inflammation happens because our immune systems are taxed; we are undernourished and over stressed. We are inundated with toxins and chemicals from our environment, parasites, bacteria and viruses, and often do not get the rest we need. Our immune systems become over active, releasing chemicals that signal that we need to fight a pathogen and cells need to be destroyed. A cascade of chemical signals starts, which is never shut off. The good news is that nutrition plays a major role in our health. By adding healthy foods such as Sunrider's Nuplus and Fortune Delight beverage, drinking the cilantro and turmeric drinks, as well as consuming fish oil on a daily basis you can significantly reduce your risk of inflammation.
To find out more about inflammation go to Life Extension's website
Join us for a talk about how to prevent inflammation at Yoga Centers on July 18, 2009 at 6:45pm. |
| Feeling is the Essence |
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| An Excerpt from Fire of Love
How can "twisting to the left" in yoga class help us make things right in the world? How can pressing your right shoulder blade down into your mat lift up this troubled world? In other words, is there a way that our yoga practice can reach beyond our mat, out into the world? It all begins with feeling.
Feeling is the essence of life. Without feeling, we are not quite human. The real value of our asana practice is that, as we do pose after pose with awareness, we are inviting more sensitivity into our bodies and our lives. We are learning to tune in and feel. So we not only feel better, but we feel better.
When we are intensely sensitive, we taste the unique flavor of each moment. This makes our lives so much richer and more enjoyable. The more sensitive and aware we are, the more we instinctively know what to do, and make correct decisions that avert future pain and regret. We clearly feel what moves us toward our dharma, and what takes us away from it. Sensitivity simultaneously makes us more intensely focused and more expansively peaceful, and we are able to elegantly handle life's endless dilemmas without feeling overwhelmed or fearful. Yoga compels us always to become more conscious, more aware of ourselves - our bodies, minds, feelings, our very nature. When we are feeling fully, we are finally living in the Now.
-by Aadil Palkhivala
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| Movie Recommendation |
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| Meet Dave
Staring Eddie Murphy, this comedy reinforces the idea  that we are not our bodies. It gives us the opportunity to see how our bodies can express themselves differently each day based on who is in charge that day! It reminds us to observe which part of ourselves is running the body, the head or the heart. After all, it's not how we look on the outside, but what's going on inside that matters! |
| News From Yoga Centers |
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| Learn How to Use Philosophy with Aadil,
July 31-August 3
At the end of this month, Aadil is teaching a special intensive workshop exploring just how to use yoga philosophy, poetry, and chanting. Poetry, chants, and philosophy are used as tools to facilitate transformation, not to escape from reality. This will be a philosophy class like no other, since, as Aadil says, "It is not about knowing, it is about being." The beauty and power of poetry, yogic philosophy, mantra, and chants will create the container for this luxurious workshop for intermediate students of asana and Purna Yoga. Aadil will use words  and sound to open the heart, awaken "the slumbering mind," soothe the nervous system, and guide you to release limitations you have held in your body, mind, and heart. Welcome "the sudden bliss" of a "mightier Presence" into your body, your mind, and your spirit. For more information, please visit the Yoga Centers Workshop Page |
| Healthy Foods Kids Love! |
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Are you looking for healthy, easy-to-prepare meals that  the whole family can enjoy? Tonya Henning, one of our students in the 500 hour teacher training program at Yoga Centers, shared the following with us about her experience with Eastern Essence: "I think Eastern Essence is fantastic! It's difficult to find quick yet healthy meals that everyone will eat. Eastern Essence is quick and easy, and all three of my preschoolers love it--even my picky eater! And we don't have to worry about our food allergies! Can't tell you how awesome this has been for us!"
Bon appétit! Thank you!!! Aurora Director of Sales and Marketing Eastern Essence 2255 140th Ave. NE, Ste. F Bellevue, WA 98005 425.836.5299 aurora@easternessence.com | |
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