|
The Inner Voice
A weekly newsletter from Debbie Jensen-Grubb, RYT500
August 19, 2013 - Issue 45
|
|
|
|
Quick Links
| |
This weeks reading can be seen here at The Daily OM.
**********************************************
To access past issues click here:
**********************************************
*********************************************** |
| The Daily Yoga Poses Poster | |
FREE Download as a Thank you for receiving my newsletter! Right click on the image
and save a copy to your files. Now open the file and print.
|
|
|
|
|
When I first saw the sign above it's message took my breath away. Wow!
It says it all in the most simplest of ways. In being a part of the human race we can all be a little kinder in our actions, words, and thoughts, can't we?
Often you will hear someone say "I am only human" or "That's human nature", usually using it in a negative connotation. Our nature, what it means to be one of us, a human being, is riddled with cultural, religious and social programming.
So what does being human mean to you? I can only give my own answer to this question. What it means to me is to be considerate of all persons, other species, and this planet that we all share.
Take your time and meditate on this question, it requires much contemplation for the answer will be different for each one of us. I don't think anyone has a complete and definite answer, there are so many ramifications regarding us convoluted humans. It's amazing how we are all built the same and basically look alike, yet we differ in so many ways.
There are times when it seems we are focused more on destruction than creation, separation rather than integration, and are selfish in our actions.
We have the power to do better and we can do so by extending ourselves, our love, and our energy out to each other, out to our world. To be the 'human' part of 'humankind' and to realize that the more we can help each other and our planet the more we help ourselves.
We are each a part of this whole cosmos, and how we create the world we live in now will make us the kind of people we are. The question then becomes 'Will we be proud of what we have become?".
|
| Joke of the Week - hee hee | |
Once upon a time there lived an elderly millionaire who had four nephews. Desiring to make one of them his heir, he tested their cleverness by giving each a one-hundred-dollar bill with the request that they hide the bills for a year. Any of them who should succeed in finding the hidden bill at the end of the year would share in the inheritance.
The year being over,
the four nephews brought their reports:
The first, deeply chagrined, told how he had put his bill in the strongest and surest safety deposit vaults, but, alas, clever thieves had broken in and stolen it.
The second had put his bill in charge of a tried and true friend. But the friend had proved untrustworthy and had spent the money.
The third had hidden his bill in a crevice in the floor of his room, but a mouse had nibbled it to bits to build her nest.
The fourth nephew calmly produced his hundred-dollar bill, as crisp and fresh as when it had been given him.
"And where did you hide it?" asked his uncle.
"Knowing human nature, I stuck it in a hotel Bible."
|
| Mantra | |
A mantra is a sound or phrase that aids in the concentration of meditation. It is a Sanskrit term and literally means 'instrument of thought'. Here you will find a suggested mantra to use during the week (from Louise Hay's 'Heal Your Body'). Just repeat it whenever you need a lift.
I am beyond group beliefs or the calendar. I am free from all congestion and influence. |
|
|
|
|
Utthita in Yoga = Extension
|
 In many of the yoga poses Sanskrit names you will see the prefix 'Utthita' (oo-TEE-tah) which means extended. When you add this to the English translations you can see how important it is in the action of the pose.
For instance we often think of Trikonasana, or Triangle Pose, as just a one-word-pose and dropping the first word of the pose: 'Utthita'. This focuses us on creating the triangles and trying to reach down as far as we can to do so, even if our bodies are not ready for this action. If we instead consider the whole name of the pose, Utthita Trikonasana, you can see that it brings the focus on the extension of the pose. Perhaps that is why they made it the first word and not the second (Extended Triangle Pose, not Triangle Pose Extended).
There are many such examples in the names of yoga poses...Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended Side Angle Pose), Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana (Extended Hand-to-Foot Pose), Utthita Urdhva Hastasana (Extended Upward Hands Pose). All of these emphasize extending, reaching out from the core to elongate the spine, arms, and legs.
You can also relate this to life; by extending ourselves we reach out to others and open ourselves up to receive, as we give. When we give from our heart center we are grounded and strong in ourselves and connect with the world around us. Bringing this analogy into our poses allows us to feel the zest and energy that the pose brings to your mind, body, and Spirit.
|
|
|
Nutrition Prescription - Emu Oil
|
 What in the world is Emu Oil? Well, an Emu is a large bird found in Australia, it looks much like an ostrich. For thousands of years the Aborigines have used the fat of this bird to aid in many different types of health conditions. Beginning in the 1990's farming of the Emu began and now many are doing so in America as well.
This luxuriant oil is famous for its skin benefits and can heal anything from psoriasis to shingles to stretch marks and anything in between! Check out this YouTube video that explains more about emu oil benefits:
It is also known to help with pain relief. According to Wikipedia studies have shown that it helps with arthritic and joint pain better than olive or fish oils due to it's natural anti-inflammatory omega 3, 6, and 9 properties. It also helps with gout, carpel tunnel, bruises, canker sores, and many more. Massage therapists can use it for their clients as a nice treatment for their skin during a massage. Using it on pets will help to reduce irritation from flea bites and joint pain. As a dietary supplement it is taken to reduce cholesterol, treat allergies, and flu symptoms.
A wonderful bit of news is that there are no known side effects with this beneficial oil, according to WebMD! Just be sure to get bonafide, true emu oil from a reputable company. Here are some steps to take to be sure you are receiving a good quality oil:
1. Ask for Certificate of Analysis that is batch specific.
2. Check out the company's reputation.
3. Find out what type of guarantee is offered.
The emu oil has many benefits. It can be used for many healing therapies. Extend yourself and try it out, you just might find relief from whatever ails you from this little known and unusual product!
|
|
Ponderings - Humankind
|
 To be human and to be kind requires one thing only: love. Love for ourselves, love for each other, love for this planet that we live on and share with many other living things.
They have just discovered that trees talk to each other via their root system, warning other trees of diseases or pests so that they can build an immunity to the perpetrator.
We live in an amazing world. Perhaps we need to begin to change our perception of it and realize that we are just one type of society the lives here. Begin to see the animals, plants, water, fire, rocks, earth, molecules as co-habitants with their own civilizations and order. We are just one of many, a part of an energy that flows through everything.
I believe that we were put here to help take care of this planet for the good of all. At some point we lost our way and became selfish, and the world suffers for it. This world includes death and destruction for anything to survive on it. It is just the way of nature, but I also believe that human nature is one of love to help elevate the planet to be the best that it can be. To take only what we need from it and give back so much more than we take.
In the perfect world everyone would be loved and cared for and there would not be any pain or anger that moves us away from our true nature. We would work together in harmony to build the most beautiful of worlds. We have a long way to go to achieve this utopia and who knows if we will ever make it there, but if each one of us tries just a little each day perhaps one day we will turn things around and truly be humankind.
|
 |
|
As George Carlin said: "The planet isn't going anywhere. WE are!" If we can get down off of the pedestal that we have put ourselves on and humbly serve the planet, fellow entities, and ourselves with love and kindness there just might be a chance for all of us. It takes each one of us to try our best just a little bit each day to extend ourselves towards what is honorable. Who knows? Our descendants might then be able to look back one day with respect that they are a part of humanity.
Thank you!
Hugs and Namaste,
|
|
| Article Headline |
Please join me in my next workshop...
Yoga Nidra
September 8, 2013
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
|
|
|
