Yoga and Mantra Meditation
...mes of God have a purifying effect on the consciousness. The body is seen as a temporary, material container, housing the spirit soul (one's true essence) and surrounded by a subtle material body, or the mind. The regular hearing and chanting of mantras is seen to help clear away the confusion and misery caused by identifying oneself with one's body and mind.
This false bodily identification is seen as the root of all pain and bewilderment. Imagine the spirit soul as a brilliant, shining gemstone but one cannot perceive this because it is covered by dirt and dust. Mantras serve as a sort of transcendental polishing cloth, slowly taking away the dust so that the yogi can begin to experience the true essence of the self - eternal, full of knowledge and bliss!
Mantra meditation is therefore an important aspect of the process of self-realization. This is the ultimate goal of yoga: the realization that we are spirit in essence, part and parcel of the Supreme spirit. The more we progress on the path of yoga, the more peaceful, blissful and loving we become. This is spiritual life.more
The Many Faces of Yoga
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Yoga Clothes for Comfort, Functionality - and Let's Not Leave Out Fun!
... work well for you and make you feel good about yourself and your practice.
Yoga pants
There are many types of yoga pants. Some are long and go down to your ankles; others stop just below your knees. Often they are relatively form fitting. These types of pants have the benefit of allowing your instructor to see your alignment so she can make any necessary adjustments to your form.
If you arent comfortable in pants that are so revealing, you might enjoy wearing loose, cotton trousers. They offer freedom of movement without being too tight.
Whatever pants you choose, make sure that you can bend and move freely in them. Also be sure that there are no bulky ties at the waist that might be uncomfortable when you are lying in a prone position.
Yoga Shorts
Yoga shorts are a very good choice if you practice Bikram or hot yoga, because the room is heated to such a high temperature. They are a good bet in the warm summer months when long pants might be too warm. They also help you more easily check the proper alignment of your lower body because you can see your knees and ankles.
The yoga s...more
What Yoga Teaching Level Do You Start From and How Do You Progress to the Next Level?
...training to become a yoga teacher is exciting. People who become yoga teachers are generally those who have been practicing yoga for several years and have a basic understanding of the different aspects of yoga. Once you have completed your training, you may wonder what opportunities are available for you to begin teaching others the fine art of yoga.
A lot of this depends on your level of certification, if you have achieved certification, and what your personal goals are for teaching yoga. For instance, do you want to teach at a facility in your area? Are you willing to travel to find a teaching position? Or do you prefer to open your own facility and take ownership?
Certification Matters
When applying for a position as a yoga teacher at a facility such as a yoga studio, health club, college or retirement h...more
