<![CDATA[Yoga Creations of Cape Cod - Blog]]>Tue, 22 May 2012 00:13:03 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[ What is Monkey Mind?]]>Thu, 26 Apr 2012 12:26:38 -0800http://www.yogacreations.com/1/post/2012/04/-what-is-monkey-mind.html
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What is Monkey Mind?
In the context of yoga or meditation, Monkey Mind refers to the mind jumping from thought to thought, as a monkey jumps from tree to tree.

Despite its negative connotations, Monkey Mind has an important purpose. It exists to process information necessary for both survival and problem solving. Monkey Mind is activated when there is more information than the mind can process.

Can the Monkey Mind be tamed?
The good news is that learning meditation techniques can help to tame the Monkey Mind! Meditation is a practice that develops focus by relaxing the body and mind. If your mind jumps from place to place when meditating, don't be critical of yourself. Critical thoughts and words are counterproductive. Even if your mind wanders, you'll still feel the effects of meditation. It takes time and patience, but with consistency, staying focused will become easier and easier. Over time, you'll be rewarded with an increased sense of inner peace.

Are there rules in meditation?
No, but there are some guidelines that may increase the benefits of your practice. For example, your body should be aligned in a way that allows you to maintain focus. How that appears is different for every individual. It is recommend that you find a comfortable space where you can relax. Quiet places are best for beginners. Next, sit in a chair or on a cushion and maintain an upright position that keeps your spine straight.

Try using a mantra (an inspirational word or phrase) in coordination with your breathing patterns. Attending to your inhales and exhales allows your breathing to naturally slow down.

Consider using the mantra “I am peaceful" to complete this two-step process:

1. While inhaling, say to yourself "I am" 
2. While exhaling, say to yourself "peaceful"

What if my mind wanders?
You might find your thoughts wandering or shifting or your body may get the urge to fidget. When this happens (which it will), simply return to your mantra. The trick is to learn to observe the thoughts without engaging in them. A relevant analogy is to see the mind as the sky and the thoughts like clouds passing through.

Returning your attention again and again to the breath will always help you detach from the thoughts and return to the present moment. Using the mantra “I am peaceful” and breathing act as anchors to draw you back to the present moment. So get comfortable, breathe, repeat your mantra and when you're done, treat yourself to a banana:)
Namaste.

]]><![CDATA[Chase away sadness ]]>Sun, 01 Apr 2012 15:51:29 -0800http://www.yogacreations.com/1/post/2012/04/chase-away-sadness.htmlA mudra is a yogic hand posture. Try Tse mudra or Three Secrets mudra to chase away sadness and assist in coming to terms with loss.
-Sit in a comfortable position and place hands on your thighs, palms up.
-Cross the tips of your thumbs over your palms to touch the roots of your little fingers (where the finger meets the hand).
-Inhaling, wrap all four fingers over your thumbs on both hands making closed fists.
-Pause at the top of the inhale and "hear" the sound of OM.
-Exhaling, unravel fingers and draw your navel toward spine.
-"See" fears, stress releasing with the exhale.
-Repeat 6 more times for a total of 7.
-Gently stretch your body. ]]><![CDATA[Live your way into the answer]]>Wed, 28 Mar 2012 15:18:08 -0800http://www.yogacreations.com/1/post/2012/03/live-your-way-into-the-answer.htmlHave patience with everything unresolved in your heart
And try to love the questions themselves...
Don't search for the answers,
Which could not be given to you now,
because you would not be able to live them.
and the point is, to live everything...
Live the questions now.
Perhaps then, someday far in the future,
You will gradually , without even noticing it,
Live your way into the answer. ]]><![CDATA[Spring things...how do YOU welcome spring?]]>Fri, 23 Mar 2012 08:09:44 -0800http://www.yogacreations.com/1/post/2012/03/spring-thingshow-do-you-welcome-spring.htmlConsider what your spring rituals are - perhaps you clean the flower beds, jump in the ocean, organize your home. Take a moment today to reflect on those things or actions that symbolize and welcome spring. Try incorporating an abundance of twists into your yoga practice to detox & remember to drink plenty of water! Namaste:) ]]><![CDATA[Want to be calmer and think more clearly? Try nadi shodhana breathing!]]>Fri, 16 Mar 2012 08:13:15 -0800http://www.yogacreations.com/1/post/2012/03/want-to-be-calmer-and-think-more-clearly-try-nadi-shodhana-breathing.htmlWhat is Nadi shodhana, or the sweet breath?
It's a simple form of alternate nostril breathing suitable. Great for beginning and advanced students. Nadi means channel and refers to the energy pathways through which prana flows. Shodhana means cleansing -- so Nadi Shodhana means channel cleaning. 
Benefits? 
Calms the mind, soothes anxiety and stress, balances left and right hemispheres, promotes clear thinking 
How to do it
Hold your right hand up and curl your index and middle fingers toward your palm. Place your thumb next to your right nostril and your ring finger and pinky by your left. 

Close the right nostril by pressing gently against it with your thumb, and inhale through the left nostril. The breath should be slow, steady and full.

Now close the left nostril by pressing gently against it with your ring finger and pinky, and open your right nostril by relaxing your thumb and exhale fully with a slow and steady breath.

Inhale through the right nostril, close it, and then exhale through the left nostril.
That's one complete round of Nadi Shodhana --
  • Inhale through the left
  • Exhale through the right

  • Inhale through the right nostril
  • Exhale through the left

Begin with 5-10 rounds and add more as you feel ready. Remember to keep your breathing slow, easy and full. 
When to do it?
As a mental warm-up before meditation to help calm the mind and put you in the mood. 

As part of your centering before beginning an asana or posture routine. 

Also try it at times throughout the day. Nadi Shodhana helps control stress and anxiety. If you start to feel stressed out, 10 or so rounds will help calm you down. It also helps soothe anxiety caused by fearful or stressful situations i.e. flying, public speaking. ]]><![CDATA[ Job's Tear's Mala Bracelet: A meditation anchor]]>Thu, 08 Mar 2012 04:32:57 -0800http://www.yogacreations.com/1/post/2012/03/meditation-ornamentation.html
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Why use a  mala meditation bracelet?
 Meditation can be quite a tricky practice because the mind by its very nature tends to wander off during meditation practice. If ones energy is low at the time of meditation, falling asleep can result. If the energy is too high, fantasy and distraction become the barriers. At such times, the mala provides the much needed anchor.  

A personal mala is a wonderful accessory to meditation, which when used regularly with a personal mantra, absorbs the vibrations of the practice. It becomes like a close friend or a comfortable piece of clothing! 

The Job's Tear's meditation bracelet is made with 54 beads made from a tropical grass seed. For more information visit our Yoga Creations Store.


]]><![CDATA[Don't be discouraged by the motion of thoughts and emotions during meditation.]]>Mon, 27 Feb 2012 17:06:48 -0800http://www.yogacreations.com/1/post/2012/02/dont-be-discouraged-by-the-motion-of-thoughts-and-emotions-during-meditation.htmlBy witnessing your thoughts and emotions, eventually your mind will be calm.
Tips for meditation:
 -set a time to practice
-practice prior to eating to avoid the distraction of digestion
-start with 10-15 minutes and build gradually
-find a clean, quiet and well ventilated area to designate for your practice
-wear comfortable clothing, layering to adjust for temperature
*be compassion toward yourself - acceptance for where you are in your practice today
 ]]><![CDATA[Having a difficult time getting comfortable while meditating? ]]>Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:55:46 -0800http://www.yogacreations.com/1/post/2012/02/having-a-difficult-time-getting-comfortable-while-meditating.html
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Try using a meditation cushion or pillow to raise your hips off the ground. Sitting for long periods of time without proper spinal alignment can cause back pain and discourage you from taking the time for yourself to meditate. Visit the Yoga Creations Store for more information on cushions!
]]><![CDATA[Get fit while you sit at your desk at work?!! Really?? ]]>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:17:30 -0800http://www.yogacreations.com/1/post/2012/01/get-fit-while-you-sit-at-your-desk-at-work-really.htmlTry the Seated Sun Pose - it improves circulation to your head , massages internal organs, and limbers your spine and hips. 
Sit back in your chair with your legs slightly wider than hip width apart. Breathe out completely then breathe in and with a sweeping motion bring your arms up over your head. Look up and stretch. Breathe out while bending forward between your legs and if you can put your palms on the floor. Slowly breathe in while raising back up with arms over head again, then loer your arms to the side.  ]]><![CDATA["...anxiety and relaxation are mutually exclusive.]]>Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:29:41 -0800http://www.yogacreations.com/1/post/2012/01/anxiety-and-relaxation-are-mutually-exclusive.htmlThat is, anxiety does not, cannot exist when the muscles are truly relaxed." Barbara Brown,  Art of Biofeedback. ]]>