New Yoga Ebook available on Kindle

My new Yoga Ebook is available on Kindle for a reasonable $2.99! The Title is “Peace In A Quiet Place,” by Julie Broglin. The Kindle App is free to download to the phone, iPad or tablet. The options for viewing more than one page on the screen works well for when you are following the Practice on your mat. The text size may be enlarged for your reading of the introductory portions. Soon to follow will be an Audible version so that once familiar with the contents my voice can guide you along seamlessly on your Mat. Of course there is a print book available also for $12.99. Your purchase is greatly appreciated and your favorable review on Amazon will help the title in rankings and become easily searchable for others. Thanks so much for your support and good wishes, Namaste 🙏🏽 Julie

p.s. please share this with your friends and family who practice Yoga, especially those new to Yoga.

Ancient Japanese Healing Technique for Rapid Stress Relief – Finger Holds

Learn to use this practical, hands-on method for a happier and healthier life. Please click the link below to read about the Jin Shin Jyutsu Practice called the Finger Holds by clicking the link below.  I have an earlier post on March 11, 2015, with a YouTube video showing how to practice the Finger Holds. Remember to breathe while practicing. Practice often, every day for benefits to build, emotions balanced and more. Please share this easy Practice for well-being with others.  Here’s to your good health! Namaskaram OM

Source: Ancient Japanese Healing Technique for Rapid Stress Relief

Hatha Yoga – How to Deal with Physical Weak Points? – The Isha Blog

 

Here’s a short article and video from Sadhguru that helps us understand that we should not be too focused on our physical limitations but rather submit totally to being in our sadhana/yoga practice.  This is so reassuring for us aging Yoginis  who are dedicated to our sadhana!  The Blessings are constant in different ways at different points in our lives.  Thanks Sadhguru for your wisdom and for sharing with us and thanks for the Isha Foundation and volunteers that deliver so much media as virtual Darshan with us.  Namaskaram.

Do click the red link below to read the article and to view a minute long video, please share freely.  OM

 

 

 

 

Sadhguru explains what can be done if parts of the body feel as if they are not cooperating.

Source: Hatha Yoga – How to Deal with Physical Weak Points? – The Isha Blog

Asanas Guide – Align With the Divine from The Isha Foundation

This Guide from Sadhguru shares the”powerful possibility that asanas represent, and explains that they are a means of creating a body that can download the cosmos.” Thanks again to Sadhguru and the Isha Volunteers for sharing this authentic information about classical hatha yoga from India that is so much missing in the West.  It is my hope on this Most Auspicious Day and Night of Mahashivrathri that more yoga practitioners find their way to appreciate and honor the real yoga from India with a humble approach of surrender, Shambo, OM Namah Shivaya OM Shanti Shanti Shanti OM. [Do click the link to find the guide]

Source: Asanas Guide – Align With the Divine | Sadhguru

Look out…..the Yoga Police are looking for your Selfies!

Today I saw a post on FaceBook by “Uplift/Connect” an article by Brian DeGregory entitled “Is the essence of yoga being lost in the self-obsessed Instagram age?” In the section about “Please stop Yoga Selfies” he writes….”I don’t think this helps bring this beautiful and ancient practice to those who need it most.  In fact, I think it sends intimidating messages to those who might feel their bodies are not flexible or that they don’t have the perfect “yoga body” (like the way social media images portray).  It’s a big call, but I will even go as far as comparing the aspect of posting such images with the fashion companies who only use size 0 models.  It’s just not what yoga is supposed to be about.”…Yoga is for spiritual development, not for show.”

Thank you Brian DeGregory for having the understanding about real authentic Yoga and the courage to publish your views.  Many in the west are so unconnected and do not know the ancient Indian lineage or that it is one of the best gifts one culture has given to All of mankind.  As well, most are not learning authentic practices for if they would know it, they surely would be inherently bound to respect it.  I teach yoga in a variety of settings one is a New York State public college, my courses are for college credit in a liberal arts degree setting.  My young and energetic students are confused when they begin the semester arriving in what looks like beach apparel or sexy fitness outfits.  I know its not their fault as those who have commercialized Yoga to become “Americanized” have set this tone.  Oftentimes students drop my course as they cannot bare to wear modest clothing as they prefer their sexy garb.  (Don’t worry, these slots are filled in days by the other eager students on waitlists!)  What I try to get across is that this is a highly intimate and revolutionary process they are journeying on and it should not be denigrated by peering voyoueristic eyes of their classmates or passerbys.  The process is highly internal using the body as an external tool to balance the many energetic patterns within the physicality, the mental and emotional realms so they can find momentary stillness and harmony.  I have the privilege to witness this amazing process and am in awe every time and am most humbled by it! So, of course I am shocked when I see my FaceBook Friends who are students and fellow yoga practitioners posting Yoga Asana Selfies! This just pollutes and devalues their power by sharing these images.  I would so much rather they posted in text how their yoga sadhana has helped them cope with their hectic schedules, to complete their degrees with high grades, reduced their need for asthma meds, or other meds for depression, anxiety, or prevented surgery for scoliosis or back pains, or prevented them for causing bodily harm to their boss and avoided being arrested when asked to work another shift after having worked the entire weekend missing their child’s T-ball game for not even a cent more in wages!  Many are limited in their yoga journey by poorly trained yoga teachers who earn “certificates” in a couple of 16 hour workshops, or Teachers who feel their Egocentric experience supersedes that of The AdiYogi – Shiva, and Shri Patanjali, (do you think they even know who these Greats were?)  I have been fortunate to have studied in many sacred and esteemed schools and ashrams in India.  I was afforded these experiences by my private students and one super /yoga practitioner/ patron and my family.   This may be out of reach economically for yoga teachers across the board but The Isha Foundation has an Ashram/Campus in Tennessee in the USA.  At Isha, one is afforded a truly authentic classical Indian yoga immersion.  Please do check out their website: http://www.ishafoundation.org and join their mailing lists and like their Facebook pages to get daily inspirational offerings, event announcements, newsletters than have wonderful informative articles about authentic yoga.  I remain indebted to all my teachers, Gurus and especially to Sadhguru and The Isha Foundation for creating such an accessible many layered platform to spread the yogic knowledge globally.

The images above show above: The AdiYogi (Shiva) being consecrated in India by Sadhguru and the Isha Volunteers. Shiva is the Founding Father of All Yoga.  The next images are here to try to show a tiny glimmer of what may happen when we balance our energies in a conscious manner along with and becoming apart and no longer separate from nature.

Watch the ‘Yoga for Change’ Film at: http://www.upliftconnect.com/yoga-for-change-video.com  once on their site look for article, “Practicing Real Yoga in the Age of Selfies” you will find the video at end of the article….please share and thanks to Uplift/Connect for sharing these important views.  Namaskaram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Want to know more about the power of chanting?

The Meaning of Brahmananda Swarupa – A Consecrated Chant.

I find often in my yoga classes that folks are bashful and/or reluctant to actually utter the sounds during chanting times during the sadhana/class.  Its not that they are ready to leave but I think if they knew that they are missing such a powerful benefit for their own energies they might just start sharing their sounds to the group chanting.  I often remind participants that uttering Sanskrit words for invocation is not mumble- jumble but a known scientific fact that the sounds actually create the quality of peace with vibrations in their cells, thus a benefit.  If you click the link above this paragraph you can listen to a short video in which Sadhguru from The Isha Foundation explains about one such powerful Chant.  Below is an audio soundclip from Soundcloud that you can listen to the chant for one straight hour and notice any peaceful benefits that come your way. Thanks again to Sadhguru and the Volunteers at Isha Foundation for sharing so much media with us to be able to tap into the ancient science of classical Indian hatha yoga.  Namaskaram OM

▶ Finger Tips: Jin Shin Jyutsu – YouTube

▶ Finger Tips: Jin Shin Jyutsu – YouTube.

I am sharing here about The Finger Holds an energy and emotion balancing technique that is safe, simple and effective.  This is from the Jin Shen Jyutsu Practice developed in Japan and it is a kin to Reiki in that it is subtle, safe and uses the hands, [there are a few different spellings of the practice].  It is related to yoga in that it is an energy balancing technique that uses breathing, nadis (energy channels) similar to mudras.  I came to learn about this practice due to friends who keep leading me to more wonderful enriching experiences and I might add all quite innocently.  However, there is an Isha connection….when at an Isha Pooja (at Judit’s home) I met a meditator friend (Anu) who let me know of another friend who was going to hold a Memorial Service for her Mother (Anju).  I attended the Memorial for selfish and friendship reasons; selfish in that it was almost the one year anniversary of my own Sister’s Mahasamadhi and that I wanted to get to know and give tribute to my new friend’s Mother.  While there I met Anju’s sister Hema who is an Acupuncturist and Healer.  Around the same time someone who I know was experiencing serious health issues and not responding to any advice given.  I suddenly remembered meeting Hema who instantly revealed herself to be a quite powerful, dynamic, well-informed and graceful Healer, just with a glance and conversation.  So……I was able to bring the friend to receive treatment from Hema who I thought would administer acupuncture but instead she applied Jin Shen Jyutsu! I was unaware of this Practice, but felt it would be safe as I had complete trust in Hema, but within about twenty minutes I witnessed with my own eyes a transformation within my friend’s entire physical and emotional being that was nothing less than remarkable! It was a different type of therapy wherein I was able to sit in the treatment area and witness the process, Hema had given me some Jin Shen literature to review and I did start to review but while it was a dark evening somehow the room was lit up when the transformation occurred and I was agog with wonder.  I have since this first encounter had a couple of meetings with Hema for more specific personal orientation and information.  I have also spent a bit of time reading the recommended elementary books that Hema made reference to and I have shared this with several groups:  different Senior Citizens chair yoga sessions, a Girls Teen Club, Yoga friends and students.  Every group had a positive and immediate noticeable experience.  I might add that this is a very safe practice that everyone and anyone can apply and share with others.  There is of course training courses and workshops with certifications, [The Finger Holds are just one of many Jin Shen Jyutsu practices] but I find it such a gift that there are safe, basic and easy practices we can all share.  So please do watch the video and try it out for yourself, you can practice while going to sleep, (do know,  not mentioned in the video, if you cannot sleep, try holding your left thumb while breathing) or any time, just don’t try it while driving or operating equipment!  Also, parents can apply for their young children/babies (use opposite hands) and CareGivers too!  Thanks again for Youtube and Pam Doremus of Peaceful Spirit for making this Video.  Thanks to Binita for hosting last summer’s Party that got these friendship connections incubating.  I do feel quite rich in that I have been fortunate to have a circle of wonderful, knowledgeable, caring people who share not only good times, good vibrations, but ways to live well, some say “have long life” but is it not better to live with optimal wellness? In Gratitude, OM

n.b. I shared here the network of friends and instances that occurred to share that one of the blessings of a yogic culture is to form friendships that are rewarding and how these informal and formal satsangs benefit all aspects of our lives….your family members may not practice or care about your yoga, but as you deepen your practice and cultivate a wider circle of dedicated Yoginis and Yogis everyone who is in your life may also benefit from the knowledge and energy you harvest.  I also, always try to give a nod of thanks to All who I learn from out of respect for their teachings and to acknowledge what they share with me is valued, Namaste. 

▶ The Single Most Important Thing You Can Do For Your Stress – YouTube

▶ 90:10 The Single Most Important Thing You Can Do For Your Stress – YouTube.

Please click the link to watch the video….please share this with those you care about….Namaste…OM

Here’s a Darshan by Ashwin Mohan about one of the secrets of Nath Yoga

▶ Nagayama – YouTube.

There are several types of Classical Yoga and Nath Yoga is one that still keeps to the traditional ways.  Thanks to the Graces of Ashwin Mohan who shares with us a Prescription for Inner Strength and Vital Living via activating Naga Vayu.  Naga Yama is a powerful visualization in which we begin to plant the seeds for our future growth, well being and successes.  These seeds are our thoughts which become our activities and actions that play out our Vision.  We come to understand that these seeds are our valuable energy source for expansion and fuels our goals and Vision, moving forward in our real life timeline.  By re-visiting our Vision often as Affirmation we continue to project ourselves positively within our Vision in space in time as a protective shield for inner and outer benefits.  I love when he shares that just by sitting back and accepting the status quo and being numb is for rats!  We can choose to just maintain or grow!  Checking in with our Vision and supporting it with Affirmations helps us to know where we are which determines where we can go. Thanks to Ashwin Mohan in Bangalore, India for sharing these secrets with us, he has given permission for All to share….so please spread this post with all who you care about, especially children and young adults….and most importantly do give him a “thumbs UP” on the Youtube link….of course he would love to hear your comments too!  Adesa Adesa…..Namaskaram OM!

The Science Behind Temple Bells

In most western sacred spaces such as churches visitors and members are required to show their reverence by remaining silent.  However, in Indian Temples one will see everyone from the smallest babies being held by their families to frail elders and of course the healthy and robust visitor, Ringing the Temple bells loudly, maybe even several times….so imagine during a procession of a family of large or small numbers to pilgrimages with hundreds the constant bell ringing.  Why is this done?  Well, some say it sends a message stating that “I am here and ready to receive the benefits.” My Facebook friend Narasimha Swamy shared the science behind the ringing of temple bells………….

“Most of the old temples have large bells at the entrance of the temple and you need to ring them before you enter the temple.  Temple bells have a scientific phenomena; it is not just your ordinary metal.  It is made of various metals including: cadmium, lead, copper, zinc, nickel, chromium, and manganese.  The proportion at which each one of them are mixed is a real science behind the bell.  Each of these bells is made to produce such a distinct sound that it can create unity for your left and right brain.  The moment the bell is sounded, it produces a sharp but lasting sound which lasts for a minimum of seven seconds in an echo mode good enough to touch your seven healing centers or chakras in your body.  Also while ringing the bell the sound helps your brain to empty all thoughts.  Invariably you will enter the state where you are very receptive.  This state allows you to be ONE with Awareness.  Your mind is often so pre-occupied that the only way to awaken it is with a shock of some sort.  The Bell ringing works as an anti-dote for the brain/mind.  Before one enters the temple do ring the Bell to awaken and prepare for a taste of Divine Awareness, this is the scientific reasoning behind the ancient tradition of Ringing Temple Bells….next time don’t miss your chance to wake up and be Blessed!  Thanks again to Narasimha Swamy for sharing this valuable explanation.  Namaskaram OM