Chakras

The body consists of a network of energy channels (nadis) where energy (prana) circulates. One channel runs along the axis of the body, from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. In the ordinary individual this central channel of subtle energy is said to be mostly inactive. One purpose of Hatha Yoga is to clear this channel of any obstructions. The energy then can flow freely leading to better health and higher states of consciousness. When this channel is activated it sets the six chakras in motion. Chakras are psychoenergetic centers which are aligned along the central channel.

The Six Chakras

Muladhara
"Root Prop"
Location: at the base of the spine.
This center is connected with elimination as well as fear.
Earth
Adrenal
Center of stability
Security
Sense of self


Svadhisthana
"Own Place"
Location: at the genitals/sacrum
This center is connected with urogenital functions, but also with desire.
Water
Taste
One's own

Manipura
"Jewel City"
Location: at the naval/solar plexus
This center distributes the life force to all parts of the body and is especially involved in the digestive process and willpower.
Fire
Sight

Anahata
"Unstruck"
Location: in the middle of the chest.
This center is also called the "heart chakra." is the place where the "unstruck" or inner sound can be heard in meditation. It is also linked with love.
Air
Touch/skin
Thymus

Vishuddha "Pure"
Location: at the throat
This center is associated with speech and greed.

Ajna
"Command"
Location: between eyebrows/third eye
This center is the contact place for the guru's telepathic work with disciples. Also associated with the experience of higher states of consciousness.

Sahasrara
"Thousand-spoked"
Location: crown of the head
Special chakra is associated with higher consciousness, notable ecstatic state.
Beyond all elements
Hypothalamus
1000 petal lotus

Yoga Sutras: Citta Vrtti

Sutra 1.6:
Citta Vrtti (movements in the consciousness) which cause pleasure or pain are:

Pramana: clear perception
Viparyaya: misperception
Vikalpa: imagination
Nidra: deep sleep
Smrti: memory

Sutra 2.3
The five causes of chitta vrrti creating pain (klesah):

Avidya: ignorance
Asmita: ego
Raga: attachment
Dvesa: aversion
Abhinivesah: love of life; fear of death

"As breeze ruffles the surface of a lake and distorts the images reflected therein, so also the chitta vrtti disturb the peace of the mind. The still waters of a lake reflect the beauty around it. When the mind is still, the beauty of the Self is seen reflected in it. The yogi stills his mind by constant study and by freeing himself/herself from desires. The eight stage of Yoga teach him/her the way." - BKS Iyengar

The Niyamas

The niyamas are the second limb of yoga. They are rules of conduct towards oneself that consist of certain disciplines which are both physical and mental. These individual ethical observations that can help harmonize our inner lives. They are:

1. Saucha: cleanliness; both inner and outer
2. Santosa: contentment
3. Tapas: discipline
4. Svadhyaya: self-study
5. Ishvara Pranidhana: self-surrender

The niyamas, like the yamas, can be practiced both in our daily lives and also in our yoga practice. For example, finding time to practice is difficult. You require discipline (tapas) to make time and practice your asanas. This in turn cleanses your body (saucha) making you feel content (santosha) with your practice. Since you are practicing more frequently, you make more accurate observations (svadhyaya) on your asanas and surrender (ishvara pranidhana) yourself to the study of yoga.

When your living space and the food you eat is clean (sauca), you can concentrate and focus more clearly. Being discontent only breeds envy and unhappiness, whereas practicing an attitude of gratitude (santosa) results in living a happy existence. Discipline (tapas) is everything in yoga from disciplining to practice the asanas, the yoga sutras, and becoming a better human being. Studying (svadhyaya) your actions and how you react to situations will give a clearer understanding why you do the things you do and how to avoid conflict by merely reacting. Knowing that the world is more than oneself (isvara pranidhana) is spiritually enlightening.

The Yamas

The Yamas are the first limb of yoga. They are moral rules for society. If followed, they bring peace and harmony in the world. The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali offers these five Yamas (Sutra 2.30):

1. Ahimsa: non-violence
2. Satya: non-lying
3. Asteya: non-stealing
4. Brahmacharya: moderation
5. Aparigraha: non-greed

Each of the yamas manifests on three levels:

• Mental: mindfulness of what we think
• Verbal: mindfulness of what we say
• Physical: mindfulness of what we do

Below are examples from my advanced studies class on how to practice and contemplate the yamas.

Sutra 2.35 Ashimsa: In the presence of one practicing ahimsa, hostility can not exist.

• Example of mental ashimsa - When I think negative thoughts about someone, I will take time to notice why I am thinking this way, striving to understand that the person behaves the way he does because of previous life experience.

• verbal ashimsa - When someone insults or criticizes me, how do I feel and why do I allow those words to affect me? Can I ignore them, or investigate why they are being said?

• physical ashimsa - When I witness violence or become afraid, can I use discernment to decide for myself if and to what extent I should be involved?

Sutra 2.36
2. Satya: Truthfulness secures confidence in the results of an action

• mental satya - I will be honest with myself instead of thinking I should be feeling another way.
• verbal satya -
• physical satya - When I
  

Sutra 2.37
3. Asteya: Prosperity comes to one who does not steal.


Sutra 2.38
4. Brahmacharya: When practicing non sensuality, vitality is obtained.


Sutra 2.39
5. Aparigraha: When no longer grasping for things, we discover why we are born.

More on Sankhya Philosophy

Sankhya is a dualistic philosophy. The dualism is between the self and matter whereas in the West, its between mind and body. Sankhya has their own version on how they think life emerged in the universe similar to "The Big Bang Theory." They regard the universe consisting of two realities:

Purusha (consciousness; self) and
Prakriti (matter)

Purusha is the Transcendental Self or Pure Consciousness. It is absolute, independent, free, imperceptible, unknowable, above any experience and beyond any words or explanation.

Prakriti is the first cause of the universe of everything (expect Purusha). Prakriti evolves itself successively into twenty four tattvas (principles). It's composed of three characteristics (gunas):

1. Sattva: a template of balance or equilibrium; characterized by purity, luminosity, lightness, harmony and the production of pleasure.
2. Rajas: a template of expansion or activity; endeavor, energy, movement, producing pain. Impel and energizes overcoming stagnation.
3. Tamas: template of inertia or resistance to action; stability, stagnation, dullness, darkness, stasis, stupor.

Eight Limbs of Yoga

Yoga isn't exclusively a physical practice, it is also a mental and spiritual one. The postures (asanas) are one of 8 components, stages of yoga, know as Ashtanga Yoga. More of each limb later.

Yoga Sutras 1.1 - 1.4

The first four Sutras in the first section, I. Samadhi Pada, define Yoga.

How to read the following Sutras:
First, the italicized phrase is the actual Sutra, as you can see they read like poetry.
Then each word of the Sutra is broken down and translated.
Finally, the Sutra is translated. There are numerous translations and in-depth dissertation on the Sutras.

Sutra 1.1
atha yoga anusasanam

atha: now, a prayer, a blessing
yoga: joining, union, deep meditation, concentration
anusasanam: instruction, teaching, introduction


Now, the teachings of yoga

With prayers for divine blessings, now begins as exposition of the sacred art of yoga.

This introductory Sutra suggests that after our many actions in life, now we are finally ready to pursue the depths of self-exploration, the journey directly to the center of consciousness, Ataman or Self, our eternal and True identity.

Sutra 1.2
yogah cittavrtti nirodhah

yoga: union
citta: sum total of mind, consciousness (mind + intellect + ego)
vrtti: state of mind, fluctuations in mind
nirodhah: process of ending, to cease, to still


Yoga is the cessation of movements in the consciousness.

Yoga is to still the pattering of consciousness.

Yoga is the ability to direct and focus mental activity.

In a systematic process of meditation, you gradually move your attention inward, through all the levels of your being, gaining mastery along the way.

Sutra 1.3
tada drastuh svarupe avasthanam

tada: then at that time
drastuh: the soul, the seer, pure awareness
svarupe: in essence, in own form or nature
avasthanam: rests, abides, dwells, resides, radiates


Then, the seer dwells in his own true splendor

With the attainment of a focused mind, the inner being establishes itself in all its reality.

As a result of having done the process of nirodhah, described in Sutra 1.2, the true Self stands alone, unencumbered by our many false identities, described in Sutra 1.4. The process is not one of attaining something we do not have, but of removing the clouds, so to see the light that is already there.

Sutra 1.4
vrtti sarupyam itaratra

vrtti: fluctuations in mind
sarupyam: conformity, identification
itaratra: otherwise, at other times


At other times, the seer identifies with the fluctuating consciousness.

Otherwise, we identify with the activities of the mind.

When we do not experience pure consciousness or the rest of time, the mind flows towards our sensory experiences, memories and fantasies. The pure consciousness mistakenly takes on the identity of those thought patterns. We incorrectly come to think that who we are is one and the same as these thoughts.

Sankhya Philosophy

The oldest known philosophical teachings of India are found in the Vedas. The Vedas are four books that describe the philosophy and practices of the Vedic people who lived approximately 5000 years ago in Ancient India. Six primary Indian philosophies emerged; they are called six darshanas. Darshana means “to look at” and “points of view which represent the varied phases of the truth viewed from different angles of vision.” The six schools are often grouped together:

Nyaya + Vaisheshika
Sankhya + Yoga
Mimamsa + Vedanta

Sankhya Philosophy, grouped with Yoga, is considered to be the oldest of the six schools founded by Sage Kapila. These writings are very old and lost in antiquity. What we know of the philosophy is through his students and their later writings. *Fun fact: Before Buddha’s enlightenment, one of his primary teacher’s was a Sankyic scholar hence Sankya’s influence on Buddhism.

Sankhya is considered to be a moksha shastra, a philosophy whose purpose is to teach how one can be come liberated. The primary practice of Sankhya is the deep contemplation on the tattvas, the 24 principles of existence. This leads to the state of Samadhi, the realization of the true self.

Sankhya considers the cultivation vairagya to be pivotal to the teachings. Vairagya is non-attachment or dispassion. “Ranj” means “to color.” Think of a clear crystal. When you place it near a colored object the crystal looks like that color. The mind also takes on the color of the “vrtti” (modifications) it is in contact with. Every thought you think, every reaction you have in life colors or shapes the mind. You identify with the mind. You create a persona that is not reflective of your true Self, which is pure consciousness.

Sankhya states that there are three causes of pain:

1. Adhyatmika (pain we create ourselves)
2. Adhibautika (pain created outside of me)
3. Adhidaivika (pain created by supernatural causes).
   

Sankhya also believes that the only way to permanently end pain and suffering is to know the true Self.

Yoga Sutras, A Beginning

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali can be sumarized as a users manual on how to be a complete being.

We are studying the Yoga Sutras through Iyengar’s book, “Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.” The yoga philosophy was first described in the Yoga Sutras (sutra means thread), a collection of 196 aphorisms written by the Indian sage, Patanjali as the foundation of the philosophy and practice of yoga. Patanjali describes the enigma of human existence and shows how, through yoga practice, we can transform ourselves, gain mastery over the mind, emotions, and overcome obstacles to our spiritual evolution and attain the goal of yoga, liberation from the bondage of worldly desires and actions, and union with the Divine.

Patanjali lived between 500 and 200 B.C. He is noted for yoga sutras (health of the mind) along with grammar (clarity) and Ayurveda medicine (health). Traditional representation of Patanjali is seen as a deity with the hood of a cobra and lower body as the tail of a snake.

The Sutras are unique because they are not dogmatic and anyone from any religion can appreciate and study them. They are for all, if one is open to it.

There are four books/chapters or Padas (Sanskrit word) in the Yoga Sutras.

I. Samadhipadah (Samadhi Pada): Concentration

Yoga is defined along with the movement of the consciousness (citta vrtti) and the various disciplines by which they may be stilled. The goal of yoga is Samadhi, blissful enlightenment; the last stage of the eightfold path of yoga.

II. Sadhanapadah (Sadhana Pada): Discipline
Sadhana is the Sanskrit word for “practice” or “discipline”. In this section Patanjali outlines Kriya Yoga (Yoga of Action) + Ashtanga Yoga (Eight limbed Yoga).

III. Vibhutipadah (Vibhuti Pada): Result of Discipline + Techniques
Vibhuti is the Sanskrit word for “power” or “manifestation.”

IV. Kaivalyapadah (Kaivalya Pada) Freedom + Liberation
This section describes the nature of liberation and the reality of the transcendental self.

Ganesh Puja

On our first class, we participated in a Ganesh Puja. A Puja is a Hindu ritual as an offering for various deities. We started our program with a Puja because we wanted to receive Ganesh's blessing on our journey of learning yoga. Ganesh is the Lord of Success, the Remover of Obstacles, and the Lord of Beginnings. Long story made short: Ganesh is the son of Shiva and Parvati. Shiva created Ganesh and cut his head off when he came in between her and Parvati. She then replaced his head with that of an elephant. Ganesh is the Indian deity with the human body and elephant head.

Advanced Yoga Studies, A Beginning

I'll have to admit that I've been a little off track with this blog. I started it as a way to reflect on my yoga studies and practice. Then I started writing about photography, food, and psychology. I realized, I'll get nowhere if I'm all over the place; I need to stay focused. Besides, yoga is a fascinating subject! Currently, I enrolled in an Advanced Yoga Studies Program at the Bhavana Institute founded by my first Iyengar Yoga teacher, Kathleen Wright. I've been studying for almost 10 years and have been interested in deepening my study, but never followed through. Especially, after I was laid off of work and told by my previous teacher that she would assist me in the Iyengar Yoga certification process. This is very rigorous, lengthy, and not for me. At least not for now. I felt terrible for not going through with it, but one year later managed to find out that Kathleen opened her own school. The only problem is that certification doesn't start until next year, which is the price I have to pay for having such lovely teachers and curriculum. I love that the teachers learned in the tradition of Parampara, which is studying under the direct guidance of a teacher who has a teacher. India (yoga) were an oral tradition: “The guru was the text.”

During this program, I would like to write about what has been taught so that I can retain all the knowledge, which is plenty! We learn asanas, pranayama, philosophy, history, psychology, and anatomy. There’s an overabundance of information and history and references, but I will try my best to summarize the lessons.

In class, we learned that the learning process has four components:

1/4 Teacher
1/4 Your intelligence
1/4 Classmates
1/4 Time

More Notes

Today is Memorial Day, I went to class. We practiced a lot of poses using support in which were held for several minutes. The one pose I want to note that was different and benefical was Shoulder Stand (Salamba Sarvangasana) with a chair. We practiced different variations of this pose. Variations are always nice since they keep asanas less boring. On inversions, she discussed with me how I need to work on separating the legs and bringing the outer thighs inside more and also work on extending my inner legs towards my feet. To the class she talked about being completely aware in the poses with fidgeting since fidgeting would lead into a scattered mind. Be aware. Notice where your weight generally leans, etc.



So, I've been thinking about my Jungian sessions and whether or not I want to continue going. I always think about quitting a few days after class until I actually end up going. Somehow the day of session always seem breakthrough and I feel so good, but then one or two days later that feeling fades and I end up forgetting everything. How have the sessions helped? Today I reflected on one of the things discussed, the areas of life I feel 100% certain in and trying to incorporate that mental feeling into the areas of life that I feel uncomfortably uncertain in. Maybe I rely in my comfort in being helpless and uncertain, but then why do I get excited about certain possibilities, like grad school or moving? I don't know. Sometimes I just want to say "Fuck it" and run myself into debt going to a hippie school and living by the ocean.

Meyer-Briggs Results

I'm exhausted. Between weekly Iyengar yoga classes, psychology workshops, cello lessons, book club, learning healthy cooking and researching and planning for grad school...I feel very excited and yet overwhelmed. I took the Meyer-Briggs test about a week ago and sat in a one hour consultation over my results. I have a INFJ (Introvert Intuition Feeling Judging) personality. Let me first begin my explaining what exactly the Meyer-Briggs tests in detail. The Meyer-Briggs test shows you an in-depth description of your personality preferences using Carl Jung's theory of psychological types which contains 8 parts:

1. How we gain energy (Extraversion or Introversion)

2. Gather or become aware of information (Sensing or Intuition)

3. Decide or come to a conclusion about that information (Thinking or Feeling)

4. Deal with the world around us (Judging or Perceiving)


Underlying the different psychological types are 5 different facets of each.

• Introversion (I) . Extraversion (E)
(I) Receiving: Reserved, low-key, are introduced
(E) Expressive: Demonstrative, easier to know, self-revealing
(I) Intimate: Seek intimacy, one-on-one, find individuals
(M) Active-Reflective: Interactive, want contact, listen and speak & Onlooker, prefer space, read and write
(E) Enthusiastic: Lively, energetic, seek spotlight


• Sensing (S) . Intuition (N)
(N) Abstract: Figurative, symbolic, intangible
(N) Imaginative: Resourceful, inventive, seek novelty
(N) Conceptual: Scholarly, idea-oriented, intellectual
(M) Experiential-Theoretical: Hands-on, empirical, trust experience & Seek patterns, hypothetical, trust theories
(N) Original: Unconventional, different, new and unusual


• Thinking (T) . Feeling (F)
(M) Logical-Empathetic: Impersonal, seek impartiality, objective analysis & Personal, seek harmony, central values
(T) Reasonable: Truthful, cause-and-effect, apply principals
(T) Questioning: Precise, challenging, want discussion
(M) Critical-Accepting: Skeptical, want proof, critique & Tolerant, trusting, give praise
(T) Tender: Gentle, tender-hearted, means-oriented


• Judging (J) . Perceiving (P)
(M) Systematic-Casual: Orderly, structured, dislike diversions & Relaxed, easygoing, welcome diversions
(P) Open-Ended: Present-focused, go with the flow, make flexible plans
(J) Early Starting: Motivated by self-discipline, steady progress, late start stressful
(M) Scheduled-Spontaneous: Want routine, make lists, procedures help & Want variety, enjoy the unexpected, procedures hinder
(J) Methodical: Plan specific tasks, note subtasks, organized


I remember one of the ideas said to me was that I needed to be more "Feeling" when it comes to myself. I need to be more Compassionate, Accommodating, and Accepting of myself.


*The bottom line, everyone is different and there's no one right way to be. However, recognizing what your personality is can be helpful in your life and in understanding other people's differences.


Some other interesting traits of INFJ:

• Live in a world of hidden meanings and possibilities
• Orderly and systematic in their outer world
• Some signs of disarray in an otherwise orderly tendency
• Typically difficult to understand
• Situation which are charged with conflict may drive the normally peaceful INFJ into a state of agitation or charged anger
• Stubborn
• Perfectionist who doubts that they are living up to their full potential
• Rarely at complete peace with themselves - there's always something else they should be doing to improve themselves and the world around them
• Believe in constant growth, and don't often take time to revel in their accomplishments
• Strong value systems, and need to live in their lives accordance with what they feel is right
• Workplace: creative and somewhat independent
• Not good at dealing with minutia or very detailed tasks


Using my type effectively:

• If you rely too much on your intuition, you are likely to miss the relevant facts and details and what past experience might suggest.
• Later on in life, you may report greater pleasures in tasks that require attention to facts and details and in using logical analysis in problem solving.
• Try to modify my Abstract approach (in-preference) by considering important facts and details you may have missed (Concrete).
• If I need to adapt my way of getting things done (Judging), try using my Scheduled-Spontaneous approach by asking myself if this situation calls for maintaining a routine (Scheduled) or whether staying open to the unexpected (Spontaneous) might lead to better results.

Inversions & Seated Asanas

Supta Baddha Konasana
(SOUP-tah BAH-dah cone-NAHS-anna)
Reclining Bound Angle



Adho Mukha Svanasana
(AH-doh MOO-kah shvah-NAHS-anna)
Downward Facing Dog



Adho Mukha Vrksasana
(ah-doh moo-kah vriks-SHAHS-anna)
Handstand
*We placed our butts to the wall while dropping our legs 90 degrees:
Urdhva Dandasana
Raised Staffed



Pincha Mayurasana
(pin-cha my-your-AHS-anna)
Feathered Peacock
Practiced over the chair, backside against the wall.



Salamba Sirsasana
(sah-LOM-bah shear-SHAHS-anna)
Supported Headstand
Starting off the pose with knees bent.



Uttanasana I & II
(OOT-tan-AHS-ahna)
Standing Forward Bend



Urdhva Prasarita Ekapadasana
Upright Extended One-Foot - Standing Split



Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana
Extended Hand-To-Big-Toe Pose



Ardha Baddha Padmottanasana
Half Bound Lotus Standing Forward Bend



Marichyasana II
Pose Dedicated to the Sage Marichi II



Padmasana
(pod-MAHS-anna)
Lotus Pose
Followed by Parvatasana



Salamba Sarvangasana



Halasana

Twists

Class from last week:

Same inverted asanas from the previous week + Baddha Konasana in Pincha Mayurasana


Parsvottanasana
(parsh-voh-tahn-AHS-anna)
Intense Side Stretch Pose



Parivrtta Trikonasana
(par-ee-vrit-tah trik-cone-AHS-anna)
Revolved Triangle



Parivrtta Parsvakonasana
(par-ee-vrt-tah parsh-vah-cone-AHS-anna)
Revolved Side Angle Pose



Maricyasana III
(mar-ee-chee-AHS-anna)




Salamba Sarvangasana
(sah-LOM-bah sar-van-GAHS-anna)
Supported Shoulderstand

Sirsasana

Oh Sirsasana, Sirsasana, Sirsasana. How I hate thee. Somehow this is the only yoga pose I am fearful of and can not fully practice properly. When I would practice everyday, I began to feel the lightness of the pose and balance. But it doesn't happen all the time. I'm trying to practice in the middle of the room, but am terrified. There's something scary about being upside down and with no support. What if I break my neck? What if I fall? What if? What if? What if? I feel like I have to practice headstand in the middle of the room and just...fall. Eeks! I'm terrified! Alas, I must do it. I'll keep myself posted on my or any progress. In the meantime, I found this help youtube clip on how to fall in headstand.

Off The Wall

Backbends

Finally signed up for Iyengar yoga classes again. It's been a few months since I last attended. I signed up for 10 weeks. During this time, I will review what we went over. I rarely do this but this will help me with arrange practice sessions at home that aren't boring. I am proud to say that I attempted Headstand in the middle of the classroom. I have only been able to attempt this a handful of times in almost 10 years :)

Supta Baddha Konasana
(SOUP-tah BAH-dah cone-NAHS-anna)
Reclining Bound Angle

Adho Mukha Svanasana
(AH-doh MOO-kah shvah-NAHS-anna)
Downward Facing Dog

Adho Mukha Vrksasana
(ah-doh moo-kah vriks-SHAHS-anna)
Handstand
*We placed our butts to the wall while dropping our legs 90 degrees:
Urdhva Dandasana
Raised Staffed

Pincha Mayurasana
(pin-cha my-your-AHS-anna)
Feathered Peacock

Salamba Sirsasana
(sah-LOM-bah shear-SHAHS-anna)
Supported Headstand
with variations:
Eka Pada Sirsasana
One-Leg Headstand
Parivrttaikapada Sirsasana
Revolved Headstand



Viparita Dandasana
Inverted Staff Pose
*with and without head support
*Different ways of finding the tailbone



Kapotasana with support on a chair
King Pigeon Pose



Urdhva Dhanurasana
(OORD-vah don-your-AHS-anna)
Upward Bow Pose



Eka Pada Rajakapotasana
(aa-KAH pah-DAH rah-JAH-cop-poh-TAHS-anna)
One-Legged King Pigeon Pose

Eka Pada Rajakapotasana II
(A-kah pah-dah rah-jah-kah-poh-tahs-anna)
One-Legged King Pigeon Pose II



Ardha Bhekasana
Half Frog Pose

Supported Halasana
(hah-LAHS-anna)
Plow Pose

Finding the Middle Zone

The Middle Zone, I don't really know the exact word for it, but for me the Middle Zone is the calm and secure state of mind. It's not an extremist black and white outlook on life. That secure state of mind is what I bring to some areas of my life, my religious/spiritual views, my diet regime, and my minimalist lifestyle. Sure that took time going from white and then black, but eventually, I found the middle ground and am happy in that place. I feel no uncertainties in those journeys. Now, I am told to integrated that "calm" attitude in the areas of my life that I see as "insecure." For example, my constant search for the perfect career and dreaming of living in another city. These areas of my life are lethal, they bring about depression, anger, insecurity and frustration. I am unsure of how to go about this, searching for the middle zone in career and city, but perhaps I can integrate that thought into my daily yoga and Pranayama practice each morning saying to myself: "How can I find a balance in both my career and current city?" Maybe I pick and choose when to outweigh the negative consequences of certain choices. Of course, I don't do this in every area of my life, only a few. Why is that? Why those few?

Speaking of Pranayama, I was skimming through my older posts and was amazed that I wrote so much about my practice, I'll need to start writing about it again :) I stopped practicing yoga for a few months now, but am proud to say that I started practicing again. I have a schedule in which I have to practice Pranayama in the morning and am starting to read Richard Rosen's "The Yoga of Breath: A Step-by-Step Guide to Pranayama." From my last few days of practice, I can say that I am working with tension. I feel a headache after my practice and am unsure if it's just psychological tension or physical tension since I think my head isn't rested properly on the blankets. This will have to be another one of my journeys as I'll continue reading and figuring out a good daily practice in which I can finally work on relaxation and not stress about the breathing. There is emphasis in Pranayama that you must not push yourself too hard; this is a practice of patience and peace. I need to remind myself of that.



For more about Pranayama please visit my posts:

Pranayama

Pranayama Continued

Photography: Sorting Thru the Mess

Some images from a road trip I went on with my sister back in 2006. The images are from Arizona, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles.

Jung

I've been taking classes at the Jung Center which I find extremely helpful to my psychological and spiritual growth. This has me recently checking out a few basic books about Jung and Jungian Theory. It's so unfortunate to think how much I didn't know or either forgotten about his studies; they truly are helpful. I liked how he traveled and explored other areas unknown to him to fully realize the psyche. For example, he was interested in Buddhism. He liked that the goal of Buddhism is to attain an inner stage of enlightenment, detaching oneself from the the physical world and the endless chatter of the psyche. Some other points on Buddhism:
• It is up to each person to follow their own path to enlightenment - there is little emphasis upon dogma and faith.
• The answer to spiritual growth is seen as lying within - there is no external deity as such
• Jung disagreed with Buddhism's view on suffering as an illusion from which one can ultimately escape through attaining enlightenment. Jung thought suffering is real and unavoidable. We can only overcome by living through it. Also, withdrawal from life is in itself a form of repression.
I feel like Buddhism is a part of the "individuation" process - finding enlightenment can kind of be like finding yourself.

The individuation process in never complete. The spiral path takes us on a lifelong journey. As we travel we gradually unravel the conditioning imposed by our own parents and society and peel away what Jung calls the "false wrappings" of our persona. This frees us to meet our own shadow and acknowledge its power within us, so that we can try to stop projecting it onto others. Gradually, our psyche becomes more balanced and we are able to become much more whole and effective humans.

Choices, Choices, Choices

Here are some notes that I find beneficial to my spiritual/psychological growth from the book, "The Paradox of Choice What to Do About Choice: Why More is Less" by: Barry Schwartz

CHOOSE WHEN TO CHOOSE
• Reduce the number of options to consider before making a decision
• Focus on limited areas

BE A CHOOSER, NOT A PICKER
• Choosers reflect on what makes a decision important, whether even none of the options should be chosen, or a new option created, and the expressive value of a choice; pickers are passive selectors from what is available
• Shorten or eliminate fuss about unimportant decisions, use freed up time to reflect on what you want, think about what options would need to be created

SATISFICE MORE AND MAXIMIZE LESS
• Accept "good enough"

THINK ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY COSTS OF OPPORTUNITY COSTS
• Don't worry so much about "missing out"

MAKE YOUR DECISIONS NON-REVERSIBLE
• I’m simply not going there, I’ve made my decision so this option has nothing to do with me. I’m out of the market, so end of story
• You can pour your energy instead into improving the relationship, rather than second-guessing it

PRACTICE AN "ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE"
• The same experience can have delightful and disappointing aspects and its up to us what we focus on
• Before going to bed, write 5 things you are grateful for that happened that day

REGRET LESS
• Practice gratitude for what is good in a decision rather than focusing on bad
• Life is complex. It is rare that any single decision has the life transforming power we sometimes think.

ANTICIPATE ADAPTATION
• Develop realistic expectations about how experiences change with time and how we satisfied with only higher levels of experience over time
• Spend less time and energy researching and agonizing over decisions
• Spend less time looking for the perfect thing (maximizing), so that you won't have huge search cots to be "amortized" against the satisfaction you derive from what you actually choose.

CONTROL EXPECTATIONS
• Reduce the number of options you consider
• Be a satisficer rather than a maximizer
• Allow for serendipity

CURTAIL SOCIAL COMPARISON
• Learning that good enough is good enough will automatically reduce social comparison
• Focus on what makes you happy and what gives meaning to your life

LEARN TO LOVE CONSTRAINTS
• They can be liberating this choice overload context
• Following rules can free up time/energy for situations where rules don’t work

21-Day Habit

I skimmed through this book about self-confidence and stumbled upon this learning technique called, "The 21-Day Habit." Supposedly, it takes approximately twenty one days to break an old, destructive habit or form a new, positive habit. I haven't been writing in my blog for quite some time now and have struggled to find something to write about. I was writing about yoga for well over a year and then tried to write about motivation, health food obsession; I kind of drifted there for a minute, but now I think I find a meaningful subject to discuss: my 21-day psychological makeover. Today is the 19th of April making May 9th, Mother's Day, the last day of the 21-day habit makeover.

So, how do I start and continue to write about this? I've been going to some Jung workshops since I hate that I'm so indecisive and fear making any long-term decisions. I don't know where this stems from or what I can do about it and according to the book I was skimming, this is a trait of someone who lacks self-confidence. I've decided that I will work on this trait I dislike about myself and be a lot more conscience about my self-defeating habits and form more positive or middle zone views on myself. I'm consistently stuck in this uncertain role where I feel helpless and hopeless on my career choice and future. Apparently, I have low-self esteem and don't believe in myself to succeed in whatever I choose to follow. Then again, there is the possibility for failure, but that's life.

I'll start by answering some of the questions in the book for this blog:

A. What negative habits do you desire to replace? Well, I already stated that I would like to replace my indecisive, self-defeating habits, and complaining.

B. What positive habit or attitude will you develop to replace it? I would like to develop an attitude in which I at least try to follow through with "big-life" decisions. I also would like to focus my attention on having a more middle area look on life instead of seeing things as black or white. I would like to complain less and compliment more. If I have a compliment, I should just shut my mouth.

C. What actions will you take to replace your negative habits? Well, this blog is for starters. I'm kinda unsure of how to even go about this section of the blog. Should I jot down the times I was negative or positive? I'll need to focus on the things I love in life and start making efforts to following through with at least 1-3 items.

D. What is the easiest and most logical way to do this? Catching myself saying self-defeating things or complaining. Ugh, I really need to stop that. I should practice saying less...

Cooking...Healthy

Ever since I got laid off from work, I've been obsessed with cooking and learning healthier alternatives to food. I was a vegetarian for most of my like, 11+ years, and was vegan for 3-4 years. I decided a few months ago to stop being a vegetarian and start incorporating meat into my diet. I am asked why this is so and I think it's because of Anthony Bourdain, especially reading his book, "Kitchen Confidential." I was so memorized by his glorification of the entire food experience; the process of cooking, the flavors, the kitchens, and his travels. I immediately began to realize that I have not been living my "food experiences" the fullest. I really don't eat meat these days, I'll only have a bite maybe a handful times a month, if that. Sushi, though is something that I fell in love with and am so appreciative to have experienced. Instead of focusing on being vegan or vegetarian, now I'm embracing a new path, the "health foodie" path. I simply love healthy, real food. Real food is not diet food and it's about loving to eat food instead of being afraid of it and counting calories. Of course, I still love going out to eat and eating some processed food once in awhile, but overall I love food and I love it when its closer to its natural source. Real food and yoga go hand-in-hand. You have to take care of your mind, soul and body - so know what you are eating.