Healing, Yoga and Qigong

Today I want to share two easy and rapid relaxation tips that work great. If you're given to tightening up during the day because of stress, lack of sleep, a jerk for a boss, or any of the zillion other reasons most of us rarely relax, then try putting these tips to work. I learned them, by the way, from a retired college psychology professor. Whoa! Here's the first tip : Controlled Breathing The first rapid relaxation routine involves   breathing in and out (9) nine times in three  series of three breaths. In the first series of three breaths, inhale   deeply and, as you exhale slowly,  say quietly  or think to yourself, " Calm body ." Repeat  three times. In the second series of three breaths, inhale  deeply and, as you exhale,  say quietly or  think to yourself, " Calm mind ." In the final series of three breaths, inhale  deeply and, as you exhale, say (and do) " Smile ." ...

Ready to become Vital beyond Vital?   Then, practice Surya Bhedan for 5 minutes  each day for amazing results. Breathing solely through one nostril can change your energy and mood.   Find a comfortable sitting position with  the head, neck and back erect. Place a piece of cotton (or hold it closed)  in your left nostril and start .  Surya Bhedan is a form of Right nostril  breathing that must be added to your daily regimen if you are to overcome all of  your physical shortcomings .  Surya means sun, Bheda means breaking through something. In Ancient Eastern Ayurveda Medicine it is taught  that breath entering into the Right nostril is Pingala Nadi, which represents  physical energy, and when one breathes "exclusively" through the Right nostril  it is called Surya Bhedan. This is an amazing way to increase the Pranic energy  flow in your body 10 fold.  It revitalizes the body, increas...

When Summer is here and the heat is intense, for many of us the thought of crawling into the freezer sounds like a great idea .  For Bikram yogis, it may not be a concern, but what about those of us who aren't used to practicing in intense heat and humidity?   When hot weather has you worn out, the thought of yoga practice can be a bit uninspiring.  Working up more of a sweat with Breath of Fire, or intense asanas is the last thing we want to do in hot weather.  But maintaining a consistent yoga practice is important for our health and well being, so what's a yogi to do?   Plenty! From pranayama to calming postures, doing yoga in the summer is possible.  Try some of these yogic suggestions for keeping your cool in intense heat, and keep your practice alive all summer long. Pranayama Sitali Pranayama /Sitalee Praanayam  is  the  pranayama practice for summer.  It is said that this pranayam can reduce fevers, and t...

Today I would like to share this very interesting and thought provoking article by Diane Goldner What is  energy?   That question haunted me, back when I was an investigative journalist tackling the question of how healing works. I was constantly asking what subtle energy was.  So I'd like to share with you an experience that proved to be a turning point.   During the course of my research, I came across a fascinating article. I no longer remember where I read it. But it was an account by a man who decided to do a little thought experiment .  For six weeks he decided to think only the most negative thoughts about his wife. He constantly thought about her in the most negative light. As the days passed, she became increasingly unhinged, until she was sure that he wanted a divorce.  Then he spent six weeks thinking only the most uplifting and wonderful things about his wife; how wonderful and pretty and sweet she was. And by the end o...

Do you have trouble sleeping sometimes? If so, then you may have too much life energy up in your head when you try to go to sleep. Like your blood, your life energy circulates throughout your body. The center of your blood's circulation is your heart, of course, from which your blood flows and to which it returns if all is in order. The center of your life energy's circulation is an energy center called your lower tan tien (pronounced dahn dee-en), which is located in the core of your body at a height just below your belly button. Life energy flows from here out to your extremities and back again. When we engage in activities involving particular parts of our bodies, our systems naturally send more life energy to those parts. When we work with our hands, more energy goes to our hands. When we digest food, more energy goes to our stomachs. When we walk, more energy goes to our legs and feet. When we think or use our eyes, ears, or other senses more energy goes to ou...