Healing with yoga: 7 stories of resilience and hope

  Yes, we’ve heard a lot about   meditation . And yes, its an important practice in our daily lives. I know, I know  - it must be done daily to experience the benefits more. Yet, sitting everyday for twenty minutes with eyes shut is a little tough and as I’d like to admit – a bit boring. When I shared this with a friend, she shared some suggestions. I liked them and thought that I could share them here. 1. Find a Buddy The company (sangha) that we maintain is important in keeping us feeling positive and inspired. Find a friend, who is as passionate as you about meditation. Let there is an understood decree between you two that you can pull each other anytime if either one slips in their practice. And of course, treat yourselves if the practice has been regular. Your buddy and you could also meditate together, participate in a yoga rave, go for a really nice Ayurvedic meal together…The sangha will grow stronger and so will you.  2. Try a New Location The best part abo...

  Meditation connects body, mind & spirit to increase productivity The pressures at work can be endless. It can be meeting deadlines or dealing with clients or challenging colleagues. Add to this list overtime issues, and the pressure to  increase productivity . There is a need to make the most of your skills. You also have a desire to use your talents and experience. So the tensions are never-ending. Then there are those small questions that keep bothering you. Are those excellent employment opportunities meant for me? How can I stand out in the crowd and beat the competition when it comes to that promotion? How do I know when to take risks that will pay off? How can I enhance my creative skills and have a more meaningful workday? Bloomberg Businessweek states, "Meditation improves the qualities of an employee. It increases intuition, concentration, and alleviates aches and pains that bother most employees." Meditation has been around for thousands of years because it is...

  If you are new to meditation, you may wonder whether it’s working or doing any good for you. But even some experienced meditators have these kinds of questions! Often, meditation can feel like you have taken time off to think about everything in the world, or that you’re just sitting there going over your to-do list and planning how and when you can check them off. Sometimes, even, you’re just thinking about the process of meditation itself, and if you are going any deeper into it.   So how do deep meditation experiences actually feel? Is there any way you can tell that you are into deep meditation? When I started meditating, I certainly had these kinds of questions, and I’m sure that you do, too. 3 things that happen when you go deep into meditation Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a globally revered meditation expert, says, “When you go deep into that empty space that you are feeling in meditation, three things happen: 1) At the beginning of the meditation, you don’t se...

  We all juggle multiple roles in a day that our personal and professional lives demand of us. This leaves us feeling tired, exhausted, and burned out. In such a situation, it becomes very tough to motivate ourselves to get up and meditate.  Are you also someone who is struggling to find the time to meditate?  If yes, then here are some tips to help you. These tips are designed to initiate some gentle shifts in your life so you can make meditation a regular part of your routine smoothly and easily. 1. Managing time: You’re super busy and taking out time every day to meditate is just not practical. The reality is that the deep rest that you get in meditation enables you to be much more dynamic and effective in your activities. This enhanced energy and mental clarity ensure that you perform your activities more efficiently in the same amount of time. Also, because of the deep rest and the sense of wellbeing that you get, you may find that instead of avoiding it,  you w...

  What is Mindfulness? Being aware of your situation and surroundings and taking time to read through events in your life is called mindfulness. It allows you to focus on the moment and lead a stress-free life. How present are you to the simple moment to moment activities of your daily routine like waking up, brushing your teeth, having your meal. Or does your mind wander away to the past or future while acting in the present?  Do you pause and appreciate every moment and feel gratified for your life? Seems quite impractical, right? Of course, we are all running for time and are anxious for many things in our ever-busy world, and it’s not easy (although very relaxing) to be present and aware of every moment! So what can we do to effortlessly implement mindfulness and its benefits in everyday life? Mindful Breathing and Meditation To bring mindfulness into your daily life, start by taking slow and long breaths. Mindful breathing helps manifest mindfulness as your mind is brough...