The Eight Limbs of Yoga

Yama (Restraints or Abstinence)

Niyama (Observances or Disciplines or Devotion)

 Asanas (Yogic postures)

Pranayama (Breath Control)

Pratyahara (Retraction of the Senses)

Dharana (Fixation of Attention)

Dhyana (Devotion, Fusive Apprehension)

Samadhi (Fully Integrated Consciousness)

For more details and explanation about these aspects of yoga, reach out to me at goldenlightsyoga@gmail.com

“Yoga is possible for anybody who really wants it. Yoga is universal….”

Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois

July 26, 1915 – May 18, 2009

Power On

Each day we all need to recharge our spiritual battery, otherwise the light of our consciousness becomes dim, thoughts become fuzzy, and decisions are impregnated with doubt. Power is available inside and outside. Inside us we have a spiritual centre, at the core of our consciousness, pure radiant spiritual light. This is what we are. However it is now blocked by our attachments, the record of all our life experiences and many learned beliefs and perceptions. Outside us we have the sun of spirit, the source, invisible to our physical eyes but only one second away when we are able to quieten and focus our mind. Meditation connects us to both sources of power - that’s why meditation is the way to access the real vitamins and the minerals that spirit craves. The vitamin of pure love and the minerals of truth and wisdom.

Take time to empower yourself today.

 Sit quietly and connect your mind to each source and allow yourself to recharge and renew.

To create the future we desire and need a spiritual language; we must speak from the heart and in the language of the soul - a language of trust, faith and higher values, of inner growth, love and listening.

One who has control over the mind is tranquil in heat and cold, in pleasure and pain, and in honor and dishonor; and is ever steadfast with the Supreme Self.

~Bhagavad Gita

Attitudes

When you extend pure love to everyone with selfless motivation that is an attitude of kindness. When you send good wishes and pure feelings to those who are in deep sorrow, that is an attitude of mercy. When you see the virtues rather than the weaknesses in people that is an attitude of compassion. When you bless and uplift someone even as they defame you, that is an attitude of forgiveness. When you tolerate a situation and take responsibility as well as give cooperation even when not appreciated, that is an attitude of humility and self-respect.

Every second, every moment and every breath of your life is nurtured by attitude.

The light in me honors the light in you!

What goes around comes around is not a new insight. It is something most of us intuitively know but easily forget, as we attempt to hold on to most things which come to us. What we don’t realise is the ripple effect can easily become the cripple effect. Everything we think and do not only ripples out into the world, it also creates an impression on our own consciousness inside. If one day you decide to get really angry (very unrelaxing) at someone, then you create a memory of your irritation and carve a kind of scar or groove on your consciousness (non-physical of course). Within this scar or groove is a recording of the image of the person as you have decided to perceive them, and the energy of your anger surrounding that image. Remember, you put it there, not them. Two days later you see the same person and that triggers the image and the anger which you have already recorded within. The emotional turbulence inside your consciousness makes it very hard for you to remain positive, connect and communicate effectively, positively and harmoniously with them. In effect you are crippled and clouded by your own emotion. Most of us experience this, sometimes many times a day, but refuse to see that we cripple ourselves, preferring to blame the other person. Which is why we can stay crippled for a long time and not even realise it.

Lately I have been so stressed out. So many different reasons to fret, worry and gloom around! I have to admit, this is probably one of the most stressful times in my life. As we gets older our stress levels rise. I am starting to feel that pressure! Ahh! But what to do?

Daily yoga practice has been helping tremendously. It is a time for me to shut off the mind and get in tune with my breath. This helps me release the tension and makes me calm. With each exhale, I am able to forget the 1,000 things that are causing me to stress out.

Stress creates a hormone called cortisol. If our body can not release this hormone it may result in other health issues. Many people don’t realise that their health and weight problems could be a result of stress  build up.  

Yoga helps breakdown this hormone causing the body and mind to live at ease. Through pranayama, breathing, the body and mind are able to work together to illuminate stress. Yoga disconnects you from the outside world and brings you closer to an enlightened state. 

For me, I know my troubles won’t just disappear. Through yoga, I am able to take a mental moment and reconnect to my center. Afterwards, I feel so balanced and calm. This allows me to be ready for the next punch. You never know what life is going to throw at you! You just have to be prepared!

“Always do what you are afraid to do.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Feeling a little unmotivated? Feeling the motivation but having a hard time actually getting started? Time to get motivated and break that fear down!

My yoga mentors always said- do what you fear! So I try to  live in the moment and not let fear restrain me.

When in yoga practice, I find a pose that I don’t like or have a hard time doing and feel like avoiding it. I now have to find it in me to overcome this fear or dislike and keep it going.

By overcoming smaller obstacles, it helps us when the big blunders come our way.  So get out there today and face your fears! YOU HAVE THE POWER!!