My July noon classes at Atlas Studio were successful (and a fantastic learning experience). This coming Wednesday, I have a final early morning class at the School of Architecture in Cambridge, and then I have completed everything schedule-wise. I was a bit hesitant to commit to 7:45 am classes in a different city, but apparently my body *does* know how to successfully rouse itself at 6:00 am. I’m debating having a quiet August, or perhaps arranging some scheduled classes in Waterloo. Decisions, decisions!

Testimonial

I attended an 8 class session of yoga with Rebecca. During the session, I broke my foot. She modified the poses so I could continue my practice wearing my walking cast, at first in a chair and later including some floor work. She’s an inspirational yoga teacher.
- K, Kitchener

About Sahasrara

• Colour: PURPLE
• Sanskrit Name: Sahasrara (thousandfold)
• Element: Consciousness
• Location: Top of head, cerebral cortex
• Glands: Pituitary
• Purpose: Understanding
• Base Issues: Cognition, awareness
• Orientation to Self: Self-knowledge
• Identity: Universal
• Right: To know
• Demon: Attachment
• Addictions: Religion, spiritual practices
• Developmental Stage: Adulthood
• Mantra: No seed sound, resonant sound Nngg (as in sing)
• Hindu Deities: Shiova, Ama-kala (upward moving shakti), Varuna
• Yoga Path: Jnana yoga, or meditation

Balanced Characteristics

• Ability to perceive, analyze, and assimilate information
• Intelligent, thoughtful, aware
• Open-minded
• Spiritually connected
• Wisdom and mastery
• Broad understanding

Healing Practices for the Crown Chakra

• Re-establish physical and emotional connections (in cases of excess)
• Re-establish spiritual connection (in cases of deficiency)
• Spiritual discipline, meditation
• Psychotherapy such as examining one’s belief system, developing inner witness, working with the higher power

Deficiency in the Crown Chakra

• Spiritual cynicism, learning difficulties, rigid belief systems, apathy

Excess in the Crown Chakra

• Overintellectualization, spiritual addiction, confusion, disassociation from body

A reader who randomly found me (somewhere) has submitted some articles for my review. I will be posting them this week.

I’m not entirely certain that the word “visceral” can be used as an adjective, especially not in the context which I’m going to use it: The “visceral” world. One of the definitions of “visceral” is “obtained through intuition rather than from reasoning or observation”.¹ As such, I have come to the conclusion that I need to spend more time in a world that is less focused on rational logic, and more on on dirty “blood n’ guts” human experience – visceral experience. My practice of yoga is often too intellectual – I thrive on the history and the philosophy, but something in the “doing” often gets lost – I am more in touch with my intellect, and less in touch with my physical being. This is something that I would like need to change. It is a beautiful and fascinating world out there – and sometimes I need to get a bit muddy in the trenches, rather than stay clean on the sidelines!

It became abundantly clear to myself this week that Toastmasters has been more of a valuable asset in my life than I could have possibly imagined at the onset of my club membership. Not only has this experience been invaluable to me in terms of my professional life, it has also had a profound impact on me in my academic career. I am unafraid of so much less than I used to be. I am able to process thoughts in a cohesive manner, rather than watching them fly out of my mouth, similar to horses leaping from their gates in the Kentucky Derby. Perhaps most important – my ability to improvise. I am able to start with a thought, expand upon it, and carry it into a fabulous (or at least satisfactory) conclusion. I love the creativity that I’m able to express when taking a group through a guided meditation; and even more so, I love the spontaneity of doing and saying exactly what is right for the moment and the time. Most of all, I love the fact that I am ultimately confident in doing so. What a wonderful gift.

…

Similar to my partner John, I am very drawn to Paramahansa Yogananda’s Autobiography of a Yogi – and, in particular, the teachings of Kriya Yoga Meditation. Many times, I have passed the Yog Fellowship Temple on Fischer-Hallman Road in Kitchener and wondered about the goings-on there. Now, it seems perhaps I am being guided to investigate it further…

Although a vegetarian diet is preferred in Ayurveda, it is not mandatory. There are certain instances when eating meat, or drinking meat broth can be beneficial, especially in times of illness. The tradition of vegetarianism comes from India’s religious background. The Manu-smriti, a Vedic guide for human behavior says, “having considered the origin of flesh foods and the cruelty of fettering and slaying corporeal beings, let man entirely abstain from eating flesh.”

It goes on to say that eating meat “involves killing, and consequently leads to karmic bondage (bandha).” The Mahabharata, another ancient Indian text, explains that a healthy vegetarian diet is sattvic, increasing purity of consciousness and longevity. Other references in Vedic literature refer to fruits, vegetables, grain, nuts and dairy products as fit for human consumption. And the Bhagavad Gita says that lovingly offering food to others also helps us to shed our karma.

www.whatsyourdosha.com

There is an ancient Indian principle that says if you want to check if your rice is ready, then you just test a few grains. The grains are representative of the status of the entire pot of rice. So, if we want to check on the status of our society, we can look at a few families, as representative of society as a whole. Ayurveda says that we are born with a peaceful and loving mind.

When we are raised in an affectionate and nurturing home, then we can bring that love and peace with us out into society and help the world merely by being ourselves. In our fast-paced culture we sometimes forget about how important it is to come together as a family. Our homes might have a family room, but how often do we use it? Everyone has his own computer, TV, cell phone, and schedule, and we’re going in different directions all the time. We need to remember to connect. Eating a meal together daily gives us food for our souls as well as our bodies. Serving together by helping our communities sets a great example for our children, and feels good, too. Support each other, love each other, appreciate each other. Being an integral part of a healthy family helps us to function more efficiently on five levels: body, mind, senses, emotions, and spirit.

www.whatsyourdosha.com

In Sanskrit, maya means “illusion.” And often, maya is used to refer to material existence. In the Tao of Physics, Fritjof Capra writes: “Maya does not mean that the world is an illusion, as is often wrongly stated. The illusion merely lies in our point of view. Maya is the illusion of mistaking or relative perspective for reality, of confusing the map with the territory.”

One explanation is that the material world exists, but it is only temporary. It is like a dream, having substance for a short period of time. Material existence, or matter, is not forever; it is limited and measurable. Spiritual things, on the other hand, are limitless. The Demigoddess named Maya creates a situation where we live a life of illusion and forgetfulness. Her spiritual counterpart, Yogamaya, creates an atmosphere where we can penetrate the world’s illusions and relish intimacy with the source of all existence.

www.whatsyourdosha.com