The word “busy” written in Japanese is ” 忙しい” (“isogashii”)and that character “忙”
is comprised actually of two characters: ”心” & ”亡”
心 ＝ heart & mind, spirit.
+
亡 ＝ taken, loss/lost, dead, dying…
To have your heart/mind taken away by others… that’s what being “busy” means. Luckily our yoga practice allows us to regain it back.
There may not be much difference
Between you and me
If we show our dreams
We’re all water from different rivers
That’s why it’s so easy to meet
We’re all water in this vast, vast ocean
Someday we’ll evaporate together.
– Yoko Ono
I just realized that this coming Sunday is New Moon. March is a very special month because we are blessed with 2 New Moons … So exciting! I also celebrated my birthday teaching 90 minutes Vinyasa yoga this week … and realizing that I still love sharing my Vinyasa yoga practice too – setting an intention on my actual birthday with a class full of students of all ages was especially gratifying. Then my Persian goddess friend (more on her later as it would take a whole post) took me out to lunch – Pear salad shared was so delicious. It’s a birthday month for the Aries and we get to hope and dream on New Moon days – TWICE! So blessed !
We will move into reservior of our luminous self Sunday evening to relax, restore and renew.
*********
I wrote this before maybe in my Japanese blog as I was struck by the thought of cycles and how we are all connected to this universe in an unseen cosmic way – there’s gravity and entropy all at once; there’s this Equinox energy unfurling the season of Spring as flowers blossom and we come out of hibernation to face life full of … hopes, dreams and …love.
We are affected by the pull of the tides the moon generates since we too have great oceans within us. The waves crash and Flow and Ebb as with moon Wane to nothingness then to wax to full brightness. We are aware — for some, subconsciously —of the lucid brightness during a full moon, and the deep mysterious darkness of a new moon night – the darkness that cloaks the hidden light…but we know it’s there – the brilliance is there but unseen. Reminder to have faith in all those things we cannot see with our naked eyes but.. it’s there. It’s not forsaken.
Physically,
We tend to feel more tired during the new moon and the full moon. In yoga, there’s a tradition to rest on New Moon and Full Moon days from practicing Ashtanga yoga … and such wisdom must be based on an intrinsic understanding about us vis-a-vis nature that surrounds us.
We tend to draw inward during the new moon, and a pulling outward during the full. It’s not just poetic but real, this “moon” phase we find ourselves in synchronicity like resembling the rhythm of life itself.
In yoga mythology, the goddess of the moon is Lalita Tripura Sundari. Her name means “she who is lovely in the three worlds.” The three worlds are consciousness, unconsciousness and the dreaming state as we learn in Yoga Nidra – all are part of our identity, our existence. Learning that Lalita has 16 manifestations for each phase of the moon through the 16 nights of a cycle from new to full. In that phase, new moon night is the night of Kameshvari, meaning “Always Empowering Desire.”
It’s been passed down from the ancients that at New Moon is a time of fresh start, knowing your desires and dreams – then setting an intention hoping that as the moon waxes towards full, steps will be made to realize those dreams and fulfilling your intentions. Resting from active physical asanas gives you the time to turn inward to pause only to restart again.
Restorative yoga on New Moon, dark night … just what I needed – too bad I am “teaching” guiding it as I live vicariously through my students… setting an intention to serve with gratitude.
but of course with a great bias favoring yoga according to this list compiled by Swami Ramdev…and not sure if each claim is medically proven but I believe with research, each can be backed up. Besides, there’s yoga that’s more exercise than what you think of as yoga, with a lot of aerobics/dance-like, cardio workout blended in – try doing Sun Salutations 108 times jumping through the motions and you will see what I mean… With 72 second holds, it would be less mechanical and more than just burning calories. Your muscles are getting quite a workout and burning fat! In fact, it does not take 108 times – just 5-10 times and you have internally heated yourself. I still love Vinyasa – it feels good.
Physical Exercise
vs.
Yoga
1. By the exercise body becomes stiff and inflexible.
1. By the practice of yoga the body become flexible
2. Exercises affect only muscles, not nerves.
2. Nerves and Facia are energised.
3.Does not impact the purification of Blood.
3. Yoga removes all impurities from the blood.
4. Unregulated breathing is observed after the practice.
4. Harmonized breathing is observed and breathing is regulated.
5. Digestion becomes weak as blood supply to other parts of the body increases.
5. Digestion improves by the regular practice of Yoga
6. Only external muscles get benifited.
6. Affects internal organs as well. (Ashtanga/power style yoga will benefit muscles too.
7. Only Physical body gets benifted.
7. All the bodies including the spiritual ones get benefited
9. Does not affect any energy centers.
9. With yoga this energy center of the body is protected.
10. Diseases are not eliminated through exercise.
10.Yoga is helpful to over come Diseases.
11. Only physical attributes are acquired.
11. Attributes like tolerance, self-control, self-confidence are automatically developed.
12. Integrity and behavioral changes are not achieved.
12. Through the practice of Yoga a man’s behavior changes for the good.
13. After the practice Man gets tired.
13. Tiredness goes away through the practice of yoga. Man becomes energetic.
14. A lot of time and energy is wasted.
14. Time and energy are conserved. Yoga can be done in little time.
15. Old people cannot practice Exercises.
15.There is no Age limitation for yoga practice
16. Equipment and large spaces are needed.
16. No equipment is needed and yoga can be done in little space, (& anywhere).”
**********