Land of Yoga Newsletter #4

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15/11/07
 

Welcome everyone!
Hope you are Well.
Remember that Proper Relaxation
is a crucial component of Health.

 
Apologies from the last newsletter,
the article “A Day at an Ashram” by Yosefine Deans
did not have a proper link.
Click Here, for a second try.

 
FAST FOOD

While the weather’s warm it’s a great time to fast.

 
Not recommended in the colder months,
a 24 Hr fast is an excellent health practise
mindfully done (Anorexics need not apply)!

 
Eat dinner, go to bed, and then don’t eat
until dinner the next night. That’s not too long.
A 40 Hr fast is a bit harder, but more effective.

 
During this time, heaps of water with lemon in it,
and even eating watermelon is a great idea
for total inner cleansing.

 
Your skin will look better than ever,
and the Habit of eating will be exposed.
 

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TOPIC OF THE WEEK

 
LIVING YOGA RATHER THAN DOING IT

 
Many people mention how much they notice
if they haven’t done a class for a while.
Most people really seem - to me -
to relate to Yoga as a class rather than a Way.

 
Realistically, one Yoga session per week
is only likely to maintain a superficial level of Health Balance,
and is most likely only going to make a Significant difference
once maintained for at least a year.

 
Only then will the body actually recognise it as a pattern
and then follow it. If the human is stressed all week
then the body deals with the most common reality.

 
If Yoga occurs for people as a relaxing ‘time-out’,
that’s great, and hopefully it can ease the build-up of stress.

 
A longer term view is to find a way to make Yoga
a part of One’s day, rather than One’s week.
Mindfulness is the simple Key here.

 
While 15 mins of relaxed stretching each day
will always be far more effective than one 2Hr Class a week,
just taking 5 minutes here and there
- to be quiet and still -
will have such wonderful positive benefits.

 
Even a 5 second Pause
to feel the breath flowing through the nostrils
- checking the lungs are relaxed and soft -
can bring Total calm.

 
Another option is to monitor
How balanced and calm is your mind and body?
At any time of day, on any day.

 
The Yogi, ideally, is Always conscious of this.
The Yogi is one who Lives the life of Yoga,
not just someone who does it occasionally.

 
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BOOK REVIEW OF THE WEEK:

 
RAJA YOGA - SWAMI VIVEKANAND.

 "The Absolute" - By Leonie Orton Staal (Thanks!)

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 HEALTH TOPIC OF THE WEEK

 Thank you to Mrs.Y, who requested the following:

 
“Dear Doctor Qu’ac,

I have been thinking recently about the way 
that Yoga expands one’s awareness of self and our broader world;
including ideas such as why we are here, 
if I am feeling a certain way what does that mean,
if I have this sickness why is that, etc…

Could you talk about finding the balance 
between being more aware of our consciousness, 
health and world around us, without it becoming obsessive?

 
Doctor Qu’ac says:

 Well in a way every human in the world is obsessive all of the time! 
We are always obsessed with what is happening, what happened, 
what Will happen, and what didn’t happen!
This is called Maya, the egocentric state that believes 
the whole world is Happening to US.
In some ways Yoga is more about Understanding this nature.

 
We all believe what we Want to believe,
and we take on new beliefs Only when this suits us.
We are always inside our own minds
and one day we will Die.

Those interested in Consciousness find it interesting.
Those interested in Denial find that necessary.
Those interested in Compassion serve themselves.
Those interested in Life are amusing themselves!

 
The Yoga philosophy, especially in the Bhagavad Gita,
suggests that everything in your world
is what you want to believe. It is considered worthwhile
to actually understand this, and not be stuck
inside what you think is the Truth.

 Essentially the wise person knows that nothing is Real.
Life experience can be Fun. All Drama is a Choice.
Health seems like a better story than Unhappiness.
There is no Real difference between Good and Bad,
and Happy and Sad.

 Yoga simply results in a contentment
that is reflected in the body as Health.
But these are just stories.

 
FOR YOUR OPINIONS OR QUESTIONS
PLEASE WRITE TO DOCTOR QU’AC.

 
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THE CHAKRAS:

 
These are considered high energy centres in the known body.
Chakra (Phonetic: Ch from Chair - Ark - Ra like the Sun God)
is best translated as Wheel. Turning wheels of energy.
The 7 Chakras have been agreed upon for 1000’s of years
by expert, wise, investigative and healthy Yogis.
If they don’t exist for you,
consider that you mightn’t be able to tell!

 
Chakras relate to Kundalini Yoga.
All Yoga to some degree operates on this level.
Each Chakra is said to have particular Themes, Colours,
Qualities, Image, Effects, Position, and Vibrational Sound.

 
This Week: The Root Chakra: Mooladhara

 
Colour: Deep Red. Sound: Laam.
Position: Underside of Pelvis/Perinium/Genitals/Anus.
Themes: Earth, survival, sex, money, beginnings, Family.
Image: Grey Elephant with 7 trunks.
Ideal poses: Lotus, Dancing Shiva, Star Pose, Splits.

 
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ASTROLOGY

 Time of Scorpio, the Prober, interested in secrets,
mysteries of life and death, the use of Power.
Full Moon: Sun 25^th, 1.30am.
(Planting): best time to Sow Fruity Annuals: 19^th and 20^th.

 
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Thanks everyone, try not to take too much care,
any interesting Health articles welcome,
your own experiences, questions, and insights.

 
Do something small and secret that is Generous.

 
Love Toby x

See Toby as YOGA BEAR! FUN YOGA FOR KIDS Funny and Creative DVDs and Magical Dream CDs available at www.yogabear.com.au