Live in the Moment - inward , outward

Inward , Outward
Awareness that focuses entirely inward,into the mind , the spirit , and the self while failing to give due attention to the wonders of nature and the universe, is merely a partial experience. To travel onward we need to go joyfully out into the world as well as deep into the recesses of our being.

when temporary cut out with the object in the surrounding ,( withdraw the eye sense in yoga called patyahara ) will slow the thought down and give the mind a quiet break. in this particular position allows the front of the brain cool down.

Live in the Moment - downtime

Downtime

Ensure you have at least two hours of uninterrupted leisure each week. use these hours however you choose , but always find time to really relax. Your refreshed outlook will benefit every area of your life.

working with a private cooperate group every weekends and i introduce them a short sequence of a yoganap - supported forward bend and inversion to recharge them after a long week

Live in the moment - keep moving

Keep moving

Our bodies are made to move - any activity in which we remain mostly static for long periods ,including sitting or standing ,will make us stiff and uncomfortable. Balance your different types of activity: still and moving , mental and physical. keeping active will help you to function as a rounded person.

the ride seemed to take a long haul from Dharamsala to Manali due to the mountainous condition in the northern state of India. We really needed to stretch out while waiting our van got the flat tyre fixed.

Live in the moment - unfoldings

Unfoldings

Events in the world develop through complicated patterns of cause and effect. Often , it is best just to let the causal sequence unwind , at least for a while , resisting the temptation to intercede or to help it on its way.

Live in the Moment - Beginnings

Beginnings

A birthday is simply an anniversary. But next time your celebrate yours, think beyond itself to the actual moment of your entry into the world. Then return yourself to the present by doing, in spirit of self-affirmation, one of the things that is most characteristic of you and makes your special to yourself. Rejoice in your individuality.

Live in the Moment - Looking Back

Looking Back

As you prepare for bed , run through the highlights of the past day and relish the most enjoyable of them. Put aside your uncomfortable memories to learn from tomorrow. also take a few minutes to praise yourself. Congratulate yourself on the achievements of the day. assign unfinished tasks to another day ( not necessarily tomorrow ) , in the knowledge that you have done your best.

Live in the Moment - The Value of Now

The Value of Now

" You can not do a kindness too soon , for you never know how soon it will be too late."

Live in the Moment - Three-way balance

Three-way balance

Some teachers prefer to speak of "awareness " rather than " mindfulness, " arguing that the latter word implies an over-emphasis on mind at the expense of body and spirit. Do not elevate the mind to the throne of supreme power. If you catch yourself being over-intellectual,or placing too much faith in logic, read a sacred text and spend an hour in the gym - or whatever equivalent activities you feel more comfortable with. Let your mind know its place.

Live in the Moment - Arm's length

Arm's Length

Emotional attachments can impair our judgment , leading us into self-perpetuating trouble. If you can master the art of emotionally separating yourself from the situations you are in, this can help you with the cool , clear decisions needed to live in a spirit of love , compassion , fairness , and sincerity.

Live in the Moment - Turn inward

Forward bends connect us with our inner self. Stand with your feet slightly apart and parallel. breathe in , lift your arms above your head, then breathe out and bend gently forward. Bring your hands to your thighs , calves , or the floor. Stay here for one breath, then slowly roll your spine up to standing.

Live in the Moment - Find you path : Magic carpet

Magic Carpet

To be passive , to have our lives lived for us by our emotions , our attachments , or our ego , is to remain asleep. We may think we're on a path to self-discovery, but that path is completely circular. We are not traveling at all , we're merely fidgeting. Start now to travel adventurously out of the passive state. Be active and aware, and the path will unfold in front of you like a magic golden carpet.

Picture was taken during a Hatha yoga session @ yoga niketan in Rishikesh , India.

Live in the Moment - Appreciation

Appreciation
"Children find everything in nothing; men find nothing in everything. "


picture in courtesy of Jessie's 4 months old daughter who is in perfect yoga"Happy Baby Pose" :)

Live in the Moment -Stand your ground

Stand on your ground

Coming to terms with reality involves stripping ourselves of comforting delusions. Many people who try to confront life's difficult truths get scared and fail in the attempt. You won't gain self-knowledge without drawing upon your reserves of strength and courage. Don't run away: the rewards of standing your ground will be riches beyond measure - true happiness , true peace , true love.

Live in the Moment - Fill your days

Fill your days "The Most wasted of all days is one without laughter."

Nicolas - Sebestien Roch Chamfort ( 1741 - 1794 ) , France

Live in the Moment - Skillful

Skillful

"The art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our surroundings. "

Okakura Kakuzo ( 1862 - 1913 ) Japan

Live in the Moment - Lonely Twin

" Doubt is a pain to lonely to know that faith is his twin brother."

Kahlil Gibran ( 1883-1931) Lebanon /USA

Live in the Moment - Mountain High

When you climb to a high peak , you may think that the only way forward is down. But you are more than flesh , bone , and muscle. Imagine you are here to let your spirit off its bodily leash. Scan the distant views. You are a citizen of vast spaces: enjoy your privileges to the full.

Live in the Moment

The Warrior

" I count him brave who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies for the hardest victory is the victory over the self ".

Quick Fix Yoga Time

limit in time and space ?or still want to maintain the wellbeing of the spine & the flexibility while away from the yoga mat on a long year-end holiday, try the following quick & simple yoga movements with the chair. They help remove lethargy & stagnated energy from the body. Do enjoy your holiday!!!

(1 ) Seated Mountain Pose , stretches the upper back and the chest. it helps refresh the whole body. make sure do not tense the shoulder.

(1)

(2 ) Seated Cow Pose , emphasizes the opening in the chest region and the slight back-bending in the lower back. Hold the hands firm on the side of back rest of the chair , without moving the legs & the hips to emphasize on bringing the chest toward the backrest and hold for couple of breaths before moving to the next pose ( 3 ) seated Cat Pose.

(2)

(3) Seated Cat Pose , rounds the upper back to relieve the tightness & stiffness in that region and it helps to massage a bit the Abdominal Muscles by curling in the tummy. Do couple rounds of (2) & (3) back to back til the specific region become alive & supple. sync the movement with the breathing , inhaling in ( 2) Seated Cow Pose and exhaling in (3 ) Seated Cat Pose

(3)

(4) Seated Cow Face Pose , stretches the muscles of the chest and the shoulders, keep the flexibility for that region. make sure keep the upper elbow upward and the opposite shoulder rolls back

(4)

( 4) Close-up view of the position of the hands in Seated Cow Pose , if the hands can not be clasped together , hold with the towel. repeat this on the other side.

(4)a

(5) Seated Half Spinal Twist Pose , target area is on the upper back ( the muscles between the shoulder blades ) and the neck region . it helps relieve tension in the spine. keep both the legs & the hips and hands firm. emphasizes the pull & stretch in that specific region. hold each side for at least 2 minutes or desirable period

(5)

(6) Chair Version Downward Facing Dog Pose, stretches the whole body , the arms , the shoulder , the chest ,the back and the spine and the legs. the position is about 4 1/2 to 5 feet away from the chair, or measure like this , hold the hands at the edge of the chair and walk the leg backward til both the arms are full extended. keep the legs slight apart or bent the knee if the hamstring is tight.

(6)

(7) Chair Version Upward facing Dog Pose , tones & stretches the spine. hold the hands firm on the edge of the chair , and inhale bring the pelvis toward the edge of the chair , the chest is forward and up. sync these two movements ( 6) and (7 ) with the breathing , inhale moves into the (7) and exhale moves into (6 ). repeat couple of rounds til feel the body become warm. be comfortable with the pressure in the wrist. keep the stance shorter if the pressure too much.

(7)

(8) Chair Version Triangle Pose , stretches the side torso ,the hips and the chest. It also stretches the legs and the hamstring. From (6) Chair version Downward Facing Dog Pose forward the left foot and align it with the leg of the chair. keep the stance as in the (6) downward facing Dog Pose , or you can make it wider to 5 feet. hold the hand firm and stretch the other arm vertically upward

(8)

(9) Chair Version Downward Facing Dog Pose variation , with the legs apart,
emphasizes stretching the inner thigh and the hamstring & the hips more as well as refresh the brain. take at least 5 to 10 breaths.

(9)

(10) Preparation for Seated Pigeon Pose , Take a few breaths , seat taller in the back & the spine. put the right lower leg on the left thigh , and make sure keep the right outer hip firmly on the seat.

(10)

(11) Seated Pigeon Pose , stretches the outer hip and relieve the tension in that region and the lower back. hold at least 1 minutes each side and repeat twice.

(11)

(12) Close-up view of Seated Pigeon Pose , make sure to keep the top foot flex . put a towel and use it to pull the calf muscle if the knee hurts. balance on all finger tips or rest the hand on any available firm prop if the hand can not reach the floor. Be comfortable in the pose.

(12)

(13) Seated Spinal Twist variation ( 1 ) , basically to stretch the inner ligament along the spine and the side of the torso to relieve the tension in the upper shoulder and the neck. hold the right hand at the opposite left ankle and rest the left hand on the thigh , initiate the twist by holding the right hand firm and bringing the chest toward the left leg on the exhalation. repeat this on the other side.

(13)

(14) Seated half Squat Pose , stretches the spine and the back and the the groins. keep the foundation firm , the feet and the hips and the hands.

(14)

(15)Seated Forward Bend Pose , deepens the stretch in the entire muscles of the back and the spine. hold the hands firm on the legs of the chair and the feet are pressed down to the mat firm as well. breath slowly in the final position. hold at least 1 minute.

(15)

(16) Chair Version Passive Chest Expansion Pose, stretches the muscles of the chest and the shoulders to increase the breathing capacity. hold the hands on the back rest of the chair firm and slide the top shoulders back and down.

(16)

(17) Seated Camel Pose , backward bends the spine to stimulate the spinal nerve and it helps remove lethargy away from the whole body. it leaves you feel refresh and energized. it also stretches the front body , the thigh , the tummy and the chest. hold the hands firm on the edge of the chair ,and the feet stand firm. inhale , move the buttock away from the chair and extend the sacrum away from the lower back , integrates the backward bending move by lifting up through the chest and sliding the shoulder down and back. Use the chest breathing as hold in the final pose. release and take a few breaths before repeating second time. do two rounds. if prefers , the heels can be lifted up.

(17)

(18)Seated Forward Bend Pose , as counter stretch the backward bending. the benefit refers to (14)

(18)

(19) Seated Spinal Twist Variation ( 2) , as a counter stretch after backward bend and forward bend. the benefit same as other twisting poses.

(19)

(20) Lying leg up to the chair Pose, relaxes the whole body. put the leg on the headboard if you are resting on the bed. alternatively rest the legs on the wall. relaxes at least 5 minutes and breathes deeply. and release from this pose and continue to lie down flat on the bed for another 5 minute and do the conscious breathing.

(20)

Live in the Moment

Dive In

"Pearls do not lie on the seashore. If you desire one, you must dive for it."