Wednesday, Jun 15, 2016 International Day of Yoga – June 21, 2016
Celebrating International Day of Yoga – June 21st
by Kerry Morris
In 2014 the Prime Minister of India made an appeal to the United Nations General Assembly requesting the adoption of an International Day of Yoga. At the meeting, he pointed out: “It is not about exercise, but to discover the sense of oneness with yourself, the world and the nature.” June 21st is an auspicious day to celebrate Yoga, because it is the first day of the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. Ancient cultures revered and tracked the movement of the sun and moon: Stonehenge in England, the Pyramids in Egypt, the Incas, and the Mayans, are a few such examples.
The term yoga brings to mind the physical practice of doing yoga poses. However, that is only one aspect of the science and philosophy of yoga. There are eight “limbs” in yoga, and the physical practice called asana is merely one of those limbs. Born over 5,000 years ago in India, it is thought that yoga started long before any religion, in approximately 2700 BC. In The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali with Commentary by Shri Lahiri Mahasaya and Metaphorical Explanations by Paramahamsa Prajnanananda, he notes “…Maharshi Patanjali is not the founder of yoga; rather, he compiled different aspects of yogic practice and meditation in a systematic way.” In the Foreword of the book (from the Original Commentary by Shri Lahiri Mahasaya), it states:
“Body and mind are correlated. In the happiness and comfort of one, there is also happiness and comfort of the other. In the affliction of one, the other is also afflicted. By making the mind still and tranquil, you will find that all the functions of the body come to cessation. On the other hand, by trying to cease the functions of the body, you will find that the mind also becomes peaceful. Through the practice of yoga, it is possible to achieve mastery over the activities of the body and mind, while maintaining life in the body. The Yoga Sutra of Sage Patajnali is precious for those who are following such a path or those who are interested in walking this path.”
Thus, connecting body and mind is achieved through the science and practice of meditation. There are many different types of physical yoga practices: hatha, kundalini, Iyengar, Ashtanga, Bikram, vinyasa, etc. Many of these combine focus on physical postures (asanas) with focus on the breath, using the breath to help “move you through each posture.”
There are also many different types of meditation practice, of which Transcendental Meditation, or “TM,” is probably the most well known. However, there are truly too many types to list for the purposes of this story. Searching the internet for different types of yoga and meditation practices can be confusing, because there is so much information to go through, so it may be more frustrating than helpful.
The true science and culture of yoga should be done with the guidance of a guru. How do you find such a person? Ask people you know in your community. Keep trying and searching until you find one that speaks to you and brings you great happiness and feeds your soul.
The Kriya Yoga lineage follows the teachings of eight realized masters, one of whom is still living: Paramahamsa Prajnanananda. Kriya Yoga is called “the science of soul culture” and is considered the fastest path towards self-realization. To learn more about this ancient technique and the science of Kriya, please visit Kriya Yoga Institute.
To learn more about Kriya Yoga and our gurus, please visit Kriya Los Angeles or the U.S.-based Mother Center for Kriya (in Homestead, FL). Initiations, performed by Yogacharyas, are done all over the world, and schedules can be found on both sites. Initiation is typically done over a 2-day period on weekends, with an introduction on the Friday night preceding the initiation.
Sources:
kriya.org
idayofyoga.org
earthsky.org
The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, with Commentary by Shri Lahiri Mahasaya and Meetaphorical Explanations, by Paramahamsa Prajnanananda
Monday, Nov 02, 2015 Can’t See the Forest for the Yogis
Some dedicated Param Yogis have continued to participate in our Strike a Pose project by doing yoga in places outside of the studio and sending us the pictures. The latest shows Linda Welles (left) and Michelle Marlow doing tree pose in the Santa Monica Mountains. Keep those pictures coming, yogis!
Thursday, Oct 01, 2015 Who were those masked yogis?
Even though summer is officially over, Param Yoga students have continued to strike a pose and send in pictures of themselves doing yoga in locations away from the studio. These masked yogis are getting in the pre-Halloween spirit at Serrania Park in Woodland Hills.
Standing from left are: Kerry Morris, Cherise Kruger, and Michelle Marlow. In plank pose from left are Linda Welles and Ann LaManna.
We hope that you’ll continue to send us your pictures all through the year, and make sure to smile… “Because we love our yoga!”
posted by Kirsten K.
Thursday, Oct 01, 2015 A Message from Marydale – October 2015
At 4 AM I woke with a start to a voice in my head saying, “Don’t go back to sleep.” I popped out of bed after only three hours of sleep, feeling surprisingly invigorated, to prepare for morning meditation at the Kriya Institute Mother Center in Homestead, Florida. Having arrived for a six-day retreat at the ashram with zero expectations, an open heart, devotion and anticipation of the unknown, I could never have imagined the tremendous experience awaiting me. From the moment I stepped upon the holy ground of the ashram I experienced a continuous flow of love, goodness, kindness and profound spiritual confirmation.
The grounds themselves are breathtakingly beautiful, permeated with tropical plants, many of which Paramahamsa Hariharananda brought from India many years ago to propagate here. Stepping onto the land is like stepping through a doorway into otherworldliness engulfed with a treasure trove of lush beauty saturated with a distinct feeling of holiness and serenity. This sense of holiness permeates everything from the grounds to the modest structures, the space within the structures, the presence of the monks, the wildlife, delicious food and my fellow devotees. Convinced that you have landed in an altered reality, Paramahamsa Prajnanananda appears out of nowhere and instantly takes one’s breath away…and there it is—an instant of ecstatic knowing that you are in the presence of a God man. There’s no mistaking it. His massive aura permeates everyone in his midst with unmistakable, unconditional love, tenderness, large-heartedness and joy—pure satchitananda in our midst, personified.
Throughout the six days, we were all given every opportunity to lay our heads on the lap of God consciousness and exercise our ability to go within and discover who we are. In the process we were guided, taught, led, loved, encouraged and purified by fire that left us all more whole than ever to continue striving ever upward in Love.
That beautiful voice I heard has become a constant mantra, a reminder: “Don’t go back to sleep”—don’t risk losing consciousness again at the risk of missing rising through awareness into the bliss state myself. My resolve and intention is to stay awake, no matter what. It’s available to us all…if we would just wake up!
Considering the majesty and Grace of spending six days with a realized master, I have been left with my heart ablaze with his clear and simple message for each and every one of us: that is, Love God in every breath.
With blessings and love to you from God and Gurus,
“Love is the key. Waste no time, live your time with God; the time will not be wasted.” — Paramahamsa Prajnanananda
Saturday, Aug 01, 2015 A Message from Marydale – August 2015
Dear Ones,
As you begin to understand the nature of life, it becomes more evident that learning to have no attachment in the prakritti (material) world is an important discipline that will reap deep rewards for you in the areas of peace, contentment, non-suffering and clarity. Through the emancipation of one’s person, there is a vast knowing that there is nothing in this world to yearn for as you have attained the one inexhaustible treasure in the realm of the Divine.
Through the warm weeks of August may you deliberately turn up the heat on your daily practice by recognizing that it is the way into the greatest, most precious wealth you can possibly imagine.
See you at the Sangha.
In Service,
Remain calm, serene, always in command of yourself. You will then
find out how easy it is to get along. – Paramahansa Yogananda
Friday, Jul 03, 2015 “There is great love here for you.”
Abraham
by Edie Fasano
I am relatively new to the teachings of Abraham. I had heard the name before and puzzled over the language on the Abraham cards I chose during my Reiki trainings with Marydale. After my husband and soul mate, John, transitioned a year ago, I wanted to understand how my soul mate could appear and then disappear in so short a time and how to continue to move forward in love and joy. Abraham kept coming up in my conversations with Kirsten, Marydale and many others. Kirsten is a wealth of information and our conversations led me to many recordings and the book, Law of Attraction. When I read the preface to Law of Attraction by Jerry Hicks about the questions he had and the knowing, I got goose bumps—this was what I was searching for. Over time, I came to a new understanding of life. We are all part of the same Source energy, or God—if you prefer that name—and, as Marydale reminds us, we are not our body.
After nine months I was feeling much better, but there was a nagging sense of guilt and doubt. I wondered: what is my purpose? How do I make choices? I want to be happy, but I’m not sure how to let go. What is mourning and grief anyway?
Abraham ends their seminars and conversations saying, “There is great love here for you.” As I approached the 1-year anniversary of the night John left his physical body, I wanted to experience the truth of those words. On June 20th, I attended my first Abraham-Hicks seminar. It was a truly profound event.
The seminar was in Denver—a 16-hour drive—which was a wonderful opportunity for me to listen to my newly acquired CDs of Diary of a Yogi. I drove, marveling at the panorama unfolding before me, as Ben Kingsley’s melodious voice intoned the stories of the many great yogis who impacted the life of Paramahansa Yogananda. The parallels between the Yogananda’s stories and Abraham were striking and reassuring. I was listening to the words of God on my way to meet God.
The morning of the seminar I was up early for my Kriya practice. I felt that everything was as it should be— the day would unfold exactly as it was meant to. Walking towards the meeting room I discovered lots of smiling faces. Everyone was so happy to be there! I signed in and found a seat near the front on the aisle. There was an impressive array of books, cards, CDs and DVDs for sale. I made my purchases early, knowing I could add to them later. As I waited, I could feel the energy building as the room filled up.
Esther stepped on the stage and thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the more than 600 attendees. She gave us the ground rules and then stepped to the side to summon Abraham. As she closed her eyes and breathed, I watched the transformation, amazed. Her expression became one of peace and knowing. Esther nodded several times, opened her eyes and Abraham welcomed us. After giving us a brief foundation of the thoughts and ideas they wanted to share, the first attendee was called to the hot seat. He had a question about his cat. I thought about my beasts and realized the answer would serve me well too. Then a woman was called to the hot seat whose husband had committed suicide. Abraham gently helped her find release. Explaining that the grief and guilt she felt was simply her disconnection with her Inner Being, her Source. Her Inner Being was feeling quite the opposite and knows that all is well. She is well. Her spouse and friends are well. What she was calling tragedies are not tragedies, but choices made by others over which she had no control. They are in a place of joy and they want her to be joyful too.
I listened and felt the truth in their words. John’s frequent question to me when he was in his physical body was, “Are you happy?” He always wanted me to be happy and would tell me that I was to do whatever it took to be happy and stay happy. I finally understood what he meant, and I appreciated how truly connected he was to his Source. My first question was answered. As for my other questions, one by one they, too, were answered. Even though I was not picked, I began to feel more and more appreciation for Abraham, Esther, the people in the hot seat and everyone in the room. I was basking in a wonderful pot of unconditional love and appreciation. All too soon it was over and Abraham closed, “There is great love here for you.” And I knew that was true!
Memories of the discussions and the Yogananda’s words guided me home. As I listened to Sri Yukteswar’s analysis of sections of the Bible, I realized the information is not new—it can be found in all of the religious teachings of the world. Abraham reminds us that we are all connected—connected by Source. We are all Source energy. God force, or whatever you choose to call it, is flowing through all of us. I am happy and will do whatever it takes to stay that way. I know John is not dead; he is more alive than ever. He has let go of the resistance he felt on this earthly plane and in his physical body. There is so much more to him; to me; to all of us. Listen to the voice within you. Meditate, take the time to line up your energy, and then see how high you can fly! There is great love here for you.
Wednesday, Jul 01, 2015 A Message from Marydale – July 2015
Happy Summertime to you and yours. May the days and weeks ahead be grounded in your yoga practice to assure ongoing wellness in body, mind and Spirit. Doing so will assure your ability to embrace your highest good with wisdom and enthusiasm each day and insure fewer interruptions to your personal, perpetual peace and Well-Being. Remember – it never matters where you go or whom you are with. You, the real you, is eternally present to create in a positive manner always, in all ways, now and forever.
Join us often at Param Yoga to enhance your resolve to live authentically. Our schedule has just the right amount of summer activities to keep you engaged in stretching yourself deeper into your personal practice. I look forward to sharing time and space with you.
In Service,
“If you don’t invite God as a summer guest, he will not come in the winter of your life” -Lahiri Mahasaya
Tuesday, Jun 30, 2015 Strike a Pose
One of our students, Dawn Kersten, was recently visiting the Erie Canal in upstate New York. She and her husband were at the Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct in Camillus when he received a business call, so she decided to take some time out for a little yoga. As she was standing in tree pose, her husband secretly took a picture, which she sent to Marydale.
This gave Marydale an idea. Since many of our students will be traveling this summer—some to locations as far away as Africa—she’d like for the members of our community to send us pictures of themselves doing tree pose or some other yoga asana in locations around the country…and the world! We will post them on our blog and feature the best and most creative pictures in our monthly email newsletter.
We hope that you’ll participate in this fun project and continue your yoga practice, in one form or another, even while you’re away from the studio. Happy trails!
posted by Kirsten K.
Monday, Jun 29, 2015 A firsthand account of the Nepalese earthquake
Paul Sharp is the son of one of our yoga and Reiki students. He was living in Nepal when the devastating earthquake hit this past April and he agreed to share the account of his experience with our community:
In 2011 I based myself in Nepal in order to further study and practice vajrayana Buddhism under my teacher’s guidance. After becoming Buddhist in my late teens, this was something I had wanted to do and prepared for for nine years. Growing up in southern California, I was not a stranger to earthquakes and I knew Nepal was a hot spot for large earthquakes as it sits where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. Hence, over the last 40 million years the Himalayas were gradually formed. Whenever I walked through the narrow Kathmandu streets surrounded by poorly built buildings, it often popped in my mind that Nepal had not had a major earthquake in about 80 years. I always imagined somehow I wouldn’t be in Nepal when the big one hit, and with that thought I would simply carry on.
It was late morning on Saturday, April 25th when the initial 7.8 magnitude earthquake began. I was in my apartment near the great Boudhanath stupa with my girlfriend and sitting at my desk responding to a number of emails. Often, when we sit still and focus on something for a long time, we can feel our heartbeat subtly vibrate throughout our body. In the past I sometimes mistook this for a small earthquake, and when the very first shaking began I thought to myself, “You are just mistaking your own heartbeat for an earthquake again.” A few moments later my room began to shake violently and I knew this was a dangerous situation.
My girlfriend and I were fine, as were all of our friends. Though many of my native Nepali friends were not as fortunate, as they have family members who live in the hardest hit, remote and devastated regions of Nepal. I could see on their faces their experience of suddenly finding out their parents or siblings were now dead or missing. Some of these friends of mine are very good meditators, lamas and yogis who have dedicated their lives to dharma practice, and the way they were able to bear the sudden loss and take even the most gut-wrenching of human experiences onto their path was a great blessing to witness. Still now, many people are physically and mentally suffering due to the Nepal earthquakes and need help.
Though I was physically fine, it was a mentally challenging experience to see so much loss, devastation and uncertainty. Particularly in a place I have called home for a handful of years and in which I have been so spiritually cared for. My mom (Amy Izenberg) is part of a community of yoga and Reiki practitioners at the Param Yoga Healing Arts Center and she, together with many of them, were worried about me and kindly made me the focus of their healing practice. I am very grateful for their positive and loving intention towards me during this difficult time. The care we can give to others is based on our genuine intentions and our connection to each other. This is so beautifully expressed by one of my favorite Himalayan masters, the late Thinley Norbu Rinpoche:
“If we believe in the continuity of mind, then love inconspicuously connects us to the ones we love with continuous positive energy, so that even tangible separations between people who love each other do not reduce the intangible power of love.”
Paul works with the Chokgyur Lingpa Foundation for earthquake relief in Nepal. To make a donation, click here.
Friday, May 01, 2015 A Message from Marydale – May 2015
Our community is honored to have Swami Atmavidyananda Giri and Yogacharya Richard Peterson grace our studio the weekend of May 8th to offer Kriya Initiation.
Kriya Yoga is a golden opportunity to reach higher states of consciousness and change your life, by developing the body, mind, intellect, and awareness of the soul. It is a quick and easy path. Kriya Yoga techniques are passed down from master to disciple, master to aspirant, teacher to student.
— Kriya International
This is your opportunity to take your practice to the next level. Paramahamsa Hariharinanda said, “Realization of cosmic consciousness is the goal of life.” Kriya Yoga will make this goal a reality for you. You can read more about our Kriya Initiation here.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the women in our community who have been blessed to share the rearing of souls as they gain roots and wings. You are awesome and we salute you!
Please be sure to join us for all of the wonderful events we are presenting this month for your benefit and continue to give us your feedback so that we may continue to expand in the most positive way. As you make your way into this extraordinary month of May, make your well-being your priority, because everything you do impacts all of us and we need you to be as awesome as possible.
Blessings to you and yours,