YO

Yoga overdrive is the only gear that I want to be in and have been trying to understand lately. When I first started college I attempted to get into it because it was a way to workout, because you really can break a sweat and I sweat quick when it comes to yoga which is not common for me when I workout.

Now that I am getting older and time catches up to me I realize that there are so many energy forces that can knock me off of balance. Besides meditation yoga is the key to me having balance in my life which makes perfect sense since I am into Eastern medicine and all the healing practices the Eastern Hemisphere has to offer. 

A DVD released by  Yoga Journal with Natasha Rizopoulos is Session one, a Step-by-Step guide  and Bikram Yoga has allowed me to get reacquainted with what I have been missing out on.  So now I discovered who started Bikram Yoga, Bikram Choudhury himself and his book has so many great poses that help those with cancer and other diseases such as obesity.  Bikram yoga has 26 poses to practice as well as two signature breathing techniques.

With discipline and practice all the yoga practices can be done at home with no need for a teacher just a book or dvd.

Mental Health Month

In honor of Mental Health month I just want to let you know that you can be happy and hopeful about your life.

I have completed reading Susan Nolen-Hoeksema, Ph. D book Women who think too Much: How to Break Free of Over-thinking and RECLAIM YOUR LIFE and browsed through another of her books exploring how Women who are depressed fall into addictions. What a privilege it is to recognize and understand how people think, especially women. All of the books below are a study of society and how the role of a women has allowed her to tolerate the torment of over-thinking in a nutshell.  Just a side-note: In Beyonce's Life is But a Dream I love how she describes that a lot of her songs are to empower women and a sort of "escape" from reality like "Run the World (girls)". Although we are living in a man's world, a woman does have a lot of power.

One of my favorite quotes from Bob Marley which was on a shirt I loved is, "Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds!"

All of her books are definitely recommended and the best help comes from self because everyone possesses their own personal power. Being happy and well is what life is about and anything less is unacceptable.

Crown/Bliss Chakra

One of the most important Chakra's would have to be 7 which shows enlightenment and connecting to one's spirituality. The focus is on top of the head and when meditating the sound that should be made is, "Om...Om...Om...Om...and Om."

When feeling down or not completely connected which may cause physical and mental challenges such as stress, nervousness, fear and depression. When this chakra is balanced their is peace, connection to higher planes, spirituality, strength and joy at the wonders of life.

All elements are associated with this Chakra but especially Fire, and the Fire astrological signs as well. It is good to keep a internal fire burning, have a candle lit or incense and make use of angelica, elemi or frankincense. 

Specifically good for meditation- go figure.

The color associated with this is violet.

More info about the Crown Chakra

The seventh chakra is know as the crown chakra and is situated on the top of the head or crown area. This chakra is represented by the colours violet or white Sahasara mandala and is also symbolised by sacred spirits. The seventh chakra is the foundation of our spiritual body and links us to the highest guidance, the creation. It influences spiritual will, inspiration, idealism and celestial knowledge it is our connection with the universe. This chakra physically influences the cerebral cortex, cerebrum, central nervous system, glands and the pineal gland, pituitary gland and hormones related to them.

When the crown chakra is balanced we are released from ego driven desires, we are able to trust in our highest guidance and know that we are guided in all that we do.

If this chakra is not working properly we will still be guided but this guidance will probably be ego influenced rather than from our highest guidance this can cause us to become unsure of our self's, reducing our self confidence and creating fear and anxiety. It can create negative influences in the physical this can be seen in the form of apathy and problems with the understanding and retention of knowledge. Physical problems which may occur are headaches, worry, anxiety, immune disorders, metal and cognitive problems.

When open this chakra feels as if there is a small amount of pressure, pulling or tugging at the crown of the head. The seventh chakra balance is affected by the balance of the previous six Chakras.