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When we are walking the path of our lives - in the instant that we experience the unexpected - take the next step. The longest journey begins with the first step. The realization that we are the ship builder and at the same time the captain of our destiny, we will begin to judge our actions as they really are. We will strive to make each opportunity a winning moment by taking - the next step.
To find a real purpose in life, a reason for living our lives with desire and straight-forward honesty for ourselves, is key to any future success. So much of what we see and experience in life today comes from a mind-altered world of chemical based living. The ability for most of society to make correct assessments and act on them is next to impossible. But we must turn and go towards the destiny which we have been given. Discover who you are by - taking the next step!
The Winning Way...
Once in a while we find ourselves asking the tough questions. Like what is real and what is not? Like What does it take to be a winner in life? Physical excellence must be accompanied by mental and spiritual fortitude if we are going to own the day. Sometimes we try to take short cuts, only to find that all our efforts have gotten us nowhere. Sadly, we try and try again to find the way to excellence. But the path is illusive and barren. Each step we take causes us to sink deeper into the chaos of despair. Where did we go wrong? Why does it seem like the way to success is easy for some and hard for others?
The answer lies in two things. Determination and correct action. Faith in the truth is wrapped up in determination. Right thinking creates right actions. If we hold to that which is true and right we find the way to excel in the face of adversity. Stepping out in faith we make the impossible possible. It is then that all things are possible... to them that believe.
U.N. PEACE BELL
This ancient symbol of Japanese culture represents the efforts for establishing peace between warring nations and people with different world views.
In 1994, there was a special ceremony marking the fourtieth anniversary of the Japanese Peace Bell. On that occasion, Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali said: "whenever it has sounded, this Japanese Peace Bell has sent a clear message. The message is addressed to all humanity. Peace is precious. It is not enough to yearn for peace. Peace requires work -- long, hard, difficult work."
Many are the obstacles to true world peace. A goal which for many seems unrealistic and unattainable. Still there is hope and faith which must view the future in a way which creates more ideas and space for peaceful co-existence of peoples and nature alike. It is not enough to just protect our own small footprint and ignore the larger ramification's of what our individual actions are creating on the larger world platform. To ignore such things is to destroy our own future existence and our children's future.
So, despite the seeming impossibility of the task at hand - we must take hold of the ideas embodied in the word P-E-A-C-E and mold our thoughts and actions so that we begin to build that bridge into the future where all people are free and possess life, liberty and happiness in a violence - free society, immersed in the myst of a new day - born from the mind of Infinite Love.
***************2011*****************
A new day - a new year. We look back over the past 12 months and see great things. Changes in life and times... Political changes. Social changes. Changes in science, religion, sports.... Changes all to solidify the way we think and live...And so in each moment we experience all those different emotions. Joy and pain. Happiness and sadness. But through it all we find a way to live the dream. Carry on into the world beyond imagination.
As we come to the close of another year - we look back on all the good times and all the not - so - good times. We see where we have been, and where we are headed. In this life we only get one chance to live out the day. In the end what we thought was real and good doesn't always turn out to be so.
Still the show must go on. The way to glory is strewn with blood, sweat and tears...
So, in the attempt to make a difference to someone - maybe you - I hold out this thought in the hope that one way or another you find peace. That you see the rainbow - and the pot of gold! That you remember who you are and that you have made it to another day - another year. Believe in the goodness in life. The world has enough saddness... Set your mind to walk in the middle of the path - find balance, and in so doing find yourself. You are the guardian of your own destiny. You are the dream weaver of your own world. The race is not to the strong - but to the one who never gives up. To the finish line... and beyond!
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Mere words can never convey the anticipation - the instant when perfection carries the day. Each moment explodes in the vortex of thought and action - combined into one flawless moment in time. Eventhough we cannot seem to put our finger on the trigger - or point to the precise instant where form merges with imagination and then that magical moment is born, still - we feel the thrill of the rush and something verging on the spiritual is created. We are born again. We can imagine ourselves stepping out and living life on the edge - letting it all hang out. Living the dream! Become inspired... Feel the moment. Dare to dream!
YOGA
Yoga Style Guide
Your Guide to Popular Yoga Styles
By Ann Pizer, About.com Guide
Updated November 03, 2010
About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board
There are many different styles of yoga being taught and practiced today. Although all of the styles are based on the same physical postures (called poses), each has a particular emphasis. Here is a quick guide to the most popular types of yoga that can help you decode the schedule at your gym and figure out which class is right for you.
HATHA
Hatha is a very general term that can encompass many of the physical types of yoga. If a class is described as Hatha style, it is probably going to be slow-paced and gentle and provide a good introduction to the basic yoga poses.
VINYASA
Like Hatha, Vinyasa is a general term that is used to describe many different types of classes. Vinyasa, which means breath-synchronized movement, tends to be a more vigorous style based on the performance of a series of poses called Sun Salutations, in which movement is matched to the breath. A Vinyasa class will typically start with a number of Sun Salutations to warm up the body for more intense stretching that's done at the end of class.
ASHTANGA & POWER YOGA
Ashtanga, which means "eight limbs" in Sanskrit, is a fast-paced, intense style of yoga. A set series of poses is performed, always in the same order. Ashtanga practice is very physically demanding because of the constant movement from one pose to the next. In yoga terminology, this movement is called flow. Ashtanga is also the inspiration for what is often called Power Yoga. If a class is described as Power Yoga, it will be based on the flowing style of Ashtanga, but not necessarily keep strictly to the set Ashtanga series of poses.
IYENGAR
Based on the teachings of the yogi B.K.S Iyengar, this style of practice is most concerned with bodily alignment. In yoga, the word alignment is used to describe the precise way in which your body should be positioned in each pose in order to obtain the maximum benefits and avoid injury. Iyengar practice usually emphasizes holding poses over long periods versus moving quickly from one pose to the next (flow). Also, Iyengar practice encourages the use of props, such as yoga blankets, blocks and straps, in order to bring the body into alignment.
KUNDALINI
The emphasis in Kundalini is on the breath in conjunction with physical movement, with the purpose of freeing energy in the lower body and allowing it to move upwards. All asana practices make use of controlling the breath. But in Kundalini, the exploration of the effects of the breath (also called prana, meaning energy) on the postures is essential.
BIKRAM/HOT YOGA
Pioneered by Bikram Choudhury, this style is more generally referred to as Hot Yoga. It is practiced in a 95 to 100 degree room, which allows for a loosening of tight muscles and profuse sweating, which is thought to be cleansing. The Bikram method is a set series of 26 poses, but not all hot classes make use of this series.
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ANUSARA
Founded in 1997 by John Friend, Anusara combines a strong emphasis on physical alignment with a positive philosophy derived from Tantra. The philosophy’s premise is belief in the intrinsic goodness of all beings. Anusara classes are usually light-hearted and accessible to students of differing abilities. Poses are taught in a way that opens the heart, both physically and mentally, and props are often used.
JIVAMUKTI
This style of yoga emerged from one of New York’s best-known yoga studios. Jivamukti founders David Life and Sharon Gannon take inspiration from Ashtanga yoga and emphasize chanting, meditation, and spiritual teachings. They have trained many teachers who have brought this style of yoga to studios and gyms, predominantly in the U.S. These classes are physically intense and often include some chanting.
FORREST
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, and gaining popularity around the U.S., Forrest Yoga is the method taught by Ana Forrest. The performance of vigorous asana sequences is intended to strengthen and purify the body and release pent-up emotions and pain so that healing can begin. Expect an intense workout with an emphasis on abdominal strengthening and deep breathing.
KRIPALU
The name Kripalu is associated both with a style of hatha yoga and a yoga and wellness center in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Both were founded by yoga guru Amrit Desai, who came to the United States from India in 1960. Kripalu is a yoga practice with a compassionate approach and emphasis on meditation, physical healing and spiritual transformation that overflows into daily life. Kripalu also focuses on looking inward and moving at your own pace.
INTEGRAL
Integral yoga follows the teachings of Sri Swami Sachidananda, who came to the U.S. in the 1960s and eventually founded many Integral Yoga Institutes and the famed Yogaville Ashram in Virginia. Integral is a gentle hatha practice, and classes often also include breathing exercises, chanting, kriyas, and meditation.
MOKSHA
Moksha Hot Yoga was founded in Toronto, Canada in 2004 by yoga teachers Ted Grant and Jessica Robertson. Though a relative newcomer, Moksha has quickly gained popularity as over 30 affiliated studios have since opened worldwide, including in Canada, the United States, Switzerland, and the Caribbean. A set series of about 40 poses done in a hot room, Moksha Yoga is designed to be both accessible and challenging, supporting life-long health.
RESTORATIVE
In restorative yoga, props are used for support the body so that you can hold poses for longer, allowing you to open your body through passive stretching. Restorative postures are usually adapted from supine or seated yoga poses with the addition of blocks, bolsters, and blankets to eliminate unnecessary straining.
SIVANANDA
The first Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center was founded in 1959 by Swami Vishnu-devananda, a disciple of Swami Sivananda. There are now close to 80 locations worldwide, including several ashram retreats. Sivananda yoga is based upon five principles:
1. Proper exercise (Asana, focusing on 12 poses in particular)
2. Proper breathing (Pranayama)
3. Proper relaxation (Savasana)
4. Proper diet (Vegetarian)
5. Positive thinking (Vedanta) and meditation (Dhyana)
YIN YOGA
In Yin Yoga, poses are held for several minutes at a time in order to the stretch the connective tissue around the joints. Yin Yoga directly addresses the demands that sitting still in one position for a long time, as in meditation, places on the body by focusing on stretching connective tissue instead of muscle.
OTHER STYLES
Yoga-Sool is an ancient form of yoga taught by martial arts Grandmaster Do Ju Nim. Yoga-Sool incorporates aspects of all the different schools of yoga discipline and applies those techniques to helping create the needed flexibility found within the martial arts discipline.
Other yoga styles that are growing in popularity include Laughter Yoga and Christian Yoga.
http://yoga.about.com/od/typesofyoga/a/yogatypes.htm
