Meditation For Inner Peace & Self Mastery

Yoga has been practiced in India for more than 4000 years. The initial practices were mainly those of meditation where sages would go off into the mountains, sit in solitude clearing the energy channels and strengthening the mind with intense focus for years. These practitioners were searching for enlightenment (the return of the spirit with the divine). Since then the practices of yoga have changed considerably. Most of us can hardly sit at our desk for several hours without discomfort not to mention on the floor in a crossed legged position. Rather than searching for enlightenment we are simply seeking happiness. "Hatha" yoga (the stretches or the postures) that is familiar to those of us in the West was later developed as a means to prepare the body for meditation.

Yoga means "union" or "yoke" in Sanskrit. It is the unity of the body, breath and mind and ultimately the spirit with the divine. Yoga can be practiced anywhere and by anyone. As one begins the hatha yoga journey he or she can hope to find improved posture, joint flexibility, strength, improved balance, improved concentration and better emotional balance. We learn the tools that allow the body to sit comfortably in a steady meditative position. Once the body and mind are free of obstacles the attention can be focused on an object, breathing becomes effortless, the energy channels clear, meditation begins. The postures are means to a body that is comfortable and a mind that is open.

As the body and mind become healthy we soon see our personal conflicts unfolding and resolving through our dedication to our practice. Once the unity of the body, breath and mind is established we are able to approach life with a clear outlook, we become so centered that we lose our worn out beliefs and old judgments of ourselves and others. We see that being present in the moment gives us the focus and direction needed to obtain all of our goals and aspirations. As we shed our old ways we are reintroduced to ourselves.

Urdhva Mukha Svanasana
(Upward Facing Dog)

Gomukhasana
(Cow Face Pose)

Sarvangasana
(Shoulderstand)

Tadasana
(Mountain Pose)