Yogaseer

PRANIC ENERGY  According to the teachings of yoga , the cosmos is composed of sound, of vibrating matter, vibrational energy. Om is the single reverberation, the sacred syllable, the primordial sound ringing out of the shining void to crystalize the worlds. Contemporary quantum physics seems to validate the ancient mystical view that all matter is energy in varying states of vibration , the rate of vibration being inverse ratio to the density of matter. We live in a multi-dimensional universe, composed of energy moving at different speeds, creating different frequencies and different realms. Energy vibrating at high speeds would be invisible to our world of comparatively slow moving, heavier and more solid vibrations. The pranic life-force that animates and sustains the  universe consists of the lightest vibrations and can be sensed with practice as a kind of electro magnetic field within and around your own or another's body. It was with the yoga teacher Eni

YOGA POWERS “Sometimes I’ve believed in as many as six impossible things before breakfast” Lewis Carol The siddhis are extraordinary powers, latent within everyone.  After a certain level of awareness and energy has been attained through traditional yoga practice , siddhis may spontaneously appear like fruit on a tree.  Yogis have always sought to develop their full potential – the siddhis - and often in service to others.  Almost all 55 sutras of book three (Vibhuti-Pada) of the sage Patanjali’s great work ( the yoga sutras )  are devoted to extraordinary powers,  although he warns us about showing off the siddhis – you should never use your Jedi skills to shake up a bottle of Budweiser before opening or to switch channels on T.V.  There are the lesser siddhis and the greater siddhis.  The lesser siddhis include psychic perceptions such as clairvoyance (inner-seeing), clairaudience (inner hearing), clairsentience (inner-feeling) and clairgnosis (inner-knowing). Rem

MANTRA ; SINGING OUR WAY BACK OM A mantra is a poetic phrase, syllable or word that can create a change within the chanter. Mantras can create vibrational patterns of a particular quality and frequency to enhance meditation and bring about healing , higher states of awareness and feelings of well-being. Yogis believe that all sounds are composed of, or derived from the three basic sounds of the Sanskrit mantra Om. “Om” represents the great whole of creation. According to Yoga it is the sound of creation . Oming relaxes the entire body, even to the cells and will immediately bring on feelings of inner calm if chanted three to twelve times . It is not necessary to sit in the lotus pose , any sitting position ( perhaps cushioned ) will do as long as the spine is straight and shoulders relaxed. Begin chanting Om with the sound ah (as in article) and then, with lips slightly pursed, allow the vowel sound “O” to vibrate deep within the lower belly and slowly rise to reson

CANDLE GAZING According to Svatmarama (author of the old Hatha Yoga Pradipika) Trataka, concentrated gazing, “eradicates all diseases of the eyes, fatigue and sloth”. It also facilitates the one pointed focus of the mind and is very soothing and is said that it can help us to develop our intuitive powers .  Trataka is best practiced with a candle, placed on a table at eye level, in a dark room.  In a sitting pose at a distance of about two to three feet, gaze unblinking upon the centre the flame. Ideally the flame should not flicker at all.  Stare for as long as possible, even if only for a few moments. Tears may be shed. With practice, you may gradually increase your gazing time from five to ten minutes. When you need to close your eyes an after image may appear.  Observe it intently. When it disappears, open your eyes and begin a new round of gazing. If the candle gives you the finger, you will know you have gone too far! Joking aside Trataka can also be practiced on

YOGA BREATHING Earth life begins with our first act of inspiration allowing life energy to flow into us and feed and awaken our beings.  The yogis use one word to describe both air and life energy - prana. When you inhale it isn’t only oxygen and other gases in their combined form of air that you pull in from the atmosphere but the pranic life-force air contains. Most of us are very shallow breathers, and unknowingly starve the cells of oxygen, thus creating an ideal environment for disease. Oxygen wipes out parasites, yeast, bacteria and viruses in the body. Pranayama is the name given to yogic breathing exercises like the one below.  As you breathe you should keep your tongue on the roof of the mouth. If you start to say the word "love" your tongue will naturally assume the correct positioning . This will facilitate the flow of energy and yogically induced harmonal saliva that is healthy to swallow. Throughout the practice breathe softly in a relaxed manner. Clo