Karmic Seeds Body Mind & Spirit

No matter what our weight, we can use the cues from our physical and mental selves to judge how healthy we are. Health is not a numerical concept and cannot be defined using statistics. Human beings, however, tend to want to quantify well-being into easily understandable figures. We feel compelled to ascribe numbers to every aspect of wellness, from the qualities of our food to our fitness levels to the physical space we occupy. As a consequence of social pressures, we turn our attention away from health and focus instead on the most contentious of these figures—weight—checking our scales to see how we measure up to our peers and role models. Yet each of us is equipped to gauge our relative healthfulness without any equipment whatsoever. When we have achieved a state of wellness, we feel buoyant and energetic. Some of us are naturally slim, while others will always be curvy. No matter what our weight, we can use the cues we receive from our physical and mental selves to judge ho...

Like many transitions in yoga, the ability to step forward from downward dog into a lunge isn’t only about strength and flexibility, it’s also about technique. Here are three quick and easy techniques you can follow to eliminate that hesitant response the next time you are in downdog and the teacher cues for you to step your foot forward. These three techniques involve mind, breath, and body. Remember that it is helpful to warm up (especially your hips and hamstrings) prior to attempting this movement. Before working with your downdog-to-lunge transition, do some simple preparatory movements like cat/cow, stepping back from forward bend to lunge, and your favorite three-legged dog variations. 1. Mind First, let’s prepare the mind. As with any challenge, for the best possible results, it helps to visualize where you are headed. Remember when you were a kid, and the activity for gym class involved each student hanging on to a segment of a big silk parachute while the whole c...

Don’t you wonder why ancient mantras have become remarkably popular these days? There is something profound and mystical about these mantras. On the look of it, they are mere words and sounds, but there is no denying of the fact that these  mantras  play a significant role in rejuvenating the soul and our subconscious mind. Mantra: According to Deepak Chopra, the New Age Wellness Guru, the word ‘mantra’ consists of two parts. The first part, ‘man’ means mind in Sanskrit, whereas the second part ‘tra’ means instrument. Therefore, he interprets mantra as ‘the instrument of mind’. These are powerful words, sound or vibrations that can be used for meditation. Meditation is referred to as a practice to train the mind or induce a mode of consciousness. It promotes  relaxation of mind  and body, develops compassion, patience, love, concentration and generosity.  Meditation  many a times involves repeating a mantra with closed eyes. Mantras for meditation are chose...

What are you holding on to in life? A tetchy comment from a colleague last week? The excitement of your next big career move? Your growing list of search qualifiers for "the one"? If you're at all like me you're probably clinging to thoughts, memories, objects, people, and goals in every area of life. If this doesn't sound like you, well you're probably ready to ascend to the mother ship and can skip the rest of this post.  The difficulty with clinging is that when we hold on, even to beautiful moments, we become unconscious, blocking all the good stuff (creativity, love & inspiration) that naturally flows through us. Imagine floating along a river and grabbing an overhanging branch. If you hold on, life tugs away at you, and you grow exhausted with the effort. In clinging to that branch we all suffer, surviving life instead of living it. How do we give up our "clingy" human tendencies and get back to living in the present? Let go! Because all...

The number 108 is significant for so many reasons. Some believe there are 108 stages on the journey of the human soul, while others associate the possibility of enlightenment with taking only 108 breaths a day, while in deep meditation. No matter who you ask, the answer will most likely be different each time. The truth is — the significance of 108 beads on your mala is open to interpretation. As mala beads were traditionally created to be used as a tool in meditation, we like to associate it with the ideals of meditation. Chakras One of our favourite explanations for having 108 beads on a mala is related to the chakras (the seven energy points in our body). It has been said there there are 108 energy lines connecting to the heart, with one of them believed to be the path to self realization. Mantras When using your mala beads in meditation and chanting your mantra, some have said you are complete once you have done it 100 times. The 8 extra beads are to account for errors. Or even mor...

Common pre-exercise stretches and their more effective yoga alternatives.  1. Side neck stretch There are two problems with this stretch: 1. It is static and 2. It only involves the neck. Your neck doesn’t sit on top of your shoulders as a separate entity, it is linked to your spine, rib cage and shoulder blades via muscles, not to mention the connective tissue that links it to the rest of the body. So to make the neck stretch worth your while you need to move your cervical spine, your thoracic spine and your arms ( read more about working with neck tension ). The easiest way to adapt this stretch is to coordinate the movement of the head and the arm while keeping your spine in a slight side bend. HOW-TO: Bend sideways to your right. On the inhale move your left arm over the head in a side sweeping motion and look up (now the entire area between your left shoulder and your left ear is contracted). Exhale: sweep the arm down and behind your hip, while turning your head to ...

The outreach of  yoga  is expanding and is consuming both city weeds and the country side folks. Many are on the yoga boat and others waiting in the line to get onto one. The crazy frenzy of yoga has led to a lot of fads and fakes in the process. Just like when a thing goes in fashion, it attracts criticism, competition, fanaticism, same goes for yoga too. It is trending! When something trends, everybody wants to try on a pair, without weighing the pros, cons, requirements, dos and don’ts. Here is your don’ts list, if you are in the yoga loop or planning on one, because sometimes the results can be more harming than good. Don’t Rush In First things first, Yoga is an art and an art is something that is gradually learned and accepted. In the desire to get in, you might be getting out. Take it slow. Yoga is like a love affair. It grows on you slowly and consumes you thoroughly with no escape, let it take over. The art of yoga comes to those who deserve it or more precisely ...

What does pectoralis minor mean? The name Pectoralis minor describes the general location of this muscle. Pectoralis comes from the Latin word “pectus” meaning breast. Minor comes from Greek and means “the lesser”. This is the smaller of the two Pectoralis muscles. Where does pectoralis minor attach? Origin It originates on the third, fourth, and fifth rib Insertion The coracoid process of the scapula What actions does pectoralis minor muscle do? Depression Downward Rotation Protraction What are the most common injuries to pectoralis minor muscle? The pectoralis minor muscle doesn’t necessarily get injured. However, it is important to note that the nerves, as well as the arteries and veins that feed the arm all run beneath the pectoralis minor muscle. If the muscle is strained or gets too tight it can compress these structures causing problems all the way down the arm. At this point it usually fits in under a condition known as  Thoracic Outlet Syndrome . Postures where the pectora...

What does Levator scapulae mean? Levator comes from the Latin word “levare” meaning “to lift”. “Scapulae” refers to the scapula bone itself. Therefore this is a muscle that lifts or elevates the scapula. The levator scapulae, along with the rhomboids, forms the deep layer of muscles on the back. Where does the Levator scapulae attach? Levator scapula runs along the lateral posterior sides of the neck. The inferior portion is normally deep to and covered by the trapezius. The top or superior portion becomes superficial. Origin of Levator scapulae Levator scapula originates on the transverse processes of the vertebrae C1-C4. Insertion of Levator scapulae Levator scapulae inserts on the superior angle of the scapula. What actions does the Levator scapulae do? Because of the its location above the scapula, the primary action of Levator is elevation. Due to the location of the Levator muscle and the ability of the scapula to rotate, when the Levator contracts it caus...