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Yoga - A Practical Way of Living During this time of great change, yoga offers us practical tools for healthy

living. By integrating yogic wisdom into everyday life, we can learn to wake up joyfully, retire to a restorative sleep nightly and live beneficially on a daily basis Our consciousness defines our reality. Like yoga, the old adage You get what you focus on, so focus on what you want teaches us that through conscious thought creation, we can learn to wake up and remember who we really are! By paying attention to the little things, being aware moment to moment, we can learn to free ourselves from limiting judgements and beliefs that hold us back and prevent us living the life weve always dreamed of. In modern life, it is not uncommon for people to take on more than what is possible to achieve. Rather than waiting for a personal earthquake, trauma or illness to make us realise that there is a more sustainable existence waiting to be lived, finding a path to integrated, healthy and dynamic living not only makes enormous sense, it has become crucial for our health and continued spiritual evolution. Here are 10 basic yet fundamental yogic tips on helping you achieve abundance in your daily lives: 1. Ask yourself How do I start my day? What is your waking up routine? Start your day with gratitude and intention for good living. Before opening your eyes or moving the physical body, take a deep breath in and out and allow yourself a moment to connect the mind with the spirit. Rather than moving into immediate worry mode planning the events of the day, thinking of the to do list that requires your attention find aspects for which to be grateful. Listen to the birds chirping outside, the peacefulness of your home space, a relaxed, rested body in a warm, comfortable bed, smile to yourself and so, set the tone for the rest of the day. 2. Find affirmations that enable you to become and stay peaceful and serene amidst the noise and chaos of present living. Finding a mantra for meditation or, if not possible, words and phrases that align our personal talents within the cultural and universal context that can be repeated morning and evening (and throughout the day), will keep you centred, grounded and constantly aware of your spirit and the higher goals you posses. 3. Awaken the body everyday. Gentle elongation of the spine and limbs help us feel healthy and ready to be active. A gentle morning yoga routine invites and awakens vital energy in the body. If we do not circulate the life force, or prana, within the body daily, this energy becomes stagnant, dormant and trapped. If you do not have the time to commit to an early active Hatha yoga class, simple exercises such as head rolls and spinal rockings at the beginning of each day will go along way in increasing energy levels. 4. Look forward to the duties of the day rather than viewing them as a chore they need to be done anyway, so you may as well enjoy them. Approach even the most menial task with loving kindness. 5. Plan your specific activities together with some free time and breathing space make time daily for an activity you enjoy, something uplifting and fun such as tea with a friend or an hour for a creative hobby. 6. Practice suppleness of the mind. The same flexibility of body that Hatha yoga provides can be applied do mindful living. Living with awareness will allow you to see what you are able to improve on or change and what is essential to release. Notice how you hold yourself throughout the day, and what you hold onto. Learn to let go of what is not serving you. Spiritual progress is like detoxification things have to come up in order to be released. This will bring healing to forgotten places. 7. Making choices about what to spend your time doing and asking yourself questions such as Who is it benefiting? and Are my activities serving valuable and meaningful outcomes, will allow you to make beneficial lifestyle choices that are not only healthier for you, but for the world at large. Remember, the glamorous choices are not always the healthy ones. 8. It is said that every situation, properly perceived, becomes an opportunity to grow. Viewing every situation as an opportunity for growth will allow positivity to flow into every corner of your life. In yoga, we learn to move beyond our likes and dislikes and view every opportunity as one to be approached with love, wisdom and insight. 9. Be happy for yourself and others. The Dalai Lama says Imagine how much more happiness you would have if you share in everyone elses happiness besides your own! Once we find our inner stillness and joy, we are not buffeted around by the events of the environment. When we yoyo from one emotional extreme to the next, depending on interpersonal relationships and outer experiences, we place the perspective of others as higher than our own. We are the only ones responsible for our own happiness, and, knowing this, means that others are not able to affect our sense of happiness, no matter what the situation. When you remember your true nature and purpose, cooperation replaces competition and you are able to be happy for others and contribute to a more peaceful community. Believe in the best of people, circumstances and solutions. 10. Use a similar wind down process at the end of the day. Be realistic and not overly optimistic remember the middle path and realise that some activities need not be repeated. Letting go of the fears, internal dramas and high stress levels that deplete our energy at the end of the day through relaxation and meditation is essential for restorative sleep that brings with it the new beginnings of another day.

Nightly yoga will help integrate the events of the day postures such as head and shoulder stands work wonders. If you cannot find time for meditation, do meditative, calming activities, such as reading, to clear the mind before bedtime. Understanding that a healthy life is also a practical life, yoga teaches us to simplify things and move back to the essence of what is meaningful and valuable. It helps us keep reality the core of our existence, allowing us the physical measure for absolute and enlightened living. When we understand that there is not separation between the body and the mind, between self and others, we awaken our whole being to perfect balance. This is yoga, the wonderful union and harmony of all things. And, the best part of it, is that yoga is happening now and has immediate benefits. By Marina Contardo Published by Odyssey Magazine June 2011.

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