What Kind of Yoga Should I Do?

 Today I received an email asking:  "Can you advise me as to the type of yoga I should begin? I have wandered from my path of spiritual health and am finding my way back. (I have a tendency to neglect myself in my care for others)."
     These are questions and challenges I am often asked about. Any yoga, in my opinion, is good yoga! Yoga dates back more than 5,000 years and at that time there were not all the different styles of yoga we have today. Now we have so many choices! Find a style and instructor that fits your needs and that you feel comfortable with. This is an ideal time to try different styles, classes and instructors and find out what you enjoy the most. Embrace trying new things.
     It seems so easy, and is common, for us to neglect ourselves in favor of taking care of those around us. However, in order to be our best and have the most to offer those around us, it is essential that we take time for ourselves. You must take time to nourish yourself in order to be able to provide the greatest value and nourish those around you. When your keep this in mind you will realize that taking time for yourself is, in reality, the most generous and giving thing you can do not only for yourself but for those around you!
     As you know yoga will help you re-connect with that part of yourself that you indicate that you feel you have lost touch with. Yoga has been used for thousands of years to enhance all types of spiritual practices and connect us with our essential selves. Meditation is another practice that helps us to remember who we really are at the core of our being.
     The Law of Giving & Receiving from the Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra reminds us "I am the Nourisher of the Universe and the Universe Nourishes Me."  We are always in dynamic exchage with our environment and everyone around us.  Take time to nourish yourself, and remember the following affirmation:  "I always make the most positive choice to nurture my mind, body and spirit."

Is Yoga a Religion?

Earlier this year I spent several days at a Trappist Monastery just outside of Atlanta. During my visit I had the pleasure of speaking with Father Tom Fransis on several philosophical and theological topics. Now a spry young man in his 80’s, he has practiced yoga for decades. He has also written about centering prayer in his books.  Centering prayer is also known as contemplative prayer or meditation. When I met Fr. Tom he asked me, “Do you teach Christian Yoga or Hindu Yoga?” I thought that was a strange question coming from such a spiritual and well read man! I am often asked, “Is Yoga a Religion?”

Yoga has its roots in the ancient wisdom teachings of India which date back more than 5,000 years. The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit root, “YUJ”, which literally translated means “unity” or “to yoke”. Yoga has always been used as a way to purify the physiology and quiet the mind. In recent years there is a renewed interest in Yoga to enhance fitness and to reduce stress. If the only reason you practice Yoga is for the physical benefits, that alone would provide ample rewards. However, the essential purpose of yoga is to integrate all aspects of our being – physical, emotional, mental and spiritual (Mind, Body & Spirit). Yoga offers a tool to not only release stress but to help us remain calm amidst the chaos of life.

So is yoga a religion? No, yoga is a philosophy and a way of life. Yoga can enhance your spiritual practice regardless of your religious beliefs. There should never be any conflict between the practice of yoga and your belief system. Yoga was around before Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, or the other religions we think of today. Yoga integrates all aspects of our being by purifying our physiology and quieting our minds. When that happens we have the tools to not only stay calm amidst the turbulence of life, but to access the silence within us. It is in that silence that we have the opportunity to connect with our essential selves, our creativity, our spiritual nature, and to the Divine.

Whatever your reason for trying a yoga class, it is a great reason. Whether your goal is to enhance flexibility, improve strength, or to reduce stress, it is a great reason to come to a yoga class. Yoga does however have some hidden and perhaps unexpected gifts. If you are open to them you will find them. You don’t have to go digging, just practice; they will find you. I know I found those gifts, and that is why I teach yoga today.

*The Monastery of the Holy Spirit is located in Conyers, Georgia. It is a Catholic Monastery of the Cistercian Order. Cistercian Monks, commonly known as “Trappists”, live a contemplative life (mostly in silence). If you are interested in visiting the monastery, I will be taking a group there soon, date TBA! Contact me and let me know of your interest.

"Lotus Reflection" by Paul Heussenstamm. 
http://www.mandalas.com/

I just discovered PING! http://ping.fm/ , a service to
update ALL of my sites at once! This is so cool!

Kay Rice, M.Ed., C.N.
Chopra Center Certified Instructor & Vedic Master
Yoga Alliance E-RYT 200
Licensed Corporate Wellness Coach
http://www.kayrice.com/

Chai Tea

As promised I am posting my Chai Tea Recipe.  I learned to make this from a lady named Louise who I stayed with during my last visit to The Chopra Center in Carlsbad, California.  Each morning instead of coffee we all waited in anticipation for Chai Tea.  She started the tea the night before by soaking the spices in the pot of water .... here's the recipe:

Indian Chai Tea

It makes 12-16 servings, so use about that amount of liquid in a dutch oven or large pot.

3/4 parts water (9-12 cups)
1/4 part milk     (3-4 cups)

Fresh Ginger Root, peeled - a piece about the size of your thumb
10-12 whole Cloves
12-15 Peppercorns
24 pods Cardamom
1-1 1/2 teaspoon Fennel Seeds
Honey, to taste (we used Canadian Honey)
Black tea leaves* - to taste.  We used about 1/3 Cup in a large tea strainer

*Indian tea leaves can be purchased at the Indian store, and they are rolled and feel much like granules; if you do not have these you can use regular black tea.

Put the spices in the water the night before you want to have Chai Tea.  In the morning, bring the water and spices to a boil and then add the milk.  Bring the water, spices and milk to a second boil then turn off the heat. Add the honey & tea leaves (use a tea strainer for the tea leaves).  Let it steep for a few minutes, then strain the entire batch of tea to remove the spices and serve!

You will see recipe is not exact.  It is not measured but made, both literally and figuratively, by heart.
Enjoy!