The Body as an Instrument

Mr. Iyengar met Yehudi Menuhin, a famous violin player in 1952.  It was from helping him through yoga that the teachings from Mr. Iyengar grew in the west.  Mr. Menuhin called Mr. Iyengar the best violin teacher.
In an article in Astadala Yogamala Volume 6, Mr. Iyengar writes about the body being like an instrument.  He says the body is like a piano or a violin, or any other instrument and each and every part of it needs to be tuned.

He writes,

"The nerves in our body are like the strings, the brain is the intellectual part which is similar to the sound production from the instrument.  The nose is the bridge of any instrument through which the breath is adjusted at every stage of the asana (posture).  The spinal vertebrae are the knobs of the instrument, so I have to tune the knobs of the spine to such an extent that the nervous system, which starts from the spine, do not over-extend or under-extend.  If there is under-extension the sound does not come, if is is too tight the strings snaps.  So, one has to keep the exact pressure so that the tuning of the body takes place in such a way that one can listen to the inner vibration of the sound of the body.   As far as I am concerned, I hear the sound, the vibration, and adjust to get equilibrium in body, mind and self while in asana, pranayama and dhyana."

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
http://www.plnyoga.vpweb.com/

More on Perceptions from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras

In the last blog I wrote on perceptions, I noted how easy it can be for humans to misinterpret things. 
Our state of mind, the fluctuations of the mind, plays a large part in how correct we are in our perceptions or how far off we are in them.

Patanjali's Yoga Sutra discusses the importance of stilling the fluctuations of the mind to help gain right perception.  The translation of the sutra is from B.K.S. Iyengar's book, Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.


Y.S. 1.5 vrttayah pancatayyah klista aklistah
The movements of consciousness are fivefold.  They may be cognizable, non-cognizable, painful or non-painful.

Mr.Iyengar explains that pain can sometimes be hidden in the non-painful state and the non-painful may be hidden in the painful state.


Y.S. 1.6 pramana viparyaya vikalpa nidra smrtayah

They are caused by correct knowledge, illusion, delusion, sleep and memory.

So, the fivefold modifications of consciousness are based either on real perception, or correct knowledge that is based on fact and proof; or on unreal or perverse perception; or illusion, which can be fanciful or imaginary knowledge; knowledge based on sleep, and memory.
These five fluctuating states can either disturb or help a sadhaka (yoga practitioner) to attain emancipation.

This will depend on right or wrong perceptions.

According to Mr.Iyengar in Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali he says,

 "wrong perceptions (viparyaya) are gathered by the senses of perception and influence the mind to accept what is felt by them.  Fanciful knowledge (vikalpa) causes the mind to live in an imaginary state without consideration of the facts.  Memory (smrti) helps one to recollect experiences for right understanding and sleep (nidra) exists in space without a place, and is filled with dormancy."

Correct knowledge (pramana) though is direct knowledge from the core of the being. Direct knowledge leads one beyond the conscious state.

Y.S. 1.7 pratyaksa anumana agamah pramanani
Correct knowledge is direct, inferred or proven as factual.

Mr. Iyengar writes that correct knowledge is based on three kinds of proof: direct perception, correct inference or deduction, and testimony from authoritative sacred scriptures or experienced persons.

At first, we need to check our logic and reasoning to ensure that it is correct.  To do this we need to awaken our intelligence. 
According to B.K.S. Iyengar,

"The practice of asana brings intelligence to the surface of the cellular body through stretching and to the physiological body by maintaining the pose.  Once awakened, intelligence can reveal its dynamic aspect, its ability to discriminate.  When what is wrong is discarded, what is left must be correct."

Y.S. 1.8 viparyayah mithyajnanam atadrupa pratistham
Illusory or erroneous knowledge is based on non-fact or the non-real.

Y.S. 1.9 sabdajnana anupati vastusunyah vikalpah
Verbal knowledge devoid of substance is fancy or imagination.

Y.S. 1.10 abhava pratyaya alambana vrttih nidra
Sleep is the non-deliberate absence of thought-waves or knowledge.

Y.S. 1.11 anubhuta visaya asampramosah smrtih
Memory is the unmodified recollection of words and experiences.


This is just a very quick look at how our own perceptions can be tainted and turned into mis-perceptions.
To change this - yoga helps us to live in the present moment.  The more present we truly are, the more correct our perceptions will be.

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.vpweb.com

Perceptions

This morning I was going to write a blog about the poem by Robert Frost called, The Road Not Taken. 
It has been a favorite of my mothers and I think it is the last few lines that catches most people.

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less travelled by."

Here is the full poem:

The Road Not Taken

by: Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

 It is a great poem, getting us to think about how we make the choices we do in life and how difficult they can be.  Once down one path it is very hard to go back to the beginning and start all over.  Even if you do go back and change a decision it is with the imprint of the experiences you had on your first path, which will then change how things will be on your second path.  So, really you are just coming to another fork in the road.

 

In looking up a bit of an analysis about this poem I found a few references saying that some believe that this poem, according to Frost was intended as a gentle jab at his great friend and fellow poet Edward Thomas, with whom he used to take walks through the forest and that Thomas would complained at the end that they should have taken a different path and that Frost was amused at the interpretation of the poem as inspirational.

So, whether true or not I went from thinking about the paths we take, why we choose the ones we do, to thinking about perceptions and that often we are making decisions based on how we perceive something.  

Often we think we are correct about how we are perceiving something, to find out that we were wrong.

In Patanjali's yoga sutras these perceptions are written about as fluctuations of consciousness and over the next few days I will try to write a bit about these sutras.

Namaste.

Pamela Nelson

http://www.plnyoga.vpweb.com/

If the Earth were only a few feet in diameter......

If the Earth
were only a few feet in diameter,
floating a few feet above a field somewhere,
people would come from everywhere to marvel
at it. People would walk around it marveling at its
big pools of water, its little pools and the water flowing
between. People would marvel at the bumps on it and the
holes in it. They would marvel at the very thin layer of gas
surrounding it and the water suspended in the gas. The people
would marvel at all the creatures walking around the surface of
the ball and at the creatures in the water. The people would
declare it as sacred because it was the only one, and they would
protect it so that it would not be hurt. The ball would be the
greatest wonder known, and people would come to pray to
it, to be healed, to gain knowledge, to know beauty and
to wonder how it could be. People would love it, and
defend it with their lives because they would
somehow know that their lives could be
nothing without it. If the Earth were
only a few feet in
diameter.

Joe Miller ~ Moab, Utah 1975

Namaste.

Pamela Nelson
Www.plnyoga.blogspot.com

June 21st - Summer Solstice - First Day of Summer!

I can't believe I almost forgot to write about Summer Solstice today!  It must be because of all the rainy weather.  Doesn't exactly feel like summer..yet!

But although we can't see the sun today where I am, I know it is there and is significant because it is marking the “longest day of the year”.

Summer solstice is a time to celebrate life.  In Canada, Aboriginal Day coinsides with the summer solstice.  It was selected in 1996 after the Assembly of First Nations called for a day to unite and celebrate native cultures.

Solstice is derived from two Latin words: “sol” meaning sun, and “sistere”, to cause to stand still.   This is because, as the summer solstice approaches, the noonday sun rises higher and higher in the sky on each successive day.  On the day of the solstice, it rises an imperceptible amount, compared to the day before.  In this sense, it stands still. 

Summer Solstice is the time of year in which the sun is closest to the earth and the high energy rays are most abundant.  The efforts and intentions which we put forth today are said to have a much greater effect on our bodies, minds, lives and the world.

From one reading, it mentioned spending time recognizing the sun for completing its cyclical journey around the earth and use is time to reflect on our own lives through yoga and meditation.  The sun can be worshiped in its terrestrial form – as a source of heat, light, and life – or in its celestial form – as a symbol of spiritual illumination.  It is a time for personal growth and a time to nurture our potential and express our creative energy.

We often feel higher energy levels in summer, but we must find balance so not to wear ourselves out.  Balance mobility with stability.

So maybe take this time today to do an energizing class or some Sun Salutations for stamina and strength, followed by inversions and restorative poses to help balance your body, breath and mind.

Happy Solstice!

Pamela Nelson

http://www.plnyoga.vpweb.com/

Ten Things to Make Besides Money

This is from a Hallmark card.  Although I think cards are highly priced and do use a lot of paper, I am a sap for a good card.  This one was given to me from my mother-in-law many years ago.  It is a nice reminder of the more important things in life.

Ten Things to Make Besides Money

1. Merry

2. Do

3. Sense

4. Amends

5. Peace

6. Waves

7. Room

8. Time

9. Love

10. Believe

And often it seems that when we focus on the truly important things the rest takes care of itself. 

Namaste.

Pamela Nelson

http://www.plnyoga.vpweb.com/

Lord Patanjali - The Father of Yoga

Lord Patanjali is often called the Father of Yoga.  He has been credited with codifying yoga into the yoga sutras for others to benefit from.  As Father's Day was yesterday in many countries I thought it would be fitting to give thanks to Patanjali for his great gift of yoga.

In India, according to the Hindu tradition, Father's Day is celebrated on the new moon day during late August or early September.  So, although not technically Father's Day in India I would still like to say Happy Father's Day to Mr. Iyengar.  Although I have never met him personally, I feel he has been a father like figure to many in his dedication to passing down the teachings of Patanjali.  Like a good father, he tries to teach not by just giving all the answers, but by having the student gain the intelligence to find and discover the answers themselves.

I have written quite a few blogs about Patanjali and the sutras.  Here is the invocation again or you can re-read the January 17th, 2011 blog which gives a bit more information about Patanjali.

INVOCATION TO PATANJALI

yogena cittasya padena vacam malam sarirasya ca vaidyakena yopakarottam pravaram muninam patanjalim pranjalir anato'smi abahu purusakaram sankha cakrasi dharinam sahasra sirasam svetam pranamami patanjalim  English Translation: Let us bow before the noblest of sages, Patanjali, who gave yoga for serenity and sanctity of mind, grammar for clarity and purity of speech, and medicine for perfection of health. Let us prostrate before Patanjali, an incarnation of Adisesa, whose upper body has a human form, whose arms hold a conch and a disc, and who is crowned by a thousand-headed cobra.

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
http://www.plnyoga.vpweb.com/

Samadhi - Perfect Absorption or Illumination

Samadhi

It is impossible to pinpoint

Where the body ends

And the mind begins,

Or where the mind ends

And the Self begins

When you are fully in the body

You meet the soul.

Samadhi is the state

Where there is only pure

awareness.

Spiritual sadhana begins

When you go beyond

What you consider to be

Your maximum effort.

- Aphorism of B.K.S. Iyengar

Thank you, Happy Summer to all!

As the end of the Spring Yoga Session is here I just wanted to thank everyone from this session and others who have attended classes over the past year.  As always, it has great to meet you all and have the chance to share the teachings I have learnt from my teachers about yoga to you.

I learn so much over the year and hopefully will see some of you over the summer either at the beach or at classes at Jewel of the North in the Christopher Lake area.

I have put the Summer Schedule below if you are interested.  I hope to have my Fall Session up on my blog and Website in July.

Thanks again and hope you all have a wonderful summer.

Yoga Classes at the Lake  

Join me at the Jewel of the North Resort for some energizing morning yoga classes to start your day or some rejuvenating evening classes.

I am a Certified Iyengar Yoga instructor and have been teaching in the Christopher Lake/Prince Albert area for over 8 years.

All classes can be tailored to suit all levels.

 Drop-ins welcome.

June -

Tuesday 28th - 8:00 - 9:15 am

Thursday 30th - 7:00 - 8:15pm

July -

One Week Summer Sadhana - July 4th - 9th - 6:30-8:00am - $90 for week

Sundays - 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st - 8:15 - 9:30am

Tuesdays - 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th - 8:00 - 9:15am

Thursdays - 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th - 7:00 - 8:15pm

August -

Tuesdays - 2nd, 16th, 23rd - 8:00 - 9:15am

Thursdays - 18th, 25th - 7:00 - 8:15pm

Fees- $14/class or 5 class flex-card for $60

Location: Jewel of the North Resort - Hwy.263 - Christopher Lake. /Emma Lake area

For more information please contact:

Pamela Nelson

Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor

306-982-2737

Email: plnyoga@plnyoga.vpweb.com

Website: www.plnyoga.vpweb.com

Blog: www.plnyoga.blogspot.com

Namaste.

Pamela Nelson

Samyama - Integration of dharana, dhyana and samadhi

Samyama is a sanskrit word that means defining, holding together, integration.

In the context of Patanjali's yoga sutras it is meant to define the integration of concentration (dharana), meditation (dhyana) and absorption (samadhi).

Below are the next few sutras in book three of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras.  The definition and explanation of the sutras is from Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, by B.K.S. Iyengar.

Y.S. III.4 trayam ekatra samyamah
These three together - dharana, dhyana and samadhi - constitute integration or samyama.

Dharana is one-pointed concentration and brings stability in mind.  As the one-pointedness dissolves and maturity in intelligence is gained dhyana begins.  From here when one-pointedness ends and all-pointedness begins, the consciousness diffuses leading to samadhi.

The intermingling of the mind, intelligence and consciousness is samyama, or integration.

Y.S. III.5 tajjayat prajnalokah
From mastery of samyama comes the light of awareness and insight.

When mastery of integration (samyama) is achieved, the knower comes closer and closer to the known and merging in it, loses his separateness.

Y.S. III.6 tasya bhumisu viniyogah
Samyama  may be applied in various spheres to derive its usefulness.

Here the importance of where one is in their sadhana (practice) is discussed.  If one has not mastered the lower stages, they cannot attain the higher stages, nor can one skip to the intermediate stages.  If each stage is followed in turn, one becomes acquainted with them by degrees and full insight develops.
No-one can expect success or mastery without regular practice, and this sutra warns about jumping to higher stages of practice without first establishing a firm foundation through the primary steps of yoga.

Y.S. III.7 trayam antarangam purvebhyah
These three aspects of yoga are internal, compared to the former five.

This sutra refers to the eight limbs of yoga - yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharanan, dhyana and samadhi.
It says that compared to the first five limbs of yoga the last three are more subtle, internal, intimate and subjective.  The first five deal with the the seen or cognizable sheaths and is called the external quest.  Yama purifies the organs of action, niyama purifies the senses of perception, asana cleanses the physical and organic aspects of the body, pranayama stops wastage of energy and increases stamina and pratyahara cleanses the mind.
Dharana develops and sharpens intelligence, dhyana purifies the consciousness and samadhi leads the consciousness towards the soul.  The last three involve the subtle internal sheaths, the inner quest and directly affect the spiritual path.


So, although there is an external and internal quest, all the limbs of yoga and sheaths of the body must intermingle, as one helps to reach the other.

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
http://www.plnyoga.vpweb.com/

On Perfect Absorption - Samadhi

Samadhi is the eighth limb of Patanjali's astanga yoga.

In book three of Patanjali's yoga sutras he says:

Y.S. III.3 tadeva arthamatranirbhasam svarupasunyam iva samadhih
As translated by B.K.S. Iyengar in Light on the Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali:

When the object of meditation engulfs the meditator, appearing as the subject, self-awareness is lost.  This is samadhi.

For the many of us who have not experienced samadhi this is a challenging concept to understand. 
Mr. Iyengar helps to explain saying that,

"When the attentive flow of consciousness merges with the object of meditation, the consciousness of the meditator, the subject, appears to be dissolved in the object.  This union of subject and object becomes samadhi."

He further states that,

"Uninterrupted flow of attention dissolves the split between the object seen and the seer who sees it.  Consciousness appears to have ceased, and to have reached a state of silence.  It is devoid of "I", and merges into the core of the being in a profound state of serenity.  In samadhi, awareness of place vanishes and one ceases to experience space and time."

Samadhi defined means, perfect absorption, intent attention, union, bringing into harmony or spiritual absorption.
I wish you well on your journey.

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
http://www.plnyoga.vpweb.com/

On Meditation - Dhyana

Meditation is one of the eight limbs in Patanjali's astanga yoga, named dhyana.

In book three of Patanjali's yoga sutras he says:

Y.S. III.2 tatra pratyaya ekatanata dhyanam

As translated by B.K.S. Iyengar in Light on the Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali:

A steady, continuous flow of attention directed towards the same point or region is meditation (dhyana).

Mr. Iyengar says that when one is in dhyana psychological and chronological time comes to a standstill and the mind observes its own behaviour.  Mr. Iyengar also makes clear that one can be in meditation during asana or pranayama also if the attention is steadily maintained.

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
http://www.plnyoga.vpweb.com/


.

On Concentration - Dharana

Concentration is one of the eight limbs in Patanjali's astanga yoga, named dharana.

In book three of Patanjali's yoga sutras he says:

Y.S. III.1 desa bandhah cittasya dharana

As translated by B.K.S. Iyengar in Light on the Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali:

Fixing the consciousness on one point or region is concentration (dharana).

Mr. Iyengar says that dharana means focus of attention, so when one  focuses either on a chosen point or area, within or outside the body, that is concentration.  It is bringing the mind to one focal point.  If focusing on an external object it should be auspicious and associated with purity.  If focusing internally, the mind penetrates to the soul, the core of one's being. 

To get to this point the first five limbs of yoga must be practiced and interwoven together to be able to reach a true state of concentration.

In explaning this sutra Mr. Iyengar says that dharana is the art of reducing the interruptions of the mind and ultimately eliminating them completely, so that the knower and the known become one.

He says concentration can be attained even while doing asana practice, as they not meant to be just external and physical.  He further explains by saying,

"If, in performing an asana, one directs the organs of action and senses of perception towards the mind, and the mind towards the core, the external sadhana is transformed into internal sadhana.  If the limbs, the senses of perception, the mind and the discriminative intelligence are then yoked and fused with the energy of the soul, this becomes the innermost sadhana.  If one performs each asana zealously, fusing with integrated attention the parts of the body, the wandering mind and the discriminative intelligence with the soul, is this not a spiritual practice?"

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
http://www.plnyoga.vpweb.com/

Action takes Work

To be dull is easy,

to be active requires tremendous work.

-B.K.S. Iyengar

Words of Wisdom - 5

  life without happiness

is mere existence

                                                              -Geeta Iyengar


Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
http://www.plnyoga.vpweb.com/

June - Pose of the Month - Prasarita Padottanasana

Prasarita Padottanasana - Wide-Legged Forward Bend

There are quite a few variations of Prasarita Padottanasana. I have given a few below.  Please be mindful of your own body and only go as far as you are able.  Do not strain. Despite the intense stretch to the back of the legs, this pose is meant to be restful to the body, breath and mind.  Because it has such recuperative benefits this pose is good for depression, anxiety, menopause and menstruation.

1. Restorative Prasarita Padottanasana
Props - 1-2 mats, chair, bolster

If you are practicing on a slippery floor, place one mat lengthwise and the other width wise near the wall,to the end of the first mat centering to make a T.  Place the chair on the mat in front so that it won't slip on you.
Step your feet about 4-5 feet apart and about 1 foot from the wall.  Keep the feet parallel.
Press firmly into the feet and engage the quadriceps by lifting the kneecaps up towards the hips.  Lengthen through the backs of the legs and allow the sitt bones to rest into the wall.
Lengthen the torso, keeping the spine concave and rest the head on the chair or a bolster.
Extend the arms so that the elbows can be clasped above the head.
Keep the abdomen, face, eyes and throat soft.

Using the same information as above this pose can also be done resting the forehead but without the sitt bones resting at the wall.  Keep the tailbone in line with the back of the heels and keep pressing evenly into the feet.

2. Prasarita Padottanasana I
Begin in Tadasana - Mountain pose

With hands on hips, step or jump the feet 4 1/2 - 5 feet apart.

Keep the spine concave and the tailbone in line with the heels by either placing the hands on blocks

or if you can on the floor.  Keep the hands underneath the shoulders.  Press firmly into the hands and feet.  Draw the muscle to the bone and lift up by pressing into the feet and lengthening the back of the legs and keeping the shoulders moving down the back and away from the ears.  The side body and center body lengths evenly with strain on the abdomen, throat or eyes.
It is important to gain ease in the concave back stage and can stop at this point if your legs are feeling alot of strain or you back is starting to round.

Next, keeping the hands shoulder width apart walk then in so that the fingers and toes are in line.

Press firmly into the hands and feet and back remains concave.  The knees continue to lift up, outer thighs roll in slightly, tailbone lifts up, shoulders move down the back and the sternum bone lifts up as in all forward bends.  Don't crunch the back of the neck.

Exhaling, allow the abdomen to soften towards the spine and release down bringing the crown of the head to the floor.  The shoulder, elbow and wrist stay in the same plane and the shoulders still move down the back, not fall toward the floor.

If the head does not easily reach the floor place the crown of the head on a block or bolster.

3. Prasarita Padottanasana II
Following the same general instructions as above first bring hands to reverse Anjali mudra ( hands in namaste behind the back) before releasing down to the floor.  Don't let the chest cave in, keep the shoulders moving back and away from the ears.

The hands can also be kept on the hips.

4. Quick Prasarita Padottanasana
Sometimes, when one feels dull the pose can be done a bit quicker to invigorate the body, mind and breath and then come into the more classical variation of the pose.
Here stepping the feet 4 1/2 - 5 feet apart, pressing the feet and engaging the quadriceps lengthen the arms up inhaling..

Then quickly exhaling bend forward with legs straight reaching between the legs.
Repeat 4-5 times, then come into classical variation.


Benefits:
Helps reduce depression, boost confidence, soothes the brain and sympathetic nervous system.
Also, energizes the heart and lungs, reduces blood pressure and can relieve stress related headaches, migraines and fatigue.
Tones the abdominal organs and can relieve stomach problems by neutralizing stomach acid.
Relieves the lower back and strengthens the knee joint and opens the hip joint.
Helps regulate menstrual flow.

Cautions:
For beginners, don't hold this pose longer then 1 minutes. 
For low blood pressure come up slowly to reduce feeling of dizziness.
Do not compress the neck.


Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
http://www.plnyoga.vpweb.com/

Stages of Disease

Disease is the disturbance in the normal functioning of the body and mind.

Paulette Millis, a Registered Nutritional Consultant writes in her book, Eat Away Illness, that there are five recognized stages that lead to a diseased state.

The first is when the proper nutrients the body requires are not supplied and the body begins to use up any stored reserves left in the body.

The second stages is the development of nutritional deficiencies.  This slows the chemistry of the body, alters it and creates a state where it is no longer functioning properly.

The third is when  symptoms begin to appear, but may not yet be recognized as such.  They may present as physical, emotional or mental symtoms.  At the beginning they could be as simple as an itchy nose or dry skin to irritability and lack of energy or the inability to concentrate.  As the cells become more and more malnourished the immune system also weakens.

The fourth stage is when one usually is experiencing more major symptoms leading to seeing doctors and having tests done to determine what is wrong.  The body is now said to have a disease.

The seriousness of the fifth stage will depend on the amount of damage the body has and whether radical diet and lifestyle changes are made.

In Mr. Iyengar's book, Light on Astanga Yoga, he says the root cause of disease is within us.  It is hidden in our own behaviour, our own habits, our characters, our nature, our mental attitude, whether good or bad, right or wrong. 

He gives an example of chocolate, saying, we like chocolate, we eat and cherish it, but we do not know when it leaves an imprint on our liver, making it sluggish or causing diabetes.  Our own behaviour and character may add fuel to diabetes.

It is only when we become aware of the danger of disease, that we embrace yoga. 
Yoga may help us to begin to question -  which bite may cause an illness? 
It is when our awareness and tuning into what our bodies need and not neccesarily want, that balance will come to the body, mind and breath.

Yoga has a healing effect on the body, mind and spirit – it is holistic healing, stimulating the body’s innate ability to heal itself.  Different asana and pranayama act on the body in different ways, affecting not only the muscles and joints but also the respiratory, digestive and circulatory, nervous, immune, endocrine and reproductive systems.  It balances the subtle energies of the mind and body, calms and steadies the nerves and dramatically reduces physical tension.

Good health means freedom from illness, absence of disease and perfect harmony in the functions of the body and mind. 
(Not so easy to do sometimes!)

In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra’s II.16, he explains that the practice of yoga enables one to avoid the pains which are yet to come. 
Heyam duhkham anagatam : the pains which are yet to come can be are to be avoided.

So, by choosing yoga today you may prevent pains before they have a chance to begin!

Namaste!
Pamela Nelson
http://www.plnyoga.vpweb.com/