Posts Tagged ‘meditation’

Study: Meditation Changes Your Brain

hst060.jpgScience has spoken.

A new study published in Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging shows that subjects who meditated 30 minutes a day for eight weeks had
measurable changes in parts of the brain
associated with memory, sense of self, empathy and stress.

According to an article in The New York Times, “How Meditation May Change the Brain:”

M.R.I. brain scans taken before and after the participants’ meditation
regimen found increased gray matter in the hippocampus, an area
important for learning and memory. The images also showed a reduction of
gray matter in the amygdala, a region connected to anxiety and stress. A
control group that did not practice meditation showed no such changes.

We want to know: Meditation improves your memory, makes you feel better about yourself, and reduces stress. What is holding you back from meditating?

Read the whole story on:http://blogs.yogajournal.com/yogabuzz/

What Feeds You?

wb_233_opnr_1.jpgIt’s starting. The creeping feeling of holiday time, where everything speeds up, whipping up into a final frenzy. As if things weren’t going fast enough already.

During my meditation yesterday, I heard a voice loud and clear. A question, really. It asked “What feeds you?”

I stopped and listened. “What feeds you?” it asked me again.

The question pointed me toward the simple realized that I have been putting my energy toward too many things that deplete me and not enough things that feed me.

So, I decided to make a list. From now on, when faced with a decision I’m going to ask myself: Does this feed me? If the answer is no (it’s not absolutely necessary), I’m going to do my best to skip it.

What Feeds Me:

1. bodywork
2. sunshine
3. connecting with people
4. restorative yoga
5. sitting with my son after school while we have a snack

What Depletes Me:

1. guilt
2. big muffins
3. too much socializing without quiet time to balance it out
4. saying yes when I really want to say no
5. feeling overly responsible for people around me

We want to know: What feeds you?

Read the whole story on:http://blogs.yogajournal.com/yogabuzz/

Can Foodies be Yogis, Too?

chocolate.jpg

Possibly the biggest debate in the yoga community is around food, ahimsa (non-harming), and health. Today’s New York Times includes an in-depth article on the wide range of ideas and philosophies surrounding yoga and food. Can you be a yogi who also appreciates a burger every now and then? What about wine? Chocolate? Some say yes, some say no… The debate continues.

No matter where you stand on the issue, it’s hard to argue with this quote by Dave Romanelli:

Swami "Baba" Ramdev Says Yoga Can "Cure" Homosexuality

The gay rights debate has made its way into India, where a high court recently ruled to legalize homosexuality. And, according to The Telegraph, Swami “Baba” Ramdev isn’t thrilled about it. He filed a petition to India’s Supreme Court asking that the ruling be overturned.

“[Homosexuality] can be treated like any other congenital defect,” he told The Telegraph. “Such tendencies can
be treated by yoga, pranayam and other meditation techniques.” The ruling offends the structure of the Indian value system, Indian culture
and traditions, as derived from religious scriptures, he wrote in the petition.

Read the whole story on:http://blogs.yogajournal.com/yogabuzz/

Is Your Daddy a Pretzel?

What do you normally get your dear ol’ dad for Father’s Day? A tie? Slippers?

It can be difficult to find the perfect present to show your dad how much you appreciate him. If your dad’s a yoga practitioner, I have some gift ideas for you–something that signifies a bond you share.

Here are my humble suggestions for Father’s Day gifts for the yogi dads.

pretzel.gifIf your dad is already a yoga practitioner, he probably has all the props he needs. So what could be a sweeter gift than a book that reminds him of your common bond? Consider My Daddy is a Pretzel by Baron Baptiste or Real Men Do Yoga by John Capouya.

Better yet, buy him a gift certificate to his local studio. (If you live near by go to his favorite class with him!)

Every yogi needs to soothe his or her aching muscles from time to time. Treat your dad to a massage. His back will thank you!

prapatti.gifDoes your Dad needs a little motivation to take his yoga to a deeper level? A daily meditation practice can have a profound affect on his practice–and his life! I like this meditation cushion from Prapatti because it’s comfy for meditation and can also be used to give extra height for seated poses.

What did I leave out? Please share your gift ideals in the comment section below. Those of you who actually ARE yogi dads, help us out and tell us what you’d like to get. (For my dad, who is not a yogi, I might have to peruse a fishing blog.)