Friday, July 26, 2013

The Journey Within : The Power of Sun Salutations

The Journey Within: The Power of Sun Salutations






As a yogi and teacher, I have found that it is when we struggle with what seems to be a physical limitation that deeper lessons of the practice begins to appear. Notice where you seem to be struggling physically and then use the asana as a tool of self-investigation. You will be surprised how much of our personalities are revealed and those scars (samskaras), or deeply ingrained behavior patterns are connected to these limitations.

Sun salutations are a wonderful way to allow the mind to let go and engage with the breath. By turning the focus on the breath, engaging the locks, and finding a perfect gazing point gives you a deeper understanding of the asana and of self.

Each individual practitioner's journey is different, both in terms of pace and progressed sequence of the salutation. Perhaps your particular journey is to focus on one posture in the sun salute series and perhaps that posture is the area that is challenging you physically. Don't move beyond that point of the salutation sequence. This will allow the mind to become familiar  with the sequence and give the body time to fully absorb the benefits and lessons that each asana represents before moving on.

Namaste,
Mary Jane Kasliner - Feng Shui Master & Yogi

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Simplify Your LIfe!

Simply Your Life!



To lead a simple life can bring much joy. There are a few easy things you can do to simplify your life and get things moving in the right direction.

1. Go Easy on Finances:

Financial success is relative. It is important obviously to make money but how much money do you really need? It all depends what type of a lifestyle you feel you need to support. Living simple means less financial demands and more free time so you can grow spiritually. When we work all the time to constantly feed the goal of "making money" it takes away from precious time to focus on what really matters. In the end it becomes a waste of time. 

The first thing to consider for financial freedom is not to adopt a lifestyle that demands you to work all the time. Don't buy expensive items which you cannot afford. Once you are under a mountain of debt it becomes difficult to climb out from under it and find financial freedom. So forget about keeping up with the "Jones."

Setting up streams of passive income is a great way to move towards less work and more freedom. Not always a simple task to achieve but if your are in the right conscious state of mind the Universe will provide you will opportunities to do so.

2. Find Peaceful Relationships:

There are few things worse then rocky relationships. Let's face it, when we engage in relationships that are not healthy it consumes energy and leaves our mind in a state of chaos. A chaotic mind is not free to enjoy life, be happy and connect to spirit. 

It's not to say that you will not encounter a stress-free relationship with others but practicing forgiveness, compassion or simply dropping unhealthy relationships goes a long way when it comes to freeing the mind and body of stress.

3. Seek Balance in Entertainment:

For some reason we have become a society that needs constant stimulation and entertainment. We can survive without the latest IPhone, large screen TV or hottest vacation spot. A good old fashion picnic in the park can turn out to be one of your fondest vacation memories. Be creative when it comes to entertainment and you'll find out how satisfying it can really be.

Try engaging in these simple ways to simplify your life and you will free up time to get to know your true self. This is what really matters when it comes to joyful living.


 Namaste,
Mary Jane Kasliner - Feng Shui Master & Yogi


Thursday, July 11, 2013

Dive into the Sea with Your Mind, Body & Spirit

Dive into the Sea with Your Mind, Body & Spirit



Imagine yourself diving into the sea and the moment your body penetrates the water it transforms into a warm light. You immediately feel weightless as you glide towards the brightness.The luminescence that embraces you melts all feelings of worry and anxiety. All is well. There is no where to be and no one to be. Instead, you feel yourself rooted to the seabed and swaying gently with the rhythm of the water in perfect harmony with all things.

Namaste,
Mary Jane Kasliner - Feng Shui Master & Yogi

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Take a Leave of Your Senses


 Take a Leave of Your Senses





Take a leave of your senses. This meditation involves concentrating on the core of your self while remaining aware  of sensual experience on the periphery. Sitting in a meditation posture, close your eyes. In your mind, check off what you see, hear, feel, smell and taste. Revisit each sensation and say goodbye to each of them. As you do so, send your attention that was absorbed in your senses to your spirit, at the core of your being. Remain in this state of spiritual freedom as long as you can.


Namaste,

Mary Jane - Feng Shui Master & Yogi
www.fengshuiyoganj.com

Monday, July 8, 2013

Acceptance

Acceptance


Trust in life's flow. If you are struggling with something, it could be you are trying to force the issue. Instead, sit back and accept whatever happens. That which is rightly yours will come to you. Nothing takes place before its designated time.

Mary Jane - Feng Shui Master & Yogi

Monday, July 1, 2013

Ways to Find Inner Peace

Ways to Find Inner Peace







Ways to Find Inner Peace

There are many different ways to find inner peace. For some, religion holds the key and yet others believe that the spirit alone can't transport you to that realm. It is thought the mind, body and spirit must reunite to reach that internal place of peacefulness. How to unite this triad can be as simple as following the feng shui and yogic philosophy.

Feng Shui

The feng shui philosophy is based on the belief that you can create harmony in your life through your surrounding environment. The ancient feng shui masters observed the heaven and the earth learning the ways of natural harmony. They studied the five elements of earth and how these elements interact with one another. Observing the rain from the heavens and how it nourished the vegetation (wood) that fueled the fire that scorched the earth and created ore deep within. This is a harmonious cycle of the elements keeping nature in a state of balance.

As a feng shui consultant, the cyclic nature of these elements can be applied to the internal and external environment. Balancing these elements according to directional positioning of rooms imbues the space with peace and harmony. According to the laws of attraction, vibration and frequency “like attracts like;” therefore, spending time in a peaceful environment will translate to feelings of tranquility. This translation occurs via the limbic system – ancient brain. This system interprets design features such as yin and yang, natural materials and elements, sounds, textures and scents primarily through our senses. When these features are balanced and of natural quality the energy frequency is pure and the perception is one of tranquility and pleasure. 

Feng Shui creates a peaceful environment because its roots lie in nature. A calm green garden with a soothing sound of a water fountain can convey a sense of peace to you. This feeling of calmness eradicates the feeling of worry, anxiety or fear.  If you embrace feng shui based on the ancient teachings, you can successfully surround yourself with a harmonious and peaceful environment. This is one way to achieve inner peace as the mind and body reunite to connect to spirit.

Yoga & Meditation

Meditation is the science of reuniting the soul with infinite spirit or God. By meditating regularly, you will awaken your soul and begin to live consciously. Through the discipline of meditation, we learn to concentrate within and discover our unshakable peace.

Inner peace is one of the first fruits of meditation. Greater clarity, understanding and guidance from within are also benefits of meditation. It brings greater harmony and joy to your relationships and family life. It harmonizes the life forces within the body releasing stress and promoting health and vitality.

Conventional yoga wisdom holds that nothing prepares your body for meditation as well as regular asana practice. However, only practicing yang forms of yoga will present an issue when trying to sit in meditation for long periods of time. Balancing with yin sources of yoga practice by stretching connective tissues with a slow steady load elongates these tissues making it easier for you to sit in meditation.

Concentrating on forward bends, hip openers, backbends and twists are all beneficial when it comes to holding your upright seated position for meditation. As you know, all seated meditation postures aim at one thing, holding the back upright without strain or slouching so that energy can run freely up and down the spine or what is known as the main channel sushumna.

Namaste,

Mary Jane Kasliner - Feng Shui Master & Yogi
 

Cultivate Clarity and Soothe Your Nerves

How we breathe provides a window into your current energetic state. Simple breathing (Pranayama) practices can function as tonics to invit...