It’s not the first time in recent weeks that I have woken up and for the briefest moment, wondered what excitements the day had in store…What would I do, who would I see?
Then the realization hits that we are still in lockdown. Still in this twilight half-life where the twenty minutes we are allowed to walk around the block and the planning of what’s for dinner have taken on disproportional importance.
For I know what today has in store - the same things as yesterday… Maybe with a cloudy view from my window, maybe with a different chapter in my book, but pretty much a carbon copy of the days and weeks that have preceded it.
It is like the movie Groundhog Day, except that we don’t even have that much ability to try and change the factors to see if it yields a new outcome tomorrow. If memory serves, Bill Murray’s character ‘Phil’ kept trying to alter circumstances; his encounters and conversations - eventually trying to do more and more outlandish things that included increasingly creative ways of killing himself (definitely not recommended for us) - only to find himself back where he had started when the alarm clock went off the next morning (or the same morning???)
But like Bill Murray’s character maybe there are lessons in this groundhog time for us. His lessons were: To think of others before himself, To never give up and To make the most of the ‘downtime’ that he has been given. I seem to remember he learns to speak French and play the piano… But most importantly, he becomes a better person, focused on the needs of others - as he gradually realizes that every attempt to indulge himself, has no real meaning… He learns to appreciate what he has around him, who he has around him. He matures by doing the same things over and over - and learning from them - till he finally ‘gets it right’.
A friend of mine who is eager to see the most spiritual of opportunities in this worldwide lockdown believes that we are learning lessons - good lessons. About what we can do without. About how much we really need to consume. About how important work really is, how important family truly is. About what balance really means. About what goodness means.
Are we learning?
I know none of us believes that things can just go back to ‘normal’. That Briscoes will be shouting at us on television about their latest sale of Zip kettles and we will all feel the need to race over and replace our appliances… That we’ll feel our life isn’t complete if we haven’t got the latest iphone or redecorated the lounge for the umpteenth time… But what will it be like?
Some of us believe that our new normal will be frostier and more distant… That we will stop shaking hands, stop hugging friends, stop being physically open with all but our most near and dear - those we believe offer no risk of transmission… That would be a shame. That can’t be the lesson we need to learn…
As we wake up each day to another Groundhog Day during our time of lockdown, let’s ask ourselves what the lessons are that we ‘need to learn’. Let’s use this time of endless repetition to do the same things over and over - and maybe like ‘Phil’ mature a bit…
The message of Groundhog Day is that Life is a gift and the people we share it with are what makes that gift special and meaningful.
Maybe when we are clear on what really matters and how we should really live our days, there will be a different song playing on the radio when we awake tomorrow…
]]>This is a strange PAUSE button that we have pressed - that the world has pressed. We have an amazing opportunity to use this pause to genuinely reflect - to really evaluate what life is all about. To realize that it isn’t the busy-ness and the To Do lists - it isn’t about the FitBits and the Likes that we normally use to measure our ‘success’. We have been stripped of our normal lives; our work and workplace, our usual means of socializing and distracting ourselves with exercise and alcohol. Yes, we still have our phones and devices - but we are even evaluating what their primary purpose is - and how we can best make use of them.
This is not something we expected, not most of us anyway. But it is something that we have been given. And that we should use. Yes, of course - reorganize the pantry and spring clean the closets… But also stop - and truly think - more than think - truly meditate on what it means to be human - what this life really is all about and what being part of humanity really means.
We have to promise ourselves - and each other - that we will all ask ourselves these questions and that when we come back from our bubbles - that we will be different. That we will not continue on the trajectory that we saw happening in many countries - to elect political leaders who espouse isolation and greed for their country at the expense of others. That we won’t see our success in what we have, but what we have in common. That it isn’t about how much we can ‘do’ in a given day - but what we do.
To that end - I wanted to spend a couple of minutes talking about Breathing. While we are alone, one of the best tools that we have is what keeps us alive - our breath, our ability to breathe. I am encouraging us to spend 5-10 minutes a day consciously using our breath. You will see amazing benefits with your ability to deal with stress; slowing your heart rate, lowering your blood pressure, increasing your oxygen levels and endorphins, boosting your immune system - all of which is great for you in this time of uncertainty. But stopping to focus on the breath also gives us the chance to unplug from the ‘mass-conscious matrix’ that is how we normally conduct ourselves in our auto pilot lives - and to really open our minds.
Who knows what we will find? Who can predict what will come from this - especially if we use this time positively? Can we really change the world by changing the way we think? We have always said we could - how about we prove it.
The Universe has given us this opportunity.
How can we dare ignore it?
Breathing Technique:
Start just by sitting quietly in a place with no distractions and breathe in through your nose; fill you belly and chest with air – slowly drawing the breath in for a count of 4-5. Then hold the breath inside for a count of 4. Then slowly release it – through your mouth, like a slow sigh for 4-5 seconds.
The first time you do it – try to do it at least five times, building up to five minutes.
When you have built up to five minutes – try and add five minutes of meditation.
Here are two suggestions of meditations that you could add after your ‘counted breathing’. You can continue to be seated while you do them, or lie down comfortably.
Meditations
Your Safe Place
Heart Chakra Meditation
Namaste
Laurie
]]>And then the Christchurch terror attack happened. And with it came the shock, the disbelief, the sadness for the innocent people so terribly affected. Like everyone else, I watched it unfold on television, trying hard not to shift it in my mind to something that wasn’t real - reminding myself that this had happened, in our country, to people who had come as refugees or immigrants (like I had over 30 years ago) and that because of a senseless unimaginable act, their lives would forever be scarred and broken. I still mourn the sudden death of my youngest brother four years later - part of my mind still refuses to accept he is gone forever. What must they be feeling to have witnessed their loved ones die, to have lost, in some cases, their only family… Like many of us, I donated online to the victims and I went to the local mosque and accepted their warmth and hospitality. But I did these with a twinge of guilt - it seemed like such small gestures; like theater and artifice - in the face of something so real and horrific.
My blog on ageing and injury appeared trivial in the aftermath - but what could I say that would assist me and others in grappling with the unimaginable; that people going about their lives and expressions of worship were murdered and maimed… The media talked about the ‘new normal’ and that we needed to adjust to it… But that didn’t sit right – what does that even mean? That at some level - we accept this happened? I know that rationally we have to - otherwise it is a sound bite on television, a reality TV program and gone in the next wave of noise and distraction. But does accepting it ‘normalize’ it? Does that mean it is part of our paradigm of how we believe the world works and how people treat each other? That it is part of our construct about what is to be expected in modern life - albeit at its most extreme?
I am struggling to accept that. It is still ‘abnormal’ to me - not a new normal… I want to reject what has happened as an aberration, a glitch in the normal - not a resetting to something new…
Today is the International Day of Yoga. Yoga has become the way that I access my higher self, the way I connect with the spiritual in me. Can today help me move forward? Moving to ‘carefree’ seems not to acknowledge the truth of what happened. So how do you move to more ‘caring’?
Being more caring is about forgiving - not carrying hurt and a sense of being wronged around in your psyche. I know that I still have some grudges and hurts that can be triggered when I feel tired and burdened - when I am feeling sorry for myself. Being more caring is also about really listening - I can always improve on that. It’s about cultivating empathy - something I am getting better at as I face life’s challenges and disappointments and really know at a deeper level what others are dealing with. And it’s about being a force of positivity and love - in an unfiltered, unafraid, unprotected way. That’s the challenge I want to be my learning for today. To remove myself from negativity and negative situations. To show love without any expectations. To be the voice of the positive and the possible instead of agreeing and encouraging the complaints and criticisms.
One of the phrases that came out of the Christchurch attack was ‘We are One’ (I prefer that to ‘They are Us’, which still implies separation to me.) If we truly believe we are one, then our words, thoughts and actions hurt all of us - affect all of us.
I think we can make the ‘new normal’ better than what was before - not more fearful and anxious. It is up to us.
]]>A new year has just begun. As I’ve written before, I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions. They are usually a tally of the areas of your life where you feel you’re coming up short: “Lose weight”, “Exercise More”, “Work harder”… And they are also usually just a set-up for future ‘failures’ as you get on with life after January 1st and don’t actually make the ‘changes’ you felt needed to achieve those resolutions.
So, we’ve dismissed (for another year) the idea of resolutions. What I would like to encourage at the start of this year, however, is doing something that you can achieve - creating a sanctuary for yourself somewhere in your home. I think that the benefits you will receive from doing it - and having it, will last for years.
I am calling it a sanctuary so as not to overlay any religious or spiritual context for it. For some it will be a spiritual space, for others it will simply be a place of relaxation and solace. But for everyone, it will be sacred - because it will be about supporting you, nurturing your spirit and reconnecting you with your true self. Joseph Campbell said, "Sacred Space is where you can find yourself again and again."
Stress
We know today’s life is crazy. A generation ago - people went to work and then came home. There was a clear separation. Because of this, the hours worked were less and work didn’t follow you home. You also dealt with less traffic, congestion, noise - and much less technology. Today, separating work from home is harder - and even separating ‘social’ life from private life is difficult - the demands and distractions are so much greater. And as a result, so are the negative effects of stress. Simply put, we all know 'too much stress - bad' and that it can lead to insomnia, anxiety, depression - as well as a myriad of health-related problems - some of them long term and life threatening. But it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the all-pervasiveness of the pressures and demands life presents and unable to change things. So what we do is get away, temporarily. We all enjoy our annual vacation and realize the almost instant comfort and relaxation that comes from removing ourselves from our daily lives - but we also know the effect doesn’t last.
Creating a space that supports peace, joy, love, warmth, caring and security is a big part of living a full and resilient life. When you are in a ‘sanctuary’ you are giving yourself the physical and psychological space to gain perspective on what is important in your life. Yes, you could go and look out over the ocean - but it's unrealistic to think you can do that everyday. I am encouraging you to make a space at home that will yield the same result - and that you will be able to get to more easily and frequently.
Start Small and Personal
You don’t have to make a shrine (though you could, if that nurtures to you). You don’t have to make a yoga studio. You just need to find a quiet corner and designate it as your sanctuary; dedicating it to the purpose of bringing you solace. Once you decide where it is - keep that place solely for that purpose. (Don’t make it the end of the dining table and ‘reset it’ each day - life will take over and swallow it).
Some other things to consider in making your space:
■Find the light Access to natural daylight and fresh air lifts our moods
■Bring in what comforts you Familiarity relaxes us. Surround yourself with what you love and what resonates with your soul
■Keep it simple Clutter is stressful, over-stimulation is distracting. Less is more here
■Engage your senses with calming stimuli Play restful music, burn soothing oils or candles, introduce visuals that relax you - a picture, a fish tank, a water feature, plants or flowers, a sacred statue…
■Embrace the ceremony Go into your sanctuary with ‘purpose’, create your rituals for nourishment. You may meditate, but you could also listen to music, draw in a sketchbook, write a poem… It could be as simple as drinking a cup of tea...
■Turn off the technology This is your anti-technology space. Relish it
Visually, the space you create will remind you of your commitment to yourself and your mental and spiritual well-being. It will serve as an ‘invitation’ to step out of the rat race and reconnect with what is important to you. Using it will calm you, nourish you and give you the sense of privacy we all need.
Start your new year today and give yourself a place where you can ‘"...find yourself again and again".
]]>There's another kind of aura that relates to the distinctive atmosphere generated by a person. It's not linked to chakras, but rather to personality and personal energy. It's this type of aura that was the inspiration for Pranachic Aura Mists – an endeavor to capture and translate into an 'auric' scent the personalities and qualities of the spirits of eternal summer…
Summer is the season of growth and expansion. It is the time when the earth’s axis leans more toward the sun; leading to longer days, more sunshine, warmer weather and seemingly endless possibilities. It is a time of positivity, optimism and confidence. Summer embodies archetypes and qualities that we all know and understand at a deep subconscious ‘soulful’ level. Freedom, romance, self-expression, playfulness, expansiveness and spiritual awareness - are all summer archetype personalities.
Pranachic Aura Mists were created to interpret into scent the auras of the female summer archetypes. Using all-natural essential oils and gentle floral waters, the Aura mists were blended to evoke the many moods of summer. Delicate florals, exotic spices, zesty citrus, mysterious woody notes… Each inspired blend was given a name to depict the personality and three adjectives to describe the qualities of the ‘girl’ embodied in the archetype. And the Aura Mist range was born…
Boho Babe: savvy confident original
Firedancer: steamy sexy unleashed
Gypsy Queen: fiery feminine free
Hippie Chick: young spirited joyful
Mistral: fresh windswept timeless
Nomad: exotic authentic untamed
Seeker: lush sensuous mysterious
Sierra: open instinctive individual
Starchild: sweet dreamy delicate
Surfer Girl: raw real rebellious
Summer of Love: girlie groovy uninhibited
Totem: earthy gutsy grounded
We all know how powerful scent is at affecting our brains and creating our moods. We have explored how essential oils, with their small volatile molecules, are particularly good at passing the blood/brain barrier and quickly affecting our state of mind. One light spray from a Pranachic Aura mist will transport you emotionally to a specific summer energy and help you create your own personal aura of an eternal summer spirit…
Ask yourself what aura do you want today? Playful? Mystical? Romantic? Adventurous? Find your 'girl', choose your Aura Mist and lightly spray yourself and your auric space. Breathe in deeply – and go forth.
Not sure? Take the fun quiz below to see which of the summer archetypes you want to inspire you today... (The link takes you to a site hosted by Interact)
Interact: https://www.tryinteract.com/share/quiz/5beb3c2587c93200130b8231
Tomorrow you might want a different energy - and a different aura. It's as easy as a spray away... Warm days of eternal summer...
Let's have fun!
]]>
If we start with a definition (which is always a fun place to start) there are lots of definitions of ‘embody’ available to us - and some of them, I think, can be applied to what we are being challenged to do.
Embody, we are told, means "To incarnate” - so to literally give a body or a corporeal shape to a spirit. It’s a great image - and maybe, it is a loose, but plausible idea of what we are trying to do. We are giving a corporeal shape to an asana, but not really to a spirit…
Embody is also defined as: “To give concrete form to”… Hmmm. We are taught that yoga is the antithesis of being ‘concrete’; that we are meant to be fluid, with breath and prana flowing through us. But if we substitute a word like 'tangible' or 'physical' for the word concrete we get: "To give tangible form to"... and this might well serve as a definition of what we are meant to be doing...
Some of us will gravitate towards the softer definitions of “To express” or “To personify” - as we know that some of the asanas have their inspirations in animals, warriors and sages.
Whichever of these definitions sits best with you - what they all encourage is the connection of the brain and body to give form - and the use of the mind, spirit and imagination to energize that form.
I think that sits well with what our teachers are encouraging us to do when we are told to embody an asana. We are trying to give form to an asana through a brain/body connection - and then energize that form with spirit and imagination.
Having landed on a definition I like and feel that I can genuinely use in class to improve my yoga on a number of levels – it has got me thinking about how I can take that idea into other aspects of my life.
I confess that most of the time I think of myself as a moving head. My body is merely a vehicle, a brain taxi, transporting this ‘valuable’ head around as it thinks, makes decisions, emotes, creates, observes and evaluates the world around it. And even worse, a lot of time, even that valuable head of mine is just floating around, ‘mindlessly’ getting on with the tasks and challenges of life. Driving, sitting at the computer working, doing the dishes, making something for dinner…
What if I took the idea of ‘embodying’ and tried to apply it to the other 94% of my time that I am not in yoga class? What if, while I am sitting at my desk, I think about my brain and body connection… What happens if I go inside and explore what it feels like to do what I am doing? What if I think about giving form to what I am doing? What if I energize what I am doing with imagination and spirit?
Well, it will certainly stop me from doing things mindlessly. It should encourage me to view myself more ‘holistically’, outside the context of yoga. And make me become more present. It should eventually change my awareness of myself and my reality and ultimately my way of ‘being’.
And it would be in line with where cognitive science is going at the moment – to embodied cognition. The idea that not only am I not just a mind connected to a body - but that my body is actually influencing what is my mind. Not only are my thoughts not just confined to my mind - they are influenced by and maybe even determined by my body’s physical experience in the world. Perception, thinking, learning, perspective, memory all rely on the interplay of our senses. Our bodies are processing information constantly and embodied cognition tells us that the way that we experience the physical world through our bodies actually shapes our thinking. The way we move our body, how we're standing, what we're touching or holding can influence the way that we think about or how we evaluate a situation.
I don’t want to get lost in the science or the philosophy of this - but it is reassuring to know that the mind/body connection isn’t just a theory or a thought experiment, or exercise you try once and never again. It is real and maybe even more powerful than we realize.
So, I am committed to trying to ‘embody’ more aspects, more moments, more experiences of my life. To take my yoga into my everyday and see how things change…
]]>
We’ve all heard of the word karma. We might even have used it, usually when we find ourselves frustrated by a rude, selfish, arrogant or disrespectful person. If their bad behavior then comes back to ‘bite them in the bum’ - we deem it to be karma - a cosmic payback from the Universe.
But that’s not really what karma is and even if you don’t include the full idea of karma in your spiritual belief system - it is still a concept worth exploring …
The word karma doesn’t mean payback or retribution or even just desserts. It just means ‘action’. It derives from the Sanskrit word ‘karman’ and is tied to a Vedic philosophical concept that can be traced back to around 1500 BCE.
The Shatapatha Brahmana (700 BCE) explains the meaning of the ‘karma doctrine’ - ‘While our bodies may die, but the soul is eternal and it continues its journey through many lifetimes. The soul creates a system of actions and reactions called ‘Karma’, throughout these lives, forming a cycle of rebirth. And the totality of our actions and their reactions in this and previous lives, determine our future. Thus - a man is born to the world he has made’.
So yes, at its core, the notion of karma is underpinned by the belief in reincarnation - and the idea that the life we are now living was shaped by the lives we lived before - and will have impact on the next. But it isn’t just about creating a better ‘next lifetime’. The concept of karma tells us that in this lifetime our thoughts, choices and actions have impact.
The Upanishads, the ancient texts that carry the philosophy of Vedism tell us: “You are what your deep, driving desire is. As your desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed (Karma). As your deed (Karma) is, so is your destiny”. (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad)
In short, karma tells us that our actions determine our future - and that our actions are driven by our desires and intentions.
But there is no value judgement in the word ‘karma’. It doesn’t imply that an action is good or bad, or right or wrong - it’s simply an action. The Universe doesn’t judge action to be right or wrong - the way that a person might. Instead, it merely circulates the energy and intention of the action back around again. So it’s about creating energy - and that energy continuing to circulate and influence future situations.
It’s that circulating of energy that creates what is called the Universal Law of Cause and Effect. In Deepak Chopra’s book, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, he writes that, “… every action generates a force of energy that returns to it in like kind. Therefore, what you sow is what you will reap. Sometimes immediately, and sometimes it takes time. You may not necessarily be around to witness the effects of cause, but you can rest assured that the effect will come back around because the Universe - and everything in it - operates in a cyclical way…”
It’s a little easier if you think in terms of consciousness. A modern interpretation given by Osho explains that in every living moment we are creating ourselves through our actions and that these actions can cause grace to rise in us or disgrace. This feeling of grace or disgrace is the reaction of our actions. So, negative actions lead to suffering and positive actions to happiness and joy. He further elaborates that nobody can avoid or cheat on karma because that is not possible. And he concludes that once you realize the inevitability of it you become a totally different person.
So how can we incorporate the idea of karma into our daily lives? I think we can try to be much more aware of the choices and decisions we make in a given day - asking ourselves why we are really choosing and doing something - and what the energetic outcome of that intention will be…
Even if you don’t ‘believe’ in karma – you probably hold a similar belief. The Bible tells us that ‘you reap what you sow’ and ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you’. Science tells us that ‘every action has an equal and opposite reaction’. The laws of science and religion both encourage us to observe our actions and understand our intentions.
So, my decision for today is that I will spend the day ‘witnessing’ my intentions and actions - as best as I can - throughout the day. I will try to pause, and ask myself why am I doing something, and what is my reason / intention behind it? Is what I am thinking, feeling - or about to do - in keeping with who I desire to be as a person? What are the likely consequences of my intended? Who will be impacted by them - and how? What energy am I creating for circulation?
It’s a beginning. Learning to pause and observe - and question before acting. In the hopes that it will become instinctive… Chopra says that you need to ‘listen to your body’ to be guided to the right choice. He says there’s really only ever one right choice.
You don’t have to believe in reincarnation to learn the lessons of karma. You don’t need to even need to believe in an afterlife - you only need to care about this one. And know that what you do matters - more than you realize. Why you do it matters. Your choices matter.
It’s not about punishment for ‘bad’ thoughts or actions - it’s about learning. So that we can grow, evolve, improve in this lifetime.
]]>And I’ve decided that Facebook has a lot to answer for. Thanks to them, the whole meaning of ‘friends’ has changed. "To friend" someone is a verb now, and a fairly passive one at that.
We used to ‘befriend’ someone - or better yet, we learned how to be a friend. But in the era of social media, the meaning of ‘friend’ has morphed from a person we trust and enjoy sharing time with – to a collection of people that we broadcast to like an audience, that we hope are ‘following’ us, that we want to ‘like’ what we do and say… Today it’s about numbers, and the more the better.
Old schoolmates, ex-colleagues, random encounters - and sometimes total strangers are all in our ‘friends’ basket. And these friends are treated like databases with our focus on collecting more friends, not on being friends. We have gone from sharing time to sharing posts.
And in the process, we are losing something. The active engagement necessary for real friendship…
So that’s my commitment on this International Friendship Day. To remember what being a friend really means. Yes, it’s about trust, loyalty, honesty and respect… but there’s also the support, commitment and selflessness that only come from investing time and energy in someone else. The greatest gift we can give is our full attention and awareness - our time - to be fully present in the moment; listening, comforting, advising… doing whatever is needed. Being a real friend is about wanting the best for someone else - and wanting to help them be and become their best. And that’s about putting in the time - over time - to be there.
I asked myself when was the last time that I picked up the phone - just to call a friend, just to check how they were doing. Or the last time I truly set quality time aside - just to catch up… Texting doesn’t count, nor does Messenger-ing or ‘What’s App’-ing. Face to face is what makes contact meaningful - whether it’s serious times or silly times.
So today, I’m reminding myself to remember friendship is active - not passive and encouraging others to do the same. Yes, I’m doing it in a post , but I’m picking up the phone next.
]]>
Aromatherapy involves inhaling the volatile molecules from plants - it can be as simple as breathing in as you sip your morning cup of tea, smelling a wild flower or diffusing a blend of essential oils into your environment. It can also be as complex as creating and using precise blends for specific healing purposes or ritual ceremonial use.
Aromatherapy is very powerful as it simultaneously affects the mind, body and spirit; producing profound effects on the deepest levels of the body and psyche.
The essential oils used are extracted from the leaves, bark, flowers, fruits, seeds and roots of plants and trees. The organic compounds found in the plant parts are separated (most commonly by steam distillation) into highly concentrated and aromatic oils and water-based complexes called hydrosols. In this concentrated form, the plant compounds possess healing properties that can then be used therapeutically.
The human sense of smell is estimated to be 10,000 times more acute than the other senses and sensitive to an estimated 10,000 chemical compounds.
Once registered, scent travels faster to the brain than either sight or sound. Our olfactory (smell) system directly connects to the emotional center in our brain (the amygdala) and to the limbic system which is connected to the parts of the brain controlling memories, stress levels, hormone balance, breathing and blood pressure. This means that aromas have a direct effect on us physically and psychologically – and that scent is the best, if not the only way to directly affect our brain's emotional centers.
The takeaway from all of this is that we can influence our emotions, our moods, our energy levels, our breathing and our blood pressure - through scent.
Science is finally 'explaining' what has been intuitively known for centuries - that the small volatile molecules of essential oils easily cross the blood/brain barrier and have dramatic effects on limbic function and as a result, on how we feel.
While most essential oils can be used topically in a diluted form - and even taken internally in some cases - inhalation using a spritzer or diffuser is the quickest way to obtain their most valuable psychological and physical therapeutic benefits.
Learning to incorporate scent - especially through essential oils - into your routines and environment can dramatically affect how you navigate your life -mentally, physically and emotionally.
Start simply and learn the main benefits of key essential oils. You can find a page on the Pranachic site outlining the healing properties of the main essential oils.
https://pranachic.com/blogs/blog/essential-oils-and-their-properties
Enjoy the process of finding out what scents resonate with you. Yes, certain essential oils illicit specific responses in us all - but you will also find that you prefer different aromas more than others. Refreshing to me might mean citrus, to you it might mean mint, to someone else pine... There is a lot of therapeutic overlap among the essential oils, so once you learn their basic properties - preference does come into play.
Treat the learning about what you like and what you respond to as a journey of self discovery. Finding the scents that resonate with you can be as important and personal as making exercise or dietary choices. These are also tools in the support of your mental and physical well-being.
You don't need to jump in and start making your own blends - unless you feel passionate about it. There are blends available of oils that work together for specific purposes.
Pranachic Yoga Mists are blends of essential oils suspended in floral waters to create desired emotional states. They can help calm, invigorate, uplift, center and ground you. The gentle mist you spray on your face - or that fragrant cloud you walk through - instantly changes your mood - it relaxes you, it balances you, it lifts your spirits - it helps you navigate your life.
Pranachic Yoga Blends give you the same oil blends as the Mists in a concentrated form for diffusers and oil burners - allowing you to fill your environment with the scent you need - and gaining the effects for a longer period.
Pranachic Intention Mists a have been blended to help you with your intention work and Pranachic Aura Mists have been blended to instantly change your aura and set a specific mood.
Scent is an amazing thing. Full of memory, beauty, potency. Start your scent journey today - your life will become instantly more rich and magical.
]]>
The truth is – no one knows why 108 with absolute certainty, but there are many thoughts and theories. I have reviewed what is out there and summarized the most possible and plausible. It is certainly thought provoking...
The Vedics
What we do know is that the number 108 had very powerful significance in the science and spirituality of ancient India... It is believed that we can first trace reverence for the number 108 to Vedism (also called Brahmanism and ancient Hinduism). Vedism dates back to between 1750-500 BCE and provided the roots for most of the Dharmic religions of today including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Yogic philosophy and tradition.
The Vedic sages looked to mathematics to help them explain the mysteries of their known Universe. They came to believe that 108 was a sacred number in their numerology and cosmology and that it represented the whole of existence. But why?
Mathematics : Elegant patterns, divisions and equations
When you start looking, it's hard not to get lost in the mathematics of the reasons as to why 108 might be special, there are many mathematical theories such as:
There is a mathematical beauty to 108, but for many, it is its relationship to the 'Golden' Ratio (Phi) that has significance.
The Golden Ratio / Divine Proportion
The equation : results in something mathematicians call the Golden Ratio. It describes the perfectly symmetrical relationship between two proportions, like those we find in the classic rectangle:
The Golden Ratio (also called Divine Proportion) is a phenomenon that exists in nature. Examples of it abound: the layers of the petals of a flower, the successive sizes of twigs on a branch, the spirals of a conch shell, pineapples, honeycombs - all conform to this ratio. There appears to be a divine 'growth relationship' - a pattern which repeats at each stage of development of natural things, an order to the Universe and its parts - that provides an 'archetypal architecture'.
And we as humans find this 'proportion' innately pleasing. It is visual perfection and has fascinated and influenced artists, architects, naturalists and mathematicians for centuries.
The Pyramids, the Parthenon, the Eiffel Tower, the paintings of the Masters of the Renaissance - all carry the geometry of the Golden Ratio.
Explaining the 'Golden' Ratio with mathematics translates it into a universal constant - the whole of existence in a formula... Is this what the Vedics discovered? And having done so - did they then enshrine the sacred number 108 in their religion, philosophy and spiritual rituals? Maybe
The Sun, The Earth and The Moon...
Some have surmised that the Vedics arrived at 108 as a way to describe the 'cosmic relationships' they could witness between the Sun, the Earth and the Moon...
We can now verify that a lot of the significant' relationships within the Universe can be 'explained' by the number 108. The diameter of the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the Earth. The distance between the Earth and the Sun equals about 108 times the Sun’s diameter. The distance between the Earth and the Moon equals about 108 times the Moon’s diameter. (This is the reason that the sun and the moon look equally big in the our earthly sky - they have the same ratio between distance and diameter.)
It is claimed that the Vedics could have had the ability to deduce these relationships with the measurement techniques available at the time. Is this how they arrived at 108 as the answer to the whole of existence? Maybe
108 Enshrined
We also know that 108 is created by the multiplication of two sacred numbers in Hinduism (and Vedism before it) - 9 and 12. And that in Astrology (Vedic and Western) the nine planets rule the 12 houses or constellations of the zodiac. There are also 27 nakshatras or lunar constellations spread over the 4 elements - fire, earth, air, water and/or the 4 directions - north, south, east, and west (27 x 4 = 108). Still more ways of describing 'the whole of existence'.
Mathematics, ratios, planets, beliefs - whatever the reason the Vedics chose the number - what seems to have followed was the 'enshrinement' of 108 into Vedic (then Hindu, Buddhist and Yogic) cultures.
Some examples are:
Yogic Tradition
108 has been well ritualized into the practice of yoga - symbolizing the number of completion:
By practicing chanting, breath work, or asana in rounds of this sacred number, the ancient yogis believed that we could align ourselves with the rhythm of the creation, and ultimately bring an end to our cycle of reincarnation.
Those we can't explain
When we start looking, 108 'coincidences' are everywhere. You will find endless '108' lists if you search on the internet. Some are hard to give weight to, but there some others worth mentioning - that can't possibly be traced back to Vedic influence. Are they the results of other cultures independently discovering the 'significance' of 108? These include:
Randomized Coincidence or Divine Order?
While no one knows WHY exactly 108 has become a significant number - and has then influenced custom, practice and beliefs to the extent it has - there do appear to be cosmic, geometric, metaphysical and ritualistic reasons behind its importance…
But sometimes, to avoid getting lost in the theories, it's best to just look at the symbolism of the numbers and ask yourself what they mean to you:
1 = I, your higher self
0 = the Universe/God, all that is – or maybe the void that needs filling
8= Infinity / Timelessness, all that can be
OR
1 = the one
0 = Nothing
8 = Everything
Whatever the actual history, and however complex and layered the explanations - if we could ask them - the ancient Vedics might simply take us back to the beginning - and say that for them, 108 was in sync with the rhythms of Universe.
And that when we use 108 repetitions of a mantra or 108 sun salutations, we are acknowledging the order of the Universe and aligning ourselves and our intentions with divine will. We are harmonizing ourselves and our vibration with the natural vibration of creation.
And that's what we're all striving to do each day - isn't it?
]]>The answer lies in the 'energies' generated by the amazing structure of crystals.
Crystals are special because they possess a regular, repetitive internal structure. They have an orderliness of structure at the most minute molecular level.
This means that they VIBRATE at the same rate – both within a single crystal and across crystals of the same type. This synchronization of motion – this vibrating in unison is called harmonic convergence.
It means each crystal type has its own fundamental frequency which translates as an energy field that can interact with any other energy field near it – including us.
At the most basic level, everything is energy. Everything is in motion and everything is vibrating energy. The human body is no exception.
Our bodies are a conductive energy system with crystalline structures in and around the blood, lymph and cells, which are repaired and maintained by a complex electrochemical system. In other words, we run on vibrations – and can be influenced by vibrations.
That is the thinking behind crystal work: that we can 'tap into' and use the specific vibrations and unique vibrational energies of different crystals for specific intention and energy work.
There is fairly universal agreement as to the different way each different crystal influences us. Use the reference guide to the energetic properties of crystals to help you choose which crystals that you need right now - and let them guide you to your ideal mala or bracelet.
https://pranachic.com/pages/crystals
Let the power of crystals help you on your spiritual journey.
]]>Quality malas are overhand knotted between each bead. The knots are there to keep the beads secure and separate: they don't touch and thus remain silent during practice and we can feel their separateness with our eyes closed. They also ensure that if a breakage happens - the beads are not lost.
The thread of the mala is cotton, silk or nylon twisted cord. It represents the tie we have to the Universe. It shows us the bond and interconnectedness of everything: Everything is connected, 'tied' together.
The 108 main beads or Counting beads – They are usually made of seeds, or beads made of wood, bone or semi-precious gemstones. Depending on the material used, the properties of the beads will have certain energetic effects.
Different spiritual practices and religious traditions historically have used beads of a specific material. In India, malas are primarily made from sandalwood, tulasi, and rudraksha seeds. In Nepal and Tibet, most malas are made from bodhi seeds, lotus seeds, and bone. Western malas began to incorporate semiprecious beads – to add to the mala the vibrational energies of the crystals.
Wooden beads are probably still the most common beads used for malas as are hard wearing, widely available and relatively inexpensive…They are also the beads used by monks and nuns. Sandalwood, Rosewood, Ebony, Elm and Peach are the most common wooden beads.
Of the seeds used, Rudraksha seeds have the most history and significance.
It is believed that the first malas were strung from rudraksha seeds and worn by the ancient Vedic Sages in around 1000 BCE. They had strong spiritual significance to the Vedics, who believed that these seeds came from Lord Shiva himself.
According to Vedic beliefs, Lord Shiva went into a deep trance - meditating for the well-being of all living creatures of the earth and when he finished and opened his eyes - tears fell to the earth. These tears were in the form of seeds which grew to trees, later being called the Rudraksha tree. Rudra means “Lord Shiva” and Aksha means “teardrops”, making Rudraksha “Tears of Lord Shiva”.
It is believed that these tiny seeds emit positive vibrations and work to heal the Heart Chakra...
Lotus Seeds and Bodhi seeds are more widely used in Buddhism where the Lotus seeds (really rattan seeds) are said to aid one to rise above obstacles and Bodhi seeds (from a species of fig) are believed to assist in attaining enlightenment.
Like the story of Lord Shiva, the legend exists in Buddhism that Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment and became the Lord Buddha while meditating under a bodhi tree.
Gemstones/Semiprecious Crystals are becoming more and more popular as mala components, as they bring their own vibrational energies to mala work.
The counting beads are tied in patterns of 108 (Mantra), Tibetan (108 + 3 markers at intervals of 27) or Zen (108 + 4 markers at of intervals of 7, 21, 87, 101).
When marker beads are used they are usually larger in size or of a different shape or texture. They are there to ensure your mind does not wander off during meditation - but stays centered in your practice.
In the center of the garland at the half way point is the Guru (or meru (meaning 'mountain') bead. It can be a gemstone bead, or a specific style of bead, then with a tassel hanging off it. The guru bead is named that for a reason. It symbolizes your Teacher, your Guru, the Divine, or God – whatever you hold sacred – as well as your intention. It is the sacred in your mala - the energy to guide, teach and support you.
The two threads of the mala come together into one and travel through the guru and then finish and tie off in the tassel, representing our connection to the Divine and to each other. Oneness. The tassel is also said to represent our desire to touch enlightenment.
The mala is a wonderful tool with a long history - with specific patterns and distinct parts that each work toward your end goal - of directing your prayers, energies, thoughts or intentions to your higher self, the Universe and the Divine.
Our Product Page can give you a larger view of the Composition of a Mala:
]]>A mala is likely one of the oldest spiritual tools known. It dates back to around the 8th century BCE when the ancient seers of India began to use beads to help them during meditation. These strings of prayer beads, were called japa malas, because of the style of meditation they were practicing - which involved repetition of prayers. Japa literally means repetition so what we know today as japa meditation (even if we didn't know the term) is where we repeat a mantra, affirmation or prayer to a set number of repetitions.
From Vedism (the early Hinduism), the use of mala beads spread to other cultures and religions including Islam and Buddhism. When the Roman Empire was trading with India, it is believed that the Romans mistook the word japa for jap, the Latin word for “rose.” So when these prayer beads found their way back to ancient Rome, they were called rosarium, or rosary in English. Today, more than two-thirds of the world's religions use mala beads, prayer beads, rosary beads or worry beads to aid in their spiritual practices.
Malas traditionally have 109 or 112 beads - 108 'counting beads', sometimes three marker beads placed at intervals of 27 - and a guru (or meru) bead, anchoring the energy, sacred purpose and intention of the mala.
The beads of a mala can be made from a number of substances, including wood, bone, seeds and semi-precious gemstones. Different spiritual practices have historically favored different substances: In India malas are made of sandalwood, tulasi and rudraksha seeds, while in Nepal and Tibet, malas are more commonly made from bodhi seeds, lotuis seeds and bone. Western adoption of malas in spiritual and asana practice has seen more semi-precious gemstone beads used - incorporating the energy of the crystals into the mala work.
Whatever the materials used - malas have evolved with specific tie patterns and distinct parts that each work toward your end goal - of directing your prayers, energies, thoughts or intentions to your higher self, the Universe and the Divine.
They serve as a tactile reminder during meditation, affirmation, or yoga practice to focus, to breathe and to remember your intention and the commitment you have made to your spirituality, your higher self, your consciousness...
Our Product Page can give you more information on 'non stone' mala beads:
https://pranachic.com/pages/other-mala-beads
]]>
Affirmations at their essence are pretty simple. They are thoughts… But they are thoughts that we are consciously choosing.
Our minds are endlessly busy – with both conscious and unconscious thoughts racing through them nearly constantly. Research has shown that we have around 50,000 thoughts in a given day. That equates to about 300 thoughts per minute. Yikes.
The sobering fact is that research also tells us that there’s a good chance that 80% of those thoughts in our heads are negative. (And most of them are likely to repeat all over again the next day…).
We might not even be aware of most of our negative thoughts – we might perceive them as feelings. We feel sad or angry without necessarily being able to tie the feeling to a specific thought. We might also not ‘hear’ the judgments that run through our minds when we observe or experience something. Evaluating, comparing, criticizing... Some of our thoughts are long held companions – beliefs we acquired at a very young age, without even knowing it: Those tend to sound something like: “I’m no good at this”, “I can’t do that”, “I’m too this…I’m not enough that…” (Sound familiar?)
But you know what? All of it – every thought that races through, every word you speak, every complaint, every judgment, every emotion - is really an affirmation. All of our self-talk, all of our internal dialogue, is an endless stream of affirmations. So we are all really using affirmations already – just not to our best advantage. Yes, some of long-held beliefs work very well for us. (“Fire will burn me”, “Knives are sharp”, “Driving on the wrong side of the road is dangerous”) But other beliefs may be limiting our ability to create what we really want. (“That’s not fair! I never get a break”. “I don’t deserve it anyway”, “I’m too old (too ugly, too fat, too dumb, too unlovable)…” – you get the picture…
We are affirming and creating our life experiences right now with every word and thought – but the experiences are probably often ones where we feel like victims, taken advantage of, taken for granted, ignored, unloved – if we aren’t aware of our thoughts. What you think about forms your feelings, perceptions and experiences – and thus your reality.
Affirmations are designed to help us break the patterns, introduce positivity, become more aware of the negative thoughts – and start creating what we want. They have evolved out of the psychological discoveries of the 1970s where the beliefs systems and patterns of the subconscious mind and their impact on perception, behaviour and happiness began to be explored.
To affirm simply means to state something positively - to assert something to be true. When you say affirmations - or think them or even hear them, they become your conscious thoughts – there’s no room for anything else in your head at that time...
So if you are intrigued - start small – but with the right intentions. Find a negative thought pattern or belief you want to break. Maybe one of those ‘failings’ you feel you have had since childhood – but don’t even know why… Write out an affirmation to counter it – to make the opposite of your negative thought into a truth. If you find yourself thinking, “I’m not worthy” – maybe write “I am valued and cherished”. If you hear “Things are hard. I’m meant to struggle” in your head, maybe write, “My life is good” or “Things come easily to me” or “I choose to be joyful”. Speak your affirmation aloud two times a day – for five minutes at a time. Your sub conscious mind responds to positive present-oriented statements that it hears from you - as absolute truths – no questions asked.
Don’t sabotage yourself – if you affirm, “I am valued and cherished” and the next minute think, “This is stupid, it’s never going to work” – guess which thought will win? The one that has more energy and history behind it.
What you think and believe – right now – is a choice. It may not seem like that, since our patterns of thinking are so ingrained – but it is a choice.
It’s all about changing the patterns that were set before we were too young to know the difference. We do have a choice. Let’s choose happy…
]]>
We all found our way to yoga along different paths – maybe a need to relax, to give our ‘fitness’ regime more substance than we found at Zumba or the gym, maybe through rehabilitation, maybe, like me, your grandmother sat you on the floor in your swimsuit and told you that you were being a cobra or a lion – and the idea had magic for you… Whatever the path - it is more likely than not that we didn’t come to yoga out of a spiritual need – at least not one that we were conscious of…
But now we regularly come to class, surrounded by iconography from Buddhism or Hinduism. Sometimes we chant to someone called Patanjali, sometimes we just Ommmm together in slow elongated cadences. We call our poses by strange Sanskrit names that we work hard to remember. We learn to lie down in Savasana and breathe in Pranyama as preparations for something more.
We might have come to yoga for ‘physical’ reasons – but we know that yoga extends beyond the physical movements. Can we really just sit on the side-lines picking what we want from it – or rather what we think we want? Do we owe it to ‘yoga’ and to ourselves to learn more? These are the questions I am asking myself…
I’m not advocating that we try to become ‘sages’ or ‘ yogis’ - the image of sitting on a mountain top eschewing the temptations and fripperies of modern life is intimidating and ridiculous in equal measures. We live in the 21st century in large cities with complex lives.
But we have been drawn to a practice that is more than 5,000 years old. What can we gain from learning about how it came to be and what the purpose behind it really is? Don’t we owe the practice something - even just our curiosity - for enriching our lives to the extent that it already has?
I think we do…
If you agree as well – then we are taken to a metaphysical text called the Yoga Sutra written by the sage Patanjali in 300 or 400 CE. It is constructed in four chapters "pada" of 196 one-line aphorisms – or maxims of deep truth - designed as a path toward enlightenment for the ignorant and spiritually uninvolved. The aphorisms are short and pithy - since most knowledge at that time was passed on orally - and they were meant to be lessons that a sage or teacher could then elaborate on for students.
The Sutras give direction on how to achieve mastery over the mind and emotions and guidance on spiritual growth. They examine what the goal of yoga is, the difference between the mind and consciousness, the nature of enlightenment and its stages, the eight-limbed practices of yoga and the transcendent powers of meditation. The Sutras are not a religious text, and not even really a spiritual text – they are more like an ‘instruction manual’ on self-realization.
In our 'Western' yoga – the focus is primarily on asana practice, but this is just one ‘limb’ of yoga - and only a small one at that. Of the 1,200 words that make up the Yoga Sutra, only 12 pertain to asana. Because the core of yoga is not moving the body – but moving beyond the body and mind.
Edwin Bryant, a professor of Indian philosophy and religion and a translator and commentator on the Sutras says that like science and religion - yoga also has at its center the goal of alleviating suffering and that the Sutras actually complement many belief systems and spiritual paths. “The Sutras attempts to answer those big existential questions that people have asked since time immemorial: Who are we? How can we be happy? Those wisdom teachings remain ever relevant, because even if culture changes, consciousness doesn’t.”[1]
Judith Lasater, co-founder of Yoga Journal, also sees relevance of the ancient yogic text in today’s world, believing that, " … Yoga is not only a practice, but also a state of being …Patanjali’s verses offer a time-tested “roadmap” of human consciousness… (the Sutras) continue to speak to the human mind and heart through the ages..."[2]
At their core, the Sutras are about simplicity, respect, self-understanding and living a meaningful good life. They are tools to extend a purely physical yoga practice into a fuller practice that will ultimately become part of your daily life.
In this age of inspirational memes and tweets, self-help books and self-improvement boot camps there is actually some comfort in knowing that the Yoga Sutra have been studied by those attracted to yoga for about 1,700 years. And that whether we acknowledge it or not - we are part of the history and lineage of yoga, and it is part of us - and our lives. I think we do have a debt that demands we open the book - and our minds.
So we turn over page 1 of the Yoga Sutra: Sutra 1.1 reads: atha yoga anushasanam, which has been translated as “now the practice of yoga begins.”
Seems very appropriate…
[1] https://wanderlust.com/journal/edwin-bryant-why-read-the-yoga-sutras/
[2] https://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/5-reasons-know-patanjalis-yoga-sutra
]]>
What is a Mantra?
A mantra, by definition, is a word, a sound, or a phrase that is repeated to aid in your concentration while meditating. But it is not a ‘record stuck in a groove’ repeated endlessly without purpose. You are not meant to ‘zone out’ while reciting a mantra, rather the opposite – you are meant to become more ‘mind-filled’.
The word 'mantra' comes from the Sanskrit words ‘Man’ (mind) and ‘tra’ (transport). So a mantra literally translates as ‘mind transport’. It is the powerful vibration that your mind will 'ride' into a deep state of meditation.
It is believed that a mantra assists in filling your mind with positive intentions, dispelling negativity and bringing you closer to the truest purest form of yourself – that which is pure awareness and consciousness.
Mantras are considered to be capable of transformation – to be able to alter your mind. Your mantra is meant to change you.
Your personal mantra will be almost sacred in nature – a name or sound that both uplifts you and helps you concentrate during meditation.
Finding the right mantra will depend on the nature of your meditation.
Ancient Words
If you are wanting to deepen your meditation practice, you might consider using an ancient Sanskrit mantra – so that your brain is not able to be distracted by the ‘rational content’ of the mantra, focusing instead on the vibration and energy.
A good place to start is with Om (Aum). It is the sacred sound of Hinduism, said to be the sound born when the Universe was created, and its vibration is said to be our link to creation itself. A variation is Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti (peace of mind, peace of body, peace of speech). Another simple but powerful one is Sat, Chit, Ananda (existence, consciousness, bliss).
Affirmations
You can use a mantra in meditation to assist in giving life to and energizing the seeds of your intentions. In this case, your mantra can be an affirmation. Repeating positive affirmations is a powerful way to program your subconscious mind to help you manifest your intentions.
You can use one of the affirmations suggested with your Pranachic mala – or create one of your own. Start your affirmations with words like:
and you will find affirmations that resonate with you. Be positive and present-focused. The sub conscious mind responds best to your own voice and to positive instructions. It accepts what you tell it – so choose the affirmation that best supports your desire.
Use Your Mantra
Whatever mantra you choose to begin with – make sure you repeat it at least 20 times during your meditation practice, allowing your mind time to align with its vibration. The traditional repetition is 108 – but don’t start there if you don’t have the habit. Allow yourself to become accustomed to the ritual.
And Remember...
There is no right or wrong here. What is important is that you make your mantra personal and meaningful and use it regularly.
Then you will enjoy the fulfillment and personal transformation that results.
]]>Resolutions are usually negative – and usually about losing, stopping or depriving ourselves. I find that as a result they are almost always forgotten, abandoned and sabotaged before the month has even ended. I think they can even prevent us from doing things, rather than encourage us – as we wait until we have achieved a thinner, fitter, richer, smarter, ‘better’ version of ourselves before doing something we want …
Feelings are fluid, thoughts are fluid. Who I am in the world is fluid each moment. It is not something that starts and stops. It isn’t something to set goals against or try to achieve.
The concepts that the yoga is not in the effort or the outcome – but in the practice itself and that focusing on the continuity in each pose – the stillness and presence of the asana is what is important.
I think that bringing this to everyday life will mean that I will use my energy differently.
I believe that if I am not focused on the effort or outcome of life – but on the present and the ‘practice’ - that I can use my energy being positive and really engaged - every day in every encounter.
I think that bringing the ideas of presence and continuity to everyday life will also mean that the big scary things will enter into the rhythm of life, to the ebb and flow, which should make them not nearly so terrifying. (The terrifying comes in the fear of a failed outcome in the future, right?)
I think it will also mean that there will be lots and lots of little moments of joy and, I believe, a lingering sense of contentment.
Two years ago on my birthday my youngest brother died suddenly, leaving me devastated with sadness and grief. It will never be right, it will never be fair – it will never be explainable in any way that I will accept. But I have taken that terrible loss as a reminder that today is enough and today I am enough and focusing on discontent leads to discontent – not happiness and never contentment.
This leads me to thoughts on the concept of ‘Santosha’ (contentment) – from the Yoga Sutras. Judith Lasater wrote a wonderful thought piece on it for the November 2017 Yoga Journal, US in which she explores the realization that Santosha itself is a practice – and something we live – not a feeling we chase.
She writes that contentment is not the same as happiness - and that contentment is actually the willingness to "...accept both your happiness and your lack of it at any given moment". And she advocates that we stay actively present in those times of discontent as well - and see what arises within us, without judgement.
So for 2018, that is my hope. To practice life - staying present and nonjudgmental and within that - appreciating the continuity - of both happiness and contentment.
I have to finish on a couple of quotes, because so many people wiser than me have said it better – this time I promise to hear them :)
XX
Namaste
Laurie
]]>They can be used with your mantra or meditation work, placed on your yoga mat when you practice, hung in a sacred place as a visual reminder and worn or carried with you as a talisman or inspiration.
How you choose your mala will depend how clear you are on the intention you want to work with.
Here are some thoughts on choosing your mala:
Follow Your Intention
If you know the intention you want to work with; if you have experienced difficulty or loss, if you want to dedicate more time to your spiritual path, if you want to generate more of a certain aspect or energy in your life… then find the intention in our menu of choices and decide which mala resonates with you.
Find Your Intention
If you want to begin intention work, but are not certain about which intention you need to work with, take time to meditate on some questions. You can ask yourself:
“What would I like to create more of in my life?” (Love? Abundance? Balance?)
“What blocks are preventing me from being all I want to be?” (Forgiveness? Communication?)
“What parts of myself do I want to explore?” (Creativity? Self Expression?)
“How do I help myself on my spiritual journey?” (Self-Discovery? Transformation? Clarity?)
The question that seems most personal to you and the answer that seems most pressing will guide you. Know that your Higher Self knows what is best for you now. Tune into your inner voice and the answer will come.
Follow Your Instincts
If the answers aren’t coming to you - or if you want to follow an intuitive process – then open yourself to the mala that you are most attracted to. It may be the color, a stone you love, the feeling you get from a piece. Go with that – then open yourself to the energy of the stones and the intention the mala. There was a reason for the attraction and it will probably be just what you are needing.
When You Know Your Intention and Have Your Mala
Go on to read and learn about the intention - there is information provided here and more will come when you receive your mala. This will help you to begin your intention work.
There are affirmations that come with each mala and some thoughts on how you can find your own mantra, should you choose. Make daily contact with your mala. Meditate with it, use it in your yoga practice. Wear it or carry it with you. Place it in an important spot so your will see it and be reminded and inspired.
Trust the process, Be open to the journey.
Enjoy this new relationship.
]]>Connect to your intentions
In meditation, or quiet deep thought – ask yourself what you want – especially how you want to feel. This will give you an insight into your dreams and deepest desires. Begin to put those feelings into words. It is important to think in positive terms – not ‘less stress’, rather ‘more calm and serenity’; not ‘less friction’, but rather ‘more love’. Be confident, be positive, be present-focused.
Plant your intentions
Think of your intentions as the seeds of what you want to create in your life. Once you are clear on your intentions, you need to consciously affirm them – to plant them and then to nurture them.
Make your intention become more ‘real’ by writing it down and then reciting it aloud to yourself. Your own voice is a powerful tool in intention setting. Writing your intention down and then saying it aloud begins to give it authority and allows it to start to take root in your subconscious mind.
Meditate on your intentions
Start your meditation with a few deep breaths and observe the stillness within. Gradually, bring your awareness to your heart and set your intention. Try to stay here, observing the inward and outward movement of your breath – letting go of any distracting thoughts or negative feelings that arise – and filling the space created with your intention.
Use your Mala
Bring your mala into your intention connecting, planting and meditating processes. The crystals have been chosen to support your work. Find ways to connect with it daily – either by wearing it or working with it in your yoga or meditation practices – to remind yourself of your intention.
Stay in the process – Let the Universe worry about the outcomes
Don’t get attached to problem solving or trying to force a specific result or solution. That keeps you in a place of fear and insecurity. Know that there are infinite possibilities in every moment – and trust that your higher self is guiding you. Trust that your deepest desires will be met.
]]>Like all crystalline objects, malas are believed to conduct and absorb energies. It is a good idea to ‘cleanse’ your mala and charge it with your energy when you receive it or get it home. Cleansing can come in many forms; placing it in a sacred place (your altar or shrine), 'smudging' it with white sage or lemon grass, placing it in sunlight or strong moonlight, or placing it in a singing bowl or sacred chalice and ringing the bowl or bells over it.
You may have a spiritual teacher that you can ask to ‘bless’ your mala – or you may want to do a blessing yourself; lighting a candle or saying a prayer invoking the energy and setting the intention of the use of your mala.
Using Your Mala
Mala beads are meant to be prayer beads – and as such need to be treated with reverence. They are there to assist you in anchoring your mind while in meditation. The ‘counting’ or moving of the beads in time with your breath or the rhythm of a mantra serves to focus your attention and assist in raising your prayers toward heaven. The purpose of your mala is to focus your intention and spiritual energy.
Your mala will grow in spiritual significance with use – as you charge it with your prayers and intention.
Beyond its spiritual intention, your mala has been made with semi precious gemstones which have their own vibrational and healing frequencies.
Wearing Your Mala
In truth, a mala is not a piece of jewelry, but it is a beautiful object and the visual reminder of your intention, so it is understandable that you will want to wear it. Please do so with the care and reverence it deserves.
Wear your mala as a sacred object. If you can – reserve it for times of prayer and meditation. If you wear it into the outside world – protect it. Remove it before bathing, swimming or doing physical activity. Avoid getting it in contact with chemicals, cleaning solutions or perfumes. Don’t get it wet. Don’t tug at it or carry it by its tassel. Don’t allow it to knock against hard surfaces. Don’t place it on the floor or let it drop.
Remember that your mala has vibrational frequencies which can be interfered with by the vibrations of mundane activities.
Try to resist the temptation to wear your mala wrapped around your wrist. You would probably have to stretch and stress it to get it over your hand. And wearing it on your wrist is when it has the greatest chance of being knocked, getting dirty and undergoing stress and breaking – and the gemstone vibrational energy also has the greatest chance of disturbance.
Caring for Your Mala
Remember that your mala is made of natural substances – of silk (or cotton) cord and semi precious gemstones. Gemstones can crack if they knock against a hard surface. Silk can break if it is tugged at or treated poorly.
Over time, the tassel of your mala may get soiled, frayed or messy. Simple kinks can be steamed out over a boiling kettle. If it needs to be cleaned, dip it gently into a cup of cold water, squeeze out the excess and hang the mala to dry (it may also need a simple steam once fully dry). If the tassel needs trimming, slide your fingers down it and cut across the ends with sharp scissors – as you would if you were trimming hair.
Your mala beads are protected by the knots that surround them and should only require a wipe with a warm slightly damp cloth to freshen. But with use, the thread of your mala will eventually break – silk is a natural fiber and the gemstones beads and your fingers rubbing against it mean that at some point, it will wear out.
A Thought on Breaking
If you have treated your mala with care – it will have served you well and become a treasured object. When it breaks, there is the chance that you could feel sad or disappointed. Don’t be. See it as an opportunity to reassess your original intention and take stock of where you are in your spiritual journey.
A mala break can be a sign that this phase of your journey is complete and it is time to start anew. Take a moment to meditate on the original intention of the mala and to visit the progression of situations and encounters that have followed. Understand if you have arrived where you had intended – or still have some journey ahead – before you decide on the mala’s future.
Depending on your revelation, you can decide to have your mala restrung (at what should be a minor cost), or have the beads incorporated into a new piece in line with your new intention – or use those sacred beads in another way and choose a new mala altogether.
And a new relationship will begin.
Namaste
]]>The main purpose of a mala is as a meditation tool when praying or chanting – to keep the mind focused on meditation and not distracted by counting the repetition of prayers / mantras. Sanskrit mantras are counted in sets of 27, 54 or 108 repetitions – which is why the malas we now know have 108 ‘counting’ beads.
Over time, several mala designs have developed – each with the 108 beads: traditionally referred to as: Tibetan, Zen, Mantra and 108. Some designs have ‘markers’ that break the mala into subsets of beads. Traditional designs also incorporate a large meru (mountain) or guru bead which provides the starting point and ending point for the mala – and for many, the intention of the mala itself.
Malas are made out of many different materials: seeds, wooden beads, crystals and semi-precious stones - and the properties of the beads used are said to have specific energetic effects. Different spiritual and religious traditions have historically used beads of a specific material to incorporate the energy of that material into their practice.
Today, malas are being adopted by ‘Western’ practitioners to assist in our yoga and meditation practices. They are beautiful ‘totems’ of the commitment we have made to deepening our practices and gaining a better understanding of ourselves and the Universe.
* It is believed that the Romans ‘mistranslated’ the word Japa (meaning recitation, and the adjective used in India to describe malas) to be ‘jap’ or rose – and from there the Catholic rosary was born.
]]>Cleaning your yoga mat is a simple job to keep it fresh, sanitary and odor-free. You don’t want to be too aggressive with your cleaning. Retaining the "sticky" grip of your mat is essential for a safe practice. It’s easy to keep your mat fresh and germ-free. Just follow the simple steps below:
Cleaning Your Yoga Mat
Keep It Clean
You can spritz your mat lightly and wipe it down each time you use it. A light spray after each practice is all it needs - you don’t need to saturate it each time you do yoga. If possible, hang your mat between classes rather than keeping it rolled up.
You should really clean your mat once every couple of months or so, depending on how often you use it. Follow the steps above to ensure a clean sanitary mat.
As an ongoing policy - don’t share your mat and wash your feet before practice. If you sweat a lot, you could consider buying a yoga mat towel that fits the length of your mat and is made of material that dries very quickly. Some yoga towels have rubber nubs to prevent slipping. A yoga towel can be washed out easily, reducing the need to clean your mat as often.
Serving You Well
Good mat hygiene will extend the life of your mat – and keep you healthier as well. As long as it stays "sticky," your mat should last many years and serve your practice well.
]]>At the time, I was working with essential oils and their properties to create a natural mat cleaner and I hit upon the idea of a spray that could assist in centering and grounding me for yoga class.
The mat cleaner was inspired by the one of the eight limbs of yoga – Saucha, or purity – and so with the eight limbs as my inspiration, I began work on a range of mists to support my yoga.
And Pranachic Yoga Mists were born.
Using only floral waters and natural essential oils, I began blending, taking into account how the different essential oils affect the brain – the moods and emotional states they trigger.
The human sense of smell is estimated to be 10,000 times more acute than our other senses and sensitive to some 10,000 chemical compounds. Once registered, scent travels faster to the brain than either sight or sound. Our olfactory (smell) system directly connects to the emotional center in our brain (the amygdala) and to the limbic system which is connected to the parts of the brain controlling memories, stress levels, hormone balance, breathing and blood pressure. This means that aromas have a direct effect on us physically and psychologically – and that scent is the best, if not the only way to directly affect our brain's emotional centers.
The takeaway from all of this is that we can influence our emotions, our moods, our energy levels, our breathing and our blood pressure – through scent. Science is finally 'explaining' what has been known intuitively knowledge for centuries – that the volatile molecules of essential oils easily cross the blood/brain barrier and have dramatic effects on limbic function and as a result, on how we feel.
With Pranachic Yoga mists I have worked with the properties of specific essential oils and blended them to create the emotional states and desired responses I needed - to calm, to invigorate, to uplift, to keep centered and grounded in our busy modern life.
I kept them at a low enough concentration that they can be sprayed directly onto your face and skin, without any irritation. They aren’t perfumes and won’t leave a lingering scent. They are mood enhancers, uplifters, generators. The mist you spray on your face – or that fragrant cloud you walk through - instantly changes your mood - it calms you, it centers you, it lifts your spirits - it helps you through your life - and your yoga every day.
I now have Pranachic Yoga mists in my yoga bag – to spritz my face when I go into class or my mat when I practice at home. I have Santosha by my bed and mist the pillow before I go to sleep. I have Andana in the kitchen, Sattva in my office. I have them in the car, I take them when I travel. And I 'mist' throughout the day whenever I ant to center myself or shift my energy.
I hope that you will enjoy using Pranachic Yoga mists as much as I do – and that they help you navigate your days a bit more fragrantly - elegantly.
Laurie
]]>
These oils are extracted, primarily through steam distillation, from the leaves, bark, flowers, fruits, seeds and roots of plants and trees. The process separates the plant compounds into highly concentrated and aromatic essential oils and water-based complexes called hydrosols. The powerful healing compounds of the plant, concentrated into the single extracted oil can then be used therapeutically.
The olfactory (smell) system directly connects to the emotional center in the brain (the amygdala) and to the limbic system which is connected to the parts of the brain controlling memories, stress levels, hormone balance, breathing and blood pressure. This means that aromas almost instantaneously are able to have a direct effect physically and psychologically on the body and mind. Essential oils are composed of very small volatile molecules that can penetrate cells and some can even cross the blood-brain barrier (meaning that the essential oils are absorbed into the bloodstream via the blood vessels of the lungs and then circulated throughout the body - even to the brain - where they can then affect our physical, emotional and mental states.)
Inhalation of essential oils using a spritzer or diffuser is the quickest way to obtain their most valuable psychological and physical therapeutic benefits.
Here is a list of the key essential oils used in the Pranachic mists - with a description of the scent and therapeutic properties of each:
Balsam de Peru
Balsam de Peru Essential Oil has a soft, sweet vanilla-like woody aroma. It is soothing and can help during times of stress. Its calming effect reduces anxiety and allows rest and relaxation.
Basil
Basil Essential Oil has a warm spicy herbaceous aroma. It is energizing and great for stimulating the mind and aiding focus - giving clarity and mental strength.
Bergamot
Bermagot Essential Oil has a citrus aroma, hinting at orange – but far more complex, with warm spicy floral and minty undertones. It is emotionally uplifting and calming and said to be helpful in the treatment of depression, stress, tension, sadness, grief and fear.
Black Pepper
Black Pepper Essential Oil has a warm, sharp, spicy ‘peppery’ aroma. It is stimulating and is helps enhance alertness and stamina.
Cardamom
Cardamom Essential Oil has a warm, spicy-sweet green herbaceous aroma. It has a refreshing, energizing and uplifting effect. It is also considered an aphrodisiac.
Cedarwood
Atlas Cedarwood Essential Oil has a rich warm slightly spicy woody aroma. It brings a calming and soothing affect on the mind and nerves. It can help with anxiety and nervous tension, creating a positive calming atmosphere and insulating you from outside chaos and negativity. It is also said to act as an aphrodisiac. Virginia Cedarwood Essential Oil has a fresher, cleaner dry woody aroma. It also has calming properties, making it ideal for meditation and spiritual work.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon Essential Oil has a familiar aroma – warm, woody, dry and spicy. It is warming, stimulating and energizing and ideal during times of worry and fatigue.
Clary Sage
Clary Sage Essential Oil has a dry, musky, earthy bittersweet floral aroma. It engenders a calming and sedating effect on the emotional and nervous systems.
Clove
Clove Essential Oil is another familiar aroma – rich, woody, spicy with a warm fruity top note. It helps relieve stress and lessen mental exhaustion, depression and anxiety. It is also said to be an aphrodisiac and treat insomnia.
Coriander
Coriander Essential Oil has a sweet spicy slightly fruity aroma. It is oil refreshing and uplifting for the mind; calming nerves and helping relieve mental fatigue, tension and nervous weakness. It also aids in relaxation before sleep.
Cumin
Cumin Essential Oil has a warm, spicy, nutty aroma. It is a natural relaxant and instills a calming effect on the mind acting as a stress reducer. It also reinforces the mind, assisting memory enhancing and relaxes the body, resulting in sound sleep
Cypress
Cypress Essential Oil has a fresh, green, evergreen aroma with sweet woody undertones. It relieves fatigue and helps one to be able to concentrate.
Elemi
Elemi Essential Oil has a tangy/peppery woody aroma with musky undertones. It is grounding – bringing balance emotionally and spiritually and giving a feeling of peace. It is calming and rejuvenating, assisting in achieving a meditative state and enhancing visualization.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus Essential Oil has a powerful fresh green camphoraceous aroma. It has a soothing and calming effect on the body and a refreshing and stimulating effect on the mind, helping to improve concentration.
Fennel
Fennel Essential Oil has a sweet anise-like aroma with slightly camphoraceous, earthy undertones. It is energizing and uplifting, helping to comfort and revitalize when worries are high. It also brings courage and strength in the face of adversity.
Frankincense
Frankincense Essential Oil has a green balsamic lemony wood aroma. It soothes and calms the mind, slowing down and deepening breathing and is excellent for use when meditating. It is also grounding, calming and relaxing without being sedating.
Geranium
Geranium Essential Oil has a green rose-like herbaceous aroma. It is uplifting, bringing a balancing effect on the mind and relieving feelings of stress and anxiety.
Ginger
Ginger Essential Oil has a fresh warm spicy aroma. It is energizing and uplifting, assisting in ameliorating feelings of loneliness and sadness. It is also considered an aphrodisiac and good for encouraging expressing gratitude.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit Essential Oil has a sweet juicy citrus aroma. It has an uplifting effect on the mood and helps with stress and depression. It is energizing and especially good in the morning or at times when you need a bit of a boost.
Jasmine
Jasmine Essential Oil has an exotic waxy fruity floral aroma. It soothes the nerves, producing feelings of confidence, optimism and euphoria. It is also good for revitalizing and restoring energy and is said to be an aphrodisiac.
Juniper
Juniper Essential Oil has a sharp green conifer aroma. It reduces nervous tension and anxiety, calming nerves and helping to ease stress without imparting the sedative effects. It also cleanses and purifies the air, making it ideal for prayer or meditation.
Lavender
Lavender Essential Oil has a familiar sweet, slightly soapy herbaceous-floral aroma. It is soothing and calming; well known for its sedative properties and its ability to help reduce stress and anxiety and promote sleep.
Lemon
Lemon Essential Oil has a powerfully fresh zesty lemon aroma. It is refreshing, energizing and uplifting.
Lemongrass
Lemongrass Essential Oil has a fresh lemony tea-like aroma. It revitalizes the body and helps combat nervous exhaustion and stress. It is uplifting and refreshing, imparting feelings of happiness.
Lime
Lime Essential Oil has a sweet green citrus aroma. It is refreshing and energizing; leaving cheery upbeat feelings. It is also known for its ability to cleanse, purify and renew the spirit and mind and is said to be effective in cleansing the aura.
Mandarin
Mandarin Essential Oil has the sweetest of the citrus aromas – fresh and full-bodied. It is very uplifting and the most calming of the citrus oils; relieving stress and sadness.
May Chang
May Chang Essential Oil has a strong lemon aroma with oily, grassy notes. It has energizing and uplifting properties, and promotes mental and physical well-being.
Melissa
Melissa Essential Oil has a fresh lemony aroma. It is uplifting and calms the nerves – assisting in fighting depression. It also has a sedative effect and assists in falling into a peaceful sleep.
Myrrh
Myrrh Essential Oil has a dry resin-like amber/woody aroma. It is grounding and helps to mellow out the emotions. It also aids during meditation to create a relaxing and uplifting atmosphere.
Neroli
Neroli Essential Oil has a sweet orange blossom aroma. It is comforting and effective when dealing with grief, nervous tension, or exhaustion. It is very relaxing and can relieve anxiety, fear, shock and stress.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg Essential Oil has a rich spicy woody aroma. It is centering and calming – removing doubt and resistance and encouraging flexibility, spontaneity and joy.
Orange
Orange Essential Oil has a sweet zesty orange aroma. It is positive and sunny, bringing happiness and warmth to the mind. It encourages releasing negative and highly charged emotions like obsessions and fears, assisting emotional balance to be restored.
Palmarosa
Palmarosa Essential Oil has a soft green rose-like aroma. It calms the mind, yet has an uplifting effect. It steadies emotions and brings a sense of security and unconditional love.
Patchouli
Patchouli Essential Oil has that familiar ‘hippie scent’ - a rich musky-sweet, spicy and slightly wine-like aroma. It is calming, grounding and balancing. Patchouli banishes lethargy, sharpens wits and fights depression and anxiety. It can also create a romantic atmosphere and provide an environment perfect for prayer and meditation.
Peppermint
Peppermint Essential Oil has a fresh cool grassy minty aroma. It stimulates the mind and focuses concentration relieving mental fatigue and depression. It refreshes the spirit, stimulates mental agility and improves concentration. It is considered an aphrodisiac.
Petitgrain
Petitgrain Essential Oil has a woody bitter-sweet floral aroma. It is uplifting, calming and balancing, helping to ease anxiety and assist in handling high stress situations. It soothes the mind, while relaxing the body, easing breathing and reducing heart rate.
Pine
Pine Essential Oil has a strong sweet-green conifer aroma. It is cleansing, purifying and invigorating; relieving mental, physical and sexual fatigue.
Rose
Damask Rose Essential Oil has a beautiful sweet waxy floral aroma. It soothes and harmonizes the mind and helps with depression, anger, grief, fear, nervous tension and stress. It also assists self-nurturing, self esteem and dealing with emotional problems, imparting a feeling of well-being and happiness and is also considered an aphrodisiac.
Rose Geranium
Rose Geranium Essential Oil has a sweet musky rose-like aroma. It is calming and grounding, helping to reduce feelings of stress and worry. Uplifting and positive – it balances the body and mind, relieves feelings of stress and anxiety, lifts moods and promotes feelings of well-being.
Rosemary
Rosemary Essential Oil has a strong fresh woody-herbaceous aroma. It is invigorating, refreshing and stimulating - clearing the mind and improving mental awareness and memory
Rosewood
Rosewood Essential Oil as a sweet rich woody aroma. It lifts spirits and balances the mind and body – allowing negative emotions to be released and engendering a sense of encouragement. It is grounding and relaxing – giving a sense of peace and security.
Sage
Sage Essential Oil has a warm spicy-herbaceous aroma. It is mentally stimulating and has long been used to induce trance states and enhance spiritual awareness. It is also used for spiritual and emotional purification and cleansing and as it also brings the protection and comfort needed to make life changes.
Sandalwood
Sandalwood Essential Oil has a rich, warm, woodsy/earthy aroma. It has a harmonizing and calming effect; reducing tension and is ideal for addressing all negative emotional states: depression, fear, stress, nervous exhaustion and anxiety. It is deeply grounding and helps to instill a sense of inner peace and has been used since ancient times for spiritual practices. It is also considered an aphrodisiac.
Tangerine
Tangerine Essential Oil has a sweet fresh citrusy aroma. It is bright refreshing and rejuvenating - encouraging soothing and calming to the mind and body.
Tea Tree
Tea Tree Essential Oil has a green medicinal herbaceous/woody aroma. It is well known for its effectiveness at warding off infections as it is active against all three varieties of infectious organisms: bacteria, fungi and viruses. This benefit of cleansing and purification also extends to the mind: easing mental stress and purifying the mind and body of emotional wounds.
Thyme
Thyme Essential Oil has a strong sharp woody/herbaceous aroma. It stimulates the mind and strengthens the nervous system, aids memory and concentration, can help with the feelings of exhaustion and combats depression. It is also uplifting, especially when fatigued.
Vanilla
Vanilla Essential Oil has a strong sweet true vanilla flavor. It is reduces nervous tension and agitation, and promotes relaxation before sleep. It is also a relaxing sensuous aphrodisiac, inviting sensuality and relaxing inhibitions.
Vetiver
Vetiver Essential Oil has a deep rich earthy/woody aroma with light green top notes. It calms and soothes the mind and helps to dispel anger, irritability, stress and tension. It is also very grounding and ideal for meditation and prayer.
Ylang-ylang
Ylang-ylang Essential Oil has a sweet intensely floral aroma. It has a euphoric and sedative effect on the nervous system reducing stress and anxiety. It assists in happiness and gratitude and is also considered an aphrodisiac.
]]>