According to a June 24, 2011 article "Yoga Protects the Brain from Depression" in the British newspaper The Telegraph, those who practice hatha yoga three times a week have higher levels of the amino acid GABA. This amino acid is essential for a calm state of mind and helps ward off depression, according to the... Continue Reading →
The Restless Mind and Meditation
What is the mind? Are we a manifestation or a projection of the mind? How do we deal with the constant river of thoughts? The practice of antar mouna (inner silence) helps unlock the mind. In the article Know Thyself in Yoga International, you will find the basis and steps of the practice of inner... Continue Reading →
Gluten-Free Vegetarian Soups
Here are some recipes for gluten-free vegetarian soups that offer a diversity of vegetables and flavors. Everyone can enjoy them! Cauliflower Cheese Soup: If you like cheese fondue, you will enjoy this soup. It is good without the cheese as well. You can easily make it with broccoli also. Celery Parsley Soup: We used to... Continue Reading →
Anxiety and Stress: Beyond Asanas
An asana practice can help deal with the effects of anxiety and stress and improve coping skills. But it is important to look at factors/triggers that cause anxiety and stress in the first place. That means simplifying life; getting rid of wants and focusing on needs; changing stubborn inflexible thinking; and reducing the negative-ego that... Continue Reading →
Yoga Don’ts and Do’s for Depression
Don't do yoga meditation--no trataka, no Yoga Nidra. All meditations, of any kind, must be done under expert supervision. Meditation makes the mind more introverted and it can worsen depression. That is the advise of some traditional yoga gurus. Do asanas, bhastrika, kapalbhati, nadi shodhana, if you can. There are suggested asanas in the previous... Continue Reading →
Yoga Asanas for Anxiety and Stress
For people who are unrestricted in their movements, the following combination of dynamic and passive may be helpful for anxiety and stress: Asana: surya namaskar (sun salutations), shavasana (corpse), vipareeta karni (inverted pose) or sarvangasana (shoulder stand), shavasana, matsyasana (fish), bhujangasana (cobra), ardha shalabhasana (half locust), shalabhasana (locust), dhanurasana (bow), ardha matsyendra (half spinal twist),... Continue Reading →
Meditation, Music, Anxiety, Stress
As we have had recent posts on Pandit Jasraj, Tagore, Kircher, it may be worth making a point regarding the importance of music in dealing with anxiety, stress, meditation, and spirituality. They are all connected as an anxious and stressed out mind cannot meditate. Meditation requires that anxiety and stress be addressed first. Making appropriate... Continue Reading →
Vegan, GF Slow Carb Bean Recipes
As requested, here are some specific recipes for vegetarians and vegans. They also happen to be gluten-free. Slow-carb seems to be an easier diet to follow as it allows unlimited amounts of beans and vegetables. The two are a big part of an Indian/vegan diet and the dishes can be as spicy or bland as... Continue Reading →
Music Treasure:Kircher Musurgia Universalis
There is an exquisite find for those who enjoy Western classical music that I discovered through Dr. Robert Svoboda's website . Dr. Svoboda, a global eclectic from Texas, is renowned for ayurveda and jyotish vidya (Indian astrology). He is a well-known author in his field and lectures around the world. It had been a while... Continue Reading →
Mahasri Yoga 