When I read "Pelvic Exercises for Men, Too" by Roni Caryn Rabin in The New York Times this morning (July 14), I thought that yogis have been doing some pelvic floor exercises for centuries--and more than just Kegel. It is an essential part of every class I teach. The article refers to the book Male Pelvic Fitness by Dr.... Continue Reading →
Can Surya Namaskar Help GERD?
The short and quick answer is often "no". First it is important to determine what is causing GERD. If it is hiatal hernia, surya namaskar (also known as sun salutations) may not be helpful at all and may even be contraindicated. This comes under yoga therapy and expert guidance is essential as every one is... Continue Reading →
Summer Fab Food: Blueberry Lemon Muesli
When is breakfast food only a breakfast food? In my mind, never! These false labels deprive us of enjoying perfectly wonderful food any time we want. And that is how I see muesli—breakfast, lunch, supper, snack, lightly sweet and luscious dessert, family food, company food. Fresh, plump blueberries and lemon are heavenly together when they... Continue Reading →
Summer Fab Food: Beet Walnut and Cannelini Rosemary Spreads
https://mahasriyoga.com/recipes/appetizers/BeetSpread.html Cool fab food can be quick and bursting with flavor just right for the warm weather. No sweating over a stove and just 10 minutes! These recipes, with a few simple ingredients, work well for everyday meals, lunch boxes, and for company. We love them on lightly buttered and toasted bread (also good... Continue Reading →
Meditation For Cognitive Control
Meditation is a cognitive control exercise that enhances the self regulation of internal distractions, suggests Dr. Adam Gazzaley, a neuroscientist at the University of California, San Francisco. Emory University's Wendy Hasenkamp and Larence Barsalon find that meditation seems to "flex" the neural circuitry for sustaining attention, an indicator of cognitive control. Both these findings are... Continue Reading →
Spring Clean: Letting Go The 20-Year Old
Cleaning out the room, which at a glance looked so empty, turned out to be deceptive. Embedded in the two shelves of papers was a lifetime to be sorted and cleaned. Isn't this how it is with everyone? Perhaps that is why we obstinately avoid it. Let it stay settled, along with the dust. No... Continue Reading →
Feelings, Sensations, Or Emotions In Meditation?
What do we mean by each of these words when used in the context of meditation: feelings, sensations, emotions? Why does it matter? It matters in terms of clarity of instruction to know what the instructor means. Feelings and emotions "color" the mind. Emotions can create false perceptions and are obstacles in clear reasoning and thinking.... Continue Reading →
How To Know If Meditation Is Working
How does one know if a particular meditation practice is working? Here are 11 initial markers of progress: 1. The breath becomes rhythmic. 2. The breath slows down. 3. The awareness begins to settle on the breath flow, mantra, or any other point of focus. 4. Focus improves as the mind wanders away less from the... Continue Reading →
Online Course: Buddhism and Modern Psychology
Starting Wednesday, March 20, Princeton University's lecturer Robert Wright is offering a six-week free online course titled Buddhism and Modern Psychology. The course is made available through the online education platform Coursera. To register, please go to https://www.coursera.org/course/psychbuddhism. It takes less than a minute and it is available to anyone, anywhere in the world. Thanks... Continue Reading →
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