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Page last updated: 08/07/2009

What is Kundalini Yoga?

Kundalini Yoga is the most ancient of the yogas, developing over 50,000 years ago in the monasteries of India and Tibet. This yoga focuses on precise movements, postures, sounds, and breathing that activate different parts of the body and brain.

The word Kundalini is derived from a Sanskirt word meaning either coiled up or coiling like a snake. In yoga it refers to the energy perceived as residing in the base of the spine and pays special attention to the chakras and the glands (the endocrine system).

Kundalini Yoga was brought to the West in 1969.

What is Callanetics?

Many of you have asked, what is Callanetics?

"One words describes Callanetics exercises; unique. By isolating muscle groups and using tiny, precise (yet powerful) movements, Callanetics excercises tighten and reshape your body while increasing strength and flexibility." (http://www.callanetics.com/about.htm)

Callan Pinckney once suffered greatly from knee and back pain. She was a dancer who traveled the world collecting various exercise and dance moves, combining them into her own unique exercise program. What she created was a series of exercises that focus on deep muscle work. There is no aerobic bouncing or jarring in callanetics, and each exercise can be modified easily for every fitness level.

Benefits of Callenetics include:

• tightening hips, buttocks, inner & outer thighs,

• flattening the tummy,

• lifting the bust,

• firming the undrearms,

• toning the entire body,

• improving overall posture.

Yoga: Did You Know?

The practice of yoga dates back more than five thousand years. Originating in India, it was first introduced in the United States in 1893 by the young Swami Vivekananda, who traveled the US giving talks and attracting many students. A Steady stream of Eastern gurus followed. It was not until 1947, however, when Russian-born Indra Devi opened a yoga studio in Hollywood, beginning yoga's introduction into mainstream America.

Today's western yoga is a physical discipline consisting of a series of postures and breathing techniques designed for overall improvement of health. Of the many different kinds of yoga, Hatha Yoga is now most commonly practiced in the United States. Hath yoga has undergone a unique transformation in the hands of western teachers, evolving primarily into a program for physical fitness and mental well-being.

Tai Chi: Did You Know?

The origins of Tai Chi are found in ancient Chinese philosophy and medicine, and many of its movements are derived from martial arts. The Chinese characters of Tai Chi can be translated to Supreme Ultimate Force. It is associated with the notion of duality in all things (yin-yang, male/female, active/passive, night/day, etc).

The aim of Tai Chi is to improve the circulation of the vital life force, 'chi'. Its application is to enhance vitality and health. The exercises are sometimes described as a series of flowing yoga movements that produce calming and relaxing effects. Tai Chi improves balance, alignment, fine motor control, and rhythm of movement.

Though descriptions of movements still found in Tai Chi have been found in records thousands of years old, tradition dates Tai Chi back 600 years to Chang san Feng, a monk of We Yang Monistary in the mountains of China. It is speculated that the first Tai Chi programs were developed to encourage monks, who spent many hours in stillness and meditation, to maintain physical conditioning.

TIPS from past newsletters

• For the Face: it is wise to wear antioxidant cream on your face. I have discovered that the easiest (and cheapest way is to use extra virgin olive oil. It is a natural antioxidant and the skin just drinks it up.)

• When reclining in the bound Cobbler pose (soles of feet together with a strap around your waist and over your feet, drawing them up close enough to bring the feet to your body and causing your body to arch when you lie down), you will find a great release for grief, anguish, etc. Open your arms wide, palms up, and let all the sorrows out. Go ahead and cry. Then pick yourself up and face the world without fear. You are fearlessly and wonderfully made... and so you are, both fearless and wonderful.

• To cleanse the liver: stand with arms bent to the shoulder, finger pads against the inside of the hand, then fling your arms out to the side while opening your hands. Do this quickly for eleven minutes. Also eating only greens for 45 days will cleanse the liver.

• Nose breathing: close one nostril, breathe in with the other, then close that nostril and breathe out, then breathe in the same nostril continuing back and forth. This will balance the brain from the left and the right to the center of the brain. That is just where you want to be for mind clarity and balance.

• To strengthen knees: Sit in a chair with both feet on the floor. Extend one leg, then bring it back down. Continue ten times on each side.

• Breathing and Pause: When it's busy we can wear ourselves down just trying to catch up on all we are trying to get done. Stop, take a deep breath (breathe in for two counts and hold for two counts... but don't hold your breath if you have high blood pressure... then breathe out for four counts). If you can't take time for breathing exercises, just remember to stop and pause several times a day. Collect your thoughts and then start again!

• Lymph Glands: Deep breathing keeps the lymph fluids moving. Start with an inhale of four counts, exhale six counts. When that feels good, keep increasing the numbers a little at a time until you reach eight counts inhale and ten counts exhale.

• Deep Breathing: brings long life. Try putting your hand on your diaphragm and breathe in, then fill up the lungs. Exhale by emptying your diaphragm first, then lungs. Do this process at least three times. If you get dizzy, trying it lying down.

• The Triangle: To activate the core area of the body, think of a triangle (pubic bone at the top and the two sitting bones the sides). Sit, walk, or stand with the triangle facing down and the knees facing forward.

• Do your best every day. No matter what you are doing -- watching what you eat, making an exercise plan, helping others -- do your best.

• Drink lots of WATER. With the summer days upon us, be sure you are watching the amount of water you drink. Don't wait until you are thirsty. That means you've waited too late!