True Kindness Is Giving

"Your beliefs become your thoughts,
Your thoughts become your words,
Your words become your actions,
Your actions become your habits,
Your habits become your values,
Your values become your destiny."
― Mahatma Gandhi

Giving doesn't have to be material or cost you anything. Giving can be as simple as a smile, holding a door open for a stranger, helping a child, the elderly, or a single mum. True giving is not expecting anything in return; Giving without any gratification in return is true giving.

Born a Libra, (Sanskrit name “Tula” golden scales, life balanced), Vijya is a certified Yoga Instructor in Sivanada Yoga, Pilates and Yoga Fit from Bahamas (RYT 200 and 500 hrs). With over 3 years of teaching experience, Vijya is one of the most sought after teachers in the South Jersey Area. Bringing the East to the West, Vijya's aim is to help train the body, integrate the mind, heart and soul as one.

Yoga Plus Herbs, Marlboro Plaza, Intersection of Rte 9 and Rte 520 in Marlboro, NJ 07726, 732-617-2020, http://www.yogaplusherbs.com/, info at yogaplusherbs dot com

Take Five

We all take the time to eat, sleep, exercise, shop etc.  How many of us take the time to sit and be still?  We need to learn to come to a place where stillness and peace reside within.  

Try to make this a daily practice:

Set a timer for five minutes.  Come into a comfortable seated position.  You can do this lying down as well. Consciously relax your body.  Take a few deep, slow breaths.  Then without controlling your breath just follow the breath in and out of your nose.  As thoughts arise in your mind, watch it without identifying, clinging or attaching to the thought, and then come back to the breath.  This is a process of letting go and then resting in the silence and peace within.  As we learn to get go, the thoughts lose their power over us and we learn more and more to tune into peace.  

Try it! At first it maybe difficult but as you practice it should become easier.

May you all find the peace within.

Namaste,

Carmela

Carmela Danna completed her teacher training in March 2006 at Yoga Works, New York. She has since attended various workshops in continuing education. She left her full time job in Princeton, NJ to pursue her passion of teaching yoga. Yoga has been a big influence in her life and she wants to share her passion of yoga. Aside from a regular asana practice, Carmela enjoys restorative yoga and meditation.

Yoga Plus Herbs, Marlboro Plaza, Intersection of Rte 9 and Rte 520 in Marlboro, NJ 07726, 732-617-2020, http://www.yogaplusherbs.com/, info at yogaplusherbs dot com

Breath and Well-Being!

We all know that it is important to take care of ourselves, going to doctors and eating well.   Do we ever connect that our health revolves around our mind, body and spirit?    That is what practicing Yoga is all about building a connection with our mind, body and spirit.   Practicing Yoga is not only a physical practice that helps you get your body into shape and achieve more flexibility and strength, the practice of the asana in class helps you get your body ready to meditate.  Not only do you see a change in your body but you experience a change in your mind as well.  Over time your practice changes your mind and thoughts.  You begin to see things clearer and you learn how to relax and calm the mind. 

Another important part of the practice of yoga is when you incorporate your pranayama practice (Breath).  So when you focus on the breath, whether you are in the mix of your physical practice or just meditating, breath keeps you grounded and links your mind, body, spirit together using breath.  By just breathing you calm the mind, relax the nervous system and release toxins in the body.  Whether you are on your mat practicing or off, it is so important to “just breathe”.

Remember that your thoughts and stress can actually make you sick, weakening the immune system and create inflammation in your body.  This can lead to all kinds of problems like colds, sleep disorders, eating issues, heart disease and cancer.  When you practice yoga you are releasing that tension and stress and with breath bring vital oxygen to the organs.  You are also releasing toxins in the body that can make you sick.  The practice brings down the inflammation by moving the body in a natural way.

So let’s take time every day to move, breathe and meditate.  Even if it is 5 minutes every day, from there you can make your yoga practice your own.  Remember take time for yourself, be in tune with your well-being and remember to breathe!!

NAMASTE :) Donna Mezzina

Donna Mezzina is a registered yoga instructor with Yoga Alliance and trained at Inner Light Yoga Studio.  She has extensive teacher training with senior teacher Sean Corne in Vinyasa Flow, as well as workshops with Kino Macgregor (Ashtanga), Sharon Gannon and David Life (Jivamukti), Dharma Mittra and Doug Swenson (Ashtanga).   Donna has been practicing yoga for 10 years and has been teaching since 2007.    She shares her down to earth and easy going style to her classes.  She feels that finding inner peace and serenity is the greatest gift a teacher can give.

Yoga Plus Herbs, Marlboro Plaza, Intersection of Rte 9 and Rte 520 in Marlboro, NJ 07726, 732-617-2020, http://www.yogaplusherbs.com/, info at yogaplusherbs dot com

Ayurveda and the Four Aims of Life

According to the Vedic tradition life has four legitimate goals, or aims: Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha.  Dharma means (among other things) "duty," and "performance of one's natural abilities in context of societal responsibility."  Artha, means "wealth," or "resources," particularly in performance of one's duties. Kama indicates "enjoyment," or "satisfying" one's legitimate desires. Moksha,shows the need to go beyond duty, possessions, or desires.  It is "liberation," the ultimate freedom.   All four goals are important to a well-rounded life. 

"Health" is the foundation of these four goals.  You have to have a healthy body and mind to have a life well lived. Each day, one must give attention to doing things good for well-being and, at the same time, minimize those behaviors, activities, and influences that are detrimental to health.  There are no short cuts and no one can do it for us.  If we don't make the effort or take time for our health, some dis-ease or another will almost surely force us to slow down and take a look at what put us in that predicament. 

Ayurveda (the ancient Science of Life) is a system of self healing that helps us actively participate in creating good health.  Like an owner's manual of healthy living, Ayurveda can guide us on the road to vibrant health in terms of proper diet, lifestyle, yoga, meditation, seasonal protections, daily routine, and much more.  Many excellent books on Ayurveda are now available.  Please take the time to learn what this ancient science of healing can do to help you create health and fulfill the four aims of life. 

James Pace, CAy
http://www.vaidyamishra.com/pages/James-Pace.html

Yoga Plus Herbs, Marlboro Plaza, Intersection of Rte 9 and Rte 520 in Marlboro, NJ 07726, 732-617-2020, http://www.yogaplusherbs.com/, info at yogaplusherbs dot com