My yoga habit: how Ryan Giggs keeps in premier shape at 37

QUOTE FROM THE TIMES

“At a time when most footballers simply exercise their Ferraris, he’s still a hero. And it’s all down to yoga, he tells Mike Pattenden”

Although, of course the primary aim of yoga is to end suffering caused by the every racing mind, a wonderful way to start as an objective is to maintain flexibility to help life in general.

Often what happens then is the rest comes……after a good stretching session, one feels much more relaxed and peaceful.  With this peace comes an innate desire to be more connected to spirit.  Ryan Giggs is a prime example of that and he makes it very ‘ok’ for the macho man to consider yoga.

I was a fitness instructor for 10 years before I got into yoga, and one of the reasons I gave that up was that I realised that I could not do that for the rest of my life – Yoga I can!!!!  I just wish I started years ago….Any reason to start yoga is a good one, and everything else comes from there.

So If you are reading this, do have a go, but make sure you visit a variety of classes as there are so many different styles out there.  I started my yogic path with Iyengar yoga, I learnt so much with an amazing Iyengar master in Wiltshire called Anne Richardson.  Anne was wonderful, but I knew that Iyengar was not my path when I eventually went to India to study with Swami Vishveketu in an ahsram in Rishikesh. I felt like I had come home and I realised through being around Vishva-ji and other wise old yogis just what yoga really had to offer….

Namaste

Anandix

Today’s Insight

Patanjali was a great sage that lived approximately 2000 years ago and was the first to really systemized yoga.  He did so in the form of the yoga sutras which have transcended time and are still one of the most influential spiritual teachings of yoga.   The Yoga sutras consist of 196 chapters divided into four chapters of abundant wisdom

After years of studying Patanjali and applying the yogic principles in my own life, in this mornings class I was talking about Avidya, translated as ignorance or not seeing things as they are, and I fully appreciated for the first time in years, that yes Patanjali really does have a point, there really is a profound pattern in the sutras as I thought of the changes that have occurred in my own life!!

He says that with repeated practise (Abhyasa), non reaction and detachment (vairagya) and Viveka (discrimination), we can go beyond the illusion.

The analogy often used is between a snake and a rope, for example, if you went out for a walk one day and saw a snake in the grass, it would be frightening.  The next day, if you went for the same walk and saw something in the grass that looked like a snake, immediately you would assume it was a snake without really seeing it properly.  On on closer inspection you see that it is simply a piece of rope, but because you assumed it was a snake, you immediately went into fight or flight response causing stress that is totally unnecessary.

In the same way in our life we assume that something is the truth, but in fact it is not.

I have to say that through this constant practise, non reaction and discrimination, slowly I have really started to stay more present and not get so stressed about things that have not happened yet.

Yes, I thank yoga for this insightful journey and am honoured to share this wisdom.

Namaste

Anandi

GETTING A BETTER EXPERIENCE OF MYSELF!

Well this morning, like many other mornings I went through my wardrobe and changed several times…how come that new thing I bought the other day does not give me the same experience it did when it was new?  What does that tell me?

I had a profound insight today, and I realised that when I buy clothes, I do so because I want a better experience of myself.  When something is new I feel great, the second or third time round does not give me the same buzz!!!  I really had to take a look today….with all the dedicated practise I do, I am still looking outside for a sense of empowerment.  That insight in itself was enough to shift my perspective and appreciate what I do have. One might think what a weird post, but I thought that an authentic account of what is going on with me today, Anandi/Alison, a human being might be fun!  It also helped me to be authentic with myself, so if you are reading this thank you!!!

I was so grateful for this revelation this morning, I started a cleanse and dedicated more energy to my morning practise, with the intention of being fulfilled without the need to a pretty dress!!

I posted a new intent too, http://www.intent.com/anandi/intents/not-buy-clothes-get-better-experience-myself, if you click on this link you could support me!!!

Namaste

Anandi

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU!

At this time of year, I always pull out last years goals and check for universal deliveries…I have to say, that this year I had a 75% delivery on all my goals which lets me know the power of writing it down.

In every moment we are sowing the seeds of our future through our thoughts and intentions.  By writing our goals down, it helps us become clearer on what we want in our lives….Many people just ignore it, and their intentions remain vague and unrealised.
As we enter the new year, I fully recommend that you set  some time aside  to think about what you really want. Be as specific as possible and don’t limit yourself. You are planting your seeds in the fertile ground of intention.

Material Abundance: What do you want on the material level? Your own house with a garden? Write that down. Consider your desires for sensory gratification – sound, touch, sight, taste, and smell. What do you want to see, hear, and feel in 2011?

Relationships: Write down all your desires for your relationships  – your romantic partner, friends, children, parents, co-workers, and any others.

Spiritual: What would nourish your heart and soul? Do want to go on a meditation retreat? Start a journaling practice?

Personal Goals: What areas of your life would you like to nurture this year? Do you want a new intellectual challenge such as studying a language or learning new software?

Community: What do you want to contribute to your neighborhood, country, or the world? Consider how you might use your unique talents to serve others.

Health: What are your health goals for the new year? Learning how to meditate? Regular, restful sleep? Releasing old emotional wounds? Write down everything you desire for your physical and emotional wellbeing.

In Practice
Keep this list with you and look at it once or twice during the day as well as just before you meditate.  When you meditate, you go beyond the ego-mind into the field of all possibilities. Detach from the outcome and let the infinite organizing power take care of the details.

If you don’t have meditation tools, perhaps you would like to come to beautiful Le Marche in Italy and learn how to meditate…REST REFLECT AND GET IN TOUCH WITH YOUR INNER  BEING on an unforgettable four-day retreat in the tranquil setting of Le Marche, Italy. Learn the secrets of meditation, unlock the stillness that rests within your soul, and connect to your inner essence like never before.  Sound good…would love to share this amazing tool, so please get in touch…anandi@anandi.co.uk  01722 770700…May be see you in Italy 19-23 May 2011….

Empower your true self!

“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”
~ Albert Camus

In the midst of economic turbulence, political controversy, and uncertainty, it’s easy to be thrown off balance or become paralyzed with fear.

A regular meditation and yoga practise can help you connect with your true source of strength and harmony – your higher Self – and to empower yourself by remembering that, though you may be temporarily disguised as a human being, your essential nature is infinite spirit – unbounded, immortal, and invincible.

Every morning when we wake up for an instant, we don’t know who we are, and then we remember and put ourselves on like a layer of clothes!  When we dress up at a Halloween party for example and put on a mask, we suddenly become liberated because we know that we are wearing a mask. In the same way, once we realise that this physical being is a mask made up of our conditioning we start to emerge as a strong enlightened being.  The practise of yoga is like peeling an onion!

In ancient India essential training for kings on self empowerment was essential.  Their gurus used to take them to the river and make them look into their eyes and say the following:

• I am totally independent of the good or bad opinion of others
• I am beneath non one and no one is beneath me
• I am fearless in the face of challenges

They had to do this until they started to see the fire in their eyes! Conscious inner dialogue is another powerful tool for connecting to your true Self.   Try it yourself for just a few moments in the morning when you wake up…. even if just for a few seconds, look in the mirror, make eye contact with yourself and silently repeat

• I am totally independent of the good or bad opinion of others
• I am beneath non one and no one is beneath me
• I am fearless in the face of challenges

Look for the shine in your eyes that reflects the fire in your soul. If you do this exercise a few minutes every day, it can create profound shifts in your life.

Feeling powerless or fearful is often because you are in the state of object- referral – meaning you define yourself through objects, people, situations, titles, possessions and accomplishments.  Objects, by nature change and as long as your identity is tied to objects or the opinion of others, your life will feel unstable.  In this state, you will feel great when your investments are growing, business is booming and your relationship is flourishing.  However, when the markets fall, sales are down and your relationship is challenged insecurity and worry are the result.
Self-referral, in contrast, is identifying with your inner self – the unchanging essence of your soul. In this state you have an internal sense of joy regardless of what is happening around you because you aren’t identified with transient objects or events. You pierce the mask of illusion that creates separation and fragmentation and know that you are part of the field of infinite intelligence.

A major reason for this fear is the hypnosis of social conditioning. From childhood on, most of us learn to see ourselves from the ego’s perspective – as isolated beings struggling to survive in a hostile environment. What the world calls “power” is really fear that leads to manipulation and control of others. Real power comes from the experiential knowledge of our deepest Self, which is the field of all possibilities – unbounded by space or time.

One of the best ways to directly experience your true Self is meditation. When you meditate, you move beyond the emotions, thoughts, and memories that usually preoccupy the mind – into the pure awareness and peace that are your essential nature….

(exerts from my learnings with Deepak Chopra – thank you Deepak!)

Meeting my children

A LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE

I had been in India for 6 weeks with my teacher in Rishikesh when I started my journey down to Salem to visit my children.  The journey down was interesting as I had no idea where I was going, I just left it to the universe to guide me!!! That whole trip I felt almost cushioned by the universe as there were a few hair raising moments where I just had to trust the process..and here I am live and kicking to tell the story!!

Evenutally I arrived at the orphanage at 6am in the morning when Pastor Jay came to meet me.  I was made to feel very welcome and was shown to my room to rest.  At 0830, two teenagers were outside calling ‘auntie’, ‘auntie’….to all the children there I was auntie!!!  They had bought me an abundant breakfast of rice and omlette, I was hungry as I had not really eaten for two days…

First thing there was a wonderful prayer meeting where Pastor Jay held a beautiful service in the christian faith and welcomed me, I felt honoured….and was getting very excited at the thought of meeting my children, I had to wait until the afternoon when Pastor Jay goes to the Promised Land daily to see the children.  In the car, Pastor Jay told me his story, I sat there listening with my jaw dropping at what he has achieved given his unfortunate circumstances.  When is was a little boy, his whole family died, sisters, brothers and parents.  His grandfather took him to the local witch doctor who promptly told him to kill the boy with rat poison as he was cursed…..Pastor Jay ran away and ended up in another place where he was beaten and tied up….but here he is today with a wonderful family of his own and he has rescued thousands of children…

As soon as I got out of the car, hoards of children ran towards me, amongst them were Mongammal and Baby,  the first two girls I sponsored were clinging to me as though had not seen each other for years….slowly, I collected up all my five children, Subha, Priya and Abumanthy.  During the afternoon, I find myself sponsoring another!!!

Pastor Jay had us sit at the front of the yard, the other thousand or so children sat down in from of us and sang a song….Pastor Jay said ‘Auntie is here from the UK’!!!!  There I was in front of all those children being cuddled by my sponsored children, in heaven…I truely understood the true meaning of happiness…Human love and compassion, and the feeling of being totally present.  The material stuff of life that we cling to on a daily basis became totally insignificant to me.

Pastor Jay is doing his best to find opportunities for the children, for example the is building a nursing school where paying students will fund some of the others from the orphanage…  any help you could offer would be gratefully recieved or if you would like to sponsor a child, follow this link http://www.ahfrancis.com/page.php?xPage=shining_faces_in_india.html.

Love and blessings

Anandi

PS…..I am planning my next visit, the children are in my thoughts daily..

THE POWER OF NOW LETTERS

Moving from from my last blog, I continued to write to this prisoner in the hope that he could benefit from Eckhart Tolle’s, the Power of Now…

When a thought subsides you will get a gap of ‘no-mind’, when these gaps occur you will get a certain stillness and peace inside of you, with practise the stillness and peace will deepen.  By the way its not a trance like state, just a peaceful feeling. In this state of inner stillness, you will be much more alert, it also raises the vibrational energy forces that give life to the physical body.  Stress in the mind plays havoc with the body!

You can create a gap in the stream of thoughts simply by directing your focus to the now.  Just become intensely conscious of the present moment.  By doing this you draw your attention away from mind activity and create a gap of no mind in which you are highly alert and aware, but not thinking.  This is actually the essence of meditation.

You can practise this by giving even the mundane things you do in a day, your fullest attention at that moment.  You can only gage your success by the degree of peace you feel within.

One day, you might find yourself smiling at the voice in your head as you would smile at the antics of a child which means you no longer take the contents of your mind seriously.

To the ego, only the past and future are important, this total reversal of the truth accounts for the fact that in the ego mode, the mind is so dysfunctional.  It constantly projects itself out into the future, even when the ego seems to be concerned with the present, it is not the present that it sees, it misperceives it completely because it looks at it through the eyes of the past.  The present moment holds the key to liberation, but you cannot find the present moment as long as you are in your mind!

In the enlightened state, you still use your thinking mind when needed, but in a much more focused and effective way than before.  You will be free from involuntary internal dialogue and there is inner stillness.

The mind is essentially a survival machine, attack and defence against other minds, gathering storing and analysing information, that is what it is good at, but it is not at all creative.  All true artists, whether they know it or not, create from a place of no mind; the mind actually gives form to the creative impulse or insight.  Even the greatest scientists have reported that their breakthroughs came at a time of mental quietude.

It wasn’t through your mind that the miracle that is life on earth or your body was created and is being sustained.  There is clearly an intelligence at work that is far greater than the mind.  How can a single human cell measuring 1/1000 of an inch across contain instructions within its DNA that would fill 1000 books of 600 pages each!  The more we learn about the workings of the body the more we realise how little we know.  When the mind reconnects with that it becomes a most wonderful tool, it then serves something greater than itself.

EMOTIONS?  The body’s reaction to the mind.

Mind, in the way that we are talking about here, is not just thoughts, but includes your emotions.  Emotions are your body’s reaction to the mind, a reflection of your mind in your body.  For example, an attack thought will create a build up of energy in the body we call anger, the body is getting ready to fight.  The thought that you are being threatened physically or psychologically causes the body to contract, and this is the physical side of what we call fear.  Research shows that strong emotions change biochemistry in the body.

The more you are identified with your thinking, likes, dislikes, judgements and interpretations, or the less present you are, the stronger the emotional energy charge will be.  If you cannot feel your emotions, if you are cut off from them, you will eventually experience them on a purely physical level as some sort of physical problem.  I really believe, the more I study this sort of stuff that unresolved emotional issues manifest in illness.

A strong unconscious emotional pattern may even turn into an external event that only seems to happy to you. For example, people who carry allot of anger inside, without being aware of it, and without expressing it are more likely to be attacked, verbally or even physically by other angry people, and often for no apparent reason.  This is picked up subliminally and triggers other people’s own anger.

If you really want to know your mind, the body will give you a truthful reflection, so look at the emotion, or rather feel it in your body.  If there is an apparent conflict between them, the thought will be a lie and the emotion will be the truth.  Not the ultimate truth by the way, but the relative truth of your state of mind at the time.

I assume you are aware of your unconscious, that feeling you get in your stomach about something, your intuition, this is your unconscious talking to you.  You may not be able to bring your unconscious mind activity into awareness as thoughts, but it will always be reflected in the body as an emotion.

To watch an emotion in this way is basically the same as watching a thought, its just that the thought is in your mind and the emotion in your body.  You can allow the emotion to be there without being controlled by it.  You no longer ‘are’ the emotion, you are the watcher.

Sometimes a vicious circle builds up between your thinking and the emotion, they kind of feed each other, the thought pattern creates a magnified reflection of itself in the form of the emotion and the vibrational frequency of the emotions keeps feeding the original thought pattern.  By dwelling mentally on the situation that is perceived to be the cause of the emotion, the thought feeds energy into the emotion, which in turn energises the thought pattern etc.

You need to avoid going round and round in circles in your head because that is what will make you feel bad in the form of stress, or worry.  The stress or worry will just feed itself.    So if you try and stay in the present, and may be when you feel like you are going off on one in your mind try and say this to your self:

“God gave me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”

That helped me so much, when you think about what you have control over and put energy into that area that is much more intelligent than putting energy into worrying what might or might not be.

This prisoner I wrote to was eventually freed as he was not guilty and said that my letters helped him enormously cope with his situation.  Isn’t it wonderful that incredible beings like Echart are being inspired to write this stuff….Thank you again Echart….

Namaste  Anandixx