H.U.G.S. = Helping us Grow Spiritually

According to the Spiritual Science Research Foundation, the use of touch enhances the transfer of spiritual or subtle-energies up to 100%, when compared to a greeting that does not involve touch. Though the study includes research on the transference of  negative energy, I feel that we all possess some amount of positive energy located in our chakras. It is a constant struggle to bring these energy centers into balance, however, it can be achieved with awareness and focus.

Since yoga means to yoke, yoke with the divine, i.e., the divinity within each one of us, we can use this practice along with meditation to bring spiritual balance, enlightenment, nirvana, etc. Hugging someone you care about or even as a gesture to someone you just met can quite admittedly serve as a spiritual gift. 

Why not hug someone now? By doing so we release our oxytocin, which helps us navigate our world of complex social relationships by rewarding positive social behavior with feelings of contentment and relaxation. Physical touch stimulates the most potent release of oxytocin.

A study by Grewin, Girdler, Amico and Light at the University of North Carolina's department of psychiatry reported  that oxytocin is one factor which gives marriage its beneficial effects by calming distress. Perhaps the increased level of oxytocin explains why married couples live longer.

Married or not, we can all benefit from this release and create an even spiritual experience. So, don't forget to hug someone today and tomorrow and the next day... you'll be glad you did.

Hugs!
MJ

February is About Love: Discover Your Anahata Chakra

"The Chakra System is a map for the

 journey through life. Its seven rainbow

colors represent the full spectrum of human

 possibility that stretches from the ordinary

 to the extraordinary, from Earth to Heaven."

~ Anodea Judith

     Learning about the chakras gives you access to your programmed responses so you can minimize their negative effects and maximize their positive ones.  The word chakra means wheel or disc. A chakra is a spinning vortex of activity located along the astral spine created by the presence of the consciousness within the physical body. There are seven major chakras whose locations correspond to seven central nerve ganglia branching out from the spinal column. The mind and the body are brought together by the life force running through you.

      In yoga, it is referred to as prana, which is equal to chi. Both mean “life force”. It is this vital energy that the chakras organize. When we work mind and body together (as in yoga), the basic tasks of life flow more smoothly and enjoyably.

     Anahata chakra, the heart chakra, is the seat of balance within the body. There is no longer any concern with attachments to worldly pleasures, honors or humiliations. It governs our ability to give and receive love and most importantly, it allows us to find balance in loving ourselves and accept ourselves for who we are physically, emotionally and spiritually. This energy center is also the bridge between our physical energy centers and spiritual centers. All forms of  breathing or Pranayama can help you use more air, more prana, thereby increasing your vitality and enthusiasm for life and balancing the heart.

     Take some time this month to positively affirm to yourself one or more of the mantras below:


Anahata Affirmations:

I love myself in every area of my life.

I give love and love comes back to me.

I deserve love, prosperity, and happiness in all areas of my life.

My emotions are in balance and in harmony with my energy. 

Spread the love and remember to bring awareness to your heart health this month, too.  Wear red on February 7 to support the fight against the #1 killer....heart disease!

Introduction to Kids Yoga

The statistics relating to health, fitness and obesity in children today are daunting. Allow them the gift early on of connecting their mind, body and spirit as they take their first step on the path of yoga. During this customized workshop, they will enjoy movement, increase body awareness and self esteem, and begin to take responsibility for their overall health.


Saturday, July 30 from 11am - 12:30pm or

Sunday, July 31 from 1pm - 2:30pm both in the Bhakti Studio

$15 per child (ages 6-12)

Each child will receive a Yoga Guide to take home and a chakra crystal.

Email mj@bhaktiwellness.com to reserve your child's spot today! Limited space available.

Inspiring Classes and Students Bring Gratitude and Humility

I wanted to take the time to say thank you to all those who have been attending my Wednesday night class at St. James Church in Novi. We started off our New Year with two full classes, new faces as well as old ones and new energy! Last week I left on a high like no other thus far. As the light increases each day we will anticipate Spring together and all of the new birth that naturally arises. Out of the earth we will rise like the lotus flower or perhaps the phoenix.
I am inspired from my already accomplished 2011 YogaFit training and, more so, from my students. Nothing gives greater pleasure, and gratitude, than to share this beautiful practice together especially when it comes from your own child.
As I sip my African Solstice tea with rooibos (Tea Forte)I reflect back on my already satisfying practice this month (and we're only half way through). Bringing heartfelt pleasure was my morning just this day with my nine-year-old daughter. We viewed, in half lotus, Anodea Judith's Illuminated Chakra DVD. From root to crown we followed an ethereal journey of light as the scent of patchouli filled the air.
When we arrived at the Vishuddha (throat) Chakra, we both verbalized "Om". It came so naturally to her...as did her selection of crystals to assess her Chakras: carnelian. The pendulum only slowed at her Svadhisthana. The rest were perfect!
My yogini apprentice was born today. And I thought scrapbooking with her was special!
Blessed are we who can find peace in our hectic world and share it with others.
Namaste~

Yoga and Chakras: Understanding How They Work Together For a Balanced Life

"The Chakra System is a map for the journey through life. Its seven rainbow colors represent the full spectrum of human possibility that stretches from the ordinary to the extraordinary, from Earth to Heaven." Anodea Judith

Learning about the chakras gives you access to your programmed responses so you can minimize their negative effects and maximize their positive ones.
A chakra is a spinning vortex of activity created by the presence of the consciousness within the physical body. There are seven major chakras whose locations correspond to seven central nerve ganglia branching out from the spinal column. The mind and the body are brought together by the life force running through you. In yoga, it is referred to as prana, which is equal to chi. Both mean “life force”. It is this vital energy that the chakras organize. When we work mind and body together (as in yoga), the basic tasks of life flow more smoothly and enjoyably.
The word chakra means wheel or disc. There are various ways to balance these spinning discs, but one consistent identity is their color. Imagery used with chakra balancing is that of a lotus flower…a flower that grows out of the mud unfolding into divine purity and beauty suggesting expansion of the soul. Below are characteristics of each chakra:

Chakra One
Location: Root of spine
Purpose: Foundation, grounding, survival, stability
Color: Red
Lotus Flower: 4 petals
Chakra Two
Location: Sacral area
Purpose: Movement and flow
Color: Orange
Lotus Flower: 6 petals
Chakra Three
Location: Solar plexus
Purpose: Energy, will
Color: Yellow
Lotus Flower: 10 petals
Chakra Four
Location: Chest/heart
Purpose: Love, relationship, compassion
Color: Green
Lotus Flower: 12 petals
Chakra Five
Location: Throat
Purpose: Communication, creativity
Color: Bright blue
Lotus Flower: 16 petals
Chakra Six
Location: Brow/third eye
Purpose: Seeing, intuition, insight
Color: Indigo
Lotus Flower: 2 petals
Chakra Seven
Location: Crown of head
Purpose: Pure awareness, understanding, unity with divine
Color: Violet or white
Lotus Flower: infinite petals