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The practice of Yoga is over 5000 years old and as new as tomorrow. Although commonly misconstrued as a Hindu practice, it actually predates Hinduism.

There are many different types of yoga, of which Hatha Yoga is the most common. “Stretch and relax the mind, stretch and relax the body” is frequently used to describe yoga. Spinoza’s phrase “Mind and body are one” was incorporated into teachings of yoga instructors who popularized yoga in the US in the 1960s.

Asanas (physical poses) stretch and relax the body. Any dancer will tell you they improve balance. Anyone who spends hours on the computer or the phone will attest to the value of breaking every few hours to do The Prayer to the Sun which stretches every muscle in the body.

Pranayana (breathing exercises) focuses on deep breathing from the pit of the stomach. Western military culture and the dictates of fashion exhort us to hold in the stomach. When those muscles.are relaxed, changes in attitude and outlook may occur.

Those who take yoga one step beyond use breathing as a gateway to meditation. This is a subject unto itself, whether pursued as a spiritual path or as a practical means of healing everyday stress. It takes as many forms as repeating a mantra (word or phrase with spiritual significance), watching a candle flame while following the breath, or practicing meditation in action, which begins with mindfulness.

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On line, visit The American Yoga Association web site, among others, for information about classes in your neighborhood Most health clubs have them. The Esalen Institute in California’s Big Sur was founded by Stanford graduate Michael Murphy after a stay in India at the ashram of Aurobindo for the purpose of combining the beliefs and paths of the East with their Western counterparts in psychology and spirituality.

Best source for yoga books are such specialized shops as the The Bodhi Tree on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. Your local library or bookstore also has a selection. “The Secret of the Golden Flower: A Chinese Book of Life” with a commentary by C. G. Jung is recommended for its insights on breathing, psychological integration and the style of the Richard Wilhelm translation. Videos are available for those who want to practice at home.

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“What is the sound of one hand clapping?” The purpose of this famous Zen Koan is to circumvent the habit of conscious thought and violate logic, thus shocking the mind into new insights. It is an exercise for the mind which can be used as a spiritual pathway.

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