Karma Yoga

In Today's Email:

• Karma Yoga: Detach yourself from your emotions...

• Throat Discomfort: Try these Ayurvedic remedies...

• Bed Time Yoga Flow: 3 Simple Movements To Help You Fall Asleep Faster...

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Karma Yoga: The Art Of Living

The ancient book of Gita, which is the treatise on the living has led to great stress on karma. Karma is defined as the action and its fruits. Ancient Hindu saints believed that a man’s life is the direct result of his karma. Good thoughts, words, and deeds lead to a good and happy life while bad thoughts, words, and deeds lead a person to disaster. This has been postulated in the 18th century by Isaac Newton, who gave his law as “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.”

The branch of yoga that deals with karma is called karma yoga. Usually, you are bound by the cravings and desires associated with your act but you can free yourself by doing the act but dissociating yourself from its consequences. This is the basic concept behind karma yoga and the person who follows this path is known as a karma yogi. His behavior is indifferent and while the world may think he is not interested, in reality, he has mastered his desires and has developed awareness of the real significance of the events that occur around him.

This yoga involves doing your duty without any reservations but is free of the cravings of the results that are obtained from the act. This attitude is difficult to acquire because we are taught to hanker after the fruits of our labor and any failure to obtain the desired results lead you to frustration and negative thinking. Also, constant attachment to the results leads you to stress, competition and aggressiveness. This has led to increased incidences of stress, diabetes, depression, heart ailments, and suicides and has led many youngsters to use drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. Hence following the teaching of Krishna in Gita, wherein he advises Arjun: “You are entitled to an action but not its fruits” will lead you to a happy and stress-free life.

A karma yogi realizes this and hence he follows the path of detachment. But this does not make him dull or inefficient. On the contrary, he channelizes his entire energy into the tasks at hand with complete vigor as his energy is not dissipated and gives it the best shot. Hence the results of his actions are the best and he gets good fruits. He does not run after pleasure but pleasure follows him. This makes him a pleasant person to be around and thus enjoys success in his life.

🧐 DID YOU KNOW?

To ease minor sore throat pain or discomfort, try these time-tested Ayurvedic remedies. Salt Water Gargle Gargling with warm salt water is a cheap, easy, and reliable way to loosen up and remove stubborn, irritating mucus. It also helps wash away germs, bacteria, pollutants, and other immune agitators. Dissolve ¼–½ teaspoon organic rock salt or Himalayan pink salt into 8 ounces of warm water. Gargle for about 30 seconds, then spit. Keep gargling until you’ve emptied the cup. Repeat 3–4 times per day until symptoms subside. Add ½ teaspoon organic turmeric powder to the water for an extra antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic boost. Soothing Spray Herbal throat sprays can provide fast and lasting relief. Look for one containing slippery elm or licorice (to lubricate a dry, scratchy throat), turmeric or echinacea (for immune support), and clove or ginger (to clear excess phlegm).

TRY IT!

When you need to flow toward a personal or creative goal, Bhastrika (Bellows Breath) can help clear the mind. Sit comfortably on a chair, or cross-legged on the floor or on a cushion. Place your palms on your navel. Close your eyes and breathe in deeply then out fully, feeling the breath move. On the next inhalation through the nose, stop the breath halfway and exhale sharply, drawing your navel to your spine. Repeat 27 times—short inhalations halfway into the belly and forceful exhalations quickly pulling your navel to the spine. When you’ve finished, slow down the breath gradually until you exhale completely. Breathe in and out fully and comfortably, noticing heat in the body. Repeat 1–2 more times.

Bed Yoga Sequence

Grab some extra pillows or bolsters and a strap for this practice, which can be done in bed or on the floor. Moving the body with care while doing some gentle breathing or meditation is a great way to wake up or prepare for sleep. It’s also helpful if you have limited mobility or if you’re not feeling well. To protect your spine from sinking too deeply into the mattress, you may want to place a mat on the bed to create a bit of resistance. Begin and end this sequence by meditating for a few minutes in Savasana, focusing on your breath and the support of the bed beneath you.

SAVASANA (CORPSE POSE) WITH YOGA NIDRA Make yourself comfortable for Savasana using supports and blankets. Darken the room or use an eye pillow to cover your eyes. Scan your body from feet to head, noticing each part—your feet, legs, hips, buttocks, abdomen, chest, hands, arms, spine, neck, throat, jaw, mouth, tongue, face, head, as well as the back of the body and the spine all the way up through the neck—without judgment. Spend a few minutes here.

SUPPORTED MATSYASANA (FISH POSE)Roll to one side and place a folded blanket or pillow under your upper back. Lie back over the support and adjust your position until you feel expansion in the chest and an opening in the front of your throat. Extend your arms out at your sides. Take a few full, deep breaths here. To come out of the pose, gently lift the head and roll to the side. Then remove the support and lie back down.

RECLINED HANDSTANDLie on your back with your head at the top of the bed or mat. Inhale, and raise your arms overhead until your palms touch the headboard or wall. Adjust your distance from the headboard or wall until you can comfortably extend your arms. Press your hands into the headboard or wall to engage your arms, shoulders, and upper back. Take a few breaths here.

Meme

NAMASTE ❤️

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