Yoga Today – Overcoming Obstacles

Illness, boredom, doubt, carelessness, laziness, false perceptions, failure to stay grounded, and mindful distraction are obstacles we all face. We cannot avoid feelings and emotions. They are a part of human life. One of the most difficult obstacles is feeling that we are slipping back from the progress we’ve made. This one is important to examine because we all feel, from time to time, like giving up or feeling defeated by setbacks. But we need to remember that the mind can’t function on the same level every moment. Sometimes it will be in high gear, and sometimes it needs to be idle. The practice of yoga reminds us that many obstacles or challenges will be put in our way. They are there to make us understand our capacity. For example, the tree challenges our ability to find balance. We can work to improve our balance or simply give up. Challenges teach us how to find our strength, flexibility, and balance. We need challenges and obstacles to help us; otherwise, we become lethargic and lazy. Things are constantly changing. That is the nature of life. Like a river, the water flows easily without obstruction, but add an obstacle, such as constructing a dam, and the strength of the water takes on the form of great electrical power. Same river; it now has an obstacle to overcome, allowing it to find the strength to generate great power. The river doesn’t stop – it’s not set back – it simply overcomes the obstacle. Yoga reminds us to stay grounded and balanced, as life will inevitably throw many obstacles our way. From a state of balance, flexibility, and strength, we are never thrown off by obstacles. Instead, we muster the strength to stand tall and steady, finding the inner fortitude to move past life’s obstacles without falling. It takes a strong base, an open heart, and a steady mind. Nothing is achieved without practice, so let’s practice. END: Things are constantly changing. That is the nature of life. Yoga reminds us to stay grounded and balanced, as life will inevitably throw many obstacles our way. From a state of balance, flexibility, and strength, we never get thrown off by the obstacles we face. Instead, we muster the strength to stand tall and steady, finding the inner fortitude to move past life’s obstacles without falling down. It takes a strong base, an open heart, and a steady mind. Be strong, open, and steady. EGO: Flip your palms up and extend out the index finger – symbol of the ego. When it comes to obstacles and challenges, the ego likes to win. Our personal strength is tested, and if we perceive we have failed, we feel deflated. But that is the “I’ that only sees the world in terms of success and failures. Pull the finger in a place, the thumb on top – the symbol of the soul. Take a breath and surrender to the soul. The soul is the “me” that observes life. From the soul’s perspective, there are no successes or failures. Obstacles and challenges are simply opportunities to grow and discover the true purpose of life – we are here to discover that, just like a river when faced with an obstacle, we don’t stop being the river; we adjust, overcome, and with this, we become stronger and more powerful. Namaste ~ may you walk the path of life with health, happiness, and peace. Doctor Lynn http://www.doctorlynn.com

Harmony = Vital Energy

According to karma yoga and physics, we are simply a bundle of energy, and everything in the universe is either vapor, water, or solid. And according to the laws of thermodynamics, energy is never lost, but simply changes form. Therefore, our reincarnation is simply a partial change in our energy from vapor to solid and liquid. If we take water, for example, in one form it is liquid; if we add heat (energize its molecules), it turns to vapor; and if we add cold (slow down its molecules), it turns to solid ice. Our energy field consists of all three: vapor signifies the soul, liquid the mind, and solid the body. What we see in the world is simply arranged energy, in which molecules slow down and something solid or material exists. Energy is the inherent power that drives everything. Without the power of energy, the world would not exist. But to have good health, we need more than just energy; we need vital energy, for it is essential to life. So, since vital energy is essential for the continuance of life, doesn’t it seem “vitally” important that we seek to understand our energy, as well as how to keep it in balance so that we truly live, grow, and evolve? Be aware of your energy field and how it moves throughout the class today. Observe the ethereal energy of your soul as it coincides with the fluidity of your mind and the solidity of your body. Does it collide or does it harmonize? Harmony brings vitality. Let’s see if we can find some harmony. END You are ethereal, fluid, and solid. How you connect and move the energy of your body, mind, and soul determines the level of your vital energy. To be vital means being strong, not just to sustain life but to live fully in balanced health, body, mind, and soul, finding the power within us to flow harmoniously with life. Yoga and naturopathy hold that the cause of all illness stems from an imbalance in the flow of energy within and around the body and mind. So, to stay vitally healthy, pay careful attention to how you use the energy of your body, your mind, and your soul. Does your energy collide, crash, and burn, or does it flow, integrate, and harmonize? Strive to be vital EGO: Flip your palms up and extend your index fingers. The symbol of the ego. According to yoga, the ego is the “I” or the fluid part of you that has desires and is either attracted to or repelled by things outside of yourself. Because it seeks importance, it often clashes with life, manifesting as envy, resentment, jealousy, and revenge. Pull your finger in and place the thumb on top – the symbol of the soul. Take a breath – surrender to the soul. The “me” is the quiet, soulful, ethereal part of you that observes life without desire or the need to be right or important and therefore moves harmoniously with life. Surrender the “I’ to the “me,” and you will discover within yourself the great inherent flowing movement of harmonic vital energy. Look for those moments where you simply flow and move harmoniously through life. This is vitality at its best. Namaste ~ may you walk the path of life with health, happiness, and peace. Doctor Lynn

SACRAFICE – Motherhood

Whether you are a mother or not, every one of us has or had a mother. Motherhood is often seen as the supreme sacrifice that brings with it great joy. Yoga reminds us that sacrifice performed without faith is of no value. This means having the faith to free the mind from any personal gain and just do the work for the sheer feeling of joy is the practice of sacrifice. If our minds are free from selfishness and we give without expecting a return, the world becomes a better place – an abode of peace and bliss. But this is not easy in a world full of greed. Everything in life sacrifices. It is the law of life. Everything in nature -trees, birds, animals – they all live for the sake of others. Why does a candle burn and melt away? To give light. Why does a stick of incense burn to ash? To give a fragrance. Why does a tree grow? To give fruit and flowers. Is there anything in the world that lives for its own sake? No. All sacrifice. We are here to give, give, and give, and in turn what is due us will come to us. You are here today, sacrificing an hour of your time, and, in turn, it will bring health to the body, quietness to the mind, and peace to the soul. What goes around comes around - That’s Karma. Let’s get started END: You might ask if I am here to give and make sacrifices, but how can I take care of myself? Just like the tree, if it doesn’t attend to the roots, it cannot give. So first, take care of your roots. You must live a healthy life by eating healthy food, exercising, and getting a good night's sleep so that you have the vitality to give to others. The practice of yoga is a sacrifice of your time; if you do it to bring health, happiness, and peace to your life, that sacrifice will bring you joy. If done to find peace, it will bring peace to your life, allowing you to extend that peaceful energy out into the world. Yoga reminds us to live our lives without attachment. Let things come and go as they will. As we celebrate Mother’s Day, take a moment to honor motherhood as a supreme sacrifice that gives for the betterment and continuation of life. Give from the heart without expectations, and you will discover what all the saints, prophets, and sages discovered – everything in life gives – sacrifice is the law of life. With it comes great joy. EGO. Flip your palms up and extend out the index finger – the ego. Because of egoism, there is attachment to things for the ego’s pleasure. But sometimes the things we are attached to do not come or are taken away, and this causes us to pull back and greedily hang on rather than let go and give. The greatest gift a mother can give to your children is the strength, flexibility, balance, and ability to stand independently. It means detaching and allowing them to grow and become their own person. In return, a mother will receive great joy. Pull your finger in and place your thumb on top. Take a breath and surrender to the soul. The soul reminds us that everything in life requires sacrifice. All of life gives, and in turn, what is due comes back. So this Mother’s Day, without expectations, give thanks for the sacrifice of motherhood; without it, life would not continue. Everything in this life gives. Sacrifice is the law of life. Happy Mother’s Day. Namaste ~ may you walk the path of life with health, happiness, and peace. Doctor Lynn

To Be Truly Humbled

• At its core, humility is the fundamental respect for all living beings and the acknowledgment that, in our essence, we are all divine beings with the inherent capacity for greatness. Recently, I found myself experiencing a totally humbling experience. It brought tears to my eyes, made me bow my head, and made me say to myself. “ I am truly humbled. When you experience this, you feel your own limitations in the face of something so much bigger or better. It's about recognizing "Wow, there's a whole world I still need to learn about," or "These people are on a whole other level!" Let me share the story that humbled me with you. Oksana Masters – world champion Paralympics – Four Gold Medals - Her story is truly humbling. Google her – the story is amazing and truly humbling. • END • Humility is the opposite of arrogance, pride, and conceit. Humble people are self-aware, honest about their limitations ( and we all have them), and open to learning from others. At its core, humility is the fundamental respect for all living beings and the acknowledgment that, in our essence, we are all divine beings with the inherent capacity for greatness. To practice humility, listen to others, look to the bright side of life, accept disappointment as a part of life, and ignore negativity. • Humility is not about diminishing oneself but about shifting the focus from oneself to others. This shift in perspective strengthens bonds with others and broadens awareness of the world, enriching one's well-being in body, mind, and soul. • • EGO: Flip your palms up and extend ut the index finger – the symbol of the soul. Humility in karma yoga is the counter-emotion to the great passion of pride. Pride misdirects, causing the ego to rise, and everything associated with the ego begins to increase. Arrogance, righteousness, and superiority control one's life and cause the ego to rise. • Pull your finger in a place and thumb on top of the symbol of the soul. Take a breath and surrender to your soul. With humility, the ego begins to subside. Kindness, generosity, acknowledgment, and admiration control one's life. The more profound the humility with which we conduct ourselves, the better for our health, body, mind, and soul • Humility softens the ego and acts as a powerful stress reducer. Humble individuals are more open to learning and problem-solving, leading to personal growth and a more profound sense of compassion and empathy. Their gratitude and fulfillment in life establish a profound inner peace. • Remember Oksana Masters – she is truly a cause to pause and be humble. • Namaste ~ may you walk the path of life with health, happiness, and peace. • Doctor Lynn