'Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh the things you can think up, if only you try' - Dr. Seuss
AHIMSA (Scrabble score/Sun Salutations challenge: 11)
Is one of the 5 yamas or codes from ancient yogic texts that suggest good ways of living. It's the idea of non-harming to self (kind thoughts) and to others (non violence). ASANA (Scrabble score/Sun Salutation challenge: 5) Is the name in yoga for the physical practice of yoga postures. |
BRAHMAN (Scrabble score/Sun Salutations challenge: 14)
Hindus believe that there is one true god, the supreme spirit, called Brahman. Brahman has many forms, pervades the whole universe, and is symbolised by the sacred syllable Om (or Aum). BHAKTI (Scrabble score/Sun Salutations challenge: 15) is known as the yoga of devotion - often expressed through mantra, reptition of sanskrit sounds and words. Its said as you tap into this universal love, you naturally develop a sense of trust that this benevolent, wise universe provides; you relax; and you can't help but generate positive energy for others. |
CHAKRAS (Scrabble score/Sun Salutations challenge: 16) These are energy centres that are believed to exist outside of the body, spinning discs of energy linking to our physical endocrine system. Each of our main 7 chakras is worked on through our yoga practice, helping bring about balance and release/shift blockages in our energy/prana. |
EKA PADDA (Scrabble score/Sun Salutations challenge: 16) Means one leg or foot. Often poses with this element encourage building strength and courage, both physically and emotionally. Postures like Eka pada Galavasana should be approached with an attitude of playfulness and curiosity, without attachment to the final posture. |
FLEXIBILITY (Scrabble score/Sun Salutations challenge: 26) The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak tree that resists. Yoga help open our minds and our bodies to infinite possibilities. “Yoga does not just change the way we see things, it transforms the person who sees.” B.K.S. Iyengar. Apply your mind body flexibility to todays sun salutations :-) |
HANUMAN (Scrabble score/Sun Salutations challenge: 12) Hanumanasana - this yoga pose in which the legs are split forward and back, mimics Lord Hanuman, the celebrated monkey figure in Hindu Mythology for the famous leap from the southern tip of India to the island of Sri Lanka. Hanuman represents gaining courage and strength in your life, HATHA (Scrabble score/Sun Salutations challenge: 11) Hatha is a generic term for many yoga styles. It is an ancient Indian system based on principles of asanas (yoga postures), pranayama (breathing exercise) which help bring peace to the mind and body, preparing the body for deeper spiritual practices such as meditation. |
JAPA (Scrabble score/Sun Salutations challenge: 13) Is the repetition of a mantra, often a set of sanskrit based words. It's thought through a regular practice of repetition of mantra, we help bring about positive habits into our daily lives and release negative patterns. Yoga is a practice. Meditation is a practice. And the Sanskrit word for practice actually means “repetition.” Chant mantras out loud, whisper them or repeat in your mind, it all counts. In yoga, mantras are known as the seeds of language. They have the power to both control and protect the human mind and help bring about a higher states of awareness. |
KRIYAS (Scrabble score/Sun Salutations challenge: 13)
Hatha Yoga is the path of practice and purification - internal, as well as external. There are a number of internal purification techniques called Shat Karma Kriyas or Shat Karmas. It's best to perform these with an experienced practitioner. They can be life changing. I wouldn't be without my neti pot! KIIRTAN (Scrabble score/Sun Salutations challenge: 11) Kiirtan or Kirtan is a form of devotional chanting whose roots go back over 500 years to India. It is a form of Bhakti Yoga (yoga of devotion). The singing is accompanied by musical instruments and rhythmic drumming and audiences are encouraged to participate by chanting, clapping and dancing. It is described as the beating of the heart of the soul. |
LAKSHMI (Scrabble score/Sun Salutations challenge: 16) Is celebrated in India as the Goddess of love and good fortune and embodies a graceful strength. You can cultivate Lakshmi’s qualities in your own meditation and yoga practice. Focus your attention on the world’s support and abundance, breathe knowing that you have everything you need right now. |
NAMASTE (Scrabble score/Sun Salutations challenge: 9) Usually said and undertaken as a bow with Añjali hand mudra at the beginning and end of a yoga practice. It translates into "I bow to the divine in you, that the Spirit within me salutes the Spirit in you." Respecting ourselves and those we share our yoga space with during practice. Namaste. |
OM SHANTI (Scrabble score/Sun Salutations challenge: 13) The words Om shanti shanti shanti are seen as an invocation of peace. Om is considered to be the primeval sound, the sound of the universe. Shanti means "peace". The threefold Shanti is generally interpreted as representing peace in body, speech, and mind - peace in the entirety of one’s being. |
PRANAYAMA (Scrabble score/Sun Salutations challenge: 16) Pranayama is the practice of controlling the breath which is the source of our prana, or our vital life force. There are several different pranayama exercises and breathing techniques to explore. "When you own your breath, no one can steal your peace". |
RAJAS (Scrabble score/Sun Salutations challenge: 12) In the philosophy of Yoga all matter (including us) is comprised of three parts/bodytypes/qualities which are collectively known as gunas. Rajas, are one of these types which represents fire, movement, and change. Gaining an insight into your predominant type can help to see what you need more or less of in your life relating to your health constitution. |
SANSKRIT (Scrabble score/Sun Salutations challenge: 12) Is the yoga language of postures. It's regarded as one of the oldest languages, originating in India, meaning 'perfected' or 'refined'. Often in a yoga class you will hear the teacher talk about a posture in Sanskrit along with a western description. |
TAMAS (Scrabble score/Sun Salutations challenge: 7) In the philosophy of Yoga all matter (including us) is comprised of three parts/bodytypes/qualities which are collectively known as gunas. Tamas, are one of these types which represents darkness and inertia. Gaining an insight into your predominant type can help to see what you need more or less of in your life relating to your health constitution. Help overcome feelings of inertia by coming to your yoga mat to practice. |
UDDIYANA BANDHA
(Scrabble score/Sun Salutations challenge: 25) Uḍḍīyana Bandha (Sanskrit) or upward flying bandha is an abdomen energetic lock used in hatha yoga to help engage energy channels. It involves, after having exhaled all the air out, pulling the abdomen under the rib cage by taking a false inhale while holding the breath and then release the abdomen after a pause. Perform it only with an experienced yogi if you are new to it and always on an empty stomach. Great for massaging the internal organs and your core to support your postures. |
VEDAS (Scrabble score/Sun Salutations challenge: 9) The Vedic scriptures are the spiritual literature of the ancient Indian culture, written in the Sanskrit language thousands of years ago. There are 4 vedas and its regarded that these teachings are to encourage a human being to understand that he/she is not an independent entity, rather a part of a universal body, depending on many higher forces. These four Vedas are known as Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva. VINYASA (Scrabble score/Sun Salutations challenge: 13) Vinyasa is a style of yoga characterised by postures that link together, from one to the next with an awareness of the breath throughout. Also known as flow yoga, |
XI (Scrabble score/Sun Salutations challenge: 9) Or Ki or Chi or Qi - meaning Energy or Prana - Life Force. A yoga practice moves and works with our own life force energy and often you will hear people say how energised they feel after their practice. "Yoga means addition. Addition of energy, strength and beauty to body, mind and soul" |
YOGA NIDRA (Scrabble score/Sun Salutations challenge: 14)
Yoga Nidra—also known as yogic sleep, is a state of consciousness, like being somewhere between waking and sleeping but where the mind stays awake. It's a meditation and conscious relaxation practice that can help move us into an experience of total physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. While the mind stays awake. Even a short yoga nidra practice can feel like the equivalent of hours of deep sleep and I know - it helped save my sanity during sleep deprived years of early motherhood! |
ZEN MEDITATION (Scrabble score/Sun Salutations challenge: 25)
People often say that the aim of meditation is "to still the mind". Zen is about living in the present with complete awareness. Zen meditation, is a way of vigilance and self-discovery which is practiced while sitting on a meditation type posture. cushion. It is the experience of living from moment to moment, in the here and now and being concerned with what actually is, rather than what we think or feel about what is. |
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