From Deep Within

Journey to Satyananda: On Life

Jana — Tue, 24 May 2011 05:34:40 +0000

Coming into physical manifestation is a special experience for the spirit. When we are born into human form, we have an opportunity to have a physical experience through our senses of sight, smell, sound, touch and taste. We also, unlike the other physical creatures, have the unique ability to bring into physical manifestations the creations of our minds. In this way, we are made in the “image of God,” or the Creator. Of course, our creations cannot compare to those by the Creator such as the mountains, oceans, plant and animal species — all the phenomena of the natural world. As we look at the state of the planet in the year 2011, we can see where we have contributed many “miscreations” which now need to be destroyed or at best revised if we wish to create a peaceful and just world. This Earth as home for the spirit to manifest physically is a gift. We do not have to exist — it will be the third rock that rotates around the Sun star whether the human experience exists or not. We need it, not the other way around and just as we have created what we have today in our minds, we can create a renewed human experience.

Journey to Satyananda: On Yoga

Jana — Tue, 24 May 2011 05:31:21 +0000

“Chitta Vritti Nirodhah.” To practice yoga is to “still the fluctuations of the mind.” The practice of ajapa japa or single pointed meditation has brought more clarity and understanding of this thing called yoga and how it serves to heal the mind, body and spirit. The experience of living life is a spiritual experience — one in which mind synthesizes and body experiences. As yoga has become popular, especially in Western culture, it appears to mostly focus on the body. However, the body is also a part of mind in form and the all manifestations of disease, stress and fear are first mental before they invade in physical body.

As a yoga teacher, students come to have a physical experience and often yoga is taught as though it is just another form of exercise like aerobics or weight lifting. Many yoga teacher training programs focus on the physiological and anatomical impact of the practice and skim the surface of the mental and spiritual aspects. But know this, the body is temporary and the mind is always moving from one thing to another, but it is that which is Spirit that is Infinite, Eternal and Whole.

Journey to Satyananda: On Love

Jana — Sat, 21 May 2011 08:08:34 +0000

As long as love is experienced as an emotion, we will always have problems. True love must be unconditional, otherwise it will fluctuate to indifference, even hate. Love should be the state of being of your life, not an emotion resersved and extended to some, but not others. For example, as I work to make love a state of my being, I go into the world emanating love from my heart. It is of no concern to me whether the love I extend in returned to me. I must practice “aparigrapha,” or non-grasping. There is no expectation from others because I realize that I am not in control of how others think or feel. I can only be present within myself and make the choices that support my spiritual growth and development. When I say “I love you,” it is not necessary that you love me back. If you do, that’s great! More love and more joy than age or time could ever destroy, in the words of Smokey Robinson! And if you don’t love me, that’s okay, too because my love is not dependent upon your love. This realization liberated me! I am joyful and for the first time in my life, I can say I have true love! I’m sending some your way!

Journey to Satyananda

Jana — Fri, 20 May 2011 08:08:27 +0000

In the fall of 2010 I spent six weeks at the Satyananda ashrams in Rikhia Peeth and the Bihar School in Munger, India where I took advanced yoga courses in Chakra Sadhana, Prana Vidya and Ajapa Meditation with Swami Muktidharma and Swami Karma Karuna of the Anahata Yoga Retreat Center in New Zealand. It was a journey that changed my perspective on life, love and the ancient wisdom of yoga. Here are some of the realizations that came to me from the teachings and deep meditations I had while in India.

A TRIP TO AN ANCIENT LAND

Jana — Sun, 30 May 2010 21:23:37 +0000

A beautiful wish is manifesting for me! I have wanted to go to India for many years…to one of the place where the ancient healing system of yoga was codified thousands of year ago by the sage Patanjali and it is soon going to happen! With each step I take from purchasing my roundtrip airline ticket, renewing my passport, making the first downpayment to applying for the visa, my excitement grows. I hold no expectations other than to be fully present for whatever will unfold.

Welcome!

Jana — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 19:45:41 +0000

I graciously welcome you to the Power of One Yoga blog. Let’s share health and wellness tips for living a life based in self care, self awareness, respect for the environment and practices of loving kindness towards others. If you truly believe that love plus peace equals happiness, this is the place for the truthful expression of thoughts, ideals and visions created in our higher consciousness that honors and respects Source and Life on Earth. This is a 21st century healing space, so when blogging, please practice ahimsa – do no harm. It’s all about the love. I encourage you to join me! Blog on!

Om Shanthi,

Jana

About

Jana — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 19:45:41 +0000

Power of One Yoga Center is a private, community based studio offering classes, workshops and yoga therapeutics to individuals by appointment. Yoga practices combine ancient cultural and healing wisdoms of Ayurveda, Kripalu and Satyananda yoga and African root along with modern day approaches to body/mind/spirit wellness in Integrative Yoga Therapy. Deeply personal transformation takes place in this beautiful and serene healing space where we access, express and experience our authentic and eternal natures and connect around ideals of higher consciousness. Innovative approaches are used to safely nurture self and soul in a nonjudgmental and noncompetitive atmosphere. Power of One Yoga, LLC, offers yoga therapeutics to seniors, people with disabilities, combat veterans and military spouses and other special populations in the Baltimore-Washington, DC area. We also coordinate and organize national and regional yoga retreats for multicultural groups that are designed to break down the illusion of boundaries and to build bridges to help us remember our connection to the Oneness of Spirit.

Jana Long, RYT, is the director of Power of One Yoga, LLC. She is currently working toward 500-hour teacher certification in Kripalu Yoga. She is 200-hour certified teacher of Integrative Yoga Therapy and a certified in Yoga Therapeutics for Seniors by Duke Integrative Medicine. She also holds Level One certification in Wise Earth Ayurveda & Nutrition. Jana has also taken advanced yoga courses in Chakra Sadhana, Prana Vidya and Ajapa Meditation at the Bihar School of Yoga in India. Professional memberships include the Kripalu Yoga Teachers Association, International Association of Yoga Therapists, and the Yoga Alliance.