New Moon, New Year, New Beginnings...

This year January 1st will be more aligned with the cosmos than usual, as New Year's Day coincides with a New Moon which last happened 19 years ago.  This makes it a beautiful time to set your intentions and recommit to your daily Sadhana - Spiritual practice.  When you are quiet and in a meditative space you can connect to the heart, tend to your dreams, clarify your values and listen to the voice of your soul.  Early mornings are a good time, as the ancients tell us that we lose our ego when we sleep so when we awake it is important not to talk, just be still for a while.  You might visualize the sun rising, connect to the Earth and practice some Alternate Nostril Breathing or a little Breath of Fire.  Create your own ritual to centre and ground yourself before you begin, and honour this part of your day by setting boundaries and not letting anything distract you. 

Blessings and peace

Sound of the Gong for Healing

The gong is sometimes used during a Kundalini Yoga Class for relaxation, but imagine the sound of eight gongs!
  
Recently I participated in a Gong Bath at Wisteria Retreat Centre in Ft Langley.  The location is rather unique as the studio is above a barn so you get to say hello to the horses before you go upstairs.
So what is a Gong Bath you might be wondering.  Well, you lay down and get comfortable on a mat and get 'bathed' in layers of sound as Kathy & Paul play these gongs with great co-ordination and harmony.  They start with some drumming and integrate other instruments such as crystal bowls to create a wonderful hour of healing and relaxation. The waves of sound penetrate the psyche, the mind settles down and your worries drift away as you surrender to the energy and vibration.  Before you know it the time is up and the sound fades away as you are brought gently back. 
Besides creating deep relaxation, the gong stimulates the glandular system to a higher level of functioning.  It also impacts the body and its meridians; it helps reduce tension, stimulates circulation and releases blocks.  For this reason the gong can stir up emotions and people react in different ways as feelings get released.
Forever Fit Studio in Cloverdale is hosting a Gong Bath in Sept and October if you are interested in attending, or check out other locations where Kathy & Paul will be playing on their website Harmony of the Spheres 

5 Sutras for the Aquarian Age

Sutras are like threads, that string life together, words to live by.  The Yoga Sutras of Putanjali have sustained the world for over thousands of years in their perfect wisdom.  Astologers have determined that every 2000 years or so we transition between an age, and each age has its own theme.  The Age of Pisces was 'I believe'.  The theme of the Age of Aquarius is 'I know.' 
So  this new age of Aquarius calls for its own words and wisdom by which to live.  Yogi Bhajan gave us these 5 simple truths which he called the 5 Sutras of the Aquarian Age: 

1.  Recognize that the other person is you.
2.  There is a way through every block
3.  When the time is on you, start, and the pressure will be off
4.  Understand through compassion or you will misunderstand the times
5.  Vibrate the Cosmos, the Cosmos shall clear the path

Dancing as Meditation

Today is International Womens day and as we honour the Sacred Feminine, why not spend a few minutes dancing! Dancing as Meditation has been used through the ages in many cultures. It stimulates the first and second chakras and invites creativity and expression. Here is a clip from the Osho Retreat in India where dancing is part of the meditation program.