For thousands of years Hindu spirituality has understood the profound effect that sound has on our well-being. From this tradition comes The Yoga of Sound, which draws on yoga's long history of applying sound to reduce stress, maintain health, and invoke spiritual awakenings. In lucid exercises presented both in the book and on accompanying downloadable audio tracks, Russill Paul shows how everyone can learn the art of mantra and how these practices can help to optimize the flow of energy within the body and enhance emotional well-being.
Meditation exercises for listening to the four levels of sound, to still the body, quiet the mind, open the heart, and connect with the Divine • Details the teachings on nada yoga from the Hatha Yoga Pradipika with clear, step-by-step instructions to find and hear the inner sacred sound of nada • Explains the 4 levels of sound through a series of practical meditation exercises • Includes instructions for a daily nada yoga meditation practice as well as ways to strengthen your advanced practice The ancient practice of nada yoga is not complex. It is the yoga of listening. It is a journey from the noise of the external world inward to a place of peace and bliss, to the source of the transformational power of sound--the nada. By meditating on the inner sacred sound of the nada, we can release ourselves from mind chatter and obsessive thinking. We can still the body, quiet the mind, and open the heart to create a state of mind where joy naturally arises. Sharing his experiential understanding of the classic Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Baird Hersey offers precise, step-by-step instructions on how to find the inner sound of the nada. He explains the first three levels of sound--first, how to truly hear the ordinary sounds of the world around us (vaikhari); second, how to quiet the sounds of the mind (madhyama), such as sound memories and internal dialogue; and third, how to access visual sounds (pashyanti), tapping in to our ability to see sounds and hear colors. Mastering the first three levels prepares one for the fourth level of sound (para), the heart of the practice that connects one to the inner sound of the nada. The author provides detailed exercises to guide you through each level of sound and instructions for a daily nada yoga meditation practice. Hersey explains that by focusing our minds on this internal sound we reunite our essential self with the eternal and infinite. In this re-union we find bliss in both body and mind, an uplifted spirit, and heightened states of consciousness.
Since ancient times, humankind has known the soothing and purifying power of music. Today, we too often forget the unifying spirituality of sound, allowing it to clutter our lives but never hearing its true and transcendental beauty. Here, the renowned Agni Deva offers traditional chants not as accompaniment to life but as a pathway to holiness. In speaking the name of God, one finds God incarnate in sound and brings the light of God into the world. The many names of gods in Vedic literature each represent a path to liberation, if one is able to utter them with consciousness and dedication. Yoga of Sound is an invitation and portal into a vast, beautiful world of traditional song to be listened to, not merely heard. It includes a CD of traditional kitrans and an introduction by Patrick Bernard, the creator of Sublime Relaxation and author of The Secret Music of the Soul.
Modern science and ancient wisdom traditions agree that the universe is a symphony of vibrational frequencies. In this comprehensive work, the author elaborates the essential truths about cosmic sound, and how we can employ important mantras for healing, transformation and inner awakening.
Use the power of sound to bring balance, relaxation, and a sense of well-being to your mind, body, and spirit with this unprecedented and comprehensive guide to sound baths. Discover the power of sound to transform consciousness, heal the mind, and calm the body. Sound therapist and meditation teacher Sara Auster has traveled the world facilitating sound bath experiences, bringing the transformative power of sound and listening to the masses, and building diverse communities. In this comprehensive guide to Sound Baths, Sara introduces the therapeutic properties of sound, shares her personal journey to recovery from a traumatic accident, and answers the most commonly asked questions about sound therapy, meditation, deep listening, and healing. Sound Bath provides helpful tools for even the busiest skeptic who wants to achieve a reflective, self-healing state and invite calm into their daily life. Learn techniques that will support states of deep rest, focused meditation, and abundant creativity. Explore drawings, photographs, and stories that will transport you; as well as information, statistics, and essential terminology to help support your growth and ground your practice.
The mantra and kirtan (call-and-response devotional chants) of yoga practice sometimes get short shrift in the West because they aren’t well understood. These chants are an integral part of most every Eastern spiritual practice because they are designed to provide access into the psyche while their underlying mythology helps us understand how our psychology affects daily life. Sacred Sound shares the myths behind the mantras, illuminating their meaning and putting their power and practicality within reach of every practitioner. Each mantra and kirtan includes the Sanskrit, the transliteration, and the translation. Clear retellings of the pertinent myths highlight modern-day applications so that readers discover their own personal connection to the practice. Alanna Kaivalya has refined her teaching over a decade with tens of thousands of diverse audience members. Her unique and popular approach to human connection and self-knowledge turns a time-tested tradition into a versatile and potent tool.
This book is a wonderful introduction to all aspects of the gong and the yoga that is associated with it. The interesting history of the gong, its uses in Western and Eastern music, how to play it and the gongs effects on the body's energetic system are all discussed.
Wouldn’t it be great if your child could exercise, have fun, and build concentration skills all at the same time? In 2006, the Little Flower Yoga program was developed by teacher and certified yoga instructor Jennifer Cohen Harper, when her successful use of yoga in her kindergarten classroom led to requests by other students, teachers, and administrators for yoga programs of their own. Harper slowly began to teach more and more yoga classes, and eventually recruited other yoga teachers with education backgrounds to continue growing what had become a flourishing program. Little Flower Yoga for Kidsoffers this fun and unique program combining yoga and mindfulness in an easy-to-read format. Written specifically for parents and kids, the book aims at teaching children to pay attention, increase focus, and balance their emotions—all while building physical strength and flexibility. Based on a growing body of evidence that yoga and mindfulness practices can help children develop focus and concentration, the simple yoga exercises in this book can easily be integrated into their child’s daily routine, ultimately improving health, behavior, and even school achievement. The book details the five main components of the program: connect, breath, move, focus, and relax. Drawing on these components, Harper shares practical activities that parents can use with their children both on a daily basis and as applied to particularly challenging issues. And while this book is targeted to parents, teachers may also find it extremely useful in helping students achieve better attention and focus. For more information about this innovative program, visit www.littlefloweryoga.com.
An eagle soaring among the clouds or a star twinkling in the night sky . . . a camel in the desert or a boat sailing across the sea—yoga has the power of transformation. Not only does it strengthen bodies and calm minds, but with a little imagination, it can show us that anything is possible. New York Times bestselling illustrator Peter H. Reynolds and author and certified yoga instructor Susan Verde team up again in this book about creativity and the power of self-expression. I Am Yoga encourages children to explore the world of yoga and make room in their hearts for the world beyond it. A kid-friendly guide to 17 yoga poses is included.
An in-depth reference guide to the vast majority of Sanskrit posture names, terms, and chants used in yoga. Ashtanga. Adhomukhashvanasana, Chakra. Prana. The complex terminology of yoga can be overwhelming to someone new to the practice. For longtime Sanskrit and yoga scholar Nicolai Bachman, these words are not just foreign terms to be memorized and recited during practice. In The Language of Yoga, Bachman shows that each syllable is a door to deeper, richer engagement with yoga not only as a physical exercise, but as a living, vibrating connection to the life force of this tradition. Providing translation, cultural significance, and precise pronunciation for more than 200 illustrated asanas, The Language of Yoga is the definitive guide to the modern usage of Sanskrit. You will also discover: ? Why the exploration of yoga philosophy complements and enriches the physical practice ? Correct spelling and pronunciation of common terms you’ll likely encounter in the studio ? Mudras and chants for different life circumstances ? Downloadable audio files for pronunciation of hundreds of terms and posture names More than just a supplement to your yoga practice, The Language of Yoga vividly illuminates an ancient system of sacred syllables that resonate deep in the subtle body. Whether you’re a passionate enthusiast or a curious beginner, The Language of Yoga offers an invaluable reference guide for any explorer of the yogic path.
