PRANA MANDIR Yoga Reflections & Inspirations

The Mantra by Marianne Giosa

2009-12-17T06:49:00.001-08:00

The Mantra

"Just by repeating the Name,
that which cannot be understood
will be understood
Just by repeating the Name,
that which cannot be seen
will be seen " -Janeshwar Maharaj

Mantra is sound, and sound is reverberating everywhere in the universe. When water flows it makes a gurgling sound. That is mantra. When the wind blows though the trees and makes a rustling sound, this is mantra. When we walk upon the earth, our footsteps produce a sound, this is also mantra. Within human beings as well, there is a self-born, indestructible sound which repeats itself constantly, along with our breathing.
Sound has enormous power; it can create an entire universe. In the Upanishads it says that "In the beginning there was sound, which reverberated as Om, and from that sound everything came into existence." In the chapter of Genesis in the Bible it states, "In the Beginning was the Word..."
This sound underlies all matter and is the substratum of everything. Just as it pulsates within all the objects of the universe, it also pulsates within us. That inner pulsation, which we can discover throbbing at the root of the mind, is the true mantra, and is in fact nothing but Kundalini, the divine energy.. From that inner pulsation, through the Matrika Shakti, infinite sound, letters and syllables arise, which give rise to inner and outer worlds" -excerpted from Swami Muktananda's book Where Are You Going?

Wed at 12 and Thursday eve at 8pm

Thursday classes will be held as flow of
pranayama, asana, and contemplation

at PRANA MANDIR Yoga Studio
4 West 43rd Street - Suite 501 - NY, NY 10036
(Between 5th and 6th Avenues)
212.803.5446 www.pranamandir.com

Love, Light, and Sound
Marianne

Blog from Marianne—please take her class on Weds at 12 and Thurs at 8!

2009-12-03T06:07:00.001-08:00

In our asana practice we see the importance of posture and counter-posture to maintain balance, equanimity, and harmony. However, this morning I was contemplating something that I'd like to share with you...
I realized that at times my world appears absolutely
upside down and backwards!!! What do I mean by this? In one moment I was completely aware of a beautiful vision of my world and the grace that has been bestowed upon my life.. and in another moment, that which seemed so beautiful and grace filled could be swept away in a flurry of thoughts which was let's say...far from this reality. It appeared that the structures that seemingly allowed one to function or survive were almost in direct opposition or backwards from that which I thought of as grace-filled and beautiful! I then asked the question to myself...Where is my Alignment? and not just in a physical asana...but in Life? (it is the same you know)
The order in which we may perceive this world may not appear as Sat or Truth. We may look into our lives, the lives of others, politics, our daily survival at times we may experience pain and disillusion. Other times our lives may be an abode of pure Joy. This gave me another insight into the practice of inversions. Though practicing inversions, not only do we experience the direct physical benefits of the opposite direction of blood flow, we also shake up our habitual physical viewpoint of our world!. Here we are literally standing "upside down and backwards" Our center of perception is completely transformed for the length of time we our breathing in our inversion. We are literally "short circuiting" a pattern of perception.
So then this contemplation brings us to the next question..
What is the true vision ? AhhHa!

I ask you to explore this idea...if you feel inspired write it down and/or send me your comments. I'd love to hear from you! I would like to begin to build our own yoga journal /blog together.

11.13.09 Satsang on Chinese Medicine

2009-11-20T07:08:00.000-08:00

Satsang with Julie Willimott

Julie Willimott practices Chinese medicine in Idaho and was at Prana Mandir for the week to give workshops on Chinese medicine for the Agni teacher training. She also dropped by for Satsang to give a Q&A on Friday night.
Chinese medicine treats the individual rather than the disease/illness. Lea made the point that Western doctors tend to take pulses with a stethoscope these days whereas Ayurvedic doctors listen to pulse and give readings based on the soul body, the pranic body, the emotional body, etc.
Julie has been practicing Chinese medicine in Idaho for seven years. She got her four years masters in Oregon and did a postgraduate in China. These days she tends to treat stiff cowboys. The consultations last 2 – 2 1/2 hours and she gets her readings of the patient based on their tongue, looking at the color coat and texture. She likes to educate her patients as they go along. As people get better they can self-monitor. She likes to give her patients homework and they have to be interactive and adjust their lifestyle.
How did she get cowboys to come to her practice?
She started out by treating her family members (who are still in Idaho) in her grandmother’s vibrantly pink living room. Her first patient was her grandfather who was blind but he understood the idea of chi and living in balance. After that the floodgates opened and Julie pointed out that Chinese medicine was originally designed to treat the rural farmer in China so it’s perfect for her mostly farm hand patients in the Midwest.
To build her practice she had to give away a lot for free at first. She advocates letting seniors and students pay what they can but also a barter system is extremely helpful. She has been paid with organic chickens and firewood. She also pointed out that the hospitals in Idaho are horrific and the community is distrustful of the healthcare system so are grateful to have an alternative.
Someone asked what she recommended to help balance the body in the winter season. She replied that it’s time to heal and replenish the kidneys. At this time of year we need to hibernate more and rest a lot. We also need to eat seasonally—lots of apples and pears, soups and stews. Now is not the time to eat cold and to also add sea salt to the diet because kidneys want salt. She also urged us, even though it’s holiday time, to try and do the best we can and not go overboard with eating and running around during the holiday season. Chinese medicine is about prevention rather than treating an ailment once it’s become something serious. Illness is manageable and it’s often just an imbalance.
Local is better, she said, but don’t freak out if you’re eating a pineapple in February because freaking out and getting uptight about food is an imbalance, too. If you’re going to have a brownie really take the time to enjoy it. Avoid processed foods, colorings and especially, artificial sweeteners. Keep the food as natural and boring as possible.
Dairy food is considered phlegm. Rice is a balanced food and is quinoa and it’s easy to make. She noted that eating locally in Idaho is not an issue. In fact, Costco is a 35-mile drive away so it’s easier to go local. She advised us to eat food that looks like food and to address things seasonally.
Fennel, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg are great teas at this time of year. She also advised cleaning out the fridge so nothing goes to waste and making big stews. If you do eat meat make sure it’s grass fed and organic. Try not to digest food from animals whose energy would have been unhappy. Any kind of food you get, try to get the best there is e.g. organic, fair trade coffee, tea and chocolate.
In terms of reading the tongue, she said looks at the color, the coat, the shape and evenness. The tongue should be clear, round, moist with no puffiness or swelling.
She advised we check out acupuncture student clinics in New York and specifically suggested the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine. http://www.pacificcollege.edu/acupuncture-massage-clinic/new-york.html.

To get in touch with Julie, her email is snakeriveracupuncture@yahoo.com.

—Marie Carter

Wednesday at 12/Thursday at 8 PM

2009-11-09T09:40:00.000-08:00

Thoughts from Marianne...

The world is how you see it. By your thoughts you create and determine all actions

"From the eye, seeing.
From seeing, thinking.
From thinking, reflection
The fruit of reflection
is the food of the mind.
Muktananda, care for your eye"

--Mukteshwari, Swami Muktananda

What world has your attitude created?

Wed at 12
Thursday at 8pm

Thursday classes will be held as a beautiful flowering flow of
pranayama, vinyasa, and contemplation

at PRANA MANDIR Yoga Studio
4 West 43rd Street - Suite 501 - NY, NY 10036
(Between 5th and 6th Avenues)
212.803.5446 www.pranamandir.com

Love, Light and Sound
Marianne

Kundalini Yoga 10.30.09

2009-11-09T09:20:00.000-08:00

When I arrived in class on Friday, a beautiful mantra sung by Snatam Kaur was playing, “Aadays Tisai Adays / Aad aneel anaad anaahat, jug jug ayko vays” which translates as “I salute Thee, the Primal One, pure in the beginning, through all time, through all ages—the one.” It comes from Snatam’s album, “Meditations for Transformation” and is also aline in the famed Kundalini text, Jap Ji.
Lea began with announcements. There will be a one hour meditation every Friday after Kundalini and it’s by donation. Lea is also bringing her handmade malas for sale next week and Bhagavan Das is coming in January to have kirtan in the main hall downstairs.
Lea talked a bit about “shakti” before beginning the navel point kriya or nabhi kriya. Shakti is a feminine power, a wonderful, expressive energy that goes on ceaselessly expressing herself. It can’t be suppressed but it can be shaped and directed.
We warmed up with juicy hip circles and Sun Salutations.
The first pose was Janu Sirsasana on the left and right with breath of fire followed by a 2 minute Savasana.
Then we lifted our legs to 90 degrees and kicked our buttocks. There were two breath options: either breath of fire or inhale lift, exhale kick.
There was brief rest before moving onto leg pistons, exhaling sharply as the legs extended out.
Plank pose was held for several minutes with the most intense variation being tops of feet on floor and coming onto the fingertips with of course a breath of fire.
Stretch pose was then held for a couple of minutes before coming into Sukhasana holding the arms out wide then slowly pulling the fists into the chest. Finally we folded forward in Sukhasana, third eye to the floor.
Then Savasana.
To reinvigorate everyone for the meditation, Lea had us rock from plough pose to Pascimottanasana then eventually rocking from plough pose to standing.
In the seated meditation we were instructed to have our right hand face the heavens while our left hand faced the floor with elbows bent. We chanted “Aad such, jugaad such, haibhee such, naanak hosee bhee such” which translates as “True in the beginning, true throughout the ages, true at this moment, Nanaak says this Truth shall ever be.”

—Marie Carter

Partner Yoga/Flight 10/25/09

2009-11-09T09:19:00.000-08:00

One of the beauties of practicing at Prana Mandir is the variety of classes one can attend and how some of these styles of yoga can intersect with one another. For example, this Sunday Lea combined elements of Kundalini yoga with partner yoga. Starting the class with chanting “Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo” we did a partnered twist with breath of fire. A couple who were new to yoga visited this week and were able to learn a lot of the poses very quickly with a lot of attention. The class is really for all levels and you don’t have to come as a pair. This is also a great class to learn assists (especially if you’re a yoga teacher). We were learning how to properly adjust and assist a seated twist. In this case we were placing our hands on the front of our partner’s shoulder and from the lower side ribs. Lea observed it was better to move the person on their exhale and also to move the hands in toward our partner’s midline rather than turning them. Cobra is assisted by lifting the person first by their wrists, then trying to lift them from their upper arms. If your partner is flexible then you can lift them from the fronts of their shoulders. Down Dog was assisted by placing our hands on the partner’s upper thighs and pulling them back and not rotating their thighs inward or outward but up.
Fifteen minutes at the end were left for basing and flying. We did some very simple Superman’s since there were people new to flying.
The assisted Savasana involved taking hold of our partners’ ankles, lifting their legs then gently rocking them side-to-side.

—Marie Carter

Review of RELAX AND RENEW

2009-10-21T06:37:00.000-07:00

You may have noticed the mini store at the back of Prana Mandir studio with all kinds of Ayurveda goodies: teas, copper tongue scrapers and creams. We also have prayer shawls, messenger bags, jewelry and books. Frequently Lea has recommended the book Relax and Renew by Gururattan Kaur Khalsa, Ph.D. and Ann Marie Maxwell which is a terrific introduction to Kundalini and the yoga sets and meditations. Not only does the book give you the basic outlines of the kundalini practice such as tuning in with “Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo,” it gives you warm-up exercises, how to conclude a set, wake up series and a 15 minute morning set in case you’re short on time in the morning. Even if you’re an “advanced” practitioner of kundalini yoga there are many wonderful sets included in here such as “Skull & Pelvic Bone Adjustment,” “Short Kriya to See Inner Beauty,” “Anger Set,” “Liver Set” including the dates each Kriya was taught. The book is also peppered with beautiful Yogi Bhajan quotes for example, “God consciousness is the freedom that you get from getting out of your fear complex. When your fear complex leaves you, you are God.” Or, “If you are not beautiful and graceful, there is nothing beautiful or graceful. There is a truth, for you are the universe and the universe is you.”
In addition there are detailed diagrams of the digestive system, spinal nerves, eye muscles and acupressure points. The book pretty much has everything. What to cook, food combinations, mudras, the bandhas, pranayama, further reading. For $25 you really get your money’s worth.
The book was published in December 1988 and is fun for its old type-written font and photocopied line drawings.

—Marie Carter

Partner Yoga/Flight on Sundays

2009-09-23T06:37:00.000-07:00

Partner Yoga & Flight! Class on Sunday 11 AM – 1 PM

Some of you may have wondered what goes on in our partner yoga/flight class on Sundays. The first thing to know is you don’t need a partner to join in the fun or have experience with this kind of yoga. A willingness to have fun and work with others however is a prerequisite.

The teacher, Lea Kraemer, has a modern dance background and danced for Peter Pucci in the early 90's who comes from the Pilobolus tradition. And, she says, “for any modern dance companies that utilized my ability to lift and be lifted in almost any situation!” This week we looked at ways of moving each other and how to take another person’s weight, for example one person would stand in Tadasana while another person stood behind them shifting their ribs from side to side eventually helping their trunk move in a full circular rotation. We also worked on Marichyasana III aiding each other into deeper twists.

This class always involves the element of flight. Last Sunday we explored in partners and using each others’ weight rocking back into Plough pose and coming into a Squat then rocking backwards again and then coming into a flight position and fast as possible. In the flight position, the base is the floor with legs at a 90 degree angle supporting their partners’ weight by the hips. As one student observed partner yoga can stretch out the body and especially the spine in a way regular yoga never could. In addition we learned how to properly assist each other in Child’s pose and Downward Dog.

We hope to see you there some weekend.

—Marie Carter

The Bhagavad Gita: A Workshop

2009-09-10T13:00:00.000-07:00

Save the Date!

Saturday September 26 and Sunday September 27, 9:30 – 5:00

Please join Dr. Marcel Ringawa and Sujata Ringawa for a day of teachings on The Bhagavad Gita.

What is The Bhagavad Gita? The Bhagavad Gita translates as “Song of the Blessed One.” It is a beloved ancient text and was part of the Indian epic The Mahabharata. The story takes place on the battlefield of Kuru. Just before he is about to fight with the Pandavas against the Kauravas, the warrior Arjuna has a breakdown and it is up to his charioteer Krishna to persuade him to live his dharma and move forward with the fight. This beautiful and richly-layered poem can be read as a metaphor for the battle with the ego. Krishna offers Arjuna a philosophical perspective on how to live. Here are some lines from the Bhagavad Gita (translation by Stephen Mitchell):

2:47 You have a right to your actions,

but never to your actions’ fruits.

Act for the action’s sake.

And do not be attached to inaction.

Please take action and join us for this wonderful workshop. It will be a daylong teaching on the text. Dr. Marcel Ringawa and Sujata Ringawa are co-founders of Yoga Lifeworks www.yogalifeworks.com and will bring their humor, curiosity and excitement to the day.

$240 if you pre-register

$280 at the door

A Really Neat Gift Idea!

2008-12-03T11:43:00.000-08:00

Hey all! Tis the season and this year instead of the usual gifts that often go forgotten just days later, why not consider sponsoring a cat or dog through the NORTH SHORE ANIMAL LEAGUE?

~Prana Mandir

By sponsoring a cat you'll see some of the cats in our care who will probably never be adopted. Cats who desperately need someone like you to sponsor them. In addition to helping a cat that has been let down by humans, your sponsorship will also help other animals in need.

Some will be new arrivals requiring urgent veterinary attention, while others might be older animals needing a major operation, and still others who have problems socializing with people. You could make the difference right now by sponsoring a cat!

https://secure.ga4.org/01/sponsor_cat

By sponsoring a dog you'll see some of the dogs in our care who will probably never be adopted. Dogs who desperately need someone like you to sponsor them. In addition to helping a dog that has been let down by humans, your sponsorship will also help other animals in need.

https://secure.ga4.org/01/sponsor_dog

SAVE THE DATE! Open House!

2008-12-03T09:35:00.000-08:00

On December 21, 2008, please join us as we host an open house at PRANA MANDIR. Enjoy yoga demonstrations, mini-massages, and tea and treats! This event is by donation! Please ask Lea or the teachers for more details!

~Prana Mandir

Sita Sings the Blues

2008-11-21T06:26:00.000-08:00

Hi Angels,

Last night, Lea and I went to see a film called Sita Sings the Blues at the MOMA. Based on the Ramayana, an ancient Hindu epic, and written, directed, animated, and produced by Nina Paley, Sita Sings the Blues was an absolute joy to watch. There's another showing this Saturday at the MOMA and I highly recommend this movie to everyone! I hope you get the chance to see the film!

~Kathy

Pranayama to Balance Emotions From Alyssa

2008-11-12T12:34:00.000-08:00

Pranayama to Balance Emotions

I've been practicing alternate nostril breathing for 23 minutes for the last 33 days. No matter what yoga i practice, or for how long, i've always suffered from pms. The physical symptoms vary according to the stress level of life - but the mental and emotional symptoms - WHOA - they are steady. Its like for two days a dark cloud washes over my brain and as my husband says "the lense that tells me every thing is messed up and can't be fixed is firmly planted in front of my eyes".

As some of you know - we are trying to conceive a baby. So the emotions of this adventure are high! And when the moon cycle arrives it can be a double whammy of disappointment and pms. I can say for sure this month was saved through this breath. I had NO pms symptoms (physical or mental) and no, i'm not pregnant. But when i did get my period i was graceful and accepting although disappointed. I owe this to the breath.

I think five minutes a day is a good place to start. Experiment for yourself - it works and i feel full of light and emotional balance all the time - throughout the ENTIRE cycle and throughout all the ups and downs of life. If you feel you need to hone your emotional balance (and who doesn't?) try this:

tune in.
Sit in a comfortable easy pose with your spine straight. Tailbone is lengthened into the earth and the roof of the mouth is lifted toward the sky. Close the eyes and focus up at the brow point. Take some nice slow long breaths through both nostrils. Exhale through both nostrils and bring your right index finger to block the right nostril. Inhale through the left nostril slowly and deeply. At the top of that breath - close the left nostril and slowly exhale through the right nostril. Inhale through the right nostril (still going slowly and deeply!) and then block the right nostril and exhale through the left. That is one cycle. Begin again by inhaling throught the left, exhaling right, inhaling right, exhaling left.

Start with five minutes and build up to it - do what you have time for - its a powerful tool and even 3 minutes will have an effect. Finish by exhaling through the left and then inhaling through both nostrils. Hold. say a prayer. Be thankful. Be bright and beautiful. Be You. Sat Nam.

Gorgeous Words by Alyssa

2008-10-21T10:29:00.000-07:00

In this world of ours
we find ourselves
going
fast forward
ch ch ch ch ch ch ch ch
like the sound that they used to play
when the bionic woman moved fast
but really, slow.

But bionic means "like life".
Moving fast
running
thinking
always doing, planning
sometimes, oftentimes;
blocks life.
please remember
i say to myself
and
i say to you
to pause.
be still.
breath.
Let life flow
freely
unobstructed
be patient
i say to myself
and
i say to you

there is
no time
only the mental constructs we create
with
our
minds.
surrender in the unknown
be patient
don't need
to know the future
I say to myself
as i say to you
we are all students
students of life
of yoga
of God.

may all beings be Blessed
sat nam

Wanna Build a School?

2008-10-13T10:27:00.000-07:00

Room to Read is another one of our favorite great causes!

Room to Read partners with local communities throughout the developing world to establish schools, libraries, and other educational infrastructure. Room to Read seeks to intervene early in the lives of children in the belief that education is a lifelong gift that empowers people to ultimately improve socioeconomic conditions for their families, communities, countries, and future generations.

Think about this: Room to Read can fund a year of education for a girl---including tuition, uniforms, shoes, books, medical immunizations, transportation, tutoring, and more---for only $250. The organization can also can create and print new children's books for approximately $1 per book.

One person (or a small group) can have a lasting impact on an entire village with one investment.

You can read more about Room to Read and the organization's founder John Read and his amazing story here!

Our first Teacher Training weekend!

2008-10-07T06:56:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder! For those wonderful lights looking to advance their practice, there is still time to register for PRANA MANDIR's 200 hr Vinyasa Teacher Training program!

Last weekend was our first official weekend of Teacher Training! On Friday, I gave a very sweet meditation and over the weekend, I decided to take the group upstate to my land. We enjoyed a beautiful hike and the teacher trainees got a chance to get to know each other a little better. It was such a blissful weekend and I am looking forward to the next six months.

~Lea

PRANA MANDIR Yoga Studio's 200 HR Teacher Training

2008-10-01T13:07:00.000-07:00

THERE IS STILL TIME TO SIGN UP FOR THIS WONDROUS SIX (6) MONTH TEACHER TRAINING!

Our next Vinyasa Teacher Training program will begin in October 2008 and finish in April 2009. This 200hr. certification is routed in a fundamental love for yoga practice. Directed by Lea Kraemer with Sujata Ringawa and Dr. Marcel Ringawa, this training encompasses a total approach to yoga including self-investigation, or contemplation, pranayama, or attunement to breath for inner rhythm, and self-knowledge, or meditation. Learn the skills to teach a joyful and intelligent Vinyasa Yoga class. Live a non-violent crusade of compassion.

Classically Oriented Approach:

Topics explored in-depth include...
* Yogic Lifestyle including but not limited to thought, diet, sleep, environment, relationships and inspiring a personal practice;
* History and Philosophy of Yoga in its relevancy to our own lives;
* Asana Alignment and Benefits to the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual bodies;
* Understanding Vinyasa Sequences for health, healing and vitality;
* Hands-On Postural Enhancements from light to strong touch in honor of the energy and breath of each student;
* Constructing a Vinyasa Flow to challenge and motivate learning through delight;
* Holistic Anatomy from the bones and muscles to the whole human being;
* Pranayama and Meditation for a blissful reality.

Polish your practice. Become a professional yoga teacher through personal study, guidance and practicum teaching throughout the six month course.