Yoga & Writing – Going with the Flow

As a writer, I’ve always been intrigued by teachers who offer combination yoga-writing classes and retreats. They seem to be getting more popular and I am beginning to understand the connection. The key is in the flow (or lack of if you suffer from writer’s block.) Just as yoga is a flowing movement of mind and body, so is writing. Your pen moves as your mind does. The integration of these two powerful spiritual forms of expression makes perfect sense and can help the yogi who is a writer or a writer who practices yoga. It can even be beneficial to those who simply have an interest in one or the other (or both.) On a practical level, try doing a little yoga before writing that important letter. Monique Parker is a writing and yoga teacher based in Taos, New Mexico and is one of a growing trend of instructors who are opening creative channels for yoga students and writers across the globe. You can read more about her and her offerings at www.theyogaofwriting.com.

Can a Yogic Lifestyle Lead to the Fountain of Youth?

For many who practice yoga, it’s not just about the perfect triangle pose or touching your head to the ground in a wide angle stretch. It’s about a way of life that incorporates things such as a healthy diet, practicing ahimsa (non-violence), embracing a spiritual belief, being part of a community, and living simply. The timeless question of what contributes to longevity was recently explored in a community of monks in Greece who practice the aforementioned principles. A 10-year study revealed amazingly low rates of cancer and Alzheimer’s disease among the group as well as a startling statistic: out of a population of one million, 900 are centenarians, which is roughly four times the number found in the U.S. and Britain. To read more about this phenomenon, take a look at www.yoga-abode.com.

The Sound of Healing

Massage therapists touch to heal the physical body and no one can argue the benefits of a good work out on the table. But what about a mind massage? Frank Perry, a Tibetan singing bowl therapist, uses an array of bowls to induce relaxation in his clients. His form of sound therapy involves having the person lie on the floor surrounded by Tibetan singing bowls of all sizes and resonances. Perry uses them as a therapeutic tool to calm the mind and spirit and induce a meditative state to his client. Even if you cannot locate a Tibetan singing bowl therapist in your area, you can buy your own singing bowls to create the mood you want. Or you can buy a CD of these relaxing tones. Indluded here is a video of Perry conducting a session and offering a wonderful explanation of the benefits of the Tibetan singing bowl.

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