![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
My first yoga retreat
I never wanted it to stop. It was a wonderful feeling of joy, love compassion and connection to everyone who was there with me. This was despite the fact that I had only met these people just three days ago. But at that moment, it felt like I had known them all my life.
This was my first yoga retreat. Four days of total immersion in the practice, philosophy and life of hatha yoga. We practiced yoga twice a day. Spent several hours in sitting and walking meditation and learned about the philosophy of yoga through talks and discussions.
We helped prepare and ate the most delicious home-made vegetarian food. I was on an energy high. I had so much stamina. It was the best short break I had ever had.
So why did it effect me so profoundly?
Our subtle energy body
Yoga works on our bodies and minds at many levels, and in a way that traditional medicine fails. Infact, many of the alternative therapies and practices, that have become so popular, work on our mind and body in powerful ways.
You may not realise it, but your body has a network of unseen energy channels. They follow the pathways of our nervous system and provide a constant supply of subtle energy that keeps us alive.
This complex mesh of energy channels, or 'meridians' as the Chinese call them, focus around 7 energy centers or 'chakras' that are vertically aligned from our crown to our abdomen. Yoga, and many alternative therapies and practices, increase, balance and harmonise this energy network.
Lao Tsu, the revered Chinese sage and chi kung master, said, "When human beings are born, they are tender and soft. At death they are stiff and hard. All things, the grass as well as the trees, are tender and supple when alive". It's this hidden energy system that keeps us alive, vibrant and healthy.
Shiatsu, acupressure and acupuncture
The study of our energy bodies can be seen in shiatsu, acupressure and acupuncture. These are just three of the many practices that originate from the East.
Shiatsu is a system of full body massage taken lying down on a futon. But it's more than just massage. Many part of your body are pressed and massaged where the subtle energy lines meet. The effect is both invigorating and relaxing at the same time. My first massage was so good I fell asleep.
Acupuncture is a curative system that is accepted by the western medical establishment because it works. Needles are inserted so they connect with the energy channels in your body. By placing these needles at the right points your energy and health is both rebalanced and restored.
The ancient art of yoga
Yoga, stretching and pilates is about exercising your muscles and ligaments, but it's more than this. The gentle stretching of muscles releases trapped energy and energises the muscles and ligaments the pose is working on.
Yoga involves stretching into a pose and holding the position while breathing in or out deeply and completely. There is a dynamic to this apparent stillness. You may be holding the position, but your deep breathing is moving energy and refreshes the parts of your body other exercise cannot reach.
So, the slow and steady movements free trapped energy, energise muscles and ligaments and refresh your whole body. At the same time you are developing strength and stamina while holding these poses.
Mind and body health
Traditional medicine and therapies work with symptoms, known illnesses and diseases. Holistic and alternative practices and therapies view illness as a warning that your system is out of balance. Many of these practices work on you at different levels, especially your subtle energy body.
It's all about re-balancing your mind and body so that it works properly once again. It's a 'whole'-istic view rather than a piecemeal view.
Maybe that's why modern medicine seems unable to cure some illnesses and health problems.
We have so much to learn.
Terry Dunn writes regular articles on how to use alternative therapies to improve your health. From aromatherapy to yoga, discover what it's like, how it works and how you can benefit. To read more articles, visit his website, http://www.holistichealthtalk.com
Getting quality sleep has, for many, become an elusive goal... Read More
You've seen those mysterious little brown bottles in the health... Read More
Your FUTURE is NOT in a doctor's office or a... Read More
There are many varieties of mint plants. If you want... Read More
Herbal Medicine, also referred to as Herbalism or Botanical Medicine,... Read More
Use of herbs for health and as a medicine has... Read More
Aromatherapy can be used to relieve the discomfort of a... Read More
Having regular constipation can lead to some serious illnesses. Fecal... Read More
For thousands of years knowledge of the herbs and wild... Read More
Do you ever think about just how important good health... Read More
The most effective way to use the subconscious for pain... Read More
Royal Jelly is a milky substance produced by the worker... Read More
What is The Powerbreathe?POWERbreathe is the result of nearly a... Read More
Beyond DiffusionThis advanced diffusion system is designed for continuous operation... Read More
As I started to write this article a few words... Read More
Since the dawn of civilization, man has always turned to... Read More
Even a single family member who is senile or afflicted... Read More
To do a Gall Bladder Flush you will need the... Read More
Flu can affect 10 to 30 percent of the U.S.... Read More
Because of our mechanized and industrialized society we find toxic... Read More
Sleep consumes as much as one-third or more of the... Read More
The study of ethics concerns moral choices, generally in the... Read More
Vegan, or vegetarian, organic fills and batting, are natural materials... Read More
Those Glorious Dandelions! Taraxacum officinale (composite family)Spring is coming! Starting... Read More
I'd like to share with you some basic food combining... Read More
Hands-On Therapy for Peaceful SleepOne alternative medicine approach is a... Read More
If you have asthma, do not take or use psyllium.... Read More
Chelating is the process of removing toxic materials, metals and... Read More
In the 1970's, there was a margarine commercial with the... Read More
With today's new building procedures, our homes are more dangerous... Read More
What is something that goes up but never comes down?... Read More
Home Remedies - Facts or Quacks?That's what I recently asked... Read More
Last week the media circus surrounding the flu vaccine reached... Read More
Hypnotherapy is the process of using hypnosis to unlock the... Read More
Autoimmune disorders, lupus, Sjogrens, MS, IBS, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, leukemia... Read More
The hair loss treatments outlined here cannot provide definitive cures... Read More
Is Olive Oil one of Nature's seven original wonders?According to... Read More
The 12-7-19 Method of Bach Flower ClassificationDr. Edward Bach, developer... Read More
The immune system in your body is an amazing functionality... Read More
Alternative medicine has grown in so many ways in North... Read More
Magnetic energy has been in use for reducing pain and... Read More
Almost two years ago, before the release of my first... Read More
Use of herbs for health and as a medicine has... Read More
What is prenatal massage? Prenatal Massage is a form of... Read More
Your FUTURE is NOT in a doctor's office or a... Read More
Aging occurs due to the growth of the tissues and... Read More
Honey is a highly concentrated sugar solution produced by honeybees.... Read More
Only a migraine sufferer understands the pain. Regardless of how... Read More
Each of us most likely has at least one memory... Read More
Recently I read a book by William L. Fischer called... Read More
Alternative Medicine Alternative Medicine |