An integral part of your weekly spiritual and fitness practice should be a particular form of Yoga called Chi Power Yoga. I began the practice of Yoga and then felt drawn to shift in directions my instructors failed to guide me and ended up adding some things I felt worked better for me personally and now many of my students will concur, seem to make things better and much more productive. More on that after I explain what Yoga is to begin with.
Most everyone today has heard of Yoga. For some it has become the latest thing, fad or form of exercise. For others it isn't exactly the newest kid on the block so to speak. So to help both sides of the fence, let's talk about what Yoga actually is.
Yoga means Union , a coming together of oneself for at-oneness with nature, all of creation, and with the Absolute. This does not imply you should switch religions, it merely states that through Yoga you will find the deeper meaning for your existence and get a better grasp on how your body is supposed to function.
The very word “Yoga” defines the goal of life as understood by the great Yoga Masters of old. Their foundations are essential and through the practice of the many styles of Yoga the understanding of Union can be realized. It was not until I created Chi Power Yoga that I truly felt complete focusing my energies on one style. No, I felt limited until I put Chi Power Yoga together.
The aim of Yoga is to bring to attention the realization of Union . We are already at one with the Universe; we just don't know it yet and while any form of Yoga can get you there, I feel Chi Power Yoga gets you there faster, without limitation and carries your essence along at a pace no one but your own true self can dictate.
The first known recordings or writings of yogic predate most all other written history; that is how long this exercise has been around. In fact, of writings known, Patanjali's Yoga Sutras are most likely the earliest written yogis teachings and they date to at least the 2nd Century B.C. So this stuff really has been around quite a while! However, the longer something has been around, the more time it has to of been corrupted and misguided the masses involving themselves in its teaching.
The path of Yoga is based on the understanding that all things in the Universe are connected and interrelated. This awareness is now a proven part of the science of physics. From the yogic point of view, the Universe is not a fragmented accumulation in which man is separate from nature and the Divine. Quite the contrary, the Universe is seen as a multidimensional and united expression of the Creator or if you rather, whatever started it all. Some like to call it the Void, I prefer the Creator.
Let's agree or at least understand that the Creator or the Void is the essence and beginning of all things. To those who master Yoga, the Creator and the creation are One. Or maybe you prefer that the Void and those who fill the Void are one? I know, this is deep stuff, but it has meaning despite Yoga not being a religion.
Though culturally linked to Hinduism and Buddhism, Yoga stands on its own and is free from all separatist and dualistic attitudes of religion. People of any belief, or no belief, can and should practice Yoga. The meditative exercises are profound in nature, they are not limited by the notions of any lifestyle and Chi Power Yoga will take you to the most inner parts of your mind while releasing the body of what holds it back from progression.
Chi Power Yoga is based on the direct perception of all the truths it upholds and does not rely upon ritual and dogma to remain vital and timely. Naturally, many individuals, groups and sects have added their own beliefs, rituals, ceremonies, and dogma to the way or path they follow and use Yoga to some extent. But in its purest sense, Chi Power Yoga is beyond all those trappings and has nothing to do with cult-like behavior.
According to yogic wisdom, we are all here to walk the Path of knowledge and realization. The purpose of life is to expand our consciousness in order to eventually realize and manifest our natural Divinity. This transformation process is set in the scenery we call Life, a life whose situations and challenges are present to fuel the fire of growth.
As the Masters I give the utmost of credit and respect to often said, all of our life experiences are useful to create our gradual awakening to cosmic consciousness and the complete realization of our Divinity.
Every situation and circumstance in life in some way helps us along the Path but then again, every experience has a means by which to weigh us down, hold us back, and prevent growth. We have the ability to be self-aware and to apply our conscious gifts to the attainment of self-mastery but conditioning has taught us either to let things bind us up or allows one to release anything that might trouble the system.
So how the heck do we learn to control all that by going thru a few deep breathing exercises, stretches, better posture techniques or even someone who calls themselves “Q” and appears to be another “yogi guru” of sorts? Well I'm getting to that. Hold on. Patience is a virtue my friend. The answer remains within that I call Chi Power Yoga.
One of the more popular branches of Yoga is Hatha. ChiPowerYoga is a bit like Hatha Yoga in that it is a system of exercises, breathing techniques, concentration enhancers, and contains some meditation. We perform all those in a Chi Power Yoga class and then some as we feel it is not the mere practice but the knowledge of what you are doing, why you are doing it and the destination you intend to reach. Through regular practice of ChiPowerYoga, one can positively revolutionize the health and vitality of the body and mind by knowing the path and knowing the goal.
Yoga practice is often thought to be exotic or difficult, and therefore out of reach for most people. This can very well be true if you are not performing your Yoga for specific reasons. While Chi Power Yoga was designed to accommodate novices or experts, there are methods we adhere to which separates those classes.
Yoga postures and exercises tone and strengthen muscles, stretch and strengthen the nerves and make the entire body more flexible. This makes things like not only weight training, cardio workouts and everyday chores much easier but allows for better sleep and for the body to remain prepared in the event of an emergency. Breathing exercises increase the body's energy, purify the blood, and nourish the brain. Concentration and meditation techniques clarify the mind and expand awareness. Once the mind is at ease, it can more easily accept new information, become more in tune with what ails the system and allows for you to relax and solves problems at the drop of a hat.
All of the methods I have ever learned are combined, consolidated and contribute to health and mental/spiritual balance through the practice of Chi Power Yoga. The masterful sages that developed Yoga many thousands of years ago had a comprehensive working knowledge of anatomy and physiology. This can be verified by looking thru some of the traditional Ayurvedic texts they left behind. With such a thorough understanding the Masters created a system of practices which manipulates the form and functions of the body to their benefit that has been destroyed by so many modern teachers that fail to take these facts into consideration.
Simple body positioning means everything. One particular posture can improve circulation to the brain, another can strengthen the heart, another can stimulate the thyroid, another can loosen the sciatic nerves and so on. So why limit yourself to one seated position or one form of Yoga? Then again, why spend so much time practicing as many forms as there are available when you can give Chi Power Yoga a try instead?
If you are reading this because you want a good workout, nothing has the ability to put a good hurt on you like Chi Power Yoga. If you are reading this because you are interested in the soothing effects of self realization, Chi Power Yoga provides that as well. There are some people, usually the muscle-bound gym guy crowd, who think Yoga is just about flexibility, funny clothes, and that it is only good for woman. Come along into my class, and I promise you will be re-born in the sweet sweat weights cannot provide. For those who seek a cardio vascular workout, I do believe Don Lemmon has already expressed in his other works that deep breathing does more for you than continuous movement.
Having been an instructor all around the United States , I have seen all sorts of Yoga students come and go. I used to teach my class in a local gym for instance. The guys would come in occasionally, mostly because the girls they sought the attention of would take the class. They would come in carrying on inappropriately, laughing and trying to position themselves near the person whom they hoped to impress.
Within 20 minutes of Chi Power Yoga anyone could have walked through the room butt naked and they would have not noticed it! Breathing heavy, muscles shaking and their minds are in another world altogether. This is not how I teach all my classes. We eliminate all obstruction and distraction without ever saying a word. You will see.
When I first came to Yoga years ago it was to heal from injuries that were mental, emotional and physical sustained in a car accident. I got caught in the loop of quack doctors and big business insurance where healing isn't quite the focus. The surgeons wanted me to have surgery for my injured back and shoulder to milk the insurance company and the insurance company wanted me to take the cheap way out instead.
That diagnosis from both sides didn't feel right to me. I met someone to discuss how this affected me emotionally and mentally and that led me to a Yoga master who said to give things a few weeks through Yoga. Like I said, that was years ago and I am pain free, teaching you how to pull it all together yourself and living the Know How lifestyle which tied Chi Power Yoga into what it is; everything I have to offer.
Quentin Vaughn is located in Los Angeles and teaches in various studios around that great city. He is available for private sessions and group classes. Because he is a member of this website, Quentin can be reached by either joining or sending our resident Yoga Guru an email at the following link: CLICK HERE
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