heart of the village yoga

Yoga Blog

Meditation

Ganesh Mantra 108X

Listen here to recording of the Ganesha Mantra 108x: Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha “Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha” is a Sanskrit mantra that translates to “My salutations to Lord Ganesha”. It is a powerful prayer and mantra that is said to remove obstacles and evil, and provide mental clarity and success.  Some say that chanting this mantra 108 times daily for 11 days can be beneficial. It is said to help people achieve peace, prosperity, spiritual enlightenment, material fulfillment, and strong social influence.  Lord Ganesha is known as the remover of obstacles, and is said to take away pain and sorrow from people’s lives, and bless them with love and happiness. ©Jo Kirsch, 2024

Read More »
October 6, 2024
Meditation

Gayatri Mantra

Here’s a recording of the Gayatri Mantra repeated 9x. The Gayatri Mantra is a sacred chant and prayer that has many meanings and interpretations: Unity in creation The Gayatri Mantra demonstrates the unity that exists behind the many forms of creation. Prayer for wisdom
 The Gayatri Mantra is a prayer for enlightenment and wisdom that asks for divine light to illuminate the practitioner’s intellect. Meditation The Gayatri Mantra is a set of sounds used by meditators to achieve a higher state of consciousness. Spiritual awakening
The Gayatri Mantra is believed to foster a sense of connection with the universe and higher self, and to lead to spiritual awakening. Removal of negativity
 Chanting the Gayatri Mantra is believed to remove negativity, calm the mind, and reduce stress and anxiety. Purification Regular practice of the Gayatri Mantra is believed to purify the mind and spirit. Some translations of the Gayatri Mantra include:  “We

Read More »
October 6, 2024
Meditation

Yoga Nidra Sundays

with Jo Kirsch, Yoga Therapist and Teacher 15 years ago, I began teaching Yoga Nidra to Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan veterans struggling with PTSD. After one session, a veteran shared, “That’s the most pain-free I’ve been since the last time I had anesthesia.” Another said, “For the first time since I was in war, I fell asleep without medication.” Yoga Nidra, or “yogic sleep,” is a deeply restorative, guided meditation practice. It allows you to surf the space between wakefulness and sleep, bringing balance, healing, and awakening. As we rest in this state, we connect with our true, unified nature – expansive, deeply restful, and blissful. After a few minutes of gentle stretching, you’ll settle into stillness and be guided through a body scan, focused breathing, and visualization. In the words of Kamini Desai, PHD: “Yoga Nidra is the master key to initiating shifts in conscious sleep states where change

Read More »
September 9, 2024
Articles

Om Namah Shivaya 108X

The Hindu Deity Shiva represents pure consciousness. When we chant Om Namah Shivaya, we are chanting “I am pure consciousness”. “I am love.”  “I am loving awareness.” Chant along to clear your mind and connect to your true self.  

Read More »
July 11, 2023
Barb Lowes
Articles

Yoga Designed for Brain Longevity

by  Barb Lowes Have you ever experienced brain fog? We think it comes from living busy lives and/or aging. We tend to think it’s inevitable, but, in reality, it is not. Research has proven that yoga and meditation help to reduce stress (a leading issue for memory loss) and improve mental focus and clarity. Beginning June 7, I will be teaching “Yoga Designed for Brain Longevity” – a new weekly class offered from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. every Tuesday. The mission of this new class is to help prevent memory related diseases and help individuals live a high quality of life through yoga, reiki and meditation. Yes, you can affect the health of your brain when you choose to educate yourself with proper prevention strategies.  Each week, we will study different parts of the Four Pillars of Brain Longevity and then practice slow flow yoga. This style of  practice promotes peace and

Read More »
May 26, 2022
Articles

Breathe to Be Here Now

“Breathing in, I calm my body. Breathing out, I smile. Dwelling in the present moment, I know this is a wonderful moment.”  – Thich Nhat Hahn I return to Thich Nhat Hahn’s meditations over and over again and never more than now in this challenging time. When our minds worry about the future, a future we can hardly predict, we become tense, anxious and unhappy. When our minds as well as our bodies live fully in each moment, we become calm and happy. One day last week, I was feeling particularly distracted and uncomfortable. My mind was busy thinking about politics, the pandemic, my family, black lives matter, finances, etc. I was painting a door in my house and I started saying to myself, “Breathing in, I am painting the door; breathing out I am painting the door.” I repeated this meditation in sync with my breath for 30 minutes

Read More »
August 14, 2020