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The second chakra, called swadhistana, is located above the root chakra (muladhara), just below the navel. It is associated with the hypogastric nerve plexus as well as the adrenal glands and kidneys. Though these will not be discussed in detail here, both play a role in balancing and cleansing...

Abdominal breathing exercises can both calm and stimulate this energy. Deep abdominal breathing in the incomplete rabbit posture (sapurna shashasana) can relax this energy. The posture is similar to child’s pose except that the head is raised and the elbows are brought in front of the knees with...

Hatha yoga and Pranayama

In the individual, our root energy is reflected in our desire to have personal space, to achieve material prosperity, to feel secure, and to have personal boundaries. A person who has a healthy and balanced root chakra enjoys his physical being, has a good self-image, and is comfortable in...

The root chakra (muladhara), also referred to as the first chakra, is the energy center located at the base of the spine and is associated with the nerve plexus in the coccygeal and sacral regions as well as the reproductive endocrine glands or gonads.

Yoga is not just a physical practice of asanas and pranayamas. Rather, these yoga practices equip a person with a heightened awareness that enables him to celebrate a common essence that pervades all human activities. Even mundane activities like cooking or brushing your teeth can be...

Patanjali. In approximately 200 BCE he added his contribution. The Yoga Sutras outline the eight limbs of classical Yoga, or Ashtanga Yoga, and were written in the form and style of traditional Indian Philosophy.

There are petroglyphic images of men sitting in lotus pose that date back 2500 years. The rich stew of Indian theology has simmered together from Vedic, Hindu and Buddhist traditions a flavorful melody of teachings and wisdom.

Connect with the earth in your hatha practice. Body awareness and a greater sense of one's place in the world are among the central purposes of the physical practice of asanas. Whether you are standing in Tadasana or engaged in a warrior pose or Downward-Facing Dog Pose, take the time to be...

Spinal flexibility is one of the most important aspects of the body to maintain as one ages. Better posture, more energy, resistance to injury, and lower stress are all benefits of maintaining a healthy spine. Simple lying twists, basic tiger movements, and easy seated twists should be...

Deep stretch should be mostly passive and approached intuitively. You know where you feel sore, tight, or blocked. Beginning your practice in savasana or a seated meditation position allows you to scan the body and find these areas. Of course, we often discover issues in the body through asana...

There are many chest opening asanas that range from simple to challenging. Whether your energetic level puts you in the mood to do a modified Camel Pose or a full Wheel Pose is not important. Any asana that stretches the muscles of the rib cage and expands the area around the heart will have the...

Eight separate “limbs” together form the entire practice of yoga; asanas are only one of these limbs. In order, the eight limbs of yoga are as follows. Yamas: Restrictions Niyamas: Observations Asanas: Postures Pranayama: Breathing Pratyahara: Detachment Dharana: Concentration Dhyana...

Mormon doctrine holds that the primary objective of Christ's life was to redeem humankind from sin and death. His suffering, death, and resurrection is known to Mormons as the Atonement. Mormons today remember Christ's Atonement at church each Sunday with bread and water representing His...

Though they don't accept the trinity, Mormons believe that Jesus is one in purpose with the Father and currently occupies a throne at God's right hand. In Mormonism, Jesus is believed to be the Jehovah or "I am" of the Old Testament (see Exodus 3:14 and John 8:58.) Under the direction of...

Mormons believe that everyone is a spiritual son or daughter of God the Father, including Jesus. Jesus occupies a special place among those spirit children because He is the firstborn spirit child of God and the older brother of humankind. He was also the only begotten son of God in the flesh...

I am the Lord thy God; thou shalt not have strange gods before me Thou shalt not take the Lord thy God’s name in vain Remember to keep holy the Lord’s day Honor your father and mother Thou shalt not kill Thou shalt not commit adultery Thou shalt not steal Thou shalt not bear false witness...

The spiritual-social movement of Hindu Renaissance began in the 19th century. After many centuries of foreign rule, there was an awakening of Hindu nationalism and a common Hindu identity, leading to a strong independence movement. However, Neohinduism was mainly about re-discovering the ancient...

The Matsya Purana lays down the auspicious times to start the construction of the house. It also describes the rituals to be performed before starting the construction and the appropriate size of housing for different classes of citizens. But of greatest importance is the section that deals with...

The Matsya Purana contains the knowledge imparted to Vaivasvata Manu by Vishnu in the Matsya Avatar. Some of the issues not covered in the other Puranas are the treatises on Hindu architecture and Hindu sculpture. Later the Matsya Purana was narrated by the sage Lomaharshana to the august...