Stay up to day with all the latest with Forever Yoga's blog. Located in Milford, New Hampshire!
Here's another finished #mala!This one is #malachite hearts with #rosequartz rounds. This combination is great for releasing negative experiences and opening the #heartchakra. Stop by during our spa and #yoga event tonight and you can get it for 10% off! #foreveryoganh via
We had a great time with our Personal Protection #Mantras workshop and #Hanuman #Puja on Saturday! Thank you Bill for sharing the teachings with us and allowing me to assist with the Puja for the first time. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for all of these experiences. Jai Hanuman! via
A recently finished #mala available in the studio now. This one incorporates 3 color variations of #tigereye, a stone known for bringing feelings of sharpness, #grounding & #clarity. My handmade #malas are available at the studio and at times online through the etsy shop. I'll be doing some bead shopping soon so if you're looking for something special for yourself or as a gift for the upcoming holidays let me know! I'm happy to ship within the US too! Just leave a comment and I'll be in touch.
#handmade #meditation #mantra #mantras via
It's with deep gratitude that I announce that Forever Yoga has been voted Best Yoga Studio of the Souhegan Valley AGAIN for 2015! Thank you so much to all of you that voted for us and allow me and all the teachers at Forever Yoga to share in your practice. We couldn't do it without each and everyone of YOU! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! As we strive to do even MORE to serve you, check out our expanded September class schedule including the addition of Kundalini Yoga, Friday evening and Sunday morning classes!
One of the mantras we've been working with this is month is: Om Eim Hrim Klim Chamundayei Vicchei Namaha
This mantra is said to be a protective mantra. It invokes the energy of the protective mother. It is said to bring about self confidence, especially in women. Chamundi is another name for Durga.
You can chant this mantra at home with our latest Soundcloud recording! Stream it from this page here or go to Sound Cloud and download it. This recording has 27 repetitions. Listen to it 4 times and you'll have a full mala of 108 repetitions! A very auspicious number! Enjoy and let me know in the comments if you find these recordings helpful. :-)
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I find myself encountering more and more people that are dealing with more and more difficult challenges lately. Health issues, relationship troubles, deaths of loved ones. These are all the ups and downs of this thing we call life but they can be so very difficult to navigate. If there's anything I know for sure, it's that the practice of yoga helps us navigate these challenges with more skill. But there is a catch. You have to have a dedicated practice in the easy times so that it's there for you in the hard times. When things get rough you won't remember your yogic tools unless you've had a dedicated practice when it's easy to do. When stress rears its ugly head, rational thought can fly out the window. A dedicated practice is the only way to remember what to do when you need it most. At Forever Yoga we aim to help you find that dedication and those tools to navigate the ups and downs of life. #foreveryoganh #nh #wilton #practice #yoga #dedication #life #challenges via
It's our third birthday!! Just wanted to take a moment and express my gratitude for each and every one of you that have been part of Forever Yoga in the last three years! It's been a wild ride but I'm grateful every day that I get to do something I love and learn right along with you. Thanks for making that possible. Namastè! #foreveryoganh #yoga #yogastudio #wilton #nh via
During my home practice today I decided to give legs up the wall (viparta karani) a try. I almost always can't stand this pose! But today something has shifted. It was easy, even comfortable! It was an amazing feeling that wouldn't have come if I had avoided a place I typically find challenging. It reminded me that if we stay present sometimes even the uncomfortable places may become comfortable. What pose do you usually avoid? What pose has shifted for you and your practice lately? #yoga #practice #legsupwall #viparitakarani #bepresent via
Well friends my cleanse ended yesterday! I made it to the end! You may have had no doubt, but I definitely had my moments. Like anything worth doing, this wasn't without its challenges, but I'm really happy I took the plunge. I hope you've benefited from these blog posts. There were many more things I could have written, but the time just got away from me. Where to from here? Well now I think the more interesting part for me comes: adding foods back in. This morning I had my first egg.
So far, no ill effects have been noticed. I'll eat it again tomorrow and see how it goes. Once that's clear, I think I'll add tomatoes back in next. And each thing will be like that over the next couple of weeks. Here are some questions from the book Clean that one should ask as they add foods back in:
"How do you feel immediately after eating it? Are there any sensations in your belly? Does anything happen shortly after you eat it? How are your energy levels? How are your bowel movements the next day? How did you sleep that night? How does your skin look, and how are your emotions the following day?"
Junger, Alejandro (2009-05-12). Clean (Kindle Locations 3188-3194). Harper Collins, Inc.. Kindle Edition.
I'll be keeping these questions handy as I reintroduce things. Would you like to hear more about that process? Let me know in the comments.
Finally, I realized that I never had a chance to share with you some mantras that are good to use with food. I've had the pleasure of studying Sanskrit with Manorama a few times and she tells a wonderful story about using mantra with food as taught by her guru. You can read that story here. I've found that a similar experience has happened to me. I tend to think about mantra over and with food more when I'm making something to be shared at the studio. The results are astounding. So here are a couple of mantras you can use with food.
Before eating you might take a moment of pause and chant this mantra three times out loud or to yourself:
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
May all being everywhere be happy and free and may my words, deeds and actions contribute to that happiness for all.
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Another longer mantra that I learned from my teachers and was chanted over the food at Ananda Ashram when I was there was this one. It's sometimes called the Togetherness Chant:
Om Saha Navavatu, Saha Nau Bhunaktu, Saha Viryam Karavavahai, Tejasvi Navadhitam Astu, Ma Vidvisavahai
Om Shanti, shanti, shanti.
Om. Accept us both together. Protect us both together. May our knowledge and strength increase. May we not resent each other.
Om peace, peace, peace.
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Both of these mantras can also be chanted while you prepare your food. The energy of the mantra will be infused into the meal and make it that much more nourishing for your body!
Have you ever noticed that your mood while cooking changed the taste of your food? Let me know in the comments!
Thanks again for reading this blog series! I hope you've enjoyed it and found it valuable for encouraging you to think about your food in a new way!
Namasté!
Whether you are new to yoga or have been practicing for some time, Forever Yoga is a place where you will be seen and cared for, rather than being lost in a crowd. This studio is founded on the deep seated belief that the practice of yoga can be accessible to each of us no matter what our physical, mental or spiritual challenges may be. We offer you a warm, caring environment where you can explore and grow in this practice from a place of equanimity.
Please join us for a class or workshop and allow us to assist you on your personal path.
Jessica M. Lang Wright is the owner and Principle teacher at Forever Yoga. Learn more about her by reading her bio here.
Disclaimer: Not all yoga poses are suitable for all persons. Please consult with your health care provider and obtain full medical clearance before practicing yoga or any other exercise program. The information provided in this blog is strictly for reference only and is not in any manner a substitute for medical advice or direct guidance of a qualified yoga instructor.
