Achieving Union of Body, Mind, and Spirit by Dr. Ishan Shivanand
Yoga literally means union. Your emotional, mental, and physical being is in union when they are in sync or harmony. Here are a few ways to achieve this state of yoga.
1. Morning Empowerment Rituals:
• Build Awareness: Close your eyes and focus on your breath, tracing it from the crown of your head to the base of your spine and back. Practice this cyclic breath for 5 minutes to bring your mind into full awareness and the present moment.
• Ground Yourself: Extend your right hand upwards, facing the sky, and your left hand downwards, facing the earth. Slowly move both hands in opposite directions, synchronizing with your breath. This grounding motion fosters a sense of stability and connection to the earth.
2. Connect with Solar Energy for Healing:
• Heal Yourself: Visualize the light of the Sun streaming down into your body, from head to feet, illuminating each body part. Feel the warmth and healing energy of the sun’s light infusing every cell.
3. Practice Gratitude:
• Express Gratitude: Take a moment to thank your body for its service and each element in the universe that supports your existence. Cultivate gratitude for self and everyone.
4. Evening Cleansing and Reflection:
• Cleanse Yourself: Close your mouth and focus on your naval, producing a humming sound. Experience the deep cleansing and calming effect as you release tension and negative energy.
• Clear Brain Fog: Exhale forcefully through your nose while keeping your mouth closed. With each exhalation, close your fists and bring your hands closer to your body, and then push them away. Repeat this 5-10 times and feel your mind clearing and energizing with each breath.
5. Cultivate Acceptance and Love:
• Practice Self-Acceptance: Send feelings of acceptance and unconditional love to yourself, acknowledging your inherent worthiness.
• Extend Unconditional Love to All Beings: Radiate feelings of acceptance and unconditional love to the elements, the natural world, and all living beings known and unknown. Experience deep peace as you infuse positivity in you and in the global consciousness.
By incorporating these practices into your daily routine, you can foster harmony between your emotional, mental, and physical being, leading to a state of union and holistic well-being.
