Yoga Nidra, also known as yogic sleep or sleep with awareness, is an ancient practice. It is considered to be the state in which the Gods reside. Yoga Nidra is intended to induce full-body relaxation creating a deep meditative state of consciousness. Yoga Nidra is the tonic we need to live in our chronically exhausted, over-stimulated world. It is a systematic method of complete relaxation, holistically addressing our physiological, neurological, and subconscious needs. Yoga Nidra is one of the deepest of all meditations, leading awareness through many levels of mental processes to a state of supreme stillness and insight, bringing incredible calmness, quietness and clarity. During a Yoga Nidra class, a variety of techniques are used—including guided imagery and body scanning—to aid relaxation. Unlike a short Savasana (at the end of a yoga practice), Yoga Nidra allows enough time for practitioners to physiologically and psychologically sink into the experience—at least 20 to 45 minutes. This makes it a logical second step for those who would like to take their physical yoga practice further into the mind. The ability to relax and meditate so peacefully allows for our deepest levels of creativity and healing energies to come to the surface. One session of Yoga Nidra is equal to approximately 3 hours of sleep in its ability to rejuvenate. Most of us when we sleep never really relax or truly let go into the deepest recesses of our unconscious where our connection to creation resides. This is what Yoga Nidra provides, a deep connection to our unconscious that leads to wholeness. Though most practitioners don’t slip easily into the more advanced stages of yoga nidra, they will still tend to emerge feeling rejuvenated, and their practice will deepen with experience. Rod Stryker, the founder of ParaYoga, and considered to be one of the preeminent yoga, tantra, and meditation teachers in the United States says, “Yoga Nidra uniquely unwinds the nervous system, which is the foundation of the body’s well-being.” With persistence, the practice of yoga nidra...
read more
This past November, Zoey Shamai from Toronto took her Kombucha Tea drink to The Dragon’s Den. The popular show on CBC allows entrepreneurs to pitch their products in the hopes that the ‘Dragon’s’ will offer funding and business support. Zoey was successful in pitching TONICA, a drink made from fermented tea called ‘komucha’. The tea is attractive as it is an ancient, all natural, no preservatives, organic beverage who’s fermentation process creates a powerful culture of ‘good bacteria’. The tea is excellent for improving digestion and boosting the body’s natural immunities. With huge portions of the Canadian population having tummy trouble, komucha is ancient recipe that is timely once again. Tonica is yet another product in a growing list of solutions that holistic nutritionists can now ‘prescribe’ to their patients. Previously, drinks like kombucha tea have been nearly inaccessible to the public. Nancy, a holistic nutritionist from Clarington’s Wellness Path explains: “As a practitioner, I can make a lot of recommendations to clients about how to eat better. But in the past, this often meant I would have to make a new food myself, or give my clients an unfamiliar recipe with unfamiliar ingredients and hope they follow through. With holistic products like Tonica coming into the market, we have a much easier time introducing people to alternatives. There are less barriers to success”. Tonica sales have seen a huge boost since being featured on the Dragon’s Den, and Clarington’s Wellness Path is helping to lead the charge. It has become an official distributor of the Tonica product and hopes that the ancient recipe in a modern bottle will find the people who need it. Things are looking good so far, “Since the show we’ve had a number of people come in to our Centre asking to buy Tonica, we’ve been selling it by the case!” The Wellness Path has all 6 flavours of the beverage on display, and is rushing to meet the demand. “People don’t realize how narrow and restricted their...
read more
Some people believe that healing others robs them of the opportunity to heal themselves – and correct the root cause of illness. Find out how local reiki healer, Christine Jefferies responds… I was inspired to write this piece while watching video clips on YouTube. With interest, I listened to Jaggi Vasudev, also known as Sadhguru, an Indian yogi and mystic. He addressed his audience with humour, intelligence and wisdom in response to questions posed. His answers were very thought provoking and enlightening. In particular, I felt extremely challenged by his belief that people should not be healers. I share in his belief that a problem experienced in the body or mind is an indication of a deeper situation within. With some consideration, I also realized I share his belief that when a person is healed by manipulating energies and removing the symptom, that the potential for this person to manifest another problem or disease later in life, is extremely likely. These instantaneous healings may not remove the cause. Herein, lays the difference with Reiki. The Reiki energy strives to bring into your awareness the cause of dis-ease in the body or mind. When you are open to receiving the Reiki energy and willing to embrace the lessons provided to you, you are able to create your own environment of wellness, balance and harmony and remove the cause of the problem. This will not be achieved overnight just as we did not become unwell overnight. Often, while we go about this business of becoming aware, healings happen. Clients have reported problems such as tinnitus, planter’s fasciitis, insomnia, muscle aches, migraines being healed while continuing their Reiki journey. Reiki has its’ own wisdom and goes to where we need it most rather than where we think it should go. It’s personal and unique to everyone. As I continue to work with the Reiki energy on myself and with clients, I am respectful and inspired by the universal forces that we are living with every day. Sadhguru...
read more
For the last couple of weeks I have been learning a lot about frequencies. The frequency of thought, the frequency of prayer… It’s one of those fantastic areas of new age spiritual beliefs that can backed up by science. The Earth for example, ‘hums’ at a frequency around 7.8hz. An old television ‘hums’ along to about 60hz, and a new flat screen tv at about 120hz. The music that we listen to on a CD or on the radio is ‘tuned’ to a ‘A note’ that vibrates at about 440hz – and here is where it gets interesting… According to, as someone called it, the ‘dark side of the internet’ music USED to be tuned to a frequency of 432hz. Old violins and cellos etc. play best at this frequency. However during WW2, the German leadership standardized the use of a frequency of 440hz that was later adopted by other governments around the world. This 440 hz frequency actually activates the ‘mind’ and thinking chakra, encouraging the development of the negative ego and creating a latent feeling of anxiety and unease. At first this seemed strange to me – because I’ve listened to lots of music that makes me feel really good. But when researching this topic, I found a series of songs on YouTube that had been ‘retuned’ via a computer software to play at 432hz. And the difference was amazing. See, the frequency of 432hz, is better aligned with how we FEEL, rather than how we THINK and therefore effecting us at a different level. The song sounds the same, but FEELS different. Comments underneath these videos are a wealth of anecdotal evidence with claims that: ‘the music sounds as though it is in my head, rather than coming through my ears‘ (~ Rodrigo Boos) or “WOW! there is!!! there is a difference! 😀 i’m comparing both of them.. i thought that the difference was imperceptible at first.. I’m surprised’ (~Dominiquelizarzaburu). In my own experience, I’ve found that the retuned songs relax...
read more
This movie is a stunner. If you haven’t felt the majesty of the Universe lately, this is a must see. Clouds spill over mountains, and the Milky Way sails over the small volcanic Island of De Palma. I highly recommend a viewing before a meditation. Imagine yourself out there – beyond your...
read more
Everyone, I just had to share this lovely little restaurant that I’ve found. It’s called The Table, and it features natural, organic foods, made from scratch! They use seasonal vegetables and locally grown produce whenever possible. Their menu is a delicious array of healthy, nurturing foods. They even offer Vegan, and Gluten Free options, and a JUICE BAR! If you are a dietitian, or nutritionist, this is just the place that you can refer your clients to, when they feel like eating healthy – but don’t want to cook for themselves! There is even an option for DELIVERY in some areas. Its a great resource for people to try out new foods, that they can later learn to make themselves. It’s locations like this that help people transition to a more healthy lifestyle. A fantastic baby step!! I plan to support this local business my holding some of my meetings or evening seminars there. If you have been here and enjoyed your time, please feel free to leave a quick testimonial below in the comments section! View Their Menu!...
read more
The Natural Arts Community in Durham Region is made up of Organic Farmers, Yoga Studios, Holistic Practitioners and any other person or business who is dedicated to creating a more conscious world. Our mission is to make the public aware of these amazing businesses and people. We are growing an alternative marketplace for people who are ready to live a more conscious life.
Recent Comments