Radha's Spiritual Birth at the Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh [True Story]

Have you ever thought of visiting an ashram in India, such as the Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh?  Maybe you are searching for authentic spiritual experiences at the feet of a true guru.  Well, before you embark on your spiritual journey let me tell you about this small book that will motivate you even more.   

Be Present with Yourself (Free Guided Meditation)

Photo by Luka Reedy on Unsplash

Our minds are often so agitated, dissipated, and distracted that we even forget we are here, breathing. Don't you think so? Well, in this guided meditation, we will take a moment to remember ourselves, to become fully present with ourselves like we never had before, experiencing a natural sense of calm and serenity.

Releasing Physical or Emotional Pain (Free Guided Meditation)

Photo by Fernando @cferdo on Unsplash

To release emotional pain such as depression, heartbreak, or despair, mindfulness meditation has proven to be extremely helpful.  It can even work to alleviate physical pain.  You can try it right now with this free guided meditation, or you can learn more about it in this blog.

 

Transforming Depression into Compassion (Guided Meditation)

Photo by Anthony Tran on Unsplash

If you or someone you love is struggling with severe depression then this free guided meditation might help.  It can be an intense meditation though, so use it mindfully and according to your needs.  If you need to pause or even quit the meditation, please feel free to do that as well. 

How to STOP Thinking About Your Breathing

Photo by Cooper Baumgartner on Unsplash

A not so common issue when we start pranayama, breathwork, or when we simply do mindful breathing during a yoga class, is that sometimes it seems that we forget how to breathe. This can feel very uncomfortable and preoccupying. So here are a few simple tips to stop thinking about the breath and to allow it to become natural again. 

How to do Diaphragmatic Breathing: 7 Simple Exercises [with Script in PDF]

For most people, belly breathing is very easy to learn.  Diaphragmatic breathing, on the other side, requires a bit more practice.  

So in this blog, I'll share with you a sequence of simple breathing exercises that you can practice to do diaphragmatic breathing properly. 

Belly Breathing vs. Diaphragmatic Breathing: What is the Difference?

Although belly breathing is usually equated to diaphragmatic breathing, offering a long list of benefits, there are some limitations to it that are rarely known.  Belly breathing can actually be detrimental in some aspects and it does not necessarily engage the diaphragm to its full extent. 

Diaphragmatic breathing, on the other side, is not only the foundation for meditation and pranayama practices but is also crucial for our mental and physical health and even for physical performance.  So let's discover what is the difference between belly breathing and diaphragmatic breathing and which one is best.

How to Sit for Meditation and Pranayama [with a Straight Back]

Sitting comfortably with the back straight and upright is one of the most important requirements for meditation and pranayama. Unfortunately, this is a skill that takes years to develop. But we can make this journey easier by adapting the posture to the limitations of our bodies.  Here are a few ways to achieve just that. 

5 Reasons to Sit Straight and Upright for Meditation (and Pranayama)

Photo by Max on Unsplash

If you've ever attended a meditation or a pranayama class you might recall the teacher asking you to sit with the back straight and upright.  But why? Why is it important to sit with the back upright?  Can we just lay down for meditation instead? I will try to give you a clear answer in this blog.