Swine flu viruses were first detected in North America in 1930. Pigs are susceptible to influenza, be it porcine (pig), avian (bird), or human, and they are well-known crucibles; just add a few viruses, stir, and voila! You’ve created a new virus!

Artealia Gilliard, Press Officer for the Center for Disease Control says, “In a setting such as a farm where chickens, humans, and pigs live in close proximity, pigs act as an influenza virus ‘mixing bowl’. If a pig is infected with avian and human flu simultaneously, the two types of virus may exchange genes. Such a “reassorted” flu virus can sometimes spread from pigs to people.”

Smithfield, a U.S. company, runs an industrial pig farm with 950,000 hogs near La Gloria, Mexico, first said to be ground zero for this virus. While Mexican authorities claim the Smithfield pigs were tested and found free of disease, Steven Trunnell (whose wife Judy was the first U.S. resident to die from novel H1N1) remains unconvinced. He filed a petition against Smithfield Foods to investigate claims that the massive industrialized farm with its overcrowded conditions and poor hygiene was the source of the outbreak.

New information released by the media on July 24th states that a new patient zero has been identified, a baby girl from Northern Mexico with no known contact with pig farms.

Whether or not the Mexican pig farm is the source of the pandemic, industrialized pig farming is not exonerated. Scientists know hogs that novel H1N1 was derived from several viruses circulating in the swine population for the last several years. Overcrowded, unsanitary conditions of industrialized animal farms perpetuate and spread disease among the pig population and the human population.

Overflow from animal sewage contaminates water supplies, and insects such as flies carry disease from open sewage cesspools. Overcrowding increases the spread of disease within a herd. Overflow from animal sewage contaminates water supplies, and insects such as flies carry disease from open sewage cesspools. Overcrowding increases the spread of disease within a herd.

Two large industrial pig farms have since reported outbreaks of novel H1N1. The first, in Alberta, Canada, reported that an outbreak began on April 21, 2009. Of 2020 pigs, 450 were infected. The farm’s report to The World Animal Health Information Database states: “A carpenter hired by the farm owner (ALB-001) travelled to Mexico recently and returned to Canada on 12 April 2009. The carpenter, producer and the producer’s family had been ill with flu like symptoms between 14 — 29 April. Investigation of human cases by the Public Health authorities is underway.” The Alberta Health Department ruled out the farm worker as the source of the infection.

The second report, dated June 6, 2009, sad pig reveals the pig count had grown to 3013 pigs. The farmer culled (killed) 500 pigs due to overcrowded conditions and later destroyed the entire herd. The report states that the animals recovered from the flu, but no slaughterhouse was willing to take them. “…the owner petitioned the Alberta provincial government for the destruction of the herd for economic reasons, to allow him to exit the situation and resume operation with a replacement herd. The culling of the herd was NOT an ordered destruction as the result of animal or human disease considerations.”

A new strain of influenza A which contains seasonal flu genes and swine flu infected pig farm workers in Saskatchewan.

In Buenos Aires another large industrialized pig farm has verified novel H1N1 infection. Of 5586 pigs, 1676 are infected, a 30% morbidity rate, and Australia has reported one farm’s pigs to be infected, suggesting human to pig transmission.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says it will no longer quarantine pig farms with novel H1N1. Their reasons are as follows:

• There is no food safety risk associated with the virus;
• There is no evidence at this time that animals are playing a significant role in the spread of the virus in the general human population; and,
• The virus does not behave any differently in pigs from other influenza viruses commonly detected in swine herds.

After the quarantine of the Alberta herd ended in destruction because slaughterhouses refused to process the animals, this new decision not to quarantine seems to be driven by monetary concerns. How have we had enough experience with novel H1N1 infected stock to decide they pose no health risk?

Humans are susceptible to animal diseases ranging from mad cow disease to novel H1N1 flu. Our current farming practices of feeding animals unnatural foods that cause acidity and disease, overcrowded and cramped conditions that cause disease and the spread of disease within a species as well as species to species, and the problematic over accumulation of waste products due to industrialized farming display a clear and present danger. How many lives will be lost before we reverse this trend? Or will big business prevail, ignoring basic animal rights while killing our citizens with industrialized farm born disease?

Who Owns Your Body?

If you think the U.S. Constitution guarantees its citizens the right to refuse a compulsory vaccination program, think again. It never has. Mandatory vaccination laws date back to 1809, giving states and municipalities the right to enforce compulsory vaccination under police powers, which are designed to protect the public health and safety. Children are required to be vaccinated to attend day care centers and schools, young adults are required to show proof of vaccinations to attend college, and soldiers must submit to vaccinations required by the military.¹

Currently exemptions are allowed for medical and religious reasons. Some states allow exemptions for philosophical or moral convictions. But what will happen if we face a public health emergency—real or contrived? The governor, the state board of health, or the state health officer may expand compulsory vaccinations for children and adults in response to bioterrorism or a pandemic and can choose to levy fines and/or force quarantine for those who refuse.

On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) raised the flu pandemic alert for the influenza A virus H1N1 (called Swine Flu) to a level 6, the highest level. WHO’s July 6th update reports 94,512 laboratory confirmed cases and 429 deaths worldwide. The United States of America reports the highest number of cases with a total of 33,902 laboratory confirmed cases and 170 deaths. To clearly see the increase rate, compare these numbers to the CDC’s July 24th update report of 43,771 cases of novel H1N1 in the United States and 302 reported deaths. ²

Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO’s Director General,reports, “…the overwhelming majority of patients experience mild symptoms and make a rapid and full recovery, often in the absence of any form of medical treatment.” So far, the pandemic is of moderate severity, though this could change. “The virus writes the rules and this one, like all influenza viruses, can change the rules, without rhyme or reason, at any time.” Severity can also vary from one country to another due to many factors.

Though most of the severe and fatal infections were reported from adults 30-50 years of age, the majority of cases in areas of “large and sustained outbreaks” have occurred in people under 25. Dr. Chan warns we are still in the early stages of this pandemic and that countries who have seen a peak in cases should prepare for a second wave. She also states, “I understand that production of vaccines for seasonal influenza will be completed soon, and that full capacity will be available to ensure the largest possible supply of pandemic vaccine in the months to come.” ³

Influenza pandemics can indeed result in widespread morbidity and fatalities. We have only to look back to the pandemic of 1918-1919, the Spanish Flu, which infected one-third of the world’s population and killed 50 million of the approximately 500 million it infected.4 (Wikipedia and the CDC ⁵ state that the number of deaths could have actually been as high as 100 million). Many died within hours of their first flu symptoms from virulent pneumonia. The Spanish flu was a H1N1 Influenza A subtype, as is the current Swine Flu (or novel H1N1),⁴ though the current pandemic flu is obviously a less virulent strain.

If you follow news reports on the current pandemic, you will notice nearly every report reminds us that a vaccination is in development and will soon be available.

Though the historical and legal precedence was already in place for mandatory inoculations, fears of an avian flu pandemic early in this decade set government wheels in motion. President Obama was one of five senators to introduce the Pandemic Preparedness and Response Act in October of 2005, a bill that was not passed. However, the fear of an avian flu outbreak and the looming threat of bio-terrorism did result in recent laws that further pave the way for compulsory vaccinations if the government declares the need while holding the drug companies harmless if death or illness results from vaccinations: The Project BioShield Act of 2004 (S. 15) and The Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act (2006) are two examples.

The Project BioShield Act further erodes safeguards for safety of vaccinations by expediting and streamlining the approval process in case of a health emergency. The three main components of Project BioShield are:

• Ensuring that resources are available to pay for vaccines and other drugs
• Speeding up NIH research and development by authorizing NIAID to accelerate the normal contracting, scientific peer review, and approval processes
• Providing new emergency-use authorization for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for medical treatments that have not been formally approved and licensed ⁷

The Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act allows the Health and Human Services Secretary to declare an epidemic or disease to be a national emergency. The current pandemic has been declared a national health emergency and anti-viral drugs which have not been approved for young children will now be allowed due to the emergency. Some believe this act allows the HHS secretary to mandate vaccinations. The language is unclear. There is no question that HHS purchases the vaccine, stockpiles the vaccine, pays the states to distribute vaccines, decides who will first receive vaccines, and so forth.

A level 6 pandemic is characterized by the person to person spread of disease with community level outbreaks, in at least 2 countries in more than one WHO region. The level system does not take into account severity or mortality.⁶ The United States has declared the pandemic to be a national emergency. The question now is what criteria will be used to mandate vaccinations?

1. Congressional Research Service, CRS Report for Congress
2. World Health Organization website Pandemic (H1N1)
3. Statement by WHO director, Margaret Cho on April 29, 2009
4. Pandemic, Wikipedia
5. 1918 Influenza: the Mother of All Pandemics, Jeffery K. Taubenberger and David M. Morens
6. World Health Organization website
7. Planning for the Unthinkable: Preparation and Response in Public Health, HHS website, media kit.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., well-known for his environmental activism, is also known for his staunch belief that the government has conspired to cover up the connection between vaccines and autism (as well as other neurological disorders). In his June 2005 article, Deadly Immunity, which was published on Salon.com and Rolling Stone.com, Kennedy reveals that leaders from the CDC, the FDA, the World Health Organization, and major pharmaceutical companies met in 2000 to discuss the correlation between the mercury-containing preservative thimerosal and the overwhelming rise in autism, a fifteen fold increase from one child in every 2500 to one in every 166.

Kennedy writes, “But instead of taking immediate steps to alert the public and rid the vaccine supply of thimerosal, the officials and executives at Simpsonwood spent most of the next two days discussing how to cover up the damaging data. According to transcripts obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, many at the meeting were concerned about how the damaging revelations about thimerosal would affect the vaccine industry’s bottom line.”

The original data from the study that sparked the meeting was, of course, lost and could not be replicated. And though the study was said to be slated for immediate publication, it was not released for three years. By then, the author had begun work for a pharmaceutical company. His published article no longer linked thimerosal and autism.

Kennedy’s article shows more than a cover-up; it reveals the on-going disregard for human life and health. Though American pharmaceutical companies began to phase out thimerosal, they continued to sell off their backlog of dangerous vaccines. In addition, the CDC and FDA bought vaccines, which included thimerosal, for export to developing countries and allowed the preservative to remain in some pediatric flu shots and  tetanus shots.

Click here for Kennedy’s full article, which also explores other avenues of political corruption regarding this issue. or listen to an audio version

In February of 2009, three rulings against parents seeking damages for vaccination injury were touted in the press as being the definitive answer to the vaccination and autism link. Kennedy and David Kirby wrote an article published in the Huffington Post refuting that claim. In their article they stated, “…an explosive investigation by CBS News has found that since 1988, the vaccine court has awarded money judgments, often in the millions of dollars, to thirteen hundred and twenty two families whose children suffered brain damage from vaccines. In many of these cases, the government paid out awards following a judicial finding that vaccine injury <sic> lead to the child’s autism spectrum disorder.”Click here for the full article.

In addition, Kennedy wrote a June 19, 2007 blog: Attack on Mothers regarding efforts by the government and the media to vilify mothers of autistic children who are fighting for vaccine awareness.

Also, be sure to these articles on vaccines.

LüSa’s products have become my “guilty pleasure.” Why? Because I am hoarding all the samples sent to OLM. I love these products. I refuse to share. Everything about them is appealing – from the packaging to the company’s philosophy and business practices.

LuSa states their intention is, “To make soap so good that you have a better day just for having washed with it. Then your better day inspires another’s better day and the whole world spirals into happiness.” I for one believe in the ripple effect. And these products do make me happy!

I love the packaging. I don’t like clutter on my bathroom countertops, but LuSa’s products remain stacked in plain sight though I have plenty of room in my drawers and cabinets. The cobalt blue glass jars with the grey, lavender, and green labels are very appealing.

LuSa’s products include soaps, essential oil blends, lip balms, body scrubs, bath salts, baby skin care products, and a few other products for mom and baby.

These handcrafted soap bars last two to three times longer than any natural soap I have ever tried, and the scents are heavenly. Just imagine eucalyptus and lavender, lemongrass and ginger, or spicy orange and cinnamon. LuSa’s website offers 21 varieties of handcrafted bar soaps including calendula baby soap, which is also a great facial soap for adults with hypersensitive skin.  Soap bars are sold packaged or “naked” for a savings of 60 cents per bar.

Do you need to exfoliate? Or want to relax in a warm bath? LuSa’s organic sugar scrubs and bath salts come in four scents: citrus, lavender, mint, and patchouli.  Refills are available at a reduced price.

Gift collections include two collections for baby and two for new moms as well as standard collections and a soap of the month club. Baby products include reusable baby wipes and liquid “Baby Juice” for cleaning baby’s bottom as well as “Booty Balm,” a remarkable salve for skin irritated by anything from diaper rashes to cuts and scrapes.

LuSa Organics is a small family operation committed to supporting local and regional economies. Their ingedients are naturally sourced, primarily organic, and consistently high quality. They scent their products with essential oils and create color with natural pigments, herbs, and clays.  Ten percent of LuSa’s annual profits are donated to organizations creating positive global change.

Check out LuSa Organic’s website to discover all of their products for adults, children, and babies.   www.lusaorganics.com

Both of my sons were diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and severe learning disabilities. No, they weren’t victims of the current tendency to diagnose the majority of active or misbehaving children with ADHD; my boys truly met the criteria and then some. But much to the dismay of the physician who diagnosed my eldest, I was unwilling to put a preschooler on Ritalin. Instead, though the doctor said I was wasting my time, I experimented with dietary management. 

Two weeks later I visited the doctor and reported an amazing change in behavior. I also brought pictures my child had drawn—pictures so advanced from the ones he had been able to draw during testing, they were irrefutable proof that the diet was working. But the doctor had no interest in being proven wrong. He had decided diet management didn’t work, and he wasn’t about to consider changing his mind. 

Artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, and MSG had a dramatic effect on my child’s attention and behavior. I became one of those militant mommies who cleaned out her pantry and stopped buying packaged, processed food. I began cooking from scratch. I packed healthy lunches, and from preschool years through grammar school told all of the teachers not to feed my kids candy or junk. I never questioned the diet. My sons’ behavior validated the diet every time they ate anything forbidden!    

I’ll never forget the day my husband took the boys to the movies and fed them “plain popcorn.” Soon after their return I heard a rhythmic thumping. I found my eldest bouncing on his bed, flying three feet into the air. But he wasn’t jumping. Like a scene fromThe Exorcist, he was lying flat on his back and somehow propelling himself into the air! I called the theatre to find their plain popcorn was dusted with a powdered flavor enhancer—a seasoning full of additives including yellow dye number 5, my son’s worst nemesis. 

A few teachers who liked to reward kids with food were supportive, buying special treats for my boys or asking me to bring in acceptable handouts. A few didn’t believe in diet management. One teacher, in an attempt to prove to us wrong, bought our son school cafeteria lunches every day for more than a month. Not only did his behavior immediately deteriorate and continue to worsen, he learned how to lie. He became so unmanageable, I considered medication. And then the teacher began complaining about his behavior, through she was still feeding him cafeteria food! 

Even knowing how important their diet restrictions were, I felt guilty when Halloween, Easter, or Christmas rolled around. Having been raised on Kool-Aid, Pixie Sticks, and Twinkies, I was filled with an unreasonable fear that I was denying my children a “normal” life. Initially all bets were off for those holidays and we all suffered the consequences: atrocious behavior for a week or more and often a cold or flu as well. Over time I realized if I filled Christmas stockings and Easter baskets with their favorite healthy foods, acceptable treats, and toys, the children were happy. Halloween remained the big stumbling block.    

I made a deal with my kids. I told them they could stuff themselves with all the candy they could eat for that one day. Anything left over, we trashed. One day of eating all the food coloring, sugar, and artificial crap they wanted was still followed by at least 3-4 days of out of control behavior, but at least they experienced Halloween. 

Looking back I wish I had handled it differently. I wish I had taken my eldest son’s later approach. He raised my granddaughter on organic foods. Though she had no symptoms of ADHD, he packed her lunches for preschool and limited her exposure to anything artificial or made with refined sugar. She preferred the taste of healthy wholesome foods and could taste the difference—even in treats. 

When Halloween came around, her father left nothing to chance. She was allowed to trick or treat, but she was never allowed to eat the candy. Instead Daddy traded the “bad stuff” for the “good stuff.” He didn’t just trade one bag for another, they negotiated. One piece of organic chocolate candy made with raw sugar was worth at least five pieces from her bag. She so wholeheartedly agreed organic candy was better tasting and better for her, she threw away the “bad stuff.” When asked if she wanted to give the candy to her friends at school, she said, “No,” with a scowl. She knew it was bad and she didn’t want anyone else to eat it either.

I wish I had been half as ingenious. I wish I’d never felt conflicted about denying my boys the foods other children ate. If I had it to do over, my sons would have known they deserved the best possible diet for the sake of their health and well-being, regardless of the challenge of ADHD. They would have understood the damage refined sugar and additives do to their bodies. And maybe, just maybe, they would have skipped Halloween altogether… Nah, maybe not.

Yoga, in its entirety, is a complete way of life. This 5,000 to 10,000-year-old discipline is a collection of teachings handed down through the ages, a means to connect mind, body, and spirit through proper breathing, meditation, and mindful, focused postures. The full practice of yoga is concerned with all aspects of living: the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of the individual and his/her relationship to the Earth and fellow creatures. It provides principles to live by and a means to reach self-actualization and enlightenment.

There are four major paths to yoga:

1. Bhakti Yoga—the path of devotion
2. Jnana Yoga – the path of rational inquiry
3. Raja Yoga – the path of mental concentration
4. Karma Yoga – the path of right action

It is believed that all yoga paths lead to spiritual enlightenment.

Around the second century, Patanjali sought to define and standardize yoga. He outlined the underlying principles of Raja yoga, which are now known as Patanjali’s Eightfold Path of Yoga or the Eight Limbs of Classical Yoga.

Reading much like commandments, the first two limbs are concerned with the do’s and don’ts of everyday life—basically morality and proper living.

First Limb: Restraints (The 5 Yamas)

1. These are the things you are to refrain from doing—“the don’ts.”
2. Do Not Be Violent (Ashama) Treat yourself and all other creatures with respect and kindness. Learn to love yourself.
3. Do not be Untruthful (Satya) Live a truthful life, but if the truth can harm others, keep silent.
4. Do Not Steal (Asteya) Do not take anything that is not yours, including the ideas of others. Do not abuse your power or confidences.
5. Do Not Lust (Bramacharya) Gain control of the senses and practice moderation in all things, especially sexuality.
6. Do Not Be Possessive—Do Not Covet (Aparigraha) Don’t be greedy or exploitive.

Sun Salutations Instructions

1. Begin by standing in Mountain pose, feet about hip width apart, hands either by your sides or in prayer position. Take several deep breaths.
2. On your next inhale, in one sweeping movement, raise your arms up overhead and gently arch back as far as feels comfortable and safe.
3.  As you exhale, bend forward, bending the knees if necessary, and bring your hands to rest beside your feet.Inhale and step the right leg back.
4. Exhale and step the left leg back into plank position. Hold the position and inhale.
5. Exhale and lower yourself as if coming down from a pushup. Only your hands and feet should touch the floor.
6. Inhale and stretch forward and up, bending at the waist. Use your arms to lift your torso.Lift your legs up so that only the tops of your feet and your hands touch the floor. It’s okay to keep your arms bent at the elbow.
7. Exhale, lift from the hips and push back and up.
8. Inhale and step the right foot forward.
9. Exhale, bring the left foot forward and step into head-to-knee position.
10. Inhale and rise slowly while keeping arms extended.
11. Exhale, and in a slow, sweeping motion, lower your arms to the sides. End by bringing your hands up into prayer position. Repeat the sequence, stepping with the left leg.

Second Limb: How to Treat Yourself (5 Niyamas)

These are the observances—”the do’s.”

1. Be Pure (Sauca) Internal and external cleanliness is achieved by cleansing and detoxifying the body, yoga breathing, yoga exercises, and meditation. Your surroundings, your mind, and your body should all be clean and uncluttered.
2. Be Content (Santosha) Practice humility. Be content with who you are and what you have.
3. Be Disciplined (Tapas) Practice discipline of the body and the mind.
4. Study (Svadhyaya) Study the sacred texts and one’s self. The more you know yourself, the deeper your connection with the higher power.
5. Live with an Awareness of the Divine. (Ishwara Pranidhana) Let go and connect to the Divine or surrender to God’s will.
6. The third and forth limbs combine to form Hatha Yoga, the practice of breathing and exercises that comes to mind when most of us hear the word yoga.

Third Limb: Physical Poses or Postures (Asanas)

These are the exercises most of us think of when we hear the word yoga. These exercises are designed to give us strength, balance, and control of our bodies; to improve circulation, oxygenation, and flexibility; and to relax and rejuvenate us. Postures are to be done gently, with focus and concentration to bring our mind and body into harmonious union.

Fourth Limb: Breathing Exercises (Pranayama)

Through proper breathing the body receives more oxygen and wastes are eliminated. In fact 60% of toxins released from the body are exhausted through the lungs. In traditional martial arts and meditation, breathing is taught before anything else. Breathing is emphasized and considered to be one of the most important skills you can learn. Through yoga breathing exercises, the body and mind are strengthened and you become calmer and more focused.

Breathe through your nose and fill the lower part of your lungs. Instead of your chest expanding as it does with a shallow breath, your abdomen expands. Watch a baby breathe. This is a natural breath.

Practice breathing every day, all day. In time, proper breathing will become second nature. You will have greater reserves when you exert yourself. Your stress will be reduced. Every cell in your body will benefit from higher oxygen levels and increased elimination of wastes and toxins.

The fifth, sixth, and seventh limbs are dedicated to an escalating mastery of meditation. Each is dependent on mastery of the limb preceding it.

Fifth Limb: Withdrawal of the Senses (Pratyahara)

This may occur through breathing, meditation, or exercises, but it refers to the ability to withdraw your senses to the
point they no longer distract you.

Sixth Limb: Concentration (Dharana)

Concentration is honed to focus on one object, one point, one image, at a time.

Seventh Limb: Meditation (Dhyana)

This is uninterrupted meditation when objects are no longer needed to focus the mind.

Eighth Limb: Enlightenment (Samadhi)

The eighth limb is achieved through mastery of the other seven. The eighth limb is the ultimate goal.

All of the other 8 limbs work and nothing blocks you from oneness with the Divine.  This is the definitive level or awareness and peace.

Hatha Yoga

It is estimated that eighty-five percent of westerners who practice yoga limit their involvement to Hatha yoga, the combination of breathing techniques and postures or exercises. You don’t have to stand on your head or twist like a pretzel to practice Hatha yoga. You can find books, Internet sites, and teachers to aid you regardless of your age, weight, disability or physical condition. Check out your local library. Chances are you’ll find at least a dozen books on yoga. Look for those that target your needs.

Dress comfortably in loose clothing and take off your shoes and socks. Give yourself plenty of room and a quiet atmosphere. Start with a few simple exercises, but follow directions carefully. Even the simplest exercises gently stretch your muscles, tendons, and ligaments, increase blood flow to all parts of the body, including your organs, and increase your flexibility and range of motion.

All postures involve three equally important actions:

• Gently stretch into the posture
• Hold the posture
• Ease out of the posture

Focus your concentration on your form and on correct breathing. Never force or push. Do not bounce. Maintain slow, easy, fluid motion. Empty your mind of everything except your breath and your form.

Every yoga exercise, or every set of exercises, includes equal and opposing movement. For instance, neck rolls to the left are followed by neck rolls to the right. Forward stretches are followed by stretching back, either as a part of the same exercise or as the following exercise. This is an important element to remember if you are practicing without a teacher.  Watch for this pattern in your instructions.

Through regular practice you will achieve both physical and mental benefits.

The Seven Chakras

Yoga tells us seven major chakras run in a line from the base of the spine to the top of the head. Each is a spinning vortex or wheel of energy first connected to the major organs and glands and then to other parts of the body that resonate at the same vibration.  Each chakra is associated with a color, and in addition to the physical connection, each is connected to us on an emotional, mental, and spiritual level.

The goal is to have all of our chakras clear and unblocked. If a chakra is underactive, other chakras may compensate by becoming overactive, so balance between the chakras is also important. Chakras are said to take in the energy of our environment—all kinds of energy—including sound waves and light waves, and they emit energy as well.

Chakras are affected by our environment, our diet, and the people who surround us. Meditation and Hatha yoga help to clear and balance chakras. But there are also specific means to target the chakras and release bound up or blocked energy such as chanting and/or utilizing sacred hand positions (mudras) while meditating.

Kundalini yoga is a discipline that focuses on spiritual growth through awakening the life force lying dormant in the chakras. This yoga practice is said to be so powerful it is not to be undertaken without a teacher.

Yoga for the Hands (Mudras)

Throughout the ages, mankind has used hand gestures to communicate and to record history. We find some of these gestures to be universal, such as clapping our hands in approval or holding our palms together in prayer.

In Eastern cultures many hand gestures are used in traditional dance as well as during the practice of yoga. Mudras are believed to have restorative or healing properties when used in conjunction with meditation, focused concentration, and proper breathing.

Mudras redirect or activate energy flowing through the body and stimulate targeted body systems, organs, emotions, etc. Mundras are also used in conjunction with meditation and chanting to open the chakras.

Check out this site for more info on Mudras.

To see images and instructions for a wide range of poses check out YogaJournal.com.

You can practice breathing exercises to calm and rejuvenate your body. You can concentrate on chakra work to awaken your dormant energy. You can learn mudras which can be unobtrusively practiced anywhere. (In stressful situations you can even practice mudras with your hands in your pockets!)  Yoga offers something for everyone, from simple stretching and breathing exercises, to a lifelong pathway to spiritual enlightenment. Every journey begins with the first step. Namasté.