by Shelley Lynne Cummins
an excerpt from the book Peaceful Journey

Pathways of Yoga

Yoga is the Sanskrit word for union or oneness. It is a philosophy, science, and art form used as a tool to achieve inner peace and freedom. Through mental and physical techniques we create pathways into yoga, the state of oneness inherent within each of us. We are nourished and rejuvenated in this state of unity and unconditional love.

Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga is the physical method, consisting of many styles, often thought of as exercise for attaining yoga. Ha is the Sanskrit word for sun and refers to the masculine aspect, active energy, and the right side of the body. Tha is the Sanskrit word for moon and refers to the feminine aspect, receptive energy, and the left side of the body. We all encompass both Ha and Tha.
Hatha yoga is the physical practice of balancing these polarities.

Pranayama

Pranayama is the Sanskrit word for control of prana, the vital life force energy. Pranayama practices are the breathing techniques inspiring yoga. These breathing techniques help greatly to soothe the emotions and calm the mind. As more prana enters the physical body, the subtle body also known as the energy body expands. This concentrated mind and expanded awareness naturally leads to meditation and bliss.

Mantra Yoga

Mantra Yoga is the Sanskrit word for advice or suggestion within a vibrational field. A mantra consists of sound syllables with sacred meaning that are chanted audibly or silently with intention and a devoted state of emotion. These sound waves sounded, heard, or imaged vibrate the nervous system and awaken the left hemisphere of the brain. Mantras have the ability to transform old emotional patterns and inspire profound joy.

Yantra Yoga

Yantra Yoga is the Sanskrit word for supporting and holding the essence of an idea or image. A yantra is a visual tool of symbols and energy patterns serving to center the body, mind, spirit trinity. Yantras encompass the divine archetypes within us and the cosmos. As one gazes and eventually unites with the yantra the right hemisphere of the brain is awakened. The result is the contact of abstract absolute truth

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a scientific art using the essential oils of the aromatic plant life to inspire balance and healing. Through inhalation alone these powerful creative energies can merge with the limbic area of the brain also known as the gateway beyond polarity. Aromatherapy is a delightful tool in enhancing the pathway to yoga, as plants are some of the greatest yogis on the planet.
They live in perfect balance and knowing of the universal scientific laws. The plants provide great gifts in transferring their live essence to humanity through oxygen, prana, food, and medicine.

Mantram

Mantram is the Sanskrit word for phrase of power or affirmation. Affirmations are especially helpful for the subconscious mind, which is like a sponge absorbing all our thoughts and words without discernment. This practice can be used specifically to transform an unbeneficial pattern
or simply as remembrance and devotion to the higher intelligence in all.

Dhyana Yoga

Dhyana Yoga is the Sanskrit word for absorption. This state of absorbing all of creation is meditation. Meditation is considered the pinnacle of all yoga. It is a state of consciousness similar to sleep yet it is experienced in a full waking consciousness. In this state of timelessness the physical body is relaxed, the subtle or energy body is expanded, and the causal body or higher intelligence is awakened. Prana is readily flowing through all the chakras aligning the spine, with the prime emphasis on the highest physical chakras located in the pituitary and pineal glands in the center of the brain. It is here that we remember the all knowing state, our origin,
unity with the higher intelligence, and radiate with unconditional love.

Dream Yoga

The practices of dream yoga help in discovering the potential of the subconscious mind liberating programs that are no longer productive while gaining access to constructive parts of the mind.
Dream yoga also helps one clearly decipher what plane they are in, which is of great value in the death transition. Taking advantage of the unique time when the consciousness travels to the astral plane these practices provide opportunities to merge with the inner dreamer, the essence of Oneness.

Manana

Manana is the Sanskrit word for reflection upon truth. Reflection literally is the return of light, image, or sound wave. As we immerse into our natural state of yoga, we become the objects sending out lights, images, and sound waves to all there is.

Form

When doing the Hatha Yoga practice maintain a constant connection to the breath. The breath is considered the consciousness or spirit that connects the body and mind. Perform each exercise slowly and gently allowing the breath to guide the body into, through, and out of each asana.
Hold each asana a few long breaths or as long as comfortable. Please move out of an asana if there is strain or tension. The quality of the breath is a wonderful indicator of whether you are peaceful in the asana, so please observe long, rhythmic, flowing breaths. To establish a rhythmic breath you may want to use japa, a repetition method. Repeatedly count to eight or a number
that is attainable and comfortable on each inhale and each exhale. More practiced yogis need not always have more advanced asanas to practice. Rather cultivate physical endurance, length and fullness of breath, and depth of present attention. Flow with grace, form, and ease. Take time after each asana to experience the effects. Guide your awareness inward as you travel into yoga.
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
Eternal Peace, Peace, Peace…

Forward Bends

The forward bends massage the abdominal organs, stimulate digestion, and improve circulation.
These postures guide the awareness inward inspiring self love… bowing down to one’s true self, the antarayamin, the presence of supreme love.

Aromatherapy

yellow orchid… flower of luxurious beauty

Aromatherapy is a gentle yet powerful healing art that uses pure essential oils naturally occurring in different parts of the plant to positively affect our physical, emotional, mental &spiritual health.
Through steam distillation or solvent extraction these precious oils, sometimes called the heart or essence of the plant, are extracted from the blossom, fruit, leaf, stem, bark, wood, or resin. Most often the plant remains in growth while extra material is removed for the essence. The molecular structure of the oils is so small that it is easily absorbed into the skinand from there moves to the bloodstream meeting all parts of the body. Also simple inhalation of an essential oil will travel through the olfactory system messaging directly to the limbic area of the brain, the pituitary and pineal glands…ajna and sahasrara chakras!

Aromatic essential oils are great gifts in the joyful process of awakening.

Floral Spritzer

Choose one, two, three, or all of the ingredients listed below,
a total of approximately twelve to sixteen drops, in your floral spritzer.
Rose and jasmine are the royalty of aromatic oils.
Their transformative powers are very potent.
Geranium enhances your knowing of the formless form or divine mother.
Ylang Ylang will unite you with your deepest sensuality and earthiness.
This natural perfume is sure to enhance your enlightenment.

8 oz spring water in spritzer bottleRose (rose centifolia)
2 dropsGeranium (pelargonium graveolens)
4 dropsJasmine (jasminum officinale)
2 dropsYlang Ylang (cananga odorota)
8 drops

Use The Keys To Open the Door

An essential oil is a live essence available for you
to embrace and blend with as part of your path.
Set your intentions clearly and passionately.
Be open to fresh new experiences each moment.
An aromatic brain shift occurs by speaking truthfully,
listening receptively, and ultimately having dialogue with nature.

“Love is manifest where there is an able vessel.”

Dhyana Yoga

pink lotus… flower of the awakened heart

Dhyana means absorption of all or meditation. All paths of yoga ultimately lead to dhyana.
It is the process of total surrender into your self far beyond the mind and senses. First there is the withdrawal of the senses from the outside world, pratyahara. Then there is the concentration on a single point in order to center, dharana. From this center an expansion or blossoming of self occurs. The subconscious, conscious, and super conscious present themselves as you surrender. As you witness the unfolding process you become aware of the space between thoughts. Gradually your awareness centers upon these spaces. In these spaces or voids there exists pure energy, absence of explanation yet understanding, and a depth of feeling. Through the power of surrender into your glowing presence, perfection, peace, and love are absorbed.

Dream Yoga

Yogis view all worlds as dream worlds consisting of waking dreams,night dreams, and interdimensional dreams,dreams within dreams. This understanding implies that we are creators
designing the shapes of all interdependent realities. Just as we are traveling through the
evolutionary process of self realization in our day dreams,nso are we becoming more able
in our night dreams. Sleep time is unique in that while the body is resting in the third dimensional plane, the consciousness travels to the astral plane. In the astral plane
consciousness manifests itself instantaneously and therefore has the ability to speed self
awakening greatly. The practices of dream yoga help in discovering the potential of the
subconscious mind liberating programs that are no longer productive while gaining access to constructive parts of the mind. Dream yoga also helps one clearly decipher what plane they are in, which is of great value in the death transition leaving the body completely. Most importantly the practices of dream yoga guide one to reunite with the inner dreamer, the observer and creator of all. From reuniting with the inner dreamer one knows every aspect of their dreams has always been free choice. Returning to the one, through the vehicle of “you”, dreaming while awake begins.

Dream Yoga Techniques Before Sleeping

As you begin to relax away from the day dreaming state preparing for sleep, the brain transitions from beta to alpha rhythms. In the alpha state you are more receptive to suggestions at a deep subconscious level, so it is beneficial to make requests, say prayers, or state affirmations. You may simply state the intention of being lucid and watch how your subconscious mind follows your direction. You may want to make a list of what you are manifesting in your life directing these come to fruition using your play in the higher planes of consciousness constructively. Writing what you are working on in positive present tense and reading the statements aloud can amplify your process.

Another technique is to put a glass of water by your bed, state your intentions or requests into
the glass while holding it, in the morning upon waking, drink the water. Your subconscious mind will remember your intention and help you to receive the intent.

If you have insomnia or anxiety try lying on your right side in the fetal position for sleeping.
Hold the lower right nostril closed with a finger and begin breathing through the top left nostril
evenly and slowly. This will bring about a dominance in the right side of the brain creating a more relaxed, intuitive state easing you into the night dream.

You may also experiment with lying on your back in Sivasana. The brain and breathing patterns are in a more balanced state between right and left hemisphere when lying on your back. Some yogis train to sleep on their back for the great benefits of balancing the polarities.

Another dream yoga technique is to recall the events of the day before sleeping. First note the events that you are pleased with strengthening and appreciating those behaviors. Any events you are not pleased with forgive and see yourself going through the situation in a way that you would be pleased. The dreamer knows it is all being created by you, redoing the event in your mind repairs and benefits immensely.

Finally you may want to go through a surrender process, releasing the will and entire illusion back into the source. Begin by following your breath. Then relax each body part until you have completely surrendered the body. Then you can surrender the mind into the one mind of the source. From here simply observe all thoughts, travels, or emptiness as you fall into night dreaming.

Manana
Reflection

Lalla from Kashmir, India
was a great poetess and mystic around the fourteenth century.
Allow her poems to inspire the passion for yoga, oneness, within you.

I was passionate
filled with longing
I searched Far and wide.
But the day that the
Truthful One
found me
I was at home