Click on any of the following for a full discription of each practice.

Discover & Recover promotes the practices of yoga, chanting, and meditation for guiding one through emotional, physical and spiritual healing.

ABOUT YOGA

Yoga means to bind, yoke or join, to direct one’s attention inward also meaning communion. “Yoga is the true union of our will with the will of God”

The practice of yoga leads one to discipline the intellect, The mind, the emotions and the will enabling one to look at life in all it’s aspects evenly. When practiced as a lifestyle a yogi or yogin begins to live skillfully exercising harmony and moderation amongst all activities.

Yoga is the method by which the restless mind is calmed and the energy directed into constructive channels; eventually relinquishing selfish desires and ego as one begins to dedicate all actions to the God (as we know him or her). This is described as (Isvara Pranidhana) the ultimate devotion.

The yogi or yogin does not dwell on the past or contemplate the future. The practice becomes an evolutionary and gentle process. Progress and setbacks are encountered along the way As the transformation process is long and steady. Patience and surrender become the spiritual awakening to a poised soul, a stilled mind and a journey to self-realization, where one is endowed with Grace, beauty, strength and wisdom.

The Yoga Sutra was established some 2000 years ago by Patanjali, which is comprised of the eight limbs of yoga, they consist of:

1) Universal Ethical Principles (Yama);
2) Rules of Personal Conduct (Niyama);
3) The Practice of Yoga Postures (Asana);
4) The practice of Yoga Breathing Techniques (Pranayama);
5) Control of The Senses (Pratyahara);
6) Concentration of The Mind (Dharana);
7) Meditation (Dhyana); and
8) Absorption in the infinite (Samadhi).

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Meditation is ideally a state where the physical self, mind, intelligence and consciousness come together integrating as one. Meditation is a state of timelessness where everyday concerns have no relevance. Meditation provides a space in which attention is brought back again and again to the simple yet profound reality of being present in each moment. The practice of meditation can bring relief from continuous current thoughts, offering relief from our daily stressful lives. Meditation is a means of turning thoughts inward and learning to enjoy the silence. Ultimately one may reach a state where fluctuations of the mind cease and where absolute stillness of the consciousness occurs, this is referred to as (Citti Vritti Nirodhah).

The practice leads us to compassion, humility and self acceptance enabling to enjoy life just as it is moving toward wholeness and unity as we begin to see what is true. Ultimately, it is the truth that liberates us.

To begin the practice one is encouraged to study the nature of the mind and to begin to see things as they really are recognizing perceptions, dilutions, distortions, resistance, restlessness and chatter. Upon recognition one learns to confront the habitual thoughts and patterns embracing them fully while letting go of the need to run away from that which creates discomfort. In this way we become bold enough to face our thoughts and ourselves. Over time our fixations begin to dissolve no longer holding the same power or hold over us making it possible to become more relaxed while letting go of the past and moving more fully into the present. Eventually, this practice of confronting our life issues and circumstances helps us to not react in the traditional way. As clarity arises we realize that the art of meditation is to become centered amongst all the seasons of life.

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ABOUT CHANTING

Devotional Chanting

Chanting (kirtan) is a part of the path of devotional yoga. The practice is led by call and response and becomes a joyful celebration through singing.
Kirtan is usually practiced in a crowd that has gathered together (satsang) including people from every religion and every walk of life.

Chanting mantras in sanskrit releases an energy that we begin to experience through the resonation of sound; further experiencing the acceleration of rhythm, clapping and dancing where we actually loosen our grip and become free enough to open our hearts while moving deeper into our own personal spiritual awareness. This is the remarkable place of the practice where one begins to explore their true essence.

Through the music, our minds become receptive to divine light, our hearts open to divine love, our bodies open to divine life.

As the effects are felt and experienced we become still; are able to relax, cease all striving, trusting that we are always in alignment with nature and universal order.

“Follow these prayer offerings
with the eyes of the heart
as our eyes follow the sun
down into the dark warmth of the secret longing
over the edge of what we can see
into the fullness of what of what we can only know I
n being”

KRISHNA DAS (From DOOR OF FAITH)

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