In this issue:

1. Mission Statement
2. Enigmus: The Symbol
3. Articles by shakti mhi:
   • Split Personalities
   • The Obsession with Yoga Anatomy
   • Beyond Beliefs and Faith
4. Reader Questions:
   • How do students recognize their teacher(s) accurately?
5. Prana by Todd Caldecott
• Todd Caldecott discusses prana, our life force, and how it we can effectively take it into our body by using the 3 "Ns": Nadi shodhana (alternate nostril breathing), neti (nostril cleansing with water), and nadya (nostril cleansing with oil).
6. Movie Recommendation
   • This month: Ratatouille!
     This Pixar-animated cartoon will exceed both adults' and children's expectations!
7. New! Yoga Community Message / Discussion Board!
8. College Announcements!
   • GST exemption for our tuition fees!
   • Limited Time Only: $500 Discount for Fall 2008 300 Hour Teacher Training Upgrade
   • $750 Discount for Thailand Teacher Training : Feb 24th - Mar 21st 2008
   • Yoga Teacher Training April--- in Vancouver!
   • Yoga Teacher Training July--- in Vancouver!
9. Participate!

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Mission Statement

We are happy to launch Prana Yoga College's "Enigmus" newsletter, published quarterly.

The aim of this new newsletter is to have no aim. We will allow the Enigmus to take its own direction and approach in an organic way by questioning all what we may take for granted. This will be accomplished without the need to convince, to convert or to correct our readers.

The Enigmus newsletter relates to its readers as intelligent people who are free to make their own choices. As we are not holding onto any absolute principles or following any defined path, the newsletter may contradict itself or be a paradox to its own flow; after all, this is where true magic begins.

The Enigmus newsletter is addressed to those who are willing to explore beyond the known and the familiar.

When we explore new perceptions of our existence we may reach to places that will indicate that we are not in the right place in our life as a result of being taught and programmed in a misleading way.

Some of the things you will encounter here may shake your belief systems. If you are hanging on to your beliefs and are identifying with them as an absolute truth, then what is contained in the Enigmus newsletter may actually offend you. There is no way that an authentic newsletter can reach out to all people and achieve consensus without being "offensive" to some.

On the spiritual path there are no offenses, just individuals who choose to be offended.

If your aim is to satisfy all minds you must utilize pretension. Pretension is the fire that burns all truth to ashes while creating a thick smokescreen that blinds us to reality as it is.

In our newsletter there is a place to hear your voice. Please join us on the journey of becoming free of all delusions.

Namaste
shakti

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Enigmus: the Symbol

"There are many layers to the symbol of the snake question mark, which we call Enigmus. In most cultures throughout human history, the snake has been used to denote wisdom and mystery. Joseph Campbell in the book The Power of Myth explained that "...the snake is a symbol of life throwing off the past and continuing to live. The snake sheds its skin just as the moon sheds its shadow."

The symbol of the snake wrapping itself around a question mark is a symbol of the inherent wisdom in all of us, where the answer is often contained within the question itself. What often allows us to reveal the unknown and unseen is a change of perspective, a different lens.

A shedding of old ways of seeing and being, the shedding of the temporal skin. The dot of the question mark, like the dot in the Sanskrit symbol of Om, represents the singularity of all things: a still point of completeness."

-Excerpt from 'The Enigma of Self-Realization' by shakti mhi

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Split Personalities

By shakti mhi

Do you sometimes experience what it feels like to have a split personality?

Many people, to different degrees, often experience a variety of personalities that may appear as opposites to each other. Those who are brave will express more than one of their personalities. They are brave because they act against the preference of the masses that dictate you should fulfill only one role. When a person is viewed as having only one defined persona, it makes it easy for the conservative mind to categorize what it sees.

"She is very shy."
"He is very powerful."
"She is very motherly."
"He is a successful man."

How would you (react) if the "shy girl" in your office would suddenly reply to you in an uncharacteristically bold manner?

Or how would you react if your mothering aunt, who constantly bakes and cooks for everyone and is always there to listen and give a hug, would unexpectedly announce that she is tired of serving and being the loving caring aunty so she is taking off to a foreign land to elope with a man she met on an internet dating site?

How would your family feel about you if you suddenly become apathetic when you are known as a driven and successful person?

Most omit people follow the unspoken requirement of staying within their defined character.

Imagine what happens when people stray from their predictable personas and allow an entirely different side to surface. For example:

She is very shy but last night she hit on someone aggressively.
She is very spiritual person, so I couldn't believe it when I saw her drinking at the bar.
He never shows emotions but last night he cried at the movie.

These unexpected behaviors, that are not part of the definition of the person, will be questioned with a very definite tone:

"Are you ok?"
"Did you lose your mind?"
"What's up with you?"
"I don't recognize you!"
"I do not know who you are anymore!"

Some people whose role is to be non-confrontational, when faced with an unexpected behavior from others simply squirm in their chairs uncomfortably, avert their gaze, roll their eyes or develop a sudden cough.

Those brave people who choose not to lock themselves in only one of their personalities, will be filed under "odd", "weird", "crazy" or if dealing with more charitable descriptions: "interesting" "a character" and "eccentric"

Which group do you belong to? The filer, the filed or both?

The reason why people choose not to express their "other" personalities is because they believe they can lose the approval, recognition, acknowledgment and love of the ones they feed off of. This is where one gives up their freedom.

We fulfill others' expectations of who and what they want us to be.

These people can be our:

Lovers and partners
Parents and family
Children
Friends
Colleagues
Churches
Society
and god.

The fact that we have been taught that a split personality or multiple personalities are not desirable, creates lots of feelings of unease in people who experience themselves in more than one way. As long as you are the one that masters your personas instead of your personas mastering you, there is no problem to be more then one defined persona. Mastering your personalities is achieved by not identifying with any of them as who you are as an essence. You are the maestro and your various personalities are the different instruments that express your different tones, notes, colors and shades.

So be it.

P. S.

Interestingly enough: it is known that in English you use the word "is" for singularity and "are" for plural. When I was writing the above article, the phone rang. When I answered, my friend on the other side asked, "How are you?" Why do we use "are" if it is only one person? Is it because subconsciously we know that there is more than one personality in each of us?

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The Obsession with Yoga Anatomy

By shakti mhi

In today's yoga culture, yoga instructors take endless anatomy workshops and seminars, studying in excruciating detail which muscles contract when you blink your right eye.

Increasingly, yoga instructors compulsively fill up the already cluttered minds of their students with obscure anatomical details. During the yoga class the poor students are trying either to make sense of how the floating rib relates to the sitting bones or are trying to visualize their pelvis as a fruit bowl which swings back and forth as they do the cat pose.

There is no argument that understanding what happens to the physical body as we practice the asanas (yoga postures) helps the body open faster. It is important that yoga teachers know the body and its parts and be able to share it in simple terms with their students.

But why are so many instructors so obsessed with anatomy? Why are anatomy and alignment the only topics discussed in yoga classes?

It is no secret that the practice of Hatha yoga is not only about the body and becoming fit as its end goal. In the practice of spiritual yoga you are mindfully taking care of the body because it is the platform for the transformation to take place. When the physical body is in ease, when it is free of pain and diseases, it doesn't consume prana (energy life force). As a result, prana can build and accumulate in the body to become a high frequency fuel for the consciousness to transform onto its utmost potential.

So maybe the reason for the anatomy mania is simply because instructors are lacking spirituality. You can study anatomy but you must experience spirituality in order to demonstrate it in your teaching. Perhaps the fixation with anatomy fills up the void of not knowing and the gap of not experiencing.

Perhaps excessive anatomy instruction is becoming a trendy cover-up for diluted teaching. Instructors should not try to avoid silence in their classes, for it speaks volumes.

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Beyond Beliefs and Faith

By shakti mhi

As a spiritual teacher, people often ask me about my beliefs.

Do you believe in God? Do you believe in karma? Do you believe bad people can achieve enlightenment?

Regardless of the specific nature or flavour of the question, my answer is always the same: "I do not carry any beliefs."

This reply constantly surprises my audience, as most people assume that spirituality goes hand in hand with beliefs and faith, and that the stronger the beliefs are, the deeper the spirituality.

On the contrary. On the spiritual path, the practice is to act from knowing and not from believing or having faith.

Two sources of 'knowing'

The first source of knowing comes from information we gather externally. We may gather this information through our direct personal experiences.

For example, we singe our finger in the flame of a candle and learn that fire can burn us. We do not believe that fire can burn us; we know it. We may also learn from others' experiences; our father teaches us how to drive as he has long been in the driver's seat.

The other source of knowing comes from outside of our physical experience but manifests in subtle ways within our bodies. This source may be called the Higher Self: intuition, inner voice, inner guru or God.

This second type of knowledge may manifest as feelings: "I should not take this offer even though it sounds ideal, it just doesn't feel right."

It may manifest as an inner voice or inner guidance: "Something" in me is telling me not to go to the party tonight.

Or, it may manifest as actions without preliminary thought, when we flow from one moment to the next doing the "right thing" without hesitation or doubt. Without premeditated thought, you decide to take a different route to work one day, unknowingly avoiding the collapse of a bridge and this saves your life...

No matter what we call this state, within it, there is an absolute sense of knowing.

So when do we believe?

On the other hand, we believe when we do not know or are not sure: "I believe in life after death."

We believe when there is no experience: "I believe in oneness."

The Canadian Oxford Dictionary defines faith as a "firm belief without logical proof," and belief as a "firm opinion or conviction."

Because belief and faith aren't based on a direct experience or inner or external knowing, they are very intangible.

Subconsciously, you know you can always lose it, ("he lost his faith"), so there is a constant effort to strengthen beliefs by reinforcing them. By trying to convince people around you to hold the same beliefs that you do, you create an artificial strength in numbers.

Throughout history, this has often if not always, resulted in one group of people imposing their beliefs on others, often planting these seeds of faith through the platforms of fear, brainwashing, and even violence.

Beliefs become our possessions. We "hold on" to our beliefs so we do not "lose" them.

Through the extreme fear of losing our beliefs, we become fanatic.

Do you need to reinforce the knowledge that water is necessary for your survival? Do you need to go to a Water Church once a week to be reminded of how important it is for you to drink water as you might otherwise stop doing it? Do you need to be convinced of the power of water? Do you believe that water is life, or do you know that it is?

If you believe in love, you do not love.
If you believe in peace, you do not know peace.
If you believe in God, you do not experience God.
When you know love, you experience inner peace and you become God.

This article was written by the request of CBC's new radio and news series: "Where is God today?".

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Reader Questions

Dear shakti,

How do students recognize their teacher(s) accurately?

Finding a teacher is like finding a lover, where the first sensation you feel in you when meeting is butterflies in your navel center and excitement in the heart center. The pupils get darker and the breath stops for a second. You are amused and maybe even a bit emotional. You feel like you are experiencing a long time dream that never really had a clear image to it but had very specific feelings that you are experiencing in this very moment again, only this time it is real.

The only difference between meeting a lover and meeting a teacher is that in the first case the mind will interrupt the intuitive interaction by bringing up reasoning and logic into the dynamic. Reasoning and logic cannot exist between you and your teacher. You have to strip yourself of the need to make sense so your teacher can walk you into dimensions your mind could not even imagine.

If you cannot let go of your mind and its bodyguard (ego) you won't be able to stay with this teacher. She or he cannot be your teacher because they don't have the power to burn your attachment to your possessions in the form of the things you think you know.

Love,
shakti

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Prana by Todd Caldecott

According to Ayurveda and yoga, the breath relates to the natural intelligence of the body, called prana, a subtle vibratory power that underlies all manifestation. While we receive prana from the food and water we consume, the prana that we obtain through breathing is the most important kind of prana, and the quality and nature of our breathing (as well as the quality of the air we breathe) influences the activity of prana in the body.

Prana is not a material substance that can be isolated and identified, but is an energy within the sukshma sharira or subtle body, that gives rise to and activates the physical body. Through the act of breathing prana enters into and courses through subtle channels or nadis that enliven all the tissues of the body. In this respect prana is the élan vital, the life principle of the body that makes us a living, evolving being, rather than a mass of inert chemicals.

While the ancient texts mention 72,000 subtle channels through which prana flows, the dominant flow of prana occurs within the ida and pingala nadis, two channels that course upwards on either side of the spine from their origin within the kanda or 'bulb' in the sacral plexus. Roughly speaking, the ida and pingala nadis relate to the activities of the parasympathetic and sympathetic divisions of the autonomic nervous system, respectively. As such, the ida nadi is associated with the rest and restorative system of the body, whereas the pingala nadi is associated with the fight and flight response. As each rises up the back and neck and over the head, the nadis meet in the ajna chakra, or 'third eye,' and then drop down into the nose, the ida nadi terminating in the left nostril, and the pingala nadi terminating in the right nostril. Between these nadis lies the shushumna nadi, the 'central' channel that is located along the spinal axis of the body. In the yogic tradition the flow of prana within the sushumna nadi represents the awakening of kundalini, but in most people prana only flows within the ida and pingala nadis, representing the duality of human consciousness. While the ultimate goal of yoga is to redirect the flow of prana from the lesser nadis into the shushumna to awaken kundalini, Ayurveda recognizes that in the meantime health is dependent upon the natural, balanced flow of prana within the pingala and ida nadis. This balance ensures the proper function of the autonomic nervous system, and the resultant effects in the body.

To maintain this balanced flow within the nadis, Ayurveda applies a number of techniques including nasya, jala neti and nadi shodhana, or what I describe as the "three Ns" to my patients. The first of these is nasya, which involves the application of a few drops of an unrefined oil such as sesame oil or a medicated oil such as Anu taila into each nostril, which is then inhaled into the nasal passage. Oil has a unique property to penetrate through obstructions in the body, and in the form of nasya the oil helps to break up and loosen excess kapha or 'phlegm', which can then be easily expectorated. This type of nasya can be performed by most people, but is contraindicated in acute conditions of the nasopharynx, such as in a cold, fever or flu.

Jala neti, or nasal irrigation, is the second of the "three Ns", and requires the use of small pot (i.e. a neti pot) that is used to administer an isotonic aqueous solution into the nasal passages, sinuses and nasopharynx via the nostrils. The best place to perform neti is over a bathroom sink in front of a mirror so you can observe the process. An isotonic solution can be prepared by adding a little sea salt to purified water, which given the capacity of most neti pots, is about 1/4 tsp. per 125 mL of water. The spout of the neti pot is inserted into the right nostril, and the head tilted to the left so that the left nostril is below that of the right. The water is poured into the right nostril, and will travel through the nasopharynx and exit through the left nostril. Care should be taken not to bend the head to far forward so that the nose is below that chin as the water will not easily exit the nose. Performed properly no water will escape into the throat, and it is even possible to talk while performing neti. Once complete the procedure is repeated by inserting the neti pot into the left nostril and pouring it through the right, now tilting the head to the right. Following neti there may still be a small amount of water remaining the nasopharynx. To remove any remain water the hands are placed on the hips and the body is first tilted to the left and a series of rapid, short and diaphragmatic exhalations (i.e. kabalabhati) are performed to eliminate the water; once the water is cleared from the right nostril the body is then tipped to the left and the same procedure is undertaken to clear out any remaining water from left nostril. Neti is a very helpful technique to treat hyposecretory states of the mucosa, to treat chronic 'dry' stuffiness, and to prevent respiratory allergies and sensitivities. It is contraindicated when the nasal passages are completely blocked. Using nasya before neti helps with the effectiveness of neti.

The last of the "three Ns" is nadi shodhana, or alternate nostril breathing, an ancient yogic technique to purify the ida and pingala nadis. Nadi shodhana is performed by alternating inhalation and exhalation through one nostril while simultaneously blocking the other nostril. In the most common form of nadi shodhana the right hand is used: the index and middle fingers are placed in the middle of the brow (i.e. the ajna chakra or "third eye"), and the thumb and ring fingers are used to block the nostrils. First the thumb closes the right nostril by pressing it against the septum and an inhalation is taken through the left nostril. The ring finger of the left hand then blocks the left nostril and the thumb is released, and exhalation is performed through the right nostril. Without changing the position of the fingers the right nostril is then used to inhale while blocking the left nostril, and then the right nostril is blocked with the thumb and exhalation is performed by the left nostril. This counts as one cycle. Typically, six cycles are performed after which the person breathes normally for several seconds, and then another round of cycles is initiated. In total there should be at least three rounds of six cycles. To help keep track of the cycles yogic practitioners will often count using the inter-digital spaces of the left hand. Nadi shodhana is typically performed while sitting cross-legged on the floor, with a straight back and relaxed shoulders, but can also be performed while sitting normally in a chair with a straight back.

Practicing the "three Ns" is an important way to balance the flow of prana in the body, and also helps to treat chronic respiratory disorders. I find it a particularly helpful technique for conditions such as chronic sinusitis and seasonal allergies. In my next article, I will expand further on the importance of breath, and some techniques to recognize and correct dysfunctional breathing patterns that disrupt the flow of prana in the body, promoting illness and disease.

Todd Caldecott is an Ayurvedic practitioner, clinical herbalist and author of the textbook "Ayurveda: The Divine Science of Life." Todd practices and teaches throughout the Lower Mainland of Vancouver and Vancouver Island. For more information visit www.toddcaldecott.com.

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Movie recommendation: Ratatouille!

RATATOUILLE (2007) 4 stars out of 4.

For those cinematic epicureans tired of the same old standard fare, might I suggest a lavish entree of Ratatouille, Pixar's latest offering - a scrumptious animated delight that will definitely satisfy your appetite. The premise of a rat with the heart and soul of a master chef, a rodent who appreciates good food and turns his nose up at garbage, is delicious.

As concocted by Jan Pinkava, Jim Capobianco and Brad Bird, who directed the movie, Ratatouille (rat -a-too-ee) gets Remy to his Nirvana - the restaurant of his idol, chef Auguste Gusteau. Unfortunately, Gusteau has passed away, but Remy hooks up with the new garbage boy, Linguini, whom he turns into the chef he would be - if he were human. Working together, Remy and Linguini resurrect the restaurant and it becomes the talk of Paris.

The filmmakers at Pixar have again raised the bar. The food looks delectable, the backgrounds vibrant and the characters - human and rats - well defined. Bird and his collaborators have set some interesting challenges. For example, Remy can talk, of course, but only we and the other rats can understand him. Remy can understand what Linguini says, but cannot talk to him. Remy and Linguini devise a rather unusual method of communication, and the filmmakers remain within these guidelines throughout.

Though it is a Pixar feature, Ratatouille is not a kids' film. It is a feature the entire family can enjoy. In fact, adults may get a bigger charge than the youngsters. In a sense, Ratatouille is a story about fulfilling one's dreams, about going beyond preconceived boundaries and following your heart. Making the lead character a rat is a brilliant stroke. Rat and restaurants go as well together as Paris Hilton and jail cells, so the idea of watching Remy choosing herbs, spices and sauces to create various dishes is not only funny - it plays against expectations and raises the humor.

The film features some wonderful vocal talents, led by Patton Oswalt as Remy. His voice carries a touch of the dreamer, which helps in the believability that this is a rodent with exceptional taste. Other contributors include Lou Romano, Brian Dennehy, Brad Garrett, Janeane Garafolo, Ian Holm and Peter O'Toole as the scariest and most snobbish food critic this side of a five-star restaurant.

Ratatouille is loads of fun, even at nearly two hours. The time flies and the laughs are constant. This is a feature for which you may want to go back for seconds.

The voice talent: Patton Oswalt, Ian Holm, Lou Romano, Brian Dennehy, Peter Sohn, Peter O'Toole, Brad Garrett, Janeane Garofalo, Will Arnett, Julius Callahan, James Remar, John Katzenberger and Teddy Newton.

Original story by Jan Pinkava, Jim Capobianco and Brad Bird.
Screenwriter and director. Brad Bird.
Rated: G. Running time: 111 mins.

Bob Bloom is the film critic and DVD reviewer at the Journal & Courier in Lafayette, Ind. He can be reached by e-mail at bbloom@journalandcourier.com or at bloomjc@yahoo.com. Bloom's reviews also can be found at the Journal & Courier Web site: www.jconline.com. Other reviews by Bloom can be found at the Rottentomatoes Web site: www.rottentomatoes.com.

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New! Yoga Community Message / Discussion Board!

Here at Prana Yoga College, we know the importance of having a community of people who share, support and value one another. Now, we have created a new online forum for everyone to share their stories, have discussions, meet one another, trade/barter, and ask questions.

You can find Prana Yoga's Message board here: www.pranayogacollege.com/forum

It's easy to use! Simply create a username and password, and then you can begin to login and post!

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College Announcements!

We're pleased to announce that Prana Yoga College has just received GST exemption on all tuition fees. This is effectively a 5% reduction in tuition fees for all of our Canadian programs.

Limited Time Only: $500 Discount for Fall 2008 300 Hour Teacher Training Upgrade

Now GST exempt!

Looking to upgrade your 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training Certification? We are currently offering a Fall Program, and if you register before the end of February, a $500 discount! Visit this page for more information or call (604) 682-2121 for more details!

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$750 Discount for Thailand Teacher Training : Feb 24th - Mar 21st 2008

Still GST exempt!

Due to the popularity of our Thailand Teacher Training programs, we've added an extra date. There is still time to register! If you register now, you are eligible for a $750 discount! Visit this page for more information or call (604) 682-2121 for more details!

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Yoga Teacher Training April 1-27th in Vancouver!

Now GST exempt!

Experience the Level 1, 200 hour Teacher Training program here in beautiful Vancouver! This is a fantastic opportunity to lift your yoga experience to a higher level, creating space within the experience of yoga to include a more thorough understanding of traditional postures, yoga philosophy and human anatomy. Visit this page for more information or call (604) 682-2121 for more details!

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Yoga Teacher Training July 14th -August 10th in Vancouver!

Now GST exempt!

Consider deepening your practice by taking our Level 1 200 hour teacher training starting this July in Vancouver. Learn to create flows to enhance your yoga practice and develop a unique style of teaching that emphasizes safety, attention to the body's capability, and the stilling of the mind by increasing internal awareness. Visit this page for more information or call (604) 682-2121 for more details!

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Participate!

We are always looking for story ideas, questions, students' experiences and feedback to add to our next edition. Please contact us at info@pranayoga.com to share!

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