Mahatma Gandhi Quotes

Aloha Everyone,

I wanted to share with you several of my favorite Mahatma Gandhi quotes on Beauty, Love, Life, Happiness, Faith, Health, Patience, Peace, etc.

Mahatma Gandhi (Oct 2, 1869 - JAN 30 1869) was the spiritual and political leader and one of the architects for India's independence from British-ruled India.  His non-violent civil disobedience inspired civil rights and freedom movements across the world.

Featured are ten of his famous, inspiring quotes.

When I admire the wonders of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in the worship of the creator.

 - Mahatma Gandhi

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.

 - Mahatma Gandhi

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.

 - Mahatma Gandhi

You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.

 - Mahatma Gandhi

A man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes.

 - Mahatma Gandhi

Each one has to find his peace from within. And peace to be real must be unaffected by outside circumstances.

 - Mahatma Gandhi

If patience is worth anything, it must endure to the end of time. And a living faith will last in the midst of the blackest storm.

 - Mahatma Gandhi

It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.

 - Mahatma Gandhi

The best way to find you is to lose yourself in the service of others.

 - Mahatma Gandhi

A 'No' uttered from the deepest conviction is better than a 'Yes' merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble.

 - Mahatma Gandhi

Namaste -- Cathi

Dancer Pose (Natarajasana)

Aloha Everyone,

Technique for Dancer Pose (Natarajasana):

• Stand in Tadasana.

• Gaze at one point that is not moving

• The knees are over the ankles, and the hips are over the knees.

• Focus and engage in the belly.

• Shift your weight onto one leg

• Standing leg should be strong and rooted

• With deep inhalation, bend the knee of non-standing leg

• Bring the leg backwards and take hold of  the ankle or foot with the hand of the same side

• Inhale, exhale and find your balance

• Try to keep hips in alignment while you are lifting.

• Breathe into the pose, try to stretch the abdominal muscles and quadriceps

• Inhale, lift your chest, bring the other arm aiming towards the sky

• Bring your hand into the Gyan Mudra, index finger and thumb tips pressing other fingers stretched

• Open your heart and hold this pose for a few breath

• Slowly release your pose and come back in Tadasana

• Steady your mind and body

• Do other side

Benefits:

• Develops mental and physical balance

• Helps concentration

• Tones and lengthens the entire leg and hip muscles

• Opens the chest and ribcage

• Helps create more space for your breath

• Stretches the shoulders and biceps

• Builds self confidence

Variation:  Use strap if your hand cannot grab your foot.

Cathi's note:   This is one of popular balancing poses.  As in doing any of the yoga asanas, do warm up exercises first and take a few moments to find your center.  Your mind and body must be flexible to achieve this pose.  Remember to keep your breath flowing as students have tendencies to hold their breath.  Listen to your body.  Do not over strain.  Do not over do.

Namaste -- Cathi

Eagle Pose (Garudasana)

Aloha Everyone,

Below is how to do the Eagle Pose (Garudasana):

• Stand in Tadasana.

• Extend both arms out in front with palms facing up

• Place the left arm over the right and touch the palms.

• Lift the elbows as you let the shoulders go down the back

• Shift your weight onto left foot

• Squat, bend right leg and lift the right foot

• Cross your right thigh over your left

• Try to hook the right foot around the left calf

• Imagine sinking your hips while maintaining your spine straight

• Steady your mind to increase your strength and balance.

• Inhale, exhale, and continue breathing holding this position for 6 to 10 breaths.

• Come back to Tadasana

• Switch sides

Benefits:

• Improves balance of mind and body

• Improves concentration

• Strengthens thighs

• Helps open hips

• Strengthens leg

• Helps stretch ankles and calves

• Stretches the thighs and hips

• Stretches and opens shoulders as well as upper back

• Helps focus

Cathi's note:  This pose is all about stretching and strengthening.  Start with a few breaths until you are able to extend your practice. Along with the Tree Pose, Garudasana helps in improving concentration and sense of balance. You can start your practice with your shoulders and buttocks against the wall to provide additional support and help with your balance Start with either left or right leg.  Just make sure you do both sides for the same duration.

Namaste -- Cathi

Chair Pose (Utkatasana) Explained

Aloha Everyone,

Below is the technique for the Chair Pose (Utkatasana):

Technique:

• Stand in Tadasana

• Keep both feet on the ground

• Inhale and bring your body in a squat position as if you are sitting down in a chair

• Arms raised above your head, fingers pointing straight, elbows straight

• Body should be at a 45 degrees angle, knees bent

• Emphasis is on the muscles of the legs and pelvis

• Try to find stability and balance between the upper and lower body

• Inhale, exhale continue breathing holding this position for 6 to 10 breaths

Benefits:

• Strengthens lower back and abdominals as well as thighs

• Creates space in the shoulders

• Opens chest

• Helps stimulate the heart

• Alleviates lower back pains and neck problems

• Helps lower blood pressure

• Helps stimulate abdominal organs and diaphragm

• Reduces flat feet

• Helps you focus 

Variation:

Airplane pose – instead of raising your arms above your head, open your arms wide like the wings of an airplane then squat

Cathi's note:  This is not a sitting on a chair pose but rather putting your body into a pose as if you are sitting down in a chair.  It is an active pose and in addition to balancing your mind and body, this pose helps strengthens the spine, thighs, calves and ankles.  Chair pose also gives good stretch through the chest and shoulders. 

Namaste -- Cathi

Extended Triangle Pose (Utthita Trikonasana) Explained

Aloha Everyone,

• Stand in Tadasana.

• Inhale and step out with your feet pointing forward approximately 4 - 5 feet apart.

• Stretch your arms, shoulder blades wide, palms facing down parallel to the floor

• Turn in your left foot in about 45°.to the right and your right foot out to the right 90°.

• Align the right heel with the left heel

• Exhale and bend your torso sideways to the right 

• Place your right hand on your shin, ankle, or the floor outside your right foot

• Tuck in your should blades, your back ribs, your buttocks and your tailbone

• Align your spine with the back of your head and your tailbone

• Stretch your left arm toward the ceiling

• Ground your right big toe and tighten your calf and thigh

• Keep your head down, or in a neutral position or look up at the left thumb

• Stay in this pose for 30 seconds to 1 minute, don’t forget to breathe.

• Inhale to come up

• Reverse the feet and repeat on the other side for the same length of time

Benefits:

• Stretches and strengthens your thighs, hips, groins, calves, knees and ankles

• Stretches and opens shoulders and chest

• Helps stimulate the abdominal organs

• Improves the flexibility of spine

• Corrects body alignment

• Alleviates backache

• Improves digestion

• Relieve stress

Cathi's note:  Trikonasana, the Triangle pose improves the strength, stability and balance of your body and the mind.  For beginners, please take your time in  learning and mastering this pose.  I cannot over emphasize the importance of listening to your body and use common sense. * Practice this pose with your with your shoulders and buttocks against the wall and your hand on your shin or on a yoga block to help keep the shoulders, hips and feet in alignment

Namaste -- Cathi

Tree Pose (Vrkshasana)

Aloha Everyone,

Technique for Tree Pose (Vrkshasana):

• Stand in Tadasana.

• Shift your weight onto the right leg

• Lift your left leg, grab your left ankle.

• Press the sole of your left foot against inner thigh of your right leg, point toes down

• Make sure that your standing leg is firm and grounded.

• Press your palms together in Namaste Mudra in front of your chest

• Once your mind is calm and settled, raise both arms straight above your head

• If you are able to, press your palms together, elbows straight

• Gaze at a fixed point in front of you or on the floor that is not moving

• Inhale deeply, exhale completely and continue long and slow breathing.

• Stay for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

• Stand back in Tadasana.

• Switch sides

Benefits:

• Helps improves balance and brings equilibrium to your mind

• Improves balance of your body, helps gain stability in the legs

• Improves focus and concentration

• Helps strengthen the ligaments and tendon of the feet

• Helps strengthen and tones the standing leg

• Helps firm your buttocks and opens the pelvic area

• Helps build self-confidence and improves self esteem

• Stretches the legs, back and arms

• Leaves you feeling strong and rejuvenated

• Helps you achieve balance in your life

Cathi's note:  This is one of the most elegant standing poses and helps you build self-confidence and self-esteem.  It is not difficult to get into but it takes practice, concentration and patience to remain in the pose. The Tree pose not only improves balance and stability in the legs but it is very calming and helps you achieve balance in your life.  You can start your practice with your shoulders and buttocks against the wall to provide additional support and help you with your balance. Begin with either left or right leg.  Just make sure you do both sides for the same duration.

Namaste -- Cathi

Bring Balance Into Your Life With Yoga - For Happy, Healthy Living

Aloha Everyone,

The Centers of Disease Control reported that each year 1 in 3 adults 65 years and older falls.  That's nearly 30% of the age group. Among those who fell, 38% of seniors aged 85 and older were hospitalized as a result of their injuries from the fall.  Many of these falls are preventable. You can begin by modifying your homes to suit your changing needs.  But more importantly, you can work on improving your body and mind by bringing more balance in your life.  Doing daily yoga exercises not only help you with balance but also with increased mobility, flexibility more energy and strengthening your muscles and over all happy, healthy living.

These are my favorite 10 Standing Yoga Asanas to improve balance   I will be writing separate blogs on each one of them.

I.  Mountain Pose (Tadasana)

2.  Chair Pose (Utkatasana)

3.  Eagle Pose (Garudasana)

4.  Tree Pose (Vrksasana)

5.  Triangle Pose (Utthita Trikonasana)

6.  Warrior I (Virbhadrasana 1)

7.  Warrior III (Virabhadrasana III)

8.  Half Moon (Ardha Chandrasana)

9.  Dancer Pose (Natarajasana)

10.  High Lunge (Utthita Ashwa Sanchalanasana)

Be well, be content, be kind to yourself and others and live a joyful and compassionate life.

Namaste -- Cathi