Using Breath to Relax & Balance

You don't need to be in the Alps to create a sense of serenity. Any time you are having trouble to sleep or feel off-balance or disturbed. Try Anuloma Viloma (sounds like ANNA LOMA VILOMA).

A type of Pranayama, or Yoga Breathing technique.

Anuloma Viloma is alternatite nostril breathing. When we breathe, we do not breathe through both our nostril (the left and right nasal passage) concurrently.

As a result, lack of balance or agitation can occur. This breathing technique has us alternate between each nostril's air passage.

The cycle goes like this:

From the Left nostril, exhale for a count of 7
From the Left nostril, inhale for a count of 4

Hold Both nostrils closed for a count of 4

Switch

From the Right nostril, exhale for a count of 7
From the Right nostril, inhale for a count of 4

Hold Both nostrils closed, for a count of 4

Switch

And Repeat

When you are finished cycling though as many times as you like. End, like you began, on the Left side. And KEEP BREATHING :)

Your nose may run. This is normal.

The traditional Yoga teachings, relate Anuloma Viloma to the concept of Nadis, channels of consciousness. All the more reason to practise this breathing technique.

Some behind the scenes pictures from my video shoot in at the base of Chamonoix, near Monte Blanco/Mont Blanc

Spiritual Names : Laaila Indira

On the spiritual journey, students seek and spend time with a teacher (Guru, Master, etc). Sometimes a teacher will impart a new name onto a student. This is what happened to me.

Interestingly, I had been toying with the concept of going by a new name for some time. As a little girl, I liked the name Tiger Lilly. And before yoga, through my other professional careers as well as through the internet, I got to toy further with the concept of going by other atler egos and nicknames.

As the other yogis and myself sat in a circle chanting "Om Mani Padme Hum" which is a powerful theme. It means "you are the jewel in the centre of the lotus."

As this jewel, the time has come to free myself from all the  associations that I knew formerly as Leanne Martin. By shedding these associations I can let go of some things that I was still carrying around with me. Unecessary baggage, if you will. Doing this creates space to keep growing and also helps me be fully present. In the now.

My teacher gave me the name Indira. It means splendor, and beauty. After Skypeing my mother to tell her of the new moniker (she seemed open minded), I then took to Facebook and edited my profile accordingly. I figured these were good ways to play with the idea of changing my name. With no immediate rebuttal, life goes on.

Several hours later, I was with a friend of mine, and remembered to tell him about my  new name. He's a spiritual person and knows me just enough to be honest (but not too much as to over analyse things).

"Indira....Ghandi?!?!" he said. Then we both laughed.

This wouldn't do. After the laugher stopped I told him that I was secretly hoping my teacher would have chosen the name Leila for me. Which is Sanskrit for play. He thought about it for a moment and said, "you need to remix it a little."

"How about Laaila?"

I love it.

So, here I am as Laaila Indira. And I will see how it goes.