relax even more.

The idea that comes to mind for most people when relaxation is mentioned is another activity - such as watching a movie, going for a walk, listening to some music, having a drink, a meal, a smoke etc.

But when we come to this idea of relaxation with Yoga in mind we come across another thing altogether and we may need to ask the question in this case - Is there any limit to relaxation?

If you are already practicing Asana - Pranayama etc you may already have some idea of what it feels like to really let go and relax.

My first real taste of healing - 25 yrs ago - 10 years before I came across yoga - was through deep relaxation - it was a method known as 'Autogenics'. My first experience of this particular technique was totally transformational. I was very stressed before it and after I was very, very relaxed. It took about 20 minutes to complete.

I believe that the point of yoga has been misplaced and it seems to have become something that is a challenge for our ego etc. Isn't life already challenging enough?

In my opinion Yoga is only a tool - (something to be employed and not employed by) A tool that is used for movement within and away from the outside world - It takes us into the 'Inner' world of our mind/spirit dynamic.

If you look at the 8 limbs of yoga - only 2 of the them have anything to do with action 1. Asana 2. Pranayama - And pranayama does not involve too much action does it?

The action is of inaction - of taking our awareness deep within beyond intellect (dharana) and ideational processes. Taking us so deep that the mind then becomes quiet and we begin to get a deep sense of being (Dhyana).

When we do this we re-set our heart rate and respiration - the mind becomes quiet and peaceful as we realize that we are 'not' our thoughts.

This process, as far as I can tell, does away with any need for lengthy descriptions of what is going to happen to you. Talking about Yoga or talking about the mind and all of it's dynamics and the stuff of the mind in general is merely 'mental gymnastics'. The intellectuals then take over and tell us how it's done and what to think and how to be.

BUT - if 'you' take 'you' very deep within 'you' will find a whole other layer of 'you'. Then it is almost as if 'you' have found a default setting that with a little intention and space 'you' can reset whenever you need to.

If that feels like too much then you may have to find a therapist or some kind of guide to 'talk about thing' for a while. Yoga in it's true form may not be for everybody. If it blows your mind too much you may need a guide of some kind.

And that is another story . . . . . . . . . . .