DAILY RITUAL MUSINGS

If you practice meditation on a regular basis, you probably already know all of these terms, and may even have a different definition for some of them. This article is more for the person who  wants to learn more about meditation before diving in, so to speak. So let’s begin with some simple terms that you might hear in a class.

Asana

An asana is the pose, or position, you are in when you do formal meditation. Examples would be the full or half Lotus, kneeling, or sitting in a straight back chair. We’ve all seen the pictures of someone sitting in the lotus position, eyes closed, forefingers and thumbs touching, or hands positioned in the prayer mudra, with palms together at the center of the chest. 

Japa

In the Hindu and Bhuddist religions, japa is the repetition of a mantra or divine name (more on mantras below). You may chant it, whisper it, or speak it within your mind.

Mandala

More than a wall hanging pattern, the mandala is a sacred diagram used as an...

Yoga is an ancient mind and body practice dating back more than 5000 years. Various styles of yoga combine physical poses or postures (known as asanas) with breathing exercises, and meditation, or relaxation. Yoga harmonizes development of the body, mind, and spirit. The continued practice of yoga will lead you to a sense of peace and well-being, and also a feeling of being at one with your environment. 

Sound too good to be true? We can understand why you might think so, but there are scientific studies to back up the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits of yoga. Keep reading to learn more.

Health Benefits of Yoga

The health benefits of yoga are wide-ranging, and encompass your physical health, mental health, and spiritual health. When you practice yoga, you are working on all three areas at once. That is part of the beauty of this ancient art. Whether you’re a beginner or have been practicing yoga for years, learning about all of the benefits will...

You may have heard the term manifestation thrown around lately. There are enough books on manifestation to fill a library. But just what is manifestation? Whether you’ve been manifesting successfully for years, or you’re new to the topic, today we hope to share some insight into the principles of manifestation.

Simply put, manifestation is turning a thought or desire into its physical equivalent. In other words, if you can dream it or imagine it, you can use the power of manifestation to create it in your life.

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” ~Henry David Thoreau 

The word manifestation comes from the Latin root “manifestare” which means “make public.” So  when you manifest, you make your goals and dreams public. You stop daydreaming about them and bring them into the physical world. 

Whether you realize it or not, you are always manifesting, Whether...

Here at DailyRitual, many of us practice meditation daily. The habitual process of training our minds to focus and redirect our thoughts has helped us and our clients in too many ways to count. You can think of meditation as exercise for your brain. And just like any exercise, meditation yields benefits. 

The benefits of meditation affect your mind, body, and soul. While we break down the benefits, you will realize that the physical, mental health, and spiritual benefits are all intertwined.

Physical Benefits of Meditation

Research shows that there are numerous physical benefits of meditation. And when we say physical benefits, we don’t mean building muscle or increasing flexibility. The physical benefits are more subtle, but can include:

Decreased Stress and Lower Blood Pressure

Stress can wreak havoc on your body, with increased heart rate, high blood pressure, fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, and more. Chronic stress can lead to multiple physical and mental...

Nature Mandalas

We are moving into a new energy. An energy that holds us all connected, thriving, and living from the heart for the goodness of all. This new energy promotes a win-win living system. It works with collaboration, unity, harmony, connection, and care for all beings. We are moving into a higher vibration, and it sources from Love. 

Mandala comes from the Sanskrit meaning “circle.” The circle holds the meaning of totality, wholeness, perfection, eternity, and timelessness. It is a sacred container, teaching the nature of cyclic movement and infinite capacity. It represents the space within and the vast, uncontained space without. 

Mandalas offer balancing visual elements, symbolizing unity, harmony, and peace. 

When we create these special nature mandalas: we tap into our personal, intuitive inspiration. The act of creating these mandalas taps us into this special energy that radiates love and intention from the center of our...