Reuse. Reduce. Recycle. OK, we get it. We buy local and organic. We walk, ride our bikes, or take public transportation, and always carry our own shopping bags.  How else can a yogi honor Mother Earth? How can we cultivate a harmonious environment within our yoga practice?  And how can we utilize the tools of our practice to help change the world around us?

We begin within ourselves.  Try turning everything off, including the chatter of the mind.  We de-frag our computers and sync our iPhones, try doing the same for yourself.  When we meditate, our blood pressure and heart rate lowers.  We decrease our stress levels which helps to balance hormones and decrease insomnia–so right there we’re happier and healthier.    Meditation is for everyone, it’s just harder for some of us.  It may require more practice and patience if you are the person whose brain screams “Get up! We’ve got stuff to do!” during Savasana.  Mantra meditation gives the mind a mantram (word or phrase) to concentrate on, helping to channel your focus.  For Earth Day, try Om Sri Gaia Ma, Purnatva Gaia Ma.  Beautiful, Abundant, Benevolent Earth Mother, You are the Fullest Perfection, Divine Earth Mother, as sung beautifully by Katrina Ariel at  http://www.youtube.com/embed/Gh64Ii8iY2k

Another technique yogis use to honor our commitment to creating a peaceful world is pratyahara.  When we go within and learn to practice Pratyahara, the of withdrawl of the senses, we can change any space we inhibit. We create our own nirvana, our own place of peace.  This Earth Day, take your yoga mat outside.  Sit quietly.  Close your eyes and feel the sun on your face.  Quiet your thoughts and hear the neighbors’ dog, smell the freshly mown grass and cultivate a sense of peace within. Practice radiating this energy around you.  Work on expanding your peaceful area everywhere you go.   A yogi creates their own harmonious environment and  honors Mother Earth by learning to find stillness, peace and beauty, in the chaos.  Remembering to honor ourselves as a manifestation of the Divine, as we honor Mother Earth, as we honor each other is a true yogic practice that can only empower, heal, and grant us all peace.

Happy Earth Day!

Blessing of Love and Light–

Terra Kula

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