THE GREAT DEATH-CONQUERING MANTRA: THE MAHĀMṚTYUṂJAYA

The Mahamrityunjaya Mantra has been cited in the ancient scripture, Rigveda as the panacea for all maladies. It is one of the more potent of the ancient Sanskrit mantras. The recitation of this mantra is believed to cure mental afflictions and sufferings as well as all fears are surmounted. In particular, one is liberated from the fear of death.

The Mahamrtyunjaya Mantra invokes Lord Siva and prays for liberation from ephemeral existence. Lord Shiva is one of the three main aspects of God in the Hindu tradition: Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Shiva (your inner most self). This Holy Trinity is represented in Christianity as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Chanting this mantra with sincere love and devotion will begin to awaken within you, your true spiritual nature. It creates a powerful protective shield of divine vibrations that wards off all negativities and evil forces.

The Maha Mrityunjaya mantra is a life giving mantra. It helps to wards off death and accidents of all kinds and therefore it is recommended to be repeated before any travel or important projects.  It has a great curative effect on diseases. It is  a Moksha-Mantra that bestows liberation. It should be repeated 3, 9, 27 or 108 times, especially on your birthday. 108 times chanting of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra is equivalent to one round of a mala. Maha Mrityunjaya mantra can have a tremendous effect in stabilizing the mind in preparation for advance in meditation.

The Mantra can be chanted alone, individually, but when chanted in group it is more powerful and the effect and build-up of energy will be greater.

When chanted dynamically, at a fast speed, the Maha mrityunjaya Mantra generates a very powerful energy, and is at its most effective potency. One remains alert, stimulated and energized. However, whichever speed you decide to adopt, remember that it should be constant from beginning to end, creating a synchronized and melodious sound, to uplift the mind and spirit.

 

 

At the end of yoga classes, we add to the Mahamritunyaya mantra Peace mantras and mantras with blessings to all beings in the creation. This develops selflessness in our hearts and spreads peace vibrations in the mental world. We chant too Also Vedantic mantras which help us connect with the divine wisdom and express way express our gratitude to our teachers by praising them.

 

Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra

Om. Om. Om.

Om Tryambakam Yajamahe

Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam

Urvarukamiva Bandhanan

Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat (repeat 3 times)

Om Sarvesham Svastir Bhavatu

Sarvesham Shantir Bhavatu

Sarvesham Purnam Bhavatu

Sarvesham Mangalam Bhavatu

Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah

Sarve Santu Niramayaah

Sarve Bhadrani Pasyantu

Ma Kaschid-Dukha-Bhag-Bhavet

Asato Ma Sat Gamaya

Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya

Mrityor Mamritam Gamaya

Om Purnamadah Purnamidam

Purnat Purnamudachyate

Purnasya Purnamadaya

Purnameva Vashishyate

Om Shantih Shantih Shantih

Om Peace Peace Peace

 

 

Chanting the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra will aid in the spiritual opening of your third eye chakra, raise your level of consciousness, and increase your capacity for spiritual understanding. Chant with the sincere desire for freedom from the bonds of the material world, with purity and devotion and you shall have it.

When you have finished chanting, sit for a few minutes in the profound stillness and silence of the Himalayas, which lies within your own self, becoming aware of the protective psychic energy field which you have created around yourself with the chanting of the Maha mrityunjaya Mantra.

Know that you will carry that protection with you wherever you go until you chant again. Think of anyone whom you would like to include within this field, someone sick or in need of help. Project the energy out to them.


May the Maha mrityunjaya Mantra uplift your life and help you and all living beings overcome all the difficulties.

OM SHANTI

Amalia Shakti
YOGA VIDA SALUDABLE

A yoguic Tale :The Eagle Who Thought He Was a Chicken

 

There’s a fable that has inspired me through my journey. It is the story of a chicken farmer who found an eagle’s egg. He put it with his chickens and soon the egg hatched.

The young eagle grew up with all the other and whatever they did, the eagle did too.  The eagle grew up living like a chicken, and believing he was a chicken.

 

Since the chickens could only fly for a short distance, the eagle also learnt to fly a short distance. He thought that was what he was supposed to do. So that was all that he thought he could do.  As a consequence, that was all he was able to do.

One day the eagle saw a bird flying high above him. He was very impressed.

 

 

 

 

The eagle looked up and wondered, “What kind of animal is that? How graceful, powerful, and free it is.” Then he asked another chicken, “What is that?” The chicken replied, “Oh, that is an eagle. But don’t worry yourself about that. You will never be able to fly like that.” “That’s the eagle, the king of the birds,” the hens told him. “He belongs to the sky. We belong to the earth; we are just chickens.”

 

And the eagle went back to scratching the ground. He continued to behave like the chicken he thought he was. Finally, he died, never knowing the grand life that could have been his. So the eagle lived and died as a chicken, for that’s what he thought he was.

 

 

 

Are there any ways that you see yourself as a barnyard chicken and are not aware of your potential grandeur? You could soar like an eagle. What would that look like for you? Are you an Eagle or a Chicken?

I want to encourage you today that you are an eagle. You may have been brought up in a situation that limited your understanding of your potential, but it’s time now for the past to lose its hold on you. Don’t die thinking you’re a chicken. Soar high, just as you were meant to.

It’s time for you to take that next step and fly!

Just BE  YOURSELF!

 

With Love

Amalia Shakti

 

SIRSASANA, KING OF ASANAS.

 

 

The name comes from the Sanskrit words Sirsa meaning “head” and Asana meaning “posture”.  Sirsasana, the headstand, is traditionally known as the king of all asanas. It is one of the most important asanas in yoga as it revitalizes the entire body and stimulates the mind. 

 

Inversions are very beneficial postures, yet for many they are extremely intimidating. Sirsasana has profound physical and psychological effects. It can be practiced safely and without fear, but needs thorough explanation and exploration that’s why I offer to my students and yoga practitioner’s workshops to practice and teach inversions.

 

When we are born, the head comes out first, and then the limbs. The skull encases the brain, and the brain controls the nervous system and the sense organs. The brain is what holds intelligence, knowledge, wisdom, discrimination, power. Our body cannot function properly without a healthy brain. Headstand ensures a proper blood supply and stimulates the pituitary and pineal glands in the brain. Our growth, health and vitality depend on the proper functioning of these two glands that control the chemical balance of the body. Regular practice of Sirsasana makes healthy pure blood flow through the brain cells. This rejuvenates them so that thinking power increases and thoughts become clearer

 

 

 

Headstand stimulates the nervous system, increasing mental alertness and clarity. It is a centering, calming and soothing pose. People suffering from insomnia, lack of memory and vitality get benefited by the practice of this asana. Headstand strengthens the spine, neck, shoulders and arms. The muscular system of the abdomen and legs are toned. Inversions place the legs over the heart, so it helps to move stored fluids into the core for reoxygenation, filtration and elimination of waste material. Blood and lymph fluid is relieved from the legs and ankles and with regular practice prevents the retention of fluid in the legs and feet, alleviates from varicose veins and circulatory problems. Together with Sarvangasana, the shoulder standing, helps the digestive system and alleviates constipation. The lung tissue is stimulated. By reversing the pull of gravity on the organs, especially the intestines, it helps to cleanse them and overcome problems of the liver, kidneys, stomach, intestines and reproductive system. Headstand increases gastric fire and produces heat in the body. Headstand helps the spine become properly aligned, improving posture, facilitating good breathing and reducing muscular stress. The weight of the abdominal organs on the diaphragm encourages deep breathing, which gently massages the internal organs.

 

Headstand provides an opportunity for experimenting safely with the unfamiliar and helps to overcome fear. Headstand can be scary; it literally turns your world upside down.

 

When practicing Sirsasana, it is important to practice the correct alignment, so as to avoid any neck or shoulder injuries while in the process. This asana should be learned under the guidance of a qualified instructor. One will need guidance and help from an experienced yoga teacher in the initial stages, to achieve the balance required to keep the body inverted and vertical without unnecessary risks . In any case, Sirsasana should be learned slowly so that one doesn’t injure oneself by falling off, while practicing. Once you have proper alignment and balance, try to maintain the position for longer to get maximum benefit.

 

 

 

People suffering from high blood pressure, detached retina, glaucoma, hernias, cardiovascular disease, cervical spondylitis, thrombosis, arteriosclerosis, and kidney problems should not practice headstand. Those suffering from neck injuries should seek advice from a professional before practice this asana. Women during menstruation should avoid holding inversions. Pregnant women should take special care and consult a physician before attempting this pose. Always consult a doctor or a qualified yoga instructor before taking up the practice of Sirsasana and Sarvangasana, the Queen of asanas together create the kingdom that brings vitality to the body and calmness to the mind.

 

Best wishes of Joy and Peace.

 

Om Sahnti

 

Amalia Shakti

 

MY EXPERIENCE WITH TONY ROBBINS: " UNLEASH THE POWER WITHIN"

 

 

A couple of weeks ago,  I was blessed with being able to travel to London and spend four days in a total immersion with Tony Robbins for his “Unleash the Power Within”. What I lived there can’t be described just with words. It is something that you need to experience “in situ” to really understand what all is about. It was an amazing experience! A journey of transformation!

As a Yoga Life Coach, I came out of this experience with some incredible insights about the unlimited power of the human mind and I learnt some helpful tips and a new approaches that I can incorporate in my sessions with those that come to me looking for guidance. The impact of these 4 intensive  full 12+ hour days along with over 6,000 amazing people reunited in the same room was  extremely powerful!.

The course was  extremely intense, as we were getting continuously into a “peak state”, a physiological state where you feel confident and empowered having fun and enjoying the moment, so you can release old limiting beliefs, the energy went as high as in a rock concert or in a roller coaster ride. We became kids again! We learnt by making impact in our subconscious mind and exposing our emotions, while dancing, playing, jumping around and hugging each other with no prejudices. We pushed ourselves to the next level!

This unique course is about take responsibility of your life and design your future accepting and loving yourself.

Whether it be in your relationships, your career or your body, Tony Robbins really addresses all aspects of your life and the beliefs that could be keeping you from being the best version of yourself.  He teach the importance of your state – your moment-by-moment physical, emotional, mental state of being and he helps you to literally walk on fire!. The simple shift of pulling your shoulders back and your chest up (just 2 centimeters) can really change your entire mood, and smiling can actually make you feel happier and joyful. Why don’t you try?

The first day of the course, I became a firewalker!.  We were working on FEAR, which is what stops us from moving forward in life: The Fire Walk Experience is a way to turn Fear into Power and annihilate everything that does not serve you anymore. I had the experience to walk barefoot across a bed of hot coals between 1,200 and 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit to learn that there is absolutely nothing I cannot overcome.

We all experience fear in our lives that keeps us from really going after our goals and what we want in life. But we can turn fear into power, allowing you to breakthrough limiting beliefs that have held you back in life.

 

The second day was led by Joseph McClendon III, a great human being and inspiring person, with tons of energy and rhythm in his body and in the way he teach. He shared about his personal experience in life and with his mentor Tony and taught us about growth, control your emotions, and the quality of your life.

The way that you perceive experiences, and people around us will affect the quality of your life, because it reflects the pattern that you’ve chosen to create for yourself. We all know those people who seem happy all the time, and then we know others who are always sad and complaining,   all depends on what they’ve chosen to focus on. There is nothing a person does that is not an attempt to meet their needs. So much disappointment in people's lives comes from attempting to change circumstances around them or just hoping they will change so that their needs are met. If we focus on the positive and we are grateful for what we have and all that you’ve accomplished we are allowing to the Universe to bring us what we have asked for.

Day 3 is the day the transformation is made, if you choose to and you get your “Breakthrough”. Tony is there nonstop helping through the process for you to become “THE VOICE”, raise your standards, create an OUTSTANDING life  and not let other voices to lead your journey in life:  

 

One of Tony’s main lessons is that there are no failures in life, only outcomes – therefore you always succeed since you have now learned how to do things better and you are capable of achieving anything that you truly believe and desire.  He encourages you to not just live life but live a life full of passion, of drive, of meaning, of purpose, of motivation, of inspiration, of momentum.

 

Last day of the seminar was led by Joseph McClendon III. This day is focused in learning how to care for our bodies—life’s most precious gift—and give it the Power of Pure Energy. Energy is not only the basis of existence, it is the fuel that makes everything in our lives real and possible. We need to breath properly to get oxygen for our cells. Deep conscious, diaphragmatic breath is essential. Drink pure water and eliminate waste, practice proper exercise, proper relaxation and have a healthy alkaline diet, with 75% of clean fruits and vegetables, from our mother earth that have ripen under the sun to be able to live plenty if energy and  vital force The  extraordinary  Life you want for you and for the ones around you.

 

"The secret of living is giving"- Anthony Robbins

 

 

 

 

Thank You for your time,

With my best wishes of a happy an outstanding life.

 

Amalia Shakti

YOGA VIDA SALUDABLE

 

 

 

 

 

UNLEASH THE POWER WITHIN: I CHALLENGE YOU TO MAKE YOUR LIFE A MASTERPIECE

Anyone who knows me, knows that my greatest passion is to contribute to the wellbeing of others and share the teachings of the Ancient Science of Yoga. For me, it is an honor to help others find their life purpose through Yoga Life Coaching. To help people to trust in themselves, achieve their goals and release emotional tension and physical suffering makes me happy. That’s why I try to be a role model for my students and clients I live what I teach and I walk my talk.

I have written several articles, recorded videos and gave consultations and lectures.  I’ve been doing selfless service in the international Sivananda TTC/ATTC Courses for many years, I made collaborations on radio and TV and have helped many clients and friends. People come to me, both in my classes and consultations and share their feelings of dissatisfaction, concern and uncertainty. They come to me not only hoping to find a way to relax and make changes towards a healthier life style, they come to me because they feel they are wasting their talents and abilities. Some say I _ "I would love to find more satisfaction in my life." I would like to change my career and regain my motivation "" I would like to find something that really motivates me, something that I can enjoy, but I don’t know how to get there “I know I have to change something to feel good but I don’t know what my life purpose is  "

Along my journey, I've been through this situation of uncertainty and dissatisfaction. Before being where I am today, I went through a period in my life where there was dissatisfaction. From experience, I now know that regardless of your current situation, we can find our passion and build a life that excites us, with which we can contribute not only to our personal improvement and wellbeing but that of our surroundings. 

My students know that after 17 years of teaching, I consider myself a student.  Investing in training is very important, one of the best investments we can make in our lives.

As Yoga Life Coach is my desire to offer the best to all those who come to me, to improve their quality of life and change something that prevents them from being the best version of themselves.

So, I am very happy to tell you that in one week I’ll be attending a very special and unique course held in London. I want to share my excitement with you. I’ll be attending the 4 day’s intensive training, “Unleash the Power Within" with Anthony Robbins, who has directly impacted the lives of more than 50 million people from over 100 countries with his best-selling books, multimedia and health counselling, public speaking engagements, and live events. He is called on by leaders from every walk of life-presidents, political leaders, advocates for humanity, CEOs of multinational corporations, psychologists, peak performance athletes, world-class entertainers, teachers, and parents etc. To take part of this training is a dream come true!  I am excited with the idea of taking this course. I am sure that it will contribute to improve my teaching, public speaking, quality of consultations and therapies. The decision was not easy for me at first, because it is needed an important investment that requires a good deal of time, effort, and money. There are seminars that are more affordable in this regard, however, my mind is focused toward abundance, I have prioritized and I chose consciously.

Many of the people who follow me, send me emails saying that they feel stagnant in their work and in their personal lives, they want to do something to improve their lives and take a step forward but they have too much fear of "wasting" money, time and effort in training.

I want to be an example to follow. If you want to improve your life, invest in knowledge and  in your career, achieve your goals, reach more people, improve your relationships, if you want to improve in all aspects of your life, it is important to invest in your education and your personal training whether it may seem at first that you do not have the resources, the motivation, the time and money needed.

For more than 30 years Tony Robbins' passion has been helping people BREAK THROUGH and take their lives to another level--no matter how successful they already are--in the areas that matter most: their business, health, self-image, finances, intimate relationships, careers.

Tony Robbins has helped more than 50 million people from more than 100 countries transform their lives through his books, audio programs, health products, live events and personal coaching. He's been fortunate enough to work with everyone from presidents of countries to some of the true legends of entertainment, sports and the business world. But his work is not limited to Fortune 500 CEOs and athletes. He has a special passion for small-business owners, parents and students.

One of the things Tony is most proud of is his humanitarian work through the non-profit Anthony Robbins Foundation. He believe that if we're blessed enough to have insight and economic opportunities, then we're also blessed enough to be able to give back. To those who much has been given, much is expected. Tony Robbins is able to feed more than two million people in 56 countries every year through his International Basket Brigade

I have read his 4 bestseller published. "Unlimited Power", "Awakening the Giant Within," "Control your destiny" and "Letter to a friend" and I am looking forward to read “Money Master the game” published in September 2014 ". All of the author’s profits of this book have been donated in advance by the author, which in conjunction with an additional personal donation, will provide 50 million meals for people in need this year.

I really admire Tony Robbins contribution and commitment with society and his great inner and physical strength. It is amazing how young and energetic he looks with 55 years old!

The course I’ll be attending consists of an "immersion" of 4 days with   6000 other people, all seeking personal and professional development in all areas of life.  Tony Robbins events differ from other programs because in 4 days with more than 12 hours of teaching each day, it can affect the physical body and mind like a five week event. At the end of the first day we will do the famous "firewalking" as a metaphor that you can overcome your fears and change your beliefs. I'll share with you about my experience very soon. I am so excited! I am going into it with an open mind, a willingness to fully participate of the experience and I soon to pass forward and share with others.

My best wishes of inner peace and happiness!

Amalia Shakti

WHAT IS A MANTRA? WHY WE CHANT MANTRAS IN YOGA PRACTICE?

 

 

Mantra is pure power in sound form. The word mantra comes from the ancient Sanskrit language and has two parts: man, which is the root of the Sanskrit word for mind; and tra, which is the root of the word instrument. A mantra is therefore an instrument of the mind. Mantras, come in all shapes and sizes. They can be composed of sentences, single words, or even single syllables.  Mantras guide and protect the mind. They help to guide your awareness to a place that is quiet and still.

The ancient seers identified all the primordial vibrations or mantras that make up the universe and these were eventually recorded in the Vedas.

Silently repeating a mantra as you meditate is a powerful way to enter the silence of the mind. As you repeat the mantra, it creates a mental vibration that allows the mind to experience deeper levels of awareness

At the beginning of each yoga class, in order to raise the room's energy as well as to relax, focus and uplift our mind, we recite some Sanskrit mantras.  At the end of a yoga class, to keep with us the energy protection and blessings acquired through the practice, we repeat some mantras too. That is a way in which we express our gratitude to our gurus, teachers and the knowledge of yoga.

In my yoga clases I usually repeat with my students the following:

OPENING  MANTRAS

Om Gumganapataje Namaha
Om Gumgurupyo Namaha
Om Ganeshaya Namaha
Om Namah Sivaya Gurave

Sat Chid Ananda Murtaye

Nisprapanchaya Shantaya

Sri Sivanandaya Te Namaha

Sri Vishnu Devanandaya Te Namaha

Om Sarva Mangala Mangalye
Shive Sarvatha Sadhike
Sharanye Tryambake Gauri
Naraayani Namostute
Naraayani Namostute

Om Shantih Shantih Shantih

 CLOSSING MANTRAS

Asato Ma Sat Gamaya

Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya
Mrityor Mamritam Gamaya

Om Purnamadah Purnamidam

Purnat Purnamudachyate

Purnasya Purnamadaya

Purnameva Vashishyate

Om Shantih Shantih Shantih

Om Peace Peace Peace

 

There is a natural fear to the unknown, that´s why we create resistance to what we don´t understand.  Some yoga students are not appealed by the nature and symbolism of mantra chanting.  There are many beginners that come to yoga for “the physical part” and they have an inner rejection for the “spiritual part. They have prejudices and preconceived ideas that associates mantra chanting with religious or mystic rituals, ignoring, mental and physical benefits. Many accept the mantras as an ornament, but they don’t recognize yet the purpose or the importance it could have in their Yoga practice. This is something normal. The new students need some time to allow themselves to put aside the prejudices and the preconceived, and be open to experience mantra chanting from the observance of its effects in the body, mood and mind.

The key to success in any form of mantra practice is repetition. Single-syllable mantras, known as bija (seed) mantras, are the easiest to remember and recite; they’re also the most powerful. It’s believed that, just as a tiny seed contains a majestic tree, each bija contains vast amounts of spiritual wisdom and creative force. One of the oldest and most widely known of these seeds is om.

 

Why do we sing OM?

Om is a mantra, that is chanted at the beginning and end of yoga sessions. Om is the “primordial seed” of the universe—this whole world, says one ancient text, “is nothing but om.” It is also considered to be the root mantra from which all other mantras emerge.

According to the Vedic tradition, the ancient sages were able to hear the subtle vibrations produced by everything in nature―the sounds of the wind, thunder, butterflies, rushing rivers and all other creations. They recognized that these sounds are the manifestation of spirit into matter. They identified “Om” (or aum) as the most elemental sound, representing the infinite universal consciousness. For thousands of years, people have used this mantra to expand their awareness of the divine.

Aum actually consists of four syllables: A, U, M, and the silent syllable.

 Symbolically the three letters embody the divine energy (Shakti) and it’s 3 main characteristics: (1) creation, (2) preservation and (3) liberation.

Om is a sound symbolizing reality. It represents everything in the universe, past, present, and future. It even represents everything that is outside of those three times.

 Everything in the universe is pulsating and vibrating – nothing is really standing still! The sound Om, when chanted, vibrates at the frequency of 432 Hz, which is the same vibrational frequency found throughout everything in nature.

 As such AUM is the basic sound of the universe; so by chanting it we are symbolically and physically tuning in to that sound and acknowledging our connection to all other living beings, nature and the universe.

 Singing OM on a regular basis has numerous positive physical effects in our bodies mostly due to the internal vibration of the sound in itself. It has been scientifically proved that singing OM has invaluable vibratory effects in our bodies and helps to achieve slow, regular and complete exhalation. It aids to control and relax our breathing system and has several soothing effects in our minds.

The sustained sound makes all the bones of the thoracic cage vibrate, stimulates the pulmonary cells and enables an optimum gaseous exchange in our lungs and in the endocrine glands.  The continuous and smooth sound create a perfect control of progressive relaxation of all the breathing muscles and subsequently a comfortable and ease inhale. OM chanting enables us to learn how to eliminate latent and unconscious contractions in muscles of our body that we do not fully control. Concentration becomes easier and your mind is awaken, while the electromagnetic waves produced by the vibration are spread throughout all the body increasing dynamism and vitality.

In addition the vibrations and rhythmic pronunciation also have a physical effect on the body by slowing down the nervous system and calming the mind similar to meditation. When the mind is relaxed, your blood pressure decreases and ultimately the health of your heart improves.

Om is a nirguna mantra because it has not concrete form but there are saguna mantras.

These are mantras  belong to a particular deity or aspect of the Divine, like Om Namah Sivaya or Om Namoh Narayanaya. The deity and the mantra are one. By repeating the mantra you gradually change your own vibration until it matches the deity aspects. We become one with Good and his/her positive aspects. Each mantra induces specific vibrations in the mind, always high vibrations to bring the best of us out. However, mantras don’t have particular meanings, there is no need to translate them ( if we translate them they lose their ancient vibration). They are simply vibrations of consciousness.

When they’re silently repeated, they help us disconnect from the thoughts filling our mind and slip into the gap between thoughts. Since each mantra induces specific vibrations in the mind.

I hope this information will help you if you are new to yoga or if you wanted to understand why we use mantras in yoga practice. You don’t need to believe in my words. If there is something that resonates in you and that is useful for you take it and make use of it. If there is anything that is not useful or that you feel uncomfortable with, leave it.

With love and kindness

Om Om Om

Amalia Shakti

YOGA VIDA SALUDABLE