From the moment our eyes flick open every morning, our minds go supersonic as we are tasked with thousands of things to complete throughout the day.
As such, speed is very much a part of modern society, as expectations are high and deadline-driven, with the motto of B次元官网网址渢ime is moneyB次元官网网址� silently whipping our lives forward.
But what if speed isnB次元官网网址檛 everything? And that, perhaps, our constantly-supercharged minds are harming our mental and physical health.
This is a question Surya Ishaya and her fellow instructors will discuss on Sept. 9, from 1 to 2 p.m., at the Heart of the Village Yoga studio in Oak Bay during an introduction to the Art of Ascension, a unique meditation practice meant to slow down and de-agitate oneB次元官网网址檚 mind, soul and body to a state of clear consciousness.
B次元官网网址淭hey are very easy and simple techniques based on praise and gratitude that work automatically when you use them to bring the mind and connect it to the present moment, which allows you to release stress in the nervous system and expand the mind effortlessly every time,B次元官网网址� Ishaya said, who is coming to Victoria from a retreat in Missouri (where she teaches the practice) to host the session.
Originally from the Island, Ishaya began the practice in Victoria eight years ago, and has been teaching it all over the place for the last six years.
For the introductory talk, people can drop by for free to learn about the benefits of mediation, Ascension, and how the mind and body connection can affect our world and state of being.
B次元官网网址淢editation practice can correct that, so that weB次元官网网址檙e coming first from our clear mind and then creating from there in a more stabilized place,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淥ver time we start to connect with the present moment, without all of the busy activity of the mind that normally is how people operate.B次元官网网址�
Though easy to compare with yoga, the Art of Ascension is intimately different, as itB次元官网网址檚 more of a meditative, mental process and less of a physical one. ItB次元官网网址檚 also meant to slow everything down in oneB次元官网网址檚 mind to a peaceful stillness.
B次元官网网址淥ur minds and our thoughts are whatB次元官网网址檚 so busy, just stepping from one thought to another. When we can slow that down, we can live more just more connected with whatB次元官网网址檚 happening around us,B次元官网网址� Ishaya said.
Best thing about it is that itB次元官网网址檚 simple. ThereB次元官网网址檚 no need for an upright sitting posture, one can get comfortable, even practice it in bed while to sleep or waking up in the morning.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not from any religious or denominational background, itB次元官网网址檚 just a series of mechanical techniques that we teach, and anybody can learn it.B次元官网网址�
Ishaya is a Sanskrit word, consisting of two parts: B次元官网网址淚shaB次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址測aB次元官网网址�. B次元官网网址淚shaB次元官网网址� means Christ Consciousness. B次元官网网址淵aB次元官网网址� means B次元官网网址渇orB次元官网网址� or B次元官网网址渟tudent ofB次元官网网址�. As such, Ishaya is not SuryaB次元官网网址檚 true name, but her dedication to a discipline practiced for thousands of years.
B次元官网网址淭hose of us who want to take vows to make a priority and a commitment in our lives, then weB次元官网网址檙e given a spiritual name,B次元官网网址� she said.
Ishaya and the other instructors (two per session) will also host a workshop the following weekend, from Sept. 15 to 17, for those who wish to try out the Art of Ascension at the Heart of the Village Yoga studio. For more info, please visit or send an email to surya.ishaya@gmail.com.
