When most of us hear the word yoga, we visualize super bendy, gooey-muscled gurus and impossible contorted poses. If we know a little more, we may think of relaxation or centering and strengthening. While it’s true that yoga can be all of these things, just 5 or 10 minutes of daily yoga can relax both body and mind, releasing tension that accumulates in the muscles, and pacifying an overworked brain. In actuality, yoga is so much more.
The term “yoga” comes from the Sanskrit word for unification, as in to “yoke” or connect. Yoga was originally intended to describe a complete physical, emotional, mental and spiritual practice that linked of these four aspects of being. Historically, this connection was solidified by activities that consisted of 8 fundamental elements which, when they were exercised regularly and consciously, were said to support and promote a joyful and actualized life through moral and ethical conduct and self-discipline. This eightfold path, called Ashtanga – which literally means “eight limbs” (ashta=eight, anga=limb) – directs our minds toward our health and well-being, while helping us acknowledge all aspects of our nature and the nature of others.
1. Ethical standards
This first limb encompasses our ethical standards and integrity with regard to our behavior to ourselves, others and situations in life. These universal practices and teachings can be summarized best by what we know as the Golden Rules of “Love thy neighbor as thyself” and “Do onto others as you would have them do unto you.” The five ethical standards that determine Yoga’s moral and ethical code, are:
Living peacefully without engaging in violence
Being truthful
Not stealing
Exercising self-control and restraint
Neutralizing the desire to acquire and hoard wealth
2. Spiritual disciplines
This second limb further discusses self-discipline and also has to do with spiritual observances including meditation, regularly attending temple or church services, and taking solitary reflective walks.
There are five spiritual disciplines to practice for spiritual health and well being:
Cleanliness
Contentment with what you have and how life is at this very moment
Keeping our bodies fit through regular, vigorous exercise to literally burn up and cleanse it of those desires that stand in the way of leading a spiritual life
Spiritual study and self-examination
Surrender to God (This is more about recognizing that we are small in the scheme of life and knowing that there is or are a higher power(s) that is (are) in charge of the universe and what occurs throughout it—rather than worshiping a biblical supernatural being.)
3. Physical postures
According to yogic precepts, the body is the sacred vessel that carries the spirit. Taking care of the body is essential for spiritual growth. Practicing the physical postures of yoga helps us to develop the discipline, strength and concentration that are essential to meditation. In more modern scientific terms, holding the body in certain positions facilitates, improves and modifies the flow of electrical energy through the muscles and connective tissue.
4. Mental postures
As physical postures tone and energize the body, it is also necessary to tone and energize the mind. This stage consists of yoga breathing techniques that are designed to control our life force, cleanse our lungs, oxygenate our blood and purify our nerves, while clearing the mind of negative emotions like hatred, passion, anger, lust, greed, delusion and pride.
5. Looking Within
While we live in an external reality, effective living requires periodically turning our thoughts and awareness away from our outer stimuli and placing our attention internally. Through self-examination and withdrawal from the sensual world, we can better observe our cravings and bad habits that may be interfering with our spiritual growth.
6. Concentration
This stage encompasses further honing our powers of concentration. After relieving ourselves of outside distractions by looking within, we are better prepared to deal with our own active minds, loaded down with cares, distractions and desires. To help slow down our thoughts, concentration has us place our awareness on a single thought, a specific energy center in the body, or the silent repetition of a sound. In this manner we turn our attentions away from the external world and inward, focusing our mind on a single point.
7. Meditation
Meditation comprises the seventh stage of Ashtanga. Meditation is the uninterrupted flow of concentration. Although concentration and meditation may seem like they are the same things, as in, if you are doing the former, then you are doing the latter, they are actually different practices. Concentration involves focusing on one point, while meditation is the act of being aware, yet having a quiet mind with few or no thoughts at all. Though this is a challenging state to achieve, regular practice will always bring progress.
8. Enlightenment
This final stage of Ashtanga is the reward for faithfully practicing the other 7 limbs; it is a state of peace and enlightenment that brings about feelings of being at one with the universe and connected to all living things.
Rabbi Friedman – The Soul and the Afterlife: Where Do We Go From Here?
Sinai Indaba is an annual Torah convention of the foremost international Jewish leaders and thinkers.
See more at: www.Sinai-Indaba.com Dubbed a “superstar” by the New York Times, world-renowned counselor and philosopher on emotional wellbeing, self-help and spirituality, Rabbi Manis Friedman has attracted international acclaim with his book, Doesn’t Anyone Blush Anymore:
Reclaiming Intimacy, Modesty and Sexuality in a Permissive Age.
Bob Dylan described the book, which is currently in its fourth printing, as a must read, saying that “anyone who is either married or thinking of getting married would do well to read Friedman’s book”.
Rabbi Friedman is the Founder of the first ever women’s yeshiva and hosts his own critically acclaimed cable television series, Torah Forum with Manis Friedman.
The Concert Seen Around the World: ‘Aloha from Hawaii’
Forty-five years ago, this month, Elvis made history in Hawaii.
Elvis’ iconic special, “Aloha from Hawaii,” aired on January 14, 1973, and it was the first entertainment special by a solo artist to be broadcast live around the world.
1972 and 1973 were great years to be Elvis fans. In 1972, Elvis released the documentary “Elvis on Tour,” giving fans a good long look at his concerts and the work that went into producing them. In fact, the “Aloha from Hawaii” concert was supposed to take place in November 1972, but MGM, who produced the documentary, feared it was too close to the movie’s opening. “Aloha” was pushed to January 1973. The November 1972 concerts happened, anyway, but they weren’t filmed.
At this press conference, Elvis said he loved performing live for his fans.
Two press conferences were held to promote “Aloha.” The first was on September 4, 1972, in Las Vegas, followed by a second on at Hawaiian Hilton Village in November 1972.
Elvis arrived in Hawaii on January 9, 1973, to begin rehearsals. Naturally, such a big production needed a few back-up plans and extra precautions. Elvis had two of the exact same jumpsuits made for the show, including one to wear in the dress rehearsal on January 12. In fact, that dress rehearsal was also filmed, just in case there were issues with the satellite broadcast and the rehearsal show needed to be broadcast instead.
Elvis had just celebrated his 38th birthday on January 8.
Elvis took the stage just after midnight, Hawaii time, on January 14.
Naturally, Elvis wanted to use the concert to give back. There was no set ticket price for the concert; instead, donations were given. The more the donation, the better the seat. Elvis actually purchased a ticket for himself and his entourage at $100 each (which, with inflation, would be over $575 in today’s money).
He asked that donations and merchandise sales go to the Kui Lee Cancer Fund, which had been established following the songwriter’s death in 1966. Lee wrote hits like “Ain’t No Big Thing,” “The Days of My Youth” and “I’ll Remember You,” which Elvis covered in many of his concerts, including in the “Aloha” special. The goal was to raise $25,000, but – of course – that goal was surpassed. A total of $75,000 was raised for the fund.
The ‘Aloha’ concerts were filmed at the Honolulu International Center (now known as the Neal S. Blaisdell Center).
Elvis’ “Aloha from Hawaii” aired in more than 40 countries across Asia and Europe. The special didn’t air in the United States on January 14, though. There was another major TV moment happening on U.S. televisions on January 14 – a little thing called Super Bowl VII – so “Aloha from Hawaii” aired on April 4. It is estimated, though, that between 1 and 1.5 billion viewers watched the king’s special.
The setlist included hits like “See See Rider,” “Burning Love,” “You Gave Me a Mountain,” “Suspicious Minds,” “Fever,” “Hound Dog” and “I Can’t Stop Loving You.”
Celebrate everything about “Aloha from Hawaii” at Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum at Elvis Presley’s Memphis at Graceland. The museum features his incredible American Eagle jumpsuit, and you can watch scenes from the concert in the museum’s theater. Go to Graceland.com now to plan your visit!
Stephen Foster Memorial Day on January 13th commemorates the music of the man who composed hundreds of America’s first popular songs.
Born in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania, on July 4, 1826, Stephen Foster became known as America’s First Composer. His catchy tunes based on minstrel songs are still known today.
Despite Foster’s exclusive music contract with Firth, Pond, and Company, he was penniless when he died at the age of 37. While his songs were wildly popular, the lack of copyright protection and alcoholism left him with nothing of value to show for his work.
During his short life, Foster wrote over 200 songs. His best-known compositions include “Oh! Susanna,” “Camptown Races,” “Old Folks at Home,” “My Old Kentucky Home,” “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair,” “Old Black Joe,” and “Beautiful Dreamer” and are still very popular today.
Foster died on January 13, 1864, at the age of 37.
HOW TO OBSERVE #StephenFosterMemorialDay
Read about the life of Stephen Foster or watch a documentary. Listen to some of his music. You might be surprised to learn how familiar some of it is. How many of them do you already know? Check out our suggestions below:
Doo-dah! by Ken Emerson
Beautiful Dreamer: The Life of Stephen Collins Foster by Ellen Hunter Ulken
Use #StephenFosterMemorialDay to post on social media.
STEPHEN FOSTER MEMORIAL DAY HISTORY
Congress passed a joint resolution on October 27, 1951, designating January 13th Stephen Foster Memorial Day and President Harry S. Truman proclaimed the observance for Sunday, January 13, 1952.
Stephen Foster FAQ
Q. Are Stephen Foster’s songs in the public domain? A. Yes. Though Foster sold the rights to his songs in 1857 to his publishers, today, Foster’s songs may be performed, recorded, or published without permission.
Q. Was Stephen Foster inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame? A. Yes. In 1970, Stephen Foster was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Q. What was the last song Stephen Foster wrote? A. Stephen Foster wrote “Beautiful Dreamer” two weeks before his death.
[Verse 1] I dream of Jeanie with the light brown hair Borne, like a vapor, on the summer air; I see her tripping where the bright streams play Happy as the daisies that dance on her way Many were the wild notes her merry voice would pour Many were the blithe birds that warbled them o’er: Oh! I dream of Jeanie with the light brown hair Floating, like a vapor, on the soft summer air
[Verse 2] I long for Jeanie with the daydawn smile Radiant in gladness, warm with winning guile; I hear her melodies, like joys gone by Sighing round my heart o’er the fond hopes that die:— Sighing like the night wind and sobbing like the rain,— Wailing for the lost one that comes not again: Oh! I long for Jeanie, and my heart bows low Never more to find her where the bright waters flow
[Verse 3] I sigh for Jeanie, but her light form strayed Far from the fond hearts round her native glade; Her smiles have vanished and her sweet songs flown Flitting like the dreams that have cheered us and gone Now the nodding wild flowers may wither on the shore While her gentle fingers will cull them no more: Oh! I sigh for Jeanie with the light brown hair Floating, like a vapor, on the soft summer air
Amelia Earhart flies solo from Hawaii to California becomes the first person to complete the transpacific flight.
In the first flight of its kind, American aviatrix Amelia Earhart departs Wheeler Field in Honolulu, Hawaii, on a solo flight to North America. Hawaiian commercial interests offered a $10,000 award to whoever accomplished the flight first. The next day, after traveling 2,400 miles in 18 hours, she safely landed at Oakland Airport in Oakland, California.
On May 21, 1932, exactly five years after American aviator Charles Lindbergh became the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, Earhart became the first woman to repeat the feat when she landed her plane in Londonderry, Ireland. However, unlike Lindbergh when he made his historic flight, Earhart was already well known to the public before her solo transatlantic flight. In 1928, as a member of a three-member crew, she had become the first woman to cross the Atlantic in an aircraft. Although her only function during the crossing was to keep the plane’s log, the event won her national fame, and Americans were enamored with the modest and daring young pilot. For her solo transatlantic crossing in 1932, she was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross by the U.S. Congress.
Two years after her Hawaii to California flight, she attempted with navigator Frederick J. Noonan to fly around the world, but her plane was lost on July 2, 1937, somewhere between New Guinea and Howland Island in the South Pacific. Radio operators picked up a signal that she was low on fuel—the last trace the world would ever know of Amelia Earhart.
My great grandfathers’ picture of Emelia Earhart before her flight to California in front of her Lockheed Vega 5B
It was 84 years ago today that American pilot Amelia Earhart made history in the first ever solo flight from Hawaii to California.
On January 11, 1935, she took off in her Lockheed Vega 5B airplane from Honolulu on her way to Oakland, California. At the time this was no easy task, as others had tried, and tragically failed. However, despite Honolulu having been somewhat soggy by winter rains, the plane took off in the afternoon without trouble. All through the flight she had no mechanical problems and faced no poor weather conditions that impeded her travel. In fact, as she would later say, she even managed to listen to the radio broadcast of the Metropolitan Opera. In flight, she had hot chocolate and a few
The journey took only 18 hours, but it was ground breaking, not only earning her more worldwide acclaim, leading her to later attempt to circumnavigate the globe in 1937 when she would disappear, but also $10,000 dollars from Hawaii businesses that had promoted the idea of having a pacific flight to the mainland.
On January 11, 1935, Amelia Earhart took to the skies and made aviation history for America.
In an interesting note, the picture I used for this article is similar to many others that have been published before. However, this picture is from my great grandfather, Robert Young, who served as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Army Aircorps, stationed in Hawaii during this time. I found this image in my grandfather’s old photo album.
About the Author
Ronald G. Mayer Jr. is a Native of Arizona and a graduate of the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University. He teaches history at Liberty Traditional School in Prescott Valley where he resides. He looks forward to a career as a Professor of History.
