Dates:March 6-9, 2008
City:Los Angeles, California
Hotel:LAX Hilton

Saturday , March 8, 2008
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Richard Miller, Ph.D. and Amy Weintraub will present: Psycho-spiritual Challenges - Depression

While depressive disorders affect over 18.8 million American adults annually, standard treatments work only 30-45% of the time. Clearly alternative treatments are needed and research suggests yoga as one such complimentary treatment as its practice affects the neurotransmitters implicated in mood disorders. For centuries yogis have been psychologists, using the laboratory of their bodyminds to understand their moods. They have handed down prescriptions for maintaining optimal mental health, as presented in such texts as Patañjali's Yoga Sutras, Svarodaya, and the Vijñânabhairav. During this presentation, Amy and Richard will investigate the modern relevance of these prescriptions for us as Yoga therapists. We'll explore how Yoga, including asana, pranayama, kriya, mantra, mudra, sankalpa, bhavana, yoga nidra and meditation directly addresses depressive states. We'll examine what we can offer our students to help them understand and manage their moods. And we'll practice Yogic strategies designed to meet and balance depressive mood states.

Speakers The Over 30 experts presenting at SYTAR include:S. Veda Bharati, J. Chapman, N. Devi, L. Fishman, L. Kaminoff, G. Kraftsow, J. Lasater, J. LePage, R. Miller, S. Nelson, L. Payne,   E. Small, M. Stiles, A. Weintraub, and R. Vernon.

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Included in the liner notes are both written instructions and pictures of both versions, as well as the words and translation of the opening prayer.

The Moon Salute is the cornerstone, and the tracks that surround it are equally superb in providing the practitioner with a strong and peaceful foundation to the rest of the day or evening.  In fact, unlike most practices, this CD is a perfect end to a busy day. 

Megha begins practice with a chanted prayer, playing harmonium and chanting the Student/Teacher Mantra.  Singing along is a good way to center yourself for what follows.  The next track features approximately thirteen minutes of warm-ups that include the six movements of the spine, practiced in a seated position and a calming Full Moon Breath.

Track four at 26:28 is the Moon Salutation itself and may be repeated.  The final meditation track is nearly twenty-six minutes, includes three different fully guided meditations, and ends with Metta/Loving Kindness Meditation.   

The tracks can be played separately or together for a graceful flow that honors your body's limits and its strengths.  Megha's CD, like the popular yoga and dance classes she has been teaching at Kripalu since 1985, is compassionate and inspiring.   Her commitment to "living softly on the planet" is manifest in her tithing 10 percent of the proceeds of this reasonably prices CD to Earth Justice. 

Music is by Mark Kelso and Todd Norian. 

To order, visit www.letyouryogadance.org

Meditate by Pamela Miles & Steve Gorn

"Meditation," says Miles in the welcoming first track, "brushes the tangles out of the mind, rejuvenates the mind, and makes it shine."  She likens the mind to a "subtle organ that needs care" and suggests that you approach the practice with confidence.  People feel they fail, she says, only when they have an impossible vision of what meditation is. 

Miles spends time helping new meditators explore sitting postures that might work best for their bodies,  and then introduces a simple and accessible breath observation practice to begin the meditation experience. 

Although consistency matters, and Miles recommends sitting to meditate every day, at the same time, you might consider keeping the CD on your listening device, perhaps even your computer, and taking brief meditation breaks.  Track 4, "Observing the Natural Breath," for example, is only 3:44, and might just focus your energy so that you feel more productive as you return to your work.  Don't forget, at those busy, challenging times, when we most often tell ourselves we don't have time

to meditate, is when we need meditation most!