Are you insecure?

1) Do you always want to be the centre of attraction when you are in a group?

2) Do you tend to boast of your attainments, work, relationships etc.?

3) Do you spend a major part of conversation (with anyone) on criticizing people, things, systems etc and feel good about it?

4) Do you act as a Mr/ Ms Know-it-all?

5) Are you too sensitive towards others opinions of you?

6) Is it difficult for you to acknowledge others virtues, good advice, achievements?

7) Do you say "thank you", "please" and "sorry" easily?

8) Can you easily accept your own mistakes?

9) Are you too conscious of other people judging you?

10) Are you shy to talk in a group?

Some of these questions are contradictory, some reflect extroversion, whereas others introversion. And each one of us will have the answer "yes" in one or a few questions. The important thing to realise here is that a positive answer to any of these questions reflects that a person is insecure, has low self-esteem and is not comfortable in his skin. Also important is to realize that all of us will have some degree of insecurity but i feel that when more than 2 of the above questions are answered as "yes", we need to think.

i am on a long break now (which explains my laziness towards the blog) at my hometown in Ahmedabad where I had a chance to meet and interact with many people. Out of the conversations that we had, one thing was common......... CRITICISMS. I don't know why are we so fond of it and why do we get a sense of satisfaction and gratification from running others down. That reminds me of an anecdote,

An evening school teacher asked his lady students to refrain from talking negative about anything throughout the week. In the next week he asked the ladies, how the week went and what did they talk about. One of the ladies promptly replied, "Sir, there was hardly anything to talk."

Isn't it also true for us? (i m referring equally to men and women :-))

Why are we not comfortable with who we are? why do we keep comparing everything? why cant we accept the simple fact that each one is made different with his strengths and weaknesses, talents etc, and why do we get confidence out of negating others? People who are extremely extrovert or introvert are both insecure and tend to have a bloated ego. It's not wrong but it's certainly wrong not to know about it.

In yoga there is no comparison, no competition with others. To develop the attitude of "Aishwarya" i.e. self confidence, sense of achievement; we have to move ahead and that too by not pulling others down. Criticising is very easy like breaking a glass. But you achieve only when you make a glass, applying heat, moulding and proper cooling....................

Cheers to that!!!

Thought for today

Don't be afraid to say, "I don't know", "I made a mistake", "I need help", "I'm sorry".

Spiderman is a Vegan and practices Yoga

Spiderman, Spiderman,

Does whatever a spider can

Spins a web, any size,

Catches thieves just like flies

Look Out! Here comes the Spiderman.

Every one from a small child to an adult is fond of superheroes and would certainly wish to get some of their powers. Needless to say that 'Spiderman' is one of the favourite superheroes around the world. So this bit of information might inspire a few. The man who played the strong, loveable, caring, protecting Spidey - Tobey Maguire, is certainly one to look up to. He is a vegetarian (vegan to be precise) and practices yoga daily.

Hastapadangushtasana

(The pictures are not that clear as they've been taken informally from a cell phone.)

Initially when i started practicing this asana, even keeping the leg straight from the knee was very difficult and balancing even more trying. It is a very important asana as it works on the faculties of balance, strength, concentration, flexibility and endurance. Once you grow in the practice, you can move from the straight to the side version without putting the leg down. One more thing to be aware of is keeping the bottom or the supporting leg straight. It will come only with practice. Certainly, people who thought yoga was boring and not challenging should rethink, and try some of these techniques!!!

Thought for today

Life is no more than a dewdrop balancing on the end of a blade of grass

All about coconut

The English name coconut, first mentioned in English print in 1555, comes from Spanish and Portugese word coco, which means "monkey face." Spanish and Portugese explorers found a resemblance to a monkey's face in the three round indented markings or "eyes" found at the base of the coconut. On the Nicobar Islands of the Indian Ocean, whole coconuts were used as currency for the purchace of goods until the early part of the twentieth century.

Coconuts are the fruit of the coconut palm, botanically known as cocos nucifera, with nucifera meaning "nut-bearing." The fruit-bearing palms are native to Malaysia, Polynesia and southern Asia, and are now also prolific in South America, India , the Pacific Islands , Hawaii and Florida. The light, fibrous husk allowed it to easily drift on the oceans to other areas to propagate. In Sanskrit, the coconut palm is known as kalpa vriksha, meaning "tree which gives all that is necessary for living," since nearly all parts of the tree can be used in some m anner or another. The coconut itself has many food uses, including milk, meat, sugar and oil as well as functioning as its own dish and cup. The husk was also burned for fuel by natives, but today a seed fibre called coir is taken from the husk and used to make brushes, mats, fishnets, and rope. A very potent fermented toddy or drink is also made from the coconut palm's sap. Coconut oil, a saturated fat made from dried coconut meat, is used for commercial frying and in candies and margarines, as well as in non-edible products such as soaps and cosmetics. Most coconut water is still consumed fresh in tropical coastal areas - once exposed to air, the liquid rapidly loses most of its characteristics, and begins to ferment.

Coconut Water is better than whole milk - Less fat and NO cholesterol.
Coconut Water is better than Orange Juice - Much lower calories.
Coconut Water is better than processed baby milk - It contains lauric acid, which is present in human mother's milk.
Coconut water is naturally sterile - Water permeates though the filtering husk.
Coconut water is a universal donor - Its identical to human blood plasma.
Coconut Water is a Natural Isotonic Beverage - The same Ph level we have in our blood.

Moreover,

Coconut water contains more potassium (at about 294 mg) than most sports drinks (117 mg) and most energy drinks.
Coconut water has less sodium (25mg) where sports drinks have around 41mg and energy drinks have about 200 mg.
Coconut water has 5mg of Natural Sugars where sports and energy drinks range from 10-25mg of Altered Sugars.
Coconut water is very high in Chloride at 118mg, compared to sports drinks at about 39mg.

(Data is based on a 100ml drink)

The information has been solicited from the internet and info given by a friend

Giving 'Thanks'

The spiritual texts always explain that it is very imperative for the practitioner or seeker to let go of "EGO". Though it is easier said then done, one simple way to practice that is by meditating on 'gratitude'.

Sit in a quiet place in your house or room, in comfortable posture (cross legged or any other), close your eyes, place your palms on your thighs and draw your attention inwards. After a minute when you are focused, start expressing gratitude towards each and every person that has touched your life in any way.

Thank the people who build roads, bridges, telephone systems, communications, media which you always take for granted.
Thank the shopkeepers, bus conductors, staff at the multiplex, restaurant where you normally frequent.
Thank the workers who built your house, car mechanic, plumber, electrician, driver, sweeper, servant, garbage collector, security, gatekeeper, office peon, maid, cook, gardener, milkman, newspaperman, postman, laundryman and all the other people who render their services to you even though for money.
Thank your friends, relatives for being there when you needed.
Thank your children, father, brothers / sisters, spouse and your MOTHER.
Lastly thank the higher power, God destiny whatever you may call for giving you this life.

Do this exercise for about 5-10 minutes everyday when you get up in the morning or go to bed. You may also feel tears rolling down your cheeks but that is just your ego melting away making you grounded, humble and compassionate. After all there is no such thing as independence. It's only INTERDEPENDENCE which helps us live.

ps: the pic is from Bihar School of Yoga