Swami Saradananda – författare

Chakras are the body's subtle energy centres vital for our physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. This comprehensive book provides a detailed guide to the characteristics of each chakra and how you can work with them to heal and balance every aspect of your life. Beginning with an outline of the key energy concepts including prana, the nadis and kundalini energy, the book goes on to explain the basic techniques for working with chakras, including: meditating on yantras, the geometric representation of chakra energies; mantras; exercises; and journaling. Saradananda then explores in depth each chakra in turn, describing its key characteristics and related physical disorders, providing helpful yoga poses and breathing techniques and giving clear information on how to recognise the signs that your chakra is overactive, underactive or balanced. You will also discover how the chakras relate to each other and find advice on protecting yourself while working energetically. This is an essential book for everyone wanting to achieve total well-being through understanding and working with these vital energy centres.

Breathing is the most fundamental of our body's physical processes and our most intimate companion, yet most of us give it little or no thought in our daily lives. However, once fully acknowledged and harnessed, the power of the breath is unlimited – easing stress and anxiety, boosting energy and stamina, enhancing self-confidence, sharpening the ability to focus, strengthening quality of voice and even helping to relieve pain.A Sanskrit proverb claims, 'If you breathe well, you will live long on earth.' Renowned yoga teacher Swami Saradananda aims with The Power of Breath to give gentle yet powerful guidance on the art of breathing. The introduction explains the basics of breathing and the complex connection between the breath and the subtle body as seen in yogic terms, as well as offering advice on rediscovering natural breathing and preparing for breathing exercises.The sections that follow then lead the reader through five types of breath as classified in the yogic tradition, each related to a particular type of energy, or life force – vitalizing (prana), nourishing (samana), expansive (vyana), cleansing (apana) and expressive (udana). Over 30 life-enriching breathing exercises are explained within these sections, each one beautifully illustrated for clarity and maximum visual appeal. A final section of mini breathing programmes helps you to target specific common ailments and issues such as asthma, skin disorders, depression, lethargy and phobias as well as harnessing your breath to enhance vocal, dramatic or sports performance.With evocative artwork, inspiring photography and easy-to-follow guidance, this book will enhance and affirm your daily life through the power of breathwork.

Ancient yogic teachings say that impurities in our internal body adversely affect our state of mind and prevent the attainment of true contentment. As such, a range of ancient yoga techniques called kriyas, which were designed to cleanse the body, mind and emotions, can have far-reaching relevance in today’s society of frequent over-consumption and overwhelm.After an introduction to the detoxifying power of yoga in all its forms (both on and off the mat), Swami Saradananda presents six main chapters of kriyas and other cleansing techniques relating to our five senses and the mind (which controls our senses), each with a specific aim: clarifying our vision in life (sight), enhancing our communication skills (sound), optimizing our energy and allowing us to breathe more deeply (smell), nourishing us and enhancing our capacity to `digest’ life (taste), enhancing our connection with others (touch), and simplifying our life and filling it with sublime thoughts (mind). Each chapter includes at least one yoga pose as well as a breathing exercise, mudra, mantra, cleansing visualization and any more specific techniques relevant to optimal wellbeing in that area. The book then ends with a chapter of routines for a wide range of conditions, from physical complaints such as headaches and arthritis, to emotional ones such as depleted energy and stress. The end result? Readers will end up with all the holistic detox tools they need to feel overall lighter, happier and healthier in their own skin.

In Indian healing philosophy, chakras are hubs for the vital energy that flows through our body. If the subtle energy at these centres becomes blocked, both emotional and physical well-being can suffer.This vibrant deck includes 49 cards that offer a range of ways to meditate on, and therefore tune into, the seven main chakras that run from the base of the spine to the crown of the head - restoring balance and optimal well-being:* root, or muladhara, chakra - to promote stability and groundedness* sacral, or swadhistana, chakra - to increase flexibility, flow and creativity* solar plexus, or manipura, chakra - to build willpower and enable transformation* heart, or anahata, chakra - to enhance love, joy and the capacity to reach out to others* throat , or vishuddha, chakra - to encourage self-expression and new ideas * brow, or ajna, chakra - to develop wisdom, intuition and seeing the bigger picture* crown, or sahasrara, chakra - to bring about more freedom and connectionEach set of seven cards is illustrated with an inspiring, full-colour image symbolic of that chakra. And an accompanying booklet offers guidance on both the far-reaching power of chakra meditation and on how to choose the best card(s) to work with when. An invaluable companion for anyone seeking to tap into their full energetic potential.

Meditation practice can be blocked by aches and pains felt while sitting. This allows the jittery mind to take up residence, and leads to the feeling of "not being good at meditation". Sitting Comfortably explores the physical issues that may arise while sitting, from painful knees to tight hamstrings. Swami Saradananda shows how yoga preparation, breathing and adapting postures can help to strengthen the body to be able to maintain a sitting meditation. She invites us to understand how the mind can easily be distracted, like a puppy, and that physical discomfort can often be this distraction in disguise.This is the only book to focus on the physicality of a formal meditation practice. Helping prepare the body for the mindful practice of meditation, so that mind and body are in synchronicity. It will be an invaluable reference guide for students of mindfulness, yoga, Buddhism, as well as New Age traditions.The book is broken down into 8 chapters, including: Overcoming obstacles to meditation; The art of sitting for meditation; Stretches/yoga poses that can help you sit comfortably; Breathing exercises (pranayama); Diet and lifestyle; Off your cushion and into the world. Beautifully illustrated throughout, this is the ultimate guide to preparing to meditate.

In Indian healing philosophy, chakras are the seven energy centres running from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. Each is a hub for the vital energy that flows through the body. If the energy at these centres becomes blocked, emotional and physical health can suffer. By retuning the chakras with meditation, you maintain balance, and reap rewards such as inner calm and an openness to new ideas. In Chakra Meditation an enlightening introduction reveals how chakras and energy pathways work. Each chapter focuses on one main chakra, offering a variety of meditations and visualisations to calm or stimulate that energy centre, as well as self-help tools, including yoga postures and healing foods, crystals and oils, to support it. Full of transforming practices, and illustrated with evocative artwork and instructive photography, this is the ultimate guide to balance and well-being.