DAN'S PAPERS, January 11, 2008 Page 61 www.danshamptons.com
Health, Beauty & Fitness Chitananda I love this time of year – even in the most hectic of cities, where self-reflection is more about how you look in the mirror than how you’re doing internally, this is the time when we are permitted to look back. We can say goodbye to 2007 with a light mist in our eyes and look forward to 2008 with hope and resolve. This is the kind of balance that I think we should maintain the whole year round. After all, December 31 is sort of an arbitrary time to let go of an old year, and January first is not much less random. Obviously, other cultures celebrate the changing of the year at different times, from the Chinese New Year to the Jewish New Year. So why shouldn’t we be celebrating this concept of newness all year round? Why shouldn’t we be remembering where we came from every day? This practice of remembrance and celebration has a word in Sanskrit – Chitananda. Chit means to remember and Ananda means to celebrate. And these two concepts can be woven into any given moment of any given day. But we often relegate Chitananda to very specific days – New Year’s, weddings, funerals. My goal in 2008 is to remember every day where I come from, and to celebrate every day where I am. This is a tall order, and it’s not one that I’ll always be able to fill. Every moment there is temptation to forget. For example, in an interaction with a difficult boss, you may feel so much frustration that it seems like it is the most important thing in the world. You forget that this is just one interaction
and that you have a choice whether it eats you up inside or not. It’s hard to take the high road. It’s hard to remember. But one way to help bring us back to this consciousness of the past that created us, the future that we’re creating, and the present that we’re experiencing, is through specific yoga postures. Any true yoga practice will bring you back. It will ground you, and thereby it will help you remember who you are. Any true yoga practice will also uplift you. It will help you feel more free in your body, causing an internal feeling of celebration. Even in the tightest of situations, it is possible to separate yourself enough that you can actually see what’s happening in a lucid way. And often, what’s happening is not as completely shattering as we perceive. And even when it is, panicking or reacting from the gut is often not the most productive use of our energy. All we need in this moment is Chitananda. Remember. Celebrate. There are certain postures that epitomize this concept more than others. Twisting poses offer the opportunity to literally look over your shoulder, find the muscles in your back, find the air in the back of your lungs, breathe into your kidneys. This focus on physically moving towards the back of the body can help encourage the mind to then look back as well,
and to reflect. However, in a twist, you are not just moving one way. Rather, the foundation of your body is grounding and perhaps even moving in the opposite direction from the top of your body. So even as you are looking back, you are remaining grounded in the present. The torso gets an excellent stretch from these twists, and they help create space inside. This is the celebration, this feeling of freedom and space, and this enjoyment of the pose. Try it. And think about it. Take a comfortable seat on the floor, cross-legged. Then lift your left leg into the air and hug your thigh into your chest, cradle it from side to side. Then, gently place your left foot on the ground outside your right thigh. Take a deep breath in. Celebrate the sweetness of the breath filling your lungs. As you exhale, twist to your left side, and if it’s comfortable, place your right elbow on the outside of your left leg. Look gently over your shoulder. That’s remembering. Take a breath here and lengthen the sides of your body, allowing the shoulder blades to roll onto the back. This helps open the chest and thereby the heart. That’s celebrating. Whether it’s in a physical pose or an emotional situation, the balance of remembering and celebrating is always inside us. Chitananda: Remember where you came from and celebrate where you are. Happy New Year!
DR. NANCY COSENZA DENTISTRY
FOR CHILDREN TEENS & HANDICAPPED
631-287-TOTS Hampton Pediatric Dental Associates specializes in general dental care for young people. We believe that good dental habits started at a young age will last a lifetime. Our office is designed to make children (& their parents) feel comfortable in a situation that many adults choose to avoid! Our hours will accommodate even the most hectic schedule.
If My Man Can Dance, Your Man Can Too! If My M Y
If my running back can learn to dance like a star, your man can too... At Arthur Murray, personalized, one-on-one lessons from professional dance teachers give you the confidence to feel at ease on the dance floor. It’s a great way to exercise and get If my runnin Learn to dance like a out together. Arthur Murr teachers giv star... phone today! a great way
star... pho
day,
Call To Emmitt & Pat Smith
Dance t! Tonigh www.Arthurmurraysuffolk.com
Watch the Emmitt Smith dance interview at www.arthurmurray.com
425 County RD 39a Southampton (631) 283-1488
9,647+
Services Offered: • Non-Surgical Face Lift and Body Tightening (Thermage) • Mesotherapy and LipoDissolve • VolumaLift/Injectable Face Lift • Fraxel Laser Treatment • Laser Wrinkle Reduction • Laser Treatment of Acne & Acne Scarring • Laser Removal of Sun Damage and Age Spots • Restylane Injections • Perlane Injections • Juvederm Injections • Botox Injections • Laser Hair Removal • Radiesse Injections • Microdermabrasion • Chemical Peels • Mineral Makeup