Happy Holidays & Celebrate January 1st with us!
by Blair Lewis • December 25, 2011
December 25, 2011
Dear Friends and Family of Alive and Healthy,
We are writing to wish you all a very Happy Holiday to you and yours! We hope that this winter holiday season has brought you great fellowship and some quiet time for reflection.
I know that my most recent letters to you have been quick class announcements and greetings from my heart. Today, I wish to write a little more.
As a spiritual teacher, my duty is to help you and yours with establishing a life that makes sense and to regain your health & vigor. This effort requires honesty, trust, humor, science and courage. It is educational and scientific. It is a training program. Recently Pandit Rajmani of the Himalayan Institute spoke of this training:
”I must not let my mind continue making the list of all the follies. I must not allow the mind to count how many times I have failed, how many times I have suffered and how many times people have treated me unjust fully. That is old story. This world is wonderful, beautiful. I must train my eyes to see that beauty and joy that is inherent in this world. I must train my mind to look for the beauty and joy that is inherent in this world. I must train my soul to become interested and cultivate taste for that most absolute, unsurpassed beauty and joy that resides right next to itself at the same very lotus of the heart.” Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhD, Living Tantra V
I see suffering… more than ever. I see it in all ages, races and vocations. With proper training, this suffering can end. Our deepest fears are birthing loneliness, purposelessness, anger, doubt, guilt and self-hatred. The only antidote to this tragedy is love….but it must be love that makes sense. Love that is sustainable. This is where the training begins, for a lasting love requires a healthy diet that supports both the mind and body; an exercise program that improves endurance and releases tension; a self-understanding that allows us to heal ourselves, help ourselves, forgive ourselves and get back in the game. The greatest service you can do for this world is to care for your body, breath and mind. Only a truly happy person can help this world. Such happiness comes from the heart of the Divine, not from worldly pleasures. You can attain this.
Spirituality today means ‘sustainability’ – created by vibrancy, wisdom, community, and values that embrace all differences. You must develop a personal philosophy that allows you to incorporate all your life experiences and move forward. The past that creates pain must be met with loving wisdom and practicality. We have all been hurt and we have all disappointed others, but only in the present moment we call ‘now’ is there a place where we can skillfully choose our next step.
I pray that our courses and classes will help you move closer to a joy that cannot be dimmed, a courage that never leaves you and a tranquility that will always beam from your heart. I know that our bodies are hurting, our minds torture us and there is so much pain; but, I also know there are time tested solutions to all of these challenges. I have trained for over thirty years to help you.
I am here to meet with you in person, online and by telephone to discuss whatever grieves you, kills your hopes or holds you back. The great sages say never delay doing a good thing for your mind, heart and soul.
Thank you for allowing all of us at Alive and Healthy to be a part of your life. We are honored to be with you.
Classes and More – in Person and Online
2011 has been an amazing year for Alive and Healthy. Our seminars and classes in Wisconsin and Texas have been well attended and filled with sincere folks seeking health, happiness and freedom from all fear.
And now after 6 months of testing, you can join us online or by telephone from anywhere in the USA. Currently we are using the www.GoToMeeting.com technology to allow families from all 50 states to join us for classes held on-site at Alive and Healthy Institute. Please email us if you wish to join us online. Thank you!
December 29
Thursday, December 29, 2011, 7:00 – 8:30 pm – At the Office!
The Science of Sadhana, Part 2 – learning how to apply the texts and techniques to build your foundation of fearlessness, service and community. As the New Year is only a few days away, now is the time for recommitting and refining your practice for the new year.
January 1st
We welcome the New Year in Dallas with a special fire offering and celebration at our home on January 1st from 10am – 11:30am. Group meditation will be held from 9:00 am – 9:30am, followed by chai and fellowship until 10 am. Your family and friends are welcome to join us. Please do RSVP to reserve a cup of chai and a place at the fire.
January 2nd
Monday nights, Starting Jan. 2nd, Blair teaches at Krama Yoga Center
Meditation with Movement and Stillness– 4 week class, Jan. 2, 9, 16 & 23.
6:00 – 7:00 pm Movement with Ricky Tran
7:15 pm – 8:45 pm Meditation & Stillness with Blair
This is a four-week class that combines the movement of hatha with the inner dynamics of meditation. The class is for adults and teens seeking a masterful approach to stress management and strengthening of self-confidence.
Location: Krama Yoga Center, 2760 E. Trinity Mills Rd. #120, Carrollton, TX 75006, 469-324-9642
Located in the Briarwyck Shopping Center on Trinity Mills Road at Marsh Lane, by the 24 Hour Fitness.
http://www.kramayogacenter.com
Thursday, January 5th, Group Meditation, 7:00 – 8:30 pm – At the Office!
The first Thursday of every month is for group meditation. Everyone is welcome!
Sunday, January 8th, new times and new format:
9:00 – 9:30 am Group Meditation
9:30 – 10:00 am Chai and Fellowship
10:00 – 11:30 am Satsang with Blair
Theme for 2012: The Science of Sadhana – an introduction to the texts and techniques to build your foundation of fearlessness, service and community. This Sunday we will begin exploring the Perennial Psychology of the Bhagavad-Gita, this Swami Rama’s commentary on the psychotherapeutic view of this great text. Feel welcome to bring any version of the Gita that you love.
Could You Help Us Help?
We want to be more available online, in print and in person to those seeking help from all suffering. As you know, no one is ever turned away. As more people have a lack of finances, the only way we can increase our community outreach is to have your support.
We humbly seek your tax-deductible donations to help us fund programs, equipment and our web-presence.
The Alive and Healthy Institute is a not-for-profit, tax-exempt spiritual organization and we are happy to receive your donations online, by check or charge or cash.
You can mail us your contribution to Alive and Healthy Institute
14114 Dallas Parkway, Suite 260
Dallas, Texas 75254
Thank you very much!
The Topic of Money for Your Class….wait….it’s good news
Alive and Healthy wants to help you save money. As you know all of our classes have been by Love Offering this year. This means that you pay only what you can afford to give and feel welcome to come for free as your finances dictate. We have always suggested a Love Offering of $20 per class, and yet accepted whatever is in the offering plate. However, some of you have been graciously paying $20 or more several times a week – while we need and appreciate your support, we karmically think we should balance the situation. The auto-pay solution begins January 1st!
Auto-pay begins January 1st, 2012 and offers you the following benefits:
• $108 per month for all weekly classes held at Alive and Healthy; $159 for couples and families per month
• Free 20-30 minute meeting with Blair each month for spiritual counseling and practice refinement
• 50% discount on all Alive and Healthy ‘in-house’ weekend seminars and special events
• 20% discount on books and Neti-pots
We hope that you will see the benefits of Auto-Pay and enroll. Alive and Healthy will continue its policy of a suggested a Love Offering of $20 per class or $30 per family. You can still pay only what you can afford to give and feel welcome to come for free as your finances dictate.
Have a very Happy Holiday! We look forward to seeing you real soon! Thank you for your donation.
Yours in Service,
Blair and Terri
December 10 Seminars at Blue Sky in Grafton, WI
by Blair Lewis • December 2, 2011
The Science of Happiness & How to Be Your Own Psychotherapist
– December 10th at Blue Sky in Grafton
Happy Holiday Greetings! I hope your Thanksgiving gatherings were filled with friends and family dining together. I am happy to announce that I will be back at Blue Sky’s Grafton campus for four days in December.
On Saturday morning, December 10th, I have two new seminars for you and, again, they are free (if you wish). Please join me for The Science of Happiness and stay for How to Be Your Own Psychotherapist.
As a thank-you for your kind support and interest in holistic care, both seminars are by donation only. If you are financially strapped these days, please come for free.
Details in just a moment…
I will be available to meet with you and your family for private consultations at Blue Sky’s School of Massage in Grafton:
• Friday, December 9th, 2 pm – 6:30 pm
• Saturday, December 10th, 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm – remember, I have two great seminars for you on Saturday morning (see below)
• Sunday, December 11th, 2 pm – 6:30 pm
• Monday, December 12th, 3 pm – 6:30 pm
Please email me to schedule an appointment.
The Science of Happiness — 9:00 – 10:30 am on Saturday, December 10th
A happy person is clear, tranquil and humble; and whose family shows that they can live together with diversity – diverse views, thoughts, and inclinations – all under the same roof.
This seminar will help you learn:
• The Art and Science of Inner Kindness –how to be kind to yourself in all situations and circumstances.
• How to greet Honor & Insult, Loss & Gain equally. This is the antidote to self-condemnation; a skill to share with your family and colleagues.
• To understand that the greatest of all friends is within you.
Fee: By Donation Only, Suggested Love Offering is $25 per person, $35 per family.
Date and Time: Saturday, December 10th, 9:00 – 10:30 am at Blue Sky in Grafton
How to Be Your Own Psychotherapist — 11:00 am – 12:00 noon on Saturday, December 10th
It seems that this world is not for the weak and meek. It is the energetic, vibrant , strong, healthy, powerful people who feel entitled to achieve. And according to all accounts, they do just that. They achieve their goals.
We call them the fortunate few. We all want to join them. So, what causes us to sabotage our own best efforts? What stops us from joining the ‘fortunate few?’
The Sages say that self-condemnation (identifying yourself with your mistakes) is the root cause of our problems. Once you condemn yourself, you lose your self-respect and this leads to self-hatred. Later, you will project your self-hatred onto others and then you will start to isolate yourself from others. Isolation comes from falsely thinking that others know our weaknesses and condemn us. How to Be Your Own Psychotherapist is a fun filled hour of stories and strategies of how to work with your mind and relationships. I will introduce you to ancient, time tested methods on how to counsel and train your mind to be your friend.
• Learn how to use a working schematic of the mind, breath, body & senses
• Understand the source and trigger of impulses and urges
• To achieve mastery over our mind’s inconsistencies, we must transform our attitude towards our mind. We will discuss three powerful ways to transform your attitude today.
Fee: By Donation Only, Suggested Love Offering is $15 per person, $25 per family.
Date and Time: Saturday, December 10th, 11:00 am – 12:00 noon at Blue Sky in Grafton.
I hope you can join me on Saturday morning for these presentations. It will be a fun and interactive time with loads of new ideas and stories.
As always, I most certainly welcome you to make a private appointment so we can discuss how to apply this knowledge to benefit you and your family.
To help you reserve your spot today, please email me today.
If you have questions, please call Alive and Healthy and leave us a message.
I look forward to seeing you real soon!
Happy Winter Holidays to you and yours,
Blair Lewis
Blue Sky School of Massage in Grafton
350 Double Tree Lane
Grafton, WI 53024
(Near the Family Farm on Port Washington Road, between Hwy. 60 and Hwy. C.)
Directions to Blue Sky are online
The Spirituality of Sanskrit Nov. 18-20
by Blair Lewis • November 2, 2011
We are very pleased to announce that Jon Janaka will be coming teaching The Spirituality of Sanskrit at Alive and Healthy on November 18, 19, and 20th.
Jon Janaka holds a Masters Degree from the University of Wisconsin where he studied Sanskrit and the History of Religion in India. After his graduate studies, he lived and worked at the Himalayan Institute in Honesdale, Pennsylvania for 7 years, where he studied under the guidance of Pandit Rajmani Tigunait. His unique combination of academic background combined with personal immersion in the traditions and techniques of the Himalayan Sages prepared him to bring the transformative power of the Sanskrit language to a modern audience.
The study of Sanskrit gives the sincere yoga student access to the profound aspects of the original yogic texts. Sanskrit is a language of sounds (not words) heard by the Sages and Rishis in deep meditation; these sounds are an expression and encapsulation of the consciousness of the Divine. Reciting these ancient hymns with precision and respect can lead the aspirant to the source of Truth, Happiness and Bliss. I hope you will join us in this pursuit of the Divine Experience through the study of Sanskrit.
Here are the details of his seminar:
Thursday, November 17th, 7:00 – 8:30 pm, Fee: Love Offering only
Satsang on Sanskrit with Guest Instructor Jon Janaka and Blair Lewis
Jon has come down from wintery Wisconsin to provide us with a great weekend seminar on The Spirituality of Sanskrit. Tonight will be a fascinating question and answer session on mantras, sound, vibration and Sanskrit.
The Spirituality of Sanskrit– the language of the Gods
Friday, Saturday and Sunday Seminar, November 18, 19, and 20th
Fee: Early Registration: $149.00 per person; $225 per household.
At the Door: $199.00 per person
Individual Class Sessions are $35 each.
Yoga Instructors may qualify for special pricing, please write us for details.
Work-study Scholarships are available.
Please email us for payment arrangments.
Friday Evening, November 18th, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
• Introduction to Sanskrit as a Spiritual Practice
• Language and Consciousness
Saturday Morning, November 19th, 9:00 am – 12 noon
• Sanskrit Alphabet
Saturday Afternoon, 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm
• Prayers of the Tradition
• Mantra and Meditation
Sunday Morning, November 20th, 9:00 am – 12 noon
• Prayers of the Tradition
• Recap and review
• Home Practice of Sanskrit
SPECIAL GATHERING – at the home of Theresa Oswald and Blair Lewis
Saturday Evening, 7:00 – 9:00 pm, Fee: Love Offering only
– A Special Master Class & Satsang on Shiva Sankalpa Sukta
We look forward to seeing you at The Spirituality of Sanskrit – the language of the Gods.
Location:
Alive and Healthy Institute
14114 Dallas Parkway, Suite 260
Dallas, Texas 75254
Helpful Thoughts from Dr. Shapiro
by Blair Lewis • August 31, 2011
Helpful Thoughts by Dr. Shapiro
If you deny me, I will come back.
I am your thoughts and I’ll cut you no slack.
Millions in numbers are me and my friends.
We fill up your noggin from end-to-end.
Your equating us with “good” or “bad” allows us to last,
And allows us to replay for you all of the past.
As you fall victim to your very own mind,
We’re not taking the blame for your self-made bind.
But if you knew how the mind works & didn’t let it run astray,
Then the fun we have tormenting you, would simply go away.
Jordan Shapiro, MD is a physician completing his Pediatric Residency at the University of Cincinnati and a long time staff member of Alive and Healthy. He is a life long student of meditation and an avid traveler to plains of suffering all over the world — serving those most downtrodden in any manner possible.
Contemplation & Relaxation — new class
by Blair Lewis • August 30, 2011
Contemplation & Relaxation – Pondering the Present and Relaxing Past the Past
This two-part class will provide you with valuable insights into how to frame your life in a manner that inspires and steadies your view of yourself and your world.
“Contemplation is not a skill limited to the spiritual seeker, rather it is an essential skill for every man, woman and child.” — page 250, The Happiness Revolution
For over 30 years people have come to me complaining about their mind harassing them. At first they did not realize what it was, they thought it was their neighbor, child, boss, or spouse. I taught them powerful, quick-acting methods to discover the truth, for the problem was their mind and the cure is contemplation. Transforming the mind from foe to friend is possible for everyone.
Jubilant with their discovery, they knew their nemesis…. but now, what to do? They needed to cleanse their mind of harassing behaviors, but the source was unconscious. How do you fix something you aren’t even aware of? The answer is: align yourself with the deeper forces of the unconscious and learn to cultivate & refine them. There is a type of relaxation that cleanses the mind, I call it, “Relaxing Past the Past.” It is easy to learn and easy to practice.
Contemplation allows you the time and the space to sort out distractions and make powerful life-changing decisions. Relaxation can interrupt the flow of power that keeps you doubting and missing opportunities. Get your mind on your side and live your life.
“Contemplation hones and refines your ability to listen to your conscience.”
– page 254, The Happiness Revolution
Instructors: Blair Lewis, author of The Happiness Revolution and Theresa Oswald, MD
Part One: Thursday, Sept 8, 7-9 pm
Part Two: Thursday, Sept 15th, 7-9 pm
Fee: $49 per person – or – $79 per household
Bring: Pen and notepaper; a curious mind; a desire to be a little philosophical & very relaxed.
Location: Ask for location and directionx
Conquering Fear on Labor Day
by Blair Lewis • August 22, 2011
The Dallas – Fort Worth Free Day of Yoga is Monday, September 5, 2011
This year we will be offering two classes of principles and techniques to overcome fear and stress.
Join Anne Schanz, PhD, Theresa Oswald, MD, and Pandit Blair Lewis for a dynamic afternoon of fun, fellowship and freedom from fear. And it is free!
Part One
Conquering Fear – consciousness yoga in action. Unveil the effects of unconscious roles we play in everyday life with Anne Schanz PhD a holistic counselor and expert in yoga psychology. Get first hand experience of the mind body connection and what it can do for you with avid yogini and integrative physician Theresa Oswald MD.
12:30 – 1:45pm on Monday, September 5, Labor Day
What to Bring: Pen, paper and an open mind. Be prepared to laugh, learn and grow!
Part Two
Conquering Fear – consciousness yoga in action. See the endless possibilities of befriending your mind with Blair Lewis, Pandit of the Himalayan Tradition and ardent yoga student/teacher for 30 years. Harness your closest ally in conquering fear; your breath. Explore practical pranayama with avid yogini and integrative physician Theresa Oswald MD.
2:00 – 3:15pm on Monday, September 5, Labor Day
What to Bring: Pen, paper and an open mind. Be prepared to laugh, learn and grow!
Both classes will be held off campus at the:
Center for Spiritual Living
4801 Spring Valley, Suite 115
Dallas, Texas 75244
To Reserve Your Seat: Please email us at Terri@aliveandhealthy.com
Everyone is Welcome! Both classes are free of charge. Love offerings are welcome.
Now is the Time to Conquer Fear
by Blair Lewis • July 18, 2011
On Tuesday evening, July 26th, the Dallas-Fort Worth community has a rare and illuminating opportunity to meet a world-renowned scholar and humanitarian – Pandit Rajmanit Tigunait, Ph.D. His topic will be: Conquering Fear, the Science of Self-Transformation. The following excerpt from his most recent book, The Pursuit of Power and Freedom: Katha Upanishad, clearly illustrates the importance of his upcoming topic:
“As spiritual scientists, the sages of the Himalayas were interested in discovering the anatomy of health and happiness, stamina and weakness, and joy and grief. In an attempt to find lasting peace, they tried to understand the source of fear and the way to eliminate it once and for all. Their limitless appetite for unveiling the mysteries of life enabled them to invest all their resources – physical, mental and spiritual. This gave them access to a world filled with infinite possibilities – a world beyond our normal understanding.”
“All of us want to be happy. In search of happiness, we are continually adding new nuances in the fields of science and technology, religion and politics, and trade and commerce. Experience tells us that the more we possess, the more fearful we become, and yet our desire for power and possessions forces us to exhaust all our energies acquiring everything possible. On the one hand, we want to be happy. On the other hand, we do not want to let go of that which makes us miserable. And yet we fail to see why we are caught between wanting and not wanting, freedom and bondage.”
Pandit Tigunait will share the techniques and insights that he has gleaned from a lifetime of study and commitment to helping individuals and families overcome fear, doubt and anger. His presentation will delight you with a wonderful blend of wisdom, humor and humility. He will be speaking at the Center for Spiritual Living in North Dallas. Details are online at: www.AliveandHealthy.com
The Biography of Pandit Tigunait
The spiritual head of the Himalayan Institute, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Ph.D. is the successor of Swami Rama of the Himalayas. Lecturing and teaching world-wide for more than 30 years, he is the author of fourteen books including his autobiography Touched by Fire: The Ongoing Journey of a Spiritual Seeker and the best-selling At the Eleventh Hour: The Biography of Swami Rama, and is a regular contributor to Yoga International magazine.
Pandit Tigunait holds two doctorates: one in Sanskrit from the University of Allahabad in India, and another in Oriental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. Family tradition gave Pandit Tigunait access to a vast range of spiritual wisdom preserved in both the written and oral traditions. Before meeting his master, Pandit Tigunait studied Sanskrit, the language of the ancient scriptures of India ; Pali, the language of Buddhist scriptures; Prakrit, the language of Jaina scriptures; and Zend-Avesta, the language of the Zorastrian tradition. In 1976, Swami Rama ordained Pandit Tigunait into the 5,000-year-old lineage of the Himalayan masters.
While living in the world with his wife and two children, Pandit Tigunait walks in the footsteps of his master — he writes, teaches, guides and administers the work and mission of the Himalayan Institute, a multi-national humanitarian organization, while joyfully maintaining his personal commitment to his spiritual pursuits.
“Live in the world, and yet remain above it. Find a balance between the sacred and mundane, and between worldly success and inner fulfillment. There is a way to find freedom in this world, you do not need to try to find freedom from this world.” – these are the core teachings of the Himalayan sages.
Conquering Fear — The Science of Self-Transformation
An Evening with Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Ph.D., the Spiritual Head of the Himalayan Institute
Tuesday Evening, July 26th, from 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Location: Center for Spiritual Living, 4801 Spring Valley, Suite 115, Dallas, Texas 75244
Fee: By Donation Only, Suggested Love Offering is $15
Conquering Fear — A Special Evening with Pandit Tigunait in Dallas
by Blair Lewis • July 7, 2011
Conquering Fear — The Science of Self-Transformation
An Evening with Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Ph.D., the Spiritual Head of the Himalayan Institute
Tuesday Evening, July 26th from 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Location: Center for Spiritual Living, 4801 Spring Valley, Suite 115, Dallas, Texas 75244
Fee: By Donation Only, Suggested Love Offering is $15
For Reserved Seating (which is strongly encouraged), please contact: Jill Pickett at 469-544-4823 or email Jill@aliveandhealthy.com
Pandit Tigunait will help you learn to:
• Understand the source of fear — the source of fear and doubt can be known and understood.
• Transform fear and self-demeaning habits by retraining your mind to hear and heed the voice of the heart.
• Apply the science of self-transformation — for your personal growth, worldly success and lasting relationships.
Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, Ph.D., the spiritual head of the Himalayan Institute, is the successor of Swami Rama of the Himalayas. Lecturing and teaching worldwide for over 25 years, he is the author of fourteen books, including his autobiography Touched by Fire: The Ongoing Journey of a Spiritual Seeker and the best-selling At the Eleventh Hour: The Biography of Swami Rama, and is a regular contributor to Yoga International magazine.
Pandit Tigunait holds two doctorates: one in Sanskrit from the University of Allahabad in India, and another in Oriental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. Family tradition gave Pandit Tigunait access to a vast range of spiritual wisdom preserved in both the written and oral traditions. Before meeting his master, Pandit Tigunait studied Sanskrit, the language of the ancient scriptures of India, as well as the languages of the Buddhist, Jaina, and Zoroastrian traditions. In 1976, Swami Rama ordained Pandit Tigunait into the 5,000-year-old lineage of the Himalayan Masters.
Why We Fight – a Memorial Day Weekend Special Event
by Blair Lewis • May 27, 2011
Old Fashion Yoga on Sunday May 29th at 9 am — 11 am
Why We Fight – a Memorial Day Weekend Special Event
This Sunday we will devote the entire two hours of Old Fashion Yoga to the practices and philosophies of creating a lasting peace. The first 14 registrants will receive a free copy of the book “Why We Fight – yoga practices for lasting peace” by Pandit Rajmani Tigunait.
We will view war through the eyes of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh guru and his famous student Banda Singh Bahadur and share in their famous dialogue about the mis-use of non-violence. Then we will peer through the eyes of Arjuna and Krishna as they debate war in the Bhagavad Gita.
We will close with yogic and tantric practices for establishing a lasting peace within ourselves and in the hearts of those with whom we live and work.
A great Sunday morning of technique and fellowship.
Tuition: Old Fashion Yoga has a suggested love offering of $20 per person or $30 per household. However, everyone one is welcome regardless of their ability to pay.
Those seeking a delicious cup of chai must RSVP and arrive by 8:50 am. Thank you.
Location: please email us for the location and directions. Use Blair (at) aliveandhealthy (dot) com
Please join us. Happy Holidays!
Living Tantra Study Group starts May 12th
by Blair Lewis • May 9, 2011
Living Tantra Study Group
This is a 6 week series held on Thursday evenings to review, refine and expand your knowledge presented in the Living Tantra series by the Himalayan Institute. For present and future student of the Institute’s 66 hour online and live program designed to systematically deepen your personal practice and advance your practice to the next level. Our Study Group is designed for sincere seekers and students interested in becoming healthier, happier and more compassionate.
Instructors: Blair Lewis and Theresa Oswald, MD
Email for Location: Blair (at) aliveandhealthy.com
Tuition: By Love Offering (suggested donation $20 per class or $108 for all six classes)
Week One 5/12/2011 Tantric Overview of Traditions and Techniques 7:00 – 8:30 pm
- What is Tantra?
- How will Tantra help my personal practice and self-transformation?
- Prana definition and explanation.
- Explore Prana awareness, collection and direction.
Week Two 5/26/2011 Tantric Rituals 7:00 – 8:30 pm
- Science of Agni Vidya.
- Technical aspects and ingredients for external fire offerings (Bahir Yaga).
- Power of group collective practice.
- Understand Antar Yaga (internal fire offering).
Week Three 6/2/2011 Healing Power of Tantra 7:00 – 8:30 pm
- How can Tantra benefit yourself and others?
- Understanding the law of cause and effect.
- Qualifications of a healer and healer’s toolbox.
- Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra.
Week Four 6/9/2011 Prana Shakti and Kundalini Shakti 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Please note the 2 week gap between class #4 and class #5. June 23 is class #5.
- Explanation of the body as a living shrine.
- Agni Sara and the Manipura Chakra
- The Difference Between Prana Shakti and Kundalini Shakti
- Learn tantric method of combining asana, pranayama, mudras and mantras.
- Introduction to Saundaryalahari.
- Exploring Kundalini Shakti, the primordial pool of energy and consciousness.
Week Five 6/23/2011 Tantra and the Lotus of the Heart 7:00 – 8:30 pm
- Understand the real role of tools and means in spiritual practice.
- Healing the Heart; How and Why?
- Discuss Saundaryalahari verse 38.
- Complete practice of Shakti Sadhana.
Week Six 6/30/2011 The Power of Sri Vidya 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Please note the 2 week gap between class #4 and class #5. June 23 is class #5.
- Definition and expanded discussion of Sri Vidya.
- Connecting to the Divinity in you.
- Discover the Power of collective consciousness
- Power of Mantra and Initiation.
The Mystery & Power of Prana Shakti on May 14, 2011
by Blair Lewis • May 9, 2011
The Mystery and Power of Prana Shakti — part of the Advancing Your Practice Series at Alive and Healthy
Saturday, May 14, 2011 from 9 am – 5 pm
Prana-feel it, taste it, experience it!
Nourish and enliven your practice by accessing your internal storehouse of strength, vitality, will power and determination.
Let us explore Prana Shakti, the force within us that allows us to move. Prana Shakti is the power to be and the power to become.
This is an experiential workshop on advanced techniques of pranayama using lectures, videos and practicums. Participants will help prepare a delicious pranic-laden vegetarian lunch.
9 – 10 am chai and practice
- Pranayama
- Relaxation practice
- Additional Pranayama
- Mantra meditation
10-11 am Prana Samvedana practicum
11am -12 pm discussion with questions & answers weaving together morning’s practice
12-2 pm lunch (hands on cooking and nutrition class with prana rich food to enhance your practice). We will be cooking and enjoying Toor Dal with mango and Saag Paneer. Learn about phytonutrients, tamasic, rajasic and sattvic foods and how they impact your practice.
2-3 pm Prana Dharana practicum
3-4 pm practice
- Relaxation practice
- Prana Samvedana
- Prana Dharana
- Mantra meditation
4-5 pm chai and synthesis of day’s experiences
Instructors: Blair Lewis and Theresa Oswald, MD
Email for Location: Blair (at) aliveandhealthy.com
Tuition: $95 per person/$150 per household couple. Scholarships available. Due to food preparation, reservations are required. Please contact ASAP if you wish to attend.
Looking for the light switch in my mind
by Blair Lewis • January 15, 2011
Today I sat observing my mind.
Constantly, I had to start over.
Every time the mind projected a fantasy, I got engrossed and believed it to be real. So real that I did not want to leave before it was over.
I started again.
The movie screen of my mind flickered with full-length feature films, some brief vignettes, and trailers of coming attractions.
My body flinched and shuddered during the scary parts, my emotions were in full play.
It was so realistic, but in truth, it was pure fantasy and historical fiction.
It was quite a scene.
Consider how powerfully the images of the mind influence our self-confidence, our physical and mental health, and our relationships with others….and especially our relationship with ourselves.
And most of these images in our mind play out at an unconscious or pre-conscious level, thus we make decisions without knowing the source of our likes and dislikes.
We reach out for the comfort foods, drinks or cigarettes without knowing why we feel the need to be comforted.
This condition is popular and common.
For thirty-seven years I have been training to be a Seer – one who can see through the mirage of the mind; one who can see what lies beyond the mind.
This can only be done with a clear, calm and tranquil mind; without this, we will believe the movies until the lights go on.
We must stop complaining about the show and look for the light switch.
Did someone just yell, “Found it!”?
Things we need to remember
by Blair Lewis • January 14, 2011
Things we all need to remember:
Our mind lies a lot.
Our sensory perceptions are not very accurate and are easily influenced by foods and feelings.
Memories are changed every time we remember them.
Thus, our impressions may be faulty, they could even be lies.
So who really knows what happened in the past?
Most likely we are living lies that we believe…
…someone likes me
…someone hates me
…someone thinks this about me
…someone thinks this about them
If the lies we believe are kind, life is good.
If the lies we believe are cruel, life is hard.
Believe the kind ones until there is nothing left but kindness.
Yoga’s view of depression & its cure
by Blair Lewis • January 14, 2011
Even a normal person is still incomplete according to yoga psychology. Yoga can definitely be therapeutic for the sick, however it also goes well beyond the state of merely being normal and healthy. Yoga science points out the way to a state of happiness that daily life can never disturb. The quest for a resilient form of happiness brings people to eventually find a teacher – a teacher of yoga.
Tagore tells a beautiful story that illustrates the universality of yoga, “once I met two ascetics of a certain religious sect in a village of Bengal.”
“Can you tell me,” I asked them “wherein lies the special features of your religion?” One of them hesitated for a moment and answered, “It is difficult to define that.” The other said, “no, it is quite simple. We hold that we have first of all to know our own soul under the guidance of our spiritual teacher. And when we have done that we can find him, who is the Supreme Soul, within us.”
“Why don’t you preach your doctrine to all the people of the world?” I asked.
“Whoever feels thirsty will of himself come to the river,” was his reply.
“But then, do you find it so? Are they coming?” I asked.
The man gave a gentle smile and with an assurance that had not the least tinge of impatience or anxiety, he said, “they must come, one and all.”
Tagore’s story illustrates the phases of yoga science and man’s inherent urge for a lasting happiness. When all of us are thirsty enough, we will seek out the beverage of our choice. Eventually the beverage of choice is the same for all – unity. A consistent lack of union will spiral us down into depression and loneliness.
Yoga views depression as the disappearance of the essential delight of being alive. This definition of depression declares that there is a wonderment to life revealing yoga’s opinion of the nature of the human. According to yoga science, depression owes it origin to either the loss of or lack of recognition of one’s essential nature. Accordingly, yoga professes that such depression can only be cured by the emergence of a unified consciousness. As long as we feel cut-off and separate from consciousness — the loving gentle voice of our conscience — we also feel cutoff from others. This insolent alienation makes us feel suspicious of others or abandoned by others.
If we are not connected within, we cannot see unity in the outside world. Unfortunately, we busy ourselves trying to re-establish our external connections with others without reestablishing our sacred link with our own conscience. Due to this error, we fail to find satisfaction in the fellowship that we so desperately want to create.
Yoga purports, “Know thyself and find thyself and then you will have fellowship with all.” Depression cannot exist without alienation. Yoga, being the science of unity, cures every form of alienation in a systematic and successful way.
40 Years of Meeting with Remarkable Men
by Blair Lewis • March 9, 2010
It was over 40 years ago that I made a conscious decision to find a teacher. I was in my early teens and inspired by the oral traditions of teachers and students. I peered through my imaginary telescope watching Jesus teach his disciples; I tuned in weekly enthralled to watch Kung Fu on television to see Master Po teach his young students; and, my bedroom shelves were filled with books like Jonathan Livingston Seagull, among many – all stories of the wise ones engaging their disciples in discussions of great virtue.
In every case, the teachings were about how to live. The style was experiential. The manner was kind, mutually respectful and filled with gentle guidance. I loved it. Forty years later, I still love it.
If you have read my books, you know I boarded a Greyhound bus after high school to seek out teachers. At that time, I barely knew the word ‘guru’ but that’s what I wanted. A ‘Merlin’ or ‘Yoda’ as a guide and me as the young King Arthur or Jeti Knight, full of curiosity and wanting to succeed and serve.
In my college years, a movie I adored for its content, but more so for its title, was “Meetings with Remarkable Men.” That’s what I was seeking…and by that time, I had finally found some remarkable men.
I still study with my teacher and he still sends me off to study with others. Only a few days ago, I returned home from my 12th trip to India.
As I read the poor outlook for the futures and mental health of young men in the current medical and pop literature, I see a niche. A unique niche for me.
While I am still a work in progress, my own studies in the oral tradition have been the most serious priority in my life for 38 years. Filled with successes and failures, incredible immaturity and errors, and yet balanced by growth, forgiveness and adaptability – I pushed on.
My heart is filled with stories of my own teachers as well as the lives of the great seers and sages – I think it is time to share these stories and teach the techniques referred to in the stories.
How wonderful it would be to sit down with young men and women and tell them the stories of remarkable men and women that have influenced my life and the lives of many. The wisdom contained in the stories can give guidance and direction for seekers of happiness and freedom.
While it is true that Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, the Chronicles of Narnia have birthed numerous trilogies filled with similar stories. However, there is a difference.
My life was not fiction.
Neither is the life of your son or daughter.
I hope they will join us.
Classes will be starting soon:
• Bright and Shining Armor – the yoga of self-esteem for boys
• Radical Self-Esteem Makeover for Girls
Great Events this Spring!
by Blair Lewis • February 4, 2010
While Blair is in India for a few weeks, he will be blogging out new upcoming events.
Please be sure to visit our Events Page for more information.
Alive & Healthy in 2010 — Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow
by Blair Lewis • December 21, 2009
A New Year is Coming…
In 2010, the Alive and Healthy Institute is going to begin a revolution in the way family members relate to one another. Our mission is to create a place where families can find the resources and tools they need to be a loving and supportive family in this digital age.
Today, families need a double income requiring both parents to work, leaving a major void at home. With families constantly on-the-go, neither the children nor their parents are faring very well. This is quite evident when:
• Divorce is at an all time high.
• Parents are chronically stressed and exhausted, often impatient and angry.
• There is an increased use of prescription medications and street drugs in younger and younger children.
• The list is ongoing, including signs of growing gang affiliations, rising teen pregnancies rates, and more parents and children feel lost and adrift.
Alive and Healthy is committed to reversing this trend. We have gathered a core team of professionals to make this a reality. Each team member brings a wealth of experience that offers targeted and systematic solutions for family stress.
Where will we focus?
With families and individuals that are overwhelmed.
Foundationally, we begin with communication skills, personal and family stress management techniques, nutrition and offering sustainable solutions for physical and mental health problems with natural medicines.
We have developed tools to create a custom ‘map’ of the issues facing each family. These tools make it easy to prioritize the problem areas and ‘map’ the solutions. This results in a concrete plan of simple, specific action items to make the changes needed.
Once your family has a ‘map’, our staff will identify and provide the people, skills, education and coaching needed to help your family to a greater sense of unity and well-being. Can you imagine having time to talk with one another and live and love together as a family? It is possible and you can start learning how to do this right now.
What is the challenge for Alive and Healthy?
To increase our services, we will soon need a larger facility. We need a place for our community to have fellowship, to learn cooking, eating together, talking together, solving issues, and supporting each other.
We need benefactors and supporters who share our passion for this revolution. Some of our families will be able to pay for services, some will not. We do not want to deny services to anyone.
Becoming the change we wish to see in the world…
A world of healthy and happy families and individuals is our goal. We believe our entire world will change if we just start here. Please join us. We look forward to seeing you at Alive and Healthy.
Our core team to make this happen includes:
Blair Lewis, is our spiritual director and classical homeopath. He is also a well-known author and expert in yoga science and Ayurveda.
Theresa Oswald, MD is our medical director and offers holistic, integrative solutions using natural and conventional medicine. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine and is also board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Management. Since she is a wife and mother, she knows the challenges of blending family and work priorities.
Anne Schanz, PhD is a psychotherapist, educator, speaker, who has developed many targeted behavioral treatments for improved interpersonal relationships with compassion for self at the core. She is a mom, grandmother and wife.
Fritz Petree is an expert in learning strategies, brain science and our family ‘Map Maker.’ He is an expert in leading a person or organization from being overwhelmed with complexities to specific action-oriented solutions. A wonderful dad and husband, Fritz helps all of us get things done.
As Fleetwood Mac used to sing, “Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow, it will soon be here.”
Please join us today and walk into a tomorrow that is bright and shiny.
Welcome to the Alive and Healthy Blog!
by Blair Lewis • September 30, 2009
Hello everyone! As you can see, we’ve added a blog to help keep everyone informed about the wonderful events and services available here is Dallas, TX. We appreciate your patience as we’re currently developing the blog to help you stay connected.
In the meantime you can get back to the our home page using this link.
The Happiness Revolution
by Blair Lewis • September 30, 2009
“The lifestyle and skill-sets that foster happiness will simultaneously foster health and rejuvenation.”
