Yoga Mind X: Rebirth

By Humberto Castillero

If you feel defeated because of personal tragedies, broken promises and unfulfilled dreams you are not alone. You can still hit the reset button and experience rebirth through the renewal of your mind, body and soul, finding the true guru inside yourself through Yoga Mind X.

• Combat destructive thinking patterns by learning

• Language: English
• Publisher: Book Vine Press
• Release date: Jul 29, 2019
• ISBN: 9781950955541

Humberto Castillero

Humberto Castillero is a Registered Yoga Teacher - RYT 500 with Yoga Alliance. His yoga practice includes Hatha, Kundalini and Ashtanga styles, as well as holistic medicine such as Ayurveda, Reiki and Pranic Healing.

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Copyright © 2019 by Humberto Castillero.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Please check with your health care professional before starting any exercise or yoga program. Please keep in mind that not all exercises, breathing, and meditation techniques are suitable for everyone and this or any other exercise and/or advice provided in this book may result in injury. Any user of this Yoga Mind X program assumes the risk of injury resulting from performing any of the exercises, breathing and meditation techniques. To reduce risk of injury, in your case, consult your doctor prior to beginning this program. The instructions and advice presented here are in no way intended to as a substitute for medical counseling and/or treatment. The information provided within is intended to be used under professional instruction and guidance. Any material presented in this book is provided as-is with no warranties or guarantees. The creators and distributors of this program disclaim any liabilities or loss in connection with any exercise, breathing, meditation technique and advice herein.

Printed in the United States of America.

Book Vine Press

2516 Highland Dr.

Palatine, IL 60067

Praise for Rebirth:

Change Your Life through Yoga Mind X

A practical application of the science of Yoga. It captures the essence of the Mind Body Spirit connection.

– Alyson Foreacre, E-RYT 500, Yoga Den Studios

A roadmap for personal healing and growth through meditation, breathing and yoga techniques.

– Gianna Ragona-Suarez, E-RYT, GoYoga Amelia Island

A guide to overcome pain and sorrow caused by physical, emotional and mental scars. It teaches how to reach a higher level of consciousness.

– Amy D Standish, RYT 200, Certified Jivamukti Yoga Instructor, RN, BSN

A hands-on program showing how to deal with suffering and defeat. Through personal growth, rise from the ashes like the Phoenix.

– Dharampreet Kaur Khalsa-Schantz, MA

An insightful journey into personal transformation, spiritual awakening and redemption to fulfill one’s purpose.

– Carole Statti-Kremer, yoga enthusiast

Dedication

To my daughters. You are my inspiration and the reason I changed my life. You are my world, and I have pledged to sacrifice my life for you.

Thank you to my sisters. You have been my support group and a shoulder to cry on during my lowest and darkest moments.

Thank you to my parents for your support and guidance.

Thank you to all my yoga teachers, friends, and family who encouraged and believed in me—even when I had no vision or hope for a better life.

Thank you to my Creator for opening my mind and heart to write this book. I was guided by divine inspiration to bring hope, love, and faith to his creation.

Namaste!

Acknowledgements

1. Master Artist, Francis Dobleo

2. Master Photographer – Ivory Fine Art Portraits, Dina Ivory

3. Head Teacher –The Kundalini Yoga Center, Hari Simran Kalsa

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgements

Preface

Introduction

My Journey

My Birth

My Childhood Years

Puberty

My Teen Years

My First Love

My College Years

A Spiritual Awakening

The Marriage Year

Our Honeymoon

A New Marriage

Starting a Family

Establishing Family/Professional Roots

Family/Professional Accomplishments

The Divorce Year

Fifteen Universal Truths

The Rebirth Cycle

The Five Life Stages

The New-Life Stage

The Survival Stage

The Emotional State

The Mental State

The Physical State

The Financial State

The Spiritual State

The Learning Stage

The Application Stage

The Assessment Stage

Personal Assessment Checklist

My First Yoga Experience

The Evolution of Yoga

What Is Yoga?

A History of Yoga

Types of Yoga

Benefits of Yoga

Spiritual Connection

Yoga Mind X

Why Should I Practice Yoga Mind X?

What Is Yoga Mind X?

Who Can Practice Yoga Mind X?

How Do I Practice Yoga Mind X?

When Should I Practice Yoga Mind X?

The Mind

The Conscious Mind

The Subconscious Mind

The Universal Mind

Mind Communication

Personal Testimony

Pranayama, Bandhas, and Mudras

Pranayama

Long Deep Breathing

Ujjayi Pranayama

Nadi Sodhana Pranayama

Sama Vrtti Pranayama

Agni Pranayama

Bandhas

Mula Bandha (root lock)

Uddiyana Bandha (diaphragm lock)

Jalandhara Bandha (neck lock)

Maha Bandha (great lock)

Mudras

Gyan Mudra

Shuni Mudra

Surya or Ravi Mudra

Buddhi Mudra

Meditation

Mind-Full Meditations

Insightful Meditation

Healing Meditation

Spiritual Meditation

Creative Meditation

Meditation Sitting Postures

The Body

Love Your Body—Free Yourself

Your Body Rhythm—Express Yourself

Healthy Body—Balanced Life

Understand Your Body—Know Yourself

The Physical Body

The Circulatory System

The Respiratory System

The Digestive System

The Nervous System

The Musculoskeletal System

The Endocrine System

The Immune/Lymphatic System

Urinary System

Reproductive System

The Subtle Body

The Energy Body

The Mind-Body-Soul Connection

Asana

Fitness Culture

Objectives of the Pose

Elements of the Pose

The Intention

The Execution

Transformation

Developing a Personal Practice

Assess Your Physical Condition

Honor Your Practice

Establish a Rhythm

Prepare for Your Practice

Healing and Transformation

Yoga Poses

Standing Poses

Tadasana (mountain pose)

Virabhadrasana One (warrior one pose)

Virabhadrasana Two (warrior two pose)

Utthita Trikonasana (extended triangle pose)

Parivrtta Trikonasana (reversed triangle pose)

Utthita Parvakonasana (extended side angle pose)

Parsvottanasana (intense side stretch pose)

Uttanasana (standing forward stretch pose)

Utkatasana (chair pose)

Prasarita Padottanasana (wide stance forward fold pose)

Upavesasana (squatting down pose)

Standing Balancing Poses

Vrksasana (tree pose)

Utthita Hasta Padangusthanasana (extended hand big toe pose)

Garudasana (eagle pose)

Virabhadrasana Three (warrior three pose)

Ardha Chandrasana (half moon pose)

Sitting Poses

Vajrasana (thunderbolt pose)

Dandasana (staff pose)

Baddha Konasana (bound angle pose)

Ardha Matsyendrasana (half seated spinal twist pose)

Gormukhasana (cow-faced pose)

Floor Forward Bend Poses

Paschimottanasana (posterior stretch pose)

Janu Sirsasana (head-to-knee pose)

Navasana (upward facing boat pose)

Upavista Konasana (seated wide angle pose)

Floor Back Bend Poses

Bidalasana (cat-cow pose)

Ustrasana (camel pose)

Bhujangasana (cobra pose)

Salabhasana (locust pose)

Dhanurasana (bow pose)

Urdhva Dhanurasana (wheel pose)

Setu Bandhasana (bridge pose)

Matsyasana (fish pose)

Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward facing dog pose)

Hand Balancing Poses

Chaturanga Dandasana (four-limbed stick pose)

Vasisthasana (side plank pose)

Purvottanasana (upward plank pose)

Bakasana (crow pose)

Inversion Poses

Salamba Sarvangasana (supported shoulder stand pose)

Halasana (plough pose)

Salamba Sirsasana (headstand pose)

Pincha Mayurasana (feathered peacock pose)

Adho Mukha Vrksasana (hand stand pose)

Resting Poses

Balasana (child’s pose)

Pavana Muktasana (wind release pose)

Eka Pada Rajakapotasana (folded forward pigeon pose)

Jathara Parivrtti (belly twist pose)

Savasana (corpse pose)

Surya Namaskar (sun salutation pose)

The Soul

Soul-Searching

Soul Characteristics

Spiritual Identity

Soul Components

Enlightenment of the Soul

Yoga Philosophy

Classical Yoga

Yamas

Niyamas

Asana

Pranayama

Pratyahara

Dharana

Yoga Teacher

Code of Personal Conduct and Beliefs

Your Life

Sanskrit Glossary

References

Preface

I wrote this book to share with you my life’s journey and personal transformation through the practice of yoga and my relationship with the divine. Developing a mind, body, and soul connection has provided me with an unshakeable foundation for the way I choose to live today. My life is full of blessings and excitement. There are no physical, emotional, or spiritual boundaries or limitations imposed by my mind. It is the way I have always imagined it would unfold—and you can begin to experience it too as we travel this journey together.

Nothing in our lives is more powerful than our minds, and we have a choice to make. Either we conquer the mind and make it our servant so we can live our lives to the fullest—with purpose, conviction, and determination and make this world a better place for our families, friends, and humanity—or we can succumb to the egos and whims of our minds to ultimately live neurotic and empty lives. We will always want more and more to satisfy every desire we can imagine, but we will never be content or at peace with who we are or what we have accomplished.

There is a way to find balance, peace, and joy—regardless of the circumstances. If we learn to align our minds with the Universal Mind and infinite intelligence, we can develop consciousness and awareness. We can experience emotions with our hearts. If we believe, the Divine will grant us every single desire. He will fulfill our lives and destinies with his infinite blessings.

Those who came before us did great things that inspire us all. Christ, Buddha, Patanjali, the Virgin Mary, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and many others sacrificed themselves for the greater good. They all had incredible connections with the Divine and their inner selves. By making yoga a way of life, I have experienced a connection with the Universal Mind. My inner self has guided every step of my journey.

We are trying to live our lives in the best way we can: loving and providing for our families, contributing to society, making the world a better place to live, and improving lives because of our spiritual devotion to God. Why are these lofty pursuits not enough to achieve that inner peace and joy we desperately long for? Why can’t we accept ourselves as we are without wanting to change every single feature in our bodies? Why can’t we be content with life since every day is an opportunity to become a catalyst for change?

When we are born into this world, we believe that we possess unlimited potential for making something out of our lives—without any preconceived ideas, judgments, or limitations. We don’t know any better, and we have faith that the sky is the limit because we have not been told otherwise.

However, as we begin to experience life, we become less optimistic and more pessimistic. We start to believe that our potential is determined by our circumstances—with no possibility for alteration or the slightest modification. If we are born with a silver spoon, all the good things that life has to offer will be ours no matter what personal choices we make. On the other hand, if we are born in precarious conditions, we are doomed to become victims of our fates. We will have no hope for better lives in spite of how hard we try to change our environments or the choices we make.

Why is it so hard to believe that God wants us to have an abundant life, where all his blessings, dreams, and hopes are waiting to be released and manifested onto our lives? If we are created in God’s image, doesn’t the Creator believe we are worthy of his love, mercy, compassion, blessings, and abundant riches?

The negative mind takes the easy route, believing that we have been left out of God’s favor and have not been chosen to do great things. As a result, this negativity takes over our lives, often filling our souls and hearts with incredible resentment. It paralyzes our actions and kills the faith we had. Ultimately, we resign ourselves to mediocrity and choose to do nothing with our lives because that is the path of least resistance where faith, belief, and courage do not exist.

We all have experienced how hard life is, but there is always sunshine after the storm, summer after the winter, laughter after the tears, joy after the sorrow, and success after the failure. Each of us has been given talents and opportunities to experience life for God and to be guided by that incredible energy source where all wisdom resides. This energy, which is called the superconscious, the Universal Mind, or infinite intelligence, is available to each of us. We use the power of our minds to tap into it through our thoughts; we control and guide them through meditation.

Everything that has been created in this world was conceived in somebody’s mind through thoughts and manifested physically. Our lives are not different in that regard. The way we feel and think toward ourselves will be manifested in terms of our personal accomplishments, relationships with family and friends, financial freedom, professional success, and spiritual development.

No matter where we are at the present moment, we are experiencing blessings and challenges. These experiences could help us or hurt us as we decide what choices to make. We can use them to build character as we determine our purposes and roles or destroy our self-esteem and personal beliefs that we are destined for greatness. We need to learn how to make that connection with the Divine. If we let our lives shine brightly, we will become beacons of light.

The answer resides in each of us. Until we find ourselves and fulfill our destinies, we are only existing. We are not living. Through the application and interpretation of yoga principles and philosophies, I have developed my own eclectic practice. I call it Yoga Mind X. I have found myself, discovered my purpose, and begun to fulfill my destiny.

My goal with this book goes beyond sharing proven yoga postures, meditations, and breathing techniques that can enhance your life in many ways. My ultimate goal is that you find your inner guru to guide you in every decision you make. As you achieve your dreams, you will find enlightenment and a permanent connection with your inner self and the Divine.

Introduction

Would you be surprised if I told you that your life was not so different than mine? There was a time when you believed that the sky was the limit. In your heart, you longed to accomplish something amazing because you believed you were destined for greatness.

However, your perfect dream has become a distant memory. Today, you feel cheated and defeated because of personal tragedies, broken promises, and unfulfilled dreams. You have lost all hope and faith in yourself, and you have stopped believing that your life matters.

In this book, I share my rebirth process and how I was able to regain my life after the devastation of a divorce after twenty-three years of marriage. I was able to deal with this traumatic and paralyzing event that almost killed me. I was so overwhelmed, and my life was chaotic. I cried myself to sleep many nights. I wanted to make sense of the madness and figure out my reason for living.

Through the rebirth process, we can find purpose and direction in the midst of tragedy. Our troubles and obstacles often serve as catalysts for a personal transformations and changes of direction.

You have a chance to hit the reset button and embark upon a new journey through a path of self-realization and spiritual evolution. Through the principles of Yoga Mind X, you will be able to

• eliminate destructive thinking patterns by learning meditation and breathing techniques;

• improve physical well-being and quality of life by practicing yoga postures and energy healing; and

• find purpose and meaning by developing self-awareness and higher consciousness.

During your rebirth journey, you will embrace your uniqueness and magnificence as a human being. You will experience gratitude for all your blessings and use your talents and skills to bring love, peace, and hope to yourself and others.

Through the practice of yoga and my relationship with the Divine, I have developed a mind-body-soul connection that has provided me with an unshakeable foundation for the way I choose to live my life. My life is full of blessings and excitement; my mind imposes no physical, emotional, or spiritual boundaries or limitations. I always imagined it would unfold this way. You can begin to experience the same thing as we travel this journey together.

Nothing in our lives is more powerful than our minds, and we have a choice to make. We can conquer it and make it our servant so we can live our lives to the fullest—with purpose, conviction, and determination—and make this world a better place for our families, friends, and humanity. If we succumb to the ego and whims of the mind, we will live neurotic, empty lives. We will always want more. We will never satisfy every desire or be at peace with who we are and what we have accomplished in life.

We develop consciousness with our minds, and we experience awareness and emotions with our hearts. The Divine will grant whatever our minds conceive and our hearts desire. We all have destinies and infinite blessings. We must firmly believe.

During my journey, I developed a simple, effective method that transformed my life in every way. Yoga Mind X is not a new type of yoga, spiritual religion, or philosophy. It is the practical and deliberate application of your mind to your life in general. I have regained my life and experienced daily peace of mind, good health, and spiritual fulfillment.

It doesn’t matter whether you are young or old, strong or weak, flexible or rigid, graceful or uncoordinated, thin or heavy, tall or short, active or sedentary. You will learn yoga postures and breathing techniques that will improve your well-being and quality of life. Yoga is not about ego, judgment, comparison, or looks. It is about personal awareness, acceptance, and growth.

You will learn the power of thought and how it can transform your life. You will practice meditation techniques and engage the mind in active visualization and imagination that will bring your desires and purpose to fruition, according to divine design. The goal is to clean your subconscious by discarding any negative, self-destructive thoughts and replace them with positive, uplifting thinking.

You can practice your religious beliefs and philosophy while living by these universal truths. You will engage in a meaningful spiritual journey and develop conviction and understanding about why your soul longs for the Creator.

As you learn to communicate with this source of infinite wisdom, power, and knowledge, you will change your life and find harmony with the universe.

My Journey

My name is Humberto Castillero, and this is my journey. Even though we all are different individuals with our own experiences and challenges, our evolution in the cycle of life is pretty much the same. I would like to share my personal transformation in search of self-realization and spiritual meaning. Every blessing and failure I have experienced in my journey has molded and prepared me for this very moment to claim my divine right and fulfill my destiny.

Through the practice of yoga, I was able to regain my life. I came back from emptiness, depression, and suicidal thoughts. I found self-realization and a spiritual connection with my Creator. As you read this book, you will find practical applications to develop new thought patterns while building self-confidence and acceptance. You will learn to love your uniqueness and beauty, improve your overall well-being, and understand the magnificence of your soul while completing God’s purpose for your life.

By practicing meditation, we become conscious of our thoughts and emotions. We also learn to differentiate between reality and fiction. With clear minds, we can separate positive from negative, right from wrong, true from false, and eternal from temporary. This is instrumental in developing awareness and acceptance. We are living in the present—and not in the past or future. In the present moment, we have control of our lives, and we can set in motion our aspirations, dreams, and hopes for better lives.

By practicing yoga postures, we can feel a special connection with Mother Nature. We refine our awareness and physical sensations by using our bodies as instruments to process the world around us through seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, and tasting. When the body is healthy, we can establish a natural rhythm and synchronicity with the environment while enjoying good health and peace of mind.

By practicing spiritual laws, we can define the purpose and reason for our existence. My experience with yoga goes beyond practicing a certain religion or set of beliefs with dos and don’ts. It is about establishing a personal relationship with the Creator. Our souls connect with the universal energy that sustains all living creatures. When guided by spiritual truths, we eliminate fear, doubt, and regret. We become the full expression of ourselves when love, joy, peace, hope, and faith motivate us. We become grounded in our relationships with the Divine.

No matter how difficult your circumstances are today, you were born with a purpose and a destiny that only you can fulfill. Your life is unique and special. Only you can complete God’s creation as you choose to manifest his glory. On our journeys, we develop awareness of the ultimate plan for our lives. All our past and present experiences bring us to this special moment in time to fulfill our destinies.

I would like to share my story and the events that brought me to my knees. With tears and humility, I asked for God’s mercy. I had no answers. All my education, professional accomplishments, family relationships, and my will to become successful could not carry me through the tragedy of my divorce. That was the breaking point. I totally surrendered to my Creator and devoted my existence to his glory.

My Birth

I was born in Mexico. My father and mother met while attending medical school in Mexico City. They fell madly in love and married at a very early age. My father was twenty-one, and my mother was twenty. Since they were raised Catholic, birth control was not an option. I was conceived during their honeymoon.

From the instant I was born, I had to fight through life. My mother’s pregnancy had complications in the seventh month, and I needed to go out into the world as soon as possible. An emergency C-section had to be performed because I was bridged, which added to the complication of my delivery.

I barely weighed five pounds. My health was very fragile, and my appearance was more like a prune than a plum. I was wrinkled and emaciated. The doctors were very concerned for my health and knew there was a chance I would not make it. However, my mother saw me in a different light. She said I was the most beautiful baby her eyes had ever seen.

I believe her love inspired me to hold onto life and muster the desire to survive. I had to make a choice: give up on my existence and let myself go or fight with all my strength and will. I chose the latter, claimed my place on this earth, and fulfilled my destiny.

It is amazing to observe newborns as they begin to breathe, eat, laugh, cry, smile, and eliminate toxins. These human functions are performed instinctively to perfection without even having read a manual. Our connection to a universal intelligence guides us to unleash those survival instincts from day one.

Regardless of environment, family makeup, financial situation, or social circumstances, human interactions with the world are the same. We assess the environment with our minds, experience the world with our physical senses, and evolve spiritually through our souls. The choice about how to live is ours alone.

I am the master of my mind, the creator of my life, and the driver of my soul. My connection to the Divine has provided me with everything I need to live a prosperous and successful life—no matter the conditions of my external circumstances.

When we come into this world, we are very loud and clear. With our first cries, we tell everyone that we are here to stay. The world will never be the same. As soon as I was out of the womb, the doctors placed me in an incubator. I was fed intravenously until I gained enough weight to be placed under my mother’s care. I ate so much that I was fully recovered within a couple of months. Nobody would have guessed I had complications at birth.

My Childhood Years

During my early childhood, I was afflicted with asthma. This condition limited my physical activities outside the home. My father did his residency in one of the hospitals in Mexico City, the smog and pollution from the cars were heavy. I stayed indoors as much as possible to control my environment.

I could go outdoors on smoggy days in a white shirt, and it would soon be covered with black smog particles. With the slightest effort, I would run out of breath quickly. I used to sit outside my window and wish things were different. I wanted to play ball, ride my bike, run in the playground, or swim in the pool. I wondered why I wasn’t normal like the rest of the boys in my neighborhood.

Since I had to stay indoors a majority of the time, I developed a vivid imagination. My favorite toy—G.I. Joe—had a cord in the middle of his chest. When I pulled it, he would say, I am ready for the mission to free our soldiers.

I understood instinctively that my mind could comfort me despite the limits of my surroundings and physical condition. My vivid imagination and visualizations changed the way I felt about myself. My soul was filled with courage. I knew my circumstances would change for the better someday.

I transported myself to a dreamland, and I was invincible. I had no physical limitations. I was full of strength and vigor, and I always enjoyed success in my affairs. I lived vicariously through my toys, and those were the happiest moments of my childhood. I felt like the whole world was mine—and I was part of it.

My health improved with time, and I went to elementary school like the rest of the boys in my neighborhood. I loved going to school because it gave me an opportunity to get out of the house and play with my friends. As I developed physically, mentally, and emotionally, my asthma attacks were less frequent. I took medication and used a breathing machine to clear my lungs of mucus whenever I suffered an episode.

When I turned eight, my father finished his specialization as an ob-gyn. He wanted to return to Panama and establish his practice in the small town he grew up in. After many discussions with my grandparents and other relatives, he decided to move our family to Panama. My father, my mother, my two sisters, and I moved to a foreign land to begin a new life.

I had mixed emotions because I loved where we lived and the friends I had made along the way. However, there was something exciting about moving to a different place. I would get to know other relatives and make new friends.

My father bought a new Pontiac Firebird. It took almost a week to drive from Mexico City to Panama City. We drove almost fourteen hours a day and spent the nights in hotels. We only brought our suitcases; the rest of our belongings were shipped by sea.

In retrospect, I had mixed emotions. I couldn’t tell my parents how I felt about the move. I had the feeling that my life would never be the same. In fact, that experience