For the rest of October, many of us will be having fun choosing costumes, planning parties and getting ready for trick-or-treaters. Yet, there is also a special quality to this time of year that does seem to get lost in the all the merriment.

The celebration of All Hallows Eve or as we now call it, Halloween, has become quite different from its origins, and can be the subject of controversy and cause many, differing opinions to surface. The facts still remain that people do consider this a festive time, so it's how you approach it that can make all the difference.

Yogic teachings tell us that we should strive to reach a place in our minds and hearts that cause us to radiate peace, happiness, and every kind of positive energy. This brings about good physical and emotional health and affects everyone and everything around us. Yes, we can apply that kind of thinking to our Halloween traditions.

Spirituality is not religion, per se, but is instead the way we sense and view religion. Do we believe God is one person or many? Are we part of an organized church or do we pray in private? Religion, aka faith, is based on what we sense, but can't see and touch. We can use Yoga as a springboard to a deeper understanding of our own sense of spirituality, and in many ways a happier connection with the religion of our choice.

October 31st, as the day before All Saints Day, is a day that many believe is an especially active one in the Spirit Realm; so the concept of All Hallows Eve began. Dressing up in the period clothing of those we admire who are no longer living is one of the ways people began this holiday tradition, and it has been through many changes since. Somehow the idea of taking the time to remember the good those who came before us did, became a rare practice.

Yoga provides us with ways and means to search within ourselves, and, like a magnet, attract good energy, good health, and a sense of joy to our lives. Taking a moment, on October 31st or any other day, to focus on people from the past you admire - be they heads of churches, heads of state, or beloved grandparents, can renew the sense of purpose in life, and give your motivation a tremendous boost!

This Halloween, practice Pranayama, remember excellent people, and bring the abundant energy of their love to your own life today!

Namaste