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Yoga Philosophy: Yamas and Niyamas in Yoga

by Rishikesh Yogis 8 Likes

Yoga not only means to encourage limiting oneself to physical involvement. It is rather a path centered at the philosophy of mental and spiritual wellness. The process of Yoga itself moves from a restricted sense to move towards enlightenment. Yoga is about balancing the opposites, making oneself learn to transcend them. Yamas and Niyamas are the first two limbs in the Ashtanga Yoga Where both the terms are inherited from Sanskrit. Definition of Yamas and Niyamas: Yamas has its roots in Yam- which refers to, ‘to harness’, ‘to hold’, ‘to submit’, or ‘to rule’. Niyamas, on the other hand, refers to the Dos which, one has to practice in order to nurture the good spirit within. Niyamas is translated as “Observances” and both of the Yamas and Niyamas contribute to a better state of Awareness and consciousness in us as humans. Yoga tends not to impose a set of rules instead, it helps us lead an enlightened way to live our lives letting us question ourselves. Origin and Purpose: The question is not whether something is good or bad, it is to avoid us or restrain us from the deeds that put us in the circumstances eventually making us question our own actions. This is where Yamas and Niyamas step in, where we get to decide how to aid the good and positive and how to neglect the bad and negative. Yamas are the guidelines that enable to maintain social balance with people surrounding us and focus on our social life (Social Ethics) whereas Niyamas enable us to focus on our personal practices assisting us to develop our inner selves. The motive is to pull or push ourselves (the inner and outer) to a balanced level to bring ourselves into order and contented state. Consider the example of balancing the growing needs and escalating the level of our working capacity here, what can we do ourselves to improvise the working capacity and reducing the needs. The purpose should be an ideal state since we are emphasizing on both to overcome this state of imbalance. The purpose of Yama-Niyama is to bring ourselves into a state of mental or emotional stability hence retaining the physiological state in the state of equilibrium with the former. The state achieved then, is called Sukha Sthanam. As Lord Krishna states in the Bhagavad Gita that the one who has reached the state of equilibrium or outgrown the pairs of opposites, he has overcome the obstacles of the extremes situations he had faced. We do not solve a problem, we outgrow one. As said in The Bhagavad Gita. And the one who has conquered the first and last five jewels of Yamas and Niyamas has truly achieved the state as described in the Bhagavad Gita in verse II : 48 as, “Yogastha Kurukarmani Sangham Tyaktva Dhananjaya, Siddhaya Asiddhayo Samabhutva, Samatvam Yoga Uchyate”, which refers to a balanced approach to any and every situation (whether success or failure) as Samatvam (Equanimity). The Five Yamas of Yoga: The Pancha Yamas or (the five jewels) are: Ahimsa (Non-Violence), Satya (Truthfulness), Asteya (Non-Stealing), Brahmacharya (Continence/Walking with God), Aparigraha (Non-Possessiveness). Ahimsa: Ahimsa is not harming or injuring any living being which aims at banishing the trait of a beast from our humans which conforms to not hurting any kind of living creature neither no just killing. The latter jewels are all based on the first one Ahimsa. One who practices Ahimsa, must not even possess unkind thoughts towards others. It is contrary to Himsa which can be any form viz. mistreating your inferiors or bad mouthing about others. Satya: The second of the five Yamas is Satya which refers to truthfulness. Thoughts must harmonize with words and words with actions. Suppose you are in a temple or at a funeral and at the same time you think of copulating with someone, and you calm people with condolences at the same time. The self is the truth which can only be achieved by speaking of truth which cannot be achieved by lying as it disturbs your subconscious mind. It is said that if you speak of truth for twelve continuous years, you acquire Vaak Siddhi (Whatever you say comes to pass). Your influence will be over many people as you achieve great power in your speech. Asteya: This is a form of restraint that means to non-stealing. This puts to question ourselves why do we steal? We do so to gain something using illegitimate means since we lack the ability to get it through legit means. The reason could be any of greed, desire, or lust that triggers us to steal. A nibble of bread, or a stack of money, stealing is stealing. Besides, eating more than required, hoarding too much money, or serving to your cravings is also a form of stealing. Brahmacharya: Brahmacharya is practicing continence and when controlled, the part of human energy which is expressed in the sexual union gets channelized into special spiritual energy called ojas shakti and is stored up in the brain. Brahmacharya is a term composed of two different words “Brahma” and “Charya” referring to having a routine as of God. What its literal meaning refers to is to have restrained the sexual desire and not to suppress it. Restraint works towards spiritual consciousness whereas suppressed sexual desire works towards nothing but downfall as sooner or later these desires outgrow your conscience and may harm you or others. Aparigraha: The fifth of Yamas is Aparigraha which, on the contrary means, abstinence of covetousness or greed. This, in other words, refers to kill the craving or the traits that lead you towards anxiety, fear, anger, etc. Aparigraha assists oneself to achieve a contented and enlightened life diminishing the fear, anger, jealousy, and or depression. Aparigraha walks along while practicing Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya. When Craving is uncontrolled, anger takes over and when you are unable to possess something, you try to steal it or grow envious of anyone who has it. Even, you try stealing or lying in order to attain it. Aparigraha banishes all these and is treated as the foundation of all Yogas. The Five Niyamas of Yoga: Niyamas consist of five limbs that are Shaucha (Purity; Internal and External), Santosha (Contentment), Tapas (Austerity/ Asceticism), Swadhyaya (Self-Study), and Ishwara Parnidhana (Surrender to Divinity). Shaucha: Shaucha is attaining a state of purity, both internal and external. External purity generates internal purity and internal purity nurtures the external one, hence, both are correlated. Removing lust, greed, or anger, contributed to internal purification. For instance, a morning bath helps one to adapt to a calm and peaceful mood as compared to not taking bath early in the morning. Our mind becomes unidirectional and cheerful instilled with love and patience. Santosha: Santosha is the key to cut all the craving and desires and to gain satisfaction. The one in practice of Santosha succeeds in all the walks of life as he is untouched by Himsa, Greed, Lust, and jealousy. He remains the same in whatever condition he is put in. Contentment is accepting things as they are and to make the best of whatever comes. Tapas: It is practicing Yoga through dynamic methods. It talks years of practice to turn oneself into a Tapasvi (The one who has mastered his senses through meditation) as this is to do something that your will is against but you have to do it to have a positive effect on your life. When our will conflicts with the desire of our mind an internal “fire” are created which burns up our mental and physical impurities. It results in full control of the mind which also builds endurance and strength (both mental and physical). Mental Tapas are considered more powerful than Physical Tapas. It is obvious from the difference as one who bears physical stress may not seem to bear an insult or argument. Swadhyaya: Swa means self and Adhyaya means study hence completing the meaning of this word to Study of Self in other words, Introspection of self. In practice of Swadhyaya, you inquire yourself about yourself and in your context only. Swadhyaya is an indirect Satsang where only you are in the company of yourself and pose questions to self about yourself only. In this scenario, you are the wise and you are a seeker. Swadhyaya gives a pointed direction and helps us meditate and focus on inner-self including the surroundings. Ishwara Pranidhana: Surrendering all the fruits of efforts to God or the superior power with selflessness and devotion. Through this simple act of dedication we become reminded of our relationship with our higher power, and what we practice becomes sacred and graceful, filled with inner peace, unbound love. While surrendering his will to the Divine power the devotee’s will is in confluence with the lord. The divine influence streams into his existence and transforms it into a fit medium for divine realization and divine instrumentality. Note: We must bear in mind that all five Yamas and Niyamas are not separate but different entities. Indivisible but connected with each other, all the Yamas and Niyamas are inter-linked and codependent on each other. As a practitioner of Yamas and Niyamas, we go along a journey taking one step at a time. Without expecting results, one needs to have patience and be selflessly compassionate of what he practices. Read More...

5 Tips Yoga Teacher Training Certificate in Rishikesh

by Sushant Pandey 1 Likes

Millions of people around the world have shown great inclination towards the Yoga teacher training certificate in Rishikesh. Here are the 5 Tips which can come handy when you go for your Yoga TTC course in India. Yoga TTC in Rishikesh Tip No. 1: Great opportunity to Earn: Globally. Share your knowledge at global scale provides you opportunity to Earn well in the market you operate in. Through a yoga teacher certification, you get the golden ticket to serve millions of distressed lives with the yogic power. In return, along with the inner satisfaction and great contentment, you also earn a great amount of money. There is hardly any career that gives you the opportunity to help others and pay you well for that. Yoga teacher is one such rewarding career. So, earn your yoga teacher certification in the splendid city of Rishikesh and start living a meaningful and purposeful life. Yoga TTC in Rishikesh Tip No. 2: Perspective Change: Completing your training in the spiritual and scenic atmosphere of Rishikesh helps you in understanding the impermanence of everything around you and make you realise the joy and beauty of what you have in your life. You learn to be in the present moment. Yoga teacher training under the supervision of great yoga masters of Rishikesh can change your attitude and teach you to live an optimistic lifestyle. You forget the bad experiences of the past and worries of the future and learn is to live each and every moment of life to its fullest. Yoga TTC in Rishikesh Tip No. 3: Provide you with a whole new outlook on life: Being the hub of yoga learning and yoga teacher training schools, Rishikesh is visited by thousands of yoga enthusiasts from different parts of the world throughout the year. The city is often the first choice of individuals seeking authentic learning of yoga. When you embark on your path of earning your yoga teacher certification in Rishikesh, you meet many different and like-minded individuals from whom you get to learn prominent lessons of life. By the end of the training, you learn to deal well with the ups and downs of life and live a successful, joyous, and peaceful life. Yoga TTC in Rishikesh Tip No. 4: Take your practice to a new level: Taking you yoga teacher training in the pure, sacred, and yogic atmosphere of Rishikesh can improve your asana practice. The guidance of traditional renowned yoga masters helps you in knowing your body in the best way possible. During your yoga teacher training, you get an authentic knowledge and deeper understanding of yogic science, and the correct method of performing asanas by properly adjusting and aligning your body that saves you from getting hurt or injured while performing them. Yoga TTC in Rishikesh Tip No. 5: Make you a better person: Rishikesh is the city of good-natured, kind-hearted and innocent people. The residents of this city are very humble, friendly, and supportive. They are always ready to give loads of help no matter its day or night. During your month-long training, you get the opportunity to be in the company of such people which instills and enhances the feeling of love, and compassion in your personality. Read More...

Concept of Mind Management in Yoga

by Rishikesh Yogis 0 Likes

Goals and Strategies of Psychotherapy Whenever we deal with the term “psychotherapy”, we are dealing with a systematic methodological process based on well defined paradigms of psychology. The most classic definition of psychotherapy is any intentional application of psychological techniques by a clinician to the end of effecting sought after personality or behavioral changes. All systems of psychotherapy start from the fundamental assumption that human behavior can be changed. The goal of therapy has been put in terms of removing symptoms, restoring earlier levels of functioning, freeing the person to be self realizing( in Roger’s term, “a fully functioning person” and according to Gita, becoming a “sthita prajna personality”), helping the person find personal meaning and values or restructuring defenses and character. The behavioral transformation is the main concern of both eastern and western therapists. The dissimilarity we may find in the approach to look at the problems. Mind in western therapy is considered as a clinical entity whereas in yoga it is used as a tool to actualize one’s essential state of being. In both systems of yoga and psychotherapy the following may be instrumental for a change or transformation of personality: Insight: To increase awareness and understanding of how and why we act as we do is fundamental to many therapeutic approaches like Psychoanalysis, Analytical psychology, Gestaltism, Existentialism etc. In yoga therapy different tools are used to expand the range of awareness. Developing self understanding and knowledge is what aspired in yoga. Developing emotional stability: There are different approaches to deal with the emotional experiences of the individual. To relive the traumatic experiences and to give a safe vent to the feelings are important features of the psychotherapeutic process. Reeducation: In both yoga and psychotherapy reeducation is emphasized. It is accomplished by replacing an infantile, pathologic or maladaptive attitude by more mature and healthier ones. Growth: Successful therapy removes the obstacles to growth and permits the process of self actualization to continue. Yoga is surely a system of psychotherapy, for its whole aim and purpose is to lead man from unhappiness and suffering to the state of lasting peace and harmony. In this pursuit, yoga psychology has put forth many of the theories and methods now being rediscovered by modern psychology. All the different branches of yoga aim at establishing harmony at different levels of human functioning. In yoga, the body, energy, emotion, and mind are considered as the different facets/ levels of human functioning and all the different practices/techniques available in different branches of yoga, aim to establish harmony at all these different levels. Psychotherapeutic transformations through yogic techniques: As it has already been mentioned that yoga is a system of psychotherapy. And the various tools which are employed in the yoga therapy are potentially capable to bring about a change in one’s thinking, feeling and behavior. Working with the body is an important aspect of yoga therapy. Through the appropriate postures, breathing techniques, and cleansing practices, the therapist tries to transform the physical, mental, emotional and energetic beings of the individual. Relaxation practices such as Yoga Nidra, Antar Mouna and other meditation practices help to release mental and the emotional tensions. It has been a well-accepted fact nowadays that mind and the body are intimately interrelated. Therefore tension carried in the body is intimately related to emotional and mental tension. When one works on the body through asanas, pranayama or Shatkarma (a group of six bodily cleansing practices), one experiences that the long-held tensions (both muscular and the emotional) are released from the body and the feeling of ease and comfort developing from inside. As one learns to become more aware of the experiences of his body while doing the yogic practices, he becomes increasingly aware or sensitive to the body’s tensions and its ‘dis-ease’. He experiences the states of physical, mental and the emotional well being. Psychotherapeutic significance of asana As we all know that psychotherapy is all about behavioral modification and inner transformation in an individual. The goal of therapy has been put in terms of removing symptoms, restoring earlier levels of functioning, freeing the person to be self-realizing (in Roger’s term, “a fully functioning person” ), helping the person find personal meaning and values or restructuring defenses and character. Earlier in the era of Freudian psychiatry, psychotherapy and psychology used a model of the human personality that is limited to biography and to the individual unconscious as described by Sigmund Freud. But in the modern field of psychotherapy the approach to treat the individual slowly and gradually becoming more holistic. Today’s therapists believe in the eclectic approach of therapy rather than restricting themselves to one system of psychotherapy. The earlier psychotherapeutic technique of self-exploration used to rely heavily on a verbal exchange such as free association or face to face interviews. But now therapists have realized that by solely relying on one such technique will not help them to understand the dynamics of emotional and mental problems and their elimination from the personality. So now we find that there are some therapies available which work on the mind through the body. Therapies such as Bioenergetics, Reichian therapy, Rolfing, Psychedelic therapy, Shiatsu, Yoga etc. has added another dimension to the system of modern psychotherapy. In this article, the main focus will be on the psychotherapeutic values of asana (posture) in the light of some of the body-centered therapies. Asanas along with pranayama is the central technique of hatha yoga; a branch of yoga that aims to change the mental patterns by working through the postures. In yoga mind, body and energy are considered to exist in one continuum. In hatha yoga the individual work on the body through different posture to alter the patterns of energy, and by altering the flow of energy one changes the patterns of awareness. The science of hatha yoga says that the gross physical body has its subtle counterpart in the form of energy and mental bodies and the conditions of energy body determine the state of physical and mental bodies. Like the other schools of psychotherapy the goal of hatha yoga is also to transform the consciousness and personality. Asana aims to expand the feelings and awareness. Through the different postures, an aspirant of yoga brings about a change in his attitudes, feelings, and behavior. Through the technique of asana the practitioner of yoga uses the body as an instrument to transform the mental and the energetic patterns in the body. Sw. Ajay in his book writes; “posture is an expression of a psychological state. Modern psychologists know that a person’s posture can tell a great deal about his inner feelings and his attitudes about himself and others”, he further writes “and this is also true that assuming a specific posture can also bring about a particular mental-emotional state”. We all know on the basis of our own experiences that we do express our attitudes, feelings and emotions through our postures and gestures. A specific posture reflects a particular state of mind and feeling. Therefore if we adopt a posture we not only change the mental and emotional states but we also change the energy dynamics, because specific mental and emotional state corresponds with the specific pattern or state of energy in the body. Today all different available techniques of bodywork use body to bring about a desirable change in personality. Body as a log book Body-centered psychologists who employ body-work techniques, claim that we store lots of information about our past experiences, inner tendencies, attitudes etc. in our body. Alexander Lowen a renowned body-centered therapist who developed the system of bioenergetics says in his book, “A person’s attitude towards life or his personal style is reflected in the way he holds himself, his carriage and in the way he moves”, again he writes, “a person is the sum total of his life experiences, each of which is registered in his personality and structured in his body. Just as a woodsman can read the life history of a tree from a cross section of the trunk showing its annual growth rings, so it is possible for a bioenergetics therapist to read a person’s life history from his body.” Now we reach a point from where we can say that listening to the body means attending to the messages of the mind which are encoded in the language of the body. Because mind expresses itself in the body, through the language of sensations, feelings, breath, gesture, posture and movements. Concept of body armoring It has been the observation of the body-centered therapists that we store emotional tensions in the muscles of the body. And as this tension escalates our natural expression in the form of gestures and movements is disturbed. It makes us off balance and destabilize physically and mentally as well. Wilhelm Reich, who developed Reichian Therapy in the 1940s, which is a deep emotional release therapy, found in his therapeutic sessions a functional identity of a person’s character with his bodily attitude or muscular armor. Armoring refers to the total pattern of chronic muscular tensions in the body. They are defined as armor because they serve to protect an individual against painful and threatening emotional experiences. Reichian therapy and Bioenergetics, a therapy developed by Alexander Lowen, both study the human personality in terms of the energetic processes of the body. Reich believed that neuroses exist only when there is repressed excess energy. The relation of energy to personality is clearly manifested in a depressed person. Alexander Lowen writes in his book Bioenergetics; “although the depressive tendency result from the interplay of complicated psychological and physical factors, one thing is absolutely clear. The depressed individual is energetically depressed.” They (Lowen and Reich) emphasize that the lack of free flowing energy causes many emotional and mental problems. The blocking of this bio-energy is due to the armoring that results from energy being bound in a muscular contractions/tensions and not being allowed to flow through the body. This armoring is the natural pattern of muscular tensions that manifest when we are threatened or feel to be threatened. In response to threatening emotional conditions, our bodies get tensed in preparation for the fight or flight. But it becomes a problem only when it becomes chronic or permanent. In this condition, we suppress our natural feelings and emotional expressions. To further explain this I would use the expression that the suppressed feelings and emotions crystallize in the form of muscular armoring. It has also been seen by these therapists that the neurotic tendencies are anchored in the armor and that as the armor dissolves, the suppressed emotional energy is released and once again the individual starts to feel the flow of energy. Asana and the character armor As per the system of depth psychology we cut off ourselves from the most vulnerable aspect of our mental contents (through suppression or repression), which are the chief source of anxieties, tensions and conflicts in our psycho-physiological system in order to maintain the level of integration or to keep ourselves centered. At the physical level, we do suppress our emotions/feelings in different areas of the body. In day to day life a tensed and stressed person uses characterological body posture, gesture and arrhythmic, labored breathing to remain in the self-created a defensive mode of speech, action, and behavior. In people with neurotic behavioral patterns, it has been seen that at the physical level, using their posture and the breath they cut off themselves from reality and their own feelings. Self expression is the expression of one’s own feelings. Depressives, for example, suppress their expressions excessively, which means they suppress their feelings as well. It is well known that the depressed person is closed off and the closing off is also reflected through his posture. And in this state by constricting the muscles and holding the tension in the body he wards off any feeling or sensations that flow through the body. In this condition, the natural expression of feelings and the flow of energy are blocked. Therefore their immediate requirement is that of movement of the body and its energies. Different postures of yoga evoke specific attitude, mood and feeling in the practitioner. Once a posture is adopted and is sustained immediately the patterns of thought, attitude, feelings, and the breath start to weave around the posture. And there is a distinct shift in the quality of awareness as the energies within start to move. Each posture of yoga work at a specific region of the body and the pattern of breath which is specific to the posture concerned, affect the energy of those concerned parts of the body. As it is known to both body-centered therapists and hatha yoga practitioners, the breath is the main mobilizer of energy in the system. Through asanas we work on the mind, by assuming repetitive gestures, postures, and movements of the body and the breath. Secondarily postures are also used to release the tensions that we store in the muscles. As a result of that sensitivity and awareness expand, and one responds to his life events in a more balanced, and efficient way. Asana as a re-centering tool Like all the other practices of yoga the goal of asana is also to expand the awareness, to deepen the understanding of one’s own self. Through asanas, we work on the muscles, joints, and organs of the body and bring them into the state of health. And in due course we release the tensions stored in the body, bring the breath back to its natural rhythm and harmony and allow the energy to flow freely through the psycho-physical systems. Once a natural and spontaneous free-flowing movement of energy is initiated, there lies a possibility that the individual would enjoy the state of spontaneity, freedom, and harmony that he failed to enjoy before. One of the chief features of asanas is that they enhance the level of flexibility in the body. Asanas are done slowly with awareness and the aspirant tries to hold the final position without creating any discomfort in the body. Therefore they become a handy tool to increase the level of awareness and relaxation, which ensue when the points of tension are diluted or removed from the body. Secondarily, asanas help to ground the awareness of the practitioner in the ‘here and now’ situation, in this way it helps the individual to shift his awareness and energy out of the vicious pattern of obsessive thoughts which revolve around one issue all the time. Sw. Satyananda Saraswati says in his book ‘Asana, pranayama, mudra, bandha’; “in hatha yoga asanas refer to specific body positions which open the energy channels and psychic centers (also known as Chakras or vortices of energy). They are tools to higher awareness and provide the stable foundation for our exploration of the body, breath, and mind and beyond. The Hatha Yogis also found that by developing control of the body through asana, the mind is also controlled.” In yoga psychology an asana represents a state of consciousness and a qualitative state of awareness. In yogic tradition it is said that there were 8,400,000 asanas which represents 8.4 millions incarnations. And if we go for the symbolic meaning of the statement we would find that symbolically they represent the broadband of awareness. The somatic psychology of hatha yoga says that assuming a gesture brings about a specific state of awareness, which is free from the trouble created by the pairs of opposites (dvandvānabhighatāh). The above statement makes it clear that asanas help to overcome the habitual tendencies, by overcoming the effort (pŗayatna śaithalyam) and releasing the tensions and signs of stress points from the body. As mentioned earlier, the body is the instrument through which we act out our desires and exercise our will. The gestures and the postures are the revealed states of feelings and the mind. When we practice asana and get established into it by repeated practice, it helps us to create and fixed a repetitive postures and the gestures which can snap us out of the instinctual habit patterns and establishes a more refined awareness. Therefore it is proven to be a very reliable tool to remold the personality. Awareness as a centering tool. Another therapeutic benefit, as mentioned earlier is its role in enhancing and deepening the sensitivity and awareness of the body. People who are chronically stressed, they lose contact with their body and hence with reality in the condition of a complete breakdown. The heightened tension and stress dramatically reduce the level of sensitivity and physical awareness. Christine Caldwell explains in her book ‘Getting our bodies back’; “…tensing a muscle will, in the short run, increase sensation in that area. The nerves in the muscles get very active… giving the brain sensory feedback about the contraction. However, if the tension continues and become chronic, the nerve will tend to exhaust themselves and will only send sensory messages if there are large changes in the amount of tension. In other words, when tension becomes chronic our nervous system begins to ignore it and pay attention to other things.” Here, in this case, asanas can help to refocus the attention of the practitioner onto the present moment. And enabling him to be one with the body and start to relive the body. Asanas bring the body into the listening mode. Once the movement is initiated and rigid armoring is broken there is free movement of feeing and the breath. And as the two starts to flow together, the entire body becomes alive, the sensations are again triggered. As Caldwell says, “movement, sensation, and breath are the offspring of aliveness/awareness. They can form the basis of curiosity, responsiveness, openness, and participation with life.” Read More...

The Concept of Three Gunas in Yoga – Sattva, Rajas and Tamas

by Rishikesh Yogis 1 Likes

Concept of Guna in Yoga To understand the philosophy of mind management in yoga; it’s highly important to know the dynamics of samkhya; one of the oldest philosophical systems. Meaning and Theory of Guna The core dynamics of samkhya psychology is based on the theory of the gunas. The sanskrit word guna means qualities. There are three gunas each representing the qualities which govern the nature on macro as well as micro dimensions. Three gunas sattva (quality of effulgence, balance), rajas (quality of transformation/movement/dynamism) and tamas (quality of maintaining status quo/staticity/passivity), are the essential principles which are the constituents of nature and are instrumental in differentiation. The entire theory of gunas is very relevant. One can relate it to day to day experiences every moment without failure. On the mental plane these three gunas create various tendencies which can be classified into positive and negative categories. And most importantly the permutations of gunas which constitute nature; can be harmonized; there come yogic practices, tools and principles. The various yogic tools physical and non physical help the individual to harness these subtle essential potencies of nature. All three gunas are contrary and yet complementary to each other. Transient reality as function of Guna The nature known as prakriti refers to the state of absolute potential before any differentiation starts. Gunas are the substance and the forces of nature. When they are in a state of equilibrium there is absoluteness and state of non creation. Equilibrium means sattva transforms into sattva; rajas into rajas and tamas into tamas. Once the equilibrium is broken the process of differentiation is nature (prakriti; the creatrix) starts. Then the mutual permutations of the gunas start which starts evolution and differentiation in nature. These three principles of nature keep nature or manifest phenomenal reality always in flux. But despite these changes and transmutations and permutations the consciousness principle remains unchanged and immutable. Influence of Guna on Human Behaviour According to Samkhya, human psyche is immensely affected and influenced by interplay of gunas. As one guna becomes predominant we observe corresponding qualities of that specific guna in the personality of the individual. The human being and its nature, relies heavily on the combination and inter-permutation of three gunas. These gunas are the basic essences of one’s personality and because of the different combinations of these gunas, we are shaped into a specific personality type. The three gunas are the causal sources of the various tendencies, qualities or psychological temperaments in human personality. A specific combination of gunas can give rise to a particular personality type. In Samkhya Yoga and Gita as mentioned repeatedly that gunas influence the human behaviour and personality; and with the transformation of gunas, transformation of personality is possible. The study of the gunas is of immense importance from the view point of understanding the dynamics of human behaviour. If we see through Samkhya perspective we find that the different typologies of personality found in any part of the world could easily be reduced to the presence of a definite combination of gunas. We have seen that there are basically three types of personality found in the world according to Gita and Samkhya. These personality types are determined because of the presence of one predominant guna. Here predominance of one guna does not indicate that the other two gunas are eliminated from the personality rather it indicates that the two other gunas are present in subdued state, but in that state also they may be available in different proportions in personality which ultimately can result in shaping the individual into a specific personality type. Each personality type shows a range of personality traits, the clustering of these traits together mould the personality in a particular type. Gunas in Indian Psychology are the basic sources of all the traits known to psychology. Hence these three are considered the forces determine the personality types. In one personality type the traits of sattva, Rajas and Tamas might be found in varying proportion, depending on the nature of their combinations. Types of Personality based on Guna Sattva predominant personality Sattva guna is the quality of effulgence, knowledge and wisdom. A person with Sattva predominant has mental clarity, mind is not deluded by any confusions, has clear intention and focused attention all the time. Such a person performs every action diligently, steadily and with relaxed alertness. In behaviour of such a person one may see lots of patience and moderation. Samyam (inner restraint) and Viveka (ability of discrimination) are the predominant qualities in such a person. According to Yoga Psychology, a Sattva dominant person has Ekagrata mind (one-pointed). This indicates that a Sattvik person has lots of control over one’s lower mental tendencies and desires which are required in spiritual sadhana. Rajas predominant personality Chief characteristic of Rajas guna is dynamism and potential to transform/change. One who has rajas guna predominantly active in their nature are very dynamic, passionate and energetic on the positive side. But predominance of rajas often leads one into spirals of varied emotional upheavals. Due to the quality of Rajas guna one becomes highly competitive, ambitious and at time stubborn and authoritative as well. Guided by intense desires to achieve something in life also at times becomes cause of frustration, disappointments, jealousy and anger once one fails to achieve. Person with Rajas predominance always in alert mode and often they find it very difficult to relax. They are very susceptible to heart conditions, hypertension and digestion related issues in life. In Yogic term mental state of a typical Rajas predominant person is of vikshipta (oscillating) mind. These people enjoy physical activities but find sitting still and meditating very challenging. Tamas predominant personality Tamas is the quality of ignorance, inertia, status quo or staticity. This is one quality which holds one down from taking any initiative in life. Tamas is predominantly coloured by the characteristics of lethargy and languor. Mind is always clouded by confusion and indecisiveness. There is complete lack of control over one’s speech, thought and actions. There is absence of Viveka as a result such a person is mostly guided by impulsive and instinctive tendencies. In Yoga, such a state of mind is defined as Mudha avastha (indolent state). While studying the characteristics of personalities we should always understand that we all have these gunas in us. It is predominance of a particular guna defines a specific set of personality traits. Read More...

5 things that you need to know before you enroll for a Yoga Teacher Training

by Sushant Pandey 0 Likes

Yoga nowadays has become a fad. Being a resident of Rishikesh and yoga teacher for 18 years, I know that a lot of aspirants visit this city to enroll in Yoga Teacher Training courses. Often I get a very valid and basic question from aspirants; “which one is the right yoga teacher training course to attend?” For someone who has started learning yoga recently, this is a very valid and important query. Because teaching during an initial period of learning leaves a very strong and deep impression in practitioners’ psyche. So here I will shed light on some of those ingredients which make a yoga teacher’s training course very fulfilling, stimulating and exploring. Yoga Teacher Training rooted in Tradition One should look for a center which offers yoga teachings based on traditional wisdom and philosophies. As a teacher as well as a practitioner of yoga I believe that initial driving force in the practitioner helps a lot in shaping his/her quest for yoga. I have been trained throughout my professional career in a very traditional teaching environment of yoga. The approach of teaching was very integrative and holistic with a lot of focus on mindful practices and their effects on mind-body complex. Traditional and holistic approaches in teaching help one not only to learn but explore deep inside as well. Mindfulness or awareness in practice is one of the underlying currents on traditional and traditional yoga teachings. Always remember yoga teaching is not just about learning a set of techniques; it’s also about self-exploration as a practitioner and student of yoga. Get the concept of ‘Yoga’ right Exploring the course contents of yoga teacher’s training program, one should see whether the school is presenting the holistic understanding of yogic philosophies or not. Currently practicing yoga is reduced to merely performing postures and stretches in class. In fact, yoga is a generic term which stands for Union, Connection or harmony. Literally, it means ‘Union’. In traditional sense Yoga also stands for a path, a methodology or a system to actualize one’s spiritual self. To have a broad and deeper understanding it is important to understand the major branches of yoga in the light of their philosophical roots. For example, techniques of meditation emphasizing on developing meditative awareness in one’s day-to-day life have roots in Raja Yoga. The metaphysical background of Raja Yoga is Samkhya Philosophy which is one of the oldest existing philosophies in India. One can never fully understand the concepts of Raja Yoga until Samkhya metaphysics is understood or taught well in the class. Similarly, Hatha yoga loosely termed as physical yoga, on the other hand uses the body as an instrument to expand and liberate the mind. Philosophy of Tantras is the metaphysical background of Hatha Yoga. People, who see Hatha yoga merely as a system of physical discipline, should know this is one of those philosophies in India which established a direct link between Body, Mind, and Energies. And secondly, the founding principles of Tantras upon which Hatha Yoga tradition is based, is purely monistic, which sees a direct relationship and interconnectedness in all the different fabrics of creation. Classes igniting Self reflecting analysis or Swadhyaya Teaching in an ideal yoga class is incisive, stimulating and self-transforming. Any contents taught in the class can enhance or deepen self-awareness or self-reflection only when it is relevant. If teaching cannot help one to relate with one’s own life experiences and circumstances then it loses its purpose and relevance. An ideal class creates an environment which helps aspirants to connect with one’s experiences through insightful teachings and philosophy. A good yoga teacher will always motivate and guide you to develop self-reflecting awareness not just inside the class but also in the day to day life situations. A detached self-reflecting awareness brings poise, balance, and clarity in adverse situations in life. Through the yogic practices whether it is a technique or philosophical discussion, a yoga class should create a facilitating environment to develop an ability of immersive and mindful self-analysis in students. The entire purpose of yogic teaching is to help an individual to evolve at physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. Teaching correct methodology A lot of practitioners get attracted to nice advanced and ego boosting posters of yoga poses of teachers and yoga teacher’s training centers. Sometimes these can be deceptive. What an aspirant should check if yoga teacher training center dedicates a fair amount of time in teaching the correct methodology of class teaching. This includes – In-depth understanding of body anatomy and physiology in light of yoga practices Ideal class presentation Deepening understanding to respect the body Helping to understand the vulnerability of an individual or a specific group How to use the words, expressions, voice modulations, demonstrations, various props, visual or audio aides Teaching ethics, use of hands of body adjustments, respecting personal space of practitioners Teaching adjustments (not necessarily physical) for specific individuals and groups Ways to teach meditations and philosophical principles in most relevant ways Paying individual attention to aspirants/students to nurture or groom them to become a complete teacher and many more… In-House experienced team of teachers Last and not least, to accomplish all the above areas of teaching a center needs a team of highly experienced and dedicated teachers. Teachers having experience of working with diverse groups or organizations can give you teachings based on their own personal experiences. A lot of schools in Rishikesh hire rookie teachers, who have secured their certification of 200 hours yoga teacher training program. As result teachings in these centers are very superficial and bookish. So next time when you look for a yoga teacher training course make sure to do a proper investigation and then chose a center to avoid any disappointments. Author : Yogi Sushant, Yoga Philosophy, Meditation Yoga has always been a part of Sushant’s family. He has a profound understanding of both practical and theoretical aspects of the yogic traditions and is a very spontaneous and skillful teacher of Hatha yoga, meditation, and relaxation. Know More about Yogi Sushant Read More...

200 Hours Yoga Teacher Training for 2019-2020, in Rishikesh India

by Rishikesh Yogis 1 Likes

Recognized by Yoga Alliance, USA, Rishikesh Yogis Yogshala is the most authentic and traditional yoga center in Rishikesh, India. It is a recognized center for Yoga & Meditation. At our yoga center in Rishikesh, Students come from various countries like USA, UK, Australia, Spain, Russia and many countries to learn Yoga and become authorized. Yoga trainees attend our Yoga Teacher Training program, live here and have practical experience at our yoga center. Rishikesh Yogis Yogashala offers 200 hours Yoga Teacher training in Rishikesh India. This training includes following things : Morning Guided meditation Pranayama Asana Learning Hatha Style Learning Ashtanga Vinyasa Style Yoga Anatomy Yoga Philosophy Mantra theory Class & Teaching methodology Yoga Therapy & Ayurveda Classical Meditation techniques such as Yoga Nidra, Hridyakasha Dharana, Chidakasha Dharana, Ajapa Japa, Antar Mouna, Chakra shuddhi, Chakra dharana and many more. During the session, you will learn deep concepts of yoga & its various positions, subtle nuances of meditation techniques and get explanation about following : How to enter into a specific position and how to come out from that position. Perfect posture of the position. Absolute usage of props (including benefits of using props) How to assist others and correct various faults. Other advantages of Yoga in human life. Sequencing Ways to present meditation classes Nuances of teaching meditation in group Customization of meditation techniques and programs During our training program, we focus on developing good Yoga posturing skills and meditation teaching in every students along with the conceptual knowledge of each Asana and meditation techniques. The class is a combination of conceptual knowledge of traditional Hatha, Iyengar style of Yoga, Kundalini Yoga and traditional meditation techniques. It will improve your practices and gets internal benefit of the Yoga. Our 200 hour Yoga teacher training course has following specific features : It is suitable for every level of student – beginner, intermediate, and advance level of students. It includes a detailed explanation of asanas, its methods, correct posturing, alignments, and how to assist other learners and use of props – including ropes, blocks, straps. Learning lifestyle of a Yogi in a Ashram along with yoga which helps to gain health, happiness and freedom from stress, anxiety, anger and other disorder of brains. It includes conceptual knowledge of yoga and its practices in form of Asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing), meditation (dhyana), Yoga positions – mudras, bandhas, kriyas. It includes teaching methodology, yogic anatomy and physiology and yogic philosophy. Detailed and insightful focus on meditation techniques chosen from Raja Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Kriya Yoga and various Upanishads. Our Yoga center is situated in a peaceful environment at hills area of Himalayan mountains range and very near to River Ganga. Check out our Yoga teachers training program for more details – Click here Feel free to contact Rishikesh Yogis Yogashala if you have any query. Read More...

Journey of Yoga

by Rishikesh Yogis 0 Likes

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart”. – Helen Keller I feel yoga is one of the most beautiful thing that I have experienced in my life till now. Yoga is a term that has been understood differently by many all around the world. With this diverse experiences yoga has come out as one of the main source to keep the body in its healthiest form. When I started yoga my mindset was different, I started it because many others were doing it and I had time. I never realized that in next few months my life will change. I firmly believe that changes happen when you are ready for it. In all these years of yoga practice I have become completely different. I feel myself more stronger, more calmer and more stable. I have learned so much from yoga that now I don’t do yoga but feel yoga. Yoga is not about doing postures and pranayama or to meditate but yoga is our lifestyle. What we do, what we eat, what we think, talk etc…So basically its our exposure to our lifestyle. Yoga is one of those things that have taught me to aware. Awareness of the self that is usually difficult to control. Because in our everyday life we are aware of everything else around us except our own self. Paying focus to your own self is so difficult initially because for mind it’s so unusual thing to do. But as soon as we start training our awareness there comes so many experiences and realization. With yoga we develop inner harmony between body and mind. It’s a holistic science that has a power to relax and to improve the body and mind status through different traditional techniques. With growing popularity people are adapting yoga to cure different health disorders. Yoga changes our relation with our own inner self. It develops ones confidence, determination, concentration and patience. With regular practice of yoga range of experiences increases. Not only physical body is affected but mental and spiritual growth as well happens with yoga practices. Yoga is not any religion but an art that every individual should learn so that the society as a whole grows . One should understand that it is a journey of Self Discovery. “When the restlessness of the mind, intellect and self is stilled through the practice of Yoga, the yogi by the grace of The Spirit within himself finds fulfilment” – B.K.S Iyenger Read More...

7 Major Benefits of Yoga for Stress Management

by Rishikesh Yogis 2 Likes

We all come across stress, anxiety, and depression; these issues have become evils in our daily life. Due to changing lifestyle, a lot has changed in human life. Many new forms of stress management techniques have arrived today. Despite this fact, the roots and practice of ancient yoga have remained consistent. Yoga has helped many people overcome various issues related to their life. It is undeniable that stress brings a lot of physical and mental issues; you become drained and exhausted. Some more common problems that arise out of stress are; Migraines Depression Lack of sleep Hypertension High and Low blood pressure Heart issues Weight gain Spondylitis and more... Issues are many but the solution is one – Yoga! Yoga is the answer to all the above issues and much more that could disrupt your life from living normally. The technique of yoga is not magic but practice. Both men and women can avail various benefits out of Yoga and live a stress-free life. The question is, how does yoga help in getting rid of stress? The postures, techniques, and exercises in yoga comprise of asanas, pranayamas, relaxation, meditation, and breathing exercises that help you overcome stress. Due to more number of people coming forward to experience the benefits of Yoga, a world Yoga day is celebrated on 21st June every year. It’s a fascinating sight to notice a massive number of people joining hands to get rid of their painful issues in life. How can yoga help to overcome stress? Regular practice and belief are the key points before you expect any positive result. You must believe in yourself and the fact that you will get rid of stress with the help of regular practice. Some postures in yoga help you to feel relaxed, at ease and relieved from all that has been running in your mind. Notice the children in your family or around you; they often forget their worries by playing and cracking jokes with their friends. The like-minded kids around them and the body movements while they play help them ease down the stress. That is exactly what yoga does to you! As we grow, our responsibilities increase and we forget to be cheerful. It adds to our stress and we often fall into negative ways of overcoming stress such as alcoholism, drugs, and antidepressants. Some even take catastrophic steps. Yoga helps combat this by managing the stress for you. Let’s understand the different advantages of yoga for stress management. Benefits of yoga for stress management: Union of mind, body, and soul: A combination of breathing exercises and asana unites the mind, body, and soul. Imbalance of these three gives birth to health issues and unwanted mental stress. Health experts and yogis have confirmed that yoga has relieved people from stress to a great extent. Improved sleep: Some forms of exercises in yoga help you sleep peacefully. Most people complain of the inability to sleep properly due to various issues troubling them in and out in their life. People bring more focus in life with regular yoga practice. Increased energy: Breathing exercises are extremely important in yoga for stress management. The slow breath patterns along with inhaling and exhaling techniques bring more positive energy to your body. Scientifically, it helps the oxygen to pass through your organs by making you feel relaxed. Increased concentration: Yoga asanas relax your body by overcoming stress. We all must have noticed forgetfulness when we are worried about something that’s disturbing us. It leads to a confused state of mind. Yoga brings an improved concentration to deal with situations with a calm mind. Experience deep Relaxation: Meditation is an important factor in yoga for stress management. One of the essential things expected during stress management is the ease of mind. Yoga with meditation balances those alpha waves that are needed to relax your mind. While you do the breathing exercises, your heart rate tends to become normal and blood pressure normalizes. Boost in Confidence: Stress often breaks us and tears us apart from taking decisions in life with confidence. We start feeling confused and indecisive in everything and seek others’ support. Yoga for stress management is the best alternative for bringing back inner confidence. Inner healing: Our healing process gets shattered when we are stressed. We fail to react to situations with a calm mind and break down most of the times. Those who practice yoga postures will realize how it helps to build strength and utilize energy at the right channel during crisis or period of extreme stress. Lastly, yoga isn’t a magic wand to eliminate stress permanently from life; stress is a parcel that you will receive every day. However, with the practice of yoga, you build a positive personality and a confident approach to handle situations in a better manner. Start learning the different poses of yoga for managing stress from today! Located in the beautiful valley of Rishikesh – the ‘Yoga Capital of the Globe’, Rishikesh Yogis Yogshala is one of the most renowned schools for Yoga Instructor Training in Rishikesh, India. In addition to recognized Yoga Teacher Training Certification Courses, we also specialize in conducting highly invigorating, Yoga and Meditation Retreat Programs in India. Read More...

A Guide to Yoga

by Rishikesh Yogis 0 Likes

The traditional art of yoga holds different meaning for different people. Some view it as a practical aid that helps with physical ailments and, others perceive it as a method to achieve mental calmness. For many of them, the traditional art is an integral part of life, a way of life. Perception differs from person to person and, so does the need to practice the art of yoga. The reason to practice the mindful art can be various, but the goal is same -- to achieve healthy body, mind, and soul, to achieve tranquility in life and to awaken higher consciousness for profound change in lifestyle. The idea to start the practice of yoga poses marks the first step towards self-transformation. Rest lies in practicing the art with dedication to fulfill the very purpose. In order to reap the most out of yoga practice and to successfully accomplish the purpose, it becomes pivotal to learn thoroughly about the science of yoga. The guide to yoga will feed you with in-depth knowledge about the art, correct practices, benefits and more. One can always start the practice with beginner series to make the body familiar with the art of yoga and to gain flexibility before progressing to advanced level for higher enrichment. But if you have a curious bone tickling inside you that incites you to gain knowledge of different yoga asanas then this is the perfect stop for you. Hence, we move further to explore the diverse yoga postures under different categories: Seated Yoga Poses: 1 Garland Pose (Malasana): Begin the pose in tadasana position. Spread your feet as wide as your mat. Flex your knees, lower down your hips and come into a squat position. Part your thighs slightly wider than your torso. Keep your feet together. Drop your torso a little forward and bring your upper arms to inside of your knees. Fold your hands in a prayer position such that elbows should press along the inside of the knee. Try to bring the hands to the center of the chest. 2 Hero Pose (Virasana) : Kneel on the mat to bring the knees together and thighs perpendicular to the floor. Separate the feet wider than hip-distance apart. Press the top of each foot and toe nails into the floor. Pull the calf muscles away from the knee and roll them out. Sit on your hips such that the inner portion of calves touches the outer thighs. Place your arms on the knees and draw it up from thighs. Sit in the pose for 1-5 minutes and breathe deeply. 3 Fire Log Pose (Agnistambhasana) : Sit on the mat with legs stretched forward and erect spine. Bend your right knee close to the chest. Put your right ankle above the left kneecap. Now bend your left knee and bring it under the right knee. Slide left shin beneath the right shin. Spread your toes and press through heels. Press your groin towards the floor and rest your fingertips on the side of the body. Hold the pose for 1 minute. Standing Yoga Poses: 1 Dancer Pose (Natarajasana) : Stand with a straight back and arms by the side. Breathe in, bend your right leg backward and hold the right foot with the right hand. Move the right leg upwards as much as possible. Stretch your left arm forward. Retain the yoga pose for 20-30 seconds. 2 Eagle Pose (Garudasana) : Stand on the yoga mat with arms at the sides. Balance the body weight on right foot and cross the left thigh over right. Make sure the knees are bent over. Fix your sight at one point in front of you. Extend your arms in front. Fold your left arm under the right one. Bend your elbows, raise your forearms in perpendicular position. Wrap your arms and hands and press your palms together. Lift your elbows up and reach for fingertips. Keep your shoulder blades towards the waist. Straighten your hips and chest to the front wall and draw your belly in and up. Gaze at the tips of the thumb. 3 Extended Hand To Toe Pose (Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana): Begin in mountain pose. Put your weight on the left foot. Draw your right knee up towards the chest. Place your right arm to the inside of your right thigh. Loop your index and middle finger around the right foot’s big toe. Bring your left hand to your left hip. Engage the abdominal muscles and left leg muscles. Keep the left leg straight. Exhale and stretch your right leg forward. Square both the hips and drop the right hip to keep it in line with the left hip. Hold for 6- 20 breaths. Twisted Yoga Poses: 1 Simple Seated Twist Pose(Parivrtta Sukhasana): Sit on the edge of the yoga mat. Cross your legs in front at the shin. Widen your knees and locate each foot under the opposite knee. Turn your legs towards the torso. Even out your weight. While relaxing your feet and thighs place your right hand behind you. Place your left hand on the outside of the right knee. Twist to your right as you exhale. Gaze over your right shoulder. Hold for 10 breaths. Change the cross of the legs and repeat the pose on opposite side for same time period. 2 Half Lord Of The Fish Pose ( Ardha Matsyendrasana): Sit on the floor with extended legs and arms by the side. Bend both the knees and firm the sole of the feet flat on the floor. Drop your left knee to the floor and place the left foot under right leg and make it rest along the right posterior. Breathe in as you raise the left arm overhead. As you breathe out turn towards the right side and slip your torso through the inside of the right thigh. Locate your left elbow to the outer of the right knee. Keep your fingertips pointed toward the ceiling. Reach to the back of the body with your right hand and rest it on the floor. Make your torso spiral around the spine from tailbone to the crown of the head. Upon inhalation, lengthen your spine and on each exhalation -- twist. Turn your head over the right shoulder. Press your inner foot stronger on the floor. Hold the pose for 1 minute. 3 Twist Pose (Bharadvaja Asana): Begin in staff pose. Shift your body weight to your right hip. Bend your knees and draw lower legs to the left. Rest your legs on the floor, and tuck your inner left ankle in the arch of the right foot. Lengthen your spine as you inhale and twist your upper torso to the right side as you exhale. Place the left hand on the right thigh and right hand behind the body on the floor. Lift your left palm up. Press through the left hip bone. Move your head over the right shoulder to gaze. Lengthen the spine as you breathe in and twist deeper as you breathe out. Hold the pose for up to a minute. The guide to yoga enables you to explore diverse dimensions of traditional art to acquire comprehensive wisdom for refined practices. Read More...

What is Hatha Yoga?

by Sushant Pandey 2 Likes

Introduction of Hatha Yoga Hatha Yoga is a popular branch of the Yoga science. It works first and foremost on the body assuming correctly that most of us tend to identify the self with the physical body and can therefore begin our journey to the spiritual self through this medium. Here we see a similarity to body-centered therapies in that the body is used as a means by which we can ‘clear’ ourselves in order to reach higher levels of understanding and consciousness. Advanced stages of Hatha Yoga aim then to transcend the body after intensive work on it has brought about a complete understanding of our relation to our physical form. B.K.S Iyengar states that “Hatha Yoga teaches us to use the body as the bow, Asana as the arrow, and the soul as the target.” Furthermore he says: “It is a fact that not one has realised the soul without using the body, the mind, the intelligence and the consciousness as the means to realising it. When they are cultivated, they become refined and merge in the soul. This is divine absorption, the effect of Hatha Yoga.” Metaphysical Background of Hatha Yoga Tantric Roots in Hatha Yoga Hatha Yoga stems from the Tantric tradition and it marks a change from the older spiritual traditions of India which viewed the body as almost repulsive and a definite obstacle to Spiritual growth. The Kula-Arnaova-Tantra (an important Hindu work) states that “Without the body, how can the highest human goal be realised? Therefore having acquired a bodily abode one should perform meritorious actions.” Purification of energy flow in Hatha Yoga Hatha Yoga concentrates on the purification of the body. Asanas are the first stage of Hatha Yoga with the intention that they purify, control, and restructure the pranic (energy) flows. The increase in pranic flow will result in the release of toxins, a more supple body, and a higher state of consciousness. Once one has regulated the body through asana, Hatha Yoga then says pranayama can be practiced. Pranayamas will activate the built up prana to a higher frequency resulting in an even higher state of mind. Disciplining the Mind-Body complex through yoga Postures and Pranayama Asana (posture) and Pranayama (Breath-work) practices stipulated in the Hatha Yoga texts are used as a means to achieve self discipline and self control. The beauty of Hatha Yoga lies in the fact that it is the body and not the mind that we are trying to discipline. If we try and control the mind and get it to quiet down and behave we can very easily become discouraged and frustrated. The body we work on in Asana and Pranayama is not only a makeup of bones, muscles, and bodily systems but also includes the energy channels (Nadis) and the subtle psychic centres (Chakras). The basic premise behind Hatha Yoga is control and manipulation of prana. The body exists because of the existence of prana and every aspect of our being is related to it. This means that mind is directly related to prana and once we control the prana, the mind is automatically controlled. It is said in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika “When prana moves, ‘chitta’ (the mental force) moves. When prana is without movement, Chitta is without movement.” Somato-Psychic dimension in Hatha Yoga practices Hatha Yoga aims to restore balance. If we break up the word, “Ha” represents ‘ pranic force' and “Tha” represents ‘mental force.’ “Hatha” is the union of pranic and mental forces. This union is essential as we find that an imbalanced state leads either to physical disease (where the pranic force is dominant), or mental disease (where the mental force is dominant). Asana and Pranayama help to restore any imbalances caused by the fluctuations of mind and prana. This simple principle of harmony in Hatha Yoga is extremely effective. If we confer health to one part of the body it will influence the rest of the body. As the effects of asana and Pranayama begin to influence not only the body but the mind and consciousness as well, then we become more in tune with our physical and spiritual worlds. A clear, flexible, uncontaminated body is the facilitator of those same traits in the mind. In turn, a clear uncontaminated mind maintains a healthy, positive body. Thus we see that the practice of Hatha Yoga creates positive loops of physical and emotional well-being. Concept of energy flow and energy centres in Hatha Yoga There are said to be 72,000 Nadis in the body. The three most important Nadis are called ‘Ida’, ‘Pingala’, and ‘Sushumna’. ‘Ida’ nadi represents the Lunar current and those aspects of female energy. It represents the flow of consciousness and flows through the left nostril. ‘Pingala’ nadi is the solar current, the flow of vital energy. It is the male aspect and flows through the right nostril. We can now draw correlations and say that ‘Ida’ would represent the ‘Ha’ (pranic aspect), and ‘Pingala’ would represent the ‘Tha’ (mental aspect) of ‘Hatha’ Yoga. ‘Sushumna’ nadi is the neutral force representing the spiritual energy. When our ‘Ha’ and ‘Tha’ aspects are bought into a perfect union and balance then Hatha Yoga is achieved and the prana flows freely through the Sushumna nadi. Every single nadi runs through and converges at various centres in the body known as ‘chakras’. The aim is therefore also to purify these chakras in order to allow the prana in every single nadi channel to flow uninterruptedly. Every asana practice and pranayama technique help to restore balance and purify the entire pranic channels to help aspirants enjoy a perfect harmony and health within. Read More...

Yoga Styles: Which is Ideal for you?

by Rishikesh Yogis 0 Likes

Be it lowering the blood pressure, increasing strength and flexibility or reducing stress and anxiety, the wonders it does for the mind, body, and soul are making people all over the globe to roll out their yoga mat and enroll for the professional classes. Like most people, if you have also decided to give yoga a try and reap its benefits, it is advisable to know about different yoga styles and, make the choice accordingly. Undoubtedly, all yoga styles provide a sense of relaxation, ease and calm. To get the most benefits and enjoyment out of your yoga practices, find a yoga style that meets your requirements. Take a look at some of the most widely acclaimed yoga styles and choose the one that meets your taste and parameters: Hatha Yoga Hatha yoga primarily focuses on the physical practices. The word ‘Hatha’ is a Sanskrit word which means ‘Force’. This yoga style is perfect for beginners as it is slow-paced and gentle. It is the mother of all yoga practices as it gently inducts you into yoga. This yoga style emphasizes upon postures, meditation and relaxation techniques as well. Hatha yoga style helps unwind on all levels – mental, physical and spiritual. If you are a beginner, Hatha yoga is the best style to get started. Vinyasa Flow This yoga style emphasizes upon coordinating the breath with the movement and, creates a flow of postures which involves a smooth transition from one to the next. The nature of the classes generally depends on the creativity of the instructor leading it. Your instructor can keep it athletic or can incorporate spirituality into the course, with a dash of meditation and chanting. The classes can be slow and gentle or fast and intense both, depending upon the level. As a beginner, enroll for the slow-paced classes and move to the fast-paced one after enough practise and experience. Iyengar Yoga This yoga style primarily focuses on alignment. The class does not have a specific flow. All the sequences of Iyengar yoga are intense, held for a long time and expanded while breathing. This style usually involves usage of props like straps, blocks, blankets, etc. If you want to go into the details of the poses and learn them intensely, pick this style. The yoga style accommodates all limitations, leaving you more stable, flexible, and strong. Bikram Yoga This yoga style will make you sweat profusely. It is done in a room heated at upto 40 degrees under 40% humidity to make the practitioners detox and sweat more. Founded by Bikram Choudhury, the yoga style is composed of 26 postures and 2 breath exercises in a 90-minute session. Ashtanga Yoga Popularly known as Power yoga, this yoga style is considered as the temporary version of classical yoga. Began by K. Pattabhi Jois, it is about interlinking the movements with the breath but the movements are more defined. The yoga style is composed of 6 series of specifically sequenced yoga poses — a primary series of poses, an intermediate series, and four advanced series. In this style, each pose is practiced with an inversion and, you progress gradually with each asana. If you like a structured and powerful practice, go for Ashtanga yoga style. Restorative Yoga This yoga style is slow-paced and mellow. It promotes deep relaxation while holding the poses for a longer time, with the use of props like bolsters, blankets, yoga blocks, and more. So, if you feel the need of restoring and relaxing your body, mind, and soul rather than activating and energizing, opt for this style. Jivamukti Yoga Jivamukti yoga style is more than a practice- it is a way of life. Founded by Sharon Gannon and David Life, this yoga style has ethical, spiritual, and physical aspects. Shastra (Scripture), Ahimsa (non-harming), Bhakti(Devotion), Nada (Music), and Dhyana ( Meditation) are five important aspects of this style. The classes of such style start by setting an attention, followed by chanting, and breathing awareness. This yoga style includes both physical and spiritual benefits. If the style appeals you, give it a try. Kundalini Yoga The yoga style is rooted from chakras. It primarily focuses on awakening Kundalini energy through the regular practice of movements, dynamic breathing techniques, meditation, and mantra chanting. It is one of the most spiritual and powerful styles of yoga that expands your awareness of the mind and body. It builds physical health and increases consciousness. Such classes are physically demanding and mentally challenging. Kundalini yoga can prove to be life-changing experience once you get into the groove. Yin Yoga It is a slow-paced yoga style that needs prolonged holding of the poses of about 5 minutes. It improves the life energy in the body by increasing circulation and flexibility. The style is practiced in a heated room to help muscles expand and become more elastic. Began by Paulie Zink who was a Taoist yoga teacher and martial arts expert, yoga of this kind is for people who wish to challenge their mind. It helps you become more patient, relaxed and focused on your breathing in a thoughtful way. Anusara Yoga If you are a newbie and looking for some soul-searching, this is something you must experience. The most spiritual of all, this yoga technique is extremely upbeat. Started by John Friend in 1997, the yoga style focuses on upliftment and seeking the internal light. It involves use of a lot of props in order to get breathing and alignment right. Choose the ideal yoga style depending on your interest and bring out the best in you in an efficient manner. Read More...

Yoga: Art, Science or A Discipline?

by Rishikesh Yogis 0 Likes

Yoga, also referred to as the ‘yogic science’ since time immemorial, in simple terms, can be defined as a study or practice of the mind, body, and spirit, which one undergoes to attain unification with the universe. This study or practice requires immense dedication and practice, and often requires a Guru-Shishya (teacher-student) alliance to reach any level of perfection. To say that yoga is a way of life would be true only if we understood why is this ancient science form treated as a way of life and not just any other practice. We practice medicine to become doctors, we study engineering to become engineers, and we practice arts and music to become creative geniuses, then why are these considered professions and not way of life? To explain the above stated question, we must deviate from the clichéd path of bestowing the title of science and art form on yoga and look at it as more of a discipline. According to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, yoga is an eight-limbed path of which the first two, Yama and Niyama, talk extensively about ethics and yoga discipline one much incorporate in their daily lives, internally and externally, to be deemed as a yogi. Yoga as an Art Yoga, as we all know, was first practiced some 5,000 years ago during the Indus-Sarasvati civilization which is now known as North India. Whatever be the reason, for centuries, there were no written texts or codes to follow or practice. The only form of yoga teachings that existed was the verbal and physical knowledge spread by several sages and practitioners of this form. Mythology has it that Shiva was the first yogi and that the art of meditation comes from his endless meditations on Mount Kailash. But then, that is mythology and should be kept for another day. Since there were no written manuscripts and no way that all those teachings could be put together, most practitioners confined themselves to learning the significant theories and indulging mostly into the physical practices of asanas, breathing techniques, meditation, mantra chanting and the likes. Like any other form of art such as dance, music, painting, yoga requires immense practice and an observant eye to master every move of a Guru or a demonstrator facilitating such physical practices. Yoga classes these days have become popular, and thanks to their proximity and abundance, practicing the art of yoga asanas and perfecting them isn’t as difficult as it was in the early days. The key is to mirror every move and to learn the art of adjustment and alignment along with accurate modification to suit your physical limits and requirements. Yoga as a Science Patanjali, though not much is known about him, is accredited worldwide for the first ever written codes or manuscripts on Yoga. Known as the “Yoga Sutras”, the compilation of 196 aphorisms, Patanjali has described the eight-limbs of yoga in as much detail and with as much precision as possible. Though most sutras talk about subjects and customs one needs to imbibe in their life, these aphorisms are nothing but the very foundational science any yogi, professional or in-the-making, must integrate in their lives to the best of their knowledge and capability if they wish to be any closer to achieving the ‘mind, body, spirit’ awareness and oneness everybody refers to in the yogic world. Yoga is also regarded as an alternative medicine or way of holistic healing because of its healing qualities. Critical physical and mental conditions such as Asthma, Diabetes, Hypertension, Indigestion, Migraine, Arthritis, and many more have proven to be cured by practicing yoga asanas. Yoga fitness is another and perhaps the most sought-after benefits of yoga. Flexibility, weight-loss, increased immunity, and a healthy heart – these are among the top motivations deriving the new age yogis to attend yoga classes, even if it’s just three days a week. Yoga as a Discipline Discipline can lead to deliverance. How you ask? When we talk about yoga as yoga discipline, it automatically brings with is the nature of regularity in the sense that a discipline is anything that is practiced and followed regularly and repeatedly. Just like some of us are wired to wake up early and to behave in a certain manner, yoga discipline requires us to be wired to a commitment –a commitment that requires you to keep coming back to it. No matter if you skip one day of physical practice, if you managed to spend that day in positivity, causing no harm to others as well as yourselves, restricting yourself from any ill-behaviour or habit, and under gratefulness for your life and the life around you, you are still following the discipline of yoga. But, this is not easy. With any regular practices, comes challenges. What can be the challenges of yoga, you ask? For starters, the basic requirement to continue this practice every day and every minute of your life and to deliberately or accidentally never deviate from the said path can be tough, really tough. After living a certain number of years in luxury and with the materialistic things around you that you once though are the necessities of life, to give up on all such attachments and bonds can be excruciatingly painful. However, one must keep in mind at all times the realistic and proven benefits in terms of personal and spiritual growth that following the path can bring. Something as small as committing to attend a yoga class every day is giving into the practice of orderliness and bringing regulation in your life. Any discipline must be applied subtly. One cannot be forced into adapting to a way of life. It must come naturally. It must be applied gently and logically. Attending a few yoga sessions just because somebody else we know are doing it won’t make any sense if we do not understand the implications and impact that it would have on us. It is important to prepare ourselves mentally and emotionally before we indulge into the practice of yoga. We must be willing to accept what it brings with it with an open heart and mind. And, we must, at all circumstances, be ready for the change – the BIG transformation it will bring with it! Read More...

200 Hours Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh

by Rishikesh Yogis 0 Likes

In recent years Rishikesh has become hub of yoga teacher training and yoga and meditation retreats. In western part of the globe Rishikesh become a popular yoga and spiritual destination after Beatles visited Rishikesh in 1968. Their visit was a big turnaround for the city. Their visit pulled the attention of media and changed the perspective of western world towards Indian spirituality. Every year millions of visitors, Yoga practitioners, pilgrims and tourist visit Rishikesh. Geographically Rishikesh is located on the banks of River Ganges. This town is located en route to very important pilgrim centres of Both Hindus and Sikhs, located in the higher Himalayan ranges. This whole town is considered very sacred and spiritually charged. Why Rishikesh is a popular Yoga Teacher Training and Yoga or meditation retreat destination Plenty of options For yoga practitioners this place holds lots of attractions. There are numerous yoga ashrams, yoga schools and studios which offer 200, 300 or 500 hours yoga teacher training, yoga retreats, meditation retreats and spiritual talks on yoga philosophy, spirituality and meditations. A range of yoga styles from traditional Hatha yoga, Ashtanga yoga, Shivananda Yoga, Iyengar yoga to Kriya and Kundalini yoga are taught in various ashrams and yoga schools here. Cost effective Being a small town, cost of living in Rishikesh is not very high. Therefore a lot of practitioners prefer Rishikesh where they can easily stay for a month at the cost of $1300-$1500 which includes accommodation, food, yoga teachings and sightseeing. Outdoor activities Apart from yoga teacher training or yoga and meditation retreats, in Rishikesh one can find many other outdoor activities such as hiking, river rafting, bungee jumping, camping and wild life safari. These activities add value and attraction to the place. City offers a wide range of yoga and meditation styles being taught here. There are many Ayurveda café and restaurants which offer organic, ayurvedic and health food. Best time to visit for Yoga Teacher training or yoga retreat courses Being located at the foothills of Himalayas, Rishikesh is much cooler in hotter months. The best time to visit is between September to April. Month of May starts getting quite hot here but during May humidity level is not so high. June, July and August are not best months to visit because of high humidity and monsoon. Read More...

Concept of Body, Mind and Spirit connection in Yoga

by Sushant Pandey 0 Likes

We often tend to separate the body and mind but, on further examination, we can understand how in-dissociable they are. Also, the spirit or soul of every person is dependent on the mind and body for its expression, and in turn – the mind and body could not exist without the presence of a soul or life energy. Body-Mind connection We can say that our biology (i.e. our body and physical make-up) is actually one in the same as our ‘biography’ (i.e. the experiences that make up our lives). Mind and body are as indivisible as the one creates the other and reflects the other in turn! Biographical experiences that make up our lives come in the form of past memories, traumas, belief patterns and attitudes etc. Every single one of our experiences is stored in both our cellular, physical memory, and in that of our energy field. The method of Pranic healing also works on the body-mind-spirit assumption. This involves the transference of vital energy (prana) from one person to another through what is known as the ‘bioplasmic body’. The ‘bioplasmic body’ refers to the ‘energy field’ of Carolyn Myss and the ‘Auric’ field of Barbara Ann Brennan. These methods and many more like them aim to bring about total well-being by adopting this three dimensional holistic approach. Concept of Kosha (sheath) in Yoga Yoga means ‘Union’. The union and equilibrium of Body, Mind, and Spirit – is Yoga. The interrelatedness of these three aspects is explained in Yoga by means of the five ‘Koshas’ (sheaths). These Sheaths are present in each human being and range from the most gross to the most subtle level. Five Koshas in Yoga The first sheath – the ‘Annamaya Kosha’ relates to the physical or ‘food’ body consisting of the bones, fat, skin, blood, etc. The second sheath is the ‘Pranamaya Kosha’ which is a more subtle layer than the physical body as it refers to the energy within the body that allows for the physiological processes to occur. The ‘Manomaya Kosha’ is the mental body relating to our mental and emotional processes that take place within the mind. More subtle than the Manomaya Kosha is the ‘Vijnanamaya Kosha’ which refers to the psychic body. We experience this body during dreaming or ‘out of body’ experiences. The subtlest of all the bodies is the ‘Anandamaya Kosha’ or ‘Bliss’ body. This deals with the transcendental aspect of the human personality which is beyond the feelings of pleasure and pain and is actually indescribable. We can roughly relate the Annamaya and Pranamaya Koshas to the physical body, the Manomaya Kosha to the mind and mental aspects, and the Vijnanamaya and Anandamaya Koshas to the spiritual realm, but it is not as clear-cut as this. Because every person exists with all of these aspects which are constantly interrelating, we cannot separate them. Koshas are interdependent and interrelated Each Kosha supports and transforms into the other. For example, the Annamaya and Pranamaya Koshas together are called the ‘Atmapuri’ which means ‘city of the soul’. This relates very clearly to the fact that these sheaths are not only physical but contain the soul – the spiritual aspect. Without the body, the soul has no home and cannot be expressed. Without the soul, the body is lifeless and would not be able to function properly. Now the Manomaya Kosha – the mental sheath- serves as the link between body and soul. It is only through the mind that one can become aware of the existence of the soul and the spirit. Yoga practices therefore also work holistically with these five sheaths in mind. The aim is to bring our awareness of all these levels into equilibrium that we may function at the optimal capacity of mental, physical and spiritual health. Holistic Approach of Yoga The body is of utmost importance for our holistic health as it is here that the mental and spiritual realms reside. To access our more subtle mental and energetic aspects – we need to at first be aware of the gross body and to bring it into perfect functioning. This will involve the purification of the nadis and chakras which will then lead to our preparedness for higher levels of spiritual awakening. For this awakening to occur, the mind and mental facilities are needed. A clearing out of the body necessarily means that of the mind. Here I have attempted to prove that body mind and spirit are inextricably linked and cannot exist alone. A mental problem does not reside in the mind exclusively, it is reflected in the body and it is reflected in our level of vibratory energy. The practice of asana and pranayama are psychotherapeutic because they adopt the holistic approach: using the body to uplift and transform the mind and spirit. Read More...

My Journey With Rishikesh Yogis Yogshala

by Rishikesh Yogis 0 Likes

My name is Pamela, I have learnt meditation with Uttam during my Yoga Teacher Training Course in Read More...