Gurugram April 2018 | Preface
Blessed Self,
Om Namah Sivaya
All International Sivananda Centres and Ashrams report a healthy attendance in asana classes and courses, enabling staff and teachers to humbly and wholeheartedly share the profound teachings of our Masters.
This past Winter was busy throughout the Organization. Yoga Vacationers, TTC and ATTC Courses gathered students together in peaceful Ashrams and resorts with attendance reaching almost to the maximum at any given time. Centres report they were extremely busy, with lots of extra programs and asana classes packed to capacity, all evidence that the Organization was able to continue with Swamiji’s vision in propagating Yoga in it’s true spirit.
In 2018 the ISYC Ashrams and Centres will be humbly celebrating H.H. Swami Vishnudevananda Ji’s Mahasamadhi Silver Jubilee in 2018 by organizing a Janma-Samadhi Yatra (JSY, Birth-Samadhi Pilgrimage). This will also be a curtain raiser for Swamiji’s birth centenary decade. The Yatra will move from Nemmara, Kerala, India (Swamiji’s birth place) to Netala, Uttarakand, Himalayas, India (Swamiji’s jalasamadhi place), starting on 24th September 2018. After visiting various holy places, Temples, Ashrams and affiliated Centres along the way the Yatra will conclude on the 11th November 2018, with a special program in Netala. For more information contact: [email protected]
www.sivananda.org.in/janmasamadhiyatra
Looking to upgrade your yoga practice and state of health? During this month of April alone, the Sivananda Organization offers 3 TTC’s, 1 ATTC and 1 Yoga, Fasting & Detox Program at a variety of Ashrams around the world. The month of May has 6 TTCs, and so on. Link below for more information.
We wish you all a deep Sadhana practice. We thank you all for your continued support and encouragement. May Master and Swamiji’s blessings be with us always.
Asato Ma Sat Gamaya Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya
Mrityor Ma Amritam Gamaya
Pranams to all.
A spiritual seeker’s attitude should not be narrowed down by any kind of distinction, be it of class, religion, caste or colour. – Sri Swami Sivananda
Upcoming Courses
| 2018
Apr 05 – May 03/18 Apr 06 – May 03/18 Apr 06 – May 03/18 Apr 08 – May 05/18 May 05 – Jun 03/18 May 06 – Jun 02/18 May 12 – Jun 09/18 May 13 – Jun 09/18 May 14 – Jun 12/18 May 27 – Jun 23/18 Jun 02 – Jun 30/18 Jun 03 – Jul 01/18 |
Jun 05 – Jul 02/18 TTC – English, עברית Nassau, Bahamas www.sivananda.org/NassauJun 17 – Jul 14/18 TTC – English Netala, Uttar Kashi, Himalayas, North India www.sivananda.org/UttarkashiJun 29 – Jul 27/18 TTC – English, Français Orleans, France www.sivananda.org/orleans Jun 29 – Jul 27/18 Jun 30 – Jul 29/18 Jul 01 – Jul 29/18 Jul 01 – Jul 29/18 Jul 05 – Aug 01/18 Jul 14 – Aug 11/18 Jul 22 – Aug 18/18 Jul 28 – Aug 26/18 Jul 29 – Aug 26/18 |
2019 TTC courses can be viewed here on the NEW Sivananda website.
See the full list of other international courses and events: https://www.sivananda.org/
Crave for a thing, you will get it. Renounce the craving, the object will follow you by itself. – Sri Swami Sivananda
Raja Yoga
From Discourse II: “Sadhana Pada – On Spiritual Disciplines”
II.48. TATO DVANDVANABHIGHATAH.
‘From that (mastery of asana posture), no assaults come from the pairs of opposites’.
Commentary:
When asanas are mastered, the yogi is not touched by the play of duality. His will and concentration are developed to such an extent that heat and cold, pleasure and pain, good and bad and all other worldly influences do not touch him.
Observe mouna for two hours daily. Live alone for two hours in a room daily. Introspect. Meditate. Watch your thoughts carefully.– Sri Swami Sivananda
Bhagavad Gita Quote
Chapter XVII: The Yoga of the Threefold Division of Faith
XVII.3. SATTWAANUROOPAA SARVASYA SHRADDHAA BHAVATI BHAARATA;
SHRADDHAAMAYO’YAM PURUSHO YO YACCHRADDHAH SA EVA SAH.
(Krishna speaking to Arjuna)
The faith of each is in accordance with his nature, O Arjuna! The man consists of his faith; as a man’s faith is, so is he.
XVII.4. YAJANTE SAATTWIKAA DEVAAN YAKSHARAKSHAAMSI RAAJASAAH;
PRETAAN BHOOTAGANAAMSHCHAANYE YAJANTE TAAMASAA JANAAH.
The Sattwic or pure men worship the gods; the Rajasic or the passionate worship the Yakshas and the Rakshasas; the Tamasic worship the ghosts and the hosts of nature-spirits.
Do all actions from a sense of duty. You are a toy in the hands of God. He holds the string. He is the Sutradhar. – Sri Swami Sivananda
Quick Links
Spiritual Calendar
| APRIL 2018
12 Ekadasi MAY 2018 11 Ekadasi |
Glossary
HATHA YOGA, ASANAS, PRANAYAMA:
Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga relates to the restraint of breath (Pranayama), Asanas, Bandhas and Mudras. ‘Ha’ and ‘tha’ mean the union of the sun and the moon, union of Prana and Apana Vayus. ‘Hatha’ means any tenacious practice till the object or end is achieved. Trataka, standing on one leg, (a kind of Tapas) and similar poses are all Hatha Yoga practices. Hatha Yoga is inseparable from Raja Yoga. Raja Yoga begins where Hatha Yoga ends. Raja Yoga and Hatha Yoga are interdependent. Raja Yoga and Hatha Yoga are the necessary counterparts of each other. No one can become a perfect Yogi without a knowledge and practice of both the Yogas. Hatha Yoga prepares the student to take up Raja Yoga.
A Hatha Yogi starts his Sadhana with body and Prana; a Raja Yogi starts his Sadhana with his mind; a Jnana Yogi starts his Sadhana with Buddhi or intellect and will.
A Hatha Yogi gets Siddhis (psychic powers) by uniting Prana and Apana and by taking the united Prana-Apana through the six Chakras (Centres of spiritual energy) to Sahasrara at the crown of the head. A Raja Yogi gets Siddhis by Samyama, i.e., combined practice of Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi at one time. A Jnana Yogi exhibits Siddhis through pure will or Sat-Sankalpa. A Bhakta gets Siddhis through self-surrender and the consequent descent of grace. Kriyas, viz., Neti, Dhauti, Nauli, Basti, Tratak and Kapalabhati belong to Hatha Yoga. All need not practise these Kriyas. Those who have got much phlegm in the body should practise these Kriyas. Learn these under an expert Hatha Yogi. Hatha Yoga is not the goal. It is only a means to an end. Take to Raja Yoga after possessing good health.
Do Asana, Kumbhaka, Mudra and shake the Kundalini. Then take it to Sahasrara through Chakras in the Sushumna. O children of light! Will you drink not, will you drink not, the nectar of immortality?
Brother! Attain good health. Without health how can you live? Without health, how can you earn? Without health how can you get success in Yoga or any undertaking? Possess wonderful health through the practice of Hatha Yoga. Drink the nectar in Sahasrara and live in the immortal abode of Siva.
Asana
An Asana is a posture.
Health is wealth. Health is indeed a covetable possession. Good health is a valuable asset to one and all. It can be achieved by the regular practice of Yoga Asanas.
The practice of Asanas controls the emotions, produces mental peace, distributes Prana evenly throughout the body and different systems, helps in maintaining healthy functioning of the internal organs, gives internal massage to the various abdominal organs. Physical exercises draw the Prana (energy) out but the Asanas send the Prana in. The practice of Asanas cures many diseases and awakens Kundalini Shakti. These are the chief advantages in the Yogic system of exercises which no other systems have.
Practice a few Asanas daily at least for a period of fifteen minutes. You will possess wonderful health. Be regular in your practice. Regularity is of paramount importance. Practise Bhujang, Salabh, Dhanur, Sarvang, Hala and Paschimottasan Asanas. Bhujang, Salabh and Dhanur will remove constipation and muscular pain of the back. Sirsh, Sarvang and Hala will help you in maintaining Brahmacharya, rendering the spine elastic and curing all diseases. Paschimottasan will reduce fat in the belly and help digestion. Relax all muscles in Savasana in the end.
Asanas should be done on empty stomach in the morning or at least three hours after food. Morning time is best for doing Asanas. Do not wear spectacles when you do Asanas. Be moderate in your diet. Answer the calls of nature before you start the practice. Start with minimum time for each Asana and then gradually increase the period.
Pranayama
Pranayama is the regulation of breath or control of Prana. It is an exact science. It is the fourth Anga or limb of Ashtanga Yoga.
Pranayama steadies the mind, augments the gastric fire, energizes digestion, invigorates the nerves, destroys the Rajas, destroys all diseases, removes all laziness, makes the body light and healthy and awakens Kundalini.
Pranayama should be practiced when the stomach is empty. Be regular in your practice. Do not take bath immediately after the practice. Do not practice Kumbhaka or retention of breath in the beginning. Have only slow and mild Puraka (inhalation) and Rechaka (exhalation). Do not strain the breath beyond your capacity. Keep the ratio for Puraka, Kumbhaka and Rechaka as 1:4:2. Exhale very very slowly.
Sit on Padma, Siddha or Sukha Asana. Keep the head, neck and trunk in a straight line. Inhale slowly through the left nostril and retain the breath according to the ratio, then exhale slowly through the right nostril. This is half process of Pranayama. Then inhale through the right nostril, retain and exhale through the left nostril. Do not retain the breath for more than one or two minutes.
Do ten or twenty Pranayamas according to your capacity. Do not fatigue yourself. Increase the number gradually. You can go up to 16:64:32. This is Sukhapurvaka or easy comfortable Pranayama.
Practice Sitali in summer. This will purify your blood and cool the system too. Practice Bhastrika in winter. This will cure asthma and consumption. Repeat ‘Om’ or ‘Rama’ mentally during the practice. Observe Brahmacharya and diet-control. You will derive maximum benefits and will quickly purify the Nadis or nerves.
Prana and mind are intimately related to each other. If you control Prana, the mind will also be controlled. If you control the mind, the Prana will be automatically controlled. Prana is related to mind, and through it to will and through will to the individual soul and through individual soul to the Supreme Soul.
Start the practice this very second in right earnest. Control the breath and calm the mind. Steady the breath and enter Samadhi. Restrain the breath and lengthen the life. Subdue the breath and become a Yogi, a dynamo of power, peace, bliss and happiness.
Complete glossary can be found at:
http://www.sivananda.org/teachings/glossary/glossary.html
Humility is not cowardice. Meekness is not weakness. Humility and meekness are indeed spiritual powers. – Sri Swami Sivananda