When the East met the West…..

….. time transcended.

Nidra Yoga workshop conducted by Mr. Andre Riehl enthralled 53 practitioners.

Andre is the President, Federation of Yoga Europe, and is the scholar of yoga practicing for over 30 years. His expertise was not only understood but deeply felt by one and all in the session.

The session began with understanding the concept Nidra Yoga.

For many, drinking a cup of tea is a state of relaxation, for others reading newspaper or watching TV, but through practice of Nidra Yoga one understands that these are only sensory diversions. True relaxation is actually an experience beyond all this and for absolute relaxation one must remain aware.

After explaining the theory, the master gave the practical session. Though when you look at this pose it looks the easiest, actually it is one of the hardest to master. As the body learns to let go, mind is aware observing the relaxation.

Allowing the body to settle down is an art and then spending time working through the entire body, the muscles, the bones, the inner organs, section by section raises level of awareness.  As the body relaxes itself, it’s here one stop trying to do and let go of any psychological effort.

Mind is just at present moment observing, nurturing the moment now, and befriending the breath.

A journey of self-inquiry and self-study begins.

          

           

 

 

Motivation for Meditation

Most persons start practising meditation because of personal problems. Doctors advise patients to meditate to overcome physical sicknesses and psychosomatic diseases. Some persons resort to meditation because of psychological or emotional problems. Some want to meditate because their religion recommends it. Some want to achieve psychic powers. Some want to know about themselves. A few meditate to realize supreme consciousness. Whatever the motivation for meditation, what so ever the reason; it is definitely beneficial.

The important aspect is the practice of meditation. If you know how to practise, you can use it as and when you need it. If you don`t have problems, you can still meditate to grow and nurture spirituality of eternal joy and bliss.

Dr.Mahesh Chandra Panda

Happy RathaSapthami….!

Namaste,

Though I couldn’t make up to the event today, but I started practicing “Surya Namaskara” for the past 10 days quite diligently performing around 40-80 rounds every day.

Today I began the practice at 7:30 AM and was able to complete 108 rounds in less than an hour (~ 45 Minutes).

Thanks to Dhrti for encouragement.

Kethan Valleru,

(Dhrti Yoga Practitioner)

 

 

Dhrti Yogis – In Action

At the crack of dawn, 32 participants of Dhrti were set to welcome Surya today on this auspicious day of Ratha Saptami.  Began with their sankalpa to do Surya Namaskara – yes as per their will power – 16 enthusiastic participants completed 108 rounds.

The event began at 6 am with 3 OMs and shanti path followed by 11 rounds of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra and 11 rounds of Gayatri Mantra. The practice of Surya Namaskara began with mantras being chanted by all in each and every round.

Thus keeping the energy following,  SURYA NAMASKARA CHAMPS completed 108 rounds in less than 75 minutes and were still energetic. They were honored with certificate as a token of appreciation, encouragement from Dhrti. Closing the session with sweets, shanti path, all dispersed with cheerful spirits.

Dhrti expresses heartfelt gratitude to Venkatesh, 6 pm practitioner, who made arrangements for the place, each and every participant performing Surya Namaskara today in community, and all those who continued with their practice at their place be in Bangalore  or other part of the world:-)

Congratulations to one and all. Let us make this day part of our daily routine from now on and continue with this Meditation In Action.

                                                    

            

Go, Embrace The Winter Wind

Rujuata Diwekar

Now that winter has officially set in, want to snuggle up with a steaming mug of coffee or indulge in some bench-warming? Spare a thought for those creaky knees, stiff lower back and wobbly ankles. For that’s what will become of them if you continue sitting around and comforting yourself with tea, coffee or brandy (or any other form of alcohol).

Your bones and joints feel vulnerable in winter and they just don’t get any tender, loving care with inactivity. The sun sets early and sometimes doesn’t even seem to rise amidst the fog. Naturally, Vitamin D (crucial for calcium absorption) availability is rather low, as is the body’s motivation for activity. This double whammy, along with that cup of coffee, makes calcium absorption a challenging task. One way of providing some TLC is to create conditions within the body that make it easier for bones and joints to absorb calcium and stay strong, agile and lubricated.

Maybe that’s why our great grandmothers and their gang of boys and girls started the tradition of winter festivals, forcing us to move around to prepare for the festivities and also eat food that helps keep bone density high and aid blood circulation. Gajak, for instance, is rich in ghee, til and gur. It is for this reason that Spiti, which remains under snow for almost six months a year, has maximum festivals in winter.

I hope you get my point—our festivals and rituals may not be well marketed, but they exist for a reason. Even if the reason is to get the lazy bones to move and keep the body warm, it eventually adds to your well-being and makes you look and feel cool; cooler than those ads where you curl up with your cuppa.