21-Day Yoga Challenge

Recently I received an email asking me to join a 30-day yoga challenge program. I did a quick search on Google for something like "30-day yoga challenge" or just "yoga challenge", and I came across a large variety of yoga challenge programs being offered. Most of these programs entail making a commitment and then practicing at your own home using a video or a tape that the originator of the program offers you. Since I am myself a firm believer in establishing an on-going regular practice, I thought about offering my own version of a similar challenge program. In this program, instead of practicing on your own at home, you will be practicing with me as a group.

Why challenge yourself?

Patanjali, in his Yoga Sutras defines yoga as "the ability to control the fluctuations of the mind" (sutra 1.2). In order to achieve that goal, Patanjali recommends ‘abhyasa’ (practice –  sutras 1.12 – 1.14) and ‘vairagya’ (detachment – sutras 1.15 – 1.16) as the two key ingredients of a personal endeavor. In order to establish a regular practice for any endeavor as defined by Patanjali, one needs to have a commitment and a strong will-power. To develop such a will-power Patanjali offers the five yamas (sutra 2.30) and five niyamas (sutra 2.32). However, I believe that one of the values that truly helps develop that self control and commitment is the niyama of ‘tapas’ (austerity – sutra 2.43). The word ‘tapas’ in Sanskrit means ‘heat’. An example usually given is the use of intense heat to purify gold. In yoga ‘tapas’ usually refers to practices that make one strong physically and mentally. One who practices ‘tapas’ is known as a ‘tapasvin’. A tapasvin can easily withstand the dualities of life like heat and cold, honor and dishonor etc.

The yoga challenge provides us an opportunity to practice ‘tapas’ as we are making a commitment to a regular practice.

21-Day Yoga Challenge

Why 21, you may ask? Well, one of my teachers used to tell us that it takes a regular practice (‘abhyasa’ - sutras 1.12 – 1.14)  of 21 days to begin to realize the benefits of any practice. Further, it takes an additional 21 days before the practice gets implanted in your mind as a habit which you can then maintain for the rest of your life. In essence, this could truly be a LIFE TRANSFORMING  experience for you. The program will consist of a group-based practice where I will lead the class through each day’s lesson. Here are the details:

• When: The proposed dates are Monday, April  5 – Sunday, April 25. I will need a minimum of 8 participants before I get started. I can accommodate a maximum of 14 people.
• Time: 6:30 AM – 7:45 AM
• Where: My home-based studio  (please contact me for details)
• Commitment: For the program to be successful I strongly urge you to make a firm commitment to adhere to this schedule.
• Cost: $42 for 21 days of practice

Strongly recommended

In addition to committing to the yoga practice as outlined above, I also recommend that you commit to the following for the duration of the program (not mandatory but strongly recommended):

• ‘sattvic’, light, nutritious, VEGETARIAN food
• No alcohol, drugs, tobacco or any other item of similar nature
• A personal meditation practice of at least 15 minutes on  a daily basis
• As mentioned above, continue the same practice for another 21 days to make it a life-long habit

Benefits of the program

Besides the obvious benefits of a regular 21-day practice at the physical level (weight loss, flexibility, strength, endurance, balance etc.), I would like to emphasize benefits more at the mental, intellectual and even deeper levels. Patanjali, in chapter 2 defines ‘kriya yoga’ as a combination of ‘tapas’ (austerities), ‘svadhayaya’ (study of self and of scriptures), and ‘Ishvara Pranidhana’ (surrender to a higher principle). He further sates that by practicing ‘kriya yoga’, one can overcome all the ‘kleshas’ or afflictions (pain and suffering) of life. In the modern context the word ‘klesha’ can be equated with mental stress that we all face on a daily basis. Now, this is a pretty strong statement as all of us want to learn how to cope with stress in our lives. I plan to incorporate all these three components of ‘kriya yoga’ into our practice so we can gradually learn how to handle stressful situations. Some other benefits are:

• At the completion of the program, develop and on-going daily practice of your own
• Develop a strong will-power
• Detoxify and cleanse your body
• Develop healthier eating habits
• Etc.

I would like you to let me know what other benefits you foresee out of this program (your own reasons for participating in the program).Please post your comments in the comments section at the end of this post.

Please contact me if you are interested. I would love to hear any suggestions or comments that you might have. As I mentioned, I have  limited space and participation will be on a first-come-first-served basis. So respond early to participate in this exciting, life-changing experience.

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