21-Day Yoga Challenge

Some time ago, 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 in 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.

Program Information

Why 21, you may ask? Well, one of my teachers used to tell us that it takes a regular practice of 21 days to begin to realize the benefits of any practice. Further, it takes an additional 21 days before the practice gets embedded 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. Whether you are brand new to yoga or are a seasoned yoga practitioner, you will find this yoga challenge a truly rewarding experience.

The program will consist of a group-based practice where I will lead the class through each day’s lesson. Here are the details:

• Time: 6:00 AM – 7:30 AM
• Where: to be announced (please contact me for details)
• Commitment:
  • A firm commitment to complete the program without missing a day (except in an emergency).
  • At the end of the program, continue the same practice at home for another 21 days to make it a life-long habit
• Cost:to be announced (please contact me for details)
• Daily Routine:
  • Asana (physical postures/stretching)
  • Yoga Nidra (relaxation)
  • Pranayama (breathing techniques)
  • Meditation
  • Discussion about underlying concepts about yoga

Strongly recommended

In addition to committing to the yoga practice as outlined above, I would strongly urge you to commit to the following for the duration of the program:

• ‘sattvic’, light, nutritious, VEGETARIAN food (no meat, poultry, fish or eggs)
• No alcohol, drugs, tobacco or any other item of similar nature
• A personal meditation practice of at least 15 minutes on  a daily basis

Daily Practice will include:

• Asana: We will practice a variety of asanas (physical postures) during these 21 days. Even though we will maintain the same overall routine, each day we will either introduce a new pose or practice variations of different poses. The asana practice will improve strength, flexibility, endurance and balance in different parts of the body
• Pranayama: Various pranayama (breathing techniques) practices will include – kapalabhati (breath of fire), bhastrika (bellows breath), a number of deep breathing practices, sectional breathing, cooling breaths, breath retention (kumbhaka), bandhas (energy locks) and more.
• Meditation: We will try to understand what meditation is all about and practice a few simple meditation techniques
• Deep relaxation: Yoga Nidra (deep relaxation) helps not only relax the body but also helps calm the nerves, calm the mind and activate the parasympathetic nervous system
• Yoga philosophy: Concepts from yoga philosophy will be sprinkled through the practice of asana, pranayama and meditation so we can develop a deeper understanding of the yoga practice as well as learn more about what our true identity is.

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 during the yoga challenge program.

Here are some of the benefits of attending the 21-day yoga challenge:

• At the completion of the program, develop an on-going daily practice of your own
• Natural weight management
• Develop a body that is more flexible and stronger
• Learn how to manage stress effectively
• Reduce chronic pain
• Develop the habit of waking up early, thus leaving much more of the day for yourself
• Morning yoga gives you abundant energy and vitality for the rest of the day
• Develop a strong will-power
• Detoxify and cleanse your body
• Develop healthier eating habits
• As you go through the program, you may realize some other benefits that are not listed here

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