Yoga with Subhash Newsletter

You can read this newsletter online here

Newsletter February, 2020

In this issue:

What, why, how of Meditation
Upcoming Programs
podcast channel
youtube channel
Yoga in the News

What, why, how of Meditation

What is meditation? Why meditate? How to meditate? What goes on in the mind when you meditate? What benefits can I expect from meditation? "My mind is constantly racing - can I still do meditation"? Can I meditate in a reclining position? When to meditate and for how long? etc ...

If you have ever tried meditation, it is more than likely that you have encountered the above and possibly many more questions related to your meditation practice. So, let us try to understand the concepts and practice of meditation and learn how to establish an on-going home practice.

As you may know, Yoga Sutras by Patanjali is the most influential text that gives us an in-depth understanding of the concepts of yoga practice. In this text, Patanjali provides us with the eight-fold path of yoga, called Ashtanga Yoga (eight limbs of yoga), for the attainment of the goal of yoga which is self-realization. Of these eight limbs, the last three - dharana (focus), dhyana (contemplation) and samadhi (absorption), constitute the practice of meditation.

Upcoming Programs

Healing Yoga for Low Back (HYLB) with Jyoti

Back pain spine

(A 6-week series)

When: Every Thursday for six weeks
Next session starts: Thursday, February 6, 2020
Time: 6:15 - 7:45 PM
Where: Integral Yoga Studio, 4000 Bearcat Way, Suite 102, Morrisville, NC 27560
Fee: $149 (for full series, payable upon registration) (No drop-ins)
- Registration required. Click here to fill out the student information and waiver form for Low Back Care program.
Instructor: Jyoti Shah
Contact: to sign up or if you have questions: Jyoti Shah: 919-378-1804, jyoti@yogasheila.com

Understanding the Mind to eliminate Stress

What: An Introduction to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
When: Third Saturday of the month
Next Session: Saturday, February 15, 2020
TIME: 2:30 - 4:30 PM
LOCATION: Integral Yoga Studio, 4000 Bearcat Way, Suite 102, Morrisville, NC 27560
FEE: by voluntary donation
Instructor: Subhash Mittal
To register: please fill out the registration form (if you have filled the form recently, send me an email to register)

14-day Meditation Intensive

Padmasana (Lotus Pose)

Please note - in addition to the usual option of participating in person at the studio, you have the option to participate remotely by dialing into a conference bridge. See below for more info.

What: 14-day Meditation Intensive
When: Monday, February 24 - Sunday, March 8, 2020
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 AM
Location: Integral Yoga Studio, 4000 Bearcat Way, Suite 102, Morrisville, NC 27560
Instructor: Subhash Mittal
Daily Routine: Light stretching (10-15 minutes), Pranayama (15 min), Relaxation (10-15 min), Discussion and meditation practice (40-45 min)
Commitment: A firm commitment to follow this schedule and attend every day
Fee:
$120 - in person participation at the studio (cash, check, Zelle or paypal)
$70 - remotely via conference bridge (audio only); bridge info will be provided upon receipt of registration and payment (cash, check, Zelle or paypal)
To register: fill out the registration form and submit it online.

Please visit here for more details...

Gentle Yoga with Soumya, 6-day AM series

What: 6-day Gentle Yoga program by Soumya Raghav
When: Monday, February 3 - Saturday, February 8, 2020
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 AM daily
Location: Integral Yoga Studio, 4000 Bear Cat Way, suite 102, Morrisville, NC 27560
Instructor: Soumya Raghav, YTT 200 soumyapavaman@gmail.com; (919) 945-4224
Fee: $60 (cash or check, due on the first day of the class)
Drop-in fee: $12
To register: fill out the registration form, providing information in all the fields, and submit it online

The workshop mainly comprises of slow paced asana practice with the right breathing technique while being mindful of alignment, form and posture.

Learn the names of different asanas with their meaning and relate to the names in your own way as each body is different and unique!

This is a weeklong workshop to learn about your body, the different muscle groups engaged during asana practice keeping the breath in mind. Learn to slow down, giving yourself lots of space and time to connect with yourself.

Embrace the Eight Limbs of Yoga" 12-day series with Priya

I am pleased to announce a new "Embrace the Eight Limbs of Yoga", a 12-day series of early morning classes taught by Priya Amaresh.

What: 12-day "Embrace the Eight Limbs of Yoga" series with Priya
When: Monday, February 10 - Friday, February 21, 2020
Time: 6:00 – 7:00 AM (5:45 AM start for optional silent meditation)
Instructor: Priya Amaresh
Contact info: amarpriya6970@gmail.com; (919) 428-4368
Location: Integral Yoga Studio, 4000 Bearcat Way, Suite 102, Morrisville, NC 27560
Fee: (cash or check or paypal)
- $100 (12-day program)
- $12 (individual class, walk-in fee)
To register: fill out the registration form, providing information in all the fields, and submit it online.
Please note: We will need a minimum of 5 students who can commit to the full session to hold this class.

Yoga Sutra study group, 2nd and 4th Saturday

Event: Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Study Group (YSP SG) meeting
When: Second and fourth Saturday of the month
Time: 2:00 – 4:00 PM (followed by social tea)
Location: 206 Redwood Park Drive, Morrisville, NC 27560 (Breckenridge sub-division)
Recommended texts for study:
- “The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” by Swami Satchidananda
- “The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali” by Edwin F. Bryant
- “Science of Yoga”, by I. K. Taimni (free pdf download)
- “Yoga philosophy of Patanjali”, by Swami Hariharananda Aranya
Summary of earlier discussions - YSP blog (your comments on the blog posts are welcome)
Audio recording of yoga sutras – in Sanskrit, English and Sanskrit+English
Invocation to Sage Patanjali and the closing Shanti Mantra
Podcasts of my talks on Yoga Philosophy in the monthly workshops

podcast channel

As you may be aware, I have been offering monthly workshops wherein I discuss various aspects of yoga philosophy. The main focus in these workshops is to discuss the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali in some depth. In addition, from time to time, I also discuss concepts from the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads and other related ancient scriptures. In order to preserve these talks for future reference, I have been making an audio recording of these discussions and sharing them with the participants. These audio recordings are now available on the podcast channel on my blog. You are welcome to download these audio recordings for your use. In addition, you can listen to these podcasts as well as subscribe to them on itunes as well.

youtube channel

As you would have noticed from many of the recent posts on my blog, I have been adding short videos of many of the commonly practiced asana and pranayama sequences. I strongly urge you to subscribe to my youtube channel and visit the channel frequently to get instructions for your own asana and pranayama practices. Please share the link to the channel with your friends who might benefit from these detailed video instructions.
I would love to hear your feedback and, of course, would welcome suggestions for future videos that you would like to see on the channel.

Yoga in the News

Yoga nidra can help ease anxiety, depression and PTSD

A new study finds that women who experience pregnancy loss or ectopic pregnancy often struggle emotionally for months, suffering effects of post-traumatic stress disorder. What can women do who have lingering PTSD from miscarriage?

There are a number of coping tips that can ease a woman's lingering anxiety and depression, including cognitive behavorial therapy, mindfulness and a technique called yoga nidra.

Nepal to make yoga education compulsory for schoolchildren

The Nepal government has decided to make yoga education compulsory for schoolchildren to promote healthy lifestyle among students. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has completed designing courses on yoga for Grades IX, X, XI and XII. Through integrated approach certain topics about yoga will be included as part of the compulsory subjects such as English and Nepali, the Himalayan Times reported.

Practicing Yoga With Arthritis

Research suggests that physical activity may be one of the best ways to help manage arthritis, and gentle yoga can help those with the condition to move more freely according to yoga instructors, therapists, enthusiasts, and rheumatologists. Gentle yoga helps people to exercise more, which makes it easier for them to manage their symptoms by helping to alleviate pain and stiffness.

Why Does Yoga Breathing Improve Our Health?

Activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, and specifically the vagal nerve, is at least some part of the physiological process that in turn increases heart rate variability which creates many of the positive effects that we experience when we do yogic breathing practices.

Have a question/suggestion?

If you have a yoga-related question, please write to me and I would do my best to provide an answer in a timely manner. I would love to hear your suggestions for future newsletter articles.

New Student discount (ongoing classes)

Join any time during the month and enjoy one month of ongoing classes for only $40; you qualify for the discount if you haven't attended a class with me for over one year.