Newsletter February, 2021
In this issue:
Agnisara and Nauli Kriyas
In the traditional Hatha Yoga system given in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (HYP), there are six cleansing routines (Shat-karma - षट्कर्म) described:
“Dhauti, basti, neti, trataka, nauli and kapalabhati; these are known as shatkarma or the six cleansing processes.” (HYP verse 2.22)
Please visit my blog here for a detailed introduction to these six practices.
In today's article, I am presenting two of these cleansing practices - Agnisara (अग्निसार) and Nauli (नौलि). Even though the practice of Agnisara is not specifically mentioned in the HYP, another ancient Hatha Yoga text called the Gherand Samhita includes Agnisara as one of the many "dhauti" kriyas listed therein.
Both Nauli and Agnisara involve breath retention (kumbhaka) as well as application of the locks (bandhas).
I am pleased to present these two cleansing techniques in the video below. I hope you will enjoy practicing with the video.
Read more ...
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 20, 2020
- Access: remotely via live video streaming using Zoom
- TIME: 2:30 - 4:00 PM
- FEE: FREE
- Instructor: Subhash Mittal
- To register: please fill out the registration form
Read more ...
Yoga for kids/teens, 8-week session (online)
I am pleased to announce the following yoga sessions for kids/teens:
- What: Yoga for Kids, Teens, 8-week Sessions (online)
- When: Every Sunday (timings are US East Coast time, GMT-5)
- Kids (5+ years) 5:00 - 6:00 PM
- Teens (Age 12 - 19 years) 6:15 - 7:15 PM
- Starting: Sunday, February 7, 2021
- Access: Remotely via live video streaming; login info will be provided upon receipt of registration and payment
- Instructor: Disha Gala (dishagada2010@gmail.com; (408) 685-5154
- Fee: $70
- $70 - Zelle (4086855153)
- $75 - paypal (dishagada2010@gmail.com)
- Drop-in fee: $12;
- To register: fill out the registration form, providing information in all the fields, and submit it online
This program also includes weekly yoga and meditation challenge, which helps kids to keep up with there routine yoga practice.
Yoga Sutra study group, 2nd and 4th Saturday
14-day Yoga Sutra Intensive
 Patanjali Yoga Sutras
Understanding the Mind to eliminate Stress
- What: An Introduction to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, 14-day intensive
- When: Monday, February 22 - Sunday, March 7, 2021
- Time: 6:00 - 7:30 AM (US East Coast time, GMT -5)
- Access: Remotely via live video streaming (Zoom); login info will be provided upon receipt of registration and payment
- Fee:
- Daily Routine: Light stretching, Pranayama and Relaxation (~30 min), Yoga Sutra Discussion (60 min)
- To register: please fill out the registration form, providing information in all the fields and submit it online
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
How Does Pranayama Affect Our Physiology?
Participants in studies using pranayama practices as a treatment experienced positive neurocognitive effects, psychophysiological effects, biochemical/metabolic effects, as well as positive impacts on multiple clinical conditions/diseases.
Read more ...
Is stretching better than walking for reducing blood pressure?
Regular stretching exercises may be more effective than brisk walks for combating hypertension, according to a new study. The researchers found that 30 minutes of stretching on 5 days of the week led to greater improvements in blood pressure than a 30-minute walk on 5 days of the week. They also stress that people should still do aerobic exercise as it has many health benefits.
Read more ...
New Study Adds to the Growing Evidence that Yoga and Meditation Can Reduce Chronic Pain
A recent study supports previous findings that yoga and meditation can benefit patients with chronic pain and depression. A program including yoga and meditation lead to a significant improvement in participant perceptions of pain, mood and functional capacity, according to a study in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association. Most of the study respondents (89%) reported the program helped them find ways to better cope with their pain while 11% remained neutral.
Read more ...
UiTM Researchers Discover Super Brain Yoga Has a Positive Impact on Short-Term Cognitive Function
Super Brain Yoga (SBY) has been shown to improve short-term memory and human health condition. This is based on the results of a study by two lecturers from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM)
Read more ...
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.
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