Newsletter March 2023
In this issue:
Guidelines for yoga practice
Sarvangasana (shoulder stand)
From the point of view of practicing on the yoga mat, yoga, as we know, is the composite of three main practices - asana (physical postures), pranayama (breathing) and meditation. In fact, when we look at the Yoga Sutras by Patanjali, he prescribes eight limbs of yoga - yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi. Yamas and niyamas present moral, ethical and social guidelines that help us cleanse the mind and prepare us for other limbs of yoga. Pratyahara is the ability to turn the senses inward. Dharana, dhyana, and samadhi are a continuum of deepening meditation practice.
The definition and goal of yoga is to subdue the constant chatter that goes on in the mind (sutra 1.2)1. The key practice to attain that goal, as prescribed by Patanjali, is meditation. All the other limbs of yoga help and prepare us for attaining deeper states of meditation and ultimately attaining the final goal. The sequence mentioned by Patanjali and the one most people tend to follow is to practice asana, then pranayama and finally meditation. However, given the importance of meditation, you should give the highest priority to meditation.
Read more ...
Weekly ongoing classes
As many of you are aware, I teach weekly ongoing yoga classes as per the schedule given below. These classes are offered both online via Zoom as well as in-person at my home studio.
Schedule:
- Monday: 6:30 - 8 PM (level 1)
- Tuesday: 6:30 - 8 PM (level 1)
- Wednesday: 6:30 - 8 PM (level 1)
- Saturday; 10:15 AM - 12:00 noon (level 1/2)
Instructor: Subhash Mittal
Registration: Fill out the registration form, providing information in all the fields, and submit it online.
Access: In-person at my home studio, or online via zoom. Zoom access will be provided upon receipt of registration.
Schedule and Fee: Please visit my website here for the current schedule and available payment plans. If you are a new student, the fee for the first month is $40.
How to pay: check, Zelle (use subhashmittal@gmail.com), Venmo (use 9199269717) or paypal (go to bottom of page)
Upcoming Programs
Samkhya Karika study group, 2nd and 4th Saturday
Surya Namaskar Sadhana intensive
Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation)
7-day Surya Namaskar Sadhana intensive
I am pleased to announce a new intensive - "Surya Namaskar Sadhana". You can join the program online via zoom or in-person at my home studio.
You can download the flyer here. Feel free to share it with your own distribution lists.
- Program: Surya Namaskar Sadhana Intensive
- In-person: At my home studio located at 206 Redwood Park Drive, Morrisville, NC 27560
- Zoom access: The link to access via zoom will be provided upon receipt of registration and payment.
- When: Monday, March 20 - Sunday, March 26, 2023
- Time: 6:00 - 7:30 AM (US East Coast time, EST)
- Program Fee:
- Daily routine:
- Light stretching
- 12 rounds of Surya Namaskara with mantra chanting
- Yoga Nidra
- Pranayama
- Brief meditation
- To register: please fill out the registration form, providing information in all the fields, and submit it online.
FREE yoga class, focus: pranayama
Padmasana (Lotus Pose)
Energize, revitalize and recharge your body, mind and intellect. Learn how to handle stressful situations, how to relax and calm your mind.
You can download the flyer here. Feel free to share it with your own distribution lists.
- What: FREE evening yoga class; focus on Pranayama
- When: Sunday, March 12, 2023
- Time: 6:00 PM - 7:45 PM (US East Coast time, EST)
- In-person participation: at my home studio located at 206 Redwood Park Drive, Morrisville, NC 27560
- Zoom Access: Login info will be provided upon receipt of registration
- Instructor: Subhash Mittal
- Register here
The class will consist of:
- Light stretching, basic Surya Namaskara
- Pranayama (six breathing practices)
- Yoga Nidra (deep relaxation)
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
Why You Should Prescribe Yoga for Your Patients and for Yourself
"... Not only can yoga relieve stress but it supports healthy sleep and emotional health. In particular, it can help people manage anxiety or depressive symptoms that may accompany difficult life situations. Yoga combined with breathwork has been shown to increase levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid, a calming neurotransmitter, in the thalamus, a part of the brain that influences mood. A deficit of this neurotransmitter is thought to contribute to mood disorders such as depression."
Read more ...
A New Epidemic? Study Links Text Neck to Spine Damage
The constant slouching linked to poor sitting posture or smartphone use can lead to loss of the natural curve of the neck, according to a study in Surgical Technology International. This in turn leads to increased stresses on the upper spine and neck, which may lead to early wear, tear, degeneration, and possibly surgery.
Read more ...
Saudi doctor says yoga may be prescription for better health
Yoga is gaining popularity as a fitness trend in Saudi Arabia, and a doctor specializing in preventive medicine and public health believes it is as important as any medication to improve the quality of our lives.
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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