Newsletter March 2024
In this issue:
"pratipakṣa bhāvanā" Cultivating opposite thoughts
Pratipaksha Bhavana (Think Positive)
In the journey of our life, we often encounter negative thoughts (anger, jealousy, hatred etc.), anxieties, and frustrations that can disrupt our inner peace and result in suffering both at the physical and mental levels. One of the most effective techniques to counter such mental roadblocks called “pratipakṣa bhāvanā” is presented by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. It is a profound concept that offers a transformative approach to managing our thoughts and emotions, ultimately leading to inner peace and harmony. The term pratipakṣa bhāvanā entails cultivating an opposite or a counter thought or emotion.
In essence, pratipakṣa bhāvanā teaches us how to consciously shift our perspective from negative or harmful thoughts to positive and constructive ones. This practice is rooted in the recognition that our mental states profoundly influence our well-being and overall quality of life.
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.
Home studio address (for in-person participation on Mon, Tue and Sat): 206 Redwood Park Drive, Morrisville, NC 27560. Please note: in-person participation for the Wednesday class is at the Hindu Temple (HSNC) cultural hall.
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.
Zoom Access: Login info for 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)
My book on Pranayama
Pranayama
I recently published my book, “Pranayama for energy, vigor and vitality”. This book contains detailed instructions on all the Pranayama practices that I cover in the various yoga courses that I offer. You are welcome to get a printed version of the book from me ($10). You can also buy the book on Amazon – both kindle version and printed version are available.
As you are aware, buyers depend on product reviews on Amazon to make their buying decision. Once you obtain a copy of the book, I'd truly appreciate your writing a review on Amazon. That will help promote the book further so more people can get the book and derive benefits from their pranayama practices.
Upcoming Programs
14-day Meditation Intensive
Padmasana (Lotus Pose)
- What: 14-day Meditation Intensive
- When: Monday, March 25 - Sunday, April 7, 2024
- Time: 6:00 – 7:30 AM (US East Coast time, EST)
- Participation: Hybrid mode
- In-person at my home yoga studio: 206 Redwood Park Drive, Morrisville, NC 27560
- Via zoom – login info will be provided upon receipt of registration and payment
- Instructor: Subhash Mittal
- Fee:
- $100 - check, Zelle (use subhashmittal@gmail.com) or Venmo (use 9199269717)
- $105 - paypal (go to bottom of page)
- To register: fill out the registration form and submit it online.
- 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
Strongly recommended
- Light,’sattvic’, nutritious, VEGETARIAN food
- No alcohol, drugs, tobacco or any other item of similar nature
- A personal commitment to continue the practice after the program is over
Please visit here for more details...
Yoga for kids/teens, 8-week session
- What: Yoga for Kids, Teens, 8-week Session
- When: Every Sunday
- Kids and teens (age 7+ years) 6:00 - 7:00 PM
- Starting: Sunday, March 3, 2024
- 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:
- $80 - Zelle (4086855153)
- $85 - 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
Samkhya Karika study group, 2nd and 4th Saturday
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 Can Effectively Treat Chronic Low Back Pain
Tele-yoga asana might have a positive impact on pain intensity in women with chronic low back pain (LBP), according to a study published online Feb. 21 in the Journal of Orthopaedic Research. The analysis included 11 healthy women and 10 women with chronic nonspecific LBP who underwent an eight-session yoga asana program, with the first session conducted in clinic and the rest delivered with a tele-approach. The researchers found that the repeated-measures test in the chronic nonspecific LBP group showed a significant decrease in pain intensity after the four-week follow-up.
Read more ...
Yoga provides unique cognitive benefits to older women at risk of Alzheimer’s disease
A new UCLA Health study found Kundalini yoga provided several benefits to cognition and memory for older women at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease including restoring neural pathways, preventing brain matter decline and reversing aging and inflammation-associated biomarkers – improvements not seen in a group who received standard memory training exercises.
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Study shows rise in alternative health approaches to manage pain and stress
A greater percentage of U.S. adults are using complementary health approaches, such as yoga and meditation, according to a study published last month in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Yoga: A Natural Remedy for Alleviating Piles Symptoms
In the ever-evolving narrative of human wellness, a groundbreaking revelation has emerged, promising a natural remedy to an issue impacting millions worldwide. Recent research has unveiled that yoga, an ancient practice rooted in fostering harmony between body and mind, may hold the key to alleviating symptoms of piles through specific poses aimed at enhancing bowel movements and reducing straining. This discovery not only highlights the physical benefits of yoga but also its potential to improve quality of life for those afflicted by this common condition.
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Unraveling the Multifaceted Therapeutic Potential of Yoga
Yoga, a centuries-old practice, has been gaining recognition in recent years for its myriad of physical, mental, cognitive, and spiritual benefits. Its therapeutic potential is increasingly being acknowledged by researchers and healthcare professionals alike, offering a holistic approach to health and well-being. This article delves into the science-backed benefits of yoga and its potential as a complementary treatment for a wide range of health conditions.
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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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