Newsletter May 2024
In this issue:
Karma and reincarnation - a brief intro
Karma and reincarnation
Karma (actions), karma-phala (fruits of actions), and saṃsāra (cycles of birth-death-reincarnation) are fundamental tenets of Indian philosophical thought and offer deep insights into the moral, ethical, and spiritual foundation of human existence.
In common parlance, we hear statements like, “what goes around comes around” or “as you sow, so shall you reap”. These may be thought of as simplified versions of the theory of karma.
The Sanskrit word “karma” is derived from the root word “kṛ” (कृ) and literally means “action” or “deed”. The theory of karma represents the principle of cause and effect. Stated simplistically, the theory of karma can be summed up as “good karma leads to good results whereas bad karma leads to bad results”. The Sanskrit word for good or benevolent deeds is “puṇya”, and for bad deeds it is “apuṇya” or “pāpa”. The concept of puṇya and pāpa are also linked to dharma (righteousness) and adharma (non-righteousness).
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
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, October 9, 2022
- 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
Surya Namaskar Sadhana intensive
Surya Namaskar
7-day Surya Namaskar Sadhana intensive
You can download the flyer here. Feel free to share it with your own distribution lists.
- Program: Surya Namaskar Sadhana Intensive
- When: Monday, May 13 - Sunday, May 19 2024
- Time: 6:00 - 7:30 AM (US East Coast time, EST)
- 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.
- Program Fee:
- 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
Bibliometric Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials on Yoga Interventions for Cancer Patients: A Decade in Review
This literature review presents a bibliometric analysis of the randomized controlled trials conducted between 2014 and 2023 on the potential benefits of yoga as a complementary therapy for cancer patients.
Read more ...
Yoga Reduces Anxiety, Negative Emotions and More, Study Finds
A pioneering study published in Psychiatry Research unveiled the transformative effects of trauma-adapted yoga within forensic psychiatry.
"It is a breakthrough that we can now demonstrate the possibility of using yoga as a complementary care intervention in psychiatry and the positive effects it brings," study leader Nóra Kerekes, a professor in Medical Sciences (Psychiatry) at the University West, said, News Medical reported.
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Study shows yoga's positive impact on emotional health in forensic psychiatry
Previous studies in correctional facilities have shown positive effects of yoga on inmates. They experience increased impulse control and improved mental health. Are the same positive results seen in detained individuals with severe psychiatric disorders? Now, the first results from a large national and globally unique research study in forensic psychiatry from the University West are presented.
It is the first scientific study of its kind to describe the effect and feasibility of trauma-adapted yoga in forensic psychiatry.
Read more ...
Canadian grandmother planks for 4.5 hours to break women’s record
A grandmother from Alberta, Canada, has broken the world record for the longest time in an abdominal plank position (female).
DonnaJean Wilde, 58, planked for 4 hr 30 min 11 sec, just over 10 minutes longer than the previous record set by fellow Canadian Dana Glowacka in 2019.
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Hope for Parkinson's Patients as New Study Reveals Yoga Can Slow Disease Progression
If you or someone you know has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, let fear not paralyse you and your dear ones. A new research study has shown that Yoga can help cope with the condition in the long term.
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Integrated Yoga and Naturopathy Interventions to Modify Functional Disability in Patients With Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomized Controlled Trial
The results of this trial indicated that modified autonomic dysfunction and improvement in functional outcomes were seen more often in the individuals with SCI who participated in structured yoga and naturopathy interventions with physical rehabilitation compared to physical rehabilitation alone.
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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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