Newsletter August 2024
In this issue:
Jnana Yoga (path of wisdom)
As mentioned an a previous article, the Bhagavad Gita is one of the most revered texts in the Hindu philosophical thought. The text captures the philosophy, psychology, and practical guidelines on how we can lead a very purposeful and fulfilling life. The goal of life, as presented in the Gita and other Hindu scriptures, is to attain Self-realization which is to recognize our true nature as being beyond identification with the mind-body complex. Self-realization is also known as the state of spiritual liberation (moksha) wherein on gets liberated from the continuous cycle of birth, death and rebirth (called saṃsāra).
The Gita contains a variety of concepts and ideas that are usually folded into four paths or approaches in life that can help us in our spiritual growth and evolution:
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 Retreat with Subhash
Happy boat pose
Visit here to see some photographs from last year's retreat.
Retreat feedback from past participants
Retreat Flyer: Please download the flyer here and share it with your own lists.
Retreat Information
- When: Thursday, Sept 5 (Registration starts at 4:30 PM) - Sunday, Sept 8, 2024 (after lunch)
- Where: Trinity Center
618 Salter Path Rd, Pine Knoll Shores, NC 28512
Retreat Center Phone: (252) 247-5600
Retreat Center Website: https://www.diocese-eastcarolina.org/trinity-center/
- Driving distance: The retreat center is approximately a three-hour drive from the Raleigh-Durham airport.
- Meals: Three vegetarian meals a day
- Accommodation: Comfortably furnished shared rooms with attached bathroom. Single occupancy and double occupancy options are available.
- Fee (per person):
- Single occupancy: $570 (before Aug 23); $610 (Aug 23 or after)
- Double occupancy: $505 (before Aug 23); $545 (Aug 23 or after)
- Payment method:
- Mail payment check to: Subhash Mittal, 206 Redwood Park Drive, Morrisville, NC 27560
- What is included: Three vegetarian meals a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner), all instructions, on-site housing, lots of fun!
- To register: Fill out the registration form, providing information in all the fields
- Contact: Subhash Mittal; Phone: 919-926-9717
Yoga for kids/teens, 8-week session
Yoga for Kids, Teens - new 8-week session
Please note: this session is being offered ONLINE ONLY via zoom.
- What: Yoga for Kids and Teens (age 7+ years), 8-week Session
- When: Every Saturday, 9:00 - 10:00 AM (US East coast time, EST)
- Starting: Saturday, Aug 10, 2024
- Zoom Access: 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 changes the brain: it's scientific
The analysis of the overall results from these different studies shows several improvements in practitioners of these mind-body activities, including an increase in the size of certain brain regions and their activity. These changes mainly occur in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, temporal lobe, insula, and cingulate cortex, structures that are primarily involved in emotional regulation, memory, and self-control.
Researchers have also observed better functional connectivity in higher-level brain networks, such as the cognitive control network (regulating attention, inhibition, working memory, etc.) and the default mode network (network of self and others' thoughts and emotions).
Read more ...
Yoga can improve rheumatoid arthritis patients' health
A collaborative study by the Lab for Molecular Reproduction and Genetics, Anatomy Deptartment, and the Deptartment of Rheumatology AIIMS, explored the effects of yoga at cellular and molecular levels in RA patients and how yoga may benefit RA patients beyond just pain relief.
Read more ...
Yoga Therapy Improves Quality of Life and Cardiovascular Health in Heart Failure Patients: Study
“Our patients observed improvement in systolic blood pressure and heart rate compared to patients who were on medication without yoga.”
Participants in the yoga group were taken to the Department of Yoga at the hospital and an experienced yoga therapist taught selected yoga therapy like pranayama, meditation and relaxation techniques. Each session lasted around 60 minutes and participants were supervised for one week at the training center before being asked to continue self-administered yoga at home.
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Can EYE yoga really stop you needing to wear glasses? Beatles star Paul McCartney claims it worked for him
Spending hours glued to a screen can leave you with sore, twitching eyes and blurred vision. But a short 'eye yoga' session could help ease the strain and improve your eyesight — according to Beatles star Sir Paul McCartney and legions of devotees on TikTok.
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Those With Epilepsy May Benefit From Yoga
“People with epilepsy often face stigma that can cause them to feel different than others due to their own health condition and that can have a significant impact on their quality of life,” said study author Manjari Tripathi, MD, DM, of All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi. “This stigma can affect a person’s life in many ways including treatment, emergency department visits and poor mental health. Our study showed that doing yoga can alleviate the burden of epilepsy and improve the overall quality of life by reducing this perceived stigma.”
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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