Yoga with Subhash Newsletter September 2010

To unsubscribe, please reply to this email with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

You can read this newsletter online here

Newsletter September, 2010

21-day Yoga Challenge

Yes, we are getting ready for this big event once again. Are you ready for this exciting and one of the most memorable yoga experiences of your life? Take the challenge and be transformed. Here are the particulars:

When: Wednesday, September 8 - Tuesday, September 28. I can accommodate a maximum of 15 people.
Time: 6:00 AM - 7:30 AM
Where: Kalasrishti - 3000 Bearcat Way, Suite 112, Morrisville, NC 27513 (off Aviation Parkway)
Commitment: A firm commitment to complete the program without missing a day (except in an emergency)
Cost: $100

Please contact me if you would like to participate.

Get all the details here…

My Multi-grain Bread Recipe

A few years ago, while having breakfast at a friend's house, he served us freshly baked home-made bread. I really enjoyed the bread and asked my friend how he made it. He pointed me to his bread-making machine. That was motivation enough for me to buy a bread-making machine for myself. So, it was almost four years ago that I bought my first bread machine (Sunbeam brand). I was really excited about the possibility of baking my own bread using ingredients that I could experiment with.

For the first few breads, I used the exact recipes that were in the recipe book that came with the machine. Despite using exact measurements given in the recipe, it still took some experimentation to get the quantity right. I always had to add either more flour or more liquid to get the consistency right. Over a period of time, I learnt how to test the consistency of the dough with my finger.

Read the full story ...

Bandhas (Energy Locks)

In the last blog post, I talked about the concept of Kumbhaka - कुम्भक - (breath retention). A natural extension of Kumbhaka is the concept of the Bandhas - बन्ध - (energy locks). The bandhas are a very important part of the pranayama techniques as they help balance out the prana (the vital life force) in the system. As per the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, bandhas help us cleanse the chakras and allow the Kundalini Shakti (the dormant creative power) to awaken. The kundalini can then start its journey toward its final destination- the Sahasrara Chakra (thousand petal lotus) - abode of the supreme consciousness represented by Lord Shiva, at the crown of the head.

There are three bandhas which are practiced as a part of the pranayama routine:

Read the full story ...

Kumbhaka (Breath Retention)

In most of the pranayama techniques, breath retention (kumbhaka - कुम्भक) plays a very major role. In essence, we can look at the breathing cycle as composed of four components:

Puraka - inhalation
Rechaka - exhalation
Antar-kumbhaka - breath retention after inhalation
Bahya-kumbhaka - breath retention after exhalation

Read the full story ...

Yoga in the News

How Yoga can influence your Catholic prayer

"Kneeling during the consecration suddenly made me consider why I knelt. Bowing my head to the floor brought to mind what I adored. Meditating on my arms outstretched rendered thoughts of how redemption came. Yoga had completely transformed my Catholicism."

Read the full story ...

Yoga protects the brain from depression

Researchers have found that three sessions of the exercise a week can help fight off depression as it boosts levels of a chemical in the brain which is essential for a sound and relaxed mind.

Read the full story ...