Newsletter October 2023
In this issue:
Who is guiding my mind – ego or intellect?
If you have attended any of the yoga classes that I teach, you’d have noticed that at the end of the asana sequence and just before yoga nidra, we sit quietly for a “moment of reflection”. During this brief period, we try to replay in the mind the sequence practiced so far like a video replay. This reflection gives us an opportunity to become more aware of ourselves at the physical, breath and mental levels. This enhanced level of awareness helps us identify if at any time the mind, driven by the ego, rather than the intellect, tried to push the body beyond its natural limits
These three levels of awareness represent the lower three of what are known as Pancha Kosha (five levels of awareness). Let's take a brief look at these levels of awareness.
The five levels of awareness
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.
Please note: in-person participation for the Wednesday class is at the Hindu Temple (HSNC) cultural hall.
Home studio address (for in-person participation on Mon, Tue and Sat): 206 Redwood Park Drive, Morrisville, NC 27560
Schedule:
- Monday: 6:30 - 8 PM (level 1)
- Tuesday: 6:30 - 8 PM (level 1)
- Wednesday: 6:30 - 8 PM (level 1)(in-person at HSNC)
- 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
Yoga for kids/teens, 8-week session (ongoing)
Please note: this program is now being offered in a hybrid mode. You can join the class online via zoom or in-person.
- What: Yoga for Kids and Teens (age 7+ years), 8-week Session
- When: Every Sunday, 6:00 - 7:00 PM (US East coast time, EST)
- Starting: Sunday, August 20, 2023 (note: no class on Sept 3)
- In-person participation address: 206 Redwood Park Drive, Morrisville, NC 27560
- 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
This program also includes weekly yoga and meditation challenge, which helps kids to keep up with their routine yoga practice.
Samkhya Karika study group, 2nd and 4th Saturday
Surya Namaskar
7-day Surya Namaskar Sadhana intensive
I am pleased to announce a morning 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, Oct 2 - Sunday, Oct 8, 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.
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
People with Parkinson’s may benefit from cardio, weight training and yoga – here’s what you need to know
Exercises which maintain and improve strength and balance are recommended. Pilates, for example, has been shown to benefit balance and overall strength in people with Parkinson’s. Yoga can also improve flexibility and overall mental wellbeing in people with Parkinson’s, while balance training (such as tai chi or yoga) may prevent falls.
Read more ...
Study examines the benefit of adding yoga therapy as a complementary treatment for heart failure
"This study proves that the addition of yoga therapy to standard medical management of heart failure leads to an improvement in left ventricular systolic function and quality of life in heart failure patients."
Read more ...
Experts Agree Yoga Is Great for Your Brain: A Review of the Scientific Evidence
mportant yoga research supports yoga practice as a tool to increase the volume of the hippocampus—a key player in memory processing known to shrink with age and chronic stress. Loss of hippocampal mass and function is strongly related to the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia. Learn more here about this exciting research and the many health benefits of yoga practice.
Read more ...
Pitt professor shares what she's discovered as a yoga researcher
Pitt professor Dr. Sally SHerman shares about what she's discovered in her research of yoga.
Watch the youtube video here ...
Meditate to beat stress blood pressure, say guidelines
People should try to meditate for around 45 minutes every day to cut stress-related high blood pressure, say new guidelines.
Read more ...
How I rewired my brain in six weeks
I was surprised that something as simple as mindfulness can play such a crucial role in keeping our minds healthy. Research has shown that mindfulness is a simple but powerful way to enhance several cognitive functions. It can improve attention, relieve pain and reduce stress. Research has found that after only a few months of mindfulness training, certain depression and anxiety symptoms can ease – though as with any complex mental health problem, this may of course vary depending on individual circumstances.
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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