As we know, most of our understanding about the concepts, psychology, philosophy and methodology of yoga comes from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. In the sutras, Patanjali provides us with the eight limbs of yoga by practicing which one can attain self-realization. From the point of view of practicing yoga, the three most important limbs are asana (physical sitting posture), pranayama (breathing practices) and meditation. In this approach, one has to find a very comfortable and steady sitting posture, practice some pranayama and finally sit in meditation for long periods of time. It is only through deep states of meditation that one can attain the state of “seedless samadhi” which leads to self-realization.
While trying to implement the guidelines provided by Patajali, the yogis realized that in order to sit motionless in one position for a long time, one requires a body that is strong, flexible and steady and a mind that is free of any agitation or negativity. It is this need that lead to the evolution of the whole science of Hatha Yoga comprising various practices for asana, pranayama, mudra etc. One of the most important texts on yoga practices is the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (HYP). This text provides information and instructions on asana, pranayama, mudra, bandha, meditation etc. The practice of Pranayama involves a variety of breathing techniques which help cleanse and energize the body. Under the category of pranayama, the text also lists six cleansing techniques, called “shat-karma”, which help cleanse the entire internal system of the body. The idea is that the body needs to be clean internally, free of ailments and imbalances, for the pranayama to be fully effective.
In the HYP, the following two verses introduce the Shatkarma practices:
utthita marīcyāsana (उत्थित मरीच्यासन) (standing Marichyasana), is an intermediate level one-leg balancing pose. The seated version of marīcyāsana is one of the more commonly practiced spinal twisting asanas. The standing version, in addition to providing all the benefits of the standing one-leg balancing poses, also engages the spine in a gentle twisting stretch. We’ll practice two variations of the pose:
With support of the wall
Without wall support
My friend, Maanasa, has graciously agreed to demonstrate this asana sequence. I hope you will enjoy practicing with the video.
I am pleased to announce the next Meditation Intensive. In this program, I will discuss the basic concepts of meditation and practice several of the concentration (dharana) and meditation (dhyana) techniques. Most of the information that I will be sharing is based on the concepts discussed in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and related classical yoga texts.
No prior asana, pranayama or meditation experience is required.
In view of the current situation with the COVID-19 virus, I will be offering this class via live video streaming using the Zoom platform.
Program Information
What: 14-day Meditation Intensive
When: Monday, December 7 – Sunday, December 20, 2020
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 AM (US East Coast time, GMT-5)
Access: Remotely via live video streaming (Zoom); login info will be provided upon receipt of registration and payment
hasta-pādāsana (हस्त-पादासन) (hand to foot pose), also known as utthita hasta-pādāṅguṣṭhāsana (उत्थित हस्त-पादाङ्गुष्ठासन) (Extended hand to toe pose) is an intermediate level one-leg balancing pose. Like most other standing balancing poses, it develops strength in the legs, improves focus, concentration, balance and stability. We’ll practice a few different variations of the pose:
With support of the wall, using a strap
Without wall support, using the strap
Without wall support, and without the strap
Revolving variation of the asana
My friend, Maanasa, has graciously agreed to demonstrate this asana sequence. I hope you will enjoy practicing with the video.
As you may be aware, due to the current situation with COVID-19, I am offering the weekly ongoing classes online via the Zoom video streaming platform.
New student discount: As a new student, you can enjoy the first month of yoga (4 classes per week as given below) for only $25 – that is $1.50 per class! After the first month, you can choose any of the available payment plans as given on the schedule page on my website.
You qualify for the above new student discount if youy haven’t attended a class with me for over one year.
The practice of yoga, in addition to all the benefits at the physical and mental levels, also helps build higher immunity at the physical, physiological and mental/emotional levels, a benefit that we can all use in the present situation.
Schedule (all timings are US East Coast time, GMT-4):
The Ardha-chandrasana (अर्धचन्द्रासन)
(Half Moon pose) and its close cousin, the revolving half moon pose, are intermediate level one-leg balancing poses. Learning these poses will require awareness, practice, strength and patience. Once you become comfortable with these poses, you will find them energizing, rejuvenating and yet restorative. These are excellent pose for developing strength in the legs and especially for stretching the hamstring and the gluteal muscles.
My friend, Maanasa, has graciously agreed to demonstrate this asana sequence. I hope you will enjoy practicing with the video.
During the recently concluded 14-day Pranayama Intensive, we devoted one session to discuss general guidelines regarding diet. During the discussion, Cori Roth talked about her healthy recipe for “golden milk”. We are grateful to her for sharing her recipe with us.
GOLDEN MILK
1 1/2C – Coconut milk
1 1/2C – Almond Milk
2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp ginger powder or fresh ginger to taste
1 whole cinnamon stick or 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 TBS coconut oil
1 pinch ground black pepper or to taste
1 TBS maple syrup or preferred sweetener, i.e. honey. Do not use sugar
Place it all in a pot. Whisk together. SLOWLY heat over medium heat. Do not bring to a boil. Whisk occasionally. When ready to serve, remove cinnamon stick, pour, relax and enjoy!
Benefits
Golden Milk (also known as haldi doodh), is a tonic that honors ayurvedic dietary principles and is very nourishing to the body and mind. One *MAY* experience : improved digestion and gut health, reduced joint pain and inflammation, improvement of memory and brain function, a stronger immune system, and a more restful sleep.
Bedtime is preferable to consume Golden Milk because of its very relaxing/healing properties. The black pepper and fat (coconut milk) help with the absorption of turmeric, a key ingredient in this beverage. PLEASE NOTE: If using honey, add after the pot has been removed from the heat source. Heating honey is considered toxic in Ayurveda. Use organic coconut milk if possible in this recipe.
The Tree Pose (Vrikshasana) (वृक्षासन) is one of the most commonly practiced one-leg balancing poses. In its final position, the Tree pose represents the grace and stability of a tall tree. Here are some of the benefits that are common to all one-leg balancing poses.
Develop better coordination and harmony between different parts of the body
Develop a sense of calm, mental stability and patience
Provides a good stretch for the groin, thighs, knees, shoulders and the chest
Remove stress and nervousness and bring about a state of mental equanimity
Since one of the legs is doing the work of two legs in supporting the weight of the body, this supporting leg gets strengthened.
Develop not just physical balance, but also a deep sense of mental focus and concentration; remember, if the mind wanders, you lose balance; if the eyes wander, you lose balance.
Helps with sciatica
The Tree Pose (Vrikshasana) is a relatively simple pose to practice and yet provides all the benefits of the one-leg balancing poses mentioned above.
I am pleased to announce the next Pranayama intensive. In this program, we will be practicing some of the main pranayama techniques given in our ancient yoga texts. I will also discuss the underlying concepts in the practice of pranayama and all the wonderful benefits that the practice can bring us.
In view of the current situation with the COVID-19 virus, I will be offering this class via live video streaming.
We are going through difficult times. With school closings, most of us working from home, no access to theaters, social and cultural events, restaurants, bars etc., life can become quite stressful. Practice of pranayama is known to provide us with a sense of well-being both at physical and mental levels even in trying circumstances. One of the known benefits of pranayama is to build a stronger immune system, something that we can use in the present situation.
A brief outline of what I plan to cover in the course is given in this document (pdf format) in my dropbox folder.
No prior yoga (asana, pranayama or meditation) experience is required.
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