|
|
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.
 Mayurasana (peacock)
I am pleased to announce the next 21-day Level 2 Yoga Immersion program. I invite you to join me on this exciting and deeply rewarding yoga journey.
Please note the class duration will be an hour and 45 minutes.
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.
Prerequisite:
- An ongoing yoga practice including asana and pranayama.
- Ability to practice basic asanas and asana sequences like Surya Namaskara etc.
Program Info:
- What: 21-day yoga immersion, Level 2
- When: Monday, Oct 26 – Sunday, Nov 15, 2020
- Time: 6:00 AM – 7:45 AM (US East Coast time, GMT-4)
- Access: Remotely via live video streaming (Zoom); login info will be provided upon receipt of registration and payment
- Instructor: Subhash Mittal
- Fee:
- To register: Fill out the registration form, providing information in all the fields, and submit it online
Continue reading »
 Vrikshasana (tree pose)
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.
Continue reading »
 Vishnu Mudra 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.
Progaram details:
Continue reading »
Tiptoe balance (Padangushthasana) Today’s post is about the Tiptoe balancing pose – pādāṅguṣṭhāsana – पादाङ्गुष्ठासन. This balancing pose is done from a squatting position where you are squatting on the toes. This is an intermediate level pose and it improves strength and flexibility in the toes, ankles, knees, hips and thighs.
When I first saw a picture of this pose on the cover of a yoga magazine, it looked like a deceptively simple pose. However, when I started practicing the pose, I realized that in addition to physical and mental balance, the pose requires strong toes and ankles as well as flexibility in the knees and hips. Like any other balancing pose, depending upon your physical and mental state at the time of practice, you may find it easier to balance on a given day as compared to other days.
I hope you will enjoy practicing with me using the video.
Continue reading »
 Bharadwajasana
Asanas that involve a spinal twist are known to offer many benefits. The most commonly listed benefits include improving blood circulation in the body, enhanced mobility and range of motion of the spine, detoxification and cleansing of the organs. One of the most commonly practiced asanas in this category is the Ardha-matsyendrasana. In this article, I will be discussing two more twisting asanas – Bharadwajasana and a variation of the Marichyasana where the foot is placed in a half lotus position.
Both these asanas are named after well-known ancient rishis (sages). Sage Bharadwaj was one of the group of seven rishis known as sapta-rishi. He was the father of the famed Dronacharya, the teacher for both Pandavas and Kauravas in the story of Mahabharata. Sage Marichi was also one of the seven rishis (sapta-rishi). As given in the stories of Puranas, he is the son of Brahma (the creator God) and chief of the Maruts (also called vayu or wind-gods). He is also listed as one of the ten Prajapatis who were assigned the task of creating and running various aspects of this universe.
Why these poses are named after these rishis is anyone’s guess!
I hope you will enjoy practicing with me using the video demonstration.
Continue reading »
 Sarvangasana (shoulder stand)
I am pleased to announce the next 21-day Yoga Immersion program. The past programs have been very well received by all the participants. For most of them, it has been truly a life-transforming experience. I invite you to join me on this exciting and deeply rewarding 21-day yoga journey.
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.
- What: 21-day yoga immersion
- When: Monday, August 10 – Sunday, August 30, 2020
- Time: 6:00 AM – 7:30 AM (US East Coast time, GMT-4)
- Access: Remotely via live video streaming (Zoom); login info will be provided upon receipt of registration and payment
- Instructor: Subhash Mittal
- Fee:
- To register: Fill out the registration form, providing information in all the fields, and submit it online
Continue reading »
 Tip-toe balance
I am pleased to announce a new 10-day intensive wherein we will learn how to establish an ongoing home yoga practice. As you may be aware, the three most important components of a yoga routine are asana (physical postures), pranayama (breathing techniques) and meditation. In this program, we’ll allocate time for all these three limbs of yoga on a daily basis. Over the course of the program, I will give you my recommendations on how to build your practice depending upon the time that is available to you for your practice on a given day/week.
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: 10-day “Establishing Home Practice” Intensive
- When: Wednesday, July 8 – Friday, July 17, 2020
- Time: 6:00 – 7:30 AM (US East Coast time, GMT-4)
- Access: Remotely via live video streaming (Zoom); login info will be provided upon receipt of registration and payment
- Instructor: Subhash Mittal
- Fee:
- $50 – check, Zelle (use subhashmittal@gmail.com) or Venmo (use 9199269717)
- $55 – paypal (go to bottom of page)
- To register: fill out the registration form and submit it online.
Continue reading »
As mentioned in the Samkhya philosophy and other ancient texts, we are always afflicted by one or more of the three types of suffering:
- Adhibhoutika (caused by other beings or entities) – being hit by another being, mosquito bite, a stone falling on our head etc.
- Adhyatmika (suffering within our own body and mind): sickness both physical and mental, anxiety, anger etc.
- Adhidaivika (caused by divine intervention): tsunami, earthquake, wild fires, plagues etc.
According to the four noble truths of Buddhism, all life is suffering. Patanjali, in the yoga sutras, makes a similar statement:
“To one with discriminatory wisdom (viveka), all is misery on account of the pains resulting from change, anxiety and tendencies, as also on account of the conflicts between the functioning of the three Gunas (sattva, rajas and tamas), and the Vrttis (fluctuations of the mind).” – Sutra 2.15
One of our main objectives in life is to find ways to diminish and ultimately eliminate this suffering. The one who undertakes such a journey is usually referred to as a “sadhaka” (seeker). The main thrust of all the ancient scriptures is to discuss ways and means to end this suffering. The scriptures tell us that the cause of this suffering is “avidya” – our ignorance about our true nature. The means to eliminate this avidya is to recognize that in reality we are just pure consciousness (pure Self).
In the text known as “Tattva Bodha”, Shri Shankaracharya mentions four qualifications that a seeker must have in order to understand the ultimate reality of life. These are:
Continue reading »
 Vishnu Mudra
In an earlier article, I discussed the different pranayama variables that have been given by Patanjali in the Yoga sutras. Based on these guidelines provided by Patanjali, and using different permutations and combinations of these variables, a large number of breathing techniques have evolved over time. One of the main sources of information on various pranayama techniques is the “Hatha Yoga Pradipika”, a classic yoga text which was written by Swatma Ram about a thousand or so years ago. This contains a complete section on Pranayama and lists a variety of pranayama techniques.
In the yoga classes that I teach, I cover several different pranayama practices. You may like to visit the pranayama page on my blog to get a list of these techniques, as well as links to detailed descriptions on the blog. However, one can only allocate a limited amount of time on a regular, daily basis. Based on my own practice and teaching various techniques over the years, I have come up with a set of six pranayama techniques which I consider a basic set. I recommend that this basic set of six practices should form the core of your daily pranayama routine. You may add other practices to your routine as and when you can allocate extra time for your practice.
I am pleased to present a video of the practice. Hope you will enjoy practicing with me.
Continue reading »
|
Video DVD
Yoga with Subhash (asana and pranayama)
- Basic asana sequence (~50 min) ($18)
- Pranayama/Meditation (~35 min) ($12)
- Set of above two ($25)
Video recording of special programs offered in the past
(Links to YouTube videos will be provided)
- 21-day yoga immersion - $40
- 7-day hip opening intensive - $20
- 14-day meditation intensive - $30
- 14-day pranayama intensive - $30
- 7-day hamstring/quad intensive - $20
- 14-day Level 2 yoga intensive - $35
Payment options:
- cash, check, Zelle (use subhashmittal@gmail.com) or Venmo (use 9199269717)
- PayPal (go to bottom of page) (add $5 to the fee listed above)
Please contact me if you would like to buy.
Recent Posts
-
FREE session on Intro to Mediation, Sunday, Feb 23, 6-7:30 PM (EST)
-
Intro to Sanskrit for yogis, 3 weekly sessions, March 2,9,16
-
Bharadwajasana, spinal twist
-
FREE class – focus on Pranayama, Sunday, Jan 12
-
Samskaras: deep subconscious level imprints that shape our lives
Recent Posts
-
FREE session on Intro to Mediation, Sunday, Feb 23, 6-7:30 PM (EST)
-
Intro to Sanskrit for yogis, 3 weekly sessions, March 2,9,16
-
Bharadwajasana, spinal twist
-
FREE class – focus on Pranayama, Sunday, Jan 12
-
Samskaras: deep subconscious level imprints that shape our lives
-
Free yoga session, focus on Pranayama and Meditation
-
Reincarnation, Karma and Samsara
-
14-day Beginner level yoga, Oct 20-Nov 2, 2024
|
Recent Comments