|
|
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 »
All is suffering
Suffering, as we know, is a part of life. When the baby is born, the first sound you hear from the baby is that of a cry. During our lifetime, we go through all kinds of pain and suffering caused by disease, injury, fatigue, stress, disagreements, old age, and finally death etc. Even the so called moments of pleasure are short-lived.
Our scriptures and the great teachers from the ancient times talk about suffering and how the goal of life is to end this suffering so we can be liberated.
In Buddhism, there is mention of four noble truths:
- Dukkha (suffering): This life is full of suffering
- Dukkha samudaya (reason for suffering): lustful cravings (trishna) lead to suffering
- Dukkha nirodha (end of suffering): It is possible to put an end to this suffering
- Nirodhagamini pratipad (path to freedom from dukkha): Buddha gives the eight-fold path to eliminate dukkha
In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali presents an identical viewpoint even though he has used a slightly different terminology:
Continue reading »
 Padmasana (Lotus Pose) 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, June 8 – Sunday, June 21, 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
- Daily Routine: Light stretching (10-15 minutes), Pranayama (15 min), Relaxation (10-15 min), Discussion and meditation practice (40-45 min)
- Commitment: A firm commitment to follow this schedule and attend every day
- Fee:
- To register: fill out the registration form and submit it online.
Strongly recommended
- Light,’sattvic’, nutritious, VEGETARIAN food
- No alcohol, drugs, tobacco or any other item of similar nature
- A personal commitment to continue the practice after the program is over
Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. I look forward to your participation.
As students of yoga, most of us are familiar with the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali which is considered to be the most authoritative text on the underlying concepts of yoga. It deals with the human mind, how it functions, why we go through suffering, and how to cleanse/purify the mind so we can eliminate suffering and attain self-realization. Many of the concepts discussed by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras are known to have as their basis some of the basic tenets of another philosophical system called Samkhya. In the discussion below, wherever applicable, I will try to correlate the themes presented here with the corresponding ideas in the Yoga Sutras.
Samkhya is one of the six systems of Indian Philosophy (Shad-darshana). A brief listing of these six systems is given below:
- Nyaya: A system of logical realism, founded by Gautama, known for its systems of logic and epistemology and concerned with the means of acquiring right knowledge.
- Vaisheshika: Philosophy founded by Kanada teaching that liberation is to be attained through understanding the nature of existence, which is classified in nine basic realities (dravyas): earth, water, light, air, ether, time, space, soul and mind. Nyaya and Vaisheshika are viewed as a complementary pair, with Nyaya emphasizing logic, and Vaisheshika analyzing the nature of the world.
- Sankhya: A philosophy founded by the sage Kapila, author of the Sankhya Sutras. Sankhya is primarily concerned with the “25 categories of existence/evolution – tattvas” . The first two are purusha and primal nature, prakriti—the dual polarity, viewed as the foundation of all existence. Prakriti, out of which all things evolve, is the unity of the three gunas: sattva, rajas and tamas. Sankhya and Yoga are considered an inseparable pair whose principles permeate all of Hinduism.
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:
- What: 14-day pranayama intensive
- When: Monday, May 4 – Sunday, May 17, 2020
- Time: 6:00 – 7:30 AM
- Access: Remotely via live video streaming (Zoom); login info will be provided upon receipt of registration and payment
- Fee:
- Instructor: Subhash Mittal
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 Comments