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Hanumanasana (हनुमानासन) is named after Lord Hanumana, friend and a devoted servant of Lord Rama in the epic story Ramayana. For those who are not familiar with the story, here is a very brief recap :
At the time when Rama, his wife Sita, and brother Lakshamana were in exile as hermits in the Dandaka forest, Ravana, the demon king of Lanka (Ceylon, now Srilanka), came to their hermitage in the guise of a monk and captured Sita, taking her to Lanka. In their search for Sita, the brothers asked Sugriva, the king of the monkeys, for help. Hanuman, the chief of the army of monkeys, was sent in search of Sita. Hanuman, leaping over the straits, crossed the Indian Ocean between the Southern tip of India and Lanka, and found Sita in Ravana’s palace garden. He brought the news to Rama, who built a causeway of stones across the sea to Lanka and after a gruesome battle killed Ravana and rescued Sita. During the battle, Lakshamana had been struck by an arrow and was almost fatally wounded. It was said that the only cure was to administer the juice of a specific herb which grew in the Himalayas. Hanuman, with his great abilities, was assigned the task of getting the herb. With a grand leap Hanuman crossed the sea and reached the Himalayas to bring back the herb. However, unable to recognize the herb, he decided to uproot the entire mountain which he then carried on his hands while leaping over the ocean to reach Lanka. The herb, called Sanjivani (that which can bring life to a dead being) saved the life of Lakshamana. Hanumanasana is thus named after Hanuman in recognition of his great leap.
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For most people practicing "yoga", the word yoga is synonymous with the physical aspect involving asana (yoga postures) practice. In most yoga classes taught in gyms or fitness centers, the entire duration of the class is usually spent in an intense practice of asanas. Many of these classes follow the yoga styles such as Ashtanga Yoga, Power Yoga, or Flow Yoga etc,. Toward the end of the class there is a brief (about five minutes) period devoted to "shavasana" or relaxation. The main objective of these classes is to achieve physical fitness. Asana, however, is only one of the eight limbs of yoga as per the system of yoga (Yoga Sutras) given to us by Sage Patanjali several thousand years ago. The eight limbs are – yamas, niyamas, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi.
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Due to the overwhelming response for the 21-day challenge that is currently going on (June 13-July 3, 2011), I decided to offer another one in July. The next 21-day challenge is scheduled for July 11-July 31, 2011. Once again, I’ve had a very positive response and all the spots for this program are now filled. If there is enough interest, I plan to offer the same program again in August. Please let me know if you would like to participate in the 21-day program in August.
Here are the particulars for the July session:
- When: Monday, July 11- Sunday, July 31, 2011.
- Time: 6:00 AM – 7:30 AM
- Where: Kalasrishti – 3000 Bearcat Way, Suite 112, Morrisville, NC 27513 (off Aviation Parkway – the studio is located on the back side of the last building in the complex)
- Commitment:
- A firm commitment to complete the program without missing a day (except in an emergency).
- At the end of the program, continue the same practice at home for another 21 days to make it a life-long habit
- Cost: $125
You may like to visit the testimonials page on my website to see what some of the previous participants have to say about this program.
Please contact me if you would like to participate.
Get all the details here…
The word "trikona" is composed of two words – "tri" meaning ‘three’ and "kona" meaning ‘angle’. So Trikonasana – त्रिकोणासन is normally translated as "Triangle Pose". Trikonasana is one of the basic standing poses and has benefits for the legs, hips and the spine. This is also practiced as a warm up for some of the backward and forward bending as well as spine twisting poses. A more advanced version, called "Parivritta Trikonasana" (Revolving Triangle) is also commonly practiced (to be discussed in a subsequent post).
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Yes, we are all set for the next 21-day yoga challenge. 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: Monday, June 13- Sunday, July 3, 2011.
- Time: 6:00 AM – 7:30 AM
- Where: Kalasrishti – 3000 Bearcat Way, Suite 112, Morrisville, NC 27513 (off Aviation Parkway – the studio is located on the back side of the last building in the complex)
- Commitment:
- A firm commitment to complete the program without missing a day (except in an emergency).
- At the end of the program, continue the same practice at home for another 21 days to make it a life-long habit
- Cost: $125
You may like to visit the testimonials page on my website to see what some of the previous participants have to say about this program.
Please contact me if you would like to participate.
Get all the details here…
"I had a lovely experience. I especially liked the time spent on yoga philosophy. Subhash presented the information in a way that encouraged conversation rather than it feeling like a lecture. The conversation was dynamic and had room for all questions at every level of understanding."
"What a wonderful experience! If the stress of daily living has become overwhelming or you simply want to reconnect to what is important, this is the perfect opportunity! The entire experience is nourishing to the body, mind and soul. The experience was truly a gift to my spirit! "
The above sums up the experience as expressed by a few of the participants of the recent Yoga Retreat that we had. This was my first experience at hosting my own yoga retreat. The retreat was held at the Health and Yoga Retreat Center, a new facility in Mebane, NC. This is a small Ashram established about a year ago by Swami Satyanand of the Lakulish organization in India. The facility is located literally "in the middle of nowhere" as even most of the wireless phone services were not available there. This, however, came in as a blessing as we had no distraction from telephones, TV, newspaper etc and were able to fully devote the time to the activities of the retreat and on self-reflection. Here is a brief summary of the highlights of the retreat.
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In early 2006, while I was attending the 2-month yoga philosophy course at the Sivananda Ashram in Rishikesh, India, one of the teachers gave us a talk on fasting – its techniques, benefits etc. Even though fasting is a common practice in the Indian culture, I had never considered fasting prior to this talk. Skipping even one meal used to feel like a torture for me. This teacher, however, gave quite a convincing argument in favor of fasting. At the Sivananda Ashram, the residents are encouraged to observe a day’s fat on Ekadashi day (11th day of the moon cycle). On that day the ashram kitchen offers a very light breakfast followed by a light lunch. No dinner is served that day. On my first Ekadashi day there, I felt so hungry in the afternoon that I had to go out and eat dinner at a restaurant. But, after listening to the talk I decided to give it a try once I got back to the US.
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Camel Pose (Ushtrasana – उष्ट्रासन) is one of the commonly practiced backward-bending poses. It is an intermediate level back bending pose and stretches both the front and back sides of the body. The Sanskrit word ‘ushtra’ means a camel. It is not clear why the pose is named after a camel since the final pose doesn’t look anything like a camel. Maybe it is because the pose can store energy which can be released later, similar to a camel’s ability to store water for a long time.
Since the pose provides an intense back stretch, it is advisable to practice it after some of the preparatory poses like cobra, locust, shoulder stand etc.
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Boat pose (Navasana – नावासन or Naukasana – नौकासन)
 is one of the basic poses that can be practiced to effectively build core strength (in addition to many other benefits, as given here). It is usually practiced along with some of the other poses that are practiced from the supine position – like the shoulder stand (sarvangasana), fish pose (matsyasana), bridge pose (setu-bandhasana) etc.
Step-by-step
You can get into the boat pose either from a seated position or from a supine position (shavasana) while you are on your back. I personally prefer to start in the supine position.
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The next 10-day pranayama/meditation intensive is scheduled as follows:
- What: 10-day Pranayama/Meditation Intensive
- When: Friday, April 1- Sunday, April 10, 2011.
- Time: 6:00 AM – 7:30 AM
- Where: Kalasrishti – 3000 Bearcat Way, Suite 112, Morrisville, NC 27513 (off Aviation Parkway)
- Cost: $65
Get full details here…
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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.
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