Almost everyone experiences situations which cause anger. Anger is usually accompanied by fear, frustration, powerlessness etc. On the one hand, it can lead to uncontrolled, violet behavior. On the other, we can temporarily suppress it but deep down it can keep simmering, ready to explode given a suitable trigger. A few common examples of situations that can cause anger:
you have to wait for someone who is late for an appointment
getting stuck in traffic
getting into an accident where you think the other person was at fault
you suddenly thought of something that happened long time ago when you could have behaved differently
a current event triggers the memory of a past traumatic experience
At work, you present a unique, creative approach that can help the company’s bottom line. Someone else picks on the idea and develops a plan which gets approved by the company.
As many of you are aware, we have a study group wherein we have been discussing the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. We started the group in 2008 and have been meeting twice a month, on the second and fourth Saturdays at 1-3 PM EST.
I am please to let you know that after over 13 years of Svadhyaya, we “completed” our study of the yoga sutras on Nov 13, 2021. Reflecting through all the discussions that we’ve had, we recall that while going through the sutras we not only understood many of the underlying concepts presented in the sutras but also generated many more questions in our minds. What that means is that even though we have completed the formal study as a group, we need to continue our own personal study so we can develop a deeper understanding of the main message of the sutras. Some of you may recall that in Vedanta there is mention of the three pillars of progress in our spiritual journey – “Shravana” (listening and reading), “manana” – analysis, contemplation and clearing the doubts at an intellectual level, and “nididhyasanam” – deep meditation. Onwards we go!
I am pleased to announce a new morning intensive in which we will focus on hip opening yoga asanas. You can participate in the program online via zoom or in-person at my home studio.
Program: 7-day “hip opener” yoga intensive
Location: 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, December 13 – Sunday, December 19, 2021
We all know that adequate sleep is essential for normal, healthy functioning of the body. Sleep affects our physical and mental health and good quality sleep is necessary for maintaining energy and alertness during the day. Sleep deprivation can make one drowsy and unable to concentrate the next day. Lack of sleep can make us lethargic, unmotivated, and unable to do our normal daily activities effectively.
Sleep like a baby
Most of us go through experiences periodically when we have trouble falling asleep when we go to bed. There are other times when you happen to wake up in the middle of the night, either due to a dream, some noise, or just because you must go to the toilet, and then cannot go back to sleep. These episodes may represent minor sleep disorders or a serious case of insomnia.
Before discussing how we can improve the quality of sleep, I would like to briefly list some of the common causes of disturbed sleep (not in any specific order):
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.
You can join the class either online via zoom or in person at my home yoga studio.
Program Information
What: 14-day Meditation Intensive
When: Monday, November 8 – Sunday, November 21, 2021
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 AM (US East Coast time, EST)
Location: 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.
I am pleased to present a short, 30-minute, video sequence that will help you stretch and strengthen your hamstrings.
Hamstring is any one of the three posterior thigh muscles in between the hip and the knee (wikipedia). These muscles are often the cause for various sports injuries. Tightness of these muscles can cause chronic pain not only in the thighs but also hips, knees and the spine. While practicing yoga, tightness of these muscles can lead to poor posture, inability to get into certain asanas, and many other issues.
I hope you will enjoy practicing with me using this video presentation.
The following asanas are covered in this sequence:
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.
You can join the program either online via zoom or in person at my home studio.
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, October 4 – Sunday, October 17, 2021
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 AM (US East Coast time, EST)
Location: 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.
I am pleased to announce a new morning intensive with focus on hamstrings and quadriceps. The program will be available online via zoom as well as via in-person participation at my home studio.
Program: 7-day yoga intensive, focus: hamstrings and quads
Location: 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, September 13 – Sunday, September 19, 2021
The word Vairagya is derived from the word ‘raga’ (likes, attraction, attachment), the attraction which arises due to pleasure derived from any object. Vairagya is the opposite of ‘raga’ and means the absence of attachment to the pleasure that we derive from the objects of desire. Even though the word vairagya is derived from ‘raga’, it also includes the opposite of raga called ‘dvesha’ (dislike) which arises as a result of repulsion toward an object. Raga (likes) and dvesha (dislikes) are strong negative forces which create disturbance, and pain in the mind.
How do we get “attached”?
“Likes” (raga) and “dislikes” (dvesha) are two feelings that drive our day to day life. Doing, or thinking about what we like gives us pleasure. Anything that we do or think about with a sense of dislike is bound to cause frustration and pain. When we like an experience, it gets registered in our memory as a pleasant experience. As such, we like to repeat it. When we repeat it frequently it becomes a habit. We get attached to that experience and want more of it. The reverse is true for an experience that we dislike. We develop an aversion to it. If a situation demands that we repeat the experience that we dislike, we find the experience painful.
It is this attachment to what we like and aversion to what we dislike that eventually leads to suffering. We know from our experience that it is not always possible to fulfill our desires. Non-fulfillment of desires leads to negative emotions like anger, hatred etc.
Most of what we like and dislike is driven by what we perceive through the five senses. Each of the five sense organs – eyes, ears, nose, skin and the tongue – have their own objects that they desire. As a result, we get attached to the objects of the senses that provide pleasant sensations of sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste.
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