If we look at their dictionary meanings, the words “reaction” and “response” have a similar meaning. In many situations, they can even be used interchangeably. However, when we want to understand human psychology and how it impacts our patterns of behavior, we need to start distinguishing between these two words.
In many situations in life, we tend to react blindly to a stimulus that we are confronted with without any consideration of the possible outcome of our actions. A reaction is often done as a defense mechanism and is usually emotionally charged. In most cases, a reaction results in negative consequences and we may end up regretting it.
A response, on the other hand, is an act which is a result of careful evaluation of the stimulus that triggered the response and the possible consequences of the act. When we respond with clarity of thought, it can result in a healthy and beneficial outcome for us.
React or respond?
Let’s take a few examples of how the two may play out in a given situation:
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.
You can view/download the program flyer here. Feel free to share it with your own distribution lists.
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, July 31 – Sunday, August 13, 2023
Time: 6:00 – 7:30 AM (US East Coast time, EST)
In-person participation: 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.
Breathing is one of the few major physiological functions that are both involuntary and voluntary. The other such functions are blinking of the eyes, urination, swallowing etc. Involuntarily, breathing happens all the time – in the waking, dreaming and deep sleep states. However, we can have some level of voluntary control over the breathing process. We can control the duration of inhalation and exhalation, slow the breath down or make it faster and can make a few other changes. One of the most important modifications that we can make is to stop breathing for some duration of time. The Sanskrit term commonly used for breath retention is ‘kumbhaka’. We can hold our breath after a complete inhalation, or a complete exhalation or any time during the breathing cycle. In essence, we can look at the breathing cycle as composed of four components:
Pūraka – inhalation
Rechaka – exhalation
Antara-kumbhaka – breath retention after inhalation
Bāhya-kumbhaka – breath retention after exhalation
“How hard it is to control the mind! Well, it has been compared to the maddened monkey. There was a monkey, restless by his own nature, as all monkeys are. As if that were not enough some one made him drink freely of wine, so that he became still more restless. Then a scorpion stung him. When a man is stung by a scorpion, he jumps about for a whole day; so the poor monkey found his condition worse than ever. To complete his misery a demon entered into him. What language can describe the uncontrollable restlessness of that monkey? The human mind is like that monkey, incessantly active by its own nature; then it becomes drunk with the wine of desire, thus increasing its turbulence. After desire takes possession comes the sting of the scorpion of jealousy at the success of others, and last of all the demon of pride enters the mind, making it think itself of all importance. How hard to control such a mind!” – Swami Vivekananda (Complete Works – Raja Yoga)
This famous quote from Swami Vivekananda sums up the state of our mind – incessantly restless! There is constantly something or the other happening in the mind – thoughts, worries, anxieties, likes, dislikes, variety of emotions, negative feelings, positive feelings, planning, scheming …. and the list can go on. The change in the mind is continuous.
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.
You can download the 21-day Yoga Immersion flyer here. Feel free to share it with your own distribution lists.
No prior asana, pranayama or meditation experience is required.
You can participate in the program online via zoom or in-person at my home studio.
To register: please fill out the registration form , providing information in all the fields, and submit it online.
Daily routine:
Yoga sequence with focus on strengthening the upper body
Yoga Nidra
Pranayama
Brief meditation
In this short program, we’ll focus on strengthening the various parts of the body above the waist – wrists, arms, shoulders, back, chest, core area etc. Everyone is encouraged to maintain total awareness on how the body responds to each of the asanas practiced. Try to keep the practice at a level that is comfortable for you without causing undue strain to any part of the body.
I look forward to your enthusiastic participation. Please share this email with your own distribution lists. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
We all seek happiness in life. How we define happiness and what means we use to attain that happiness is an individual choice. Most of us seem to identify happiness with material gains achieved through fulfilment of material desires. Material desires can span the whole spectrum of attainments – getting married to the right individual, getting a child, having a certain amount of wealth, possessions like house, clothes, bank balance, real estate etc. and the list is literally unending. The problem with this approach, as we know from our experience is, that the desires are never-ending. When one is fulfilled, another one, maybe a little more of the same or in a modified form, raises its head. Now we are busy fulfilling the “upgraded” desire. Since it is impossible to fulfil all our desires, we end up having mental issues like stress, anxiety, depression, guilt feelings etc.
Problems with knees and low back pain are perhaps two of the most important reasons why people come to yoga for help. In this article, I am providing instructions for a 30-minute video sequence with a few simple poses that can help strengthen the knees and make them more flexible.
If you already have any kind of knee pain, please try to practice under the guidance of a yoga teacher. Be careful not to engage in any movement that causes more pain or discomfort as that can further aggravate your situation.
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