Significance of mantra chant in yoga class

Power of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga: Exploring the Significance of the Opening and Closing Chants

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Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga is a dynamic and physically demanding practice that offers numerous benefits for both the body and the mind. While many practitioners are familiar with the challenging asanas (postures) and the importance of breath control, there is an often-overlooked aspect of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga that plays a significant role in the practice: the opening and closing chants, also known as mantras.

These sacred chants hold deep spiritual and philosophical meanings, and they are an integral part of the Ashtanga Vinyasa tradition. In this article, we’ll delve into the significance of the opening and closing chants in Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga and explore the benefits they bring to your practice.

The Power of Sound in Yoga

Sound, or “shabda” in Sanskrit, is considered a powerful tool for transformation and healing in yoga. Chants and mantras are used to create a vibrational resonance that can positively impact your body and mind. In Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga, two specific chants are recited at the beginning and end of each practice session: the opening and closing chants.

The Opening Chant: An Invocation

The opening chant in Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga is called the “Opening Invocation” or “Opening Mantra.” It is a traditional Sanskrit chant that serves as an invocation to the sage Patanjali, who is regarded as the father of yoga. Additionally, the purpose of this chant is to honor and pay respects to Patanjali, seeking his guidance and blessings for a fruitful and safe practice.

Reciting the opening chant also helps in grounding and centering your energy. It prepares your mind to transition from the outside world into the focused and meditative state required for the practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga. This chant acts as a bridge, connecting you to the lineage of yoga practitioners who have walked this path before you.

Patanjali Mantra for Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

The opening chant of the Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga practice is known as the “Invocation to Patanjali” or “Patanjali Mantra.” It is traditionally recited at the beginning of an Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga session as a way to honor Patanjali, the sage who is believed to have compiled the Yoga Sutras, a foundational text in yoga philosophy. Here is the chant along with its meaning:

Sanskrit Chant:

“ॐ वन्दे गुरूणां चरणारविन्दे सन्दर्शितस्वात्मसुखावबोधे।

निःश्रेयसे जाङ्गलिकायमाने संसारहालाहलमोहशान्त्यै॥”

Transliteration:

“Om Vande gurūṇāṁ caraṇāravinde

Sandarśitasvātmasukhāvabodhe।

Niḥśreyase jāṅgalikāyamāne

Saṁsārahālāhalamohaśāntyai॥”

Meaning:

  • “Om” is the universal sound and represents the essence of the ultimate reality.
  • “Vande” means “I worship” or “I bow down.”
  • “gurūṇāṁ” refers to the lineage of teachers.
  • “caraṇāravinde” means “the lotus feet” or “the feet of the guru.”
  • “Sandarśitasvātmasukhāvabodhe” can be translated as “who has awakened the happiness of the self through the grace of the guru.”
  • “Niḥśreyase” means “the highest good” or “the ultimate state of well-being.”
  • “jāṅgalikāyamāne” suggests “dwelling in the jungle” or “living in the wilderness,” symbolizing the challenges and distractions of worldly life.
  • “Saṁsārahālāhalamohaśāntyai” signifies “for the purpose of pacifying the poison of samsara (the cycle of birth and death), delusion, and ignorance.”

In essence, this chant expresses reverence for the guru, the teacher, who guides the practitioner towards the realization of inner happiness and the ultimate state of well-being, while acknowledging the challenges and distractions of worldly life. And it is a humble beginning to a yoga practice, seeking blessings and guidance for a successful and spiritually fulfilling session.

The Closing Chant: A Sense of Closure

At the end of an Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga practice, the closing chant, known as the “Closing Invocation” or “Closing Mantra,” is recited. This chant serves as a way to express gratitude and respect to all the teachers who have passed down the wisdom of yoga through the ages. Moreover, it is a moment to acknowledge the significance of your practice and the transformation it brings.

Sanskrit Chant:

“ॐ स्वस्ति प्रजाभ्यः परिपालयन्तां न्यायेन मार्गेण महीं महीशाः।

गोब्राह्मणेभ्यः शुभमस्तु नित्यं लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनोभवन्तु॥”

Transliteration:

“Om Svasti prajābhyaḥ paripālayantāṁ nyāyena mārgeṇa mahīm mahīśāḥ।

Gobrāhmaṇebhyaḥ śubham astu nityaṁ lokāḥ samastāḥ sukhiṇo bhavantu॥”

Meaning:

  • “Om” is the universal sound and represents the essence of the ultimate reality.
  • “Svasti” is an expression of auspiciousness and well-being.
  • “prajābhyaḥ” refers to all beings or creatures.
  • “paripālayantām” means “may they be protected.”
  • “nyāyena mārgeṇa” signifies “by the path of righteousness or justice.”
  • “mahīm mahīśāḥ” translates to “the earth and its rulers” or “the leaders of the land.”
  • “Gobrāhmaṇebhyaḥ” includes “cows and brahmins,” representing the sacred and pure.
  • “śubham astu” means “may there be well-being” or “may there be auspiciousness.”
  • “nityaṁ lokāḥ samastāḥ sukhiṇo bhavantu” expresses the wish that “all beings in all worlds be happy.”

Closing Mantra offers

In summary, the Closing Mantra offers blessings for the well-being and protection of all beings, invoking the path of righteousness and justice. It expresses the desire for the happiness and auspiciousness of all creatures, including humans, animals, and divine beings.  Similarly, this chant is a way to conclude the practice with a sense of gratitude and a wish for harmony and peace in the world.

The closing chant is also a way to transition out of the intense physical and mental aspects of the practice. It allows you to return to a state of balance and equanimity, leaving the yoga mat with a sense of calm and inner peace. The vibrations created by the chant resonate within you, creating a harmonious and tranquil atmosphere.

Benefits of Chanting in Ashtanga VinyasaYoga

  1. Focus and Concentration: Chanting the opening and closing mantras helps in sharpening your focus and concentration. It serves as a ritual that signals the beginning and end of your practice, creating a clear demarcation between your yoga session and daily life.
  2. Spiritual Connection: These chants connect you to the spiritual essence of yoga. So they remind you that yoga is not just a physical exercise but a holistic practice that encompasses the body, mind, and spirit.
  3. Respect for Tradition: By reciting these mantras, you pay homage to the ancient lineage of yogis and acknowledge the wisdom they have passed down. In addition, this sense of respect can deepen your commitment to your practice.
  4. Transcendence: Chanting has the power to transcend language and thought, allowing you to experience a state of pure awareness. Moreover, it can elevate your practice from a mere physical workout to a transformative spiritual journey.

In conclusion, the opening and closing chants in Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga are not mere rituals but profound practices that enhance your yoga experience. They serve as a bridge between the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga, fostering focus, respect, and a deeper connection to the tradition. So, the next time you step onto your yoga mat, remember the power of sound and allow these sacred chants to guide you on your yoga journey.

 

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8 best asanas in yoga for migraine relief

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Migraines can be incredibly debilitating, causing intense headaches, nausea, and sensory sensitivity. While medication is often a go-to solution, many people seek alternative methods to alleviate their migraine symptoms. Yoga, with its holistic approach to health and wellness, offers a natural and effective way to manage migraines. In this article, we will explore the top eight yoga asanas (postures) that can help you find relief from migraine pain.

  1. Child’s Pose (Balasana): Begin your practice with Child’s Pose, a resting pose that promotes relaxation and reduces stress, common migraine triggers. This gentle stretch calms the mind and relieves tension in the neck and shoulders.
  2. Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana): Bridge Pose stimulates the thyroid gland, improving metabolism and reducing the frequency of hormonal migraines. It also strengthens the spine, helping to maintain good posture.
  3. Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana): This iconic yoga pose increases blood flow to the head, providing relief from headaches. It also stretches the spine and hamstrings, relieving tension in the neck and upper back.
  4. Cat-Cow Pose (Marjaryasana-Bitilasana): Cat-Cow Pose helps alleviate stress and tension by gently massaging the spine. This fluid movement can reduce the severity and frequency of migraines, especially those triggered by muscle tension.
  5. Headstand (Sirsasana): While advanced, Headstand can be beneficial for chronic migraine sufferers. This inversion posture increases blood circulation to the brain, improving overall brain health and reducing migraine frequency.
  6. Seated Forward Bend (Paschimottanasana): Seated Forward Bend stretches the spine and soothes the nervous system, providing relief from migraine pain. Regular practice can also improve sleep quality, reducing migraine triggers.
  7. Corpse Pose (Shavasana): The ultimate relaxation pose, Corpse Pose, can be a powerful tool for migraine management. It promotes deep relaxation, stress reduction, and mental clarity, which can help prevent migraine episodes.
  8. Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadi Shodhana Pranayama): This breathing technique balances the left and right hemispheres of the brain, reducing stress and calming the mind. Regular practice can decrease the intensity and frequency of migraines.

Yoga for Migraine relief is about more than just medication. By integrating these yoga asanas into your routine, you can take significant steps towards reducing the frequency and intensity of migraine episodes. Regular practice not only alleviates the pain but also promotes a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.

Are you passionate about the healing potential of yoga? Consider taking your practice to the next level by enrolling in a Yoga Teacher Training program. Comprehensive training of Akshi Yogashala will equip you with the skills and knowledge to share the benefits of yoga with others, helping them find relief and balance in their lives.

Whether you’re seeking relief from migraines or looking to deepen your yoga practice, remember that yoga offers a path to holistic well-being that can benefit both your physical and mental health. Embrace the power of yoga and start your journey towards a healthier, happier life.

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Do you want to become a yoga teacher? Or are you interested in learning yoga for self practice?

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The yoga teacher training course is a life changing experience. If you are sure you want to take a yoga teacher training course, the best place to start is with the Basic 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Course. This is an intensive course that requires your physical and emotional efforts. But be careful, as such a course can transform you and your lifestyle.

Choosing the perfect yoga teacher training course for you can be tiresome and confusing. So, we are here to help you decide you will never regret.

When choosing a yoga teacher training program, consider the following points:

  1. Be clear about your yoga goal

Clarity is essential in life. When it comes to achieving your goals, be sure to define your intentions before moving on.

If you are interested in teaching yoga, then look for schools that follow teaching methodology. If you are not interested in teaching yoga, look for schools that specialize in topics that interest you. It is important to set the right goal, and then work towards its achievement.

 

  1. What will you do with the acquired knowledge after finishing the yoga instructor course?

It is important to clarify how you will use yoga knowledge in the future, and then look for a suitable yoga teacher training school.

 

If you want to teach in a yoga studio, look for yoga teacher training courses that offer a Yoga Alliance certification upon graduation. And if you want to change your lifestyle, for example, want to include pranayama, meditation, yoga philosophy in your life, then choose yoga teacher training accordingly.

 

  1. Determine the type of yoga

Different yoga schools offer different courses for different styles of yoga. If you want to practice a particular type of yoga, look for yoga schools that offer the same approach.

 

Some yoga training centers offer unique programs for different types of yoga. Hatha Yoga is the most popular and foundational yoga style included in the 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program. All other styles are born from hatha yoga. Explore the various styles in detail to see which one is perfect for you.

 

  1. Choose the right learning style

Everyone has their own unique learning style; choose what suits you BETTER!

 

Here you have two options. First, you can go through intensive immersion programs during which you disconnect from the rest of the world and immerse yourself in a deeper understanding of yoga. And the second option is to choose yoga training without leaving home, that is, online yoga teacher training. It’s up to you what you prefer.

  1. The perfect place to learn yoga

Choose India for the best yoga training experience, an experience you will never forget.

There are many reasons why India is the best place to study yoga.

 

  • The birthplace of yoga
  • Authentic yoga training
  • Experienced teachers and yoga gurus
  • Affordable prices
  • Yogic food

Since it will take a month to learn yoga, choose a place where you feel comfortable and where you would like to start your yoga journey. Look at the various yoga schools in India that offer courses that interest you.

 

 

  1. Think about the cost

 

Cost is an important factor, but not overly important. If you choose India for yoga teacher training, yoga training will be fun yet affordable.

  1. Listen to the experiences of others

By listening and learning from others, you will easily plan!

 

After hearing the opinions of people in the same profession, you will be able to decide about Yoga TTC. If you admire any yoga teacher, just ask him where he/she was trained and how was his/her whole experience of study yoga.

 

In the end, the decision should be yours, because everyone is unique and there is no universal course that would suit everyone.

  1. Choose a place that resonates with you

 

Yoga training can be physically and mentally challenging. So, choose a place where you feel at home. And then check off your favorite yoga teacher training schools, visit them, attend a few classes, and then decide.

 

Training is a significant investment for a yoga teacher, so it must be productive. Make sure you like your teacher trainers and the way they teach.

 

We hope these points will help you choose the perfect yoga teacher training course. A good course can affect your entire life. So be wise in your decisions as some decisions cannot be undone.

 

If you choose India for yoga teacher training, choose Akshi Yogashala yoga school in Rishikesh. We offer 100, 200, 300 and 500 hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh. This is an opportunity to learn yoga in the bosom of nature and on the Ganges. The vibrations of this place are fantastic and embrace you with positive energy.

Happy yoga journey with Akshi Yogashala !

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My Transformative Journey: Completing the 200-Hour YTTC in Rishikesh in best yoga school – Shaun M. Leonard

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My journey into Yoga and way to my 200 hours Yoga TTC

I was first introduced to yoga during physical therapy for a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula I suffered playing college football. From that point forward, I began supplementing my strength and conditioning program with yoga to improve joint flexibility, mobility, and stability. Following my college career, I decided to take a step back from weight training. And I began to attend yoga classes a few times per week to maintain my fitness.

 

One day during a Vinyasa Flow class, I unintentionally entered a state of meditation. When I realized what I  experienced, it made me wonder if there could be more to yoga than just physical exercise. It was that moment, that created a desire for me to seek a deeper understanding of the history of yoga. And that search is what lead me to one of Rishikesh’s top yoga schools: Akshi Yogashala.

My experience about learning yoga in India

As soon as I arrived at the campus, I knew I am exactly where I supposed to be. And I am doing exactly what I supposed to be doing. The entire Akshi family – from reception to facilities management, from dining services to the gurus (yoga teachers) themselves – immediately embraced your presence. And they humbly welcomed you into their community. During orientation day management of the course clearly outlined the structure of the program. They met expectations and requirements. And the start of our journey as students and teachers celebrated with a fire ceremony.

 

The 200-hour yoga teacher training course itself was immersive and demanding. But at the same time, it was fulfilling and manageable. Words can’t really explain the experience in its entirety – it is simply something one has to live on their own to truly understand and appreciate. However, after the first day of class, I realized something. That yoga is more than physical fitness. In fact, I realized that I had never practiced yoga before. What I have done before is called practicing asanas. Moreover, yoga isn’t about handstands and impressive backbends. Yoga is an approach to life; a way of living based on thousands upon thousands of years of lived experience.

My realizations about YTTC in Rishikesh

My 200 hours teacher training course was a success. But, not because I achieved an advanced asana, passed a written examination, successfully led my own class, and received a Yoga Alliance certification. My 200 hours  yoga TTC was a success. Because it made me realize that as a teacher, I will always be a student first, and a guide second. And that piece of knowledge gained directly from the wisdom shared at Akshi Yogashala.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My 200 Hours (Testimonial)

Shaun M. Leonard, RYT 200

Boston, MA, U.S.A.

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Yoga in periods/menstruation – Why and How?

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Yoga in periods is extremely effective. Especially, when it comes to curing irregular periods, heavy blood flow and ease and comfort the cramps and pain. Therefore, yoga asanas and pranayama are the best medicine. And even it cures all menstruation-related problems.

For example, briefly, here’s how:

1. First, it stimulates the reproductive organs and leads to them better functioning.
2. Second, it decreases stress and completely relaxes your mind and body.
3. Third, it boosts your metabolism, therefore helps you to maintain your ideal weight.
4. Finally, it works on your hormones effectively and balances them.

The practice of yoga asanas provides a holistic journey towards physical healing. Within the cycle of our daily life, we experience specific times when we must make some modifications to the poses. For women, one of these times is the periods of menstruation, for sure.

Mindful yoga practice in periods

Menstruation can be a challenging time. It can be symptoms like cramps, heavy bleeding, back pain, pelvic discomforts and also emotional ups and downs. By exploring the correct and beneficial options for some yoga poses, women may find that deliberate yoga practice can help relieve these symptoms.

But just as some key poses are therapeutic for menstrual cycles. Indeed other yoga postures can aggravate menstrual symptoms and should be avoided. Of particular importance, inversions and deep twisting should not be performed during menstruation.

During the menstrual period, the pelvic vascular bed becomes more saturated with blood than at other times of the cycle. The uterine blood supply enters the uterus from the right and left sides of the pelvis via the uterine arteries. The uterine arteries have thick, muscular walls. And its located within broad ligaments that suspend the uterus from the pelvis structure.

Unlike the uterine arteries, the uterine veins are thin-walled. The thinness of the uterine veins makes them susceptible to collapse when excessive pressure is applied to them.

Read More: 200 hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh


What yoga practices better to avoid during moon days?

During inversions, the uterus is drawn downwards by gravity resulting in a pulling motion on the broad ligaments containing the uterine arteries and veins. This pulling or stretching motion of these delicate ligaments can also act on the uterine veins potentially leading to partial collapse or occlusions. Since the uterine arteries contain thick, muscular walls, they can resist collapse and continue to send blood flow into the uterus.

In conclusion, without a proper exit of blood out of the uterine veins, vascular pressure arises leading to an increase in menstrual bleeding.

Inversions and Twisting’s To Avoid:

  • Adho Mukha Vriksasana (Handstand or Downward Facing Tree Pose)
  • Bakasana (Crow Pose)
  • Salamba Sarvangasana (Shoulder Stand Pose)
  • Halasana (Plow Pose)
  • Vrschikasana (Scorpion Pose)
  • Urdhva Dhanurasana (Full Wheel Pose)

Do’s and and don’ts for yoga in periods


Don’ts: During menstruation, energy and physical strength can already be at low levels. Even performing physically challenging flows with low energy levels may result in poor execution and a loss of integrity. Performing balancing and standing poses with depleted energy can also result in loss of balance and stability.

Therefore, don’t practice bandhas and some pranayamas, like bhastrika and kapalabhati. Also should be avoided any practices involving work on core muscles.

 

Do’s: We recommend practicing yoga poses that encourage a state of grounding to alleviate the mental and emotional heaviness of menstrual symptoms. In addition, we also recommend that you use these modified practices. And then you can explore more gentle, restorative or supported variations of poses and flows.

These poses apply a kind massage to the pelvic and abdominal region.  Similarly, this massaging effect can ease heavy bleeding and cramps.

  • Upavisthakonasana (Seated Wide Leg Forward Bend Pose)
  • Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend Pose)
  • Gomukasana (Cow’s Face Pose)
  • Balasana (Child’s Pose)
  • Janu Sirsasana (One Leg, Head to Knee Pose) Skip it for the first 2 days.
  • Marjaryasana – Bitilasana (Cat cow pose)

Twisting Poses:

It helps to relieve backache and cramps.

Lying Two Knee Twist
Seated Twists (in Sukhasana)

Supported Back Bends:


Ease pelvic discomfort while generating a relaxed state.
Setu Bandhasana (Spinal Lift or Bridge pose) with support (block placed under the sacrum and crest of the hips).

Read More: 300 hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh

 Baddha konasana (Butterfly Pose)

 

 Shavasana (Corpse Pose):

Relaxes and calms the nervous system and balances emotions.

8 Yoga Poses To Strengthen Lower Back

8 Yoga poses to strengthen lower back

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8 Yoga poses to strengthen lower back

In our daily life, we accumulate certain tensions during the day. It happens due to routine postures that we conscientiously or unconsciously repeat. And lead us to accumulate energy in some areas in our body and make us eventually feel discomfort or even pain. Lower back pain is very frequent because is the base that gives support to the rest of the torso. So some yoga poses can help us to strengthen lower back and be free from pain.

Most of the jobs in current society, either in the city or in the countryside demand activities where we repeat the same postures with our bodies many times. These are the cases of being sitting for several hours onto a chair front of a desk, holding big amounts of weight every day, being in a standing position the whole day, bending forward continuously, etc. 

On the other hand, every person was born with a different physical constitution and also structural malfunctions as well as acquiring bad postural habits that within the time become degenerative.

Herein relies on the importance of being alert about us and find out through certain activities such as Yoga Asana to become aware of the real condition of our physical body as well as the possible adjustments that might help our body to stay healthy and free of tensions.

Manifestation in our emotions in daily life

According to ancient knowledge from Yogic tradition, vital energy in our body is originated in the tail bone or coccyx. The second energetic center in our body is located in the hip and lumbar area and is the responsibility for our emotional life, creativity, and vital force. This energetic center is related also to sexuality, social life, jealousy, relationships, openness to change and movements in life.

Indeed, it is important to get to know ourselves in order to pay more attention to this area. Since physical pain is only the result of the unbalance on the emotional body. 

And some of the emotional symptoms that manifest within us as a disharmony in this energetic center are hypersensitivity, fear, low self- esteem, low livid, shame, anxiety, depression, difficulty to express our feelings.

Read More: 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh

Some ways to enlighten this second chakra 

To heal this energetic area in our body, we must first, be the witness of the self. To bring to the conscious level what is going on with our physical body to be able to identify certain unbalance within our emotional and physical sides.

In addition, yoga gives us the option of certain asanas or poses to help to free tensions in the area of the hips and lower back:

Baddha Konasana (Butterfly pose)

Paschimotanasana (seated forward bend pose)

Ananda Balasana (Happy baby pose)

Uttanansana (standing forward bend pose)

Halasana (plough pose)

Upavistakonasana (seated angle pose) 

suptagarbhāsana (embryo pose)

pavanamuktāsana (wind releasing pose)

And all these yoga poses can help to strengthen lower back.

Benefits

  • Free tensions in the lower back
  • Flex and strengthen hip zone and growing muscles.
  •  Stimulates pelvic area and abdomen 
  • Improves blood circulation  
  • Calms down the mind 
  • Decreases anxiety and depression 

Indeed a balanced physical body from feet to head is the result of rejoicing of a happier and conscious life. 

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Meaning of Yoga. Is it Meditation Or Exercise?

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Exploring Yoga: Meaning, Types, and the Power of Niyama

 

In the serene mornings of traditional India, women create intricate patterns known as kolam or rangoli using rice flour, connecting dots with lines, much like the way we connect stars to form constellations. This simple act mirrors the essence of yoga – the art of aligning and connecting to unlock the boundless potential within. But what is yoga? Have you heard of “yamas” and “niyamas”?

What is Yoga? A Journey of Alignment

At its core, yoga signifies alignment. It’s about harmonizing elements, whether they are two body parts, two objects, or two concepts. In Indian astrology, when stars and planets align to create a favorable pattern, it’s referred to as “yoga.” Similarly, in social contexts, “yoga” signifies the convergence of seemingly disparate elements to achieve success.

The Many Dimensions of Yoga

Yoga takes on various meanings depending on the context. It can denote the alignment of mind and body or simply the coordination of different body parts. It might refer to the balance between front and back, left and right, or upper and lower body segments. For some, it represents the connection between an individual and society, while for others, it signifies the bond between two people, whether it’s between spouses, parents and children, teachers and students, or friends. In a spiritual sense, yoga symbolizes the connection between the devotee and the divine.

Diverse Paths to Connection

Yoga encompasses diverse paths to establish these connections. “Karma yoga” emphasizes connecting through action, aligning individual efforts with broader social objectives. “Bhakti yoga” focuses on emotional connection, be it with a person or a personal deity. “Gyan yoga” is intellectual in nature, while “hatha yoga” centers on the physical. “Tantra yoga” finds significance in rituals and symbols, weaving the sacred into the mundane.

Beyond Asanas: The Essence of Niyama

Contrary to popular belief, yoga is not solely about physical postures (“asanas”). Asanas come third in the eight-limbed path of Yoga, as described by Patanjali, following “yamas” or abstinence and “niyamas” or observances. Let’s delve into the second limb of yoga, Niyama.

Niyama: The Path of Inner Observance

Niyama, a Sanskrit term for duty or observance, plays a crucial role in yogic philosophy. In Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, he outlines five niyamas as part of the second limb of yoga. These practices focus on inner observance, applying ethical codes to one’s mind, body, and spirit, fostering a positive internal environment.

The five yoga niyamas are:

1. Saucha: Purification and clarity of mind, body, and communication. This acknowledges the impact of one’s external surroundings on internal purity.

2. Santosha: Contentment and acceptance of the world and oneself, free from cravings and suffering.

3. Tapas: Intense self-discipline and willpower, even in discomfort, for positive transformation.

4. Svadhyaya: Self-study and self-reflection, exploring one’s identity in the moment and connection with the Divine.

5. Ishvara Pranidhana: Surrender and contemplation of the Divine, dedicating one’s work to a higher power and transcending ego-driven desires.

Embark on Your Yogic Journey

Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or a beginner, yoga welcomes all to align, connect, and explore their limitless potential. At Akshi Yogashala, we embrace yoga in all its dimensions, offering a supportive environment for your journey. Join us for a transformative experience, and unlock the best yoga teacher training in India. Your path to inner alignment and connection starts here.

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Vrischikasana or Scorpion pose. How to perform

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Vrischikasana, scorpion and history

Vrischikasana or scorpion pose. Once upon a time, there was a sage who was bathing in a river. When he stepped on the river bank, he found a scorpion trapped between two rocks, desperately struggling to escape. The sage freed the scorpion by moving the rocks. As soon as it was free, the scorpion stung the sage with its poisonous tail before scampering away. An onlooker laughed and told the sage that it served him tight to save a scorpion. To which the sage replied, “ I behave as per my nature and it behaved as per its own.” What is the connection between Vrischikasana and scorpion?

We must each live our lives as per our nature. Other people should not influence. The story draws on a very important yogic philosophy – swabhav or our inner personality. Do we live our lives true to our nature or do we constantly adapt or pretend to adapt to the environment around us that knots our minds, knots that can only be removed through yogic practices?

Vrischikasana according Hindu methodology

Hindu methodology associate scorpion with the goddess Chamunda. People also know her as the scorpion-bellied goddess. She is depicted as a gaunt, emaciated goddess with many arms, who is associated with crematoriums and battlefields. She is surrounded by corpses and ghosts and feeds on the entrails of the dead. Therefore, her concave stomach displays a scorpion which adds to her ferocity. She is a frightening goddess.
This image, in non-Hindu mythology, gods and goddesses take various forms, some romantic, some lovable, some delightful and some frightening. They express all human emotions.
Thus, for Hindus, this is the form of the goddess. Even the crematorium, ghosts and goblins are part of the divine scheme of things.
In tantric traditions, by meditating on this inauspicious, frightening and undesirable things that we can see the true nature of the world and attain wisdom.

How to perform Vrischikasana or Scorpion pose

This posture resembles the curled tail of a scorpion ready to strike its prey. And incorporates the challenge of a backbend into an already tricky inverted position. A common problem that students face while practicing this asana is the floor. In the sense that their face touched the floor when they get up into the inversion. This is caused by an initial fear response which compels the practitioner to bring their shoulders as far forward as possible. When, in fact, the ideal position for the shoulders is directly above the elbows.
This orientation offers the most ground clearance for the head, and by stacking the upper arms bones vertically, the balance is then reliant on bone support instead of pure muscular exertion.
You can learn  asana Vrischikasana and more others yoga poses in our Yoga Teacher Training Course.
Yoga Benefits Your Mental Health Best YTTC 200 hrs Rishikesh

How yoga benefits your mental health

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A healthy mind is a state of well being

Do we all not know people who are suffering from mental health problems like depression? With changing lifestyles and food habits, mental health concerns are escalating globally, with stress, anxiety, and depression becoming common diseases.

A healthy mind is a state of well being where the mind is able to cope with the normal stresses of life and it can work productively even when placed under pressure.

Researches show that Yoga practices help increase heart rate variability, an indicator of the body’s ability to respond to stress more flexibly. Along with physical, it increases our mental flexibility.

As Patanjali describes in the Yoga Sutras, the purpose of Yoga is to still the turbulence of the mind. Apart from its numerous health benefits like removing constipation and improving bone health, Yoga can treat neurological disorders and improve mental health. When you shift focus from your body to your breath, anxiety is released and physical tension eased.

How Yoga Benefits Mental Health:

1. Clams Your Nervous System: Yoga helps us move from the sympathetic to the parasympathetic nervous system or from fight-to-flight state to rest-and-digest.
Our Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) helps us to relax and when we activate our PNS through Yoga. We reside in the PNS state for a longer duration. That is because breathing deeply relaxes our senses, muscles and lowers our blood pressure.

2. Improves Self Worth and Confidence:
 Breathing practices (Pranayama) in Yoga increase the supply of oxygen in our brain thus helping us to focus better, improving our concentration and memory.

As we become more and more aware and confident in our abilities. We build a healthy ego as we do not need to prove anything to anyone. Thus, Yoga helps boost the positive energy of individuals suffering from depression. Practicing asanas daily teaches us to focus better. Yoga also increases our awareness of our bodies. When we are focused on our efficiency level increase, our confidence is boosted.

3. Makes You Happy: The brain releases happy hormones like Dopamine, Oxytocin, and Serotonin after a yoga session. These hormones are responsible for reducing stress and increasing energy levels and creativity.

4. Yoga Leads to Better and Deep Sleep: Restorative Yoga poses before sleeping act as an excellent tool to induce sleep. Certain yogic breathing practices relax the mind and aid in sound sleep.

Practicing yoga daily not only helps people who are suffering from mental health disorders, but prevent them in the first place. Psychotherapists globally are gradually accepting yogic asanas and breathing as one of the effective and natural ways to heal patients with mental health issues.

Read more:200 Hour Hatha and Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh

Yoga teacher training in india

Benefits of 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in India

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Attend 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training (TTC) in India or not?

Whether you want to become a yoga teacher or you want to strengthen your personal practice, deciding on a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in India can be a difficult task. With new schools opening up all across the world, choosing where to enroll has never been more confusing. The birthplace of yoga – India – has been a popular destination for TTCs. But, is it right for you?

Tradition

Across the Western world, yoga has become popular because it is a valuable form of physical exercise. However, in Indian traditions, the foundation of yoga is the human spirit. Discovered in ancient Sanskrit philosophical texts, yoga has been revered as a holistic approach to life for thousands of years. As a result, these traditions have become firmly established in the basis of Indian culture. Students who choose a Yoga TTC in India get to experience this cultural authenticity first hand.

Rishikesh is Yoga capital of the World

Rishikesh is located in the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India. Many travelers and yoga seekers regard Rishikesh as the world capital of yoga. Brought to the attention of Westerners by a visit from The Beatles in the late 1960s, Rishikesh has served as a center for learning and practicing yoga long before the iconic rock band studied Transcendental Meditation under Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. In fact, Indians seeking yogic education, solace, and even spiritual enlightenment have journeyed to Rishikesh for ages. Located on the banks of the Ganga River, it is home to the most reputable ashrams and schools in the world.

Affordability of Yoga Teacher Training in India

Yoga TTC’s and retreats can be expensive. It is not uncommon for students to pay upwards of $5000USD to complete a month-long program. Since foreign currencies – in particular, the Euro and Dollar – have a favorable exchange rate. Courses in India quite often provide a considerable financial advantage. Additionally, Tourist Visa’s are reasonably priced and relatively easy to secure when the purpose of your travel is to learn and practice yoga.

The Deciding Factor

When it comes time to make your final decision the most important factor is: You. You have to be honest with yourself and what you want to gain from your TTC experience. On one hand, a culturally immersive program in India is intense and requires commitment. On the other hand, the opportunity to study and practice in the land where yoga originated is definitely worthy of your consideration. While you research your options remember one thing: no matter where you choose to study, your journey into yoga will be well worth your efforts.
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Special discount available for Indians
Call or whatsapp for more info
+918077214182
Special discount available for Indians
Call or whatsapp for more info
+918077214182