[YOGA] [MEDITATION] [AYURVEDA] [TRAVEL] [SPIRITUALITY] [WELLNESS]
OCT/NOV 2017
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A JOURNAL ON YOGIC LIFESTYLE, MYSTICAL TRAVEL & WELLNESS
YOGA SCIENCE &
INTO THE
MEDITATION
VORTEX AN INNER JOURNEY
WARRIOR GODDESS Training
RASOHARI Healing Disorders
UNFORGETTABLY SPIRITUAL 5 TOP Destinations
SHIVOHAM
THE TRADITION OF YOGA VIDYA
GETTING RID OF STRESS A SUPER SET OF SIX YOGA ASANAS
MYSTICAL KIRGHIZIA AN EXPERIENTIAL GIFT
A true blue Himalayan Jungle Experience
Leopard Trail Binsar 2N/3D RETREAT
info@swtholidayz.com
Meditation of the True Self: Inhale "Swaha" (So), exhale "Aham" (like Hum)
OCT/NOV 2017
[CONTENTS]
ĈĔ ē ę Ċē ę Ę
26 Getting Rid of Stress A set of six Yoga asanas that can release all the stress in your body after a long day at work in less than 15 minutes. A detailed feature.... 16 Yoga Scope Yogi of the East Shashi Kumar brings to us a set of 3 asanas including the different forms of Warrior Pose for all Yoga beginners. 14 Focus on Your Roots Activist Ravindra Bhandari shares his works, mission & vision on ancient Indian Sciences in an interview 79 Always Right A shortie by author Mitch Rosenwig
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62 Just Be Yourself Five elements, five koshas, five pranas - very important figures and facts in the existence of a human being. Explore this and dive even deeper into the world of spirituality through Meditation. 76 Asana Sumiran Naturopathy Expert Dr. Anil Jain shares with us some asanas from his Yogic session on the banks of the sea at Puri, Orissa. 84 Being Fearless A beautiful short story of a young orphan boy illustrating the importance of super optimism, inextinguishable flame of hope, and faith in oneself .
Flipping through the pages ..... Interviews, Press Coverages, Q & A's, Travel Reports on Visits to the Unexplored Mystical Places, Meditative Experiences, Yoga Philosophy & Wisdom, Lifestyle Tools for Healing, and more.
Mount Kailash 42
Read about the ultimate destination for spiritual seekers & Yogis - Kailas
Taglang La 45
The second highest motorable road in the world near Leh
Sissu 44
The hidden Shangri La of Spiti Valley, and the remote land of exploring limitless possibilities - A remote meditator's experience in Sissu
Yoga Science & Meditation 72
Leonard Perlmutter opens up our reporter in a discussion on the benefits of meditation, Yoga science and the importance of a Guru
Rameshwaram 46
A Travel Report on the much revered land near Adam's Bridge
Hampi 47
Explore the ancient city of Vanaras and also an archaeological delight
Kirghizia 50
Walnut Forests, Bio-spheres, Rare and Unique Herbs, Mystical Caves, Ancient Civilizations, Nomad Life - all this and more in Central Asia
Helping Herbs Heal 80
10 Lifestyle Tools that can assist the unique Ayurvedic potions to give a disease free, stress free life in a few weeks
Shivoham 22
Acharya Girish Jha shares the tradition, history & philosophy of Yoga Vidya
Into the Vortex 30
Explore the mystic science of vortex that governs your body, prana and planet
Raso Hari 68
A feature on how Yoga Mudras, Asanas and Bandhas can transform your mood, strengthen your body and heal your disorders
Warrior Goddess 36
Heather Ash Amara tells us how being truthful to yourself and acting from the heart can make you a Warrior Goddess Woman
contributors Ishan Mukherjee With over 12 years of experience in the print, online and visual media industry, he has been on different editorial boards in the past and dons the same hat here. His journey of Yoga and mystical expeditions began in 2007 and he aims at promoting the unexplored.
Pankaj jha Is a yoga enthusiast himself who loves travelling and believes that ‘knowledge shared is knowledge gained.’ This concept inspired him to work for a Yoga & lifestyle magazine.
Shashi Kumar Is a Global Wellness Practitioner with over 14 years of hands‐on experience in the industry of Yoga, Wellness and Spa. He qualified as a Yoga teacher from the Bihar School of Yoga and conducts yoga retreats worldwide.
Leonard Perlmutter Founder of the American Meditation Institute, and author of an acclaimed book ‐ The Heart and Science of Yoga: The American Meditation Institute's Empowering Self‐Care Program for a Happy, Healthy, Joyful Life‐an encyclopedic guide to meditation & Yoga Science.
Dr. Sreedhar Rao Dr. Sree is our Clinical Specialist and hails from a traditional Ayurveda family of South India. He is an internationally acclaimed physician and teacher. He has conducted lots of seminars and workshops for Ayurveda practitioners and students worldwide.
Mani Kaushik A yoga enthusiast by nature, living in CIS since 1992 (Russia, Belorussia, Kazakhstan, Kirghizia), Mani is an Adventure tourism lover and a renowned name in healthcare domain at Kirghizia.
Prof. Smt. Vidula V. Shende Founder Trustee ‐ Laxmi Vyankatesh Charitable & Educational Trust, Pune, India. "Driving force behind the Pune International Yoga Festival & Dedicated Exponent of Yoga, Suryanamasakar, Sanskrit & Ayurveda "
Dr. Arindham Chatterjee He pursued his passion for Ayurveda and qualified as an Ayurvedic Physician in 2007. He is a Health Consultant, Author, Educator and Panchkarma specialist who has written many informative articles on health and well being.
Prasanna Kumar Patasani Is a Lawyer, Philosopher, Poet, and Member of the 16th Lok Sabha of India. Patasani has published 60 books, in different languages, and has written about 100 articles. He has spoken in Japan, US, and UK at Oxford University on "the future of human civilization".
Girish Jha Has been teaching, mentoring, and promoting wellness for people seeking proven results without the reliance (and costs) associated with pharmaceuticals. He has been offering services in the field of mind‐body non‐pharmaceutical, well‐ being and illness management programs for the last 35 years.
Dr. Anil Jain Is a Yog Guru, an expert in Naturopathy & Yoga, a social worker, a great reformer and philosopher. An ex member of Central Advisory Board on Child Labor, Ministry of Labor & Employment, Govt. of India.
Ashwin Bharti A philanthropist and Yogi who started helping himself & others in their spiritual journey. Maker of Zorba the Buddha, one of the world’s largest open faith spiritual centre and cultural hub, Ashwin continues to live his vision of bringing people to meditation.
06 · yogicherald.com · Oct 2017
Editor's Note
Dear Readers, Last month was fun for us as a creative unit. We Lord Shiva - the got the opportunity to be a part of the Wellness presiding deity India Expo 2017 as a media partner from 29-31 August at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Thousands of Kailash and propounder of of people registered for the event especially for Swar Vidya the conferences on Organic products and Yoga & Ayurveda. On a personal note, I loved spending time in the media lounge and attending the conferences particularly the one on Gong Therapy. The vibrations of the Gong almost sent everyone into a state of Zen. We travelled to the garden city Bengaluru for the Healthcare Achievers & Leaders Awards in which we Malkham being were felicitated as the “Best Print Media Magazine in demonstrated Healthcare”. From here, I travelled to Hampi which has been covered at the Yog Parv 2017 in the Travel Report “Unforgettably Mystical” this issue. I have been to Hampi many times before yet couldn’t resist the temptation to experience the ancient Land of the Vanaras once again. A UNESCO Heritage Site, Hampi is a must visit for all those who have a passion for mysticism. This issue also takes you to the land of nomads – Kyrgyzstan. Once a part of Russia, Kirgizia is a paradise for all adventure lovers. Be it paragliding or skiing, scuba diving or jet skiing, the Issyk Kul lake (one of the world’s largest) and its surrounding region is the ideal destination. Our travel reporter Puneet Sharma takes us to canyons, hot water springs, lakes, yurt camps and lots more in “The Mystical Kyrgyz”. In this issue, we feature an interview with Author & Yoga master Leonard Perlmutter. Also, there are features on Meditative Experiences and Yoga like always. All this and lots more. Happy Reading! Thanks Ishan Mukherjee Editor-in-chief
Oct/Nov 2017 · yogicherald.com · 07
Publisher: Bhuma Yoga Travel & Living SWT Holidayz Editor in chief: Ishan Mukherjee Program Manager: Pankaj Jha Editorial: Arindham Chatterjee Mani Kaushik Juthika Lipika Bhattacharya Shashi Kumar Dr. Sreedhar Rao Puneet Sharma Marketing & Sales: Pankaj Jha Distribution Suraj Singh Pankaj Sawanni Graphics: Rais Azam Advertising: Mohan Thakur Images: Ritesh Can Stock Photo Promotions Active Panther Digital Publishing Platform Magzter Joomag Travel Partner SWT Holidayz
WHO ARE WE A Look Inside our Magazine Publisher We are a healthy mix of meditative experience and creative explorers working under the guidance of spiritual monks. Our team loves to meditate, do Yoga, look out for caves in the mountains where one can explore the inner world, meet Yoga enthusiasts and Masters who can share their own Yogic experiences, and try to share precious experiences and learnings of different people through the medium of a monthly magazine that can try and help its readers in everyday life. We also aim to promote the beautiful knowledge of Yoga as well as motivate Yoga enthusiasts all over the world to take that next plunge towards bliss. We genuinely believe in the philosophy of "Sharing is Caring" and love to implement it on a daily basis. Each and every day, as an active participant in the sphere of Yoga, we as individuals and also a team are learning more and more. We would love you too to get in touch with us and leave us a message if you want to share anything regarding your experiences in Yoga, Meditation, Mystical places or Herbs.
Wellness Partner Bhuma Yoga Travel & Living Global Ayucare
Editorial & Advertising Office Lotus Business Park, 6th Floor, Tower B, Plot No. 8, Sector 127, Noida Expressway, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201304 Mobile : 8802007774 info@swtholidayz.com info@yogicherald.com www.yogicherald.com
08 ¡ yogicherald.com ¡ Oct/Nov 2017
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. All printed matter contained in the magazine is based on information from those featured in it, the Editor and the Publisher do not necessarily subscribe to the same. Disclaimer: In relation to any advertisements in the publication, readers are recommended to make appropriate enquiries before entering into any commitments. Yogic Herald does not vouch for any claim made by advertisers and their products. The printer, Publisher and the Editor shall not be held for any consequence in the event on such claims not being honoured by advertisers. All disputes are subject to jurisdiction of competent court in Faridabad-India. Yogic Herald does not accept the responsibility of returning unsolicited manuscripts and photographs.
[NEWS]
wellness
india expo 2017
August 29-31 Pragati Maidan, New Delhi
Wellness India 2017 expo served as a great platform to build on brand value, and collaborate to address issues that impact the health of our community. Action-packed Workshops Visitors attended workshops that ranged from how to meditate your way to success, to getting fit where you sit using key techniques from Yoga and ergonomics, to sound healing bath with Tibetan bowls and vocal chants, to breathing exercises to release suppressed and negative energies from our body, to dance/movement therapy… the list goes on.
Exhibitor Feedback Mr Arun Rohal, Hamdard
New Delhi, August 29-31, 2017: The wellness industry is bigger than ever before, and at the inaugural edition of Wellness India 2017 expo, it was more than evident. The three-day expo re ected our thriving wellness industry, and the potential it holds. With a population of over 1.3 billion, the opportunities for exhibitors to make inroads in this market are countless, and extremely profitable. This year’s Wellness India 2017 expo, organised by the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) and Exhibitions India Group (EIG), and supported by the ministries of Agriculture; AYUSH; Science & Technology (Department of Biotechnology); Rural Development; Skill Development and Tourism, was held at Pragati Maidan from August 2931, 2017.
Informative Conferences The expo informed participants about natural remedies, alternative medicine, Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH), nutrition, herbal and natural personal care products, biotech and so much more through exhibitor booths, conference sessions and exciting workshops by holistic experts.
Wellness India 2017 expo is a very well managed expo, and we did not face any logistical issues or any hurdles. We are very satisfied with the footfall. Additionally, the expo also provided us with the platform to showcase the Unani stream of medicine and make people aware of this line of treatment.
Mr Gautam Sharma, Nuage Heath Devices Wellness India 2017 expo is the first exhibition that Nuage Health Devices is showcasing its products at, and we are very happy with the response and the way customers have shown their enthusiasm.
Spokesman, Coffee Board of India Wellness India 2017 expo has been an exciting exhibition for us. We are very happy with the overall management of the expo. We had extensive business queries about our products, and had a very productive time here. The team from Exhibitions India Group has been very cordial to work with.The expo was not only a major meeting forum for the organic, health and biotech industries, but is on the way to become a major brand with its in uence and significance in the wellness sector.
Oct/Nov 2017 · yogicherald.com · 09
[NEWS] 20th September, 2017 | Vivanta By Taj - Yeshwantpur, Bangalore
Health & Wellness Organizations & Individuals who made it matter big time this year HEALTHCARE ACHIEVERS & LEADERS AWARDS Best Patient Safety Initiative Award Mission Mercy Hospital & Research Centre Health Insurance Company of the Year Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Ltd Corporate Dental Chain of the Year Apollo White Dental Award for the Best Quality Initiative in Healthcare Mesco Diagnistic Centre Best Diagnostic Company of the Year South India Medall Healthcare Pvt. Ltd Outreach in Rural Areas Medall Healthcare Pvt. Ltd Award for the Best Multi Speciality Hospital Apollo Hospitals, Chennai Award for the Best Malnutrition Practice in Healthcare Wadia Hospitals
AND THE AWARD GOES TO ............ INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES
INDIVIDUAL CATEGORIES
CEO of The Year Vikram Thaploo , CEO, Apollo Telehealth Services Private Limited
Best SPA Director Leadership Award Ms. Vijeyta Vazkar, Director, Sukho Thai India Pvt. ltd
Best Healthcare Entrepreneur Mr. Srikanth Jadcherla, Chairman, iMedrix Systems Pvt. Ltd.
PHARMA EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Hall of Fame Zakariah Ahmed, Founder, Health Travellers Worldwide
Most Admired Pharma Company of the Year Noripharm and Noorpharma | Mauritius
NATIONAL SPA & WELLNESS AWARD CONFERRED AWARDS Best Day SPA Leadership Award O2SPA Salon Pvt Ltd Sukho Thai India Pvt Ltd
Lifetime Achievement Award Padma Shree Prof. Dr. Sanjeev Bagai, Chairman, Nephron clinics.
Best Wellness SPA Leadership Award Sukho Thai India Pvt Ltd
Outstanding Contribution in Healthcare Ashok Kumar, Ashok Kumar, Managing Director, Health Care 360
Award for the Best Hospitality in SPA Le Tranquille SPA
Best Print Media Magazine in Healthcare Yogic Herald
Best Boutique Spa Leadership Award Le Tranquille SPA
WORLD HEALTH & WELLNESS CONGRESS & AWARDS 14th February, 2018 | Taj Lands Ends, Mumbai 10 · yogicherald.com · Oct/Nov 2017
National Spa & Wellness Awards
Inspiring Wellness leaders The World Health & Wellness Congress & Award organized a mega event at Vivanta By Taj – Yeshwantpur, Bengaluru on 20th September 2017 - a Forum Bringing elite marketers, brand custodians, advertising, departmental heads, retailers, real estate professional, Shopping mall Owner and Creative honchos together under One roof. The event was organized in collaboration with Birla. The Awards brought the best Health & Wellness Organizations & Individuals who have made outstanding contributions in the Healthcare industry rewarding and recognizing excellence. The awards were presented by Adam Schofield and Gill Mckay from Neurometrics. A beautiful presentation on “The human brain and its potentials that can be explored” was given by Adam. The awards went to three different categories – Pharma Excellence Awards; National Spa Wellness Awards; HealthCare Achievers & Leadership Awards.
The National Spa Wellness Awards recognize and reward the work that spas do around the globe, honoring hotel and destination spas. The awards acknowledge excellence of
care, service and standards and aim to inspire spas around the world and serve to raise global industry standards.
Healthcare Achievers & Leaders Awards
Pharma Excellence Awards The Pharma Excellence awards honor companies who turn inspiration into innovation. The awards aim to recognize the work of those companies that have delivered excellence in their
business practices and is regarded as a significant achievement for the teams and companies behind the initiatives.
The HealthCare Achievers & Leadership Awards aim at recognizing leaders who contribute value and make a change. Leaders who are impactful, who are the doers and pioneers, and believe that they can make a difference through their work. The
approach is driven by passion & commitment towards Social Change. Marking its achievement, Our Unique Wellness Magazine, Yogic Herald has won the award of Best Print Media Magazine in Healthcare.
Oct/Nov 2017 · yogicherald.com · 11
Down South Yoga market is almost $80 billion. Yoga & meditation is the base for the rise of few big corporates, and even Yoga pioneers are brand ambassadors promoting Yoga continuously ...redefining marketing communications and promotional approach.
&
A
with Madhavi.H, (MD, Ayush Expo, Telangana)
Q Madhavi, being a highly successful entrepreneur in the sphere of marketing, communications and exhibitions, what brings you to the field of Yoga, Ayurveda and alternate medicine? A In simple words and In fact ...passion towards AYUSH ...and Indian alternate medicine is one of the main reason for us to take up this AyushExpo. I am glad that we got good support from likeminded people & the Telangana government to make this happen. Personally, I believe the saying “prevention is much better than cure”...and of course we have much to learn from Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Siddha, Homoeopathy and Organic & Natural foods and products. Also, appreciate the growing global acceptance of Indian alternate medicines, wellness methods ...most importantly, Yoga and Meditation. 12 · yogicherald.com · Oct/Nov 2017
Q The knowledge of Yoga and Ayurveda sprouted from our enlightened sages and seers 5000 years back. Madhavi Ji, as an organizer of the Telangana AyushExpo 2017, what is the career scope of individuals who have the passion for such knowledges and are beginning to commit their full time as well as invest in this growing industry of alternative medicine and therapies? A Read it somewhere …Global Ayurvedic Market Growth of 16% CAGR by 2025. Aligning to growing markets ...is the quickest thing that big players do, which we witnessed, some major players entering to natural, organic, ayurveda, and so on. This might be due to various reasons …growing urbanization, changing lifestyle, might be economical & a quick option. This makes us believe ...that opportunities are within the reach of every rural & urban resident in one form or the other ...Healthcare Products, Personal Care, Skin Care, Hair Care, Oral Care ...Distribution Channel ...Supermarkets, Stores, Beauty Salons, Specialty Stores, Organic farm producers, and so on. Specifically to Yoga ...I understand that global Yoga market is almost $80 billion, interestingly USA has a major share. Yoga & meditation is the base for the rise of few big corporates, and even Yoga pioneers are brand ambassadors promoting Yoga continuously ...redefining marketing communications and promotional approach. I would like to take this opportunity given by Yogic Herald to thank our honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, who was instrumental in giving the biggest thrust to Yoga with the idea of International Day of Yoga, resulting in the first International Yoga Day observed on June 21, 2015. Q A lot of expos are being held on Yoga, Ayurveda & Organic food all over the world every year. It's a rapidly growing and evolving industry today. You have been part of the AyushExpo 2016 and it's happening again this November. What makes the AyushExpo stand out for enthusiasts and experts alike? A Like any other new beginning, we had faced hardships initially, and learned as we moved ahead ...everyday is a new learning and is very interesting for our AyushExpo team. From this platform, I would like to request all the Ayush Ecosystem
and the direct & indirect stakeholders to support Telangana AyushExpo 2017, at Hitex, Hyderabad. However, we are glad that all the Ayush industry FANS ...if I am allowed to call the respected Ayush Industry pioneers, experts and enthusiasts as FANS ...we are now big supporters of this ...AyushExpo ...which we see as one of the biggest communication and collaboration dedicated to drive wellness and healthy living for all. Q Tell us something about your future plans. Anything more in store for our Yoga enthusiasts down south this winter? A We are planning similar kind of AyushExpos in major cities of South India in 2017-18. One is in the last week of January 2018 in Vijayawada/Amaravathi. We are also
planning awareness driven workshops for Yoga & Organic products. Q Please throw some light on your passions in Yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, lifestyle, etc and what brought you here? A I am glad to share that I have been introduced to yoga in my childhood during my classical dance training. I have explored the benefits of meditation through self practice. Yoga and meditation have always been a great source for one to explore their inner strength. Most of the times, I had found precise solutions to my health issues through these alternative medicines. These experiences have driven me passionately to take up Ayush speciality.
YOGA AYURVEDA SIDDHA UNANI HOMEOPATHY ORGANIC
Oct/Nov 2017 ¡ yogicherald.com ¡ 13
[TALK SHOW]
FOCUS ON YOUR ROOTS A leading Chartered Accountant and a Social Activist, Shri Ravindra C Bhandari runs the oldest working NGO across the country “Bharat Nirman” which was set up by his father in 1980. Having presided over more than 50 seminars, conferences & workshops, he has also edited more than 50 books on related subjects and has been organizing the Mystic India exhibition with ITPO since 1998. In this conversation with our reporter, he opens up about his works, and his vision for a new India.
No country could achieve development without education and heritage.
Ravindra Bhandari
Director, Bharat Nirman Foundation
14 · yogicherald.com · Oct/Nov 2017
Oct/Nov 2017 · yogicherald.com · 15
[ASANA]
yoga scope Hatha yoga is a system of Yoga which was introduced by a sage called Swatmarama to India in the 15th century. The word 'Hatha' is a compound of the words Ha and Tha, which means Sun and Moon respectively. The practice of Hatha yoga is a lifelong vocation. You get plenty of time and opportunity
MODEL: SHASHI KUMAR
to learn about numerous poses. To begin with, you should start with some easy to perform poses.
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Yoga is the science of activating your inner energies in a way that your body, mind and emotions function at their highest peak.
02 SIDDHASANA
Siddhasana is a purely meditative posture. It is designed to channelize the prana or vital energy directly to ajna chakra. Shambhavi mudra stimulates ajna chakra so that the pranic impulses coming up from the lower centres can be received. When the chin is placed on the chest, a simplified form of Jalandhara and Ujjayi pranayama is automatically performed. This adjusts the heart rate, blood pressure and brain wave pattern. When you first start to practice meditation, other postures can be utilized, but in the final stages, Siddhasana is the best posture as it enables you to handle the changes that take place in the body during deep meditation. The traditional method of Siddhasana is done in the following manner. Sit with the heel of the left foot pressing the perineum, the area between the anus and the genital organs. Place the right foot so that the heel presses the pubis, directly above the generative organ. Push the toes and edge of the right foot in between the left thigh and calf muscles. Make sure the body is comfortable and spine erect. Lower the chin towards the collarbone, relax the head. Gaze into the eyebrow center.
TADASANA (MOUNTAIN POSE)
In Sanskrit, mountain pose is known as Tadasana. Stand straight with the big toes touching each other. Lift all your toes up. Allow them to fan out. Now, drop all your toes down on the oor such that a wide solid base gets created. If you find your ankles knocking together and causing discomfort, you can separate your heels to some extent. Try to bear your body weight evenly onto all four corners of both your feet. Allow the feet and the calves root down on the oor. Raise your knee caps by drawing the quadriceps upwards. Rotate both your thighs towards inside. This will create a gap between the sit bones. Pull your belly slightly in. Widen the collar bones and bring the shoulders parallel to the pelvis. Make sure that your neck is long with the crown of the head raised toward the ceiling and the shoulder blades sliding down the back. Mountain pose is done to improve posture and strengthen the thighs. Its regular practitioners claim that it relieves back pain.
Oct/Nov 2017 · yogicherald.com · 17
Meditation and Yoga being interlinked, they act in various methods giving you a similar heightened effect. While being seated for something more specific at your job, you may actually perform your tasks in much the same manner with a difference.
3.1
3.2
3.3 VIRABHADRASANA Warrior1
Stand erect, and keep your feet apart. Turn the left foot which is behind by 45 degrees. Bring your right foot forward and bend it in such way that the thigh of the right leg is parallel to the oor. The position should be such that your left leg is stretched behind and the foot is at a 45 degrees angle. Bring your arms up and join your palms above your head, stretched. Repeat this asana with the left leg forward. This is also known as the warrior position and is good for your hip and thighs. Warrior II
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Stand with your back straight and both feet together, where both your heels and toes touch. Tighten or ex the muscles of your stomach, thigh and buttocks, whilst maintaining a firm posture. Balance your weight evenly on your feet. Inhale deeply and thrust your stomach forward, arching your back and tilt your head as far back as possible. Come back to the original position and then jump to put your feet about 4 feet away from each other. Raise your arms until they're parallel to the ground. Turn your left foot to the left (about 90 degrees), bending your left knee in that direction. Let your hips stay at the same angle (180 degrees). Stay in this position for over 30 seconds.
Start with these easy yoga poses for beginners. You will feel the benefits of yoga in a couple of days itself.
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Expo Awards Talk Show
Coming Soon November 2017 New Delhi
info@bharatnirman.org | www.bharatnirman.org
Media Partner
23rd
Mystique India Expo Greatest Wellness Show
A product of Bharat Nirman Foundation
YOGA ] [DARSHAN
“Shivoham” is a very famous phrase which means “I am the Absolute Existence- Consciousness-Bliss”. We are all of the Nature of Truth, Pure consciousness, Absolute knowledge, Eternal love and Bliss.) 22 · yogicherald.com · Oct/Nov 2017
Y
oga begins the moment human being wills to break the reign of unconsciousness, ignorance and falsehood, and aspires for excellence in life. There should be a zeal to practice and incorporate yoga into life and as “way of life”. Tantra yoga says, “when you are eaten up by the zeal to practice yoga, you reach to summit of consciousness very fast, that is all pervading, eternal and dwells within you”. There is a seed of Yoga (as a state of consciousness) much subtler than the genes of science, always ready to manifest in human life if given the right conditions in life. Philosophy and Darshan Yoga philosophy is termed as “Yoga Darshan”. The word “Darshan” means direct perception. Unlike the Greek word “philosophia”, meaning love of wisdom (the proper understanding about the nature of reality), Darshan is much more than love for wisdom or philosophy, as one becomes what one perceives, but wisdom always discriminates the reality with unreality. A step further from wisdom is what Darshan declares, experiments and experiences by Yoga practices. Yoga (a state of consciousness) and Darshan (direct perception) means living, moving and acting in truth, peace, love, wisdom, bliss and pure awareness at all time in life. Few of many fundamentals of yoga, that makes science and art of Yoga a perennial philosophy, are: The Essential nature of Human Being is devoid of all sufferings “Peace is your essential nature”, my Mentor told me when I went to him and asked him, “How to manage stress”. He further said, “What you are experiencing at present is your superficial nature, entered into life due to ignorance”. “To err is human, to forgive divine” (Alexander Pope in 1688-1744), is what defines human being in the west. “Satyam jnanam anantam brahma” declares Taittiriya Upanishad- text of yoga. This means that ultimate reality that dwells within us is of the nature of Truth, Absolute Knowledge
(non dual) and Infinite. “Shivoham” is a very famous phrase which means “I am the Absolute Existence - Consciousness Bliss”. We are all of the Nature of Truth, Pure consciousness, Absolute knowledge, eternal love and bliss. Out of which comes Peace that is also our essential nature. Ignorance is Bliss or Suffering The American proverb “Ignorance is bliss” is taken very lightly and rather unconsciously in order to avoid many problems and sufferings in life. If not knowing is bliss, the homosapiens were
the best on earth. Ignorance is devoid of knowledge and wisdom. Ignorance about one’s essential nature, I-ness, or egoism, attachment, aversion to thought patterns or objects, yearning desire to live without knowing why to live, are the main causes of sufferings, stress, problems in human life (Patanjali Yoga Sutra 2.3), said the father of Eastern Psychology, Patanjali (codifier of Yoga) more than 2600 years ago. Yoga not only dissolves ignorance but also awakens one to the reality that dwells within, and brings peace, happiness and harmony in life. A life Oct/Nov 2017 · yogicherald.com · 23
A life devoted to awakening wisdom within and progressive release from ignorance brings continued happiness in personal, professional, social and spiritual life. Bliss is what the aim of Yoga is, by delivering one from all forms of ignorance.
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devoted to awakening wisdom within and progressive release from ignorance brings continued happiness in personal, professional, social and spiritual life. Bliss is what the aim of Yoga is, by delivering one from all forms of ignorance. We are Human + Being - a micro center of evolution Human in Human Being is a circumference and Being is at the center. The “human” consists of ego, intellect, mind, emotions, life, body and the material world while “Being” at the center is eternal. According to yoga texts, human race evolved out of 8.4 million species. Body and energy (prana) are fully evolved in human frame. Mind is evolving and there is something yet to evolve. Life evolved out of matter, as life was involved in matter. Mind evolved out of life, as it was involved in life. If we accept the nature’s evolution, then there is something yet
to evolve out of mind in every human being. Yoga evolves this consciously by taking over the entire process of Nature. This “yet to evolve”, is called by yoga as “Real Self” or Being. What is very important in Yoga is evolving consciously to the ultimate in order to bring an end to all the sufferings in life, and to achieve excellence in speech, thought and action. This eternal philosophy asserts that every human being is eternally pure and good, and any one if follows the path of yoga, can transform his life fully. Ratnakar – a dacoit who lived in around 3000 BC, took the path of Yoga and transformed himself into one of the greatest masters and author of the epic, “Ramayana” (Balmiki – as he was known after the transformation). Are you ready to change your life? The Mother of Sri Aurobindo Ashram wrote, “to know is good, to live is better and to be is
the best”, that always inspired me to talk and teach yoga to hundreds of people. I always ask the people who come to practice Yoga, “Do you know peace is good”? “Yes”, a prompt response, I get. “If peace is good, then you must be living in peace all the time”. “Oh No! Guruji, how can you live in peace 24X7”, the students said. “Then peace is not good at all, how can you claim, peace is ….”?, I made the query. I futher added, “Yoga is to bridge the gap between what you know and how you live. The moment you start working consciously on how to live in peace 24X7, you not only dissolve stress and sufferings from life but also start living in peace”. Yoga does not end here as it offers you an opportunity for unlimited growth and evolution by moving further and becoming an epitome of peace. Like Lord Buddha, even his idols emanate peace consciousness, who lived over 2500 years ago.
by Acharya Girish Jha (Mentor, Guide & Yoga Guru) www.girishjha.org www.girishjha.net
Oct/Nov 2017 · yogicherald.com · 25
[ASANA]
Wanna Get Rid Of Stress
Here's how....
Y
oga is the perfect blend of physical and mental exercises. If you are someone who has a stressful job and not a lot of time to go for workout at the gym, then yoga would be the best way to go. If you do not have any experience in yoga, then there are certain things to learn before you begin. Remember, that any form of exercise requires a certain amount of discipline and regularity, only then can we reap the benefits of it. Stress relief yoga has become the go-to phenomenon for people who have a lot of stress in their lives and need a stress buster to get rid of it. That yoga is a calming force, is not something new to people. But, how exactly should it be used to help reduce stress, now that is a new angle that many are not aware of. Keeping that in mind, we will be giving you certain stress relief exercises which you can use. Ready? Stress relief yoga has different phases to it. A beginner will start off with exercises that are simple in comparison to others. And as and how he gets adept at them, the advanced levels will come up. 26 · yogicherald.com · Oct/Nov 2017
Thunderbolt Pose (Vajrasana)
Cat Pose (Marjarasana)
Sit on the oor (on a mat or ground) with legs stretched. Bend right leg and place the foot under the right hip. Bend left leg and place the foot under the left hip. Sit comfortably in between the heels by keeping back erect and place both palms on thighs. Try to sit as still as possible and try to concentrate on normal breathing. Doing breath exercises like long deep inhale and slow steady breath out, help to give concentration and coolness to the mind. To return to the normal state, remove the hand one by one and keep it beside the body and slowly stretch the legs one by one. Vajrasana enhances blood circulation in the lower abdomen, hence increasing digestion. It relieves constipation problem, helps cure gas problems, and gets you exible knee joint, strong calf muscles, & foot heels. It also boosts your intellect and concentration.
Cat pose is a strategic yoga pose that relieves built up pressure in the spine. Get down on your hands and knees. Make sure your ankles line up with your knees and that your hands are directly under your shoulders, with knees hip width apart. Now look up at the ceiling and allow your tummy to sink toward the oor. This concave shape of your spine is the "cat" portion. Hold for several seconds. Next, curve your head down until your forehead is pointing at the oor, curving your spine to point at the ceiling at the same time. This is the "cow" portion. These opposite motions stretch and relieve tension in your back. Holding for several seconds each time increases the benefits. Cat pose increases the mobility of your vertebrae, especially helpful for those who sit at their jobs and suffer the compacting of their spines all day. It increases circulation to the spine, which is needed in order to maintain a healthy cycle of toxin disposal and nutrient delivery.
Plank Pose
Child's Pose (Balasana)
Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)
Come back to Cat Pose. Make sure your knees are positioned directly below your hips, your palms below your shoulders and your toes curled inwards. Exhale and place your forearms on the oor shoulder-width apart. Keep your elbows firm and press your palms against the oor. Make sure your elbows are perpendicular to your shoulders. Inhale and lift your knees off the oor. Straighten your knees and lengthen your torso. Spread your body weight evenly on your forearms and toes. Keep your gaze towards the oor. Stay in this pose for 6 long breaths, or as long as you can. To come out of this pose, bend your knees and rest them on the oor. Exhale and move to Balasana / Child's Pose. The Plank Pose reduces belly fat, tones the abdomen, increases core strength, improves stamina, and strengthens the forearms, wrists, shoulders & spine.
This is a resting pose in which one has to kneel on the ground with feet together. Sit on the heels such that the instep of the feet face the oor. The big toes should touch each other. Separate the knees about as wide as your hips. Now exhale and bend down bringing the head down to touch the oor. Your torso should lie between the thighs. Place the hands by the side of the body with palms facing up. Your hands should lie beside the feet. Release the front of the shoulders towards the oor and feel their weight pulling the shoulders wide across the back. Hold yourself in this position for at least 30 seconds to 3 minutes. This yoga exercise stretches the hips, thighs, ankles, and relieves stress and fatigue by bringing a calming effect on the mind.
Lie prone on the oor with legs stretched out and joined together. Let your forehead touch the ground. Bring the hands by the side of the chest with palms pressed against the oor. Press the elbow back into the body. Pressing the pubis, legs and feet firmly on ground, straighten the arms to lift the chest off the ground. Inhale while pushing yourself back. Push further back straight as much as you can. Do not strain yourself too hard. The aim is to lift the pubis off the ground as one bends back over the spine. This will be achieved after some practice. Hold yourself in this position for 15 to 30 seconds. Then while exhaling, come back to the starting position. This asana strengthens the back, stretches the chest, shoulders, lungs and provides relief from sciatica and asthma.
Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) Lie on your stomach and place your legs a few inches apart. Bend your left knee upwards and hold this with your left hand. You can hold your ankle or heel. Keep the neck in line with your back and stretch your right arm outward, as if you were ying. Hold this position for a few seconds and repeat with the other leg and arm. This asana is claimed to benefit the kidneys, adrenal glands and also the reproductive organs. Reach back with your hands to grab hold of each ankle with each hand. Now, pull your legs up from behind, and lift your head and torso up. Hold for one minute, and release out of the stretch gently. (Another one for your back muscles and spine.)
Stress relief yoga has become the go-to phenomenon for people who have a lot of stress in their lives and need a stress buster to get rid of it. That yoga is a calming force, is not something new to people. But, how exactly should it be used to help reduce stress, now that is a new angle that many are not aware of. Oct/Nov 2017 · yogicherald.com · 27
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[MEDITATION]
INTO THE VORTEX The subtle energy patterns are just amazing to observe, they are the best possible infinite geometry that can be. It stretches all through your entire body to extremely deep and subtle points, where once you reach, you get lost in intense meditation at that particular point.
W
ho am I? Ishan Mukherjee? Nah, Nah! That is just a name, just a couple of words, one of which came from my ancestors (my surname), and the other one came from my mother’s devotion towards a particular deity (Lord Shiva). In India, a lot of people get named like that. Some of them have no meaning at all. Like someone truly said, what’s there in a name? Indeed, I totally agree. A name is just a name, a bunch of words, which are very useful to get an identity card. In the modern world, you are identified by your face. You are identified by your fingerprint, your iris, and your name. You are identified by your surname, your race, your gender, sometimes even judged by these parameters. It is unfortunate but then that’s the way today. I and you cannot change it in one day or even one year. Like evolution, social transformation takes time. More than information and awareness, it needs experiential knowledge. Books and banners cannot solve all the puzzles of life. Your actions can. Do you want to step up and transform yourself? If yes, then there must be a strong commitment, a strong faith in yourself, and a firm step leading to more. What is that action? Well, in my opinion, you can even start with a book. There are so many out there that can sow the seed of changing your life for the good. In my case, it was Robin Sharma’s “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari”. The book inspired me to practice Yoga, to meditate and go deep within myself, to explore my inner space until I found my Nirvana, or my Shangri La. As His Holiness Dalai Lama puts it, your Garden of Eden, your paradise, your heaven, your Jannat, and your Swarga lies inside you. You have to discover your 30 · yogicherald.com · Oct/Nov 2017
Shambhala or Shangri La, not outside but in the inner world. That’s what the sages and seers of the past did. I am trying too. Wish me good luck! But please, and please, wish yourself some luck as well. Dear friends, your luck is in your hands. I am not telling it to you as a preacher or a philosopher. I am telling it to you as a soul. From one soul to another. In the business world, they call it networking. In the social world, they call it sharing. And that reminds me of my friend’s whatsapp profile which says, “Sharing is Caring”. But as a soul, I’d prefer to add – “Sharing is loving”. In the world of bliss, you share out of love. Love is purely an expression while living the experience of bliss. And we all can do that. Every single human being on this planet can do that. Whoever made this world has been very kind to all of us. Our body, our solar system, our planet – everything within us and around us is a miracle. We need to take some time out and observe it. At least just once in our life. Give it a day. Give it a week. Trust me; your life will change if you witness the miracle. In ancient times, people would chant the name of God, the mantras that opened portals to the inner space, served the temple, and considered whatever they ate as a miracle. Every breath that they took was synchronized with a mantra. The rituals of Yoga, Ayurveda & Reiki were not a small part of their daily routine. Instead, it was the whole and sole. Their very life was Yogic. Every breath, every meal, every prayer, every conversation, every hobby was Yogic. India thousands of years back was swarming with sages and seers thus. Even the
Oct/Nov 2017 · yogicherald.com · 31
"Kundalini Shakti’ is a dormant energy source located at the base of the spine in the root chakra which normally lies asleep in a serpentine shape (like a snake). If awakened, it can open portals to higher consciousness and great psychic abilities. Two of the vital nadis in our body, Ingala and Pingala, are also wrapped up around the Sushumna in a serpentine shape.
Ganapati is considered to be the overlord of the Root Chakra located at the base of our spine. ‘Gam’ is the seed mantra for activating the Root Chakra. Each chakra has a bija mantra and if you have a physical complaint which is located in the region of one of the chakras, you can use its mantra to strengthen and heal. . Mantras are sounds that were revealed to rishis and other pure beings in psychic states or in very deep meditation.
The energy center at the base of our spine, connects to our sense of groundedness as well as instincts of survival. When off balance, it can make us feel low energy, alienated from ourselves and others - and easily angered. When in balance, it makes us feel secure, stable, full of health, energy and vitality.
common man had a Yogic life. Today, it is different. Mobile phones, cameras, screens, social media, cars and shopping malls have taken over. We don’t walk, we take the elevator. I read recently in an interview by Ironman Milind Soman to our magazine that he takes the stairs instead of lifts and elevators. He prefers to have an active life. We need to walk, climb, trek mountains, swim, play outdoor sports, meditate, attend festivals, maintain a healthy & strict diet, and play with our children – do all those things that can keep us physically and mentally rejuvenated.
personally but also witnessed a lot of my clients benefit. It is meant for everybody. Perhaps one reason why it is slowly marching towards becoming a global practice today.
make you more evolved. Here is how a session of meditation can be performed ideally every day or if possible 2-3 times every day.
During my workshops with corporate, I found out that most of our working class do not have any idea about the amazing ability of 5 minutes of Yoga & meditation every couple of hours. In an age when the working class has been affected by stress in the body & the mind, respiratory problems, joint pain, back pain, depression out of work pressure, headache and poor digestion are common problems. This needs to be beaten. Ergonomic chairs are not enough. In my opinion, we need Yoga & Meditation. I can vouch for that because I have not just experienced the benefits 32 · yogicherald.com · Oct/Nov 2017
Normally, I share a variety of exercises with my clients which comprise of some mind exercises, physical Yoga asanas and
For beginners, it brings relief from many existing problems, hurdles and blockages. For advanced level, it can completely transform your life, transform you, and make you more evolved. breathing techniques. But the most effective and unparalleled of them all is Meditation. In my opinion, it has the most amazing effect physically as well as mentally. It is the best stress buster, concentration booster and motivator. For beginners, it brings relief from many existing problems, hurdles and blockages. For advanced level, it can completely transform your life, transform you, and
DIVING INTO DHYANA Meditation can be done even at work (on a mat or even on a chair) and a session can last from anywhere between 10-30 minutes. For a beginner, it takes more time to find your focus point and slip into the inner world whereas for an advanced meditator, the takeoff does not take much time. In fact, I personally know many meditators who can wrap up a blissful experience session in just 10-15 minutes. The ideal way to start a session (even a brief one) is to observe your breathing. While breathing in through right nostril (North Pole) and breathing out through left nostril (South Pole), it's a vortex, an evidence of cosmic inhalation and exhalation. Balancing the breath, experience the energy pattern that runs our life. Observe your breath, experience the bellowing of your lungs and their fall - the entire process of the breath going into
Our body, our solar system, our planet – everything within us and around us is a miracle. We need to take some time out and observe it. At least just once in our life. Give it a day. Give it a week. Trust me; your life will change if you witness the miracle. the lungs and coming out is like a vortex that is created on the surface of earth. You will have to observe your breath and the resultant motion minutely. Observation of breath purifies our nadis that serve as channels for ‘swara’ or ‘prana’ (also called Nadi Shodhan). This is done through what we call tapping the energy method. This tapping is the best way to tap subtle energy/life force/prana (the energy that keeps us alive). ADVANCED LEVEL MEDITATION Nadi Shodhan process begins in the very initial stages of meditation. Where some of our vital nadis meet, that point is called a Chakra in Yoga. Nadi Shodhan is followed by the process of chakra shodhan (this is what makes you an advanced level meditator and it might take a few weeks or months of regular practice). Chakra Shodhan is the purification of meeting point of three nadis where 3 kinds of energy (universal energy gets categorized into 3 once it enters our body - hot current, cold current, void current) meet. These meeting points are chakras that get purified in the same pattern of energy (Cosmic Consciousness) that is vortex shaped and comprise of pyramids, spirals etc. While nadi shodhan can be done through pranayam/breath observation, chakra shodhan has to be done in a long session of application of stillness, inner silence and being an empty cup. The subtle energy patterns are just amazing to observe, they are the best possible infinite geometry that can be. It stretches all through your entire body to extremely deep and subtle 34 · yogicherald.com · Oct/Nov 2017
points, where once you reach, you get lost in intense meditation at that particular point. These points are mostly in the part above mouth (in the forehead region and above). This stretches a few inches above your head. Quite surprisingly, the energy body is larger than the physical body of a human or a planet. The tip of the energy body is where we meditate at one stage. By the time you are deep in meditation at this peak point that can be called as tip of the apple, your entire body is oozing with energy and you can feel the amazing strength generated by the greatest energy generator of all. At this point, one loves to meditate, as it’s full of peace. As we feel blessed, we can listen to the mantra or vibration that connects us to the higher realms. The chakras have now blossomed and we can feel the coming of a divinity inside us. Energy levels increase and we are suddenly filled with love, void, stillness, faith, and truth. As our consciousness travels above the crown chakra (top of head), we enter a particular zone, we enter the zone of bliss, infinite energy & awareness. There are many things that are being created out of it. Our heart and crown are also connected to it. We travel towards Cosmic Consciousness to realize our self, to know who we are, i.e. our higher self that can be known only in the higher realms. Our pure self is actually our higher self. Normally, we breed in our lower self thus attaining lesser happiness and lesser things out of life and wasting our beautiful human incarnation. A huge bundle of conscious energy can be experienced now, right from our heart, close to heart in the energy body, rising
Observe your breath, experience the bellowing of your lungs and their fall - the entire process of the breath going into the lungs and coming out is like a vortex that is created on the surface of earth.
upwards connected to the Cosmic Consciousness. This is infinity filled with ecstasy, showering ecstasy, and we are the cup that gets filled with light and nectar only if we empty it. Very soon we can experience light and the bliss. This relates to the story of Samudra Manthan that is the foundation for the famous Kumbh Mela. Kumbh means pot - our head and heart are the pot, our energy body and physical body together are the pot which when emptied, gets filled with energy, light and nectar from the body of light. In this phase of dhyana, we get to meet our energy body, the vortex of energy, energy patterns in the universe, their source - the supplier of all energy whom we can call the body of light which resides in the higher realms where we can realize what we call our higher self, the elixir of life that narrates its tale through illustrations in the Puranas and Kumbha mythology, and more. As the meditation oats into infinity, one can experience the vastness of this new world - cosmic infinity. And all this is created by the Cosmic Consciousness. The process of creation and dissolution is very simple. In this vast infinity, we oat, we feel light, and we lose consciousness of our physical body. The journey of a meditator goes on but the benefit he attains sounds too good to be true. But then Yoga is like that. Basically, the biggest lesson that Yoga teaches us is that a human being has amazing potential when it comes to your body, mind as well as spirit. It’s just that we need to explore it. Those powers, those gifts have all being lying in our cupboard untouched. We need to unlock our cupboard and find them. Meditation is the key to opening that cupboard and snorkelling in those vortexes. If we use it, our life will change miraculously for the better. It’s all in our hands. By Ishan Mukherjee Oct/Nov 2017 · yogicherald.com · 35
[HEALING]
IT'S TIME TO SPEAK Your Truth
Calling all Warrior Goddess Women!
36 · yogicherald.com · Oct/Nov 2017
I must be kind so I do not hurt others feelings. Look more deeply at these types of selfmonitoring behaviors. Why must you be kind so you do not hurt others feelings? When you answer honestly, you will probably nd, it is because you are uncomfortable standing in the face of someone s hurt, disappointment, or anger.
The fastest way to create discomfort and resentment in your life is to say yes when you mean no. If someone asks you to do something and you say yes out of a feeling of obligation, or because you don t want to hurt the other person s feelings, then you are not speaking your truth in that situation.
Oct/Nov 2017 ¡ yogicherald.com ¡ 37
If someone asks you where you want to eat for lunch, don't defer to them and say anyplace is fine (unless of course, it is). Ask yourself, do I want to eat Mexican or Italian? You may have to dig to find out what your preferences are if you have stayed silent and let others make decisions for you.
38 ¡ yogicherald.com ¡ Oct/Nov 2017
Speaking your truth does not mean you always say everything you are thinking. We must be careful not to use the practice of speaking our truth as an excuse to be cruel or hurtful.
By HeatherAsh Amara HeatherAsh Amara is the author of the bestselling series Warrior Goddess Training, the Warrior Goddess Companion Workbook, and The Warrior Goddess Way.
Oct/Nov 2017 ¡ yogicherald.com ¡ 39
YOGIC HERALD
A JOURNAL ON YOGIC LIFESTYLE, MYSTICAL TRAVEL & WELLNESS
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MYSTICAL
Explore 5 destinations in "Bharat Bhoomi" that ooze with spiritual energy, are still occupied by remote meditators, were once walked upon by the Supermen thousands of years back, and offer the ambience of discovering the inner self. Oct/Nov 2017 ¡ yogicherald.com ¡ 41
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MOUNT KAILAS ElEvation : 6638 M. (TIBET) The moment one stands in front of the Kailash Parvat, one can feel a chill going up the spine. Such is the magnetic aura of this pyramid shaped mountain. Tears rolling down the cheeks as pilgrims or meditators gaze at the Kailash is not an uncommon spectacle here. Those who camp here (in mountain bags) can also experience the shaping and transforming of their entire personality. Kailash is not just a destination; it’s a journey, a yatra. Famously known as the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra in India, Hindus believe that a trip to Kailash can help them attain salvation from the cycle of birth & death. It is the greatest experience that can be. Just a glimpse, just a visit, just a circumambulation of the mountain can make your birth fruitful. It is believed that 108 circumambulations of Kailash can help one attain enlightenment. It is believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva, the Mahayogi. The Yatra to Kailash comprises of an arduous trek in extremely cold temperatures that can test your physique as well as your faith. Of course, there is no question of comfort. It is the Shangri La of the Hindus, the spiritual center of this planet. Located in Tibet, Mount Kailash famously known in India as 42 · yogicherald.com · Oct/Nov2017
It is the greatest experience that can be. Just a glimpse, just a visit, just a circumambulation of the mountain can make your birth fruitful Kailash Parvat is a natural and spiritual wonder. At an altitude of over 5000 m above sea level with a snow capped peak, the Kailash can be reached via Pithoragarh border in Uttarakhand. The circuit trek around Kailash is of 52 kms and takes 2-3 days. Home to the ancient religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Bon Pos, Kailash has also been home to the first Jain Tirthankara Rishabhdeva and the Buddhist monk Milarepa. In most ways, it is the greatest destination for pilgrimage in the world. Pilgrims from India ock to Kailash every year in search of salvation and knowledge. It is believed that whoever comes to this place with pure faith goes back with an open heart and a possible darshan of the great Lord Shiva. However researchers
from Russia way back during the World War II claimed that Mount Kailash was a pyramid and it was located in the center of 108 such pyramids. According to the Puranas of Hinduism, this Mountain is the one that has been referred to as Meru Parvat and is the center of the Universe. Thus it has also been termed as the Axis Mundi by some. Summers are ideal for a visit. Upon reaching this place, you can either stay in a mountain camp or board at the Ashtapada guest house. It is always advisable to plan all permits, pilgrimage circuit treks, stay, and commutation through a specialist travel agency or the much reputed Kailash Mansarovar Yatra organized by the MEA.
Lake Mansarovar
Oct/Nov 2017 · yogicherald.com · 43
Om Mani Padme Hum
SISSU ALTITUDE : 3120 M. (Lahaul)
T
he journey from Kullu to Leh is a lifetime experience in itself. Kullu is known as ‘Devalaya’ (land of the lords) and along with Manali, it is a beaut with the gentle Beas River and a spring at almost every step. But when one hikes the Rohtang Pass, the heights of the Himalaya scare you for the first time. Coming down from Rohtang, one enters the Lahaul & Spiti region of Himachal Pradesh which is getting more and more popular with the tourists these days. Sissu, a small remote town is located in the Lahaul valley at an altitude of 3120 m above sea level. It is an unexplored destination in this region. One can camp in Sissu on the banks of the Chandra River just 50 m from an amazing waterfall
44 · yogicherald.com · Oct/Nov 2017
“Palden Lhamo Dhar”. The swiss camp accommodation here is quite comfortable and warm. While meditating in the open, one can feel the vibration of the waterfall that is considered very sacred here. You can even listen to the vibration of the fall during a state of sleep in the night. Evenings, though cold, are a paradise under the starry sky. Sissu as well as nearby Sarchu are actually famous for their starlit skies in the night. Just hope that the clouds don’t obstruct the view. On a sunny day, when you step out of your camp, the scenery around can actually generate immaculate bliss within you. The huge mountains on your face can actually remind you of Gangotri if
While meditating in the open, one can feel the vibration of the waterfall that is considered very sacred here. You can even listen to the vibration of the fall during a state of sleep in the night.
you ever have been. The snow capped peaks around are a magnificent sight. A trek to the waterfall can kick-start the day on a grand note. For the adventure friendly and physically fit, there lies the option of trekking to the snow clad region called Darcha. There is a small lake nearby as well with lots of space for bonfire and other activities. Starry nights, Sunny days, Mystical Waterfall, Remote
surroundings, Quiet Gompa, and Inner vibrations make a trip to Sissu wanting for more and perhaps the most soul touching experience of your life. Lahaul remains cut-off from outside the world till mid June due to heavy snowfall and closing of Rohtang Pass. The ideal time to visit Sissu is during the summers.
Oct/Nov 2017 · yogicherald.com · 45
Mahamastakabhishekham Lord Rama performed the abhishek of Lord Shiva's lingam here (Ramanath Swamy temple today) upon the instructions of Agastya Muni after having slayed the demon king Ravana to absolve himself off the sin of killing a Brahmin.
RAMESHWARAM witnessing The ramsetu (adam's bridge)
R
ameswaram is like a small island but a major Pilgrim Centre located around 550 kms from Chennai. It is said that on his return from Ceylon after defeating Ravan in Lanka, Sri Ram offered his repentance prayer to Lord Shiva to absolve his sins that he had committed by slaying Ravan. There are 22 holy wells (Theertham) in the temple and it is believed that the number of wells denotes 22 arrows in Ram's quiver. It is believed that bathing in 22 wells and Darshan of Ramanatha Swamy will absolve oneself from all sins. The journey to 22 Holy Theerthams starts with a dip at Agni Theertham. 46 · yogicherald.com · Oct/Nov 2017
Agni Theertham is referred to the sea shore near the temple. It is said that Lord Ram had requested Sea Goddess to remain calm and sea is said to be obeying the same, now as well, sea was very quiet here. You have to take a dip or bath here and then proceed to the 22 Theerthams inside the temple premises. Dhanushkodi is another famous tourist spot in Rameswaram. This land piece is on in between the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. Their con uence looks like a bow and the strip of land looks like an arrow ready to be released.
Hindus consider the Adi Sethu or the arrowhead as a sacred place to perform religious rites. It is exotic beach stretch with bird life. There are small 4 wheel drive tempos on the beach which will take you to the end point. This is the place where Ram Sethu or Adam's bridge is located. This natural bridge connects India with its neighboring country Sri Lanka. This is what is referred to as Ram Sethu in mythology which Lord Ram constructed with the help of Hanuman and Vanar Sena. You can see and experience the oating stones when you visit Panchmukhi Hanuman temple.
Hampi is a 7 hour drive from Bangalore as well as Goa. Places to visit here are the Anjaneya Hill, the Hazara Rama Temple, the Vitthala Temple (famous for its musical pillars) and the Virupaksha Temple among many others. Make a point to visit Hampi when you can. It's to a great degree reasonable and just so lovely.
HAMPI THE LAND OF VANARAS
H
ampi earned its name from Pampa - the first name of the stream Tungabadra that isolates the main temple area from the northern side of the waterway. The place was called Pampa (kshetra significance fix, field or zone) or Kishkinda-kshetra. In the Hindu epic Ramayana, Kishkinda is the name of the monkey kingdom governed by monkey lord Sugriva, whose sibling was Vali.
The scene in Hampi is connected a great deal with the Ramayana. The Vanara kingdom 'Kishkinda' is depicted as the area around Hampi, for the most part the northern locale. Anjayaneya Hill, situated over the stream Tungabhadra, is considered to be the origin of ruler Hanuman. In the Ramayana, Rama and Lakshman went south and achieved Kishkinda. Hanuman was the pioneer of Sugriva's armed force at the time. After Hanuman realized the true identity of Rama and Lakshman, he turned into a staunch adherent of Rama. Sugriva and Rama made an arrangement wherein Rama would pulverize Vali and restore the kingdom to Sugriva in peace.
Consequently, Sugriva would bolster Rama by driving the monkey kingdom into fight to save Sita who was held hostage in Lanka. Hanuman ew south in interest of safeguarding Sita, and the Vanaras (a type of monkeys) took after Rama to Lanka. Hampi was referred to as the Vijayanagara capital from 1343 to 1565. The Sangama ruler was instructed to pick Hampi in light of the fact that with respect to its vital area, with the Tungabhadra waterway on one side and slopes on every single opposite side. Hampi was the second wealthiest city on the planet subsequent to Peking (China) amid its pinnacle. It facilitated 0.1% of the total populace at the time. Oct/Nov 2017 · yogicherald.com · 47
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One of the hidden gems of this planet in every way - Kyrgyzstan or Kirghizia o ers canyons, petroglyphs and caves for the Yoga lovers, mountains for the trekkers, yurt camp living and a host of activities for the adventure lovers, Wildlife reserves, mineral springs and cobalt blue lakes for the nature lovers, and not to forget the footprints of the mystical Silk Road along with its nomadic life and culture. 50 ¡ yogicherald.com ¡ Oct/Nov 2017
V
oyagers to Kyrgyzstan are entranced by its natural beauty and its amazing Silk Route past. Also, its rich migrant culture, climbing in the Tien Shan Mountains, and walking around its tremendous walnut timberlands make for an enriching retreat. Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked nation with 70% of its landscape containing 88 noteworthy mountain ranges. The Tien Shan Mountains overwhelm its scene and 94% of the nation is 1,000 meters above ocean level. At 7,349 meters, Jengish Chokusu is the most elevated mountain situated close to the Chinese outskirt. Kyrgyzstan is also home to Lake Issyk-Kul, the world's second most elevated Alpine lake after Lake Titicaca in South America. Regardless of its high height and the wild Central Asian winters, the lake never solidifies on account of its extraordinary profundity, warm action and mellow saltiness. Kyrgyzstan was an important country located on the ancient silk route. Numerous old urban communities and landmarks like Tash Rabat caravanserai and the city of Osh mushroomed because of exchange between the East and the West. Its rich Silk Route history gives Kyrgyzstan the quintessential supernatural appeal. The walnut and natural product backwoods of Arslanbob are the biggest walnut range on the planet. An astounding 608 hectors of foliage and organic product make this a one of a kind and appealing goal. The region yields walnuts as well as apples, pistachios and other dry atmosphere crops. The Arslanbob walnut was the primary known Kygryz fare to Europe.
The Inylchek ice sheet is one of the world's biggest icy masses at a length of 60.5 kilometers. It is presently separated in two segments and is joined by regions of ice around Lake Merzbacher. It makes for a perfect goal for outrageous mountain climbers. An unnatural weather change, be that as it may, remains a worry like for ice sheets all around the globe. Horses have dependably been a fundamental piece of the Kyrgyz migrant culture, be it for horticulture or transportation. A standout amongst the most well known games delighted in by the Kyrgyz is kok-boru or ulak-tartysh, a variety of polo, with the exception of that the ball is a headless goat. The most popular folk hero of Kyrgyzstan is without a doubt the incredible warrior Manas who united the country. His story is recorded in an around 500,000-line epic sonnet. His engraving is obvious all around. Avenues, colleges, national parks, radio stations and numerous different spots are named after him, including Kyrgyzstan's principle air terminal, the Manas International Airport. The Gumbez of Manas, an essential landmark, denotes his resting place. Kyrgyz individuals are huge tea sweethearts. You drink tea amid dinners and at any given time. It is practically similar to a trade for water. Customary Kyrgyz bread is typically presented with tea which is poured in little delightful bowls rather than glasses. Another national most loved drink is kumis, a mellow tipple produced using aged stallion drain. Oct/Nov 2017 · yogicherald.com · 51
Issyk-Kul Lake; Cottage at Bishkek; Resort at Issyk-Kul; Skaza Canyon on the South
An Abstract in Reality Issyk-Kul
L
ake Issyk Kul. You have probably never heard of it. But it is located in the little known Central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan. It's the second largest alpine lake in the world and it is remarkable. Surrounded by snow capped mountains, it almost doesn't seem real. At over 180 kilometres long and 60 kilometres wide, it’s the 2ndlargest alpine lake in the world and one of the most popular places to visit in Kyrgyzstan. In Summer the crystal clear blue waters of the lake are warm enough to swim in and the shores have sandy beaches where you can relax and enjoy the stunning views over the lake to the UNESCO listed Tian Shan mountain range beyond. Issyk Kul Lake is easy to access from the capital Bishkek. It takes about 6/7 hours to reach Karakol from Bishkek in a taxi. The lake really is huge, it’s almost more like a sea, but on a clear day you can
52 · yogicherald.com · Oct/Nov 2017
enjoy gorgeous views of the mountains on the other side. You could spend 1 or 2 weeks exploring all the things to do around Issyk Kul Lake and the mountains beyond. To do this you’ll probably want to travel around and base yourself in the 3 main towns – Choplon Ata, Karakol and Bokonbayevo. Many people follow the Silk Route overland and spend a little time exploring the north shore of the world's second largest alpine lake, but there are many things to do on the south shore. Skazka Canyon definitely gets the prize for rock formation destination of your trip along the south shore of Issyk Kul. This fairytale canyon is perfect at sunrise as there are no crowds what so ever. It gets its Fairytale Canyon nickname from the peak that looks like a castle straight out of a Walt Disney Movie. Being there while the sun comes up creates beautiful hews of red and pink without the people interrupting the view.
Tantra at Cholponata It is believed that the site was once a gigantic open-air temple, where ancient people worshipped heavenly bodies – especially the sun – and perhaps other gods. Even today Tantriks and Shamans love this place.
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holpon Ata located near Lake Issyk-Kul is a wonder in itself. It houses the world’s largest open air museum of petroglyphs. Officially called the Issyk-Kul Provincial State Historical Cultural Museum Reserve, it’s basically a field full of these historically significant rocks (over 5000) located just outside of Choplon Ata.
Petroglyphs of the ancient times at Cholpon Ata (above); Ala Kul Lake (right); Hot Mineral Water Stone Bath at Altyn Arashan (below)
You can wander around and see the rock carvings, the oldest are over 3,500 years old that predate the Silk Road. Most of the carvings depict scenes from ancient nomadic life and there are lots of goats and other animals as well as some Turkish inscriptions. Petroglyphs spread over a vast area showcase different stories from the past, mostly of the nomadic life, but some of them have a huge connect with the sun. It is believed that the site was once a gigantic open-air temple, where ancient people worshipped heavenly bodies – especially the sun – and perhaps other gods. Cholpon-Ata means ‘Venus father’, which is the name of a mythological protecting spirit. Researchers say that near the town of Cholpon-Ata, there is an ancient place where ancient nomads worshiped the heavenly bodies and performed religious rituals. It is thought that one of the purposes behind the stone circles was to serve as astronomical instruments. Even today, modern day tantriks and shamans love this place. Oct/Nov 2017 · yogicherald.com · 53
yurting in the solitary
Waters & Herbs of Sary Chelek
I
t is frequently said that Sary Chelek and its encompassing biosphere reserve is a standout amongst the most excellent sights in Kyrgyzstan. The whole locale is called Sary Chelek Biosphere Reserve and vital to the reserve is Sary Chelek Lake. The sight is totally excellent and merits a decent period of time for you to soak in the magniďŹ cence of the place. The Sary-Chelek Biosphere Reserve has the best ecological components of Kyrgyzstan in one place, with a progression of woods, knolls and lakes. Integral to this expansive biosphere hold which is home to more than 1,000 types of plants and 160 types of edgling, is the delightful cobalt-blue pool of SaryChelek. The lake is encompassed by backwoods that turns yellow in harvest time giving the lake its Kyrgyz name that interprets as 'yellow pail'. A living space for more than 1000 distinct plants and 54 ¡ yogicherald.com ¡ Oct/Nov 2017
uncommon warm blooded animals which incorporates bear and lynx, Sary Chelek is likewise an awesome place for climbing, for watching or basically to make tracks in an opposite direction from your schedule. Where It is situated in Jalal Abad area in western Kyrgyzstan. You have to go up at 1800 m from the ocean level to get the principal perspective of the Sary Chelek Lake. The atmosphere at such a tallness is gentle than whatever remains of the Northern Kyrgyzstan while winters here is blanketed and summer is wet. There are backwoods around the lake which offer walnuts, wild apples, pears and grapes to the creatures living here and you may discover snow facial hair in the high reaches too. The view in total is spectacular to the point that you truly would love to remain here for more than a while. In the Sary chelek biosphere hold alongside the primary huge lake
Trekking and stallion riding is really worth encountering here. For experienced climbers entering the Biosphere Reserve from the north side is the approach to genuinely encounter all the North western Tien Shan. Other than nature, jailoos and yurt life can be found here in summer.
Sary Chelek other little lakes together make a welcome for the guests to investigate this lovely scene. You can endeavor to get angle shooting in the shallow waters; you can stroll around the glades and keep your pick scratch wicker bin there at the shore of the lake. There are many feathered creature species likewise which you can watch while winged animal viewing. You may take not only 1 but rather 2 days to investigate this little heaven in Kyrgyzstan.
Playing Hide & Seek With Walnuts In Arslanbob
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rslanbob is an awesome little town north of Jalalabad. Encompassed by antiquated walnut woods, and with an especially accommodating populace, it is an awesome place to simply unwind. Arslanbob lies around 30 miles off the principle Bishkek-Jalalabad Street. The street is great, and it's a wonderful drive through the wide open. Lodging and guide administrations are simple. Arslanbob's CBT base camp is renowned for its supportiveness. Homestay accommodation is a great medium to experience the local culture, know more about the village, as well as taste local cuisine. The hosts are normally very warm, welcoming and offer avourful home-cooked suppers. Arslanbob is fundamentally an Uzbek town. Uzbeks from the Fergana Valley have revealed to me that the yearly journeys their families made to Arslanbob when they were kids had a practically religious nature. It's reasonable. Spend two or three days here and you nearly feel like you've entered a spiritualist daze. There's plenty to do in and around Arslanbob. There is the little waterfall on the edges of town, the enormous waterfall in the mountains above town, and stallions to lease for riding in the slopes. Most exceptional and fulďŹ lling, however, are long strolls through the walnut woodland. There is great delight in examining the numerous assortments of apples and cherry plums which develop wild.
Jalalabad-A paradise on earth Walnuts and apricots in the wild, majestic and heavenly mountains with several lakes and mineral waters , Jalal-Abad Region is a land of mountains with unlimited trekking possibilities in the area. The walnuts purportedly age in September and the town exhausts as entire families move into the forested areas to pick them. Families hold the rights to collect particular plots inside the timberland. That would be an awesome time to be there, however it is absolutely pleasant to meander through the forested areas without anyone else's input as well.
Oct/Nov 2017 ¡ yogicherald.com ¡ 55
B
A
a. Man flying across Issyk Kul lake with a brightly colored parachute b. Kirghiz bread tokoch on Sunday market in Osh. c. Oriental dish of dough and vegetables d. The Russian Orthodox Holy Trinity Cathedral in Karakol Kyrgyzstan D
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[SPIRITUALITY]
Don't Become Someone Special. just be yourself
So long as one is awake,
one’s mind is always active. Even when one is asleep, one’s mind sometimes remains active which results in a dream. It is only in the state of deep sleep that the mind becomes inactive. By Yogi Jairaj
62 · yogicherald.com · Oct/Nov 2017
The mind and THE Pranas are correlated. Most of our diseases, which are symptoms of disorder in Pranas, appear first at the mental level. When the mind is excited, the pranas are also affected. This is evident by the fact that during the moments of nervousness, anger, etc the breathing becomes faster. On the other hand, when our pranas are weakened by hunger and thirst, we are unable to perform serious mental work.
W
ho am I – this is a tremendous inquiry, a profound inquiry, intense to discover a response to in the genuine sense, an inquiry that has been springing up over and over before a person. There are speculations that answer this inquiry. However at that point, who gets 100% happy with a hypothesis. We are continually looking for pragmatic arrangements. We trust we live in a true world where we require genuine arrangements. Hypotheses can move us to make stride in a specific bearing, to attempt and trial, however at last the analysis should be performed. If there should be an occurrence of 'Who am I', what is that test? All things considered, each time we get up in the morning, we feel our body; when we take a gander at the mirror, we look at ourselves, see the face, the entire body and acknowledge, "Truly, this is me". That is the typical response to 'Who am I' when we endeavour to adhere to our constrained existing discernment. In any case, once we dig deep, look for the root, attempt to know our character, that specific day when we are 100% genuine about ourself and our impediments, when we need to know whether there's a whole other world to me, that specific day we give Yoga a shot. That specific day, we close our eyes, take a seat and concentrate on our genuine self that incorporates the body, mind and that internal voice (with the clock out of the picture). Through the assistance of therapeutic science and our down to earth encounters, we know that our body is given various organs (Indriyas) to perform different capacities like seeing, hearing, strolling, talking, and so forth. These capacities are intentional and are performed amid our stirred state. Interestingly, there are a few exercises going on consistently in our bodies for which we don't need to apply or want. Breath, assimilation and blood dissemination are cases of such programmed exercises.
taste and smell. These components are called Space (Akash), Air (Vayu), Fire (Agni), Water (Jala) and Earth (Prithvi). Notwithstanding the five sense organs, there are five organs of activities (Karmendriyas) to perform diverse real capacities. They are vocal organ, hand, feet, genital organ and rear-end, which play out the elements of discourse, adroitness, development, propagation and discharge individually. The ten organs of our bodies - five sense organs and five organs of activities don't work alone. They can work just when they are related with the brain. In the condition of profound rest when the psyche is dormant or when it is completely invested in some profound idea, the organs don't get related with the brain and are inert. In such a case one doesn't hear or see anything regardless of the possibility that the ears and eyes are open. Inasmuch as one is alert, one's psyche is constantly dynamic. Its movement never stops notwithstanding for a minute. Notwithstanding when one is snoozing, one's psyche now and then stays dynamic which brings about a fantasy. It is just in the condition of profound rest that the brain ends up noticeably idle. Mind is one of the four inner organs (antahkaran). When the sense organs convey information about an object to the mind, the object is not perceived at once. The perception ensues only after completion of a mental process. All our past experience is stored as memory in an inner organ called “Chitta”. When the sensations of sound, form, smell, etc are conveyed to the mind by the sense organs, the Chitta casts all the objects producing similar sensations. Thereafter the intellect (Buddhi), another inner organ endowed with discriminating power, specifies the object. This process of perceiving the objects is too quick to be noticed in case of familiar objects. It may, however, be realized in case of things
The question of the outside world is seen through hearing, touching, seeing, tasting and noticing. The five organs of discernment are called sense organs (Jnanendriyas). They are ears, skin, eyes, tongue and nose, which get the vibes of sound, touch, sight, taste and smell, separately. The sense organs of our bodies resemble windows of a working through which we watch the world past us. What's more, this world is exactly what we can see by our sense organs. Yogic Scriptures tell us that this universe of different names and structures is comprised of five components (Panch Bhoot) which are in charge of creating five distinct vibes of sound, touch, shape, Oct/Nov 2017 · yogicherald.com · 63
regarding which our memory is not very sharp. There is always a feeling of I-ness in every person. The feeling that “I am the doer”, or “I am the knower” in personal activity is generated by yet another inner organ called Ego (Ahamkar). Out of the ten external organs and four internal organs, mind is the most essential, since the various organs are initiated by mind alone. In the stirred express, all the fourteen organs are dynamic. Just the four inward organs are dynamic in the fantasy state while the other ten organs (Indriyas) stop their exercises in the condition of profound rest. In any case, the exercises like breath, blood course and so on proceed with no break amid all the three states above. The imperative power because of which every one of the exercises in the body are caused and which gives life in every last piece of the body is called Prana. In view of its capacities, the Prana is said to have five divisions and five sub-divisions. The five divisions are Prana, Apana, Samana, Vyana and Udana, and their capacities are breath, discharge and also dissemination of processed nourishment, ow of blood, and infusing and quenching life in the body, individually. The five sub-divisions of Prana (Upa-prana) are Naga, Kurma, Krikila, Devadatta and Dhananjaya which are related with snif ing, compression and development of muscles, thirst and yearning, resting or napping, nourishment and development, individually. The ten pranas control and manage our bodies and deal with our wellbeing. The ailment of our body is because of turmoil in the pranas. Undoubtedly, man is a conscious being. The body does not have consciousness or energy left in it after death. The various functions of the body are due to mind and Pranas which are actually correlated. Most of our diseases, which are symptoms of disorder in Pranas, appear first at the mental level. When the mind is excited, the pranas are also affected. This is evident by the fact that during the moments of nervousness, anger, etc the breathing becomes faster. On the other hand, when our pranas are weakened by hunger and thirst, we are unable to perform serious mental work. Mind and Pranas are thus deeply related to each other. But it is the mind through which the 64 · yogicherald.com · Oct/Nov 2017
consciousness ows in the body. In the state of deep sleep, the mind becomes inactive and then the consciousness does not ow through it. The other three inner organs, viz. intellect, chitta, ego also become inactive during sleep. As a matter of fact, intellect, chitta, ego, sense organs and the organs of actions are all active only when they are lighted by consciousness owing through the mind. As mind does not always possess consciousness, we conclude that consciousness is not the intrinsic property of mind or other inner organs. The above examination has just brought up what we are definitely not. The inquiry "who am I" stays unanswered, however at this point it must be certain that the inquiry is not the slightest bit a basic one. The inquiry has been replied by the sages of the yore as well as the remote meditators of all times. They have discovered that by the procedure of Yoga, it is conceivable to disassociate totally from the brain and the pranas. The conscious entity realized in this state is called “Atman” or “Soul”. It is the awareness of the Atman that courses through psyche in the diverse organs of the body. Subsequently, Soul is our actual character. Soul in its unadulterated frame, free from the relationship of body, mind and pranas, can find The Supreme Being. The entire dictionary of life, all answers related to it, can be found within, within YOU, only if you, I, a he or a she, can take that little pain, make that little effort to shut your shop for some time and focus on your family, take care of some home affairs. The personal relations between some organs might have gone awry, the bazaar outside must have made us do things we did not want to, some toxification here and there, some extra log of ideas, fears, and thoughts that we need to get rid of. Perhaps the simple task of doing nothing and thinking nothing, just breathing will take us to that place, lead us to that internal action or kriya that can elevate us (physically, mentally & karmically) to a better state (that of joy unlimited and unbound).
The entire dictionary of life, all answers related to it, can be found within, within YOU, perhaps the simple task of doing nothing and thinking nothing, just breathing will take us to that place
Oct/Nov 2017 ¡ yogicherald.com ¡ 65
[YOGA]
rasohari Sahastrar Chakra Ajna Chakra (Triveni Sangam - Confluence of Ingala, Pingala & Sushumna Nadis)
Vishuddha Chakra
Anahat Chakra
Manipurak Chakra
Swadhishthan Chakra
Muladhar Chakra
The 3 chief nadis that meet at a point where one experiences bliss and mind purification, termed "prayag" by yogis. 68 ¡ yogicherald.com ¡ Oct/Nov 2017
The Science of moods
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e all have Nava Rasas – the nine attributes, the nine Moods that get expressed in a Kundalini ow dance. These moods are expressed through Mudras in Yoga. Even in normal life, the mudras or bhav that get expressed on our face and body showcase our state of mind and our personality. During the practice of meditation based Yoga, the rasas of trying to focus, focus, bliss, ecstasy, contemplation, love, compassion – they are all expressed through bhav mudras or Yoga mudras. Some of the mudras are healing exercises as well and they all signify something. Our hands are a source of tremendous power. With such profound dexterity, sensitivity, and utility, the human hands may be one of our most defining features as a species. Playing guitar, delivering a baby, knitting a sweater, building a house, wielding a sword, painting intricate figures: through the use of our hands we create and shape the world we live in. Hands can heal, hands can harm. One touch can convey a wide array of thoughts, feelings, or intentions. Hands tell the story of our mood or state of mind. When we feel angry, a clenched fist; when anxious, fidgeting fingers. Even plants and animals respond to the subtle nuances of our touch.
With the hands playing such a central role in our experience of being human, it comes as no surprise that many of the world’s great spiritual and artistic traditions have considered the hands as sacred. With five digits, twenty-seven bones, and fifteen joints—plus numerous carpal joints (articulation of the wrist)—the human hand is a masterpiece of nature. Perhaps, this is why many cultures throughout history viewed the human hand as a perfect microcosm of the universe.
The power of your world in the palm of your hands
Indian rishis (seers) discovered a direct connection between the five elements and the five fingers of the human hand. Through centuries of research and experimentation with techniques used to in uence the elements - they developed an elaborate system called Yoga Tattva Mudra Vigyan. This science opens up the relationship between the five fingers and five Elements, and sets forth an extensive system of mudras whose in uence is seen in many of the classical disciplines of India: dance, theatre, architecture, painting, medicine (Ayurveda), martial arts, and yoga. Since all the classical arts of India were evolving within the context of Vedic spirituality, the cosmology of the five elements and the presence of mudras are all over the place.
The Emeralds of Shakti Oct/Nov 2017 · yogicherald.com · 69
The Science of strength
A Scorpion Pose : Rising up the ladder of your apana
n Asana is nothing else but an expression of your inner energy. The inner energy that includes your Prana as well as your Kundalini Shakti is a great healer. It heals, it cures, it sustains. Shakti is a Sanskrit word which means strength. In Hindu religion, Shakti is referred to as a Goddess who kills devils and protects the lords. In the same way, the Kundalini Shakti which lies dormant within us at the base of the spine in the root chakra, if awakened, will heal and has the capacity to cure and uproot our physical and mental enemies residing within us. The enemies of our body are the disorders, the non-friendly bacteria that can harm our body. They decrease our strength. In their presence, our blossomed life becomes sheen less and handicapped, our body becomes weak and so does our mind. The enemies are born in the absence of inner balance and harmony between the elements. On the contrary, the lords are the five pranas (five kinds of air) and the five up-pranas apart from our Manas (mind), Chitta, Buddhi (Intellect), and Ahamkar (Ego). Our Kundalini Shakti is so powerful that it destroys the non-friendly elements in our body. The pranas purify your entire body and the body attains a very pleasant state. As mentioned earlier, the asanas are just an expression of the Kundalini Shakti. It is a part of the healing process. It is part of
a daily routine. There are 84 asanas as per Hath Yoga, but a person does not need to learn and practice 84 asanas in order to be healthy and pleasant. A person does not even need to learn 84 asanas to lead a Yogic life. Shakti may teach you an asana only if you need it. Shakti is your first guru. Shiva is the ultimate guru – the Guru of “Adhyatma". Your Shakti if awakened will automatically carry you to the asana or set of asana you need. An asana is a posture, an exercise that also involves synchronization with your breath and mind. An asana not only increases your strength, it also makes your breathing more stable and your mind calm. An asana is a gift, a gift of God to mankind. It can give you amazing physical power, agility, good health and a stress free life (even a longer one). But asanas must must be done under the supervision of an accomplished and well researched Guru. There is no such asana that is not fruitful but different asana have different benefits. Asanas are normally practiced in sets and in a ow. The ow is a bit fine but ideally it must be not compromised. One must continue with the ow. Asana practice if done at the right time in the right mood will never tire you, it will only relax you. But before inculcating it in your life, one must join a good Yoga class.
¬ jo;s ue% 70 · yogicherald.com · Oct/Nov 2017
SCIENCE OF LOCKS
T
he term “bandha” in yoga refers to valves that regulate the ow of pranic energy as a switch would control the ow of electric current. Sometimes called the “yogic locks,” bandhas are different ways of locking or contracting the body, and are said to direct the ow of energy, or prevent it from escaping. There are three main bandhas: Jalandhar, Uddiyana, and Mula. Jalandhar means a netting or mesh. When performing Jalandhar bandha, the chin drops towards the notch between the collar bones as the side waist of the neck pulls back. The chin can rest gently on the sternum, if possible, as the sternum reaches up towards it. Jalandhar bandha must best be done along with breathing exercises, and, is thought to regulate blood ow and energy from the constriction of the structures and vessels of the neck. Uddiyana, known as the abdominal lock, actually translates as “ ying up”, and is thought to help energy rise upwards. When this lock is performed, the navel draws towards the spine and the abdominal organs are lifted towards the heart. Uddiyana bandha is done after exhaling, and while doing a “mock inhalation” – that is, you open your rib cage as if you were inhaling while the
abdominal muscles are drawn strongly towards the spine. This bandha is also said to increase “Jatharagni” and help digestion. The last bandha is the Mula bandha, known as the “root lock.” This bandha corresponds to working the pelvic oor. It can be helpful to think of the pelvic oor as a second diaphragm or a parachute that contracts and lifts up. Mula bandha is thought to redirect the ow of energy upwards towards the heart, and prevent energy from leaking out through the base of the spine or pelvic oor. Awareness of this lock helps to organize the organic body and give it support from the bottom up, much like working the feet helps to organize the entire body above them.
Finding balance in the root
Maha Bandha, is when all three bandhas are done together, begun one at a time and then released in the same order. The bandhas are also considered by many as a way to assist in one of the yogi’s primary goals: how to channel and then conserve energy. How do we work more intelligently so that less effort is exuded and less energy is lost? How can we conserve energy? How can we get our energy, to percolate so that we can channel it and use it more efficiently? Bandhas or locks are the answer.
¬ [kx;s ue% Oct/Nov 2017 · yogicherald.com · 71
[WISDOM]
Yoga Science and
Meditation
Leonard Perlmutter, founder of the American Meditation Institute (AMI) shares his learnings and wisdom on Yoga & Meditation in a chat with our reporter. Leonard is the author of an acclaimed book - The Heart and Science of Yoga:The American Meditation Institute's Empowering Self-Care Program for a Happy, Healthy, Joyful Life an encyclopaedic guide to meditation and the Yoga Science that supports it.
72 ¡ yogicherald.com ¡ Oct/Nov 2017
People who meditate every day develop regions of the brain that can process much higher levels of compassion and awareness than the average, non-meditating brain can. These and other changes translate into lower levels of stress and anxiety and a greater sense of well-being. And you don t need to meditate for years to start reaping the benefits.
Oct/Nov 2017 ¡ yogicherald.com ¡ 73
Guru is not just a person or thing, although everyone and everything can act as an instrument of Guru. Guru is Divine, transcendent wisdom that can be known in every relationship - regardless of whether that relationship is personal or secondary.
74 ¡ yogicherald.com ¡ Oct/Nov2017
The highest principle in Yoga Science is ahimsa. It means non-injury, non-harming and non-violence in thought, word and deed. Applying ahimsa to our practice of Yoga Science means we are not to take on too much too soon. Taking on too much would not be kind, and could become physically or psychologically injurious.
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SUKHASANA The affix, 'sukh' attached to the name of this pose means pleasure. In short, this pose doesn't stretch the body. It just helps in concentrating on breathing. One has to sit cross-legged in this pose and place the hands on knees. The spine should be maintained in a straight position and one should take 5-10 slow and deep breaths.This pose helps in strengthening the muscles of hip and lower back.
ASANA SUMIRAN Yog Guru Dr. Anil Jain shares with us his tryst with some yoga poses recently on the banks of the sea at Puri in Orissa. Dr. Jain is also a renowned Naturopathy Expert and has performed 88 Yoga asanas at Kailas Mansarovar in the past.
VRIKSHASANA (TREE POSE) This pose helps to concentrate, balance as well as strengthen the legs. Stand straight with hip width distance between your feet. Slowly shift your weight to the right foot and lift the left foot off the oor. Bend the left leg in the knee and place the left foot on the inner thigh of the right leg. Bring your hands into a prayer position with the fingers spread. Focus on an unmoving object for some time and slowly release.
MAYURASANA (PEACOCK POSE) This asana has a great deal of benefits, especially when it comes to detoxification. It should be performed at the end of each asana session. It speeds up the circulation quite vigorously and tends to increase the amount of toxins in the blood as part of the process of purification. Therefore, it should never be practiced before any inverted posture as it may direct excess toxins to the brain.
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ALWAYS
RIGHT
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t first I thought it was me. It was the first one I changed at daylight savings time as it is usually the first one I look at. Later that day I noticed it was wrong, so I fixed it again. But later it was still off‌ odd, I thought. One more time I adjusted it. Satisfied, I finally had it right, I forgot about it. A few days later I noticed it was wrong again, but not by a lot. Must be the battery, so I changed it. Seemed like the right solution. But the next day it was off by ten minutes again. Time for a new clock. I like to quip that broken clocks are usually right twice a day. But in this case, it wasn't true. It seemed perfectly happy being near exactly ten minutes off. I must have changed it five times, and the battery too, and it still wasn't the right
by Mitch Rosenzweig
time. I did some tests, another new battery, and even gave it a good shake, all without much luck. After a few days of it being the wrong time, I began clock shopping. But after three stores, the only one I found that I liked was a Disney princess one, and that would just be wrong in the kitchen. I really did like the old one best. So I just forgot about it and figured what will be will be, and that someday I'll get a new clock. And then a timely miracle happened. Not a water into wine kind of miracle, but a little one nonetheless. For the past week, the clock has been keeping perfect time again. I keep checking and rechecking and it hasn't lost a minute. How it could possibly have fixed itself is beyond rational understanding - it must be a miracle!
Often our fears and trepidations can be like trying to get somewhere, but relying on broken clocks to tell us when it's time to get going. A voice inside tells us it's not the right time, to justify not taking any action and staying small. But despite being out of sync, we keep looking, hoping that this time will be the right time. There is no such thing as the perfect time, regardless of what your clock tells you. If you count the minutes that you spend waiting for the right time, you will get good at counting but never get to your goal. And even if you're convinced it isn't the right time, it might be. The best solution isn't a new clock, but overcoming your fear. And the right time for that is always now. Oct/Nov 2017 ¡ yogicherald.com ¡ 79
[LIFESTYLE]
Helping
Herbs Heal
A Healthy Lifestyle not only changes your body but also changes your mind, attitude, and mood.
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VIHAR
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AUSHADH Rasayana literally means “Rejuvenation” or nourishing the uids of the body. Rasa also means taste, juice, essence or avor in Rasa Shastra (Medicinal preparation branch). Rasa is considered as the preservation, transformation and revival of energy. Rasa nourishes the body, enhances the immunity and helps to keep the body and mind healthy. Aushadh Rasayana means the Rasayana effect caused by consuming specific herbs or formulations such as Chyawanprash, Amla , Haritaki, Guggulu, Cumin seeds, Ginger etc. Ahaar Rasayana means the Rasayana based on dietary regimen. By consuming certain food like Wheatgrass juice, Green Gram, Dates and Figs, Takra (Butter milk-3 part of water and 1 part curd/Yogurt), Almonds (6-7 soaked almonds daily), seasonal Juicy fruits etc, the person will get the Rasayana benefits.
With obesity now seen as an epidemic in developed nations, gardening represents a good source of physical activity. This means added activity for young children who often lack physical exertion, adults who need more of it and seniors who are looking for ways to increase daily movement. Gardening can help encourage youth to try a greater range of fruits and vegetables. Studies show that gardening promotes physical health, mental health through relaxation and satisfaction, and better nutrition. This backyard pastime has been shown to help prevent dementia in seniors. Gardens represent yet another surprising answer to help our declining health care system. Benefits in nutrition, activity level and reduction in anxiety are just a few of the positive outcomes.
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AAHAR
AACHAR
Healthy vegetarian food (organic, non-oily, non-spicy, mostly fresh fruits, salad, herbal juices) in a very moderate quantity properly chewed with positivity gets digested easily. Do not talk, think or drink water while eating. Relax for half an hour before and after eating food. A glass of wheatgrass juice twice a day (morning and evening) is amazingly detoxifying. Our diet must comprise of fresh fruits, salads, sprouts, skimmed milk and green veggies cooked with ayurvedic herbs. If possible, try to cook your food in a satvic (positive) frame of mind.
You reap what you sow. Therefore it is very important to safeguard your future, safeguard your samskara and pay heed to the teachings of the Masters by indulging in Sat karma (positive actions or acting in a positive state). Participating in rituals like Vedic Yajna/Homa has been termed as the greatest act or greatest karma. Through Yajna, we not only purify our body and mind but also purify the environment.
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SAMSKARA
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PRAKRITI Nature has blessed us with amazing resources like water, air, earth and sun that can be utilized to keep ourselves healthy. Walking on earth, practicing the sun salutation, performing pranayama, and drinking lukewarm water early in the morning (Ushapaan) are some amazing tools of staying fresh and fit. The foot has points for the eyes, ears, lungs, nerves of the face, stomach, spleen, brain, kidneys and many more organs, so when we walk on grass, these areas are gently stimulated, helping your entire body stay healthy. When we walk on grass we stimulate the nerve endings of the foot, where thousands of nerve endings converge. These nerve endings get gently yet directly stimulated by the grass, helping the body stay in a state of equilibrium.
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VICHAAR One who sticks to the routine of daily prayers to the Supreme Consciousness and contemplation of his qualities, worldly instincts cease to exist in him and eventually with time, faith, and devotion and love for all begin to surface. So, pure, simple, humble, patient contemplation and winning over the senses would help us proceed on the way of praying to the divine. Leaving aside worldly desires and the desire of salvation, we should pray to the Lord. Regular practice of meditation and refraining from impure thoughts, impure food, impure environment, impure people and impure actions help a person consolidate the grip of his or her consciousness over the dhyana point. 82 · yogicherald.com · Oct/Nov 2017
The more pure one’s heart is, the more he can taste the joys of devotion. That is why; one should pray and praise the Lord every morning and evening. When such pure samskaras and feelings would come out of our hearts, only then, would one get rid of his malign qualities and good traits would find place in his heart. This way, by getting enriched with the pure samskara one can get enlightened with Bhuma Vidya. Therefore, pray in the morning, in the middle of the day and in the evening, and that as you increase the amount of prayer in your life you spread the wealth and encourage others around you to do the same.
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ANUSHASAN When Patanjali says, “Atha Yoganush-Asanam,” he means that if you really want to unfold yourself, you first should learn to discipline yourself. People are afraid of the word “discipline.” Discipline is not a punishment. You will enjoy it once you know it. Discipline means self-commitment. The discipline you need to learn in this science, to follow the path for the inward journey, is not the discipline that you already have. You have to understand this subtle point. Learning in the external world is entirely different from yoga discipline. In the external world you move. However, when you want to go to the deeper levels of your being, stillness is important. In all other journeys you have to move. In this journey you do not have to move at all.
VISHRAM
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PRANAYAMA By concentrating on the breath the mind becomes calm and balanced. The lifespan of our body increases as the rate of breathing reduces. For example, the giant tortoise, which takes three breaths a minute, can live about 180 years, whereas a dog, which takes twenty four breaths a minute, has a life span of about ten to fourteen years. A regular practice of various pranayama benefits us to control our mind and slows the breath so that the higher life-force can manifest. During the practice of nadi shodhan pranayam, one has to concentrate on inhalation, suspension and exhalation at a span ratio of 1:4:2. Our body gets the supply of oxygen through inhalation whereas exhalation expels waste products and toxins from the body.
The kind of sleep you are having is a clear cut pointer towards the kind of life you are living right now. Good sleep in general indicates good health - both mental and physical. All health experts will agree. Sleep is considered by many as the best form of rest. If a person is physically tired or sick, he will sleep longer. But if a person is fit and healthy, he may sleep tight but not for very long hours. The duration of ideal sleep is considered to be 6-8 hours in the night. In the day, one can take an afternoon nap if necessary but it's better to avoid it.
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BEING FEARLESS
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here used to be a kid with no experience of any work. He was thin and fragile. Named Santhanam, he had lost his parents to one of those cataclysmic oods of the South. As the local folks say, "Godavari Amma takes away all when angry; when the sins increase and the lands being fed by the amma are polluted with the disgraceful acts of heinous inhabitants, Amma rouses in anger and washes away all settlements that had been home to many sins. All this happens so that there is a new beginning, a new lease of hope for those who want to walk on the path of righteousness." Santhanam believed that Amma had taken his parents away to a more secure place so that he could understand this world sans any assumptions or prerogatives. Santhanam knew he had to show the courage since his early days to stand on his own feet unlike the other kids in the neighborhood who had still not forgotten their lullabies. He believed that he had been blessed by amma to be different, to be special. While the other kids of the village went to school, Santhanam had to work with the fishermen and the boatmen. He felt a special connection with the river and
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Those who look at the brighter side find themselves under the bright sun whereas those who tend to look only at the cloudy side suffer.
believed that this river would take care of him providing all the necessities of life. Santhanam worked in the river, came to know the nuances of his trade from a young age, and developed the ability to sustain in life. The river teaches one many lessons, and Santhanam learnt most of them. Unlike the other kids, he lived all by himself in a shack on the coast of the river. Spending the night alone on a river coast under the starry sky, working all day for a living, the boy lived a life what may seem very tough to others. But for Santhanam, that which would stir fear in others was run of the mill. He became tough, fearless, independent, patient and calm at a very young age.
obsessed by our desires, we had failed to find happiness in each bend of time. Whoever we are, wherever we are, the fact is that we are always in a position to do a reversal. We may have hit the rock bottom in our life but there is always hope of the odds turning in our favor. To materialize this hope, we need to conquer our fear. Fear can cause panic, can make us weak, can make us succumb, can make us lose. On the contrary, if we are not afraid, if we tackle the pessimism that can give birth to fear through some simple tools from the book of Yoga, we can win. Often, it is our inner fear that handicaps us. To make this journey smooth, be more assured, the fear factor has to be taken care of.
This is not just a fiction, it's a reality we can witness when we travel to different places. We need to come out of our boardroom meetings and living room couches to understand that fat purses and blue chip deals are not the only definitions of success. Success covers a very large canvas, it has a lot of underwater philosophy about it. When we travel to different places, meet a variety of people, we start learning lessons which had always been there right in front of our eyes but being
From the life of Santhanam, we can understand that there are two ways to approach life. One is to blame the pebbles that sit tight on our path and fear thinking about the consequences of running over them. The other way is to look at those very pebbles as opportunities. In a nutshell, we must never forget or overlook the brighter side of any subject or object. Those who look at the brighter side find themselves under the bright sun whereas those who tend to look only at the cloudy side suffer.