Soorya Namaskar or  Sun exercise

"This exercise is called soorya namaskar because it is practiced in the early morning facing the sun. The sun is considered to be the deity for health and long life. In ancient days, this exercise was a daily routine in the daily spiritual practices. One should practice this at least twelve times by repeating twelve names of the Lord Sun. This exercise is a combined process of yoga asanas and breathing. It reduces abdominal fat, brings flexibility to the spine and limbs and increases the breathing capacity; it is easier to practice asanas after doing soorya namaskar.
Before students practice the more complicated and difficult postures, the spine should acquire some flexibility. For a stiff person, the sun exercise is a boon to bring back the lost flexibility.

There are twelve spinal positions, each stretching various ligaments and giving different movements to the vertebral column. The vertebral column is bend forward and backward alternately with deep breathing. Whenever the body is bend forward, the contraction of the abdomen and diaphragm throws out the breath. When the body bends backwards, the chest expands and deep breathing occurs automatically. This way, flexibility increases and breathing is corrected; moreover it mildly exercises the legs and arms, thus increasing the circulation."

in CIBY by Swami Vishnu-devananda

Well... I'm back!

My initial plan was to post  once in a while during my stay at the Sivananda Kutir Ashram during my TTC (short for Teacher's Training Course). But, as it often happens things don't go as planned. 
There was absolute no internet connection at the ashram, there was not even a land line.
When I think about it now I have to admit that it was a good thing and that it makes all the sense. Plus I'm not really sure where I would have find time to sit down at the computer since we were busy from 5 am to 10 pm.
I will try to share my experience in the next posts. 
But bare with me sometimes it might seem very dry...the truth is - and this is what our teacher told us just before the graduation ceremony- that you will only feel the effects of what you did here during this past month later on, maybe once you go out of the ashram, maybe next week, maybe next month maybe in 10 years...which is not a bad thing at all! 

photo by Aiko Yoshikawa

Having come back to this side of the world I do feel that this experience was/is much bigger than what I was able to grasp. And it is not that I feel a major change in my life, after all I have been practicing yoga for the last 10 years, but it is in the little things. Change, real structural change, always comes in small doses, and gently settles in you, gaining space within you and when you realize it is already there to stay.

Slept like a rock up in the mountains with the sound of the river in the background.

Good morning!
How good is a good night sleep?

In Herman Hesse's Siddarta, when talking about Siddarta's inquietations, Hesse writes:"One needs is to find the Primordial Source in the deepth of the I, own it in oneself. All the rest is a plaint, a detour, an error."

After a long day that feels like it was several,  an uneasy feeling has set on my belly. Not sure if it is the result of tierdness or the nervousness of antecipation. Tomorrow I will be back in the magnificent mountains.  I hope that I can refocus and get rid of this feeling. It's going to be another long day but hopfully the pace of the train and the change of scenery will align my c olors.
Have the feeling that I over induldge myelf today and that I let too much of the city bustle get to me. That or I'm just exhausted.
Ommmmmmm

What is Yoga? 

Yoga means union of the mind, body and spirit with the Divine and while this refers to a certain state of consciousness both individual and Universal, it is also a method to help one reach that goal.

Based in the teachings of Swami Sivananda, Swami Vishnudevananda summarized the yoga philosophy in 5 principles or the Five Points of Yoga which make the complex teachings of yoga easier to understand:

FIVE POINTS OF YOGA

1. Proper Exercise (Asanas) - Yoga poses help develop a strong, healthy body by enhancing flexibility and improving circulation.
2. Proper Breathing (Pranayama) - Deep, conscious breathing reduces stress and many diseases.
3. Proper Relaxation - Helps keep the body from going into overload mode, easing worry and fatigue.
4. Proper Diet - Eating simple, healthy and vegetarian foods that are easy to digest notably have a positive effect on the mind and body, as well as the environment and other living beings.
5. Positive Thinking (Vedanta) and Meditation (Dhyana) - These are the true keys to achieving peace of mind and eliminating negativity in our lives.

THE FOUR PATHS OF YOGA

Along with the Five Points of Yoga, a look at the Four Paths of Yoga completes the picture to give individuals a clear sense of direction for not only a healthier and stronger body but also a way of living that promotes peace and mindfulness to counteract day-to-day trials and tribulations.

The Four Paths of Yoga all lead to the same place - union with the Divine - but help in getting there by giving options that fit different human temperaments and approaches to life. Which one fits you best?

1. Karma Yoga (also known as the yoga of action) teaches to act without egoist expectations in all endeavours of daily life ~ home, work, school. It is a good path with someone who is outgoing and enjoys a certain sense of spiritual activism to help others.
2. Bhakti Yoga (also known as the path of devotion) is a good path for someone with an emotional nature and enjoys prayer, worship and seeking God through unconditionally loving others. The rise of kirtan or singing/chanting the names of God is a sure sign that Bhakti Yoga is a growing path around the world.
3. Raja Yoga (also known as the Science of the mind) is the path that takes us on a comprehensive journey to understanding our mind and thoughts. Through mental control, we are able to gain control of the physical body and the life force energy known as prana. This is a good path for those who are interested in meditation and its effects on the mind.
4. Jnana Yoga (also known as the yoga of knowledge) is considered a good path for those with strong intellectual tendencies as it requires great strength of will and mind. Using Vedanta as a vehicle, the inquiry into the individual nature is the key to this difficult path. It is best undertaken after some of the lessons of the other paths have been well understood in order to move along towards Self-realization or profound spiritual awakening.

text taken from Sivananda website

the four principles of spirituality

“Whomsoever you encounter is the right one”

“Whatever happened is the only thing that could have happened”

“Each moment in which something begins is the right moment”

“What is over, is over”