YOGA
What is Yoga?
What is yoga? If you thought that yoga was all about bending and twisting your body in odd shapes, it's time to rethink. Yoga is much more. In very simple words, giving care to your body, mind and breath is yoga. This means that the century-old practice includes yoga postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayamas) and meditation. Through these, the body, mind and breath come in harmony with each other and that very moment yoga happens.
Sri Sri Yoga – Your gateway to good health
Have you noticed that in the 24 hours of a day, we have time for everybody and everything, but not even a few moments to pay attention to our mind and body? At the Sri Sri Yoga Course, you will get many such moments exclusively to spend with yourself and give deep rest to both your mind and the body. The 10-hour workshop aims to achieve that harmony between the mind, body and breath and correct any imbalance in the system, which cause issues like back painetc. A complete experience of yoga happens at Sri Sri Yoga.
Yoga for everyone
Yoga has never been alien to us. It's a way of our life. We have been doing it since we were a baby! Whether it was the Cat Stretch to strengthen their spine or the Wind-Relieving Pose to boost digestion, you will always see kids do some form of yoga throughout the day. It's now time to get back to the practice and Sri Sri Yoga can be your guide. Here, you will find something for everyone – be it a beginner in yoga to the practice or an advanced practitioner, children or adults, women or the elderly – all can benefit at the Sri Sri Yoga Course.
Benefits of yoga
They are countless. Whatever you may be looking for – weight loss,diabetes, better time management, freedom from anger, effective communication, or creativity at work, yoga has the answer. The practice of yoga has immense benefits for not just the body but also the mind so that you enjoy a perfect healthy state of being.
Patanjali Yoga Sutras – the classic gift of yoga
An exclusive commentary by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on the ancient classic text, Patanjali Yoga Sutras, which will enlighten you on the knowledge of yoga, its origin and purpose. Soak deep in this rich knowledge every week and learn more about the practice of yoga, as written down by Patanjali.
What is a Spiritual Lifestyle?
Regular daily meditation is the way to build and strengthen your spiritual awareness, experience the natural positive qualities of the soul and achieve freedom from fear. This process is greatly enhanced when your outer lifestyle complements and assists in your spiritual growth. Regular observance of four spiritual pillars, a vegetarian diet, and a balanced routine that incorporates physical and mental relaxation are the elements that comprise a spiritual lifestyle.
Four Spiritual Pillars
A spiritually fulfilling life is based on a foundation of four pillars:
- daily practice of meditation/yoga
- regular spiritual study
- spiritual relationships and fulfilling responsibilities
- the service of humanity
Daily Meditation Practice
Daily meditation/yoga provides the means to explore, discover and reconnect with one's self and with God.
Regular Spiritual Study
Regular, daily spiritual study provides the right quality food for mind and intellect, the two key faculties of the soul.
Spiritual Relationships & Responsibilities
Through the experience of soul-consciousness others are recognized as spiritual beings and a feeling of brotherhood grows. By transcending the divisions of colour, sex and religion, relationships become more smooth and rewarding. The exchange of respect and spiritual love becomes the basis of interaction. The decision to deal with others’ good qualities means there is no longer the give and take of sorrow, rather an emphasis on acceptance and tolerance.
Spirituality is not an escape from life’s responsibilities. You have a responsibility to your immediate relationships—family, colleagues and friends—and it is in those relationships that your ability to apply what you are learning spiritually will also be tested and strengthened.
Spiritual Service
Finding an appropriate way to use your growing spiritual power and understanding for the benefit of others in the wider community is also a method of sustaining your personal growth. Spiritual service occurs on many levels, including spreading peaceful vibrations into the atmosphere and helping others develop awareness of their own spiritual qualities through good wishes and pure feelings.
Vegetarian Diet
In respecting and caring for our bodies, diet needs deep consideration. A vegetarian diet is especially beneficial in developing the clarity, concentration and subtle focus which spiritual development requires.
With an understanding of the power and quality of thoughts and vibrations, we also give attention to the quality of our consciousness as we prepare and eat our food.
Physical & Mental Relaxation
Providing rest and relaxation for the body is as important as it is for the mind. The body will not relax if the mind is not relaxed; however even when the body is injured or ill, it is still possible for the mind to relax. Meditation is an important self-healing component when one is recovering from physical illness.
The timing and extent of physical relaxation activities depends on your personal metabolism as well as your professional and family responsibilities. However it has long been recognised that the most effective time in the daily cycle for meditation and spiritual development is in the early morning, before the routine activities of the day begin. Taking time each morning to meditate, study and understand spiritual principles and values provides both mental and spiritual nourishment for the day to come.