HATHA YOGA Part 1
Hatha Yoga means “Power of Body” or “Harmony of Body” or “Discipline of Body”
Major Texts of Hatha Yoga are:
1. Hatha Pradipika By Yogi Swatmaram
2. Goraksha Samhita By Yogi Gorakhanatha
3. Gheranda Samhita By Maharshi Gheranda
4. Hatharatnavali By Srinivasabhatta Mahayogindra
Initially, the discipline of Hatha Yoga —the physical aspect of yoga—was developed as a vehicle for meditation. The repertoire of Hatha yoga prepared the body, and particularly the nervous system, for stillness, creating the necessary physical strength and stamina that allowed the mind to remain calm. The word Hatha also has several translations.
With ha meaning “sun” and tha meaning “moon,” we have the common interpretation of Hatha yoga as “a union of the pairs of opposites.” A more technical translation of Hatha yoga is “force’ “determined effort.” or “dedicated practice”. Thus hatha yoga, the “yoga of activity,” is the yoga that addresses the body and mind and requires discipline and effort. It is the yoga that we can feel, that we can experience, right here and right now. Hatha yoga is a powerful method of self-transformation.
It is the most practical of the yogas, and sages have recommended its practice in some form for millennia as preparation for all the other yogas in beginning levels to higher levels.
Lineage of Hatha Yoga / Natha Cult:
Aadinatha Shiva Hiranyagarva Jalandhar Matsyendranath Gorakhanath Gherandnath Gopi Chandra Bhartuhari Swatmaram
MAJOR FOUR TEXTS OF HATHA YOGA
HATHA PRADIPIKA –BY YOGI SWATMARAM
Chapter-1:- ASANA: 15 1.Swastikasana 2.Gomukhasana 3.Veerasana 4.Koormasana 5.Kukutasana 6.Uttan-kurmasana 7.Dhanurasana 8.Matsyendrasana 9.Paschimottanasana 10.Mayurasana 11.Savasana 12.Siddhasana 13.Padmasana 14.Simhasana 15.Bhadrasana
Chapter-2:-SHATAKARMA and PRANAYAMA:-
Shatakarma (Six cleansing Acts) as a Preparatory Phase of Pranayam:
*Neti *Dhauti *Nauli *Basti *Kapalbhati *Trataka
Pranayama: – 8
1. Suryabhedi 2.Ujjayi 3.Seetali 4.Sheetakari
5.Bhashtrika 6.Bhramari 7.Moorchha 8.Plavini
Chapter-3:- BANDHA AND MUDRA: 10
1. Mahamudra 2.Mahabandha 3.Mahabheda 4.Khechari 5.Udddiyana Bandha 6.Moola Bandha 7. JalandharaBandha 8.Viparit-karani 9. Bajroli 10.Shaktichalana
Chapter-4:- NADANUSANDHANA (Stage of Dhyana and Samadhi):
1. Aarambhavastha (beginninhttps://himalayanyoganepal.com/200hr-yoga-teacher-training-course-nepal/g stage) 2.Ghatavastha (Vessel stage)
3.Parichayavastha(stage of increase) 4.Nispattivastha (stage of consummation)
Kundalini Yoga Part I
INFO: KUNDALINI YOGA
Kundalini Yoga is an ancient art and science compiled by Shiva in Tantra Yoga dealing with the transformation and expansion of consciousness, the awakening and raising of Kundalini power up the spine through energy centers called Chakras.
Kundalini has many root words. The word “Kunda” in Sanskrit literally means a pit in which to burn trash. This could be interpreted symbolically as a fire used to burn up one’s attachments, helping the mind to become more pure. “Kundalin” means serpent is identified as a goddess named Kundalini Shakti. Shiva and Shakti that means Shiva stands for consciousness and Shakti stands for goddess power of divine.
The Sanskrit word “Shakti” means divine energy. So Kundalini is the power, the feminine aspect of the divine. Kundalini Shakti is said to uncoil herself to move upward through the chakras and stir up dormant energy within the aspirants.
Many people understand that Kundalini yoga is a type of yoga. But, Kundalini Yoga is itself a totality of yoga, not a type of yoga. Any means of yogic kriyas activates for generating prana (Life force) through Nadis (energy channels) and Chakras (Energy Centers), that life force as feminine power is called Kundalini. However, the spiritual aspects of asanas and other physical acts are associated with Chakras, which is also called kundalini Yoga. Some dynamic physical acts or breath activates the Chakras also called Kundalini but it does not have wholesome meaning. Eventually, the final stage of yogic transformation through all types of yoga is called Kundalini.
Kundalini yoga is practiced through:
1. Physical practices like some dynamic, surya namaskar, and asanas practices
2. Bandha, mudras and pranayama
3. Deviya mantras as bhakti yoga,
4. Divya or beej mantra as Mantra dhyana yoga,
5. Sound/singing bowl healing
6. Chakra elements
7. Chakra colours
8. Pranava Mantra
9. Unmani -rotation of awareness via chakras
10. Symbol concentration
By any means or any keys, physiological changes are as:
1. Inner rest, relaxation, peace, and purity
2. Deep concentration
3. Activation of chakras
4. Awakening kundalini
5. Expansion of consciousness
6. Liberation cum isolation.
The activation, balancing of the chakras and awakening kundalini is accomplished by the mixing and uniting of Prana (cosmic energy) with Apana (eliminating energy) which generates pressure to force Kundalini to rise, by means Asans (postures), Pranayama (breathing exercises), Bandhas (body locks), in kriyas (exercise sets), , mudras (gestures), and Mantras (sacred sounds) and different keys for meditation.
Why consider Yoga Teacher Training?
The world is a mysterious place. We live and continue living until we become fatigued. But according to yoga we should live a life where we go on living and living but never fatigued, we should enjoy every moment that we live. This type of thing is the morals or gist that we learn through the path of Yoga. Hence Yoga Teacher Training provides us with a deeper meaning of life and helps us attain enlightenment in the sense of health and happiness. So like why get this training or Why consider Yoga teacher training?
1. Learn about Healthy Yogic Alignment:
The Yoga Teacher Training offers you great opportunities and chances to learn different techniques over and beyond what you learn in the regular yoga sessions in the world. This type of training is the stage for you to learn how to tune in with your body. You will not only learn how to make a stronger body but also develop and sharpen your body and mind connection pairing them to work together in every action.
2. Self-Esteem & Self-Confidence Development:
Learning new things in this world challenges you in an inspiring way. Many people are highly afraid of challenges and as such will rather not want to exert themselves in it. However, if you take up the challenge and face your fears, you open yourself up to new experiences and a new yourself. The Yoga Teacher Training creates an environment where you can stand up to your fear, knowing that fear is a normal sensation that can be tuned. The training helps you discover your inherent or hidden strength that can rise above your fears.
3. Discover new and exciting things about yourself:
The Yoga Teacher Training creates the needed environment for self-awareness and self-reflection. Self-awareness is very powerful for understanding yourself in a better way. When you are in tune with your body and inner self, you are able to make the positive changes you need to reflect your true self.
#YogaTeacherTraininginNepal #YogaRetreats
# YogaTeacherTraininginNepal
#YogainNepal #VisitNepal2020
Hotels around Annapurna Base Camp to be re opened from August 18
Himalayan Yoga Academy shares essential information on Hotels around Annapurna Base Camp to be re opened from August 18.
The tourism entrepreneurs have informed us that the construction work of the hotels around Annapurna Base Camp has been completed and they will re-open on August 18 of this year.
All the hotels of the Hotels were shut down due to the heavy snowfall which had destructed the hotel and after its construction it will be operated from 18th of August. Hotel entrepreneur of Annapurna Base Camp JB Gurung said that there was delay in the construction work as there was difficulty in bringing the materials required and they had to bring the necessary materials through donkeys, helicopters and potters.
All hotels in the area had been shut down since March this year following heavy snowfall, which destroyed four hotels in the area beyond repair, said Gopal Shrestha, a spokesperson for the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN). Around 4 million rupees have been invested while re-constructing the hotels.
According to TAAN, trekkers had to find accommodation and food at Machhapuchhre Basecamp before heading to Annapurna. With the opening of the hotels, trekkers can directly go to Annapurna Base Camp. A hotel in the area can accommodate up to 50 people during the peak season.
Foundations for Yoga Teacher Training Course in HYA
Introduction: Foundations for Yoga Teacher Training Course in HYA
Yogah, a Sanskrit word is a state of no mind level. “Yoga is gaining popularity in all parts of the world but the understanding levels of the public is different. It is considered a modern physical exercise, and even Yoga practitioners and Instructors misunderstand the truth. Yoga is not done but is achieved after dedicated practice regularly.
Yoga normally represents different means or techniques, known as yogic kriyas. Yoga is saadya, achieved from sadhana (Spiritual Practice) of Saadhaka (Practitioner). Saadhaka uses sadhana (Means) for union or harmony which is one level of the goal of the yogic journey. On the yogic level, it is the boon of sickness. It is the fashion of the day for fitness for common people. A restless mind converts into solace. It is the intelligence project for memory, creativity, and consciousness for some levels of people. It is the spiritual sadhana for yoga or Samadhi.
Objectives of the Yoga Course :
Understanding of Yoga
Definitions of Yoga
Application of Yoga
The Root of Yoga:
The term Yogah has its verbal root is ‘Yuj’ in Sanskrit. Yuj means to join. Yujyate anena iti yogah”. Yoga is that which joins more than two issues, two energies, and two existences for oneness. In the spiritual sense, it is the joining of Jivatma (Lower self/ individual self) and Paramatma (Higher self /Universal self). It is an expansion of the narrow constricted egoistic personality to an all-pervasive, eternal, and blissful state of truth.
Paatajala Yoga Darshana is one among the six systems of Eastern philosophy known as Shatadarshanas. One of the great Rishis/ Seer named Patanjali compiled the essential features and principles of yoga in the form of sutras (aphorisms) and made a great contribution to the field of Yoga and spiritualism. According to Patanjali, Yoga is the union of conscious processes of gaining mastery over the mind.
The first reference sacred text of Yoga is Rig Veda which is the first sacred text of the World. Bhagavad Geeta and Upanishads portrayed the scope of yoga as a more comprehensive approach. Generally, there is a growth process due to interactions with nature in all creations. Man, endowed with discrimination power, conscious thinking faculty, the mind, wisdom, and well-developed voluntary control systems, aspires to accelerate his growth in his entirety. Yoga is that systematic conscious process that can compress the process of man’s growth greatly.
Definitions: Foundations for Yoga Teacher Training Course
The only authentic and common definition in Yoga Darshana by Patanjali is “Yogashchittavrittinirodhah”, and the cessation of mind fluctuations in chitta is Yoga. The easy way to understand yoga is a state of processing of gaining control over the mind. By so controlling the mind we reach our original state and then the seers establish themselves in their causal state. These are the techniques of mind control prescribed by Maharshi Patanjali.
In action, Yoga is a special skill that makes the mind deepen its subtler state: “Yogah Karmashu Kaushalam” –B.G.-2.50.Yoga is the dexterity in action. The dexterity is in maintaining the process of body and mind relaxation and awareness in action. Efficiency in action is its outcome. Yoga is a skillful science of gaining mastery over the mind.
Application of Yoga:
Yoga is a completely experimental science, but not a physical approach. Physically just 10% is a practical approach and the rest ethical, literal and entirety experiment and also acknowledging experiment, self-realizing process, etc.
The traditional paths for Yoga experiments are Hatha yoga, Mantra Yoga, Laya Yoga, and Raja Yoga; similarly Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Dhyana Yoga. Ashtanga and Kundalini are their modified and integrated versions. Ultimately Ashtanga is itself the totality of Yoga; it is not one path or type of yoga.
Various Highlights of the Yoga teacher training in Nepal :
- Alignment correction
- Prayer as chants in Bhakti yoga, ethical ways of yoga
- Warm-up exercise
- Stretching phase
- Postures,
- Bandhas as physical discipline
- Pranayamas, Mudras
- Yoga Nidra, for ethical mind as a bridge to enter
- Meditation as Dhyana yoga with hundreds of techniques
Janai Purnima
Janai Purnima is a Hindu festival celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Bhadra according to the Hindu lunar calendar. On this day, Hindu men from the Brahmin and Chhetri communities take their annual ritual bath and change their “Janai” or sacred thread while people throng Shiva temples in different parts of the country. This day is also celebrated as Raksha Bandhan with people from different communities tying “Doro”, a sacred thread, around their wrist to protect themselves from disease and fear.
The Newar community, meanwhile, celebrates the day as Gunhi Punhi where they have family gatherings. They prepare a special dish called Kwati (a soup made from a mix of nine different types of sprouted beans) and other delicacies.
It is also a great opportunity to observe the ancient shaman culture of Nepal. The shamans of the Kathmandu Valley and other parts of Nepal gather to perform their ancient rites in places like Kumbeshwar in Patan, Gosainkunda in Langtang, and Charikot in Dolakha.
#VisitNepal2020 #NepalNOW #LifeTimeExperience #OnceIsNotEnough #JanaiPurnima #rakshyabandhan #Nepal #Festival #Culture #Nepaltradition #YogainNepal #YogaTeacherTrainingNepal #YogainHimalayas
Can Yoga Save Our Schools One Teacher at a Time
Can yoga save our schools One teacher at a Time? By giving teachers the tools to cope with the sometimes overwhelming stress of educating children, especially in under-resourced communities, Breathe For Change thinks it can. The organization launched last year by Teachers for Teachers is on a mission to reduce teacher stress and burnout. Through wellness practices like yoga and mindfulness, they’re already seeing encouraging results in communities across the nation.
“Teacher burnout is a huge problem in our country today,” says Sam Levine, Director of Partnerships for Breathe For Change and a former teacher in the Washington, D.C. area. “Seventy-three percent of teachers report feeling extreme levels of physical, mental, and emotional stress, yet our current education system is not prioritizing their well-being.
As a result, teachers are leaving the profession in droves, with some studies estimating that 50 percent leave in the first five years. Many who do stay in the profession become burned out, which research shows has a significant negative impact on student learning. If we want to sustainably improve our education system, we need to focus on the health and well-being of our teachers.”
Breathe For Change’s founder, Dr. Ilana Nankin, was a pre-K teacher herself at a low-income Spanish dual-immersion elementary school in San Francisco when she found yoga to help her deal with the daily stresses she faced as a new teacher. She began to implement mind-body practices in her classroom, creating a peace corner in her room and leading group breathing exercises during transitions. Students became incredibly engaged and better able to focus their minds and regulate their emotions, she says. “My students would always ask, ‘When is yoga time?’” Nankin recalls. “And as soon as we practiced our mindful movement, my students would calm down and focus in ways that seemed impossible before.”
Inspired, Nankin went back to school at the University of Wisconsin’s School of Education to pursue her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction. While conducting research for her dissertation, she realized how prevalent the issue of teacher stress and burnout is — and how much it negatively impacts teaching and learning. “I think my 4-year-old pre-k superstar, Patrick, put it best,” Nankin says. “He once told me, ‘In a community, first you have to love yourself. Because if you don’t love yourself, you can’t love anybody else.'” Through Breathe For Change, Nankin has now made it her life’s mission to ensure that teachers everywhere are supported in taking care of themselves, so that they can provide the best possible education for their students.
How to Get Certified: Yoga Save Our Schools
https://himalayanyoganepal.com/200hr-yoga-teacher-training-course-nepal/
Mantras for Daily Life
Himalayan Yoga Academy presents an article on Mantras for Daily Life which is described below with its types.
Types of Mantra: Mantras for daily life
- Pranava Mantra
- Deviya Mantra
- Divya Mantra
- Pranava Mantra-the hymn of the universe i.e. AUM or OM
Om – often referred to as the hymn of the universe is considered the ultimate vibration because it contains every vibration that has ever existed and every vibration that will ever exist. It’s pure yoga – union.
Literally, Om, the universal sound, is first mentioned in the twelve verses of the ancient Vedic text the Mandukya Upanishads, which explains the three basic states of consciousness: waking, sleeping, and dreaming. In its original spelling and pronunciation, AUM (pronounced ahhhh-uhhhh-mmmmm) is a blending of those three states of consciousness into the one-ness of three distinct syllables: A, U, and M. These three vibrations also represent the three stages of life: birth, living, and death. When the three individual vibrations are combined, a fourth vibration is created like a chord in music made up of individual notes. AUM (pronounced ahhhhhh–uhhhhhh–mmhhmm) represents the fourth state of consciousness – transcendent consciousness or turiya – what we call enlightenment or oneness. In Vedanta, it’s the unity of the divine made up of its three components: creation; preservation; destruction (and rebirth). Chanting Om (out loud or silently) is an ideal reminder of our universality.
- Deviya Mantra–
Chanting mantra for prayer and worshiping purposed to explore devotion, good senses, and feelings. E.g.
“Om Sahanavavatu, SahanouBhunaktu,
SahaViryamKaravavahai,
Tejasvinavadhistamastu Ma Vidvisavahai”
Om Shantih! Shantih!! Shantih!!!
Meaning: May He protect us both Master and Disciple! May he nourish us both! May we both work together with great energy! May our study be enlightening and fruitful! May we not hate each other! Om Peace! Peace!! Peace!!!
- Divya Mantra: divine sounds/ words – specially recitation for Dhyana Yoga; Mantra Dhyana Yoga, Kundalini Yoga; Raja Yoga
E.g.
Rim; Krim; Shrim; Lrim; Brham; Yam; Hum; Rham; Rhim; Klim; Hreem; Swaha;
Chanra and beej mantra:
Mooladhaara chakra – Lam
Swadhisthaana Chakra _ Vam
Manipura – Ram
Anaahata – Yam
Vishuddhi Chakra – Ham
Ajna Chakra – Om
Sahasraha Chakra – AUM
Ways of Mantra Chanting or Recitation for Dhyana (Meditation)
- VaachikaJapa (Verbal) –Chanting by loudly
- UpaanshuJapa (whispering) – chanting by internally with low action and effort
- ManasikJapa ( Mental/ reminded) – reciting or reminding with action less or motionless
- Aajapa Japa ( Hearing inner sound) – hearing inner sounds like breath sound, heart sound, any inner vibrations. Inhaled sound is “SO’ and exhaled sound is ‘Ham’. Mantra ‘SOHAM’ is very common in beginning.
Types of Mala – 108 beads as significant in all sacred texts and 1 sumeru bead.
Religions in Nepal
Abstract: Religions in Nepal
Nepal is a mountainous country consisting of vast diversity in culture, nature, tradition, caste, language religion etc. There are 124 languages spoken in Nepal. These languages differ from one ethnic group to another ethnic group. Various religions prevailing in Nepal are:
- Hinduism, majority religion
Nepalese are mostly Hindu, accounting for nearly 80% of the total population, which explains the cows that you will often see walking in the middle of the street, avoided by cars and pedestrians. But more than that, we can find many temples dedicated to the main Hindu gods scattered throughout the country and many images of these gods are also exhibited in all kinds of places, from offices to private homes, including public transport.
At least you will need to know the three main ones: “Brahma represents the creation of the world”, “Vishnu protection of world”, and “Shiva destruction and transformation of the world”. Many more are added, and the list is almost infinite. Religion is scrupulously respected, and it is common to see Nepalese stop to make a brief prayer before a temple, an idol, or a sacred object before returning to their path.
Be careful and ask around before taking photographs or even approaching some religious buildings, whose sacredness makes them untouchable by unbelievers. Finally, one of the fundamental principles of Hinduism is the idea of karma: good or bad actions influence the conditions of life during reincarnation. It is therefore common to see Hindus acting generously to have a better life after their death. Yoga Philosophy is said to be born from Mountains as said in various books of Hinduism(Vedas and Granthas). Nepal Himalayas are mentioned in various legends of Hinduism as the motherland of Yog.
2. Buddhism, religion of peace
The other major religion of Nepal is Buddhism, representing about 10% of the population. You will see many monks in the cities, especially near the great Buddhist buildings of the country, such as Swayambhunath and Bouddhanath Stupa, the largest stupas in the country. The Buddhist imprint in Nepalese is very present and respected, As the legend says the Buddha himself was born in the region of Lumbini, in the south-west of the country, before going to create his religion in India. He is considered the 10th reincarnation of the god Vishnu(God from Hinduism Legends).
3. Other religions of Nepal
Among the other religions, there is a large community of Muslims, mainly from India over the centuries, as well as minority religions such as animists or pagan religions, poorly identified because few in the urban population. There is also an increment in the number of Christians due to the influence of Western Culture and some religious values as well.
Yoga & Ayurveda
Yoga & Ayurveda belong to each other like a brother to his sister, a branch to the body, a plant to its soil. Taken in context, each nourishes the other removed from the other, they can exist for a while. But will lack the feeling of wholeness and continuity and will ultimately perish. Yoga has been known in the West for over a hundred years. Yet it has only been in the past few decades that Ayurveda has come to be studied.
Ayurveda and Yoga are sister sciences of the Indian Vedic Tradition known as Sanatana Dharma, paths to the eternal truth. The teachings are considered timeless as they apply to everyone in all cultures and times. By the practice of the lifestyles they recommend, life becomes more fulfilling, leading you to specific Classical Yoga Practices. It has the potential to bring about a lasting change in your lifestyle, health, and overall outlook on the purpose of life.
David Frawley, a preeminent authority on Vedic Culture has written that “Ayurveda is the Vedic Science of healing for both body and mind. Yoga is the Vedic science of Self-realization that depends upon a well-functioning body and mind. “Yoga builds upon the foundation of Ayurveda.
Similarly Ayurveda alone is unfulfilling to the human psyche as it evolves toward Self-Realization. The practices of the two sciences as a lifestyle are necessary for the achievement of their independent goals. Yoga rests upon Ayurveda Medicine for its health implications. Ayurveda rests upon Yoga for its mental and spiritual dimension.”
Nepal is home to yoga and Ayurveda. Nepal provides several opportunities to explore both sectors of yoga and Ayurveda. We provide several Ayurveda courses in Nepal. Nepal is home to Ayurveda and Nepalese vegetation consists of several herbs that have the highest medicinal values around the world.