Interview with Miss W

This is the interview I did with Miss W last year. We talked about my yoga journey and thoughts on teaching yoga, practicing and it’s natural evolution.

 

Paschimottanasana- The reverence of a deep bow…

My spiritual evolution seems to be cosmic  & chaotic. I notice, most of the time I place my energy in the seductive physical stage of my yoga practice. Often, taking my focus away from the journey to my perception of form, trying to perfect that pose . But I also find that all four paths of yoga are quietly entering my life, introducing themselves in different forms.. dancing with one another in a flowing lawful shape.

Today; it snowed all day, so I spent most of the daylight writing, researching, working on my upcoming workshop, looking out the window at the snow covered wheat fields, listening to the birds chanting, longing for the spring.

Just before sunset my spine felt compressed, so I threw another log in the fire and dragged my body to the mat .I didn’t set an intention, just wanted to move the stuff around, and let my awareness observe, giving the judge a rest.

Headstand was blissful ; this is a pose that confronts my un-willingness to see the world upside down. Last year this time, I’d avoid it, but recently it has evolved to be the one that I long to do every day .. In fact, most days I use my practice as a warm-up, a preparation for Headstand.  

Then came  Halasana.. I felt the elasticity of my spine, the lightness of my upper body, the comfort of my neck supporting my torso..

Next one up was Paschimottanasana, sitting forward bend; admittedly one of the most demanding postures of yoga. 

I lifted my arms up, looked up, tucked my belly in and folded forward, my head made contact with my knees as the space between my hand and feet closed..Breathe took care of itself.  There was no feeling of pain that usually pushes me out of it .The thought of not having pain didn’t quite register either. I was just… in the pose, finding comfort in one of the most challenging asanas for my body.

 

Flasback of a dream I had a month ago, entered my mind field. In this dream, I was in Paschimottanasana; my alignment looked “correct”, but it was the the pure joy, the sensation of “letting go of everything that has come before” that I remembered the next day and taught to myself “this must be how it feels like to do it properly”. Space and time struggled identifying themselves with that momentary bliss.

Today, sitting forward bend felt just like the one in that dream. The reverence of a deep bow…residing in the beauty of the present moment asking me to honour my experiences…

 

Our dreams symbolise the memories that we haven’t yet gently released. Just like memories, I was holding on to the idea of getting better at this pose, so it found its place in my subconscious . Today, the reality of my experience in my awake state was just so so similar to the one in that dream..

I can only hope that this was the start of constructing a bridge between my cosmic and chaotic spiritual evolution.

Namaste.

Chanting Mantras- Why and How

“Mananaat traayate iti mantrah”

(That which uplifts by constant repetition is a Mantra.)

A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of “creating transformation”. The Sanskrit word mantra consists of the root man- “to think” and the suffix -tra, designating tools or instruments, hence a literal translation would be “instrument of thought”.

Mantras are Vedic in origin. Every Mantra in the Vedas, Upanishads and various religious traditions begin with Om or Aum – the primordial sound, the sound that is said to have its origins at the time of the creation of the cosmos.

Benefits of Mantropathy:

Mantropathy can be used scientifically for healing and environment cleansing. The body’s energy and vitality are harmonised by regular chanting.

According to a research done at the Cleveland University, USA, the rhythmic tones involved in chanting create a melodious effect in the body called the Neuro-linguistic effect [NLE]. When we know the meaning of the mantra we are reciting, it creates a Psycholinguistic effect [PLE] on the body. The NLE and the PLE effects are by-products of the production and spreading of curative chemicals in the brain. The research concludes that this is the real reason why chanting provokes curative effects in us.

Also, A study by Dr Alan Watkins [senior lecturer in neuroscience at Imperial College London] revealed that while chanting, our heart rate and blood pressure dip to its lowest in the day. Doctors say that even listening to chants normalises adrenalin levels, brain wave pattern and lowers cholesterol levels. Most mothers will vouch for the effect musical chants had on them and their baby. Pregnant women listen to chants to calm their body and mind. 

How to:

A simple and powerful way to begin your practice is to take a deep breath and chant the sound of Om or Aum.  Om is the main sound, from which all the other sounds are produced; most languages have originated from Sanskrit, even the sounds of mother comes from Om. According to one of the earliest sacred yoga texts, the Yajur-Veda, Om represents all of our past, present and future; and chanting this sacred sound brings calm and quiet to the mind allowing one to enter the deep silence that represents pure consciousness.

In Sanskrit, the letter representing longer lower curve symbols the dream state, the upper curve stands for the waking state and the curve from the centre symbolises deep , dreamless sleep .The crescent shape stands for “Maya” veil of illusion and the dot for the transcendental state.

Often times a yoga class may begin or end with this chant..You can chant with a group of friends or just alone in the quiet of your room- whenever you want , where you want. A sound body and a calm mind is all you need. Benefits of Mantra chanting cannot be realised through reasoning and intellect. It can only be experienced through devotion, faith and constant repetition of the Mantra.

As Rumi says;

“No prayer is complete without presence.”

My personal experience:

Chanting has become my spiritual saga. It has blessed me with a feeling of abundance and gratitude in every walk of life.

By using chants as part of my yoga practice in early mornings, I feel the movement of my breath is softened & synced to the postures. (particularly Surya Mantra for Sun Salutations). I feel more focused as my voice fills up the environment. Sometimes I get goosebumps and feel the pure intent it brings to my day. 

I also chant Om Trayambakam at the end of my group classes. The feedback has been that it promotes a sense of wellbeing and help us bond better as a group.

Powerful Mantras:

 1-Gayatri Mantra

The Gayatri mantra is considered one of the most universal of all Hindu mantras, invoking the universal Brahman as the principle of knowledge and the illumination of the primordial Sun.

ॐ भूर्भुवस्व: |
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यम् |
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि |
धियो यो न: प्रचोदयात्

Om Bhūr Bhuva Svaha

(Om) Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhīmahi
Dhiyo Yo Nahah Prachodayāt, (Om

 

2- Mahamrityunjaya Mantra; Om Trayambakam

ॐ त्र्यम्बकम् यजामहे सुगन्धिम् पुष्टिवर्धनम् ।उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माम्रतात् ।।

Om tryambakaṃ yajāmahe sugandhiṃ puṣṭi-vardhanam

urvārukam iva bandhanān mṛtyormukṣīya māmṛtāt

Lead me from ignorance to truth

असतोमा सद्गमय ।
तमसोमा ज्योतिर् गमय ।
मृत्योर्मामृतं गमय ॥
ॐ शान्ति शान्ति शान्तिः ।।

 asato mā sad gamaya
Tamaso mā jyotir gamaya
mṛtyor mā amṛtaṁ gamaya
Oṁ śānti śānti śāntiḥ

From ignorance, lead me to truth;
From darkness, lead me to light;
From death, lead me to immortality
Om peace, peace, peace

 

3-Universal Prayer

सर्वेषां स्वस्ति भवतु । सर्वेषां शान्तिर्भवतु ।
सर्वेषां पूर्नं भवतु । सर्वेषां मड्गलं भवतु ॥

Sarveśām Svastir Bhavatu
Sarveśām Sāntir Bhavatu
Sarveśām Pūrnam Bhavatu
Sarveśām Mangalam Bhavatu

May good befall all,
May there be peace for all
May all be fit for perfection,
May all experience that which is auspicious.

सर्वे भवन्तु सुखिनः। सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाः।
सर्वे भद्राणि पश्यन्तु। मा कश्चित् दुःख भाग्भवेत्॥

Sarve bhavantu sukhinaḥ
Sarve santu nirāmayāḥ
Sarve bhadrāṇi paśyantu
Mā kaścit duḥkha bhāgbhavet

Om, May all be happy. May all be healthy.
May we all experience what is good and let no one suffer.

 

May our chanting practice help us connect with the Divine. 

Namaste,

Meric

 

 

The Power of Sun Salutations

The Sun- glowing yellow ball- our primary source of Light is not only our closest star, but it also serves as a symbol for inner illumination. 

The Sun gives itself to the Earth, our Solar System and perhaps to other Universes. It is the best form of renunciation, abundance and generosity. 

Now, it’s our turn to say ‘thank you’, offer our respects and surrender to the Universe. 

Sun Salutations; a great contribution of Hindu Vedic civilisation give us this opportunity. 

Effective use of Surya Namaskar is a real training for our body/soul/mind and the impacts can be experienced on three levels.

Lets explore them:

Physical:

Impact on EVERY part of the body

Only 35 to 40% of your muscles are used in daily activities, rest of the muscles remains inactive. Surya Namaskar is a physical exercise where almost 95% to 97% of your muscles are switched on to active mode. They remain active, hours ahead during the day, till you recharge them the next morning. It is the only source of rejuvenating energy that lasts 24 hrs a day. Therefore, Sun Salutation is considered as the best body exercise for everyone/every age group. 

These powerful yoga poses have a great impact on the heart, liver, intestine, stomach, chest, throat, and legs, eyes – the entire body. It purifies the blood and improves blood circulation and ensures proper functioning of the stomach, bowels, and nerve centres. Practicing Sun Salutation daily helps maintain a steady state of the three constitutions, Vata, Pitta and Kapha 24 rounds of Surya Namaskar equals to 500 sit-ups/pull-ups. 1 surya namaskar consumes 02.30kcal. 

Mental:

Meditation in movement

Besides offering physical benefits, Sun Salutation practice also helps calm the mind and improves mental focus /concentration.

By hearing the breath, holding the gaze, your mind will be shut off from thinking.

By reducing the Cortisol and increasing neurotransmitters like Serotonin your “good mood” will increase significantly.

The vital points (The Chakras) in the body get charged. 

Practicing Kapalaphati, Bhaya Pranam or Bhastrika Pranayam for 10-15mins after Sun Salutations can further enhance the mental&benefits. ( please practice under the guidance of an experienced teacher).

A Spiritual experience:

Adding a touch of gratitude and spirit of devotion to the Sun;chanting the Surya Mantras, your practice can reach a whole different spiritual dimension, making it more sacred and rewarding. Daily practice in Surya Namaskar is worshipping the Cosmic Energy/AtmaRam residing in our body. Hence the Surya Namaskar Sadhana stands first in all the religious and spiritual rituals. 

Do’s:

Make sure you take a shower before practicing so you feel fresh and strong.

Take the morning air deep into your lungs.

Practice ideally in early mornings so that you welcome the guest before it enters your house. Similarly, practice before sunset so that you are present when the guest leaves. 

While performing Sun Salutations; think of the Sun God – Bhanu- and move gracefully.

Go slow. Slow speed cleanses the body of all sorts of toxins, fats, and restores health. 

Dont’s:

Do not eat anything 1 hour before and after this practice.

Those who are suffering from slip-disk, arthritis, heart attack, BP, TB / spinal problem / eye sight / eye problem /sinus / thyroid /  etc including pregnant women are advised to take medical opinion before they start the practice of Surya Namaskar. 

So, the next time you practice Sun Salutation, know that it’s benefiting you at different levels and enjoy the transformation of your yoga practice, your outlook on life and yourself.

Why wait? Simply get onto your yoga mat, flow gracefully from one yoga pose to another, keep smiling and enjoy the stretches.

Namaste,

Meric