The Significance of Yoga Alignment

What is an Alignment?
Alignment plays a crucial role in a healthy yoga session. The simplest definition of alignment is how you position your body to derive maximum benefit from a yoga pose without facing any risk of injuring yourself or feeling any discomfort. For example, in order to obtain maximum benefit from a cat-cow stretch you must ensure that you have your shoulders over your wrists and that your knees are over your ankles. Alignment allows you to move different parts of your body simultaneously. It is important and it keeps your body safe. If your body is aligned optimally, it enables fluid and effective energy movement throughout your body.

What is the Significance of Alignment?
The first thing that you need to know is that alignment is not universal; it is very personal. It helps you develop a functional approach to yoga. The understanding of optimal body alignment helps you in numerous ways. Some of the key benefits have been mentioned below.

  • Precise alignment helps you focus on the intention of the yoga postures instead of its appearance.
  • It will help you know and address the targeted area you are trying to affect and understand the sensations you wish to create in that target body area.
  • It will help you notice the actual experience in the targeted body part while you are in the posture.
  • The knowledge of optimal alignment will also help you understand how to change what you are doing to locate a position that is creating the intended sensations.
  • It helps you realize the fact that alignment does not use your body to get into a pose; it uses the pose to get into the body.
  • Proper alignment helps in reducing stress in the joints, builds strong architectural stability, and minimizes muscular effort to remain in a yoga posture.
  • The in-depth understanding of optimal alignment helps you understand what alignment cues work for your body best. This way you can have an intention and practice yoga postures with attention to that intention. It helps you concentrate on what you are really trying to accomplish with your yoga practice. The perfect pose is the pose that best suits the needs of the one doing the pose at that moment.

Alignment is power. It imbibes a growing sense of body consciousness and tremendously amplifies your self-confidence. With the help of good instructions and the right tools, yoga poses that feel unfamiliar and uncomfortable and shaky in the beginning soon become steady and intuitive.

The study of optimal alignment involves various alignment and adjustment techniques, their accurate implementation, the therapeutic and anatomical impact of every yoga asana and the optimal usage of various props for achieving better alignment. You can learn all of this and more in Preksha Yoga’s 6 Days Workshop On Asana Alignment And Adjustment In Goa India. Here you will learn all minute details about what you will accomplish with each alignment and why some alignment principles vary on a case to case basis.

Preksha Yoga Ashram – 5 Days of Harmony, Serenity, and Composure

5 Days Blissful Yoga Retreat experience shared by Donna Torres.

Preksha Yoga Ashram is a place of spiritual retreat. It is not meant to be a getaway from life, but a let-up from worldly pursuits. This place has the potential to proffer spiritual seekers a retreat where they can spend some time concentrating exclusively on the divine aspect of life.

Preksha Yoga Ashram: A Paradise for Spiritual Healing
In the present day and age of distraction and disruption, having time to be by you, be alone and listen to your inner voices, your core, and the calling of your essence is perhaps the greatest of all comfort. This is what Preksha Yoga Ashram retreat is for – to listen to you and to think unthinkable! For my part, I have personally found my time in Preksha Yoga Ashram to be incredibly healing.

The Grand Campus of the Ashram
This yoga retreat in India provided a comprehensive stay with regular yoga sessions, clean and stunning accommodations, and magnificent meditation halls dressed in calm and serenity. The campus of the Preksha Yoga Ashram bore breathtaking facilities that were geared towards western and Indian travelers.

The Rules and the Rituals
The rules were uncomplicated, as well: no meat, drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, outside visitors on the campus. I found staying in the Preksha Yoga Ashram to be very nourishing and creative, and I would love to make time for it every year. Just five days spent here did wonders and ended up creating a long-lasting difference in my life.

There was a set everyday schedule that ashram expected me to follow. The day’s flow could be read aloud by the usual activities – an anticipated blend of meditation, yoga, chanting as well as meal times. Also, there was some personal time for work out, exploration, healing – whatever one would wish to pursue.

The Satisfying Food
Vegetarian food was served in a common dining hall. The food was simple and nourishing, satisfying, and fulfilling. The meals were very lightly spiced and didn’t take in garlic or onion. Besides, it was extraordinarily well-cooked and purified so that even the most fragile foreign stomach could handle it.

The food was flavorsome, Ayurvedic, healthful, and best of all, safe and sound for my western stomach. I could gobble to my heart’s content without distressing about how it was prepared or how the dishes were cleaned.

An Adobe of Serenity and Tranquility
Preksha Yoga Ashram is a receptacle of peace. The air here is filled with affection and devotion. Birds hum and sacred music float in. I loved soaking up the quietude and natural splendor of this garden-like ashram. I adored strolling in the half-dark along a pathway lined with the wealth of nature.

Meditating here early in the morning was bliss. The hour when the world awakes and observes the marvel of the sun was worth everything. The whole thing is washed clean, afresh, whining with sanctified energy. Sitting in peace, I could feel the sun scattering its rays across my body with a beautiful orange and gold.

Making Treasured Friends and Memories
Making friends with associate ashram guests was another delight. Meeting vacationers and locals who share your yogic, devotional, and divine passions is a pleasure. At times, the Preksha Yoga Ashram would have planned activities to take pleasure in. Engaging in such rewarding ashram activities and sharing a calm downtime makes your time energetic and heartening.

To end with, I’d say that at the point of leaving for India, I knew I was going to have an exceptional experience. However, I didn’t make out that in just five days, my life would change radically. I didn’t want to leave the Preksha Yoga Ashram. It was one of the most excellent experiences of my life!

5 Days Blissful Yoga Retreat experience shared by Donna Torres.

Journey of inner discovery at Preksha Yoga

Yoga and spirituality are deeply connected to each other. Yoga is indeed your Launchpad for a journey of inner discovery. It teaches you how to gracefully welcome and embrace change because change is the only constant in life. Yoga is mystical and divine in its own way. People take a yoga voyage for various reasons. Everyone is looking for answers to different questions. Yoga helps them seek the truth. Yoga helps you cultivate Peace, Happiness, and Contentment. It helps you achieve mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. It helps you let go of what does not serve your purpose, find what you truly seek, and restore what has been shaken, shattered or dismantled in your life.

Preksha Yoga’s Teacher’s Training Program and Yoga Retreats are a life-changing experience. The story of Daphne’s yoga journey will tell you how Preksha Yoga’s 7 Days Yoga Retreat can change your life for good. Daphne is a yoga teacher back in France. She likes to travel to India to learn more deeply about yoga. Daphne, who has been to India before, was looking for an ashram that is the ideal spot to deepen her practice. This is when she found Preksha Yoga and enrolled for the 7 Days Yoga Retreat. She came to Preksha Yoga with an open mind and body to discover and embrace something new. She did not know how Preksha Yoga’s 7 Days Yoga Retreat was about to change her life for the better .Initially, it was a challenge to spend time away and completely cut off from the world outside, from the world she knew. It was difficult for her to control her constant need to be busy and active. Then just like light shines on everyone, she learned to embrace moments of silence and nothingness. In fact, these soul searching moments of silence helped her enhance her self-value, self-consciousness, and self-realization. Daphne said that these moments made her feel more connected to her inner self. It made her feel more at peace and gave her the courage to let go of all worldly anxieties. She loved the 7 Days Yoga Retreat so much that she decided to revisit Preksha Yoga next year, but this time she came back to Preksha Yoga for one month.

She claims that something deep in her changed after spending one month at Preksha Yoga. She underwent a beautiful journey of self-discovery and enlightenment. A heightened sense of self-consciousness and self-realization helped Daphne unleash her maximum potential. She claims that coming to Preksha Yoga to enhance her yoga practice has been one of the best decisions of her life. She feels that now she has found balance in her mind, body, and soul. Daphne thanks the universe for sending her to Preksha Yoga. This is where she learned how to enjoy and embrace her favorite moments of silence, nothingness, and peace with yoga even on a busy day, even amidst a hectic schedule. Daphne claims that Preksha Yoga’s yoga retreat has blissfully made her a healthier and happier being.

Transcending Virtues (Gunas) From Darkness (Tamas) to Light (Sattva)

The Gita articulates about the three “gunas”, interpreted variously as “qualities”, “virtues”, “properties”, of which one and all consists, in various proportions. These are sattva (knowledge, harmony, clarity), rajas (zeal, activity, purpose), and tamas (unawareness, confusion, devastation). These are the three basic individualities or attributes that are present in all things, together with your body and mind. As soon as you realize how these gunas work, you will be able to comprehend better and steer your inner world and to work with what life is offering you.

In terms of activity, these gunas can be considered in the following way:

  • Tamas = inertia
  • Rajas = movement
  • Sattva = balance

In terms of colors, these gunas can be contemplated in the following way:

  • Tamas = black (the dearth of all colors)
  • Rajas = the different colors (even though customarily represented as red)
  • Sattva = white (the amalgamation of all colors)


The Three Gunas: Tendencies — Past, Present and Future

The divine origins of personality and propensity have been traced through a body of wisdom that has subsisted since earliest times. In Vedic philosophy, human inclinations, behaviors, personalities and characteristics are largely classified into three groups or Gunas:

  • Tamas — regressive, indolent, and dwelling in the past
  • Rajas — action oriented, insistent and ahead of its time
  • Saatvik or Sattwa — balanced, reasonable, focused on the present as well as on self-improvement

In the present day, every human being has each of these three gunas or personalities within. However, the Saatvik personality grants us a higher and more progressive state of subsistence than Rajasic personalities. This, in turn, grants us a higher awareness than Tamasic personalities.

Each of these Gunas has its purpose. Let’s understand it first of all.

  • Saatvik – The term ‘Satta’ means the qualities that offer love, kindness, wisdom, understanding, intellect, affection and forgiveness. So Satvik is the heavenly qualities and helps us in going towards divinity.
  • Rajasic – The term ‘Rajasic’ refers to a self-seeking desire, obsession, aggression and impulsiveness. It creates violence, competition and binds in this selfish world.
  • Tamasic- These are the qualities that block us from understanding the joy and wisdom. It refers to inactivity, darkness, steadiness, lack of knowledge, attachment and the like.

Tamasic Tendencies 
People subjugated to Tamasic tendencies are typically indolent, boring, low-activity individuals who are dwelling in the past and more expressive and grumpy than normal. On the positive note, they can also be the cheering influence in a few circumstances. By and large, they may show signs of stronger bonds of love and fondness. At times, it may become too strong for their good as well as the good of others. They are not serious-minded persons and cannot be counted upon for enthusiasm and acting to attain essential goals. For instance, dreamers who accomplish very little are naturally subjugated to Tamasic tendencies. Furthermore, they are controlled by others. But on the positive side, they turn out to be the ones who tend to be significantly involved in family life.

Rajasic Tendencies 
On the positive note, Rajasic tendencies drive accomplishment, vitality, planning as well as thinking. But on the negative side, they can push you to the extreme, making you destructive, dominating and exceptionally ahead of the time. In incredibly severe cases, Rajasic tendencies can lead to sadistic behavior. Excessive Rajasic personality may cause you to question the status quo continually — often needlessly, as for the most part; strong self-centered tendencies are driving you. Unnecessary, baseless insurgence, attempts to abandon any sense of right or wrong, and rebellious or oppositional feelings originate from these tendencies. Dominant Rajasic tendency might cause you to become shallow, fake, mechanical, insensible, inconsiderate or even devoid of emotions such as affection, love and empathy. People with Rajasic tendencies are dominating and insistent and may go to any lengths to oblige themselves or their thoughts on others.

Saatvik tendencies
Saatvik tendencies help you maintain a sense of poise, allowing you to continually tune your personality and behaviors each time the balance swings towards edges. Saatvik tendencies provide us with the power of seeking, or the capability to aspire to and accomplish the higher reaches of spiritual advancement. The Saatvik personality strengthens your moral compass, expanding your intuitive sense of right and wrong and further developing your character and strengths.

Since the quantity of the three Gunas in a person can be changed, an individual must try to move from tamas to rajas and further from rajas to sattva.

To Track your behavior and progress click here.

Life is a succession of choices, what is yours?

Shreyas and Preyas: The Two Paths of Life 

“The good and the pleasant come to a man and the thoughtful mind turns around them and distinguishes. The wise choose out the good from the pleasant, but the dull soul chooses the pleasant rather than the getting of his good and its having.”  – Kathopanishad

 

In understanding the two paths – Shreyas and Preyas as an approach to life, more presence and conscious preferences are needed to mull over the future propositions of decisions made together. In this way, the chosen path of life brings about more significant individual growth and development. Let us understand the two tracks.

What is Shreyas?

Shreyas comes from the origin “Shri.” It means auspiciousness as well as support. One technique to look at Shreyas is “the hold up of what is fortunate.” Shreyas is a Sanskrit expression meaning “something that brings light or contentment and is good.” It can also be interpreted as meaning “positive,” “fortune” or “favorable to well-being and prosperity.”

What is Preyas?

Preyas has its source in the word “pri.” It means pleasant or rewarding. Preyas is something that is satisfying to the senses. When we take these experiences that crop up from the contact of the sanity with sagacity and are temporary – to describe who we are, we follow the path of Preyas.

Shreyas versus Preyas

At times, Shreyas is taught in disparity to another approach of Preyas that means “immediately palatable.” It refers to something that pleases the senses and is immediately pleasing. The renowned yogic text, the Bhagavad Gita, refers to these ideas and supports an individual to prefer shreyas, or the eventual good, over preyas, the temporary reward.

On a deeper level, even the attainment of spiritual awareness falls under Preyas. When the knowledge we obtain from books and teachings goes on to create a character of a scholar that is rewarding for the sense of self, we stay under the hold of Preyas. In such instances, the knowledge doesn’t drop down from the head to the heart. In its place, it turns out to be a blockade to knowing.

In the yogic way of life, the term, Shreyas, is a lot used to refer to an approach to life in which instant fulfillment and short-range gratification are deferred or postponed to follow bigger goals. This is considered a unique approach for lasting bliss.

Shreyas is an unfaltering devotion to bhavana. In Shreyas, we weigh upon our feelings, emotions, and actions – deeply. In our quest for Shreyas, we stop asking what anybody else is supposed to do. We focus entirely on correcting our indistinct vision. Even when occupied in social activism, we stay dedicated to fixing our views, not giving in to the dualities of good or bad that come up from Preyas.

Preferring Shreyas (the good) over Preyas (the instant pleasure)

There are two types of things – the good and the pleasing. The good deals with spiritual dealings while the pleasant deals with the routine matters. Both these are open to the human being for approval. An individual needs to think and prefer one of them. The sensible man prefers the good over the pleasant, but the hasty man, through self-indulgence and attachment, opt for the pleasant.

Vedas advocate choosing the path of Shreyas as against the path of preyas. The path of Shreyas succeeds at all times even when it appears to go down, articulates the Vedas. And the corridor of preyas is a loser’s alleyway, they say, even when it seems to be captivating. Vedic understanding tells us that the path of preyas may, sooner or later, lead to adversity. However, the path of Shreyas will lead to long-lasting good.

Why should one take Yoga vacation?

Every year more than a few people take a trip to exotic backdrops to experience the benefits of attending a yoga vacation. If you’ve ever thought about going on a yoga vacation but call for a little additional convincing, keep scrolling to find out what you can dig up out of one.

There are quite a lot of striking reasons you must look into this kind of transformational holiday alternative instead of the typical pointless sightseeing that most retreat can turn out to be. So if you want to let go of anxiety, meet like-minded, sophisticated and affectionate people — all while getting healthy then you’ll certainly want to think about a yoga vacation.

Should you consider planning an incredible yoga vacation this time when you feel like withdrawing from the world?

Well, yoga vacations can coach you how to be in synchronization with yourself, to do away with unease and physical or mental diseases through the use of different methods and connection to the natural world. So, if you’re reading this article, the brief answer is: “YES, you must.”

A yoga retreat can turn out to be an uncomplicated trip that can let you grow and achieve insight into your mechanism. Here are a few of the primary reasons you can think about when going on a yoga vacation for your next retreat.

The charming environment would help you detox.
Any yoga retreat is going to be carefully thought out to present you quietude, tranquility, and serenity. It takes account of a beautiful environment. The surroundings you eat in, carry out yoga in, and meditate in, will probably be either out-of-doors or have a sense of dawn and spaciousness. While yoga vacation retreats show a discrepancy in their services, the surroundings will be a place of stimulation. You will experience harmony and serenity with blossoming gardens surrounding you. You may perhaps be positioned near a seashore, forest, or woods. No matter what is your setting, the yoga vacation retreat grounds will be designed to help you discover your inner harmony.

You Meet People on the Same Wave Length
One of the greatest things about a yoga vacation is the people you meet up. People from all over the world grace yoga retreats with their presence. You get a chance to gain knowledge about other customs, ethnicity, and traditions in addition to meeting folks who make sense to you. Yoga retreats can open up doors to visit your new friends’ contacts in their home country and the other way around. There is some frankness and sincerity when people come together in a yoga retreat setting. You may perhaps experience a feeling as if you’ve known other people for a good deal of time. Making friends for life at a yoga vacation retreat is not unusual. It’s a tremendous way to meet folks and open you up to the entirely new world.

You Get In Touch With Yourself
Yoga vacation retreats are a stunning way to get in touch with you when it’s the moment to take a break from life. The value you obtain surpasses back in your regular and routine life. As you’ve engrossed yourself into yoga vacation, you go back home and carry on the practice as you know how much outstanding it makes you feel. The benefits of yoga vacation retreat are immense. When you devote yourself to a day by day practice during a yoga vacation retreat, you start to feel all the benefits that folks have experienced for more than a few years.

You’ll leave feeling better.
Time and again, even the most peaceful seashore location can come with a long overlay, intense time zone adjustments, and some food choices ahead of pizzas, cheeseburgers and fries. When your target place is a yoga retreat, remarkably all that anxiety can grow fainter with no trouble. While traveling, just trying time to fit in a day-by-day workout is a cause to be bothered. Your day-to-day yoga sessions would melt away the ache in your muscles, put up from years of sitting in a confined office chair or running around with weighty baggage. You’ll leave feeling light as a feather.

Know more about our 5 day Blissful Yoga Vacation / Retreat

Find the Spiritual Essence of Trees at Preksha Yoga

Did you know that trees have a powerful spiritual presence? The old world and the new both inherently recognize the power of trees scientifically, mythologically and spiritually. The value of trees has continued to expand with the constant evolution of man and his lifestyle.
Trees massively contribute to ecological and environmental value in innumerable ways. They significantly improve the air quality of our planet. When the trees photosynthesize, they take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen that we breathe. As per the US Department of Agriculture, a single one-acre forest can absorb six tons of carbon dioxide and produce four tons of oxygen. Interesting isn’t it? Another interesting fact is that this is more than sufficient to cover the annual oxygen requirement of 18 people. Trees help in maintaining low levels of carbon dioxide. This reduces the heat intensity of the greenhouse effect. The trees control climate and lower the air temperature. They also contribute to the environment through conserving water, preserving soil, and supporting wildlife.
Apart from the scientifically proven qualities that the trees exhibit, trees also add immeasurable spiritual value to our lives. For centuries trees have been used as sacred shrines, and places of rituals, ceremonies, spiritual pilgrimage and celebration. Trees have a powerful aura. Every tree possesses a unique personality. Meditating around the trees opens us to our past, present, and future. The roots of the trees help you ground yourself and connect to your past and your ancestors. The branches underline all manifestation. They help you reach out to the Centre of the universe, the sun, the stars, and heaven. The flowers, the fruits, the leaves and the seeds of the trees offer messages for your future. The trunk symbolizes the center of your divine presence in the eternal world. Trees add meaning to our lives spiritually, mentally and emotionally. Here are symbolic and spiritual values of some trees that you may find fascinating.

Mango Tree: Mango tree is a prominent icon of love and fertility. The mango tree has significant relevance in many religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. The mango tree has been mentioned in Hindu mythology innumerable times. It has found a place in the Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Puranas. The leaves of the mango tree are used in several social and religious ceremonies of the Hindus. Mango tree leaves are used to adorn entrances at home to signify good fortune. It is believed that Lord Buddha had planted a mango tree in Shravasti. This marks the religious significance of a mango tree in Buddhism.

Coconut Tree: A coconut tree is a symbol of good health and relaxation. It is also called the tree of life. Almost all its parts can be useful in some or the other way. It holds a special place in Indian cuisine, and Indian rituals. Coconut represents divine consciousness. It is the symbol of Goddess Lakshmi and good fortune. It is also said to represent Lord Shiva. The three black spots on a coconut are believed to be Lord Shiva’s eyes. Breaking a coconut at the beginning of any religious ceremony is considered auspicious in Hinduism. Coconut water symbolizes cleansing. When a preacher cracks a coconut, he annihilates the egoism of a person. This practice in Hinduism is a way of humbling and surrendering yourself to God. Coconut also has anti-bacterial properties that are used to heal several skin ailments and infections.

Tulsi Plant: In Hinduism, a Tulsi Plant is a symbol of purity. The Padampuran emphasizes that wherever there is a garden of the Holi Tulsi Plants, it is like a place of pilgrimage. The Skandpuran asserts that the more number of tulsi plants you grow, the more you get rid of your sins. As per Ancient Hindu beliefs, every home should have at least one Tulsi plant. It is believed that the presence of Tulsi at Home keeps Yam (God of Death) away. Tulsi plant is also immensely priced in Ayurveda due to its immense medicinal properties. All prayers are incomplete without Tulsi leaves in Hindu temples and households. Yogis and mystics have known to be wearing tulsi beads around their necks to purify the mind, body, and soul.

Neem Tree: A Neem Tree holds immense significance in Ayurveda because of its beneficial medicinal properties. It has antiseptic and disinfectant properties. Hence it is used to cure wounds, cuts, boils, skin ailments and fever. Consumption of Neem increases immunity. Apart from tremendous medicinal importance, the Neem Tree has deep-rooted significance in Hinduism. It is worshipped very intensely. It is believed that Goddess Durga is a manifestation of the Neem Tree. The leaves and the flowers of the Neem tree are used in traditional Indian cooking. It is believed that the smoke of burning Neem leaves to cleanse the energy of the house and ward of evil spirits and negative energy. Classical texts describe the neem tree as “Earth’s wish-fulfilling tree”.

Banana Tree: Banana Tree has sacred importance in many religions such as Hinduism and Islam. In Islam dreaming about a banana tree is considered as a good omen. In south India, it is considered as a symbol of prosperity. Hence different dishes are prepared from the fruit and food is served on banana leaves. Banana is also considered a sacred fruit and offered to Hindu deities such as Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesha, and Goddess Lakshmi on auspicious religious ceremonies in different parts of India. In all significant festivals and religious ceremonies of the Hindus, the serving of banana plays a prominent part.

In today’s modernized world it is difficult to find the right place to ground yourself and holistically connect to nature. Preksha Yoga Ashram offers you your sacred space to get away from your hectic and stressful daily lives and rejuvenate your spirit completely. Preksha Yoga ashram is designed to provide you with a life-changing physical, psychological and emotional experience. Here you can induce a healthy and more profound sense of purpose through Meditation, Yoga, and Ayurveda. Whether you are looking for a wellness vacation, holistic healing or meaningful rejuvenation, Preksha Yoga Ashram is the place for you. Here you can embrace your existence, instill inner contentment, and restore health and soulfully connect to the different elements of nature. All its flora and set of activities have been skillfully designed to bring you eternal benefits.

Happiness and Peace – Search within!

Happiness and peace are the states of mind. We can keep ourselves and happily contented in each situation. There are quite a few people who have restricted earnings and simple way of life, and yet, they are happy and content. And some people have large and luxurious accommodation, expensive cars, adoring families, secure jobs, and good health but still, they don’t feel content at all.

Ever questioned how the code of happiness and peace works?
Happiness is one of the most misinterpreted words in our terminology. We look for this elusive state our entire life. If I only had that thing or that, if I met the right spouse, have a huge bungalow, a new car, the profession I’ve always wanted, then I would be contented. By and large, we want others for love, care, and support. We still feel that something is missing within ourselves and that the outer world can make us feel complete.

But the truth is that happiness is genuine only when we let go of looking for material and passing things and realize the lifelong joy that is within. If we wish to be happy and content all the time, it is indispensable that we learn to respect and adore ourselves. Instead of finding joy here and there, find your self-confidence. Happiness and peace follow after such ‘self-care’ deeds.

Start accepting that your happiness is linked to you and your deeds more than any other situations. Follow these simple yet influential ways and start learning how to discover joy and peace within you.

Sankalpa
A Sankalpa can be considered as a sincere desire or as a particular purpose that both stalks from a place of internal perception and intend to carry us towards our highest self. So select a Sankalpa as a central point for self-study. It will help you discover an impression within your personal life without judgment and with an excess of openness for varying levels of achievement.

As soon as you choose an intention, keep the plan in the back of your mind all through your daily activities. Every time you reflect on your actions and behavior, glance at them through the lens of your Sankalpa and observe if you are behaving in a way that is well-matched with it. If not, make a try to learn from the experience and to act with more understanding in the future.

Meditation
We meditate as we want to attain peace of mind. But do you know that we have it already? Just as our body is made up of some bones, muscles, blood vessels, blood vessels, nerves, and so on, our spirit is made up of affection, happiness, peace, ecstasy, and pleasure. Every time we meditate, it is not that we are going to bring peace and happiness from anywhere outside and put them within us. When we understand that we already have them inside us, we stop looking for it, desiring it and searching it. The starting point of our practice transforms from wishing to already having or being. The hunting process for happiness stops and experiencing starts.

Satsang
Satsang is a consecrated assembly that takes account of the discussion of truth between the folks who share a common vow. This vow leads to a path of inner peace, understanding, and empowerment. It helps in promoting mindfulness, affection, happiness, and peace all through the world. Satsang is not merely a place of worship and is free of any spiritual, cultural, religious or political involvement.

Abhyasa
Abhyasa means the usual practice or carrying out the same thing over and over again, such as memorizing or learning a trade with a goal to achieve expertise and control over that skill. The abhyasa has great importance in the spiritual life. No matter if it is in arts, learning, training, household affairs, spiritual practices or worldly dealings, Abhyasa is the fundamental key to learning, developing insight, and committing scriptures to memory.

Vairagya
Competently treating the objects of senses and conveying it to the Self is vairagya or dispassion. Look into each desire you have carefully and keep in mind that someday you have to go to meet your maker. Have down pat that all the substances you observe have restrictions, but your mind is not ready for such confines. It wants infinite pleasure, which the five senses cannot provide you. It is not possible. You only get burnt down, time and again. Before this world eats you up, grow to be free. Free yourself from this fervor that is fascinating your mind.

Transforming experience at Preksha Yoga Ashram

Yoga, like life, is an immeasurable voyage. I fell in love with Yoga the first time I tried it.

Below is how my expedition began and where it has directed me so far. So get all set to read my exploratory journey – One that pushed and transformed me and carried me far beyond my comfort zone.

My search had begun to find a yoga retreat in India that was similar to my practice in London and had a mixture of yoga styles and meditation with good facilities. After searching on Instagram I found Preksha Yoga and read the reviews of previous users, mostly who had done yoga teacher training. I contacted Preksha Yoga to see if they could match my requirements and they were so helpful and professional that I was impressed. I decided to book 5 nights, a bit anxious as it was my first retreat and also excited.

On arrival I was shown my room, a tour of the ashram and was given a daily plan, met the team then it was straight into my first class.

The ashram was very quiet with some classes having just one-on-one sessions which was so beneficial. The classes include Hatha Yoga, yin yoga, meditation and philosophy. There was also an Ayurvedic doctor on site for consultation and treatments. The treatments were great and very relaxing and combined with the classes, it gave a truly exceptional experience. All the teachers were exceptional and with so much knowledge and I personally from this experience have deepened my practice and within 5 days could do things that I previously thought was not possible. After leaving Preksha Yoga, I internally felt so great and this was also visible on my face and skin that I didn’t want to go back into the outside world. I would definitely recommend Preksha Yoga to anybody wanting a yoga retreat that satisfies your internal peace, a place with good facilities and deepen your practice. I hope I can visit the ashram again soon.

So here was me, trying to integrate the whole thing I had learned from my instructors at Preksha Yoga when I jumped on the mat at the outset. However, there is always more to discover and find out. At the moment, I’m looking forward to throwing myself with all my heart into yoga, while letting myself take a break from the folly and at times stressfulness of day-to-day life.

– By Shital Patel (Preksha Yoga student)

How Yoga compliments Ayurveda?

Yoga and Ayurveda are siblings. They improve, compliment and do good to each other. Understanding Ayurveda can help you to decide what kind of yoga practice is better for different body types and different seasons. Both yoga and Ayurveda share the same origin and goal. They have their source in the Indian Vedic tradition, and both are a means to achieve more strength and better health.

Yoga and Ayurveda are the two interconnected branches of the same remarkable tree of Vedic knowledge that take account of the entire human life and the complete world. In this regard, it is imperative to understand the individual parts of Ayurveda and Yoga in the Vedic arrangement. Yoga and Ayurveda are not just two distinct but associated remedial disciplines of India. Each one has its exclusive place and purpose, but each extends beyond the other on different levels.

The Yoga and the Ayurveda – It’s a family

Yoga and Ayurveda are intimately interrelated. And in point of fact, Yoga and Ayurveda are referred to as siblings or sister sciences. They originate from the same ethnicity, background, and society. They work in concert, brilliantly, each sustaining the other to provide better health and more happiness.

When we talk about yoga, it is all about self-awareness as well as self-realization (yeah, yoga is not only about getting those killer abs). And having a ‘hale and hearty’ body as well as mind is in a lot of ways essential for that. On the other hand, Ayurveda is devoted to the health and strength of the body and mind.

So here’s a small secret for you…

When you practice Yoga and Ayurveda together, you enhance both, your mind and body.

Yoga is a fraction of Ayurveda

Yoga is talked about in ayurvedic texts including the Charaka Samhita. Yoga is essential for melting physical hassle and soothing the mind before meditation. Yoga is a fundamental aspect to dinacharya, the ayurvedic custom. It is the ultimate ayurvedic workout, as it revitalizes your body, improves your digestion, and helps you get rid of stress.

And Ayurveda is a fraction of Yoga

In the same way, yoga practitioners can gain a lot of advantage from the regular ayurvedic routine as a part of their day-to-day yoga practice. The knowledge of Maharishi Ayurveda offers extraordinary support to yoga practice. For example, abhyanga, an ayurvedic massage can help you do away with toxins from the body and calm your muscles down for yoga practice.

Why should we unite yoga and Ayurveda?

By exclusively practicing yoga, you cannot become “whole” if you carry on following an inadequate way of life and discover yourself in an imbalance. Since a good number of diseases are of psycho-somatic nature, we need to attain a constant betterment on a healing level.

For this, the amalgamation of Ayurveda and Yoga is very important. This means we need to recognize our foundation in addition to our requirements and lead our lives in that order. Only if we think about our very personal “self” we can attain a healthy and secure base. Poor health will always instigate from instability and flux of the Tridosha in our body where our mind plays a significant role. Thus, as we need to pursue an integrative course, the amalgamation of Yoga and meditation is essential for our well-being.

As a final point, Yoga leads us on our course to self-realization while Ayurveda leads us to self-healing. So, to achieve the eventual physical and psychological healing in addition to the definitive understanding of our true nature, Yoga and Ayurveda needs to form an indissoluble union – joined at the hip.