Nourishing the Yoga Body
Guest Speaker: Rujuta Diwekar
February 26, 2024
The art of eating correctly is Mitahara and Mitahara is Yama, the first limb of the eight limbs of yoga. This was one of the concepts about nourishment from a yoga perspective that Rajuta Diwekar, a leading sports and nutrition expert shared with students at Patanjala Yoga Kendra.
She related how Guru ji used to say, “as a yoga student you must follow Yama or Yama will follow you.” Eating correctly was a theme Rajuta built on during her presentation. She also advocated for a common sense approach to eating with an emphasis on traditional wisdom and science.
Patanjali wrote about understanding the functions of the body: existence, birth, growing, maturing, changing/decaying, and death as a means to understand the physical body and learn how to accept the changes our body goes through. Accepting these changes is a way of getting more benefit from each stage and going through life without fear of what is going to happen to our bodies. Even in aging there are benefits that may not be available to a younger person such as wisdom and inner peace. Another concept that Rajuta shared was the importance of keeping hunger alive to ensure our body is nourished on a daily basis. The person who over eats and then skips a meal because they don’t feel hungry is depriving their body of a balanced input of nutrients.
She described the three types of hunger, Hita, the well being of all, Ritu, the practice of changing what we eat based on the season, and Mita, only eat enough so you will still be hungry for the next meal.
Ghee was described as a food from India’s ancient past that can can be very beneficial to foreign students to help with digestion. And for those with colds, mixing one teaspoon each of ghee, jaggery, dry ginger and turmeric into small balls and consuming two or three every morning can help fight a cold. Using sesame, ghee and jaggery is another beneficial remedy for colds.
Practical nutrition tips for yoga students included, eating a small breakfast before yoga such as a banana and nuts, avoiding spicey foods, eating a meal such as sabji and rice after a late yoga class, and avoid fasting during regular yoga practice.
Correct eating can be informed by the teachings of yoga masters of the past and achieved with common sense, honouring traditional food practices and paying attention to nutrition science.
By following these guidelines, a well nourished yoga body is easily attainable.
https://youtu.be/3nXXg6RLMuM
Connecting with Our Oceans
February 23-24, 2024 Guest Speaker: Yaiza Santana
Patanjala Yoga Kendra came alive with colourful slides and videos of prehistoric lookingGrouper fish, oddly shaped upright swimming sea horses, elegant anemone, peaceful seaturtles and waving sea grass. The beauty and mystery of the ocean was on full display during a presentation by Yaiza Santana, a marine biologist who works for a community engagement
project on Mallorca in the Mediterranean that aims to protect, restore and regenerate the sea.Community engagement is the catalyst for the change that is needed to regenerate the ocean and restore the biodiversity that has been lost through over fishing, pollution and climate change. Taking action requires working locally, establishing public education programs, conducting research and collaborating with locals to increase citizen participation in decision making. These are the strategies Save the Med Foundation has used effectively to bring about measurable habitat regeneration.
The National Conservation Foundation was highlighted as an Indian organization with several projects across the country taking bold action to conserve habitat. Members of the audience also shared Information about some of the groups working to regenerate the Ganga and action being taken locally to address littering and cow and animal welfare.
Organizing a day to collect litter along the Ganga or other areas was discussed as a way of taking a small step to address
local issues.
Change begins with building a connection with nature, whether it’s the ocean or your local
community. Yaiza encouraged everyone to start with small actions such as picking up litter or
joining a local environmental group, and as an optimist she said those small actions will lead to
big changes.
For more information about Yaiza’s project:
www.sadragonera.org / www.savethemed.org
https://youtu.be/S3_-Fzk3_o0
Older Brother Speaks to Younger Brother
February 8, 2024
With a message of love and hope for “Younger Brother,” a Kogi Mamo from the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Colombia shared his knowledge with yoga students at Patanjala Yoga Kendra. There was also a message that Mother Earth is in pain and we need to ‘pay back’ to correct the destruction that is weakening the Great Mother and leading to our own destruction. The Mamo, Jose Miguel, a spiritual leader and healer visited the Vashista Cave near Rishikesh with his son Camilo, Siddhartha ji and Angelo Cecchi where the Mama had a strong connection and consultation with the Great Mother. A message was received through the Mama that the Ganga River basin is in pain and needs to be taken care of. The instructions needed to restore the balance to heal the Ganga River basin were revealed in the consultation. The connection between the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Rishikesh will continue through a Sewa, a sacred staff that was presented to Siddhartha ji. The Sewa shields us from ignorance and protects us with knowledge and wisdom. The presentation to Siddhartha ji was an acknowledgment of his commitment to create harmony between the spiritual and physical world.
Special thanks to:
Jose Miguel, Mamo, Kogi Tribe, Sierra Nevada, Colombia.
Camilo, Mama’s son and Translator of Kogi to Spanish.
Adriana, Translator of Spanish to English.
Carolina, Assistant.
Jose Pablo, Photographer and Assistant.
To see the complete video: https://youtu.be/WaCxGmg7j4s
Intensive Course November 2022
After remaining closed for over two years due to the Covid pandemic, the Center finally opened on Diwali, 24 October 2022. After opening the Center, the first Intensive Course took place from 9 to 17 Nov. The Course consisted of 12 Asana classes and 1 Pranayama class taught by Usha Devi and 2 talks on the Yoga Sutra 2.46 by Siddhartha Krishna. Daily beginners’ classes and Sunday children’s classes were taught by Ekta Ghale.
Europe Tour of Usha Devi, 08 – 31 July 2022.
In the summer of 2022, Usha Devi conducted various workshops in Europe.
1. Porto, Portugal. 08 – 10 July 2022.
2. Paris, France. 14 – 17 July 2022.
3. Amberg, Germany. 22 – 24 July 2022.
A REPORT ON USHA MATAJI'S RECENT VISIT TO CHINA
原创： Jade Qin 玉琼 FREESOULYOGA归然瑜珈 6天前
I just finished 10-days intensive iyengar yoga training with Usha Devi, a survivor of 2 accidents and 23 surgeries. The training was absolutely soul awakening, being intense on a physical and especially a mental level. It’s exactly like what Usha said after her accidents, it takes mental strength to pursue physical endurance through yoga.
PATANJALA YOGA KENDRA HOSTS CHINESE STUDENTS
Senior Iyengar Instructor Zubin, who teaches in Mumbai taught a nine day intensive course to 52 students, including 35 students from China. This was Zubin's third year to teach a course in Rishikesh to a Chinese group mixed with students from Yoga Kendra.
YOGI SHIROMANI AWARD 2012
On 11th March 2012, Siddhartha Krishna received the Yogi Shiromani Award (2012) granted by Prakash Deep Institute of Ayurvedic Sciences (India, UK and the Netherlands). This came as recognition of Siddhartha’s work in spreading the traditional teachings of Yoga and Vedanta in India and abroad.
YOGA FOR SCHOOL KIDS
A Yoga Camp was organized on the 18th and 19th April 2011, at St. Fidelis Sr. Sec. School, Aligarh, UP. Around 500 children from class 10-12 participated in the event which introduced them to the benefits of yoga. With a strength of more than 3000 children, St. Fidelis ranks among the best schools of the city.
MR IYENGAR RETURNS TO PATANJALA YOGA KENDRA
The police are controlling the traffic between Sivananda Arch and the entrance to Patanjala Yoga Kendra in readiness for Guruji’s arrival in a few minutes. It is now the turn of the Iyengar Yoga Centre at Omkarananda Ganga Sadan to host B.K.S. Iyengar, a legendary figure in the world of yoga and named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2004 for his contribution to yoga.
VISIT BY YOGACHARYA SHRI B.K.S. IYENGAR TO PATANJALA YOGA KENDRA ON 3RD JANUARY 2011
It is the end of December 2010 in Rishikesh, the streets and businesses are quiet, tourism is down... yet the Iyengar Yoga Centre at Omkarananda Ganga Sadan is full to capacity as usual. “Listen everyone,” Usha is smiling and can hardly conceal her happiness. “Guruji is coming to Haridwar on the 2nd of January. He has been invited to attend an International Conference on Yoga for Health and Social Transformation. It is to be hosted by Yogrishi Swami Ramdev Maharaj at the University of Patanjali. Mr Iyengar will be the honoured guest.”
GURUJI AND THE DALAI LAMA IN CONVERSATION ON MIND-TRAINING AND HAPPINESS
New Delhi, India Habitat Centre. Guruji, deciphering the Yoga Sutras of Sage Patanjali in a scientific way, explained the seven stages of achieving happiness through Yoga. He explained that when the intellect of the heart and the mind meets, the ego or the "I" is nullified.
AT THE 3RD INTERNATIONAL YOGA & INDIAN MUSIC FESTIVAL
The 3rd Free International Yoga & Indian Music Festival (1-14 November 2010) was organized in Rishikesh, the world capital of yoga. The event was attended by students from all over the world as well as various pre-eminent musicians and yoga teachers, including the 100-years old Swami Yogananda and the renowned Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa (Los Angeles, USA).
INTENSIVE YOGA COURSE
In the October Intensive Yoga Course a student of Usha Devi, Ms. Rujuta Diwekar, famous dietician and author of the bestseller “Don’t lose your mind, lose your weight” brilliantly explained methods to nourish our Annamaya Kosha (the material body that is sustained by food). She explained that proper nourishment enables us to stay in the posture for a longer period of time, which is the goal of practice according to Sage Patanjali (Yoga Sutra 1.13).
A WONDERFUL MUSICAL EVENINGON 28TH MARCH 2010
On the eve of the 28th March 2010, Patanjala Yoga Kendra hosted an amazing music concert for the delight of the yoga students and music-lovers.
BALINESE CULTURAL NIGHT ON 19TH FEBRUARY 2010
On the 19th February, Nyanyian Dharma, a renowned music group from Bali (Indonesia), visited our centre, as part of their all India tour "Dharma Ashram Yatra". They offered a wonderful and amazing performance, accompanied by several indigenous musical instruments, including gamelan, a typical Balinese orchestra of tuned percussions.
LECTURE-DEMONSTRATION AND DANCE BY MANDAKINI TRIVEDION 25TH OCTOBER 2009
Patanjala Yoga Kendra organised a workshop on "Yoga and Indian Classical Dance" by Mandakini Trivedi as part of the Yoga Intensive Course, Oct 09. Mandakini Trivedi is a Mohini-Attam performer, teacher and choreographer who studied the roots of Indian classical dance and yoga, and now re-introduces its principles into dance education and performing techniques. More than 50 students from various countries participated in the workshop conducted by her.
SUNDAY TIMES OF INDIA: 23 SURGERIES, THEN YOGA
Usha Devi walks with a noticeable limp but it is her pleasant smile that is distracting. You will find no outward evidence of the two road accidents that nearly destroyed her. She can now squat on her haunches, something her doctors told her would never be possible. She can even do the headstand, with a little help. You suggest miracle, she quickly corrects you. “Hard work and yoga.”
VISIT OF THE PALESTINIAN SINGER RIM BANNA
On 4th December 2006, Patanjala Yoga Kendra received Rim Banna, a world-famous Palestinian Singer, composer and song-writer from Nazareth. She was accompanied by her husband Leonid Alexeienko, daughters Baylassan, Qumran and son Ursalem. Rim Banna is a well-known shining star in the world of modern Arabic music. Her super hit albums include "The Mirrors of My Soul", "Kryberrom", "Al-Quts:The Everlasting", "This was not my Story" and many children albums. Her beautiful voice appears also in various films.
FROM DOUBT TO CONVICTION
Interview of Usha Devi in "Yoga Rahasya", the quarterly publication ofthe Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute (RIMYI), Pune andthe Light on Yoga Research Trust (LOYRT), Mumbai, India. Yoga Rahasya 53 Vol. 13, No. 2; 2006.
AN EVENING OF KIRTAN WITH KRISHNA DAS ON 20TH DECEMBER 2006
On the 20th December 2006, Patanjala Yoga Kendra organized an evening of devotional Kirtan (singing the glory of God) with Krishna Das, the chanting master of American Yoga, as called by the New York Times. In the presence of Krishna Das, known to the world through his CDs, such as "Live on Earth", everybody's soul was elevated and imbibed with the devotional sentiments towards that Divine Lord.