A Report on Dental Health, Hygiene and care held on second Sunday, 9^th Sept 2012

The session  began with chanting of Aum for 25 times.

Dr Arun Shah, eminent and experienced Dentist took the session of Forty Minutes

He explained about oral hygiene by way of illustrations in the form of diagrams and the session was concluded with Question / Answer

Here is a summary of the session: 

Plaques is yellow sticky film that form on the teeth and gums, bacteria in plaques causes cavities .Daily brushing twice and flossing in the night  removes plaques and prevent tartar from forming in the teeth. Plaques can also cause irritation and destroy bones around the teeth and teeth may become loose.

He suggested raw vegetables [salads], cheese, fruits so that chewing well the same saliva can be formed and teeth, bones and gums are exercised and make them strong and disease free.

Flossing every night before sleep is important element for oral hygiene since it removes plaques and decaying food particles remaining stuck between the teeth.

Besides, he suggested that medium and small brushes should be used so that it can reach both the ends of jaw to clean all the teeth and make gums strong.Tongue cleaning every morning removes the white/ yellow bad breath, generally coating of bacteria, decaying food particles and fungi deposited over night.

Gum care is necessary .Messaging the gums with bristles or with fingers is also recommended. Chewing well is highly recommended. Chewing gums assist excessive salivation between and around the teeth, cleaning and removing the particles but for teeth in poor condition it may damage or remove loose fittings.

Smoking and chewing Tobacco, Gutka or- Supari [Betel Nuts] are strongly linked with multiple dental diseases and hence surely harmful for oral hygiene.

Oral diseases and inflammation may be a potential risk factor for systemic diseases and hence even a smaller mouth ulcer in gums should be treated in time.

There was a Question/ Answer session wherein many queries for teeth implant, braces, use of tooth paste and how to prevent serious diseases like cancer, fibrosis was discussed.

Periodical dental check up may be every six months to remove plaques by scaling could be useful.

The session ended with practicing of Dynamic Yastikasana for 25 times bringing full attention to different parts of the body and trying to experience relaxation felt therein.

A Report - Experience of Relaxation in Different Parts of the Body

Swadhyaya,  The Yoga Institute Alumni Association , conducted a sharing session on Sunday 12^th August, 2012. The subject, based on the guidance of Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra, was on “Experience of Relaxation in Different Parts of the Body.”

The members shared their experiences with various yoga practices such as Savasana, Pavanmuktasana, Hum Sa mantra, Anulom-Vilom, Sattvic diet, other physical activities and in keeping a relaxed attitude.

A practical session followed where all the  members practiced the dynamic variation of Yastikasana, 25 times with breathing rhythm and observed which parts of the body 

were getting relaxed or tensed.

Everyone including associated members who could not attend the meeting in person, is requested to continue this practice at home and share experience by sending email to “swadhayatyi@gmail.com.”

Dr Jayadeva has further advised that,

“Keeping away from ordinary exciting thoughts and trying to still it, as also of dynamic yastikasana are good ways to consciously manage the mind. To remain one pointed in a steady state for longer time will bring some  progress”

Hence Yastikasana in static pose may also be practiced.

B. L. Agrawala  

Secretary-Swadhyaya Managing Commitee

A Report on 8th July,2012 Seminar

A seminar on Purusha-Prakrti interface (or interaction) was conducted at the Yoga Institute, for the Swadhyaya Group of the Alumni Association of the Yoga Institute, on July 8, 2012.

The rain gods had given us respite, and the heat and coolness were well balanced, in the peaceful atmosphere, in this place of higher learning, where one' s character gets forged.

Nearly 45 Alumni were present....half a dozen teachers...with Ajay leading with his pleasant presentation, laced with corny jokes, that made the atmosphere of the seminar light.

Kartik's presentation, on Purusha Prakrti interface, was excellent....precise, with each idea cogently explained....

Promil was at her best, leading the group in a guided meditation....explaining important details from a wide spectrum of notes and empiric experience ...
Harry also made his small presentation on the Hum-sa practice, explaining the concept, text and practices....


There was also good recreation...and for moments I thought I was in the film city, with a choreographer, leading the fleet footed and artritic joints of the elder alumni, in a vigourous workout...it was a cathartic moment....the body responding to a creative rhythm...

The most important moment was when senior teachers who conducted the seminar were invited for a tete-a-tete (literally meaning putting heads together, a French Expresion)....where Dr. Jayadeva, communicated to our souls as it were, his vision of maintaining the spirit of yoga at the Yoga Institute.

The whole seminar was ably  prepared by the indefatigable Agrawala, a senior alumni....

Hansaji, gave her magic touch in the last session, telling us dullards, to brighten up. Both herself and doctor, spoke of the interaction between pursuha and prakrti, in terms and terminology we could understand. This was the vital message of yoga, do not get material things get better of you....keep your balance with the active presence of your soul in all your dealing with life. Pass on the command of your life from your mind to the soul, or the Purusha was the gist of the seminar.

A wonderful seminar for many of us who participated...

- Sadhaka.

Picnic on 12th August 2012

The Association is pleased to announce a one day Yoga Picnic on Sunday 12 Aug 12.

At Keshav Srusti from 9am-5pm which includes breakfast, lunch, evening tea and a 2 hour Nature Tour. It is proposed to take  around 40 members/family members of the members on first come basis.You may enrol by sending email at swadhyayatyi@gmail.com or calling/sending sms to Geeta Udasi, Chairperson / B L Agrawala, Secretary as early as possible. And make payment for the same by depositing a cheque either in the drop box placed outside the main hall of the Institute or in our bank account.

You are  requested to carry your rainwear and other personal things. You can also visit http://www.keshavsrushti.com/picnic/why/index.php 

Samkhya – The Why of Yoga

The students of philosophy know that the six theistic Indian philosophy exist in pairs and are best learnt in pairs; Nyaya-Vaisheshika, Samkhya-Yoga, Veda-Mimansa.

For the students of Yoga, it thus becomes like an inner compulsion at some point, to know and understand Samkhya.

While we worked to produce the Cyclopedia of Yoga Volume 2 the group of us had the good fortune to research the various texts of Samkhya, discuss the various concepts in Samkhya and get clarity from Dr. Jayadeva on all the aspects. It was a humbling experience. Dr. Jayadeva never allowed anything to remain a topic for armchair discussion. Through and through he made us see the practical aspect in everything. Nowhere else can one get to learn Samkhya the way Dr. Jayadeva has taught it.

We wish to invite all the members of Swadhyaya to use this platform for sharing their learning, understanding, and insights with all so that a discussion can be done and learning can continue. I am sure all will agree that learning never comes to an end. The more we know, more we realise how much we have yet to know.

Looking forward to having a good discussion taking place on this forum as well as comments on the blog of our swadhyaya group http://swadhyayatyi.blogspot.com where you will find brief write ups on various concepts. There may sometimes be just questions to ponder upon, reflect and write. We hope that many will be prompted to send us a post to be put up on the blog or even published on the Swadhyaya page of the Yoga Institute's monthly magazine.

Sharing and Learning Yoga,

Suchitra Pareekh

Swadhyaya-TYIAA Committee member-Publications

One Day Workshop in July

          SUNDAY,8^TH JULY 2012, “BLOCK YOUR DIARY.”

Dear Yoga Followers,

 SWADHYAYA 

(THE YOGA INSTITUTE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION)

ANNOUNCES

A ONE DAY WORKSHOP

ON INTERACTION OF PURUSHA & PRAKRTI IN OUR LIVES

FOR THE INSTRUCTORS AND TEACHERS OF

THE YOGA INSTITUTE

WHO AM I ? 

 INTRODUCTION-THE SEEN(?)MATERIAL WORLD & THE WITNESSING PURUSHA

  BHOGA APAVARGA

MEDITATION WITH HUM-SA MANTRA

ON SUNDAY, 8^TH JULY 2012 FROM 10.00 AM TO 4.30PM

AT THE YOGA INSTITUE, SANTACRUZ [E] MUMBAI 400055.             

 PROMINENT SPEAKERS:  Mr NIRANJAN GOGIA & PROMIL J SEQUEIRA

KNOW THYSELF:  DR JAYADEVA & HANSABEN J YOGENDRA

Registration Fees Rs 250/- includes Lunch and Evening Snacks on First Come Basis limited to 60 Seats only. Registration only by Email. Contact:  swadhyayatyi@gmail.com 

Or fill in the registration form given on this blog and mail it to swadhyayatyi@gmail.com 

                                                              

Swadhyaya on Abhyasa

 

                                         Swadhyaya on Abhyasa

 

Swadhyaya - The Yoga Institute Alumni Association organized its first meeting after reconstitution of the Managing committee on Sunday 13 May, 2012 which was attended by 28 participants at 11 am.

Welcome

Geeta Udasi, the Chairperson welcomed the participants and explained the main objective of the Swadhyaya Group, “The Yoga Institute Alumni Association is a platform for all the Trained Teachers (3/7/12 monthers) to maintain and enhance fellowship amongst the qualified teachers of the Yoga Institute, to review and maintain the bond between these teachers and the Institute as well as its teachings, to interact and share experiences and showcase their talents etc.”

 

She then invited views of the participants about their understanding of what Swadhyaya’s activities should be, their interest to remain associated with the group and their vision about their own role as members of the group.

To summarize, all felt that self development and understanding one’s own self could be possible by sharing and learning from each other. Regular meetings could strengthen fellowship and benefit all.

Recreation

The sharing session was followed by a recreation activity conducted by Shreyas Munshi. Activities like Dumb Charades helped break the ice where beautifully formed yoga sentences were depicted by some of the participants silently to be guessed by group members. Participants got the opportunity to guess and show their clear understanding and communication skills.

Topic of the Month- Abhyasa

Suchitra Pareekh had a lively sharing session inviting the group to express their views on what they consider as Abhyasa and what is it that anyone was practicing to the effect of Abhyasa. The sharing was then put into context with reference to the Yoga Sutra 1.12 where Abhyasa is suggested by Maharshi Patanjali for the highest kind of students after stating the mental modifications which occupy the mind which is not in Nirodha state.

Overview on Abhyasa by Niranjan Gogia

The overview of the concept of Abhyasa was sent by Niranjan Gogia which is being reproduced below.

"In Yoga Sutra, the concept of Abhyasa and Vairagya comes in chapter I as a technique to control the modifications or Vrttis of the mind. But practically we are hardly aware of the innumerable fluctuations the mind is undergoing. So how do we do Abhyasa to control these Vrttis?

In our daily life, we are hardly doing anything which can be equated to Abhyasa, towards control of the Vrttis. As far as yoga practice or Sadhana is concerned, some of us may be relatively regular in our Asana, Pranayama practices. Very few of us might be practicing Yamas and Niyamas consciously as a daily practice of yoga. Do these constitute Abhyasa? If yes, how they are helpful in control of the
Vrttis?

Patanjali divides Vrttis into Klishta and Aklishta. Finally the aim is to control all the Vrittis. But initially holding on to Aklishta and excluding or controlling the Klishta Vrttis has been recommended. Holding of one Vrtti in exclusion of other Vrttis also constitutes Vrtti Nirodha or yoga.

In this scheme where do our efforts in the form of practice of Asana, Pranayama, Mauna, Maitri, Tapa, Isvarpranidhana etc. fall in. Any yoga technique when practiced successfully brings about a change in our mental makeup. It may create certain steadiness in the form of better self awareness, relaxation, calmness, harmony, sense of peace, sense of confidence and re-assurance. All such experiences are as a result of the Aklishta Vrttis being experienced by the mind.

Enjoying and experiencing such states of mind by various techniques and our efforts put forth for the same voluntarily, constitutes Abhyasa. The important point here is that we are willfully, consciously and as a Sadhana, doing something that helps in change in the mental states. Howsoever little or temporary it may be. A good Sukhasana or a good Savasana can lead to a very calm and self aware
state. Done consciously with own efforts, constitutes Abhyasa. Mauna is conscious Tapa and it can help in experiencing a better state of mind conducive to our wellbeing.

So as members of Swadhyaya, we can find out how our techniques are affecting us and what mental states we are experiencing as a result. We may take any technique which helps us in creating a mental state which can be termed as Aklishta and is helpful in enjoying joyful, peaceful, calm, harmonious and serene states. Such states are also opposed to Kleshas. So during experiencing such states, the mind is relatively a little free from fears, hatred and attachment etc. All efforts in this direction constitute Abhyasa."

There are many members who have not been able to share on the topic this time so please write your views on the blog http://swadhyayatyi.blogspot.in so we can get to learn from each other.

Conclusion by Hansaji J. Yogendra

Finally, Hansaji explained that we normally work with confusion and variety of external objectives but in the process we ignore our own self. Swadhyaya is a platform where the like-minded teachers meet in union and try to understand themselves by sharing their understanding and experience of life.

We work on our emotions, our weaknesses, our strengths by selecting right activities, working on them with full participation on continuous long-term basis, but with devotion so that activity gives us direction to progress. She suggested that this Sangh [union] should grow and include maximum number of teachers for giving opportunity to all for learning from each other.

Next meeting

The next monthly meeting of the members will be held on Sunday, 10^th June 2012 at 11.00 am at The Yoga Institute, Mumbai.

Those who have not yet sent their membership form may please do as early as possible so that you are registered as a member of the association and you remain in touch. Presently our mode of communication will be by email only. Our email address is swadhyayatyi@gmail.com.

You can visit us on the web www.theyogainstitute.org and can download membership form or our blog http://swadhyayatyi.blogspot.in/ or can share your views on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Swadhyaya-TheYogaInstituteAlumniAssociation/329177030485889 or

Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/theyogainstitutealumni