{"id":473,"date":"2017-06-19T23:42:47","date_gmt":"2017-06-19T23:42:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/srisrischoolofyoga.org\/na\/?p=473"},"modified":"2023-06-29T17:42:59","modified_gmt":"2023-06-29T21:42:59","slug":"happy-guru-purnima","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/srisrischoolofyoga.org\/na\/blog\/happy-guru-purnima\/","title":{"rendered":"Happy Guru Purnima!"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Hello My Yoga Friends,<\/p>\r\n

Today is a special day for spiritual seekers. Like we celebrate Mother\u2019s Day or Father\u2019s Day, today is the day the spiritual seekers take time to celebrate their fullness, to reflect on their spiritual journeys and to express their gratefulness to their Spiritual Masters for their guidance, love, support, protection, and trusting companionship.<\/p>\r\n

I feel very blessed to have met my Spiritual Master, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, over 26 years ago. Since then He has been a very big part of my life.\u00a0 He is always there for me, and millions of other seekers around the globe. I have learnt and received so much from Him, especially His unconditional love, that there are not enough words to express my gratitude.<\/p>\r\n

He is a true Yogi in action, a living example and inspiration to all those who wonder what Yoga truly is and is it really possible to be Yogi-like as described in Yoga Scriptures! He possesses all the virtues and qualities of a true Yogi that the Yoga Scriptures describe. I feel so fortunate and privileged to witness such a precious presence on Earth. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\"Happy<\/a><\/p>\r\n

One of these days I hope to share with you a few glimpses of my journey with Him. He \u00a0leads my way and makes me feel like a king. My heart is filled with gratitude!<\/p>\r\n

On this special day, I also want to express my gratefulness to\u00a0those of you who have been a part of my spiritual journey. May we continue to grow on the path!<\/p>\r\n

My 15 Minutes Energy Booster Yoga:<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n

As mentioned in my previous post, below is a short and quick yoga program to do on days when you don\u2019t have the time for your full yoga practice, or when you just need a quick boost of energy. I have not given detailed instructions assuming you already know them.<\/p>\r\n

Do the following sequence at medium to fast pace. Hold each posture for about 10 seconds, except during Sun Salutations.<\/p>\r\n

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  1. Three rounds of Kapalabhati.<\/li>\r\n
  2. \u00a02-4 rounds of Sun Salutations.<\/li>\r\n
  3. Sequence of\u00a0 Standing\u00a0 Forward bend , Backward bend, Sideways bend, and Twist. Repeat the sequence 3 times.<\/li>\r\n
  4. Chair Pose. 5-10 times<\/li>\r\n
  5. \u00a0Another two rounds of fast paced Sun Salutation, followed by 5-10 push-ups.<\/li>\r\n
  6. Sequence of Cobra, Bow, Cobra and Dog Pose. Repeat the sequence three times. Child\u2019s pose.<\/li>\r\n
  7. Lie on your back. Sequence of 10 -15 abdominal crunches, Boat, and Bridge pose. Repeat 3 times.<\/li>\r\n
  8. Sitting Forward Bend and Inclined Plane in sequence, 3 times.<\/li>\r\n
  9. Nadi Shodhan\u00a0Pranayama. 3 -5 rounds.<\/li>\r\n
  10. Rest.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    After you do this sequence a few times, it will begin to flow smoothly. You can add your own variations to it, or create your own sequence.\u00a0 Most importantly, have fun while doing it.\u00a0\u00a0<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n

    <\/i><\/b>My Yoga Studio<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n

    Now that I am not travelling much, I have opened a yoga studio in Halifax. I have named it Happy Turtle. It has been an exciting and humbling experience.<\/p>\r\n

    In my classes now I incorporate some new breath-coordinated \u00a0contraction exercises and light weights \u00a0to improve muscle tone and strength. To differentiate these classes from regular Sri Sri Yoga classes<\/a> I call these classes Yoga PRO for now.<\/p>\r\n

    Over the years I have seen that most yoga students don\u2019t do enough asanas to strengthen and tone their bones and muscles. Just stretching the muscles alone over a prolonged period can result in weakness and instability of body-joints. Incorporating few minutes of breath-coordinated contraction exercises and \u00a0light-weights with yoga practice can avoid this potential problem. People are already reporting additional benefits. I may offer one week refresher course for Sri Sri Yoga teachers so that they can teach this new format.<\/p>\r\n

    Q\/A<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n

    Dear Krishanji:<\/i><\/p>\r\n

    Every time I read your post about yoga path, tears come to me with gratitude\u2026.\u00a0<\/i>I am still teaching Sri Sri Yoga, for 5 years, through ups and downs, and lack of potential enthusiasm and interest in the practices for some moments. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/i>Started favela and prison projects in Brazil. Remember when you came to Argentina prison with us!<\/i><\/p>\r\n

    I have not fully learned the \u2018skill in action\u2019 yet, but I can feel\u00a0that I\u2019m a nicer person and a better person.<\/i><\/p>\r\n

    In Karma Yoga, when Lord Krishna says \u201cdo your duty\u201d, How can we know what is that we have to do? Could we elect that in a wrong way?<\/i><\/p>\r\n

    With love,<\/i><\/p>\r\n

    Caroline<\/i><\/p>\r\n

    Dear Caroline,<\/p>\r\n

    Like every thing else in life, enthusiasm and interest also go up and down, but the skill is to continue, and you are doing that. It is so wonderful that you are noticing and acknowledging your growth, that you are becoming a better person.\u00a0In my opinion, the purpose of practicing yoga is to become a better person.\u00a0Listen to Guru Ji\u2019s talks on Bhagvat Geeta and Karma Yoga, and stop worrying about what you have to do, as you are already performing self-less service and, therefore, are on the path of Karma Yoga. You (we all) just have to get better at it.<\/p>\r\n

    Happy Guru Purnima!<\/h2>\r\n

    Krishan<\/a><\/p>\r\n\t

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