Seva Yoga

People who conduct Yoga for the welfare of mankind are called sevaks and their work is called Seva i.e. serving. Seva Yoga is a blessing in disguise. The joy and happiness you get by offering your love and affection to another human being becomes a blessing for you. Most people have their first experience of yoga by joining a yoga class and practice all the asana. When we begin yoga, it is often the physical body that is the centre of interest and priority. Hence yoga classes are oriented around the physical practices of asana and pranayama. We approach these practices with the understanding that they are going to be beneficial for the body.

However, as we progress in yoga, we realize that the benefits from the practices are not restricted to the physical body alone. Seva yoga is usually described as service in Sanskrit. Many times during the practice of yoga we are asked to do tasks that are not in accordance with our way of thinking or behaving. Similarly, during the practice of seva yoga, we experience and confront those same sensations and reactions, except this time in the mind. These moments of internal friction and resistance caused by the reactions of like and dislike can be transforming, in exactly the same way as resistance and tension in physical postures. It is in these moments that we can actively work towards purification of the mind, by remaining aware of the responses within us and yet still doing our best to act appropriately.

Usually when confronted with an unpleasant experience or circumstance, such as a painful sensation in the body, or a painful emotional reaction during yoga, the reaction is aversion. The pain in the body becomes more intense, the feelings and emotions become more intense. In the practice of asana, we learn how different conditions have different effects upon the body, and how to adjust accordingly, so there is minimal tension and conflict. The way the body performs a posture at 5.30 am on a cold winter morning is not the same way it performs the asana at 5.30 pm on a warm afternoon. Ashram life provides the conditions and circumstances over which there is no control.

Through repeated practice of this one can become aware of all the facets of the personality and begin to surrender those patterns and identifications that are no longer helpful. Regular practice of seva yoga generates an inner immunity to external factors so that the challenging and confronting situations in life can be faced with ease.

Yoga For Thyroid

Thyroid disorders are very common in people of all ages, all across the globe. According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), around 27,000,000 Americans suffer from different types of thyroid imbalance at any given point. They also claim that thyroid disorders exceed the number of diabetes cases, by more than 40%. There are many different types of thyroid disorders that are known to affect people. Some of the most common thyroid disorders include –

·         Hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid, wherein the thyroid gland does not produce an adequate amount of the thyroxin hormone.
               ·         Hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid, in which the thyroid gland produces an excessive amount of thyroxine hormones.
               ·         Postpartum thyroiditis, a problem in which a woman’s thyroid gland becomes inflamed and swells up, after delivery.
              ·         Thyroid cancer, an uncommon type of cancer, which occurs when there is a lump or a nodule found in the thyroid gland.

You may experience various symptoms, depending upon the type of disorder and its severity. Some of the signs of thyroid disorders include –

·         Excess weight gain or weight loss
              ·         Fatigue
             ·         Mood swings
             ·         Pain in the joints and muscles
             ·         Sleeping problems
             ·         Water retention

Very often thyroid disorders occur due to an underlying health condition. Most types of thyroid disorders need to be treated by a doctor, without any delay. However, in addition to medical treatment you may also benefit from alternative therapies, like yoga.

In case you are using yoga for thyroid disorders, do bear in mind that this practice only alleviates the symptoms of the condition and speeds up the recovery process.
Yoga Workshop does not cure thyroid problems and hence, it should be used in addition to medical treatment.

The Boat Pose (Navasana)

The Boat Pose (Navasana)

This posture is excellent in building abdominal core strengths and creating greater muscular resistance among the legs, hamstrings and spine.

Step One

Sit on the floor with your spine straight, your legs parted and outstretched in front of you.

Step Two

Gradually bring the legs up to a 45 degree angle keeping them straight at the joints, all the way.

Step Three

Let the torso fall back as you raise your legs, but take care not to bend your spine. The resultant position will be a ‘V’ shape.

Step Four

Stretch your arms out in a straight line in front of you, perfectly aligned with the shoulders.

Step Five

Balance your weight on your pelvic bones for as long as you can. Try your best not to let the assumed position collapse. Hold this posture for 10 counts, while you inhale and exhale at an optimum pace.

Repeat

Plank Pose (Vashisthasana)

Plank Pose (Vashisthasana)
This yoga posture can be continued from the Downward-Facing Dog pose discussed earlier. This enhances resistance in the abdominal muscles and also improves the strength in the arms and shoulders.

Step One
Having assumed the Downward Facing Dog Pose, adjust your body weight such that your arms are directly below your shoulders.
Step Two
Lower your hips till your torso is in a straight line with the legs.
Step Three
Distribute the weight among your toes and hands such that you can comfortably rest in this position without straining your limbs.
Step Four
Keep your neck in the same line with the rest of your body and hold this position for 10 counts.
Step Five
Exhale and relax your posture gradually to lie on your stomach, on the mat.

Hand and Knees Balance

Hand and Knees Balance
The following posture tests core strengths, builds muscular mass, improves balance while building your abs at the same time.

Step One
Rest your body on all fours, with your hands placed directly under your shoulders and your knees resting directly underneath your hips.
Step Two
Extend your right leg out and keep it straight on the floor.
Step Three
Lift your right leg to the same height as your hips. Keep them in the same alignment as before.
Step Four
Lift your left arm to the shoulder level and keep it outstretched.
Step Five
Balance your body weight on the right arm and left leg and keep your spine straight. Hold this position for 10 counts.
Step Six
Exhale as you return to your starting position.
Rest for 5 counts and repeat the posture with the other leg

Common Mistakes A Yoga Studio Owner Makes

In this article I would like to share some of the common mistakes that most of the studio owners make. If you have fallen prey to these its time for you to solve it, and if not, make sure you don’t fall into it.

Mistake 1: DO NOT BE IN A RUSH: Many of the studio owners are in a rush to start and promote their workshops. Keep this in mind that business, whatsoever it is, takes time. You cannot sleep and then become a flourishing business overnight. The perfect solution for you is to ask someone else who has become successful in their own. Think about holiday promotions a month back and not at the last minute. This can help in long term planning.

Mistake 2: DO NOT BE DRIVEN BY EMOTIONS, USE YOUR LOGIC: Sometimes you get so emotionally attached to a plan that you forget what you really wanted to do. That is a usual feeling that newcomers have. But keep in mind you are starting a business not some charity. You are doing it to earn some money. So go by your head not your heart. When we get emotionally driven in our business we lose our focus and our strengths become our weakness. Self confidence goes down.  A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS IS DRIVEN BY FACTS AND NOT EMOTIONS.

Mistake 3: RUNNING OUT OF CASH: This is the most common mistake that a person makes. They start a business and then leave it mid way because they do not have enough money to carry it ahead. The best way to avoid lat minute rush is to plan. Plan ahead. For example if you plan to start a yoga workshop think about the various materials and equipments needed. If your budget says $20000, see that you have at least $30000. It is better to have extra cash with you in case of last minute rush. If you do this you can even recover back at least 2/3^rd of your expenses when your students join you.

Mistake 4: DO NOT BE OBSESSED WITH YOURSELF OR THE SERVICES YOU PROVIDE:  You should let go of your obsessions with certain products or services. You should learn to meet your customers satisfaction and not your own. If your client says that he wants a particular service, make sure you serve him. Customer satisfaction should be your priority if you want to your workshop to be one of the best. Always remember it is your customer or your students who indirectly promote your business and not you.

I myself am running a very successful Yoga Workshop. Found it a bit difficult in the beginning but since I was well aware of the common mistakes could overcome all the obstacles.  

What Does Om Mean In Yoga??

                        Om or Aum is a mantra that is often chanted at the beginning and end of yoga sessions. Om is both a sound and a symbol rich in religious meaning and depth. It is said to be both the sound of the creation of the universe, and the sound of silence. It represents both the highest level of divinity and the path to enlightenment. Om is often used as a yogic chant to calm the mind, create a peaceful setting or achieve a higher level of consciousness.

                      The Mandukya Upanishad, a sacred Hindu text written in 800-500 BC, presents the concept behind both the sound and the symbol. The syllable OM, which is the imperishable Brahman, is the universe. Whatsoever has existed, whatsoever exists, and whatsoever shall exist hereafter, is OM. And whatsoever transcends past, present, and future, which also is OM. Om is thus a broad universal concept with many mystical meanings, rather than a specific definition in the traditional sense.

                 In the Hindu religion Om is considered a sacred sound. Many Hindus consider Om to be the first sound of creation. Hindus also believe that everything in the universe, even inorganic objects, originated in Om and are therefore alive, with a vibration based on the sound Om. According to yogic tradition, once you are able to achieve true silence within yourself, you can hear, experience and even participate in these universal vibrations. This is why Om is also considered to be the sound of silence, the silence within yourself that allows you to tune out your thoughts and listen to the world within and around you. 

                 In India, Hindus use the Om symbol throughout their daily life. They may chant it at the beginning of the day, at the beginning of a journey or before undertaking a difficult task. The symbol is an integral part of the design of all temples and family shrines.Yoga Travel is a good way to strengthen your spirit.