Parenting in today’s world is full of challenges. It’s not uncommon for parents to feel overwhelmed by their busy schedules and seemingly endless responsibilities. But, it is uncommon for us to think about how the demands of parenthood may also be overwhelming for our children. Our little people are strong and resilient. But they are often influenced by stressful situations just as much as big people. Many adults practice yoga for stress release and relaxation. And what about yoga for kids? Is it beneficial for children?
The answer to that question is: ABSOLUTELY. Introducing children to yoga is not only valuable for relaxation. It is valuable for sharing knowledge, building confidence, and developing communication skills.
Yoga Educates
Many Asanas (yoga postures) were named after animals and plants because they were created by yogis who lived close to nature. When children practice these asanas they will use their imagination as they embody the movements of a cobra or a butterfly, and sharpen basic skills as they count to ten while standing tall and strong like a tree.
As a form of exercise, yoga is good for building coordination, flexibility and strength. What separates yoga from youth sports and other goal oriented physical activities is that it is noncompetitive. This creates a space for a child to experience control over their physical being and develop body awareness without any feelings of judgement or comparison.
Yoga Strengthens Communication
Children may not be able to understand the complex and dynamic systems of human anatomy but they can experience their brain communicating with their body through yoga. As they alternate between Cat and Cow, they will be actively listening to, and speaking with, their bodies. After completion they will be able to talk about the different physical sensations they felt, adding an opportunity for them to verbalize the connection between their mind and body.
Yoga is Fun
In addition to all the benefits mentioned above, let’s not forget that yoga is really fun. Indeed, kids deserve time to play and let’s be honest, a yoga mat is a playground. So next time you’re looking for something to do with your kids, drop down into Lion’s Pose, stick out your tongue, and let out a roar. Your pride will have some happy cubs.
Because Yoga is a whole life journey and also a discipline, it is not only about performing asanas or postures. The full Yoga practice is a concept which the goal is the purification of the body and mind in parallel.
Such purification brings us harmonic balance including all the activities in our life. From the well functioning of the systems within our body to a deeper understanding of the our mind to create more space and experience mental peace, tranquility, then more genuine and long term happiness.
The Importance of A Healthy Sleeping Process
To have a good rest is vital. In order to wake up fresh on the next morning and regenerate our body. So we can invest the energy we accumulated to do our yoga practice.
In order to have a quality rest time, it is essential in the first place to make some gap in our mind, emotions and consciousness by the moment we go to sleep. It is likely that the mind would stay sharp and clear even by the moment we wake up.
As well as it is recommended to make some space in the mind in the moment we go to sleep. You can do it by keeping aside certain worries, avoiding the contact with the phone and similar devices. It is also essential to have some space in the stomach, in other words it is important to have an early and light dinner that would be easier to digest.
Kriyas (Purification of the body)
The purpose of these cleansing exercises, according to the nature of our body, is to help with the elimination of the toxins.
According to the classical Hatha yoga knowledge, there are six main Kriyas (Shat Kriyas):
Neti: It implies different kinds of nasal cleansing.
Dhauti: A method to clean the upper digestive system.
Nauli: It is the strengthening of the abdomen as well as the purification of the digestive system.
Kapalabhati: The cleansing of the respiratory system: from the nasal cavities to the lungs lungs, as well as mental impurities.
Trataka: A mind purifying technique through the sense of sight using the flame of a candle.
Such cleansing or purification get a stronger effect on the body if we apply them on an empty stomach as well as our yoga asana practice, if we have to do it early morning. Otherwise it is better to leave a gap of three to four hours after having meals.
Ahimsa: Taking Care of Our Body, Practicing Non-Violence
Since all yoga practices lead to the path of liberation through the philosophic principles such as respect, solidarity and devotion. In the asana practice it is applied as the term ‘Ahimsa’ (nonviolence). It means to establish a relationship with our body with the purpose of having a deeper understanding according to what it needs for maintaining the harmony within. To be aware of certain physical limitations or injuries, it is necessary to warm the body up previously to the performance of the asanas, as well as increasing the capacity to be able to perform more advanced ones.
To Be Present is To Be Connected With Our Own Nature:
Before the practice it is very important to let go any thought from the past or the future. So we can connect with the present moment and link with our body.
When we are linked with our body, we can deepen our yoga practice by connecting to the breath with every posture. Which means that we are able to unify the inhalation- exhalation when we enter to the posture, when we are in the posture itself and finally on the way out of it.
These are some tips that will do of your yoga Asana practice, a conscious activity. And therefore your will be able to notice the benefits within your body and the mind.
Compared to Diwali and other religious festivals, the celebration of Christmas in India is quite small. However, in recent years sightings of Christmas Baba have become more and more widespread across the nation as mango trees are decorated, Midnight mass services are held, and festively wrapped gifts are opened excitedly by children. Akshi Yogashala has started a tradition of their own for the holiday, a tradition that is centered around Karma Yoga and the gift of giving.
Rishikesh, the Yoga Capital of The World, is a hotspot for tourists and visitors from India and beyond. Unfortunately – like many popular destinations across the world – if one ventures slightly off of the beaten path they will find themselves amidst communities where folks don’t have access to family sustaining careers and are struggling to fulfill their daily needs. Committed to sharing and caring, Akshi Foundation developed a way to give back to the local community during the Christmas season.
In March of 2013, the Udaan Foundation Trust, launched a free school for underprivileged students in Rishikesh. Akshi Foundation recognized this meaningful work, and decided to reach out to the school to see how they could best support their efforts. This helping hand was received graciously by the trust, and an annual Christmas celebration was coordinated.
This year Akshi Yogashala collected donations to buy clothes for students and hand delivered that offering to the school on Christmas Day. In addition to this gesture, students enrolled in Akshi’s 200 Hour Yoga TTC visited the school to celebrate the holiday with the children. The morning was filled with dancing and live performances, smiles and laughter, and most importantly, genuine appreciation for the work the Udaan Foundation does to provide these youth with access to education.
The Christmas celebration at Udaan Foundation Trust’s school is more than just a symbol of Akshi Foundation’s gratitude to the Rishikesh community. It is an opportunity to highlight the true nature of holiday spirit. Selfless actions for the greater good are what makes celebrating Christmas special, and they are also fundamental to the teachings of yoga. As a leader in the yoga community, Akshi Foundation believes it is their duty to instill these values in their students, and leading by example is one of the most effective ways for a teacher to communicate these ideals.
When people come to the yoga teacher training course , they are inspired by the desire to share what they love with others. Difficulties arise when a beginner yoga instructor becomes a teacher and organizer of his own activity. It happens that the environment of yoga studios, which forces to sell more and more, discourages the conduct of classes. At such times it is useful to reconsider your beliefs and see new horizons on the chosen path.
We offer 3 ways to change it on the other hand:
Feel the inner strength.
The leader paves the way not for others to follow him, but to inspire everyone to follow his own path. Try to improve the quality of your services. Let people get the best that you can give. Remember the joy and strength of activity when you give yourself completely to the process. Spend yoga , giving the maximum of what you can do.
You are not a person. Ideas about yourself can only be knowledge of past experience. Do not rush to evaluate your teaching practice. Look at each lesson as a new achievement. Feel yourself immobile inside, like the ocean, and the emotional waves on the surface will not be able to subdue you.
Questions for introspection: Can you give a reassessment of your past actions and with dignity talk about yourself in the present? How can you change your personality to feel confident in your actions?
Create inspiration, not business.
When we act according to our principles and defend our convictions, we feel strong. Our inner strength is gaining a firm footing, and we can do more and more for this world. Create a movement that inspires people to stand by your side, joining your mission and sharing your values.
The world needs health, healing and hope. You can sit back and watch others become part of positive change or go to your dream, be someone who inspires and motivates others to reveal their potential.
Look at your values from a different angle. Successful and sincere entrepreneurship is not marketing and increasing sales, but the inspiration of others and helping them to get answers to their questions.
Questions for introspection: What led you to a yoga mat? How did you come to teaching? What were the most memorable ideas, books, insights that influenced you? If you could offer the world one gift, what would it be?
Do not discount your activities.
Faith is a great value, which is why it is so difficult to change one’s beliefs. So you’ve probably heard that money is just energy, and they become what they believe in.
If you think:
Money is evil, then they will become it.
That it is bad to get money to help others in healing and understanding themselves, then for you it will become true.
The receipt of money is contrary to your ideas of sincerity and spirituality, then you will face self-condemnation, receiving money for doing yoga .
You have the right to keep faith in it, but you need to give up limiting beliefs, if you want to become a master of your craft. To a loving person appeared in your life, you need to learn how to truly love yourself. The same principle applies to value: feel the value of your actions so that others treat your work with dignity. Think about this the next time you feel ashamed of the desire to receive a reward for your work. Therefore, to change attitudes towards teaching yoga is not easy, but possible if you want it.
Questions for introspection: What kind of payment do you charge for your services? This question scares you? Answer clearly with a sense of self-worth and a sense that you are a representative of the tradition and experience of your teachers.
The Upanishads, a series of Hindu sacred treatises, literally mean “sitting near,” as in to sit as close as possible to the master.
Like the classic game of telephone, things get lost in translation; therefore, traveling to India is the logical course to learn from the source of sacred yogic wisdom.
2. Diverse Terrain: It Has Mountains and Beaches
Ranging from the Himalayan mountains to the Indian Ocean coastline, India is a beautiful country with diverse terrain.
Rishikesh has access to Mother Ganga and is considered the yoga capital of the world. Mysore is considered the place for Ashtanga practitioners to study. Dharamshala is tucked away in the Himalayan peaks and a great place to study if the mountains call to you. Furthermore, Goa has breathtaking beach views.
Yogi Tip: Be mindful of timing and temperature in various areas. For example, in the summer, the southern regions of India can be extremely hot and humid.
3. Affordability: Lower Cost for Teacher Training
Two months in India at Akshi Yogashala complete with six weeks of 200-hour teacher training in Rishikesh, round trip flight, lodging, food, and travel after training cost the same for me as studying at any of my local studios. Additional food and drinks are low-cost.
4. Full Immersion: No PAUSE Button
If you are travelling to India for teacher training, it is likely not your home base. Therefore, there is no time to push pause and go back to your usual routine.
Being fully immersed in your training and surrounded by like minded individuals helps integrate your teachings into your life.
5. Culture Shock: Sometimes Coming Home is Harder Than Leaving
Without having travelled prior to living in Rishikesh (Birth Place of Yoga) for six weeks, I was expecting a similar experience throughout the country. However, in Delhi, You may experience culture shock when beer and chicken were available at dinner. I was accustomed to Rishikesh (Birth Place of Yoga), a holy city, where a vegetarian diet is the law and there is no consumption of alcohol.
Travelling within India provided an opportunity to reflect on my own personal practice and philosophy after the teacher training ended.
6. Letting Go: Bye-Bye Ego
There is something about the stark reality of living beside immense poverty that strips away the ego. Training in India not only teaches you the yamas and niyamas, it helps you live the yogic philosophy.
Considering aparigraha, non-greed or non-possessiveness — in India, it is easier to strip away the ego that calls for expensive yoga clothes and competition for the perfect asana practice.
7. Ayurveda: Subscribe to the Good Life
Developed over 5,000 years ago in India, Ayurveda is a system of preventative medicine and health care. Ayurveda identifies a person’s ideal state of balance and offers interventions to reestablish balance.
While in India, learning more about Ayurveda from the source is a perfect complement to learning yoga.
8. Mind Over Matter: The Power of Patience
Continuous yoga and meditation practice invites inner peace.
Additionally, riding in a car in India helps increase your ability to stay calm and patient while dodging carts left in the middle of a bustling intersection and hearing honks from at least ten different drivers at the same time.
9. Connection: Gather Energy From Around the World
Not only will there be amazing teachers from India who can help you bring something new back home, you will likely have a cohort from all over the world who will help your practice flourish.
One will train with people from six different continents. One will learn all sorts of new asanas, flows, and how studios from across the world format classes and build community.
10. Fresh Chai Lattes: Repeat Daily
Lastly, if no other reason on the list draws your energy to train in India, let this one help you decide: fresh chai lattes.
For a few rupees, you can lounge outside and sip the most refreshing chai latte in the world. If the idea of exploring stunning Hindu temples and palaces or swimming in the Ganga or connecting to the magnetic and powerful energy in India does not tempt you, go for the chai lattes; they are unforgettable.
Yagya – The Importance of Fire Ceremony or Holy fire
Our ancient texts are full of legends wherein ancient sages performed Yagya or fire ceremony and the demons (asuras) tried to destroy them. The demons then had to pay a hefty price as the godly, valiant prince used to guard the Holy fire and eliminate the nuisance. Whether these are just folklore, myths, legends or history is a debate for some other day. But there is no denying the fact that Yagya was related to slaying negativity since the Vedic times. Let’s explore how and why…
How it works
There are two basic energy systems in the physical world: heat and sound. When performing yagya, these two energies blend together to achieve the desired physical, psychological and spiritual benefits. These energies are the warmth of the Yagya fire and the sound of chanting Gayatri and other Vedic mantras.
The aroma of Yagya
You can feel the surroundings and the smell of Yagya even at a great distance. In addition to steam, smoke is also given out in plentiful quantities and solid particles existing in a highly divided state offer adequate surface for mechanical diffusion. Thus smoke also functions as a medium for circulation of aromatic substances depending on temperature and direction of the wind.
The science behind using fatty substances (Ghee)
Ghee helps in rapid combustion of cellulose of wood and keeps the fire alight. When all the volatile substances are diffused in the surrounding atmosphere, these are further subjected to photochemical reactions in the sunlight. This may be the reason some scriptures recommend to performed the Yagya in the presence of strong sunlight.
The shape of the Agni Kunda
The word ‘pyramid’ means the fire in the middle’. This ancient word for pyramid is closely related to the mysterious energies emanating from its central shape. Many people believe that the shape of a pyramid creates and accumulates a special energy field with bacteriostatic properties. The inverted pyramid shape allows controlled generation and multidirectional dissipation of energy. It acts as an initiator of unusual energy fields and spreads them in its surrounding atmosphere.
Chanting of Sanskrit
Meanwhile the power of sound vibrations is long since acknowledged in the field of science. These vibrations can penetrate the energy spheres at the subtle and cosmic levels. All Sanskrit alphabets have special vibrational abilities. When pronounced, they create harmonious wave patterns. It is interesting to note that an American Scientist has established that recitation of Gayatri Mantra produces 110,000 sound waves per second.
Purification of environment
Even until recently, we believed that scientific research could provide an answer to all human problems. Today we find increasing number of diseases including malfunctioning of body organs. Briefly it happens due to increasing severity of pollution in the atmosphere. Experimental studies show that in homes where people regularly perform Yagya, the number of physical ailments and diseases become less.
Spiritual significance of Yagya
The heat endowed in yagya is a source of immense energy. As this fire inflames, melts or sublimates all the gross substances inside. We too should burn out all our vices, ill-tendencies, lethargy, dullness and despair. Moreover then energize our personality with the warmth of new zeal, alacrity, awareness and hope. The heat and energy of the yagya should be reflected in the active flow of our blood, our industriousness and our nimble and vigilant courage to fight against all evils.
It represents…
The ash produced by fire reminds us of the ephemeral and transient nature of life. We tend to forget this eternal fact and continue on the path of cravings and attachments…adding to our mistakes, infirmities and sins too. In addition, we should ponder over the end of our present life. You have to do it while putting the Yagya’s ash on our head after the Yagya. And realize the importance of the time and breaths available to us now.
All these reasons are show how important to perform yagya or fire ceremony before starting our Yoga teacher training course.
Towards the southern corners of India is theGod’s own land, Kerala, where there is an amalgamation of nature’s blessings and soulful retreats. It is a place where the mind and body are idolized in a temple of health and the religiosity, beauty gives it a retreating balance and its atmosphere act as a catalyst to learn the art of yoga and meditation.
Here are few things that are unique about Kerala:
Kerala is a home of this 5000 years’ old unbroken tradition Ayurveda. As the treatment is carried out in monsoons so it has a particular connection with nature. And, yoga has similar connections to these natural factors. You will find the perfect combination of the yoga and Ayurveda in Kerala’s Yoga Teachers Training Schools to give you dual advantage of learning Yoga +Ayurveda.
Authentic Yoga Teachers
In Kerala, you will find teachers who have inherited yoga and ayurvedic knowledge from their ancestors. The knowledge, wisdom and understanding of yoga and Ayurveda are in their blood which they now bestow on their students. This ensures aspiring yogis gets the best knowledge of yoga which they may not have acquired since years.
Kerala is a Nature’s Paradise
Kerala is a nature’s paradise as in these lands as one hand you will find the peaks of the southern hills while on the other hand beautiful beaches where the coconut trees stand touching the blueness of the environment around. Tourists are also enchanted by the beautiful water bodies, lagoons, meandering rivers, water bodies amidst lavish forests. Houseboats of Kerala are the most preferred for tourists. The Idukki dam is the first ever Indian arch dam in Periyar river. Kerala and one of the largest arch dam in Asia. And there are shopping, museums and markets to explore Kerala more. To add it body spas, and traditional therapy centers are in abundance, to make the tourists thrill doubled. There is everything for everybody, so pure and serene.
The Weather of Kerala
Weather of Kerala is same all the year round, except for monsoons. Monsoons add to the beauty of Kerala and this is a right time also to do massage and yoga. Rains add to the calmness of the mind and seem to bless it with beauty, peace, stillness and soberness.
Awesome Villages.
Villages are the feast to the eyes of the travelers for the panoramic view of the farms, hillsides, lakes, rivers, and fields. The villages with water bodies, greenery all around, paddy fields and coconut trees are perfect for the great yoga holiday.
Cuisine
Kerala has a rich, unique and natural flavor of food like banana dishes, seafood, Malayali dishes etc. It is famous for its rich spices which are healthy and nutritious and therefore many Yoga Teachers Training School in Keralaoffers food prepared by local spices.
Still and Peaceful Environment
Kerala is one of the states’ which is not touched by the modernistic western world. It boasts of its pure air and soil, simple people and rich culture. It is also known for its many famous and beautiful temples, where the mythological legends still prevail.
Living in Kerala and undergoing Yoga Teachers Training is a unique opportunity. If you really want to see and feel a true life of love, simplicity, peace, beauty, and health Kerala makes a perfect destination.
Yoga for Beginners – Everything You Need to Know Before You Start: In these days, Yoga is becoming more and more popular within modern society, people are becoming more aware of themselves and look for something that might help them to live longer and healthier life. Though, there is much more within the path of Yoga that is beyond what most of people think and put as their inspiration for their practice, like simply for creating more strength and flexibility in the physical body.
Yoga is a vast system of self-exploration that leads one towards a realization in order to create a reunion on every aspect of the being and to project this inspiration outwards in order to create a positive impact also on the environment.Eventually, the ultimate goal is to reach enlightenment through the application of all the different elements, such as leading an ethical life, purifying the body and the mind, practicing the Yogic postures, using different breathing techniques, withdrawing the five senses internally, concentrating on one object at a time and meditation.
As a complete beginner, it would be better to avoid the strain of trying too hard to understand every detail on the first class, it is a long process that demands the investments of time and effort together. It is completely natural not to have the ability to perform from the beginning all the instructions by the Yoga teacher or the book you study. It is even very obvious that in Asana classes many beginner students would pay attention just for the physical movements that are seen only by the gross eyes, without paying attention to the internal events at all.
But the more all elements of Yoga is practiced, the deeper the practitioner will be able to dive internally and explore the subtler level of the being.
Nowadays, the Yoga community is growing larger and larger so it is usually easier to find a Yoga studio, school or Ashram in every populated area around the globe, especially in India. Even though it is just the beginning, it is extremely recommended to find a highly experienced teacher who has the awareness of leading a class in a professional and safe way that is intending to create a transformation within all aspects of life. Along with that, it is also important to pay attention more and more to yourself so you can your actions. For example, studying according to the capacity of the body and the mind and avoiding strain.
Eventually, the whole aim is to re-establish a conscious relationship between the body, mind and the higher self or the soul. It all come with patience and consistent practice; before reaching the deeper levels like dealing with emotional issues in order to create healing within the mental realm, it is likely that most of people will connect to the physical body first and get to explore areas where they were never mindful of before.
To conclude all that, it is important to say, the path of Yoga is a path of exploration, the only thing you have to do is just to start and reduce the expectations, it is like opening a gift box without realizing first what is inside. In this path, instead of only reaching a goal, you will learn also how to enjoy the journey.
So, you want to do your yoga teacher training and curious how to choose best yoga teacher training course for you? That is awesome! In my opinion, doing a yoga teacher training program, even if you never intend to teach a day in your life, is one of the most amazing, life-transforming things you can do for yourself.
That said, with so many options for trainings out there, how do you even begin to decide which program is right for you? How do you know if the one you are going to be investing a few thousand dollars and at least 200 hours of your time into is going to pay off for you?
If you are feeling confused about your options, this post is for you. I have created this checklist of considerations to help you narrow down your search for programs that best suit you and your life.
1. Make Sure Your Training is Yoga Alliance-Certified:
As the international governing body for yoga, the Yoga Alliance has set the standard for what a properly constructed teacher training program must contain.
If you hope to teach yoga at some point in your future, you want to ensure that the training you choose is Certified by the Yoga Alliance; otherwise, you will not qualify for insurance.
I know it does not feel all that yogic, but insurance is a part of the world we live in, and an important point to keep in mind while you are program shopping.
I am not saying that taking a training that is non-Yoga Alliance certified is a mistake—there is a plethora of good non-accredited trainings out there—just know that your chances of teaching and teaching safely may be diminished if you disregard this credential in your decision.
2. Choose Hours That Work for Your Life:
For some, totally checking out of their everyday life and going on a retreat-style yoga teacher training is far more effective for learning. For others, doing their training in their hometown on evenings and weekends works best.
You have to think this through before signing up for anything. If you know that life is going to distract you from your studies, you are most likely better off getting out and away.
If you know that you need time to go away and digest concepts, perhaps doing your teacher training course over a longer period of time, with breaks in between sessions, will serve you better.
Take into account how you learn, and how much life is going to serve as a distraction from your learning. From there, you will have a better idea on what kind of training will serve you best.
3. Look into How They Teach Anatomy:
This is a big one. Make sure that your yoga teacher training program has a strong anatomy section. I would even suggest that you do some research on what the instructor of the program you are looking into has to teach that section.
Anatomy may not seem like the biggest deal when you are in the middle of trying to memorize all the Sanskrit names for postures or figuring out how to sequence properly.
Still, a solid understanding of human anatomy will not only transform your own practice into one that is ideal for your specific body, it will also enable you to bring so much more consciousness to your teaching in public and private classes.
Knowing your anatomy is going to pay off big time in the long run, so make sure it is really emphasized in your program.
4. Study the Program’s History:
Do some research into the history of the company with whom you are considering doing your training.
There are some companies that have been around forever, doing teacher trainings for years, and that have extensive experience delivering very strong programs.
It is not all that difficult to put a teacher training program together, however, and just because a program is certified by the Yoga Alliance, does not mean it is top quality.
Unless you have a ‘home’ studio that you know and trust through which you are doing your training, do a thorough background check on the company. Read reviews, talk to people who have been through the program, and get very familiar with your studio of choice.
5. Evaluate the Course Syllabus for Balance of Subjects Taught:
This is my favorite tip—each Yoga TTC is required a minimum number of hours dedicated to things like posture labs, anatomy, history, and philosophy—but each teacher training is going to emphasize different areas, and bring their own style to their program.
If you are really into the nuts and bolts of yoga asana, then a spiritually-focused program most likely isn’t for you. Likewise, if discussing the Yoga Sutras at length turns you on, then a super anatomy-focused program may make you feel less than interested.
Study the curriculum and ask about how many hours are dedicated to each topic if it is not advertised. Pick a program that speaks your language.
6. Do Research on The Instructors:
Lastly, check up on the teacher trainers with whom you are thinking of studying. Look at how long they have been teaching, how long they have been doing teacher training, and even at who trained them. This information is useful for deciding if you want to work with them or not.
I am not saying not to do your training with a teacher that does not have thousands of years of teacher experience—some of the best teachers I have ever worked with have been relatively new—I am simply suggesting you get an idea and feel for your instructors.
Take some public classes with the teachers who will be on your teacher training faculty as well. Make sure you enjoy their teaching style and connect with them.
So what do you think? Do any of these tips make choosing your program seem less overwhelming? If you have done your training, is there anything you would add to this list?
Swami Rama has shattered the myth of western science about restrictions of human Physiology. In the year 1970 under the supervision of scientists from the clinic of Menninger in Topeka (Kansas) he demonstrated that he is able to control his autonomic nervous system. And this according to Physiology, people can not do. Read further about scientific proof of yogis abilities.
Elmer E. and Alice M. Green, as well as E. Dale Walter, reported that Swami Rama has caused a gradual change in the temperature of two parts of his skin on one palm, located at a distance of about two inches apart. Temperature change happened in opposite directions (with a speed about 4 degrees Fahrenheit per minute). Until the skin temperature difference reached about 10 degrees Fahrenheit. One part of his palm had turned red from the heat, and the other had ash-gray from the cold.
Experiment of Swami Rama
In another experiment, Swami Rama raised the heart rate by an effort of will, from 70 to 300 beats per minute. His heartbeat turned into a vibration in which the heart was no longer pumping blood in a normal rhythmic manner. He also could stop his heartbeat at least for 17 seconds.
Swami Satyananda Saraswati describes how in 1977 in the “Brain & Behavior Research Institute” in Kansas , USA an observational research of a yogi’s brain. It has been conducted while Swami Rama was engaged in relaxation and gradually entered into a deeper state of consciousness. Dr. Elmer Green directed scientific research. And electroencephalogram machine recorded the bio-currents of the brain. Subsequently, the world learned about this scientific discovery.
Scientists have documented that with one strong-willed effort the yogi entered different states of consciousness alternately. And it is when he fully relaxed his body. He had entered the state of Yoga-Nidra and the device registered a 70% alpha wave is a 5-minute period. That time he was visualizing a blue sky with rare floating clouds.
Then the yogi went into a dream state that was followed for 5 minutes, with mostly theta waves for 75%. Later Swami Rama said that this condition was uncomfortable, he called it “noisy and unpleasant”. He further added that he was able to eliminate it by moving his consciousness into the subconscious”. Here he gained an experience of certain desires in the contemplation of archetypal images, which tried to possess his mind.
State of deep sleep
Finally, Swami entered the state of deep sleep /unconscious mind/. And the slow vibrations of the Delta waves confirmed it. However, his consciousness remained alert throughout the scientific experiment. For example, he easily recalled the various events that took place in the science lab and associated with the experiment. And, for example, after the experiment, Swami Rama has voiced the questions that one of the scientists asked the yogi in the period of increasing the Delta waves. The presence of Delta waves indicates the deep sleep state. And it would seem that yogi could not perceive these issues…
Scientists did not have the opportunity to carry out such studies before. When the deep sleep state could be combined with the awareness of the present moment. This clearly showed that scientists are faced with the Grand opening of the Turiya. And it is so persistently described in the ancient texts of yoga, WHICH DOES EXIST, as evidenced by the fact, not the phenomenon of faith. Can you believe that scientific proof of yogis abilities is exist?
Nature of the super-conscious
Scientists are personally convinced that the nature of the super-conscious does really include all possible States of consciousness: wakefulness and superficial sleep and dream. In other words, the simultaneous interaction of consciousness, subconsciousness, and unconsciousness is possible.
Thus, the maximum relaxation of all mental and psycho-physical processes in the body invariably leads to the integration of consciousness as such, and to the enlightenment of the individual. Essentially, people who have reached this state – DO NOT SLEEP. They know only a state of being, which is unchanging, regardless of whether it was a dream or wakefulness. They are constantly in a state of Turiya in yoga Nidra.
It became clear that the so-called “universal mind” or “consciousness” can be gradually developed and strengthened through such efficient technologies as yoga-Nidra and meditation. So the mysterious and impenetrable world of unconscious is losing ground and is now defined as the super-consciousness. This gradual process of enlightenment of the individual and liberation from the yoke of the “mysterious” forces and is called self-realization, Kaivalya, Moksha or Samadhi.
Of course, the demonstration of such “miracles” is not the goal of yogis. It is a way to convey to the industrial society that each one of us possess an enormous inner power that is wasted on utter nonsense. And it was a scientific proof of yogis abilities.
Most yoga teachers in our yoga school are studied under the guidance of this tradition in Swami Rama ashram in Rishikesh.
