Events Platfrom: Yoga

In Ayurvedic medicine, physical disharmony in digestion is the primary cause of disease. In fact, we aim to harmonise digestion first for absolutely any health condition. The gut microbiome is perhaps the most important to all other biomes in the body. However, in Ayurveda, there are many deeper layers to digestion functioning well. If we are mentally not digesting the moment in front of us, our digestion is immediately affected. Our state of the mind predicts digestive processes. Anxious mind, variable digestion. Depressed mind, depressed digestion, which essentially means assimilation may be poor. Through meditation, yoga asanas, pranayama, sattvic food and self enquiry we begin to once again digest the present moment and heal the physical digestive tract. Amazingly, these days we have all of this Ancient wisdom completely backed up by research! Let us meditate on all levels of digestion together to learn more…

This session will focus on improving breath awareness to relax physically and mentally .

The first section of this session will consist of a short lecture focusing on the importance of breath awareness in asana class.

We will cover:

1) The science of the breath in terms of how it impacts our nervous system and vice versa, in particular how modern science is catching up with and reinforcing the wisdom of the ancient yogis regarding the physiological effects of the breath

2) Developing breath awareness in asana class, in particular how the breath guides the asana, not the other way around.

3) Two guidelines to keep in mind regarding the breath when practicing asana. The second section of this session will be applying the theory covered in the first section through a short asana class.

We will:

1) Begin with some breath awareness techniques

2) Transition through some beginner-friendly asana while keeping a focus on the breath (I recommend having a blanket nearby for cushioning, and a couple of blocks or alternatively robust, sturdy hardback books to use in the asana practice)

3) End with a few moments of meditation.

Yoga is somatopsychic, that is, we use the body and breath to influence the state of mind. This session focuses on simple yoga poses and synchronising the breath with the movements. This activates the parasympathetic nervous system that relaxes the body and mind. We go through simple breathing exercises that help us deal with stress, anxiety and lethargy. This session is a combination of theory and practical.

The intention of this session would be to turn one’s attention inwards using the breath as an anchor, so no matter what unprecedented circumstances life surprises us with, we won’t get caught up in the chaos of it all and rather respond from a state of calm.

As a visual artist living and working in Germany, Anne paints with the ephemeral material of the desert stories in real time in the eyes of the audience. As a trained sand painter, she skilfully incorporates her spiritual practice into her art. But how is the traditional wisdom of the Vedas relevant to Anne? It is her quest for truth and infinity that led her to the knowledge of the Vedas in the tradition of Shankara. Experiencing the harmony of the daily Vedic prayers in temples in South India, the divine sound awakened in her a desire to learn it. She learns Vedic Chanting from Shantala Sriramaia, a direct disciple of the Challakere brothers in the Mysore tradition. Her daily practice has become an integral part of her contemplation of the teachings as well as expanding and refining her skills as an artist. Anne also teaches the recitation of the sacred texts online. Above all, the Vedas have brought the concept of the Divine into her life, which has changed her whole being so profoundly that her way of creating art has been and continues to be touched by it. Not a day goes by that she doesn’t utter a prayer to recognise the Divine.

In this session we will dive into the yogic and psychological aspects of the deep and powerful connection of words, sounds and silence. How does the way we think change our experiences? How does sound make us feel things words cannot describe and how does silence lead us to a place even beyond that. Looking from a psychological perspective in combination with the yogic wisdom, we explore the benefits of using words consciously to live a happy and healthy life. Let´s find out how a regular practice of words, sound and silence can help us to safely find our way back home even when the world around us gets stormy and/or our thoughts become too wild and too loud.

In this interactive session, Jagetsevakji brings to life the planetary forces that live within each and everyone of us. He takes us on a journey that highlights the role each planet or graha plays in bringing us closer to Divine. Mantras for each planet are taught and practiced in an easy to learn and informative way. Each attendee will have the opportunity to receive a recording of the mantras and recommendations for personal practice.

Just like the lunar cycle and the seasons, we too as women have our own internal cycle and seasons. Connecting to our menstrual cycle is the doorway to greater health, wellbeing and spiritual development. As yoga practitioners, our yoga practices can be guided by our cycles and adapted accordingly. Join Nea Ferrier for a restorative yoga class themed on this topic. Open to female yoga practitioners of all levels and lineages.