Volume XVI, No. 3, August 2009 Ecumenism by Sri Swami Satchidananda

Ecumenism is Integral . Though we follow one teacher, we learn to respect all other teachers. The teachings may vary, but the central teaching is always the same—to know our True Self. That is the first and foremost goal. Once we know the Self, then it is easy to know all other things.

Until we “know” our Self, all our knowing will be a big “no.” Because we try to know everything through our conditioned minds, all our knowing will be conditioned, prejudiced, limited, and colored. Real knowing is only with the pure, neutral, and unconditioned mind. We should have that clear and uncolored vision, and that is the purpose underlying all these practices—to remove all the coloring. The mind should be freed from all these limitations and preconditioned ideas.

We literally should wash the brain. Wash it clean of all colors and conditions. Don’t merely switch from one prejudice to another; simply see clearly for yourself. That is the purpose behind all the teachings—whether they originated from Moses, Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed, Shankara, , , or Siva—to keep the mind clean.

With all that, even though all the religions teach essentially the same message, we still can appreciate the differences—just as we would want a good garden to have a variety of flowers. If you have only chrysanthemums for acres and acres, you wouldn’t even call it a garden; you would call it a farm. Even if the garden is small and doesn’t have that many flowers, if it has a variety, you call it beautiful. See the difference? If you have only one kind of flower, it’s no longer a garden.

Continued on Page 5

Inside The Childplay Yoga Program comes to Yogaville! p. 7 By Gurudass Kaur Ecumenism by Sri Swami Satchidananda p. 1 The Ultimate Goal: Inspiration from Gibraltar by Surya p. 9 Letter from the Editor p. 2 Warm-Ups by Sutter p. 10 The Jivanmukta by Sri Swami Sivananda p. 3 Mindfulness Yoga: and the Four Creating the Compassionate Safe Container Foundations of Mindfulness by Frank Jude Boccio p. 12 By Amy Weintraub p. 4 Touching the Oneness by Nischala Joy p. 16 Your Body Speaks Your Mind Senior Speakers Schedule p. 18 By Deb Shapiro and Ed Shapiro p.6 Calendar of Upcoming Programs at Yogaville p. 19 The Goal of Integral Yoga® Integral Yoga Teachers Association Founder: Sri Swami Satchidananda

The goal of Integral Yoga, and the birthright of every individual The Integral Yoga Teachers Association is a membership association is to realize the spiritual unity behind all the diversities in the open to all Integral Yoga teachers. Its mission is to provide mutual entire creation and to live harmoniously as members of one support and spiritual fellowship, to share information, to provide universal family. inspiration, and to conduct ongoing training and guidance.

This goal is achieved by maintaining our natural condition of Director: Gopal Watkins a body of optimum health and strength, senses under total Supervising Editor: Rev. Prakasha control, a mind well-disciplined, clear and calm, an intellect Newsletter Editor: Arjuna Guttadauro as sharp as a razor, a will as strong and pliable as steel, a heart Graphic Design: Anand Hervé full of unconditional love and , an ego as pure as Photos: Richard DiMaria, Sraddha Van Dyke a crystal, and a life filled with Supreme Peace and Joy. Copy Editors: Gopal Watkins, Bhagerati Guttadauro Membership Coordinator: Andrew Godreau Attain this through , , chanting of Holy IYTA Assistant: Sushila Bales Names, self discipline, selfless action, mantra , meditation, study and reflection. Integral Yoga Teachers Association Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville Shanti, Shanti, Shanti. 108 Yogaville Way, Buckingham, VA 23921 USA Ever yours in Yoga, Tel: 434.969.3121, ext. 177 Fax: 434.969.1303 E-mail (Newsletter): [email protected] E-mail (Membership): [email protected] E-mail (Director): [email protected] Website: www.iyta.org

Letter From The Editor

It started out as an ugly mole that started to bleed. A Being a person to get to the dermatologist took one look at it and said, ”that’s coming bottom line of everything, out right now”; and it did. The biopsy report said it was I noted often during those melanoma, the worst of the cancers, very fast spreading. On trying times: What really is to the UVA Cancer Center. They said there was a 50/50% basic and cannot be denied chance that it had already spread to my lymph nodes and/ is the importance of being or vital organs. After surgery removed both the surrounding in the present moment. tissue of the mole and two sentinel lymph nodes, they went When we live life moment to biopsy again. This time the results were negative. I would to moment, we are aligned not die from this disease at this time. with the Divine. When we are aligned with the Divine, Why am I sharing this? First because it was very traumatic miracles do happen. to me, second because reading it may save one of your lives (get that mole checked) and, third, to get into the This Newsletter is chock full of great articles. Swami spiritual growth that came out of it. For more than six weeks Satchidananda’s article on Ecumenism is one subject that he I wondered if I was going to live through this disease. During deeply believed in and broadened the world’s understanding that time, the present moment became intensified and very of. Nischala Joy Devi wrote on Compassion, Amy Weintraub important to me. I wanted to enjoy each moment, to share on Creating the Compassionate Container, Gurudass Kaur each moment in the most loving ways with the people that on Childplay Yoga, Dharmavita and Mitra Shapiro on Your are most important in my life, to overlook any trivial matter Body Speaks Your Mind, and Poep Sa Frank Jude Boccio on and to just love. I looked closely at what I really believed in Mindfulness Yoga. and what death really meant to me. How fortunate we are to have such distinguished authors A dear friend of mine mentioned that the people who did write for our Newsletter. I hope you enjoy the articles and the opposite were lucky because they didn’t have an illness find them educational, informative, and inspiring. to remind them of their mortality and could afford to be disturbed over matters of little import. I wouldn’t have looked Om, Peace, Joy, Love, and Light, at it that way, but it’s a great insight. Arjuna IYTA Newsletter • August 2009 • Page  The Jivanmukta by Sri Swami Sivananda

A Jivanmukta is a liberated sage. He is released even while should the sun grow cold, or the moon turn hot, or the fire living. He lives in the world, but he is not of the world. He begin to burn with its flame downwards, or the course of the always revels in the eternal bliss of the Supreme Self. Such a river begin to rise upwards. The Jivanmukta is not perturbed person is a on earth. under any condition. The Jivanmukta is undistracted amidst distractions. The Jivanmukta is full of pure love, compassion, mercy, exquisite The world gentleness, hidden power, and strength. Love and luster shine The phenomenal universe does through his brilliant eyes. not vanish from the vision of the Jivanmukta. He sees the world as The Jivanmukta has not a bit of selfish a dream within himself. Just as the interest in him and is absolutely free mirage appears even after the illusory from worries, difficulties, troubles, nature of the water is understood, tribulations, sorrows, and anxieties so also the world appears for the under all circumstances. Even when Jivanmukta even after he has attained pains attaching themselves to his Self-realization, even after he has body are exhibited on his face, his clearly understood the illusory nature mind never writhes under them and of the world. But, just as the person the antitheses. He is not a slave of who has understood the nature of his moods; he is ever cheerful and the mirage will not run after the peaceful. His higher excellences illusory water for drinking, so the have been perfectly unfolded; all Jivanmukta will not run after worldly divine attributes are fully awakened objects though the world appears to in him. Every one of his weaknesses him. That is the difference between a and limitations is burnt totally. He worldly person and a liberated sage. shines in his own pristine glory, in his own essential nature of divine consciousness. He radiates peace and joy everywhere. Cosmic Vision

The true greatness of a realized is indescribable. His The Jivanmukta beholds the one Reality of God everywhere eyes are serene and steady, his actions perfect and holy, his and in all things. For him there is not distinction between a speech sweet and short, inspiring, and impressive. His gait rogue and a saint, gold and stone, honour and dishonour. He is magnanimous, his touch purifying; his looks are merciful; actually feels that all is himself only; that snakes, scorpions, gestures, illuminating. He is omniscient; he has intuitive tigers, bears, and lions are as much a part of himself as his transcendental knowledge and clear insight into the very own eyes, noses, ears, hands, and feet. His is one with the heart of all things and beings. You will experience a deep flower, ether, sun, ocean, mountain, and sky. He has cosmic sense of peace and harmony, great elevation and inspiration, vision and cosmic feelings. in his presence. A Jivanmukta is not a whimsical person. He is not bound by The Jivanmukta or liberated sage is absolutely free from the rules of society; and yet, he will not deviate from egoism, doubt, fear, and grief. These are the four important (duty, righteousness, morality). All that he does will be in signs that indicate that one has attained perfection. strict accordance with the scriptures or sacred books. He spontaneously does only what is good. An expert dancer never makes a false step. So is a Jivanmukta like that when he works. Mark of a Jivanmukta The mark or characteristic of such a person is an internal Balanced mind, equal vision, indifference to pairs of opposites mental state. It cannot be perceived or detected by others. like pleasure and pain, censure and praise, heat and cold, The Lord uses the Jivanmukta for His divine work. success and failure—these are the marks of a Jivanmukta. The Jivanmukta does not care for public criticism. He keeps Jivanmuktas are not frightened or astonished at any unusual a cool mind even when he is assaulted. He blesses those who occurrence in nature. They will never be disconcerted even persecute him. He beholds only his own Self everywhere. IYTA Newsletter • August 2009 • Page  Creating the Compassionate Safe Container by Amy Weintraub, MFA, ERYT-500, author of Yoga for Depression

they are. As a result, it becomes the teacher’s role to shake up that security, so that the student may begin to question her identity as an individual “I.” In such a cultural context, it may require a harsher style of teaching to strip away the roles, so the student begins to glimpse the reality beneath the façade—the knowledge of her deep connection.

But in our Western culture, where we are born into families split apart by work and divorce and separation from caring relatives, we have a harder time developing the identity that spiritual practice in traditional cultures seeks to break down. Even as adults, we in the West are often in the formative stage, developing a strong sense of self, particularly if we’ve been uprooted, abused, or traumatized as children. The harsher methods, though well-intentioned, rather than stripping away the false self, can further damage that emerging sense of self.

It may take years of psychotherapy and spiritual practice to feel a strong-enough sense of self for us Westerners to ask ourselves, “Who am I?” and be ready and willing to experience Amy Weintraub the answer—that we are both less than and greater than who we think we are. And for us to believe that the “greater While leading a five-day LifeForce Yoga® retreat at a than” has nothing to do with how much money we have or large conference center, I met a woman whom I shall the awards we’ve won or what we’ve accomplished. That, call Janet. A licensed social worker, she had a private in fact, the “greater than” has nothing to do with you or with counseling practice in a large city. Janet was tall with a me as individuals and everything to do with the you and the broad-shouldered, athletic-looking body. She had taken a me that is not separate from the cosmos. “Wisdom tells me program the year before, but was not I am nothing,” says Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj. “Love tells me currently teaching. Shame, she said, was the reason she I am everything. Between those two my life flows.” was not only not teaching, but also no longer practicing Yoga. She said she’d felt humiliated by the teacher-trainer Janet’s trainer had been a senior student of one of the most when she’d asked him to wear a special microphone device famous “big stick” teacher’s in India. Her teacher led his designed to amplify the sound for the hearing impaired and training sessions the way he had been taught. I don’t for he’d refused. Her mat was placed near the back of the a moment believe that the teacher-trainer leading Janet’s room, so a great deal of the program content was lost to her. sessions set out to humiliate his students. Those of his The training, she said, was all about perfecting the posture— students who could hear him learned proper alignment “getting it right.” She often left the sessions in tears. Janet in the poses, but something was missing in that training. is a woman who is slowly losing her hearing, and the Yoga Compassion. The teacher did not create a sense of safety. training reinforced her sense of social isolation. He did not cultivate that compassionate container wherein students feel seen, heard and acknowledged even as The “big stick” approach to mind-body trainings in they learn how to “get it right.” I often tell people who meditation and Yoga is not uncommon. Many of these come to my workshops that if you leave a teacher feeling teaching methods arose from a culture where people felt embarrassed about your body or unseen or not good secure in their identities and comfortable with their place enough, you should find another teacher. in their families, communities and in the world. Children grew up in extended families, where attention was paid to Spiritual practice, be it Yoga or prayer or chanting or their needs, not only by mother, but by grandmother, uncle, meditation, should remind us of our wholeness, of who older brother, neighbor and priest. Perhaps a child was born we really are—vessels of energy and love connected to the into a family of textile merchants or goat herders where, for healing energy and love of the cosmos. We should put away generations, each family member knew her or his role and our malas or get up from our meditation cushions feeling played it without question. Unlike our Western culture, where more connected, not less. Teachers who cannot create a there are multiple caretakers, multiple choices and much safe container where we feel willing to risk the self-disclosure more uncertainty, children in traditional cultures develop involved in emotional and physical and mental transformation a strong sense of self and a basic security in knowing who should be avoided.

IYTA Newsletter • August 2009 • Page  Ecumenism (Continued from Page 1)

Find a spiritual guide or teacher who sees you as you really The purpose of ecumenism is not to have only one religion. are, who sees and acknowledges that you already have When things become uniform, we become bored and don’t everything you need inside you. Your teacher’s role is to appreciate life anymore. But, while enjoying the variety, provide the tools to help you strip away the obstacles so we can try to understand the unity. However, if you don’t that you can awaken to the knowledge of your perfection. know the unity, you won’t enjoy the variety. Instead, you will Your teacher’s role is to provide guidance as you clear always be fighting. The true purpose of ecumenism is to stop away the accumulation of rubbish that blinds you to your the fighting. own divinity. Those who have directly experienced the Truth say that it The word ‘guru’ has many associations, but the cannot be perceived by the mind or expressed by speech. literal meaning of the syllables clearly indicates a teacher’s Still, we depend upon the mind for understanding, despite true role in your life. The syllable “gu” means darkness; the fact that even the most subtle phenomena which the the syllable “ru” means the destroyer of that (darkness). mind can perceive are very gross when compared to the [Feurstein, Georg, The Shambala Encyclopedia of Yoga, basic essence. So, when the mind attempts to understand Boston: Shambhala Publications, 2000. pg.112]. In many the un-understandable essence, it has to limit the unlimited. traditions you will hear that the guru is that being who can The most subtle expression which the mind can perceive is bring you from darkness to light. But that journey cannot the Sound. The call it Nadam, and the Bible calls it the be made without compassion. In fact, in the first written Word. Even this basic sound cannot be directly known, but documentation of actual Hatha Yoga practices, the Hatha- you can see it expressed as the Light. The very sound, itself, Yoga-Pradipika, it is said that without the compassion creates the conditions for the illumination, or the Light. This is (karuna) of a satguru (true teacher), a state of natural called the bindu, which is just a speck of light. As light it can freedom (sahaja) cannot be reached. The implication is be seen, but in the level beyond the light it cannot. It is heard, that the teacher must be compassionate in dealings with but what we hear through the physical ear is not even the his or her student. beginning of sound. The Sound which we are talking about is much more subtle than what we hear.

The way to understand and realize this is to use the help of Amy Weintraub, author of Yoga for Depression and founder some outside symbol. That is the reason why we have all of the LifeForce Yoga Healing Institute, is a leader in the field the various temples, symbols, images, services, wavings of of yoga and mental health. She offers professional trainings lights and incense, and ringing of bells. Those are all outside and workshops and speaks at medical and psychological symbols which should ultimately help us to feel, see, and conferences internationally. Amy’s evidence-based yoga hear the same within. protocol is featured on the award-winning DVD series LifeForce Yoga to Beat the Blues. The individual is free to choose whatever symbol or image he or she prefers. By choosing the Light, we are using a universal www.yogafordepression.com . symbol. The Light is universal, and our way is universal. We believe in the various signs, symbols, and approaches. Amy Weintraub will be in Yogaville offering Life Force Yoga Eventually, they all bring the Light. You are in Light, and you to Meet Your Challenge, Sept 18-20, 2009. are called “enlightened.”

ach soul is potentially divine. The goal is to manifest the divinity within by controlling Enature, external and internal. Do this either by work, or worship or psychic control or philosophy—by one or more or all of these—and be free. This is the whole of religion. Doctrines,

or dogmas, or rituals, or books, or temples, or forms are but secondary details.

—Sri

IYTA Newsletter • August 2009 • Page  Your Body Speaks Your Mind by Deb Shapiro and Ed Shapiro (Dharmavati and Mitra)

In Woody Allen’s movie, Annie Hall, his girlfriend Diane Many different emotions get repressed such as hurt, anger Keaton is leaving him and wants to know why he isn’t angry. and betrayal, to name but a few. Every time we “swallow” “I don’t get angry,” Allen replies, “I grow a tumor instead.” our feelings we are potentially dooming them to repression or denial. Rage is the most obvious of the emotions to be Deb recently had a burst appendix and we are immensely repressed—whether arising from childhood trauma, from the grateful for the operation and antibiotics that saved her life. way we have been treated, from the losses we have incurred She would not be here without them. As such, we want to or the difficulties we have had to deal with. Rage is repressed make something clear. Illness is real. Accidents happen. because it is rarely appropriate to release it at the time and, Medicine can help. We are not writing this to try and after a while, we are hardly even aware it is there, buried convince you that the sole reason for your illness is in your in the unconscious. With rage comes denial that anything mind and that you must have done something wrong or are was ever wrong, or self-blame because surely we must have to blame for being ill. And, we are not saying that simply been the ones at fault. Repressed rage also gives rise to by understanding how the mind and body work together irrational fear, hate and bitterness or depression, all of which that you will then be able to miraculously cure yourself of detrimentally influence our health. whatever it is that ails you. Elizabeth was forty-six years old and suffering from a large What we are saying is: When something goes wrong it amount of excess weight extending from her waist to her is invariably a combination of both physical and psycho- knees. We determined that this had started twenty-three years emotional causes. The role of our minds and emotions in earlier and asked her what had happened at that time, but she our state of health, however, is the part that is invariably could not recall anything of real significance. Unable to control overlooked. Ed remembers having an upset stomach when he herself, Elizabeth’s mother butted in, explaining that something was a child and his grandmother asking him if he was having certainly had happened then. That was when Elizabeth found a problem at school. What she knew instinctively we are, at out that her husband of only six months, the first (and only) last, beginning to prove scientifically: There is an intimate man she had ever loved, was gay. What had this meant to and dynamic relationship between what is happening in her? Even though her husband loved her as a person, it meant our lives—in particular with our feelings and thoughts—and a complete rejection of her as a woman and especially of her what is happening in our bodies. During the past ten years sexuality. Elizabeth had completely buried this memory. That there has been a growing amount of research showing how act of denial contributed directly to her excess weight, which the mind and body respond to each other. This has clearly was acting as padding around her sexual organs, enabling her demonstrated how emotional and psychological states to continue avoiding the feelings locked inside. translate into altered responses in the chemical balance of the body, which in turn affects the immune, neural, endocrine, There is no major section of the physical system that is not digestive and circulatory systems. influenced by our thoughts and feelings, as these are turned into neuropeptides or information messengers and taken We now know how a sad feeling becomes a chemical that throughout our body. “A basic emotion such as fear can be influences the cells of the tear ducts to make them produce described as an abstract feeling or as a tangible molecule of tears, or how a scary feeling gives us goose bumps or makes the hormone adrenaline,” writes Deepak Chopra in Ageless our hair stand on end. But what happens when we have a Body, Timeless Mind. “Without the feeling there is no hormone; more serious physical difficulty, an illness or disease, when without the hormone there is no feeling. The revolution we we break a leg or have an accident? By learning the body- call mind-body medicine was based on this simple discovery: mind language of symptoms and illness, we can find what Wherever thought goes, a chemical goes with it.” is being repressed, denied or ignored in our psyche and the effect such repression is having on our physical body. Thoughts have energy; emotions have energy. They make And, by understanding this relationship, we can understand us do and say things or act in certain ways, they make us ourselves more deeply and can claim a greater role in our jump up and down or lie prone in bed, and they determine own wellbeing. what we eat and whom we love. The energy behind what we think and feel does not just disappear if it is held back Emotions that are repressed, denied or ignored are ones that or repressed. When we cannot, or do not, express what is never found expression or were never fully acknowledged. happening on an emotional or psychological level, that Perhaps you were taught to put other people’s feelings first feeling becomes embodied (we take it deeper within) until it and feel you must make them happy; or you feel unworthy manifests through our physical body. of love; or you believe you must appear perfect; or you have learned how to do this from your own parents—for instance, The word invalid means both someone who is unwell and watching your mother withdraw or repress her own emotions a state of not being valid—of being void or unacceptable. at times of conflict. But which comes first, the sick person in bed who feels IYTA Newsletter • August 2009 • Page  helpless, useless and unimportant or the person who feels unacknowledged, dismissed as incompetent and who then becomes sick?

Through illness our bodies give us a message that something is out of balance. This is not a punishment for bad behavior; rather it is nature’s way of creating equilibrium. Our bodies are actually a source of great wisdom. By listening and paying attention to them, we have a chance to contribute to our own health, to participate in coming back to a state of wholeness and balance. So, rather than blaming yourself by saying, “Why did I choose to have this illness?” you can ask, “How am I choosing to grow with this illness?” In this way, we can use whatever difficulties we have in order to learn Dharmavati and Mitra and grow, to release old patterns of negativity, to deepen compassion, forgiveness, and insight. Deb Shapiro (Dharmavati) has trained extensively in bodywork systems and Buddhist meditation. She is author of the 2007 If we only look at what is wrong and try to get rid of it, we are Visionary Book Award winner Your Body Speaks Your ignoring both the original cause of the illness—why it is there, Mind: Decoding the Emotional, Psychological and Spiritual what it can teach us, and how it is of benefit—for the illness or Messages that Underlie Illness. difficulty we want to be rid of may be the very thing we need to learn from. Our difficulties can then become stepping- Ed Shapiro (Mitra) trained with Swami Satchidananda and stones along the way rather than stumbling blocks. Instead Swami Satyananda. Together they have been teaching body- of being overwhelmed by a sense of hopelessness and guilt mind therapy and meditation for the past 20 years. They that we are responsible for everything that is happening to us, are featured contributors to the HuffingtonPost.com/living; which simply adds to the negativity, we can see illness as an the authors of 15 books, including Voices From the Heart, invitation and an opportunity for awakening. In this way, illness Unconditional Love and Meditation: Four Steps to Calmness becomes a great gift and your body a wonderful source of and Clarity; and they write daily inspirational Chillout text information. It is there to help you, not to hinder you. messages for Sprint cell phones.

Dharmavati and Mitra will lead a program on “Your Body Speaks Your Mind” in Yogaville from September 25-27, 2009.

The Childplay Yoga Program comes to Yogaville! by Gurudass Kaur

Those of us who practice Yoga understand that this spiritual probably will not. Although we think of as science has the power to balance us and align us with our a mini version of an adult class, in which we take the children true nature. A Yoga practice for a very highly-strung, over- through a story using the different postures, there is really so stressed student will, hopefully, help this student to calm much more we can offer the child in the name of Yoga. down, relax and balance his or her energy. A Yoga practice for a very lethargic or depressed student will, hopefully, I have been working with children and Yoga for many years stimulate and energize this student. In this way we come to and have found all sorts of creative ways to nurture a child’s understand how a Yoga practice will have a very individually growth. Children are built to move and play and challenge beneficial effect on each practitioner. themselves and so a children’s Yoga class can offer the child plenty of opportunity to jump, hop, roll, slide, dance, etc. and In this same way, when we think of Yoga for children we have enjoy every which way the body can move. to keep in mind the nature of the child. By nature, children learn everything through play; and, so, Yoga for children is an A children’s Yoga class can also be a place for a child to opportunity for them to “play” at Yoga. A Yoga practice for learn coordination and balance exercises, short meditations a child need not resemble an adult Yoga practice and most that are tailored to their attention span, listen to stories that IYTA Newsletter • August 2009 • Page  inspire values, play games that encourage self-expression, memory, small and large motor control, brain hemisphere balancing etc. etc.. A children’s Yoga class can offer the child a place to talk about their feelings and/or get those feelings out in positive creative ways.

When working with children what one usually finds demanding is knowing what to do with them. After decades of trying this and trying that, I have put together a program called Childplay Yoga, that offers any teacher, parent, Yoga instructor etc. hundreds of ideas of what you can do in a classroom setting to create fun and creative Yoga based classes for children. Anything that did not work did not make it into the program!

This program works for children of all ages and can be modified for both the youngest child and the adolescent. What all of my students say after taking this course is that it was an incredible therapy for them to reconnect with their own inner child. Many of them use games and techniques that I teach with their adult students!

Here are a few ideas of things you can do with children in the name of “Yoga.” To help children work on their physical balance, have them begin standing by a wall and placing one hand on the wall for support. Teach them to focus their eyes on one point on the floor to help keep their balance. Lead them through different postures that require balance and Gurudass Kaur have them little by little come away from the wall until they are no longer using the wall for balance. What I have found is that it is never too late to have a happy childhood! I will be bringing this Childplay Yoga program to Since children are “playing” at Yoga we can invite them to Yogaville November 12-15, 2009 and intertwining it with the try some short and simple meditation techniques. Have the Yogaville daily program of meditation and Yoga. It should be children sit down and encourage them to close their eyes. a wonderful opportunity to balance both our inner child and You might mention that we open the eyes to get to know adult! If you have any questions about this program please the world and shut them to get to know our inner selves. Tell feel free to contact me at [email protected] or just them that you will be hitting a bell and having them listen to sign up directly with Yogaville. I look forward to “playing” the sound until it has completely gone away. Hit the bell a with you and have no doubt that if you do decide to join us few times or as many times as you observe that they can keep you will have fun, fun, fun!!! their attention and interest. Remember that less is more with children and it is better to offer less then to invite boredom. Gurudass Kaur is the creator of the Childplay Yoga training Children love to play games and there are many games that program, an innovative Yoga-based, fun and creative activities aid the child in developing different skills. To work on memory, program for children. She brings to this program her years of for example, I put out a tray and on it put many different little work as a certified elementary school teacher and a Montessori objects. I have the children take some moments to try and teacher. She also founded the Aerobic Federation of Spain remember what objects are on the tray. I then blindfold one and for many years trained students to become Aerobic of the children, take away one of the objects and give him teachers. She has been a student, and teacher or her the opportunity to figure out what I have in my hand. since 1972 and co-founded the first Kundalini Yoga center in For each of the other children, who have had more time to Barcelona, Spain in 1978. She had the privilege of studying memorize the objects, I make it more challenging. directly with the Master of Kundalini Yoga, Yogi , from 1972 until his passing in 2004. Gurudass Kaur is also a gifted To inspire children to higher values I use the medium of singer and musician and has recorded many mantra CD’s and stories that I either make up or read to them from books a Mantras in Motion DVD. She is also heard singing in many that I have found well written and sensitive. I might use this well-known Kundalini Yoga music recordings. Gurudass Kaur activity as a relaxation time and turn down the lights and use lives in Northern Virginia and is the mother of two beautiful a flashlight to read the story. (grown up) children!

IYTA Newsletter • August 2009 • Page  The Ultimate Goal: Inspiration from Gibraltor by Surya

The Integral Yoga Centre of Gibraltar has grown and flourished for over twenty years now—first at the Catholic Community Centre, then at St Martin’s Special School, the local Hindu Mandir and, currently, in its own premises at Town Range for the last ten years. It was born of a determination, of a vision, the work essentially of one special soul, Nalanie Chellaram, its Director and guide, its motivation and inspiration.

Some thirty teachers have now been trained in Hatha and under the umbrella of Satchidananda Ashram in Virginia. It has been visibly blessed, directly, by Gurudev’s visits and love and visibly assisted over the years through myriad angels who are devoted to serving others: Mataji Gurucharanananda, Swami Asokanandaji, Swami Sharadanandaji, and Sadasiva Greenstone, Sylta, Heiki, Mala and John. Gibraltar Integral Yoga Center

What has been the glue all of this time? Shakespeare’s over 60% of its income is shared unconditionally with those Hamlet advises to “suit the action to the word, the word in need. It has recently assisted in launching Nalanie’s dream to the action.” And, the “word” that underlies all Gibraltar project: a Spirit of Satchidananda orphanage and school in Centre activity is “service.” Nepal. Much has been done and much remains to be done, but support is spreading, especially in Barcelona and Portugal, Gurudev put it very clearly and succinctly: undoubtedly guided by Gurudev’s spirit. The Centre has also helped and supported the setting up of Ashiana, a sister You are doing all of your spiritual practices to purify the sangha in Marbella, Spain, and works closely with Quinta da vehicle so that you can serve better. You are doing , Calma in Portugal, Ulla in Estoril and Marina in Barcelona. pranayama. What for? Not only for your health. You want to Some of its lead selflessly in the Association for Kids keep the body healthy, the mind peaceful so that you can in Need, a local charity they established, currently running serve. Your ultimate goal is to serve, serve, serve. a major project in Tanzania. As motivated by its Director, Nalanie, all of this has ensured this tiny Centre does not The Centre runs pre-natal classes, Gentle Hatha for senior develop an insular, introverted outlook. citizens, meditation and Raja Yoga classes, open satsangs on the and Sri ’s , Hatha Gurudev stipulated: “ And how is that service to be done? classes for beginners and intermediate students, children’s With love.” classes and supports a Hatha class at a cancer relief center. This latter activity has been instrumental in the setting up Our Centre’s Director epitomizes its very motto: “Live to of a Hatha class, now two years old, specially designed for Love; Love to Serve.” From its very beginning, no teacher breast cancer patients. The Centre also serves to counsel has ever been paid or expected to be paid for any service people in need on an individual basis—motivating addicts in given. All who come to the Centre know this. Inspired sobriety, harmonizing relationships, healing distress. by Nalanie’s continuous example, all service is offered unconditionally with love. Gurudev’s approval is reflected The Centre gives regular financial support to local women in by many experiences—not least that the Centre is never need, Clinic Nepal, schooling for two children in Katmandu, short of money or support for any of its projects. Most a leprosy center in Ethiopia; Mother Teresa and Cheshire recently, and to our great satisfaction and pride (not yogic centers in Morocco, Sister Patricia’s school in Peru, Father emotions but Gurudev will surely understand), Nalanie was Maria Babu and orphanages in India and Sri Lanka, cancer recognized in Her Majesty The Queen’s Birthday Honours relief, the Red Cross and Yogaville. Indeed, other than through the granting of the Governor’s Award for her meeting the Centre’s maintenance and running needs, well “services to humanity.”

IYTA Newsletter • August 2009 • Page  Warm-Ups 1 by Lakshmi Sutter, eRYT500

During the hot summer months, it is not uncommon for buildings to be cooled to a point that is uncomfortably cold for many of us. When teaching Yoga in these spaces as well as 2 when working with particular populations (such as seniors), it can be helpful to incorporate warm-ups into the practice. They increase blood flow throughout the body, thereby warming the muscles and improving energy flow. In the Basic Teacher Training program, we teach that the purpose of warm-ups is to prepare the body for Hatha Yoga. These localized movements can be used to ensure the body is prepared for the larger movements required in Surya Namaskaaram. By practicing slowly and incorporating the breath, warm ups can help us to meaningfully transition to the core practice by allowing us to easefully 3 focus the mind. For those with limited mobility, this type of slow and gentle movement may comprise the entire asana practice!

Generally, IY suggests that a complete warm up includes all of the major muscle groups and joints in the body. Following are a few of my personal favorites that can be woven into any number of routines. If you are teaching the traditional beginner practice, choose a sequence that can be completed in just 3-4 minutes. As with any addition to your teaching 4 toolkit, we suggest that you practice it for a month before you teach to any students so your instruction is completely authentic! Dynamic child or dynamic cow/cat:

This vinyasa, or flow, is also known as chakravakasana in some traditions. [Note that in even other traditions, chakravakasana is an entirely different position.] This can be used 5 where cow/cat would have been used in any other sequence. It is particularly effective at stretching the lower back and can be used therapeutically.

From tabletop position on all fours, place the wrists under or slightly forward of the shoulders with the hips directly over the knees. Begin to follow the rhythm of the breath. On an exhalation, initiate the breath and follow with the body, rounding into the cat pose 6 with the spine toward the ceiling (spinal flexion) as the tailbone curls under and the chin draws toward the chest. On the same exhalation, with the abdomen contracted and lower back rounded, move the hips backward in the direction of the heels as the chest lowers toward the thighs. [Photo 1]

With the following inhalation, tilt the pelvis forward as you round the spine in the opposite direction (spinal extension). At the same time, draw the chest forward until the shoulders 7 are back to the initial position. You may bend the elbows as much or as little as you would like and then straighten them into the starting tabletop position. Here, the tailbone and head are lifted with an open chest. [Photo 2]

Repeat the movements with breath in and out several times. When finished pause either in tabletop or balasana, the child’s pose. 8 Opening sequence adapted from Erich Schiffmann

Another sequence that I love to use is suited to a population that is generally fit. This vinyasa offers the added benefit of building upper body strength, which can be beneficial to many of us! Begin in tabletop position. The hands may be under the shoulders or slightly forward so 9 that the wrists are comfortable. Align the creases in the wrist so that they are parallel to the front of the mat. Spread the fingers wide. Look closely at the position of the hands and memorize their placement. [Photo 3] Observe the breath. On the next exhalation, slowly

IYTA Newsletter • August 2009 • Page 10 10

drift backwards to rest in the child’s pose, balasana, with the arms wrapping around the 11 legs. [Photo 4] Pause.

On an inhalation, stretch the arms out overhead. Look forward to confirm that the hands are in their proper position. [Photo 5] 12 Exhale to sink deeper into balasana. [Photo 6] Inhale to tabletop position. [Photo 7]

On an exhalation, round the spine, lowering the chin to the chest while tucking the tailbone under. [You may move dynamically here through cow and cat as many times as you would like.] [Photo 8]

Inhale to a neutral spine, set the shoulder blades on the rib cage and curl the toes under. 13 [Photo 9]

Exhale and straighten the legs while lifting the hips up and back, keeping the shoulders directly over the wrists. This is NOT adho mukha svanasana; the arms here are perpendicular to the floor. [Photo 10]

Pause here for at least one breath. Increase the hold as the upper body strength allows.

With an exhalation, lean into the hips and slide the body backward in space creating an 14 inverted “V” shape. Allow the knees to be soft or even bent. [Photo 11]

Inhale and press through the hands as if you want to push the floor away from you. Feel the backside of the upper body lengthen as the sitting bones lift. [Photo 12]

On the next exhalation, relax the heels toward the floor. [Photo 13]

15 [Here you may insert any number of movements you may know, such as pedaling the feet rhythmically with the breath to further stretch the legs.]

With an inhalation, lower the knees softly to the floor and place the tops of the feet on the floor. [Photo 14] 16 Exhale to balasana with the arms outstretched. [Photo 15 – same as 6]

The next movement is big: lots going on with one long inhalation. As you lift up momentarily through vajrasana, slide the hands along the body and pause when they are behind the hips. Fingers may point either direction; backward is generally more easeful for the wrists. On the same inhale, open the chest toward the sky while squeezing the shoulder blades together and look up. [Photo 16]

17 With the exhalation, allow the body to fold back over the thighs into balasana, with arms pointing behind the body. As you fold, move from the crease in the hips and lengthen the body forward at the same time you are lowering down. [Photo 17 – same as 4]

Pause and rest. You can repeat this entire sequence beginning on an inhalation stretching 18 the arms overhead and checking that you re-establish the perfect hand position. [Photo 18 – same as 5]

IYTA Newsletter • August 2009 • Page 11 Mindfulness Yoga: Hatha Yoga and the Four Foundations of Mindfulness by Poep Sa Frank Jude Boccio

For the vast majority of practitioners and non-practitioners asana practice, we can observe how movement and posture alike, Yoga has become reduced to, and synonymous with, affects the breath and how the breath affects the body. the postures and movements of Hatha Yoga. Yet, for most We become aware of habitual patterns of reactivity. For of its history, meditation has been the essential aspect of instance, do you hold your breath when reaching out with authentic Yoga practice. The word Yoga comes from the your arms into a deep stretch? Do you unnecessarily tense root yuj, meaning to “yoke or to harness” and signifies both muscles not involved with the movement you are making? spiritual endeavor, especially the disciplining of the mind and Do you compare one side of the body with the other? When the senses, and the state of integration. Yoga includes the engaged in repetitive movements, does your mind wander? various philosophies and practices Georg Feurstein calls “the In maintaining a posture, can you see the constant changing psychospiritual technology specific to the great civilization phenomena, or do you concretize the experience, reifying of India.” Its purpose is to liberate the practitioner from the the changing phenomena into a static entity that you then existential human situation of duhkha, variously translated as either grasp after or resist, depending on whether you find it suffering, stress, and dissatisfaction. Buddhism, a bona fide pleasant or unpleasant? child of the Yoga Tradition offers a complete and coherent model of Yogic theory and practice and, like all authentic With the Four Foundations, asana practice becomes a fully Yoga, it is -, a liberation teaching designed to authentic mindfulness practice, in essence no different free us from duhkha. than sitting or walking meditation. This is the practice of Mindfulness Yoga; the cultivation of mindfulness using In an early discourse, the Buddha is asked if it is possible asana as the vehicle for such cultivation. The practice to know, see, or to reach the end of the world, where one of mindfulness, the Buddha assures us, “gives rise to does not suffer. He responds that it is not possible to reach understanding and liberation of the mind.” such a place of peace by traveling, “However, it is in just this fathom-high body, endowed with perception and mind, that I The Four Foundations of Mindfulness include body, feelings, make known the world, its arising and cessation, and the way mind and . Each Foundation includes a variety of leading to the cessation of the world.” The Buddha could not objects, meditations, and contemplations. When practicing have more clearly stated that it is with the exploration of our asana, we can choose to devote our practice to any one of bodily experience, where we so often find discomfort, pain, these, or work through them sequentially. and suffering, that we can also find peace and liberation. First Foundation While the Buddha taught many practices, perhaps it’s his emphasis on mindfulness that has had the greatest impact. The First Foundation of Mindfulness is “the body within the The Pali word ‘sati’ (Sanskrit. ), most often translated as body.” This phrasing reminds us that we are not distant observers mindfulness, is related to the word for remembering. To‘re- of the body, with awareness located in our heads observing member’ is to bring together all the seemingly disparate our body as an object, but rather awareness permeates the aspects of our experience into an integrated whole. In whole body, like a sponge saturated with water. this way, remembering is synonymous with the definition of Yoga. Whenever we see our mind wandering from the We’re encouraged to simply know an in-breath as an intimate, immediate, spontaneous and obvious experience in-breath, an out-breath as an out-breath. We become at hand, we remember to come back -- to just this, right here, intimately familiar with the experience of breathing, noticing right now, using the breath as the “yoke.” the various and varying qualities such as deep or shallow, fast or slow, rough or smooth, even or uneven, long or short. In both the Anapanasati (Awareness of Breathing), and the Then, expanding our awareness to include the whole body, Satipatthana Suttas (The Foundation of Mindfulness), the including its posture, and movement, we deepen our sense Buddha instructs us to observe the breath, gradually extending of embodiment. The body and breath do not get lost in the our awareness to include the whole body. He instructs us to future or the past, so when attention is fully absorbed in the be aware of the movements and positions of the body, while body, there is a fully integrated sense of presence. standing, walking, sitting, or lying down, while bending over, or stretching our limbs, and notes that nothing is excluded Bringing attention to the parts of the body, we become from mindfulness, including such activities as eating, drinking, cognizant of any reactivity to the various parts; which parts dressing, urinating, and defecating. No aspect of our lived do we like; which parts do we dislike? Contemplating the experience lies outside of practice. Five Great Elements (earth, water, fire, air and space), the yogi begins to understand that life is not isolated in her own The relevance of this teaching for practicing Hatha Yoga is body; that there is no “self” separate from the elements. The obvious. When we combine awareness of breathing with First Mindfulness Training of or non-harming reminds IYTA Newsletter • August 2009 • Page 12 us to protect the lives of people, animals, plants and minerals. As our bodies cannot exist without these minerals, we begin to see that the distinction between organic and inorganic is ultimately conceptual – there is no real separation.

The final practice of the First Foundation is contemplating the existential truth that this body is of the nature to die. Looking deeply into the impermanent nature of the body, we are motivated not to take life for granted, not to lose our life in distraction and dispersion. The effect of this meditation can be liberating as we let go of all the effort we make in attempting to deny the only thing we know for certain – that we will die! Second Foundation

Practicing “Feelings within the Feelings,” we deepen our intimacy with experience by bringing mindfulness to feelings – not as a disassociated observer, but from within the feelings themselves. Feelings are not emotions but the “feeling tone” or “felt sense” of experience.

To see for yourself what is meant here, take a moment to Poep Sa Frank Jude Boccio close your eyes and just sit, with your hands resting on your lap, palms down. Settle yourself into the experience, noting you enjoy, or experience, the psychological pleasure of the how it feels to sit here – physically and energetically. You “successful” performance of a challenging posture, if you may note such feelings as “heavy,” “grounded,” “stable,” are not mindful, you can get caught in craving and clinging, or “dull.” Then, maintaining your attention, turn your palms seeking to prolong or repeat the feeling as soon as it wanes (as upward and note if there’s a change in the feeling tone. it most assuredly will since all phenomena are impermanent). You may find yourself feeling “light,” “open,” “receptive” or While it is a pleasure to accomplish a challenging posture, “vulnerable,” among other possible feelings. without mindfulness, as the Gherandha- warns, asana practice becomes an obstacle to liberation because the Feelings are a primal experience that precedes any reaction ego-gratification is clung to, and identification with ego and or emotion. The importance of bringing mindfulness to the body becomes more rigid and solid. We get caught in such feelings cannot be over-estimated. It is at the junction pride and our identity as someone who can do “advanced between feeling and reactivity that mindfulness provides the postures.” When conditions change (through illness, injury possibility of freely choosing how to respond to any given or age) and we can no longer do what we used to do, we can situation. become discouraged and even suffer despair.

The Buddha noted that feelings condition our whole Mindfulness shows us how quickly the mind seeks to push world. We spend huge amounts of energy trying to create the unpleasant away, to eliminate it. Such aversion creates and prolong pleasant feelings while attempting to avoid tension that is often more painful than the original sensation. unpleasant feelings, and we become confused, bored or The Buddha referred to this added anguish as “the second simply “checked-out” when experiencing neutral feelings. arrow.” Bringing awareness to neutral feelings cultivates This grasping, aversion and ignorance, called the “three greater clarity about our experience. In fact, most of our poisons,” are the roots of duhkha, poisoning the experience experience is neutral, neither pleasant nor unpleasant. of life. If mindfulness is not present, feelings quickly give rise Because this is so, we spend much of our time seeking to moods, emotions, perceptions, ideas and whole stories intensity of feeling, or falling into boredom. Through greater and identities that cause duhkha for us and for those with awareness of the neutral aspect of experience, we remain whom we interact. present to experience and cultivate greater ease, enjoying the calm of neutrality. Hatha Yoga practice can either help us grow in awareness and insight, or create duhkha, depending on whether mindfulness In opening ourselves to felt experience, we allow ourselves is present or not. For example, when practicing an asana to live life fully, not caught in patterned habits of reactivity. IYTA Newsletter • August 2009 • Page 13 Rather than conditionally reacting to experience, we can Mindfulness shows how one creates a sense of self through choose to respond creatively. The key to this freedom is in reactivity, belief patterns, and dramatizing story lines; what bringing mindfulness to our feelings before they condition Patanjali calls asmita. The more attached we are to our our reactivity. stories of self, the more tension and suffering we create, but it’s not until we really see this for ourselves that any opening Third Foundation can occur.

The Dhammapada’s opening lines point to the importance of Fourth Foundation mind in creating the lived experience of our world: Mindfulness of the dharmas, provides the context of bringing Our life is shaped by our mind; mindfulness to specific mental qualities, and analyzing all actions are led by mind; created by mind. experience into categories that constitute core aspects of Duhkha follows an unskillful thought the Buddha’s Dharma (or teaching). These classifications as the wheels of a cart follows the oxen that draw it. are points of reference to be applied during contemplation Suhkha follows a skillful thought to whatever experiences arise while practicing and include as surely as one’s shadow. the Five Hindrances, the Seven Factors of Awakening, and the Four Noble Truths. While one can contemplate these The Buddha taught that actions are preceded by volitions dharmas while practicing asanas, a more accessible practice that create wholesome or unwholesome consequences. is to bring mindfulness to the impermanent nature of all This is the teaching of ; there are consequences to our phenomena. Contemplation of impermanence is a “dharma actions. Rather than blaming external conditions for duhkha, gate” opening to the understanding of the interdependent, we realize that the ultimate cause of duhkha is found in the conditioned, and selfless nature of all that exists. mind – the same place liberation is found. Asana practice offers a great window into impermanence. In turning attention to the activity of the mind, all psychological From day to day, the body feels and moves differently each phenomena are included: emotions, perceptions, time we come to practice. We know things change, yet we conceptualization, imagination, and discrimination – the put so much effort and energy into trying to live life as if that citta-samskara or “mental formations.” Citta or mind is the were not so! This is , “not-seeing” as a kind of willful totality of these ever-changing psychological phenomena, denial. But ignoring or denying the truth of impermanence not a thing, or unchanging subject. perpetuates suffering and misery, and opening to the reality of change liberates that energy. With mindfulness of the mental formations, we attempt to “know” a mental formation as a mental formation. When not In Genjo Koan Zen Master Dogen writes, “If you examine mindful of mental formations, we believe and identify with myriad things with a confused body-mind, you might them. When we recognize a mental formation as a mental suppose that your mind and nature are permanent. When formation, it loses much – or all – of its power over us. you practice intimately and return to where you are, it will When mindfulness is there, the mental formation has already be clear that nothing at all has unchanging self.” If “self” is been transformed. While practicing asana, mindfulness of understood as an entity that is autonomous, independent, the mental formations provides a wonderful opportunity to and persistent over time, then insight into impermanence observe and recognize our mental patternings and how they leads inevitably to the clear view that all things lack such condition our habitual tendencies. Noticing how quickly the an unchanging self. Even the consciousness of self that we mind categorizes experience into “good” and “bad” can free take such pains to protect and bolster is not an autonomous, us from believing these potentially limiting notions. independent, persistent thing or entity; it is a process that is in constant flux, conditioned by everything else that is in Discomfort may arise during asana practice. Much constant change. discomfort is really just a reaction to novelty, and much pain is the pain of change. Such pain can provide an opportunity Because we are “empty” of a separate self, we inter-are with to grow in mindfulness. Truly injurious or excessive pain everything else. This is the Buddha’s unique contribution to should be honored, but the truth is, most of the pain that the Yoga tradition: Dependent Co-origination, what Thich one experiences in asana practice is merely discomfort and Nhat Hanh calls “interbeing.” Reading these words on the not injurious. With discomfort, it is fruitful to drop out of your page, can you see the tree from which the paper comes? The aversive reactivity and bring a gently embracing quality of tree’s ancestors? The earth, the nutriments, the rain, the sun? mindfulness to the discomfort. When we do this, we see for For this page of paper to exist all those conditions and many ourselves that there really is a difference between pain and more are needed, including the loggers, the processors, suffering. This is an important insight with real benefit to life truckers, printers etc. off the mat. Working with mindfulness of the mind means that when the inevitable losses of life occur, you can just feel The Buddha said that when we enter through the door of the pain and not add suffering as well. impermanence, we touch nirvana, here and now. Nirvana is

IYTA Newsletter • August 2009 • Page 14 the extinction of our notions and ideas about reality so that Academy & Yogaville news we may perceive reality as it is. Our grasping and aversion, our greed, anger and delusion are extinguished. Also by Andrew Godreau extinguished is our attachment and bondage to concepts such as birth and death, existent and non-existent, increasing First I wanted to follow up on the status of our two beloved and decreasing, pure and impure. swamis. Swami Murugananda is doing very well after his neck surgery. He has started getting out and about after a Through penetrating the reality of impermanence, our couple of weeks of rest, although he is not officially back grasping after ephemeral phenomena weakens. With this in the library. He would like everyone to know that their insight comes nirodha (cessation). This is the Third Noble prayers are always appreciated. Swami Hamsananda is Truth of the Buddha, often used as a synonym for nirvana, working towards full recovery from her severely broken and also Patanjali’s definition of Yoga. Practicing asana, we arm. She has had titanium parts positioned into her arm may notice many small cessations. We may experience a because the break was so bad. She currently goes to the pleasant sensation and the arising of a mental formation. University of Virginia Rehabilitation Center twice a week With mindfulness, we see attachment, and based upon an where they gave her a set of exercises that takes her a awareness of impermanence, the attachment fades away. couple of hours per day to complete. She is in good It happens once, and then again and again. Over time, the spirits and, as always, in the service of Gurudev. fading away continues until that particular attachment ceases. This is a small, but potentially profound taste of liberation. As many of you know the ashram is in the process of changing the way it is run. Previously there was a Finally comes letting go and the insight that it is not you President, but now there will be a board of trustees. The that lets go. Throughout practice, there was that vestige of new system will put the responsibility in more people’s self-consciousness that could take credit for the insight into hands instead of there being one person in charge. The impermanence, and cessation. The final thing to let go is the current project for the board of trustees is to choose a idea of a separate enduring self. The irony is that this is a CEO. The board has already been chosen, those members letting go of what was never there! Letting go means to see are Rev. Paraman Barsel, Swami Dayananda, Swami through all that keeps us (falsely) separated from reality as Karunananda, Ramesh McCaw, and Anna Rhees. This it is. The supposed boundary between “self” and “other,” is group has received and reviewed all of the applications seen as not real. Nothing needs to be removed or added or for the CEO position and is now in the process of joined together! Enlightenment and liberation comes not in interviewing the applicants. Once this decision is made turning away from our human condition, but within it, and as then the CEO and the trustees will choose a Vice CEO its fulfillment. and the board will be complete.

One of the new ashram projects that recently started is Poep Sa Frank Jude Boccio, a certified Yoga Teacher and a fundraising project. During these hard economic times ordained Zen Buddhist Teacher, is also an Interfaith Minister the Ashram has also been affected. We have started this and a lay brother in the Tiep Hien Order established by Thich project to keep the Ashram thriving and serving all. The Nhat Hanh. His eclectic approach is influenced by his study goal is to raise $216,000 in 2009 for the following areas: of a variety of Yoga approaches as well as his many years of The General Fund, Resident Building Project, Building Dharma practice. His book, Mindfulness Yoga: The Awakened Fund, LOTUS Fund, Satchidananda Ashram Furtherance Union of Breath, Body, and Mind, is the only full-length Endowment (SAFE), Archives Special Projects and treatment applying the Buddha’s Mindfulness Meditation the Vidyalayam School. Any contribution is greatly teachings on The Four Establishments of Mindfulness to Yoga appreciated. To donate please go to the website www. asana practice. www.mindfulnessYoga.net. yogaville.org and click the Donations page. You can pay by pay pal or credit card. Poep Sa Frank Jude Boccio will be in Yogaville presenting the following two programs: There have also been some on grounds projects going on. If you have been to the ashram recently you have Mindfulness Yoga: Boundless Body/Immeasurable Heart: seen the new building that is being built where the The Four -Viharas & the Cultivation of True Love, old tent site used to be. This building is being made to October 23-25, 2009 provide more private rooms with private baths. There will be 30 resident rooms in the building. The facility will Mindfulness Yoga Teacher Training, also have its own laundry room. This building will be used October 26-November 1, 2009 for program participants, TT’s, and long term residents (Karma Yogis and Senior LYTS). The completion date is set to be sometime this summer. The buildings will double the amount of available single rooms with private baths, so this is a huge benefit for the ashram.

IYTA Newsletter • August 2009 • Page 15 Touching the Oneness by Nischala Joy Devi

Compassion is the sacred energy that flows through the heart chakra to each and every living thing in the universe and then from the universe it is offered to us. This exchange of energy allows us to feel a sense of oneness with all.

As Yoga students and teachers, compassion blossoms as our inner guidance. It constantly reminds us that it is not the exactness of a technique that gives students the experience of Yoga, but the ability to access our own sacred energy.

Compassion is fostered by our personal experience through hardships—physical, mental or emotional—or by perceiving other’s suffering with an open heart.

The next time you have a slight injury or pain, allow the awareness of that discomfort to expand, embracing the many that live with chronic suffering on a permanent basis. This consciousness greatly aids in the development of our compassion.

The great privilege of learning compassion in my life came through both of the ways described. As a child and young adult I had multiple infirmities. Yet, my greatest gift of compassion From this narrowed view, the Divine within was forgotten. came when I was able to share the great teachings of Yoga with people whose lives are intimately infused with pain and Weaving the understanding of the miracle of the human body the fear that often accompanies it. with the elegance of the spirit allowed me to help create a new way of looking toward the whole person. All the formulas and structures accrued dissolve as we embrace a person in their deepest suffering. A prayer that the The following incident early in life guided my view inward to person is able to stand or bend without discomfort replaces the wholeness we long for. the alignment once thought to be so important in asana. It was this moment of clarity that was revealed on one of Compassion is the catalyst that allows the great teachings to my normal morning rounds. Absentmindedly, I entered the guide them in realizing that the physical body is the temple hospital room of a woman with end stage cancer to do a lodging the Divine Self. “routine” procedure. As I started to take out the instruments, I glanced ; and my eyes met the soul of a mother of three, According to Yoga philosophy, disease manifests not from six months pregnant, emanating fear and loneliness. At that the physical, but from the disconnection with our source moment there was a merging with her. I could feel it as a shift or spirit. When we are able to remember who we are the in the room and in my heart. Placing the instruments on the healing is accelerated. bedside table, I then enacted what my heart dictated. I got into bed with her and embraced her. We held each other, Querying the reasons for this separation, the Yoga Sutras and wept. describe the primary Kleshas, II-3, and Avidya, Innocence of our true nature, as the prime cause of forgetting who we are. From a disembodied voice in the hospital speaker I heard As compassionate beings, our ability to help others is directly my name being paged in urgency. Leaving the haven of affected by our own belief in this most basic of concepts. emotional comradery, I hurried back to the training office. “Are you telling me you have been in with a patient all this On a practical basis, when teaching Yoga to people with time, simply listening to her talk and comforting her when life-threatening diseases, I suggest practices that embrace she cried? That is a waste of time. Keep that up and I will the totality of who we are as physical, mental, emotional and have to dismiss you from this training program,” scolded the spiritual beings. department head. Was I wrong to spend this time with an emotionally-charged patient and situation? Was this wasting My initial entry into working with this population blossomed time or healing? as I became more and more disillusioned with the western style of medicine. In their need to specialize, the whole was Now, many years later, after completing my training as a often missed. The separate parts became more important. physician’s assistant, being involved in medical research, IYTA Newsletter • August 2009 • Page 16 studying and teaching Yoga, I have learned that certain this reason that most of the gentle practices can positively methods, practices, diets and procedures work much of the affect any disease or imbalance. It facilitates the alchemy time. Without the underlying compassion, healing is not fully by connecting hearts and souls, remembering that we are realized. all ONE.

After deep reflection, I now understand that the time I was NISCHALA JOY DEVI is highly respected as an international accused of “wasting” with the young mother with cancer was advocate for her innovative way of expressing Yoga and its indeed-Yoga. That aspect of Yoga is the essence of healing, subtle uses for spiritual growth and complete healing. She soothing as it heals not only the patient, but also the therapist was graced to spend over 25 years as a monastic disciple and, ultimately, the world. with the world renowned, Yogiraj Sri Swami Satchidanandaji, receiving his direct guidance and teachings. Originally trained The practices and philosophy of Yoga blend both the in Western medicine, she began to blend western medicine physical and spiritual, encouraging them to unite. Healing with Yoga to help develop the Yoga portion of The Dean then happens. This synthesis was the key component in Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease and co-founded developing the research protocol and subsequent study for the award-winning Commonweal Cancer Help Program. Her the Lifestyle Heart Trial (Dr. Dean Ornish’s Program) and book The Healing Path of Yoga expresses these teachings. the Commonweal Cancer Help Program. Both programs With her knowledge of Yoga and her experience in assisting allowed me a feeling of gratitude and a sense of contribution those with life-threatening diseases, she created Yoga of the to bringing the light of Yoga into western medicine. Heart, a training and certification program for Yoga teachers and health professionals designed to adapt Yoga practices to The constant refinement and rediscovering of the yogic the special needs of that population. practices allow each person to gain the benefit of healing. Often the healing was not a total physical cure, but a rebalancing of the energies that flow through the body, mind She is now dedicated to bringing the Feminine back into and emotions rejoining the spirit. It affords everyone a sense and the scriptures, in her latest book and audio of peace and clarity in making often difficult decisions and CD’s, The Secret Power of Yoga, a Woman’s Guide to the changes, based on their highest level of healing. Heart and Spirit of the Yoga Sutras.

Yoga is the creation of a balance of energies that allows NISCHALA JOY DEVI wil lead a “Women’s Full Moon Re- the natural intelligence of the body to right itself. It is for treat” at Yogaville from September 4-7, 2009.

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@^giVc8daaZ\ZHjbbZgHX]dda/6LZZ`ZcY>ciZch^kZ David ( Das) Newman & Mira August 20–23, 2009

AVj\]"6Nd\Vœ8Zgi^ÄXVi^dc August 28–30, 2009 AVj\]iZgNd\VI#I# August 30–September 4, 2009 Bharata Wingham LdbZc¼h ;jaaBddc GZ"igZVi Nischala Devi September 4–7, 2009

Ig^Nd\Vœ B^cY[jacZhhNd\VIZVX]ZgIgV^c^c\ Ray Frank Jude Boccio October 16–18, 2009 October 26–November 1, 2009 &"-%%"-*-".+)'lll#^ciZ\gVand\Vegd\gVbh#dg\

IYTA Newsletter • August 2009 • Page 17 Integral Yoga Senior Speakers’ Schedules Please contact local representatives for times, costs, pre-enrollment requirements, schedule changes, etc.

Swami

Aug 7&8 Essence of Yoga: Tools for Stress Mgmt Yoga on High - Columbus Oh www.yogaonhigh.com

Aug 22-28 Basic Teacher Training Brazil Renata Gaertner [email protected]

Sept 11-13 Self Healing & the 5 Bodies: Satchidananda Ashram-Yogaville Incorporating Yoga into Daily Life 800-858-YOGA w/Richard Panico and Manjula Spears [email protected]

17 - Dec. 12 Intermediate Teacher Training IYINY Sevika [email protected]

Oct 9-12 TBA Milan, Yoga Conference Paola, Parvathi [email protected] Swami Karunananda

Aug. 7-16 Silent Retreat Satchidananda Ashram - Yogaville

Aug. 9 - 29 Raja Yoga for ATT Satchidananda Ashram - Yogaville

Sept. 25-27 Pranayama Workshop Satchidananda Ashram - Yogaville

Oct. 18 - Nov. 15 Raja Yoga for Basic TT Satchidananda Ashram - Yogaville

Satya & Sadasiva Greenstone

Sept. 11-12 & Bhagavad Gita Study The Lavender Yoga Studio Nov. 13-14: Winston-Salem, North Carolina www.lavenderyoga.com Candi Lavender [email protected]

Sept. 20 – Oct. 4 Basic Teacher Training: Split Session part 1 Satchidananda Ashram - Yogaville

Swami Divyananda

Aug. 28-30 What Are We Here For? Satchidananda Ashram - Yogaville Align Yourself with Your Life’s Purpose

Oct. 1-3 Yoga Retreat Fur Peace Ranch Athens, Ohio www.furpeaceranch.com

IYTA Newsletter • August 2009 • Page 18 Upcoming Programs at Yogaville

August 2009 7-16 Prenatal and Labor Yoga Teacher Training 7-16 Ten-Day Silent Retreat 9-30 Advanced Hatha Yoga Teacher Training 17-20 Post Partum Teacher Training 20-23 College Summer School: A Weekend Intensive with Durga Das & Mira 22 Mahaguru Ratri 28-30 What Are We Here For? Align Yourself with Your Life’s Purpose with Sw. Divyananda 28-30 Laugh-a Yoga Certification with Bharata Wingham 31-Sept. 4 Laughing Yoga for Teachers with Bharata Wingham

September 2009

4-7 Women’s Full Moon Re-treat with Nischala Devi 4-6 Awakening the Chakras with Jayadeva Mandelkorn 9-13 Yoga for Osteoporosis Prevention with Kay Hawkins & Dr. Nirmala Limaye (for teachers) 11-13 Self-Healing and the Five Bodies: Incorporating Yoga into Daily Life with Sw. Ramananda, Richard Panico, MD & Manjula Spears 11-13 Balancing Strength and Flexibility Through Structural Yoga™ with Mangala Warner 17-20 Yoga’s Role in Supporting Chronic Pain and Disability with Matt Taylor 18-20 Pranayama with Sw. Karunananda 18-20 LifeForce Yoga to Meet Your Challenges with Amy Weintraub 19 Rosh Hashana 20-Nov. 4 Split Hatha Yoga Teacher Training 25-27 Your Body Speaks Your Mind with Dharmavati and Mitra Shapiro 25-27 Basic Meditation with Mataji

October 2009

1-4 Fall Silent Retreat 2-4 The Joy is the Journey: Awakening Yoga in Midlife with Lilias Folan 9-12 Kirtan Fest with Durga Das and Mira, Shantala and Shyamdas 16-18 TriYoga® with Kali Ray 16-18 Yoga for People with MS with Karen Clarke 20-25 Thai Yoga Massage I with Jyothi Watanabe 23-25 Mindfulness Yoga: Boundless Body/Immeasurable Heart: The Four Brahma-Viharas & the Cultivation of True Love with Frank Jude Boccio 26-Nov. 1 Mindfulness Yoga Teacher Training with Frank Jude Boccio 27-Nov. 1 Thai Yoga Massage II with Jyothi Watanabe

November 2009

2-5 Zen Photography and the Art of Haiku with Rama Roosevelt 6-8 Mandala: Creating Sacred Art for Healing and Self-realization with Martha Kigel and Nancy David 12-15 Child Play Therapy with Gurudas Kaur 13-15 Structural Yoga Theory with Mukunda Stiles 16-20 Ayurvedic Yoga Therapy with Mukunda Stiles 20-22 Socially Engaged Spirituality with Roshi Bernie Glassman 26 Thanksgiving Day 27-29 Back to Basics with Lakshmi Sutter

IYTA Newsletter • August 2009 • Page 19 ® U.S. Postage Integral Yoga Teachers Association PAID 108 Yogaville Way Permit No. 3 Buckingham, VA 23921 Nonprofit Organization Buckingham, RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED VA 23921