Ekagrah or one-pointedness is practically the definition of . When we maintain the mind steady or one-pointed for long, we come to know things. We tell children, ‘keep your mind on your book,’ etc. because naturally, when the mind fluctuates, the understanding becomes less. This state is put very late in the scheme of the Chitta; Mudha (dull), Kshipta (distracted), Vikshipta (occassionally steady), and then the better state, Ekagrah. In yoga they have very carefully studied the kinds of mind, the kinds of results, and the kinds of personality, but unfortunately our attention is not on kind of personality we are. Our attention is on the results. With an imperfect kind of a mind, we carry out our work, our business, attend to family life. In the end the results are there - how we remain poorer, how we are laughed at by others, etc. But we don’t mind, we want to just carry through life. The more jobs we have done, the happier we are. Where is the time for training the mind? We don’t try for it much also; we are busy in so many things.

Editor, Yoga and Total Health

2 YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 4 Lettersontents to the Editor C5 7 Stages of Consciousness (Part 2) - Shri Yogendraji 8 Switching Off the Mind - Dr. in Parisamvada 10 The Soul Within - Smt. Hansaji J. Yogendra in Parisamvada 12 Hatha Yoga Pradipika 13 I Surrender To Thee - Shri Ajay Kalra 14 Viparitkarani (Inversion Pose) 16 Positive Living with Multiple Sclerosis - Smt. Jennifer Budhabhatti 18 Ambassador of Health - Shri Vimal Mishra 20 What is Saptada Prajna Bhumi? - Shri Harry Sequeira 21 Book Review - The 22 From the Archives of YTH - Editorial - Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra 23 My School Of Life - Shri Rohan Hingorani 24 The Thinker 25 The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - A Perspective - Shri Samar Chauhan 26 Sattvik Ahara - Smt. Minati Shah 27 Thoughts on the Gita - Smt. Hansaji J. Yogendra 28 Yoga News - Smt. A. N. Desai 31 Yogis of - Yogi Matsyendra Nath Cover Design : Onads Communication Page Design : Shri Mayank Sen Creative Design : Kum. Sheetal Kapoor Published & Printed by Shri Hrishi Jayadeva Yogendra, at , Marg, Prabhat Colony, Santacruz East, - 400055. Phone: 022 - 26122185

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YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 3 etters to the Editor Some people practice fasting, repeating a prayer, etc. without realizing that it Lis a kind of Yogic discipline. However, most people practice this mechanically, at a superficial level. If one tries to go deeper into understanding the discipline by reading about it or talking about it with knowledgeable or like-minded people, they will develop an urge to know more and more. Nature provides one with experiences called Bhoga and Apvarga. A person who seeks spiritual development should keep working on it and move in that direction only. Crystal Lobo 7 Months T.T.C.

The Yoga Institute is a beautiful coming together of wisdom, knowledge, love and kindness. Situated in the busy city of Mumbai, it offers peace and nourishment. There is much more to yoga than and the path for human spiritual growth is seen and felt here in thought, action and word. Thank you for the opportunity to learn and to receive all that you so generously give. As Idries Shah said, “If you want to make an ordinary man happy, or think that he is happy, give him money, power, flattery, gifts, honours. If you want to make a wise man happy - improve yourself.” That is the gift I promise in return for all the love and learning. Kavita Rayirath Mumbai

I did the 1 Month Teachers Training Course and my experience was wonderful. If one wants to understand yoga in its true essence then this is the right place. Apart from practical knowledge, the Institute teaches us how to incorporate Yogic ways in our busy, chaotic schedule. Pinki Gandhiwaller Facebook Review

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4 YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 Stages of Consciousness (Part 2) Shri Yogendraji Ekagrahta: The fifth stage of The world-consciousness disappears consciousness is known to the Yogis because the activity is transmitted into as the state of Ekagrahta or one- self-consciousness. The percentage pointedness. It is what we generally of active cells is seventy, while the 7know as the state of concentration. inactive cells is thirty. Hence, the Here the cells are not merely active majority is consciousness. but are also little self-conscious. The inner mind has also become active, Dhyanastha: The continuation of the and consequently the lower mind fifth stage of Ekagrahta to a still finer gets under control. The wandering has state of concentration is known as stopped along with the imagination Dhyanastha Bhumika, or the state of and thinking. All their energy is deep meditation. It is very nearly the centered on a certain fixed point opposite stage of sleep. It is the most and then the investigation follows. voluntary form of composure where The mind first tries to analyse the the active cells are directly under the thought and brings into memory all control of will. that is concerned with it. Then follows the research and the creative work. The world-consciousness has ceased Imaginations do occur, but to a limited as in the case of sleep, but with a corres- extent. The activity is voluntary and ponding increase of self-conscious- properly used. Moreover, the conscious ness. It is because the cells are active cells are not only directed to form and not dull. The individuality seems thoughts as in the case of Vicharna, but to fade away slowly in the object are also focused on a definite object. of concentration and the progress of merging begins, though it is not actually complete. Now truth reveals itself from within, due to the majority of the active cells which embrace the universal consciousness - the store of all knowledge and light. Both the internal and external activities are concentrated on that point, which forms the nucleus around which they evolve. The vibrations linger for reaction within their own circumference, having no outlet for their manifestation.

YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 5 In this state, “The molecules of the mental body are thrown in a very high state of vibration though the body in all appearance is in perfect calm. This vibration of the molecules of the mental body becomes rhythmic. The swing of the vibration lies between one-pointedness and all-pointedness, between the contraction to a point and expansion to embrace a whole universe. Even what is called one- pointedness is itself a state of utmost activity. When the mind is one-pointed it does not mean that one idea is one. The thing to know and the knower indelibly impressed upon the mind come before each other and unite like an engraving on a stone, but that in higher consciousness. We often the mind is working so quickly that the know this as a state of realization. Walt image of one is formed in no time as it Whitman had the experience of this were, destroyed in no time, and formed stage once in his life. Tennyson also again. This quick succession of the same refers to such a personal experience form is one-pointedness. In ordinary of realization. This opportunity comes states, one idea is followed by another but once in life and to retain it becomes idea. In one-pointedness the same impossible. But, the impressions left, idea vanishes and reappears again and by this realization are always present. again. Thus, what is called fixing the Tagore had this realization in his early mind to a thought is really making the days, and it is the experience of this mind reproduce one thought over and stage that he tries to give out in some over again, in the utmost quickness of of his poems. succession, without the intrusion of any foreign thought. Sometimes through chance, sometimes through pure natural life, And, though this state apparently but mostly through the conscious seems to be one of inactivity both of development of inner life, this stage mind and body, it is in reality the most of self-consciousness is realized. And, active state of cells which is voluntarily though it is not the same perfect stage controlled for a definite purpose. of union or the Brahma Yoga in which The proportion of the active cells to the extinction of individuality through inactive is approximately eighty to the perfection of self-consciousness twenty. So, the consciousness, mostly is complete, so as not to allow any the self-consciousness, has expanded physical connection after the stage, still decidedly. its experience is most extra-ordinary for absolutely turning the current of Turyaca: This state of self- life - physically, mentally and spiritually. consciousness is the most highly developed state of perception in which After this realization, he returns to the subject and the object becomes the physical world because of the ten

6 YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 percent of the inactive cells which keep him attached to his body. His individual soul is not free from the sheath but is still in the physical body. He experiences the delight of realization - the joy that is beyond expression; but it is not permanent. The union is neither wholly complete nor substantial. The yoga practices help us to attain this stage most scientifically, and retain it for any length of time we desire. It is the quickening process for the knowledge of the self, systematized by the rational application of the laws of unfolding of consciousness. It is not that only the mystic is entitled to enjoy this state, it is also the common property of the layman. The system of yoga teaches him to attain it not through emotions, as in the case of a mystic, but through a regular course of conscious unfoldment. Thus, an ordinary layman can also become a mystic by following the system through any of the branches, instead of taking that chance of nature that the mystic does. That is why the yoga methods are so intelligently and scientifically arranged to suit any grade of aspirant as the case may be, beginning with the easy exercise of the body and the mind, and proceeding to the highest unfoldment of realization. (Concluded)

Announcement

The 28th Death Anniversary of the Founder of The Yoga Institute, Shri Yogendraji, will be observed on Sunday 24th September, 2017, at The Yoga Institute at 9.30 am.

YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 7 witching S Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra Off the Mind in Parisamvada Complete stoppage of the mind is about. Right from childhood these a strange idea for us. We can switch things have been put into us and we off electric lights and machines, but keep building them up. Our parents told to switch off the mind is unthinkable. us that in this cold climate, keep warm The mind, since the time it starts and we got faith; though another kind functioning, never stops. Useful of parents in a different area may not thoughts, useless thoughts go on. That put on anything warm on their children is the way we are. We are missing what even though the climate is cold. is beyond thoughts, which we will never understand. So we have been fed on notions that society has built up about what is In yoga, the highest stage is when good and what is bad; it is all externally we can learn to switch off the mind. foisted. The attempt in yoga is to go And obviously that is what makes us to the original state, not this foisted understand. We use some words like state. We don’t know the original state, intuition, insight, but we are not able where no preconceived ideas are there, to get a control over them. We don’t no memories are there, no trained experience it also for long. When we thinking is there, just that awareness. remain in an insightful state for a long A child opens his eyes and sees the time, it is a God like state where we world and that’s the end; he doesn’t know everything that is going to start thinking what is happening in happen, we enjoy seeing, we are not the world today, he is not interested. involved and later on, we are not seeing He enjoys, he laughs, but we have lost too. Just maintain that conscious that capacity, because the calculation awareness, not even wishing to see, starts. We start thinking, imagining, then everything comes alright. We have remembering, and all that. That is the difficult ideas because we are built up Chitta, and Nirodha is the stoppage. on a different level. The mind must be We are quite accustomed, adjusted to continuously kept busy, and provide this condition. Even though it doesn’t us information about the climate, the give us very good results - we only get people around, and on those little a little bit here and there - we accept it perceptions we make our own future. and suffer also as a result. Our suffering We have very poor knowledge, but is because of this kind of knowledge that is all our training contains or talks that we have. No original thinking,

8 YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 no deep perception. In yoga, the aim enjoy. She gets everything she wants, is to reach that other stage where but she can’t leave that place. She all the forceful kind of thoughts are has to be sitting there and watching, stopped, and the capacity to just nothing more. Food comes, drinks experience things is built up. Some come. People go down, she sees kings minimum contribution also has to be and princes and what not. But one day, done. We do some work, but without she sees a young prince on horseback that awareness. See, the continuous and he is just looking at her. She is very awareness is the central thing. Do attracted to him, and she forgets the anything, but don’t lose yourself. instruction. She gets up, wants to run to him and then that curse works. The So I was just telling you about the moment she gets up, she dies. So this Niruddha state after the Mudha, is our condition. We have been told to Kshipta, Vikshipta and Ekagrah. Even just sit and watch, but we can’t do that. the Ekagrah state of one-pointedness Somewhere or other we want to get is a good state, but unless it has been involved. worked at from the very bottom, it doesn’t stay. We are one-pointed for some time and then again are lost in the usual thinking. Niruddha state is the ultimate state where the mind has been so made that it just can’t think and can only observe. The poet Tennyson might have known about all this. In a poem he writes about a woman, a very good woman, cursed to sit near the window which is facing the main road and to observe and

To listen to audios of talks by Dr. Jayadeva and Smt. Hansaji visit: theyogainstitute.org/blog or www.mixcloud.com/theyogainstitute

YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 9 he Soul Twithin Smt. Hansaji J. Yogendra in Parisamvada There are two main parts in “something else” leaves the physical our personality. One is our inner body, the body dies. So to deny that consciousness which we call the soul, there is something else is no argument. Atman, God, etc. and the other is the Everybody knows it is the Atman, the material world viz. our body, mind, soul. Call it by any name - call it Jeeva energy, and all that is matter. One is just if you like. Now when we move away a an observer - it does not do anything - little from the material world, we come and the other is material, all the action close to it. Then we experience some that is happening - thoughts, etc. are all peace of mind. Disturbance is less, taking place according to the material worry, tension and anxiety are less. world. In India it is a custom to greet each It is said that when a human other by saying Namaste. Actually, being increases his knowledge we don’t say Namaste to the person, and understanding about God, his but to his soul. This way we show our attachment with the material world respect to the God within him. So this decreases. He does not involve himself custom is there but our mind does not too much with the happiness and go there. The mind is always involved unhappiness of the material world. in the material world and that is what Continuously telling oneself that the we call Maya. It remains so entangled “I” or “me” is God (because there is God with the external world that we don’t within all of us), that I am not this body, look towards the internal world of I am doing everything that is necessary, ours. I always give the example that and not being affected by anything, is there are 2 rooms in our house: the a strong concept. outer room and the inner room. There is furniture in the outer room and all All changes that take place are in activities keep taking place only in that the external world - changes in form, room. We never think of going into appearance, shape, size, colours, the inner room. We eat, drink, sleep flavours, and have no connection and do everything else in the outer with the soul or Atman. Every person room. We don’t even remember that understands that there is something there is another room and we should else in addition to this material/ take a peep in there. We could at least physical body because when this occasionally move away from the

10 YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 external world and go in the inner room but that does not happen. People come and go only in that outer room and remain so busy and involved there, because all the facilities and everything else is provided in that room. We don’t even think that there is something else. So we will have to give a thought, remind ourselves that there is something else within. There is a famous example which we often relate to. A cub was born to a lioness but the sheep and goats took care of it because the lioness This story tells us that we are like died. The sheep/goats fed their milk lions, but we fear things like sheep to the cub. The cub also learnt to bleat and goats; we develop tension over like them because it had never heard everything, when in reality we are pure the roar of the lions. It ate grass too consciousness. There is no need for along with them. One day when they worry or unhappiness. Sit peacefully were moving around in the jungle and knowledge will be revealed to you they came across a lion. When that from within. Sit peacefully and you will lion roared, they all ran away. The cub get direction from within as to what to also ran away. The lion was surprised do, what not to do. There is no need to at seeing the cub running away. So get disturbed. he ran and caught the cub. The cub pleaded to be set free. The lion said, “Why are you getting frightened like them? How can a lion get frightened of a lion?” The cub stuttered, “I am not a lion.” The lion urged him to roar. But the cub was so frightened that it could Announcement not open its mouth. The lion explained to it that it was a lion, not a sheep or a goat. The cub could not understand. Smt. Hansaji J. Yogendra will The lion encouraged it. The cub tried be 70 this year. to roar deeply using its throat. The All are cordially invited for a lion encouraged it again. Ultimately, when the sound of its voice came out very special programme like that of a lion, it understood, “I am a on Sunday 8th October, lion and why am I getting frightened? Why should I fear another lion in the 2017, at The Yoga Institute jungle?” This way the cub realized that at 9.30 am. it was not a sheep or goat, but a lion. So then all the fear, tension vanished. It started living comfortably like a king of the jungle.

YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 11 Hatha Yoga Pradipika k|ydf]kb]z

s\6JfDntLIX0f nJf0ff+-x/]Rr zfs+ ;f}jL/t}nltn;if{kdT:odb\o+ . cfHoflbdf+;blwtœfms'nTysf]nlk0ofslx++u'nz'gfb\odkYodfx'M ..^!.. One should not partake of bitter, sour, saltish food stuff, and also vegetables mixed with sour gruel, oil, mustard, sesamum, fish and intoxicants; while the following are called unwholesome food viz. meat, curd, buttermilk, pulses, berry, oil cake, asafoetida, garlic, onion, etc. Note: Avoiding Haritashaka or leafy vegetables is not in keeping with either the modern dietary principles or the statements contained in other Hatha Yoga works. What is probably meant is avoidance of excessive vegetables (Shakotkatam) or vegetables mixed with other ingredients. Bitter, sour and saltish food causes imbalance in the secretion of the digestive juices, so also fats, intoxicants etc. Vegetables supply too much roughage with low nutritional value. High protien and gas forming food is contra-indicated for the sedentary life of a Yogin.

12 YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 Surrender Ito Thee Ajay Kalra

I Surrender to Thee When I fall Hold me in your palms When I hurt Soothe me with your touch When I am lost Guide me with your wisdom When its dark Remind me of the light around the corner I Surrender to Thee That which gives life I empty my flute For you to play your tune

YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 13 iparitkarani V (Inverted Pose) Synchronization with breathing leads one’s thoughts Category: Cultural Posture to a higher level of consciousness. By inversion - Spine Bhava (Trait): regions, the respiratory/circulatory and Aishwarya the nervous systems, the endocrine (Confidence/inner glands, relieves constipation, varicose strength) Method: veins, general weakness, certain 1. Lie supine, body at full length, arms facial/head disorders, edema (water on respective sides, feet together, retention), creates neuro-muscular knees straight. relaxation and is excellent for people 2. Exhaling 4 seconds, raise both the who are standing for long periods. legs high up and perpendicular to the ground with hands on hips, and slowly lift the trunk in a slanting position at a 45 degrees angle with the back and the neck well rested on the ground. 3. Shift your hands gradually from the hips to the waist and adjust the grip so that you can hold the trunk properly. 4. Maintain the pose for 8 seconds (maximum 2 to 3 minutes) while doing normal abdominal breathing. 5. Inhaling 4 seconds, slowly return to the starting position. Do one round only Benefits: Improves the functioning of the abdominal/reproductive/pelvic

14 YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 Limitations: Glaucoma, high Myopia, high blood pressure, heart problems, head injury, spondylosis, and spinal problems. (Take guidance in case of problems with the eyes, nasal, facial, neck, head, abdominal, pelvic and reproductive regions and any back and joint disorders). Variation: Lie down with hips close to a wall and lift the legs together up against the wall. If you keep two pillows below the hips, it aids inversion and has a relaxation effect. Important: In the beginning, inversion poses should be performed under the personal supervision of an expert teacher, should be done only if health is robust, should be done slowly, cautiously and over enthusiasm should be avoided. Notes: In the beginning, hold the pose for 8 seconds in a static position and gradually increase the duration to 30 seconds (maximum 2 to 3 minutes). Do not repeat the posture because its physiological benefits accrue most during the static condition. Do not get up immediately after doing the and do Savasana (relaxation) for 5 to 10 minutes. It should be done on an empty stomach in the morning after attending the call of nature, or in the evening 4 to 5 hours after a meal. It should always be done after Pavanmuktasana and not after any difficult or vigorous exercise or gymnastics. Abdominal breathing during head low poses is doubly effective. It should be undertaken only after the semi-reversed poses such as , Yoga Mudra, Hastapadangushtasana, Shalabhasana and have been perfected. Viparitkarni is a Head Low Posture which reverses the blood flow. The preventive effects of head low postures are even greater than the curative ones. It provides adequate exercise to both the neck and the head regions and accelerates blood circulation in the head affecting one of the most important organs of the human body i.e. the brain. This Asana, is not only good for physical health but also for mental well-being. Though Viparitkarni is an Asana (postural exercise), it is spoken of as Viparitkarni Mudra. Mudras are gestures either done with the fingers, specific parts of the body or the total body - as in Viparitkarni. Mudras affect the flow of in the body and have a deep impact on some vital regions of the nervous system. Mudras are more subtle than Asanas. Viparitkarani when performed creates a sense of achievement and inner strength (Aishwarya Bhava). (Precaution: Persons with serious physical / mental health conditions should not attempt practices without professional guidance. Persons with moderate to mild health conditions should learn suitable and simpler variations of yoga techniques. All yoga techniques which involve exercise to the muscles or lungs should be practiced before meals). (Extracts from talks and publications of The Yoga Institute)

YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 15 ositive Living Pwith Multiple Sclerosis Jennifer Budhabhatti “When life gives you lemons, make MS Causes lemonade” goes a saying. A woman Generally people over 30 years get who lives this philosophy is Foram MS, with women more susceptible to Chedda. Ever smiling, Foram is an it. Why are women more susceptible interior designer by profession and to this disease? Women most likely works at The Yoga Institute (TYI). It is have a gene that can aggravate MS by a happy sight to see her going about producing inflammation and tissue her work. Foram suffers from Multiple damage. This disease is not contagious, Sclerosis (MS). She sets an example hereditary or a mental illness and is that one need not allow an illness to rarely fatal. These people need to be define one’s existence. It is possible to provided proper treatment. work, and have a happy balanced life while dealing with MS. The purpose of The exact cause is unknown but 4 this article is to educate and give hope factors may play a role in the disease. to people dealing with this illness. Virus: It is shown that a particular virus MS Symptoms called Epstein Barring causes MS. MS is a progressive disease. It occurs Genes: MS may not have a hereditary when the immune system in your body link directly, but if it is prevalent in malfunctions. It destroys the fat that your family then you have a high risk protects nerve fibers in the brain and of getting it. spinal cord. The symptoms differ from Environment: Your environment person to person. Early symptoms are plays a significant role in getting MS. a tingling sensation, blurred or double For example, if you are exposed to vision. It may result in numbness or cigarette smoking, or stay in a polluted weakness in either of the limbs of area is polluted. one side of your body, along with Vitamin D: Lack of vitamin D which unusual fatigue and loss of balance. comes through natural sun light. In some cases there could be partial or complete loss of vision in one eye, Curing MS speech may get slurred, there may also A diet comprising of low fat and be loss of balance and coordination. high fiber combined with fruits Some people have problems with and vegetables can help in easing bowel and bladder functions. the symptoms and slowing the

16 YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 progression of MS. to be dealt with. The faster the person learns to adapt, the easier it is for him All exercises should be done or her to overcome MS. Therefore, slowly, preferably with the help of a it is important that the person physiotherapist. In general, exercise suffering from MS seeks a supportive improves muscle strength and helps environment that is conducive for their you manage your weight. healing. Yoga helps physical and emotional Reflecting on her experience, health. It helps you to connect to the Foram shares, “I stay just 10 minutes supreme power of God. A study from away from TYI but never thought of Rutgers University in New Jersey USA visiting it, even though I was advised found that women with moderate to do so. One day it so happened that symptoms of MS improved their I was looking for work and visited the walking, coordination and quality Institute. I felt welcomed. The place of life after 8 weeks of yoga. But it is was beyond my imagination! Everyone advisable to consult your doctor before was so warm and hospitable. People you start yoga practice. from all walks of life, religion and nationalities were brought together Some of the suggested yoga with the common purpose of learning practices for MS are , and teaching yoga. It is an inclusive Alternate Nostril breathing and environment where everyone is Relaxation Asanas. The cultural Asanas greeted with a Namaste. I experienced can be adapted as per everyone’s positivity, helpfulness, generosity and body’s flexibility and comfort level. wisdom at TYI. It is full of happiness and positive vibes. As a result of my You can try some difficult and association with this fantabulous challenging Asanas gradually, but place, my life changed. Earlier I used to only if your body allows you to, complain about how to pass my time and after consulting the doctor. It as I was unable to do various things is recommended that you first try due to MS, in spite of trying several the above practices to assess your types of medication. It eventually took preparedness for doing other Asanas. me seven years to recover from some of the symptoms to live a normal life. Besides all this, Multiple Sclerosis I am grateful to God for bringing TYI Society on India (MSSI), Mumbai into my life!” provides free or subsidized home physiotherapy, medical camps, Foram is an extraordinary example medical reimbursement in certain of strength and optimism in dealing cases, educational aid, recreational with MS. What we focus upon grows. programs and counselling and We must therefore notice the positive guidance to patients and families. aspects of life and recognize the grace of God in giving us resources to meet Support System challenges. There is indeed life after MS results in emotional changes MS – a positive and happy life! like mood swings, sadness, depression and stress. This is something which has

YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 17 mbassador Aof Health Vimal Mishra Spread on an acre of land, The Yoga Institute at Santacruz East will complete one hundred years by the end of 2018. Amongst the thousands of people thronging the Institute every day, a big number belongs to the foreigners. Presently, students of 32 countries are learning yoga here. How these foreigners have adapted to yoga as a way of life, I enquired from some of the foreigners studying here and also learnt from Smt. Hansaji Jayadeva Yogendra. “Since 1918, there has been a continuous flow of foreign students at The Yoga Institute. Seeing them it seems that most of them were born in other countries by mistake,” said Smt. Hansaji Jayadeva Yogendra, “There is no country in the world where our yoga teachers are not there. Students of around 22 countries are staying at the Institute’s hostel. Earlier, foreigners used to come to the Institute for health reasons. Now they come for the Teachers Training Course. 50,000 students from all over the world, including India, have been trained by the Institute and they are earning laurels for our country. Amongst these many are running their own

yoga centres in different languages in countries like China, Japan, Germany and

European countries.”

“Yoga Has Changed My World

I came to The Yoga Institute for treatment of my back pain and I did not return home. I am“ now learning Yoga Sutra and Yoga at The Institute. Yoga has changed my world. The way of living in my country is so different from the life at The Yoga Institute. After being here for such a long time, I can confidently say that if we want to grow physically, mentally and spiritually then the only medium is yoga.

- Maja Milivojevic, Serbia,

18 YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017

“The Art of Balance is Yoga I am a very good swimmer“ and I aspire to reach the top in this sport. For being healthy it is necessary that we remain balanced, and only yoga can give us this kind of balance. After learning yoga, I will return to my country and spread this awareness of yoga.

- Merium, Spain

“Yoga Gave Me Peace Earlier I considered Asanas as yoga. After coming“ to The Yoga Institute, all such wrong thinking of mine got cleared. Here I have learnt many things. There is a vast

difference between the Institute and the outside world. Peace is the greatest gift of the world that I got from The Yoga Institute.

- Robito, Mexico “ Yoga Made Me Recognize Myself “ Though I knew about yoga even before coming here, I learnt about yoga in the real sense in this Institute. I have recognized myself through yoga.

- Alex Mathias, Germany

“Foreign Yoga Students are Simple and Observant Yoga means being simple. When we talk about yoga, we first look at the “ reality of life. Asanas and can be done by anyone but can we be simple and observant? This simplicity and observant quality can be seen in the foreign students. Actually, just doing Asanas regularly is not enough; our whole routine must be Yogic which increases our health, patience, enthusiasm and happiness.

- Neha P. Jethwani, Yoga Expert

(Published in Mumbai Navbharat Times on 18/06/2017 Translated into English by Harishchandra Joshi)

YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 19

hat is W“Saptada Prajna Bhumi? (The 7-Fold Field Of Mystic Insights) Harry Sequeira Reference - Yoga Sutra II.27 According to Patanjali, after cleaning up the “Consiousness” (as it were), the Yogi on the mystic path reaches seven stages (Saptada) of Prajna Bhumi (a mystic ground of wisdom). Patanjali does not elucidate these seven Prajna Bhumis, but Vyasa does (see YS II.27 Vyasa Bashaya). Vyasa states: i. That which is to be avoided, which causes suffering/Dukha, has been overcome. ii. The causes of suffering/Dukha have been eliminated. iii. Complete cessation (Hana) has been accomplished. iv. Viveka Khyati, or wisdom of discernment has been applied. v. Highest stage of Buddhi has been achieved. vi. The primal Gunas, having accomplished their task, fall down like rocks from a mountain top, and they are inclined towards dissolution/Pralaya. vii. The self achieves the status of aloneness/Kevala. viii. Vyasa also explains that the first four of the above are called “Karya Vimukti” (release from action), and the last four are called “Chitta-Vimukti” (release of consciousness). The seven valleys the birds cross are as follows: 1. Valley of the Quest, where the Wayfarer begins by casting aside all dogma, belief, and unbelief. 2. Valley of Love, where reason is abandoned for the sake of love. 3. Valley of Knowledge, where worldly knowledge becomes utterly useless. 4. Valley of Detachment, where all desires and attachments to the world are given up. Here, what is assumed to be “reality” vanishes. 5. Valley of Unity, where the Wayfarer realizes that everything is connected and that the Beloved is beyond everything, including harmony, multiplicity, and eternity. 6. Valley of Wonderment, where, entranced by the beauty of the Beloved, the Wayfarer becomes perplexed and, steeped in awe, finds that he or she has never known or understood anything. 7. Valley of Poverty and Annihilation, where the self disappears into the universe and the wayfarer becomes timeless, existing in both the past and the future.

(For further reading refer ‘The Seven Valleys’ by Bahaullah) 20 YOGAYOGA AND AND TOTAL TOTAL HEALTH HEALTH • •September October 2016 2017 YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 Book Review “Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Talks by Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra and Smt. Hansaji” The revised edition of “Yoga Sutras Dr. Devdutt Patnaik, author, of Patanjali - Talks by Dr. Jayadeva leadership consultant writes, “Yoga Yogendra and Smt. Hansaji” is an Sutras as presented in this book makes attractive, handy addition to the legion it simple and accessible to all humanity. of commentaries on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, a world renowned Santoor maestro There is a marked difference as commented, “‘Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Professor Niranjan Gogia commented, Talks by Dr. Jayadeva and Smt.Hansaji’ “Only the one who has been there can is a very rare and a unique book on take you there. These words are coming yoga. I have learnt my yoga from my from the mind of one who has lived his Dr. Jayadevaji, who has been a entire life in yoga. These thoughts can great inspiration in my life. I hope this help us too to lead a meaningful and book also inspires other readers like empowered life if we wish” me.”

Dr. Eleanor Chriswell, author of ‘How Mr. John Kepner, Executive Director, Yoga Works’ and past President of the IAYT, writes, “I was immediately taken ‘International Association of Yoga in by this extraordinary book. It is Therapists’ (IAYT), writes, “ ‘Yoga Sutras much more than a translation. With of Patanjali - Talks by Dr. Jayadeva exceptionally clear and insightful and Smt. Hansaji’ is a book which is questions and answers, this is a breathtaking and meditative, because comprehensive education in the Dr. Jayadeva has lived these principles Yoga Sutras and the yoga tradition for the last 80 years. The book by a widely acknowledged scholar, communicates on a very deep level. practitioner and teacher. This is indeed There is a spiritual energy present in a remarkable book. It was hard to put this book. In reading it I am touched on it down.” a very deep level. It is a profound and peaceful feeling.”

YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 21 rom the FArchives of Yoga and Total Health

Editorial By Dr.Jayadeva Yogendra Published in “Yoga and Total Health” November 1989 This he learnt from his own father: self-supporting, selected a life partner Do your duty mentally composed Mother Sita Devi who assisted him and unruffled by surroundings - beautifully all throughout his life. the surrounding on final analysis is just Maya (illusion)! Shri Yogendraji Shri Yogendraji was fiercely understood his duty this way: It was independent in his views, and came his duty to salvage secret and dying down heavily on hypocrisy. He was traditions of yoga. He took as his duty forthright and uncompromising in his to examine thoroughly, with the aid action. Shri Yogendraji had advocated of reason and science, the ancient popularizing the ancient tradition of knowledge. He took it as his duty to practical yoga at a time when much bring this knowledge of yoga to the secrecy shrouded its technology. He larger society. He took it as his duty was unconcerned about both the to lead a householder’s life as per his displeasure of the orthodox Naga Yogis promise to his own father, and at the or the Kali kambli walas, as much as he same time to maintain Yogic ideals in was not attracted to the allurement the midst of a chaotic society. offered to him to take charge of the Gadi (tutelage) of Malsar Ashram. With a firm commitment to these duties, Shri Yogendraji was He married with his own choice uncompromising in its execution. and did not mind what his narrow Within two years of his study of yoga minded society said. He carried on in the hermitage he began teaching his work of carving a place for yoga yoga openly to men and women on on the map of modern advances in the beach of Versova. He maintained human possibilities. He did this against medical records, corroborated with the stiff opposition of opportunists and tallest scientific bodies of the world pseudo Yogis who tried their worst in to understand yoga, set up The Yoga running him down. Institute of Santacruz, decided to be cont’d on page 24 ......

22 YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 y School M of life Rohan Deepak Hingorani I’ve had an easy life. A very word ‘No’ numerous times a day. comfortable life. Born into an Even my mentors, who I looked at for extremely supportive family, given all support, turned me down saying “India the comforts I could ever desire, being mein aisa nahi chalta hai”. This got me spoilt at times, it almost felt like I lived frustrated. It made me angry. And at in a shell protected from the world. times, I felt I should pack my bags and head back home. I was tired of being After finishing high school I wanted proven wrong, tired of being criticized. to get out of my comfort zone. Learn, It disturbed me to a point where I explore, discover, and experience the wasn’t be able to do any productive world. I went to university, served in work at all. the Australian Army, travelled to over 40 countries, because I thought that At this point I heard about The Yoga these experiences would challenge me Institute. Given that the Indian culture in order to grow. I thought that I may has such strong roots in yoga and living face hard times whilst going through in the city with the oldest organized these and I was mentally prepared for it. yoga school in the world, I figured it would make complete sense to be In March last year I decided to move associated with The Yoga Institute. to India to set up a business, as India One thing led to another and I enrolled is considered a hotspot for economic myself into 7 month TTC in December growth at this point in time. I thought last year. I wanted to do it on the side it would be a great challenge and I was whilst working on my business. looking forward to it. It’s been a good few months now. I I came here and got to it immediately. have a deeper understanding of the I enlisted mentors, investors who philosophy of yoga. I get that it goes would be my inner circle, my support. a lot deeper than the image that Few months passed and I didn’t see it’s just for your body. I have learnt the sort of progress that I initially about the importance of Ahara, Vihar, wanted. I was turned down by many Achara, Vichar meaning diet, physical seniors in the industry. I heard the activity, routine and thoughts. Having

YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 23 incorporated this in my life, I can see how beneficial it is. I am in control of my time, which in turn maximises he Thinker my productivity and reduces stress. T Furthermore, this positively influences We observe that our mind is busy all other aspects of my life as well. I all the time. There is not a minute have learnt to accept and take steps when it is idle. But the thinking to move forward. I know I have a long unfortunately is mostly useless. way to go but I’m sure I will succeed, Nothing wonderful happens if we given the techniques that this Institute think about somebody’s dress or teaches us - that school and university somebody’s prosperity. It is just does not - teaching us how to manage unnecessary thinking. our personal matters, our relationships and work. I am now able to look at If we are honest with ourselves, these aspects in a different light, from we find that we spend hardly a few a different perspective and I am sure minutes on deep inner thinking this will have a great influence on my about the way we are living, the life in the years to come. The Institute way we are feeling, the way we truly is a school of life. are thinking, the purpose behind our existence, etc. We hardly give a thought to these areas. So the result is that we are simply drifting, passing one day after another, and cont’d from page 22 ..... complaining, not so much about ourselves, but about other people. Shri Yogendraji remained uncon- cerned about adversities during his Yoga has a totally different own studies in traditional yoga, or its approach. It does not waste too application and scientific presentation, much time thinking about others. It or its modernization and socialization. is more interested in thinking about His work for the last seventy three years oneself, clarifying one’s place in life is its own testimony and needs no praise and continuously working on one’s from politicians or high ups in society. own duties. When finally Shri Yogendraji breathed So, they are his last on 25th September1989 at two different 6.20a.m., he had assured himself that approaches: he had done his duty - about the rest One totally he was unconcerned. uncontrolled; the other directed.

Do send us your views at yogatotalhealth@ theyogainstitute.org

24 YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 he Yoga Sutras of Patanjali T- A Perspective Samar Chauhan

Chapter 1.26 ; k"j]]{iffdlk u'?: sfn]gfgjR5]bft\ ..!=@^.. Sa Purvesham Api Guruh Kalena Anavacchedat

The discussion on Guru or Ishvara is continued in this Sutra. As we have already learnt from the last few Sutras, yoga is not a theistic science and so, unlike other systems, does not advise worship of God or carrying out of various rituals. Yoga is only concerned with control of the mind. But humans are unable to achieve this due to certain limitations. So to aid them, ‘Ishvara’ has been introduced. When things happen which are beyond his understanding, he recognises his own shortcomings and looks to something greater (viz. Ishvara) for support and direction. In absence of such support, his life would be filled with uncertainty and fear. It is also well accepted that all the spiritual knowledge has come down over time. It has been uninterruptedly passed on from one Guru to another. This raises the question, ‘Who was the source, the Originator?’ It is believed that Ishvara is the Original teacher, the Guru of all . He enjoys a position of unique nature in which He is not limited by time. He is Eternal and has been in existence since the beginning of Creation. And will continue to exist for time immemorial. Belief in God and complete surrender to Him is, by itself, a way to train the mind from negative feelings such as agitation, uncertainty, fear. So it is a very crucial thought.

YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 25 attvik Ahara Minati Shah

S A recent article by Tariq Engineer on the Moringa tree (“Championing the Moringa Tree” - , July 30th 2017) and Mark Olson’s efforts to bring its benefits to large human populations, tempts us to have a look at what is documented in Ayurveda about it. Nighantoo, Bhavprakash, Sushruta Samhita and Aryabhishak have mentioned about its flowers, leaves, skin of the trunk, seeds and the drumsticks extensively. It is useful in the cure of eye and ear diseases, abscess, swelling, obesity, hiccups, breathlessness, kidney stone, dandruff, headache due to cough, fresh wounds, worm infections, chickenpox, ulcers, herpes and many other conditions. Thus when it comes to Moringa’s medicinal value, it would be apt to quote Dr. Moyeedin Shariff from Nighantoo as he mentions, “Every dispensary should have this tree.”

Moringa is hot in potency, augments digestive fire, is alkaline and good for heart. As per USDA Nutrient database, 100g Moringa Oleifera raw leaves have the following nutrient values: Protein: 9.4g, Fat: 1.4g, Energy: 64 kcal, Calcium: 185mg, Iron: 4mg, Vitamin, B6: 1.2mg, Vitamin C: 51.7mg

Juice of its leaves has strong antibacterial properties. It is excellent for relieving pain and works against bacteria like E.coli. Here is a simple Yogic recipe that can be prepared often to take advantage of the benefits of Moringa leaves: Sargavo and Moongdal Sabzi Ingredients 2. Heat oil in a pan, add cumin seeds, • 3/4 cup yellow Moongdal grated ginger and cook for 1 minute. • 2 cups washed and chopped leaves 3. Add chopped leaves, 1 cup water, of Moringa (Sargavo) turmeric powder and salt to taste. • 1 Tbsp oil 4. Cover the pan with a lid and pour • 1 tsp cumin seeds 1/2 cup water on the lid to cook for • 1 tsp grated ginger approximately 20 minutes. • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder 5. Once the leaves are cooked, mix • 1 Tbsp lemon juice cooked Dal and give one boil. • Salt to taste 6. Mix lemon juice and serve hot with rice or Roti. Method 7. Please note that cooking Dal and 1. Soak Dal for four hours and cook in leaves together might turn the Sabzi pressure cooker for two whistles. bitter. (Serves 4 persons)

26 YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 houghts on Tthe Gita Smt. Hansaji J. Yogendra

aLh+ df+ ;j{e"tfgf+ ljl4 kfy{ ;gftgd\ . a'l4a'{l4dtfdl:d t]h:t]hl:jgfdxd\ .. &–!).. Know Me O Partha, as the eternal seed of all beings; I am the intelligence of the intelligent; the splendour of the splendid things and beings am I.

God is the source of all creation. We can’t think of anything without thinking of its source. We have to accept that consciousness is the source and God is the highest consciousness. The ordinary sources are limited; they cannot stand on their own. For example, such words like Buddhi and intelligence are considered as all-pervading, and yet Buddhi technically is a product of Prakriti. Out of the ultimate in matter is created Mahat (another name for Buddhi), and then Ahamkara. This Prakriti is also a combination of three Gunas. But, for Prakriti to function, we talk of Purusha, which is pure consciousness. It is only because of consciousness that the material world is activated. By itself, matter is unintelligent. The greatest power or greatest glory is also subordinate to God. In Indian thinking, it is God who creates power and uses it. In short, without the concept of God, everything is incomplete and unclear and we just go in circles.

YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 27 oga News Y A. N. Desai On 4th August 2017, The Yoga Institute conducted a special session for MBBS students from HBT Medical College and Dr. R N Cooper Municipal General Hospital.

On 10th August 2017, The Yoga Institute conducted a special yoga session for students of KEM Hospital (King Edward Memorial) and Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College.

28 YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 ‘Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Talks by Dr. Janmashtami celebrations at The Jayadeva Yogendra and Smt. Hansaji’ Yoga Institute on 15th August 2017. 2017 edition was released to mark the 88th birthday of Dr. Jayadeva Yogendra and the 99th year of The Yoga Institute.

Women at The Yoga Institute singing the National Anthem on Independence Day.

Kum. Ankita Sood and Kum. Sheetal Kapoor conducted yoga sessions for 65 teachers of Canossa Convent High School, Mahim, this month.

YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 29 oga Health SEP OCT YCamps 2017 2017 2017 7 Day Health Camp (English) 23rd - 29th 28th - 3rd Nov

7 Day Health Camp (Hindi) 9th - 15th -

Cardiac + Hypertension 3rd -

Diabetes - 1st

Orthopaedic 24th 22nd

Stress Management 10th 8th

Pregnancy Ante and Post Natal 16th - 17th 16th - 17th

Respiratory - 14th

Weight Management 2nd 7th

Life Management - 15th

Meditation camp 16th 21st

Women’s Camp 9th -

BOOK CLUB every Sunday, after Satsang. Book under discussion- Insights Through Yoga

SUBSCRIBE NOW ! to Yoga and Total Health 1. For online payment please visit: www.theyogainstitue.org/yoga-total-health

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30 YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 ogis of YIndia Yogi Matsyendra Nath Matsyendra Nath literally means the “Lord of Fish”. This ancient Yogi lived somewhere between 7th Century and 12th Century. He is considered the Founder of Hatha Yoga. He is also considered as a Founder of the Natha Sampradaya, having received his teachings from Lord Shiva. There are different legends surrounding his birth and how he got the name Matsyendra Nath. As per one legend, Matsyendra was born under an inauspicious star. As a result, his parents had to throw him into the ocean when he was a small baby. Later, the baby was swallowed by a fish where he lived for many years. The fish swam to the bottom of the ocean where Lord Shiva was imparting the secrets of yoga to his consort, Goddess Parvati. Upon overhearing the secrets of yoga, Matsyendra began to practice yoga Sadhana inside the fish’s belly. After twelve years he finally emerged as aSiddha (an ascetic who has achieved enlightenment). And so the name ‘Lord of the Fishes’ or ‘He whose Lord is the Lord of the Fishes’. Another version says Matsyendra took birth as a fish and later was turned into a Siddha by Lord Shiva. He is also widely known as the Guru of the great Yogi Shri Gorakshanath. Together they both founded the sect known as the Natha tradition or the Kanphata Yogis, an order of religious ascetics who practice Hatha Yoga. ‘Kanphata’ – Kan (ear) and Phata (), refers to the initiation ceremony where the ears are split in order to insert enormous earrings. There is a belief that this ritual affects an important current (Nadi) of life at the ear that facilitates the acquisition of certain magical powers. This order still survives today. The Sanskrit word ‘Natha’ is the proper name of a Hindu initiatory tradition and the word itself literally means ‘lord, protector, refuge.’ The related Sanskrit term Adi Natha means first or original Lord, and is therefore a synonym for Lord Shiva. Matsyendra Nath, also referred to as Minanath, Macchendernath, or Matsyodara, is also credited with composing the Hatha and Tantric works namely Kaulajnananirnaya (“Discussion of the Knowledge Pertaining to the Kaula Tradition”), the Matsyendrasamhita and Akula-Viratantra.

YOGA AND TOTAL HEALTH • September 2017 31