The Newsletter of Kaivalyadhama Institute and SADT Gupta Yogic Hospital & Healthcare Centre
Volume 6, Issue 3 November/December 2009
WORLD
Kdham
KAIVALYADHAMA
Yoga for the World
RNI NO. MAHENG08413/13/1/2001-TC
Purity Launched
New Yoga Course
Page 4
Dr Vase concludes
Page 9-11
His Excellency Sri S. C. Jamir, Governor of Maharastra, honoured Kaivalyadhama by launching the latest volume of Yoga Kosha together with eight DVDs at a special function held at Raj Bhavan, the official residence in Mumbai on 12 October 2009.
In releasing the book and DVDs for sale and distribution, the Governor praised the work being carried out by the Institute and expressed the thought that institutes like Kaivalyadhama need to carry on playing a pivotal role in maintaining the
purity in Yoga. Such publications, he said, helped to spread the funda-mental
knowledge of Yoga based on scientific principles among all people.
(Continued p3)
Kendriya Vidyalay of the Central Schools are established throughout India by the Government with a primary aim to facilitate the education of
Defensive Yoga?
Defence Force’s employees’ children upon their transfer to various places. A re-orientation programme using a tried and tested module is being held at
Kaivalyadhama for the school’s Yoga teachers from 26 October to 17 November 2009.
Many a time
when there
seems to be
too much
h a p p e n i n g
it’s difficult to
decide what
to do first. It’s
moments like
this that one
appreciates
the systems at
Kaivalyadhama which have been created for
the purpose of smooth, ongoing functionality.
Concurrent training programmes have
become a common feature at the Institute.
At present in action, for example, there is a
reorientation programme of the Kendriya
Vidyalay teachers, a orientation programme
for State Government school teachers, the
specialized course of Pranayama, plus
preparing for the 6th International
Conference, the monitoring of training
programmes at the Jawahar Navoday
Vidyalay and the maintenance of relaxed
continuance of the 2009–10. Diploma in
Yoga Education Course. Our resources are
being used at their optimal full level and we
are very happy about it.
We have also formally announced an
exciting new annual course, the Post-
Graduate Diploma in Yoga Therapy, which
will be conducted jointly with Pravara
Institute of Medical Sciences at Loni in
Maharastra. It is probably the first time that
the Yoga therapy course is being run jointly
by a Medical University and a Yoga Institute.
Both institutes aim to impart a very high
quality of education to students in terms of
engaging with the important therapeutic
aspects of Yoga. The first session begins in
August 2010.
Our all-important 6th International
Conference, this year on Yoga Research and
Cultural Synthesis, will be held 27–30
December 2009. We are all looking forward
immensely to it. With two months to go,
already there are about 500 delegate
registrations and 50 eminent guest speakers
have confirmed their participation. The
Conference will be a grand gathering of the
greatest researchers, academicians, scholars
and sadhakas of Yoga. The State of
Maharashtra, through its Department of
Higher and Technical Education, has already
supported the Conference and granted duty
leave to its teachers who wish to participate.
The Department of Medical Education has
also extended its support for this Conference.
We are sure that there will be fruitful
interaction among one and all and
Kaivalyadhama is giving its level best to rise
to the occasion.
As this is the last KdhamWORLD issue
of the year, may I take this opportunity to
wish all our readers a very enlightening and
a prosperous New Year for 2010.
- Subodh Tiwari
Administrator
EDITORIAL FR
EDITORIAL FR EDITORIAL FR
EDITORIAL FR
EDITORIAL FROM OM OM OM OM
KAIV
KAIV KAIV
KAIVAL KAIV AL AL AL ALY Y YADHAMA Y Y ADHAMA ADHAMA ADHAMA ADHAMA’S ’S ’S ’S ’S
ADMINISTRA
ADMINISTRA ADMINISTRA
ADMINISTRA ADMINISTRATOR TOR TOR TOR TOR
Purity
Launched
(Continued from Front Page) Yoga Kosha is unlike any other Sanskrit-English Yoga dictio- nary. It provides a comprehen- sive understanding of yogic terms with reference to their context and hence serves as a mini encyclopaedia of the field of Yoga.
Yoga Kosha has been out of print for a while and this has created a pressing demand for its reprint as it is the only publication of its kind. Apart from a thorough revision of the whole text with appropriate alterations and additions, it now contains an English alphabetical word index to aid easy use for non-Sanskrit readers.
Kaivalyadhama is also releasing eight DVDs by Sri O. P. Tiwari, Honorary Secretary of the Institute, a disciple of Swami Kuvalyananda and a renowned teacher of Yoga. The DVDs cover topics such as Pranayama, Ayurvedic Diet, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, Commentary on the Hatha Pradipika and Lectures on Kundalini.
Remember Yoga?
Almost one thousand students of Ravindra Mane College of Engineering & Technology in Ambav, Ratnagiri have been taught Yoga, concentration and memory by Kaivalyadhama Mumbai. The College Chair- man, Mr Ravindra Mane, his wife, College Principal and teachers were also present.
Kaivalyadhama’s Mrs
Shilpa Ghone and Mr Ravi M. Dixit conducted this huge Yoga workshop on how to improve concentration and memory over one weekend. Mr Minoo Jokhi, a mathematician and student from Kaivalyadhama Mumbai, gave special tips and techniques with live demonstrations to those attending.
The Delhi branch of Sri Aurobindo Ashram is organizing the 3rd Study Camp on ‘Mind-Body Medicine and Beyond’ for doctors, medical students and other health professionals at its Nainital Centre (Van Nivas) from 9-16 June 2010.
The camp, consisting of lectures, practice, and participatory and experiential sessions, is designed to help participants get better, feel better, and to understand what the benefits of mind/body
Mind Boggling Delhi Week
medicine are in order to incorporate elements into their practice.
The camp will be conducted by Professor Ramesh Bijlani, M.D., a frequent visitor to Kaivalyadhama who is a former Professor at AIIMS, founder of its mindbody medicine clinic and author of Back to Health through Yoga. For more details, contact the Ashram Reception in Delhi (011-2656-7863) or e- mail Dr. Bijlani
Kaivalyadhama announces a
NEW COURSE
POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN
YOGA THERAPY
Commencing annually from 1 August 2010 For the first
time this course will be held under the joint auspices of
Kaivalyadhama
and
Pravara Institute of
Medical Sciences
(Deemed University) LONI, Maharastra For the first time in the annals of Yoga
academics, a Medical University is collaborating with Kaivalyadhama’s Yoga College to enrich Yoga therapeutics in the interest of humanity. This new diploma will enable qualified individuals to combine skills and practise with significantly greater effectiveness.
Kaivalyadhama is India’s (and the world’s) largest, most comprehensive and oldest Institute for Scientific and Philosophico- Literary Research, Teacher Training and Healthcare in Yoga, established in 1924. It is aided by the Ministry of HRD, Government of India, and the Department of Higher & Technical Education,
Government of Maharashtra.
Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences, was established under section (3) of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act 1956 on 29
September 2003 by the Government of Indian, Ministry of Human Resource Development, vide its notification No. F. 9-11/ 2000-U-3.
The University is unique in more than one way. It is specialized in Medical and Health Sciences with a dedication to serve society as a Centre of Excellence with emphasis on socially meaningful medical education, healthcare and research.
The University has been highly praised for its pioneer work in the field of integrated rural development and as an operative model of PURA – Providing Urban Amenities to Rural Areas.
See the website at www.kdham.com for full details. Latest applications by 15 July each year. All-inclusive tuition and double occupancy accommodation fees: Indian nationals Rs 68, 000, for foreign nationals US
$ 6,000.
On World Heart Day, 27 Sep- tember 2009, Kaivalya-dhama Mumbai and the IPC organised a ‘Work with the Heart’ work- shop for Mumbai Police. Joint Police Commissioner Mr Prabhakar More was present with over 300 police men and women; a lecture was given by
Police look to their Hearts
Dr Pratiksha, MD in preventive cardiology.
The Yoga session was con- ducted by Mr Joshi under the guidance of Mr Ravi M. Dixit. This workshop was an initiation for the Police into awareness of their health and the program was appreciated by all officers.
Kaivalyadhama’s Foundation Day was celebrated this year in a Havan Puja at the Ashram Kuti with Swami Mahesha-nanda.
Foundation
Remembered
Many people were present including Sri O. P. and Subodh Tiwari, Swamini Pushpat Amma, staff and pupils.
National
Yoga
Research
Kaivalyadhama’s Scientific Re- search team visited eight Jawaharlal Navodaya Vidya- layas across India to undertake a cross-cultural research study among Navodaya school stu- dents.
The purpose of this research was to evaluate psycho-physi- ological parameters such as memory, attention, cardio-respi- ratory endurance, static strength, explosive power, func- tional strength, trunk strength, running speed and agility, mo- tor speed, flexibility, total body balance and emotional stability of an individual following the practice of yoga for a period of 45 days.
The five-member team was divided into two groups. Mr Sanjib Patra and Ghanshyam Singh Thakur visited Nad and Udhampur Navodaya schools of North India and Ukhrul and Khumbong Navodaya schools in the North East, while Mr Gaurav Pant, Miss Swati Pandey and Miss Laxmipriya Padhi visited Pokrapur and Tuljapur Navodaya schools in the West and Anantpur and Doddabalapur Navodaya Vidyalayas in South India.
At the invitation of Ms Sohini Patel, President RTN, Rotary Club of Downtown Mumbai, the city’s best bus drivers and conductors were welcomed to a special workshop on Stress Management. The workshop was given by Kaivalyadhama Mumbai and took place over three days at the beginning of October at Wadala Bus Depot.
Mumbai is one of the biggest cities in the world in population terms, which means that the roads are frequently clogged or even worse with traffic and driving public transport vehicles can be extremely stressful. Yoga, therefore, is an ideal solution to enable the city’s much-needed drivers and conductors to better manage their stressful jobs.
The workshop was conceived, planned and executed by Kaivalyadhama Mumbai’s Mr Ravi M. Dixit,
Yoga is just the ticket!
Kaivalyadhama’s Mimamsa Publication Division has a new, much bigger bookshop of its own at the Visitor’s Centre in the Lonavla campus. This means that there’s plenty of comfortable space to spend time browsing through the many Yoga books and accessories.
New Bigger Bookshop
assisted by Ms Seema Sharma and Ms Shilpa Ghone who took the Yoga classes in Marathi, while Mr Minoo Jokhi gave a live demonstration of concen- tration and memory. Yoga teacher, Mr Anand, also assisted.
In the workshop there were six sessions each attended by 50
people, which meant that, over the three days, 300 drivers and conductors were taught Yoga techniques for stress manage- ment. Those attending found the workshop beneficial and were invited back to Kaivalyadhama in Mumbai or Lonavla to continue developing their practises.
A week-long Yoga training programme was started from the 26 October 2009 for the staff and family of the Maharastra
Governor’s Staff Go Yogic!
A meeting of the Governing Body of Kaivalyadhama S. M. Y. M. Samiti was held on 18 September 2009. Among those present were Sri S. R. Dhall and Sri P. K. Bhatia representa- tives of the Ministry of HRD, Sri R. K. Singh, Representative of NCERT, Dr Deshpande, Rep- resentative of Department of Higher Education, Government of Maharashtra. The meeting was chaired by Swami Maheshananda. The mem- bers were briefed about the various activities of the Institute such as the training programmes being held and research activities.
Governing Body Meets
Governor’s House. In this week, the participants will be orientated in the practices of Yoga and its basic principles.
Thereafter, a second week-long programme will be held, taking the household towards more advanced practices.
Kaivalyadhama’s Governors, standing from left to right: Dr S. K. Ganguly, Sri S. R. Dhall, Director IFD, Ministry of HRD, Sri O. P. Tiwari, Sri P. K. Bharia, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of HRD, Sri R. K. Singh, CAO NCERT, Sri Subodh Tiwari, Dr B. R. Sharma and Sri Dinesh Panjwani.
Full Information see Website or Request a Leaflet
27-30 December 2009, Lonavala, India
TOPICS TO BE COVERED
1. Yoga and Cultural Synthesis - Yoga and Religions of the World
- "Unity in Diversity" in worldwide cultures - Yoga and Cultural Synthesis : Philosophical
Perspectives
- Modes and Forms of Cultural Synthesis : Aurobindo, Mahatma Gandhi, Swami Vivekananda, Ravindranath Tagore, etc. - Cultural Synthesis and Communal Harmony - Social Relevance and Application of Yoga 2. Yoga and Value Education
- Value Education through Yoga - Education and Yoga
- Standardization of Yoga Programmes for Value Education
- Integration of Yoga in today's Modern Educational System
- Yoga Education and Personality Development
3. Advances and Recent Trends in Scientific Research
- Fundamental Research - Applied Research
- Standardization of Yoga Techniques - Subjective Experiences and Yoga Research
4. Philosophico-Literary Research - Basic research
- Applied Research
- Traditions of Yoga and their Evolution. - Critical Editions of Yoga Mss and Texts, etc. 5. Advances and Recent Trends in Yoga Therapy
- Yoga therapy : Cultural Perspectives - Behavioural Modification and Yoga - Mental Health and Yoga
- Psychotherapy, Counselling and Yoga 6. Research Methodology in Yoga
- Methodology in Yoga Education
- Methodological Problems and their Solutions - Advances in Experimental Research in Yoga - Importance of Experimental Design in Yoga
Research
Kaivalyadhama, Swami Kuvalayananda Marg, Lonavla - 410 403, Maharashtra, INDIA Telephone : +91 (0)2114 273001 / 276001 / 273039
Fax : +91 (0)2114 271983 / 277402 Website : www.kdham.com
E-Mail : [email protected]
Kaivalyadhama announces a Post-Conference Workshop on Kriya Yoga, 1-7 January 2010 at Lonavla. The sessions will include lectures, practice, pujas and havans. Full details of Course scedules and costs can be found at www.kdham.com or phone Mr Murthy at Kaivalyadhama on (+91) 02114 273001 or 273039.
1. Dr. Ishwar V. Basavaraddy, Director, Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, New Delhi 2. Dr. Arpan Bhatt, Gujarat University,
Jamnagar
3. Dr. K. Krishna Bhatt, Prof. & Chairman, Dept. of Human Consciousness & Yogic Sciences, Mangalore University
4. Dr. Ramesh Bijlani, Former Prof. AIIMS, New Delhi
5. Yoga Master Jorge Veiga e Castro, President, Yoga Samkhya Institute, Portugal 6. Dr. C. G. Deshpande, Former Head, Dept. of
Psychology, University of Mumbai
7. Shri T. M. Ghorpade, CAO, Directorate of Ayurved
8. Dr. Anand Gokani, Bombay Hospital
9. Dr. Babu Joseph, Director, National Institute of Naturo-pathy, Pune
10. Dr. Sat Bir S. Khalsa, Harvard Medical School Sleep Disorders Programme, USA
11. Vd. Kuldeepraj Kohli, Director of Ayurved, Maharashtra State, Mumbai
12. Yogacharya Vishwas Mandalik, Vice Chancellor, Yoga Vidyadham, Nashik
13. Dr. J. P. N. Mishra, Jain Vishwa Bharati University, Ladnu
14. Dr. Nagendra, H. R., Vice Chancellor, SVYAS, Bangalore
15. Shri Dinesh Panjwani, Principal, CHM College, Ulhasnagar
16. Dr. Ashok Patil, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences, Loni.
17. Shri Suresh Prabhu, Former M. P., Mumbai 18. Dr. U. S. Ray, Scientist, New Delhi
19. Dr. M. Venkata Reddy, Secretary, AP Yogadhyayana Parishad, Hyderabad
20. Lt. Gen. Dr. B. Sadanand, Vice Chancellor, Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences, Loni 21. Shri J. S. Saharia, IAS, Principal Secretary,
Dept. of Higher and Technical Education, Gov. of Maharashtra, Mumbai
22. Dr. W. Selvamurthy, Chief Controller Research & Develop-ment, Ministry of Defence, DRDO, New Delhi
23. Prof. N. B. Shukla, BHU, Varanasi
24. Dr. Alicia Souto, Prof. Salvador University, Argentina
25. Dr. Shirley Telles, Chief Research Consultant, Patanjali Yogapheeth, Haridwar
26. Dr. Samprasad Vinod, Pune
27. Yogacharya Shrikrishna Vyavahare, Ghantali Mitra Mandal, Thane
28. Dr. Rajan Welunkar, Vice-chancellor, YCMOU, Nashik
29. Ms. Yin Yan, Director, Yogi Yoga, China
CONFIRMED LIST OF INVITED GUESTS
Staff at Rajbhavan, Mumbai.
CHAKRA CONCEPT
The Chakras hold a key position in understanding the energy flow within the various parts of the body right from the intrauterine development of foetus. The Akasha element, being present in all elements with its special property of sound, is more effective when the subsequent element is formed in its respective order. As the neural tissue is faster in development, it always guides the growth of other organs and tissues in the body.
The Akasha element mainly represents brain structures in the skull which are in contact with the external universe. They go to form chakras dealing with: Akasha element (Sahastrara chakra) is the sensory and motor cortex; Vayu element is the Ajnya chakra; Agni element is the visual cortex Lalna chakra; Jal element is the Vishudh chakra; while the Prithvi element is hormone secretions from various endocrines under the influence of the pineal and pituitary glands playing the role of proper growth of the various tissues and organs of the body. These chakras come under the Samashti part of the nervous system.
The next four chakras come under the Vyashti part of the nervous system as they bring about control over the various systems which are responsible for carrying out functions of the body. Thus Anahata deals with functions of the lungs and heart through the Vayu Element. Manipur, at the level of 1st Lumbar vertebra, controls energy supply in the form of oxygen and food ingredients according to the need of various organs, is therefore also known as the ‘abdominal brain’ and represents the Agni element. The Swadhisthan chakra is at the level of the sacral promontory and represents the Jal element where oxygen and nutrition carried in the blood capillaries finally reach the cells through external tissue fluid. The Mooladhar chakra at the third
Understanding Yoga as a Self-Experiential Science (FinalPart)
Lt Col Dr D. R. Vaze AMC (Retd)
Former Medical Officer at SADT Yogic Hospital at Kaivalyadhama
to fourth sacral vertebra represents the earth element and controls the basic needs of the body such as ingestion, inhalation, digestion and excretion alike. These functions are carried out mainly at the physical and mechanical level.
The Atma or inner awareness closely observes the various stages of foetus growth developing in the mother’s womb. As the Atma enters into the developing embryo along with the subtle body of the previous life, the Atma carries out the necessary changes in the developing tissues which enable enjoyment of the unfulfilled desires of the past life.
As chakras in the skull are concerned with growth and development of the foetus, they are active during intrauterine life. Chakras in the Vyashti part (Anahat, Manipur, Swadhisthan and Mooladhar) are ‘geared-up’ during intrauterine life for they control the various organs of growth and take up these functions after delivery from the mother’s womb. Also, enzyme and hormone producing cells get prepared at this point. Lung movement during intrauterine life is also noticed. Heartbeats start from the tenth week, while intestinal peristaltic movements and internal secretions also take place. Nutrition and oxygen for the growth of the foetus is however provided by the mother through the placenta.
Chakras are stimulated by specific Bijaswaras. The frequency of vibrations of these appears more in chakras like Sahastrara, Ajnya and Vishudhi of the middle order in Anahata and Manipur, and lowest vibrations from the Bijaswara stimulate the Swadhisthan and Mooladhar. This is confirmed from the studies of Dr Alfred Tomatis who, through his intense work in the process of hearing, believes that high frequency sounds (3,000 to 8,000 Htz or more) generally resonate in the brain and affect cognitive functions such as thinking, perception and memory. Middle frequency sounds (750 to
3,000 Htz) tend to stimulate the heart, lungs and emotions, while lower sounds (125 to 750 Htz) affect physical movement.
The functions of chakras, being basic energy stations, are under constant vigil by the inner awareness (Atmashakti), which is indicated by Soham Japa. The time of one Soham Japa is equal to the time taken by one breath – an average individual takes 15 breaths per minute and 21,600 times a day. In the Sahastrara, Anjya and Vishudhi chakras, inner awareness is active for 1,000 Soham Japa’s each; in Anahat, Manpur and Swadhistan chakras, inner awareness is active for 6,000 Soham Japa’s each; and in the Muladhar chakra, inner awareness is active for 600 Soham Japa’s. This clearly proves that, unless disturbed, our inner awareness is manipulating various activities of the body through control of chakras while also maintaining health.
MIND AND HEALTH
Western physiology does not accept the presence of a mind, as there is no definite place for it in the nervous system. Psychologists say it is the flow of thoughts. Descartes postulated that diseases of the mind have got nothing to do with diseases of the body. This thinking put the western medicine behind for many years. Now new branches such as psycho- neuroendocrinology and psycho-neuro- immunology indicate the acceptance of western medicine about the effect of the mind on body functions.
Ayurveda also states this because, through faulty functions of the intellect sustaining ability and memory, wrong deeds are done, discriminative wisdom gets dimmed and all diseases arise. If intelligence gets engaged in foul understanding and it prevails, it leads to diminished discriminative wisdom, which is the realm of mind. Yoga not only approves the existence of the mind but the Upanishads mention specific areas in the brain where it is active during different states of the body. Mind is also considered as the sixth sense organ and is coordinator of the other sense organs. The Kena
Upanishad clearly says that if the mind is not attentive behind a particular sense organ it can’t perceive.
Yoga is defined by Bhagavan Patanjali Muni as ‘Chitta Vritti Nirodhah’. Vritties are the response of the mind to external stimuli. The mind or Antakarana works at four levels: Manas, Budhi, Chitta and Ahamkar.
DIET
Yoga gives great emphasis to the role of diet on an individual’s health, not only at the physical level but also on mental, emotional, social and spiritual levels. It stresses not only the quality of food regarding its nutritional value and cleanliness but also the subtle effect of food on the individual who consumes it according to the state of mind of the person who prepares it, the way in which it is served, the purpose behind serving food, the surrounding environment and the state of mind of the individual who takes food. The Taittiriya Upanishad advises us also not to waste food, or find fault in food but to grow a lot of food and to serve food to visitors who come without even prior notice.
SHODASHASANSKARAS
Rishis, Munis and Yogis lay stress on the evolution of the individual first and through that of the entire society. In the Gruhya Sutras and Gautam Dharmasutras, samskaras are mentioned which are advised to be performed to develop good progeny as well as such acts by which an individual develops as a useful member of society. These days Yoga practices are advised during pregnancy to benefit the mother and the child to be born.
It is clear, therefore, right through history and in the present day that Yoga has an important part to play in the healthy development of every human life. This is not to the exclusion of other means as, in each life, there is a ‘happy’ balance to be maintained. Finding this balance depends on the individual’s endeavour and effort.
* * * * *
Mailing Address: Editor : Sri Subodh Tiwari
Assisted by : Dr Stuart Rose Kaivalyadhama,
S.A.D.T. Gupta Yogic Hospital & Health Care Centre, Swami Kuvalyananda Marg, Lonavla - 410403, India
• PHONE : 02114-273039 / 273001 • FAX : 02114-277402 / 271983
• EMAIL : [email protected] • www.kdham.com
Yogic
Judiciary
Yoga Classes were held at the Maharashtra Judicial Academy for 15 days in October for all the staff members. Kaivalyadhama intends to hold regular classes at the centre in near future.
The closing function of the Yoga Camp held for the Central Reserve Police Force recently in Delhi. We plan to organise such training programmes “training the trainers” throughout the country soon. Pictured from left to right
Delhi Yoga Camp
include: Mr Rajiv Ranjan, President YUVA, Dr Thokchom Meinya MP, Mr Sachin Pilot MP, State Minister, Mr Dalbir Singh, Vice President Indian Olympic Association, Smt Rita Bahuguna MP.
