Asana as Meditation and an Ayurvedic Approach to Asana

Integral Yoga® Magazine, Issue No. 229 “Asanas as a Meditation Session”

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Asanas as a Meditation Session

“Anyone who practices Yoga should think of the asanas as a meditation session. Yoga means ease and one-pointedness of mind. Take it easy and have an attitude of meditation throughout the whole session. You can meditate on the different postures by noticing the feelings you get while in the postures and the benefits too.” –Swami Satchidananda

Is There an Enlightenment Drug?
By Sri Swami Satchidananda

Timothy Leary was more or less the originator of the psychedelic drug movement. When he met me in the late 1960s, he asked if I’d like to try some LSD. I asked, “Since you think that your LSD can create yogis, why don’t you create some other drugs that can create engineers and scientists? If you can show me that you can do that, then I will believe you and I am ready to take your saint-making LSD. Because if there was any easy way to be a saint very quickly why would I wait unnecessarily? MORE

Larry King and Swami Satchidananda:
An Unlikely Friendship

In 1986, as radio host of "The Larry King Show," he interviewed Swami Satchidananda. King was so curious about the Swami's faith and what he believed. Over the decades, King spoke about his conversations with Sri Swamiji, noting: “Of all my most memorable guests, there have been so many, but I really liked what Swami Satchidananda told me. He made a lot of sense. There was a wonderful peace about him. He was fascinating to listen to. I never forgot that.” MORE

An Ayurvedic Approach to Asana
An Interview with Dr. David Frawley (Pandit Vamadeva Shastri)

Ayurveda usually prescribes asana either for a healthy lifestyle or as part of certain therapies. A healthy lifestyle should include exercise and asana, ideally because of the spiritual dimension of asana. The main health problem in life comes from gravity and aging. If you do inverted poses you are improving your longevity so it’s relevant to everyone. Then there are asanas that are part of the doshic model. Ayurveda takes into account the dosha and the structural condition of people. MORE

The Little Altar in an Elevator
By Radhika Miller

I met fashion designer Pierre Cardin in an elevator at the San Francisco Merchandise Mart in 1976. I was the elevator operator, a job for the college break of January. I took the liberty of decorating my elevator, turning my workspace into a beautiful sanctuary. I created an altar on the wall of the elevator with a photo of the All Faiths Yantra and Swami Satchidananda. I was 19 years-old and living at the Integral Yoga Institute of San Francisco while getting my music degree at San Francisco State University. MORE

Healing from the Pain that Binds

Born and raised in West Africa, Oyámie Kali Ma’at spent most of her childhood in community gatherings of musicians, drummers, and dancers. Listening and dancing to music became a foundation for her life. In addition to living and serving in Yogaville, Oyámie is also a gifted psychospiritual healing coach. In this conversation with Avi Gordon, they discuss the practice of silence, the love that comes from facing pain, and more.

"Don't Sweat the Small Stuff"

Continuing their discussion in Ep 12 of the “Two Old Fogey Yogis” podcast, this week, in Ep 13, our two yogis go deeper into the 5 kleshas (obstacles) focusing on raga (desire) and abhinivesha (fear of death). Hear what they conclude about these specific kleshas and how, when it is time, you can prepare to transition from a life well-lived to a death well-prepared for. Listen on Soundcloud, iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Pandora and other podcast apps.

Announcing Integral Yoga Gibraltar New Website

The beautiful new website for Integral Yoga Gibraltar recently was launched! Congratulations to centre director Nalanie Chellaram and all who helped to develop the website! While the website features the "usual" (class schedules, info on the teachers, etc.) a unique feature is its focus on the inspiring service projects that IY Gibraltar undertakes as the international headquarters for Service In Satchidananda, Integral Yoga's global service and charitable works organization.

Inside Yogaville

In this short time-lapse video, we see the beautiful rising of the sun on a cold wintry day in central Virginia. Note that the first image visible is the "Welcome to at Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville" sign (far right of opening frame) viewed from the Karuna Road area. Shot by videographer and Yogaville resident, Ishwara Aref.

Inspirational Meme of the Week

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