Author: Arun Ganesan

Amrita Yoga at John Scottus Secondary School, Dublin, Ireland

Amrita Yoga at John Scottus Secondary School, Dublin, Ireland

Mar 13, 2020 | , |

In 2016, for Amma’s cultural program in Dublin, Amma Ireland contacted the John Scottus School in Rathmichael to perform Vedic chanting for Amma under the wonderful teacher Rutger Kortenhorst. It was very lovely indeed to see these young people chanting in Sanskrit, and Amma thoroughly enjoyed the performance. The school runs a junior certificate course based on Ayurveda for physical wellbeing, and on the Yoga Sutras for mental wellbeing, for 1st and 2nd year students ages 12 to 14. As part of ShobhaJi’s visit to Ireland for the first time this February, she was invited to the school by...

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Yogasana and the Spine

Yogasana and the Spine

Mar 6, 2020 | , |

One part of the body of particular interest in yogasana practice is the spine. To understand why a healthy spine is crucial to our health, it is important to know a little about the structure of our bodies, of the spine, and the movements the spine can make. Our head houses our brain which is crucial in controlling almost all the voluntary and involuntary processes in our bodies. The brain is connected to the spinal cord which is connected to the rest of the nerves throughout the body. The brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves are soft and easily...

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The Real Shivaratri!

The Real Shivaratri!

Feb 19, 2020 | |

Shivaratri is meditation on the real nature of God, which is Pure Consciousness. We go from the Roopam (form of God) to Swaroopam (His real nature). We start with meditating on Amma’s form, and gradually we realize that Amma is Antaryami (omniscient). When I see Amma before me, I know that by Her power alone my eyes can see; when I hear Her Satsang and Bhajans, by Her power alone my ears can hear; by Her power alone my mind understands what She is saying and my hand writes it. Amma is within Me in the form of Pure...

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Enchanted

Enchanted

Feb 14, 2020 | |

The morning dew dare not compete with You for freshness or a sparkling shine. You hold the mind with radiant hue and inner thought sublime. Like moonshine glancing over silver streams, or sunbeams dancing, dappling leaf and bough, Your eye, all-seeing, gleams, the Knower of the now. The past is lost to memory; no future hopes distract my mind, absorbed in just this moment’s dream. Enraptured by your gaze – to all else blind – all thoughts consumed in this one flame, my heart ignites, and perfume fills my...

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Awareness and Listening are the Keys to a Therapeutic Yoga Session

Awareness and Listening are the Keys to a Therapeutic Yoga Session

Feb 8, 2020 | |

As yoga teachers, we have the opportunity to work one-on-one with students in a therapeutic capacity. A holistic approach to yoga has transformed my relationships with students in a profound way. Here is an example of just how powerfully therapeutic yoga can work. A student I will call Prema had previously practiced yoga, but in recent years had surgery on both knees, an injection for hip and low back pain, and was suffering from arthritis. While she came to me to address these physical issues, it was quickly apparent that they were connected to some life stresses. Suggesting asanas to...

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