Author: Arun Ganesan

Art of Breathing

The Art of Breathing Since I began teaching yoga in 2004, I have found that the most common question is: How should I breathe? My reply is always: Stay relaxed. Even if you are not aware of it, you are still breathing. Try to observe this natural process to find the hidden secrets of the breath. Most people do not know how to breathe. Strange fact, isn’t it? But it’s a fact. Breathing naturally isn’t the same thing as taking deep and meaningful breaths. I don’t mean ‘meaningful’ in a spiritual sense, either. I’m talking about breathing properly in...

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Amma’s Message for IDY 2019: Yoga Promotes Love and Solidarity in the World

Yoga is the means of realizing the infinite potential within by properly training and integrating body, mind, and intellect. Yoga helps us become more efficient in day-to-day life as well. It enhances our health, our sense of well-being, and our sensitivity to universal values. Indeed, in these times of lifestyle diseases and tension, yoga is a real boon to humankind, says Mata Amritanandamayi in her message on International Yoga Day. Yoga is the means of realizing the infinite potential within by properly training and integrating body, mind, and intellect. It is for these reasons that the relevance and popularity...

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A Retreat Like No Other – Yoga Fest Somers

Since dawn’s early light, the camp appears still, but the waves do not cease, and the birds sing high in the trees. At 9.30 AM, students dance out of their yoga classes, laughing and singing in anticipation of a delicious breakfast and a perfect day of activities ahead. Vigorous yoga practice arouses keen appetites. Appetizing aromas mix with the salt sea air. All chant the Bhojana mantra before breakfast is served in the spacious hall accompanied by cheerful chatter. It’s a typical morning at a very untypical event. It’s Yoga Fest! Over a hundred yoga students and spiritual seekers...

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India, the Land of Sages and Ancient Tradition

A peculiar fascination held me from the beginning when I began to formulate the idea of traveling to India; and planning for the adventure grew in its infant stages some years ago. I knew nothing about the landscape, the people, or the religions; yet for some reason I felt that my spiritual journey required a trip to this land. Learning from friends about their amazing experiences with spiritual masters further awakened my spiritual yearnings. I wanted to live in an ashram in India and experience these things for myself. In India I discovered an entirely different world, a people...

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Yogafest Retreat in Somers – When and how did it all start?

My first meeting with the adorable young woman saint called Amma, or Mother, totally transformed my life. To begin with, using the name ‘Mother’ seemed very strange to me. Mothers are normally older than their children, but in this case, there was quite a different meaning. Even if you were a hundred years old, Amma would still be your Mother. As I began to realize who she was, it became clear to me that we were indeed her children and had lots of learning and growth ahead of us. My first meeting with the adorable young woman saint called...

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