FROM TONNES TO OUNCE ….
{Yoga
Vacation at Shivananda Ashram, Neyyar dam, Trivandrum, Kerala}
My
Life journey so far, has been swinging back and forth at various stages;
sometimes I advance too fast and lag behind at a particular moment of
life. It’s like four steps forward and
two steps backwards, with the resultant growth being seriously contained. Studied Advaitha Vedantha deeply to a point
and later drifted away from serious scriptural studies, though I kept in touch
with lots of collections. My recent
exploration being “Gayathri” and “Mantras” for a serious internal Sadhana and
deeper contemplation.
In
the above context, the journey had to be reversed with a proper foundation. It
was more of Vedantha and less of Yoga. Hence, it is now time for practicing an Ounce
of Yoga instead of tonnes of Vedantha. I
was attracted to “Sivananda Yoga-Vedantha, Dhanwantri Ashram” at
Neyyar Dam, Trivandrum, Kerala {*}. No theory,
no benefit analysis, no Ashtanga Yoga but straight to Asana, Pranayama
practice. My desire to study Upanishads in Sivananda Ashram at Hrishikesh (DLS)
got re kindled and this appeared to be the first step in that direction.
I
was sick for more than two days before starting this journey and when I reached
Thiruvananthapuram, the condition was that I may not continue for a day
more. Body pain, severe head ache,
feverishness, throat pain… all were bothering simultaneously and it was of
course Covid (-)ve as per report.
Early
morning, landed at a family friend’s house and couldn’t stop from falling
asleep. Our beloved
Kanakaraju and family took due
care and I was back to journey ahead.
Reached Ashram at around 1 pm and after a brief discussion with the
Director to whom we presented a translated copy of Bhagavadgeetha written by
DVG. Later I got into dorm only to
continue my sleep. Don’t even remember, if I took food that day
evening or what I did after 1.30 pm that day !!.
Testing
my limits – physical and mental:
Next
day morning, I was told by my neighbour that there is a long trek to Kalipara
hill nearby and we have to leave by 5.30 am and will come back by 7.30 am for
Tea and asana classes. I was not sure as
I could barely walk and it involved steep heights to be climbed. My energy level was too low even for a normal
walk. However, I wanted to test my
limits and joined the young group of students for Teacher Training course. Probably, this was the first trek in which I
was at the end with a guide who was stuck with me!!
Started
walking very slowly, using the rhythm of body to sync with breath and movement,
a technique taught by the Director of Sivananda Centre, while briefing us just
before the trek. It really helped me to
gather myself and to reach top of the hill after climbing steep, rocky roads
for about 3.5 kms. Such a simple technique taught while debriefing and it gave
an idea as to how practical tips can be used during tough times. Journey
started with chanting Trayambakam Yajamahe three times – Mahamruthyunjaya mantra,
a verse from Rigveda, believed to bestow longevity, wards off calamities/accidents
and prevents untimely death. It also
removes fears and heals holistically.
We
had to reach top of the hill before sun rise and there was no time to
waste. Shallow and steep jungle road with pitch dark
areas; but we were well guided by the volunteers. Finally, it was a steep rock
climb up with
side support and slowly I started feeling better. I could hardly put my next step, but
something was pulling me up. Cool
breeze all around and the energy around could be easily felt.
A
beautiful Sun rise behind Agasthya Malai:
On
top of the hill, we all sat for Chanting on the huge rocky slope where
Kalippara Lokambika Temple originally situated {**}. As the chants progressed systematically,
everyone got into an ecstatic mood and the first rays of Sun started showing up
behind the peaks and we got immersed into the serenity of morning.
It
was a delightful sight and we could see the panoramic view of Agastya Malai{***}
(Final part of Western Ghats) seen in the back drop of Neyyar Wild Life
Sanctuary. Sage Agasthya lived here and
he is one of the most revered Saptharshis who travelled from North to South
bringing along his wisdom for the natives.
The
sun arose fully from behind the peaks quickly elevating our own spirits. It was such a wonder every time, since my
child hood days to witness sunrise as well as sunset. I used to walk/trek just to witness this natural phenomenon and to get energised. My energy levels started getting normal and
in fact greatly improved.
It
appears that the Kali temple got destroyed in a lightning and there is only a
small structure built recently. We could
see some very old tribal rituals
done here with
a square made up of bamboo and plantain sticks.
Previous day was Makara Vilakku and we were right at Sankramana –
starting of Uttarayana, very auspicious for starting a new journey. Though I didn’t plan for this at all, it all happened on
its own.
The
day one begun this way and we returned
to Ashram for a cup of tea, followed by asana’s Class at 8 am. I could barely bend anything and the
technique of teaching made it all easy.
With a few relaxation exercises and Sun salutations, body became more adaptable
for asana’s to be practiced. The
instructions given were very specific and clear to follow.
After
the first class, I felt better than ever before. I could test my limits on the first day and
got ready for second class in the afternoon.
The second class for two more hours was exhausting as my energy levels
again dropped. But the body became more
flexible. It was time to strengthen my
mind. Work on your mind through your
body!!
To tell you frankly, this is just a theory and I started
feeling more and more tired with lots of weakness everywhere!! At one point of time, I felt that I will not
be able to cope up with this rigour and mind constantly refusing to do anything
more. It also planned my return trip
mentally, how to go back and catch a train to Mangalore…. Lots of excuses kept
on pouring and after a deep Satsang / guided meditation class which finished at
around 9.30 pm I went back to sleep. I
really don’t remember anything what happened after my second Asana Class at 3.30 pm. The decision has been made to quit the
practice and go back as my body won’t permit, or mind thought so. End of an
ambitious journey…..
Things
got changed again…..
Day
Two began with an early bath and I found a good place to do
my morning Japa. There is a small but
energetic Devi temple in the precincts of Ashram surrounded by a meditation
hall, ideally named as Rama Hall. I went
after a bath at around 5 am and pleasantly greeted by an old lady who was in
charge. I sat and did my Gayathri
followed by chanting of Sukthas.
Somehow, my earlier decision to leave back to Mangalapuram, started melting
down, as I felt that this is a golden opportunity to thoroughly
rejuvenate. Now after re charging myself
in the presence of Amme Narayana I felt much more energetic than before and I
decided to give it a try for another day.
Thus
begun my second day and there was a Satsang at around 6 a.m. which contained a
guided meditation and chanting of bhajans.
This added up to the serenity and now I was mentally prepared myself for
next course of asana class in the morning.
This time the classes found to be elevating my bodily spirits and I felt
lighter after nearly two hours of Yoga abhyasa. The instructions given were
very precise and clear. I just followed
what is told without thinking twice.
Kapaalabhathi,
Anulom-Vilom with retention followed by 12 sets of Sun Salutations cleared the
bottlenecks in the body and prepared for further Asanas. Bhujangasana, Shalabhasana,
Chakrasana, Paschimottanasana, Sarvangasana and Halaasana really started to make
me feel better as the back getting loosened making free flow of energy throughout
body. Particularly, Sarvangasana and
Halaasana stimulated thyroid glands and I felt great clarity in my thoughts.
The
amount of Prana shakthi generated in these two hours was more than sufficient
for the whole day and this first-hand experience under the watchful eyes of
Yoga Teachers was amazing. The precision
of instructions made practice easy and smooth.
Every minute posture is observed and corrections suggested then and
there, which made the practice easier and better with each posture and whole
body started feeling extremely light within a very short period. Exertion and relaxation going hand in hand
made the practice effective.
End
of the session, there was also a balancing posture either Kaakasana or Vrukshaasana
and first two days, I could not find a true balance; but on the last two days,
I was waiting to do these balancing postures and successfully / comfortably
stayed in the pose for longer. This
clearly marked a distinct change in body and mind towards equanimity achieved
through yogic postures / asanas. Balance
in these asana’s also meant that we forget everything for a moment and remain
fully focussed in the posture without any thoughts. An easy way to achieve thoughtlessness
through a thoughtful gesture of body and mind!!
What
followed next few days was only as expected. The daily practices, Satsang-bhajans, evening
chanting of Lalitha Sahasranaama in the Devi temple followed by “Paayasanna” by
the Amma in temple were totally nourishing the body and mind. I did not miss any of these for the entire
stay and on the last day, I met Amma and prostrated her benevolent and
worshipful eyes. She is a pleasant lady
in charge of temple and the serenity is personified in her face. The chanting and prayer had a profound effect
on my inner being and the experience is inexplicable.
My
tryst with Asanas was fortified with after noon lectures followed by
intermediary classes for two hours.
First day, I was the only student and there was a radiant young lady
teacher who very specifically explained the philosophy of Sivananda Yoga and
Vedantha. As already seen, there is no
fabulous theories, no cost-benefit analysis, no Ashtanga Yoga but straight to
Asana, Pranayama practice with basic understanding. When simple principles are followed, great
things follow without fantasising by the mind and intellect. This is exactly what I was aspiring for in
the quagmire of philosophies in which I was caught.
It
was a great experience in the most practical way. Learning Yoga in Gurukula system, time for
deeper contemplation and elevating my spirits were the main purpose of my Yoga
Vacation which was abundantly fulfilled.
This is a great place to learn and teach yourself the best curriculum
for Yoga designed by Swami Vishnudevananda, a senior disciple of Swami
Shivananda. Five Points for health and happiness
incorporated in daily routine, being Proper Exercise (Asana), Proper Breathing
(Pranayama), Proper relaxation (Savasana), Proper Diet and Positive Thinking/meditation
(Vedantha and Dhyana). I am fortunate that
I got a real break in this wonderful Journey of Yoga and Vedantha through these
five simple principles taught and practiced in Shivananda Ashram.
Hari Om Tatsat – Jai Swami Shivananda – Jai
Swami Vishnudevananda.
*******
References:
*The
Sivananda Yoga Vedantha Dhanwantri Ashram, founded by Swami Vishnudevananda, a
disciple of Swami Sivananda in 1978 {part of International Sivananda Yoga
Vedanta Centre founded in 1959}.
Dhanwantri Ashram at Neyyar Dam, Thiruvananthapuram,, is situated in the
foothills of Sahyadri mountains of South India and conducts Yoga Vacation
courses as well as Teacher’s training courses throughout the year. One of the most rigorous and well trained
teacher’ training programmes conducted here.
{https://sivananda.org.in/yoga-vacation/}
{https://goo.gl/maps/RfByyCa7qZhAZ6yQ9}
{https://highrangephotography.com/stories/agasthyamalai-a-mountain-of-significance}
