Yoga for Children (শিশুদের শরীর গঠনে যোগ )

এই পৃথিবীকে সুন্দর করতে শিশুদের নির্মল হাসিই যথেষ্ট। কিন্তু ধীরে ধীরে এই স্বাভাবিক হাসি জগত থেকে মিলিয়ে যেতে বসেছে বর্তমানের বেগবান সভ্যতার দাপটে। ব্যস্ত পিতা মাতার সন্তান হবার সুবাদে শিশুরা প্রায় জন্মগত ব্যস্ত বাগিশ হয়ে উঠছে। এছাড়াও স্কুলের চাপ, ভিডিও গেমসের উন্মাদনা, শপিং মলের হাতছানি, প্রতিযোগিতামুলক খেলায় আগ্রহ বা অভিভাবকের আগ্রহে অংশগ্রহন, সন্তানের প্রতি অভিভাবকদের অতি উচ্চাশা, নিজেদের না পারাকে সন্তানদের ওপর দিয়ে পুষিয়ে নেওয়ার চাপ – শিশুদের শৈশব দ্রুত কেড়ে নিচ্ছে। ছোট্ট মুখে মোটা কাঁচের চশমা পরে, ভাবুক শুন্য দৃষ্টি নিয়ে তাকিয়ে থাকা হতাশ শিশুদের মুখের হাসি কেড়ে নিয়ে আমরা কেমন ভবিষ্যত পৃথিবী এদের উপহার দিচ্ছি? খবরের কাগজে, টেলিভিশনে দেখতে পাই – ভিডিও গেমসের গন্ডি ছাড়িয়ে শিশুদের হাতে উঠে আসছে সত্যিকারের AK47 এর থেকেও আধুনিক মারনাস্ত্র। অবলীলায় শরীরে পেঁচিয়ে নিচ্ছে মারাত্মক বোমা, হাসতে হাসতে টেলিভিশনের সামনে ছোট্ট হাতে ধারাল অস্ত্র নিখুঁতভাবে কেটে দিচ্ছে গলার নলিটা। সুস্থ জীবন গড়ার শুরুতেই এরা শিক্ষা পাচ্ছে পৃথিবী ধ্বংসের কারিগরী। এ কোন সভ্যতার দিকে আমরা এগিয়ে চলেছি!  

সমাজের এই আগ্রাসন দিন দিন বাড়বে বই কমবেনা। শিশুদের মধ্যে যদি নিজেদের বাঁচিয়ে প্রকৃত মানুষ হবার বীজ বপন করে না দেওয়া যায়, তবে এই শিশুই ভবিষ্যতে স্বার্থপর, অসুস্থ, হিংসুটে, অসামাজিক প্রজন্মে পরিনত হতে হবে এবং তার দায় বর্তাবে অবিভাবকদের উপর, সমাজ কর্তাদের উপর ও সর্বোপরি সমাজের উপর এবং এর প্রভাব পড়বে পৃথিবীর প্রতিটি কোনে। ঠিক সেই কারনেই কাজটা নিজের ঘর থেকেই শুরু করা দরকার। 

ঠিক যখন পারিপার্শিক চাপ শিশুমনের কোমলতাকে অচিরেই হত্যা করছে, ঠিক তখন যোগ বিদ্যাকে অবলম্বন করা যে বিশেষ বিজ্ঞান সম্মত সিদ্ধান্ত, তা আজ সমগ্র পৃথিবী স্বীকার করে নিয়েছে। ‘যোগ’ বিষয়টি ব্যাপক। এর বহুবিধ দিক আছে এবং কোন দিকটি জীবনে কি প্রয়োজনে ব্যাবহার করব, তা বিবেচনা অত্যন্ত ব্যক্তিগত। যোগের শারিরীক, সামাজিক, মানসিক, আত্মীক, পরমাত্মীক, ব্যবহারিক, বৈষয়িক ইত্যাদি প্রতিটি প্রবাহই অত্যন্ত শক্তিশালী ও সুদূর প্রসারী। যে কোন জীবনে এই ধারাগুলিকে বেছে নিয়ে আত্মস্থ করার চেষ্টা করলেই একদিন মহাত্মা হবার সম্ভাবনা থাকবে, ঠিক যে ভাবে মোহনদাস অহিংসকে অবলম্বন করে ও তার চর্চা সারাজীবন করে জাতির জনক মহাত্মা গান্ধিজী হয়েছিলেন।  

এখন প্রশ্ন হল শিশুরা কেন যোগাভ্যাস করবে? যোগের ব্যাপ্তি শুধুমাত্র শরীর কেন্দ্রিকই নয়। শরীর ছাড়িয়ে মানসিক বিকাশ ও মননশীলতার বিকাশকেও অগ্রাধিকার দেয় যোগচর্চা। যোগাভ্যাস করলে শারিরীক ভাবে কি হতে পারে? নিয়মিত অভ্যাসে শরীরের নমনীয়তা ধীরে ধীরে বৃদ্ধি পাবে। শারিরীক কাঠামো সংগঠিত ও সুবিন্যস্ত হবে, স্বাভাবিক শক্তি বৃদ্ধি পাবে, শরীরের রোগপ্রতিরোধ ক্ষমতা বৃদ্ধি পাবে ও সঙ্গে সঙ্গে দৃঢ়তা ও ক্ষিপ্রতা দুইই বৃদ্ধি পাবে। সর্বোপরি শিশুদের নিজের শরীর সম্পর্কে ধারনা সৃষ্টি হবে। শরীর যে একটা উন্নত যন্ত্র এবং এর নিয়মিত সঠিক রক্ষনাবেক্ষন প্রয়োজন – এই ধারনা শিশু মনে সৃষ্টি করা অতি গুরুত্বপূর্ন প্রয়োজন এবং এই ধারনা সৃষ্টি করার জন্য অভিভাবকদের উচিৎ যোগবিদ্যাকে প্রয়োজনীয় অস্ত্র হিসাবে বেছে নেওয়া। 

এবার আসা যাক মনের কথায়। শরীর ছাড়াও মনবিকাশে যোগচর্চার ভূমিকা অনস্বীকার্য। ছাত্রাবস্থায় মনঃসংযোগের প্রয়োজনীয়তা যোগাভ্যাসে পূরন হবার ইতিহাস হাজার বছরের পুরাতন। শুধুমাত্র মনঃসংযোগই নয়, মনকে স্থির করার কলাও যোগবিদ্যায় বর্নিত আছে। আরো আছে মন ও শরীরকে শিথিল করার বিদ্যা, যার ফল সুদূর প্রসারী ও দীর্ঘমেয়াদী। 

আবার যোগাভ্যাসকে যদি খেলার ছলেও নেওয়া হয়, তবেও এর থেকে প্রাপ্ত শক্তি ও বিদ্যা অসীম। নিজের ক্ষমতা, শক্তিকে যাচাই করার অফুরন্ত অবকাশ আছে যোগবিদ্যায়। প্রকৃতিমাতা বা পারিপার্শ্বিক জগতকে চেনা ও স্বাভাবিক আত্মীয়তার, বন্ধুত্বের সম্পর্ক গড়ে ওঠে যোগাভ্যাসে। দৃষ্টি উদ্ভাসিত হয়। মন অচঞ্চল হবার দরুন কোন ক্ষেত্র নির্ধারন করা সহজ হয়ে যায়। স্বনির্ভরতা বাড়ে। নিয়মানুবর্তিতা, উপযুক্ত খাদ্যগ্রহনের আগ্রহ, ঠিক ও বেঠিক নির্ধারন, শ্বাস প্রশ্বাস সম্পর্কে সঠিক ধারনা, জীবনের সঠিক উদ্দেশ্য ও নিজেকে প্রকৃত কাজে প্রয়োগ করার জ্ঞ্যান লব্ধ হয় নিয়মিত যোগাভ্যাসে, যা স্থান করে নেয় একটা সুস্থ্য,  সুন্দর প্রাণময় স্বাস্থ্যের মধ্যে। তাই এই অস্থির সমাজের জন্য এখন যোগ অবশ্যম্ভাবী এবং ভবিষ্যতের জন্য যোগই হল কৃষ্টি ও সংস্কৃতি। আমরা গর্বিত এই দর্শন ও বিজ্ঞ্যানের চর্চা আমাদের দেশ থেকে শুরু হয়েছিল। সারা পৃথিবী এ কথা স্বীকার করে নিয়ে এর অনুশীলন করছে এবং আনন্দে মগ্ন হয়ে যাচ্ছে।   

পরিশেষে শিশুদের উপযোগী কয়েকটি আসনের নাম উল্লেখযোগ্য। 

১) আকর্ণধনুরাসন – শরীরের বৃদ্ধির ক্ষেত্রে সামঞ্জস্য বজায় রাখতে আসনটি বিশেষ উপযোগী। পেশীর স্থিতিস্থাপকতা রক্ষা ও মনঃসংযোগ বৃদ্ধিতে সাহায্য করে।  

২) উৎকটাসন - উৎকটাসন অভ্যাসে শিশুদের বাড়ন্ত বয়সে গাঁটে গাঁটে যে ব্যথা হয় তা থেকে রক্ষা পাওয়া যায়। আসনটি হাঁটু , পা ও কোমরের জোর বৃদ্ধিতে সাহায্য করে।  

৩) বৃক্ষাসন – শরীরের ভারসাম্য বৃদ্ধি , মনঃসংযোগ,পা,কোমরের শক্তি বৃদ্ধির জন্য আসনটি উপযোগী।  

৪) পশাঙ্গাসন – সঠিক বয়সে এই আসন অভ্যাস করলে লম্বা হতে সাহায্য করে। যকৃৎ ও প্লীহার ভালো কাজ হয় , ফলে হজম শক্তি বৃদ্ধি পায়।   

৫) উষ্ট্রাসন – আসনটি মেরুদণ্ডের নমনীয়তা বৃদ্ধিতে সাহায্য করে। বুকের বেষ্টনীর হাড় বৃদ্ধি ও মেরুদণ্ড সংলগ্ন স্নায়ু , পেশী , তন্তু প্রভৃতি সবল সতেজ করে তোলে। 

৬) মৎস্যাসন - মৎস্যাসন অভ্যাসে বুকের গঠন সুন্দর হয়। শ্বাসনালী স্ফীত হয়। ফুসফুসের ব্যায়াম হওয়ার জন্য হাঁপানি জাতীয় রোগ দূরে থাকে। শিশুদের টনসিল , গলাব্যাথা , সহজে ঠান্ডা লেগে জ্বর , সর্দি কাশি হওয়ার প্রবণতা থাকে। আসনটি অভ্যাসে রোগ প্রতিরোধের ক্ষমতা বৃদ্ধি পায়।  

  

                                       দেবদত্ত বিশ্বাস 

                                          হংকং 

ফোন – ০০৮৫২ ৯৩০৭৭৩২০

 

 

 

 

 

An angelic smile on a child's face is enough to dispel darkness from he world. But nowadays children have forgotten their smiles because of the rat race into since their birth.

Busy, successful, well-placed parents dream that their children would make it even bigger. So, their childhood is stolen & replaced by immense pressure of study. Added to these are the attractions of video games & alluring shopping malls, which keep the children away from playgrounds. They neither have time to participate in competitive games & sports; nor do their parents encourage them to do so. Often news channels & newspaper present before us a completely different world where innocent children are being trained to grow up into terrorists & their makers train them to hold weapons to fatal consequences. Messengers of God are being converted into aggressive killers. Children, the beautiful creation of God, are becoming of destruction. What an irony! This is also a part of the so called civilization. Our children, who are the future of the world are becoming selfish, jealous, mean mind, mentally distorted, etc. To remedy this parents must come forward , as not only a child, but his parents also play a vital role in leading the world to a healthy direction.

 

In this respect Yoga can take charge of the situation as Yoga-education can change the scenario with a positive effect. Today it is a widely accepted fact that Yoga can do wonders. It has many aspects & which aspect to use where & for what purpose- that is a person’s own choice. Yoga-education has physical, social, mental, spiritual, practical & materialistic aspects. Each of them can produce a far-reaching effect. If we follow just one aspect of Yoga it can render a very fruitful effect, just as M.K.Gandhi became Mahatma Gandhi by practicing non-violence.

 

One may ask why children should practice Yoga. Physical ailment is not the only thing in concern. Yoga helps in mental & intellectual development too. If we practice Yoga, it makes our body flexible, Our body will be properly shaped & maintained. Immunity power will grow too. A person may develop agility of body & willpower. Daily practice of Yoga can increase concentration & perseverance, two most important qualities in student's life. Not only this, Yoga helps one to maintain the calm of mind which is again extremely important for a restless mind.

 

Yoga can treated as a part of physical education. It can help a person to cultivate & test his own abilities & exercise them in his everyday life. Yoga strengthens the bond between a human being & mother nature; broadens his outlook, dispels meanness of mind. We learn self dependence, self control, punctuality, discipline, life style management & above all the true objectives & goals of life. A person is motivated to come out of the selfish shell in which he is confined & think & work for the welfare of the mankind, when he welcomes Yoga in his life. This can also help in building up a healthy benevolent society, nurturing cultural improvement. We are proud that such a heritage belongs to our country along with the study of science & philosophy.

 

Now the whole world walks in footsteps of ours welcoming Yoga in their life.

 

Last but not the least, few 'Asana's which help the children to grow in a healthy manner:

1. Akarnadhanurasan - help body to develop properly increases concentration, makes muscle flexible.

2. Utkatasan - reduces growing pain, increases strength in feet, waist knees.

3. Brikshasan - maintains & increases balance of body, increases concentration, strength in legs, waist.

4. Pashanyasan - increases height, digestive power, keeps spleen & liver well.

5. Ushtrasan - keeps spinal chord flexible, makes chest and spinal chord bones & muscles strong.

6. Matsyasan - shapes chest properly, cures Asthma, tonsillitis, susceptibility to cold, etc; increases immunity.

 

                                            Translated by Sukanya Dasgupta

Amazing Yoga Vacation 2-6/6/2016

On Jun 2nd we safely landed in Chiang Mai and checked in to our boutique Hotel. The hotel was beautifully decorated with Chinese furniture and antiques that made us felt like living in a wealthy Chinese home in a peaceful atmosphere. Our yoga vacation started with an introductory speech by our dear Master.  Master told us to get prepared to learn something new and out of the ordinary in this trip, followed by a relaxing yoga class with chanting. 

Next morning began with neti pot nasal irrigation which was new to some of the students. 
Then we had Ashtanga yoga, it was my first class and I was in for a bit of a shock. The repetitive planks, jumps, upward facing dogs and arm balances were a real challenge. With the help of the experienced students, I surived.  Afternoon class was on hip opening. 

We had a full day tour on the following day to Doi Suthep, Mae Sa Elephant Camp, the ‘Long Neck Karen’ ethnic hill-tribe, Orchid and butterflies farm, Handicraft Village and Thai cooking class. It was just FANTASTIC!!

The rest of the days were classes on core, stretching that required us to work in pairs and photo shooting. Moreover, we went to a yoga studio called ‘Yoga Tree’ to practice with a local teacher, it was really a wonderful experience to us. Some of the students even tried Acro Yoga with a guest from Bangkok and had lots of fun.  Talking about photo shooting, it was an eye-opening experience to see my yoga friends doing the advanced poses at ease. I hope I could do it one day…… 

Returned from an amazing yoga trip and feeling refreshed and happy until now. Many thanks to Master Deva, Gigi, YY, Clara, Kiyoko and the beautiful group for making this trip a success.

Namaste!


                                                                              Katie Hermine Lai

Chiang Mai , a beating heart lies within the ancient city wall_0602-06062016

チェンマイヨガ旅行 2016年6月2日～6月6日

今回は、タイの古都、チェンマイへの旅行でした。私達は、旧市街にあり、チェンマイ市内で最も大きく最も美しいといわれているワットプラシンに近いラチャマンカブティックホテルに宿泊しました。ホテルはランナー様式の美しい建物で、敷地内には整えられた庭があり、大変静かな環境で、気持ちよく過ごすことができました。
一日目の午後、ホテルに到着してすぐにクラスが始まりました。先ず先生から滞在期間中のクラス内容について説明がありました。今回は股関節周り、倒立、バランスに重点を置き、二人一組での練習が主になること、さらに、アシュタンガヨガや現地のヨガスタジオでの練習の機会もあるとのことでした。
私達の朝の練習は、ジャラネティ（鼻洗浄）から始まります。経験のある人はすぐに洗浄ができましたが、初めて挑戦する人は、一日目では上手くできなかったのですが、二回目からはコツを掴んでできるようになったようです。
今回は、今までアシュタンガヨガを練習する機会のない人が多かったので、それを試す機会がありました。普段練習をしている四人の友達がリードをしながら、プライマリーシリーズの短縮版を経験しました。多くの人はヴィンヤサに苦労していましたが、終わった後には、みんなの顔に達成感と満足感が溢れていました。
別の日には、現地のヨガスタジオ、ヨガツリーで90分間のクラスを受けました。内容が豊富でみんな楽しく練習し、最後の15分間はレストラティブヨガでリラックスすることができました。
その他の時間は先生のクラスでした。今回のために、二人一組の練習方法を編成してくださり、さらに毎回、違うポイントに重点を置いた内容でした。二人一組の練習は、普段一人ではできない動作や姿勢の助けとなり、また、別の角度から動作の理解や観察ができてとてもよかったです。私達は練習中にたくさんのことを学び、発見もたくさんありました。
チェンマイに滞在中、ヨガを離れ郊外への小旅行もありました。歴史ある寺院、象のショー、少数民族の村などを見学しました。夜にはクッキングクラスに参加し、三種類のタイ料理を自分達で作って食べました。この日はみんなリラックスし楽しく過ごしました。

今回の旅行でヨガの知識と体験がさらに増え、友達同士の友情も深まり、また、みんなの思い出も増えたことでしょう。
常に私達に関心を寄せ指導をしてくださる先生方、旅行手配をしてくれた友達、毎回多くの時間を我々の写真撮影に費やしてくれるYY、また、いつも気を配ってくれる友達たちに感謝の気持ちでいっぱいです。


清邁瑜珈旅遊 2016年6月2日~6月6日

這次我們去了泰國的古都之一，清邁。入住了舊城區的Rachamankha Boutique Hotel，位予清邁市内最大而最漂亮的寺廟Wat Phra Singh的附近。酒店很漂亮，有整潔的庭院，很安静的環境，我們過得非常舒服。

第一天到達後的下午就開始了上課。首先導師给我們說明了逗留期间的課堂内容，這次主要以打開髋部、倒立、平衡, 兩人一组練習為主。還有嘗試Ashtanga Yoga和本地瑜珈中心上堂的機會。

第二天的大清早我們由練習由洗鼻子(Jala Neti)開始。有些同學已有經验做得很自如。有些同學第一次嘗試把鹽水注入鼻孔，第一天不成功的同學也在第二次練習之後慢慢學到了其竅門。

因很多同學没有機會練習或没有接觸過Ashtanga Yoga ，所以安排了體驗的機會。在平常有練習的四位同學的带領之下大家一同練習了缩短的初级系列(Primary series)。看到大部分同學為連接体式(Vinyasa)感到辛苦，但完成後大家的臉上都流露著成就感和满足感。

另外一天，我們在本地的瑜珈中心Yoga Tree上了90分鐘的堂。内容很豐富, 練習得很開心，最後做了15分钟的療愈瑜珈(Restorative)，大家享受了完全的放鬆和休息。

其他時間, 老師為這次的幾課堂编制了兩人一组的練習方式，並且每課堂有不同的主題。兩人一组的練習可以幫助和體驗平常一個人做不到的動作，也可以從不同的角度了解和觀察其中。在練習當中我們學到了很多，也有了很多發現。

有一天，我們暫時放下了瑜珈，看看郊外的清邁，參觀了有歷史的寺廟、大象表演、小數民族村等等。晚上還參加了烹飪班，每人為自己煮了三道泰國菜。大家過了又開心輕鬆的一天。

經過這次的旅遊，我們的瑜珈知識和體驗也增加了，同學們的友情加深了，每個人的回憶也增多了。 非常感谢所有導師的關懷和指導，也非常感谢安排旅程的同學們，還有非常感谢每次抽很多的时間為我們拍漂亮照片的YY。非常感谢每位同學的照顧。

                                                                                Kiyoko T.



Unforgettable Chiang Mai Yoga Tour 02-06/Jun/2016

Our destination was Chiang Mai, one of the historical place in Thailand, we stayed in Rachamankha Boutique Hotel which located in old town area, very closed to Wat Phra Singh ; we did impressed by the simplicity and sophistication of the colonnaded courtyards of this luxury boutique hotel, the atmosphere was so clam and peaceful, nice.

The first day, yoga class straightly started once we settle down, the simple class briefing and this tour mainly focus on hip-opening, upside down, balancing ... and partnership; we were excited to be arranged the new practices; say Ashtanga Yoga and in local yoga center... etc.

Here are the highlight of our practices :

Jala Neti - Cleaning our noise, is a way of nasal irrigation or washing of the sinuses in a unique manner through a special pot called the neti pot or the jalaneti pot. Some of us are well experience with it, some of us were the beginner, they could not make it in the first day, but we did pick it up from the second day - Improvement.

Ashtanga Yoga - Small grouping practice to shorten our primary series, we learn all the series posture (Vinyasa) are not easy, but we did satisfy after we completed all the posture - Experience.

 Yoga Tree  - Local yoga center, we worked out 90min in it, Restorative was most impressive session at the last 15 min - Rejuvenation.

The rest of the practices were all led by our Yoga master, he designed a few series postures for partner yoga, we were not alone and helping each other to correct our own postures, we gained a lot in these session - Give and Take.


One day, we made a short trip to visit the temples, Elephant interaction and long neck hill tribe village; evening, we took a local cuisine cooking class, now we all could be a good thai cook. Very impressive and amazing.

Our yoga knowledge, yoga experience, friendship and our memories all grown after this trip.

Last but not the least, I would like to send  thank you notice to our yoga masters and  our special photographer – YY, also very grateful to all arrangement.


With Pleasure and Content.
                                                             Translated by Gigi Wong
                                                                                              

Hugged by Nature: Outdoor Yoga Camp with Deva Biswas (12th Sep 2015)

It was not typical Saturday morning yoga practice with Master Deva on this early autumn day. Instead of teaching his normal classes at the Langham Place studio in Mong Kok, Master Deva taught a two-hour outdoor yoga camp to more than 30 students at Jordan Valley Park. 

This park, which is up the hill from Choi Hung, occupies an area of about 6.3 hectares and is the largest park in Kuwn Tong District. Its spacious central lawn already serves as a perfect venue for outdoor yoga practice, and the greenery at the park also suits the theme of the event, which is “hugged by nature”. Although the weather forecast was not very promising, the sun did come out on this early September morning but without bringing the scorching heat with it. And the early autumn breeze also added to the enjoyment of this outdoor yoga practice. 

The session began with some breathing exercise, Deva reminded students to open their chest and breathe in deeply in order to experience being “hugged by nature”. As this outdoor practice session was longer than a typical yoga class at the studio, Deva took the opportunity to explain in details about many of the postures in his signature Hatha 1 sequence. He not only pointed out the common mistakes in doing such poses, but also explained the benefits of practicing those postures. He said he would expect the students to correctly do those poses in classes back in the studio. While it was serious yoga practice, the session was actually full of fun, especially towards the end, when the students did some partner work to help each other deepen their shoulder and hip opening as well as their twists.

While Hong Kong is considered a concrete jungle, it doesn’t mean nature is hard to find. The students actually didn’t have to go very far to come to this park to take their practice outdoor in nature, and they certainly had a great time and left with new inspirations.



                                                                                                                            Louis Won

Hatha Rise To Kundalini (25 to 26th Jul 2015)

I was so lucky. I could catch up Master Deva and Master Reddy workshop of how to ignite your inner power by learning the technique to activate kundalini.

Though 1/3 of the workshop was explaining the concept and technique , rest of it was demonstration and practice, it was not boring at all.

You would never know there are so many untapped inner energy in yourself that can bring you to a different level of health, mind and body. It energies us to work better in class and daily life.

Too inspiring. With Master Deva and Master Reddy, you will find 2 days is too short to tap the enormous knowledge of yoga from them.

I already started the NATi practice and will make it like a habit of teethbrushing daily.

Master Deva, one question for you.

When will you organize next workshop? When will you organize the teacher's exercise?

Namaste
                                                                             
                                                                           Catherine Chow                                     

US & CA TRIP (20th to 31st May 2015)

A 11-day USA & Canada trip covered Manhattan, Philadelphia, Washington D.C, New Jersey and Toronto. Activities included sight seeing, shopping, photo shooting, enjoying food, wine tasting, meeting friends old and new, also yoga workshops. The weather was a little bit chill than what we expected in the first few days but it started warming up with the beautiful sun shine. All the way, 7 of us were companied with greenery landscape, colorful flowers, birds and wide-open sky. Intensive and worthy trip.

In the first 4 days uptown, middletown and downtown NY city tour, we experienced the energetic New York city life. Our footsteps reached most of the landmarks like Zero Ground, Wall Street, South Street Seaport, Korean Street, Chinatown, Brooklyn Bridge, Central Park, Park Central Hotel, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Soho, Little Italy, Time Square, Empire State Building, City Skywalk, subway stations etc… Fantastic!

Early start on the 5th day, we traveled 15 hours on the mini bus to Toronto, Canada. By this route, we managed to feel the spectacular Niagara falls from US and CA side. For the 6th, 7th & 8th day, we met Wendy and Roger and visited their Yoga studio. We practiced Yoga together with her students and we took the Aerial yoga workshop by Wendy. We had a King Crab & Lobster dinner with them and very lucky to be invited to a grand BBQ dinner at their place. Also, we went to the winery at the Niagara-on-the-Lake and a little bit shopping for another day. Excellent!

On the 9th day, the highlighted activity had started, we spent half-day at the Woodbury outlet village. In the night time, we met Lily in New Jersey, who was taking care of our shopping, breakfast & snacks, the famous donuts from her shop! The 10th day was intensive. We had travelled across 3 states of USA - New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland in one day to visit the historical cities of America, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. Ending up on the 11th day with light shopping at Costco, famous wholesaler and stopped by the same University where Albert Einstein went to, Princeton University. Magnificent!

Quotes from the team:

“It seems I did not shop much”

“Window shopping is all good for me”

“This meal is even better than the last one, honestly”

“LOL”

 

                                                                          Joyce King

 

 

 

 

OUTING ON MONDAY 12th JANUARY 2015

Thirty of us were prepared for a perfect day of sunshine for a yoga outing...

The weather did not want to hear about sun instead gave us cold and rain.Did that stop us surely not ,we were a bunch of real warriors ..Haha!!!!

 

We decided to have a great day,no exceptions...Even with the rain, our day was filled with shine.Because all of us believe where ever we go ,regardless of the weather , we carry in each of us our own sunshine.

We start to warm up on the field of grass with some meditation until some heavy drops of rain dropped on our noses so we have to run and retreat on the top of the roof of the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal.

 

We find a protect area against the rain but neither less it was so windy on the roof. Despite grunting our teeth, having frozen toes,hands,legs we still managed to practice the complete flow of Hatha 1 by teacher Diva (pre recorded on tape)..Trust me our asana were pretty frozen.

But our joy came when each of us lay out all our home cooking  specialities for gigantic picnic ,better than a five stars hotel. Fresh bean sprout salad,roasted chicken , curry,noodles,ham ,salmon only to name a few.

The beauty of this outing day is mostly the energy and spirit of twenty beautiful souls. Nobody was complaining ,demanding, selfish, self centred. We were all together in the most truthful simplicity wanting to connect with each other.

We were all happy because nobody compared themselves with others,we were all equal and no ego were involved.

Our thank go to our teacher Deva  for sharing and teaching us over the years that the greatest wisdom is in SIMPLICITY, LOVE, RESPECT, TOLERANCE, SHARING,GRATITUDE,FORGIVENESS..

A big bravo for our teacher/friend Deva and big thumps up and reasoning claps for the thirty beautiful souls .

All of us made an unforgettable happy day.....

 

 

                                                                  Alice Chauvet-Stevens

 

 

Detox Camp_15-16 Nov, 2014

In Hong Kong, we are always tempted by foods accessible nearby. Do we really need that much and frequent or it is just a want to do so ? Food is essential to sustain life but over portion and taken unhealthy foods will cause a reverse effect to our body. Having joined the detox experience camp

with Deva has brought me to learn more about a regulated approach to clean up those unwanted substances from our body.

 

A group of about 30 Deva students had participated a day and half camp in Yuen Long Recreation Centre under The Hong Kong Girl Guides Association. Location of camp site was a bit remote from city but accessible via light train which was a perfect venue to let Hong Kong people to extend a short excursion there without necessary to travel abroad. There was hall for group activities, basketball court , tricycles, soccer game machine, big kitchen that could allow feast cooking and big sharable bedrooms for 20 persons. Of course, there was clean and adequate bathrooms and restrooms to accommodate the campers. The environment really brought us back to our school days like

we were having outing with our classmates. The program comprised of introduction to different kinds of detox drink and its function, yoga practice and other detoxification methods, but the most important part of the program was it was a charity camp that students were paying more than the direct expense to support the needy. It was also the main theme of the program that we gathered together to learn something benefit to ourselves and also could share our joy and caring to others.
 
On the first day, we learnt how to prepare drinks like lemon, orange and mint leave water; cinnamon, strawberry, orange drink by cut and chop of the ingredients and shake it with lukewarm water into lightly flavour water that you could have it along the whole day ; we boiled parsley in hot water to
make parsley water that could help to drive away unwanted substances in your kidneys; and we boiled mint leaves in hot water and added honey to make it into a soothing drink; We squeezed the juice from celery, green pepper, cucumber, green apple and bitter melon to make it into "five green juice" to drive away cholesterol and hot devil from our bodies ; while blending milk or soya milk powder with fresh banana and strawberry and water could bring banana and strawberry smoothies that could fulfill the call from our stomach for foods; and pure coconut water was well known for its isotonic substances to replenish minerals from natural. All the drinks tasted so refreshing and
in fact could replace some daily meals in terms of its nutrients. Most students had refrained from having solid foods but just taken the detox drinks during the day and half camp. They all said experience was good and refreshing, in particular, good for bowel movement to clear the waste from
intestine. On the second day morning, we started with nasal breathing exercise and neti pot cleansing, followed by "mummy detox wrapping", a traditional and organic detoxification in India , i.e. using banana tree's leaves to wrap the body and expose the body under the sunshine for half an hour to allow sweating. Though it was a bit strange, the students who got this experience shared the feeling was so awesome. Like being part of the stem to interface with the leaves.
 

Again, in addition to the knowledge attained and experience came across from the camp , it was another very relax and fun memory but also a very meaningful program led by Master Deva.
 
Master Deva, please keep up your momentum to drive us contributing to the
society in order to make everyone's life go better.
 

Namaste!

                                                                               Catherine Chow

 

An introduction of Yoga for kids

One day, a kid asked me what is Yoga.....
There is an old proverb - Good mind dwells in good health. Thousands of years ago, the sages of India realized it and created a very unique life style, which is called Yog. Yog means 'union'. Union of body and mind. In broader sense - The union of mind and the supreme. Yog is the only knowledge and wisdom, which initially rejuvenated the body, the body which is made of blood and flesh and with the unique mechanism of different organs, glands, etc. Eventually the sound body helps to strengthen and focus the mind to bring it to a meditative state. Proper implication of Yog in the schools can create the strong foundation of the individual characters. And only strong characters can help to build up a strong, stress free, prosperous nation. Yoga is our proud heritage
and we must adore it.

Joy Yog Joy Yog Joy Yog

Bali Yoga relaxation excursion (29 May to 3 June 2014)

For a yoga relaxation trip, where else can be better than Bali, the Indonesian island, one of the most wonderful places in the lap of Mother Nature? We chose to stay in Hotel Melia at Nasa Dua, Bali. Beside the green sea, it is a luxurious resort with pleasant greenery and inviting facilities. Nature welcomed us, a group of 23 yoga practitioners, led by Deva.

The first morning practice session began with neti pot nasal irrigation, which was already a new experience for many of the students. Relax and breathe through the mouth is the key, and this cleansing process turned out to be very enjoyable especially for those who had never tried it. Of course, the nasal cleansing helped prepare the students for effective breathing for their asana practice.

Subsequent practice sessions focusing on core, back bending, hip opening, balancing and inversions respectively involved quite a bit of partner work among the students. One of the highlights was that the students paired up and stood facing each other. Holding each other by their forearms, each student took turns to push their partner off balance. Instead of quickly pushing back, the one who was pushed simply started thinking about which parts of the body were moved and then slowly adjusted those parts back to the original positions to regain balance.

The idea behind this exercise is that we may be surrounded by many people who are actually not kind to us and may even create irritation in our body and mind. Instead of quickly fighting back or trying to make these people change, we stay calm and see what we can adjust ourselves to live in peace with or even love these people.

Apart from yoga practice, the group also visited some of Bali's stunning scenic spots such as the breathtaking Uluwatu Cliffs. Many students also had fun posing for pictures in yoga postures in front of the spectacular sunset at the Tanah Lot Temple.

After the six-days trip, the students flew back home with better knowledge in yoga, stronger friendships among themselves as well as great memories.

                                                                                     Louis Won






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What are the principles of yoga postures?

Usually in the name of yoga we practice yoga postures to keep ourselves healthy and attractive. This is a very superficial result of yoga practice. Still these postures also have some fundamental principles. In these postures , the great emphasis laid on 'static' stretching, which is safer than dynamic isotonic or isometric exercises. It should be practiced in a slow and steady manner and all jerks should be avoided. And when you attain the posture, you should maintain it in a comfortable and relaxed manner. So from starting to attain the comfortable posture, the whole practice process is a coordination between muscular system, nervous system and also involves related systems including mind, which we can call the tonic reflex system.
When we decide to practice yoga, we have to consider our bodily condition, age and sex. As yoga is very individual practice, one must give the due regards considering the limitations of one’s bodily condition, age and sex. Specially in group practice, we tend to forget this principle and easily get attracted by our neighbor practitioner, which may cause injury or ill effect of yoga .
During yoga practice, mental engagement or following the certain sensation produced by the posture is important. In order to receive that sensation, we may keep our eyes closed during practice. Mind should not be allowed to wander. Sometimes music in the yoga class room may destroy the real purpose.
When it comes to the breathing, one should exhale when muscles are in flexion and inhale when muscles are in extension. Hold the breathe when you feel the posture difficult, but target to keep breathe normal and ease when you attain the final posture. Or rather you watch your breathe - when its near normal means your posture becoming ease, comfortable and relaxed. And then only you can get maximum benefit out of the respective posture.
Finally the selection of the postures is also important. Should proceed from simple to advance. Ask your body and mind if you are really ready.

Yoga for stress management

1. Why is the Yoga considered a practical way to reduce stress?

Before answering this question, I need to say what is stress. Accumulative tension results stress. Stress is an exaggerated response to internal or external stimulus. This tension can be physical and also can be mental. Specially in the fast pace of city life, people become restless machine. They have no time to rest. Even they have no time to sit As they never sit, their mind also never sit. Mind always wonders around , gets tired and tensed. Never settle down. That creates tension. Mind even cannot released when one goes to sleep. Actually apparently the body goes to the bed to sleep, but the muscles never relax, nerves never relax, mind never relax and it happens day after day, year after year. As a result the layers of tension become thicker and thicker and covers the mind. And mind cannot breathe. The being of the mind changes slowly and turns into stressed mind.
Actually Yoga is a life style. Yoga teaches us to be in present moment. Yoga teaches us to be conscious about every action. Yoga teaches us how to be far from attachments, which is the cause of all unfulfilled desire and anger. When a person is in present moment and conscious about his all actions, he or she cannot be affected by tension. And if there is no tension, how stress can come to knock the door of our mind. It is a matter of practice and that practice can minimize our tension and stress.

2. Can you explain how specific Yoga techniques reduces stress?
Often we misunderstand Yoga as an exercise. But in fact it is something more than that. It is a philosophy. In Yoga, action without realization results nothing. So, when people come to Yoga to get relief from stress is different from using Yoga to prevent stress. Those who want to prevent tension and stress in life and want to use Yoga as a shield, need to know the basic principles and discipline of Yoga, before they start practicing it. And those who are already stressed and suffering and want to use it as an weapon in life to fight against stress, they should go under Yoga counseling first to know the stage of the stress, like psychic phase, psychosomatic phase, somatic phase, organic phase. Yoga therapist will handle the patient accordingly. As I said before - Yoga doesn't mean the postures only, it's a collective systematic postures to invigorate all the systems in our body, along with external muscles even skin and even it can change the habit. Other than asana posture, breathing has a very important role. Just as the physical body ( gross body ) is ruled by the brain, the subtle body is ruled by the mind and both the bodies are sustained by Prana or Chi. Prana thus controls both the bodies. Pranic manipulation is effected mainly by breath manipulation, which is called Pranayama, the science of breathing in Yoga. Now let's come to the relaxing part of Yoga, which is called Sabasana or Yoga Nidra in Yogic language. It's really difficult to relax or even sleep for a stressed person. In the beginning some passive relaxation will help. Gradually commanding relaxation technique, alternate stimulation and relaxation combination, stretch and relaxing technique will be applicable according to the progress of the patient. One needs to remember - once you are out of stress , doesn't mean that it will never come back. So, take Yoga as a style of your life to keep tension and stress away from yourself.

3. Is there some moves that employees can do during their lunch break or at work to relax?
Some easy stretches like Tadasana ( Standing stretching all joints , muscles and even skin), Uttanasana ( Standing forward bend ), Ardha Chandrasana (Standing back bend ), Ardha Chandrasana ( Standing side bend ), Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half twist pose ) etc. help to relax the body and mind. Along with these poses, a couple of deep breathe with short meditation and relaxation will help a lot.

4. What type of yoga do you recommend for busy people in Hong Kong, who wants to be less stressed and why?

For busy people in Hong Kong, I would specially recommend some Yoga classes like Hatha, Yoga stretch and relaxing class, Pranayama (Yoga breathing), Dhyana ( Meditation ), Yoga nidra ( Yogic relaxation ), Yoga therapy, Yin Yoga, Laughter Yoga, So Ham meditation, etc . Because these classes will help your muscles and tissues to get gentle stretch and after that proper relaxation , which will help to shuffle the joints, supply fresh blood to all parts of the body and also will help to flow the prana energy. Concentration on every breathe will help you to forget the outer world and bring you to the present moment and as a result, mind will slowly enter into the state of meditation, which is the tranquil world, free of all stresses.

Published in Hong Kong Human Resource Official Journal, September, 2012.

Breathe Breathe and Breathe

Often we get bored hearing the command from the teacher in the Yoga class. The teacher again and again repeating the same and asking to breathe, as if we are not breathing in the studio. But how can we be alive if we are not breathing? Then why the teacher asking us to breathe? Actually breathing has a very important role in the world Yoga.

Breathing is life. It is one of our most vital functions of the body and that breathing exercise promotes proper breathing. Proper breathing from a yogic point of view is to bring more oxygen to the blood and to the brain, and to control prana or the vital life energy. Pranayama - the science of breathe control which consists of a series of exercises to meet these needs and to keep the body in vibrant health.

Breathing is important for two basic reasons. First it is vital for our survival, because it is the only means of supplying our bodies and its various organs with oxygen. And secondly , it is the way to get rid of waste products and toxins from our body.

Oxygen is the most vital nutrient in our body. It is very essential for the proper and the efficient functioning of the brain, nerves, glands and other internal organs. It is more important than food we eat. Without food or water we may survive for few weeks, but without oxygen we will die within few minutes. If the brain does not get the proper supply of the essential nutrient, degradation of all the vital organs of the body will result. The brain requires more oxygen than any other organs in the body. If it doesn't get enough, the result is mental sluggishness, negative thoughts, depression and eventually vision and hearing declines. Normally because of poor life style and also for the age, the oxygen supply declines in our body. Insufficient supply of oxygen to the brain causes quick irritation, sight problems, hearing problems, heart problems, including stroke, and also for a long time- lack of oxygen has been considered a major cause of cancer.

Thousands of years ago Yogis realized the vital importance of an adequate supply of oxygen and they developed and perfected various breathing techniques. These techniques are particularly important for the people who have sedentary jobs. So, in present days it has become very applicable for those people , who spend most of the day in the office and does not work out. As their brain does not get enough supply of oxygen, it get starved and they start feeling tired, nervous, irritable, and not very productive. It slowly ruins their immune system.

Vitality and rejuvenation depends on the purified blood stream. The most effective and the quickest way to purify the blood stream is by taking in extra supply of oxygen we breathe. Oxygen burns up the waste products ( toxins ) in the body, as well as recharges the body. In fact, most of our energy requirements come, not from food, but from air we breathe. By purifying the blood stream, every part of the body benefits, as well as the mind. Your complexion will be clear and brighter while wrinkles will begin to fade away. Actually, rejuvenation will start to occur.

In Yogic science, the breathing part is called Pranayama. The word derived from two Sanskrit words - 'Prana' means life force or vital energy, while 'Ayama' means to control or to increase or to extend. Therefore in its broadest description, Pranayama would mean to control of the flow of life force or to increase the vital force in the body. Normally man goes on breathing, but when we voluntarily control the breathing, it becomes Pranayama.

But before starting Pranayama or controlled breathing, we need to know how to breathe. Normal breathing or shallow breathing is just to keep us alive. It does not exercise the lungs enough and it does not have enough effect on our body and mind. Even if you do not do any exercise, at least regular practice of fifty times long and deep breathe can give you a long and healthy life and also you can keep many diseases away from yourself. This deep breathing will help to exercise the lungs, will supply fresh oxygen to blood, which is the food of cells. As a result the active cells get rejuvenated in all over the body and it is full of vital energy or Prana. So one becomes the symbol of energy, just by giving up the bad habit of shallow breathing and breathing through mouth.

In Yogic science initially there are three kinds of breathing, normally which is called Yogic breathing. First is abdominal or diaphragmatic breathing, second is chest or thoracic breathing and third is clavicular breathing. These three types of breathing will make you aware of your breathe and also aware of the three vital parts of the body. By the exercise of these three parts, the body will slowly get ready to start Pranayama. Pranayama will not only give you a healthy lungs, but also will help the other systems of the body, like digestive system, circulatory system, excretory system, glandular system, reproductive system, including co-ordination of all organs to function well. Thus the Pranayama becomes the key of healthy life.

There are eight classical Kumbhakas (Pranayamas) according to Hatha Yoga Pradipika, an ancient yoga text --

1. Surya Bhedana -- Sun Cleaving breath
2. Ujjayi -- The Victorious breath
3. Sitkari -- Hissing breathe (cooling breath)
4. Sheetali -- Break tongue breath (icing breath)
5. Bhastrika -- Bellows breathe
6. Bhramari -- Sound of bee breath
7. Murccha – Fainting or swooning breath
8. Plavani -- Floating breath

According to the stage of one's individual practice, one should follow the instruction of his or her Guru or Pranayama guide, because lungs is a very delicate organ and one's over enthusiasm can harm the lungs, specially 'kumbhaka' or retention Pranayama. And as a result of good practice of Pranayama, mind becomes calm. Easy to concentrate. When the mind is good in concentration, automatically it will enter in to the world of meditation, followed by spirituality. So it is the finest way to live in the world at the same time keeping oneself detached from the poison of this materialistic world. One can control the worldly problems by himself instead of problems controlling him in the name of stress or tension. This is an art of living , a pleasant renunciation even staying in this world. So Pranayama can be used not only to improve health and lengthen the life span, but also to attain super-conscious states. Gurus, the ancient yoga scientists with their long experience on practicing Pranayama came to the conclusion that only breathe can control our mind and thus we can bring our mind to the present moment, which is the key to open all the mysteries of happiness rather peace.

OUM SHANTI OUM SHANTI OUM SHANTI

Teacher's Voice (published in Namaskar_Oct 2011)

What is your most challenging asana and why?
Padmasana - Lotus posture is the most challenging asana to me. In Sanskrit the word asana means to sit. I started practising asana when I was a kids and it was a fun to and at the same time challenging because my mother used to make me sit to settle me down - when I was naughty or during regular evening prayer. Padmasana is the first posture in my life. With the growth of time and age, it started blooming its petals, and it became more and more challenging to me.
What have you learned from this asana?
Like many other Indian kids, I started Padmasana out of fun during my childhood. That time it was not at all a challenging postures. It started becoming challenging when I actually started learning yogasanas. Bending the knees and dropping them on the ground, placing the heels close to the groin, keeping the spine straight , shoulders balanced but relaxed, grounding into Mother Earth, finding out the most centred balancing point of the body. This is the root of Muladhara Chakra and to generate the energy flow from that very point like the serpent standing up on its tail and opening up the Chakra one after the other - this is extremely challenging. Now in my 28 years of asana teaching life, it is another everyday challenging for me to make my students understand the beauty of a Lotus, the effect of keeping the spine straight, how it works on the knee joints and pelvis how to ground down on the hips and finding out the finer balancing point, and to explore the one lotus posture to hundreds of variations. Sitting quietly and settling down in this fast pace world is challenging and Padmasana is the tool to handle the challenging in both my student and teaching life.
What is the most challenging part of your practise?
The most challenging part of my practise is 'to be in the present moment'. I don't want to keep my Yoga practise confined to a 6" X 2" yoga mat. What you learn on the mat, if you cannot explore it off the mat, then it's useless. I understand the meaning of perseverance (practise) on the mat. The result is - success and the meaning of success changes in life, because it's relative. My challenge is to face that success. And that's what I am doing everyday.