New books from Ananda Ashram, Pondicherry, India

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HATHA YOGA PRACTICES OF THE RISHICULTURE ASHTANGA (GITANANDA) TRADITION: This book by Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani is intended for the intelligent,

philosophically-minded Sadhaka or Seeker of Truth who is not only seeking

excellence in his/her or her profession, but is also seeking to live a full

well-rounded, humane and elevated life.

It is clearly laid out with

instruction given in basic Asanas, Kriyas, Mudras and Pranayama of Gitananda

Yoga (Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga), along

with explanations of their benefits and uses. A syllabus of instruction for 30 graded lessons is

also provided at the end to enable the fuller understanding for both the

teacher and student alike. Comments are also

made on the role of healthy diet and relaxation in the well-rounded life.

Interesting insights are offered into the body’s glandular system, and the role

of Yoga practice in its stimulation. This book is a useful practical instruction manual for

Yoga teachers in educational institutions and can provide guidelines for Physical

Education teachers desirous of adding Yoga practices to their curriculum. The

material in this book is useful to seekers from all walks of life as it

provides a clear and basic, step-by-step instruction to elementary Hatha Yoga

concepts and practices of Gitananda Yoga. This book contains a few of the “sets or routine†that

have been systematized in the Rishiculture

Ashtanga Yoga tradition to produce particular results. The first “set†or routine

detailed is the “Samasthiti Seriesâ€

that is a set of Asanas designed to produce strength, flexibility, endurance,

balance and stamina of the whole body. The second set or routine described in

detail are the “Hathenas†that are

designed to produce a powerful respiratory system preventing and controlling

many respiratory disorders that are common in today’s world. The third set of

practices is of those belonging to the “Loma

Viloma Series†that are designed to relieve neurasthenia and restore vital

energy to a debilitated nervous system. They provide balanced energy flows for a

debilitated nervous system thus energizing the whole being as well as providing

a gentle stimulus to the spine, the digestive system, and all organs of the

abdominal and pelvic cavities.

 

MEDITATION

THE INNER YOGA: This

book by Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani deals with the “hot†topic of Dhyana or

meditation. Meditation is a way of uniting with our Supreme Nature and may be described

as ‘fixing the mind on the Supreme with devotion and discipline’. Dhyana or

meditation is the seventh of the eight steps in the Ashtanga Yoga of Patanjali

and is part of the Antaranga or inner steps of Yoga, the path leading to

self-realisation. It is preceded by Dharana or one pointed concentration that

helps us to flow into meditation. The

final step in the three, free flowing higher states of consciousness is Samadhi

or Union with the Divine Nature in the ULTIMATE UNIVERSAL UNIFICATION. Maharishi

Patanjali defines Dharana or concentration as Desha

Bandhah Chittasya Dharana meaning

thereby that concentration is the process of binding the consciousness to a

point, place, region or object. This implies a duality between the SEER and the

SEEN. He further defines Dhyana or meditation as Tatra

Pratyaya Ekatanata Dhyanam meaning thereby that meditation is a STATE in

which there is a steady and continuous flow of attention and concentration on a

point, place, region or object. There ceases to be a duality between the SEER

and the SEEN.Meditation is the fruit of long and arduous effort. The mind is so

trained in its focus that it naturally flows into the object of contemplation.

A deep, vibrant quietness is the characteristic of meditation which infuses the

entire life style with calmness and control. Meditation becomes a quality of

mind that manifests in all aspects of our daily life. The mind develops the

capacity to delve into every experience, thought, emotion and situation that arises,

and this focused awareness produces Yogic skill in living.

 

Yogacharya Dr.Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani Chairman : Yoganjali Natyalayam and ICYER Hon General Secretary, Pondicherry Yogasana Association 25, 2nd Cross,Iyyanar Nagar, Pondicherry, South India-605 013 Tel: +91-413 - 2622902 / +91-413 -3203314/+91-413 -2241561 Mobile: 9842311433 Website: www.icyer.com www.geocities.com/yognat2001/anandahttp://youtube.com/profile_videos?user=yognat2001 & p=r

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 HEARTY CONGRATS ON THE NEW RELEASE. ALL THE BEST.RegardsDr.Vellore A.R.Srinivasan