Category Archives: Resources

Didi Ananda Devapriya, interviewed on 6 TV

Didi Ananda Devapriya was interviewed as a guest of Stefan Pusca’s show “Dialogues between the Heart and Mind” on 6 TV in Bucharest Romania. She talked about meditation, service and spirituality as well as her own spiritual path which led her to becoming a yogic nun.

Yoga fasting days

Resources, Yoga execises

When fasting is coordinated with the moon cycle it brings several benefits. The moon’s gravitation field affects all bodies of water on the earth – though it is most easily observed on the oceans in the rhythms of the tides. As the human body is composed of 90% water – the moon’s pull also affects our body and mind, creating a subtle pressure which may express as moodiness,irritation, restless, difficulties in digestion etc around that time of the month. Fasting helps to counteract this influence when it is done at in the period 3 days before the full moon or the new moon (known in sanskrit as Ekadashi). In addition, fasting can also be practiced on the actual full moon and new moon days. Another subtle benefit is that when the mind is peaceful and elevated during the new moon phase – the pineal gland can more easily secrete a substance known since ancient times as “amrita” or nectar – which induces a state of blissful divine intoxication.

The following chart lists the upcoming fasting days:

What is the difference between relaxation and meditation?

Videos

This evening, Didi A. Devapriya appeared for the second time, as the guest of Stefan Pusca on his show “Dialogues between the Heart and Mind” on 6TV.

The discussion covered the difference between relaxation and meditation, sacred sounds and mantra, the practicalities of beginning a practice and a brief demonstration of kiirtan with a guided meditation.

Kaoshiiki: the most complete exercise ever

Resources, Yoga execises

Evocative Mudras

The dance was invented in 1978 by the spiritual master Shriii Shrii Anandamurtii as a holistic exercise to develop all of the layers of the mind known as kosas, increasing their vitality and allowing the light of the soul to shine through more easily. Like most Indian classical dances, Kaoshiiki is based on mudras, which are movements that are imbued with deeper spiritual meanings. The science of mudra is based on the idea that certain positions of the body stimulate different types of feelings and thoughts.  If we walk with our shoulders rolled forward and our head down, our body will express a certain feeling of dejection, which we may begin to experience if we continue for some time. If on the other hand we stretch both arms open towards the sky, lift our face towards the sun and smile, it would be hard to continue feeling depressed – rather such movements tend to evoke a lighter feeling of freedom and joy.

Meaning of the movements

Each of the component  mudras of Kaoshiiki has a subtle spiritual meaning.  The arms raised above the head with the palms touching, for example, signifies the entire mind focusing on a single Divine point.  The bending to the sides, like the swaying of a tree in the wind, symbolizes the way to attract Divine Grace. The forward bending to touch the earth is a sign of letting go of our small ego, while the lifting of the heart as we  arch the arms backwards, represents the ability to overcome all obstacles. The final steps of the dance connect us to the continual cosmic rhythm of the universe.

Holistic dance

The dance thus becomes not only a physical exercise, but a spiritual one as well.  There are six different positive affirmations associated with the meaning of the mudras that can be repeated during the dance and are designed to help free the mind of all superiority and inferiority complexes. The movements are also coordinated with a certain special pattern of mantra that helps to further deepen the meditative effect as well as amplify the vibrational resonance on the subtler systems of our body.

23 Benefits of Kaoshiiki:

Anandamurtii claimed that the dance has a medicinal effect  and listed the following 23 benefits:
  1. It exercises all the glands and limbs from head to foot.
  2. It increases longevity.
  3. It facilitates easy childbirth.
  4. The spine will become flexible.
  5. Arthritis of the spine, neck, waist and other joints will be removed.
  6. Gout in the spine, neck, hand and waist will be healed.
  7. The mind becomes strong and sharp.
  8. Irregularities in menstruation will be cured.
  9. Glandular secretions will become regulated.
  10. Troubles in the bladder and urethra will be cured.
  11. It gives control over the limbs.
  12. It adds charm and shine to the face and skin.
  13. It removes wrinkles.
  14. It removes lethargy.
  15. It cures insomnia.
  16. It cures panic attacks.
  17. Fear complexes will be removed.
  18. Hopelessness will be cured.
  19. It helps in self-expression and develops one’s potentiality.
  20. Spinal pain, piles, hernia, hydrocele in men, nervous pain, nervous disability will be cured.
  21. It cures kidney and gall bladder troubles, gastric trouble, dyspepsia, acidity, dysentery, syphilis, gonorrheae, obesity, thinness and liver diseases.
  22. It increases the capacity to work until 75-80 years of age

Easy to practise anywhere!

While it can take some practice to master the dance at first,  as it requires a significant amount  of coordination, once learned, it is a form of exercise that can be easily practiced anywhere. No special equipment is needed, and it can be practised even in extremely confined spaces, or in wide open spaces outdoors in nature. Gradually increasing the practice time to up to 21 minutes is a very complete workout, and builds determination and willpower.

My own experience with Kaoshiiki

Personally, I have been practising at least 50 rounds of  kaoshikii daily for many years, which me takes only about 10 minutes and leaves me with a warm glow. It is one of my main forms of regular, rigorous aerobic exercise, and is a perfect complement to the slower stretching exercises of yoga asanas that I also practise daily. It keeps me in excellent shape, and even though I do not regularly participate in other types of sports, I find I can  bicycle, skate, ski or hike even with people much younger than myself with relative ease. It also helps me to control my weight, even though I love to eat well and am not a fan of dieting. When I first began this practise, I was suffering from chronic fatigue that had lingered after several bouts of mononucleosis and epstein bar syndrome as a teenager. After a few weeks of kaoshiki, I noticed a dramatic change in my vitality. A certain cloudy lethargy permanently lifted, and I felt both body and mind noticeably charged with a much more dynamic, vibrant energy. That experience got me hooked, and ever since then it is has been a regular part of my lifestyle.

Learn Kaoshiiki at Morningstar!

Kaoshiikii is one of the exercises that I teach during my yoga classes at Centrul Morningstar every Thursday.
Here is a Romanian translation of this article.
The video at the top of the article shows kaoshikii being danced all over the world!