Wednesday, January 24, 2007

The Sivananda Yoga Ashram


In order to get a true perspective on all aspects of medicine in India, I decided to spend a few days at an Ashram. The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwanthari Ashram was established in 1977. It is dedicated to the practice and dissemination of the "Synthesis of yoga."

Yoga (Devanagari: योग) is one of the six schools of Hindu philosophy, focusing on meditation. In India, Yoga is seen as a means to both physiological and spiritual mastery. Outside India, Yoga has become primarily associated with the practice of asanas (postures) of Hatha Yoga (see Yoga as exercise). Yoga used as a form of alternative medicine is a combination of breathing exercises, physical postures, and meditation, practiced for over 5,000 years. [1][2][3]
Yoga as a means of spiritual attainment is central to Hinduism (including Vedanta), Buddhism and Jainism and has influenced other religious and spiritual practices throughout the world. [4] Hindu texts establishing the basis for yoga include the Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and many others.
The four main paths of Yoga are Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Raja Yoga. A committed practitioner of yoga is referred to as a yogi, yogin (masculine), or yogini (feminine).

From a medical perspective, I was interested in the healing aspects of yoga, as well as the refining of my own athletic and physical potential. For some, Yoga used as a form of alternative medicine and is a combination of breathing exercises, physical postures, and meditation, practiced for over 5,000 years. [1][2][3]

A survey released in May 2004 by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine focused on who used complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), what was used, and why it was used in the United States by adults age 18 years and over during 2002.[4] According to this survey, Yoga was the 5th most commonly used CAM therapy (2.8%) in the United States during 2002. [5] Yoga is considered a mind-body intervention that is used to reduce the health effects of generalized stress.

Yoga is believed to calm the nervous system and balance the body, mind, and spirit. It is thought by its practitioners to prevent specific diseases and maladies by keeping the energy meridians open and life energy (Prana) flowing. [6][7] Yoga is usually performed in classes, sessions are conducted at least once a week and for approximately 45 minutes. Yoga has been used to lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and improve coordination, flexibility, concentration, sleep, and digestion. It has also been used as supplementary therapy for such diverse conditions as cancer, diabetes, asthma, AIDS[8] and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.[9]

After a few days at the Ashram, I felt like I had officially become part of the Indian Yogi experience. The Sivananda Ashram is the place where many people go to discover the origins of Yoga and learn from people who have been taught by the original masters! The Sivananda Yoga Ashram was created as an abode of peace to "serve as a place of shelter from the pressures of daily life." They aim to "provide a conducive environment for self transformation and the pursuit of spiritual ideals." The majority of people there were attending a month-long Yoga teacher's training camp. It truly felt like camp. At first, it felt a bit cult-ish. And there are parts that would continue to strike many people as such. We attended the "yoga vacation." This focused on utilizing a strict schedule that was based on teaching the 5 principles of Yoga (as taught by the Guru's, Sri Swami Sivananda and Swami Vishnu-devanandaji).

The 5 principles of yoga include:
Proper Exercise [Asanas]
Proper Breathing [Pranayama]
Proper Relaxation [Savasana]
Proper Diet [Vegetarian]
Positive Thinking & Meditation [Vedanta & Dhyana]

The strict schedule was as follows:
5.30hrs Wake-up
6.00hrs Satsang (group meditation, chanting and talk)
7.30hrs Tea time
8.00hrs Asana class (breathing exercises, postures and relaxation;separate classes for
beginners and advanced)
10.00hrs Vegetarian meal (moderately spiced)
11.00hrs Lecture (talk on various aspects of yoga)
12.30hrs Karma Yoga (selfless service)Karma Yoga, selfless service, is an essential part of
yoga practice. The Ashram is run mainly by selfless volunteers and the guests are
requested to do some service by helping out wherever it is needed.
13.30hrs Tea time
14.00hrs Coaching Class (optional)
16.00hrs Asana class
18.00hrs Vegetarian meal
20.00hrs Satsang (group meditation, chanting and talk)
22.30hrs Lights out

What a schedule! There are pages and pages of books and websites to explain the details, for those who are interested. I was literally exhausted by the end of the first day. I averaged about 4 hours of yoga a day, complete with a half hour of "breathing exercises" at the beginning of each class. I am not a huge fan of the rhythmic breathing exercises (Pranayama), but I tried. Peole frmo from all over the world attend the Ashram: Israel, Germany, France, UK, USA, Canada, India. Everyone had their Yogi uniform on-- white pants, an ashram-themed t-shirt. The requirement was loose-fitting clothing. Now, we Americans prefer our tank tops and black yoga pants. But, no shoulders or bare bellies! So I soaked my way through some cotton pants and t-shirts, slipping all over the yoga mat, but feeling rejuvinated by the end.



I loved all the yoga, but the parts that took some getting used to included: 2 hours of chanting and meditating; the uniforms; the "silence during meals;" eating on the floor cross-legged, using your hands; rhythmic breathing til you see the yoga gods because there is not enough oxygen in your brain... Not that I'm being critical. I was just very entertained. I did get into the spirit of it all, though. It's pretty hard not to. By the end of three days I, too, was clapping my hands to the 'hare krishna' song. I learned that Om Shanti means "Om" Peace. And I realized that many of the thoughts behind the program are for your own personal spiritual enlightenment and awakening. I am pretty psyched that I can now get up in "headstand" and can hold myself in a pretty sweet "crow pose." My body feels stronger, and my ability to sit still with my own thoughts has definitely improved. And, from a medical perspective, I was able to appreciate a totally different approach to healing. I think yoga is fabulous. And a strict vegi diet felt very "Clean."

The ashram was quite an experience! If you're at all curious about the swami's or the gurus, you can check out the website. They have programs and ashrams all over the world! Even in California and NY. http://www.sivananda.org/neyyardam/index.html

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