Established in 1916, the mission of Yog Sadhan Ashram is to provide all individuals, regardless of income or religious background, the traditional and complete teachings of Yoga philosophy and practice free of charge.
By Rishi Aghmarsana
ॐ रितंश्चसत्याश्च अभीदधात्तपसो-अध्यजायत I
ततो रात्र्यजायत ततः समुद्रो अर्णवा II १ II
ॐ समुद्रा दर्न्वाधि संवत्सरो अजायत I
अहोरात्रानी विदधत विश्वस्य मिषतो ‘वशी’ II २ II
ॐ सूरय्याचन्द्रमसौ धाता यथा पूर्वं अकल्पात I
दिवं च पृथ्वीं च अंतरिक्षमथो स्वः II ३ II
Transliteration:
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On May 30, 2010, Acharya Hersh Khetarpal gave a much-anticipated speech at the Hare Om Templte outlining the similarities and the differences between Hinduism and Yoga. Below is a brief synopsis of the talk.
It is the Vedas that are the common link between Hinduism and Yoga which form their very foundations. Yoga is in fact one of the 6 main branches of Hindu philosophy. As a result, there is a common belief in reincarnation as well as in karmic philosophy; both believe in the ultimate goal of moksha; both meditate upon the Gayatri mantra; and both have a reverence for the Bhagavad Gita.
Please enjoy this recipe from Louella! It’s filled with nutritious raw vegetables and tasty spices. A great soup for the summer!
Ingredients:
Two Large Carrots, Cut into One to Two-Inch Pieces
Two Large Celery Stalks, Cut into One to Two-Inch Pieces
Two to Three-Inch Piece of a Medium-Size Zucchini
Two to Three-Inch Piece of a Medium-Size Yellow Squash
One-Third of a Sweet Red Pepper
One-Third of a Sweet Yellow or Orange Pepper
Approximately One-Half Cup of Fresh Tomatoes, Quartered with Skin On
One-Half Jalapeno, Seeded, Optional
Two Tablespoons of Tomato Paste
One-Quarter Cup of Olive Oil
Purified Water, Slightly Warmed – Do Not Boil!
Two to Three Rapunzel Vegan Vegetable Bouillons
Two Tablespoons of Fresh Parsley
Several Leaves of Fresh Basil
One-Half Teaspoon of Herbes de Provence
Organic Trocomare Spicy Herb Seasoning Salt by A. Vogel
Ground Pepper
Recipe:
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Several readers have asked, what really is prana? Prana is the energy permeating the universe at all levels, including physical, mental, intellectual, spiritual, and cosmic energy. While it is hidden, in that the common person cannot hear, touch or feel it, the yogi knows that it is actually the mover of all activity. Both creation and destruction are made possible with prana.
While prana certainly is the power behind creation and destruction, its real power is how it sustains our body. Without it, the body and mind cannot function. Therefore pranayama, often mistaken for merely breathing exercises, is actually a series of techniques developed to enhance the prana in our body which leads to greater vigor and vitality. Prana flows through our nadis, or energy channels, and it is through the use of breath that we are able to influence it.
Knowing this, it may be difficult to distinguish prana and aatma. The Prashna Upanishad clarifies the two when one disciple asks what is “prana and how it is related to aatma?” The Rishi replies, “Prana is same to the aatma as a shadow is to the body.” In other words, they are not the same but move together.
In the next article about Pranayama, we will discuss the nadis.
ॐ शन्नो देवीरभिष्टये , आपो भवन्तु पीतये I
शंयोर भिस्रवन्तु नः II
Rishi Atharvana Yajurveda 36.12
Meaning; Oh God, Your form is divine, You are in the form of Light. Whatever resources and wealth, etc. we have by Your grace, all that may be blissful to us, that should suffice our needs and enhance comforts, peace and prosperity.
Over 100 students and supporters of the Ashram gathered at Ashyana Banquet Hall on April 25th to show their appreciation for all that Yog Sadhan Ashram and Acharya Hersh Khetarpal have done for their lives. Below are some pictures of this inspiring event. We will also be posting some testimonials given at the dinner over the next few months.
For those of you unable to attend the dinner, please consider making a donation to the Ashram to help us continue our mission of Yoga for All.
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In this podcast, Acharya Hersh Khetarpal poses the timeless question of why we’re here. What is the purpose of life and why did we incarnate in this form? She answers it according to the yogic philosophy of life, illuminating on our dharma (duty) and ultimate goal of moksha (liberation).
Click to listen:
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This quick and easy recipe with tons of flavor comes from Bharti. It is very nutritious and takes less than 15 minutes to prepare.
ॐ येनेदं भूतं भुवनं भविष्यत् , परिगृहीतं अमृतेन सर्व I
येन यग्यस्ताय्ते सप्तहोता, तन्मे मनः शिवसंकल्पमस्तु II
ऋषि : विश्वामित्र यजुर्वेद : ३४.४
O Lord! The immortal mind by which actions of the past, present and future come into form, and which is at the helm of seven functions (saptahotri yajna ) respiration, sight, hearing, speech, taste, touch and walking (all actions of a person are inspired by mind ), such mind of mine must be of pure thoughts.
Source: Yajurveda 34.4, Rishi Vishvamitra
Pranayama is the science of breath control. It is a subject worth studying due to the effect breath has on our five koshas (sheaths), including the pranamaya kosha (vital energy sheath). For example, the quality of our breath can change due to our mental and physical states, but how we breath can also affect our mental and physical states. The Yogic scriptures thus give great importance to pranayama, and it’s mastery is considered a prequisite to dharna (concentration) and dhyana (meditation). We will explore it in a series of articles over the next several months.