Kriya Yoga or the Yoga of Action

tp> SvaXyayeñrài[xanain i³yayaeg>. 1.

II.1 tapaù svädhyäya Éçvarapraëidhänäni kriyäyogaù

SELF – DISCIPLINE, SELF–STUDY AND DEVOTION TO ÉÇVARA (GOD) IS YOGA OF ACTION

tapaù	austerity, fortitude, purifying action, training the senses, tempering
svädhyäya	self-study in the context of teachings about the Self, study of scriptures
Éçvara	creative source, causal field, God, supreme Guru or teacher
praëidhänäni	practicing the presence, dedication, devotion, surrender of fruits of practice
kriyäyogaù	yoga of practice, action, practical yoga

In the Yoga sutra different disciplines have been mentioned and many a times they are presented in groups. For example, Ashtanga Yoga (the Eight-fold Path). And under it, the Yamas & Niyamas. Kriya Yoga is another set of disciplines which are presented to us. These are three virtuous actions which are capable of reducing the Kleshas.

To start with we have to control all our physical actions. We consciously tell ourselves not to do certain things and as a result we gain strength. One of the examples is Mauna (maintaining silence). Then which is related to our thinking process. Here the suggestion is to think on some better matter. Just as for our progress in life, it is suggested we read some spiritual books and we constantly remind ourselves about more worthwhile things in life. If we do not do this, then useless and harmful things enter our mind. So far as feelings and emotions are concerned they should be directed towards God. In the Bhakti School they say that feelings are not wrong provided they are directed towards God. So there are suggestions on handling the three aspects of our personality. Wrong tendencies are corrected and diverted towards the right tendencies.

What is Kriya yoga and its objectives?

Tapa, (Fortitude), Svadhyaya (Self-study) and Ishwara Pranidhana (Surrendering to God) together constitute Kriya Yoga.  It is Yoga of practice. Sometimes Kriya Yoga can also be called Karma Yoga.

           

Tapa:  This is the chief weapon for beginners. It has been given an important place in literature where a student had to undergo some type of hardship or sacrifice; without this no development is possible. To come out of one's old habits, one has to have some pain, both physical and mental. The mental part being, when one wants to be emotionally involved, hold onto one's beliefs which are part and parcel of one's thinking process. We have to get rid of these, and get rid of old habits - thoughts, feelings, and external things. Tapa is like a fire, it burns things out like melting away our past. It can be a relaxing habit as you slowly get rid of old habits. 

Svadhyaya: Is the study of self. This can be achieved through listening to others, reflection,  scriptural study, reading philosophical literature and repeating  the mantra OM is also suggested. Observing the effects of Tapa discipline in oneself is part of Svadhyaya.

Ishwara Pranidhana:  All actions whether in religious or everyday life, are surrendered to a Higher Reality. Gita says, "I am not the actor at all, all this is God's own work". There are many quotations to bring out this spirit that one should constantly feel oneself as an instrument of a Higher Power, with no desires. The Gita says that whatever one does, be it charity, work etc, surrender it all to God. 

Its objective is to purify our physical actions, thoughts and feelings surrendering towards God.

Kriya Yoga is meant for what type of Yoga student?

Patanjali mentions three types of natures or personalities: mild, medium and intense. Students with moderate temperament in his efforts to progress in Yoga can take up Kriya Yoga.

Why does Patanjali mention Tapa, Svadhyaya and Ishwara Pranidhana as its ingredients, when they are also mentioned as part of the Niyamas in the Eight-fold Path?

Patanjali’s method is to develop gradually. Any type of activity, which puts strain on the body and mind, is forbidden. Once the system is disturbed so is its harmony. One then does not possess the right type of mind for progress. One must maintain fine balance of the inner situation. Yoga is for those who believe in moderation in diet, sleep, work, etc., and  not   for  those  who go to extremes. Bhikshu says that the Yamas & Niyamas are far wider and more comprehensive that these three (Fortitude, Self-study & Surrender to a Higher Reality) but are thought to be the best in that they are more powerful and are also able to bring about quick results.

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This is an extract of:
YOGENDRA, Jayadeva. Thoughts on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The Yoga Institute, Santacruz. Mumbai. 2009.

If you want to by this book, please visit our webite and make a order by email.

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If you want to get trained and learn in depth about the Yoga Philosophy and techniques:
Wise Living Yoga Academy conducts Yoga Teacher Training Courses (200 hours) following the Methodology & Didactics of The Yoga Institute of Santacruz. The course is recognized by The International Board of Yoga - India and accredited by Yoga Alliance - USA (RYS-200 Level).

Please follow the links to know more about our YTT course 200 hours in 2012:

- Yoga Teacher Training Course in Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Yoga Teacher Training Course in Bali, Indonesia
- Yoga Teacher Training Course in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Namaskar!! Om Shanti!!

Attitude Training & Yoga

From the educational point of view Yoga techniques are pegs on which to hang a lot of our clothes. The traditionalists in Yoga recommended a combination of right feelings and right attitudes with certain selected physical activities. The physical activity is no doubt selected after full consideration of its psycho-physiological value but the activity is incomplete without the attitude.

If the activity is the right kind and the attitude also enriches one's consciousness, then the entire exercise is very satisfying and elevating.

The Yoga Institute of Santacruz, Mumbai - India (oldest organized Yoga center in the world) recommends the practices of Yoga asanas (postural training) associated with four major important groups of attitudes or feelings. These are based on scriptural authority and are known as Four Positive Bhavas of Buddhi in Shamkhya Philosophy and are as follows:

Dharma (Right Conduct & Duty)

Padmasana (Lotus Pose)

Unlike the commonly believed connotation of "Religion" in India, the word Dharma means "Duty". At every point in life, one needs to understand what one’s duty is in that given situation, prioritise the tasks and then move ahead. It is believed that one who is always on the path of Dharma, is saved from all sorts of pains and sufferings, etc. In fact, Yoga even outlines a hierarchy of duties, one’s first duty is to the self, then family and friends, place of work, society and finally, humanity in general.

Often we tend to neglect this hierarchy, for example over-working without eating in time or eating wrong food, not resting sufficiently, or indulging into social work without looking after the family, etc. Neglecting this hierarchy, leads to several conflicts and problems at the intra and inter-personal level. The components of this Bhava are duty, discipline, conditioning, preparedness, acceptance, commitment and also the Yamas and Niyamas. 

All meditative asanas belong to Dharma Bhava.


Jnana (Knowledge or Right understanding)

Gomukhasana (Cow's Mouth Pose)

In Yoga, Jnana refers to Awareness and Knowledge. According to ancient Indian philosophy, all that one needs to know and understand for a meaningful life is actually present within. However, Maya or illusion keeps pulling us into the external world. We keep busy in the world outside looking for a purpose, some meaning. This leaves us confused and frustrated. Jnana in Yoga begins with awareness about self, at all levels – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. The components of this Bhava are concentration, one pointedness, balance, body awareness, co-ordination, synchronization, training of the senses and training of the breath.

Asanas for the extremities of the body, involving upward and sideward stretches, and asanas involving twist of the spinal cord belong to Jnana Bhava. All Pranayamas and Trataka kriya are also included in this Bhava.

Vairagya (Detachment & Letting Go)

Yoga Mudrasana (Symbol of Yoga Pose)  

Commonly understood as renunciation, this Bhava actually refers to detachment. For a householder, fulfilling his duties to family is very important and renunciation doesn’t necessarily take one to detachment. Vairagya actually leads a householder to a state of being ‘in the world but not of the world'. The components of this Bhava are objectivity, humility, reducing the ego, relaxation, ‘let-go’ attitude, detachment and surrender.

All the relaxation asanas, forward bending asanas and head-low postures have been classified under Vairagya.

Aishwarya (Will power & Self-Reliance)

Ustrasana (Camel Pose)

When one is truly on the path of the first three Bhavas, viz. Dharma, Jnana and Vairagya, the feeling of achievement, satisfaction, the knowledge yet being humble refers to as the Bhava of Aiswarya. All this adds great of confidence in one’s personality. In fact, the confidence that one may experience without the first three Bhavas, when analyzed carefully, is usually a superficial one which one puts up only as a show-off for others. This Bhava is difficult to understand theoretically, but is easier to experience through perseverance and faith. The components of Aiswarya are confidence, self-reliance, sense of achievement, effort, fortitude, freedom, strength, and forbearance.

All asanas involving backward bending of the spine and all the kriyas belong to this Bhava.


So.. the lesson here is that: only stretching, bending and twisting yourself in all possible directions will not bring about all the positive and wholesome benefits of Yoga, specially if you have a wrong frame of mind while doing it.

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Wise Living Yoga Academy conducts Yoga Teacher Training Courses (200 hours) following the Methodology & Didactics of The Yoga Institute of Santacruz. The course is recognized by The International Board of Yoga - India and accredited by Yoga Alliance - USA (RYS-200 Level).

Please follow the links to know more about our YTT course 200 hours in 2012:

- Yoga Teacher Training Course in Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Yoga Teacher Training Course in Bali, Indonesia
- Yoga Teacher Training Course in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Namaskar!!!

Yoga Teacher Training Chiang Mai, Thailand in June 2012

Namaste Yoga Aspirants!

The Wise Living Yoga Academy Team invites you to join their Yoga Teacher Training to experience this beautiful journey of positive transformation, of self discovery, of self love and spiritual realisation!

JOIN US FOR YOGA TEACHER TRAINING IN CHIANG MAI, THAILAND IN JUNE & JULY & NOVEMBER 2012! Hurry up for early bird discounts. Click here!

2012 JULY - CHIANG MAI, THAILAND BATCH. YOGA GRADUATION DAY
 

Please note that we are a traditional Yoga school. We do not have any mixtures or fusions of recent styles. We follow the ancient system of YOGA. Early bird discount for limited period. Please check the link above for details. The fees include course, books, food, accomdation & certfication. All inclusive. 



Yoga Students during the SATURDAY CONCEPTUAL ACTIVITIES
from JULY 2012 batch in CHIANG MAI, THAILAND.

Yoga Teacher Training Certification day
in Chiang Mai, Thailand - July

A deep positive transformation is the aim of our Yoga Teacher Training!

Learning different cleansing techniques, practicing asanas, studying philosophy, connecting back to nature, everyday meditation, breathing techniques and relaxation techniques will bring tranquillity and clarity in your physical and mental levels. Then one can experience the joy of being free from inhibitions, stress and pressures of a fast life.


Click on the link to know :  Fundamentals of Yoga Education in Yoga Teacher Training!

You can visit our webiste www.wiselivingyoga.com for more information or write to us on info@wiselivingyoga.com.

Yoga Physical Education class

Conceptual Activities! Have fun and learn!

Yogic Relaxation class

Yoga Methodology class

Morning Asana class

Healthy salad during lunch

Participants enjoying lunch together!

Daniel showing Sarvangasana - Shoulder Stand Pose



The course is recognized by The International Board of Yoga, The Yoga Institute - India which is the worlds oldest Yoga Organisation and accredited by Yoga Alliance - USA (RYS-200 Level). Please follow the links to know more about our YTT course 200 hours in 2012:-

- Yoga Teacher Training Course in Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Yoga Teacher Training Course in Bali, Indonesia
- Yoga Teacher Training Course in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Yours in Yoga,

Wise Living Yoga Academy Team

Fundamentals of Yoga Education in Teacher Training

Experience a healthy lifestyle during our YTT course!

Participants doing morning meditation!

Morning Asana class

Our Yoga teacher training programs apart from guiding an individual to become a Yoga Teacher serves other purpose too.  A very good benefit of our Yoga course that is being held in Thailand and Bali is that the people will really experience living a Yogic Lifestyle. A healthy routine involving in waking up early and experiencing deep silence through meditation. Doing Yoga Asanas, breathing excercises will help to detoxify, rejuvenate and give a sense of well-being to you.Then, a healthy breakfast which is often neglected by many of us will help to balance your bodily requirements.

Our Yoga course is a blend of discipline, fun, relaxation and recreation :-)

Participants out for a trekking!

Next benefit is that the Yoga Teacher Training course emphasizes on self-awareness and self-discipline by giving you time limits to accomplish your personal tasks. After breakfast you have 2 hours for your personal care and study. Apart from this there is time for recreation where you have a chance to the connect to yourself and relax. On Saturday you have free time after lunch and a full day off on Sundays. On these days you can do recreational activities visiting cultural places, relaxing on the beach, morning walks etc. Yogic Relaxation will be also systematically taught and the participants will go through the process of Yogic Relaxation after lunch for efficient digestion, detoxification and rejuveanation. This will relieve them from nervous tension and calm the mind and body. Yogic relaxation is a very powerful and deep technique to bring a deep & positive change in the human personality.

During the Yogic Relaxation class

Yoga learnt through experiential learning!

Daniel teaching Bhagvad Gita in the green!

Study, Share & learn Yoga!

Our Yoga teacher training emphasizes on Yoga philosophy as well, which can help you to look at life with a broader perspective and encourage you to challenge your weaknesses. You will get the opportunity to learn Sanskrit words and meaning of it. You will be learning so many different aspects of life and Yoga that will help you to look deeper into your self and help you to discover your inner potentials!

Philosophy class with Jeenal

Healthy food habits is a part of Yoga!

A photo of a healthy
breakfast served in the YTT, Chiang Mai
in Thailand

Of course, food is something that can really make us feel healthy or sick. But here we will eat healthy varieties of food at proper time, and dinner will be around 6.30 in the evening as we will be going to bed early. Everyday we will be having varieties of fruits, vegetables, cereals and dairy products at regular timings and intervals. This will nourish and replenish the body with different vitamins! And having a discplined routine harmonise the biological clock of the body. It is like having a new life!

A deep positive transformation is the aim of our Yoga Teacher Training!

Conceptual activities class!

Learning different cleansing techniques, practicing Asanas, studying philosophy, connecting back to nature, everyday meditation, breathing teachniques and relaxation techiniques will bring tranquility and clarity in your physical and mental levels. This is one of the aim of our Yoga Teacher Training. Then one can experience the joy of being free from inhibitions, stress and pressures of a fast life.

Out in the nature for recreation!

Discovering a new path of life & sharing the knowledge with others!

Yoga Teacher Training group in Brazil

You will be learning to impart this knowledge to various groups of the people in the Yoga methodology class. The greatest benefit for many will be when they realize that they want to bring this spritiual and hoilistic education for other people around them. With all this knowledge of Yoga, you can go ahead to help and uplift people's lives. The postive change that you have experienced will be worth sharing with other people. There are so many different people like senior citizens, teenagers, parents, children, people with health problems, corporates and proffessionals, householders etc. that you can help.

Your teachers - A beautiful couple dedicated to Yoga :-)

Jeenal and Daniel is a lovely couple from India with whom you can share, and they are open to share their experiences about their yoga life. They have an in-depth knowledge and expertise in Yoga are experienced Yoga teachers from India. They have spent 5 years living, learning and teaching Yoga with their Yoga Gurus from India. They have trained hundereds of students till now. To know what their students say about them, please click on this link : Testimonials.

Daniel teaching Pranayamas
 in a Teacher Training course in Chiang Mai

Jeenal and Daniel in the mountains of Mantiqueira of Brazil

They have trained hundreds of students in Teacher Training course from various countries coming from different backgrouds and of different age group. They will be the main teachers guiding the group and staying along with the participants. Jeenal is a blend of western and Indian culture. She is an Indian woman who grew up in a traditional Indian family with Yogic values while studying in an International school. And, Daniel was born in Brazil in a brazilian family. He grew up doing various martial arts, adventurous activities such as mountain biking and diving. He lived in United Kingdom and Europe before arriving to India to learn Yoga. Now he is living in India since 2006 and both of them travel worldwide to teach Yoga. In 2006 Jeenal and Daniel met the Yoga Institute of India and ever since that they have dedicated their life studying and sharing Yoga with others.



Jeenal teaching Yoga Sutras in a course in Brazil



The Wise Living Yoga Academy Team invites you to join their Yoga Teacher Training to experience this beautiful journey of positive transformation, of self discovery, of self love and spiritual realisation!

Yoga Teacher Training Certification day
in Chiang Mai, Thailand - July

The course is recognized by The International Board of Yoga, The Yoga Institute - India which is the worlds oldest Yoga Organisation and accredited by Yoga Alliance - USA (RYS-200 Level). Please follow the links to know more about our YTT course 200 hours in 2012:-

- Yoga Teacher Training Course in Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Yoga Teacher Training Course in Bali, Indonesia
- Yoga Teacher Training Course in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Teacher Training Group Chiang Mai, Thailand - June

For more information please contact us at:

Email - info@wiselivingyoga.com or

Website - http://www.wiselivingyoga.com

You can visit our webiste www.wiselivingyoga.com for more information or write to us on info@wiselivingyoga.com.

Namaskar,

Wise Living Yoga Academy Team

Yoga Teacher Training Course - Chiang Mai - Thailand 2012

Namaste dear Yoga aspirants,

Participants from July 2012 bacth!

 Wise Living Yoga Academy (affiliated to The Yoga Institute of India - worlds's oldest yoga organisation and recognised by Yoga Alliance USA) conducted two more batches of international Yoga Teacher Training in Chiang mai in Thailand from June to July 2012 and from July to August 2012. The last courses that were successfully completed earlier in 2012 were in Brazil in Feb and in Bali in the month of May.

The next Yoga Teacher Training course to happen during the end of the year is in November 2012.

Note: Updated News - Early bird discount of USD 2790 all inclusive available (Original price - USD 3600), registrations for November are in progress. Please click on the links provided below at the end for more details.

Last year in 2011 and this year in 2012 Wise Living Yoga Academy has conducted several teacher training courses.

You can have a look at the photos by clicking on:

Photo Album: "Yoga Teacher Training Thailand", Chiang Mai - June 2011 
Photo Album: "Yoga Teacher Training Thailand" Chiang mai - July 2011
Photo Album: "Yoga Teacher Training Brazil" -Febraury 2012
Photo Album: "Yoga Teacher Training Bali" - May 2012
Photo Album: "Yoga Teacher Training Thailand" Chiang Mai - June 2012
Photo Album: "Yoga Teacher Training Thailand" Chiang Mai - July 2012

Read below what the participants have to say:


"A very authentic approach to Yoga. I certainly wouldn't have had the opportunity to learn in the United States. I feel confident to teach Yoga and this 1 Month Yoga Teacher Training Course helped me to grow as a person as well. I would recommend to anyone!" ~ Hannah Cunnah - English Teacher - Colorado - USA

"What an eye opening and wonderful experience at Wise Living Yoga Academy!! Both Daniel and Jeenal are so genuine and passionate about the Traditional Yoga. They have definitely inspired me to spread the knowledge to those in need!" ~ Khim Lim - Yoga Retreats advertiser - Canada

Have a look at the video below to see Ashley's (from Canada) testimonial:

To know about our methodology read the article : GOING BACK TO TRADITIONAL YOGA

Watch the videos below having photos of our 

Yoga Teacher Trainings in Thailand Chiang Mai

 It is a beautiful resort in Chiang Mai where the Yoga Teacher Training course in Thailand is going to be conducted. It is a resort with a huge beautiful garden, lovely teak wood bunglows and a swimming pool. The accomomodation is on twin sharing or private basis, with private bathrooms. The rooms are deluxe with facilities such as refrigerator, tub-bath with hot shower, Air-condition. Also you can choose a standard single fan room.

 

Have a look at the photos below!

Resort Garden

Pathway leading to the swimming pool

The Yoga participants will be able to 

use swimming pool in their free time

Teak wood bungalows of the resort

Garden with benches and trees

One of the commom area. There are
 several common areas in the resort.

Entrance leading to the reception

Deluxe Room with
hot shower, refrigerator, air condition, etc.

Private Balcony

Participants can use this area to relax and chat!

The course is a complete immersion program and as it is intense and comprehensive we provide on site accomodation and meals for the people to experience yoga in depth as a life transforming experience. Students will be having some free time on Saturdays and an day off on Sunday to go to the cultural places of interest, relax, swim or read.

We are a school which follows a genuine Yoga lineage which upholds the traditional values of Yoga. No self-proclaimed gurus & too many mixture and fusions of "Yoga styles".

The students will learn : Asanas, Pranayamas, Yoga philosophy, Samkhya - Metaphysics of Yoga, Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Phisiology and Anatomy, Kriyas - Detoxification techniques besides Yoga Methodology and Teaching Practice to improve thier teaching skills. And to go along are weekly assignments, group projects and presentations. The program is a full immersion experience, that should enable one to live a yogic and holistic lifestyle which means, it is a residential course, following a well structured routine including healthy diet arrangements and encouraging a meditative mood. Further, it includes a serious study of traditional Yoga texts like "Yoga Sutras of Patanjali" and "Bhagavad Gita".

The course is recognized by The International Board of Yoga, The Yoga Institute - India which is the worlds oldest Yoga Organisation  and accredited by Yoga Alliance - USA (RYS-200 Level).


Jeenal and Daniel a beautiful couple having an in-depth knowledge and expertise in Yoga are experienced Yoga teachers from India and have spent 5 years living, learning and teaching Yoga with their Yoga Gurus from India. They have trained hundreds of students in Teacher Training course from various countries coming from different backgrouds and of different age group. They will be the main teachers guiding the group in Chiang Mai and staying along with the participants in the resort.

 

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Wise Living Yoga Academy conducts Yoga Teacher Training Courses (200 hours) following the Methodology & Didactics of The Yoga Institute of Santacruz. The course is recognized by The International Board of Yoga - India and accredited by Yoga Alliance, USA (RYS-200 Level).

Please follow the links to know more about our YTT courses 200 hours in 2012/2013:

- Yoga Teacher Training Course in Minas Gerais, Brazil

- Yoga Teacher Training Course in Bali, Indonesia

- Yoga Teacher Training Course in Chiang Mai, Thailand