Tools & Techniques

Traditional Sivananda hatha-yog lessons and practice. Asanas (poses) as taught in the Sivananda school of yoga. Swami Sivananda and Sw. Vishnu Devananda in Scorpio pose in the picture. 

A theoretical and practical study of Sage Patanjali's Yoga Sutras also known as Ashtanga, meaning the eight limbs of yoga, leading to Samadhi (sam: oneness, adhi: with divinity or source energy; sama: equanimity, dhi: in intellect.) An introduction and overview to advaita vedanta (non dualism) as put forth by Sri Adi Shankaracharya; and some reading and reflection on the Upanishads and the Gita.

A consultation with a qualified Ayurveda physician, which is alternative medicine with historical roots in Kerala going back 5,000 years. Ayur means life and Veda means science. This knowledge enables a personal understanding on how to create a healthy balance in body mind consciousness, by using Indian herbs and making necessary lifestyle changes.

Voluntary "seva" or humanitarian service in a Hindu/ Buddhist ashram or pagoda, as it best suits you. This can be a few hours of selfless service or into a few days, depending on how you settle into the environment. 

An initiation into yogic breathing techniques carefully monitored and practiced with you for maximum efficacy. This has a threefold benefit of mind-concentration, respiratory wellness, and yin yang balance

A birth chart reading based on your given name, date, place, and time of birth - by a proficient Vedic astrologer. This will differ from a western astrology reading, although the given planets and star signs remain the same. You will appreciate the revelations.

Natural oil massage, herbal supplements, traditional treatments such as Panchakarma, Abhyanga, Shirodhara, using ayurvedic oils at an established center in Southern India.

• Basics, such as food, nature, seat, and posture.

• Mantra meditation on the foundation of the protective vibrations of the sacred syllable "Om".

• Meditation using visualisation, for manifestation.

• Buddha's talks on meditation as written in his Pali language texts to give us insight on our practice. 

• Open discussions, questions and answers. 

• Aan Apana meditation, or to meditate on one's own breath. 

• An initiation into Vipassana meditation, the Buddha's technique.

• Maitri or metta meditation, and its purpose in life, and what it can do. 

• Practicing, with dawn and dusk twilight meditations. 

• Becoming Aware of the benefits of our practice and feeling firmly established in Meditation, as co-meditators.