December 2021 Yoga Life

Om Ganapathaye ! FIFTY TWO YEARS IN THE PROPAGATION OF CLASSICAL RISHICULTURE ASHTANGA YOGA The beautiful covers of this month's Yoga Life INTERNATIONAL welcome everyone to join us in celebrating the Maha MONTHLY Samadhi of Pujya Swamiji during the full moon (Purnima) on 18 December 2021 and the new moon Vol.52 No. 12, DECEMBER 2021 (Amavasya) on 2 January 2022. Swamiji attained Maha Samadhi during Arudra Darshan, 2.20am on 29 CONTENTS December 1993 in the auspicious month of Margazhi. Known popularly as the Lion of Pondicherry, the grandeur of Pujya Swamiji's nature is well brought out in the colorful montage put together by our printer Sri Selvakumar. The inner covers give an admirable pictorial report IS YOGA SECULAR? - 02 on the successful National Yogasana Championship - 06 that was held in November at Bhubaneswar by the MANAGING STRESS: A YOGIC APPROACH - 08 National Yogasana Sports Federation with the - 22 admirable support of the Government of Odisha. The UNDERSTAND YOUR OWN FEET event was led by Shri Udit Sheth, the dynamic SATYAM-SIVAM-SUNDARAM : President of NYSF and the resourceful, organizer-par- TRUTH IS DIVINE AND BEAUTIFUL excellence Dr Jaideep Arya, the Secretary General of NYSF. The Pondicherry team performed well and we applaud the commitment and dedication of the entire SPYSA team led by the General Secretary Yogachemmal G Dayanidy and the Joint Secretary Yogachemmal Dr R Balaji. We offer all success at the Lotus Feet of Pujya Swamiji and Pujya Ammaji whose blessings enable everything to manifest in tune with Dharma. The highlight of this issue is the detailed vintage THE LAND WHERE GOD IS A WOMAN: - 24 article by Pujya Swamiji on the human feet and their THE DIVINE FEMININE relationship to our overall health. This will surely be a mind opener for so many readers as we often neglect such basics in our search for holistic health solutions. Yogacharini Kalavathi's heartfelt article on sarees REPORT ON NATIONAL YOGASANA SPORTS - 29 brings back so many fond memories resulting from CHAMPIONSHIP 2021 – 22 Ammaji's firm insistence that all Yoga Sadhakis learn to wear one as part of their deep and life enhancing cultural appreciation experiences at Ananda Ashram over the years. The official publication of Yoga Jivana Satsangha (International); Vishwa Yoga Samaj (Worldwide Yoga Congress); Sri Kambaliswamy Madam (Samadhi Site); SPARC (The Society for the Preservation of Ancient Rishi Culture); ICYER (International Centre for Yoga Education and Research) at Ananda Ashram, Tamil Nadu. Published from Ananda Ashram City Centre at Yoganjali Natyalayam, 25, II Cross, lyyanar Nagar, Pondicherry-605 013, India. Editor and Publisher : Ammaji Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani, Editor: (I/C) Yogacharya Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani. Phone: +91-0413-2241561. E-mail: [email protected]; Website: www.rishiculture.in Printers : Sarguru Printographs, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu, India. Subscription Rate: Indian Rs. 500/year; International 50 Euros/ year. Note: All subscribers will be sent e-copies of Yoga Life every month from January 2021 onwards and hence are requested to register their preferred e-mail at [email protected] to ensure uninterrupted receipt of the journal.

IS YOGA SECULAR? Yogacharya Dr ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI Ashram Acharya and chairman, ICYER at Ananda Ashram, Pondicherry, India. There is a lot of stuff coming up these days on social media about Yoga and being secular and so I thought I would add my two cents to it. Yoga is universal. Yoga is timeless and Yoga is beyond all 'isms'. So, the first thing we need to remember is 'not to put Yoga in a box'! Yoga makes us better at whatever we are. It makes us a better version of ourselves, irrespective of the culture to which we belong. If we belong to the Indian culture, we become a better version of ourselves. If we belong to a culture such as the Asian or the European, we still become a better version of ourselves. Whatever way of life we are living, we become a better version of that through the practice of 'Real Yoga'. This traditional Yoga has sprouted from the fertile soil of Indian culture, a way of life called Sanatana Dharma: the eternal culture, a mindful way of life that is in tune with the Universal. Sanatana Dharma is the fertile soil in which the art, science, philosophy, psychology, spirituality of Yoga has sprouted and flourished for millennia. In modern times, people want to take Yoga out of its cultural context, and divorce it from its roots, but yet they still want to call it Yoga, because Yoga is a marketable term these days. The modern approach to Yoga is 'plasticized Barbie/Ken Doll Yoga'. That is as good as going to a gym and having a good workout. So then, why even call it Yoga? Call it exercise and go on! I'll have no issues with it. But when we call it Yoga it has to be living. It has to be alive, and to be alive something has to be connected to the source! You take a fish out of water, put it on concrete, and then you say: “I have a beautiful fish.” Yeah! But it's dead”! When the fish is connected to the water, its life source, the fish is alive, and it thrives in its bountiful multi-dimensional existence. So, when Yoga is connected to Sanatana Dharma, a way of life in tune with universality, Yoga will be Yoga. Otherwise, it becomes this mutated, plasticized, mummified version which is not Yoga anymore. People always seem worried that if people learn Yoga, it will make them become Hindus and go into Hinduism. They are actually worried about losing control over their 'sheeple'. That is all nothing but control-freakism, power- mongering control-freakism that exists in all human made structures. Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 02

EDITORIAL Yoga is in tune with all cultures, all religions because it is Universal. If you are a Christian, you become a better Christian. If you are Muslim, you become a better Muslim. If you are a Jew, a Jain, a Hindu, whatever – you become a better, purer version of yourself. The problem is when you become a better version of yourself, you may no longer be 'sheeple' – you may no longer be one of those people who can be controlled by the power-hungry, money-hungry systems that have been created artificially by human beings. Yoga is for sure compatible with all religions at the highest point; but then that highest point comes down in all these different structures that we create in order to maintain control – control-freakism, power-freakism, and money-freakism. Humans created these structures, and the people in charge of those structures – artificial, human-made structures are scared of Yoga and, yes, they should be scared. Because the moment you really get into Yoga, real Yoga – not plasticized Barbie/Ken Doll, dead 'Jada Yoga', you start to connect to the Universal Self. You start to connect to the highest aspect of yourself and you start to evolve, grow, and transform from limited individuality to universality. I believe that every religion actually wants that at the highest point, we should outgrow our limitations. But then the power-hungry people in charge of the structures will not like it. And this is where the struggle comes, and then people start to say, “Oh, don't teach Yoga there, because then Hinduism will come in.” Don't forget that the word 'Hinduism' is an artificially coined foreign word. Sanatana Dharma is a universal, eternal way of life that is open to everyone, every aspect. “That” Truth is One, the wise people call it different names At the highest level, Yoga makes you a better version of whatever you are. You become that highest manifestation of your potential divinity. But this scares people who are control freaks, and this exists in all organized structures – be it political, be it religious, or be it corporate. This is why, when we talk about Yoga, Yoga is truly secular at the highest level. It is truly secular at the highest level, but then, in modern times, people think to be secular is to be anti-Hindu, especially in India. Actually, the truly secular is universal at the highest level. Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 03

EDITORIAL I meet people who say, “Oh! We do Yoga, but we don't like India and Sanskrit. Sanskrit is a dead language and India is a dirty country.” My response is: “Then, why call it Yoga?” The word Yoga is from Sanskrit, mind you. Call it exercise, call it “keep fit”, and then I will not come into your zone at all. You can do whatever nonsense you want, but if you call it Yoga, I will stand up for it. One doesn't have to be a Hindu to practice Yoga, but one has to understand the culture from which Yoga has sprouted, the culture that has nourished it, that continues to nourish it. When we talk about Bhaarat, it is not just the geographical location of India. It is a wholesome cultural ethos. That cultural ethos is alive and kicking and it sustains and nourishes the true Yoga. So, whenever people get confused about this, anybody can practice Yoga – no doubt about it. You will become a better version of yourself, but because you grow out of the box! And please remember anything in a box is usually dead. Don't put Yoga in a box. If you are going to put Yoga in a box, call it something else. Then I have no issues. Yoga is something which is timeless. Yoga is something which is priceless. Yoga is something that is universal. And that is why I always like to say that Yoga is truly universal, to such an extent that Yoga is for all. I'll repeat that. Yoga is for all, but all may not be for Yoga. Because we break our boundaries, we break those limitations of the box that we have been put into, and by transcending the boxes, we transcend boundaries, we transcend limitations, we transcend structures that have been artificially created by human beings for the sake of control-freakism, power-freakism and money- freakism. And that's where Yoga becomes a threat. When we live Yoga, when we love Yoga, we are becoming a better version of ourselves. We are connecting to that universal powerhouse, that universal Prana, because that is what Yoga is. It is the Universe itself. Yoga has its roots in Sanatana Dharma. Do not divorce it from its roots! When you cut a plant away from its roots, you kill it! When you cut a fish away from its source of water, you kill it! When you cut Yoga away from Sanatana Dharma, you kill it! And then, you have mummified plasticized Barbie/Ken Doll, Jada Yoga “dead body” Yoga. You have the body, but not the soul. Without the soul it's not Yoga. It's a keep- fit exercise. Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 04

EDITORIAL In conclusion, Yoga helps you to become the best version of whatever you are! You become a better Christian, a better Muslim, a better Jew, a better Jain, a better Buddhist, a better Hindu, a better human being. But the organized structures which want you to be controlled, they will feel it's a threat, because you are getting out of control now; because you are now connecting to the source, all the middlemen are getting cut out. And this I must say, even of Yoga organizations, which in modern times, sadly, have also got caught up in control-freakism, power-freakism and money-freakism. This is the antithesis of Yoga itself. Yoga is not binding. It is liberating! We must be true to Yoga. Yoga is our Mother. Let's not sell her for plastic. Wisdom from Peta Trinder, Member Team 52 Sabija Karma – Seed Karma. It occurs when we don't adequately deal with issues festering in our subconscious. It can come to light at any time and is usually unexpected and destructive. Dr Ananda used the analogy of a scorpion to describe it. I have been contemplating Sabija Karma over the past few days and I have also been weeding my garden. I feel that the weeding is potentially analogous to the Sabija Karma. The idea is still forming but I will give it a go in trying to explain my thoughts. A weed is simply a plant which is not wanted. Someone's weed may be another person's flower. When weeding, it is easy to superficially remove the weed so that for a period of time, the garden appears to be weed free. However, usually all we have done is disturb the weed, it feels attacked and it grows back with a vengeance or spreads more seeds. Either way, it means more weeds. To effectively weed, we need to remove the entire plant, with all its roots. Choosing the right time to remove the weed is an important consideration. If we can weed before the plant, has for example, flowered, that would be an ideal time before it “seeds”. We need to remove the weeds, roots and all, from the fertile ground of our subconscious, so that our garden can thrive Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 05

MANAGING STRESS: A YOGIC APPROACH DHIVYA PRIYA BHAVANANI, Deputy Director Yoganjali Natyalayam, Pondicherry, India “Health and happiness are your birthright, claim them and develop them to your maximum potential” - Swamiji Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj Stress may be understood as an imbalance between expectations and capacity of the individual. Nowadays, it is rare to find anyone with a balanced state of mind. Stress is the biggest problem that creates dis-ease in every person's life. Stress is a psycho-physiological and subjective response because of an individual's perception. What is stressful for one might be a thrill for another. Stages of stress from a Yogic point of view are: ● Psychic Stage: Emotional disturbances (disorders are 100% reversible) ● Psychosomatic Stage: Prolonged and intense disturbances that reflect in the changes of body creating symptoms (30 - 70% likelihood of regaining health) ● Somatic: Functional changes in the body where the diseases become chronic (20% likelihood of regaining health) ● Organic: Structural changes and advanced stages of disease – almost irreversible (5% likelihood of regaining health) Stress leads to psychosomatic disorders of which some are frustration, conflict, anxiety and depression. These then result in physical disorders and diseases like hypertension, diabetes and cancer leading to premature death and disability. Yoga enables us to restore the lost balance through various practices such as shatkriyas, relaxation practices, yogasanas, pranayama practices, meditation, mantra chanting, prayer and japa. Some attitude cultivating techniques in Yoga that enable us to face and manage stress are: ● PatanjalaYogasutra suggests Kriya Yoga to work on the five kleshas, ● Ashtanga Yoga for life management and complete transformation of personality at all levels, Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 06

MANAGING STRESS: A YOGIC APPROACH ● Abhyasa (Self – effort) and Vairagya (Non – attachment), ● Pratipakshabhavanam: adopting the contrary perspective, ● Cittaprasadhanam: Mental clarity by adopting appropriate responses: ● Maitri–Sukha:Friendliness towards those who are at ease with themselves, ● Karuna – Duhkha: Compassion towards those who are miserable, ● Mudhita – Punya: Cheerfulness towards the virtuous, ● Upekshanam – Apunya: Indifference towards evil ● Deep, thoughtful and prolonged exhalation and retention of the breath. We cannot escape from stress. However, we can change the way we perceive it and deal with it. Yoga teaches us to modify our perception of the stressor, optimize our response to it, and release the pent-up stresses effectively. As is popularly said, “Karo Yog Raho Nirog”, do Yoga and be without disease! Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 07

UNDERSTAND YOUR OWN FEET Yogamaharishi DR. SWAMI GITANANDA GIRI GURU MAHARAJ, Founder ICYER at Ananda Ashram, Pondicherry, India. A Yogi not only “Stands on his own feet”, but he also “understands his own feet”. Our humble feet provide a fascinating map with which to navigate the nervous and Pranic energy currents of our lives. Modern man plays little attention to his feet, at his own peril. He stuffs them away in fancy designer socks, and shoes and dashes them with a bit of expensive perfume and forgets about them till they call attention to themselves with cries of pain. Foolish modern man cuts himself off from the base of his own being, verily the foundation on which he stands – his feet – and wonders why he feels an overwhelming sense of loneliness, lassitude, dejection and isolation! The Western modern consumerist culture has had a magnificent obsession with covering up its feet with fancy shoes, boots and what have you. The height of folly is the so-called 'high heels' on which vain little ladies totter precariously down the street, as though lurching along on stilts. How far away from our true nature can we go? Quite far, these stylish high heels seem to indicate. Men are no better and smother their feet in heavy leather, cowboy boots, riding boots, hiking books, wading boots, fishing boots… a boot for every occasion it would seem! Feet are literally imprisoned from a very early age, in leather, plastic or synthetic cages, and cramped, uncomfortable slaves to the whims of a foolish fashion. The pathos in this problem is that few realise the horrendous consequences of ignorance which can destroy health, happiness and even hamper spiritual evolution. When the evolving human species moved from its original home in the warm tropical climes into the cold, snowy, temperate zones, feet became a liability, having to navigate cold, frozen, wet, thorny and hostile terrain. No doubt, protection had to be devised, and every culture spawned in those inhospitable regions came up with its own answer. Unfortunately, many priceless things had to be sacrificed along the way, one of them being the loss of the knowledge of the intimate connection between the feet and the rest of the human organism. Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi likes to tell the tale of her return visit to the University of Minnesota in the USA where she did her graduate and postgraduate Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 08

UNDERSTAND YOUR OWN FEET studies. She had been invited to give a lecture on her experiences in India. She began the session by arranging herself in Padma Asana on top of the lecture class table and looked out at her audience. The sight was shocking! Big American athletes sprawled all over the chairs, with legs and arms akimbo, spread out in every direction. What a contrast to the neat and dignified body presentation of our small-boned Indian Tamils! Something was wrong, her brain told her, but she could not figure out what it was. She sat for a few moments in silence, and her audience started to become restive. Then it dawned on her. The crux of the matter was clear. She opened her eyes wide, looked directly at the big athletes sprawled in such an ungainly fashion in front of her, and said impulsively. \"I know what's wrong with you! Your feet are too far away from your head!\" An inspired moment and an inspired statement indeed! Whether it \"went over the heads\" of her audience or not may be another matter entirely, but her perception was \"right on\". Modern furniture, unnatural lifestyles and clothing, wrong attitudes toward the body and its parts. have literally \"cut the modern human being off from his own feet.\" People in simple, so-called \"primitive cultures\" run barefoot and are healthier for it. The ancient Hindu civilization was a \"shoeless society\". Certainly, within the home, no one ever wore shoes of any kind. At the most, a pair of sandals would have protected the feet from thorny ground and hazardous terrain. Even Lord Rama, Crown Prince of a mighty empire, wore sandals. It was those sandals his devoted brother Bharat placed on the throne of Ayodhya and using them as a symbol of Rama's presence ruled in proxy the empire during Rama's long, fourteen- year exile in the jungles. There were no \"boots\" or heavy foot coverings to place upon the throne! Just the simple, wooden sandals! The feet of the human body are immensely symbolic in Hindu and Yogic culture. The sole of the foot in Sanskrit is called \"Ekakin\" which literally means \"the first skin of the body\". It is the sole of the foot which touches Mother Earth, who is considered as a Divine Goddess, Bhuma Devi. Thus, the sole of the foot is \"the first skin\" as it is the basic contact the human body has with its Earth Mother. The feet are objects of worship. The children respectfully touch the feet of their parents at sacred occasions. One bows to the Guru's feet. Touching the feet of another person is the highest form of respect. The sandals of saints and sages are carefully preserved and worshipped as holy objects. Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 09

UNDERSTAND YOUR OWN FEET Foot massage was part and parcel of the daily life of the Hindu people and a dutiful wife would massage her tired husband's feet after a hard day's work. Chelas (students) of the Guru served him by rubbing his feet. Children massaged the feet of the parents, and mothers, those of their children. The placement of the feet is also viewed with utmost care. To sit with one's feet extended towards another is a sign of grave disrespect. The greatest insult is to hit another with one's chappals (sandals). The Hindu culture, and the Yogic science which grew out of it, realised that the feet were a map of the entire body and the mighty sciences of Hatha Yoga and Yoga Chikitsa grew out of this knowledge. Body positions were evolved which \"pressured '' certain portions of the foot, in order to create reflexogenic feed back into organs, spinal areas, glands, and nerves. This pressure also broke up crystalline deposits on nerve endings which prevented nerve and pranic energy feedback to organs. Complicated foot postures were discovered which pressured sensitive nerve endings, stimulating nervous and Pranic flow in a most evolutionary fashion. The Yogis lived and moved, for the most part, barefoot, and thus, enjoyed a \"natural pressure and stimulation\" of important nerve endings in the feet. I often take my students on a pilgrimage to the holy mountain Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai about 120 kilometres from our Ashram. Part of the Tapas, (and for some it is a real Tapas or penance) is to walk over the side of the mountain barefoot. I am always surprised at how delicate and \"weak-footed\" the majority of modern people are, even those drawn to Yoga. Some find this journey an almost unbearable torture, though later are happy enough, even exhilarated, at its completion. A few are perceptive enough to make the comment one of my Italian students made after the trip. \"Walking barefoot on those mountain stones was the best acupressure treatment for my feet I have ever had\", she said. She was totally right. Walking barefoot on uneven surfaces does stimulate the vital areas of the feet in a most beneficial way. Little children love to run barefoot in the grass and sand. They instinctively know how good this is for them. The feet receive a massage from these natural substances, and as well, the earth's energy is directly absorbed into the body through its \"first skin...Ekakin\"... the soles of the feet. Perverted contemporary lifestyles would prefer that we hobble on our aching, booted or high heeled feet to the nearest commercial \"massage parlour\" and pay a lot of bucks to have a bored and tired masseur \"work on our feet\". Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 10

UNDERSTAND YOUR OWN FEET In the RishicultureParamparai, I teach more than fifty foot postures as part of an elaborate Hatha Yoga training program. These foot postures are specifically designed to pressure portions of the feet related to not only the various body parts, but also the Pranic and Chakric systems. Some people find these poses extraordinarily difficult, but I warn them: stiff feet are an indication that something is wrong with your body...so get to work on them! These Asanas, such as Vajra Asana, Vajra Veerya Asana, Eka Kin Asana, Gulpha Asana, Vajra Veerya Kriya and scores of others, can create more internal organ and nerve health and vitality than the most complicated, strenuous, acrobatic postures! The science of manipulating and pressuring specific points on the feet, hands, head and other body parts to ensure free and healthy nerve and Pranic energy flow is called Bindu Manvahanam. Elaborate charts mapping the relationship between the feet and the rest of the body are part of our Yogic heritage and have been handed over from Guru to Chela through the ages. I am sharing this precious knowledge with my students. This knowledge is a real treasure trove, and makes abundantly clear why it is important to \"understand our own feet !” BINDU MANVAHANAM Reflex Pressure in Chikitsa and Hatha Yoga Yoga Chikitsa is an integrated part of Hindu Ayurveda, the Science of Positive Health. One of the main schools of this health system is to be found in the Hatha Yoga, where deliberate pressure is placed upon specific body parts by specially designed Asanas or body positions, stimulating a physical or Pranic Bindu, a centre of energy for some specific body area; or in the Kriya and Mudra movements where energy is deliberately directed into the specific Bindus or areas of the body's physical or Pranic system. Pranayama, Breath Control, is always closely associated with these Asanas, Kriyas and Mudras. When a difficult refractory condition is found, then a form of Bindhu Manvahanam or Anguli Mardanamis employed. Bindu Manvahanam can be directly translated as hand-pressure massage of body energy centres, while Anguli Mardanam is translated into thumb or finger pressure of points or meridians associated with the Pranic or nerve meridians of the body. Either of these terms could be translated as Yoga Acupressure. Although there are separate Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 11

UNDERSTAND YOUR OWN FEET terms like Nadi Manvahanam for Acupressure, the term Bindu Mardanam would translate as Acupuncture. In recent times this ancient Hindu Yoga Acupressure therapy has become popular around the world, where it has been referred to as Polarity Therapy, Zone Therapy, Reflexology, Shiatsu (Japanese) or Pressure Point Therapy. All of these techniques originated in India and were highly-developed Vedic sciences. Indian and Chinese monks carried these therapy concepts to China, and later through Korea to Japan. Originally, the reflexes of the body were stimulated to produce easier body motion for Hatha Yoga and conducive relaxation for Jnana and Raja concentration and meditation. An entire therapy developed when it was observed that by massaging or pressuring different points of the body, the blood flow, lymph drainage, and stimulation of the nerves was affected. Muscular tension was directly removed, the higher and the lower nervous systems positively affected, and the electrolytic balance of the cells returned to normal functional level. How Yoga Acupressure Works Yoga Acupressure, Bindu Manvahanam, works in two ways: firstly, directly on physical nerve terminals associated with the feet, hands, torso, neck and head of the body; secondly, by releasing energy trapped in the Pranic nervous system (Pranamaya Kosha) and allowing this energy to be grounded. Afflex – Reflex Nervous System The human nervous system can be explained in many ways, such as cerebral/vegetative, conscious/autonomic, sympathetic/parasympathetic, and afflex/reflex. In Yoga Acupressure afflex/reflex are key terms. The afflex nervous system stands for that part of the central nervous system directly controlled by physical nerves through the parasympathetic/sympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic system is a portion of the autonomic nervous system consisting of some cranial nerves and extending downward to nerves in the sacral area of the lower spine. The sympathetic system is also autonomic and is composed of a chain of ganglia on either side of the vertebral column and extends over the thoracic lumbar region of the spine. Fibres from this sympathetic system extend into all plain muscle tissue of the body. Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 12

UNDERSTAND YOUR OWN FEET The parasympathetic nervous system governs the body on a day-to-day basis, smoothly running all of the metabolic processes, including respiration, heartbeat, blood pressure, and other organ and glandular activities. The sympathetic system is called into play only when the body is in great danger and its survival threatened or under real or fancied psychological threat. An anxiety neurosis or neurotic complex is enough to push the body into its emergency sympathetic system, creating all manners of disease-like symptoms. Yogis have always known that the parasympathetic nervous system can be controlled consciously, and the sympathetic system kept under Yogic watchfulness. Only in very recent times has Western medical Prana Vayus are closely associated with delicate science admitted that much of the nerve flows or Nadis associated with Chakras and autonomic, involuntary nervous Bindus of the etheric body. Vital pressure points system is seen to be consciously are shown as lotuses on the wrists, elbows and controlled by Yogis and Yoga shoulders, etc. in this ancient Yoga diagram. practices. Independent of the afflex nervous system is a corresponding reflex system which actsto \"ground\" the negative electro-currents of the body, especially in the hands and feet. The term \"Reflexogenic'' is used to describe this action, where subtle impulses are directed backwards in the nervous system, producing a deflection of a nervous impulse, particularly of an autonomic response nature, and not penetrating through to the level of consciousness. There are a number of reflexes noted in medical literature, and some of these reflexes can be quoted as the basis for a greater reflex analysis and reflex therapy. Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 13

UNDERSTAND YOUR OWN FEET Pressuring reflex nerve terminals helps to break up crystallization that forms at the end of these nerve terminals. If the nerve terminals are pressured or massaged in the areas reflexogenically associated with an organ which is dys-functioning, then the proper reflex \"grounding\" will ensue. Most of the reflex terminals of the body are on the outer part of the body, buried beneath the skin or just inside body orifices at easily accessible points for finger pressure. The hands, feet and face contain the largest number of reflex terminals, but other reflexes are to be found at the wrist, elbow joints, armpits, ankles, knee joints, groin and hips, base of the spine, along the spine, and at the nape of the neck. In many instances nerve terminals adhered to the skeletal structure are freed for greater nerve circulation, while adhered fascia are benefited with greater blood flow. Clogged capillaries are cleared of accumulated toxins released from muscles and body organs. Lymph drainage is improved, and a depolarized nervous system is soon Yogically repolarized. All types of nerve blockage, cellular crystallization, tissue adhesions, organ congestion produce fatigue and weakness and are typified by neurasthenia, a condition of lassitude, inertia, chronic fatigue and loss of initiative. Congestion may also produce restless fidgeting, oversensitivity of the nerves, undue irritability, Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 14

UNDERSTAND YOUR OWN FEET anxieties, tension and pain. Chronic congestive conditions lead to other forms of serious illness. As negative energy blocks are solvented or dissolved by reflex therapy, a positive energy flow is released, redirecting, stimulating and balancing the various functions of the body, allowing these energy flows to effectively continue their function of directing the body energy activities over a lengthy period of time, even up to twenty-four hours. This post metabolic activity created by this type of therapy is in contrast to the average medical treatment which may take weeks or months to work. The Shakti or energy flows aroused in reflex/afflex nerve treatment flows and ebbs throughout the major and minor nerve meridians of the body, ascending and descending constructively through each body meridian associated with the specific nerve point or Bindu. When a congested point or area is released, then a feeling of relaxation will follow, muscles and tendons will feel completely loose and flexible, even pain will disappear. Often, after a simple treatment, the patient feels completely relieved of distressing symptoms. Sometimes the patient slips into a comfortable, relaxed reverie, or deep sleep, afterwards feeling very light and euphoric. The patient always feels a resurgence of energy and renewed strength the following day, with a feeling of uplift and relief from tension and anxiety. Even those who do not require therapy benefit from this beautiful way of becoming in tune with the body and mind, because of the toned-up body musculature and the increased Shakti or energy in the nervous system which helps to raise the mind into higher planes of consciousness. One of the distinct advantages of this type of reflex therapy is that it is not harmful in any way to the patient. There is no possibility of harming a person with Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 15

UNDERSTAND YOUR OWN FEET this type of therapy. A little amount of knowledge can give a wide scope of applying Acu-pressure massage. The study of Acu-pressure and Acu-puncture requires learning a great deal about occult anatomy, so that one knows the site of 729 nerve terminals of the human body. In the Japanese system of Acu-puncture, 365 Acupressure and Acupuncture points are taught. Prana Margas In conventional medical anatomy, the body is divided into longitudinal planes and regions, as well as lateral meridians crossing the body. The five regions of the body are: the head, neck (cervical region), chest, (thoracic region), abdominal (lumbosacral region) and the limbs. The body is also divided into two planes: the frontal plane consisting of the anterior (ventral) section of the body, and the posterior (dorsal) back side of the body; and the sagittal plane, dividing the body into left and right halves. The body is further divided into four quarters by a transverse line that passes across or through the umbilicus or navel. In Yoga Afflex/Reflex Therapy, the body is divided into the sagittal plane, while sectioned into six parts by two transverse plane lines, one passing across the navel and the other, across the upper chest. In Yoga Reflexology, we are not overly concerned about the medical concept, except to be aware that the body is divided up into separate meridians and planes, or body sections. The body sections are connected with the Pranic flows so that the Prana Vayu as Udana flows in the head; Prana Reflex flows in the chest; Samana Prana flows in the abdomen; Apana Prana flows in the pelvic region; while Vyana Prana circulates through the motor system into the organs of action and the limbs. For the purpose of Yoga Reflex/Afflex therapy, the body is divided into Dasa Vayu Margas, ten Meridional flows, usually referred to as Prana Margasor Prana Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 16

UNDERSTAND YOUR OWN FEET Meridians. These ten meridional flows terminate in the five fingers and toes on the respective right and left side of the body. These meridians are strictly respected in relation to the various body organs and the area of the hands and the feet associated with these meridional flows. If a Bindu is pressured on the foot or hand corresponding to a particular body organ or part, it must follow that a reflexogenic feedback is obtained along this meridian, and the associated body part repolarized. The Prana Vayu meridians, as taught in Yoga, are not just physical areas of the body, but are also part of the vital or Pranic body. (In doing Chakra Massage, one actually invades the Etheric Body of the subject). Accompanying this article is a diagram of the Prana Nadi nerve currents in the Annamaya Kosha (physical body) and the Pranamaya Kosha (vital body). Prana Nadi currents flow from the nostrils through the brain into the spinal and peripheral nerves and terminate in the five digits (No. 1 to 5). The human body is thus divided into ten Pranic areas. Prana Nadi nerve currents subdivided in the brain flow through the pneumogastric nerves, to their corresponding members in the fingers of the hands. (No. 1 to 5). Proper polarity of the body is maintained by the practice of Asanas, Pranayamas, Jnana Yoga and Raja Yoga Kriyas and by polarising Yoga Therapies. The six parts of the body created by the two transverse plane lines across the torso are further represented by transverse lines which pass across the ball of the foot and the instep, as shown in Plate No.2. The areas of the neck, face and head depicted by the meridians also are used for therapy. Although most of the Prana terminals are on the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands, some special Nadis and Bindus appear on the tops of the feet and the backs of the hands. (These are fully described in appropriate plates). Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 17

UNDERSTAND YOUR OWN FEET The Body Organs and the Soles of The Feet Try to imagine that the sole of the foot is the torso of the body and the head, but without arms and legs. Indeed, it would be more accurate to envision each foot as half of the body, the left foot representing the left side of the body, while the right foot, the right side of the body. Plate No. 5 depicts some of the major organs of the body in relationship to the general area of the foot. Plates No. 6 through 11, will more accurately depict the exact Acu-pressure points on the feet. Reflex nerves associated with the cranial area, the senses of hearing, seeing, tasting, touching and smelling, the neck and throat areas are all associated with the toes. It is as though the toes make up five parts of the head, sitting upon the top of the foot which represents the shoulders of the body. Plate No. 4 shows how each foot has reflexes from the area of Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 18

UNDERSTAND YOUR OWN FEET www.rishiculture.in 19 the highest cervical vertebra down to the big toe and stretching fully down along the instep and arch of the foot to the inside of the heels where the lumbar/coccygeal area is to be found. Areas associated with the throat are directly under the toes, although in some cases specific nerve terminals also terminate on the tops and sides of the feet or around the ankles. Imagine that the upper part of the ball of the foot is the lung-heart area, while the instep is the liver-stomach area, and the heel is the intestinal-rectal area. The reflexes of the glands of the body sometimes are found elsewhere other than in the general area suggested by the shape of the foot. The many plates or charts that follow in later pages depict accurately the position of Acupressure points on the feet, ankles, hands, torso, neck and head of the body. Only on the feet and the hands are the reflex nerve terminals found in great numbers. Visualizing the body in relationship to a position on the soles of the feet as suggested will offer a way by which Yoga Reflex Acupressure can be done without the use of charts. Sometimes, the size and shape of the foot will more accurately be in harmony with the position of an organ in the subject's body than any standard printed chart. Some small variations from person to person have been noted. Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021

UNDERSTAND YOUR OWN FEET Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 20

UNDERSTAND YOUR OWN FEET Where double organs appear in the body, such as the lungs, kidneys and gonads, then the appropriate foot should be used for massage of that organ. For example, the left lung reflexes will be found on the left foot, and the right lung on the right foot. In the case where organs lie to one side of the body exclusively, that foot should be manipulated or massaged. As the heart and the spleen are only found on the left side, their reflex terminals will be found only on the left foot. The liver reflex will be found only on the right foot. It could be accurately said that the story of your life can be read on your feet. If you have bad feet, you are going to be sore all over. Healthy, sound feet are a sign of a healthy, sound body. THE REAL SADHU He is the real sadhu, who can reveal The form of the Formless To the vision of these eyes. Who teaches the simple way of attaining Him, That is other than rites or ceremonies. Who does not make you close doors, And hold your breath, and renounce the world. Who makes you perceive the Supreme Spirit Wherever the mind attaches itself. Who teaches you to be still In the midst of all your activities. Ever immersed in bliss, Having no fear in his mind, He keeps the spirit of union In the midst of all enjoyments - Kabir Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 21

SATYAM-SIVAM-SUNDARAM : TRUTH IS DIVINE AND BEAUTIFUL Naatyaachaarya SRI V.P.DHANANJAYAN, Padmabhushan awardee, Exponent of Bharatanaatyam, and Founder and President of Bharatakalanjali, Adyar, Chennai. Our ancestors considered 'education' to mean good character building and acquiring good human qualities along with some knowledge of the world. Gurudev Rabindra Nath Tagore said, “education without character is body without head”. Just mugging up information from books now from Google guru and getting a degree or other higher qualifications do not make a person respectable. “Vidya dataathivinayam, vinayaatyaatipaatrataam, paatratwaatdhanamaapnothi, dhanaatdharmamtatahsukham” (Learnings should acquire humility, humility brings respect, respect helps in acquiring wealth and charity brings happiness). So, say the Rishis, the superhuman scientists. In our younger days the school language texts carry stories of inspirational incidents and personalities guiding us towards a spotless moralistic life. One such story I heard and read in my fourth-class Malayalam text is narrated which may interest our growing youth. There once lived a learned king called Dharmika, who had mastered the language of birds and beasts. He listened to their constant mocking of the ways of mankind, the wars of prejudice fought in religion, race etc. The king, discontented with his world, sets out in search of peace taking his sword (the symbol of power) with him. His first destination is the ashram that the animals had so often praised. Here he finds peaceful coexistence of all creation and is mesmerized by its tranquility. He realizes the futility of his search for peace while still carrying the sword. He leaves it behind with the sage and continues his journey. He then comes across a lioness hunting a cow. The cow pleads for mercy for the sake of her newborn calf. The lioness releases the cow on her word that she will return after feeding her calf. King Dharmika is surprised to see the cow keep her word and return. Pleased by the cow's honesty and selfless love, the lioness spares her life saying her calf is too young to be left motherless. She vows to return in a few years to claim her hunt as this was the law of the jungle. Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 22

SATYAM-SIVAM-SUNDARAM : TRUTH IS DIVINE AND BEAUTIFUL Dharmika continues his journey. He attends the sermons of great saints on the banks of the Ganga, yet forgetting his newfound values, he demands that a chandala (untouchable) moves out of his way. The chandala replies, \"O King, who did you ask to get out? The life that is the same within you and me or the mortal body that perishes and submerges with Prakrithi (Nature), where there is no difference between king and untouchable?\" Dharmika repents and understands the ultimate truth of spiritual oneness and returns home. After realising that the truth is one and paths are many, King Dharmika returns to his kingdom. On the way back he sees that the once peaceful Ashram was a scene of devastation. The sword (symbol of power) left with the sage, was misused by him to cut grass, branches of trees and ultimately the innocent animals. In fear of being victims of power misuse, each started indulging in suspicion and self-protection by using their own power. The king overpowers the hermit and retrieves his sword, the symbol of power that had corrupted even a hermit. Dharmika returns to find his subjects peaceful and happy in his absence, more importantly the absence of the power that he wielded over them. Realizing the corruption of power, he rids himself of his sword that is the symbol of power and adopts the ways of truth, love and beauty. The king and his people live happily in the realization of Satyam (Truth), Sivam (God) and Sundaram (Beauty). This was made into a theatrical production (dance drama -known as Naatya) for the tenth anniversary of our Gurukulam camp at Satchidananda Ashram, Virginia USA in 1999 with huge success presenting it couple of times and few times in Bhaarat. It is time again for our educational system to revamp our education emphasizing on three 'Ds' - Discipline -Devotion-Dedication. Yoga education, which 'educes' noble humane qualities from the human personality is the need of the hour. With an expanded, refined, aware consciousness, a controlled strong body and sensitive, soft emotions, the eternal imperishable values of 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram' become manifest in the human personality. - Ammaji Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 23

THE LAND WHERE GOD IS A WOMAN: THE DIVINE FEMININE Yogacharini KALAVATHI DEVI, Senior Mentor Gitananda Yoga, Om Studio, UK When Aishwariya and I were asked to come together and talk about Ammaji we realized that although we could say many things about Ammaji, we knew that everything that Amma said or did was a teaching and in the same way that you could focus on any one of the Yamas or Niyamas and all of the others would fall into place, everything about Ammaji was also going to teach us something that would have the same effect as another. I had recently picked up Ammaji's book Yoga: One Woman's View that she had given me when I told her 20 years ago that I was pregnant for the first time. It is a truly beautiful book that I had read from cover to cover loving every bit of it and I realized that I needed to read it again. In it I read something that Ammaji had written in an essay in it titled 'The Delights of Being Amma' that resonated deeply and gave such a connection to Ammaji herself. 'When I wrap my saree about me, I feel secure, protected, undefiled. If I am too fat the lumps and bumps somehow don't show. If I am too thin, the cloth seems to cover that defect too. If I am pregnant – what more beautiful and graceful maternity garment is there in the world? Thanks to the saree, I can even nurse my baby publicly in the private layers of cloth. If I have a figure of a Goddess, well, the saree can show it off to a dignified advantage. If I am a fisherwoman, I simply wrap it between my legs and carry on my heavy work. If I have household work to do, I tuck the end of the pallav into my waist and nothing could be more comfortable. If I attend a fancy function how easy it is to drape the pallav fashionably over the shoulder letting the brilliant border delight the eyes of all. If I live in the north, I cover my head. If a Muslim, I may hold it in my teeth. If I am a Brahmin, I tie up the ends between my legs. How various and delightful are the many styles and uses of the saree. I can wrap up my few paisa coins into a knotted-up end for safekeeping, if I am an old beggar woman full of fear. Even, I can lie right down on the pavement and cover myself nicely for a comfortable and secure sleep. If I only have one saree I can go to the river and wash it daily. I simply tie one end to the tree, wrap the other around my waist and wait for a few minutes for the wind and the sun to do their work. If I am a bride, how demure and delightful I can look in the fabulous Kanchipuram silk with wide, wide borders. If I am a child, how I delight in winding myself up in my mother's nice smelling saree or pulling mischievously on her pallav. How secure I feel, hidden in the abundant folds of her saree! How versatile, how beautiful, how dignified is this ancient style of wearing five or more metres of cloth. How different the saree looks on each lady, seeming to adapt itself to her peculiar personality. To me, the story is also represented in that ancient sound of Amma'. Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 24

THE LAND WHERE GOD IS A WOMAN: THE DIVINE FEMININE When I first met Ammaji I was rather jetlagged as I had had virtually no sleep for almost 48 hours, but I can remember the anticipation of meeting the woman who had told me to come to the ashram a couple of months back for the 6 months course. I remember seeing this confident, strong but gentle black-haired lady sitting in a chair with her legs crossed under her whilst wearing an orange saree. She said she was only going to keep me for 10 minutes as I hadn't slept but we chatted and laughed for ages. I liked her a lot. She had the ability to make you feel at ease instantly which I would think was because that was exactly what her energy was – at ease. Ammaji was warm, caring, insightful and extremely funny. I knew I was going to be very happy here and most definitely in the right place. Whilst my parents and now husband were concerned about me being taken in by a cult in India and never seeing me again, my only concern with going to the Ashram was that it would be full of people swarmning around with their heads in the clouds whilst saying what was wrong with your aura and being oh so very spiritual. That concern was quashed in that very first meeting. When we first met, Aishwariya and I instantly got on and since we were the only two girls on the course, we would spend a lot of time together. At the beginning of the course and among the many instructions Ammaji gave us, two stood out which we were told were of utmost importance to her. One was to NEVER miss a class. If we were not feeling good, we were not to skip class and stay in bed but instead we should get ourselves to the class even if it meant we just lie on a mat and listen. We never missed a class. The other instruction was to ALWAYS wear a saree to puja and other times when instructed. This we also did without fail. The first time we got to wear a saree we actually got wrapped up into Ammaji's sarees since we did not have our own yet. The very first week we had some functions to attend as well as our first Puja at the Madam and we went along dressed in the orange sarees Ammaji had given us. The ladies that worked in the ashram would have dressed us and wrapped and folded the five metres of material around us into the marvel of the saree. I wrote in my diary how after returning back to the ashram the first time wearing Ammaji's saree how her dogs wouldn't leave us alone and how I thought they were confused since we were in Ammaji's sarees, and they would smell of her! In that same diary entry, I put “I think I could get used to the sarees though I also think I should be able to put it on myself too and the test will be in the morning as we have to wear one to Puja.” Clearly the saree was, as Aishwariya put it, something that I had taken to like a duck to water ! Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 25

THE LAND WHERE GOD IS A WOMAN: THE DIVINE FEMININE The saree was a strange thing really since it was just an extremely long piece of material over an ankle length petticoat cotton skirt and a tight cropped blouse. Something so simple yet complex in the way that it is wrapped and worn. There are different ways a saree can be worn which can depend upon where you come from. The pallav can hang to the front or the back depending upon where you come from, and it can also be used to keep your shoulders warm or tucked in at the waist to get it out of the way. I have never worn the North Indian way but would often tuck the pillav into the waistband and even some of the pleated folds that hung down the front so that they were out of the way when doing chores. If I wanted to walk quickly or run, I would hold the pleats at the front and lift them to give more space for my feet to me so that I wouldn't get caught up in it. One thing that I remember and still notice from wearing a saree and that is how much you are appreciated by the local people for wearing their clothes. There was one time that Aishwariya and I were in our sarees whilst on a bus going into town. All the ladies on the bus wanted to touch and rearrange or tug at our sarees as they smiled and laughed and gave us appreciation signals with their hand gestures or spoke the word 'super' to us. It was certainly a much more respectful way to dress than in the general western attire of which much of it had begun to look rather skimpy and ugly the more we saw girls moving around town with what looked like not a lot on. It certainly made you realise that westerners gave a certain impression and not a good one at that when all Indian women either wore a saree or a salwar kameez which is a loose dress over loose trousers. Both of which are extremely comfortable and cool to wear. Other than for Hatha Yoga, which was before breakfast, Ammaji taught us to always be in Indian dress. We certainly received respect and were treated differently because of this and as a result of this we were accepted into society and fit much more easily. There was a time when I went to Kanchipuram temple with a few of my students and a group of women came to admire us in our sarees. As usual they played around with how we were wearing it, but one woman decided it wasn't “on right” so she grabbed my hand and told us to come with her and her friends behind one of the temple buildings. As soon as we were there, in a whirlwind our sarees were quickly removed and put back on us so that they were happy with how they hung! We were given the usual 'superb' gesture and then they left us to it. So many stories and memories involve sarees since this is such a regular occurrence of every trip to India. Great awareness needs to be cultivated from Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 26

THE LAND WHERE GOD IS A WOMAN: THE DIVINE FEMININE wearing a saree since the pallav can fly behind you and there are often flames burning in oil lamps everywhere you go, especially at the madam. I know that I melted a few holes in a saree where it brushed up a burning incense stick and on another occasion, I noticed someone had set fire to their pallav behind them and since I had my water bottle to hand was able to quickly put it out. One of my lovely memories of Ammaji and her many sarees was one time at Shivaratri where we had spent the whole night at the madam enjoying all the festivities of the night of Shiva culminating in chanting “Aum Namah Shivaya” 1008 times and then carrying a mud lingam all the way back to the ashram singing Shiva Bhajans in the early hours of the morning. The sand lingam is then taken to the beach and at sunrise it is taken into the sea to be submerged. I can remember being in the sea with Ammaji and Dr Ananda and noticed lots of material floating on the top of the gently moving sea water. It was Ammaji's saree! We all laughed, and I helped to gather up the material so that Ammaji could maintain her dignity as we wrapped it back around her as she walked out of the sea water. One of the underlying teachings we were to receive from our training was to learn to be strong, sensitive, confident, adaptable and comfortable. You could easily see this within the concept of asana. The physical practices of asana would make you strong and yet a gentle sensitivity would also ensue creating a physical confidence. Through regular practice flexibility would improve and asana would become comfortable. These qualities would also grow out of learning about and practicing Pranayama and out of other areas of Yoga such as the Yamas and Niyamas. Ammaji getting us to wear the saree also cultivated these qualities in us no matter how you initially responded to having to wear one. Provided we gave in and gave over to Ammaji's guidance we would be open to these unique almost secret ways of what was most probably unconscious learning but ultimately was so clever and taught us in such a profound way. To wear a saree requires strength of character. We had to overcome whatever might resist us to it which could be anything from feeling awkward to thinking it might fall off. Other than the blouse and petticoat to accompany the length of material you actually don't need anything else since the pleats can be tucked into the skirt and the pallav can be draped over the shoulder and tucked into the waistband should you require extra security. When I wear a saree, I will use a safety pin or a clip for the pleats at the front of the skirt and then another pin to hold the folded pallav in place at the shoulder. Nothing else is needed and if you have been shown how to put Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 27

THE LAND WHERE GOD IS A WOMAN: THE DIVINE FEMININE the saree on properly and you have learnt how to do this yourself you will have the confidence to know that the saree will not fall off. I have seen so many western women with multiple safety pins all over the place holding the material in position which can only be due to either not being comfortable or confident of their saree wearing. The wearing of a saree can meet any occasion. We would wear them whilst cleaning Swamiji's Samadhi at the Sri Kambaliswamy Madam. The pleats would be hitched up allowing us to move freely as we used water and cleaned. We would be barefoot which is the most natural way, giving us a great connection with the earth which was ultimately grounding giving us strength and reinforcing the feeling of being comfortable. We would wear a saree to temples since it generated a sense of reverence and respect and at the same time made you realise that you possessed the same femininity and composure that you would see in the Devis and the dancing girls that were carved into the stone sculptures that adorned the Gopurams, the temple towers or were painted onto the ceilings both of which would be depicting historical stories. A saree would be worn for functions, festivals, weddings and the one you chose to wear would most likely be one with more decoration on it so that it was suitable for the occasion. A daily saree might be more simple allowing you to feel less dressed up but at the same time if you chose to wear a fancy saree on an average day no one would think it out of place. Whatever the occasion you would find that a saree was always the right thing to wear. You could sleep with a saree on, ride a bike in a saree, go side-saddle on a motorbike, do your shopping or cook in a saree. What a simple but easily adaptable inventive piece of clothing this was. I found that I fell in love with wearing a saree and with the confidence that it would never fall off I tuned in to the subtle teachings that came from doing so. These learnt qualities can be taken into everyday life and enrich anyone who chooses to give over and give in to the sensitivity and strength of character that comes from simply wearing a saree. It really is a beautiful yet simple addition to everything that you think you will learn whilst studying Yoga at the Ashram in India and can have such depth and significance. I sincerely hope that all women who go to the ashram get to experience the delights that come with wearing a saree, especially the feeling and experience of the divine manifesting through the femininity that is felt and displayed when wrapped up in that lengthy piece of material. It really is genius and I feel honoured and also blessed to have been given the opportunity to experience this in this lifetime. Thank you Ammaji. Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 28

REPORT ON NATIONAL YOGASANA SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP 2021 – 22 Yogachemmal G DAYANIDY, General Secretary, SPYSA, Pondicherry. The National Yogasana Sport Federation (NYSF) organized the National Yogasana Sports Championship 2021- 2022 at the Biju Patnaik Indoor Stadium, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha from 11- 13 November 2021. The event was a grand success and supported by the Government of Odisha who is supporting the growth of so many sports in the country. The event began with a vibrant and enthralling opening ceremony in the presence of 560 young athletes aiming high for 50 medals in a uniquely designed competition. The NYSF President Shri Udit Sheth said, “We want to make Yogasana India's heritage sport brand. The structure of the championship for Yogasana as a sport has been uniquely curated.” “We are gratified with the huge participation from all over the country. It is truly an experience to be in the presence of such talented athletes, coaches, and experts. We hope to take Yogasana sport on to the global stage,” he added. Secretary General of NYSF, Dr Jaideep Arya, said health and fitness should be of utmost priority and there is no better discipline than yoga.“Reinventing Yogasana as a sport is a path-breaking idea for creating more fruitful relevance for the youth across the globe. At NYSF, we have committed our efforts towards promoting Yogasana and maintaining high standards in the competitive sport,” he said. Secretary of Odisha's Sports and Youth Services Department, R. Vineel Krishna, said: “We value sports and make an honest effort towards promoting fitness. Yogasana is one of the finest mediums of fitness, wellness and I am delighted that a world-class platform has been collated to promote it among the youth of India and the globe.” The event has been conceptualised with the aim to create a global brand of Yogasana as a competitive sport and support India's vision to make Yogasana a sport with an Olympic roadmap. The National Yogasana Sports Federation (recognised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India) is consistently working towards building a strong culture of fitness, competition, well-being, and growth through the practice and development of Yogasana. Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 29

REPORT ON NATIONAL YOGASANA SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP 2021 – 22 SPYSA congratulates all the prize winners on bringing Glory to Pondicherry in the 2nd National Yogasana Sports Championship 2021- 2022 held at the Biju Patnaik Indoor Stadium, Patia, Bhubaneswar, Odisha from 11th to 13th November 2021and wishes them all the very best Kelho India Contest. Vishnu S and Taran B won the 3rd place in artistic Yogasana pair sub junior boys category while Ranjana M and Manimugila A placed 4th place in artistic Yogasana pair sub junior girls category The General Secretary of SPYSA Yogachemmal Sri G Dayanidy, and Joint Secretary Yogachemmal Dr R Balaji Rajasekaran were selected to perform duty as National Juries. The Pondicherry team was supported by the coaches Sri Swaroup Ramanan and Sri G Surendiran while Team Manager was Ms. Vijayakumari. Puduvai Kalaimamani Ammaji's blessings have never let us down. This is not the first time we are witnessing it. Thank you Ammaji for your potent blessings that manifested the best outcome for us. Thanks to our Great Gurus and the Almighty for this first new victory feather on the SPYSA cap. We thank our beloved president Yogacharya Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani for giving us the encouragement, support and blessings to the competitors in all ways needed. Report on Puducherry Yogasana Sports Championship 2021 - 22 Siddharboomi Puducherry Yogasana Sports Association (SPYSA) organized a Puducherry District and State level Yogasana Sports Championship 2021 under the guidance of Yogacharya Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, President SPYSA and Senior Vice President, NYSF. Competitions were conducted in three different groups as Sub junior group (9+ to 14 years), junior group (14+ to 18 years) and senior group (18+ years and above) for both boys and girls separately. Along with the Traditional Yogasana competition, Artistic Yogasana single event, Artistic Yogasana pair event and Rhythmic Yogasana pair events were also held as per rules and regulations of NYSF. Total number of 56 players from both categories were selected for the Puducherry State level Yogasana Sports Championship 2021 was held on 17th October 2021 in 30 players were selected for National level Individual Yogasana Sports Championship was held from 25th to 30th October 2021. Valedictory function of Puducherry State Yogasana Sports Championship 2021 was held on 17th October 2021 at Yoganjali Natyalayam, Pondicherry. Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 30

REPORT ON NATIONAL YOGASANA SPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP 2021 – 22 Yogachemmal Dr R Balaji, Joint Secretary, SPYSA warmly welcomed all the dignitaries through his welcome address followed by lightning of kuthuvilakku by the chief guests and the special guests. Thiru Namassivayam A, Hon. Minister, Sports and youth welfare, Pondicherry, Thiru G Nehru @ Kuppusamy, Member of Puducherry Legislative Assembly from Orleanpet (Constituency) and Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, Senior-Vice president (NYSF), President (SPYSA) and Chairman (ICYER) had consented to be the Chief Guest. Official executive members of SPYSA, Yogathilakam E Gajendiran (Senior Vice president), Yogathilakam Devasena Bhavanani (Vice President), Sri Mangal Kothari (Vice President), Yogathilakam Shanmugam C (Treasurer) and Yogathilakam Senthilkumar D (Senior member) were invited to be the special guest for the event. Yogachemmal Dayanidy G, General Secretary, SPYSA gave an overall report on Puducherry District and State level Yogasana Sports Championship 2021 and the report on selection of National/State Judge and referee for the Championship. Participants who had won first, second and third in their category were awarded with the medal and certificate. Yogachemmal T Sadish Kumar, Joint Secretary, SPYSA gave vote of thanks and ended the program with the prayer. Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 31

PRANAYAMA Yoga Teacher Training This will be an exciting opportunity to go deeper into Pranayama Sadhana by learning and experiencing the science and control of the Prana through the breath. This mixed model, hybrid course beginning 2 January 2022, is primarily for Yoga Teachers who wish to expand and deepen the knowledge and experience of Pranayama. It is well known that the Gitananda Yoga Tradition is the richest when it comes to Pranayama. There will be 4-levels from 100 hours – 500 hours certification (blended on-line and in person training options) covering the 120 Yoga Pranayamas of the Gitananda Tradition / Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga Parampara. The course will be led by Yogacharini Deepika of the Yoga Satsanga Ashram, UK with regular mentoring by Yogacharya Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani, Resident Acharya, ICYER at Ananda Ashram, Pondicherry, India. Deepika states, “We are very humbled and fortunate that Yogamaharishi Dr Swami Gitananda Giri the great Pranayama master is blessing us to create and run this course through his son and successor Yogacharya Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani”. The course will be accredited by the International Centre for Yoga Education and Research (ICYER), Yoga Satsanga Ashram (YSA), Indian Yoga Association (IYA) and the Yoga Alliance Professionals (YAP). For registration and details contact [email protected] Vol.52 No. 12, December 2021 www.rishiculture.in 32