Highlights of the Year - 2015 Courses @ Ajarya

Watch this space for regular updates on what made Ajarya TTC uniquely different in 2015

Yoga And Discipline 03 February



Discipline is the key to crack all the locks to succeed in all stages of life. Discipline is nothing but controlling our selves. Living life in a proper disciplined manner can be learnt through practicing Yoga. Different Asanas and Mudras require lots of strength and will-power to perform. Same with discipline, all it requires the strong determination to be disciplined at every point of life. If we can rejoice Yoga then definitely can lead a disciplined life. Come to Ajarya and learn the path of disciplined and balanced life-style.

The Yoga of Balance 30 January



Hatha yoga can be described in two ways: Hatha means “Willful” or Yoga of Activity and another is the sun(Ha) and the moon (tha) or the Yoga of Balance. Hatha Yoga is designed to calm and align body, mind and soul. It helps in achieving harmony between mind and spirit. Hatha Yoga is a powerful tool for self-transformation. It asks us to bring our attention to our breath which helps us to still the fluctuations of the mind and be more present in the unfolding of each moment. Ajaryans practice Hatha Yoga to balance their mind and souls.

Refreshing River - Rafting 27 January



Ajarya offers its students to explore their adventurous instinct. Taking an exciting break from daily routine is always revitalizing to resume with maximum zeal. River –Rafting is one such adventure that requires to be attentive. Participating as an active team member, crossing different river hurdles, continuously pushing your raft in right direction boosts confidence at same time, it is a big time fun. There are life-guards always around for safe rafting .Following the instructions delivered by coach, it can be a wonderful experience to cherish life long.

Learning Together 25 January



Ajarya builds a perfect example of “global family”. At Ajarya, all the students from different places become a family. Here students stay together and help each other in practicing different poses. This kind of yoga practice also induces team spirit. They develop trust in each other. Assessing each other practice and making it right helps them in self-study of asanas and mudras. There are certain poses which are very difficult to perform without the help of others. They all assist each other in practicing such postures.

Peaceful Beatle’s Ashram!! 21 January



Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram, also known as “Beatle’s Ashram” has its own significance in the world of Yoga. Maharishi Yogi ji had contributed a lot for the encouragement of Meditation. Inner peace generated by practicing meditation can be felt everywhere in this Ashram. Visiting here is really nourishing as one can feel calm and joyful. Ajaryans enjoy practicing different yogic postures at the Ashram. While returning from this wonderful place, one can return with abundant peace for life long.

Silencing the mind 18 January



Yoga is the Science of Silencing the mind. What is the mind? It contains four parts: the manas or the monkey mind, the buddhi or the discriminatory mind, the aham or the 'I'ness and the chitta or the memory. As Shankacharya says in Nirvanashtakam, we need to transcend these four because we are not these. Various anecdotes are presented by Vasishta in Yoga Vasishta to help us understand the science of silence! Come to Ajarya and learn the science of silencing!

Jnana - The knowledge 15 January



In Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna tells Arjuna the qualification of a teacher and a student. A teacher should have scholastic knowledge and the experiential knowledge. Similarly, a student should be willing to surrender totally to the teacher and should learn through questioning deeper questions! As one finds answers, the mind becomes calmer and more silent. And then, when the question is asked the answer for which will not necessitate any more questioning, one goes into inactivity or a state of mental activity-lessness.

Rechaka, Puraka and Kumbhaka! 13 January



The exhalation and the giving out of all worldly things is called Rechaka. The inhalation of all good things and spiritual aspects is called Puraka. The Kumbhaka is the state of cessation of all activities as we experience a desirelessness to breath, as we experience cessation of breath, as we become silent. We can experience this during a effective round of Kapal Bhati. As we practice cessation of activities, we become one with the cosmic, non-dual or a-dvaita! Come, learn non-duality @ Ajarya!

Pranayama: Way to longevity 11 January



Pranayama or the control of breath has been taught for ages as a sureshot method to liberation. Prana is manifest commonly in our breath. It is observed very easily that we experience a rush of breath when we are emotional. When we are angry, our breath rushes as our breath becomes short and fast. So, pranayama is a process to reverse this phenomenon of rush that we experience. Traditionally, kapal bhati is known as a cleansing technique and a preparation for pranayama. Come, learn the correct pranayama techniques @ Ajarya!

Yoga is delightful!! 08 January



Yoga cultivates the ultimate way of living in one’s life. The real joy lies in leading a disciplined and moderate life. Performing different Yoga postures brings long-lasting joy. This process also induces inner strength with bright smile. Practicing these postures of classical yoga in a group develops the ability to provide cooperation and also the quality of working as a team. All postures have some significance and benefits. This beautiful pose by Ajarya students tells the same story.

Yogah karmasu kaushalam 06 January



The Gita also says yoga is skill in action! Many a time, we find balance artists who are able to achieve 10 by 10 scores with effortless, smiling ease. While we may find others who are clumsy even in serving food, ending up breaking crockery! Yoga is a methodology to attain skill in action! Our students showed of their skills in translation and presentation while working on a project of Prayers!

Yogaschitta vritti nirodha 04 January



Sage Patanjali also gave us this definition that yoga is cessation of mental actions. As we practise yoga more and more, we are able to silence our mind, first the monkey mind, then the discriminatory mind, then the memories and then the I-ness, to finally arrive a tranquil, silent space of bliss! The body is but an instrument in finding this total, everlasting bliss. Learn ways for accelerated growth at Ajarya!

Karmanyevaadhika raste maa phaleshu kadachana 02 January



The Bhagavad Gita is a text which is a commentary on Yoga. It lists 18 types of yoga in 18 chapters. Karma Yoga is one of the chapters in the Gita. The principle of karma is to put the best efforts and not have expectations of the results. Our group in November was working on the Clean Ganga Project. We never expected to become a global news after a local paper published this news!

Manah prasamanopayah yoga ityabhidhiyate 30 December



Yoga Vashishta is another classic scripture which has given us another definition of yoga. That skill which makes the mind silent or tranquil is yoga. Our mind is always thinking, jumping like a monkey. To reign it in, requires skill, an ability acquired by training. At Ajarya, the training is intense, no-nonsense, rigorous and fun, with outings and visits to cultural sights around Rishikesh.

Sthiram Sukham Asanam 28 December



Is it just a posture to sit silently, comfortably? Can we call sitting in the office chair while working long hours as asana? Sage Patanjali gave us a defintion of Asana. That in which one is stable and comfortable is asana. But what about the other sheaths of existence if the body is sitting comfortable and stable? Bring your body here and your mind will follow!

A view from the top 23 December



As we trek in to the Shivalik moutains just behind the school, we will find some breathtaking views of the Ganga and Rishikesh town. Beyond the mountains, the Gangetic plains seem to eagerly ask us to bring the learning of yoga @ Ajarya in to the world beyond! It is time indeed to give up what has been given to us @ Ajarya!

The Rishikesh Advantage 20 December



In the last 100 years, Rishikesh has grown in stature to become known as the World Capital of Yoga. There are many advantages to this. One advantage is the presence of a large number of saints. It is said 'satsangattve nissangattvam..' or good company is detachment from anyone's company or lack of company. As we find ourselves more and more in the midst of good souls, we will eventually be catapulted to liberation! Come, find good company @ Ajarya!

Imbibing the Spiritual Energy 18 December



Having the right frame of mind is essential for the sincere Yoga sadhaka or learner. The River Ganges is known to assist in just that. With the cool breeze wafting over the river and the thousands of lit lamps dotting the ripples on the flowing river, one can feel a strange tranquility and abandon overcoming oneself. The Ganga Aarti ceremony on the banks concludes with the spiritual seekers releasing their own personal tee lamps into the river as a symbol of their searching soul finding the peace it longs for. This ceremony is a must go for all Ajarya students who feel blessed to be so close to the venue of such immense significance. As they release their lamps along the river by the setting sun, they fill themselves with a mesmerizing positivity that will be their best friend right through their training.

Yoga Essentials 16 December



Yoga is such a science that requires very little equipment to learn. However, Ajarya provides with the basic requirement to set you off on this wonderful journey! A mat, a net pot, a catheter for sutra neti, a mala bead for meditation, a few text books, a pen and a pencil, a notebook...and you are all set for your journey! Come, join us on the journey of self-discovery!

November 2015 - Truly a Global Academy 15 December



The session-ending batch was asked to think of creative ways to express their identities. The students came forward to translate the opening and the closing prayers in their local languages. Students come from different Nations and different cultures to Ajarya! They all go back with the same learning and teaching!

Works of art and the science behind 11 December



Our students are given the learning and teaching to gain a deeper understanding of the subjects. They are then allowed the creative freedom to express it in their own ways using media they are well-versed in. The output of such learning is a piece of art, sometimes that encapsules the science of yoga! Come, learn the art of teaching yoga @ Ajarya!

Bliss 10 December



The true yogi finds bliss at every opportunity. The students, who learn the practise and techniques of Ashtanga Yoga and Hatha Yoga, now feel liberated already! And as they continue their practise, yoga gives them a methodology of sustained bliss!

Kriyas 09 December



The basic kriyas or cleansing techniques taught in the Ajarya TTCs are from the Hatha Yoga texts. Kriyas help achieve homeostasis of sensitivity and desensitivity. Kriyas help overcome the mental blocks which may be obstructing one's path. The students are educated about the techniques, the benefits and the limitations of the Kriyas. Students @ Ajarya learn to relax and enjoy the kriyas!

Moon Day Meditation 08 December



Both full and new moon days are observed as yoga holidays in the Ashtanga Yoga tradition! On an early morning, this moon day, the weather was conducive and we could go out during the day and sit for meditation on the beaches of the holy Ganga! And as we gave rest to our bodies, we allowed the the Ganga to silence our minds! Come to Ajarya deep relaxation!