1. Silence provides inner peace.
2. Silence helps to communicate on a different level
3. Silence promotes self-discovery.
4. Silence energizes you.
5. Silence boosts creativity.
6. Silence enhances focus and mental clarity.
7. Silence predisposes to sharing.
​

Every March at the Vedanta Yoga Centre, the theme of the Hatha Yoga class is twisting.
Twisting in yoga is associated with detoxifying and energyzing the body. The main reasons for this is twisting massages and moves the internal organs of the body and provides movement to the entire spine.
In 2017, we are also providing our students the opportunity to purchase a powerful detoxing tea and bath salts to help the process of detoxification.
The salt is particularly worth mentioning as it contains a rich supply of minerals that help remineralize the body.

Toxins are simply put acidic molecules that build up in the body, that the body cannot eliminate. The body may not be able to eliminate them because there are too many or there is a weak function of the liver and kidneys.
The acidic moelcules combine with minerals and are then stored in the body under the skin as cellulite and in the joints.

To detox we need to adopt a diet that is less acidic. This means we need to stop drinking acidic drinks like coffee and black tea. Stop and reduce the intake of meat. Fish is also acidic but far less than meat. We need to eat fresh fruit and vegetables that when digested become alkali in the body. To dispel some of the confusion regarding citrus fruit being acidic. Once they are digested they become alkali in the body.

The salt baths are key to detoxification. The salt help extract the toxins from underneath the skin using the process of osmosis. In return minerals are put back into the body.
The tea helps displace the toxins into the blood stream for the liver and kidneys to eliminate. Care is needed not to drink too much tea at first as it is possible to get headaches. This occurs when the body becomes overwhelmed by the toxins.

If you are busy, don't have much time and want to improve your health and fitness then this is probably for you. The classes are only 50 minutes in duration.

A combination of yoga, breathing exercises and meditation to bring total harmony, mental and emotional stability, increased awareness and better brain function. Just one of the techniques often employed in this class is called Sudarshan kriya. 

Here is a short list of the benefits of practising Sudarshan kriya!!!

1. Powerful Detoxifyer
2. Improves Immunity
3. Enhances brain function
4. Reduces stress
5. Antioxidant levels improved at the enzyme and gene level
6. Reduces DNA damage 
7. Reduces cell aging
8. Influence your emotions and gain control of your mind
​

According to the Times of India, Sudarshan Kriya works on mental, physical and spiritual levels. Scientifically, Sudarshan Kriya improves antioxidant status at the enzyme and the gene level and reduce DNA damage and cell aging.[1]
Sudharshan Kriya employs a variety of breathing patterns. Every emotion has breathing patterns; for example, if one gets angry then one's breath is short and fast. Similarly, breathing affects the mind (for example, a deep, long breath relaxes the mind.) Through breathing in different patterns, one can influence emotions and gain control over one's mind.[2] Research suggested that it helps in improving well being (improving immunity and detoxification),3[] and peace of mind (reduce stress, enhance brain function).[4][5]
A research published in April 2013 observed that a comprehensive practice of Yoga, Sudarshan Kriya and Pranayam has rapid and significant effect on gene expression suggesting long term beneficial effects even at the molecular level.[6]
 
 

1.  http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/ml.asp?Ref=Q0FQLzIwMDgvMDIvMjQjQXIwMjcwMg==&
2.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4S_4jX0ERA
3.  http://www.thevirafoundation.org/images/BreathworkII.pdf
4.  Zope, SameerA; Zope, RakeshA. "Sudarshan kriya yoga: Breathing for health". International Journal of Yoga. 6 (1): 4. doi:10.4103/0973-6131.105935.
5.  http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard_Mental_Health_Letter/2009/April/Yoga-for-anxiety-and-depression
6. Qu, Su; Olafsrud, Solveig Mjelstad; Meza-Zepeda, Leonardo A.; Saatcioglu, Fahri; Mummidi, Srinivas (17 April 2013). "Rapid Gene Expression Changes in Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes upon Practice of a Comprehensive Yoga Program". PLoS ONE. 8 (4): e61910. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0061910

 

​Γι' αυτούς που υποφέρουν απο άγχος και στρες, η Γιόγκα, ο Διαλογισμός και οι Τεχνικές αναπνοής μπορούν να αποτελέσουν σανίδα σωτηρίας.
 
Εδώ μπορείτε να μάθετε τους λόγους για τους οποίους ολοένα και περισσότεροι γιατροί πλέον, προτείνουν συμπληρωματικά τις παραπάνω θεραπείες.
 
Μέχρι πρόσφατα, οι γιατροί ήταν διστακτικοί στο να συστήσουν τη Γιόγκα ή όποια άλλη μη φαρμακευτική θεραπεία σε όσους υποφέρουν απο άγχος, λόγω του περιορισμένου αριθμού επιστημονικών ερευνών που να αποδεικνύουν την αποτελεσματικότητα της σαν θεραπευτική αγωγή. Πλέον όμως, τα δεδομένα αυτά έχουν αλλάξει αφού υπάρχουν εκατοντάδες έρευνες που αποδεικνύουν ότι συγκεκριμένες μορφές διαλογισμού εσσωτερικής επίγνωσης, πρακτικές της αγάπης και οι επαναλήψεις Μάντρα, μειώνουν το άγχος και το στρες. Το κρατικό σύστημα υγείας  στην Αμερική αλλά και πολλών Ευρωπαικων χωρών  αναγνωρίζει και συμπεριλαμβάνει τη Γιόγκα σαν θεραπευτική αγωγή καθιστώντας την πλέον συνήθη πρακτική. Αυτό που έχει μεγάλο ενδιαφέρον μάλιστα, είναι το γεγονός ότι πολλοί γιατροί αναγνωρίζουν πια ότι συγκεκριμένες μορφές Γιόγκα (στάσεις), αναπνοές (έλεγχος αναπνοής) και κάποιες μορφές διαλογισμού έχουν μεγαλύτερη αποτελεσματικότητα συγκριτικά με άλλες.
 
Το τμήμα διαχείρησης άγχους προσφέρεται απο το Κέντρο μας κάθε Τρίτη και Πέμπτη στις 18:00 και φυσικά συνδυάζει με τον πιο αποτελεσματικό τρόπο το τρίπτυχο ήπια Γιόγκα, Διαλογισμό και Τεχνικές αναπνοής. Επιπλέον, λειτουργεί και τμήμα Διαλογισμού κάθε Παρασκευή στις 20:00.

What is the history of Sivananda Yoga?
It was devised by Swami Sivananda and given to his student Swami Vishnu-devananda to take to the west in 1953. Swami Sivananda was a well known and respected in India and was ordained a saint, who died in 1963. Swami Vishnu-devananda was known as the flyer yogi. He and Peter Sellers would fly to war zone areas in a bi-plane trying to spread peace. 

What is Sivananda Yoga?
It's basically Hatha yoga, that initially follows a set sequence of 12 asanas. These asanas can be built upon to increase the level of difficulty. Pranayama and sun salutations are included in each class. Something that is not so well known is that towards the end of Krishnamacharya's life, he devised a set of 8 asanas for people in the west, that he called, "LIFE SAVER". Krishnamancharya was Iyengar's and Patabi Jois's teacher. All the 8 asanas are included in the list of 12 asanas in the basic Sivananda Sequence.

The Vedanta Centre Approach to Sivananda Yoga
We are offering Sivananda classes every Friday (level 2) evening at 18:30. Beginners should take the beginners course. Students should be familiar with the alignment principles that the Centre follows, covered in the Beginner's course and Hatha Open Class.
Peter feels that the Sivananda yoga classes is best attended by those who been practising yoga for a while, so that they can follow the sequence safely and effectively. Sivananda yoga is a meditative practice and students will become familiar with Stira Sukham Asanam Ch2.V46 Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

Last Thoughts on Sivananda Yoga
For someone who has either reached a reasonable level of strength and flexibility physically or comes to the realisation that yoga is not about cahsing the next difficult asana and looking good, Sivananda Yoga is a great class. It works very deeply on the hormonal and nervous system. It is also very meditative, in other words a strong spiritual practice. 

The Vedanta centre is pleased to announce *Running School* which takes place every Saturday morning.

Come and learn how to develop your body and run safely & mindfully with registered osteopath & acupuncturist Charles Papapetrou. 

All classes begin with a specialised diagnostic review of each runner, where posture, muscle tone and body harmonics are reviewed. An on-going assessment of the body biomechanics, breath and the psychology of running will become ongoing current themes which will be addressed for every student throughout every class.
Running with correct form requires attention to detail or mindfulness, and this type of awareness will be taught to each runner as it is essential for the development and strengthening of the body, and it helps to improve posture, stamina and prevents injuries.

Come and learn how to associate consciousness to body movement and breathing so that you can enjoy the freedom of running with good form, the way that nature intended.

Charles Papapetrou is a Registered Osteopath and Acupuncturist that has been running every day for the past 3 years. He is an experienced clinician with over 20 years of experience, and he will coach you on how to become a more natural runner.

Pranayama literally means the control of life force energy, prana in sanskrit. The 4th limb of ashtanga yoga as codified by Patanjali.
A yoga practice that includes pranayama is a wise investment in both time and effort. Even for 10 minutes at the end or beginning of a yoga class is enough.
Why?
It gives one more energy, vitality and stamina in the asana practice and throughout the  day. It helps onje focus on the breath again both during the class and afterwards - this is a great mindfulness practice. 
Practicing pranayama for periods of an hour is not recommended unless one has a physically mature yoga practice and at all time should be under the supervision of an experienced teacher.
Why?
It would be like putting 10,000volts of electricity through a 10watt light bulb, it will blow up and burn out. This is what could potentially happen to your nervous system. For this reason it is seldom taught.
During the 2nd, 3rd and 4th week of June the Open Class will introduce pranayama with explanation on how it should be practiced. Wxpect 10 minutes of pranayma in the class perhaps leading up to 20 minues towards the end of the month. The asana classes will be balanced keeping the momentum of what has been practiced and learned in the previous eight months.
Other benefits of pranayama are:
1. increased memory and concentration
2. builds confidence
3. helps reduce blood pressure
Happy Breathing !!!

Welcome back everyone, this blog is a bit late in coming. As the year (school) draws towards the end, the theme for May was and still is forward bending. Once we started the month, i realised how important good back bend practice is for forward bends. We have spent quite some time focusing on the legs and the necessary alignment required for forward bending. In summary forward bending is not as straightforward as one might think and requires good flexibility in many areas and a mature yoga practice. We will continue forward bends into the first week of June as the Open Class goes deeper and focuses on forward bending. 
Breathing becomes an important tool in this group of asanas that help one draw inwards and become introspective.

The name of the Centre was changed last year to include Perosnal Development, why?
For two reasons, the first is: to highlight that yoga is the oldest form of personal development, and
second. the Centre is not just about providing physical (asana) yoga classes, we also want to provide the tools to assist our students to develop further. Our mission is based on the belief that yoga can transform peoples' lives. We are here to provide the necessary assistance and tools for this to be possible.

What is your approach?
Our Approach is fourfold
1. We offer around 8 yoga classes a day at the Centre offering a large variety and styles of yoga, ensuring that everyone will find what they are looking for. The physical aspect of yoga provides hugs benefits that i will not cover here. Just to say, the body provides a means to release stress and emotions.
2. We are regularly running 3 hour Breathwork sessions. The aim of these sessions is to remove emotional baggage and free ourselves from their stranglehold. To some extent we are all under the influence of past experiences regardless of whether they were beneficial or not. The Breath is the most powerful tool to connect us with our Selves and become more Aware and Present. One of the great benefits is that one begins to deal with daily and life issues as they arise and stop the automatic response of suppressing our feelings/emotions.
3. The moral foundation of yoga is based on Ahimsa translated as non-violence. I am talking about the very subtle form of violence mainly to ourselves. This is due to the critical nature of the mind and ego, so none of us can escape this form of violence unless we become aware of it and have some tools to combat it. A second form of violence results in us not being true to ourselves to our needs. This leads to resentment and violence against others. I am defining violence to others as not only speaking impolitely but also not listening and ignoring other peoples' needs.
We are introducing at the Centre NVC - Non Violent Communication that will give us the tools to overcome Ahimsa in its most subtle form. This is allow us to be true to ourselves and only then compassionate to others. The use of language, the way to communicate is very important so that we do not create new karma.
4. Our Workshops and Retreats look at the philosophy of yoga (Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Baghavad Gita, Power of Now and some other texts), non-duality (advaita vedanta) and also provide the tools to practise being more Mindful and cultivate Awareness in a safe controlled environment. The retreats are really the icing on the cake.

What is your vision for the future?
In the autumn of 2016 we will create a Course on Personal Development that will incorporate all of the above, to provide the framework for Personal Transformation.
Lets see who is ready for the challenge. This is an ambitious project that leads one  to personal growth and transformation. 

Why is it important?
It's a great opportunity to intellectually understand and secondly experience the deeper aspects of yoga which is not possible by attending regular yoga class and workshops

What will be covered and will there be any differences to previous retreats?
Yes, in this retreat we will look at non-duality texts and podcasts on the retreat and apply them during the retreat. Participants will gain the knowledge and experience to apply them in their daily lives.
I want students to get not only a huge benefit from the retreat but also some invaluable life skills that they can apply once they leave the retreat to help them in their transformation process.