Yoga and Ayurveda Day Retreat

The retreat includes:

1. Hatha Yoga provides the techniques that help to purify, strengthen and tone

the body; gaining control of its inner states, so that higher Yoga techniques

can be practiced. This includes asana, pranayama, karana and mudra etc.

2. Yoga Nidra rejuvenates the body-mind complex through deep conscious relaxation. 

It is especially beneficial after a hard day's work, and relaxes the entire psycho-physical system.

3. Ayurveda is the science of life. At its core is the teaching of the doshas (Samskrtam

word for fault). These faults are instrumental in the formation of a unique constitution (prakrti),

which is set for life. Where these doshas are impacted to the point where they become

imbalanced, dis-ease, and, at a later stage, disease manifest. This imbalanced state is known

as vikrti. Ayurveda provides a wealth of information that, when integrated into the daily routine,

helps one restore the default dosha combination, and this leads to well-being, in turn. We will

discuss such things as the doshas, daily regimen (dinacharya) and seasonal regimen (rtucharya),

diet etc. from the standpoint of Ayurveda and Yoga. A dosha analysis will be facilitated so that

participants know what their unique constitutions are, and how they can bring that constitution

back into a state of balance. An Ayurvedic lunch will be served.

4. Observation of silence (mauna) for contemplation of the Self (svadhyaya) is a Yogic practice which

enables the yogi to observe the oscillating and vascillating states of consciousness as they arise, from

moment to moment, and through a calm and reflective state of awareness, orient one's mind to a point

where no tremor of vibration can impinge itself at the level of consciousness. In that state the Divine

Self comes to the fore, and one perceives things as they are truely. By this practice, much energy which

is ordinarily dissipated by talking too much, and through restless behaviour, is gathered into the cerebral

reservoir thus rejuvenating the body-mind-soul complex.

5. Raja Yoga Meditation is the psycho-spiritual practice of one-pointed concentration. It is the

central practice of Yoga which leads to the acquisition of higher states of consciousness. Some of the

benefits of Raja Yoga meditation (dhyanam) are: increased feelings of peacefulness, joy, love; improved

physical and mental efficiency; reduced stress and anxiety, etc.