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| AHYMSIN newsletter, Issue - December 2011 | ||||||||||||||
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A Himalayan Blueprintby Joan Anundson-AhrChicago and Midwestern area yoga enthusiasts were treated to a visit by Swami Veda Bharati at the eighth Himalayan Yoga and Meditation Teacher Association Retreat in Illinois. Swamiji very generously graced us with his presence on October 8th at Techny Towers Retreat Center. The theme for this year’s retreat was “A Himalayan Blueprint for the Architecture of Your Life”. Swami Ma Radha got us started Friday evening, October 7th, with advice on making use of “Himalayan Architecture Tools for Self Transformation”. She encouraged us to declare a timeline for personal short term goals. After the chosen timeline during which we have worked with a teacher, practiced and persisted in spite of difficulties, we can monitor our own improvement. We were reminded that a teacher’s graces come when we have prepared ourselves. We began our ashram experience weekend by rising early with prayers, asana and meditation. Swami Ma Radha continued with her theme by talking about “Tools, How to Let Go and Live”. She quoted Swami Rama; “Attachments are the biggest obstacles to happiness”. We were challenged by her statement, “When I let go of who I think I am, I can become the person I might be”. She talked about the benefit of family happiness from the practice of a yogic lifestyle. A presentation by Man Mohan Shukla was given on Saturday afternoon. He is a transformation coach who has written a book titled Transformation Through Yogic Consciousness. His presentation and his book combine his scientific profession with his background of growing up in the yogic tradition. His book is available on Amazon.com. We took a break from being indoors to practice asana under a bright blue autumn sky, sheltered by big trees full of colorful changing leaves. Gauri Jog brought her skilled Classical Indian Dance students to Techny for an afternoon recital. What a joyful way to celebrate the beauty of life! Saturday evening many more yoga enthusiasts came to see Swami Veda. He brought us to that point of silence within us that allowed us to follow his guided meditation. He spoke of Taila Dhara-Vat, the visualization of the thin stream of oil as we breathe in meditation. He taught us to use “Hum, Om, Ksam” as we visualize a crystal flame or flower petal at the point between the eyebrows. Swamiji encouraged us to visit AHYMSIN centers around the world and spoke of the need for volunteers to work on transcribing documents of his teachings. Sunday morning we continued with the ashram schedule and concluded the weekend with a contemplative walking and problem solving meditation led by Swami Ma Radha. A gentle shower of cascading golden leaves surrounded her as she passed under a tree, blessed by another warm, blue sky autumn day. Editor’s Note:The Himalayan Yoga and Meditation Center of Illinois in Palatine, Illinois, USA, is an AHYMSIN affiliated center. They offer programs that are designed to teach yoga to persons of all ages and physical abilities. We offer yoga and meditation instruction for both individuals and families and offer classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced students. Gentle yoga classes are also offered for physically challenged or mature adults with physical limitations. Personal consultation and instruction are also offered for individual needs and interests. They offer a teacher training programs that is a certification program that meets all standards with Yoga Alliance and workshops on Yoga, Philosophy, and Lifestyle related topics. We invite you to visit their website at http://www.hymcillinois.com/ Pictures courtesy of Al Anile
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