I always have considered myself quite intellectually capable, and have been fairly independent in my big life choices, so I'm sure many would ask why I've chosen a Guru as a guide for the most important aspect of my life which is my spiritual growth. For most people that are reasonably educated or successful, it seems silly, weak in character, irrational, or in some extreme cases, even infuriating, that a smart and sane individual would choose to devote himself to a human master. Some of the strongest arguments against this choice typically follow a pattern as follows. Live a successful life. Be kind and loving to your family & friends. Give whatever you can to those in need. Don't get caught up in the past or worry too much about the future. Invest in whatever gives you joy. But whatever you do, don't fall prey to a religious order or become a slave of a spiritual leader! I might have very well spouted the same philosophy to many around me if my choices had been different, or if Isha Yoga had not entered my life and transformed me in a hugely noticeable way. So I thought it would make sense now to write about why I took this decision and how it has been one I am grateful for, and certainly proud to share, and hopefully this could inspire others to gain clarity, or at the very least, understand my perspective. Firstly, it is important to acknowledge that a 'spiritual' dimension exists. I think the word spiritual can easily be misconstrued or interpreted negatively with disdain. As a species we are possibly the only ones capable of noticing this aspect of ourselves. However, there are still too many people living without any true experience of a profound nature, or allowing themselves to be overwhelmed by grace, which is regrettable. It is also necessary to recognise that our achievements, possessions, relationships and activity will always be limited in the sense that they are cyclical, temporary and incomplete by nature. However beautiful or important we may think they are, when we die, all of these will be gone. So the longing to know something beyond the limited is natural, and finds expression in many ways. However, the same longing can unfortunately also end up making people choose self destructive ways. If one is smart and fortunate enough to identify and follow a steady guide (or guides) to navigate any uncharted territory in life and in the world, be it business or science or sport or art, we call the person smart.

But why is it that when a person chooses a Guru to navigate his inner journey, we call him foolish? I would like to quote a beautiful Sanskrit couplet that some would recognise from the Guru Pooja mantra. A powerful chant filled with emotion, sonic grandeur, and deep meaning, it sort of explains everything.

अज्ञानतिमिरान्धस्य ज्ञानाञ्जनशालाकया

चक्षुरुन्मीलितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः which could be translated (according to one website) as "He who removes the darkness of ignorance of the blinded (un-enlightened) by applying the ointment(medicine) of (Spiritual) knowledge, He Who opens the eyes, salutations unto that holy Guru" Okay. So that's a great bunch of words, you may say. How does it apply to the context of what we are discussing here? Most people are incapable of recognising the stubbornness of their ignorance, including me, at one point in my life. The pursuit of happiness is the only thing that matters to many. In spite of clearly seeing the duality of creation, we refuse to transcend it, and continue to distract ourselves endlessly with one inane choice after another. If the very simple, beautiful and unavoidable natural process of death does not serve as a reminder that who we think we are, or what the world thinks of us, is unimportant, I think one is truly lost. So is there a way to look beyond the physical? Yes, of course. Is there only one way? No, of course not. Is my way the best way? Yes, it is, for me. If it works for me, is it my responsibility to share it? Not necessarily, but yes, if someone is willing. Are there any more questions? :) There always are and will be! I don't have all the answers but I think the strongest argument (if I could call it that) which I can come up with to answer the question at hand is this. Of all the people I have encountered in my life, there is only one person I have found that has helped me transcend my individual existence, and experience something close to universality, or oneness with everything else in existence, even if it has only been momentary. And this has not been because of a teaching or prayer or belief or practice or space created by one person. It is a combination of my own individual reasoning, feelings, experiences, and profound and blissful inner states, that have led me to discover this truth. And everything that I have received from my Guru has only made me happier, healthier and more harmonious within myself and with everything around me. Perhaps, you may say, all this could have been experienced without a Guru. But I am fortunate, blessed, privileged, honoured and grateful to have experienced it with one. So as far as I'm concerned, to realise that I needed a Guru was the greatest lesson of my life, and to have found the best one is the greatest discovery of my life. My spiritual journey has had its fair share of ups and downs, twists and turns, celebrations and hardships, confusions and epiphanies. But with every day, I am stronger, clearer, lighter and more equanimous. I would be lying if I said I don't need anything else, but I am sure this possibility, of transcending our individuality, is available to each and every one of us, if we are willing to be honest with ourselves, and work on growing to our full potential as individuals, and in turn collectively as an inclusive humanity.

There are many places that one can choose to learn yoga from. Many of us get confused, and I did too. Most of the places that I came across were imparting yoga merely as another physical exercise.

Yoga literally means union and this was something that I was longing to experience. Here at Yoga Sadhana, yoga is being taught in its truest form. And this was the main reason why I chose to learn yoga here.

The most unique thing about Isha Classical Hatha Yoga that is offered here is that it is inward oriented. One is able to experience the depth of what Yoga really is through this unique approach. The tools offered are towards bringing the experience of existential reality within oneself. There may be many physical and mental benefits, but most importantly one is able to grow to ones ultimate possibility.

Sadhguru - "Getting rid of your backache and headache is not the purpose of yoga. For example, suppose you did not know what an airplane is, and I give you one. You try to drive around with it in Los Angeles, but you find these two ugly things on the side hit the lampposts and trees. So, you chop off the wings and drive around with your airplane. You may be pretty happy, but one who knows what it means to fly will cry. When I look at the way yoga is done in many places, that is how I feel – I feel like crying because people are driving an airplane with chopped-off wings."

The benefits that one may achieve at other yoga studios are often temporary. The changes that are noticeable are only on the outside. But Isha Classical Hatha Yoga transforms an individual from within and opens up dimensions that are subtle in nature.

The stillness that I am able to experience through this ancient and unique approach to life brings the essential clarity that I need in day to day activities. Yoga has brought the necessary awareness in me to be more responsive, patient and calm. It has shifted me from being compulsive to more conscious in my actions.

Previously, while eating food I found myself distracted looking at my phone. Now, when I sit to eat food, I am conscious of the food that is so readily merging with me. With every bite that I take, I am experiencing oneness with life. I am much more present to the moment and naturally I don’t feel the need to snack compulsively throughout the day like I used to.

I have also noticed that instead of trying to be ‘good’ in a moralistic way, I am only being. If I make a mistake, I am able to accept without over indulging in guilt. And if people are not behaving themselves, I am able to respond to the situation with much more ease. I am able to take charge of my inner situation without having to depend on the outside.

I am grateful that I have these practices in my life that I look forward to every morning. But more importantly Yoga is something that is slowly unfolding every moment in my life.

- Riddhi Arora

Riddhi has previously attended the Hatha Bliss program at Yoga Sadhana. She is currently contributing her time to Yoga Sadhana's blog with her articles, and managing our social media posts. In her free time, she also likes to write poetry and travel. You can catch some of her work on Facebook or Instagram.

Of course, for every practitioner learning a new practice, that is the top concern, about how to keep up the practice regularly!

The mind will throw up a variety of reasons as to why the daily practice cannot happen ranging from family to work to illness to social commitments and many more. At a very basic level, it all comes down to how much you value the practices. If you value this above everything else, you can easily make it a priority and find a way to fit it into any schedule.

The reason why we always recommend the 21 day program over any other program is because it gives you a better chance to notice this value that can be easily missed in a shorter program where physical exhaustion overpowers any desire to improve and one could easily just give up.

If you are not experiencing the value strongly enough, again it will be easy to give up the practise and your mind will support your decision with plenty of good logical reasons to do so.

So one simple way to ensure you don't miss it is to just deepen your involvement each time you practice. Work up your intensity in the asanas. Reduce any distractions in your mind and body. Deepen your focus with every little thing that you are doing in class or a practise session, whether it is watching a demo or listening to a talk or sitting with your eyes closed.

Also, why reduce yoga to just a two hours a day 'practice'. See how you can sustain the same level of awareness and intensity throughout your day. Whether in a meeting at work or while having dinner with friends, every moment can become an opportunity for you to grow within yourself and inspire those around you.

As long as you can sustain this, you should be fine. You won't have any trouble keeping up your Sadhana.

Sadhguru - "Right now the number of people practicing yoga is growing in a big way. This could be simply because the scientific community is slowly beginning to recognize the depth and dimension of what this is. But if improper, distorted kind of yoga spreads, in fifteen years’ time, scientific studies will clearly come out and tell you in how many ways it is harmful to human beings, and that will be the downfall. There are certain dimensions of this that are almost absent in the world today. It is there in some places, but generally in the known places, it is absent.

So, it is important that we bring back classical yoga as it was. If it is taught in a proper atmosphere with a certain sense of humility and inclusiveness about the whole process, it is a really fantastic process of shaping your system into a fantastic vessel, a fabulous device to receive the Divine.

It is a very powerful way of living. Power, not over somebody else; it’s all about power to access life."

Source: http://isha.sadhguru.org/mission/isha-yoga/isha-hata-yoga-school/the-science-of-hatha-yoga/

This was just before the first International Day of Yoga in June 2015 and I was in the ashram for the annual upgrade for Hatha teachers.

Sadhguru was being interviewed by a major news channel and a few of us Hatha Yoga teachers were all spread out in the large space in front of the Dhyanalinga and asked to do different practices. You can see a couple of them in the background.

At one point, he started talking about some of the dangers of improper yoga and how it can be harmful. So he asked Swami to get someone to demonstrate. I think I was nearby so Swami called me.

Just before I started, Sadhguru was explaining to Swami what he wanted me to demonstrate and he looked at me and said 'Can he do it?' and started laughing out loud. I somehow gathered courage to mumble a yes sheepishly while going through a mixture of complex emotions and trying not to show it.

We proceeded to demonstrate a few common corrections in some asanas. In this particular asana, the hands should not be used to raise the body up, which is what I was demonstrating.

It was definitely a rare privilege to be so close to Sadhguru and offer myself to his amazing explanation of the subtler aspects of Hatha Yoga🙏

Have you seen "Joker"?

A masterpiece in filmmaking touching on a lot of sensitive topics, this film is a brilliant effort by the directors, cast and crew to convey a very subtle but important message about life and how our decisions can impact ourselves, our near and dear, and the society we live in.

In just a couple of hours, audience members are taken through a variety of complex emotions and reactions, from sympathy to love to rage to amusement to fear and shock.

In an increasingly intolerant, paranoid and cynical world, how can we avoid creating more murderous lunatics? Gun control? Improved mental health services? Auditing Entertainment? Safety and security measures? Workplace ethics? Economic interventions?

Did someone say Yoga? 🤡

Unless we as a collective humanity work on ourselves and use these effective tools to find joy from within, our efforts to entertain, nurture and sustain ourselves are becoming increasingly destructive to the ecology, economy and consequently to society. Rather than forcing people living on the brink, to the edge of their humanity, we need to live more inclusively and seek wellbeing for every life on this planet.

There will always be people in our lives that we feel we cannot get through to, or who we judge as beyond redemption. But the only person that really matters is YOU.

Can you dedicate the necessary time and follow a practice with the necessary discipline to create the necessary outcomes in your body, mind, emotions and energy?

If you truly want this world to become a better place, start with yourself.

For those of us who are lucky enough to remember what the world was like before plastic took over, one thing should be very clear. If you have lived on this planet in the past 50 years, you have un/knowingly and un/willingly contributed to ecological damage.

Every cup of coffee you have ordered, every trip to the grocery store, every time you bought something online, every single day, you have created waste that will occupy space on this earth for a really long time.

We can think of a million reasons to explain it away and shift the blame, but one thing we can all agree upon is that there is one fundamental reason underlying this phenomenon.... Economics.

In many ways, destroying the planet has become the cheaper, easier and more convenient way to live for most of humanity. The moment we collectively and unconsciously chose to divide ourselves from the rest of the existence, we also started to enhance our material existence, and the result is what we see in nearly every moment of our waking civilised lives.

In our endless desire to become 'better' than someone else, the planet has suffered immensely.

Rivers are drying rapidly. Farmers are dying because they cannot grow food without water. Very soon, our cities, supermarkets and refrigerators will not be sufficient to keep us alive.

So where is the solution? Does it exist? Can we really change anything or do we resign to our fate as a doomed species?

Thankfully, we have in our midst an enlightened being with the insight, the determination, and a plan to make this Earth a better place to live in.

Cauvery Calling is a focused effort to revive one of South India's largest rivers by planting 2.42 billion trees along the Cauvery river covering 1/3rd of the river basin with tree cover. To read more about the details of how this solution impacts the river, farmers, and more, please read this article.

It is only because this solution is going to be more profitable for farmers than ever before is it going to work, and fantastically in turn for the river, the people, and the planet. Once this works, it will serve as a model for the rest of India and the world on how to revive dying rivers.

Our ambitious fundraiser for Cauvery Calling is to contribute 100,000 trees and we would like to invite you to be a part of it by making a donation, however small or large at http://bit.ly/ysccfr

It is quite obvious that as humanity has evolved from one generation to the next, in pursuit of comfort and convenience, our physical capabilities have greatly diminished.

Unless you grew up in a farm or a village on a mountain side, for most city dwelling families, the frequency with which we engage in physically intense activity is quite low.

Even though our children may be somehow involved in at least one kind of sport through school, the lure of electronic devices is hard to resist.

From a child's perspective, playing cricket on a tablet may be a lot more fun than going out on a sunny cricket field and getting sweaty and dirty and playing a game with real people.

The visual and auditory overload of these games can create quite a stimulating experience that real life can't compete with.

Thanks to an overprotective society, most parents (and therefore children) associate going out and playing with the danger of injury and sickness.

So let's face it. We are largely living an indoor lifestyle whether we like it or not. Yes, we may occasionally hit the beach or hike in the bush but certainly not often enough to really make a difference.

So can we do better in giving our kids a fitness regime that can help them grow into strong, agile and energetic youth?

In our Hatha Yoga for Children program, we teach a gentle set of beginner yoga practices that largely help with mental focus, balance and stability, and it is obvious to see that the kids are longing for something more intense and challenging.

Angamardana offers a structured comprehensive workout for literally every single muscle and joint in the body without the need for equipment or a large space.

If your children are not doing much in terms of physical activity, daily practice of Angamardana would be everything they need for fitness.

And if your children are already involved in sports, dance or any other physically intense activity, then angamardana is the most perfect way to prepare them for enhanced performance in these endeavours.

But Angamardana is more than just fitness. It literally means 'to master the limbs' and brings a tremendous amount of energy and stillness to the body. This is a unique way to stay charged up but without restlessness in the body or distraction in the mind.

It is truly a miraculously powerful and highly relevant practice for children in today's world. So, don't hesitate and sign up your kids (minimum age is 8) now for an upcoming Angamardana workshop.

We would like to share with you a student's reflection on her journey towards becoming a Hatha Yoga enthusiast after recently completing a 21 Day Hatha Bliss program at Yoga Sadhana

I came across Sadhguru's offerings in the form of videos and articles in the year 2014. Being a skeptic, I explored his teachings and contemplated on what he had to share. In some time, I started looking at the yoga practices that the foundation was offering - Hatha Yoga. After extensive research, lots of inner battle and support from the owner and teacher, Abhishek at Yoga Sadhana, I finally decided to take a step towards strengthening myself from within. I chose to do Hatha Bliss as I wanted to explore all the different yoga practices that Hatha Yoga had to offer. The other reasons were being disciplined into yoga for 21 days and the timings in the morning were quite suitable for my lifestyle.

The first session was the most difficult one where I had to wake up before sunrise. My walk to the studio was quiet on the outside, not much traffic and few people on the streets. While many of us were asleep in our dreams, some of us were awake making choices towards experiencing life to the fullest although me being a little wobbly on my choice. I often face inner conflict of putting myself first on top of my other responsibilities. However, the warm welcome of the teachers, music playing at the background and the little note with an invocation Asatoma Sadgamaya on it made me feel at ease. I knew I was in the right place.

The 21 days program strengthened my physical body and emotional health. It has brought more clarity towards my thinking. I had been suffering from back ache and pain because of fibrocysts from past few years. This has considerably reduced. I am more open to saying yes to life and I feel much more involved with all of my being.

To me Hatha Yoga means bringing that inner balance to help us awaken to our inner reality. It has been an experiential truth and not just a learning. Through my sadhana (practice) I have been able to go beyond my limitations and honour my path towards Truth and Love. It was not an easy decision to make towards my complete health but I am happy that I did not push away these offerings without giving it a try.

-Riddhi Arora

Riddhi is currently contributing her time to Yoga Sadhana's blog with her articles, and managing our social media posts. In her free time, she also likes to write poetry and travel.

We would like to welcome students of Isha Hatha Yoga to share their experience by emailing it to us at nadi@yogasadhana.com.au . We would like to share these experiences with the community.

In case you haven't seen it already, please watch "Kangana Ranaut Shares Her Life Changing Experience After Doing Samyama With Sadhguru" on YouTube, where by some merciless twist of fate, I ended up being portrayed as a guy doing 5 to 6 years of kadi sadhana (कड़ी = hard , Thank you Google Translate!) before attending Samyama.

For those who don't know her, Kangana is a leading Indian Bollywood actress with a massive fan following and plenty of awards to her name. It was a big surprise for me (and I'm sure for many other Ishas) to realise that Kangana had attended Samyama.

This is definitely uncommon and well deserved recognition for Isha and Sadhguru because it is quite rare that someone of such a high profile celebrity status would go through the various pre-requisites and the intense preparation required for a program of this nature. So, if you're reading this, Kangana, thank you for your efforts and devotion and the wonderful sharing in your video!

Well, since we were in silence for 8 days, it would have been super awkward I'm sure, even for your biggest fan, if she was sitting right next to you, to not be able to say a word to you. Probably for the best (I'm all for kadi sadhana as you know).

Anyway, coming to my experience, I had the rare privilege of being able to attend this program a second time in this lifetime, and obviously didn't want to waste the opportunity. The first time was in 2013, the same year I did the Isha Hatha Yoga Teacher Training, and while it opened up things for me back then, it was much more explosive this time around.

The preparation for this program involves a lot of daily sadhana, a (relatively) strict diet, and heaps of planning. But once you're there, it has the potential to become something of the beyond.

I kept everything up in preparation, to the best of my ability, and threw myself into the long hours of meditation (initially struggling but eventually settling) and processes.

Being a full time Hatha Yoga teacher definitely helped as sitting in Ardhasiddhasana for long hours is a part of our job description.

There was also the fun challenge of trying to fit in all the hatha yoga practices and kriyas and meals in the breaks with no sense of time which made this program quite unique and interesting.

In terms of outcomes and experience, all I can say is the seeking intensified and with Sadhguru's grace, I was able to find a completely new level of clarity, balance, ease and stillness within. Obviously, any written description of the experience would only distort what it actually is.

Coming out of the program and back into 'normal' life is not easy but thanks to the new sadhana, it can be. One thing is certain, I will not drop this precious tool and will encourage as many people as I can who are willing, to make this journey and discover this dimension within themselves.

If you've ever attended a practise session with us, you might have noticed that we give a lot of importance to giving individual corrections at the end of the session. Some of the things we focus on include, alignment, precision, transitions, breathing and focus. Firstly, you may have wondered why we never give you any corrections during the practise. We are very particular about not touching students or correcting them during the practise. Sadhguru says that every asana is a possibility to connect with the divine and anything that could potentially interrupt that connection must be avoided. If you've noticed, even our teaching methodology and instructions are always focused on minimising our presence in your practice as much as possible so that the journey and experience is an inward one. In a sense, you should feel like you are guiding yourself through the postures. Secondly, corrections are not a criticism and shouldn't be taken as such. It is a privilege to have your practice observed by another person because oftentimes you may be doing something incorrect without even being aware of it. Some things are easy to correct with a little more care and awareness. Other corrections may be harder to incorporate if your body is not strong or flexible enough right now, but with the understanding of the ideal, it's easier to work towards it progressively with small steps. Lastly, if you are enjoying the practice anyway, you might be wondering if corrections are necessary at all! The answer to that depends on how far you wish to take your practice in terms of what it can do for you. It is just a good workout? Is it about feeling relaxed? Is it about forgetting the worries of the day and just letting go? Or is your sadhana doing something much more for you than just that?

Do you like ice cream? Yes? Who doesn't? :) Please allow me to explain 'why' using the analogy of ice cream.

When you go to a local ice cream parlour these days, there are typically a whole array of flavours to choose from. Often, you have a chance to try a few different flavours before deciding which one to spend your $5 on. Isn't that choice and convenience wonderful? Sure it is..

Now, let's take the case of an award winning restaurant. Surely, they have ice cream embedded in their desserts. Now, when you order, do you ask for a free taste? No. Do you complain about a lack of convenience or choice? No. You simply trust that whatever you ask for will provide you with a visually stunning, great tasting and overall satisfying experience.

Now, these two customer experiences are not comparable at all obviously. The costs of their ingredients, the training of the chefs and other staff, the ambience, the time spent on preparing the order, the way it is offered and the manner in which it is consumed, all of these are very very different.

Similarly, with yoga, and particularly with our programs, we are confident of providing an overall superior and more comprehensive experience, as you can see from reviews on our google listing and facebook page.

But this is not just about reviews or ratings or making pretentious claims of quality.

A few facts.

Our teachers go through 1750 hours of training before teaching at even the most basic level. Apart from the beginner course (which in itself requires a 6 week commitment), our three primary programs (Angamardana, Surya Kriya and Yogasanas) take between 6 hours and 12 hours each to learn, and this is 'before' you can start practising.Our teaching method has several points of difference when compared with other styles of Yoga, all carefully designed to provide you with a highly effective learning experience (but that's a topic for another blog). Each of our practices are elaborate in detail, precise in form, and meticulously taught.

These are ancient systems developed from a highly sophisticated understanding of the human mechanism. It has taken many generations of masters to transmit these methods down to us, and to teach these practices is not a mere occupation, but a dedication of a lifetime of striving and conscious self exploration.

When you sign up for one of our programs, we consequently expect a certain level of commitment and dedication. Your investment of time, money and effort will not go in vain.

If you come in with an open mind, leaving aside any prior knowledge of yoga, avoiding calculations, and getting rid of any expectations, you can rest assured that the practices will naturally lead you inward to the very core of your existence.

This is our guarantee to you.

We hope this article helps to provide a better understanding of why there are no free trials in our studio. Please feel free to send in your comments or questions in an email to info@yogasadhana.com.au

As I was driving this morning and not quite enjoying a particularly annoying song with cheesy beats and a weird tune on the pop music fm station that I usually listen to, I switched between channels quickly. The track on the rock music station was equally boring and sounding very contrived. Finally, I settled on the classical music channel and as I was listening and driving, I was transported (#pun) to another world within. It made me realise that the similarities between classical music and classical yoga were too many to ignore, so I decided to rush home and write this before I forget.

Like there are different schools of yoga, there are different genres of music, which create different experiences for a listener. While on the surface, classical music may seem 'boring' to the average listener, you can see that when you are silent and listening to it wholeheartedly, it creates a complex web of emotions within you that pop music somehow fails to deliver.

Within a single composition, there is such an elaborate tapestry of tunes, rhythms, surprises and mystery that the overall experience can only be described as 'mind-expanding' in a way that other music somehow cannot create.

As is the case with yoga being based on the science of postures, music is based on the science of sound and how particular movements of sounds create particular emotional states. While one may intellectually strive to learn it as a science, it is quite clear that this would be a foolish way to approach it.

Just as you would learn classical music by repetition and repetition and repetition, before you gain some level of mastery, similarly with classical yoga, you keep practising the same sequence again and again for years, sometimes decades, before you notice what it is actually doing within you in a way that you can understand. However, the journey is one of wonder, being somehow aware of the profound quality the practice generates.

A classical musician may never know the fame or wealth of a pop superstar, but within himself this is not a priority. Being able to generate an inner experience in himself (or his listener) that is continuously being refined to a point of perfection (if such a thing exists) is sufficiently blissful. Similarly, a yogi may not be rewarded in ways that you would conventionally expect a person to be, but experiences a certain contentment within that is incomparable.

In order to create something of a certain sophistication (not in a snobbish sense), a classical composer goes through rigorous training and discipline that not everyone can understand. Once such a creation is recognised for its mastery, it becomes desirable to other musicians where they dedicate their lives towards replicating these pieces.

Similarly, yoga postures come from a very deep understanding of the human mechanism that practitioners today are probably incapable of doing. It takes a lot of striving and practice before one can achieve even a superficial understanding of how these postures came about. Until then, we simply keep replicating on and on, but each time there is something more to discover, and each time it is clearer that what is discovered is not the complete picture.

There are a multitude of differences of course. One is performance, the other is not; One inflates the ego, the other crushes it; One requires a sharpening of the senses, the other transcends the senses. But let's not get into that discussion now. I'd rather leave you with a fugue than a symphony!

Often we have students (not this guy up here, he's going to have to wait a while before starting with yoga) asking when they will become more flexible. Can I touch my toes before the end of the year? How long do I need to practise before I become perfect?

The answer to those questions is not always straightforward. It's always a function of so many things, like how often you practise, where you started from, how much abuse your body has gone through due to lifestyle and set habits, the food you eat, and more.

I often remind myself of an episode from my Isha hatha yoga teacher training days where I had a conversation with another trainee who was ultra-flexible and capable of getting into most postures with absolute ease. She used to tell me that in spite of her prowess with the postures, she still felt inadequate and incomplete. She used to compare herself with another trainee, older and much less flexible, however a truly joyful and radiant being, and wonder what was the point of being able to do asanas perfectly if she couldn't be like the other person.

So please always remember that once your posture improves, which it will as you keep up your sadhana, it doesn't automatically or magically make you a better human being. Perhaps you might get a few people around you to appreciate your improvements in hand-toe proximity but existentially it means nothing.

Work on the aspects which are more subtle. The thoughts in your mind and how they translate into words and action and the impact they have on those around you. There are far greater and quicker achievements you can make in that dimension which will surprise you.

And if you think these aspects are not influenced by your asanas, then think again.

With 2017 coming to an end, and a rare opportunity of no classes for a few days combined with being alone at home, I decided to go into silence for three days.

I could have gone camping, or on a long bike ride, hosted a massive NYE party, or just got lazy and binge watched a whole TV series 😊, but instead I chose to spend these three days dedicated to sadhana and inner exploration.

On the yogic path, there has always been an emphasis on spending time alone in silence. In many ways, silence is the best teacher. Nothing comes close in terms of letting you take a long and hard look at yourself. Without any distractions, it is a time when you can bring into your awareness the scariest of your darkest fears, the strongest of your unconscious desires, and the subtlest of your unnoticed tendencies. How comfortable you can be when faced with all the muck that floats up to the surface is a good test of your inner stability and growth.

It has been a little over four years since I’ve had a chance to withdraw completely for more than 24 hours at a stretch. Of course, it has been a very fruitful three-day inward retreat for me. Here’s how it went…

Day 0

The night before the three days was spent mostly sorting out last minute stuff. Informing friends and family that I wouldn’t be reachable. Turning off (&putting away) all electronic devices. Covering up the bookshelf and any other distracting elements.

Day 1

Morning Sadhana: Guru Pooja, Upa Yoga, Angamardana, 3x Surya Kriya, Yogasanas (~ 4 ½ hrs)

Evening Sadhana: 12x Surya Namaskar, Shakti Chalana Kriya (3x300 Kapalabhatis), Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya (~ 3 hrs)

Other Practices: Shoonya Meditations, Samyama Processes

The first day was probably the most challenging day, with the mind refusing to quiet down and coming up with all sorts of tricks to ensure I stopped the madness. But once it settled down, there was a sweetness and comfort to the whole thing that made it very enjoyable.

Day 2

Morning Sadhana: Guru Pooja, 3x Surya Kriya, Yogasanas, Shakti Chalana Kriya (3x400 Kapalabhatis), Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya (~ 5 hrs)

Evening Sadhana: Upa Yoga, Angamardana, 12x Surya Shakti (~ 2 hrs)

Other Practices: Shoonya Meditations, Samyama Processes

The second day had its moments of elation and struggle. With the mind getting a little quieter, the subtler aspects of the practices were more noticeable. Also, things like being focused on certain counts and other intricacies of the practices became a lot easier. It’s amusing to notice how easy it is to settle into the practices once distractions are taken away. Just stopping to think about what happened before or what’s happening next brings a huge freedom and incredible sharpness to ability to focus.

Day 3

Morning Sadhana: Guru Pooja, Upa Yoga, Angamardana, 3x Surya Kriya, Yogasanas, Shakti Chalana Kriya (3x500 Kapalabhatis), Shambhavi Mahamudra Kriya (~ 6 ½ hrs)

Evening Sadhana: 12x Surya Shakti (~45 min)

Other Practices: Shoonya Meditations, Samyama Processes

The third day was probably the most meaningful day in terms of inner experience. Of course, as the mind starts to settle, there is always this thought in the corner that things are going to get back to normal very soon. But I was able to handle it without any frustration. I even danced a little to the loud and intrusive music from the pub next door (which I would otherwise get rather upset about normally).

And now as I emerge from silence, writing this post, I would like to say that this is not an achievement or something to brag about but is written to inspire you to consider taking this step for yourself someday. Of course, you would need the necessary support in terms of Sadhana to equip yourself with the tools necessary to manage your time usefully and not waste the effort as purposeless idling away.

And before you ask, no, I’m not enlightened yet, sorry to disappoint you... 😊 If anything, I’m a little bit clearer about the workings of my mind, body, energies and a little more aware about the things I need to do and avoid doing, to support my growth.

Here’s looking forward to an exciting 2018! I’m sure this brief but powerful exercise brings forth a better version of myself for my students and the world.

Just ended another 21 day hatha bliss program today, the fourth edition of this program for 2017. I always feel quite overwhelmed at the end of any program, and this one specifically, guiding the students through a nearly four hour session of all five Isha Hatha Yoga practices without a break - Upa Yoga, Angamardana, Surya Kriya, Surya Shakti and Yogasanas.

Firstly, it is such a privilege and pleasure to be a part of the journey of these individuals, and to watch their transformation unfold over the three weeks; from the struggles - waking up and being here on time, staying up in shavasana, or just getting by without any injuries - to the joys - getting further into the postures, experiencing higher energy levels, or overcoming negative patterns.

Secondly, for me, with each program, I discover an opportunity to upgrade myself a bit; whether being gentler in my speech, being more aware in transmitting these sacred tools, or connecting to a higher intelligence whose grace is constantly guiding and manifesting unimaginably beautiful situations every single day.

The power these practices hold for personal transformation is an unfathomable mystery and their efficiency in getting one closer to their ultimate wellbeing shows what a remarkably sophisticated technology Hatha Yoga is.

It is an incredibly rewarding experience, being an Isha Hatha Yoga teacher, and I am eternally grateful to Sadhguru for bringing me onto this path.

Hello, my unknown elusive friend

lurking quietly around the bend

perhaps with a grin on your face

or no awareness of me in your space Having dedicated my life to knowing you encouraged to seek even while I'm blue There come times I doubt you're there about which I should maybe just not care In the company of others like me feeling comfortable, we all agree knowing this comfort is but a trap like familiar spots on a secret map Yet we strive, guided by grace who wears an equally mysterious face that keeps me amused and confused yet shows me tricks I've never used They say you are not to be pursued and to try with struggle is being crude but when I find I've crossed a peak more hurdles appear that make me weak But deeper inside is a clarity that helps me to know or just to see that while you may appear unattainable like a lost lover, missing at the table It is this longing that gives me strength to straighten the channels that I've bent to move me on to higher realms and keep me focused, while overwhelmed Until the day your presence I discover I will use these tools to slowly uncover and keep them sharp and shiny and clean and share them with anyone who is keen

Still can’t make up your mind about attending our most popular program?

Here are 10 reasons why you should…

1. Ever get the feeling that moments of clarity are getting further and further away? Somewhere in between waking up, getting through traffic to work, making your point at meetings, meeting deadlines, catching the train and deciding what to make for dinner, are you getting your daily dose of “me” time ? This yoga practice will fill in that missing gap in your daily life.

2. Do you often feel like you’d rather be on vacation than wherever you are now ? In the words of a friend, this yoga practice can truly give you the feeling of taking a vacation every day, and it gets better from one day to the next.

3. Have you tried meditating and does it bother you when your legs start hurting ? Do you wish sometimes that your body wouldn’t get in the way of your inner exploration and just let you get on with your dissolution? Surya Kriya is designed to enhance the effects of meditation and keep you alert, awake and alive.

4. Coughs and colds getting you down ? Are you a frequent sickie taker ? Well, these and other issues arising from a weak body constitution can be a thing of the past once you’ve tried Surya Kriya.

5. Ever feel like life’s getting a bit cyclical ? Recognising repetitive patterns in the way your body and mind are taking you through this journey from life to death ? One reason for this is because we are largely out of sync with the larger solar system that we live in, and bringing in this synchronization is one of the fundamental objectives of the Surya Kriya.

6. It is said that Krishna himself practised some form of Surya Kriya every day on the battlefield during the epic battle in the Mahabharat. Now, Krishna was a yogi who was considered no less than a god during his time (& our time). And if this is something that Gods practise, it can certainly benefit you.

7. Forget the gods, even for the general layperson, Surya Kriya was traditionally out of reach and required years of spiritual discipline and an endless search to receive this live practice from a Guru. Aren’t you glad it’s come all the way to your doorstep in Sydney ?

8. Time, time, time… who has it ? Well, all it takes is 20 minutes a day to get the Surya Kriya to work for you. Having said that, to learn this 20 minute practice effectively, it needs a dedicated commitment of at least 6 hours of your time to learn, but that’s a one weekend investment that will pay off in a big way for the rest of your life.

9. In many ways, the human spine is the most important part of the body and the postures we take have a great impact on our wellbeing. The science of yoga has always placed emphasis on the importance of the spine in human development. In terms of positive effects on the spine (& brain), there are few practices that can claim to have as much impact as Surya Kriya.

10. Last but not the least, of all the yogic practices focused on alignment with the sun, Surya Kriya is the original practice, from which the more popular Surya Namaskar (sun salutation) and other variations have been derived. So here’s a chance for you to learn the fundamental process that is more than just postures and the breath but an exploration of the geometry of the body and its relation to the solar system.

Click here to see upcoming Surya Kriya programs

Love to learn new stuff but struggle to keep it up? Don't worry. It's totally normal and you are not alone. A membership is what you need.

We are now providing membership options to encourage you to commit to the discipline that you need to make that transformation happen in your life.

In line with our studio name, we know that sadhana (doing your practice) is what is most enjoyable but at the same time quite challenging to sustain for most of us with our schedules and priorities.

Becoming a member keeps you motivated and provides unlimited~ access to sessions at the studio where you can refine and strengthen your practices. This is such a boon when you aren't able to make the time on your own at home.

The table below gives you an understanding of the minimum potential value you could get from the different membership options available.