Monday, August 8, 2011

Osho Ashram in Pune

Osho Ashram in Pune, India attracts a large number of visitors every year from around the world, especially the people who believe in the ideology and preaching of the spiritual leader, Osho Rajnish, widely known as ‘Acharya Rajnish’.
Popular among the masses as a mystic Indian guru, Acharya Rajneesh has many followers who visit the Osho ashram in Pune for meditation, relaxation and to spend some relaxing moments in the serene ambience of the ashram. However, the place and the guru have a controversial side wherein the teachings, preaching and philosophy of the spiritual leader has faced heavy criticism from other famous and eminent people. Yet, the fan following hasn’t reduced and the followers keep visiting the ashram to go on with their belief.
Originally, Acharya Rajneesh was a professor of philosophy and a public speaker who travelled all through India during the period of 1960s. His viewpoint toward sexuality earned him the label ‘sex-guru’ wherein international followers are more in number. Firstly, he lived in Bombay during 1970’s for a while; but later shifted his base to Pune, which was earlier known as Poona. In Pune, Osho Ashram was established by him that attracted a large number of people from the west as the ashram offered various therapies in the midst of a lenient ambience and to attend his lectures. However, due to his method of teachings, Acharya Rajneesh received heavy condemnation from the Indian government and the social circle because of which he then moved to United States in 1981.
In Unites States too, Osho established his own community in the state of Oregon called as ‘Rajeeshpuram.’ However, it also faced lots of criticism for reasons like conflict due to land usage and food contamination on citizens of Dallas. Osho was denied entry from almost twenty one other nations and had to return back to India. He travelled around the world and came back to Pune wherein he died in 1990. The Osho ashram is now widely recognized as ‘Osho International Meditation Resort’ where the followers from the west still keep visiting.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Ayurvedic Treatment for Stress

In today’s world, stress has become one of the silent killers of people. People suffer from various different types of stresses and their wellbeing is affected to such an extent that they are becoming victims of numerous mental and physical ailments. There are lots of reasons from which stresses could arise such as family relations, work, education and financial problems, physical state and appearance of the body.
The habit of skipping meals, junk foods, increased pace of life, hectic schedules, lack of sleep and the competitive world in which we live make us more anxious and stressed.
Ayurveda, the science of life has much to offer for these lifestyle diseases as it treats the mind and body as a whole. As per a recent study, more than 45% of Indian CEOs are taking the help of ayurveda to battle depression and stress.
Ayurvedic treatment for stress includes use of herbal medicines and therapies, changing lifestyle and diet and panchakarma therapy in particular. The individual must go for treatments which detoxify and purifies the body since the condition is aggravated by the accumulated toxins in the body.
Panchakarma Therapy
The whole body is detoxified and rejuvenated by this therapy. Virechana (purgation), Vamana (emesis), Vasthi (detoxification), Raktha Moksham (bloodletting) and Nasyam (nasal administration of oils) are the 5 procedures included in this therapy.
Rejuvenation Therapies
The individual has to go through the rejuvenation therapies to balance the mind and body after the doshas, the three basic constituents of the body are balanced and the body is freed from the toxins. Rejuvenation procedures include:
• Sirodhara- It calms the head by relaxing the central nervous system after pouring medicated oil over the head.
• Pizhicil: Medicated oil bath and increases blood circulation
• Abhyanga: Rejuvenates mind and body by giving a full body massage
• Elakkizhi: Massage performed by using herbal leaves, good for rejuvenating the body and back pain.
These are some of the ayurvedic treatments for stress which help the individual in combating his/her daily stress and anxiety.

Art of Living Ashram in Bangalore

The Art of Living ashram in Bangalore is a nonprofit organization founded by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar which teaches the art of living to people from all over the world. This Art of Living ashram is situated 21 km south of Bangalore in rural Karnataka in southern India and was built in 1986. This ashram is a living evidence of all that art of living stands for while combining the old and new.
You can attend various residential courses at the ashram each week from a basic course which introduces you to the world famous Sudarshan Kriya to an advanced course which gives you a chance to go deeper within yourself; besides exploring the ashram and enjoying meditative walks.
There is a wired satsang held every evening in the ashram and it has revolutionized the meaning of satsang for most adolescents who dance, sing and meditate to the songs which are held to praise several god and goddesses. It’s not something to miss for sure.
There are various courses offered in the art of living ashram such as the Art of Living Course, part-1. This course is the standard workshop offered by the ashram and is most commonly referred to as the Art of Living Course. This course introduces people to Sudarshan Kriya and lasts for about 20 to 25 hours over a period of 6 days. This course, at times to suit the needs of specific group is customized a bit.
The Art of Living Course, part-2 is a three and a half day course that includes yoga, meditations and other processes. The participants remain silent for some duration of the course and this is often a residential course.
Besides these courses, you can also experience humble satisfaction by performing seva (charitable work) at the ashram by sweeping and mopping the premises to serving food in the kitchen and most significantly, taking responsibility for this magnificent place which would be your second home.

Friday, June 10, 2011

Jindal Health Farm in Bangalore

The Institute of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences (INYS), popularly known as Jindal health farm was started in 1979, spread across an eco friendly campus of 100 acres in Bangalore is a modern day special charitable naturopathy hospital. This institute which is run by Sitaram Jindal trust provides relief treatments, prevention and cure of certain diseases by means of non invasive, drugless therapy that combines yoga with Indian nature cure and other drugless routine, explicitly, physiotherapy, acupuncture, diet therapy and Vega therapy.
Diagnosis only through scientific methods with modern medical equipments are provided, accepted and encouraged by the institute. Jindal health farm, the naturopathy center is not just a hospital which helps you in preventing and curing specific diseases. You can learn a new way of life here which will be with you for a lifetime, enhance the quality of your mental, physical and spiritual existence even after you have left this institute of health and well being.
You cannot take lightly the discipline at the campus as it’s pretty well-ordered in that manner. To begin with, unless some sort of emergency arises you aren’t allowed to leave the campus once you sign in. You can’t sleep for long hours neither you can eat outside food as of course the objective of you being there wouldn’t be fulfilled.
You are awakened by a loud bhajan playing on a public address system at 5 am, if you are in the dorm style accommodation. You would find yourself going from one treatment to another as the entire day is structured keeping every individual in mind.
With 258 beds, including 24 in the free ward the INYS or Jindal health farm in itself is a charitable naturopathy hospital. It attracts people from all over the world, particularly those suffering from diseases like diabetes, asthma, arthritis, hypertension and abdominal problems.

Famous Yoga Teachers of Indian Origin

A few distinguished people stand out in the circles of yoga. It’s not easy to say as to which one of the following yoga teachers of Indian origin are famous, but there are definitely some who have learnt from others.
The key in finding the famous yoga teacher is to decide which individual and method is appropriate for you as each teacher and the style of yoga has its own merit. The following list on famous yoga teachers who were born in India doesn’t state who the first instructor was or who was the most popular, but gives you a brief idea about what they did in the field of yoga.
Some Famous Yoga Teachers of Indian Origin
Bikram Choudhury
Bikram Choudhary, the founder of Bikram yoga introduced a particular series of poses conducted in extreme heat to the world. In this type, there are 26 postures through which the practitioners move to bring the body back to the brain. There are thousands of devotees of this yoga style.
Shri. T. Krishnamacharya
Krishnamacharya translated ancient yoga texts, taught thousands of students and spread the practice of yoga out of India into the western world. He is also known as the founding father of modern yoga.
B.K.S Iyengar
Yoga guru Iyenger is regarded by many as the prominent Hatha yoga instructor. He popularized Hatha yoga in the western world and was a student of Sri. T. Krisnamacharya.
Lakshmi Voelkar
A Kripalu certified yoga instructor, Lakshmi Voelkar developed Chair yoga as a means to provide more convenience to the practice.
A.G. Mohan and Indra Mohan
A.G. Mohan is the co founder of Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram. He along with his wife, Indra was the student of Sri. T. Krisnamacharya. They teach yoga therapy, Svastha yoga and ayurveda around the globe.
So, these are some of the famous yoga teachers who have excelled in this field and have made their country proud all over the world.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Kaivalyadhama Yogic Hospital in Lonavala

Kaivalyadhama Yogic Institute is situated in Lonavala, Maharashtra. It’s an institute which was established with the help of Government of India, Government of Maharashtra, Ministry of HRD and Department of Higher and Technical Education. This institute is recognized by the Pune University for research, Government of India and National Council for Teacher Education and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.


This institute was established with the aim of reorganizing the society as per the spiritual values and through revival of ancient yogic discipline. Kaivalyadhama yogic institute was established by Swami Kuvalayananda on the Vijaya Dashami day in 1924 at Lonavala in Maharashtra. Soon there was a pool of talented workers who were dedicated to yoga gathered around Swami Kuvalayananda. Later on, he also started publishing the journal ‘Yoga Mimansa’ which revealed his scientific work and researches to untie the mysteries of yoga.
This yogic institute possesses several departments such as the scientific research department, philosophic literary research in yoga, yogic health care center, ashram, etc. The scientific research department has 5 sections; biochemistry section, physiology section, psychology section, neuro psychology section and physical education section. The ashram is a center where special classes are conducted for pranayama. The ashram follows the old Hindu tradition and comprises one gaushala that has around 200 cattle. The milk is then distributed among students.
The philosophic literary research center comprises of basic and analytical work. Gordhandas College of yoga and cultural synthesis was shaped from the donation of Seth Makhanlala Seksaria and was named after his father. This college offers several courses ranging from certification courses and diploma to M. Phil and P. HD. Yoga therapy and other naturopathy is offered by the Yogic Health Care Center.
Kaivalyadhama yogic institute has crossed 87 long years of existence and is renowned as a great landmark in the field of yoga.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Benefits of doing Bikram Yoga

There are several schools or disciplines which are devoted to yoga. Bikram yoga is one school of thought and discipline which has its origination and roots in yoga. This yoga was founded by a phenomenal founder named Bikram Choudhury. Bikram yoga is also known as hot yoga. This form of yoga is a structured and specific discipline comprising all elements of yoga.
The benefits of this yoga are plenty. In reality, yoga is a discipline which has an excess of strong points and benefits which could be relied on. Following are the several benefits of Bikram yoga:
Bikram yoga benefits all those who want to lose weight desperately. This is so because the atmosphere in which the asanas are performed is controlled by maintaining high temperature, reaching nearly almost 106 degree F. This helps one to burn calories with an increased metabolic rate. As your metabolism increases, your calories are burnt even after you have finished performing your asanas which help you in losing weight at a higher rate.
• Bikram yoga benefits for men are centered significantly around the fact that the practice of these asanas besides giving a toned and supple body increases the flow of blood in the pelvic region, making them active sexually and effectively.
• There are many health benefits of this yoga which one could make use of if this practice is continued for a substantial period of time. Practicing hot yoga increases the body temperature, thus strengthening the immune system and enabling it to handle situations connected to health and fitness.
Along with the benefits, there are also some risks involved in practicing this form of yoga. Thus, it’s important to drink lots of water and keep your system hydrated. Not doing so, might lead to fainting and feeling nauseated.