786 – Ganesha, the remover of obstacles

Overeating, exertion, talkativeness, adhering to rules, being in the company of common people and unsteadiness (wavering mind) are the six (causes) which destroy yoga. Hatha Yoga Pradipika 1:15

I am quoting from Hatha Yoga Pradipika and my Guru, Sri Swamiji. Wednesday is Ganesha’s day. Ganesha is the remover of obstacles. All the habits which are described above are obstacles in our lives. We pray to Ganesha to guide us. However, our habits can be very tenacious and clingy.

Let us examine them one by one. Continue reading

733 – The power of smell

The smell of blooming flowers.
The smell of ripening fruits, mangoes, apples, apricots, and cherries.
The smell of rain.
The smell of sunshine on sun dried clothes.
The smell of freshly bake bread, cakes and pies.
The smell of pure, cooked food with a hint of cilantro, ginger and tomatoes.
Smell can make one happy. Continue reading

671 – Vama Marga

The sadhana of Left Hand Tantra.

What is the definition of Vama Marga and why do we talk about it in whispers. The science of Tantra has two main branches, which are known as Vama marga and Dakshina marga. Vama marga is the left path which combines sexual life with yoga practices in order to explode the dormant energy centers. Dakshina marga is the path of yoga practices without cohabitation. Continue reading

638 – Early morning meditation on the Goddess Kundalini

Tantric Form of Goddess Worship, 11th book of the Devi Bhagvata.

The Kundalini resides on the ruddy lotus (the mooladhara).
She is blood red in color and has Hrim for her symbol.
She is like a lotus filament.
Her face is the sun, her breasts the moon.
If she dwells just once in one’s heart, one is liberated.
She is (all acts): sitting, coming, going, understanding, reflecting, lauding, singing. I am universal and divine; all (my acts and) praise are worship for you (the Devi).
I am the Goddess; you are not other (than I). I am Brahman, free of sorrow.
I am infinite being, consciousness and bliss. Thus, should one reflect on one’s Self.
She shines brilliantly in her ascent; she appears like nectar in her descent;
I take refuge in that woman who wanders along the middle channel in the form of bliss.

Continue reading

566 – Chant with your heart – part 5

Spinal passage rotation with kundalini visualization and Soham.

Be relaxed mentally and physically. Practice deep rhythmic breathing. Become aware of the spinal passage and take the ingoing breath from ajna chakra at the top of the spinal passage down to mooladhara chakra at the base. As the breath moves down the spinal passage, try to feel it piercing each chakra in turn, but do not try to name them or stop at any one. Continue reading

554 – Brahmari Sadhana

Transform yourself

Brahmari Sadhana is the practice of Brahmari pranayama, with the mantra Soham. In Sanskrit Brahmari is bee, and the pranayama is akin to a bee humming. It comes from the humming sound made while exhaling. Brahmari pranayama is the life-force that vibrates the whole brain by control of the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is the master of all glands at the bottom of the brain that controls the entire nervous system. Continue reading

323 – Why should we awaken our kundalini?

Awakening the Kundalini is the prime purpose of our birth. Kundalini is the sleeping and dormant potential force in us. It is situated at the root of the spinal column in the mooladhara chakra. In Tantra, our energy is called Kundalini shakti. Kunda refers to the concave cavity in which the Kundalini, resembling a coiled and sleeping serpent and when it is manifesting itself, it is called Devi. Continue reading

314 – Tripura Sundari, Goddess of the three universes

Tripura Sundari is also known as Sodasi, Lalita, Sri Vidya and Rajarajeshwari. Her worship centers on the worship, meditation, mantra and Sri Yantra. Tripura Sundari is identified with three channels of Kundalini Yoga. She is the cosmic queen. Continue reading

Hatha Yoga Pradipika Course

At Yoga Vidya Germany the Hatha Yoga Pradipika is taught as an Advanced Yoga Teachers Training Course. Swami Atma is the main teacher for the 9-day Intensive in June/July of every year. In this Video Swami Atma speaks about what this Hatha Yoga Pradipika Course is about and what students can expect when taking this course. Infos on Seminars at Yoga Vidya More Infos on Yoga https://www.yoga-vidya.de/english/ More Info on Swami Atmaswaruparamananda on http://yoga108.org/

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Hatha Yoga Pradipika Summary 3rd and 4th Chapter

Mudras, Bandhas, Meditation, Superconsciousness – these are the themes of the 3rd and 4th chapter of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, the most important of Hatha Yoga Scriptures. Swami Atma speaks about these chapters of this most important Hatha Yoga scripture. Information on Yoga Vidya and seminars at Yoga Vidya Germany https://www.yoga-vidya.de/english/ More Info on Swami Atmaswaruparamananda on http://yoga108.org/

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Hatha Yoga Pradipika – Summary of the Second Chapter

Prana, Purification, Kriyas and Pranayama – these are the main topics of the second chapter of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Prana means life force. Kriya means action, especially purificatory actions, cleansing actions. Pranayama are the breathing exercisres. Swami Atma talks about what this chapter is about. Most likely, the second chapter is the most important of this Hatha Yoga scripture. More Info on Swami Atmaswaruparamananda on http://yoga108.org/

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Hatha Yoga Pradipika First Chapter – Summary

Any serious Yoga practicioner and even more any Yoga Teacher should know the basics of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. In this scripture, the why and how of Yoga is explained, especially from the point of view of Tantra, Kundalini Yoga and Raja Yoga. In this Podcast Swami Atma speaks about the first chapter of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. In this chapter the Yamas and Niyamas, the ethical foundation and the Asanas are explained. This is a sound track of a Yoga Video Interview. Yoga Videos on http://my.yoga-vidya.org/video More Info on Swami Atmaswaruparamananda on http://yoga108.org/

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What is the Hatha Yoga Pradipika?

The Hatha Yoga Pradipika is the most important of all Hatha Yoga scriptures. It is a Tantra Scripture. Swami Atma explains the meaning of this scripture. He mentions the other important Hatha Yoga scriptures. He talks about the author of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Yogi Swatmarama. He explains the essence of the teaching of Swatmarama. The crucial teaching is: Hatha Yoga is part of Kundalini Yoga. It is a holistic spiritual system designed for spiritual development. Through Mastery of the Body one gets Mastery of the Prana. Through Mastery of the Prana comes Mastery of the Mind. More Info on Swami Atmaswaruparamananda on http://yoga108.org/

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