Nithya Surya Namaskar Mantra🔗

A mantra is a composition of syllables, words, phrases or sentences that when repeated with awareness has a very powerful and penetrating influence on the mind. In a Nithya Yoga for Being class, before performing each repetition of Nithya Surya Namaskar, students chant the corresponding Nithya Surya Namaskar Mantra. The Nithya Surya Namaskar Mantra are composed of a bija (seed) mantra and the glorification mantra.

The bija (seed) mantra has no meaning by itself but the vibration of the mantra in the human system is very powerful. The 'Theory of Vibration' as expounded by modern scientist seems to be catching up with the truth that was delivered to humanity thousands of years ago by the inner scientists, the Vedic rishis. Scientific studies conducted by Dr Masaro Emoto of Japan has clearly proven that the nature of sound the very quality of vibrations has a profound effect on water. Considering that the human body is more than 80% water, the scientific community is waking up to the enormous possibilities that are available to mankind. On the flip side of the coin we need to wake up to the enormous damage created in the human psyche with words and sounds and the negative qualities attached to them. Bija mantra do not have any literal meaning, but by chanting them we set up powerful vibrations of energy within the body and the mind. They are six in number and repeated in the following order:

• om hram
• om hrim
• om hroom
• om hraim
• om hraum
• om hraha

12 Glorification mantra highlight the various aspects of the Sun. When chanted with complete awareness before every repetition of Nithya Surya Namaskar, the mantra confer the same qualities on the committed practitioner.

Through this simple though highly effective method, we realize that the outer sun symbolizes the shining intelligence in our inner sky; we come to understand our connectivity to the cosmic energy that is all pervasive.

The intelligent linking of postures that forms a complete sequence in the practice session is called vinyasa krama.

The word 'vinyasa' means 'joining or linking' and 'krama' means 'the process. 'vinyasa' is derived from the Sanskrit term 'nyasa' which means 'to place', and the prefix 'vi' means 'in a special way'. In other words, it means the succession of activities undertaken with a single focus, which allows a harmonious flow.

Vinyasa krama is the wisdom of the yoga tradition, which states that a practice must be done to suit our life situation. The correct linking of individual asana and appropriate breathing in a flowing sequence has a deep physiological impact. Static postures do not lend themselves to expressing the incredible potential inherent in each posture.

In Vinyasa Krama, asana are performed with a conscious linking of the breath with the movement. If your intention is to practice asana to realize the Self, every breath you take will help break down your sense of separation from others.

The vinyasa approach is central to the transformative process of yoga. It is a method that can be applied to all aspects of yoga. It is rooted in the yoga traditions and is yet the most scientific approach to day to day living.

The vinyasa method is a step by step process that takes account of the pros and cons of a single asana, a situation or an approach. That is why in an asana sequence, there are always preparatory postures to get to the main asana and counter-poses to relieve any tension. It is important to come back into a position from which we can comfortably resume our everyday activities. For example, it is not enough to want to climb a mountain. It is important that we know how to climb up the mountain, how to stay there and how to climb down. This understanding and preparation is what vinyasa is all about.

Vinyasa krama is the art of knowing when you have integrated the work of a certain stage of practice and are ready to move on. It is not just any sequence of asana or action. It is one that awakens and sustains consciousness.

Chakra specific asana

As we have established previously in this

Glands associated with the chakra.

Location of the chakra.

The various yogic techniques practiced in a class of Nithya Yoga have been carefully selected so as to ensure that each chakra is addressed, cleansed, energized and left generating the boundless energy it has been designed to generate, an energy whose very nature is that of ananda or bliss.

In Nithya Yoga, all asana are chakra specific. At the energy level, the asana work on the chakra through the glands and at the physiological level, they work directly on the production of these hormones. Along with the other aspects of the Nithya Yoga class, they work powerfully on removing the energy blocks, clearing the mind and detoxifying the system to promote good health and a sense of well being.

PRANAYAMA

In Nithya Yoga, pranayama is considered an integral aspect of the whole session. THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM believes that ananda or bliss is the bedrock of our existence. This bliss is available in the very prana that is all around and within us.

The word pranayama consists of two parts, prana (life force energy or simply that which is infinitely anywhere) and ayama (to stretch, to extend, to control). In a Yoga class, pranayama would mean the various techniques that we use to learn proper breathing to increase vitality, to calm the nervous system and to relax the body-mind for meditation to happen. By the use of various techniques, we enhance the quality and flow of prana.

Breath is the link between the body and mind. Whatever happens in the mind is reflected through the breath. For example, when we feel the emotion of anger, our breath becomes short and sharp and blocks the flow of energy from the corresponding chakra. When we are in an emotionally disturbed state, all we need to do is to take ten deep breaths (inhale and exhale), and watch the emotion coming back to equilibrium. The techniques of pranayama are just various methods through which the awareness can be created about the deep connection between our emotions and our breath. The techniques are not important in themselves. What is important is the awareness of our breath when we are in an emotionally disturbed state. Just as the emotions affect the breath, the breath in turn can affect our emotions.

In Nithya Yoga, we go one step deeper.

While using the various techniques of pranayama we visualize breathing in bliss and breathing out bliss. By inhaling the bliss energy and exhaling bliss energy we ensure that while we are being energized all that is around us is also benefitted. The message that 'We are bliss' is carried very powerfully and very deeply into our system.

Normally we are used to a practice that tells us to breathe in positive energy and breathe out the negative energy. If we just pause a while and look at what we are doing we will realize that we are contradicting our understanding of our connectivity to the world around us. We are using powerful intentions that are self-defeating.

Two things are happening here: when we say that on each exhale we are breathing out negativity we are unconsciously creating and establishing the samskara that we are filled with negativity. If we are only going to breathe out negativity, where is the positivity available for the next inhalation? Though Nature has an inbuilt capacity to cleanse the environment of negative energy, it becomes increasingly difficult to do so. If a critical mass of humanity is doing this how long can Nature keep producing healing energies to cleanse this enormous negativity? We must understand that Nature responds to our every thought and emotion. It is our thoughts that create our world.

Nithya Yoga understands and respects this umbilical connection we have with Mother Nature. Therefore in a Nithya Yoga class we learn that at all times we are consciously breathing in and breathing out blissful energy. This sends a subtle and elevating message to the cellular structure: that we and everything around us and we are infused with the blissful, cosmic energy. This further deepens our belief that we belong to a holographic cosmos. We are all One at the level of energy, which is essentially blissful. This truth becomes our samskara, the deepest engraved memory.

THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM declares that breath carries the prana like a truck carries goods. Once they enter the body, prana and air separate. While air does the physiological work of supplying oxygen, etc, prana, life energy, permeates every cell in the body and activates the samskara (engraved memories) that are embedded in the system. If the engraved memories are positive and growth promoting, then prana will enhance their essence but if they are negative and painful, they get aggravated further.

For those who have attended a class on stress management, a lot of importance is given to exhalation and the lengthening of the exhalation, as it is believed that through exhalation we bring the body to a state of relaxation. This is not so says THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM, 'inhalation is life and exhalation is death.' The emphasis on exhalation at the level of energy has the same effect as the administering of steroids at the level of the body. At first the effect may seem good and positive, but in the long run, it destroys the system.

Prana is life force and as mentioned earlier, the breath carries the prana. The nature of prana is such, it activates whatever exists in the system. Prana does not discriminate between the positive and negative engraved memories. Whatever is present gets energized. So if we are filled with depression, anger, jealousy, low self esteem and so on, the prana activates these emotional states.

The mind of the modern man is such that it carries deeply engraved negative memories. Therefore, the transformation through traditional yoga practice is much slower. Nithya Yoga understands the effect of prana on samskaras (deeply engraved memories). We can utilize the full potential of the prana if we cleanse our system before going into the regular yoga practice. In Nithya Yoga, we ensure that every chakra is cleansed of these negative emotions through the practice of the dynamic meditations. It is the guaranteed solution to flush out all the energy blocks and toxins within the system. If thereafter we go into the practice of asana and pranayama, we will very naturally access our full energy potential.

Once the initial cleansing happens, the thought and visualization that 'we are bliss' is introduced and is deepened with every breath that we take. In due course this becomes a powerful memory, the energy of which fills our inner space. This is why it is imperative that a powerful cleansing meditation is done before the practice of any form of pranayama.

By focusing on the breath, we bring our mind naturally into the state of pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses) and the process of looking inward begins.

When pranayama is practiced along with the asana and the mudra, the numerous energy blocks within our system are removed and the experience of bliss is deepened.

SHAVASANA BODY GRATITUDE RELAXATION

MUDRA

Mudra is the science of finger or hand position that helps to intensify meditation. Mudra acts as a catalyst to awaken consciousness. In a very broad sense, Hindu classical dancers use mudra to communicate a gesture, a mood or emotion of the inner Being.

The hand and the brain are very intimately connected to one another. In fact, as per science, of all the body parts the hand has the maximum representation in the brain. Whatever is done through the hands has a corresponding effect in the brain. Mudra acts as a switchboard of the body and mind. Though primarily therapeutic in purpose, mudra confers definite physiological, emotional and spiritual benefits. Like asana, it is also a discipline to rejuvenate the body. It actually helps in balancing the five elements (panchbhutas) in the human system to their optimal levels

Every individual is composed of five elements or the panchabhutas. Pancha (five) and bhutas (elements) are earth, water, fire, air, space and ether. Each finger represents a particular element. The first five chakra correspond to these five elements. By balancing the five elements through mudra, we ensure a sense of great well being. Our hands are a complete representation of these elements, as the following diagrams illustrate:

The elements and the corresponding chakras

Apart from representing the elements, the thumb and the index finger hold particular importance. The thumb is symbolic of cosmic (divine) and the index finger (human) is symbolic of consciousness. In other words, the thumb represents God or the higher energy and the index finger represents the individual ego. It is interesting to note that when we are accusing someone of something we always point our index finger to get our point across. Also in very practical terms, if we lose all the four fingers and have the thumb remaining, we can do most of the activity done by our hands. But if our thumb is lost and all other fingers remain, our hands are as good as useless. Symbolically, this establishes the fact that if divine energy is not present in our lives, then our lives are as good as not being lived.

the reverse is also possible i.e. gestures and body positions can influence the state of the mind.

In Nithya Yoga, specific mudra is practiced along with meditations to primarily intensify the meditation. It also works to intensify the energy of the particular chakra. By doing various mudra we can enhance the energy flow within our system and enjoy a state of great well being.

Additionally, once we learn a mudra, we need to harness its benefits in our spare time. Mudra should be used judiciously. Never over do them. When we are in tune with our bodies we will know exactly when to come out of a mudra.

Mudra can be practiced by itself, time permitting, the minimum being 21 minutes (or one energy cycle-the time it

I n a l m o s t a l l spiritual traditions, mudra plays a big role. In Hatha Yoga, many states of mind a r e e x p r e s s e d through gestures and body positions. This implies that

Shavasana

Shavasana (translated in English as corpse pose) is traditionally always practiced for at least 5 to 10 minutes at the conclusion of any yogic practice. Shavasana is a restorative pose and allows the body to process and understand the information it has received throughout the yoga practice.

It is commonly brushed off by some as being just a rest or a chance to have a short sleep. Truth be told, shavasana is essentially the most important aspect of the entire practice. This is where the body receives the class at all levels; physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The body can relax, rejuvenate and heal. If shavasana is practiced in totality, it can leave the practitioner energized for hours after their class.

In this modern age, many practitioners rush shavasana. Most people find it really hard to lay still for 10 minutes and most lay in shavasana and start thinking about where they have to rush to next after class. Shavasana should be practiced with the same, if not more, integrity than all other postures.

Your practice is like laying cement foundations. Remember if you step in cement too soon after it is layed, you might ruin the job. The same way, allow your practice to set.

Shavasana is a perfect chance to allow our body to do what it does best; heal itself. We should lay as still as we can for as long as we can and allow the body to relax, renew and rejuvenate itself.

Body Gratitude Relaxation

Our body is a temple, the temple in which our spirit, our Being resides.

We rarely spend any time appreciating and giving gratitude for our body. Most people these days are convinced through conditioning and the media that their body is not good enough. We forget that each of us are unique and have been crafted by God in our own unique way. We should remember that God is an artist. Not an engineer. If God were an engineer, He would have just created one mould, created a production line and manufactured us. Existence has created us all differently. As soon as we start to give gratitude to the body we have been given, we start to radiate a whole new energy. The energy of grace. Grace is not like ordinary beauty. Grace is a whole body language. When one is completely accepting of their body for what it is, they simply radiate this grace and they appear to be the most

A true story,

THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM says, 'All of our skin diseases take root from hatred of our own bodies.'

A lady with a severe case of psoriasis, a chronic and often incurable skin disease, came to THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM for healing. While being healed she confided that she had suffered trauma in her childhood that left her with self hatred as well as self guilt. THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM told her to practice a specific body gratitude meditation for 21 days. The meditation technique involved waking up each morning and touching each and every part of her body with deep love and gratitude. The woman exploded crying: 'How do expect me to love myself the way I am?' THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM said: 'You have lived in misery for 20 years. Try this just for 21 days.'

In 15 days, the lady was rid of her ailment for ever!

Most of our aches and pains, our skin problems, our hangups are just because we don't give our body any attention or appreciation. It is just crying out to be remembered.

In a Nithya Yoga class, we practice shavasana at the conclusion. We go one step further by asking the practitioner, while laying in shavasana to lovingly remember each and every part of their body with deep awareness and gratitude.