NITHYA YOGA VIJNANA DINDIMA

Centering and Opening with Mantra Chant

Centering is all about coming to the moment. It can be achieved through a prayer, watching the breath, through body awareness, or listening to a sound (bell, light music). The intention is to open a space for each individual to be able to LISTEN and explore his or her own boundaries, to relax from all worries, stresses and "day dreams", and come to this moment. Only then we enter the space of Yoga.

Everything that follows in Nithya Yoga class - asanas, breathing, chanting, everything, is simply to bring us back to our center, to be present and conscious of this moment. Let the mind be where the body is.

Centering will generally be in a sitting position, in sukhasana, simple cross-legged posture. If necessary, your student may sit on a chair, or any other posture that makes them feel at ease.

Mantra Chant nithyanandam parama sukhadam |kevalam gnaanamoortim | dvandvaateetam gagana sadrisham |tattvamasyaadi lakshyam | ekam nithyam vimalam achalam | sarvadee saakshi bhootam | bhaavaateetam triguna rahitam | sadgurum tam namaami ||

Note: The meaning of this mantra will be explained in detail in the section on mantras.

Intention & Visualization

The intention is a vital aspect of Nithya Yoga practice. Without intention, Nithya Yoga would be just like an ordinary exercise session. The Vedic tradition names this intention 'sankalpa'. Sankalpa is a conscious resolution, aligning one's thoughts and desires with one's actions, with one's Being.

THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM recalls his teacher, Raghupathi Yogi's words. 'It is not how you move your body but with what purpose you move your body. That purpose, that intention will become part of your muscle memory.'

THE SUPREME PONTIFF OF HINDUISM BHAGAWAN SRI NITHYANANDA PARAMASHIVAM says, 'Our body itself is made out of memory. Our muscles store memory.

Whether we believe it or not, accept it or not, we are an expression of our own self-hypnosis. If you move the body in any way with a faith that this or that will happen in you, simply it will start expressing in you. If you observe closely, so many physical movements are happening inside your body even when you sit. Therefore, during ordinary sitting, if you strongly believe that just by sitting you will have health, and you just sit for health, simply that health will happen in you.'

How to create an intention

Just as it is important to realize that intention is the key, how we create that intention is just as important. To bring your body and mind into the right state of energy expansion you need to prepare your mind for creating the intention.

A Nithya Yoga class always begins with centering, an opportunity to create pratyahara (withdrawal of senses) and dharana (focusing) by focusing on the breath. From this place of inner listening, create your intention or just let it unfold from your Divine energy field. Let your intention vibrate in every cell in your body, let you carry this space with you.

Let the intention come from our heart centre rather than from our intellect. Intellectually willing an intention to come forth, usually comes from that place of lack, the need for something you do not yet have. Let it come from the space of remembering you already are what you desire. For example, 'I am compassion' instead of 'I want to be more kind to others', or 'I move with ease and grace' instead of 'I want to be more flexible without pain'.

Rather than verbalization, visualization is a powerful tool to manifest your intention. Visualize as vividly as you can using all the senses, feeling and awareness. Have a complete and clear mental picture in 3D like you are living it. It is a powerful conscious process that can lead you directly to the experience.

When you visualize your intention, you are sending highly focused vibrations to your whole body and brain. You have the power to change the neural pathways with a focused intention. Your body will align with this visualization.

Remember your intention again from an expansive state, when the mind and body are in the space of vibrant silence from intensely doing Patanjali Dhyaan.

Warm-up sequence

After the centering prayer, sit up for the warm-up sequence. Selected asanas are done in the warm up sequence. During the warm-up sequence, the Nithya Yoga teacher may guide the students into Brain Yoga exercises, in order to activate both hemispheres of the brain.

Also, the practice of simhasana, the lion roar can be introduced at this point. (see asana portion below). Both simhasana and brain yoga exercises bring joy and laughter into the class, and create the space for higher awareness and listening.

Patanjali Dhyaan

Patanjali Dhyaan is an intense process to awaken your bio-energy and release all the tension and patterns recorded in your muscle-memory. It is a perfect way to move from a chaotic mind to deep restful awareness.

The body has its own habits, its own way of standing, sitting, walking, breathing. This is nothing but patterns and muscle memories we have developed over our life. Unless we dissolve these patterns and muscle memories, we will not be open and receptive to receiving new things. Patanjali Dhyaan is a process to let go of patterns and muscle memories as well as wake up to the body's energy.

At the mental level, Dhyaan done with full intensity, being completely present in the body, automatically takes you to the silence of the inner space. The mind is chaotic by nature, so we often need a dynamic method to allow the mind to relax. This is exactly what Patanjali Dhyaan does - literally shaking off the thoughts and daydreams, bringing you back to the physical reality of the moment.

Spiritually, Patanjali Dhyaan is a process to awaken the kundalini energy. It activates the energy centers along the spine and the energy in every cell of the body, enhancing your awareness of your inner energies and inner space. When done with full intensity, one experiences the expansive state of pure awareness.

Instructions

Visualize being totally fluid and soft, without bone structure. Stand up and start moving the entire body energetically and chaotically, as if each limb was an independent entity. Let every cell of the body vibrate intensely to the rhythm of the music (drums soundtrack named Patanjali Dhyaan or any other intense drum rhythm).
When the music stops after 3 to 6 min, freeze the body. Stop all movements and close the eyes. You can turn the palms forward in a receiving attitude. Simply witness what is happening in the body.
Become intensely aware of the sensations of movement and energy inside your body: the heat, tingling, vibrations, pressure etc.
Be aware of the whole body, from the tip of the toes to the fingers, and the crown of the head. Feel the whole body inhaling and exhaling through those 21 points. Feel yourself expanding with the breath. Breathe in pure blissful energy, and exhale bliss.
Without verbalizing, visualize your intention intensely with every cell of the body.