Namaskar - Apr09

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WORKSHOPS INTRODUCTION TO ASHTANGA YOGA AT YOGAMALA, HONG KONG Starting 19 th April, Cheuk Na will lead a bilingual introductory workshop every Sunday for 10 consecutive Sundays from 3 – 4:30 pm. The cost is $1,450. For more information visit www.yogamala.com.hk ACROYOGA AT YOGA CENTRAL, HONG KONG Minhee Cha will be leading an AcroYoga workshop in May and June at Yoga Central in Hong Kong. For more information email yogacentralhk@yahoo.com MICHEL BESNARD IN HONG KONG Yogasana’s Michel Besnard and the Asian Academy of Sports and Fitness Professionals are teaming up to offer a 100 hour Yoga Alliance registered teacher training 25 th April – 7 th June. The course will cover asana, pranayama, anatomy and Ayurveda. For more information visit www.yogasana.com.hk THE LIVING YOGA TEACHER TRAINING, CHIANG MAI Sara Avant Stover, Bo Srey, Carlos Pomeda and Ellen Heed will be offering a 200 hour Yoga Alliance registered teacher training 31 st May – 27 th June at Tai Garden Resort, Chiang Mai, Thailand. This residential course will allow participants to live their yoga on and off the mat in a serene environment. They will learn how to practice and teach hatha yoga, meditation, philosophy and Ayurveda. For more information visit www.teachyogathailand.com PRENATAL TEACHER TRAINING, JAKARTA Yoga@42 Bikram Yoga Jakarta is organizing a 40-hour Prenatal Yoga Teacher Training 22 nd – 25 th June. For more information www.bikramyogajakarta.com or email hotyogajakarta@yahoo.com 6 TEACHER TRAININGS PATRICK CREELMAN AT PURE YOGA, HONG KONG Anusara teacher Patrick Creelman will be leading The Foundation – Preparing to Teach, a 20-day, full-time teacher training programme in Hong Kong 27 th June – 17 th July. The programme aims to help participants develop the fundamental skills necessary to teach, as well as provide them with the opportunities for growth and life transformation. The course will cover asana, yoga philosophy, Sanskrit and Ayurveda. For more information visit www.pureyoga.com KIDS TEACHER TRAINING, JAKARTA Yoga@42 Bikram Yoga Jakarta is offering a Sun Yoga Kids Teacher Training 29 th – 30 th June. For more information www.bikramyogajakarta.com or email hotyogajakarta@yahoo.com Clayton Horton in San Francisco Director of Greenpath Yoga, Clayton Horton will be leading a 200 hour residential and nonresidential teacher training at the Yoga Society of San Francisco Brahmananda Ashram, 18 th July – 15 th August. The Yoga Alliance certified programme aims to give participants the opportunity to experience transformation and yogic education in an unique ashram setting. The residential rate for a shared room is US$2,995. For more information, info@greenpathyoga.org THE KNOWLEDGE OF LIFE AYURVEDA WORKSHOP AT YOGAMALA, HONG KONG Rachel Tsai introduces the concepts of Ayurveda and explains how the timeless wisdom and knowledge of Ayurveda is relevant to our life, yoga practice and personal growth. The workshop takes place on Sunday, 10 th May, 10:30 am – 1 pm, and costs $420. For more information visit www.yogamala.com.hk IYENGAR WORKSHOP, SINGAPORE Devki is a very senior teacher from the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute in Pune, India. He has been teaching there for over 20 years and is one of the few teachers entrusted to teach the advanced class there. He will be at the Iyengar Yoga Centre Singapore 17 th – 20 th May. The workshop costs S$300. For more information, email info@iyengaryogasingapore.com KUNDALINI WORKSHOP, JAKARTA Yoga@42 Bikram Yoga Jakarta is organizing a Kundalini Yoga workshop 26 th June. For more information www.bikramyogajakarta.com or email hotyogajakarta@yahoo.com BASIC HATHA, JAKARTA There will be a 10-credit hours workshop of basic Hatha postures at Yoga@42 Bikram Yoga Jakarta on Sunday, 21 st June. For more information www.bikramyogajakarta.com or email hotyogajakarta@yahoo.com TWIST AND SHOUT AT YOGA CENTRAL, HONG KONG Australian yogis Peter and Sue Scott will host a workshop entitled Twists, Inversions & Women’s Yoga in June and July at Yoga Central in Hong Kong. For more information email yogacentralhk@yahoo.com
Dristi Brahmacarya Chastit tity, Celib elibac acy & Sexual Responsibilit sponsibility Poep Sa Frank Jude Boccio most teachers ... are more moderate in allowing sex between married ... – committed partners Brahmacarya is an ancient yogic ideal the Buddha taught as his Third Precept and which is found fourth among the yamas in Patanjali’s Yoga-Sutra. The word “brahmacarya” has been variously translated as “brahmic conduct” or “to move in or with Brahman,” with Brahman understood as the “ultimate reality.” In a general way, one can see this as walking/living in harmony with the Tao, Rita, Dharma or God’s Will. It has come to refer to the right or appropriate relationship to kama or sensual pleasure, for the dedicated yogi/ni. It might come as disheartening news to contemporary yoga practitioners, but the traditional understanding of brahmacarya has tended towards celibacy. That “Brahmic conduct” should be seen as celibacy is probably related to the notion that Brahman transcends all gender distinctions. The spiritual aspirant is asked to emulate that genderless (sexless) condition to preserve and cultivate sexual energy for spiritual awakening. Thus, the Yoga-Sutra says (2.38) the ‘yogin who is firmly grounded in this virtue gains great vitality (virya). The Bhagavad-Gita (17.14) asserts that brahmacarya forms part of the practice of tapas. The Kurma-Purana (2.11.18) defines brahmacarya as the abstinence from sexual intercourse in deed, mind, and speech at all times and in all circumstances. The Agni- Purana (372.9) says it is the renunciation of the eight degrees of sexual activity: fantasizing; glorifying the sex act or the opposite gender; dalliance; eyeing the opposite gender; love-talk; longing; the resolution to break one’s vow of celibacy; and consummation of the sex act! Perhaps thankfully, the Linga-Purana (1.8.17) says that this strict definition applies only to hermits, forest dwelling yogis, and widowers, whereas householders are allowed sexual intercourse with their spouse, but must practice chastity with regard to all others. This distinction between chastity and celibacy has become of great importance to contemporary practitioners of yoga. While some hard-core purists (mostly in India) still assert that to practice yoga authentically, one must refrain from all sexual activity (celibacy) most teachers in most traditions are more moderate in allowing sex between married – or more liberally – committed partners, with restraint in regard to all others (chastity). That is generally understood as sexual relations free of manipulation, oppression, exploitation, and offensiveness. It is the practice of “pure sex” or sexual responsibility. It is conscious sexuality. In the Order of Interbeing, established by Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh, the vows taken by lay-members and monastics are all the same except for the one relating to brahmacarya. Whereas the version for monastics is one of celibacy, the one for lay-members states: Aware that sexual relations motivated by craving cannot dissipate the felling of loneliness, but will create more suffering, frustration and isolation, I am determined not to engage in sexual relations without mutual understanding, love and a longterm commitment. In sexual relations, I must be aware of future suffering that may be caused. I know that to preserve the happiness of myself and others, I must respect the rights and commitments of myself and others. I will do everything in my power to protect children from sexual abuse and to protect couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct. I will treat my body with respect and preserve my vital energies (sexual, breath, spirit) for the realization of my bodhisattva ideal. I will be fully aware of the responsibility for bringing new lives into the world and will meditate on the world into which we are bringing new beings. As you can see, this vow of the lay practitioner asks us to refrain from sexual relations motivated by craving, loneliness or anger; to do so treats the other as an object, and will ultimately lead to further suffering. This precept also reminds us that to practice brahmacarya means to respect the commitments of others. I remember a student who had rationalized her affair with a married man because she herself wasn’t married. When she looked deeply into this precept, she realized that she was, in fact, responsible to a degree for helping break the commitment that existed between the man and his wife. She decided to break off the 7
Page 1 and 2: namaskar A VOICE FOR THE YOGA COMMU
Page 3 and 4: Inside APRIL 2009 Special Features
Page 5: NEWS BALISPIRIT FESTIVAL A fusion a
Page 9 and 10: Dristi Brahmacarya Vie iew, , Metho
Page 11 and 12: person who is totally tight with mo
Page 13 and 14: Yoga off the Mat My Widowed Aunt Ar
Page 15 and 16: Yoga 101 Changing Beliefs Helene Li
Page 17 and 18: kotichakrasana, pawanmuktasana, bak
Page 19 and 20: Asana Garbha Pindasana Valerie Wils
Page 21 and 22: Karma Yoga Yogis chant t for Hong K
Page 23 and 24: My Journey Friendship riendship, St
Page 25 and 26: Pat and Pure teacher, Rinat by my s
Page 27 and 28: Dawuni has been called both: ‘Bob
Page 29 and 30: Book Review Scientific Healing Affi
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