(12) Yoga Siksha Shivir at Vivekananda Kendra - Kanyakumari, December 2017.

Continued from part (11).....

A few memorable moments arranged by the VKendra, Kanyakumari........

On 10th December 2017, at  9.30 am all the participants were taken to the nearby places of interest inside the Kendra's huge campus by the senior Karyakartas to explore a few of those. Amongst them was Vivekananda Pictorial Exhibition, Ramayana Darshan  - a very attractive pictorial exhibition on the great Epic of Hindus The Ramayana which was inaugurated by the Honourable PM of India Shri Narendra Modiji on 14th January 2017.

Vkendra Pictorial Exhibition

Bharat Mata Mandir & Ramayana Darshan.

Gautam Buddha Statue

Backside of Ramayana Darshan

Front Side Of Ramayana Darshan

Garden Area of Ramayana Darshan.

Then we visited the Gramodaya Park, an exhibition center of village development and training projects undertaken by the Vivekananda Kendra.

Lastly we all gathered at the Gangotri, a gallery of Mananeeya Eknath'ji Ranade the founder of Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Vivekananda Kendra of Kanyakumari. 

After exploring all those attractions we came back to the training centre at 12.30 pm
as per the instructed schedule. It was indeed a sacred and great experience for all of us.

In the afternoon at 1.30 pm after lunch we were again taken to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial by Kendra's bus upto the Rock Memorial point. From there we had to get up to a Jetty boat to cross a small area of Indian Ocean, nearly 1350 ft. to visit the Memorial. Everything for visiting the Rock Memorial was arranged free of cost by Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, in that way it was also great experience for all of us. We spent nearly 2 hours there and had a photo session also. 
Then we proceeded by another Steamer to enjoy the beauty of the statue of the great Saint "Thiruvallavur". The statue is 80 foot high and can be located from any place of Kanyakumari. It is located only a few meters of distance from the Rock Memorial on the sea.
A few amongst us took leave from the group and went for shopping in the main market area of Kanyakumari and returned back to the Kendra campus at around 7 pm. That trip was really very exciting and memorable for all the participants.

Sunrise View Point

Vkendra Campus

Photo Session at Rock Memorial.

Photo Session on the Footsteps of Rock Memorial

Visiting Rock Memorial

A few links of YouTube has been added for aspirants knowledge. 

https://youtu.be/p2kuwaOgfcYhttps://youtu.be/TgK2hMqPI04

https://youtu.be/yGvJR8pVSeo

https://youtu.be/WNN4xQyaLAA

(11) Yoga Siksha Shivir at Vivekananda Kendra - Kanyakumari, December 2017.

Continued from part -(11)...

Geetabhyas was followed by Tea break for half an hour, which was again followed by the 2nd session of spiritual and philosophical lectures continued till 4.45 pm and then again Yogasanas being practised up to 5.45 pm. There was a gap of 45 minutes in the evening for the preparation of Bhajan Sandhya, which was conducted everyday at 6.30 pm. 

Bhajans were presented by Jeevan Bratis and Karyakartas of the Vkendra alternatively everyday. Bhajan Sandhya gave us a great relaxtion and peace of mind every evening.

We all had to participate in the Bhajan Sandhya as a chorus singer on the basis of lead and follow norms.

Those beautiful memories cannot be wiped out throughout one's life. 

Bhajan Sandhya is followed by Supper (NaishaBhojon) from 7.15 pm to 8 pm, then there was a most interesting part of the day the traditional game played by the Group members from 8 pm to 8.30 pm every night which was termed as "Prerana Se Punarutthan".

Those games were played team wise inside the Patanjali Training Hall. Many young Karyakartas from different parts of India were the lead instructor of those games.

At the end of the day's activities and session at night, there were some short reviews of the activities up to 9 pm  followed by a cool speech from the main incharge of the Vivekananda Kendra's Training Centres Adarneeya Raghunathji.

To be continued in part - (12)....

(10) Yoga Siksha Shivir at Vivekananda Kendra - Kanyakumari, December' 2017

Continued from part - (9)......

One must attend at least once in his/her lifetime to such camp and have this opportunity to hear such wonderful words from the intellectual classes of VKendra's Karyakartas/Jeevanbratis who have given their whole life for the mission of "Man Making and Nation Building" as their objectives.

A few name of the dignitaries and Senior jeevanbratis/karyakartas may be mentioned here who had delivered words of wisdom during in the lecture session during the period of YSS.

Amongst them were......

1) Mananeeya Hanumanth Rao'ji

2) Mananeeya Rekha Didi

3) Aadarniya Radha Didi

4) Aadarniya Ravi Sharma'ji

5) Aadarniya Mangalatai Didi

6) Aadarniya Aparna Didi

7) Aadarniya Lalita Didi

8) Aadarniya Avinash'ji.

Apart from them, there were also two senior and respectable persons in the role of coordinator who were always a very caring and cooperative with all of us. They were namely Aadarniya Nandan'ji Kulkarni and Aadarniya Govind'ji Khandekar. They always extended their helping hands to the participants all the time.

Lecture session was then followed by "Manthan" i. e, reviewing the topics of the lectures delivered in the first session everyday among the Group members separately. After the manthan session being completed we had a practical class on Pranayama everyday from 12.15 pm to 12.45 pm followed by the "Madhyanna Bhajan" (Lunch) and rest break up to 2.30 pm. From 2.30 pm to 3 pm we were taught different songs, Desh Bhakti gets and Bhajans from the spiritual book of VKendra known as "Padavali" everyday during "Geetabhyas" session.

Those session were very interesting and we could learn and experience many new things from the session everyday, because those Songs, Geets, Bhajan and Mantras were again translated and narrated in very simple words to us very clearly to understand the true meaning of those.

To be continued in part (11)...

(9) Yoga Siksha Shivir at Vivekananda Kendra - Kanyakumari, December' 2017.

Continued from part - (8).....

After this session, we then had to proceed to the courtyard of Patanjali Training Hall and sing a few Desh-bhakti geet together lead by a few trained Karyakartas of Vkendra everyday in the morning. At 8.30 am we had another session of physical works (Shram Samskar) divided amongst the six ganas alternatively everyday on day to day basis and that session was known as SHRAM SAMSKAR. All the participants from each ganas (Group) had to undertake some cleaning works like brooming the campus areas, boarding hall, training hall etc. Those session was very good and interesting one. We could experience how a team work enhances ones energy and capabilities of doing any work together with ease and  the feelings of oneness amongst all the ganas. Our next session was from 9.45 am everyday where a few senior Karyakartas of the Vkendra used to deliver lectures on different topics on different subjects, namely Philosophy, History, Religion, Practical Vedanta etc. 

There were two sessions of lectures everyday. First one was from 9.45am to 10.45 am and second one was from 3.30 pm to 4.45 pm. Lectures delivered on the topics are shown here for the evaluation by the reader.

1) Concepts of Yoga 

2) Sister Nivedita & Swami Vivekananda & their works for India.

3) Swami Vivekananda & Ramakrishna Paramhansa.

4) Kendra Prarthana.

5) Yama & Niyama in yoga.

6) The story of Rock Memorial.

7) Karma Yoga from Srimad Bhagwat Gita.

8) Bhakti Yoga.

9) Asthanga Yoga.

10) Indian Culture & It's Uniqueness.

11) Practical Vedanta.

12) Vivekananda Kendra and it's Activities.

13) Dharma and Sadhuttava.

14) Challenges we have at present throughout the world.

15) Purposeful Life.

16) Vivkananda Kendra and It's Movements.

17) Adi Guru Sankaracharya.

18) Mananeeya Eknath'ji Ranade the founder of Vivekananda Rock Memorial.

Those lectures were delivered in English and Hindi as per the headings of the topics listed above.

Those lectures were I believe the lifeline for us to adhered with for a purposeful living.....
Those speeches were gems from the philosophy of Indian heritage and culture in relation to the universal truth.

TO BE CONTINUED...in part (10).

(8) Yoga Siksha Shivir at Vivekananda Kendra-Kanyakumari, December' 2017

Continued from part- (7)

Sutra Neti Kriya :

Here Sutra means thread, which is passed through the nostrils and out of the mouth, then holding both the end of the thread pulls it back and forth to cleanse the nose. The thread is normally made of smooth rubber pipe. ( An image is shown below)

Vamana Dhauti :

This is also known as Kunjala Kriya. Here Vamana means middle or center and Dhauti means purification. In this process the participants need to drink 3 glasses of luke warm saline water and after a few minutes bending forward in standing position at an angle of 105 degrees one have to put his/her forefinger and middle finger together inside the mouth as deep as possible and throw out the water from our stomach like vomitting. (Camera shot photos)

After the practical session of Yogabhayas we had to have our breakfast within 7.15 am to 8.15 am everyday at the dining hall named as "Prasada". All the participants used to sit together on mat or dining tables as per one's choice and then after chanting the Bhojan Mantra we could enjoy the delicious Sattavic Vegetarian food everyday.

Foods were served by the Six Ganas alternatively as per the prior instructions from the Kendra's senior Karyakartas on day to day basis.
Again, after the breakfast we found tea, coffee and milk were ready for us to have as per our choices everyday.

(7) Yoga Siksha Shivir at Vivekananda Kendra - Kanyakumari, December' 2017.

Continuation of part (6)......….

TRATAKA :

It is a yogic exercise for Eyes which help enhances the eye sights if practices regularly.

MUDRA : 

Our hands are the map of our entire system and mudra is the finger position that guides energy flow in a particular way. By utilising our finger position, we can produce a tremendous affects pertaining to all the system in our body and mind. One of the most common and effective mudra is Gyana Mudra, that is touching the tips of fore finger with thumbs (Both the hands) to retain wisdom. As per the Vedas...Fore finger tips are "Vaayu" and Thumb tips are "Agni" for better knowledge an aspirants may go through the different books available at any of the Vkendra's branches in your city.

JAL NETI KRIYA : 

Here Neti means cleansing of nasal passages. So far there are only two types of Neti kriya practised in Vivekananda Kendra, one is Jal Neti and other is Sutra Neti (Here Jal is water and Sutra is Thread). JAL Neti kriya is practised using a small Neti pot (Photo attached) available in all the Ayurvedic and Herbal shops of repute. 

This kriya is practised pouring luke warm saline water into the pot. In this age old technique,  head is tilted to the left or right side and saline water is poured into the nostril and exit through the other nostril... and this has to be practiced with both the nostrils simultaneously one after another.

To be continued....  in part (7).….

(6) Yoga Siksha Shivir at Vivekananda Kendra - Kanyakumari, December' 2017.

Continuation of part (5).....

SURYA NAMASKARA......

Salutation to the Sun, it can be termed as a whole and complete yogic postures which need to be performed in rhythmic ways. There are a total of twelve postures in one round and same have to be repeated 12 times by chanting 12 lines of Vija (Seeds) mantras. One line of mantra should be followed by one round of "Surya Namaskara" (12) postures. This is one of the best yogic postures so far the world has recognised. We may say this is a complete yogic exercise.

PRANAYAMA.....

PRANAYAMA is a breath controlling technique and the basic pranayama was taught to all the participants where all the age group may participate and practice for good health as long as one wishes to. All the participants were taught the "Puroka" the inhalation "Rechaka" the exhalation process of Pranayama. Only "Kumbhaka" which is known as non-breathing state was not included in YSS. A few pranayama taught to us are listed below for aspirants knowledge ...

(1) Surya Veda Pranayama (Throughing an Arrow to the Sun) (2) Nadi Suddhi Pranayama (Cleansining of our Veins, Arteries and all nervous system)....(3) Chandra Veda Pranayama (As same as Surya Veda).... (4) Kapal Vhati (Contraction and Extraction of Belly) (5) Thoracic Breathing ...(6) Anuloma Viloma.. Those technique of inhalation and exhalation through both of our nostrils (7) Abdominal Breathing...(Taking the breath from our lower path of Belly) ...(8) Bharamari.,is a yogic art to being followed like the sound of Bees and it has it's own posture to pretend as if aspirants are searching for it's bee hives. Those postures detailed above may be had from the the Vivekananda Kendra Branch offices of India.

2) Yogasana - Meaning and Features

Continued from part (1)....

In great scriptures of "Upanishads" it was mentioned that Yoga as a whole been classified into four distinct parts of practising as per the wishes of the aspirants, which may be in any of the following ways.

(1) Mantra Yoga : Maatri Mantra also known as Nature's Call, if practised for 12 years consistently may attain Siddhi, the ultimate way to attain salvation. This holy Name or Mantra is blessed by the Guru who with rigorous practice sow it to his disciples for his/her  Mukti, (Salvation), Samadhi (Nirvana) and to attach them for the good cause of living beings. 

Examples : Indian sages namely... Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa Deva, Rama Prasad, Sadhaka Bamakshyapa. Those were a few to mention with heartfelt regards. Those holy Yore.. Sages... Saints showed us many parts of life for living as in any images for the betterment of the world and Universe through worshipping Goddess Saraswati, Maa Kali, Durga and many more as per ones choice of divinity....

(2) Laya Yoga : This esteemed yoga may be considered as.. Total Surrender to The God, it was mentioned in Maharshi Patanjali's scriptures. So everyday at the time of sleeping at night if one surrender oneself to The God for all his/her deeds.. wishes to the al-mighty may be considered as the most sacred worship to attain the salvation.

(3) Hatha Yoga : Various postures, Mudras (Connection between fingers), Asanas, Pranayama (Control of Breathing) for self realisation of oneself in accordance with the phenomenal truth of mother nature for good health, mind and soul which may be termed as Chittavriti in the words of Indian philosophy of living a Yogic life.

(4) Raja Yoga : Yama, Niyama, Asanas, Pranayama, Prathayahara, Dharana, Dhayana, Samadhi this eight fold way of practising Yoga also can be considered as the most sacred path of self realisation and devotion to have a true wisdom to self guidance where one can find the attachment of life with the God. There are many great incarnations... namely Jesus Christ, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, Gautam Buddha, Jerath Mohammad, Mahabir Jain and many a great souls who could attain the salvation the Nirvana.

1) Yogasana - Meaning and Features

The present days word "Yoga" which we derived from a Sanskrit word "Yuja" means to attach with to progress gradually and sustainably all together.

So, by Yoga we may refer it as a way of good doing and living.

To make our Soul & Mind divine, this eternal form of natural science of Yoga is practiced. For this, external illusions and mental disturbances need to be avoided and controlled to achieve our ultimate goal to reach our destination.

In the ancient times the great souls, hermits, yore, saints used to practice yoga to help concentrate on divinity to control mind to attach with something divine in nature. 

They could awake the Spinal cord's passage known as "Susumnna Nadi" and could also refine it outside of the cord and place that power of energy inside the spinal cord again... but all this could had been possible due to the attachment of Yoga.

Even those great souls could take their "Prana Vayu" out of their body and could able to roam throughout the Universe.

We can acquire such information and knowledges from the great saint and the reformer of Sanatana Dharma (Universal Religion) Jagadguru Shri Adi Sankaryachary's verse.

Favourable-infavourable, Achieved not achieved, Won - lost, Successful- unsuccessful to have this wisdom needs to adhere and follow Yoga, keeping mind and soul together, towards consistency.

All the great souls remained consistent in every path of their life and that is the YOGA...the ultimate.

To be continued......in part (2)

A few Activities of Vivekananda Kendra, -Kanyakumari

5) Yoga Siksha Shivir at Vivekananda Kendra - -Kanyakumari, December'2017.

Continued from part...(4)

On the opening day of 6th December after the morning prayer, a very Senior Karyakarta and All India Joint General Secretary Mananeeya Leaving Dabbolkar'ji delivered a brief inaugural speech at Patanjali training hall and focused the significance and benefits of YSS as an integral part of Kendra's yearly activities. The lecture was really very refreshing for the participants to have a positive start up. After the inaugural session was over our practical session on Yogabhyas (Yogasanas) been started. The main instructor for those classes were Kumari Sindoora Didi for English group and Kumari Saii Didi for the Hindi group throughout the YSS (Camp) for 15days.

We had daily two sessions of Yogabhyas at 5.40 AM to 7 AM in the morning and 4.45 PM to 5.45 PM in the evening. One Pranayama practical session was also included from 11.30 AM to 12.15 PM on daily basis and the same instructor used to impart those training to all of us with very relaxed and consistent manner. During Yogabhyas and Pranayama practical session till the end of the YSS, we could familiar with various yogic postures, inhalation/exhalation processed involved in Pranayama and could also be abled to accomplish those with very consistent and positive manner. A few list of those are highlighted here for aspirants and readers understnding. 

Body Stretch & Warm up: 

Jogging, Thigh Stretch, Ankle Stretch, Hand Stretch, Knee Stretch, Finger Stretch, Head Movements, Waist Stretch, Bending etc. 

Yogabhyas:

Ardha Trikonasana, Trikonasana, Ustrasana, Halasana, Bhujangasana, Ardha Matsyandrasana, Supta Bajrasana, Sasankasana, Sarvangasana, Pavan Muktasana, Ardha Chakrasana, Dhanurasana, Matsyasana, Padahastasana and lastly the Savasana. It is compulsory for everyone practising Yogasanas to do Savasana after practices. One need to lay down on the floor like a death body - for at least 10-15 minutes without any movements with normal breathing and that Asana is known as Savasana.

A few photos can be enjoyed here....

To be Continued in part ...(6)

Amritam: Information of Vivekananda Kendra's Mission

Amritam: Information of Vivekananda Kendra's Mission: About the Blog The Amritam is a platform from which the teachings of Swami Vivekananda along with Yoga as the main key of life will be sha...

4) Yoga Siksha Shivir at Vivekananda Kendra - Kanyakumari, December' 2017.

Continuation of part -3

On registration participants were provided with one Vkendra's bag, one Padavali (A book of Kendra's Prarthanas, Bhajans and different Patriotic songs), Karma Yoga Slokas (Sankrti), one Diary of 2017, Pen & Writing Pad all free of cost. After registration all the participants were asked to attend the Bhajan Sandhya at 6.30pm at Patanjali training and Prayer hall. It is very nice to mention here that, in Kanyakumari in the winter season also Sun Sets at after 6.30pm by the western side of Arabian sea. After bhajan sandhya the total numbers of 74 participants were again divided into SIX GANAS (Groups) and those were (1) Vaishashika (2) Mimamsa (3) Yoga (4) Sankhya (5) Nyaya (6) Vedanta. Out of those six ganas, "Vaishashika" and "Mimamsa" were registered under Hindi Group as medium of their instruction to be followed and other 4 groups were registered under English group as their medium of instructions.

Hindi group were then allotted "Chitrakuta" as their training location and "Patanjali" for English group. But Bhajan Sandhya,  morning evening prayers were conducted together in "Patanjali" training & prayer hall everyday. Kumari Sidoora Didi was the main instructor of Yogasans, Pranayama, Kriya and Dhauti for English group and Kumari Saii Didi was the instructor of those for Hindi group.

There were also supporting instructor in the Yoga classes during the time of instructions and practices, they were namely Shri. Anand Dada, Tarun Bhaiya, Prabhat Dada, Kumari Bishnupriya Behan. It is needed to mention here that, in Vivekananda Kendra all the females are honoured by calling "Didi" and males by calling "Dada" and younger to us by calling Behan and Bhaiya respectively.

  Patanjali - Training & Prayer Hall
Ground floor VKendra's Library

3) Yoga Siksha Shivir at Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari - December' 2017.

Some Activities of Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari may be watched for our knowledge....

2) Yoga Siksha Shivir at Vivekananda Kendra - Kanyakumari... December' 2017

Continued from last blog...

As per the norms of the Kendra only seventy -five participants from throughout India can participate in this YSS, but we were more than that and Kendra had to shift a few participants to other courses like Yoga Certificate Course (YCC), which is also continues for another 15days. As per the norms to reach one day earlier for these camps....participants on arrival at VKendra's training center on 5th December' 2017 found the tasks and training programme to be accomplished during the Shivir (Camp) period were already pasted...A Photo is shared for reference....

on the board of "Satyakam" boarding complex (1st floor for females and Ground floor for Male participants)  "Patanjali" one of the training and prayer hall and "Chitrakuta" another training hall....A few Photo Caps are shared for references

.

It is worth mentioning here that, Vivekananda Kendra's training center at Kanyakumari is located inside a Peacock Sanctuary. One can enjoy hundreds of Peacocks are gathered together near the "Satyakam" boarding hall everyday. Those moments spent with those beautiful Peacock and Peahens were unforgettable for all the participants. We fed Peacocks with our own hands from time to time. We offered peanuts, peas to them regularly and they were also very friendly to the guests. It was really amazing and life time experience for all of us.

These two photos can be enjoyed here for our knowledge. In the evening all the participants had to registere themselves for the Shivir with training fees of ₹3000/- only for 15 days training programme including boarding and dining inside it's own campus. Participants were registered under two categories, namely English and Hindi as a medium of instruction to be followed during this training period as per one's choice.

"The National ideals of India are renunciation & service. Intensity her in those channels, and the rest will take care of itself"

        

                  Swami Vivekananda

"Understand that India is still living, because she has her own quota yet to give to the general stores of the world's civilization."

                  Swami Vivekananda

1) Yoga Siksha Shivir at Vivekananda Kendra - Kanyakumari... December' 2017.

Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari as a parts of it's yearly activities organizes Yoga Siksha Shivir (YSS) every year in the months of May and December for 15days each month at its training center in Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, Tamilnadu, India. Such YSS have been taking place since 1976. By Yoga we mean a process of continuous attachment to something for good cause, that is pure devotion of mind, heart and soul towards the perfection of individual works and deeds to attain a divine life for purposeful living.

Vivekananda Cultural Center in Chennai, India.

In Srimad Bhagwat Gita all the eeighteen chapters are described as Yoga like Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Gyana Yoga etc. So concentration to anything purposeful with highest levels of devotion may be considered as Yoga. The aim of this blog is an effort to send messages to the people of Assam and India as a whole about the benefits of attending such Yoga Siksha Shivir (YSS) along with other certificate courses and trainings held every year from time to time. It is indeed a moment of joy to share those practical session of the YSS held during the period of 6th to 20th December' 2017 at Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari. (A photo cap)

Performing Surya Namaskar in the early morning at Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari on the terrace of Patanjali block. From this terrace the confluence of three seas namely...Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal can be seen and enjoyed heartfelt natural treasure.

                        to be continued....

YOGA -The way of life based on the vision of oneness.

The present generation is moving at a very fast pace, hitherto unknown. The result being economic prosperity, technological development at the end...and stressful lives, and fractured inter personal relationships at the other end. Man seldom enjoys the fruits of his labour as he is bogged down because of the stress.

This makes Yoga much more relevant today. There is compelling need to create an awareness about "Yoga" which is commonly misconstrued as a mere physical exercise. 

Yoga is not just Asana or Pranayama. It is a way of life. It is a process in which we integrate our body-mind-intellect with the larger identities like family, society and Nation and the entire creation.

Courtesy :Vivekananda Kendra Prakashan Trust
From the book "Yoga" by Padmasree Maananeeya Nivedta Raghunath Bhide.

Information of Vivekananda Kendra's Mission

About the Blog
The Amritam is a platform from which the teachings of Swami Vivekananda along with Yoga as the main key of life will be shared. How to practice and perform Yogasanas and Pranayama would be also added. So, I request all the visitors and readers to kindly share such a valuable information to amongst families and friends.  This blog is a treasure of good health and life. This blog will provide those treasure of information followed in Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari in the state of Tamilnadu as it's headquarter and all other branches located throughout & across India. The main mission and objective of this organization is "Man Making and Nation Building" as a whole. It is a spiritually oriented service mission. So, follow this blog regularly and gather the nectar of life for good health and mind. In the words of Swami Vivekananda.... "Arise Awake and Stop Not Till the Goal is Reached"www.facebook.com

Observation of International Yoga Day by VKendra's Karyakartas at N.F. Railway office in Tinsukia, Assam

21st June' 2019.

A group of Yoga admirer practicing Yoga in front of a stadium in Jorhat, Assam.

22nd July' 2019