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YogLek, Palghat (2025)

27/08/2025

YOGA CAPSULES: A DAILY PRESCRIPTION FOR INNER BALANCE
[Sharing the wisdom of my Guru, Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati ]

Life often teaches us to push through stress or escape it, but yoga gently reminds us to pause, breathe, and reconnect with ourselves. Swamiji designed these yoga capsules so that anyone, regardless of their busy life, can incorporate the essence of yoga into their daily living.

A yoga capsule is not a lengthy session that demands you to rearrange your schedule. Instead, it is a set of small, bite-sized practices spread throughout the day. Taken together, they require only about 40 to 50 minutes, yet because they are divided into simple, manageable segments, they feel light and effortless.

The Five Yoga Capsules

Here is how Swamiji beautifully designed these transformative practices:

Capsule 1: Morning Mantras

Before stepping out of bed, awaken your day with sacred sound vibrations that uplift your heart and mind:
*Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra – 11 repetitions for healing and overall well-being
**Gayatri Mantra – 11 repetitions to awaken clarity and wisdom
***32 Names of Durga – 3 rounds to invoke courage and strength
These mantras work deeply on the subconscious, planting seeds of positivity for the day ahead. I have found that this simple ritual makes mornings calmer, brighter, and full of purpose.

Capsule 2: Energising Asanas (Before Breakfast, 10–15 minutes)

After freshening up, give your body a gentle wake-up call:
*Tadasana (Palm Tree Pose)
*Tiryaka Tadasana (Swaying Palm Tree Pose)
*Kati Chakrasana (Waist Twist)
*Surya Namaskara (Sun Salutations)
*An inverted posture (Vipareetkarani or Sarvangasana, if suitable)
*A brief relaxation in Shavasana
This short series opens up your energy channels, brings lightness to the body, and prepares you for the day.

Capsule 3: Energising Pranayama

*Nadi Shodhan Pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breathing)
*Bhramari Pranayama (Humming Bee Breath)
Capsules 3 and 4 act as a reset button, awakening the body, steadying the breath, and clearing the mind. If you cannot fit this pranayama practice into your morning, it works beautifully as a midday breathing break before lunch.

Capsule 4: Afternoon Yoga Nidra

Before transitioning into evening activities, take a short, restorative Yoga Nidra:
*Lie down in Shavasana.
*Rotate awareness systematically through the body.
*Watch the breath or silently repeat “So-Ham”.
This simple power nap-like practice dissolves the fatigue and worries of the day, helping you meet your family and evening life with fresh energy and calmness.

Capsule 5: Evening Reflection and Meditation

End your day in peace and gratitude. Spend 5–10 minutes reviewing the day, moment by moment, as if you were watching a film. See your experiences with compassion rather than judgment. Over time, this deepens mindfulness and self-awareness.

A Gardener’s Path

Swamiji often reminds us that we are not meant to be warriors in life, but gardeners. Each of us is given a small patch of land—our body, mind, and soul. With care and consistent effort, we can nurture this space into a flourishing garden. Yoga capsules are a way to begin this gentle cultivation. Just a few mindful moments each day can lead to profound inner growth over time. All that is required is your willingness to take these small, nourishing steps daily.

17/07/2025

MORNING YOGA OR EVENING YOGA - WHICH IS BETTER?

This is a question that often comes up in yoga circles - and even more often in our own minds as we try to fit a consistent practice into a busy day. Should I do yoga in the morning? Or is evening just as good?

THE BEAUTY OF MORNING YOGA

There is something undeniably special about greeting the day with yoga. The early hours offer a clean slate. Morning practice helps anchor the body and mind, allowing one to set intentions and step into the day with clarity and strength.
Traditionally, yoga sadhana includes a blend of
*asana[ postures]- to awaken the body
* pranayama -to steady the breath
*meditation- to centre awareness and
* relaxation- for integration.

Practicing at dawn is like letting a gentle Sun rise inside - gradually lighting up one’s inner space.

THE GIFT OF EVENING PRACTICE

Evening yoga has its own quiet magic. As the day winds down, it offers a pause to release physical fatigue and mental clutter. It is like unpacking the emotional and physical baggage of the day and preparing oneself for a restful night.

Having said that, evening practices are best kept gentle. It is not the time for intense backbends or energizing pranayama. Rather, it is a space for

*deep stretches
*calming breathwork
*yoga nidra and
* restorative postures.

As the world begins to quieten again, yoga becomes a refuge to return to oneself.

SO, WHICH ONE IS BETTER?

It depends entirely on a person’s lifestyle, energy patterns and intention. Some find mornings energizing and purposeful while others cherish the soothing quality of evening movement. There is no universal rule-Yoga gracefully meets each person where they are.

And what if your biggest hurdle is TIME?

It is here that I want to mention the YOGA CAPSULE, thoughtfully designed by Param Pujya Swami Niranjananda Saraswathi, the spiritual head of the Bihar School of Yoga. In today’s fast paced world, making time for regular yogic practice can be difficult. Understanding this, Swamiji has given us a simple yet powerful solution- a short daily sadhana that supports all aspects of health without needing major changes to one’s lifestyle.

Each Yoga Capsule takes just 10 to 15 minutes a day.

It includes:
*3 mantras for focus and inner connection
*3- 5 asanas for movement and flexibility
*2 pranayam techniques to balance the breath
*A short relaxation to complete the practice.

Just like we might take a daily vitamin for physical health, these yoga capsules nourish the body, calm the mind and balance the emotions.

Swamiji’s intention is clear and compassionate - To help people, no matter how busy they are, stay connected with yoga in a regular and meaningful way.

With deep gratitude to Swamiji and the Bihar School of Yoga, I truly believe the Yoga Capsule can make a big difference!

Let Yoga become your daily companion - whether under the rising Sun or in the quiet of Twilight!

Hari Om Tat Sat!

P.S. Curious about the Yoga Capsule? I will be sharing it more deeply in my next blog post.
Stay tuned!

10/07/2025

FROM SEEKING A PERSON TO REALIZING A PRESENCE
- My Jouney into Guru Tattwa

On this Sacred day, I offer my heartfelt pranams to the Guru Parampara, the timeless lineage of wisdom guiding sincere seekers across generations. Today, we not only honour the teachers who have shaped us outwardly, but also the Guru Tattwa , the inner guiding light that reveals itself quietly and unexpectedly.
This blog is my offering on this special day- a personal journey of what the word ‘Guru’ has come to mean to me over the years. From seeking outside to discovering within, from confusion to clarity, from the title to the truth!

WHEN SOMEONE CALLED ME ‘GURU’

Not long ago, at a small formal gathering, one of my students introduced me,sincerely, as her ‘Yoga GURU’. I was touched,but also humbled by the weight of that word. I took that opportunity to speak of the tradition I follow, where the word ‘Guru’ is not used lightly. It is not merely a mark of respect, it is a sacred recognition — a reflection of an inner transformation in the shishya (disciple). Yes, I teach and guide. But I know in my heart that the title is not mine to claim.

THE WORD ‘GURU’ NOW EVERYWHERE

These days, the word ‘Guru’ is everywhere.
It is splashed across social media bios, workshop flyers and even casual conversations - Fitness Guru, Instagram Guru, Marketing Guru, ……It is tossed around so easily that its original meaning feels lost and reduced to something fashionable, even promotional. And everytime I hear it used this way, I get disturbed because I now understand how long it took to unlearn my assumptions and truly grasp the sanctity of the word.

THE LONGING THAT SPARKED MY SEARCH

For the longest time, I believed that a Guru was simply a person. A wise, evolved being. A spiritual authority who could tell me what to do when I could not trust myself. That longing had a deeper root - I lost my father during my teenage years. And with him, I lost the comforting sense of someone who knew better, who could guide and steady me through life’s confusions. It was from that tender space that the longing for a Guru arose - not out of spiritual ambition, but from a deeply human need to have someone to turn to.Not consciously at first, but slowly I began looking outward for someone to fill that space- I explored, I read books, I followed speakers, I listened to teachings - Some touched me, some left me confused, some I admired but none filled that void.

THE GENTLE UNFOLDING

Somewhere along the way, I started noticing that at several turning points in my life, when confusion clouded me and no one else could decide for me, I somehow made the right choices. Not always easy but right. Looking back, I now see that the GURU TATTWA - the inner guiding principle, had been quietly present all along. I could not name it. I had not recognised it. But it was there.

MEETING THE TEACHINGS THAT NAMED MY EXPERIENCE

It was very much later that I came across the teachings of the Bihar School of Yoga when I began to understand something I had always sensed but never quite articulated: that the Guru is not merely a person. The Guru is a living principle - a stream of consciousness that flows through the lineage of realised beings and awakens the divine potential within every sincere aspirant.

In the yogic path, especially in the Bihar School of Yoga, this is known as Guru Tattwa - not just a concept but a potent presence that leads the seeker to turn the gaze inward and awakens awareness.

THE WEIGHT OF A WORD AND THE TRUTH BEHIND IT

One of the most beautiful things I have understood through this path is that a true Guru never proclaims himself to be one.
He lives the truth.
He radiates clarity not through words, but through presence.
He does not gather followers - He awakens leaders.
He does not need titles or branding - He holds a space where others can rise into their own light.

Happy GURU POORNIMA!

10/07/2025

Sree Gurubhyo Namah🙏

01/07/2025

WHEN THE HASHTAGS FADE...

Ten days have quietly slipped by since Yoga Day. The hashtags are fading from our feeds. The stage has been dismantled, and the banners folded away. Photoes have made their rounds – liked, loved and shared. The excitement that once filled parks, halls and virtual gatherings has softened into silence.

But one gentle question lingers in the stillness: What remains now? And the answer rises like breath through still air – Yoga remains😊.

Yoga day is beautiful in its power to unite, to spark curiosity and to offer a glimpse into a deeper way of living. Yet, for those who walk this path sincerely, there is an unspoken understanding that it is never about just one day. It is not performance or pageantry. It is 'presence'. Yoga lives in the quiet, daily choices we make.

At the Bihar School of Yoga, each year is guided by a theme that helps anchor this understanding. This year, the theme is especially resonant – “The Year of Positive Connection”.

And how softly those words land – positive connection not just with people, but with nature, with time, with situations, with life itself and most intimately, with oneself.

This theme draws us back to the roots of yogic life: the Yamas and Niyamas. These are not rules carved in stone. They are gentle principles, quiet companions shaping the way we think, speak and act.

Each year, BSY highlights one Yama and one Niyama for contemplation. This year, the spotlight is on Dharma and Samatvam.

DHARMA: Showing Up with Sincerity

Contrary to how it is often portrayed, Dharma is not a burdensome duty or a lofty ideal. It is simpler and softer. It is about showing up – for life, for others, for ourselves – with clarity, care and sincerity. Whether it is in the big responsibilities we shoulder or the unnoticed gestures of daily life, Dharma is about what needs to be done – fully and mindfully.

A verse from the Bhagavad Gita often lingers in my mind:

"śhreyān swa-dharmo viguṇaḥ para-dharmāt sv-anuṣhṭhitāt swa-dharme nidhanaṁ śhreyaḥ para-dharmo bhayāvahaḥ"
(Bhagavad Gita 3:35)
A gentle reminder to walk our path, even if imperfectly, rather than perfect someone else’s journey.

SAMATVAM: Finding Balance Within

Samatvam means Equanimity, inner balance, not just in how we move on the mat, but in how we navigate life. It is all about staying steady in the ebb and flow of praise and criticism, success and struggle.

The Gita sums it up in one timeless line:

“Samatvam Yoga Uchyate” Equanimity is Yoga. (2:48)

This kind of balance is not performative calmness. It is a deep-rooted steadiness. A choice to not be swept away by emotional highs or lows, but to hold space for it all, gracefully.

Of course, this is not always easy. Life today is fast, loud and often overwhelming. Distractions are many, and expectations are even more. Some days, living by these values feels natural. Other days, it is an uphill climb. But through it all, one truth has stayed with me – when there is a willingness to try, a door quietly opens. Support arrives – sometimes from within, sometimes from unexpected places.

Together, Dharma and Samatvam invite us into a deeper relationship with life. They remind us to slow down, to be present, and to let life unfold with patience and gentleness.

So, yes, the banners may be packed away. But the real Yoga? It quietly continues.

Every day, in every breath, in every moment we choose Presence over Pressure, Steadiness over Stress.

And in that sense—truly—every day is a Yoga Day!

21/06/2025

MY YOGA DAY REFLECTION

It was around this time, five years ago - just before the International Yoga Day 2020- that yoga began revealing itself to me not merely as a practice, but as a path.

Until then, yoga was something I quietly practised for myself. It was my personal space- my way to stay fit, flexible and balanced. Out of ignorance, or perhaps simply a lack of awareness, I hadn’t paused to reflect on its deeper, more holistic impact.

Yet, I consider myself fortunate - over the years, I have had the opportunity to learn from three ‘Acharyas’. They came into my life at different times - Two in my hometown where I live [Yoga Acharya Shri. Keshavankutty, Ottapalam & Warrier Mash, Pattambi] and One in my native place [Shri Vishwanathan Sir, Chaithanya Yoga, Ernakulam South]. And each of them, in their own unique way, laid the foundation- unknowingly preparing me for a turning point I didn’t see myself coming. I remember them with deep respect and heartfelt gratitude.

That turning point arrived during the stillness of the pandemic. The schools everywhere were closed and classes had been abruptly shut down. From June 17 to June 21 , 2020, the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan teaming up with SPICMACAY had organised a five - day online YOG SHIVIR in celebration of International Yoga Day 2020 - an uplifting, intentional initiative to support physical well being and inner balance during a time of deep uncertainty. As part of this thoughtful effort, my daughters’ school [ Kendriya Vidyalaya, Ottappalam ] invited students to participate in the YOG SHIVIR online. I decided to join in alongside my daughters - simply wanting to see what it was all about.

Each morning, we would wake up early to attend the sessions. I found myself more enthusiastic than my girls! The sessions were led by Sn. Devanand Ji, a Karmasannyasi trained in the Bihar School of Yoga tradition. At the time, I didn’t realise how significant this would be - that it would become my first meaningful contact with the tradition.

Every day began with Mantra chanting- something I had always felt drawn to. The sound vibrations of the mantras set the tone for the session. From there, we moved through the different components of yoga at a calm, steady pace with clear and relaxed instructions - it all opened something meaningful in me.

By the end of those five days, a quiet connection had taken root. I found myself wanting to walk deeper into this path. I began searching online for courses under the Bihar School of Yoga. For a while, nothing came up - until about two weeks later, when I came across an ad for a fundamental course in Yogic Studies by Atma Darshan Yogashram, Bengaluru. I enrolled immediately, fingers crossed, not knowing what lay ahead.

To my surprise and absolute joy, on the very first day of the class, my teacher was none other than Sn.Devanand Ji. I had no idea he was a senior faculty member at ADY. It felt like more than coincidence. It felt like grace. What I thought would be just learning turned out to be an immersion into a living tradition. Since then, Sn. Devanandji has remained a mentor and a guiding presence in my journey.

Through Atma Darshan Yogashram, I have had the opportunity to learn from many inspiring teachers - Poorna Sannyasin- s, Karma Sannyasin- s, Jignasu- s - all committed initiates of the Satyananda Yoga tradition, walking different stages of the spiritual journey. Swami Dharmakeerthi Ji, Swami Yogmaya Ji, Sn. Krishna Roopam Ji, Sn. Devashree Ji - all shared their wisdom with deep sincerity and grace at ADY.

Ever since, I have remained closely associated with ADY - attending classes regularly , continuing my studies and eventually enrolling in the Teacher Training Course. This steady learning not only deepened my understanding but anchored me more firmly in the Satyananda Yoga tradition, [also known as the Bihar School of Yoga].

I feel immensely grateful to be even an ‘iota’ [a tiny part] of this living tradition - which traces its roots in Adi Shankaracharya’s Dashanami Parampara and follows the Guru- Shishya lineage of : Swami Sivananda Saraswathi of Rishikesh [Founder of the Divine Life Society, Swami Satyananda Saraswathi [founder of the Bihar School of Yoga in Munger and Swami Niranjanananda Saraswathi [Paramacharya of BSY and Successor of Swami Satyananda Saraswathi].

Five Years ago, I stepped into that five-day Yoga Shivir without knowing what awaited me. That simple decision turned out to be the doorway to a life- changing journey.

My humble endeavour now is to share Yoga as it was given to me - with love, clarity and devotion. Not diluted, Not modernised.Simply as a way of life.

On this Yoga Day, I bow to the path and the grace that led me here.

To walk this path is a blessing,
To share it is my offering,

Happy International Yoga Day 2025!

19/06/2025

Between one page and the next, there is a little space to be- A mindful pause, just like a breath in yoga.
Happy Reading Day!
📖🌿🧘‍♀️

07/06/2025

🧘‍♀️YOGA:FROM LIFESTYLE TO THERAPY🌿

In today’s wellness landscape, Yoga Therapy is rapidly gaining attention — as a healing practice, a stress-relief tool, and even as part of clinical protocols.

But this brings up an important reflection:
Was yoga ever meant to be a therapy?

To truly understand its depth, we must
revisit the essence of yoga.
Traditionally, yoga was never intended as a therapy in the medical sense.
It was — and still remains — a way of life.

Yet today, yoga’s therapeutic relevance is undeniable.Why?

Many modern ailments — stress, anxiety, depression, digestive issues, hypertension, autoimmune conditions — are no longer just physical imbalances. They are reflections of deeper inner disharmony, often rooted in an overworked mind and a disconnected life.

Interestingly, in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali — the foundational text of classical yoga — there are only three sutras dedicated to asana, the physical postures. Just three!

The heart of yoga lies in the sutra:
"Chitta vritti nirodhah" — stilling the fluctuations of the mind.

And perhaps that’s why yoga is so profoundly relevant today.
Not because yoga changed — but because our lives did.

With its tools of awareness — asana, pranayama, relaxation, meditation, mindfulness, and ethical living — yoga invites us to listen to the body, observe the mind, and realign with our inner compass.

It helps us manage illness — but also shows us how not to fall ill in the first place.

So when we speak of Yoga Therapy, we’re not limiting yoga.We’re reclaiming its essence — and adapting it to the needs of our time.

Let us honour Yoga Therapy as a modern doorway to an ancient lifestyle —one that heals, uplifts, and transforms us from the inside out. 🌱💆‍♀️🧘‍♀️

01/06/2025

MUSINGS AROUND YOGA DAY

June is here, and there is a lot of excitement in the air.
The 21st – International Yoga Day– is just around the corner.
My social feed is full of yoga reels, challenges, retreat announcements, and enthusiastic countdowns.

Everywhere I look, there is movement. Momentum.
Mats are being rolled out. Hashtags are being curated.

It’s beautiful to see so many people showing up in the name of yoga. But amid all this buzz, I invite you to pause and reflect.

Is yoga becoming another date on the calendar? - Like a festival we prepare for with enthusiasm, celebrate with energy and then neatly pack away until next year?

Are we stopping at the surface?

If you are someone starting your yoga journey this June, here’s a gentle message: Start, Begin, Try, Stumble, Learn, Repeat.
But don’t let it stop with the event.
Let yoga gently flow into your everyday life — not in big poses or perfect frames, but in small, consistent ways.

Because true yoga doesn’t unfold under a spotlight.

Yoga is rooted in a deep tradition – thousands of years of wisdom, passed on through humble seekers, devoted teachers and generations of silent, sincere practice.

It has survived not because it was trendy but because it is timeless.
Let’s not reduce it to trends.
Let’s not forget the sacredness in the noise.

So this Yoga day, by all means – CELEBRATE.
Roll out your mat, join the collective energy,
Share the joy and light up the world with your presence.

But remember, the real celebration begins the next day and the days after that.
Let Yoga Day be your beginning, not your finish line.

30/05/2025

IS YOGA FOR EVERYONE?

People often ask me. “Is yoga for everyone?”

And my answer is: Yes...but also, not exactly.

There’s a phrase I love: “Yoga is for everyone, but not just for anyone.” It may sound contradictory, but it holds a beautiful truth.

Yoga welcomes all. It doesn’t matter how old you are, what shape your body is in, or whether you are flexible or stiff, calm or restless. You can arrive on the mat with joy or grief, energy or exhaustion. Yoga doesn’t judge—it simply invites. Its true power lies in how adaptable it is. In that sense, yes, yoga is truly for everyone.

Today, yoga is more accessible than ever—studios, online platforms, and wellness spaces have made it easy to roll out a mat and begin. And many do! People join with great enthusiasm, feeling lighter and brighter after a few sessions. But often, after a while, some drift away. They pause… or quietly stop showing up.

I used to wonder why.

And over time, I understood something important.

Yoga often begins with the body—but it doesn’t stop there. It gently nudges us inward. It asks for presence, self-discipline, and a willingness to pause and reflect. And in a world that is moving fast, that can be confronting.

The postures are approachable, but yoga isn’t about moving through shapes. It stirs something deeper—our thoughts, habits, emotions, and choices. For some, that’s a lot to take in. Especially when they come looking just for a workout.

And that’s okay.

Yoga never forces—it flows at your pace. It meets you where you are. For many who return after stepping away, the second journey is more grounded and more sincere. They no longer come chasing trends – they come to meet themselves, just as they are.

So yes, yoga is for everyone. But to truly walk the path, it takes more than a mat. It takes an open heart, a curious mind and the courage to stay.

YogLek

27/08/2025

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