Frequently Asked Questions

What is the basic philosophy of yoga?

Yoga is the complete science of life that originated in India many thousands of years ago. It is the oldest system of personal development in the world and encompassing body, mind and spirit. The ancient yogis had profound understanding of man’s essential nature and if what he needs to live in harmony with himself and his environment. The yogic philosophy perceives the body as a vehicle, the mind as the driver, the soul as mans true identity and action, emotion and intelligence as the three forces which pull the body vehicle. In order for there to be integrated development these forces need to be in balance. Taking into account the interrelationship between body and mind, the yogis formulated a unique method for maintaining this balance-a method that combines all movements that you need for physical health with the breathing and meditation techniques that ensures peace of mind. By practicing mindfulness, or just conscious breathing, you will begin to notice the positive ways it can ripple into your life. 

What are the chants sung in the class and what do they all mean???

There is an opening and closing chant sung in each class. The opening chant helps in raising the vibration for the class and developing a good relationship between the teacher and the student. The closing chant includes mantras for peace and protection. The words and translations are below for your perusal. But just remember that with sanskrit it is not so much about the meaning of the words, because the language was created by how the sounds vibrate in the energy body. So by merely listening to this ancient language, you are healing parts of yourself in your energetic field. It is powerful. This combined with intention, can exponentially help you with your healing journey. 

MAHA MRITYUNJAYA MANTRA

Om Trayambakam Yajaamahe

Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam

Urvaarukamiva Bhandhanan

Mrityor Mukshiya Mamritat

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Om. We worship the three-eyed One (Lord Siva) who is fragrant and who nourishes well all beings; may He liberate us from death for the sake of Immortality even as a cucumber is severed from its bondage to the

PEACE MANTRAS

Om Sarvesham Svasti Bhavatu

Sarvesham Shantir Bhavatu

Sarvesham Purnam Bhavatu

Sarvesham Mangalam Bhavatu

Om. May auspiciousness be unto all. May peace be unto all. May fullness be unto all. May prosperity be unto all.

Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah

Sarve Santu Niramayaah

Sarve Bhadrani Pasyantu

Maa Kaschid-Dukha-Bhag-Bhavet

Om. May all be happy. May all be free from disabilities. May all look to the good of others. May none suffer from sorrow.

Asato Maa Sat Gamaya

Tamaso Maa Jyotir Gamaya

Mrityor Maa Amritam Gamaya

Om. Lead me from the unreal to the Real, from darkness to Light, from mortality to Immortality.

Om Purnamadah Purnamidam

Purnaat Purnamudachyate

Purnasya Purnamaadaaya

Purnamevaa Vashishyate

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

Om. That is whole. This is whole. From the whole the whole becomes manifest. From the whole, when the whole--if negated--what remains is again the whole. Om. Peace, peace, peace.

DHYANA SLOKAS (GAJANANAM)

Gajananam Bhutagaanadi Sevitam

Kapittha Jambu Phala Saara Bhakshitam

Uma Sutam Shokavinaasha Kaaranam

Namaami Vigneshvara Paada Pankajam

I prostrate myself before the lotus feet of Vigneshvara (Ganesha), the son of Uma, who destroys sorrow, who is served by the host of angels, who has the face of an elephant, who partakes of the essence of kapittha and jambu fruits.

Shadananam Kumkuma Raktavarnam

Mahaamatim Divya Mayura Vaahanam

Rudrasya Sunam Surasainya Natham

Guhaam Sadaaham Sharanam Prapadye

I always take refuge in Guha of six faces (Subramanya), who is of deep red color like kumkuma, who possesses great knowledge, who has the divine peacock to ride on, who is the son of Rudra (Siva), and who is the leader of the army of the devas (gods and angels).

Yaa Kundendu Tushaara Haara Dhavalaa

Yaa Shubhra Vastraavritaa

Yaa Vina Varadanda Mantita Karaa

Yaa Shvetaa Padmaasanaa

Yaa Brahmaachyuta Shankara Prabhritibhi

Devaihi Sadaa Pujitaa

Saa Maam Paatu Saraswati Bhagavati

Nishesha Jaadyaapahaa

May the Goddess Saraswati, who wears a garland white like the kunda-flower, the moon and the snow, who is adorned with pure white clothes, whose hands are ornamented with the vina and the gesture of blessings, who is seated on a white Lotus, who is always worshipped by Brahma, Vishnu, Siva and other gods, who is the remover of all inertness and laziness, protect me.

Om Namah Shivaaya Gurave

Sat-chit-ananda Murtaye

Nishprapanchaaya Shaantaaya

Sri Sivanandaya Te Namaha

Sri Vishnudevanandaya Te Namaha

Salutations to Guru Shiva, who is the embodiment of Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute, in whom worldliness does not exist, who is ever peaceful. Salutations to Sri Sivananda, Salutations to Swami Vishnu-devananda.

Om Sarve Mangala Mangalye

Shive Sarvartha Sadhike

Sharanye Trayambake Gauri

Naaraayani Namostute

Naaraayani Namostute

I salute the three-eyed Divine Mother Narayani, who brings auspiciousness and who fulfils all the desires of the devotee (both spiritual and material).

SHANTI MANTRA

Om Saha Naavavatu, Saha Nau Bhunaktu

Saha Viryam Karavaavahai

Tejas Vinaa Vadhi Tamastu

Maa Vidvishaavahai

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

Om. May that protect us both, teacher and pupil. May that cause both to enjoy the bliss of liberation. May we both exert to find out the true meaning of the scriptures. May our learning be brilliant. May we never quarrel with each other. Om. Peace, peace, peace.

What are the the retraints and observances of a yogic lifestyle and how can I integrate these into my life?

Compiled by the sage Pantajali in the Yoga Sutras, the eight limbs of Raja yoga, are a progressive series of steps of disciplines, which purify the body and mind, and ultimately leading the yogi to enlightenment.

The Yamas, or restraints are divided into five moral injunctions, aimed at destroying the lower nature; non violence; truthfulness in word, thought and deed; non stealing; moderation in all things; and non possessiveness. The Niymas or observances are also divided into five. Fostering positive qualities they consist of: purity; contenment; austerity; study of scared texts; and constantly living with an awareness of the divine presence. Asanas are the postures and Pranayama is the breath. Pratyahara means drawing the senses inward in order to still the mind, in preparation for Dharana or concentration. Dharana leads to Dyhana or meditation, culminating in Samadhi or super consciousness.

Just by being aware of these yamas, already helps you in witnessing, without judgement, when you feel yourself breaking these. They are not there as something to strictly live by, but just to merely recognise and notice how you feel if you do adopt them in your life. There niyamas, serve more as reminders on how we can stay on the path. They give us insight into how we can live a high vibration lifestyle, and what we need to integrate into our lifestyle in order to do so.