Exploring Philosphy, Vedas and Sitar with Ram Vakkalanka

Deep within every soul is a passion that is so deep it is elevated by others who share the same.  For me Music and Yoga are my two biggest passions.  I love to learn, to share, and also share with others the teachers who inspire me.  I was so grateful to meet this incredible teacher early this year, Ram Vakkalanka.  Ram teaches Philosophy (Sutras, Vedas), Sanskrit, Nada Yoga, Kirtan, Mantra, and Sitar.  He is a wealth of authentic knowledge, and expert who imparts the original meaning of ancient texts in his classes. 

Ram Vakkalanka

This morning after my yoga practice, I decided to pick up the Sitar again, and play.  While the sounds I created were most likely only enchanting for my ears, the music reminded me how grateful I am to have met this brilliant teacher.  Ram teaches for numerous Yoga Centers and Teacher trainings worldwide.  He is a brilliant addition to any Yoga TTC, or Yoga Center, for those who are eager to grow deeper in their knowledge of yoga in its most purest form.  While his talent in music is incredible, and his awareness of Yoga Sutras, Sanskrit, Vedas is vast, his method of teaching is so simple that everyone is eager to learn more. 




 For those interested in studying Yoga Sutras, Sansrkit, Vedas, Kirtan, Mantra, Mudras, Sitar...etc.  please visit Ram's website (http://www.aksharayoga.com/) to arrange for this brilliant teacher to teach at your center, in your teacher training or private classes.  He is truly a gem to the global yoga community.  Thanks so much Ram, hopefully we can coordinate schedules and resume some lessons.

Day 27 - Moving Meditation with Surya Namaskar

We are almost there for 30 days of meditation.  There have been many people who have expressed the challenge of sitting for long periods.  Well ironically the reason why we practice yoga asana "poses" vinyasa flow etc., so to prepare the body for meditation, to sit which is what "asana" means.  It is always beautiful to recognize our yoga practice as a moving meditation or prayer, this also inspires us unconsciously to quiet the noise in our own minds.

The fundamental vinyasa to warm up the body is Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation).  While many people will enter yoga class and be distracted by other people, the music, the teacher, and especially their own thoughts, sometimes focusing on our gaze (dristhi), our breath or even a mantra during the surya namaskar can guide us into a more meditative state.

For those of you who are curious about the mantras for Suyra Namskar please visit my youtube link below:

SURYA NAMSAKAR with Mantras

Day #4 - Meditation Challenge - The Zen of Japa Mala Meditation

Today is Day #4 of our meditation challenge.  I am so amazed to see how many people are emailing me to share how just a few days of this practice is transforming their inner peace and daily lives.  Meditation is a powerful practice and it helps us to quiet the monkey mind.

Our body is compared to a chariot in the Katha-Upinashads, with the body being the chariot, our senses are the five courses dragging the chariot, the reins are the mind, the intelligence or Lord of the chariot is the mind.  Peace of mind is important for focus and therefore a focused journey.  So if our mind is controlling the chariot it would be beneficial to learn to control the mind. 

Today's option to adapt into your meditation is japa mala meditation.  Often times you will see Yogis wearing beads around their neck or wrist, these beads are meant to be used for meditation.  Nearly every faith uses prayer beads (Christian, Islam, Buddhist, Sihkism, and Hindu).  The Hindu Japa Mala is done on 108 beads.  The beads are 108 to represent the 108 energy channels or nadi lines that stem from the heart chakra.  When we recite our mantra 108 times, we liberate our heart, and awaken this powerful life force through our entire body via the nadi lines.

To do Japa Mala

1. Sit tall on your meditation seat/cushion/bench
2. Hold Japa Mala beads in the right hand letting the beads glide over the middle finger
3. Using the thumb after reciting your "mantra", pull the bead towards you and progress to the next.

People who practice japa mala meditation often times will recite a mantra like "OM" or "Hare krishna hare krishna krishna krishna hare hare hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare" or "Om Nama Shivaya".  The Sound of OM (Aum) is a beautiful way to begin the practice of Japa Mala Meditation as it is the Universal Sound that exists in all things.  Mantra is powerful, much like affirmation and will alter the chemical pathways in the human brain and cells of the body to create happiness.  When we use the beads and recite the mantra we put our body in a hypnotic state which allows us to calm the noise and find peace.  When we recite the name of God (regardless of our faith) we are uniting with higher consciousness.  Christians, Buddhist, Sihks and Muslims will chant their own prayers with their specific prayer beads. 

The Power of a Mantra

Recently, the amazing owner of Bamboomoves, Michael Baez, delighted students with an Gayatri Mantra and Moola Mantra. The event was spectacular. I had to rush off to teach evening sessions on Wall St., but students who remained began putting together dream boards, with pictures, quotes, and anything that can help set a visual goal for the year. Thank you Michael for making an awesome event.

empowering workshop. The studio was full with new and regular faces of people eager to set goals and intentions for the new year. Michael is our mini Tony Robbins, and ironically he is at Date With Destiny right now. Michael got the energy so high, people were sharing their intentions, winning prizes, dancing, stretching, breathing, laughing, massaging each other and much more! It really was awesome. Towards the end of the workshop, Michael, Denise and Michael's friend gave students the "oneness" blessing. During the blessing, myself and another student played a few awesome chants like the

The Gayatri Mantra is one of the most beautiful and powerful Mantras to meditate on. It is based on the Vedic Sanskrit verse from a hymn from the Rigveda :

GAYATRI MANTRA
Om, bhur bhuvaha svaha, Tat savitur varenyam, Bhargo devasya dhimahi, Dhiyo yonah prachodayat.

Basic Translation: Praise to the source of all things. It is due to you that we attain true happiness on the planes of earth, astral, casual. It is due to your transcendent nature that you are worth of being worhipped and adored. Ignite us with you all pervading light.

The ancient practice of mantra is powerful. Maybe you might not want to recite a Vedic mantra, or a Biblical psalm, but what is your personal mantra? Do you have a mantra of abundance, good fortune, good health, better relationships etc? or do you have a constant mantra or inner dialogue that promotes fear, lack of focus or misfortune? Spend some time listening to the way you talk to yourself. Our words are powerful, and evoke change in the mind and body. Set a positive mantra for this new year and keep it in your heart. Write the mantra, recite the mantra and live the mantra. It may be I am strong, I am brave, I am the voice, I defy the odds, I am a force for good...just reading that felt good right? Well keep on going with positive mantras and watch how the energy shifts in your entire being! ~Om Shanti

Photo: Ambria jamming with students at the Teacher Training Retreat