Register for Yoga at Temple alternate Sundays starting Nov 10; 12 Noon to 1 PM

Yoga at Temple

Yoga is more than mastering postures and increasing our flexibility and strength. “The traditional purpose of Yoga, however, has always been to bring about a profound transformation in the person through the transcendence of the ego," (Feuerstein 3).

The Indian sage Patanjali has been credited with the collation of this oral tradition into his classical work, the Yoga Sutra, a 2,000-year-old treatise on yogic philosophy. A collection of 195 statements, the Sutra provides a kind of philosophical guidebook for dealing with the challenges of being human. Giving guidance on how to gain mastery over the mind and emotions and advice on spiritual growth, the Yoga Sutra provides the framework upon which all yoga practiced today is based.

People often associate yoga with the postures and stances that make up the physical activity of the exercise, but after closer inspection it becomes clear that there are many more aspects of yoga. Yoga is a way of life. Yoga acts as guidelines on how to live a meaningful and purposeful life. The principles of yoga serve as a prescription for moral and ethical conduct and self-discipline; they direct attention toward one's health; and they help us to acknowledge the spiritual aspects of our nature. The ultimate aim of yoga is meditation. Meditation is realizing a profound connection to the divine, interconnectedness with all living things. This enlightenment can neither be bought nor possessed. It can only be experienced, the price of which is the continual devotion of the aspirant

The yoga classes at temple are designed to go beyond yoga as physical activity. The classes are geared towards enabling spiritual growth. By spiritual growth we mean self-discipline; contentment; integrity of thought, word, and action; and cultivating inner perceptual awareness.

The classes are going to be held under three categories:

• 1.       Asana

• 2.       Pranayama

• 3.       Preparing for meditation

• Asana: Asanas are the postures practiced in yoga. In the yogic view, body is the temple of spirit, taking care of which is an important stage of our spiritual growth. Through the practice of asanas, we develop the habit of discipline and the ability to concentrate, both of which are necessary for meditation.

• Pranayama: Generally translated as breath control, it consists of techniques designed to gain mastery over the respiratory process while recognizing the connection between the breath, the mind, and the emotions. Pranayama helps to calm our mind, which is a pre-requisite for meditation.

• Preparing for meditation: Meditation is an experience. One can enable you with requisites required to experience this profound state of consciousness, but how you get there is your own individual journey. There is no black and white prescription for meditation. But certainly there are ways to prepare ourselves. We are just going to do that! 

• Style: Hatha Yoga

• Venue: Hindu Temple of Central Illinois, Peoria

• Alternate Sundays starting November 10

• Time: 12 Noon to 1 PM

• Price: Donations welcome

• Instructor: Arundathi Suresh, RYT-200 Hour Certified Teacher from Rishikesh Yog Peeth, Rishikesh