Yoga and Total Health - January 2024

In this issue

Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year ahead blessed with good health, abundance and gratitude.

In the journal this month, Dr Jayadeva throws light on the concept of Aishwarya or Perfection explaining the rider how nature does not allow us to enjoy this perfection, come what may.
Hansa ji explains when to do our duty and prevent ourselves from slipping into Adharma.
A Sadhaka shares how to use the word "No" positively.
Shri Devdutt Pattanaik pens down some hard hitting truths of today's times.
Another Sadhaka shares her personal journey of belief in the yoga way of life.
Learn the benefits of Ginger and more along with our regular articles on Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Thoughts on the Gita, Samkhya Karika et cetera.

Aishwarya - Striving for perfection

We will discuss a word that we possibly should know: Aishwarya i.e. perfection. This is one of the four aspects of our personality. We possess what is considered righteous conduct (Dharma), we possess knowledge (Jnana) and we can also give up things (Vairagya). And the fourth thing that we possess is the capacity for perfection.

3 mins

When to Do Our Duty: How not to slip into Adharma

There are many stories in the Vedas, in the Upanishads and in the Puranas from which we learn that human beings have to do their duty. This concept of duty is a very strong one. We are told that while carrying out our duty, we should not have emotions like anger, hatred, worry or unhappiness within us.

2 mins

'No' Is The New 'Yes': Learning To Be Firm On One's Decision

Perhaps no other word is associated with negativity as much as the word "No". It cancellation etc., all having strong negative connotations.

4 mins

Simple Rules for a Healthy Life

Start the New Year with these - When I joined the training at The Yoga Institute, way back in 1966, I was eating without knowledge and discrimination. Anything and everything would do until I heard a talk by Shri Yogendraji, the Founder of The Yoga Institute, \"All matter including nutrients, are in three stages of evolution. The calcium in the farm ground can be likened to inertia/Tamas; the calcium in the bones of an ox, likened to Rajas, and the same in the bones of a sage likened to Sattva.\"

1 min

48 Days And New Habits: The Promising Period Of Mandalam

In many cultures, the idea of Mandalam, which is a period of 48 days, holds significant importance. It is believed that to ensure a new habit is fully integrated into your system, one must practice the habit consistently for one Mandalam. This concept has been passed down through generations and is grounded in the belief that it takes 48 days for a new behaviour to become a natural part of one's routine.

1 min

Svadhyaya - Using the Antarayas for our very own SWOT analysis

It is this time of the year again when we charged with the energy of the New Year jump into all kinds of resolutions regarding what we want to improve in our life. These are usually short-lived because we are either too ambitious and reaching for the stars in our goals or because we do not go about integrating them in a systematic manner.

5 mins

New Year - 2024: Reflecting on the old before embracing the new

The New Year is waiting in the wings, just about to be ushered in with a lot of fanfare and celebrations. It is another milestone in our lives, with the completion of one year and the beginning of another. Let us take a few moments to review the year gone by.

2 mins

Aging Parent as Cost Centre - Returns on investment are hard to come by

Shravan Kumar carried his parents in a basket to every pilgrim site in India. This story, which forms part of the Ramayana, is told by every Indian parent to illustrate what a good child, or rather good son, is supposed to be. But reality is often the opposite. The Takkala Jataka tells the story of the Buddha who at a young age starts digging a grave for his parents, after he observes his father digging a grave for his grandparents, while they are still alive. Of course, the Jataka, like modern soap operas, blames the daughter-in-law for the cruelty of the son.

3 mins

....and then it Happens! - The path to self-realization

My colleagues and I always had a Mquestion, or rather a confusion, in our minds. And we kept searching for answers for the first six months when we joined The Yoga Institute.

5 mins

Life Can Wait To Happen: When change is inevitable

Dawn is established only after the darkest hour of the night. A seemingly unending journey in the tunnel disappears as soon light is sighted at the end.

1 min

Avidya to Vidya: Unlearn to relearn

The Yoga Institute wanted us to contemplate on our Avidya. I was amused. I had pursued twenty years of formal education - my pride, which had secured me a very well-paying job back in 1996. Could I have Avidya at all?

2 mins

Patta Ajwain

In this article we discuss a multipurpose herb that can be used to do everything from adding flavour to Pakoras to making laundry smell better!

1 min

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Yoga and Total Health Magazine Description:

Yoga and Total Health Magazine is a monthly journal on the Yogic way of life, first published in 1933 by Swami Kuvalayananda, the founder of The Yoga Institute in Santacruz, Mumbai, India. The magazine is currently edited and published by Smt. Hansaji Yogendra, the President of The Yoga Institute.

Yoga and Total Health Magazine is known for its in-depth coverage of yoga philosophy, practice, and its benefits for physical, mental, and spiritual health. The magazine also features articles on various aspects of the Yogic lifestyle, such as sattvic diet, pranayama, meditation, and yoga for specific health conditions.

The magazine is a valuable resource for anyone interested in yoga, whether they are beginners, experienced practitioners, or yoga teachers. It is also a good resource for anyone interested in learning more about the Yogic way of life.