Ananda Ashram at ICYER has recently released a set of DVDs related to the applications of Gitananda Yoga in various fields. Each DVD is listed below with a brief introduction of its content.
For inquiries please use the contact form or write to the ICYER.
1. Ten Lessons in Yoga for Stress Reduction and Sleeping Disorders
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This DVD was produced as part of a project sponsored by the CCRYN (Central council for research in Yoga and Naturopathy). In ten lessons it presents various Yoga practices that reduce stress and sleeping disorders. The results are verified by a study conducted by the CCRYN together with Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani (ICYER) as co-investigator.
The practices on this DVD are performed by students of Yoganjali Natyalayam with voice over by Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani. The compilation comes together with a 100-page book.
2. Pranayama for Health and Well Being
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Commonly Pranayama is known as a yogic method to control the breath. In this context the techniques of Pranayama have a great therapeutic potential that can be applied in a wide range of psychosomatic disorders such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma.
But Pranayama is actually far more than only breath control. Literally Pranayama means controlling the universal life force called Prana, which is also contained in the breath. This life force travels through the body in special channels called Nadis thus organizing all body activities in this way. Especially the activities of the mind are under the influence of Prana. Yogis know about this relation and utilize Pranayama to calm their minds, to reach concentration, and finally to obtain meditation.
This DVD contains 25 classical Pranayama techniques of the Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga tradition presented by Yogacharya Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani. The items presented focus equally on the therapeutical and spiritual value of Pranayama:
3. Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram
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Satyam (ultimate reality), Shivam (eternal goodness) and Sundaram (universal beauty) are ideals extolled by the Indian culture. As integral part of the Indian culture also Yoga is committed to these ideals. No wonder that staff and students of Yoganjali Natyalayam were inspired to record this DVD, showing their dedication to Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram.
Various Yoga practices of different levels of difficulty are depicted with stunning visuals shot on the lovely red earth and virgin beaches of Pondicherry, South India. Highlights are the courageous performance of Yogasanas on high hillocks as well as the meditative performance of Yogasanas with a lighted candle balanced on the head. Being mingled with soothing music, this unique presentation is a treat not only for the eyes but also for the ears. This DVD will help the viewers understanding the ideals of Satyam-Shivam-Sundaram and will inspire them to implement these high yogic ideals in their own lifes.
4. Mudras: Yogic Gestures of the Hands, Feet and Eyes
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Literally a Mudra is a gesture or a seal. For Yogis special Mudras exist that can direct and seal off the flows of Prana in the human body. Health and well being are the side effects; spiritual evolution is the ultimate aim. Being advanced Yoga techniques, Mudras improve neuromuscular coordination, culture human emotions and still the restless mind.
Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri taught numerous Mudras in the Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga tradition and this DVD takes a comprehensive look at the various categories of Mudras, which exist:
The last category mentioned is a special focus of this DVD. Sparsha Mudras are performed by placing the hands on different parts of the chest. By doing so, the hands facilitate the flow of Prana to the related sections of the lungs in order to produce certain effects on different parts of the body. These Mudras are especially used to focus our awareness into the different segments of our lungs while performing Vibhagha Pranayama, the Yogic sectional breathing
The Mudras presented on this DVD are performed by a team of 30 participants from 12 different countries in the age range of 9 to 65. In total nearly 40 Mudras are treated, leaving the impression of being in contact with the esoteric side of Yoga teachings.
5. Body Talk: Yogic Mudras of the Human Body
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Mudras (gestures or seals) are not restricted to be performed by only the hands, the feet or the eyes. A Yogi can also perform a Mudra by using other parts of the body or the entire body itself.
On this DVD different Mudras of the body are included in various Hatha Yoga sequences and Kriyas. They add to the inherent benefit of the Asana or the Kriya by enhancing and conserving the flows of Prana in the body. They help attaining a state of concentration that finally could lead to meditation in action. As beautifully demonstrated by this compilation, Mudras can become a form of non-verbal communication that is subtle and refined. They enable us to communicate
Various Mudras of the Rishiculture Yoga tradition are demonstrated on this DVD. The method and benefit behind each Mudra is explained in detail. One highlight is an international Yoga group performing the Brahma Mudra, which combines movements of the head with particular sounds.
6. Yoga for Breathing Disorders
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Patients of various breathing disorders such as Bronchial Asthma, Emphysema and Bronchitis will benefit from this DVD as it offers an integrated approach of practices designed to eradicate the root cause of their suffering.
The core of this presentation is an excellent depiction of the Hathenas, a unique set of practices from the Gitananda Yoga Tradition. These 'Forcing Techniques' help us to breathe consciously into different areas of our lungs by means of physical posturing coupled with deep and controlled breathing.
The Hathenas develop strong, healthy, and robust lungs and help expand our lung capacity while developing efficient and healthy breathing patterns.
Important Pranayamas and Yogic relaxation are also introduced as most modern disorders have a strong psychosomatic, stress-related origin.
7. Yoga Stress Busters
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There is no one single definition of what stress is. Generally speaking stress is a psychological and physiological response to events that upset our personal balance in some way.
Modern life is rich in events that trigger of stress symptoms in the human body. Frequent stressful experiences lead to the failure of our homeostatic, self-regulating mechanism causing disease, premature aging and early or sudden death. Stress weakens our immune system making us more vulnerable to infections.
Numerous psychosomatic diseases are caused, aggravated or worsened by stress. These include a wide variety of conditions ranging from the common cold to peptic ulcers, headaches, backaches, diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma, insomnia and hypertension.
Various aspects of Yoga can help the prevention and management of stress. This DVD highlights various Asanas, Pranayamas and Kriyas that produce a strong and resilient body capable of withstanding stressful events. Many of the techniques presented on this DVD are unique to the Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga tradition as taught by Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri. They help relieve our pent up emotions as well as temper our reaction to stressful situations.
The DVD is divided into 4 sections:
8. Yoga for Weight Reduction
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Obesity is a public health problem and is a major risk factor for numerous conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and osteoarthritis.
Obesity occurs as the result of imbalance between the food energy intake and the energy expenditure of the body.
Yoga follows a holistic approach when it comes weight control. On the one hand there are the various Yoga techniques that are designed to burn up excess calories and redistribute body fat in a healthy manner. On the other hand there is the Yoga way of life, which is per se healthy and includes also aspects of dietary control.
In addition Yoga helps correcting the numerous psychological conditions that may be causing the excessive weight gain such as depression.
This presentation deals with Surya Namaskar, an important Yogic practice for the neuro-endocrine system along with the important Asanas, Pranayamas, Kriyas and relaxation practices that can help reduce appetite, improve digestion, speed up metabolism and produce psychosomatic relaxation.
9. Chakras: The psychic centres of Yoga and Tantra
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Prana, the universal cosmic energy sets up great vortexes in certain parts of the nervous system known as Chakras. Chakras have strong psychic aspects and energize together with the energy pathways known as Nadis our existence. Located are the Chakras in our energy body known as the Pranamaya Kosha and they go up right to our universal body, the Anandamaya Kosha.
According to the Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga tradition there are six lower and six higher Chakras making a total of 12 Chakras. The 6 lower chakras are known as the Pinda Chakras and are related to the physical body while the higher six chakras are the Anda Chakras related to the Cosmos. Chakras vibrate at very high speeds. However the speed of vibration of the Pinda Chakras is lower and relates to various parts of our neuro-endocrine system, while the higher speed of the Anda Chakras relates to the cosmos.
The Chakras are usually depicted as lotuses with different numbers of petals representing various qualities and energies of the Chakra. To bring about awareness for these qualities and energies is what this DVD aims at. It contains for each Chakra an introduction and a set of practices (Mantra, Asana, Pranayama) to develop Chakra awareness. Additionally it contains concentration and meditation exercises related to the subject as well as archival material of Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri lecturing on the Chakras including a demonstration of the Mantra Laya.
10. Meditation: The inner Yoga
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Dhyana or Meditation is a higher state of Yoga that may be attained only after the practitioner has prepared themselves in a step-by-step manner. Meditation is a way to unite with our Supreme Nature and may be described as 'fixing the mind on the Supreme with devotion and discipline'. It is the seventh of the eight steps in the Ashtanga Yoga of Patanjali and is part of the Antaranga or inner steps of Yoga. Meditation is a transcendental state, where if there is awareness, it is "awareness of awareness itself", a state beyond the mind. Meditation is the fruit of long and arduous effort. The mind is so trained in its focus that it naturally flows into the object of contemplation. A deep, vibrant quietness is the characteristic of meditation which infuses the entire life style with calmness and control. Meditation becomes a quality of mind that manifests in all aspects of our daily life. The mind develops the capacity to delve into every experience, thought, emotion and situation that arises, and this focused awareness produces Yogic skill in living.
This presentation deals with various aspects of meditation including Meditative Asanas and Mudras, Trataka, Pranava Meditation, Anthara Japa, Anthara Dharana, Chakra Dhyana, Prana Kriya and Brahma Muhurta meditation as taught in the Gitananda Yoga tradition.