Blog

 Introduction

In this multiple part blog I will be sharing eye opening observations on the mantra Ra Ma Da Sa aka the Siri Gayatri Mantra in light of Sanskrit, the Upanishads, and what I refer to as “the larger yoga tradition” meaning, Classical Yoga, Ayurveda, Yoga Scriptures, Tantric Bija Mantra and the Sanskrit language. I started this article in 2020. I got busy with being a new dad and other big projects and set this effort to the side. I am happy to finally get this info out to you.

In my studies of Yoga I have seen lots of variations on similar themes.  Many master teachers offer variations influenced by culture and language.  The master teachers personal experiences also informs how they share the practice.  Ra Ma Da Sa Mantra shares similarities with many other yoga traditions, namely using Sanskrit letters as mantras and the mantra So Hung, which is commonly known in its classical from so'hum.  

I have observed that much of...

Kriya Blog #3 - Sanskrit Origins & Its Place in Yogic Text, Classical Yoga & Ayurveda 

Section 3 - Yoga Therapy and Kriya Practices

General Groupings of Yoga Therapy

Before specifically exploring the relationship of Yoga Therapy and Kriya practices first we must clearly define Yoga Therapy in its various manifestations.

Ayurveda: India’s traditional medical system that uses herbs, diet, exercise, detoxification programs, gems, essential oils, and various lifestyle practices to bring balance to the individual. Ayurveda takes into account all life-phases putting the importance on spiritual healing and Self-Realization. Ayurveda has specific suggestions for exercise based on body type.  Ayurveda is considered Yoga's sister science. Today many are sharing therapeutic and spiritual Yoga practices in light of Ayurvedic mind-body theory.  Ayurveda has a comprehensive system of diagnostics based on Vedic Self Revealed Knowledge or Spirit’s...

 Introduction

I first experienced Yoga practices using the word Kirya when my Mom brought me to a Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan class in 1997.  As a teenager I was taken by the story around the practice and the high I got from the powerful breath work.  I continued with this practice for the next 13 years until 2010.  At times I practiced for minimum of 3 hours a day, doing early morning sadhana singing with my friends in Sikh Dharma and enjoying the ups and downs of being involved with many of the traveling musicians in the 3HO community.  Community life was rich and a wonderful yet challenging time of my life.

Back in 2001 while sick with lyme disease, I laid in bed and went on a mystical journey reading Yogananda’s classic work Autobiography of a Yogi.  Up to that time I had exclusively been following Yogi Bhajan’s view on Kriya.  Reading Yogananda’s amazing book, which brought up Kriya Yoga often, made me very...