The late-summer Parmarth School of Yoga Kriya Yoga Course, held at the Ashram the first 12 days of August, was a beautiful and enlightening gathering of Yogis that came to elevate their spiritual practice. Students from India, Mexico, Russia, UK, Romania, the USA and Spain participated in the programme, led by Pujya Sadhvi Abha Saraswatiji and Yogacharya Dr Indu Sharmaji, with the divine blessings of Parmarth Niketan’s President Param Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji and Pujya Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswatiji.
The course included Pranayama, Yoga Asana, Vedic Chanting and Kriya practices which aid in balancing one’s Chakras (energy centres). Once chakras are unblocked and healed, they work together harmoniously to support our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Kriya yoga course emphasizes Pratyahara – one of Patanjali’s eight limbs of Yoga that helps one withdraw their senses from the outside world and, in turn, helps decrease levels of anger, depression, anxiety and stress while increasing levels of creativity, memory and focus. The practice helps to achieve a relaxed and balanced state of mind from which good health is a natural by-product, producing more vital energy and sustaining a more balanced state of mind. And, it even enhances the quality of one’s sleep!
Beginning around the auspicious time of Nag Panchami, the course beautifully explored the concepts of Kundalini-awakening and Chakra integration, and concluded at the beautiful time of Raksha Bandhan. Students had the opportunity to be integrated with the Ashram environment – helping to inaugurate the Shrimad Bhagawad Katha of Acharya Dileep Chhetryji and experiencing one of the Divine Shakti Foundation’s Centres of Excellence, Parmarth Nari Shashakti Kendra – and, they saw first-hand the skill-training facilities of the Ashram and the beautiful activities that the Yoga-Off-the-Mat programme offers. They met Padmashri Anil Joshiji and learned about Parmarth’s efforts to encourage people to protect, preserve and conserve the sacred Himalayas, and were featured guests at the conclusion of the month-long Kanwad Mela interventions as they joined Sushri Ganga Nandiniji to offer the Hon’ble Minister of Women and Child Welfare, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Smt KV Ushashri Charan ji, a sacred Rudraksha sapling alongside the Puppets who helped to raise environmental awareness throughout the Kanwad Mela at Parmarth’s Medical Camp.
Enjoy these testimonials from the students:
Sangita from India, a teacher:
“Like the course very much! The course of transforming and purifying your soul to discover your true self. A key part of this process is stripping away the parts of your personality that prevent you from seeing your true self, including your ego, limiting beliefs and rationalisations. Highly recommend to the spiritual-seekers because here you will find answers for your questions”
Monica from Mexico, a Financial Consultant:
“I am an avid meditator but have always been very interested in learning more about Kriya Yoga so I am glad to be at Parmarth to learn more. I’m so happy taking this course. Sharing the sacred knowledge with my family makes me happier and healthier. What can be better for me as a mother?!”
Monica from Spain, a Lawyer:
” For me it has been a transformative experience. I’ve realized I’m not a body. I feel my True Self more and more. Also after the course I’m more sensitive to the energies around me. Since the first day of the course, I have been questioning myself about my future. Now I’m ready for better changes in my life, not scared anymore!”
Ganga Nandini, a Senior Sevak at Parmarth:
“I have been meaning to finish and complete the Kriya Yoga programme and take some time out for it. It has been nearly 7 years but finally I have been able to circle back to this and I think the timing is so perfect. This course deepens my practice and has definitely helped me realise the crucial importance of Pratyahara and the incredible wisdom of our sages who gave us these tools to discover the universe within ourselves. There is so much to be explored within, but it is often so scary and overwhelming! I felt like the Kriya Yoga course gives us the map to explore our inner world and to be comfortable to explore this vast universe within. I am so grateful for the opportunity and for Pujya Swamiji’s blessings to have a chance to complete this course.”
Olga from Russia, a student of psychology:
“This course has changed my life for so, so many reasons! I’m so thankful I found this course and am thoroughly loving my teachers Mataji and Induji! I really feel honored to have these teachers during my Kriya Yoga course. Generally speaking, the atmosphere of the Ashram is very holy. Enjoyed each moment here. Thank you very much!”
The course concluded with a beautiful Havan ceremony and a sacred Raksha Bandhan celebration with the Parmarth Rishikumars, as students take back fond memories of their time at their Himalayan Home.
Learn more and register for our upcoming courses www.Parmarth.org/Yoga
