NAG Newsletter Winter 2010
Seva Project Supported by North American Gurukul, Inc.
By Mantram (Mary Baird), Level Two SATYANANDA YOGA® Instructor
Orca House Seva Project
Begun in October 2009, this project has served a transient population of women enrolled in a short-term addiction recovery program at Orca House. This is a residential facility, housing and treating up to a total of 12 women at any given time. The request for Yoga classes came from the Clinical Director of the program, Ms. Jacqueline Fields (pictured below right, with Sannyasi Shantibindu). Ms. Fields has been a student at the Atma Center in Cleveland Heights, OH and understands how the yoga she has experienced is a perfect fit for the special needs of the population she serves in her professional capacity.
Also pictured below are the two Atma Center teachers, Mary Baird (Mantram, in pink on the right), and Sara Hakeem (Sannyasi Shantibindu, in orange). They are sorting and packing the blankets and mats that NAG donated recently. Prior to this donation, the classes were taught in a Chair Yoga format. Women nearing completion of their stay at Orca House expressed enthusiasm about the yoga program and teachers. When asked to comment about their experience with yoga, two of the women responded - - 
“Yoga is very relaxing, also exhilarating! I feel most at peace in my yoga class. It removes me from tension, stress and problems – if only for a moment. It’s been so helpful – I practice in my room.”
“I like it (yoga). It stretches me. I look forward to it. The breathing helps me to center, takes a lot of anger away. I want to take classes after I leave here. I especially like the breathing techniques. It’s real therapeutic.”
Yoga for Addiction Recovery
When an individual is in a state of tension, he needs cigarettes, alcohol, and such things, but if he has no tension he has no need for them. . . . By practicing hatha yoga, one can purify the body and rectify all the imbalances. Then, in the course of time, alcohol, drugs and cigarettes will no longer be necessary.
S. Satyananda YOGA May 2008
Addicts need yoga to strengthen the willpower, fill a perceived vacuum (with social support), develop an aim in life and direct the desire to experiment with something “new” towards healthy pursuits like yoga.
S. Niranjanananda YOGA May 2008
The 30-Day program at Orca House, a residential facility for men and women recovering from addiction, relies heavily upon the 12 Step Program of Alcoholics Anonymous. Surrendering to a greater power, living a day at a time, developing self-awareness on many levels, and taking responsibility for one's life are some of the principles.
In responding to a request for volunteers to teach yoga to the Orca House women, we asked: How does yoga taught in the Satyananda tradition fit with the goals of recovery? What practices best lend themselves to supporting the progress of residents in a short-term treatment setting such as Orca House?
The AA program refers to the importance of learning to surrender and let go. This attitude is reinforced by the relaxation techniques and release of tension on all levels underlying all yoga practices. Training the mind to focus internally and stay in the present moment is another consistent aspect of Satyananda style instruction that fits well with learning to live one day, one hour, one minute at a time.
These are daunting tasks for students in the early stages of addiction recovery. Many reminders, verbal cues and motivational “sound bites” about specific benefits are needed in the course of instruction. It is necessary to explain, for example, why it’s important to remain still and relax in the pose of Shavasana for Yoga Nidra, how silence and an inward focus during class help to restore tranquility, or ways that conscious breathing can relieve stress in daily life.
These women are just beginning to recover physically from the toxins and chemical effects of substance abuse. Some are adapting to new medications as well as the unfamiliar rules and social demands of a residential treatment environment. A primary task facing these women in the course of their recovery is developing sufficient willpower, confidence and awareness to respond effectively to the many stressors associated with maintaining sobriety and “turning around” their lives upon leaving the residential program. Hence, a core tenet of our approach and choice of practices has been based on developing the capacity to manage stress.
Yoga offers many tools for learning to respond calmly to life’s stresses:
- Asana with breath synchronization releases mental and muscular tension. The Pawanmuktasana practices (PMA 1, 2, 3) are taught for their ability to train the awareness on breath, movement, and sensations – away from external demands. They also serve to boost the immune system and release toxins and energy blocks from joints and key areas of the body. Other asanas are chosen for their specific effects and benefits, e.g. stimulating the liver and other organs damaged by substance abuse, or regulating the endrocrine system to balance and calm the nerves.
- Pranayama practices empower students to gain control over their mental and emotional states. Natural breath awareness and abdominal breathing are taught as proactive tools to release tension, steady the nerves and replace instinctive reactions in stressful situations. Bhramari and Ujjayi are taught for their healing, calming and restorative effects – including relief of insomnia, a frequent complaint. Sheetali and Sheetkari are introduced as a way to “cool off” and reduce cravings.
- Meditation and Deep Relaxation are introduced in the form of initially “settling” the body and mind and internalizing awareness. Twenty minutes of Satyananda Yoga Nidra™ concludes each class. This practice begins the process of releasing deep-seated tensions and summoning the willpower (sankalpa).
Upon leaving the program, students are given a “Yoga for Recovery Toolkit” that includes a booklet detailing familiar Asana practices and a CD of three Pranayama techniques, a guided relaxation and a full Yoga Nidra.
Teaching in this context, we find the application of Satyananda style yoga consistent with the goals of the program and its clients. Replacing addictive patterns with a self-nurturing activity like yoga would be the ultimate goal, of course. With a limited number of encounters – four classes in all – these women are, at best, introduced to the possibilities for empowerment and improved health through the practice of yoga. The women and the honesty of their response to the practices are teaching us how to teach them! The curriculum is a “work in progress,” just as AA is a program of progress, not perfection. In each revolving group of Orca House women, there have been one or two who have expressed interest in pursuing yoga upon leaving the facility. This supports our belief that the project is well worth the effort.
We thank NAG for responding to our request for support and funding for high quality supplies – yoga mats, blankets, and CD’s for the Orca House library. All of us – teachers, Orca House staff, and students – appreciate the enthusiastic response.
Tip of the Quarter: Yoga Asana for Mood Management
By Sannyasi Atmadarshan, Executive Course Coordinator, Yoga Academy of North America
Yoga teachers and practitioners take for granted that asana are for physical health, but often overlook the mental and emotional benefits of these practices. A very simple and accessible way to start using yoga to manage mood starts with awareness of the upper body and chest. Let your shoulders round, your chest collapse, and your chin drop. Stay that way for 30 seconds and notice how you feel. Then, reverse that posture – open the shoulders, lift the chest and the head, and note if there is any shift in mood or energy levels.
A rounded, collapsed upper body is usually linked to lower energy levels and introversion. Thus, if one is feeling too wound up, energized or overstimulated, forward bends which allow the upper body to release can bring a sense of balance. Shashankasana (hare pose), paschimottanasana, pada hastasana, and koormasana (turtle) are highly effective poses for relieving anxiety, frustration, and anger.
On the other hand, if one is feeling sluggish, sad, or discouraged, back bends such as kandharasana, bhujangasana in any of its variations, and dhanurasana can elevate the emotions and bring a sense of increased energy and confidence.
To bring overall balance to the mood, marjariasana (cat), Surya Namaskara (sun salutation), or namaskarasana – indeed, any combination of forward and backward bending – are excellent choices.
This is a very simple way to start noticing how yoga can be used, in your personal practice or in teaching, to affect mood and energy level. Many other, more subtle factors can also be explored, such as muscular activation – try pranamasana (the first pose of Surya Namaskar) with a relaxed body, then with active pressing of the feet into the floor and the hands into each other to learn how even small muscular contractions affect the energy of a pose. You can also start to examine how moving other parts of the body – low back, knees, feet – affect mood as well. Increased awareness of the mental benefits of yoga can make your relationship with asana more profound and useful than ever before.
SATYANANDA YOGA® can be an effective – and enjoyable! – way to improve all aspects of your life. Happy Winter!
The Connect Innitiative: Bringing Together the SATYANANDA YOGA® Community in North America
By Vishalakshi Rao, North American Gurukul Board Member
One of the main goals of NAG is to bring together the SATYANANDA YOGA® community of North America. NAG strives to establish a link between all Satyananda Yoga teachers and practitioners, and facilitate the growth of Satyananda Yoga in North America.
The Connect Initiative is the beginning of this process. With this we hope to
- Re-organize the NAG database, which includes collecting relevant information about how each person is involved with Satyananda Yoga and what groups are active in various locations. With this we will see how NAG can offer support to help further develop their activities.
- Collate information on those with various skill sets interested in volunteering in NAG projects
- Compile a comprehensive directory of teachers and studios offering classes in the Satyananda tradition.
- Create a network through which different Satyananda Yoga programs, such as visiting swami programs and conferences, can be organized.
- Increase the circulation of YOGA magazine.
- Understand how NAG can help accelerate the development of Satyananda Yoga activities in different parts of North America.
- Conduct NAG-sponsored Seva projects and events in different communities.
Expect to recieve upcoming mailings and phone calls from members of the North American Gurukul Board of Directors. We look forward to your response, support, and feedback on this initiative.
Satyananda Yoga is an integral part of our lives. Let us come together to create a vibrant, active community throughout the continent!
Yoga Academy of North America Officially Launches
By Sannyasi Atmadarshan, Executive Course Coordinator, Yoga Academy of North America
The Yoga Academy of North America (YANA), a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) subsidiary of NAG, officially launched as an independent entity on January 1, 2010. YANA is responsible for providing the Yogic Studies and Teacher Training courses as an affiliate of Bihar Yoga Bharati in India. These courses have been extensively reworked to meet the unique needs of students in this part of the world.
YANA is a registered school with the Yoga Alliance at two levels, 200 hours for Yogic Studies 1 and Teacher Training 1 and 500 hours for Yogic Studies 2 and Teacher Training 2. The amount of hours in each level actually far exceeds those required by Yoga Alliance, and successful completion of each level also allows a candidate to apply for official accreditation as either a Level 1 or Level 2 Satyananda Yoga instructor.
YANA has consulted with the other Satyananda Yoga Academies to ensure that its course content is similar to what is being offered in India, Australia, Colombia, and Europe. There may be some bridging work for students who start in one location and wish to continue in another, but overall much of the material covered is quite similar.
YANA has already started setting up a scholarship program in honor of Carol Ann Hensley, a Satyananda Yoga instructor who passed away late last year. Donors may specifically request that part or all of their funds be earmarked for this program, which assists financially disadvantaged applicants who wish to attend Teacher Training. YANA is also planning some unique fund-raising events for later this year. You can learn more about YANA courses and events on the new web site, www.yogaacademyna.org. If you would like to donate to YANA or volunteer at a fundraising event, please send an email to info@yogaacademyna.org. We look forward to hearing from you!
Kanyas and Batuks Tribute to Paramahamsaji
By the kanyas and batuks of Rikhiapeeth Ashram in India. Address made by Sita, one of the kanyas in Rikhia who leads kirtan, on the last day of Sri Swamiji's shodashi (16 day) program.
Visit www.rikhiapeeth.net for more from the program.
Namo Narayan! We kanyas and batuks feel very honored to offer this tribute today to the great yogi who lived amongst us - our beloved Swami Satyananda. 
On 6th December when we heard the Bhagavad Gita being chanted early in the morning at the ashram we knew that something very great had happened overnight.
Soon we learnt that Sri Swamiji had taken Samadhi and some of us could not hold back our tears for that meant we would never see his radiant smile, his loving glance, his sparkling eyes again nor would we hear his kind words ever again. But then Swami Satsangi and Swami Niranjan appeared amidst us and told us that Sri Swamiji was forever in our hearts and that gave us strength to smile again.
After all that is how Paramahansaji would like to see us. Strong, brave, confident and courageous. As the news spread people started pouring into the ashram from all parts of the world. I think that day the entire world must have come to the ashram gates. We kanyas and batuks too came to bid our beloved Swamiji farewell. We attended the abhishek of Sri Swamiji and had our final darshan amidst thousands of people. Sri Swamiji looked radiant as ever, 
so peaceful, calm and serene. Even in that moment when he had left his body he looked so regal like an emperor and so graceful and beautiful. We will always remember him in our hearts for he had found a place there forever.
As the sixteen day shodashi puja began we also joined in the ceremonies. What better tribute and honor could we offer Sri Swamiji. It is because of his grace that we can stand before you with confidence, grace and poise and speak like this. It is because of him that we have learnt many useful things like modern and classical dance, English, drama, chanting of Sanskrit text and computers, the list is endless. We never dreamt that we could do all this, but he had trust in us and we had faith in him so it all happened naturally and easily. You can say that our whole lives are transformed. In fact we kanyas and batuks truly reflect to the world that power of Guru's grace.
Before Sri Swamiji entered our lives we had nothing, we were nothing. He gave our lives meaning and awakened our innate and true potential. He gave us self-confidence, self-worth and a goal and direction in life. He picked us kanyas up from nothing and made us Devi - this is the true power of Guru that we have witnessed in our lives.
We kanyas and batuks are all born after Sri Swamiji came to live here in Rikhia panchayat and are indeed blessed to be adopted by Sri Swamiji. We feel proud to be His children.
Rikhia was once a remote and desolate panchayat. Our parents tell us of the times when there was no food, no clothes and no jobs. Since Paramahansaji came here, there has been a spectacular transformation here in Rikhia from being one of the poorest panchayats in India's poorest state to what we see today - a dynamic and vibrant panchayat abundant in peace, plenty and prosperity. By grace of Guru there is food to eat, schools to study at and a beautiful ashram to learn and grow under the peaceful influence of sannyasins, above all hope for a better and brighter future.
Sri Swamiji is always very close to us in our hearts and minds. But do you know? Even for the kanyas and batuks who live here in Rikhiapeeth, the darshan of our beloved Sri Swamiji was always a rare and precious moment.On 2nd December 2009 when we were celebrating Swami Satyananda's 88th birthday here at Rikhiapeeth,we were very lucky to have his final darshan. Do you know that on that day Sri Swamiji 
spoke only to us kanyas and batuks and our parents? He asked us who our father is and we kanyas and batuks replied with hearts overflowing with love, 'You, You. You are our father and you always will be."Swamiji, how can we thank you enough for giving our lives meaning?
We are very proud to have known Swami Satyananda and feel very honored that such a great man came to live in our unknown and remote village. And now Rikhia has become immortal because Sri Swamiji's samadhi sthal is established here. His whole life was dedicated to the upliftment of humanity. His Guru, Swami Sivananda himself had compared Swami Satyananda to Nachiketa when he said: 'Few would have such a vairagya at such a young age. Swami Satyananda is full of the Nachiketa element. Yet, any work he takes up he will complete in a perfect manner. He does the work of four people and yet never complains. He is a versatile genius, yet humble and simple."
It is said that when great yogis such as Paramahamsa Satyananda abandon the gross body, they become ever powerful and their spiritual potential is magnified as they are not confined by the limitations of the body. 
Our beloved Swami Satyananda is now free from the shackles of the gross body and his divine presence pervades all creation. He is now omnipotent and omnipresent. We kanyas and batuks feel Sri Swamiji is still present amongst us to bless us all, as he lives in our hearts.We feel his presence everywhere, in the gentle breeze and in the warm sun, in the chirping of birds and in the drifting clouds, wherever we look we see Him.
Swamiji, whenever we need to feel your presence we will look up into the sky and we know that you will be there smiling down on us and showering your love and blessing upon us all. Swamiji with your blessings there is nothing that we cannot achieve and nothing we cannot overcome. Please swamiji shower your blessings on us forever.
We know that Swami Satyananda loved Rikhia very, very much and always felt very happy when he saw us because his face always lit up with a beautiful smile. In 2007, during the sacred Sat Chandi Pooja, Swami Satyananda declared that Rikhia would be known as Rikhiapeeth and appointing Swami Satyasangananda as the first Peethadhishwari of Rikhiapeeth, gave her the sankalpa to ensure that the three fundamental teachings of Swami Sivananda - ' Serve, Love, Give' - are practiced and lived here in Rikhiapeeth. He also said, 'Rikhiapeeth has a very bright future because I am its foundation.'
Today with guru as sakshi we kanyas and batuks who are the very lucky children of Rikhia panchayat, make our sankalpa to fulfill the dreams that Sri Swamiji had for us and pledge ourselves to always be worthy of guru's grace and treasure the two flowers he has left behind for us - Swami Niranjan and Swami Satsangi.
Namo Narayan
The North American Gurukul, Inc. (NAG) is a nonprofit organization established to support the growth of SATYANANDA YOGA® throughout North America in order to enhance the health, well being, & human potential of individuals and society.