Missing Tools
(Retreat account of a dedicated Yogini)
The answers and the tools for life exist for each and every one of us. However it can be challenging to find them from our minds. Sometimes there are people who come into our lives and see the answers and needed tools more clearly than we do. Then we need the courage to stop and be open-minded for the changes.
I am deeply grateful to Prasad. In his retreat he helped me to find my missing tools for life. There began the real development of self-knowledge towards a stronger balance and genuine love.
I realized many things in Prasad’s retreat in Finland. One of the main insights was that in my life, I had great deal of memories, people and things that I had not accepted. Without noticing I had in my mind a huge, energy-consuming war going on – just because I could not accept those things. I had built a huge wall between myself and others. Loneliness seemed to me a safe choice but the wall also took enormous energy, as well as closed behind it many interesting possibilities. In the retreat I found my internal courage and strength and the wall – now useless – began to break down. At the same time, I got a stronger grip on my own life.
It’s been incredible to see the huge change in life which results from cleansing the mind, the body and the environment. I was able to identify the greatest problems in my life from which the other problems emerged. Ever since the retreat I’m working daily on those issues. Day by day I feel stronger and more complete, both psychologically and physically. I have learned to draw my own lines, believing in myself and my strength, loving and nurturing myself, and hence also the others. You need courage to abandon yourself to the driving force of life.
Prasad spoke to us a lot about saving and targeting energy. His advice has been of tremendous benefit. The more I observe and control my thoughts (their quality, quantity, direction) the more I have energy for other things. Now I begin my day calm, focused and present, with yoga.
When you get a great insight, it is always a new opportunity. In the retreat I got a lot of insights. When you truly realize the power of acceptance and release, in life you open the doors for light. I even got out of tobacco, after 12 years of smoking. After the retreat when I got home, I lit a cigarette by old habit. I looked at the cigarette and I asked myself: “Why am I not able to stop?” I remembered what Prasad said in the retreat as a general example: “If you’re a heavy smoker, accept that you smoke, but accept also the fact that it destroys your health.” I understood that I had no other choice than to accept it. So I accepted it and asked myself with all my heart: “Do I really want to damage my precious body in this way?” I realized that no way. I stubbed out the cigarette and wondered what on earth had I done for 12 years. The strangest thing is that it really ended my craving for tobacco. Insight, acceptance, and letting go. I would never have believed quitting to be so easy. When the idea was felt with emotion it turned into a real insight and resulted in action. It is very important what kind of ideas you plant in your mind because they will give you the fruits to harvest in life. The power of thought is unspeakable. Every day is full of possibilities and options.
Nansen Environmental Center, Norway
September 8, 2009 by admin
Filed under Testimonials
“We, the staff at the Nansen Center, had the pleasure of being taught Yoga during a week workshop in May 2009 by Prasad. He is an outstanding teacher of Yoga, including motivation. He got us very interested in the wisdom of Yoga, and got us highly motivated to continue doing Yoga, so that we can use Yoga in our work and science, which includes important problems dealing with climate and global warming.”
- Ola M. and Bente E. Johannessen
Leaders of the Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center,
affiliated with the University of Bergen, Norway
Parivratta Janu Sirshasana
Parivratta Janu Sirshasana
Step-by-step
Sit on the floor with right leg extended at 45 degrees outwards facing the corner of the room and the left leg folded so that the heal is in front of the perineum.
Extend the right hand and hold the right big toe, bring the right elbow either to the floor in front of the right knee or keep the elbow on the right knee depending on level of flexibility.
Raise the left arm up and stretch the arm towards the sky.
Slowly and with awareness bring the left hand closer to the right foot, so that the left elbow is pointing towards the sky.
See to it that you open up the rib cage by pushing the shoulder blades back and looking upwards.
Breath deeply and normally.
Retain the posture for 10 deep breaths.
Repeat on the other leg.
Benefits
Deeply stretches the sides of the body
Removes lethargy from the lower part of the body
Helps in developing hip flexibility
Video of the Month – September 2009
Yoga Myths
When most people think of yoga, they get images of the Himalayas, incense, chanting and mystical gurus from India sitting in their caves or on the floor, cross legged and chanting OM in a deep ecstatic state of relaxation. Though Yoga has become a widespread practice during the last 30 years, misconceptions about this ancient method have kept people away from trying yoga or have created more and more confusion.
Here are some of the common Myths that I have heard of from across the world:
1. Yoga is a form of Physical Exercise:
This is perhaps the most common view of yoga, that it is a form of physical exercise. Yoga has classically been a spiritual practice, but nowadays yoga is better known as a sport or physical exercise because of its evident physical benefits and appeal.
2. You have to be initiated by a Guru:
In the initial stages, any teacher who can take you through yoga practice sincerely and safely is your Guru. For a keen spiritual seeker, anything and everything can become a Guru till the Master comes and then everything is dropped.
3. You have to be flexible to do Yoga:
Yoga improves your flexibility, along with your strength, balance and all aspects of your health. Any one can practice yoga to gain these. It will improve your flexibility from the point from where you begin. Yoga is designed to be practiced by all.
4. You must be vegetarian to practice Yoga:
This is not true. There are tremendous benefits of being vegetarian on our psyche and physical body but it is not a requirement in order to practice yoga.
5. Yoga is mainly for wimps or women:
Yoga is for those who are conscious and are making efforts towards self-evolution through working on their body and mind. In that sense its for everyone, men and women alike.
6. My style of Yoga is the only authentic style:
The needs of individuals vary according to their physical structures and capabilities, therefore it is best to start with a yoga practice that is suited to your own individual needs. It is best to find a teacher who is able to prescribe the postures that are best suited to your particular needs. Yoga is fluid, don’t let yoga fanaticism limit your explorations. If you practice yoga diligently and with a proper understanding of its holistic nature, you will surely realize great benefits in all spheres of life including physical and spiritual.
7. Yoga is boring:
It is interesting and beautiful to watch the workings of your own mind, breath and body. Taking the awareness deeper into the body and mind through the practice of yoga and meditation is very interesting especially when you start making more discoveries about yourself and then use this wisdom to generate peace in your life. Thus, yoga is a way of life, and Life is interesting.
8. Yoga is just a passing fad:
The first evidence of yogic texts goes back 5000 years, though physical asanas and other new disciplines have sprung up within the last fifty years. Yoga, in its spiritual aims and techniques, has always been a part of Indian culture and lifestyle.
Eka Pada Sirshasana
Eka Pada Sirshasana
Step-by-step
Sit on the floor with legs stretched out.
Bend the right leg and bring the right foot closer to the body by holding the right ankle.
Exhale and place the right foot behind the head gently without any jerk.
The right calf muscle should rest on the right shoulder and both the arms are brought in the front and joint together in a namaste position.
Straighten the back and look in the front with chin parallel to the floor.
The left leg is held straight with toes pointed up towards the sky.
Breath deeply for 10 breaths.
Hold the right foot again with both hands and take the foot off from behind your head and straighten the right leg.
Repeat on the left side.
Benefits
Helps stretch the outer thigh to a very high degree.
Helps build strength in the back and spine area.
Parivrtta Parsvakonasana
Parivrtta Parsvakonasanaa
This is also called as twisted angled posture because of the sharp look of the posture.
Step-by-step
Stand with your legs wide apart and outstretch your arms, the legs should be as wide as the distance between two wrists.
Look to your right and turn your right foot to the right side and bend your right knee so as to go into the Virabhadrasana.
Please see to it that your knee does not hyper-extend your toe and does not roll inward.
Twist your spine and lock your left elbow on the right side of the right knee.
Either join both the hands in Namaste position or extend the left arm from under the right thigh and hold the right hand from behind the back.
Look up at the ceiling.
Hold this posture for 10 breaths.
Twist back, raise the torso, straighten the right leg and turn the right foot in.
Repeat the same way on the left side in this position for 30 seconds to 1 minute. To release, bend your knees and return to the starting position/all fours.
Benefits
This is a great posture to work on the suppleness of the spine.
It gently massages the internal organs of the Gastro intestinal Tract and aids in digestion.
Builds strength in the thighs.
Develops the ability to concentrate.
Workshops in 2009
Self-Transformation through Yoga” workshop at European Commission – Belgium (October 2009)
“I had the opportunity to be part of “transformation trough yoga” weekend in Brussels with Prasad. Although I practice yoga since many years, those two days were a different experience for me. Prasad is teaching more than just yoga, his work goes beyond the asanas, goes deeper, it’s a life style. I was truly touched by his teaching, and so happy I could be part of this wonderful practice. I’m deeply grateful to Prasad.”
Mia Henderickx – Participant at the “Self-Transformation through Yoga” workshop at European Commission – Belgium
Detox and Purify workshop in Vienna (October 2009)
Yoga Workshop, Munich (October 2009)
Yoga Retreat in Mahabaleshwar, India (September 2009)
Living Yoga in Israel Retreat
August 2009
Yoga Nidra Workshop – Austria
June 2009
Du übst regelmäßig Yoga, und meldest dich zum ‘Yoga Nidra Seminar’ in Nexenhof um 4 Tage vertieft zu üben. Dann erlebst Du Prasad Rangnekar. Die Kombination von konsequent geübten Asanas, Entspannung; Tiefenentspannung und verständliche Philosophie warum Yoga jedem mehr Lebenskraft gibt , lässt Dich nicht mehr als der selbe heimkehren als der du gekommen bist. Jetzt lebst Du bewußter.
- Josef Warzel
Participant at the Yoga Nidra Workshop in Austria
Yoga Workshop – Munich
May 2009
Few months ago I started a new life with excitement. But I felt “lost”, I was crying with no sense and I did not know what was happening to me. I met Prasad a month ago. All his words touched my mind. He was like a guide who taught me how to look at myself, how to accept myself and how to grow with Yoga. I put in practice all he taught us as a daily routine. Now, I can say that I have stopped crying, I feel confident, I am stronger, I feel good! Prasad offers you support, his wisdom… he has a special place in my heart.
- Ana Canelada
Yoga Workshop – Bergen, Norway
May 2009
We, the staff at the Nansen Center, had the pleasure of being taught Yoga during a week workshop in May 2009 by Prasad. He is an outstanding teacher of Yoga, including motivation. He got us very interested in the wisdom of Yoga, and got us highly motivated to continue doing Yoga, so that we can use Yoga in our work and science, which includes important problems dealing with climate and global warming.
- Ola M. and Bente E. Johannessen
Leaders of the Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center, affiliated with the University of Bergen, Norway
Hip Opener Workshop – Bangkok
April 2009
“Prasad’s ‘hip opening’ workshop in Bangkok was a beautiful balance for the mind, body and spirit. Prasad is an excellent teacher. For the intellect, he delivered a comprehensive lecture on the hip joint and its importance. He worked our bodies with the hip opening asanas. As a spiritual mentor Prasad connects with his students of all ages, abilities, nationalities and spiritual awareness. What an enlightening, joyful and healthy experience attending his workshop! The best gift I could give my stressed seniors for graduation before they go off to university would be a weekend workshop with Prasad and a CD of the practice of Yoga Nidra.”
- Candy Crouch
High School Counselor
College Advisor
Yoga Retreat – Cunoor, Tamil Nadu, India
March 2009
“A newcomer to the world of Yoga, I was a little apprehensive when asked to join the retreat. Not knowing what to expect and having no idea what the retreat would entail, I agreed mainly because of wanting to get to know better my newly found girlfriends, whom at this stage I was becoming very fond of. That and of course a degree of curiosity.
I am not sure if mere words can describe the experiences and discoveries made during the Retreat. There were 5 of us, and I believe that each and every single one us connected to Prasad personally. The most wonderful guidance, we unlocked and let go of the past, we embrace the now. A lesson of ‘Detachment’, we let go of our emotions such as anger and hatred, we learned forgiveness and Love. Love towards others and most important Love towards ourselves, to learn how to receive as much as we give. ??I came as a guarded person with walls protecting me, a heavy baggage and allowing only certain few to view the innermost vulnerable me. I left with crumbling walls, although not completely gone, pieces are going down all the time. Prasad you showed the way on how to forgive not only other people but to forgive myself. I came away with not new found friends, but four sisters of the heart. I left a better person, a person who has love, courage and spirituality.
As I write this, tears are flowing, these are not tears of sadness, but of all emotions in me and the realisation of how much you have done for me. How does one thank and show gratitude you, Prasad?”
Love always,
Farah
Stress Management Seminar – Mumbai
January 2009
“In one of my first contacts with yoga, I participated in a stress management seminar with Prasad, which was an enriching and inspiring experience. With his unique approach to yoga, mixing gentleness, sense of humour and clarity of explanations, Prasad provided us with the ‘tools’ and directions to effectively improve stress management through yoga. No doubt, this seminar was a success, and we were grateful for Prasad showing us the way!”
- Nathan Derhy
Gomukhasana
Gomukhasana
In Sanskrit, “Go” means Cow and “Mukha” means Face, so the posture is called a “Cow Face” posture because of the resemblance with the face of a cow. This is one of the postures mentioned in the sacred scriptures of Hatha Yoga.
Step-by-step
Sit on the hip
Bend your left leg in such a way that your left foot is placed on right side of the right hip
Bend your right leg in such a way that your right knee is on top of the left knee and the right foot is on the left side of the left hip
Keep your spine straight, neck relaxed and breath deeply
Take 10-15 deep breaths
Switch the side and repeat
Benefits
This is one of the best postures to stretch the tight muscles of the hip.
It increases the blood supply to the legs and makes them more flexible.
Helps in posture correction.
Video of the Month – April 2009
Prasad’s live Yoga performance at The Festival of India held in Toronto, Canada in August 2007 where Prasad was invited as a guest and speaker on the topic of Yoga and Yoga Therapy. (Part 3 of 3)
