abellaYoga

Where Yoga Comes to You

Call Us at 703-371-9219
contact@abellayoga.com
  • Home
  • About
    • Client Locations
  • Yoga
  • Locations
  • Yoga Blog
  • Contact
  • Private Yoga
  • Office Yoga
  • Event Yoga
  • The Biz of Yoga

Yoga Secrets – in the heart of NYC

May 21, 2014 By Melody

After spending this past weekend with Sri Dharma Mittra, I am convinced there is no reason to travel to India or some far away land to experience the best of yoga.  Teaching yoga since 1967, Sri Dharma founded the first independent school of yoga in NYC in 1975 and is known internationally as the “Teachers’ Teacher”.  Smack in the heart of Manhattan, he has been sharing the secrets of success not just in yoga but in life.

As he stated on Sunday, there are just four things you need to do to experience yoga:  healthy diet, fitness, compassion and self-reflection.  Here I will delve into each.

Sri Dharma Mittra on his 75th birthday and his dog Baxter.

Sri Dharma Mittra on his 75th birthday and his dog Baxter.

Healthy Diet means vegetarian (preferably vegan) and 80% of it uncooked/raw foods.  Why you may ask?  As Sri Dharma often states “If you eat dead, toasted, fried or frozen food, you will feel dead, toasted, fried and frozen.”  Do I need to say more?

Fitness has always been a big part of Dharma’s life.  Celebrating his 75th birthday last Wednesday 5/14/14, the former Brazilian body builder, still goes to the gym 2-3 times a week to lift weights.  Asanas (yoga postures) are great but may not be for everyone.  Sri Dharma always says “Move the joints a little every day.”  So it doesn’t mean you have to do yoga postures necessarily to achieve yoga; just move in a way that challenges (as well as honors) your body.

Compassion for all beings is an essential part of Sri Dharma’s teachings as well as many of the great yogic texts.  Take for example, Ahimsa – the first ethical rule of the 8-limbs of yoga outlined in the Yoga Sutras thousands of years ago.  Ahimsa translates as non-violence and is often described as non-violence in thought, word and deed.  Compassion is the ability to see yourself in everyone you encounter.  Extend your compassion beyond your pets (i.e. chickens, cows, buffalo, etc.)  Be kind to all beings – no exceptions.  Refer back to Healthy Diet.

Sit still daily and meditate.  Meditate on compassion.  Reflect on the infinite.  Meditate on bliss.  Pick one and go deep within.  “Become your object of concentration.”  Also, during your sitting time do a few minutes of the calming breath (inhale 4 counts, hold a second, exhale 4 counts).  If that’s easy, increase the count (aka breathing ratio) to 8:4:8.  Also, do at least 12 round of alternate nostril breathing everyday.  Another Dharma quote seems appropriate here…“When you are quiet, you see everything with love.”

As simple as these secrets sound, they can be hard to put into practice daily.  Do your best.  Personally, I don’t always follow them perfectly to a “T” but I try my best.  I’m hoping with continual effort they will become natural habits in my life.  Thank you Sri Dharma for freely giving us the secrets of success in yoga.  Now it’s up to us to put them into practice.

Here’s a bonus secret:  The Dharma Yoga Center just announced yesterday there will be a Summer Dharma Yoga Retreat in August.  If you haven’t experienced time with the “Teachers’ Teacher” be sure to sign up now (this past weekend was sold out!).  Whether you teach yoga or not, you will have an amazing experience that will take you beyond your yoga mat.  Look forward to seeing you there!

Related

Filed Under: dharma mittra, health, health and fitness, life, meditation, pranayama, Uncategorized, yoga, yoga asana, yoga teacher

Comments

  1. Susanne says

    May 27, 2014 at 12:30 am

    I saw a video with Sri Dharma Mittra and found him truly inspiring, I wish I could meet him in person one day too! Thank you for sharing his wisdoms.
    Namaste, Susanne

Subscribe to My Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Recent Posts

  • Private Yoga Rates
  • Business of Yoga (part 5): Rest to Reset
  • 2016 – What’s Your Word?
Be a warrior not a worrier. Get the liability protection & peace of mind you deserve. $159/year BeYogi Insurance

Post Archives

Business Information

abellayoga
Arlington, Virginia, 22202
Phone: 703-371-9219

Follow Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2022 YOGAbella, Inc. All rights reserved. abellaYoga is a registered tradename of YOGAbella, Inc.