Articles

Health itself is Not everything, but without health everything becomes nothing.

My household members will not be safe if my house is in a coronavirus hot spot area. My country is not safe the surrounding countries are in a pandemic situation. I will be healthy only when my community is healthy. Similarly, the world is healthy only when its limbs in the form of all nations are healthy. If any country is not healthy, the body of this world is not at ease, and it is not healthy.

It is great news that the life expectancy of an Australian is steadily increasing, and it is currently at 83 years. Recent studies say that life expectancy of 150 years in the future is not impossible. To cater for this change, Governments across the world need to recalibrate their health budget to cater for an ageing population and this will put a strain on the nation’s budget. 

There is a steady increase in the Australian health budget year on year and the current health budget is over $121 Billion with about 5% of the budget being spent on mental health. According to the productivity council, mental health is costing the nation at least $70 Billon annually and this is on an upward trend. The Government’s current strategy to address the strained health budget is a firefighting approach and may not be sustainable.

How can Yoga add value to the Nation?

Yoga will complement Government’s initiatives in addressing the health crisis through a proactive strategy of “Prevention is better than Cure”.  Yoga is not only an investment in a healthy lifestyle but also enables one to bounce back to health quickly in case of illness. A healthy person is an asset to the nation as he or she contributes immensely to the wealth and wellness of the nation. Yoga plays a dominant role by making an individual physically healthy, mentally stable and spiritually connected. A healthy individual is vital for a healthy family, a healthy society and a healthy nation.

Yoga is the contribution of ancient sages of India to the whole of humanity. Though it is an ancient concept, its application is still relevant and will be relevant in the future also.

We generally associate wealth in terms of our bank balance, investments, shares etc. We work long hours in pursuit of this wealth. But we fail to realise that the wealth is not confined only to the money in the bank or our investment portfolio. As we age, we realise that the best wealth we can have is health. 

The values we entertain – our mental health has a direct bearing on our physical health and our approach to life. The absence of disease alone is not health. The presence of enriched values in life is health. A tailor does not make us a gentleman, but the values we entertain make us a gentleman. Raising the height of the ceiling alone is not called prosperity. Cruising on a motorway or having 20 lane brides does not alone make a country a developed nation. A wealth without values is a burden on society. Emptying the mind of negative things alone is not enough. Shunting all criminals to prison alone will not make a country safe. Unless we enrich our lives with values, we will not find peace and prosperity in life. This can be achieved through a value-based education need to be introduced in the school system

We claim that we are busy in life and busy for what cause is the differentiators. We can make history by being engaged in life for a higher purpose. Otherwise, we will become a part of history. Only those who are dedicated to living for a higher purpose can inspire others. In the school system children must read about such great achievers of the past so that they will be inspired to excel. When you lead a life this you will not be abandoned in old age and the society will look after the person who is of value. Do not look up to the health minister or WHO for your health. Take responsibility for your health by investing time in yourself. 

A healthy community is built on harmonious living amongst people from different races, religions, and cultures. For a healthy world, there must be a harmonious living between humans and animals and the environment.

The world is one family – vasudeiva kutumbakam. There cannot be sustainable peace and harmony by leading a selfish living. We must give more than we take for a healthy world. We must connect; we must join hands with others to enrich ourselves and others. This connection is called Yoga.

The application of Yoga is universal. It is not limited to one religion and one section of the community. The purpose of celebrating International Yoga is to bring the message of Yoga to the greater community.

On the 24th of June, a few of us had the privilege to travel up to Canberra for a yoga session at the Federal Parliament. It was part of the International Yoga Day 2021 celebrations hosted by Vasudeva Kriya Yoga. The celebrations were organized in collaboration with Indian High Commissioner’s office, Canberra. The celebration in the parliament was made possible by the office of Hon Minister Jason Wood, Mr Rampal Muthyala and Mr Karthik Arasu.

The session was represented by The Hon. Minister Michael Sukkar MP, Hon. Minister Jason Wood MP, Hon Senator James Paterson, Hon Senator David Van, Deputy High Commissioner of India His Excellency Mr Karthigeyan, other parliamentary dignitaries, dignitaries from the Indian High commissioner office and yoga professionals from Canberra and Melbourne. 

Minister Sukkar spoke about how the ancient age-old custom of yoga has been handed over generations. It is a combination of physical and spiritual science. The youth today need to imbibe the discipline of yoga and how it can be beneficial to them in 2021. He implied and stressed the importance of spreading yoga and its benefits to the younger generation.

Minister Jason Wood mentioned the 5000-year-old discipline based on subtle science which focuses on bringing harmony to the body and the mind. He advised that in the parliament they regularly practice yoga. He acknowledged yoga’s effectiveness to cure many bodily ailments as well as mental illness, depression. Yoga can be useful to improve flexibility and reduce sports as well as other injuries.

Founder of Vasudeva Kriya Yoga, Sri Rajendra conveyed the message of yoga to the ministers and the parliamentarians. The world is safe only when every country is safe. Life expectancy is steadily increasing and governments must re-calibrate their health budget. The majority of the health budget is spent on mental health issues. Yoga is a complementary system to the existing health system and aims at prevention. Yoga makes a person physically healthy, mentally stable and spiritually connected. Such people are assets to the nation as their productivity increases and they spread the message of peace and harmony. We are busy with trivial things in life. How to be busy with a purpose is Yoga which is a value-based system. To make this happen, a value-based education system needs to be introduced in Australia. Children will need to be motivated and inspired to make difference in the community. This will ensure that the mental health of the next generation is taken care of. Inspired people are valuable to society and act as role models. We are all co-travellers in this life. Yoga is the need of the day for the current turmoil in the world and contributes to the peace and harmony of the world. Ultimate health responsibility comes from the individual. Hence invest time in yourself and make yourself an extraordinary person. This is the definition of yoga.

On this day, a memorandum was also submitted to the Health Minister, Education Minister as well as Minister of Multicultural affairs outlining the above message.

We (Vasudeva Kriya Yoga) are delighted to announce our new centre in Preston and Mill Park. Please join us to begin or continue to your path to health and well being through Yoga..! All details in the brochure below.

Click here to signup..!

Term Dates: Sat 27th April 2019 to 22nd July 2019

Fees: $80 per term.

NOTE: We are a not-for-profit organisation, all the fees collected will be given back to the society in one or the other way via initiatives like charity donations, public Yoga awareness events etc. By joining us you’ll be contributing to social well being of the society, as well as yours..!!

Here are some of the pictures from the Yoga Retreat.

53063689_2189429844439747_3266178588289794048_n

53489172_2189430241106374_7109114255856631808_n

53581852_2189430081106390_3208736110830157824_n

54278907_2189429794439752_7730932332412010496_n

54361683_2189430051106393_4216884060414279680_n

54364744_2189429954439736_784717888215842816_n

54410179_2189430174439714_2176576429318209536_n

54727450_2189429894439742_4751693113234292736_n

53435061_2189430024439729_4191383555382706176_n

53399818_2189429991106399_8266879418421477376_n

The participants experienced Vasudeva Kriya Yoga and here are some of the testimonials.

Hata Yoga Pradipika is a one of the yoga texts with 389 vases contained in four chapters.

In the first chapter it says that the Practitioner of yoga will note get the desired results because of over eating, over talking, over exertion, following unsuitable vows, inconsistency in practice and having the wrong company. On the other hand one succeeds in yoga by getting all desired results through cheerfulness, perseverance, courage, true knowledge, belief in the words of the Guru and by abandoning the wrong company. Yoga sadhaka (practitioner) should be always cheerful and should not have a dull outlook. He or she should be always willing to act when called for.

Another quality to succeed is perseverance. One should finish the task one has taken upon however difficult it may be. If required he or she call upon others for support but should never drop the ball half way through before taking on another task. By doing this one will start losing faith and trust by others. One must be courageous and should be willing to take up the challenges and responsibility. One should not be weak hearted and should not be swayed by the opinions of others. Yogi should be ambitious and should have vision for life. This helps in getting self-motivated and motivating others.

The above are possible only through true knowledge. One should read the scriptures and reflect on that. One should not be fanatic and should take other opinions also and see the merits and demerits in them. Knowledge dawns to one who has an unflinching devotion to his or her Guru. Through the blessings of a true Guru alone the knowledge will dawn within. One should disown the company of time wasters, interested in gossips and people with petty visons in life. Company of these people makes the sadhaka weak and will shake off the inner confidence. One should have a courage to say no to the wrong doers or wrong company.

By following the above, dawn period in one’s life will set in soon and after that sunrise in one’s life is not far off and he or she will shine in life and will become great.

The above message is taken from Srimad Bhagavad Gita where Lord Shri Krishna says:

Yukta ahara Viharasya Yukta Chestasya Karmasu
Yukta Swapna avabhodasya yogo bhavati dukhaha || BG 6.17 ||

One who is moderate in earing, recreation, work, sleep and wakefulness, for such person yoga becomes a dispeller of grief.

You can watch the full video of the speech below.

śrī-bhagavān uvāca
abhayaṁ sattva-saṁśuddhir jñāna-yoga-vyavasthitiḥ |
dānaṁ damaś ca yajñaś ca svādhyāyas tapa ārjavam || B.G.16.1 ||

tejaḥ kṣamā dhṛtiḥ śaucam adroho nāti-mānitā |
bhavanti sampadaṁ daivīm abhijātasya bhārata || B.G.16.3 ||

The Blessed Lord said: Fearlessness, purification of one’s existence, cultivation of spiritual knowledge, charity, self-control, performance of sacrifice, study of the Vedas, austerity and simplicity; nonviolence, truthfulness, freedom from anger; renunciation, tranquility, aversion to faultfinding, compassion and freedom from covetousness; gentleness, modesty and steady determination; vigor, forgiveness, fortitude, cleanliness, freedom from envy and the passion for honor-these transcendental qualities, O son of Bharata, belong to godly men endowed with divine nature.

1. Abhaya: Fearlessness is the hallmark of the sadhaka.  One should not only be fearless but also should motivate others to become fearless and achieve great things in life.
2. Satva Samshuddi:  Always keeping the mind fresh and pure by associating with noble people.
3. Jnana Yoga Vyavastiti: Always striving for higher knowledge.  The seeker has a thirst for higher knowledge.
4. Daana: The sadaka is magnanimous in life and extends the helping hand wherever possible.
5. Dama: The sadhaka has control over one’s senses.
6. Yajna:  The sadhaka offers all his actions to the Lord as an offering.
7. Swadyaya:  The sadhaka enjoys the manana – introspection.  The sadhaka enjoys the shastra adyayana – scriptural reading on a daily basis.
8. Tapa: The sadhaka observers the austerities without complaining and without publicizing it.
9. Arjavam: The sadhaka has aligned thinking, talking and action in one line.  His or her dealings are straight forward.
10. Ahimsa: Sadhaka’s like is not a burden for others.
11. Satya: The sadhaka is true to oneself.  The sadhaka is life is dedicated for a search of truth.
12. Akroda:  The sadhaka has curbed his anger.  Anger comes only when one has personal desire.  The sadhaka has dedicated the life for other others so that there is no personal desire.
13. Tyaga: The sadhaka sacrifices one’s personal comforts for the wellbeing of others.
14. Shanti: The sadhaka should ensure that one’s inner peace is not shaken at any cost
15. Apaishunam: The sadhaka does not get indulged in back biting.
16. Daya Bhuteshu:  The sadhaka is highly compassionate.
17. Alolupvam:  The sadhaka is not interested in others wealth and     has freedom from covetousness.
18. Mardavam: The sadhaka has a gentle character and is soft spoken.
19. Hri:  Thee sadhaka is shy in doing things what is not right.
20. Achapalam:  The sadhaka has freedom from craving and addiction.
21. Teja: The sadhaka is very dynamic and is not a lazy person.
22. Kshema:  The sadhaka has a big heart and forgives the people who have wronged against him.
23. Dhriti:  The shadhaka will not give up the talk half way through and makes sure that the task is completed.
24. Shoucha:  The sadhaka leads a pure life.  He or she always thinks of the most purest – Lord to become pure oneself.
25. Akroda: The sadhaka is not into taking the revenge against other.
26. Atimanita: The sadhaka is not be egoistic, arrogant and is not craving for name and fame.

The above are the divine qualities and all seekers of higher knowledge should strive for this.  The divine qualities liberates oneself and other token the demonic qualities binds and pulls one down.

Article by Sunder Iyer, VKY Practitioner

I have been a student and occasional teacher at VKY for several years now, though I have attended classes at other yoga schools previously. Yoga practice at VKY stands out for its multi-dimensional approach to yoga, one that reflects the true depth of this ancient yet ageless practice from India.

Dimension 1: Physical

• Through sadhana (practice) and bhavana (visualisation), it is possible to do any asana. Personally, it provides me with a sense of achievement to be able to do that which was not possible before. This imperative of constant self-improvement is a hallmark of yoga at VKY.
• Be it the regular weekly classes, Surya Yagnas, retreats or the “Yoga for Serious Yogis,” every experience is a showcase of the sheer variety of yoga.
• There is always something more to learn and try, and to learn by doing (anusasunam). This positively benefits all aspects of life.

Dimension 2: Mental

• Every class features many pranayama, dhyana and kriya (cleansing) sequences. These are appropriate for each season. For example, in winter we do agni sari Kriya to overcome winter lethargy and energise. In summer, sheetkari pranayama to stay cool and unflustered by the heat.
• Meditation (pratyahara followed by dhyana) quiets the mental chatter to allow clarity of thought.
• The above builds resiliency and the capacity to cope with changing circumstances and demands.

 Dimension 3: Spiritual

• VKY emphasises the scriptural dimension of yoga. It does not downplay the Vedic origins of yoga. Rather, it explores its essence and applies it to our contemporary times.
• I have enjoyed this as it is bringing me closer to the life and health-affirming culture of my ancestors.
• The deep meanings of verses from the Bhagvad Gita and Patanjali Yoga sutras are the products of great minds of the past whose insights are timeless. For example, the 26 divine qualities that link the jeevatma (individual soul) to the Paramatma (Supreme).

Dimension 4: Practical

• Diet – VKY classes have helped me adopt positive habits such as avoiding caffeine, drinking warm water always, and avoiding carbonated drinks.
• Sleep – regular practice of Yoga Nidira has improved my ability to rest, sleep quality and cycles.
• Sustainability – As a family, we have ceased using environmentally plastic bottles which seep plastic nanoparticles into the body. I drink from copper bottles instead. Also, we have replaced plastic straws with stainless steel ones, and we use jute bags for our shopping.
• Yoga is a highly practical way to manage one’s time, energy and relationships. It is a darasana or positive way of living in the world, without the negative aspects of the world living in you.

Dimension 5: Non-commercial

• VKY classes are made accessible to all at a price that is one-third to half of commercial yoga classes.
• The purpose of VKY is to live in bliss for 100 years and it’s mission is to help all, regardless of age, gender or background, to shift from illness to wellness.
• This is the need of our age.