Karma

"The word "karma" from the sanscrit root 'kri' signifies action or deed, whether physical or mental (including thought).[...] Karma means not only action, but also the result of the action. the consequence is really not a separate thing, but is a part of the action. [...]
There is no such thing as a blind chance or accident. If your finite mind is not able to find the cause of an event, it does not mean that this is accidental. [...]

If there is an action, there must be a reaction. The reaction will be of equal force and of similar nature. Every thought. desire, imagination, sentiment cause reaction. Virtue brings its own reward; vice brings its own punishment. This is the law of reaction. God neither punishes the wicked nor rewards the virtuous. It is their own karma that brings reward and/or punishment. No one is to be blamed"

 Swami Vishnudevananda "Meditation and mantras"

In many languages there are the quotes about action and reaction ex. ''behave with others as you want them to behave with you"(original is from Bible , Luke 6.31). It is very commom thought, and everybody knows that if we are nice to our neighbours so they will be nice to us, if we will help them, they will be helpfull to us. But how many people know that this law concerns also our thoughts? It is not enough to smile to our neighbour if in our heart we wish to him something bad. Thought is powerfull as the action is.

Karma law is easy: good action, good word, good thought- good reward, bad thought, action or word- punishment. You can think that nobody knows our thoughts, of course word or action are hurting very easy other person, but our bad thought can hurt ourself later.

It is easier to get control on the body and words then on mental activity, but once we get control of the mind we dont need to worry about the body. Everything is starting from the thought.

Om Tat Sat

Sivananda Yoga in Cracow (Krakow) : Odrobina Dobrej Woli

If one day you visit Cracow and you are wondering where you can find Sivananda school with English speaking Teacher- here you have answer:

"Odrobina Dobrej Woli" it's exclusively yoga school with traditional Sivananda teachings: mantras, pranayamas, asanas and relaxation. For all levels: beginners, intermediate and advanced classes, yoga for pregnant woman. Kids are almost welcome!
School is situated in lovely and peaceful place near Rudawa river with lush greenery around.

                                                      Yoga for pregnant women

                                                

 

Incense and candles help to concentrate and forget daily problems during class

                                                           

     Piotr (Omkar)- certified Sivananda Yoga Acharya.

    Since 2012 Piotr is teaching in International Teachers Training Courses.

When to come :

Mon: 07:00 - 08:00 (morning starter for intermediate and advanced), 09:30 - 11:00 (yoga for pregnant woman), 19:00-20.30 (intermediate and beginners(

Tue: 18:00 - 20:00 (advanced class)

Wed: 18:00 - 19:30 (intermediate and beginners)

Thu: 19:00 - 20:30 (intermediate and beginners)

Fri: 07:00 - 08:00 (morning starter for intermediate and advanced), 09:30 - 11:00 (yoga for pregnant woman)

Sat: 10:00 - 11:30 (all levels) 

 If you have any question do not hesitate to call or to email.

for more details visit website:

Facebook page   https://www.facebook.com/odrobinadobrejwoli
Official website:    http://www.yoga.sivananda.org.pl
Adress: Krakow, ul. Zarudawie 11

Om Tat Sat

Surya Namaskar. Posture n. 12

Posture n. 12 is Namaskar position

Breathing: exhalation
Body: Hands together in front of the chest, body straight yet relaxed
Mantra:   ॐ भास्कराय नमः  Om Bhaskaraya Namaha
              (Prostration to  Him who is the cause of  lustre)

Gold is one of the the most wanted metal in the world. It's yellow, shinning and strong. Any associations? Yes, gold recalls us the Sun: warm and shiny. We decorate temples with gold, bride wears gold jeweleries, kings clothes, furnitures and plates were decorated with gold.
We want our prescious moments and people to shine! When somebody is happy we used to say "You are shining", "Your eyes are shining". And even Louis XIV, french king, absolute monarch were called Sun King, like Sun is essential to earth so he wanted to be essential to France!
We are always wondering to see the sunrise, to see the begining of the day. It's giving energy. Its very powerful time to do asanas, pranayamas or meditation.

Sources: asana photo: Complete Ilustrated Book of Yoga. Swami Vishnudevananada
             sunrise: private photo

 Om Tat Sat
            

Surya Namaskar. posture n. 11

Posture n. 11 is same as posture n.2 Urdhva-hastasana

Body: after padahastasana , first straight the knees, stretch the spine and arms forward  (keep arms and head in one line) then up.
Tips: do not bend the body back, only very flexible person can bend the lumbar spine. We practice surya namaskar in the beginning of the class to heat the body and make it more flexible for asanas, but its very easy to hurt the spine and muscles if we practise surya namaskar with force.

Breathing: inhalation

Mantra: ॐ अर्काय नमः (Om Arkaya Namaha)
              Prostration to Him who is fit to be worshipped

"The indivisible, absolute and conscious nature of the reality signifies that life on earth should be lived according to the rigid laws of dispassion towards external existence and active awareness of the Self as the unlimited being. (...) The good life which is in conformity with the nature of Truth should be therefore, free from the oppressions of hatred, lust, greed and falsehood in all their forms of manifestation. The righteous life should be lived with mental peace, self-restrain, absence of agitative activity, fortitude, faith in Truth and concentration of mental consciousness.

                                                    Sivananda, May 14 1962"

Sources:
 Mantra meaning source from http://yogibe.tumblr.com/post/37241386513/mer-ka-ba-the-12-mantras-for-surya-namaskar
text- Sivananda "A Great Guru and his Ideal Disciple"

Om Tat Sat

Surya namaskar. Posture n. 10

Posture number 10 is same as n. 3 Pada-hastasana

Body: Keep the palms on the floor, fingertips in one line with toes. Put second feet between the hands. If you need -bend the knees. Forehead touch the knees. The muscles of stomach are relaxed. Feel the stretching of the back.
Tips: in the beginning, when leg's stretching  is not enough to put  leg between hands with one movement, you can help yourself. In the moment when the feet stops to move, catch with hand your ankle and move the feet  forward till it will rich other feet.

Breathing: exhailing
Mantra: ओम ॐ सावित्रे नम: (Om Savitre Namaha)
              Prostration to Him who stimulates

"Savitre is known as the stimulator (...). Savitre is said to represent the sun before rising, stimulating and arousing man into waking activity, and Surya is said to represent the sun after sunrise, when activity begins. Therefore, in the tenth position, padahastasana, we salute Savitre to obtain the vivifying power of the sun" 

     Integral Yoga Studio http://integralyogastudio.com/SunMantras-bsy.doc

Om Tat Sat

 

Surya Namaskar. Posture n. 9

Posture n. 9 is same as posture n. 4 - Ashwa Sanchalanasana

Mantra: ॐ आदित्याय नमः (Om Adityaya Namaha)
               Prostration to Aditya's son.

Aditi- the mother of all Gods, the source of life.


Mixed action
Actions are of three kinds
Viz., good, bad and mixed.
Good Karmas make you a God in heaven;
Bad Karmas throw you in lower wombs;
Mixed actions give you a human birth.
If you rob a man and feed the poor,
It is a mixed action.
If you earn money by unlawful means
And build a temple or hospital,
This is a mixed action.
If you get money by cheating a man
And construct an Ashram for Sannyasins,
This is also a mixed action.

Swami Sivananda. Wisdom in humour

Surya Namaskar. Posture n. 8

Posture n. 8 Adho Mukha Svanasana

Body: Hips up, knees and arms are straight. Pull heels to the floor and chest towards the feets. Head down.

Breathing: Exhalation

Mantra:  ॐ मरीचये नम: (Om Marichaye Namaha)
              Prostration to Him who possesses rays

"Practising Surya Namaskar, facing the rising sun, in the early morning hours 
strengthens the eyes and removes all sorts of eye defects. It produces lustre in the practitioner's face and eyes. The practitioner will enjoy good eye-sight even in old age."

    Swami Sadasivananda Salutations to the sun "Sivananda Yoga Life" spring 2011

On the picture Swami Vishnudevananda from "Complete illustrated book of Yoga"