Seminar offers better living options

Over the last couple of decades, our lives have become very fast paced. technology along with competitive and cut-throat work ethics have resulted in people being thrown out of balance and experiencing a lot of stress. A strong need is now being felt to de-stress, calm our minds, rejuvenate our bodies and maintain a healthy lifestyle. And yoga, which is a scientific system of physical and mental practices that originated in India more than three thousand years ago, can assist us to reach that desired state of balance and health, and improve the quality of our lives.

vasudeva Kriya Yoga Centre held a two day seminar called Regenerate, Rejuvenate and Rehabilitate on August 1 and 2 at the Shirdi Sai Sansthan at Camberwell, victoria. Its objectives were to raise awareness of yoga in the community and to build harmony amongst different yoga groups and schools.

Nine speakers from different yoga and natural health schools in Melbourne represented their experiences and research findings. Talks, demonstrations and practical practice were offered to highlight the importance of yoga and naturopathy in our daily life for optimum health.

the seminar was inaugurated with the traditional lighting of the lamp and chanting of shlokas. Shri rajendra, yoga teacher and founder of the vasudeva Kriya Yoga School presented a brief outline of the objectives and the framework of the seminar.

the “World Society For Clinical Yoga”, presently teacher and tutor at the Monash Medical School). his presentation, called Science of Meditation stated that yoga is a process of which the core is mindfulness. this can be achieved through meditation which, according to him, is mental discipline. he also spoke about the impact of daily work stress on the body and how we could alleviate this through Pranayama (breathing techniques) and meditation.

undirected practice.

an equally broad spectrum of thoughts and research on yoga. the inaugural speaker, Shri Chris Dale (Yoga Teacher and Therapist for Art of Living School) spoke on Breath - a gateway to health, happiness and spiritual unfolding. the Art of Living, according to him offers a very simple technology to remain happy and help others achieve this. It teaches effective techniques for releasing stress and improving health and increasing energy, peace, self-knowledge, awareness and joy by harmonizing the body, mind and spirit. he also mentioned that his holiness Sri Sri ravi Shankarji would be in Melbourne from December 4 to 8, 2009.

The introductory speaker on the first day was

Shri Swami Samnyasananda

this was followed by a discourse by Shri Bala ratnam (Yoga therapist and founder of vibration Breath therapy). he spoke on Chakra Meditation for healing and provided demonstrations on vibrational Breath therapy (vBt) - a complete programme of the particular practices, ratios, rhythms and combinations of yoga practices which

The final speaker of the day was Dr. Arthur Vassiliou (Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine and student of yoga) who spoke about health, longevity and self healing with traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Dr Vassiliou elaborated on the holistic nature of tCM which views a person as an energy system in which the body and mind are unified, and each influences and balances the other. The World health Organisation has recognized acupuncture as a successful treatment of 80 different medical conditions. tCM has also offered energy enhancement exercises such as the tai Chi Movement. he also added that tCM is totally safe and has no side effects.

On the second day, the seminar covered

Gita (senior yoga instructor at Yoga In Daily Life) gave a presentation on Asanas, and Acharya Swami Atmamuktanada (Acharya at Satyananda Ashram, Daylesford, victoria) spoke about equal Balance in worldly and spiritual Life. Dr Satish Kumar and Dr Raj Koturu (practicing ayurveda and homeopathic doctors and founders of Aura health Concepts) elaborated on the Basics in Ayurveda and homeopathic medicine. Shri rajendra (Yoga teacher and founder of vasudeva Kriya Yoga School) shared his thoughts and experiences in the valedictory presentation. he spoke in detail about Asana and Upasana. the seminar was informative, enlightening and relevant to current times. It was very well-attended by people from all walks of life, and highly successful in achieving its purpose.

Madhuchanda Das

Bharatanatyam: Gayathri Srinivasan’s Arrangetram

Gayathri SrinivaSan’S Arangetram was held at the alexander theatre at Monash University in July. She is Dr Chandrabhanu - and Bharatalaya’s – 108th Arangetram, which, as was pointed out, is a significant and auspicious number in Hindu cosmology.

From the moment Gayathri came on stage, she lighted up the dais with her smile and her presence, and it was obvious to all that she was thoroughly enjoying every moment of her performance. She danced with poise and confidence - like a veteran of the dance circuit - regaling the audience