Shiga_1

Osaka WS_2

Osaka WS_1

Okayama WS_1

Karuizawa_3

Karuizawa_2

Karuizawa_1

Shiga_3

 

From the end of September to the beginning of October this year, we were happy to hold three workshops and two retreats throughout Japan sharing the ancient and authentic teachings of the Himalayan tradition inviting Rabindra Sahu from Swami Rama Sadhaka Grama (SRSG), Rishikesh, India.

On the first weekend, we had a two-day workshop in Okayama with the theme of “Preparations for Yoga Nidra”. The participants learned the importance of deepening the understanding of body, breath, mind, and emotions and practices of purifying them as the preparatory practices of Yoga Nidra.  They were also introduced to systematic guided relaxations. Some of the participants were new to Yoga while others had been practicing it for a long time, and each one of them was able to connect with themselves at a deeper level.

On the next day, we were invited to a city in Osaka to share the teachings of Himalayan Yoga Meditation with the mayor and the officers of the city. The theme being “Stress Management”, we introduced the importance of diaphragmatic breathing and of a relaxed forehead. We also shared with them the practice of Makarasana and they did a short experiment on how certain emotions affect breath patterns and vice versa. It was a very practical session, and the managers of each department told us that they would like to share what they learned with their staffs. Not to mention that everyone’s forehead was relaxed at the end of the workshop leaving the room with smiles on their faces.

On the later part of the second week, it was there in a quiet forest area in Karuizawa, Nagano where we had a three-day retreat. The theme of the retreat was “Preparations for Yoga Nidra”, and the participants shared about their understanding and practices of Hatha Yoga, Pranayama and the philosophies behind them. They were given several experiments of reflection and contemplation to observe their body, breath, and mind in different sessions and noted the findings.  We discussed the importance of emotional purification as a preparation of Yoga Nidra. We practiced tension relaxation, and systematic guided relaxations. While doing guided relaxation practices, some of them noticed that they were holding unconscious tensions or movements on their body parts. Others shared that they fell asleep during the practices. Rabindra encouraged them to take mental note on how they felt and what was their experience so that so that they could see the difference or the changes when they practice next time. We learnt the art of relaxation in day-to-day life which helps deepen the practice of Yoga Nidra and how the practice of relaxation could help us to carry the feeling of a relaxed mind to our day-to-day life. At night, we had a Kirtan with a guest teacher Amrita Katha Dasi. She kindly explained the meaning of the mantra and shared the practices in the path of devotion. Though some of the participants were new to Kirtan, we had a beautiful time together chanting the holy names. Many people traveled for a long distance to attend the retreat, and we shared a rich time studying together, cooking together, eating together, and laughing together – while deepening the practices – in the forest cottage surrounded by serene nature.

We also had a one-day retreat in Kofukuji, a Zen temple in Shiga. Sharing a brief history and the teachings of the Himalayan Yoga tradition, the participants learned the philosophy of Hatha Yoga and practiced Asana on the basis of the philosophy. They also studied the proper sitting and the diaphragmatic breathing by checking each other’s posture and breath. At the end of the retreat, the monk of the temple guided everyone’s Zazen practice, which has been taught under the Rinzai sect of Buddhism. After the retreat, some participants said that they were reminded of the importance of going back to the basics and finding balance in their practices of Asana as well as in their daily lives. It was a heartwarming retreat where we shared the same table eating homemade vegetarian cuisines prepared with love.

The last workshop was held in Tokyo on the theme of “Holistic Health”. Rabindra shared the importance of keeping the body and mind a fit instrument and shared ways to live in harmony with nature in our daily lives giving examples of how people live in some parts of rural India where the traditions still remain. One of the participants said that it was an insightful workshop as she was reminded of many things that we take granted that we need to be aware of thereby establishing a deep connection in her everyday life.

Throughout the two weeks, we were given many opportunities to share the teachings of the tradition in different parts of Japan. We appreciate everyone for their time and dedication to come and learn. Last but not least, sincere thanks to Rabindra ji for traveling to Japan to help us spread the teachings of the tradition from his knowledge and experiences. We pay our deepest gratitude to the masters and the tradition, who always watch us and bless us with opportunities to learn and grow in each and every moment.

AHYMSIN Japan
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Full Moon Guided Meditation
9 PM on November 27, 2023 (Japan Standard Time)
The meditation will be guided in both Japanese and English.
Registration: https://forms.gle/sqwdaBxgZ5GKpCjq5