Important Update & Revised Schedule
Due to the recent scheduling of a local power outage for Saturday, 28th August, we are no longer able to broadcast on 28th August as per the originally planned schedule. We have revised the workshop schedule to take place over a single day while increasing the duration of the broadcast on that day. We have reduced the registration cost to reflect these changes.
Those already registered for the original two-day workshop prior to this announcement will receive a refund for the cost difference.
The birthday commemoration of the Lord of Yoga, Sri Krishna Janmashtami is on Sunday, 29th August and we pray for smooth livestreaming of the core teachings and the guided meditative practices. Even though the scope of the workshop is reduced the core practices will not be compromised. Access to the recorded classes will allow for revision for all registered participants.
How to Breathe and Still the Mind
Online Workshop Honouring the Lord of Yoga
with His Holiness Swami Vidyadhishananda
Join us for a practice-oriented online workshop in honour of Sri Krishna-Janmāshtami, the birthday of the Lord of Yoga. HH Swami Vidyadhishananda will share teachings of Ahaṃ-Graha of Vedanta decoding the relationship of breathing with subtle desires, and teachings from Patanjali Yogasutra about creating emptiness through exhalation and pause. Guided practice will focus on how to breathe without the intentionality of control and then exhaling followed by a pause to hold on to emptiness in order to still the mind.
A selection of the topics and guided practice techniques that will be covered includes:
– Elements of Ahaṃ-Graha contemplation from Vedanta philosophy
– Understanding how breath can be used to loosen the grip of subtle desires
– How to breathe without the intentionality of controlling the breath
– Decoupling the sense of agency while observing the breath
– Guided practice of breathing without the sense of agency
– Understanding the subtle movement of prāṇa life-energy from watching the breath
– Authentic explanation about the real meaning of Yogasutra Ch.1 – Sutra 34
– Guided practice of Yogasutra Ch.1 – Sutra 34
– What should the mind hold on to? Should it be occupied?
– Allowing for the impermanence of pain during sitting
– How to establish steadiness of the mind by letting go without preempting an objective experience
During this Sunday online workshop, experience the power of Sanskrit chanting, Sanskrit singing, spiritual instruction, practice-oriented sessions on breathing and stilling the mind through an understanding of prāṇa (lifeforce and life energy), and blessings with our Himalayan siddha monk and living saint, His Holiness Swami Vidyadhishananda.
Sri Krishna- Janmāshtami
Join our worldwide spiritual community for the auspicious celebration of Sri Krishna-Janmāshtami, honouring the descension of Lord Krishna who is eulogized in the Sanskrit literature as the Lord of Yoga (Yogeśwara). Sri Krishna is also hailed as the jagad-guru (lineage head) of our meditation lineages and is honoured as the supreme divine personality of Sanskrit-based spiritual tradition of dharma.
In the USA Sri Krishna- Janmāshtami will be commemorated on Sunday, 29th August late evening and into the early morning of Monday, 30th August. Traditionally the celebration of the descension of Lord Krishna involves fasting until midnight and breaking the fast after the midnight contemplation and vigil. The daytime and evening leading into the midnight birthtime includes ecstatic singing and sublime recitation along with seva by sharing specially prepared food (naivedyam). Consecrated food is also offered to the Lord of Yoga (Yogeśwara) that includes samples of our bounties prepared in an Ayurvedic way.
Program Schedule (US Pacific Time - PDT)
Sunday, 29th August
9:30 am – 2:30 pm
– Sri Krishna legacy slideshow
– Professional performance on devotional singing of Sanskrit verses
– Sanskrit invocation
I – Instructions & Guided practice on how to breathe without the sense of agency & control
– Break
– Instructions & Guided practice on how to exhale into a pause and thereby still the mind
– Professional performance on devotional singing of Sanskrit verses
– Sanskrit Peace chant
– Vespers will include the offering of consecrated food to Lord Krishna
Preparation or Orientation before Attending this Workshop
– Listen to sound bathing for neuro-muuscular relaxation
– Understand the Yogasutra definition of prāṇāyāma with inbreath and outbreath
– Review how breathing is combined with steadiness and comfort of āsana sitting
– Read an article by His Holiness on deep core breathing
Food Guidelines
Avoid mucous generating foods throughout the weekend. Avoid eating at least 2 hours before the Workshop and make yourself feel light and agile. Meals that you have the day before the workshop should be light. You should feel slightly hungry by the start of the Workshop at 9:30am US Pacific Time. Practicing breathing and pranayama on an empty stomach is best, as food in the stomach during practice may cause discomfort. Fruits and herbal tea are acceptable snacks. For those who are sensitive to a drop in sugar, a slice of gluten-free bread will be acceptable as a snack.
Medical Considerations
Please note that some of the breathing techniques (such as holding for some time after exhalation) taught in this workshop may not suitable for those with hypertension (high blood pressure) or persistent migraine headaches. If you have either of these conditions please consult with your personal physician before planning to attend. During the workshop, breathholds or duration of breathhold will be noted as part of the instruction summary so that you may abstain from practicing them.
Teen Attendance
Children under the age of 18 years may attend if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. We do not recommend this Workshop for children under the age of 15. Please write to us if you have a particular inquiry.
Supplementary Workbook
The supplementary workshop course material, Lifeforce + Lifestyle – Workbook is available on our bookstore website. This 200-page workbook is a manual that inspires seekers to lead a balanced lifestyle by restoring wellness and enhancing vitality. Wisdom teachings are presented herein to illustrate the flow of life energy – integrating breathwork, drinkables and edibles that end with wholesome recipes – a must-read for anyone interested in Ayurveda, mindfulness, yoga and meditation.
Accessing the Online Workshop
We will follow-up with all registrants the week prior to the Workshop livestream to share the login details for the event webpage. The login details will also be re-shared by email on Sunday morning for your convenience. Please be mindful about not making any typos in your email address when registering—this will ensure that you receive the confirmation email and the subsequent emails with the login details.
You will find the following items on this Workshop webpage:
– Live video stream for Sunday
– Workshop schedule
– FAQ & troubleshooting guidelines
– Resources to supplement the teachings
Accessing the Recordings
After the workshop streams live, we will work diligently to make the recordings available to all participants. We expect that this may take up to two weeks, but possibly more in case of technical challenges. Once the recordings are live we will email all participants with the access details. Access to the recordings will be granted to all registrants for one month from the date they are posted.
Registration & Donation
Your registration is not a donation to the Nonprofit, as it only covers the expense such as catered meal, rentals, recordings, etc. If you wish to make a charitable, tax-deductible donation to support this program and the Nonprofit’s curriculum, there will be an opportunity to do so during registration or in-person at the fellowship.
Cancellation & Refund Policy - Online Event
Registration Cancellation
In order to receive a refund, please notify Self Enquiry Life Fellowship’s main office either by email at [email protected] or by phone at 909-543-6003. No refunds or credits toward registration amount will be offered if you cancel within 3 days of the start date of the event, if you do not show up, or if you leave an event early for any reason.
Registration Amount Refunds
Full refunds are available if your cancellation request is received at least 3 days prior to the event start date. No refunds or credits toward registration amount will be offered if you cancel within 2 days of the start date of the event, if you do not show up, or if you leave an event early for any reason.
Cancellation by the Organizer
Self Enquiry Life Fellowship reserves the right to cancel any event at any time. In the instance an event is cancelled, registrants will be notified and offered the option of receiving a refund or credit toward a future event. While Self Enquiry Life Fellowship never anticipates cancelling an event, due to unforeseeable circumstances some events may be canceled.
