Starting our yatra in Chennai, we will tour the spiritual landscape of Tamil Nadu and its magnificent temple architecture.

A stone carving at a Shiva Temple

Continuing on through Mahabalipuram, we come to the quaint, once French, town of Pondicherry, home of Sri Aurobindo.
And the nearby Eco-Village conceptualized by The Mother:  Auroville.

Meditating inside the Matra Mandir is to access pure energy.

It is a yearning that draws one to Tiruvannamalai, the pure joy of visiting the home of Ramana Maharishi
and the mountainhe loved so much as the home of Lord Shiva: Arunachala!

The sun sets at Arunachala

We visit the sacred town of Chidambaram, where the Shiva Temple is dedicated to his Yogic form as Nataraja, the Cosmic Dancer.

Thillai Nataraj Temple

Completing our yogic journey of the south, we fly north to Varanasi, perhaps the oldest living city in the world!
While immersing in the sacredness of the Ganges, visiting its ancient Temples and walking its ancient streets, we study Tantra with scholars and listen in the old gharanas to the music of one of its 15th generation classical musician families.

Varanasi, the river Ganges and its ancient temples

Finally, a small group of us will venture on to Rishikesh to visit the Ganges in another of its most sacred homes, Rishikesh:

Where ancient rishis lived once and a bridge now takes us across a river Lord Rama crossed by boat back somewhere in the mists of time

HOWEVER, 2012 begins in January with another Sacred Art of Eating workshop, this one in Malibu as it traverses its way across the culinary landscape of Southern California: perhaps it is time for you to immerse in its aromas, tastes and visual pleasures?
January 29: 1-7 PM at a Private home in Malibu: Space is limited to 12. Please contact Lynn Dolin at lynndolin@aol.com to sign up.

BACK in Greece after the India Retreat, we invite our international friends to join us for a Teacher Training Immersion in Ayurveda for Yogins: March 1-4:
Ayurveda for Yoga Teachers, Level 1: The Path of Healing & Realization
with Arun Devaat NYSY Yoga Studio, Athens
(Click Here For Details)

UPCOMING!

APRIL 2012: PRANA, TEJAS & OJAS: THE TIES THAT BIND: NAMA CONFERENCE 2012
Link Here!

APRIL 2012: SVATANTRA: CERTIFICATION COURSE AT SIVANANDA YOGA FARMS, GRASS VALLEY
Link Here!

Free Intro to Ayurveda: The Science of Self Healing
Monday October 31st 6.30-9pm.
A free 2 hour lecture style workshop delving into Ayurveda, The Science of Self Healing. Ayurveda, the sister science to Yoga and for centuries the medical veda (science) of India, is profound in its ability to understand the human condition: what constitutes dis-ease, what causes it, what cures it and what prevents it. In this session we will introduce its philosophy, its practicality and its universal wisdom of healing, and how you can use this ancient science in a practical way. A raffle will be held for 5 free pulse readings.

Vinyasa Krama: The Practice
Wednesday November 2nd 7-9.30pm.

Nidana Panchakam: Understanding the Disease Process From The Perspective Of Self-Healing
Saturday November 5th 4-7pm.

Sacred Art Of Eating: Secrets of Ayurvedic Nutrition, Cooking Seminar & Complete Ayurvedic Dinner
Sunday November 6th

The Five Kleshas
&
Saptadhatu, Nadi & Marma Cikitsa Through Yoga
Saturday November 12th

Once back in California:

Yoga & Ayurveda (Post) Thanksgiving Retreat!

Yogarasayana India Retreat:
Oct 8-16th.

Then:

AYURVEDA FOR DAILY LIVING & SIMPLE HOME REMEDIES
at Rising Lotus Yoga, Sherman Oaks

Oct 23rd

NOVEMBER STARTS WITH THE SALT LAKE CITY
YOGA & AYURVEDA TOUR: Details to follow!

AND WE END THE MONTH WITH:

YOGA & AYURVEDA THANKSGIVING RETREAT
IN JOSHUA TREE RETREAT CENTER
W/ARUN DEVA, JUTTA HECHT & DARSHANA THACKER
Nov 25-27

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER WERE COOKING MONTHS: A REVIEW:
August/September turned into a foray in uncharted territory. Because of the complexity of our relationship with food in the 21st Century, when Arunachala Yoga & Ayurveda (that’s me:) decided to start teaching Cooking Workshops, we wanted to take the stance that cooking is sacred and eating is an intimate act.

Dedication

Thus we ended up calling our Workshops: The Sacred Art Of Eating: Secrets of Ayurvedic Cooking.We includes a host of Annapurna Goddesses. To begin this journey I found the perfect Goddess in Nomi Gallo. She is an amazing cook and Ayurvedic Practitioner. We tested it all out in the kitchen of a friend in Salt Lake City.

Nomi

By the time August rolled around and here I was back in So CA again, another wonderful chef, Ayurvedic Practitoner and dear friend, Jutta Hecht became the perfect addition as lecturer and cook extraordinaire!

Jutta at work

We had an amazing showing in Cardiff, CA.

By this time I had run into an actual Ayurvedic Vegan Chef, Darshana Thacker and the pact was sealed!

Darshana, Arun and Jutta in the kitchen

Arunachala Yoga & Ayurveda and Vapikaspirit were joining together to create some wonderful culinary magic. We had three Workshops in a row! Hollywood Hills, Vista, NO SD & San Juan Capistrano. We were assisted in our journeys with the amazing Megan McCarver (Chai & Kichadi Mistress!), Jacquelin Sonderling (Rocking Vegan Ayurvedic Cookies!)) and Jecenia Hidalgo (The Flowers!).

In the Hollywood Hills home of J~Q

Each Workshop was a warm event with just the right amount of sacredness and intimacy needed to create joyful meals and joyous friendships.

The Joys of Goddesses Cooking

The Spice Medley: Kitchen Pharmacy

Seasonal Fresh Vegetable Medley

Now we take a break till the November Thanksgiving Retreat when we, Darshana, Jutta and I, get to play for 3 days with cooking sumptuous, organic and fresh foods again for all our friends. Please join us if you can!

The Sacred Art Of Food

JUST ADDED!
THANKSGIVING RETREAT W/JUTTA HECHT & DARSHANA THACKER!
COME JOIN US AT THE PRISTINE JOSHUA TREE RETREAT CENTER THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING FOR 3 DAYS OF YOGA, AYURVEDA, KIRTAN AND AMAZING FOOD!

September begins with the SYTAR Conference (Sept 1-4) at beautiful ASILOMAR
Arun’s presentations:
Friday September 2, 4-5:30PM:
Interpreting & Experiencing the Eight Limbs as Therapy
Room: Surf & Sand
Drawing upon over 20 years of using the eight limbs of yoga to heal from a critical illness, Arun has since crafted a simple yoga therapy formula. Primarily using the first six limbs experientially and the last two as a contemplated reality; we will structure our own inward journey to find the fount of true healing: a state of trust, surrender and faith within this yoga class. The guidelines are simple: to ask if our previous actions validate our faith in them; examine the quality of actions that come from surrender and determine what future actions we can trust will occur if we practice in this manner.

Saturday September 3, 7-8AM:
Vinyasa Krama in Tadasana
Room: Surf & Sand
From the Krishnamacharya lineage of Srivatsa Ramaswami, we will practice the Tadasana sequence, surya namaskaram,   vishesha closing sequence, pranayama, chanting and dharana.

SACRED ART OF EATING: AYURVEDIC NUTRITION WORKSHOPS

Please also note that August still has one more Cooking Workshop. Aug 27 in Hollywood. DONE! HUGE SUCCESS! A FULL HOUSE AND VERY HAPPY EATING INDEED!

Saturday September 10, 2-8PM:

THIS IS AT A PRIVATE HOME IN A BEAUTIFUL ORCHARD IN VISTA.
PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL TO RSVP OR FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Email: yogarasayana@gmail.com or jecenia.hidalgo@gmail.com
Phone: 310 435-4197 or 760 212-7074.
SPACE IS LIMITED.

Sat September 17, 2-8PM:

THIS IS AT A PRIVATE HOME IN BEAUTIFUL SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO.
PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL TO RSVP OR FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Email: yogarasayana@gmail.com or megan@meganmccarver.com
Phone: 310 435-4197 or 949 280-9968

YOGA WORKSHOPS:

SUNDAY SEPT 11: LIVING YOGA CENTER, TEMECULA
9:30-11:30 AM
Sequences with Pranayama & Meditation.
In this 2hr Special Class, you will be lead through a Vinyasa Krama Vishesha Sequence in which more advanced versions of poses may be explored by you. Depending upon your level of practice, options to the poses will be there to provide safe entry into the experience of the more difficult poses as they manifest naturally. We will settle into a meditative pranayama and dharana after for a completely Sattvic experience.

SUNDAY SEPT 18: THE PRACTICE YOGA STUDIO, SAN CLEMENTE
8:30- 11:30 AM
Vinyasa Krama Yoga as Therapy:  Practice and Theory
Vinyasa is to flow in a logical and sequential manner. Krama is the methodology, which in this case is the practice of yoga. The goal is to find comfort in various postures that our bodies (and minds) can take. By doing our practice therapeutically we reduce the stress levels and increase the satisfaction levels so that our poses flow more smoothly. In this manner we find the benefits of the harder postures and the methodology of achieving them when our bodies are ready once again. Following any asana practice with pranayama also increases the benefits a thousandfold and prepares one for a much deeper meditation.

SEPT 8-29: DANCING SHIVA YOGA & AYURVEDA
6:30-8:30AM:
MARMA & YOGA CIKITSA: SEVEN CLASS SERIES
w/Special Guest Teacher, Mas Vidal
$108 for series (SAVE $32) or drop in for $20 each

This seven class Series continues a pattern set in the previous Series: That of integrating yogic and ayurvedic principles in the processes of therapeutic actions.
Marma are specific energy points on our skin that lead to deep reservoirs of cellular energy in the internal organs and tissues. Accessing these points through the flow of therapeutic yoga-asana sequences. specific pranayama-s, massages and essential oils creates a cleansing of consciousness and energy, purifying our cellular communication, metabolism and immunity.
This Series encourages all levels of practitioners to attend.
The focus is on yoga therapy based on Ayurvedic principles of alignment of the body with the breath and the resultant settling of the restless mind.

Dancing Shiva Yoga & Ayurveda
7466 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, Ca 90036 • 323-934-VEDA(8332)

KERALA, INDIA W/ARUN DEVA & MEGAN MCCARVER AT SOMATHEERAM AYURVEDA BEACH RESORT!

June is turning into a self imposed triple r: rest, recuperation & rejuvenation. All done in Reverence to the great teachings of time off (rest), food poisoning (recuperation) and Srivatsa Ramaswami (rejuvenation)…

JULY OFFERINGS:

• EIGHT CLASS SERIES JULY/AUGUST: MON & THURS: 6:30-8:30AM:

SAPTADHATU CIKITSA:
Creating Excellence in the 7 Tissues of the Body with Yoga & Ayurveda.
$120 for series (SAVE $40) or drop in for $20 each.
In this eight class Series, we will access the flow of therapeutic yoga sequences, specific pranayamas & japa to manifest excellence (sara) in the saptadhatus or 7 layers of the body.
This Series encourages all levels of practitioners to attend. The focus is on yoga therapy based on Ayurvedic principles of alignment.DANCING SHIVA YOGA & AYURVEDA
7466 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, Ca 90036 • 323-934-VEDA(8332)

Dates: July 11, 14, 18, 21, 25, 28 & August 1, 4

SVATANTRA: ALCHEMY OF CONSCIOUSNESS IMMERSION:
DANCING SHIVA YOGA & AYURVEDA: JULY 9/10

Ayurvedic Cooking & Nutrition Workshop

“The Sacred Art of Eating”   

with Arun Deva and Jutta Hecht

July 23, 2:30 – 7 pm, Cardiff, CA

Food is Life

SOULED OUT (THANK YOU:)

Emotional Intelligence Using Yoga, Ayurveda & Tantra

Mid-May is study time:
Balancing The Doshas With 15 Herbs w/Dr. Lad
Ayurvedic Institute, NM

May 17-28:

SALT LAKE CITY
Shiva Centre:
Panchakarma
Workshops, Yoga, Yoga Cikitsa, Cooking Classes
W/Arun & Nomi

MONDAY APRIL 4: CAAM Sponsored talk on Daily & Seasonal Routines of Ayurveda
at Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center: 9:30AM-11:30AM
For information on this event, please call: 310.822.9642

AT DANCING SHIVA YOGA & AYURVEDA:

• SEVEN CLASS SERIES APRIL 4-28: MON & THURS: 6:30-8:30AM:

Vinyasa Krama Cikitsa: A Therapeutic Flow towards Consciousness in Action.
$108 for series (SAVE $32) or drop in for $20 each.
In this seven class Series, we will access the flow of therapeutic yoga sequences and specific pranayamas to create an upward spiral of consciousness and energy and experience the trance like state known to yogins as the Antara Anga (The Inner Pathway)
This Series encourages all levels of practitioners to attend. The focus is on yoga therapy based on Ayurvedic principles of alignment of the body with the breath and the resultant settling of the restless mind.
DANCING SHIVA YOGA & AYURVEDA
7466 Beverly Blvd. Los Angeles, Ca 90036 • 323-934-VEDA(8332)
Mon & Thurs April 4-28 Seven classes total.

SATURDAY APRIL 9: THE SEVEN STAGES OF SUFFERING & THE SEVEN STATES OF JOY
At the AYURVEDIC GARAGE, SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
Call Megan at 949.280.9968 to sign up. Please note, this is a Private Event & space is limited

SUNDAY APRIL 10:
Vinyasa Yoga Therapeutic Flow & Pranayama Package
w/Special Emphasis On Ayurvedic Principles.
AT THE WILLOWS YOGA, ENCINITAS
Register with:
Michele Bollo 760-840-0414 , michele@willowsyoga.com
or Jutta Hecht, juttamariah@gmail.com

SAT APRIL 16: LIVING YOGA CENTER, TEMECULA
Vinyasa Krama Yoga Class with Pranayama & Meditation
Saturday, April 16th, 1:00-3:00 PM

Vinyasa Krama Yoga is the yoga of sequencing asanas based on a fixed and logical purpose. In yoga this purpose is always the raising of the level of our consciousness into meditative and clear states. Thus our practice progresses from asana to pranayama to dharana: the first state of meditation. All else follows this sequence, even enlightenment. Reaching that shore is your choice!

APRIL 28-MAY 1:
Emotional Intelligence using Yoga, Ayurveda and Tantra
at Sivananda Yoga Farms, Grass Valley

In May the journey continues on the road: Medicine Crow Event, Grass Valley; Albuquerque w/Dr. Lad; 2 weeks of Treatments, Consults, Vinyasa Krama, Vinyasa Cikitsa & Workshops (including for the first time:cooking Ayurvedically) at the Shiva Centre in Salt Lake City! A true home away from home…these sanghas are growing… Jai Shri Lakshmi Ma.

Driving in...

Flower arrangements & Evening Sitar Announcement

It is now my second day here. I am trying to finish all business so I can take a personal retreat over the next few days. My treatments have already started. The food as usual is delicious. Yet to go to the Ocean and feel her waves. With this I bid you all adieu till after…

At the entrance to Pancha Karma area

Ayurvedic Hospital Reception areas..so much more inviting, yes?

The Ayurvedic Pharmacy, actually...!

My Room

The Restaurant

Fishermen boats and ocean, view from the room and restaurant

So then, till later…safe journeys and peace accompany you in your lives… for now, I am hanging out…

Hanging out...even management is laid back! (They get the job done though...)

Hari Om!

Indians rule the airwaves

…Needless to say, the kind Sikh gentleman ends up rather largely taking up the seat next to me….

The new Delhi International Terminal is truly a collection of thoughts, all grand but perhaps not so much in their execution as it looks very much like too many personal comments, each needing to mark its owners footstep in the cement…I think in the old days we called it a “hodgepodge”

After a day or two of being with family, I take an early morning car ride to Rishikesh. This ride is nothing like either of the last two times I had done this pilgrimage but that is in and of itself a whole other story.

I am here for the International Yoga Festival being held at Parmath Niketan. After greeting old friends at Parmath I take Shiva Rea’s class. It is surreal to meet her here as I am at the Festival accompanying my friend Mini, purely on a lark. I later take Marla Apt’s signature Iyengar session and it is good to see her too.

Mini, Shiva and me on the Ganga

Marla adjusting Mini

A Panel on Women's Health: amazing yoginis, amazing participating audience

Over the next few days, and of course this is all over the Shivratri celebration, I get to talk once again to the Ganga. The conversation with this Goddess is now turning into a very intimate experience and it reminds me that if we pay attention everything in our lives reveals its purpose…even if it is years later. I am reminded that perhaps I am able to have this intimate tete a tete because I grew up watching my grandfather talk every Sunday night to God. First he would sing his heart out and then he would have the most passionate conversation with God and to me this was the most real part of him. Now, ever since she took me deep into her depths the last time I was here, ever since the Ganga filled my lungs with her sweet water and showed me a glimpse of her fierce Majesty, ever since the most intimate experience I have ever had, yes where the lines between sensuality and death disappeared into her mystery, I have been left yearning. Now I gaze at her in awe and fear. I am not ready for the second dip yet. I tell her so and she is back being a Holy River meandering through the mountains, valleys and sacred settlements.

The Ganga passing through

Here I sat to talk to Her

Shiva Shambho Mahadeva Shambho

After Rishikesh it continues as a personal sojourn to find roots and re-examine them in silence so as not to alter their value. This can be quite challenging as some of these roots require abandoning my Yogic/Ayurvedic life style. Again I am confronted with the sheer Intelligence of this Being called Nature/Ma/Universe/Shakti as she has been quietly preparing me over the last few months for yet another journey into my own psyche. I would like to say I trust you Ma, but I am afraid it will only open up another opportunity for you to teach me yet another lesson. And this trust, this perceived betrayal, this magnitude of Grace reveals past wounds that now seem trivial.
So, I teach a class in Delhi for Mini’s Yoga Studio and set up the groundwork for the next India Retreat to include a local contingency. Meanwhile I rest in the samskaras of family and watching the World Cup Cricket Events.
Soon, I head for Kerala and the next part of my own personal Retreat, now that I have my OCI card….yes, I am officially an Overseas Citizen of India!

At my Aunt's house watching the Cricket World Cup

TV Mania

The Grand Hyatt in Delhi

Layers of restaurants

Sharing tiny space on the streets of Mumbai

India's Honda Jazz: same as my new Honda Fit?!

Being in Mumbai, which to me will always remain Bombay, is again very much a personal yatra. This time I am with my maternal family. The old compound that housed the joint family I grew up in is now 3 separate properties, one a rubble waiting to transform into a 15 story apartment building. You cannot stop change. The separation from my present lifestyle is even more magnified here as I regress into the patterns inherent in childhood relationships, sometimes it seems completely untouched by the passage of time.

Evening bhajan (kirtan) in the makeshift mandir (temple)

An altar

Like my mother did, I love this painting

Family Dinner

Now, off to Somatheeram! Here is where we did the last India Retreat. Next one is now planned for Oct 2011…please stay tuned and do join us if you can!

Namaste`
Mumbai March 13, 2011