By Ellen (Lajja) Mitchell, President Board of Directors

Asana, meditation, chanting, studying sacred texts — are these yoga practices reliable to make us feel better and to deepen us spiritually? I would say yes!

Can we bring them into our daily lives? Again, I would say yes! This weaving of yoga into life is tantra. It’s a recipe for living a spiritual life full of openings.

Dakshina, unconditional financial giving, is another practice that creates openings. Please join me in giving to our end-of-year fundraiser. Help Svaroopa^® Vidya Ashram continue to share these practices with you and the world.

I can attest to what the practices have given me. Asanas (yoga poses) open my body and quiet my mind. And sometimes bliss arises. It could be the opening or closing Shavasana in a Svaroopa^® yoga class that does this, or it could be any of the poses in between. After Seated Side Stretch, your teacher has you pause for a moment. What do you feel? Are you sitting deeper in your seat? Do you feel more settled? Do you feel more open?

Gurudevi Nirmalananda’s teachings bring understanding to the experiences we have while doing the practices. Gurudevi explains in modern terms what is happening. She talks to us about the journey we are on, practices that will benefit us and where we can go.

This journey is not new to the 21st Century yogi. It is a journey that yogis have been on for ages. It is tried and true. It is the purpose of life — to know our own Self. It is the reason Svaroopa^® Vidya Ashram exists — to serve seekers of Self-Realization.

Help Gurudevi and Svaroopa^® Vidya Ashram continue to share the practices and teachings by giving today.

Donate today on our website. You can call us at (610) 644-7555. Or you can send your check to Svaroopa Vidya Ashram, 116 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown, PA 19335. Thank You!