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Ashtanga Yoga; Spiritual pathway to sustainable living

Ashtanga Yoga of Maharshi Patanjali is a classical work on yoga philosophy. The Yoga sutras put forth by Patanjali provides a deep understanding of the subject’s principles and practices that are strongly backed by science.

Yoga has been considered a way of life since ancient times. Simply put, yoga is a path that will lead you to reach the state of meditation, and meditation is the state where one realizes his/ her true self. The different forms of yoga like Hatha yoga, Mantra yoga, karma yoga, Bhakti yoga, Ashtanga yoga can help the aspirants to bring peace and harmony to all aspects of their wellbeing.

Ashtanga Yoga is a highly structured vinyasa-style class. The concept of holistic health and wellbeing is attained using the right technique, science, and philosophy. The benefits of practicing Ashtanga yoga include enhancing the practitioner in all aspects of his personality such as physical, mental, emotional, and moral levels culminating in the spiritual journey. This increases the strength of the mind for clarity, provides flexibility, and reduces stress from your mind and body.

Ashtanga yoga is divided into the eight (Asht) steps and limbs (angas). Here’s a quick overview of these eight limbs of Yoga:

i) Yama-

Restraining the moral impurities

The first limb of ashtanga yoga is yoga or restraint. Yama puts forth the five ethical precepts outlining a code of conduct that we should follow while interacting with society. The collective practice of the 5 virtues (Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacarya, and Aparigraha) is crucial to cleanse your mind and body, regulating the behavior and personality making it free from moral impurities.

ii) Niyama-

Personal observances and self-purification

While Yamas are something one must stay away from and focus more on the communication done with the society, Niyamas; observances talk about how we relate to ourselves and are concerned about one’s self and purification. This yogic discipline draws focus towards the removal of emotional impurities and enhances the quality of our intellect, emotions, and willpower.

iii) Asana-

Physician Postures

Asana is a body posture that brings the feeling of lightness, steadiness, wellbeing and can remain concentrated undisturbed. The regular practice of yoga will develop the best possible physical and mental health. A steady and comfortable enough yoga asana one chooses to relieve the mind of the burden of the body can help you to easily slide into abstraction or meditative state.

iv) Pranayama-

Breath control

Pranayama is useful in regulating the vital force upon the successful practice of Asana. As the breath and mind share a strong relationship and are directly related to each other, the slower the breathing, the steadier your mind. The regular practice of different types of Pranayama brings peace to your mind and increases your mental concentration.

v) Pratyahara-

Regulation, and withdrawal of senses

Pratyahara directs towards disciplining the senses by steadying the mind on one object and after withdrawing it from other objects. Your mind can only attain a calm state when you can control your sense organs.

vi) Dharana-

Concentration

The practice of fixing your mind on one object for meditation is called Dharana or concentration. The power of the mind with undivided concentration is multiplied and leads to the attainment of meditation.

vii) Dhyana-

Meditation

Once the mind is trained to stay concentrated on one object, dhyana automatically flows in. Meditation is the unbroken flow of thoughts and contemplation of the chosen object. This technique helps in harmonizing the emotional, mental, and physical experiences.

viii) Samadhi-

Integration or Union

This is the highest stage of Yoga Sadhana where the mind and the object become one and the mind poses the consciousness of its existence. The last stage of Ashtanga Yoga is the deep realization via meditation and reaching a state of ecstasy.

Practicing yoga’s eightfold path, also known as Ashtanga’s purpose, is to purify the mind and soul. This practice is ideal for enlightenment, and spiritual growth with attaining mental, physical, and emotional stability to live a sustainable life.

The Dharana way of life aims at achieving a balanced mind, calm soul, and reducing the ecological footprint leading to a sustainable lifestyle. Dharana at Shillim, an eco wellness retreat integrates holistic programmes for the overall cleansing of your mind, body, and spirit. To sum it all up, yoga should be looked at more as a way of life than as a physical workout. This dynamic change is a transformational path towards self-actualization, and the practice of elevating oneself into a spiritual perspective.

Dharana Ayurvedic Panchakarma

For life-changing physical and emotional purification

Minimum length of stay: 14/21/28 nights

The ultimate in holistic cleansing systems. This legendary system of detoxification is taken to the next level at Dharana. Using our unique Ayurvedic analysis methods, which combine both manual pulse diagnosis with scientific Naadi Tarangini technology, we first determine the imbalances of your dosha – the three bio-energetic principles which make up every human body. This enables us to then determine the Prakruthi and Vikruthi of each individual, which is the gateway to establishing your innate constitution and where you have been drawn out of balance by everything from emotional stress to how you eat and exercise.

 

Programme inclusions

FAQ

 Following a prescribed pre-Panchakarma diet can enhance the effectiveness of the programme & prepare the body for the programme. Our team will provide you with detailed pre-cleanse recommendations tailored to your individual needs.

 Yes, you can still engage in gentle physical activities like yoga during Panchakarma. However, we recommend avoiding strenuous exercises to ensure your body can fully utilise the energy to heal during the detoxification process.

  We encourage guests to prioritise their wellbeing during their stay, and we understand the need to balance work commitments. Our tranquil environment and supportive staff will facilitate your ability to work remotely, if necessary.

   Our Ayurvedic practitioners are highly qualified and experienced in Panchakarma therapies. They hold degrees and certifications in Ayurveda and are dedicated to providing personalised care throughout your journey.

It is normal to experience mild discomfort or detoxification reactions, sometimes referred to as a ‘healing crisis,’ during Panchakarma. Our team will closely monitor your progress and provide gentle remedies and support to alleviate any discomfort.

 Before starting Panchakarma, we will conduct a thorough assessment of your medical history and current medications to ensure your safety. Certain medications may need to be temporarily discontinued during the programme to prevent interactions.

The experience of Panchakarma varies for each individual, but you may initially feel a mix of physical and emotional effects as your body undergoes detoxification, sometimes referred to as a ‘healing crisis’.

Weight loss can occur as a natural side effect of Panchakarma due to the elimination of toxins and improved digestion. However, the primary goal of the programme is holistic purification and rejuvenation rather than solely weight loss.

Following Panchakarma, we recommend gradually reintroducing nourishing foods that are easy to digest. Our team will provide you with post-cleanse dietary recommendations to support your body’s transition back to regular eating habits.

To sustain the benefits of Panchakarma, we encourage incorporating Ayurvedic principles into your daily routine, including mindful eating, regular exercise, stress management techniques, and proper self-care practices.

The frequency of Panchakarma programmes depends on individual health goals and needs. Our Ayurvedic practitioners will work with you to determine the optimal timing for repeating the programme to maintain and enhance your wellbeing.

Guests above the age of 17 are eligible to opt for programmes for 5 nights and above.