by Snehan Born
Patanjali tells us that our practice is well grounded when it is attended to with zeal over a long period of time and without breaks in regularity.
How many of us have truly committed to our spiritual growth with inspired regular practices?
A well attended, regular practice will yield unlimited benefits. These benefits may be subtle or dramatic, but they are assured. They come as a result of giving ourselves the time to practice with humility, preparing the system to sustain our spiritual growth.
Personally, I can attest to becoming generally much more peaceful and non-reactive over the years. Like many, my heart has felt knocked around enough that I have good reason to have constructed barriers of protection….and yet, the opening of heart that occurs during chanting mantra and Kirtan practice is unfailing and undeniable for me.
During the pandemic I challenged myself to learn the Hanuman Chalisa and it was truly cathartic. For months I attended daily 90 minute morning Sessions on Zoom with a global satsang….all of us learning this difficult Chalisa together. On some mornings, I would break down sobbing for no apparent reason other than the processing of ancient wounds re-presenting themselves in giant waves of emotional release for healing. This went on and on and still occurs sometimes as I get completely transported in Mantra vibration.
Hanuman is considered a wish-fulfilling Deity. I am not in the habit of asking for “things” from God, so I didn’t think much of it. Then one day in class we were discussing this quality of Hanuman, I considered what I might ask for. Without hesitating, I requested a singing voice that would be pleasing to others for the purpose of worshipping Hanuman and inspiring others to chant the Holy names together in Kirtan. Within 4 days, my throat opened up and I gained notable ability to control my developing singing voice. I was astounded and I attribute any singing ability to these devotional practices.
Now, I regularly have feelings of such bliss that I rhetorically question…..How and what did I do to get to this place of profound and reliable joy? I still enjoy attending the morning Hanuman Chalisa sessions as often as I can and marvel at how far the group has progressed. It is truly amazing! And there are endless benefits from a sustained and deepened Pranayama practice to share. Just as I’ve heard from some of you, I too feel I’d be lost without these practices and a life of dedicated service to others.
Raama and I want to share our inspirations, along with some of our collective experiences and results with you and we certainly look forward to hearing about some of your experiences with your practice.
Raama Das, C-IAYT, is a former director of the Integral Yoga® Teachers Association and has been instructing Integral Yoga since 2009. He is a lead trainer for the Integral Yoga 200-hour Teacher Training at Yogaville and co-presenter for the 200 and 500-hour Yoga Alliance programs at Heal Me Institute in Fredericksburg. Raama recently received certification as a Yoga Therapist through the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), having studied Yoga programs for specific health conditions, including, anxiety, depression, cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and addiction. He is also certified as a teacher of Intermediate Hatha, Raja Yoga, Meditation, Stress Management, Yin Yoga, and Yoga for our Elders.
Raama has studied and served extensively at the Integral Yoga Academy at Yogaville and managed the Integral Yoga Therapy Program. In addition, he has participated in many months of deep Tantric and classical Yoga sadhana (practice) at the Scandinavian Yoga and Meditation School in Sweden under the direction of Swami Janakananda. He currently serves as Institute Manager at the Integral Yoga Institute San Francisco.
Snehan Born, E-RYT 500, has over four decades of experience with yoga. He resides at the Integral Yoga Institute of San Francisco, where he teaches yoga classes and is a lead teacher trainer. Snehan is certified in all levels of Integral Yoga Hatha and has received additional certifications in Pranayama, Meditation, Raja Yoga and Stress Management from Integral Yoga. Chanting mantras and playing the harmonium are part of his regular practice and classes.
Snehan has lived and traveled extensively within India and practiced with many teachers there. He has taught yoga all over the US as well as in India, Nepal, South America, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Japan and Europe.
Raama Das, C-IAYT, is a former director of the Integral Yoga® Teachers Association and has been instructing Integral Yoga since 2009. He is a lead trainer for the Integral Yoga 200-hour Teacher Training at Yogaville and co-presenter for the 200 and 500-hour Yoga Alliance programs at Heal Me Institute in Fredericksburg. Raama recently received certification as a Yoga Therapist through the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT), having studied Yoga programs for specific health conditions, including, anxiety, depression, cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and addiction. He is also certified as a teacher of Intermediate Hatha, Raja Yoga, Meditation, Stress Management, Yin Yoga, and Yoga for our Elders.
Snehan Born, E-RYT 500, has over four decades of experience with yoga. He resides at the Integral Yoga Institute of San Francisco, where he teaches yoga classes and is a lead teacher trainer. Snehan is certified in all levels of Integral Yoga Hatha and has received additional certifications in Pranayama, Meditation, Raja Yoga and Stress Management from Integral Yoga. Chanting mantras and playing the harmonium are part of his regular practice and classes.