by Swami Ramananda

We tend to identify with the body/mind because it is concrete, easily experienced and appears to be permanent, giving us a sense of security and control. Yoga teaches us that we are much more and that to center our lives around body/mind will be ultimately unfulfilling, often painful, and leave us feeling incomplete and unhappy.  Hatha Yoga works with the body/mind to lead us beyond this identification to experience the Self, by attuning ourselves step by step to the more subtle levels of our being.

Deepak Chopra describes the reality of the body’s impermanence by reminding us that “We replace 98% of our atoms in one year.” Like a river, we appear to be, but never are the same. If that is true, why do neck pain, ulcers or allergies seem to remain unchanged? In exploration of that mystery, ancient yogis discovered the underlying force that animates and structures the body – the prana. The flow of prana gives life to every atom and the patterns of this flow determine physical form. If the flow of prana remains unchanged, so does the form it creates. Those yogis then traced this pattern of prana to its source – the mind. The thoughts and feelings that predominate in the mental level determine the flow of prana that structures the body.

Our understanding of how the mind works, while more scientifically accountable, supports those ancient yogic theories. It is estimated that 95% of our thoughts are the same as those we’ve had before. Thus, as Lao Tzu asserted long ago, set ways of perceiving the world and thinking about our lives lead to actions, which in turn become habits. Habits form our character, which ultimately determines our destiny. What remains truly profound, and even crucial in our quick-paced world, are the ways in which Yoga teaches us to use that information. The rich tradition of Yoga provides specific tools to observe, utilize, and eventually free ourselves from the conditioning that veils our true nature.

Join Swami Ramananda for some fun, offer gratitude for all the contributions to the Yogic Wisdom Campaign and celebrate Swami’s 71st birthday; Swami Ramananda’s Birthday Raffle & Brunch Potluck, Sat. AUG 3, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm PDT, online & in-person. Raffle tix are on sale now and the raffle draw will be at the celebration.

Prizes include*:

  • 3-day personal retreat stay at IYISF
  • Sailing in the Bay for 2 with Swami Ramananda
  • Unlimited class passes
  • Gift basket full of “Yoga Goodies”

*Alternative prizes are available for participating Sangha from out of town.

Swami Ramananda C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, is the Executive Director of the Integral Yoga Institute in San Francisco and a greatly respected senior teacher in the Integral Yoga tradition, who has been practicing Yoga for over 45 years. Ramananda offers practical methods of integrating the timeless teachings and practices of Yoga into daily life, and transforming the painful aspects of human experience into steps toward realizing one’s full potential.

He leads all levels of Yoga teacher trainings and programs around the globe. Ramananda co-developed the Stress Management Teacher Training program and has trained many teachers to bring Yoga into corporate, hospital and medical settings. He a founding board member of Yoga Alliance and is a co-founder of The Spiritual Action Initiative which brings together individuals committed to working for social justice for all beings and for the care and healing of our natural world. His warmth, wisdom and sense of humor have endeared him to many.