Morning practice from Strilky
Today's practice is Vajrāsana, Bhāvan Muktā Āsana, and Marjari with breathwork.
We follow the sequence from the book, omitting the lying-down part due to space.
Begin with hands crossed above the head, lower slowly.
Place straight hands in front, palms facing up.
Inhale, bring fingers to the shoulders, elbows forward.
Exhale, extend the arms to the front.
Repeat this breath-linked movement multiple times.
Sit in Vajrāsana, then straighten the legs.
For Bhāvan Muktā Āsana, sit with straight back and relaxed shoulders.
Inhale, bring the right knee to the chest.
Exhale, forehead toward the knee, hold above the knee.
Remain for four breaths, then release.
Repeat with the left leg.
Bring the tailbone toward the heels, hold the knee, straighten the leg.
Place the foot on the thigh, hold the toes.
Perform Marjari with breath, moving up and down.
Then practice bārikhāṭu with mantra: count one, two, three, then four, five, seven through nineteen, twenty-four to twenty-seven.
Those in poor health sit aside.
"We will follow the sequence from the book, but we cannot do the part that requires lying down because there is not enough space for everyone."
"Stay in this position for only four breaths, then inhale and slowly relax your body."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
Up next
The Guru Paramparā and the Power of Devotion
The Guru Paramparā and the Power of Devotion
The Bhavānī Aṣṭakam reveals that all worldly relationships are mental modifications, and only the Divine Mother provides true movement and refuge. Śaṅkarācārya calls family ties vṛttis—thoughts, distractions. The devotee confesses knowing neither tantra, mantra, pūjā, nor yoga. Neither puṇya nor sacred places are known. The devotee is a doer of bad karma, indulged in bad company, with bad intellect, bad sight, and uncontrolled speech. No other deity is known—not Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Śiva, Indra, Sūrya, or Candra. Only the Mother grants gati, movement forward. She is the sole refuge amid conflicts, enemies in water, sky, mountains, or forests. The devotee is weak, deaf, dumb, sick, and helpless. The story of Toṭakācārya demonstrates this devotion. Unable to understand or remember teachings, he wept by the river, praying to the Mother. Through pure-hearted faith, he received knowledge overnight and returned chanting a complex stotra for Śaṅkarācārya. Devotion with purity of heart and conscious mind brings grace. Without faith and devotion, nothing works.
"O Bhavānī, only you are mine."
"O Bhavānī, only you are the one who gives me the gati."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
The Story of Sri Pukraji Maharaj
True devotion arises from the heart, not from scholarship or possessions. A disciple's sincere prayer, born from inner experience, holds great power. The Guru's grace provides everything needed for the devotee's life and spiritual progress, often in unexpected ways. Formal education is not a prerequisite for divine connection or composing sacred poetry. What matters is humility, goodness, and the authenticity of one's heart. Even at life's end, the repeated name of the divine eases the soul's passage, transcending all worldly identities and religious distinctions.
"Gurujī gave everything, but Gurujī did not give you from the pocket."
"Without Gurudev, we can run away, we can do many things."
Around the world - Yoga exercises specifically for women
This is a gentle yoga sequence for menstrual well-being. We begin with relaxation and full yogic breath to harmonize body and mind. Specific postures target the pelvic area and lower back. The first exercise involves bringing one knee to the chest, then extending the leg, performed slowly and consciously. This is followed by Marjari, the cat pose, to create a supple back. We then practice hip-opening postures like the half and full butterfly. A key squatting pose is emphasized for menstrual issues, grounding, and leg strength. We proceed to Setu Āsana, the bridge, to strengthen the lower body. A final side-lying balance pose benefits the lower abdomen. Conclude by feeling the effects of the practice.
"This exercise is especially good for menstrual problems, and also beneficial for the lower back, constipation, and hips."
"This pose is especially good for women... for irregular menstruation, or for heavy bleeding between periods."
Around the world - Practice in Ukraine
Begin the practice of āsanas, prāṇāyāma, and meditation. Close the eyes and attune to the practice. Scan and relax the entire body. Observe the complete yogic breath. The first āsana is Ānanda Āsana, the posture of relaxation. Lie down comfortably and consciously relax each part of the body. Physical relaxation leads to spiritual relaxation. This posture must be performed at the beginning and end of every session. Next, train in abdominal breathing by placing a hand on the abdomen and observing its movement. Conscious abdominal breathing leads to relaxation and improves circulation. Practice stretching the body by extending the limbs in rhythm with the breath. This releases accumulated tension. Perform head turns and twists while lying down to increase spinal mobility and harmonize the breath. Always observe the effect of each exercise. Move through shoulder exercises while standing to relax and strengthen the joints. Shift body weight from leg to leg to strengthen muscles and improve balance. Conclude by returning to Ānanda Āsana. Scan the body and observe the deepening relaxation. Gradually conclude the practice by moving the fingers and toes. Rise carefully, always moving from lying down through a transitional seated position.
"Physical relaxation leads to spiritual relaxation."
"Conscious abdominal breathing leads to physical and spiritual relaxation."
Filming location: UK
