The Practice of Śalabhāsana and Complementary Āsanas
The practice of śalabhāsana and complementary āsanas builds strength and influences consciousness. Śalabhāsana strengthens the posterior muscles and works on self-confidence. Hold the posture with full lungs and descend on the exhalation, though breathe naturally if there is high blood pressure. Remain soft while using strength. It corrects the pelvis and benefits the prostate and menstruation. A variation with hands under the body stretches the digestive tract and is ideal before meditation. Avoid excessive bending in the lumbar area; focus the bend in the thoracic part. Follow with relaxation and pavanamuktāsana to release lower back tension. Sarvāṅgāsana benefits peripheral circulation and balances thyroid function, but avoid it with hyperthyroidism, high blood pressure, or during menstruation. It improves circulation to the head and allows a subtle exhalation. Its counterpose is bhuḍaṅgāsana, which stretches the front and strengthens the arms; bend in the chest area, not the most flexible part. Halāsana stretches the back and affects the neck, emphasizing exhalation. Matsyāsana opens the chest, works on the thyroid and breathing, and is performed with inhalation through the nose and exhalation through the mouth. A one-legged balance pose aids concentration and nervous stability. Ardha Matsyendrāsana regenerates the spine and has anti-inflammatory properties. An inverted posture improves circulation to the head and spiritual development. Conclude with Tāḍāsana and Prāṇāyāma. Bhastrikā Prāṇāyāma intensifies the digestive fire and burns waste; relax the abdomen and let breath flow spontaneously without forcing inhalation. Avoid it with a brain tumor or elevated body temperature. Chant Oṁ to withdraw inward.
"Remain soft in the posture, even while using strength."
"In this posture, simply allow one subtle, extended exhalation."
Filming location: Zagreb, Croatia
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Around the world - Yoga Class of Level 6, Zagreb
The practice integrates āsanas, mudrās, and awareness to purify and align the inner systems. Begin by relaxing the mind in Vajrāsana. Yoga Mudrā cleanses impurities, working on depression and eyesight. The most important aspect is to not be carried away by inquiry during the hold. Discipline may become challenging with more time, but consistent short practice is foundational. The offering of yoga must come first to avoid problems. Āsanas like Mayūrāsana generate internal heat and are best practiced when the prāṇa is revealed. Physical preparation through postures like Ustrāsana creates the necessary space in the body. The practice aims to activate centers like the Māṇipūra and Viśuddhi Cakras. Ultimately, one must create something tangible in the physical realm to become necessary, activating every aspect of being without pride.
"Not as one who cleanses, but as one who welcomes the arriving guest."
"If you want to be necessary, then you must create something tangible, but concerning physical matters, not about the subtle."
Filming locations: Zagreb, City of Zagreb, Croatia
Vegetarian kitchen in praxis (part 2)
Approach vegetarian cooking with freedom, focusing on flavor and digestibility. Food should be a pleasurable experience for everyone. Anxious adherence to many rules leads to joyless meals, which hinders proper digestion. True spiritual maturity is not indifference to food; the body savors taste, and enjoyment aids digestion. For soy allergies, concentrates are unnecessary as grains and legumes provide sufficient protein. Increased plant protein intake is not harmful. Regarding dairy, high consumption, especially of aged cheeses, is problematic. A small daily amount suffices for B12, which vegans can supplement. For cooking, use stable fats like palm or rapeseed oil for high heat. Frying is less harmful with antioxidant-rich plant foods. Proper legume preparation involves soaking, discarding the water to remove enzyme inhibitors, and cooking with spices. Combine legumes with vegetables, not other proteins, for easier digestion. Use legume flours as thickeners and egg substitutes to enhance traditional dishes. Master the use of spices toasted in oil. Create universally enjoyable food by upgrading local cuisine with these global techniques.
"Taste belongs to the body, not to the soul. If you do not enjoy your food, you will not properly digest it."
"Legumes contain more protein than meat... Therefore, one should regard legumes as a piece of meat and not combine and strengthen them together with other proteins."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
The Guru will never die
The many forms of yoga are a beautiful garden of diverse flowers, all leading to the same truth. All teachers and techniques are valuable parts of one whole, like different children of the same parents. Harmony among all paths is essential; we must unite in Satya Yoga. The Guru's blessings are eternal, transcending the physical body. Criticizing other paths reveals a burning heart and causes inner harm. Modern medicine and ancient wisdom both have their place in preserving life. The soul is attached to the body but seeks release. Specific practices like Brahmari pranayama use sound to heal and awaken the system through careful, gradual practice.
"All yoga teachers, yoga practitioners, their schools, and their ashrams should be in harmony together."
"One in all and all in one."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
Janama Bhumi, Karma Bhumi and Dharma Bhumi
Yoga is the universal balancing principle, the single root and trunk from which all branches grow. You are the living self, a mobile tree. The human brain is the root, leading and balancing the entire body, just as a small engine pulls a long train. Yoga is not merely physical exercise; it is the discipline that brings harmony to the entire globe, connecting the life of vegetation and the life of humans. We exist in three spheres: the janmabhūmi, the birth land to which we must be loyal; the karmabhūmi, the place where we perform selfless action, or niṣkāma karma, which perfects yoga; and the dharmabhūmi, the place of righteous duty and ultimate shelter, which is beyond the dogma of religion. True dharma is universal duty, not division. Yoga is this unifying force for all existence, from building a harmonious home to seeing the world as one family. It is the fire that burns away all karma.
"Yoga is the balancing principle of our entire globe."
"Your yoga practice will be successful if you do karma yoga, because it is the yoga."
Filming location: San Francisco, USA
