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Part 1: The Dance of Never-Ending Joy: Yoga in Daily Life for Harmony and Self-Realization Bharatanatyam is a classical Indian spiritual dance. A Bharatanatyam performance purifies the atmosphere and makes it more pleasant. It brings blessings to those who watch it and also to the dancer. The dance steps are exactly mathematically given, and so-called Karnāṭaka music is specially composed for each dance. The texts of the dances are about spiritual topics exclusively, and most of them are taken from the rich treasure box of the work of Indian ṛṣis and sants. The aim of the Bharatanatyam dance is self-realization and realization of the highest knowledge. Bhakti Devī has been dancing since the age of six. Presently, she has been dancing throughout the whole of Europe, especially in Vienna, where she now lives and leads an Indian dance school. Since the age of fourteen, she has been practicing according to the Yoga in Daily Life system, and she has been a long-time disciple of Paramahaṁsa Svāmī Māheśvarānanda. Ānanda Nāṭamāḍuvar Tilai—in translation, it means the dance of never-ending joy in the temple of Tilai. Rāga (melody): Purvi Kanyali; Tāla (rhythm): Rūpaka. Choreography: Adyar K. Lakshman. This dance is dedicated to the glory of God Śiva. In never-ending joy, God Śiva dances. He burns out everything negative. His body is garlanded by snakes. The holy river Gaṅgā springs out from his hair. A holy radiance shines around him. Bells on his feet (Zvonečky na jeho nohách) ring in the rhythm of his cosmic dance. Shiva is pure consciousness, the personification of mercy and absolute beauty. The whole universe is a decoration on his neck. The entire subtle world vibrates and sings out the glory of His name. One who worships Him will become a part of His never-ending joy. Problems and sorrows will never ever touch him. Now, I would like to ask Swamijī and Mrs. Mayor to come to the stage, and I would like to ask the mayor of the town to welcome Swamijī. I would like to greet you, and I would like to tell you that I am from Moravia. I grew up in Jedovnice, and I studied in this grammar school in Blansko. So, thank you. Please, come. Up, up, up. Dear ladies and gentlemen, I already had the opportunity to welcome Paramhansvāmī Maheśvarānanda—which is a difficult name to pronounce for me, so I just say Svāmījī. I welcomed him off the stage already before, and now I would like to welcome him officially. I am happy that he came to the town of Blansko. I know that for decades he has spread the Yoga in Daily Life system, and his groups teaching the system have already spread widely. I know that he does not have much time to dedicate to the local groups, and we feel all the more honored that he decided to come to our town, to this event. I think that his main thesis—world peace, life in harmony, and understanding between people—are ideals that we can all agree on. So once more, welcome cordially. Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinaḥ, Sarve Santu Nirāmayāḥ, Sarve Bhadrāṇi Paśyantu, Mā Kaścid Duḥkha Bhāg Bhavet, Om Śāntiḥ, Śāntiḥ, Śāntiḥ. Self-teach into the cosmic light. Lord of our hearts, omniscient and omnipresent, in his divine presence, good evening, dear brothers and sisters. It is a divine blessing that after a few years I am again in this beautiful city, Blansko. I am very happy that from this beautiful city so many yogīs come, and especially Bhakti Devī, who performed a very ancient dance. I wouldn’t say it’s a dance, but it is an expression in the language of the dance, the expression of happiness. How can God also be overjoyed? India is known as the cradle of culture. The holy land of India has given to the world many beautiful things. I’m very happy that you saw this thousands and thousands of years old dance. I welcome you. I was asked a question: what is the purpose of my coming to Blansko? Good question. I don’t know if it will be a good answer: to find harmony, happiness, and good health through the practice of yoga in daily life. In this beautiful country, the Czech Republic, Yoga in Daily Life has been practiced by millions of people to this day since 1973. In Āyurveda, one of the ancient medical systems, it is said, "Pehlā sukha nirogī kāyā," first happiness is a healthy body. Health we cannot buy; health has to be gained through a positive way of living—a so-called organic diet, what we call a vegetarian diet. Another thing is a healthy way of thinking. Our thoughts can kill us; our thoughts can liberate us. Whatever we think becomes self-instructions, autogenic training. If you think you are unhappy—no one loves me, I have no friends, I am not healthy—this all makes you more unhappy. And if you think, "I’m happy, thanks to God, I’m living, I’m healthy," and if not, then you will practice yoga in daily life to become healthy. I thank God. The third point: healthy society. Most of you, I suppose, believe in Jesus, and it is said to be kind, or nice, or love your neighbor. In yoga we say there are certain happinesses. First happiness is called "Pehlā sukha nirogī kāyā," a healthy body. "Dūsrā sukha ghar meṁ māyā"—that second happiness is that you have material comfort. The third happiness is a partner—the partner who has mutual understanding with you. You know how many of you are happy with your partner, and you know how many of you are not happy with your partner. So this is another subject: "Chautā sukha, achchā parosī." The fourth happiness is a good neighbor. If you love your neighbor, neighbors will love you too. They are like one family living in two houses. Likewise, we need a good society. If you spend time with someone who is consuming drugs, it will influence you too. And if you live with someone who likes to go hiking in the forest, what kind of society you have, or with whom you are, that gives you many different kinds of fruits. So, healthy food, balanced food, healthy way of thinking, and a healthy society—then happiness cannot disappear. Happiness will appear, and health will develop. We know for what we are born: not only to work, work, and die, but to do something good in this world and finally achieve God consciousness. We say in Hinduism, "Who am I? Where do I come from?" Heaven, hell, or one with God, the supreme world, or Brahmaloka—we don’t know. We believe that we will come to heaven. Do you know the way? In short, we don’t know where we will go. Death is something very mysterious. It’s like you jump into a dark hole. No one can help us. Family members, friends, sitting, holding hands, saying, "Please, think of God, don’t worry, close your eyes." It’s easy for us to say, "Don’t worry and close your eyes," but the other one’s heart is pumping, thinking, "Where will I go?" We don’t want to leave this world. My money, my house, my dog, my husband or wife, children—attachment will not let you go, but the king of death, whose name is Yama, will take you. For death, it doesn’t matter how you die. Comfortable? Or suffering? So, where will we go? The answer is not there. But it is said, what kind of seed you put in your garden—so what we did lifelong, that will create our destiny. That will lead us: do good, get good. Do bad, get bad. Physically, mentally, intellectually, don’t do bad. Proto, we are people. Máme intelekt. We know what happiness means and how to gain happiness. But the major point of happiness is health. The happiest person is a healthy one. It doesn’t matter even if he or she is in prison or a beggar. So, I welcome you, and especially the dear mayor of the city, Královo. Thank you for coming, and may your coming inspire your city’s people to lead a healthy, happy, and harmonious life. So, harmony is within us, not outside. And harmony you cannot get through tablets. Go to your chemistry shop and say, "Do you have some tablets for harmony?" And ask yourself, "Don’t you have any medicine for harmony?" Until now, there are no harmony tablets. The harmony tablet is within us: mutual understanding, kindness, helpfulness, positive thinking, and so on. And that you have. Only utilize that. Three years ago, I was in an old home in New York—not because I’m old, not to find a place there, but to give a yoga lecture. They were surprised: "A yogī is coming to our old home, now we will have one member as a yogī." So I told them I came only for one hour. There was one lady, 102 years old, and she was an instructor of yoga there. Very active, she’s teaching yoga there and living in that old home. She told that she’s been practicing yoga from a very early age, and she said, "My master used to say: You have yoga. Use it or lose it." So you have yoga in daily life. Use it or lose it. It doesn’t cost you any money if you practice at home. And you will have a comfortable life. Why not? Therefore, I am here today to give you again one demonstration that everyone should begin at home. And that’s not difficult at all. Myself, I like very simple things, you know. When I’m in a difficult yoga class, then I’m lazy. Like in school, children say, "I’m ill." So when there came more difficult exercises, I said, "I’m ill." I lead a comfortable life, and I am happy that I am healthy and comfortable. And the same thing I wish for you. In the beginning, you can do 15 minutes at home. After five days, you need not think that you have to do it; your body will ask you to do it. Your body will ask you, "Why don’t you do it?" And that’s something. Okay? So, yoga is the most ancient science of body, mind, consciousness, and soul. Nothing exists in this world so old as yoga. Even Śiva came after. Yoga means balance. Yoga means harmony. Yoga means unity. And this principle is in the entire universe. All visible and invisible elements are balanced, and that balancing is yoga. So we begin now to have some exercises about God, about the self, the soul, the mind. But someone said, tons of theory is nothing compared to a gram of practice. Part 2: Yoga in Daily Life: Simple Morning Exercises for Harmony and Health And now we will do it, and you will do it with us. So, a short demonstration will follow. Are there any yoga practitioners here in Jedovnice or in Blansko? Thank you. No, you don’t need anything. Yoga needs nothing but your body. Relax, don’t be nervous. Yes, dear brothers and sisters, if you would like, please join us. Take off your shoes. Don’t miss the chance. Children, can you move the table, please? No, not so far. Wait there. Good, good. Stand up. Can you come to your exercise room in the morning? If you don’t have an exercise room, you certainly have a bathroom, a bedroom, and a kitchen. You go to finish your toilet. You may wash yourself first or after. What we will do now is yoga in daily life. You will think of me every morning. On the day when you do not think of me, I will be offended. And the day you don’t remember me, it will hurt me, it will touch me. Now, interlock your fingers. It’s not difficult—is it difficult? So comfortable is yoga in daily life. And turn your palms like this. Difficult? And put your hands on your head. Do you feel pain? Comfortable? Okay. Now we will inhale. Stretch the hands up, and stand on the toes. Exhale down. One. 1, 2, 3, 4, inhale, hold the breath a little, exhale down, inhale, exhale. Perfect. Hands down, relax. I think this exercise is not so difficult, and you can do it. Many people like to do it in front of the mirror and think, “My God, see how many kilos I have. Now I will reduce my kilos.” So the mirror is very good. You are with an empty stomach in the morning. You may have your coffee, or tea, or a glass of water—no problem. So, which exercise did I tell you? Interlock fingers, please, once more. Turn the hands down. Hands up. On the head. One. Two. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. Now, legs apart, and look to that side. This row of people looks this side, and you look this side, so that you don’t touch your neighbors’ hands. Turn this side, please. Turn. No, the leg also. Now, hands up. Stretch your hands up. Legs apart, at least 30 to 40 centimeters. It’s good for your hips, good for digestion, good for removing the fat pillows. And from here, nobody sees you; you are in the bathroom. So, deep inhale, a moment, hands on the head. Deep inhale, hands up. Bend left side, exhale. Left side, inhale up, and hands on the head, exhale. Inhale, your right side, exhale as much as you can. Inhale, Nāḍīśodhana, hands on the head, exhale. Now you can look at me. Look at me, but hands here. Proceed toward me, and legs more apart. Thank you. Same thing, we will repeat again. Inhale, hands up. Exhale left side. Inhale in the middle. Hands on the head, exhale. Inhale. Right side, exhale. Inhale. Hands on the head, exhale. This becomes eight numbers: 1. Left. 2. Again come back. 3. Hands down. 4. 5. Right side. 6. 7. 8. Very good. Hands down. It will not take a long time. But for two days, you will feel your side muscles a little sore—two, three days—but after that, your muscles will be so happy, and you will feel more relaxed and comfortable. Now, hands sidewards, the body, legs apart. Now, slowly, while inhaling, stretch hands sidewards, and then up, and fold the palms. Remain there with normal breath. And feel your side muscles; they are stretched. Then open the palms. Exhale. One. Two. Inhale, one. Exhale, two. Each round, about five times. No difficulty. Now legs together. Slowly, while inhaling, stretch your hands up and look to the ceiling, and slowly exhale. This was one round. Take it around. One. You will get so much energy that you will not look to your coffee to drink anymore. Can you imagine how beautiful this water is, clear, crystal clear? And I put coffee inside, black and dark. Can you imagine what your digestive system will say? Oh, God. What is your decision? Now, legs apart. And hands on the shoulders. And try, with your elbow, to write a big zero. Like this, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100. Five, perfect. Now, hands on the hip joints, legs apart. Now imagine a mirror is behind you, and look how you look. Yes, look at your back. How do you look? Yes, and turn to the other side. And turn to the other side. Oh God, wow, I look so good. Positive thinking, very good. Thank you. One more. Legs together, hands relaxed. Inhale and stretch hands in front. Two, sit like on a chair. Three. Up, four. Those who have problems with the knees should avoid one, three, four. So, this you should also do five times. Then, hands here, legs together. Inhale and exhale from the stomach. Prāṇāyāma, Bhastrikā. Like this. Stomach only. Look at me. The wrong way would be like this. That’s wrong. And right would be: you can put a cup of coffee here, it will not fall down. So, twenty times for full breath. And once more. And finished. Two times, then come to your chair. Or sit down on the ground. So sit on the chair, please. Lean on your chair. Put your hands relaxed on the thighs. Try to make yourself comfortable. Close your eyes. Try to relax the whole body. Know that you are inhaling, know that you are exhaling, know any other thoughts: only two things: relax completely and be aware of the breath. And be aware of your breath. Let your breath be natural. Do not influence the rhythm of the breath. Just know that you are inhaling. You know that you are exhaling. I am relaxed. I am comfortable. I know I am inhaling, and I know that I am exhaling. Now slowly fold your palms and rub them together. Place your warm palms on your face and rub your facial muscles. Open your eyes, and your daily activity begins. If you have time, you can repeat it before lunch. And if you have time in the evening before dinner, you can repeat it. I can tell you, after three days, you will begin to feel so… Hey, don’t go away. Wait. Ještě neodcházejte. Počkejte. After three days, you will feel completely different, but there will be a little slight pain. Doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter. And after five days, your body will ask you, let’s have an exercise. This is the first lesson. Do it for one month. You need not have a head stand. Stand on your legs. You need not a lotus seat. Sit comfortably as you like. No competition. No challenge. Try to put your life in a positive way. Then your body will also support you. If you support your body, the body will support you too. The restless thoughts will go away, and the stress will reduce. And you will realize that you feel very light, relaxed, harmonious, and happy. After one month, what to do? What next? After one month, you go to yoga and then life class. Good idea? Dobrý nápad. Then tell your teacher, “Teach me so comfortably, like Swamiji did.” That’s it. So you will get new instructions in the third month. You will get new instructions. Slowly, slowly, the entire structure of your body will change. You will enjoy your meal, you will enjoy your sleep, you will enjoy your work, and you will have inner harmony. You will not be aggressive to your wife, or you will not be angry with your husband. It will become harmony in the family. And what are you doing? These are balanced exercises. It doesn’t matter if you believe in God or not, or if you are religious or not. In this instruction, you had only this: these are just to keep your body healthy, and the rest is your decision. So this is how to find harmony in life. And that harmony will bring happiness. And that happiness will bring a feeling of joy within you. So, these are very simple instructions, but they are very good for you. There is one thing more for your good health. You are healthy. I don’t say that you are not healthy, but very, very good, and you will notice in one month. Especially those who have certain diseases, you will feel the disease has stopped increasing, or it becomes less, and this everyone can do. Buy one copper pot and fill it with half a liter or one liter of water. In the evening, leave it in your room at room temperature, and in the morning, drink half a liter of water and then do these exercises. Half a liter, one liter, as much as you can. There should be a minimum of 15 minutes between your coffee, tea, or breakfast. Clean water, no bubble water, no soda water. You will see very great improvement in your body. So, these were the instructions for this evening. And now we have 15 minutes for questions and answers. So, thank you for listening. I was happy that you did. And I’m happy that I could give you something practical. Because tons of theory is nothing compared to the practical. Om Śānti, Śānti, Śānti. Třikrát. Hluboký nádech. This is balanced prāṇāyāma also. This vibration will tranquilize your thoughts. Deep inhale. Hluboký nádech. Deep inhale. Hluboký nádech. Deep inhale. Hluboký nádech. Śānti means peace. Peace, peace, peace. Mir, mir, mir. Hari Om. Now, if you have any questions, you are welcome to ask. Well, they’re saying, no question means no answer. And I explained so nicely, so there’s no question left. So, once more, repetition. Second, right, left, yes, three. Yoga teacher, so who remembers here? Anyone? Very good. So what can I expect from you tomorrow morning in the bathroom? I try to make it so simple, and you’ve forgotten. Oh, Herr God. Okay, then I was, and, and… and looking in the mirror from the backside, and thank you, and then Bhastrikā, Bhastrikā, and then? And then? Pause, rest. Thank you. Thank you.