~The Path of Yogic Ritual~ By Illia~

~The Path of Yogic Ritual~ By Illia~

~Yoga~ Ritual for Self Realization ` ~ Union of Duality~ Practiced in the Spirit of Celebration ~ May this booklet be an inspiration for those drawn to the Yogic Path, by simplifying thousands of years of complex traditional teachings. I recommend reading The Holy Science by Sri Yukeshwar for further contemplation. ~ Five Yogic Paths~ Hatha Yoga- Strengthening with Asanas, Breath, Japa Jnana Yoga- Knowledge: Study and application Bhakti Yoga- Love: Chanting and Meditation Karma Yoga- Action: Service. Raja Yoga- Encompassment of Duality

Mahavatar Babaji~ Kriya Yoga Babaji is Guru to the lineage of Paramahansa Yogananda author of Autobiography of a Yogi, Swami Sri Yukteswar author of The Holy Science and Lahiri Mahasaya as well as many others. In 1988 I began practicing the teachings of Kriya Yoga in the way I resonated, Bhakti. I studied Ayurveda and practiced in an ashram setting for nine years. I continue to honour this tradition and lineage. Teachings are always available to the sincere student, whether externally or from the inner tutor. The Guru shall appear though it may not be in the ways we had imagined. Ask and it shall be given.

Hatha Yoga~ The practice of Hatha may be integrated with another path, or practiced alone. As in all Yoga it is multilayered in its application and effect. It may be considered a holistic practice if one remains ever aware of the surfacing emotion and inner language/thoughts that arise during practice. These are opportunities for transmutation/consciousness change. I. Asanas/Postures II. Pranayama/Breath III. Mantra/Prayer IV. Nutrition Asanas: A beginning~ Sun Salutations practiced twice daily, sunrise and sunset optimally: 12 rounds, while feeling deep gratitude and concentrating on the breath. Asanas are best practiced outside on the ground or inside on a wool rug or blanket. Find an instructor for posture correctness.

BE STILL & BREATHE Being still may be the most important physical activity we choose. Sitting in stillness, with NO voluntarily MOVEMENT allows emotion to surface. When emotion is available we have the opportunity to transmute/change by loving how it feels. Feel WHAT we feel with Love~ Breathing Exercise~ Pranayama~ Three part breath~ Sit comfortably with the spine held straight. Hand mudra; thumbs connecting first and second fingers. Palms up. Through the nostrils breathe deeply into the abdomen, filling the lungs from the bottom up until at full capacity. Let the belly expand. Exhale evenly, through the nostrils from the top down pulling the abdomen in tightly at the end of the exhale. Do not pause between inhalations and exhalations..a smooth and steady flow. Begin with about 10 minutes, twice daily increasing each day. This will especially strengthen the spine, where the flow of cerebral spinal fluid affects the entire system.

Alternate Nostril Breathing~ Rest thumbs on either side of nostrils, with the third fingers touching slightly at top of head. Press right thumb on nostril and breathe deeply and evenly through left nostril while counting to 12. Press thumbs on both nostrils and hold breath while counting to 12. Release thumb from right nostril and exhale evenly while counting to 12, pull abdomen in at the end of the exhale. Do not pause at end of exhalation, go directly into inhalation. Inhale through right nostril to 12. Press right thumb, hold breath to a count of 12, release left thumb and exhale from left nostril. Breathe in left nostril at a count of 12. Twelve rounds practiced twice daily. Count one round each time you inhale from right nostril. At the end of the twelfth inhalation through right nostril, release pressure on both nostrils and exhale completely through both nostrils. Breathe deeply through both nostrils, exhaling completely, 12 times. When our nutrition is working to revitalize, adding conscious breathing practices both physical and pranic (subtle energy) brings further energy to the cells.

Conscious physical breathing opens the awareness of pranic breathing. Alternate nostril breathing~ laying down.

Mantra Yoga Mantra and instruction traditionally received by a teacher/guru. From the scripture of Mantra Shastra~ To gain liberation, the mantra-yogi, seeker of reintegration through hermetic formulae, should repeat the rune of one syllable AUM, that of two syllables SOHAM, that of six syllables AUM NAMAH SHIVAYA. Mantra Yoga may be practiced out loud with the voice, then increasing the effect with silent repetition, until with great practice one becomes absorbed in the inner sound while remaining mentally aware. Facing North or North East; I. Daily morning and evening with Malas 108 repetitions with one Mantra, taking care to have correct pronunciation. II. Naimittika Practiced during festivals and on special occasions.

III. Achala Japa- Unmoving After a ritual bath, the sitting space is prepared, beginning after doing dik bandha of the Four Directions, the body remains still and silence observed. This is for the healthy and strong. IV. Chala Japa~ Moving Silent repetition This may be practiced anywhere without beads, while walking, sitting, standing, sleeping or waking, during sexual acts, simply at any time. 16 Steps of Mantra Yoga~ 1. Bhakti~ Devotion 2. Shuddi~ Purity 3. Asana~ Posture 4. Panchanga Sevana~ Observance of the astrological cycles, particularly the Solar and Lunar.

5. Achara~ Ways of conduct 6. Dharana~ Concentration: outward and inward 7. Divya desha sevana~ 16 inner abodes of deity consciousness 8. Prana Kriya~ Breath control 9. Mudra~ gesture 10. Tarpana~ Water offering 11. Havana~ Fire offering 12. Bali~ Offerings of the nonviolent sacrifice, such as fruit or pride 13. Yajna~ Ritual worship 14. Japa~ Repetition 15. Dhyana~ Contemplation 16. Samadhi~ when the mind dissolves into the mantra

Gayatri Mantra~ Said or sung with devotion. Om bhur bhuvah swaha tat savitur varenyam bhargo devasya dhimahi dhiyo yo nah prachodayat. ~Om Mani Padme Hum ~Om Namah Shivaya

Yogic Nutrition and Ayurveda Sattvic- Rajasic- Tamasic Finding nutritional balance. Simplistically, sattvic foods are nutritious (organic- non GMO) unprocessed and do not contain the stimulating effects of rajas, nor the absorbing effects of tamasic foods. Some examples are honey, almonds, seeds, most vegetables and fruits. Rajasic food includes spices that may stimulate activity in the gastrointestinal tract. Tamasic food has a toxic effect is over consumed: meats, alcohol, night shade vegetables, mushrooms, etc. Bringing the balance of these three food categories is very individual. Genetics, environment and quality of the food as well as how it is prepared and consumed. Gratitude rules.

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