Written by Dina Dayala Dasa  Monday, 07 November 2005

Attention preachers, temple presidents, outreach directors, and communications directors:

Temple communities can be stimulated and increased through Yoga programs.

Recently, His Grace Dayananda Prabhu of the Vrindavan temple told Divyambara Prabvhi in a taped interview that Prabhupada had said that he wanted to have hatha yoga available at the guest house in Vrindavan.

This is a logical way to attract the public to come visit our centers.  

Exercising

Krsna Consciousness connects us to a deep and ancient collection of life sciences: Ayurveda, Jyotish, Vasti, Yagja, and Yoga to name a few. These sciences provide powerful opportunities for devotees to serve, interact with and teach the public at large. The beauty of these vedic sciences is that they easily dovetail with sharing Bhakti Yoga.

One drawback to using Yoga has been that the existing schools of Yoga tend to be associated with Mayavada philosophy. This is an unfortunate and recent development as mystical and astanga yoga were originally a Vaisnava practice.

“Even Patanjali explains that the target of all yoga is Visnu. Astanga-yoga is therefore part of Vaisnava practice because its ultimate goal is realization of Visnu.” Purport to SB 3.28.1 

Around the world many devotees are talking advantage of Yoga as an outreach tool. Among those devotee using Yoga to attract the public many have embraced Atma Yoga - the first Vaisnava based school of hatha and kundalini yoga to be widely disseminated in the modern area.

Atma Yoga is a practical tool for preaching Krsna Consciousness. The training in Radhadesh will provide devotees with a working knowledge of Atma Yoga.

Atmananda Dasa

Atma Yoga is a system of mystical yoga based on the personalist standards described in the third canto of Srimad Bhagavatm.

“Faith is attained by controlling the senses, either by yoga practice, following the rules and regulations and practicing the sitting postures, or by engaging directly in bhakti-yoga, as recommended in the previous verse … One may come to the standard of faithfulness by following the rules and regulations of the yoga system, and the same goal can be achieved simply by chanting and hearing about the transcendental activities of the Lord. SB 3.27.7

Atma yoga helps prepare non-devotees for Bhakti yoga. It helps establish conditions within the aspirant (yoga student) that will eventually lead to Bhakti yoga.

Shastra states that only a small percentage of the general populace will come to the level of practicing Bhakti yoga. Everyone, however, who comes to Atma Yoga, can become favorable and supportive of Vaisnavism and ISKCON.

The key is to give people a positive experience in an atmosphere where they feel welcome. It is crucial that they feel the strong hand of yogic direction WITHOUT the pressure of feeling proselytized. People will trust and respect the yoga teacher as long as the do not feel they are being tricked into something or that there is a ‘hidden” agenda. Atma Yoga brings people to devotional service by attraction, rather than promotion.

Atma Yoga uses a variety of technologies and yoga related activities to give the aspirant a powerful and often transformative experience. These include:

·          Yoga classes (four styles)

·          Mantric Tantric (specialized japa intensive)

·          Pranic Purification (breathing & visualization workshop)

·          Soul Mate Yoga (special practice for married couples)

·          Teacher Training

·          Workshops (created locally)

·          Guest speakers

·          Retreats

·          Small group meetings

·          Mantra music CDs

·          Home practice CD’s

The mechanics (physical aspects) of each technology are unique to Atma Yoga and come from an ancient repository. They are being introduced in this era for the first time.

The philosophy, however, is strictly based on our Vaisnava parampara. The philosophy is expressed in the yoga classes and other events through mantras, music, stories and prasadam.

We hope you will consider sending members of your temple or recommending to your community the Atma Yoga Teacher training in Radhadesh, Belgium this 12 February through 26 March, 2006.

The training is a 40 day program designed to provide those interested in teaching yoga with the skills and tools necessary to begin using Atma Yoga as a means for attracting newcomers to your center.

It is not necessary that your future teachers have a great deal of experience in Yoga; just a strong desire to share this Vedic science with the public. As H.H. Devamrita Maharaja has said, “sankirtana devotees make the best yoga teachers.”

Graduates from our training program range in age for 18 to 54, and from non-devotee to respected ISKCON Sannyasi.

We have worked with Radhadesh to create a very comfortable, professional and inspiring experience at the lowest cost possible for devotees. Tuition including prasadam and lodging starts as low as 750 euros for the forty day program which includes 300 hours of training and teacher’s certification. Shared rooms with a bath start at 850 euro.

If you have questions you may call Atmananda Dasa directly at 1 (310) 651-8048 or email him: atma@yogamandir.com.

To register attendees please email, Radhadesh.Guesthouse@pamho.net

Your servants, The Atma Yoga Team, Los Angeles, California