If you experience trembling and uneasiness in legs while doing yoga nidra, know it that your mind, body and nervous system are weak. You also need to strengthen your immune and nervous system.

So how do you do this? Listen to Gurumaa telling us how we can conquer the weaknesses inherent in our system and become healthy, strong and wise!

Practicing yoga nidra everyday enables us to explore the boundaries between the various states of consciousness. Our willpower increases because we make a resolve each day, which does not change.

We are able to study the thoughts arising in our subconscious, accept the positive ones and reject the negative ones. Yoga nidra teaches us how to relax. Stillness enables us to become aware of our inner being, one of the main purposes of meditation.

To maintain stillness in yoga nidra, practice of yoga and pranayam are necessary to make the body receptive to this transformational healing. So, are you a fan of this wonderful combination of yoga, pranayama and yoga nidra? Then, you are well on the way to becoming healthy, spiritually wealthy, strong and wise.

At times a seeker may not be able to understand his own experiences and may start worrying. Due to lack of complete knowledge and understanding, true love and happiness just eludes him/her.

To be able to truly soak in the love and bathe in the showers of true bliss, one needs the help of an enlightened master who can guide and lead his disciple to attain that true state of being.

One such seeker who had been practicing kumbhak on his own after reading it in the Bhagwad Geeta – the sacred Hindu script, came to Anandmurti Gurumaa seeking clarifications. He was doing everything correctly yet somewhere that fulfillment, contentment and calmness was missing.

In this video you can hear the enlightened master Anandmurti Gurumaa compassionately explaining the essence of Kumbhak and Pranayam. This is essentially the art of practicing restraint of prana or breath.

Gurumaa emphasizes on the need for correct interpretation of what is written in the scriptures. Regarding the practice of Kumbhak she says that it cannot be practiced in a rush.

A seeker needs to first prepare himself by purifying his body both physically and mentally. One should have been practicing Yoga asana regularly for at least two years.

Before one attempts Kumbhak one should have been regularly practicing ‘Anulom Vilom Pranayam’ (the technique of breathing from one nostril and releasing from the other and then breathing from the same and releasing from the other forming a pattern of conscious breathing), ‘Nadishodhan’ (breathing technique where one needs to hold breath after each inhalation and exhalation) and ‘Kapalbhati’ (where breath is thrown out with a force).

When one is well versed with these techniques of Pranayam, slowly and gradually one can attempt kumbhak – the art of restrained breath. One must not simply try it, but instead it should be learnt from a teacher and initially practiced under guidance.

One should not play with ‘prana’. It is like a scorpion that can kill. Any practice which is not done with a right understanding can be dangerous. To prepare one self, one needs to do ‘Yoga Asana, Surya Namaskar’ and do pranayama for at least an hour a day and then with the blessings of the master go on to practice Kumbhak and seek the benefits of restrained breathing.

Insomnia, or lack of sleep is a common problem these days and the magnitude of this disease is increasing with the complexities of modern day living despite the comforts that are available.

It is gripping the society like plague. Though one has to realize that it is one’s own creation and if the person so desires, he/she can cure one’s own self. But that requires a quantum effort. For the realization that it is one’s own creation is the first step towards its cure.

When a person experiences long spells of sleeplessness then it starts damaging the body balance and disrupts the functioning of all organs. Which in turn plays on the health of the person and ends up in a vicious cycle.

It is most important to be aware and vigilant to see that the mind does not constantly engage itself in meaningless chatter. Thinking about the past or future is unproductive.

To be able to clear the clutter in the mind one needs to detach one’s self from desires and false image of one’s own self. Like the achievements and status symbols or even failures that one faces through the journey of life.

The strings of attachment that one has tied one’s own self with, only the person suffering can tell and then he/she only needs to detach from those unfulfilled desires. Keep in mind that death may come at any time.

If one keeps in mind that death may come knocking at the door at any time then how will one find time to indulge in meaningless and wasteful thoughts about the past or an unknown future that may never come.

Life is a blessing and one needs to live it with this attitude keeping in mind that each moment is precious because who knows when it may come to an end.

Gurumaa also suggests that everyone must practice ‘yoga nidra‘ which is the ancient technique practiced by our rishi’s and saints to rejuvenate and relax the mind.

The technique of ‘yoga nidra‘ has been explained by Gurumaa and is available in the form of a CD or DVD that one can get and follow it to de-stress and calm the mind and heal thy self.

Along with the practice of ‘Yoga Nidra’ if one learns ‘Yoga Asanas’ too, the benefit can be multifold.

Ayurveda suggests ‘abhyangaam’ (hot oil massage) or ’shirodhara’ (massage where oil is dripped on the head for a certain period of time) and cleansing of the body.

Presence of too many toxins in the body or metabolic disorders like constipation too make it difficult for a person to sleep well. An agitated mind leads to an agitated system which further agitates the mind forming a vicious cycle.

So both the body and the mind need to be cleansed and detoxified with the help of ‘Pranayama’ and practicing ‘Yoga asanas’, waking up at an appropriate time and sleeping at a proper time, leading a disciplined life. Most importantly always keeping in mind the mortality of the body.

Always keep in mind that nothing is constant, everything is changeable. Above all know the truth that death is just around the corner.

To be able to dive deep into spiritual practice one needs to be very strong physically too. If the body is suffering from ailments, a seeker will not be able to use it as a tool to nurture his/her spiritual pursuits.

Gurumaa says that to create energy and overcome the weakness of the physical body, practicing ‘Ujjayi pranayam’ can be very helpful.

In ‘Ujjayi Pranayam’ breath is taken in, consciously in a manner such that it goes in rubbing through the wind pipe, producing a whistle like sound and then after holding for a few seconds released through the left nostril.

‘Ujjayi Pranayam’ is a breathing technique which generates a lot of energy, increasing the power of concentration and lung capacity.

Another tool to overcome physical weakness can be ‘Sakriya Dhyan’ (Dynamic meditation) which is a meditation technique introduced by Gurumaa.

In ‘Sakriya Dhyan’ a seeker begins with consciously taking in deep breath and exhaling with force. Then increasing the inhalation and exhalations with force to a point where all else ceases to exist. After which letting the body gives way to all pent up energy in the form of any ‘kriya’ (catharsis). Be it dancing, clapping, humming or any other action that happens on its own.

Chanting too can be practiced to generate energy. The ‘Maha Mritunjya Mantra‘ is a very powerful mantra that if recited properly with full concentration empowers the seeker by bringing out his/her latent energy and creates a positive and charged environment.

A seeker who practices all these techniques benefits greatly. As a result of which a distinct aura begins to build around him/her.

Ayurveda is an ancient health-care system which originated in India over 5000 years ago. This system imparts the knowledge of life, in which the mind, body and spirit are all considered to be integral constituents for a healthy life. According to this system many diseases can be prevented through proper diet and healthy lifestyle practices.

According to the Ayurvedic system there are three humors that govern the human body. In order to function at its optimum level, these three elemental energies or humors need to be balanced.

These humors or doshas are known as vata (air & space – “wind”), pitta (fire & water – “bile”) and kapha (water & earth – “phlegm”). An imbalance of any of these doshas causes the body to become diseased.

Vata governs actions that require movement. Examples include breathing, contractions and relaxation of muscles, heartbeat, impulses within nerve cells, and the primary seat of vata is in the colon.

Pitta represents transformation and this dosha is involved in activities such as digestion, absorption and metabolism. This dosha is mainly found in the stomach, small intestine, skin, eyes, blood and fat.

The chest is the seat of kapha, and this dosha is known as the stirring force in our body. Some characteristics of kapha include lubricating the joints, providing moisture to the skin and enhancing immunity.

Every individual is considered to have a unique constitution, and one must eat certain foods, perform specific exercises, and follow a lifestyle that keeps these doshas in balance.

Anandmurti Gurumaa reveals that in order to remain disease free, it is important for us to know our body type and follow a specific diet and routine so that these doshas are not aggravated.

Ayurveda and Yoga are sister Vedic sciences that complement one another. While Ayurveda deals with maintaining the health of the body, the practice of yoga purifies both the mind and consciousness.

The sages of India devised these methods for keeping the body, mind and spirit strong and healthy so that every person can strive for optimum health and longevity in life.

The enlightened master Anandmurti Gurumaa says the Lord does not discriminate, and just like Lord Shiva we all possess a third eye! It cannot be seen with our physical eyes, and to visualize it we have to explore our inner world.

On the physical level the ajna chakra or third eye is related to the pituitary gland – the master gland that controls the functions of the endocrine system.

The ajna chakra is also one of the seven spiritual centers that are located in our subtle physical body. It is located slightly above the eyebrows, and is considered to be the most powerful center.

The chakras are also represented by a lotus, and each center has a specific amount of petals, and mantra associated with it. The ajna chakra has two white petals and the mantra for this center is the universal cosmic sound Aum.

Under the guidance of a spiritual master, meditation on the ajna chakra brings upon immense benefits to the seeker. It provides great mental insight and enhances intuition and sixth sense powers.

If this center is awakened, a person is able to destroy his past life karmas and can also obtain knowledge of the past, present and future.

Most importantly, the ajna chakra is the gate through which the consciousness can ascend to the seventh center, or sahasrara chakra. The experience of samadhi, or union with God can be experienced here.

Stimulation of the third eye can be accomplished by practices such as tratak (steady gazing), and certain forms of pranayama. While these techniques provide benefits such as improving memory and concentration, Gurumaa says the ultimate goal of such practices is to experience the power that lies within you!

All the vital energy we possess can be utilized in our spiritual journey instead of wasting it on sensual pleasures. As Gurumaa says we cannot be called humans if we don’t turn within and explore the vast powers that are dormant within us!

Whether it is for the pursuit of a good job, or perhaps falling in love and marriage, the aim of every person is to remain blissful. It is not wrong to have a desire for happiness, but as Anandmurti Gurumaa says, expecting joy from others is just a form of emotional slavery!

According to the Vedantic philosophy the real purpose of life is to eradicate suffering and obtain the highest joy. This highest form of joy lies right within you!

Gurumaa points out that we all have a divine power that is far greater that the outside world! If we dive into our inner world, we will be able to realize the supreme joy that is already shining inside of us.

Then why are we expecting happiness from others? The joys we obtain from others are always temporary, and only cause our desires to increase.

Eventually we realize none of these pleasures are real, and end up becoming distressed. Therefore as all the great sages of India say, turn within yourself. The joy of the Self is the greatest treasure you can obtain!

In order for us to experience this divine source of happiness, we have to keep our mind and physical body healthy. As the scriptures of India say, this body is the vehicle through which we can realize our true nature.

In this modern age, the mind tends to remain agitated and distressed due to various pressures and unhealthy lifestyles. Naturally when the mind is weak, the physical body becomes unwell, and ultimately causes our health to deteriorate.

How do we keep the mind stable and calm? Gurumaa suggests techniques such as mantra repetition, recitation of spiritual texts, pranayama, yoga and yoga nidra.

All of these practices calm the mind and create pure vibrations within us, eventually allowing us to go deep within ourselves. It also provides us the mental and physical strength needed in our various day to day activities.

Physical ailments such as high blood pressure, insomnia, stress, stomach problems etc. are also alleviated by practicing these techniques. To learn more about these practices, visit www.gurumaa.com.

According to all the great scriptures and saints of India, God dwells within every living being. The Lord is not far away, but actually very close to us.

Due to the effects of maya (illusion) and the impure ego we separate ourselves from the Lord, and live in the awareness of “I am an individual”. This sort of thinking inhibits us from perceiving our real nature.

The Vedantic philosophy regards the body as a vehicle for the soul to attain enlightenment. Although we identify ourselves with the physical body, the human system actually consists of four bodies.

These bodies are subtle and can only be experienced in the deeper stages of meditation. They are respectively known as the physical, subtle, causal and the supra-causal bodies. As our practice of meditation deepens, we undergo an inner journey that allows us to gradually become aware of our real identity.

The sthula sarira, or physical body can be experienced in the waking state. The sukshma-sarira, or the subtle body allows us to experience dreams. The karana-sarira, or causal body operates in a state of deep, dreamless sleep. The supra-causal body is beyond all the other three bodies and pure consciousness or awareness is experienced here. This state is permanent and unchanging, and is also known as turiya.

The inner world is far greater than the outer world. As the sages of India have said, the true happiness that we search for outside, actually exists within! Therefore meditation is the process through which we can have a vision of our real identity, or pure Self.

In previous parts of the Pune satsang, Anandmurti Gurumaa provided simple tips for leading a healthy and disease-free life. As Gurumaa says, the three main causes of disease formation are improper diet, not taking care of the mind, and restless sleep.

In Part 8 of the Pune satsang, Gurumaa continues to describe the proper ways to live and elaborates on why sleep is so essential for the body.

Sleep is a fundamental part of our life, where the body revitalizes itself in order to perform adequately during the waking hours. In this hectic, fast-paced modern age most people have forgotten how important sleep is!

People are willing to sacrifice sleep to get other things done, and assume they can “catch up” on sleep. An overwhelming majority of people fail to realize that just like nutrition and exercise, sleep also makes an important contribution to the overall well-being of a person.

When we sleep, the body is actually performing essential activities needed to heal and restore the body. Hormones such as melatonin and serotonin are released to govern the sleep-wake cycles of our body, while bones and muscles are strengthened and repaired through the activities of growth hormones.

Our digestive system also removes the toxins and waste products from our system while we sleep. Consequently not sleeping at the required times will cause our immunity to decrease and diseases such as obesity, acidity and high blood pressure will be exacerbated.

Some causes of inadequate sleep include stress, poor digestion, and poor daily routine. Yoga, pranayama, and meditation promote a good regular routine for the body, purify the nervous system, and also aid in keeping the mind stable and calm.

Gurumaa also suggests that nadi shodan pranayama should be done before going to bed for a good night’s sleep. As we continue this practice, we will begin to notice that our sleep is more peaceful, and is not interrupted by many dreams.

The body needs approximately 6-7 hours of restful sleep. One of the philosophical texts of India known as the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad says that deep, healthy and relaxing sleep only occurs when the sense organs are withdrawn from the world, and one is able to enter into a dreamless and serene state of rest.

As Gurumaa says the experience of life should be filled with happiness and bliss, not diseases and misery! We are only decreasing our lifespan by not taking care of this body. Therefore if you want to live a long life; respect this body and in return it will thank you!

When Anandmurti Gurumaa was asked this question by one of her devotees, she said that the human brain has vast potential that is untapped.

The ancient yogis knew well about this hidden potential of the brain and they used various meditative techniques to uncover these hidden capabilities of their brain.

The western world has only recently woken up to the fact as latest findings and scientific research points towards the same.

Gurumaa says that the human mind’s capabilities can be enhanced in many ways such as in terms of memory, intellect, creativity, etc. It depends on the individual how much he/she wants to work upon the brain.

As far as how it can be developed is concerned, Gurumaa says that although meditation does in help in enhancing the brain’s capabilities, but there are other techniques too that are highly beneficial in achieving the same development of the mind.

She further adds that there is no fixed rate that can be attached with the time spent on meditation and the development in the ability of our brain.

But, as such meditation and spiritual practices such as chanting do help in sharpening our intellect and enhancing the potential of our brain.