Lectures on Asanas in Amiens (France)

My satsangs and retreats are going on. This time I’ve given lectures on asanas: asanas in ancient texts, their relationship with other angas (sections) of yoga, ancient and modern look at asanas in the Tradition and among the amateur yoga practitioners. Based on meaningful and real-life experience, of all above, I talked about my understanding of asanas and then what are the best opportunities in their practice. I am grateful to Tara Michael a lot that all this time she translates me from English into French. French is very beautiful and has much in common with English, maybe I’ll study it in the future.

In the first photo I am against the temple located in Amiens, where my satsangs takes place. This temple survived during the Second World War when almost all constructions were bombed. Let us be stable and indestructible on our path like this temple.

Seminar in Lyons, France

I’ve just finished my programme in Lyons, where I gave lectures about Hatha-yoga and Tantra relationship and what tantric elements are used in some Hatha-yoga practices. Besides, I explained the connection of Hatha-yoga methods with such tantric cults as Kubjika, Shrividya, Kali Vidya and etc. We also discussed literary sources associated with Kapalikas, which mention the names of Adinath, Matsyendranath, Gorakshanath, Satyanatha and others. Along with that, the differences and similarities between the tantric and yogic approaches were considered. Thank you for all, those who organased and attended this programme.

 

Satsang of Yogi Matsyendranath Maharaj in Louviers (Normandie)

Unlike Toulouse, where participants were mostly yoga teachers, in Louviers (Normandie) came not only those who teach, but also who practice yoga for themselves. Definitely, I am happy that in France most people understand that yoga asanas are not designed for making the body clean-limbed, well-shaped and sexy, but to achieve samadhi, the aim of Raja-yoga. In my opinion, this tendency is connected with the fact that some Indologists and scholars specified the correct direction, that is what makes me happy. Although, as elsewhere, in France there is some percentage of yoga practitioners who are interested mainly in the material things. However, people in general still have an understanding of the importance of spiritual guidance. There is still work to be done, I mean meetings and satsangs, where I will try as much as possible to talk about Gorakshanath relying on how much people are ready for this. So far they are really appreciative audience.

 

My satsang-teaching in Toulouse (France)

My teaching for yoga-instructors on the Nath Traditional Yoga in Toulouse (France) conducted in June, 2014. Thanks to Fr. John Dupuche for spontaneous discussion about the cause of ignorance from different points of view, and Tara Michael for translation from English into French.