Amrit Yoga transforms the conceptual philosophy of yoga into experiential reality by turning the potential of yoga practice into the direct experience of unity and ecstasy. It takes you into the dimension of timeless tranquility—the realm of silent awareness where you enter the integrated, undivided state of being.

The power of yoga is greatly diminished when only part of you is engaged. Then the ignored parts of your being, whether physical, mental or emotion, operate unconsciously, compulsively and habitually. This turns into an experience of conflict that is the complete antithesis of the intention of yoga practice. The purpose of yoga is to experience progressive unification, harmony, and resonance among all aspects of our being. If your practice of postures is perceived as physical, your body-centered approach will automatically focus on flexibility or its aerobic effect.

As a result, your attention will be consumed by the limited benefits of yoga in the form of exercise. You will remain totally unaware of the internal conflicts and self-criticisms, frustrations, fears, resistances, and emotional reactions that accompany your practice. You will automatically block out the mental dialogues that develop within from comparing your performance or competing or self-criticizing or simply showing off. You are not practicing yoga; you are practicing conflict. You are only using yoga as a way to practice your body image and self-image.

In the absence of unification, the presence of conflict creates continuous stress, regardless of whatever physical activity you are mechanically engaged in. Even minor mental irritations and emotional reactions, resistances and fears invariably show up on the subtle level and form blockages. These blocks impede the free flow of pranic energy—physically, mentally, and emotionally. When you are not engaged in body, mind and heart, the fragmented parts of your being are driven by pre-programmed self-concepts. Unconscious activity is the ultimate block.

The central focus in the practice of yoga is to progressively move toward the unfolding of the internal state of unity where your body is relaxed, your mind is silent, and your heart is unconditionally open. Complete alignment of what you do, what you think and what you feel. This is possible only when you shift from a body-centered practice to a consciousness-centered practice, which engages and unifies your entire being rather than a just the physical part of your being.

The experience of unity is impossible without consciously engaging your body, mind, heart, and soul. For yoga to be integrative, the practice must be holistic, where all levels of your being are synergistically and harmoniously moving as a single unit in one direction. When our practice of postures is accompanied by focused attention to bodily sensations with mindful meditative awareness, it engages all aspects of our body and all levels of our being. Then it is no longer an asana; rather it is the posture of consciousness. When you are fully in the experience of unity, blockages that cause even the subtlest level of conflict, tension and stress, resistance and fear—dissolve and merge into complete resolution, creating harmony and balance.

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One of the most famous prayers from the Upanishads, written some 6,000 years ago, is as pertinent today as it was then. In three poignant lines, it virtually sums up our collective and individual search for the meaning of life.

Lead me from the unreal to the real.
Lead me from darkness to light.
Lead me from time bound consciousness (death) to the timeless state of being (immortality).

Hear Gurudev chant this refrain in Sanskrit (Full Version Chant -875k or Abridged Version Chant - 515k)...the prayer that opens each daily practice of the Amrit Yoga Asana Sequence.

Want to hear more? Join our Tape of the Month club (see subscription information below) and receive a cassette of the best of Gurudev's morning darshans.

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Tape of the Month Club
For an annual subscription fee of $155, you will receive a new tape each month that will continue to rejuvenate your sadhana and heighten your awareness. These selections are carefully chosen from Gurudev's morning darshans with the resident staff at the Amrit Yoga Institute in Salt Springs, FL. Listen to his unedited, spontaneous lectures that are not only fresh and delightful, but saturated with deep wisdom and clarity. You will also receive a keepsake binder to hold your cassettes. Email us for more information.

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Amrit Yoga Teacher Training

Amrit Yoga uses traditional Hatha Yoga postures to develop an inner sense of how to use every life experience as an opportunity for spiritual growth. By introducing inward focus and meditative awareness into the practice of Hatha Yoga, Yogi Desai extends and expands the benefits of yoga postures far beyond the body-centered, health-oriented realm into the spiritual realm where postures become the vehicle for awakening higher consciousness. Beginning in an easy-to-adopt way on the yoga mat, you will learn the universal and timeless yogic principles that create unity in the midst of all of life's diversity - you will learn how to move from purely physical postures into the all-embracing Posture of Consciousness. Amrit Yoga thereby unleashes the often-overlooked potential of Hatha Yoga, using it as a means to attain nothing less than the ultimate fulfillment of yoga: unity.

Yogi Desai has a special gift for integrating ancient, mystical teachings with contemporary approaches to psychology and holistic health. This blend of ancient and modern perspectives empowers you to transform the challenges that you face every day into powerful opportunities for transformation. When the spiritual values and principles built into Amrit Yoga are integrated in the practice of Hatha Yoga postures, the essence of yoga comes alive in all areas of your life. The powerful tools and techniques of Amrit Yoga help you to experientially embody the heart and soul of yoga.

The Master's degree program is designed for aspiring students, therapists, healers and teachers from all traditions. This program is offered in two levels:

Level I offers basic teacher certification in two 10-day courses

• Successful completion of Level I and II (two 10-day courses), plus distance learning from the Hindu University of America (HUA) earns teachers with a BA a Master's degree.
• Qualified teachers may advance directly to Level II by taking our new 5- or 7-Day Teachers' Intensive

Those without a BA will receive a certificate from HUA and AYI. Amrit Yoga is a registered school of Yoga Alliance.

Trainings in 2004:
Level I May 21-30 & September 10-19 (both sessions required)
Level II June 4-13 & September 24-October 3

The location for the training is one of serenity and tranquility. The Providence Zen Center is located in the rolling hills of Cumberland, RI, just 20 minutes from the airport Providence. The rooming is dormitory-style with shared baths; you will need to bring your own sheets and towels. Delicious homemade vegetarian meals are served.

Teachers' Intensives:
Experienced teachers may be selected to advance directly to Level II. Our requirements include a 200-hour basic certification. This class is limited so it is helpful to have a number of years as a teacher as well as prior seminar/teaching experience with Yogi Desai. Please register soon for the intensives as the class size will be small and close early.
February 14-20 Phoenix, AZ
May 30-June 3 Providence, RI

Click here for details, photos of our teacher courses and an application for our 2004 trainings or call 352-685-3001 for a brochure.

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Jan 2-4 Bapuji's Mahasamadhi Celebration Salt Springs, FL

During this sacred time, we will celebrate the Mahasamadhi of Bapuji, the guru of our guru. It is a beautiful opportunity to rejoice in Bapuji's ultimate liberation and recognize the divine potential within us all.

As part of the weekend festivities, Gurudev will teach on the significance of lineage and of learning yoga through direct experience from a realized master. Our Saturday night satsang will be an evening of devotional chanting and ceremony to the gift of Bapuji's teachings, which continue to nurture us through Amrit Yoga. People who knew Bapuji will share their personal stories and we will all enjoy rare photos.

We are offering this weekend, which includes lodging (while available) and meals, on a donation basis to make it available to as many as possible who would like to take part in the Mahasamadhi celebration. Please refer to daily schedule and suggested donation amounts are attached. Please RSVP (352-685-3001) soon to reserve your space.

Feb 29-March 7 Holistic Holiday at Sea Cruise departs from Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Set sail for well being and exotic Caribbean ports of call for a "vacation with a purpose" aboard the Costa Cruise line. Gurudev and his daughter, Kamini, will teach daily workshops and asanas classes. Private consultations with Gurudev will also be available. Visit www.atasteofhealth.org for photos, class descriptions and details about this relaxing getaway that is a holistic combination of luxury, fitness, knowledge and education...a vacation for your mind, body and soul. For reservations, call 800-594-1779.

March 12-18 Yoga Nidra Intensive Salt Springs, FL
Redesign Your Destiny: Dissolving Karma Through Yoga Nidra

This experience could turn out to be the time of your life that you have been waiting for. Your life may never be the same again.

This 10-day workshop is designed to create an intimate, small group setting where you can deepen your sadhana, discover your innate joy and the freedom of childlike playfulness.

Karma is the compelling force that regulates your actions, shapes your self-image, distorts your perceptions, impacts your health, structures your beliefs and personal biases, and creates mental and emotional barriers. It is built into each individual's biology and psychology. Karma is the only problem you face, although it may take on many different forms. Yoga Nidra empowers you to uncover and alter the deepest karmic roots hidden in your subconscious.

Yoga Nidra is the unique combination of alert awareness and deepest relaxation. It takes you to the alpha state, which releases the mystical integrative powers of the third eye and the higher centers of consciousness, where you learn to tap into extraordinary powers of your own intuition, inspiration, creativity, health and abundance. This is the center where visions become reality. It has the power to actualize your intention, affirmations, healing and prayers.

Yoga Nidra can help you reshape your whole life. You can use it to rebuild your health, your love life, family life and professional life. It initiates shifts from the deepest core of your being, providing you with powerful tools to eliminate stress and banish self-destructive unconscious fears, beliefs and habits. You can gain new insights and visions that will guide you toward the unfoldment of a new life.
Come prepared to enter the practice of vigorous postures, advanced pranayama, in addition to indepth discourses on karma, Yoga Nidra, mantra chanting and meditation. This extended retreat provides you with significant time for study, practice and reflection in a spiritual environment. Also during this time, simple, light meals are planned to enhance your spiritual progress and deepen your practices.
Guided sessions by Yogi Desai will give you a direct experience of entering the deepest levels of relaxation and Yoga Nidra. This intensive is intended to provide you with routines, postures and pranayamas you can take home to continually reinforce and build upon what you have received during your retreat.

"Yoga Nidra is one of the most effective and least known techniques to unleash the power within. It ignites the fire that burns old karma."

Tuition: $995 includes the seminar, accommodations and vegetarian meals.

Call 352-685-3001 or email info@amrityoga.org to register.

More in 2004...

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Gurudev at the Yoga Expo

The Los Angeles Convention Center was the site of the first annual Yoga Expo. It was produced by Bikram Choudhury, who invited Gurudev to deliver one of the keynote addresses, as well as teach a workshop with his daughter, Kamini Desai, program director of the Amrit Yoga Teacher Training programs. Gurudev was joined by Deepak Chopra, John Gray and other experts in holistic sciences in an array of programs. During the September 25-28 event, the Expo attracted some 20,000 yoga practitioners to more than 300 workshops and exhibits, including an attempt to break the world's record for the largest yoga class. Click here for the Yoga Expo Photo Gallery.

Gurudev's Birthday Celebration

A festive weekend seminar was held in October to mark Gurudev's 71st year. For those who could not attend, we offer you this pictorial remembrance.

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Thank you for your interest in the Amrit Yoga Institute.
We very much welcome your comments, questions or testimonials. If you have suggestions for topics you'd like to see covered in this newsletter or spiritual questions for Gurudev, please send them to us and we will do our best to respond either individually or in the newsletter.

The Amrit Yoga Foundation, a non-profit organization that represents Amrit Yoga, is located in north central Florida.

Seva opportunities exist for short-term and long-term programs. Please inquire about ways to become part of our community.

Until you can visit us in person, visit our website www.amrityoga.org for details on programs, products and resources to deepen your practice.

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