Shreyas: A Boutique Yoga Retreat in Bangalore, India

Reflections…

Volume: 1 Issue: 14
July-August 2009

Shreyas, an Inner Challenges initiative, is a retreat for discerning guests to step away from the hectic demands of modern life and spend time in unwinding, reflection, rejuvenation and rediscovering the simple pleasures of life.

Spread over 25 acres of landscaped gardens, the architecture and interiors are a seamless confluence of traditional and the modern styles.

. Extract from Guests’ comments

When I arrived I didn’t know what to expect. I only hoped for some peace and quiet. What I found was nourishment for my
soul as well as my body. I truly have appreciated all the encouragement from the staff. I am amazed that when I wanted to be alone, I was. When I was thirsty, out of nowhere water appeared. I only had to think of something and it was arranged.

This is an experience I will always treasure and will definitely come back again.
Thank you
Wanda Bieloszabski, USA -May 2009

A huge thank you to have the doors open to your paradise. An extraordinary oasis of serenity, beauty and calm. The staff attentive and friendly. As if by magic, it was enough to cross the gate to be at peace and quiet. All seem to share the extraordinary spirit that prevailed at Shreyas - residents, and employees alike.

Thank you for this space - out of the frenzy of ever yday contingencies of life.
In the hope to return one day
Marianne, Belgium-June 2009

Lakshmi Tattwa
Concept of True Wealth
Notes from sessions at Shreyas by
Sri Shankar Narayan
(Continued from May / Jun ’09 issue)

Ashtalakshmi

As the power of sustenance, Mahalakshmi manifests in different forms. These manifestations represent all that is necessary for life on Earth. If we internalize these manifestations, then we have
worshipped the Divine Mother in that form.

Some of these beautiful manifestations are Dhanya Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, Vidy a
Lakshmi, Dhairya Lakshmi, Veerya Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi, Rajya Lakshmi, Sowbhagya
Lakshmi etc.

Dhanya Lakshmi
Vedas instruct that there must always be abundance of Dhanya (food grains) in the family and in the country. All living things
on this earth are products of food and are sustained by food: “Annam brahmeti vyajan at… Oshodibhyannam; Annat Purusah”

This is why annam is the forerunner of all beings: “Annam hi bhootan am yestham….” Annam is a remedy for ailments: “Tasmat sarvaoushadhamuchyate”

Those who worship food as Brahman are endowed with abundance of annam – “Sarvam vai te annamapnuvanti, Ye annam brahmopasate…”

Worship of Mother as Dhanya Lakshmi helps us to ensure food security in the country. In the Taittriya Upanishad, ‘annam’ refers to all physical objects. This is why
Mahalakshmi first manifests in the cosmos as Dhanya Lakshmi or Anna Lakshmi.

Dhanya Lakshmi

Food and food grains should be treated with reverence. In India after each harvest, one day is devoted to worship Mother as Dhanya Lakshmi. Scriptures give specific instructions regarding food .

Never abuse or find fault with food (Annam na nindyat— tadvratam ). Mother Lakshmi is
believed to walk away from the place where food is disrespected. Food should be cooked and served with a worshipful mind frame.

Don’t (a) utter harsh words, (b) harbor negative emotions like anger, disgust, jealousy, hatred or (c) Sad / depressive thoughts while cooking or serving. Negative emotions, particularly when dealing with food, can have a deleterious effect on health, both physical and mental.

Similarly while serving, never toss the food on to the plate. Serving too is a form of worship because by serving we are feeding the Divine who resides within the being to whom it is served.

Eat food with a reverential bhava. Both Ayurveda and Yoga vouch that if a person sticks to this observance, his / her physical, mental and intellectual health will be taken care of.
to be continued…

to be continued…

Extract of Guest Comments

“@ Shreyas everything is an ‘art’. The way – the place, the objects, way of teaching yoga,
serving food, making food…..! One needs to experience, words are not enough. My daughter and myself relished every bit of Shreyas – the meaning ‘excellenc e’ stands in its truest sense. Hats off to the founder
who created it. I shall be in touch. ”
Jayasree Devineni
Hyderabad, India (June 2009)

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Ayurveda @ Shreyas

Ayurveda can be translated as “the science of health and longevity.” I t is being practiced for more than 5000 years in India. In this new series, we wish to introduce the various Ayurvedic treatments available at Shreyas.

Our qualified Ayurvedic Physician assess es the guest’s body type before suggesting the medication used in the treatments.

SHIRODHARA

Shirodhara is preceded by an Abhyanga (Massage). Then the chosen “medicated oils” mix is poured in “a continuous stream of flow” (dhara) on the “forehead” (shiras) in a pendulous motion.

Apart from personalized medicated oils, at times other fluids like medicated milk (Ksheeradhara) , butter milk (takra dhara) etc., are also used to enhance the therapeutic benefits .

A few benefits of Shirodhara

Relaxes the nervous system
Lowers the metabolism
Regulates brain functions including cerebral circulation
Fosters stable moods resulting in enhanced stress management
Improves Memory
Nourishes scalp and hair
Calms the body and mind, facilitating sound sleep

The language of YOGA

DHRITI
“Steadiness” or “steadfastness”

Dhriti is sometimes counted as one of the ten practices of moral discipline (Yama).

The Shandilya Upanishad understands it as “mental stability” (cetah sthapanam) at all times, especially in moments of personal loss.

The Uddhava Gita explains it as the “mastery over tongue and “genitals.”

The Bhagavad Gita distinguishes three types of dhriti, depending on the preeminence of the three qualities (guna) of nature. Thus, sattvika-dhriti is that steadiness by which one restrains the mind, the breath, and the senses. Rajasa -dhriti is that steadiness by which one holds fast to virtue (dharma), prosperity (artha ), and pleasure (kama) and also clings to their fruits. Finally, tamasa - dhriti is characteristic of the deluded person who is attached to sleep (svapna), fear (bhaya ), grief (shoka), dejection (vishada), and intoxication (mada)
Extract from the works on Yoga
by Georg Feuerstein

We were always under the impression that you had to die to go to heaven. How wrong we were!!

Shreyas is like a little heaven on earth. It far exceeded our highest expectations in every aspect to name but a few, the serenity, the ambience, the warmth and attention to detail of every single member of staff.

We are leaving Shreyas after 14days with all the teachings here kindly installed in our hearts forever. God willing we shall return soon.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL!!
Suraj Salhotra & Aleksandra
London, UK- June 2009

CHOCOLATE CAKE

organic cuisine at Shreyas Yoga Retreat, Bangalore India

Preparation & Cooking Time: 1 hour
Serves 4 - 6

Ingredients
115 g Whole wheat flour
220 g Sugar
½ tsp Baking Soda
100 g Low fat butter, softened
2 tsp Cocoa powder
150ml Water
100 g Yogurt, whisked
A pinch of salt

Method

Whisk the yogurt and baking soda together and keep aside.
Mix the butter, cocoa powder, water and sugar.
Place this mixture over a double boiler for 10- 15 minutes until the mixture blends completely. Keep aside.
Sieve the flour and fold it into the prepared mixture. As the mixture starts to bubble, add the yogurt and a pinch of salt.
Whisk this mixture with an electric beater.
Pour the batter in a greased baking dish and bake in a preheated oven at 190º C for 30 minutes.
Serve after 30 minutes

Tasty meals, beautiful surroundings, kind and thoughtful staff and great Yoga - I can’t think of a better way to spend 3 days and rejuvenate the body and soul. A very special place that I look forward to returning to in the future. Thank you to looking after me so well.
Katherine Madden
Switzerland - July 2009

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Ashtanga Yoga retreat at Shreyas Yoga Retreat, Bangalore

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