Tag Archives: India

The meaning of Rangolis, an ephemeral art form.

All over India, each morning  just after daybreak, it is traditional for the women to decorate the ground in front of their houses by making simple or complex patterns using white or colored rice powder.

In the evening, at dusk, those drawings are erased. Thus every morning, at dawn, a new drawing is made. According to tradition women are responsible for the maintenance and the decoration of the home. But they are also in charge of the representation of lucky signs, the sacred representation of the link between the microcosm and the macrocosm.

Truly ephemeral mandala(s), these images are created every morning, their only aim being to be erased at the end of the day, a memento of the immanence of all things: everything has an end and will finally return to Earth! The names given to these decorations vary from region to region. In Western India, for instance, they are called Rangoli (from the Sanskrit Ranga, meaning to dye, to color), in Southern India they are called Kolam and in Eastern India they are called Alpana (from Alpa : small, insignificant).

Defying the classical Hindu or Mongol art forms, the rangolis let us enjoy their simple or complex designs, always full of fantasy. The spontaneity of their creation let forms and colors emerge delighting us by their harmony. They are a permanent invitation to the passers-by, a freely offered gesture, a  spontaneous form of art that aims to share  a bright beamig of the heart.

You can also find « rangolis » in sacred places and in Hindu Temples, as  geometric symbols with the power of protection and support  for introspective meditation. In some « yoga » and « tantric » texts the representation of truth is mentioned as being  located  in « Bindu », the central point of energy.

Pūjā – the ceremony of offerings to the divine

The Pūjā is a festive ritual supposed to cause the descent (archāvatara) of a deity into an image representing the deity or into a symbol such as the lingam.

The course of the ceremony of the invocation of pūjari (the person officiating), 

The prayer begins with the ringing of a bell, calling the deity. It continues with offerings of fresh flowers, of food, incense, accompanied by music and the recital of mantra(s). If it takes the form of a statue or a lingam, it is anointed (coated) with oil, camphor, and sandalwood paste and covered with garlands.

 

The liṅgam or liṅga is washed with milk and sacred water such as that from the Ganges. The liquid poured on  spreads into the yoni (sacred place). It is, then anointed with ghī (घी), with sandalwood paste and decorated with flowers. The high point of the ritual is the moment where divinity is revealed to all. The Brahmins celebrate the Pūjā in temples. In private homes, it is the Head of the household who assures its celebration.

The Pūjā plays an essential role In Hindu society, it is a central and daily act of Hinduism.  Depending on the requested Pūjā, there is an official price to settle with the person officiating. The “Pūjā” occupies an important place among the daily rituals not only of the Hindu world but also that of the Jains, Buddhists, and even Christians in India..

Places of invocation

Are normally indoors in the Pūjā room, when there is one, or, when the House is too small, outside near the front door.

When the Pūjā is performed in a temple, there are two possibilities, either you yourself perform it or you ask the help of a Brahmin priest called pūjari (the officiating person) to present the offerings to God

A ritual in Indian life

In the Hindu tradition, temples and homes all have their altars before which the priest, the family, the friends’ family come to their “Pūjā” in honour of the Gods and divinities.  The Pūjā is a rite of worship of Aryan origin, which has replaced the Yajna (यज्ञ), the Vedic sacrifice.

The altar before which the ceremony takes place includes one or more statues, one or more images that represent the God or goddess of the place.  If, as is the case most often, the Pūjā ceremonies are performed in the family home or temple, they can also be performed in the street, at a crossroads, or at the foot of a sage called “guru” वसंत.

If in the multitude
we unrelentingly pursue the One,
it is to return with the blessing
and the revelation of the One
confirming itself over and over again.
Śrī Aurobindo

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti …

The music of India

In India everything has a divine origin. Music comes from the Gods. Brahma, the creator, has also created the universe, the world, with the primeval sound, the song ‘Ôm’.

Brahma, the creator, is a singer; all the Gods of Indian mythology are musicians. Shiva, plays the Damaru, symbolizing the sound pulse, source of all creation, but also rhythm (Damaru, double small hourglass drums). Ganesh plays the mridang (elongated barrel shaped drum providing two-sided percussion – a temple instrument – sanskrit: mrid ‘land’ and ‘body’ ang). Hamunan played little cymbals on handles and also the mridang. Sarasvati plays the vina, and Krishna plays the bansuri (great flute), etc.

There is even a celestial orchestra, consisting of musicians: the ghandarvas.

Indian music is very diverse but can be divided into two broad types, one designed for expression to the divine in the temples, the other for the pleasure of the King and Princes and for popular entertainment.

With time and geopolitical changes (invasions) classical music has divided into two kinds, the so-called Southern “carnatic” music is integrated with dance, while the so-called Northern ‘Hindustani’ music brings together Muslim and Mughal influences.

Carnatic musical instruments include the Vina (stringed instrument, called Saraswati vina or Viña carnatic) and mridangam (long two-ended drum), accompanied by the “tambura” (called tanpura in the North), which produces a harmonic drone throughout (now replaced by an electrical appliance, alas !).

 

For the Northern music, you find the sitar or sarod, accompanied by the tabla and the Dhaga (famous percussion instrument – tabla has a male sound, the Dhaga has a feminine sound). Here too, all is accompanied by the ‘tanpura’ (with its harmonic drone throughout.

Indian classical music is based on rhythmic mathematical principles. It is on these rhythmic structures that the musician will be able to improvise as he wills. Classical music has no partition (but there are very strict rules, you do not play just any which way). The raga defines the melodic framework for the played piece. Each raga is associated with a feeling, a season, a time of day (dawn, dusk, etc.).

Popular music 

In the modern era, the most common popular music comes from Bollywood-type movies, tirelessly broadcast on TV and radio channels and even on mobile phones.  It is a romantic, eclectic music that incorporates, in addition to Indian orchestrations, Western influences, Greek, African, jazz, South American etc. Indian pop has enjoyed growing success in recent years. It represents more than 30% of the television channel MTV-India.

Folk music 

There are in India as many folk music types as there are languages… and musical instruments, often made by the musician himself.

There is also 

Bhajan

Bhajan (sometimes called kirtan) means any type of devotional singing, most often in the form of a sung prayer in honour of a deity.

The qawwalî.

The gawwali are of Sufi origin, from the North of India in the 14th century. These are songs, of two groups: hamd or manqabat devotional songs dedicated to Allah.

The ghazal

The ghazal are the songs of love dedicated to women in the Muslim tradition, from Persia, sometimes with mystical resonance. They have only one verse and are sometimes sung in syncopated rhythm. They are found throughout the Muslim world. In India, they have been translated into Urdu.

The Bâuls, the madmen of God…

The Bâuls (fools in Bengali) refer to groups of nomadic musicians who roam Bengal and the North of India, singing religious songs and begging for their livelihood. They follow a similar philosophy to that of the poet and philosopher Kabîr. The Bâuls have influenced the poetry of Rabindranath Tagore. It was not so long ago that there was no TV or radio, and the only means of cultural dissemination was through itinerant musicians and players such as the Bâuls. For millennia, they have been the means of transmitting knowledge to all layers of society.

To deepen your knowledge:

  • Alain Daniélou, La Musique de l’Inde du nord, Paris: Éditions Buchet-Chastel, 1985.
  • Alain Daniélou, Origines et pouvoirs de la musique, Ed. Éditions Kailash, 2003 (ISBN 2842680901)
  • Alain Daniélou, Musiques et danse de l’Inde, Ed. Michel de Maule, 2007 (ISBN 2876232200)

Web sites:

Hinustani Raga Sangeet Online : http://www.moutal.eu/index.php EN/FR bilingual site, with rare audio & video archives since 1902; radio broadcasts on the ragas.

Bollywood music:

Visa application for India

For your Ashtanga Yoga workshop at Mahābalipuram in India, below are the necessary administrative formalities.

Formalities at the date of 28 February 2016 :

You need a valid passport (valid for at least 6 months after the date of departure).
You must obtain a visa (mandatory) that can be obtained at the Consulate of India in your country.

Visa India

On the website of the Indian Centre of your country for Visa applications :

  • You can obtain the forms and fill them in,via the Internet.
  • You will need two identity photos size 5 cm x 5 cm
  • Price: 80 €
  • Allow a week to get your in Belgium. (BECAREFULL: for some foreigners – like the British – it can take longer ) 

Caution: always check on the official website of the Embassy, the formalities can change !

 

The Indian Embassy 

  • Belgium: indembassy.be 
    217, Chaussee de Vleurgat, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
    Working hours : 9.00 AM to 5.45 PM from Monday to Friday
    1.00 PM to 1.45 PM Lunch
    Telephone Numbers : +32 (0)2 6409140 & +32 (0)2 6451850
    Fax Number : +32 (0)2 6451869 (Consular wing) & +32 (0)2 6489638
  • France: http://www.ambinde.fr   
    15 Rue Alfred Dehodencq, 75016 Paris, France
    Tel. : 00 33 1 40 50 70 70
    Fax : 00 33 1 40 50 09 96
    Métro (Subway) : La Muette (Line no 9)

 

Indian Centre for Visa applications 

      http://www.ppcfr.lnk.visafirst.fr/fr/fr_visas

 

Pongal, the Festival of rice harvest and of cows

Pongal is the festival of rice harvest and thankfulness. Generally it is celebrated with the family, at home, and lasts four days. It is one of the most colourful festivals in South India. It is based on the solar calendar. It is a bit like an Indian Easter. The houses are thoroughly cleaned. The mistress of the house (with the help of her daughter) draws a Rangoli or Kolam in front of the door on the street. The cows are painted and decorated. There is a ritual of boiling rice with cane sugar and spices in a big pot, until it boils over and bubbles out of the vessel; it is then shared with everybody.

 

In Tamil Nadu, the festival lasts four days.

Pongal is a secular festival celebrated throughout India on the 14th of January. It is called Makara samkrānti. The sun reverses its course from the Tropic of Sagittarius (Dhanu Rachi) to the Tropic of Capricorn (Makara Rachi) or the Tropic of Crocodile (makara). “Samkrānti “ means “the movement of the sun from one sign of the zodiac to another”. There are thus twelve “samkrānti“, that are considered auspicious days, suggesting a new beginning or the beginning of a phase of good omen in the Indian culture…

Makara samkrānti is the call for the awakening all the latent powers in man, not only for the development of his individual personality to its fullest potential but also for the well being and glory of society as a whole.

The Hindu philosophy praises the human activity considering it a supreme value without which nothing can be achieved in life. In a Subhaashita it is said:

Udyamam saahasam dhairyam buddhisshaktih paraakramaha |

Shadete yatra vartante tatra devaassahaayakrit | |

The Gods will help those who display the six attributes : activity, boldness, courage, wisdom, strength and courage

The very last śloka (श्लोक) of the Bhagavad-Gītā (भगवद्गीता) also highlights the supreme necessity of the human efforts in every field of human attainment:

Yatra yogeshwarah Krishno yatra Paartho dhanurdharah |
Tatra shreervijayo bhootirdhruvaa neetirmatirmama | |

Wherever there is Krishna, the Lord of Yoga, and wherever there is Partha (Arjuna), the archer, there will indeed abide, victory, Prosperity, glory, and righteousness. 

The first day (Bhogi Pandigai), during the entire night, the children pound on a small hand drum around a bonfire where old used fabrics, clothing and mats are discarded and burnt, symbolizing the destruction of evil. Traditionally the clay kitchen utensils were broken, marking thereby the start of a new life. Decorative patterns or rangolis are drawn on the ground in front of each house.

The second day (Thai Pongal), early in the morning, recently harvested rice is boiled in new clay pots with fresh milk and molasses or brown cane sugar, and cardamom, while leaving the mix to boil over and bubble out of the vessel in order to attract Gods’ goodwill. People prepare snacks and deserts, pay visits to each other and exchange greetings.

The third day (Maattu Pongal) is dedicated to honouring the cows and buffalos that serve for working in the fields. They are painted with patterns, embellished with flowers and fed with new rice before being taken for a walk in the streets to the sound of festive music.

In certain villages, the attraction of the day may be a quite violent race of young bulls, called Jallikattu, or a race of bullock-carts.

During the last day (Kaanum Pongal), the young people used to meet on the banks of rivers to look for a future spouse but this practice has nowadays fallen into disuse. During this period people eat sugar canes and also use them to decorate their homes. Also, men try to catch bundles of currency notes from the horns of bulls.

The festival has also an astrological signification: it marks the beginning of the Uttarayana period, during which, for six months, the sun takes its most northern journey in the sky. In Hinduism Uttarayana is considered as a favourable period, when important events are planned.

 

Mahābalipuram, you can during your current session of Ashtanga Yoga in the month of January participate in rich colors and music event, in fact the “ Tourism Office ” organizes each year for these festivities of the Pongal, a visit to a traditional village.

Om Shanti

Massage at Mahābalipuram

Seek peace of mind and well being of the body through the ancient knowledge of the Ayurveda. After an Ashtanga Yoga session, I would recommend an Ayurveda massage with Krishna. Ladies can also have beauty care with Jessy.

The benefits of massage…

Ayurveda means “ Life awareness ”. It is the traditional medicine of India, the most ancient therapeutic system in the world. The sources of Ayurveda are found in the Vedas, representing 5000 years of continuous history and knowledge. It is a holistic approach of the human being.

This science aims to re-establish the balance of the human organism at the level of the body, mind and soul through the therapeutic and curative action of oils, plants and minerals.

« The ultimate goal of the Ayurveda is spiritual fulfilment. »

The Ayurveda philosophy is based on giving a treatment in order to create a new homeostasis for the body using plants, nutrients, massage, yoga or meditation.

« Every illness is a step towards healing, all bad and all pains are harmonization with nature towards good, every death is an opening towards immortality. Why is it so? It is the secret of God that only the souls who are purified from selfishness can understand. »
Sri Aurobindo

Panchakarma or the five steps (of the cleaning process) :

  1. Snehana : ingestion of ghī ( ghee, clarified butter).
  2. Virechana : a light purge usually based on the use of Neem oil.
  3.  Swedhana : sweating in a similar way as in a hammam ( Soft steam bath, 40° warm)
  4.  Basti: a light colon enema
  5.  Abhyanga: several hot oil massages given by experienced physiotherapists.

Different massages for Vata, Pitta et Kapha

  • Abhyanga : full body oil massage
  • Udvartana: detoxing and slimming massage with chickpea flour.
  • Pinda svéda: with rice pudding or sand plant poaches, to heat the body and stimulate sweating in order to eliminate toxins.
  • Pichauli : hot oil massage by 4 hands.
  • Padaghat: deep massage given by the physiotherapist using his feet!
  • Pizzichili: massage given on a special table allowing a hot oil bath.
  • Shirodhara: a treatment that consists of letting herbal oil at mild temperature run smoothly over the forehead of the patient. Origins of the word: composed of two Sanskrit terms: Shira = forehead et Dhara = flow.
    It is one of the steps of the panchakarma.  The liquids that are used can include oil, milk, buttermilk, or coconut water. Shirodhara has a clarifying and calming effect on the mind and enhances cognitive functions. Shirodhara can help entering a state of profound relaxation.
  • And many others …

Duration: from 45 min to 2 hours according the type of massage
Duration of a treatment: from 3 days to 4 weeks depending on the treatment

Our Ayurveda partners at Mahābalipuram

  • For massage:

Krishna Kumar, he works at the Greenwoods Hotel, Othavadai Cross Street.
ayurkrishna2005@yahoo.com
Price: from 1000 rupees to 2000 rupees depending on the type of massage, packaging possibilities for therapy.

  • For an Ayurveda medicine consultation

Doctor Arathi in Ayurveda medicine, young and friendly lady. Sri Durga, 36 Othavadai Street (just by the Moonrakers Restaurant) first floor.
Price: Consultation 200 rupees

  • For the beauty care

Mrs Jessy Ravi (Ayurveda Beautician), The Mayuri ayuvedic Massage Beauty Parlour, 5, Othavadai Street.
Price: from 250 rupees to 2000 rupees depending on the type of care.

To see in Mahābalipuram

Mahābalipuram, nowadays Mamallapuram, « the city of Mahā Bali », is a small city in Tamil Nadu situated 60 km south of Chennai (Madras) on the Coromandel coast. This charming little town is worldwide known for its « Shore Temple » by the ocean, near a large sand beach, and for he fascinating remains dating from the period of the Pallavas, between the 5th and 7th centuries.

This is where Jean-Claude has been teaching Ashtanga Yoga for twenty years, twice a year. Mahābalipuram hosts every year, from the end of December till the end of January an important « Indian Classical Dance Festival ». It is an important archaeological site designated by the Unesco as a world Heritage site since 1985. Non-Indian tourists pay only one entrance fee, equivalent to 5 dollars, for visiting all the monuments.

  • The Descent of the Ganges or Arjuna’s Penance, magnificent low relief 27 m long by 9 m high, sculpted on a huge granite rock, illustrating the legend of the Descent of the celestial Ganges on Earth, by the hair of the god Shiva. You will see Arjuna, in a Yoga posture, surrendering himself to a very harsh penance lasting for a thousand years. Are also present: Gods, Goddesses, aquatic animals as nāga and nāginī…

 

The mandapa(s), on top of a hill count, eight small « mandapam » sanctuaries, sheltering beautiful statues, two of which are unfinished.

  • Krishna’s mandapa is one of the most beautiful. You see Lord Krishna lifting with one hand the Mount Govardhana to protect the villagers and the cows from the thunderstorm, triggered by the anger of the God Indra.
  • Le mandapa de Shiva  Īśvara  « le Seigneur suprême »
  • The five Rathas (Pancha Ratha) are large wooden procession chariots. In Mahabalipuram, this name is used to designate monolithic temples carved in the shape of buildings, inside the rock.
  1. Ratha of Draupadi, dedicated to Durgâ
  2. Arjuna’s Ratha
  3. Nakula’s Ratha
  4. Bhima’s Ratha
  5. Yudishtara’s Ratha
  • Krishna’s Butter Ball, a large round shaped granite rock that seems to be in unstable balance. According to a legend Krishnâ, as a child, stole a butterball.
  • The Tiger Cave situated a few kilometres (4km) north of Mahābalipuram, on the road to Madras, beside the sea, carved inside a large rock. The site is called Saluvankuppam. Coconut trees shadow the site; it is preferable to visit at sunrise or at sunset to enjoy a magical light. The cave was originally dedicated to the Goddess Durgâ. It is a monument dating from the period of the Pallavas.
  • The Temple of Īshvara is fully carved in the rock.
  • A small museum, with a friendly staff, shelters statues, paintings and the result of archaeological excavations; open daily.

The Crocodile farm.

An this farm 5000 crocodiles and alligators from various size and coming from all over the world. It is a center of study and reproduction for the natural reserve of the wild life.

The best time to visit is at 4.15m. While they are fed.

Located on the road to Chennai 15km north of Mahābalipuram. Open every day from : 

  • 30 am until 5.30 pm

Become an Ashtanga Yoga professor thanks to the training given by the Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Brussels

The Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Brussels perpetuates the teachings of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Since 1973, Jean Claude Garnier trains students, in Europe and Asia, to deepen their knowledge about Yoga. Some of the students will find a calling and become a Yoga Professor and in turn, transmit the art of Yoga.

The Institute is open to different currents of Yoga. Jean Claude Garnier pursues the transmission of Ashtanga Yoga as taught by Krishnamacharya and his disciples B.K.S. Iyengar, and Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.

Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

Training and recycling as a Yoga professor, who is concerned ?

  • People who practice Yoga and wish to deepen their self-knowledge in order to obtain a better body and mind balance
  • Those who wish to deepen their approach of the tradition of Yoga
  • Future teachers who wish to teach Yoga in Europe – this requires a commitment to a course of minimum 5 modules
  • Existing Yoga teachers who wish to broaden their personal knowledge with an ancient and dynamic method
  • Yoga teachers who have the obligation to improve and develop their existing skills

How does the training with personal monitoring take place ?

  • You deepen your knowledge of the practice of Yoga: first, second and third series
  • You study Yoga and its philosophy
  • You learn to observe during classes (group and private classes)
  • You progressively assist the teacher during classes
  • You will be supervised as of your first class, in order to answer your questions.

How to obtain a diploma

The Yoga teacher training consists of a set of modules.

At the end of each module there is a practical and theoretical evaluation.

Once you have successfully passed a module, you can move on to the next one.

You need to complete a minimum of 5 modules (A, B, C, D, E, F) and write a thesis which summarizes your studies and research on one of the aspects of Yoga.

This diploma is a requisite to :

  • Practice the profession in European countries
  • Teach in a recognised Institute
  • Register to the national professional database
  • Get an insurance
  • As an asset for your students

 European PDF laws

European Yoga Union: http://www.yogaeurop.com/index.php?categoryid=21

Proto Shiva, of the Indus civilization

Proto Shiva, of the Indus civilization

 Content covered during the training

Theoretical documentation will be given to you at the end of each module in electronic version (with an access to “training”)

 Topics

  • Anatomy
  • Physiology
  • Psychology
  • Pedagogy
  • Professional ethics
  • History
  • Etymology
  • Indian sacred texts

Also discussed: communication, oral and written expression, dietetics, lifestyle…

 Course content of Training Module A

  • Postural practice first & second series (Sádhaná Yoga)

Postural foundations, supports, reviewing and improvement of postures and their variations; breathing techniques in postures (pranayama); development of concentration, letting go, individual work and group work, workshops, first trials of teaching.

 

Theoretical courses

  • Classical Indian Tradition through its Vedic origins
  • Invocations (prayer at the beginning of the class): explanation, its significance and its meaning.
  • Theory and practice of Ashtanga Yoga (Mula Bandha, uddiyana, Ujjayi Pranayama, Vinyasa)
  • Knowledge of anatomy related to postural practice
  • Importance of stretching during Yoga postures
  • Use of Sanskrit during courses
  • Religious festivals
  • The creation of the world (Taittiriya Aranyaka viewed by Veda)
  • The life, work and education of Sivananda, Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Ramdas, Yogi Ram Surat Kumar, Sri Yukheswar, Alain Danielou, Krishnamurti.

Check the PDF files to see the content of the other training modules

Admissions

The admission procedures are common to all schools of the National Federation of Yoga Teachers

To enrol in the first year of training you must:

  • Have practiced Yoga for at least 2 years with one or more teachers and have one of the teachers complete a sponsorship record
  • Be over 18 years old
  • Have a general level of education or equivalent vocational training at high-school level.

When and where:

  • India: the longest training (one month)
  • Greece: condensed training (two weeks)
  • Belgium: all year long (10 weekends from September to June / July)