A Week Later

Today is a free day at the ashram and I had my first foray into Madurai and tasted a most delicious rasa (onion) dosa and the best masala chai ever.



A week has swiftly gone by in the Sivananda Vendata Meenakshi Ashram, one of nine world-wide ashrams in the Sivananda Yoga Vendata organisation. This ashram is located about 2kms from Madurai and the word ‘Meenakshi’ is the name of the deity of the awe-inspiring and famous Sri Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, a six hectares complex with its twelve colourful, intricately carved gopurams (towers). The ashram is situated within a forest reserve of vibrant natural beauty. Fruit trees (mangoes, chikkus and guavas), wide-open spaces, abundant wildlife (peacocks, monkeys, a variety of birds,squirrels), simple living structures and healthy South Indian vegetarian diet make this an ideal place for the serious study of classical yoga techniques. The two-week Yoga Vacation course offers participants an opportunity to live an ashram life and learn the five main principles of yoga as synthesised by the founder Swami Vishnudevananda – 1. Proper exercise (asana) 2. Proper breathing (pranayama) 3. Proper relaxation (savasana) 4. Proper diet (vegetarian meals) 5. Positive and spititual thinking (meditation and chanting). Our daily schedule is as follows:
05:30 – Wake up bell
06:00 - Satsang (group meditation, chanting and talk)
07:30 - Tea break
08:00 – Asana class (breathing exercises, postures and relaxation)
10:00 – Vegetarian meal
11:30 – Karma yoga (selfless service)
13:30 – Tea break
14:00 – Yoga talk (vedantic and yogic philosophy)
16:00 - Asana class (breathing exercises, postures and relaxation)
18:00 – Vegetarian meal
20:00 - Satsang (group meditation, chanting and talk)
22:00 – Lights out

Although it is a busy routine it does leave us feeling peaceful and relaxed, inspired and recharged. The day always begins with meditation and mantra chanting as these activities calm the mind and set the mental state for the day. After tea we have our first session of asana practice which is always preceded by half an hour of pranayama (control of the prana) exercises that include kapalabhati (cleansing breathing exercise) and anuloma viloma (alternate nostril breathing). Pranayama allows us to release our pranic energy (similar to chi in the Chinese tradition) and energises our whole being. The asana practice as with most asana traditions always starts with Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) which is really a warm-up exercise. With the Sivananda approach we only practise sequentially twelve asanas beginning with sirasana (headstand) and ending with trikonasana (triangle pose). Another difference with the Sivananda practice is that sarvasana (corpse pose) is performed in between the twelve poses instead of just at the end of the asana practice as with most other styles.

After asana practice is the first meal of the day. The vegetarian meals are not only delicious but also nutritious. Brunch is normally rice with a curry and three side dishes together with roti/chappathi and pappadam as well. The best part is that the kitchen staff will continually come round and serve you till you signal no (meals are eaten silence). Most times I will have three or more helpings of pappadam. For dinner there is usually a variety of other South Indian dishes such as idlis, uthappams, idi yappams and appmas. As you can imagine meal time is always something to look forward to.



Once a day we perform an hour of Karma Yoga (selfless service). This usually involves cleaning the dorm, showers, toilets, Yoga hall, library and reception areas, and garden maintenance. And in the afternoon there is an hour of theory where vedantic and yogic philosophies are presented and discussed. The day always concludes with another hour or so of meditation and chanting. So as you can see an ashram or any spiritual centre (e.g. monastery) isolates the residents from the daily distractions of the outside world and provides a disciplined and conducive environment for personal spiritual growth. I would certainly recommend a stay in such places if you have a spiritual inclination of any persuasion.