Yoga beyond meditation, a progressive change of habits and customs

So, Suited executives of the 21st century began to stop their frenetic routines to spread out their mats and meditate for a few moments in a lotus position with legs bent, healthy diets were progressively modified in homes and some teachers in schools found in “yogic” breathing exercises an instrument to reduce the stress of their students and an improvement in concentration for exams, among many benefits.

In the mid-60s in our countryalthough there were already multiple centers for the practice and study of Yoga, schools teaching the discipline multipliedconferences and courses, in addition to the opening of various centers for the practice of postures (asanas), philosophy and meditation as an integral aspect of this ancient knowledge.

In the city of Neuquén, the “Yoga Sadhana Center” founded on March 15, 1988 and with 36 years of uninterrupted activity is an example of the flowering of interest in the wisdom of the East. His directors, Carlos G. Chiarotto and Laura Marcela Sosahave a 40-year history in the practice of Yoga, having completed training courses for Yoga Teachers and Advanced Yoga Teachers and further training in Canada, The Bahamas, Uruguay, Spain and India. The Sadhana Yoga Center is endorsed by the Yoga Alliance International of India and the World Yoga Federation of the USA, two of the most prestigious entities worldwide.

Carlos Chiarotto in dialogue with LMNeuquén It clarifies central aspects about the study and practice of Yoga whose information, for example, in a quick search on the Internet often leads us to confusion and errors.

“Although Yoga is one, there are different styles that respond to different traditions. In the case of the “Sadhana Center” all the activities are inspired by the teachings of Swami Sivananda, a very important Yoga Master who lived in India in the 20th century. Sivananda proposes the practice of an Integral Yoga that synthesizes correct action in the world, devotion, meditation, philosophy, the study and exercise of yoga postures, as well as breathing exercises,” said Chiarotto.

The teaching that a practitioner receives when entering a yoga class, starting to breathe and relax and starting a posture, connects him with a tradition and lineage of Masters that, through disciple transmission, have been kept alive for millennia. In this regard, Chiarotto explains:

“The ideal is always to learn from someone who has the training to do so, in order to avoid mistakes or postures that may be counterproductive. Practicing in a Yoga class is undoubtedly very beneficial. On the one hand, it commits to the practice, favoring discipline. In class, one must practice according to instructions, however, when doing it alone, there are usually too many concessions. Group practice empowers and generates commitment to achieve genuine progress. The above does not mean that it can also be practiced alone, once one has knowledge of the different Yoga postures. The ideal is to combine group practice with individual practice,” he said.

He added: “If one feels the calling to transmit Yoga, one must first be a good practitioner. There must be seriousness and commitment to an intense practice over time. This practice includes both yoga postures and breathing exercises, as well as the practice of meditation, ethical and moral standards, service to humanity, compassion, repetition of mantras and study. It is also necessary to receive teaching from a qualified Master.”

The countless benefits of Yoga

It is logical that when it comes to teachings that have origins in diverse cultures and much older than Western traditions, their complete understanding is difficult and we may tend to think that Yoga is only a gymnastic discipline.

“The benefits of Yoga are innumerable – Chiarotto continues explaining – ranging from physical health and mental balance, It should not be forgotten that the ultimate goal of the practice is liberation. This means a state of plenitude, in which all affliction has ceased, and in which a conscious state of unity with the Divine is permanently maintained. Yoga provides a balance between body and mind, which promotes elevated choices in everyday life.

The main prejudices usually come from seeing Yoga as a religion or an oriental cult. Yoga is a philosophy of life, not a religion, that can be practiced by a Hindu, a Muslim, a Jew, a Christian or even an agonistic or an atheist, since it does not contradict anyone’s sincere faith. Everyone can benefit from its practice. Although it is practiced within a Hindu context, nothing is excluded, as it is by nature universal. The principle that governs it comes from the ancient Vedas: God is one, but he can be called in different ways.

It is also often thought to be an excessively individualistic practice. This is not at all the case, since one of its fundamental principles is service and love to all humanity, and even to all that exists. It is not only the search for one’s own liberation, but also the commitment to alleviate the pain and suffering of all humanity.

Yoga involves a progressive change in habits and customs that ranges from healthy eating to meditation as a daily discipline.

“Actually, Yoga is meditation. Meditation, which is intense concentration, is the central practice of Yoga. In the ancient Upaniads, the final part of the Veda, Yoga is defined as the control of the mind, that is, the changing of the mind from dispersion to concentration,” he commented to L M N Chiarotto.

“Meditation can be practiced in isolation, but if it is done within the context of Yoga, it is easier to progress. To meditate, a calm, elevated, luminous mind is required, as well as strongly spiritual impressions or latencies. And all of this is achieved with the rest of the Yoga practice. Without purity of mind, it is impossible to meditate,” he said.

And he pointed out: “In Yoga, great importance is given to food. This is for two fundamental reasons. The first is that those who are serious practitioners incorporate into their lives the principle of non-violence, of not causing harm or death to any living being. Therefore, any food that comes from an act of violence is excluded. The second is that food has an energetic composition apart from its merely physical constitution. The physical aspect of food nourishes the body, but the energetic component of food nourishes the mind. Yogis maintain that a lacto-vegetarian diet is the one that best suits their practice.”

The proposal of the Sadhana Yoga Center

Currently, the Sadhana Yoga Center offers Yoga classes, meditation classes, Yoga Teacher Training Course, Yoga Teacher Training Course, Meditation Teacher Training Course, Sanskrit language course, Indian Philosophy study groups, and Yoga activities at the Shanti Kutir Ashram. This is located on the banks of the Limay River in Balsa las Perlas. Yoga retreats and trips to India are also held with students and supporters to visit those sacred places where Yoga originated. Likewise, the Directors of the Sadhana Center participate in International Yoga Congresses to which they are frequently invited.

In August, a new Yoga Teacher Training Course will begin. We also have an important Yoga retreat in the city of Salta, together with Swami Premananda, where we will put the principles of Yoga into practice. It is a wonderful opportunity to experience the integral benefits that Yoga offers. In October, we travel as every year to India with a group of students from the Yoga Center and other people who want to accompany us. We visit the traditional places of Yoga, Rishikesh, the world capital of Yoga on the banks of the sacred Ganges River, where we will do the practices. We also visit the main tourist attractions in northern India.

“In addition, today, Saturday, June 29, and tomorrow, Sunday, June 30, at UNCo, in the Blue Room of the University’s Central Library, free Yoga practice activities will be held from eight in the morning to ten at night. The Center of Yoga Sadhana, will participate as part of the International Yoga Week on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. with a Yoga class and at 7:00 p.m. a meditation practice and later a conference on Traditional Yoga.

The celebration is organized by RecreActiva, which is a program dependent on our University Welfare Secretariat that actively promotes the implementation of holistic activities within the university community.

For questions about activities and schedules, you can communicate through the following digital networks:

Instagram: @diayogaunco

Facebook: RecreActiva UNCo”