Morning Yoga practice, Umag, Croatia (7/9)
A guided practice of meditation, yoga, and pranayama. Chant Om to begin. Withdraw awareness inside, focusing on the body's stillness, each breath, and the mantra. Be present. Feel the heart center and repeat the mantra there, feeling the presence and love of the guide. Let thoughts come and go. Divine light radiates from the heart throughout the inner space and beyond. Chant Om to conclude the meditation.
Practice yoga asanas starting from a relaxed position. Perform Marjari asana and its variations for spinal health. Execute breathing exercises with specific ratios. Practice Bhuñamānāsana to benefit the spine and discs. Observe the flow of prana from the manipura chakra throughout the entire body. Conclude with Nāḍī Śodhana pranayama, focusing on deep, soundless, and relaxed breath with awareness of each inhalation and exhalation. The exhalation should be longer. Observe the breath without influencing it, feeling peace and harmony. Chant Om three times to end.
"Be present here and now. Do not go away with your thoughts."
"Feel each inhalation and exhalation. Awareness of every inhale and exhale."
Filming location: Umag, Croatia
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The science of the constellation
The name given at birth should align with the celestial constellation present at that moment. The moment of birth is defined when the child touches the earth. The sun and moon are primary, but all nine celestial bodies determine the constellation. This constellation dictates the first letter of the name, which is crucial for well-being. The specific language or full name is secondary; the foundational first letter must correspond. This is a cosmic science upheld by tradition. Neglecting this alignment is why problems arise. We are individual drops, but together we form a great river in service. The guru and disciple become one through this understanding.
"The first letter name should go."
"Take your name according to the constellation."
Filming location: Strilky, Czech Republic
The Role of Yoga and Meditation in Improving Quality of Life for Cancer Patients
Yoga and meditation can improve quality of life for cancer patients when used alongside standard medical care, not as a cure.
Studies show yogic interventions, including specific āsanas, prāṇāyāma, and meditation, help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression in patients. This improves their sense of well-being during treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy. However, evidence does not support claims that yoga cures cancer. Such false promises are harmful, causing patients to delay effective treatment until their disease becomes advanced and incurable. The principle must be welfare of all, first doing no harm. Yoga is applicable at all stages: for primary prevention through lifestyle, secondary prevention via early diagnosis, and tertiary care to alleviate suffering in advanced disease. More robust, large-scale studies are needed to confirm benefits and identify the most effective techniques.
"Please do not give a false hope that your cancer will be cured."
"Yogic intervention helps in relieving the stress level of patients and thereby improves their sleep."
Filming location: Delhi, India
Welcoming Address and Valedictory Session on Yoga for Wellness
Yoga for wellness is the subject, moving from practice to integration for national health.
Yoga has gained global acceptance, increasing India's responsibility. The conference aims to establish policy parameters. Yoga is about holistic wellness, not merely cure. Two key features emerged: the need for integration between traditional and modern medicine, and the need for scientific evidence on yoga's impact on specific diseases. Integration must move beyond co-location to active cross-referrals. The ultimate aim is to use yoga to reduce the number of patients. Generating robust scientific evidence is crucial for global acceptability. The presence of both traditional and modern practitioners signifies the desired integration.
"Yoga is not just about a cure. It is about health, overall well-being, and wellness." "We need to generate scientific evidence about the value of yoga if we want true acceptability."
Filming location: Delhi, India
Vegetarian cooking lesson 10, Stir Fry Vegetables
A stir-fry is cooked quickly at high heat, not slowly. Heat the wok thoroughly first. Use ghee or a generous amount of oil. Cut vegetables into small pieces for fast cooking. We are adding Āyurvedic spices: asafoetida for digestion and coriander seeds. Fry spices first, then add vegetables like spring onions, carrots, and peppers. Start with harder vegetables, adding softer ones later. Do not add salt immediately, as it draws out water and causes steaming instead of frying. Stir constantly. Add salt when vegetables soften. You can finish with soy sauce or tomatoes. The dish should be soft but not overcooked, served with noodles or grains.
"For stir-fried vegetables, it’s good to use a bit extra oil or grease, as it helps the vegetables fry properly."
"It’s important not to add salt immediately, as salt draws water out of the vegetables, causing them to steam rather than fry."
Filming location: Vép, Hungary
