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Part 1: A Celebration of Forty Years: Yoga in Daily Life in the Czech and Slovak Republic Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, dear Swāmījī, dear guests. On behalf of the organizers, I warmly welcome you to today’s event, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Yoga in Daily Life system in the Czech and Slovak Republic. Welcome once again. I would also like to welcome the main organizer of this conference, who is simultaneously the head of the orthopaedic department at the University Hospital Brno. Ladies and gentlemen, Pranām Swāmījī. We are very happy that you found your way to us today, on this beautiful sunny Saturday, to our home and to this university. As mentioned, we are celebrating 40 years of Yoga in Daily Life in the Czech and Slovak Republic. Yesterday, we heard a beautiful lecture by Swāmījī in Besední Dům in Brno, and today we have the opportunity to continue with a professional conference dedicated to nutrition, diet, yoga, sports, and healthy living. I believe this conference will be beneficial and inspiring for both your professional and personal lives. We are very happy you have accepted this invitation. At the very beginning, I would like to ask Paramahaṁsa Svāmī Māheśvarānanda, the author of the Yoga in Daily Life system, to offer his greetings and a few opening words. We are truly happy he has found the time to be here today. It is a great honour for us, and we believe the conference will be successful. We look forward to meeting with Swāmījī on many other occasions. Svāmī Māheśvarānanda: Good morning, everybody. Welcome. It is a beautiful day and a beautiful event. You could say this scientific system has been at home in Czechoslovakia for 40 years. The foundation of Yoga in Daily Life began in Czechoslovakia 40 years ago with many friends, students, doctors, scientists, psychologists, physiologists, physiotherapists, and spiritual luminaries who visited at that time. Now we speak of the Czech and Slovak countries, but yoga does not divide the world. Vasudhaiva Kuṭumbakam—the whole world is one family. I look forward to this program and hearing your opinions, my dear brothers and sisters. You have worked very hard, researching the impact of Yoga in Daily Life on human physical, mental, social, and spiritual health, as well as on the protection of the environment, wildlife, and all creatures. Around the whole world, Yoga in Daily Life is taught in more than 35,000 locations, which is a great number and a great success, no doubt, because it is scientific work. Thank you, all of you, for that. It is not my success, but your success. Thank you. Host: Thank you, Swāmījī. Dear guests, I would like to introduce some of those present. First, Associate Professor Matis Zvonars, Vice Chancellor of Masaryk University here in Brno. I invite him to take the floor. Associate Professor Matis Zvonars: Good morning. Thank you for the welcome. When asked to participate, I thought about it. My only connection to yoga is that my wife has been practicing for seven years. I know yoga because I have been to India ten times, and as you know, yoga is all around you there. I can say I have become accustomed to yoga. Thank you for inviting me. I work very close to this building on campus, so it was not far. I wish you all the best and am happy to be here. Host: Thank you. I would also like to welcome our friends from India who spend more time in the Czech Republic than in India, having lived here for many years. First, I welcome Mr. Patak from the company Mittals. Would you like to say a few words? Mr. Patak: This is a very special occasion for all of us that Swāmījī is here. He is a great proponent of Yoga in Daily Life, and there is much to learn. There is much around us through which we can learn and practice in our daily life. This is a great science, as Swāmījī said, and it has been scientifically proven as a form of exercise and a way of life. I hope you all will enjoy. Thank you, and welcome to you all. Host: Thank you. We also have guests from the Indian Embassy. Mr. Bhavan Apo Manoi is a representative of the Embassy in Prague. Mr. Bhavan Apo Manoi: Good morning, everybody. Good morning, Swāmījī. It is really nice to see all of you here. I am lucky to be here with Swāmījī for this lecture. Actually, I did not come to say something; I came to learn something. So I will be learning with all of you, with the blessings of Swāmījī. I think you will enjoy and benefit from the lecture. Thank you. Host: Thank you. We have many special guests; it would take too long to introduce them all. Dr. Dudinsky, the president of the Association of Pharmacists, is here. Dr. Dudinsky: Dear Swāmījī, dear guests, allow me, on behalf of the Slovak Union of Yoga in Daily Life, to greet this conference and, first of all, to greet 40 years of Swāmījī’s work that has changed our lives for the good. You can see on myself that it has changed us towards the good. Thank you. I wish you an enjoyable conference with a high professional level. Host: Thank you for your warm words. We have gathered in a Czech, Slovak, and international constellation. I welcome the many guests from across Europe and believe our conference will be enjoyable. Now, I would like to briefly introduce the Yoga in Daily Life system. Ladies and gentlemen, we are celebrating its 40th anniversary. Over these forty years, we have developed greatly. In 1973, Swāmījī came to Czechoslovakia for the first time, and since then, a new era in the conception and application of yoga, including for patients, arose. It was something completely new for many people. Over 40 years, throughout the entire Czech Republic, there are 44 associations or groups in 44 locations. The system is practiced in 91 towns and villages. Currently, we have 453 courses, of which 134 are specialized. Today, we will speak not only about common daily practice but also about specialized applications and what professionals can utilize. Of the 91 courses, many are medically oriented: 14 for seniors and 29 for children. The Yoga in Daily Life system has spread to 27 countries worldwide, allowing us to share traditions and applications with friends around the world. We are happy to see Swāmījī in person today. The Yoga in Daily Life system harmonizes body, mind, and soul, leading to a natural way of achieving psychosomatic balance. As we know, many illnesses arise from psychosomatic imbalance, so this system offers a natural way to heal. It improves all levels of human health: physical, mental, social, and spiritual. We apply it in many aspects of healthcare. Most important is prevention. Parts of the system can be used for treatment, though this is limited. Crucially, the system can support current medical processes. The base of the system is āsanas, prāṇāyāma, and relaxation. Yogic exercises combine posture, movement, breath, and consciousness. We distinguish six basic yoga techniques. In Yoga in Daily Life, āsanas are distributed across six basic parts. The first part is practiced for two weeks, featuring Sarvajita āsanas that help people prepare for more sophisticated postures. These are suitable for everyone. We start moderately and gradually add more complex postures. The system has eight units of basic exercises that progress to more complex ones. Kaṭhūpraṇām is a dynamic set of exercises. "Kaṭhū" is the place where Swāmījī’s teacher, Śrī Mahāprabhujī, lived and taught until 1963. Regarding prāṇāyāma, we distinguish the full yogic breath and controlled breath. We start with lower, middle, and upper breathing, then add the full yoga breath, with the paramount technique being prāṇāyāma. The third technique is relaxation, using short relaxations, post-isometric relaxation, and the pinnacle: Yog Nidrā, or yogic sleep. Other techniques involve bandhas and mudrās. We utilize four basic bandhas. Haṭha Yoga kriyās, the six basic cleansing techniques, are also part of the practice. At the top of the system are meditation techniques, prepared step-by-step for practitioners to incorporate. In conclusion, the Yoga in Daily Life system means a natural way to comprehensive psychosomatic health for the human being. This is what today’s conference is dedicated to. I believe all lectures will be inspiring. I am very happy that people have come from afar and that the program has been constructed to be interesting for you. Thank you for your attention. We will now proceed with the scientific program. I give the floor to the first presenter, Associate Professor Milada Krejci, Vice Chancellor of the Academy of Physical Education and Sport in Prague. Associate Professor Milada Krejci: Good morning, Swāmījīs, ladies and gentlemen. My paper is not dedicated to the medical area but to the possibility of including yoga in the school system for older children in elementary schools or the first years of high schools. Our work is based on the Yoga in Daily Life system. I am very glad that on the occasion of this 40th-anniversary conference, Swāmījī himself is here. We filed a project strategy for education in mental hygiene within the Czech Republic's education system, as this is something children would take into their future lives. The way they manage their everyday psychosomatic load was missing. I received a three-year project grant for the South Bohemian region in 2008-2009. An analysis within Europe declared mental health a priority. In Brussels, representatives made a proclamation to support mental health. In 2008, mental health and well-being were pronounced very important in European countries. Fifty million EU citizens (11% of the population) suffer from mental disorders, with depression prevailing even in countries with high living standards. The number of suicides among men is increasing, particularly among young people up to age 30. It was declared that mental health is a human right. Every human can be instructed during school time on how to promote health, avoid depression, and avoid addictions. Mental health is crucial for governments, families, and economic development; it is the base of citizens' contribution to society. I refer to a quotation from Gandhi: "A man is healthy when the body is free of diseases. Such a man should be able, with ease, to walk 10 or 12 miles a day. He should be able to perform ordinary physical labor without getting tired, eat ordinary simple food, and his mind should be in a state of harmony and peace." Each of us can consider whether we live according to these words. Yesterday, in Swāmījī’s lecture, we heard about eating simple, natural food. The definition of health in the EU changed around 2010. The old definition was a state of physical, mental, and social well-being. Historically, whether in yoga or Vedānta, the basis is spiritual. The old Greek idea of kalokagathia also cares for the human's physical, mental, and spiritual body. Since 2009, health in Europe is declared as a state of physical, social, moral, ethical, and spiritual health. This spiritual dimension is especially important. Based on applying Yoga in Daily Life, our research finds it very important to start with calming down and relaxation, then introduce adequate movement activities that yoga provides. These opportunities can be integrated into everyday life at home or work. Preventive medical care should not be neglected nor overused. We should consider what we can change in our personal lives. For children sitting at school for many hours, relaxation is crucial. For a postman walking many kilometers, we would recommend relaxation and adequate movement activities. Doctors in Europe recommend an adequate movement regime for patients, such as those with diabetes, but often it is not specified. Movement should be acceptable, manageable, and something a person can adopt easily and feel happy doing. The load can then be increased regularly. It must be accessible; activities like yachting or tennis are not accessible to all. We must talk about adequate, easy-to-practice movement regimes. We instructed 118 elementary school teachers (92 women, 26 men) to implement an intervention yoga program in schools. They were very enthusiastic. The program has been approved for more than 2,000 pupils, with 385 randomly selected pupils (186 boys, 199 girls) tested using motor tests, psychological tests, profile of mood state, circadian typology, etc. In this short presentation, I will talk about psychic changes. We named it "Rainbow Development," transforming the seven colours into seven parts of the program. Those familiar with Yoga in Daily Life can guess the techniques used. We started with pacification and calming down, as it is very important to achieve this state. We then devoted teaching to breathing, relaxation, and the ability to concentrate. Teachers often report problems with children's aggression and lack of concentration, so concentration is vital. Then came sensibility purification and self-knowledge. Yoga in Daily Life is such a comprehensive program that enables step-by-step progression. We are very happy that we will soon have the book Yoga for Children by Paramahaṁsa Svāmī Vaiśvarānanda in the Czech Republic, as until now we used other books by Swāmījī. The charts here show a decrease in nervous lability. The program had two cycles of three months; a 12-week program proved best, and adding another 12-week program brings greater depth. For an effective course, a three-month duration is very appropriate. The chart in the upper left shows results in special tests (details are in the lecture anthology). Another chart shows changes in mood. The black lines pointing downward indicate a decrease in bad moods like irritation and fatigue. The only black bar going up represents increased vitality. In conclusion, many people, even some instructors, may think it impossible to implement mental hygiene and Yoga in Daily Life in everyday teaching, but it really is possible, and children can benefit. In the Czech Republic, a new subject, "Education Towards Health," has been implemented where pupils learn these things. Significant improvements were found in the determinants of mental health in children who completed the program: psychic stability, vitality, self-esteem, and self-confidence all improved. Thank you for your attention. Host: Thank you, Mrs. Krejci, for a beautiful lecture. Does anyone have a question before we proceed? I would like to ask: What was the response from both pupils and teachers? Did you have to persuade them, or was it simple? Associate Professor Milada Krejci: Of course, I did not lead all the courses. The teachers who were involved were very interested and enthusiastic. Part 2: Yoga in Sports and Spinal Health: Applications and Research These teachers were physical education or health instructors. After a three-month training period, they began teaching. There were no negative responses; in fact, perhaps only one to two percent. After each program, we allowed the children to express their opinions—to speak, write, or make a drawing. We have collected their responses. A book or publication has been made from these programs where you can see the children's answers and observe how relaxed they were. Thank you very much. I would now like to introduce our very good friend, Mr. Dejan Dineský, from the university. Dejan, the floor is yours today. Thank you. May I have some? Yes, that's it. Okay. You want it? Alright, like this? More? I can. Praṇām Swāmījī. Thank you for this precise positioning. First, congratulations to all Yoga in Daily Life representatives from the Czech and Slovak Republic on your 40th anniversary. It is a very impressive milestone. And thank you, Doctor, for your kind invitation and organization of this conference. I will speak about yoga and sports, aiming to present it within ten minutes. I will cover two subjects: the general benefits and the university course for sports teachers. I come from the University of Maribor, Faculty of Education, Department of Sports, specializing in this subject. I am also a Yoga in Daily Life teacher of 23 years. This is the webpage of our department for sports training, included in your materials for anyone interested. I will start in reverse, first speaking about the university course. The initiative began in 2007 when our department head returned from a sports camp in the United States. He observed that athletes were practicing yoga almost daily. Upon his return, and as we have known each other for many years, he asked me to prepare a curriculum for a subject for sports training students. We began preparing this curriculum in 2007. For the theoretical part, delving into the history and ancient foundations of yoga, we took Maharṣi Patañjali Swāmījī. I cited him yesterday as a founder, one of the founders of yoga. It is very interesting to note that Ṛṣi Patañjali’s Yoga Sūtras, dating from approximately 400 to 200 BCE, are the oldest textbook scriptures at the university. Thus, Yoga in Daily Life has the oldest textbook scriptures of all courses at the University of Maribor. For the practical part, we adopted the Yoga in Daily Life system. As far as I know the various yoga systems, I can say that Yoga in Daily Life is a complete, holistic system ideal for athletes. It contains all elements of yoga, and especially... it has very particular elements for sportspeople, such as concentration and visualization, which are crucial for athletes, in addition to all the techniques Dr. Repco has already presented. Therefore, I will not delve into the details of other techniques. We prepared the curriculum in 2008, and it became an elective course. I was confirmed as the head of the course, and we began. The third year commenced in 2011, and it was very interesting that the majority of students were highly interested in this subject—24 out of 30 chose yoga in sport among several options. The same percentage repeated in 2012. The course content covers the foundational principles of yoga and, of course, physical movements, āsanas. In 15 hours of yoga practice, we detailed 27 āsanas and presented 84 āsanas altogether from the Yoga in Daily Life system. The specifics are explained in an article; I cannot cover them in ten minutes or go into the details of special techniques. We then covered prāṇāyāma, the yoga breathing exercises, yoga techniques for deep relaxation, meditative yoga techniques for improving concentration and attention. We also went through research findings on rehabilitation and psychotherapy with yoga, and the methodology of teaching yoga so these sports teachers could instruct some basics. The objectives were for students to learn the basic principles, theory, and some practical examples. They learned yoga methods for improving specific goals in sports, deep relaxation techniques, and realized their benefits for athletes. They also learned about meditation and other special techniques, understood their benefits, and learned how to apply them for therapeutic and rehabilitation purposes. As I said, some special aspects are very important for athletes: relaxation, concentration, and also ethical values. In my opinion, training in ethical values is very important for sportspeople. Most are young men and women, sometimes children, who may lack basic ethical principles necessary to respect others and to accept winning and losing equally. I will conclude this first part with the opinion of one first-year student: "Taking the yoga and sports classes at the Faculty of Education and practicing yoga for a few months has now brought about a major change in my sports career and my life in general." This was a very significant achievement. I was surprised to hear that yoga can improve mental endurance and the ability to control stress. My favorite part of yoga is meditation. Yoga taught me how to relax and brought me the necessary peace and self-esteem. As a consequence, this turned my sports career in a more positive direction. I was very happy with this feedback. Now, I will present some examples of top world athletes who use yoga. These are pictures of Shaquille O'Neal, demonstrating excellent yoga postures. He is famous for practicing and teaching yoga. The second picture shows him demonstrating yoga for children. Here is Maria Sharapova, who was the number one tennis player in 2005 and is now number three. As you can see, she is not only practicing yoga but is an expert in yoga āsanas, which she uses to her great advantage. We cannot show the video due to time, but the entire New York Giants team—these are huge men—practices yoga, as reported by ABC News. You can view it on YouTube at the URL provided. Boxers also practice yoga. World champion Wendell Holyfield does yoga and has been interviewed on the subject many times. He states it keeps him focused and helps him concentrate in daily life. As a consequence of top athletes practicing yoga, a book was published a few years ago titled Real Men Do Yoga. It is very interesting; twenty-one top athletes reveal secrets for strength, flexibility, and peak performance through yoga. However, the pioneer back in the 80s was our dear friend Rod Petrovic, World Cup winner in slalom in 1986. He was a disciple of Swamiji. We knew him very well, practiced yoga together, learned from Swamiji together, and spoke about using yoga in sports back then. He was preparing a PhD dissertation, part of which would cover yoga in sports, but he unfortunately died suddenly in 1993. Textbooks on yoga and sports are mostly from the United States. This one is from the year 2000: the American Yoga Association published a beautiful book on yoga and sports. Another is from 2008. I believe these two are the most complete resources on this specific focus. Now, what is reported and researched about using yoga in sport? The reported benefits include: Increased flexibility of joints and muscles. Enhanced stability, flexibility, and strength of the mind. Improved balance. Increased strength of the whole body (this was surprising even to me; for example, Evander Holyfield says he can increase body strength with yoga). Improved form, efficiency, and power. Better concentration (this was not surprising). Mental focus and mental endurance. Lower rate of injury and burnout (this last one is very significant). For research, I use PubMed as the source for relevant biomedical science reports. As you can see from last week's search, there are over 2,000 papers including the term 'yoga', though not all are focused on yoga. Perhaps about 1,500 research reports concern yoga. Connected with sports, there are about 100. It is still a new field requiring detailed research. Most research in this field is from India, but not all. For those familiar with MeSH (Medical Subject Headings), when a research field becomes relevant, it enters the MeSH thesaurus as an official part of biomedical sciences. Yoga is in MeSH under Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques (specifically Mind-Body Therapies, Spiritual Therapies, and Exercise Movement Techniques) and also under the Humanities, under Religious Philosophies. The entire PubMed is classified according to the MeSH structure. Here are some example titles; I will not go into details: "Effects of Yoga and Physical Exercise in Athletes" "What is the Difference in the Lung Functions?" "Physiological changes in sports teachers following just three months of training in yoga" (showing significant physiological changes). One report with an interesting conclusion: "The treatment of six weeks of yoga āsanas showed significant improvement in agility and flexibility level." From my side, I would point you to one very good webpage promoting yoga in sports training: "Live Strong Calm," formed by a world-known sportsman. It is a very good resource for knowledge on yoga in sports training. Thank you very much. I hope it was interesting for you. Thank you very much, Dejan, for the impressive lecture. It was very nice and very scientific. Are there any crucial questions for Dejan? Thank you very much. In the next lecture, I would like to ask Dr. Eva Brichtová from the Department of Traumatology and Neurosurgery. It is a great clinic of the Children’s Hospital here in Brno. I am very happy she is here to speak about the spine, its problems, and contemporary treatment approaches. Dear friends, dear guests, it is my honor to speak at this conference. The intervertebral disc is an elastic tissue that acts as a buffer between vertebrae. You can see a healthy disc in this picture. As degenerative changes occur, the disease progresses step by step to the prolapse of the soft inner tissue. The intervertebral disc consists of an outer ring, the annulus fibrosus, and a soft center containing a lot of water. Degenerative changes affecting the entire human body—loss of flexibility and water—occur. Due to degeneration, the ring can tear and prolapse into the spinal canal. Where does this hernia go? As seen in the picture on the left, it can go into the area between the vertebrae, proceed to the nerve roots, and lead to neurological complications connected with the innervation of the lower limbs, potentially up to paralysis. A hernia can also go to the middle area (a medial hernia), affecting the urinary tract and leading to urinary complications. Diagnosis first requires a neurological examination, followed by imaging like magnetic resonance, which shows a side section of the spine. In the acute phase, we do not proceed to surgery. We start with conservative treatment: bed rest and applying the Yoga in Daily Life system. It is very important to teach the patient correct breathing to bring them into a relaxed, balanced condition and avoid spasms around the spine. We teach the correct yogic breath, which consists of three parts: abdominal, chest, and collarbone. Subsequently, we can recommend yoga āsanas, but such a patient must be gently trained in this self-healing system. If conservative treatment fails and symptoms like urinary or walking problems persist, we must proceed to surgery on the herniated disc. This surgery is especially focused on that particular disc, being very careful with the remaining vertebrae and neurological structures to avoid disturbing other spinal functions. In the post-surgery phase, we can utilize the Yoga in Daily Life system in practical life. Following the principles prepared by the author, we progress from very simple āsanas to more complicated ones. We cannot start with complex āsanas that could harm the patient. Patients must be taught proper breathing first, then begin practicing yoga. It is very important to practice regularly and persistently. Some yoga practices usable after disc surgery include: Starting with the full yogic breath to harmonize movement with breathing, stabilizing the patient to prevent spasms or stiffness. Mobilizing the lower limbs while lying on the back. Sarvajita āsanas from the first part of the Yoga in Daily Life system are very well applied (e.g., raising arms above the head). Another good exercise is drawing the knees toward the trunk, with the other leg stretched or bent. (Patients cannot lift their head immediately after surgery.) Continuing with exercises lying on the belly. "Bicycling" is a very good exercise for these patients, important for strengthening abdominal and gluteal muscles while relaxing others. Utilizing preparatory exercises for Cobra Āsana (Bhujaṅgāsana). Patients need to lean on their elbows or lift the chest only slightly. In a full Cobra, it is crucial to keep the lower and upper belly on the floor to avoid excessive bending and strain on the spine. Then we have patients stand and begin with standing āsanas, again applying sarvajita āsanas like pulling the knee towards the trunk. Marjari āsana is beautiful for improving spinal movement and can be used in the acute phase or after disc surgery, avoiding extreme positions. Attention must be paid to what can be done without harming the patient. After surgeries, rotating āsanas are not recommended as they can cause herniation, severe pain, and damage. These are for preventive use by healthy individuals, not patients who have suffered disc herniation. This picture shows what bending forward or lifting a burden incorrectly can do. You can see the disc (in blue or grey). If the disc is not elastic enough, herniation can easily occur. Proper sitting, with the back leaning properly against support, is very necessary to teach patients. As you can see, the Yoga in Daily Life system is very well applied in practical daily exercises for acute vertebral problems, post-operation recovery, and prevention. It acts comprehensively, harmonizing body, mind, and soul, but one must progress from simple to more complex āsanas. Knowing how to breathe and becoming aware during practice is crucial. When done properly, yoga āsanas should not cause unpleasant feelings or pain. The author of the Yoga in Daily Life system has published a professional book, Yoga Against Back Pain, from which I have drawn material for this lecture and practices. I can warmly recommend it to you and to people attending yoga courses. Thank you for your attention. Beautiful lecture, Mrs. Brichtová, thank you very much. Again, if there are any important notes or questions, you may ask. There are no questions, so I thank Mrs. Brichtová, and we shall proceed. The next lecture was prepared by Mr. Juraj Čelko, Associate Professor from Trenčín. Unfortunately, Juraj cannot attend for health reasons, so I ask Dr. Roman Bednar to present Dr. Čelko’s lecture. On behalf of Dr. Juraj Čelko, I extend greetings to this conference. He apologizes for not attending due to health reasons and asked me to present his lecture, which I accepted. We wish Swamiji all the best for 40 years of successful work. The topic is the utilization of yoga in the prevention and treatment of back pain and the objectivization of its effects using an infrared camera. When we talk about our spine and human verticalization compared to primates, humans achieved the ability to stand on two legs. Two muscle systems, deep and superficial, help humans stand and hold the spine in an ideal posture. It is the deep stabilization system (deep muscles) that keeps the spine—a colloidal, viscous column—and protects it, helping transfer weight from the upper body to the pelvis without the spine suffering. This deep stabilization system involves the diaphragm (as seen in the picture), the pelvic floor, deep abdominal muscles, and deep muscles around the spine. This picture shows what it looks like when deep stabilization is functional. When deep muscles are weakened and not functional enough, the diaphragm and chest change position, and the pelvis also changes position, creating a sort of misalignment (seen here on the right). This is insufficiency of the deep stabilization system. Here you can see the short rotators placed around the spine, part of the deep system. These short back muscles maintain the mutual position of the vertebrae and are activated by slight imbalance. Part 3: The Deep and Surface Muscular Systems: A Yogic and Scientific Perspective When discussing the muscular system, we distinguish between a deep, stabilizing system and a so-called surface or superficial system. The long, thick surface muscles are faster and are activated during more significant movements or demanding actions of the trunk, responding to stronger imbalances. A trend in the modern population is a poor movement culture or a general lack of movement, largely due to excessive sitting, driving, and similar sedentary habits. Consequently, the deep system does not receive sufficient stimulus to remain adequately active. In yoga and rehabilitation, simple exercises exist to activate this deep stabilization system. Certain postures achieve this, as does an exercise like bicycling, with an accent on pressing the lower back toward the floor. Once the lower back is pressed to the floor, the deep system is activated. Working with the lower pelvis in various yoga techniques is also crucial for activating this system. When this deep stabilization system is not effective enough, compensation occurs at the surface. The surface system starts to work excessively to make up for the insufficiency. This overload of the surface muscular system often manifests as pain. The reduced function of the deep muscles is over-compensated and overloaded by these surface muscles, which is considered today one of the most important causes of back pain. Our presented research focuses on infrared thermography and the effectiveness of anti-gravity relaxation, strengthening, and stretching on the long trunk extensors. The study group consisted of volunteer amateur sportsmen aged 14 to 33 years with no back problems during the study. We aimed to objectify the effects of yoga exercises on the long trunk extensors, which often suffer the most. The yoga exercises were based on the pattern from the book Yoga Against Back Pain by Paramahaṁsa Svāmī Maheśvarānanda. Methodologically, we adhered to the standard conditions of the European and American Association of Thermology, using two thermal vision systems for visual evaluation of temperature patterns and quantitative evaluation of temperature changes. Thermographic recording was done prior to each exercise. On exercise days, participants abstained from tea, coffee, and alcohol, avoided physical work, and sat for about 30 minutes prior to examination. Camera distance was kept constant. Each exercise had an active phase of 20 seconds followed by a passive phase of 20 seconds, repeated twice. Measurements were taken 15 minutes after exercise and after one hour. The active phase in these exercises increases muscle tone, leading to strengthening. Muscle tension reduction in the first three exercises is achieved via anti-gravity relaxation, while the fourth exercise employs stretching. In the anti-gravity method, the proband lies down and assumes a position where the targeted muscle carries the weight of a limb or the trunk against gravity. The first exercise was a preparatory exercise for Cobra Pose (lifting the upper trunk with the hands). The temperature curves measured at the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine showed an increase in temperature one hour post-exercise, indicating a relaxation effect that remained in the long trunk extensors. The second exercise chosen was Śalabhāsana (Locust Pose). The temperature curve showed no decrease in the cervical spine, a slight increase in the thoracic spine, and a significant increase in the lumbar spine—a sign of relaxation. One hour post-exercise, significant relaxation was observed in the lumbar spine. The third exercise was dynamic relaxation while lying on the belly. For this, we did not adhere to the author's methodology but followed our own protocol. The temperature changes after one hour indicated not relaxation but strengthening, evidenced by a lighter color on the thermograph (decreased temperature and lower blood circulation). The final āsana evaluated was Śaśāṅgāsana (Hare Pose), where the relaxation mechanism occurs through stretching rather than anti-gravitational relaxation. The temperature curves for the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar parts showed a significant increase compared to baseline data. The relaxation effect was still present 15 minutes and one hour post-exercise. In conclusion, in the examined postures, the elements of active muscle tone combined with subsequent relaxation harmonically restore muscle balance in the observed body part. Thermographically, muscle relaxation manifests as increased temperature due to improved blood circulation. The effect of these postures occurs with a time lapse, and the desired outcome is not achieved when the prescribed yoga methodology is not followed. It can be assumed that regular yoga practitioners can achieve better relaxation than our probands, who were new to yoga. Yoga for Nurses: A Study on Preventing Work-Related Back Pain My next lecture concerns yoga exercises according to the system of Yoga in Daily Life against back pain for nurses. This research was conducted with nurses at Roosevelt Hospital. Statistics indicate that nurses worldwide have an annual back pain prevalence of 40-50% and a lifetime prevalence of 35-80%. At Roosevelt Hospital, our assessment found a 63% rate of back pain among nurses. A nurse's work is physically and mentally demanding. Physical factors include patient transfer, hygiene care, feeding, patient manipulation, handling beds, devices, instruments, and paperwork, which also involves prolonged sitting. One study measured that a nurse bends forward more than 20 degrees 1,131 times per shift, with 237 of these bends lasting more than 3.5 minutes. The mean time for transferring a heavy patient or material was 2 minutes per shift. Tasks like making beds (21%), basic health care (16%), and cleaning/washing (16%) contributed significantly. Nurses also often suffer from burnout syndrome, with psychological factors like caring for critically ill patients, emotional stress, and job dissatisfaction playing important roles. The aim of our study was to find an effective movement program to protect nurses from back pain. According to research from Dawson at Queensland University, only a multi-dimensional approach is effective. Therefore, we created a three-dimensional program consisting of back training school, training in handling heavy patients, and an active movement program. Many existing studies have not been satisfactory. Psychosomatic exercises like yoga and tai chi are among the most effective. Our program lasted 20 minutes and consisted of short relaxation, full yogic breath, and an exercise called Kaṭuprāṇām from the Yoga in Daily Life system. Kaṭuprāṇām consists of ten positions that systematically affect the entire spine. Through closed kinetic chains, it activates the shoulder and pelvic girdle, warms up and mobilizes the spine and joints. Positions like the 7th and 10th influence balance and increase the effectiveness of muscle interplay. The study group comprised 60 nurses with over five years of experience across 17 hospital wards. Prior to the study, they were examined for spinal flexibility, breathing stereotypes, and other parameters. Nurses with conditions like spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, herniated discs, or scoliosis were excluded. The group was divided: 30 nurses received instruction in back school and patient handling (control group), while the exercising group was taught breathing and yoga exercises. After three months, the exercising group showed a 36.67% decrease in back pain, which was statistically significant. The control group showed a decrease but without statistical significance. Measurements showed significant improvements in the exercising group for: forward head flexion (chin-to-chest distance), head rotation, lateral bending, thoracic spine mobility, forward and backward bending, lumbar flexibility (Shopper's test), and balance ability (longer hold times). Breathing stereotype improved more in the exercise group. Assessments of shortened muscles (e.g., pectorals, trapezius, piriformis, short extensors) showed much better improvement in the exercising group. Similarly, assessments for weakened muscles (deep flexors, lower shoulder fixators) showed significantly better results in the exercising group. In conclusion, our study confirmed that Yoga in Daily Life exercises are effective against work-related back pain in nurses when performed three times a week in 20-minute sessions. The therapy led to improved spinal function. The back school and patient handling training alone were not sufficiently effective. Based on this study, a new project named "Prevention of Back Pain in Healthcare Workers" was opened, involving ten hospital wards and 206 participants, approved in 2012. Nurses completed workshops on back school and lifting techniques, and were offered our yoga program. A participant asked how many rounds of Kaṭuprāṇām were practiced. The average was five rounds. Practical Demonstration and Benefits of Kaṭuprāṇām For those unfamiliar, Kaṭuprāṇām is a series of yoga poses. We begin with a deep inhale, raising the arms. On an exhale, lift the pelvis up, with palms and soles on the floor. Then take a big step forward with the right leg, coming into the next position: lift the arms up and straighten the upper body. Lower the arms down, bring the left leg to the right leg, and stand up with the upper body hanging relaxed downwards. Then come into a standing position with a full-body stretch. To return: lower the upper body, arms, and head; take a big step backwards with the left leg; lift the arms up and put them down; place hands and soles on the floor with pelvis lifted; lower the leg and pelvis to align on the floor; lift the body so the chest and chin are on the floor with pelvis up; move the pelvis back towards the heels into a rounded back position to relax; then, while inhaling, stretch the whole body and return to the basic position. The Basic Position supports good concentration and promotes a straight posture, requiring the entire spine to be straight with relaxed head, neck, shoulders, and arms. It supports healthy digestion due to pressure on the lower leg, which activates the energy of the vajranāḍī. This energy flows from the legs to the digestive organs, harmonizing their functions. It induces physical and mental balance through its stable, calm nature and balances breathing and heart rhythm, as energy and blood are pressed from the legs toward the torso while circulation from the head and shoulders flows toward the chest and abdomen. Position 1 (Arms Raised): Strengthens the whole back, lengthens the spine, stretches the trunk and shoulder muscles, opens the chest to deepen breath, and promotes an upright posture by engaging back, shoulder, and scapular muscles. Position 2 (Forward Bend, Rounded Back): A counter-position that refreshes body and mind, ideal after work. It relaxes the whole back, increases blood circulation in the neck, shoulders, and arms, and improves breathing into the back and stomach. The back stretch facilitates airflow, and thigh pressure on the abdomen supports exhalation, which automatically deepens inhalation. It balances the digestive system by massaging the abdomen and chest. Position 3 (Table Top, Pelvis Lifted): Stretches the thoracic spine, which is linked to the sympathetic nervous system, thus influencing the autonomic nervous system. It relaxes pelvic organs as they shift toward the chest, relieving tension. It stretches the abdomen and front chest, strengthens shoulder and arm muscles, and stretches the foot soles, activating reflex zones that influence the whole body. Position 4 (Upward Stretch from Table Top): Strengthens the whole back and stretches the front body, deepening breath. It calms the mind, stretches abdominal and chest muscles, stimulates the solar plexus to activate one's whole being, and stabilizes the shoulders by pressing them down. Position 5 (Downward Dog Variation): Stretches the soles, back of legs, back, shoulders, and arms, strengthening these areas. It improves blood circulation in the neck, head, and arms as the head hangs relaxed. It balances the digestive system as organs are pressed toward the chest, relaxing tissues. Position 6 (Lunge with Arms Down): Provides a good stretch for hip muscles, mobilizes the iliosacral joint, strengthens the back (which should remain straight), trains stabilization of the foot and right leg, and balances the digestive system via pressure from the right thigh on the abdomen and chest. Position 7 (Lunge with Arms Up): Has similar but deeper effects: stretches hips, mobilizes the sacroiliac joint, further strengthens the back with arms raised, improves physical balance, and deepens breath. Position 8 (Standing Forward Fold): Stretches the entire backside, provides relaxation for the spine, neck, and shoulders, improves blood circulation in the stomach, chest, and head, thereby calming and refreshing the mind. Position 9 & 10 (Mountain Pose & Final Stretch): Improve overall posture, especially for those with poor alignment, as a counter-posture. They strengthen the back and shoulders through arm lifting, stretch the chest and abdominal muscles, deepen breath, and train whole-body balance. Part 4: The Path of Purification and Practice: Insights on Haṭha Yoga, Pregnancy, and Education This posture improves and balances all bodily functions. It also supports the mind and is a foundation for self-confidence. These are just some of the many, many benefits of Kathā Praṇām. Thank you for your attention. Swāmījī, thank you for giving us this wonderful āsana, Kathā Praṇām. Thank you very much, Emlata, for the very nice presentation. Are there any questions from the floor? Thank you. For the next lecture, I would like to invite David Hennetberg, a physiotherapist from Prague. I would like to introduce David Henneberg, a man who incorporates yoga into his everyday life. Is that correct? Yes, it is. Dear Swāmījī, esteemed ladies and gentlemen, I would like to share my experience from the practice of physiotherapy. The Generation Studio Dial was established in 1999 as a free association of therapists. It is oriented toward providing services in the prevention and treatment of chronic back pain, post-traumatic states, and rehabilitation. Professionally, I have been devoted to yoga since my diploma thesis, the topic of which was the effect of yoga on posture. There was a special course with 1,500 participants. Exercises were done according to the Yoga in Daily Life system. The practice took 90 minutes once a week for a period of six months. I came to the conclusion that a positive influence of Yoga in Daily Life on the locomotor system has been proven. I conducted entrance examinations at the beginning of the exercises and a follow-up examination at the end. I can say that the objective movement of the spine improved, muscle balance improved, and breathing stereotypes improved as well. What was interesting about the study is that the subjective improvement was also proven. Since my studies, I have been working with physiotherapy and utilizing it within the system of Yoga in Daily Life. I work for both governmental institutions and in private practice. In my everyday practice, I come into contact with a typical client. A typical client in our institution suffers from chronic back pain, functional disorders of the locomotor apparatus, significant failures or disorders in body posture, and different kinds of pain. Such a patient often suffers from fatigue, loss of motivation and life energy, a loss of meaning or sense of life, and often struggles with the impression of being a victim. In our practice, we have found the best solution to be a 90-day plan for decreasing pain and increasing the quality of life. At the beginning, we assess the locomotor apparatus. Then we plan individual compensatory training from the Yoga in Daily Life system. We instruct participants on body posture. Then the client is placed in a proper group where they practice, followed by consultations between therapists and the client, with a final evaluation. Benefits for clients involve an individual approach, with yoga practices done in small groups of a maximum of eight participants. This means therapists meet regularly, and there is a flexible response to changes in the situation, along with the support and motivation of the group. The program is beneficial for therapists as well because the therapist can work systematically with the client. It enables a continuous increase in the difficulty of the exercises and allows for fast feedback and possible adjustment to the individual plan. As for the objective outcomes of this 90-day program, we can mention the lowering of pain, improvement of the ability to relax, further improvement of the ability to manage stress, and improvement of the abilities to cope with life and continue in self-development. Another finding worth mentioning is the shifting of the relationship between therapist and client to another dimension. The student becomes active in self-education, taking responsibility for the quality of his or her life. Thank you for your attention. Are there any questions? There are no questions. Is there any question you would like to ask David? There is a 90-day program from Yoga in Daily Life recommended by David. Can we recommend it four times per week, David? Now it’s our dear Umapurī from Vienna. She is very expert in all kinds of yogic techniques, but mostly in the Haṭha Yoga kriyās. That is to say, the talk about Haṭha Yoga kriyās is now your floor. Here, you bring something with you. Thank you. The subject of Haṭha Yoga, the subject of Yoga in Daily Life, is so vast that we don’t know where to start and where the end is. So it is truly endless. As we heard, everybody tries to be healthy and happy, free of pain. When we are healthy, we have so many wishes. When we have pain and are ill, we have only one wish: to get rid of the pain and to become healthy again. As Swami Śivānanda also said, "When money is lost, nothing is lost. When health is lost, something is lost. But when character is lost, everything is lost." The system of Yoga in Daily Life shows us and leads us to the right path in our life to keep health and happiness and be free of pain as long as possible, and to reach our aim in this life as a human. Like in our prayer to Lord Śiva: lead us to health and happiness, and lead us from death to Mokṣa, to attain self-realization in this life. Haṭha Yoga is not just the practices we often understand—the āsanas, the postures, the prāṇāyāmas. Here, Haṭha Yoga means to purify, to cleanse from the side of the body. "Ha" means the sun and "ṭha" means the moon. It is to balance these two main sources, Piṅgalā and Iḍā, sympathetic and parasympathetic, or yin and yang, or material energy. To balance these two great forces in our body allows the third, the Suṣumnā Nāḍī, to start flowing and become awakened. Haṭha Yoga also means willpower. Here we have four different kinds of willpower: the strīya haṭha (the female power), the rāja haṭha (the willpower of the king), the bāla haṭha (the child's power), and the yogī haṭha (the yogī's power). So it improves our inner willpower to get on this path lifelong and to continue on it. It helps very much to strengthen our physical body and our inner power. The techniques the yogīs give here are very, not simple, but for us all to do, for us all to practice with the elements of water, air, salt, and fire. We need nothing extra except what we already have. Neti, the first technique, is for purifying the upper parts, the nose and the sinuses. Neti is the purification of the nose with the neti lota. In India, we get this neti lota, one of copper, one of mixtures. It is done by closing one nostril and letting warm, slightly salty water flow through the other. Use fine sea salt, natural sea salt if possible, to purify these parts of the nose from dust and pollution. Our environment is not as it should be or as it was; it is polluted, especially in cities, so we have to purify every day. We can also do it with a rubber catheter (sūtranetī) or with a cotton string. If the nostrils are closed with polyps or are tight, we try with sūtra neti to open them before surgery. We have many good experiences with jal neti (water neti). Many people who sit all day at computers have eye infections, red eyes, or diminishing eyesight. It is very helpful. Also for depression, sūtra netī can help open the whole view of the face. In our nose are many receptors of our main nervous system, the sympathetic and parasympathetic. The flow of warm water relaxes and harmonizes them. For those suffering from headaches or migraines, we have many good results with jala netī. After jal neti, we practice kapāla bhāti: exhaling through the nose and inhaling through a slightly open mouth to expel the water. It purifies the nasal passages and helps the air flow. Kapāla means forehead, and bhāti means cleaning or enlightening, as described in the Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā. It is very helpful for relaxation, especially before meditation or after a long day of work. If you do three rounds of ten kapāla bhāti, you will feel your whole body purify. The third technique is dhauti, to purify our stomach. Dhauti or Vaman or Kunjal Kriyā. It is called dhauti when done in the morning. We purify our stomach by drinking one to two liters of warm, slightly salty water (one liter of water with half a teaspoon of sea salt). You drink until you are completely full and then induce vomiting. Many people say, "Oh, God, what is this?" But Vaman Dhauti or Kunjal Kriyā is very helpful if we suffer from acid in the stomach. The stomach is not straight; it has a curve, and many things collect there because our nourishment and digestion are not as they should be. We sit too much and move too little. Kunjal Kriyā or Vaman Dhauti is very helpful. We have good experiences with those suffering from candida or helicobacter bacteria, or those with too much acid, gas, or mucus. One can also do Sūtra Dhauti by swallowing a little piece of cotton and pulling it out again. We cannot do it now. Otherwise, our kuṇḍalinī... we can do it, but it has to be practiced under the guidance of an experienced yoga teacher. Sometimes, after learning, we can practice alone. Basti, or Śaṅkhaprakṣālana, is a technique to purify the whole intestine from the mouth to the anus. It has to be done early in the morning, between 5 and 10 o'clock, when our intestine is most active. You drink a little warm, salty water on an empty stomach. The day before, don’t eat too much. As I said before, please ensure it is done under the guidance of someone experienced. Four or five times a day, we can try it alone at home. Many of our yoga teachers from Yoga in Daily Life are experienced. They conduct courses and seminars, so we can attend and learn how to do it. It needs a special technique, and I don’t want to speak about it specifically here to avoid people trying it improperly. Once a person in Salzburg tried to do Śaṅkhaprakṣālana at home alone because he thought he knew. He drank five to six liters of water, and then his wife called the emergency doctor. The doctor said, "There is a stupid one. He wants to kill himself with salty water." By the time the ambulance came, of course, it had started to work. There are special exercises we have to do to guide the water in the quickest way through the whole intestine—to purify, to wash, not just to empty. There is a difference between fasting and emptying the intestine, and cleaning. The intestine is between seven and ten meters long and nicely packed in a small space. It is not easy to purify. There are techniques to do it, and afterwards, we must keep a special diet, ideally a lacto-vegetarian diet for at least two days. After this, you feel so clean and purified like never before. This influences our whole being, not only the body. It influences our prāṇa, our mind, our intellect, and our ānandamaya kośa (our feelings). Here the Haṭha yogī works from the side of the body, which is easier for us than the Rāja yogī, who works from the mind and intellect, which requires more discipline and practice. Today, it is not always possible to do it in that way. There is a next technique: concentration on one point (trāṭaka). Mostly we do it on a candle, as I heard with children and students. There are so many thoughts and vṛttis in our minds. We speak about burnout. We sit at computers. Our life is high-tech. Everything is with computers. How do we live a simple life? As Mahātmā Gandhi said, "Simple living and high thinking." How is it possible? We have to use the techniques in Yoga in Daily Life and practice trāṭaka for 10 minutes per day before going to sleep, to get rid of all thoughts and feelings and to become one-pointed again. This sādhana helps. As we say, learn and practice it under guidance, starting with few techniques and for a short time: so neti, dhauti, and there is one more. Nauli activates the digestive fire, along with agnisāra kriyā and nauli. Many of us know this; many experts and yoga teachers are here. Every morning, before breakfast, after going to the bathroom, we practice this technique with massage. It is a technique to increase the digestive fire so that our immune system is better, so we can digest many things, not only physically but also mentally, and attain a happy inner feeling. Thank you very much for giving us all these techniques. Thank you very much, Umapurījī. Many of us are starting with our kriyās with Umapurījī. We are happy to see her again. Are there any short questions for her? Okay. Hopefully, it will be good in some time. I would now like to ask Mrs. Dr. Alena Filková from the Department of Gynecology in Brno to present her speech, "Application of Yoga in Daily Life System in Pregnancy and During Delivery." Good afternoon to everyone, dear friends and Swāmījī. Let me continue in this beautiful series of lectures. I was really fascinated by Umapurī’s lecture. I have a different topic: the application of yoga in the daily life system during pregnancy and childbirth. We’ll have to wait a few moments for it to load. Let us start with pregnancy itself. I really like what they say about pregnancy, that you’re carrying another life inside you. But you may experience a lot of problems during pregnancy. If pregnancy is a healthy one, it’s not a changed state; it’s a natural state. In the woman’s body, many changes are happening: changes of the cardiovascular system, pregnancy anemia, changing blood pressure. Some respiratory changes occur because the woman’s body requires more oxygen. The fetus blocks abdominal breathing, so you have to practice more thoracic breathing. There are hormonal changes, cartilage changes, and pressure on the joints, hip joints, and so on. There is a large number of hormonal changes, vomiting, and morning sickness. Pregnancy itself is a sports performance. It is very difficult for the body those whole nine months, and it has to be taken as such. The woman has to be active, with mental hygiene, a healthy diet, and appropriate sport activity. It is not advisable to do anything risky, such as physical or physiological shocks, rotation movements, or performance sports. But if a woman has been active in sports before pregnancy, it is advisable to continue with that activity. If she hasn’t, then we recommend she undertake some activity: yoga, swimming, walking. Why yoga? We know that the movement in yoga practice is controlled. We know what we’re doing, and it is very good for the woman because it is not aggressive. It also improves the functions of internal organs, endocrine glands, muscles, ligaments, joints, and blood circulation. In inner organs, when we press our body, the old blood is pushed out and circulation improves. We have new, fresh blood; it is like washing the inner organs. We concentrate on our breathing when we are in any āsana. It is a relaxing, meditative posture, and the feeling of harmony is very important during pregnancy—not only for the woman herself but for the fetus as well, for its development. We advise meditation during the whole pregnancy because it relaxes the mind. When I started with the Yoga in Daily Life system and pregnancy, we developed a complex program for pregnant women. Every pregnant woman is different, and we try to keep to the structure of a normal Yoga in Daily Life class: some relaxation, then stretching and relaxation exercises, then āsanas, and then some final relaxation. This is a really complex system. Even though some āsanas have to be avoided or skipped, it is really beneficial. Relaxation can be performed until the 25th or sometimes the 30th week of pregnancy. It is not performed lying on your back, but lying on one side of your body to avoid pressure on the abdomen and feelings of nausea. We always include some relaxation postures. Stretching exercises come mainly from the first part of the system. It is really important to relax the lumbar spine and large joints and to train in the full yoga breath. We avoid or skip those āsanas which are troubling for women during pregnancy, but the main part or major part of āsanas from the first to fourth part of the system is very beneficial. Later on, the āsanas are more complicated. I would like to mention how practicing yoga can help during delivery. Delivery is something natural, something active. It is always unpredictable. There are a number of problems that can occur. It is important that the woman is prepared for the delivery mentally and physically, and that she can let go and let nature take its course. The pelvic floor, when it is stressed, is very hard for the fetus to pass. It is important to relax this part of your body. Yoga exercises are ideal for this. Also, there is a social aspect because women can meet in these courses and talk about labor, delivery, and pregnancy. The first stage of labor can last from six to twelve hours. Even though it is very intensive and exhausting, it is mostly passive. Women basically try to survive this process, to hold on. The second stage is pushing, and there it is important that a woman is active, that she helps the child to be born. A deep yoga breath can really help. It helps blood circulation and oxygenation of the fetus. For a woman, there are some breathing techniques that help her with this particular task. These are some noisy techniques so she can get distracted from the pain and stress, and she can concentrate on the breathing techniques which help manage the pain. In the second stage of childbirth, the fetus can have reduced oxygenation. With every contraction, when one ends, oxygenation is once more unbalanced. If a woman knows abdominal breathing, it is very beneficial for her because she can use that to oxygenate the fetus. With regard to the pushing part, we practice Jalandhara Bandha and Kumbhaka, because during that stage a woman has to hold her breath. It is important to hold the breath while simultaneously relaxing the pelvic region. In Brno, about 20 women participate in this specialized course on yoga and pregnancy. From what I know, some of the courses are in Bratislava, New Zealand, Vienna, and Prague. These yoga and pregnancy courses usually include the full yoga breath (Ujjāyī), conscious muscle relaxation of the pelvic floor to be aware of that region, and training in holding the breath. Thank you very much for your attention, and have a nice day. Thank you for the nice lecture. The doctor is one of the very few who works with pregnant women. Any questions? No? Okay. Nevertheless, we thank you for a nice lecture. The next lecture we have to skip because Mrs.... Okay, the next speech is about a teacher in a grammar school and high school for French, and she’s from Vienna, Austria. Dear yoga friends, dear brothers and sisters. I am a teacher for French, for sports and movement, and also for Yoga in Daily Life. The topic is Yoga in Daily Life in schools in Vienna, Austria. This is just a report; I have no scientific facts. It is a report which consists of two parts: a summary of work with Yoga in Daily Life in schools—four schools—and the second part are the experiences made by teachers, school children, and also by students. So the first part is seminars for teachers we had in Vienna. It happened in 2002 that I had one yoga class in the evening, and many parents of my...