An awakening

This almost defunct blog finally gets to see some life, an awakening of sorts. May be it was the lack of any worthy experiences to share, that kept this blog in a dormant almost non existent state. Fortunately, life is again filling up with experiences worthy of sharing.

It has been over a month since I joined a residential yoga course, YIC at a yoga institute near Bangalore  - SVYASA -Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anushandhana Samsthaana.  The reasons for joining this course are varied. Primarily - I wanted to learn the yogasanas and wanted to be an early riser. I thought a one month rigorous regimen is probably the best solution as I had failed at all earlier attempts of rising early. However, after completing the course, I have mixed feelings which I hopefully can lucidly explain.

First the daily routine -

• 4.30 - 4.45 AM - Wake up
• 5.00 - 5.15 - Shloka recitation
• 5.15 - 6.00 - Pranayama.
• 6.00 - 7.00 - Yogasana practice
• 7 - 7.15 : Bhagavadgita shloka recitation
• 7.15 - 8 : Lecture
• 8 - 8.45: Breakfast
• 8.45- 9 : Patriotic songs ( all of us have to sing in a group )
• 9 - 9.30 : Karma Yoga ( House hold work )
• 9.30 - 10.30 : Break
• 10.30 - 11.30 - Lecture
• 11.30 - 1 PM - Yogasana practice
• 1 - 3 : Lunch and break
• 3 - 4 : Lecture
• 4 - 5 : Pranayama.
• 5 - 6: Break
• 6 - 6.30 : Bhajans
• 6.30 - 7.30 : Lecture
• 7.30 - 8.15: Dinner
• 8.15 - 9 : Happy assembly.

Yes, it was rigorous and demanding and never in my life had I been in such a routine for a duration of  month. I guess the sudden exposure to such a routine sent my body and mind off balance.During the first week, I fell sick and had to rely on antibiotics for revival. I couldn't get myself to eat the food which was quite bland and tasteless. My biggest complaint however was the cleanliness. There were flies in the dining hall in spite of an insect repellent. The dorm was very shabby and the bathrooms were totally unclean. After about 10 days, I almost decided to pack my bags and leave. However, a couple of friends persuaded me to stay back and I'm so glad I did.

The lectures on Swami Vivekananda by Prof NVC Swamy were undoubtedly the highlight of the course. Prof Swamy's oratory skills took us back through a journey so memorable that words fail to explain. It seemed as if Prof Swamy had actually spent time with Swami Vivekananda. I was completely lost in the lectures, rather stories. It was a great pleasure to hear about SV's life and message from the master storyteller.

Dr. Ranganji's lecture on Yoga and management was another highlight. He explained Organizational behavior concepts with such clarity and simplicity that I was dumbstruck. The blunders that I had committed during my job as a project manager just unfolded before my eyes. The greatest lesson I learned is that to be successful in any career there are only two qualities that one needs to have - Honesty and relationship management. It was thrilling to learn that the concepts of the Vedas, which are almost 10,000 years old have relevance even to this day, in almost every aspect of day to day life, in all walks of life.

Frankly, at the end of the course, one day I just sat down thinking how quickly the month had gone past. I didn't experience any noticeable change in any physiological or psychological aspects, but I definitely had utmost fun. Some of the memorable bhajans that we sang still ring in my ears. Never in my life will I get a chance to have such an experience, but I just hope that I get to cross paths with my fellow YICians all through my life.