SVBF
Canada has joined hands with Shri Ambika Yoga Kutir in conducting
FREE Yoga classes at SVBF every Saturday morning for the benefit
of the GTA community at large. Three courses of 4 months each
are offered throughout the year. The "Swastha" Yoga
(Yoga for good health) courses are offered FREE to anyone
over 14 years of age and are attended by students from all
walks of life across the GTA, from different communities and
ethnicities and of all ages including senior citizens. The
only requirement of the students is their commitment to attend
all 16 classes of the course and to practise yoga regularly.
From 2009 to January 2018, over 2400 students have enrolled
for the course; about 1450 have completed the course.
The
medium of instruction for the course is English, albeit Sanskrit
names, with their English translation, for the postures/procedures
are used. A specific curriculum is followed, which was developed
about 50 years ago (modified to suit local conditions) by
the founder of Shri Ambika Yoga Kutir, Shri Nikam Guruji.
This curriculum has been tried and tested in all Ambika centres
all over the world.
Four
major aspects for good health are covered during the 16 week
course:
1.
Cleansing procedures (Shudhi Kriyas) for the eyes, stomach,
nostrils, etc.
2. Breathing exercises (Basis of Pranayama). These include
cleansing of the lungs, nervous system and blood vessels.
3. Asanas - physical postures.
4. Concentration/meditation practices.
Each
class consists of about 30 minutes of instruction (theory)
and demonstrations after which the students attend breakout
sessions in smaller groups to refine and practice what they
have learned.
About
three to four times a year, Ambika runs 3-hour yoga workshops
at SVBF for students who have completed the course and are
regular practitioners to help them fine tune their practice
and to learn new asanas and procedures.
Ambika
also holds an annual yoga camp in a park setting usually on
the shores of Lake Ontario. These camps are well attended
by the students, past and present.
Ambika
intends to continue these FREE yoga classes for the benefit
of the GTA community.
For
more details on The Shri Ambika Yoga Kutir please visit their
website : www.ambikayogatoronto.com
