Posts in category: Newsletter (EN)

Namaste, dear friends,

I hope to see you soon to share with even more depth and joy the practices and teachings of yoga, knowing each other more and awakening unconditional love in our hearts.

WHO ARE WE?

The essence of yoga teachings is to remember Who we truly and authentically are. This is the big question in yoga: “Who am I?”.

It is not an easy answer or one that comes overnight, usually: it is simple because on the one hand it is what we already are in essence, but it is not easy to truly experience immediately or without a certain discipline, because for a long time we have identified with something else…

One could mistakenly think of being this “person” in this “body” and calm down with this “temporary answer”. But, the true seeker, in the end, is not exactly “quiet”, especially initially: he/she is someone who asks questions, who reflects, who tries, who is not afraid of making mistakes or “falling” and of continuing: once he finds his path, then, he follows it with dedication and determination, more deeply and infinitely in the inner search…

Once you begin to know your body, starting from the asanas (psychophysical postures), practicing with awareness and patience, guided by your breathing; the practitioner can, little by little, feel where there is more or less comfort, and he/she can observe what are the greatest challenges and why are the points of fluidity and/or freedom…

This perception does not only happen on a physical level: the yogi and yogin (those who practice yoga) begin to truly “see” themselves for what they are even on deeper levels: mental, emotional, energetic, until reaching the most subtle level of the soul or heart: the Essence…

In Patanjali’s book of sutras, we read: 1.14: “sa tu dīrgha kāla nairantarya satkārā ‘‘sevito dṛḍhabhūmiḥ” meaning: “the practice becomes firmly rooted when it is followed attentively for a long time, without interruption and with deep devotion (satkara)”.

So, starting from this self-knowledge, which grows when practice and meditation are more intense, profound and frequent, as Patanjali says above; then yes, all life is transformed because the “vision” of the sadhaka or yoga practitioner, becomes, little by little, clearer, more present, conscious and transparent. This process, normally, is slow, gradual and even painful: a bit like the story of the caterpillar that becomes a beautiful butterfly…

In my opinion, in the spiritual path, this transformation happens in an even more evident and intense way; we are reborn with a truly incredible frequency: sometimes more slowly, it is true, but also often, at the speed of Light, literally… In a certain sense, reflecting on it even more deeply, we could say that we are reborn continuously, daily, even with every breath…

We also realize that every time some “butterfly” inside us flies free; quickly other “caterpillars” appear with all the need for our attention, acceptance and love.

Thus we develop faith and “Divine surrender” or “Isvara Pranidhana”; with the certainty that the metamorphosis will happen and that everything will clarify again…

The truth is that we are Divine and immortal beings (Purusha); at the same time, we are nature and cyclicity (Prakritti): sometimes we have apparently “still” moments (when something is happening internally); then, the “waves” come and manifest themselves – sometimes small, other times like “tsunamis” – and, after the storm; here is the Light, the expansion, the creation, the Divine revelation and the understanding of why all that movement and necessary pain, previously… and so, it continues, to infinity…

For this reason, in my opinion, in the spiritual path, the most powerful and true teachings are: let’s stay in the presence, in listening, let’s not let ourselves be taken by discouragement and by the less brilliant moments where there are more internal movements than external ones… Let’s let ourselves go and live what is now, this instant… Let’s try to stay “ALIVE”, with all our cells, truly experimenting, with total attention together with surrender to the Divine, every instant: doing our best, and abandoning ourselves to what is; without ever giving up… Let’s continue to act with our heart, both in life and in yoga and meditation practice, taking moments to truly listen, silence, look inside ourselves and accept whatever moment it is: this will help us cultivate patience, calm, expanding our understanding and, consequently, it will change our life, on every corner.

The truth is that most of us do not even realize that we are constantly seeking Ourselves outside of Ourselves… We mistakenly hope to find this happiness (which is self-realization) by putting all our faith in worldly things, external knowledge, fame, money and relationships with others… Yoga and meditation are not practices to “escape” from worldly responsibilities, nor do they speak of repressing the enjoyments of life: yogic practice is integrated into a harmonious, natural, non-violent and purposeful life. At the same time, the spiritual path encourages us to depend more and more on our internal attitudes rather than on external circumstances; as Yogananda beautifully says: “Man’s freedom is final and immediate if he so wills; it does not depend on external but internal victories.”

When you feel sad or discouraged, remember that you are not alone, and above all remember Who you are, in essence through meditation.

I leave here this magnificent inspiration of Master Yogananda that I hope will be helpful in this memory of who you are:

“You are all gods, but you do not know it. The sea of God’s presence is behind the wave of your consciousness. You must search within yourself. Do not concentrate on the little wave of the body with all its weaknesses, look beyond it. Close your eyes and you will see omnipresence around you. You are at the center of this sphere and as soon as you raise your consciousness above the body and its experiences, you realize that the sphere is permeated with infinite joy and bliss that illuminate the stars and give strength to the wind and storms. God is the source of all our joys and of all nature…

Wake up from the darkness of ignorance. You have closed your eyes in the sleep of illusion. Wake up! Open your eyes and you will see the glory of God, the immense horizon of God’s light that spreads over all things. I am advising you to be divinely realistic, and you will find in God the answer to all your questions.”

Happy practices and life, in the continuum of remembrance of the Self…

Namaste
Raquel Bhavani
www.premakriyayoga.com

If you want to start this inner journey in yoga with me and/or continue to deepen the practices with me:

– Here are some end-of-year opportunities to practice together in solidarity: all the proceeds from these first two events will be donated to “yoga de rua”, an institution that helps street people in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Instagram @yogaderua . I will also send part of the donations to abandoned animals: Instagram @protetorespdr and to an animal sanctuary in Brazil, Instagram: @ahimsa.santuariovaledarainha

1. Sunday, 12/15/2024

from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM (Tenerife time) on zoom – Christmas meditation

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2280681005

Donations can be made directly to me on PayPal email premakriyayoga.com or by bank transfer to Raquel Fischer Barros, Account number and Iban: IT32G 02008 01422 000103840080

2. Tuesday, 24/12, Christmas Eve

9:00 -9:30 – meditation

9:30-11:00 – kundalini yoga practice and final short meditation

(Tenerife time zone)

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2280681005

Donations can be made directly to me at PayPal email premakriyayoga.com or by bank transfer to Raquel Fischer Barros, Account number and Iban: IT32G 02008 01422 000103840080

Here is a complete in-depth weekend to end this year of 2024 fully energetic, awake and ready for what is coming:

Workshop: kriya yoga, the energetic recharging exercises.

– Saturday and Sunday, December 14th and 15th.

To see the complete program, look below and for more info and booking, contact me on whatsapp +34 658213100 – Raquel Bhavani

Save the dates!

Save the dates: I’ll give you a preview of some dates for 2025…

There are already retreats, workshops and training courses (YTT 250 hours with yoga alliance diploma) scheduled in Italy and Tenerife and online.

In person:

– Sunday, 03/30 I will be in Italy, Milan with a wonderful workshop on kriya yoga from

https://www.peaceloveyoga.it

-On the weekend, from April 4th to 6th , there will be a Retreat in Italy, Liguria at 

https://www.dianogreen.it

– from July 5th to 12th – Retreat and 50-hour course in Tenerife, Canary Island 

https://www.premakriyayoga.com/retreats/

(on this page you can see a bit of this year’s retreat…)

Online:

– After some requests, I have created for you a beautiful 20-hour course on kriya yoga:

“Kriya Yoga, awakening in the Light”

– The course will be completely online, with pdf handouts and all the recordings that will remain forever for each participant.

– It will happen one Sunday a month, from 9:00 to 13:00 (Tenerife time zone), with theoretical/philosophical study and meditative practice; from February to June/2025.

– Write to me privately to receive more info, or look on the site 

https://www.premakriyayoga.com/courses/ where we will soon add this new course.

Prema Kriya Yoga Teacher training 250 hours with yoga alliance diploma – 2025/2026: Online + one week in presence in Tenerife

– For those who really want to fully delve into the path of yoga, meditation by studying and practicing intensely and integrating it fully into everyday life, the next group for the training course that continues every year since 2017; starts in September/2025.

Very soon I will send you more details, but if you are interested and want to register in advance, contact me privately on whatsapp +34 658213100

Or enter the site with all the details of the past course:

https://www.premakriyayoga.com/teacher-training-2/

-Every Tuesday and Thursday there is the possibility to practice together, online live; or with the videos that I record, every week.

See the link below for more info, or contact us on whatsapp +34 658213100

https://www.premakriyayoga.com/practices/#yemo

May we all find Divine Peace in our hearts, live our most elevate, truest and most authentic purpose in accordance with the highest ideals, and may we all indulge in creativity and Divine Grace – with ever-deeper compassion and love; helping to leave the world a little better than we found it…

These are my heartfelt Christmas wishes.

Love and Light,
Namaste
Jay Guru Jay
Jay Ma
Raquel Bhavani
www.premakriyayoga.com

“Those who seek wealth for themselves alone are destined to become poor or suffer from mental disharmony; but those who consider the whole world as their family and are truly concerned with the welfare of a collective or the world, and earnestly devote themselves to helping others, obtain the personal prosperity that is rightfully theirs. This is an infallible and secret law.”

— Where the Light Shines, Yogananda

Dear friends, 
Namaste – my soul bows and acknowledges each and every one of you, bright souls.
I hope you are well and at peace…

I wanted to delve deeper into a phrase by Master Yogananda who says:

“Is a diamond less valuable because it is covered in mud?”

This Great spiritual Master explains to us in a simple way what the practice of yoga means: to remove the mud, so we can reflect with totality the pure crystalline diamond what we are in the essence… Through the meditative practices and lifestyle in yoga we can realize that we are a wave in the Infinite cosmic Sea. We do it “just” by removing the veil of ignorance and thus revealing the Divine within us. 

To enter into total connection and self-realization, remembering “Who we are” we need a spiritual practice…. It is important to clarify that those who want to remain in the illusion or Cosmic dream of “Maya” do not need yoga practices or meditations… But, those who want to awaken from this “Matrix”; yes, they need it. This statement has nothing to do with belief and I don’t say this “lightly”… But, it is simply scientific: just as there is a need for study and practice to become an excellent musician; there are technologies for this special purpose of realizing the Divine Self within us.

It is certainly also true that, in essence, we are all perfect and children of the Divine Self; the “only” thing we need to do is to remove the subconscious garbage and remind ourselves of this Truth. But to remind us (and Patanjali, the great codifier of yoga, uses exactly this term: “smirit”, the memory of the Self); there are energetic psychophysical exercises that were channeled thousands of years ago by the Rishis, great enlightened sages, and which today we know as “yoga“. These practices, scientifically, keep the body/mind healthy and lead us to immerse ourselves in the Self. Ps: It is important to note that there are also practices of other cultures and traditions that are not called “yoga” but which in the deepest meaning, these also lead us to “yoga” or, internally realizing the union in one’s Divine Self.

Without spiritual practices, this Self remains obscured by the mind and external distractions, like a diamond  in the mud. We must therefore remove the mud: this is the work of yoga practice 

To complement and help in the process of spiritual awakening, beyond the practices, it is also indicated to harmonize with internal and external nature; practicing non-violence and compassion…: even a simple conscious walk in nature can support our Divine purpose; the observation or creation of a significant painting or art; the look of a small child; sincere affection; a swim in the sea or in a waterfall; immersing yourself in the forest or in the ocean or breathing from the top of a mountain, taking care of plants and animals, listening to and/or creating inspiring music, reading and writing a profound book of poetry, contemplating a sunset and a dawn: all this can complete our connection in the Self’.

At the same time, let’s also remember that there may be people who live in nature but who are disconnected and others, in big cities, who are more aware and awake…

In other words: nothing replaces meditation practice…

“Banat, banat, banat Banjai” – “Practice, practice, practice and one day it will be done…” , says Lahiri Mahasaya…

It is true that we must not even be dissatisfied with who we are: it is important, while we are on the path, to develop unconditional love for everyone, including ourselves and to accept ourselves as we are… However, this does not mean doing it indulgently ; it doesn’t mean that Divine self-realization doesn’t need any internal work to be done… 

Self-realization (in Yoga) is an art and a balance: between self-acceptance, letting go; together with a meticulous and profound investigation; so we can transform ourselves and enter into true knowledge of the soul through deep and superconscious meditation (or turyia): observing the small wave of the small self in the immense Ocean that We Are.

– I therefore look forward to seeing you this end of the year (and during the year) for yoga practices and online meditations

In this link the new hours:

– There will also be two online workshops before the end of the year, with theories and practices (anatomy, subtle body, philosophy, pranayama, mantra, hatha, vinyasa, kundalini and Kriya Yoga meditation). For more info and detailed program, contact me privately on whatsapp +34 658213100

Here are the next dates of the in-depth studies during the weekends:

– 23 and 24 November 

– 14 and 15 December.

And, on December 15th from 6.30pm to 7.30pm there will be a Christmas meditation on zoom  

– To participate, contact me privately on WhatsApp +34 658213100 and I will send you the zoom link. 

*This meeting is free of charge for the cause you freely choose.

Soon I will send you the complete 2025 calendar which this year is very rich and very creative.

There will be a 5-module course called “Kriya Yoga, awakening in the Light”; retreats and special workshops in Italy and Tenerife… And, I am also preparing the new dates of the next 250-hour “Prema Kriya Yoga teacher training”, in Italian and English, with an international yoga alliance diploma… 

If you want the info in advance, write to me privately: +34 658213100

A beautiful November everyone, 

Good practices beautiful souls  

With love, Prema
Jay Gurudeva 
Namaste  
Raquel Bhavani
www.premakriyayoga.com

Inspiration from Master Yogananda:

“As you are… so is the world…

“Who am I?” A young man asked a spiritual master.

 “I’ll tell you a little story,” replied the master.

One day, on a city wall near sunset, two people were embracing each other on the horizon.

 “It’s a dad and a mom” thought an innocent little girl.

“They are two lovers,” thought a man with a clouded heart.

 “They are two friends who meet after many years”, thought a man.

 “These are two merchants who got a good deal,” thought one businessman.

 “It’s a father embracing a son who has returned from war”, thought a woman of tender soul.

 “It’s a daughter hugging a father who has returned from a trip,” thought a man saddened by his daughter’s death.

 “They are two lovers”, thought a girl who dreamed of love

 “These are two men fighting to the death,” thought one assassin.

 “Why are they hugging…?” thought a dry man.

 “How beautiful to see two people holding each other” thought a man of God.

 “Every thought,” concluded the master, “reveals to yourself what you are.”

 “Examine your thoughts often: they can tell you more about yourself than any teacher”

☆ (Paramahansa Yogananda)