FAQ
1. Why should I learn Yoga?
a) The world today is fast and competitive. As a result our daily life has become fast. Add to it the pandemic and working from home. Add to that the smart phones and social media. We are chair bound for hours and constantly in front of our laptops or watching our smartphones. This has tremendous effects on our physical and mental health.
b) Yoga helps us unwind and recharge our batteries for another hectic day. Making this a daily practice helps one to overcome challenges of the modern era and still be healthy and happy.
2. How many different Yoga training sessions does Mudraa conduct?
a) Mudra has 3 different courses. Introduction to Yoga, Yoga Sadhana – Foundation Course and Yoga Sadhana – Advanced Course.
3. What type of Yoga is taught at Mudraa?
a) Mudraa teaches Yoga based on Rajayoga. The syllabus is based on Yoga teachings by the Yoga Division of Ghantali Mitra Mandal, Thane, Maharashtra, India. We learn all limbs of Ashtanga Yoga (by Patanjali) at a conceptual level and practice 2 main limbs – Asana and Pranayama.
4. What is the qualification of Yoga teachers at Mudraa?
a) All yoga teachers at Mudraa are well qualified in their own field and along with that, they have completed Yoga Teacher’s Diploma course from Ghantali Mitra Mandal, Thane.
5. What is the teaching methodology at Mudraa?
a) Yoga is experiential. One has to understand the logic behind the Yoga Postures (Asanas) and Pranayam. Then understand the benefits, the contra-indications (this is key because some people with certain ailments should avoid those postures or pranayam steps), the step by step process to perform the posture, and finally, experience the effect of it.
b) At Mudraa, the teacher will explain this for each Asana or Pranayam. The teacher will then demonstrate the steps to do Asana or Pranayam and then will get the practitioners to perform the same under the observation of the teacher.
c) There will be theory sessions where the teacher will explain the key concepts with the use of Google Slides or Powerpoint Presentation.
6. Is Yoga Training at Mudraa a religious activity?
a) There is a misconception that Yoga is related to religion. At Mudraa we practice Yoga as pure science. The science behind each step is clearly explained before we perform. We also perform prayer at the beginning and end of the session. We pray to “OM” as a symbol of Universal Consciousness.
7. How is the Yoga course at Mudraa different as compared to other Yoga courses?
a) Mudraa focuses on teaching yoga in its purest form. It is not modernized or modified.
b) While performing each Asana or Pranayama, the mind has to be completely focused on the activity and the effect must be experienced. This ensures the maximum benefits of yoga for the practitioner.
c) Yoga is not exercise. AT mudraa, each practitioner is encouraged to perform Asana or Pranayama as per his/her capacity. There is no competition. Each one is different and can perform certain poses with ease as opposed to some other poses. And that is perfectly okay.
8. Do we need to consult Dr. before joining Mudraa Yoga Course?
a) If you have any physical or mental disorder, it is advised that you should consult your primary Dr. before joining the Yoga course.
You also have to accept the Disclaimer – “I have joined this class at my own risk and responsibility. I am aware of the limitations in online learning and that in person. I will strictly abide by the contraindications given by the teacher”.
9. Will we get any notes or handouts?
a) We will provide some notes in the form of PDF files.
b) Reference books will be available for purchase or lending.
10. How much is the fee for the courses?
Mudraa is a 503 (c )(3) tax-exempt non-profit charitable organization. All the courses and workshops conducted are free.
Mudraa however requires funds to operate and welcomes donations deductible under section 170. Mudraa also is qualified to receive tax-deductible bequests, devices, transfers, or gifts under sections 2055, 2106 or 2522
11. How can I continue doing Yoga after the course is over?
a) You can join our Daily Yoga Practice session (morning or evening). It is 1 hour per day on Zoom.
b) There is a daily schedule from Mon-Fri and practitioners will perform Asana and Pranayama on that day as per schedule.
c) The schedule is designed in such a way that the practitioner will get to perform at least one or two Asanas of each type each day. Same with Pranayama.
d) Sat-Sun – practitioners can do Yoga on their own.
e) Regular practice is very important after one learns Yoga to realize the benefits.
12. How is Bharatanatyam related to Yoga?
a) Have you ever watched a Bharatanatyam dancer performing a classical dance recital? If not, there are many available on YouTube. If you watch carefully, you will find that the dancer’s eyes always follow the hand. If both hands are moving in opposite directions, it is always the right hand. The dancer’s mind is focused on the beats and on her actions, her legs, her hands, her neck, her eyes are all synchronized to the rhythm. Based on the mood of the song, the dancer wears the expression on her face. If it is a pure dance (no song), then a pleasant expression. A pleasant face, focus on different body parts (Deha Dharanaa), connection of mind with body. It is nothing but Yoga. Bharatanatyam is a popular dance form in India and abroad and thousands of people learn and practice this dance form all over the world. It is proven that practicing this dance provides benefits similar to performing yoga. Mudraa is committed to spread awareness of both Yoga and Bharatanatyam.
13. What are the similarities between Yoga and Bharatanatyam?
| Yoga | Bharatanatyam |
|---|---|
| Journey from Gross to Subtle – From Asana/Pranayama to Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi | Journey from Gross to Subtle – From Nritta to Nritya and Natya. |
| Primary goal is to unite Aatma with Paramatama | Primary goal is to unite with Supreme |
| Requires regular practice (Sadhana) preferably under guidance of Guru to become a good Sadhak. | Requires regular practice under guidance of able Guru to become a good Bharatanatyam Dancer |
| Asanas provide flexibility and strength to various body parts especially the spinal column, muscles around spinal column and abdominal cavity. Mudras stimulate the endocrine system. | Nritta – Adavus, bhedas performed as part of Dance Items such as Alaripu, Jatiswaram or Thiallana provides exercise to various body parts. Most actions in Bharatanatyam are performed in the Aramandi (Half Sitting) position which gives strength to Thighs, Calf Muscles, Groin Area, Knees and the foot. The Natyarambhe position (Hands stretched out parallel to ground and palms together stretched vertically) provides strength to the hand. The Griva Bheda and Shiro Bheda give flexibility to the Neck and Cervical region of the spinal column. Drushti Bheda gives strength to muscles behind the eyeballs. Various dance Postures are similar to the Final State of some Asanas – Such as you will find pose in Bharatanatyam similar to the final state of Parvatasana or Vrikshasana.Various dance postures require balancing of the body to hold the posture (E.g. Nataraj posture). This increases the body/mind coordination. |
| Pranayama helps control breath and also increase lung capacity. | Dancing for a longer period of time requires stamina. As a dancer builds stamina, her ability to breath also improves. The combination of postures which expand the lungs along with breathing while dancing improves lung capacity and stamina. |
| Pratyahar, Dharana, Dhyan – Moving the mind inwards by ignoring the senses and focusing on one topic. And doing it for a longer time. Samadhi – Pure Bliss. | To dance properly, the dancer has to focus on the Taala of the song and perform steps accordingly – by moving legs, feet, toes, heels, hands, ankles, palms, fingers, neck, eyes, eyebrows all in a synchronized manner. This requires tremendous concentration and focus. While doing this, the dancer forgets everything that is happening around her (withdrawing the senses and focusing inwards – towards the action to be performed by the body parts). Pratyahar and Dharana. Dancer also has to focus on the song, the words, their meaning and has to show the appropriate expressions on face and with mudras.This requires getting mind fully engrossed with the story and getting into that character. When she is depicting a devotee or deity, she gets immersed into the personality of the devotee or deity. This is not possible until the dancer mind is completely attached to the subject and also for a longer period of time. Dhyana. When a dancer is practicing alone with music in the background, she gets so engrossed into it that she forgets everything happening around her, all stress, all tensions. Her mind and the subject lose their duality and what remains is pure bliss. Samadhi. |
14. What activities does Mudraa arrange for spreading awareness of Bharatanatyam?
a) Mudraa has a course – Introduction to Bharatanatyam where interested people can get an overview of Bharatanatyam. This course is free.
b) Mudraa arranges various workshops, seminars, webinars from renowned dancers from India and abroad from time to time.
c) Organize Dance Recitals and competitions for local artists to participate and showcase their talent.