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Beyond the Eclipse!
Anchoring in the Light of the Heart!
Clara Hofman & Dr Kausthub Desikachar
March 14, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 11 minutes
Namaste and greetings from the heart!
As we stand beneath the luminous embrace of the full moon, witnessing its celestial dance with the eclipse, let us reflect on the deeper meaning of this cosmic event. Just as the radiant moon is momentarily veiled by the earth’s shadow, so too can the light and grace within our hearts be dimmed by the passing clouds of toxic thoughts, doubts, and fears.
Life, much like the sky above, is in constant motion. Sometimes, clarity and love shine effortlessly within us, guiding our way. Yet, there are moments when negativity, anger, resentment, or sorrow cast a shadow over our inner light. These eclipses of the heart can make us feel disconnected, lost in the storms stirred by the restless waves of our mind. But just as the moon’s brilliance is never truly lost—only hidden for a time—so does the love within us remain untouched, waiting for the moment to shine again.
Let this celestial event remind us that darkness is not permanent. We are not our thoughts, nor do the passing storms of the mind bind us. When we stay anchored in the heart—where kindness, compassion, and stillness reside—we become like the unwavering sky that holds space for light and shadow, knowing that all things shall pass.
Interestingly, today is also a wonderful holiday in India called Holi. Holi is a very popular and significant festival celebrated as the Festival of Colours, Love, and Spring. It celebrates the eternal and divine love of the deities Rādha and Kṛṣṇa. Additionally, the day signifies the triumph of good over evil, as it commemorates the victory of Śrī Viṣṇu as Śrī Narasimha over the evil demon, Hiranyakaśipu.
As we embrace this moment of reflection, I share with you my prayer of gratitude. Feel free to use it for yourself or be inspired to offer grace similar to your chosen deity.
Oh Nārȳaṇa! You are both within and around me. I offer my gratitude for the blessings already present in my life. Thank you for the love that fills my heart, the guidance that leads my way, and the strength to return to my truth when shadows pass. May I always remember that beyond the eclipse, your light in my heat remains eternal. Namaste!
Happy Full Moon in Eclipse!
Namaste!
In other news, we are also blessed to offer two new Viniyoga Therapy Trainings, one in Italy and the other in Hungary, which will commence this summer. They are excellent ways to help overcome your shadows, to reconnect with your inner light and to guide others, who are suffering, to do the same. Further information is provided towards the end of this newsletter. We feel blessed to offer these training sessions and are even more grateful to welcome you to participate.
A Path of Healing for War Veterans
Interview with Carmen Martinez, El Salvador
Carmen Martinez, a dedicated yoga practitioner from El Salvador, has been deeply connected to the Viniyoga tradition since the beginning of her journey. Guided by teachers influenced by Krishnamacharya and T.K.V. Desikachar, she found in Viniyoga a method that respects individual needs while remaining rooted in tradition. She continues her Viniyoga studies with Dr Kausthub Desikachar and Grazia Suffriti.
Her work with war veterans started almost serendipitously. What began as a simple offer for a free class became a structured program, forming the foundation of her Viniyoga Therapist Thesis. The group, composed of former guerrilla members and ex-army officers, has consistently attended monthly sessions, an achievement in itself given the challenges of working with traumatized individuals.
Key Takeaways from Her Testimony
The Power of Adaptation in Yoga
Carmen highlights how Viniyoga’s adaptability is key to making yoga accessible to people from all walks of life, even those who may initially resist it due to cultural or religious biases.Healing Beyond the Physical
The impact of her work extends beyond physical well-being. Many veterans experience profound emotional and psychological shifts—better sleep, improved emotional regulation, and a conscious effort to avoid triggers that reignite past traumas.Challenges & Resilience
The biggest obstacle remains frequency. Limited resources and security concerns prevent more regular sessions, making it difficult to provide consistent follow-ups. Yet, despite these limitations, the veterans continue their practice at home, demonstrating the transformative potential of even small, simple yoga interventions.
Lessons for Today’s World
Carmen’s work is a testament to the importance of adaptability and patience in healing. In a post-pandemic world marked by uncertainty and disconnection, Viniyoga serves as a tool to cultivate inner stability and connection—both to oneself and to others. Her approach reinforces that yoga is not about performance but about personal evolution, proving that even in difficult conditions, transformation is possible.
Her testimony inspires us all: healing takes time, but we can navigate life with the right tools and mindset with greater peace and resilience.
👉 Read the full interview with Carmen Martinez on our website: https://www.viniyoga.com.sg/viniyoga-in-action/viniyoga-war-veterans
Contributions of Srī TKV Desikachar | 03
The Yogasūtra of Patañjali!
Śrī TKV Desikachar is regarded the world over as one of the most important Yoga Masters of the modern era. His extraordinary contributions to the Yoga field have touched the hearts of millions of people worldwide. We explore some of his most profound contributions through a series of videos.
This third video describes how he introduced the Yogasūtra of Patañjali to audiences worldwide and hence bringing them to connect with the roots of Yoga!
Watch and learn!
His Master’s Voice | Patañjali's Yogasūtra
Audio blog by Dr. Kausthub Desikachar
Yogasūtra II.8 - duḥkha-anuśayī dveṣaḥ
Unreasonable dislike is clinging to [a remembered or anticipated] suffering.
Unreasonable dislike (Dveṣa) continues to persist even after the circumstances that caused the unpleasant experience have changed. Dveṣa manifests in different ways as rejection, disgust, hatred, racism, sexism, fanaticism and more.
Listen to an audio explaining this aphorism:» Click the Play button below!
Mindspace Heroics!
Meditation Techniques for Inner Peace & Self-Awareness
An article by Dr Kausthub Desikachar, Ph D
Meditation, or Dhyana, is central to Yoga. It bridges inner peace and profound self-awareness. Meditation offers a sanctuary for the mind and soul in today’s fast-paced world, where distractions abound and stress is a constant companion. With techniques ranging from focused meditation (Saguna) to mantra meditation (Japa), Yoga invites practitioners to embark on a transformative journey within. Let’s explore these practices, their benefits, and a simple, guided meditation session to help deepen your experience.
The Essence of Meditation in Yoga
Meditation isn’t just a practice; it’s a state of being. In the yogic tradition, Dhyana is one of the eight limbs of Yoga outlined by the sage Patañjali in the Yogasūtras. It involves the continuous and effortless focus of the mind, creating a pathway to stillness and unity with the self.
Unlike modern perceptions that often reduce Yoga to physical postures, traditional Yoga emphasises the integration of mind, body, and spirit. Meditation is the cornerstone of this integration, enabling practitioners to transcend the chatter of the mind and connect with their inner essence. This is precisely why Patañjali dedicates an entire chapter to this topic in his Yogasūtra-s.
Techniques of Meditation
Yoga offers a variety of meditation techniques, each tailored to meet individual needs and goals. Here are some key practices:
1. Focused Meditation (Saguṇa)
Focused meditation involves concentrating on an object, sound, or image. It could be a candle flame, a flower, or even the sensation of your breath. The aim is to anchor the mind, preventing it from wandering.
Benefits:
Sharpens mental focus and concentration.
Helps develop patience and discipline.
Cultivates mindfulness and presence.
A 2018 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that focused attention meditation improves cognitive functions such as sustained attention and task performance, highlighting its efficacy in enhancing mental focus.
How to Practise:
Sit comfortably in a quiet space. Place a candle or another suitable object in front of you. Let the object have attributes you need rather than just what you like. Gaze at it gently, allowing your mind to rest on the object. When your thoughts stray, simply guide them back without judgement. When you advance, you can visualise this object or focus within your heart rather than have it physically present in front of you.
To read the full article, you may click below to download the PDF File>
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VINIYOGA® THERAPY TRAINING
NEW BATCHES IN EUROPE IN 2025! ITALY & HUNGARY!
REGISTRATIONS OPEN!!!!!
A profound transformation awaits you. Two exceptional Viniyoga Yoga Therapy trainings are about to begin in Italy and Hungary, offering a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a holistic journey of healing and personal evolution.
Rooted in the classical teachings of Sri T. Krishnamacharya and TKV Desikachar, these programs will provide:
✅ A deep understanding of Viniyoga Therapy as a holistic health system
✅ Practical tools to support individual healing and well-being
✅ A multidimensional approach that considers the whole person, not just the symptoms
✅ A safe and supportive space for personal and professional growth
Whether you aspire to become a Yoga Therapist or wish to integrate these principles into your practice, this training will equip you with the knowledge and experience to guide others—and yourself—toward lasting transformation.
🔹 Led by Dr. Kausthub Desikachar
🔹 First-ever training of its kind in Italy
Don't miss this chance to embark on a life-changing journey! 🌿✨
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