Twm december 2016

1. From the Founder's Desk Vol:VII No:9 December 2016
DearFriends,
We are energy. The very atoms of which our
physical bodies are made are but energy. All
matter is a manifestation of that energy.
Quantum Science shows us that everything is
made up of energy. It is the building block of
all matter. The same energy that composes
my body is the same one that composes the laptop, the pen, the
paper and everything around me. It's all the same. It is
constantlyatflow,changingformallthetime.
The new concept of science says that the Universe, including
us, is made of energy, not matter. This is not actually new - it
was positedbyourancientrishis, thousands ofyearsago.
Adi Shankaracharya said that this world is an illusion, maya.
Now Quantum Physics admits that the world we see and
perceiveis notreal.
Energy is everywhere, and what science has shown us is that
energy is neither created or destroyed. Everything in this
universe is made up of the same stuff. It is just present in
differentforms andshapes.
As science goes deeper and deeper into matter it finds that
matteris no moreandonlyenergy remains,onlyenergy is.
Quantum Physics says that as you go deeper and deeper into
the workings of the atom, you see that there is nothing there -
just energy waves. It says an atom is actually an invisible force
field, a kind of miniature tornado, which emits waves of
electricalenergy.
This is what Adi Shankaracharya had said: there is only Atma
andthereis no anatmainthisworld.
Now let us have look into the energy systems in our body. The
total materials and creatures of this universe are brought into
existence with the composition of Pancha-mahabhuta; thus the
human body is also composed of Pancha-mahabhuta - five
basic elements - Akasha, Vayu, Agni, Jala and Prithvi. Prana is
the life force that enables our body to act. This energy is present
in plants and animals as well. The Chinese name for prana is
Chi.
Pranaflows through subtleenergy channels,callednadis.There
are 72,000 nadis in our subtle body. The main nadis - Ida,
Pingala, and Shushumna, run along the spinal column in a
curved path and cross one another several times.At the points of
intersection, they form strong energy centers – wheel-like
vortexes- known as chakras. A chakra is a center of activity
thatreceives,assimilates,andexpressesprana.
Any leakage, blockage or imbalance in the energy flow in the
subtle body leads to disease in the physical body. The Creator
has blessed us by giving us the controlling, balancing or
enhancing of these energies literally in our hands. This
techniqueis calledMUDRAS.
We have covered an article on this science of Mudras. Hope
you willfindthisbeneficial.
I will also take this opportunity to wish you a VERY HAPPY
NEWYEAR 2017 inadvance.
B.R.Pai

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It may be a cliché but is true! Our health is in our hands. The
most precious things in life being free and simple, let's simply
stepintotheworldofMudras.
All of us keep performing hand gestures, on an everyday basis,
even without our notice. Our life is characterized by gestures:
crossing our fingers for someone, clapping our hands as
applause, the handshake, holding hands, or "giving someone
the finger" to display our low opinion of them. In India, mudras
are a part of all religious activities. Mudras are hand and finger
positionsandmovements. Mudrasmean“seal”or“closure”in
Sanskrit. TheyhavebeenknowninIndiaandtheEasternworld
for thousands of years, not only in meditation or yoga, but also
aspartoftreatmentforvariousphysicalandmentalailments.
The Five Elements: The Universe is made of five elements, and
each of our five fingers is represented by one of these
elements. The thumb represents agni or fire, as well as
universal consciousness. The index finger represents vayu or
air and individual consciousness. The middle finger
represents akasha, or space. The ring finger represents
prithvi or earth, and the little finger, jala or the element of
water.
When these five elements are not in balance, we can
experience un‐ease and dis‐ease in the body. The science
of Mudras is based on the principle that "the root cause of
disease is the imbalance and improper co‐ordination
between the five basic elements and a proper balance
betweentheseelementsisthesecretofgoodhealth.”
Mudras are one way of creating a balance between all of
these elements within us. Different areas of the hands are
related to various parts of the body and the brain. When a
fingerrepresentinganelementisbroughtintocontactwith
thethumb,thatelementisbroughtintobalance.
Similarly, when we place our hands in specific mudras, we
stimulate different areas of the brain and create a specific
energy circuit in the body. Thus we can direct the flow of
energywithinthebodybyusingourhands.
Practice of Mudras: To perform mudras, we just need our
handsandtheknowledgehowtousethem.
Though mudras are most effective when we hold them
meditatively, they can be done during other activities such
MUDRAS - Healing Power at our Finger-tips

3. 3
as watching TV or film or while commuting. Please note that
there is no need to apply pressure on our fingers. These
exercisesareperformedwithbothhandssimultaneously.
Mudrascanbeperformedatanytimewhilesitting,standing,
walking or travelling. There is no specific time to perform a
mudra, but the maximum benefit is by doing it in sitting
posture,especiallyinsukhasana,vajrasana,orpadmasana.
Initially, mudras should be performed for at least 10 minutes
and then can be extended to 30 minutes to 1 hour daily, by
spreading it over the day or doing it all at one go while
meditating. In each mudra, take at least twelve breaths and
closely observe the flow of energy (prana). Feel where the
breathisflowingandhowitgentlyenergizesthemind.
Types of Mudras: There are hundreds of mudra variations,
some which involve our head, hands and body, each one
helping with different ailments. The picture shows five
mudras that can be performed anywhere and at any time ‐
simplychoosetheonethatcorrespondstoyourproblemand
sticktoitforafewdaysuntilyoufeelbetter.
Benefits of Mudras: With Mudras, we can accelerate the
self‐healing capacity of our body. Mudras are natural healing
methods that are said to help manage pain, soothe arthritis,
relieve stress and prevent burn out, improve memory,
eliminateaddictions,overcomesleeplessnessandmore.
Mudras and Pain Management: Different mudras are useful
to reduce pain in different areas. Elderly persons can practice
mudras to relieve joint pains and knee pains. People who
work long hours on the computer can perform mudras to
relievetheirelbowpains.
Mudras in the Salt Cave: Sitting on a zero‐gravity chair and
spending 45 minutes in the Salt Cave with its benefits of a 7‐
spectrum color therapy, soothing music with the background
of running water, would be the perfect setting to perform
simple mudras, and an optimal healing environment for all
stressesandpains!
Conclusion: Regular practice of mudras will contribute to our
overall good health and can be used as a preventive measure
for most lifestyle diseases. By soothing and energizing all our
senses so that the body, mind and spirit absorb the powerful
vibrations on many levels, the effects of mudras will be
profound.
When used properly, Mudras transform our life. Use the
power of your hands to re‐establish your optimal state of
health.
Prithvi Mudra
5 Essential Daily Mudras (10 Minutes Each)

4. Written & Edited by: Arun B.R. & S.Venkateshan
Yoga Group in the Himalayan SaltCrystal Cave
Dr. Krishna Murthy, retired Deputy Director of CFTRI has actively involved himself in Yoga and Naturopathy
activities. Along with his Yoga students, numbering 25, he visited our salt cave recently. Dr. B.R.Pai, the creator of
Salt Cave personally briefed them on this unique concept - the first of its kind in India. All of them experienced
and enjoyed the serene atmosphere of the salt cave.
It was an occasion with a difference at Rotary West on 19th
November as Men's Health Day was celebrated. Most
people are not aware that such a day exists. A panel of
experts - Dr. B.G.Ponnappa, Dr. M.G.Shivaramu,
Dr. B.N.Raveesh, Dr. M.S.Vishweshwara, Dr. Anil Sangli,
CA Sripad and our own Dr. B.R.Pai - spoke on different
aspects of men's health like social, forensic, mental health,
cancer, neurological and financial. Dr. Pai took us back to
the basics and stressed on proper lifestyle as the means to
recover from depression and regain health. President of
Rotary West Rtn. Hanumanth presided. All in all, the
audience came to know that Movember is about awareness
of men's healthinthemonthofNovember.
MEN'S HEALTH DAY @ ROTARY WEST