DHARMA MITTRA YOGA
Dharma Yoga is a graceful, yet challenging form of yoga based on Sri Dharma Mittra’s almost fifty years of practice of classical yoga. The practice is appropriate for students of all levels, from beginner to lifelong practitioners and accessible to so many because it meets each student where they are and according to their condition. As students move through the different series, they are encouraged to go deeper and experience the practice in a meditative and spiritual way.Dharma Yoga has roots in all nine forms of yoga, including Hatha, Raja, Karma, Kriya, Bhakti, Japa, Laya and Jnana, as well as a focus on the Eight Limbs of Yoga (Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga) with great emphasis placed on Yama and Niyama.
In essence, Dharma Yoga is a system of classical Hatha-Raja Yoga. A devotional practice that emphasizes good health, a clear mind and a kind heart. The method weaves together many teachings in order to bring all students closer to the goal of Self-realization. Students will learn and practice Dharma yoga levels II-III, igniting the entire body for practice. Classes leading Sandra Petra Pintarić, student of Shri Dharma Mittra and first teacher of Dharma yoga in Croatia (E-RYT 800) and certificated teachers Ines Kartelo, Arnel and Dragana Glivetic (RYT 500) - Zagreb and Zana Dogas (City of Split). Expect a practice that is equally intense both physically and spiritually.
Below are descriptions for all Dharma Yoga classes and workshops to help you decide which ones are suitable for you. Every class is available to all students, but it is suggested that you choose the level that is most appropriate for you, so as to receive the maximum benefit.
DHARMA YOGA SHIVA NAMASKAR VINYASAS are challenging and physically absorbing vinyasa series created by Sri Dharma Mittra for the Dharma Gentle, I, II, III, IV, and V practices. They reintegrate the flow of prana throughout the spinal column and facilitate the movement of the vital life force deep into all areas of the physical, metabolic, intuitive and bliss bodies. This promotes harmony within all these layers so a concentrated state of radiant health is achieved. The highest crowning meditative asanas, pranayamas (breathing techniques), and Yoga Nidra (psychic sleep), which are embedded in the deep roots of Sri Dharma Mittra's teachings, are also imparted to the students.
DHARMA I (Absolute Beginners): This is the beginning level of the Dharma Yoga series. Students will practice DY Surya Namaskar Vinyasa and be introduced to DY Shiva Namaskar Vinyasa Level I to warm up the body, bring flexibility to all muscles and joints, and wake up the nervous system. A gentle yet powerful series of balancing, stretching, back bending, twisting and mild inverted postures will follow. This practice ends with Deep Relaxation, breathing exercises, and concentration/meditation to remove impurities and bring a sense of well-being to the body and radiant peace to the mind.
DHARMA II (Intermediate): This practice builds on the fundamentals of Dharma I, and is designed for those wishing to advance in posture practice. Dharma II will ignite the entire bodily system through practice. A series of deeper balancing, stretching, back bending, twisting and inverted variations will be taught, including the Headstand, King of Postures. This practice finishes with Deep Relaxation, breathing practices, and concentration/meditation, which will induce deep calm and simultaneously invigorate the students.
Dharma III (Advanced Intermediate): This intermediate practice builds on the teachings of Dharma II, and is designed for those wishing to move advance through our progressively challenging asana practices. Dharma III will ignite the entire bodily system through practice, unleashing the life force within it. With regular practice, weight problems and disease become a thing of the past, as one attains good health and increased stamina, and gains the opportunity to attain Self-realization. The balancing, back bending, twisting and inversion variations increase in difficulty. Special meditative Headstand and Shoulderstand practices are introduced. This practice finishes with Deep Relaxation, breathing exercises, and concentration/meditation certain to bring a deep sense of calm, increased sense of balance, peace, and invigorated energy to all students.
Dharma IV (Intermediate/Advanced/Teachers): This intermediate to advanced practice builds on the teachings of Dharma III, and is designed for those wishing to move advance through our progressively challenging asana practices. Dharma IV will ignite the entire bodily system through practice, unleashing the life force within it. With regular practice, weight problems and disease become a thing of the past, as one attains good health and increased stamina, and gains the opportunity to attain Self-realization. The balancing, back bending, twisting and inversion variations increase in difficulty. Special meditative advanced inversions are introduced. This practice finishes with Deep Relaxation, breathing exercises, and concentration/meditation certain to bring a deep sense of calm, increased sense of balance, peace, and invigorated energy to all students.
Master Practice | Dharma IV-V (Intermediate, Advanced & Teachers): This class is for intermediate and advanced students and yoga teachers. The practice is Dharma Level V of Sri Dharma Mittra’s Shiva Namaskara Vinyasa series. Dharma Yoga Registered Teachers, apprentice teachers and students, as well as teachers of all backgrounds from around the world commonly take this class. Be ready for an amazingly graceful yet extremely challenging practice steeped in 50 years of Sri Dharma's experience of the classical traditions. One of the joys of Master Practice is exploring variations of advanced postures you may not encounter anywhere else in the world of today, as well as the instruction in how to take the steps necessary to acquire these postures. You will be guided through a purifying Deep Healing Relaxation session which includes Yoga Nidra, and can begin to cultivate the mind through invaluable and profound sacred teachings on the ethical rules (yama), the yogic observances (niyama), the laws of karma, yogic diet, ancient varied breathing practices and sound techniques. Highly recommended for regular practitioners and yoga teachers. Caution: do not miss out.
“Each posture is designed to bring the practitioner a specific state of consciousness.” DM
Self Realization, Breathing and Meditation Gaining spiritual knowledge allows one to realize their full potential. This knowledge has the power to purify the body of toxins and calm the mind, leading to a state of optimum health, general well-being and self-empowerment. Sitting breathing and meditation techniques bring cumulative benefits. Chairs are provided, no previous experience needed.
Psychic Development Techniques is a special series of mental exercises sequenced to improve your psychic abilities and promote the projection of your thoughts. They include specific breathing exercises, directed visualizations, and these two powerful mantras: the Mantra for Purification and the Mantra for Unification. These mantras will establish perfect psychic rhythm to mental patterns which puts power behind your thoughts making it easier to achieve your goals and desires in life. These ancient techniques have only been passed down by word of mouth from teacher to disciple and continue to be taught in this way. This class culminates in a final meditation to make your personal dreams a reality.
Kirtan Devotional chanting. Bhakti Yoga is the yoga of devotion to the True Inner Self. Calling for or chanting the names of the Divine is considered the simplest method to find peace.
In essence, Dharma Yoga is a system of classical Hatha-Raja Yoga. A devotional practice that emphasizes good health, a clear mind and a kind heart. The method weaves together many teachings in order to bring all students closer to the goal of Self-realization. Students will learn and practice Dharma yoga levels II-III, igniting the entire body for practice. Classes leading Sandra Petra Pintarić, student of Shri Dharma Mittra and first teacher of Dharma yoga in Croatia (E-RYT 800) and certificated teachers Ines Kartelo, Arnel and Dragana Glivetic (RYT 500) - Zagreb and Zana Dogas (City of Split). Expect a practice that is equally intense both physically and spiritually.
Below are descriptions for all Dharma Yoga classes and workshops to help you decide which ones are suitable for you. Every class is available to all students, but it is suggested that you choose the level that is most appropriate for you, so as to receive the maximum benefit.
DHARMA YOGA SHIVA NAMASKAR VINYASAS are challenging and physically absorbing vinyasa series created by Sri Dharma Mittra for the Dharma Gentle, I, II, III, IV, and V practices. They reintegrate the flow of prana throughout the spinal column and facilitate the movement of the vital life force deep into all areas of the physical, metabolic, intuitive and bliss bodies. This promotes harmony within all these layers so a concentrated state of radiant health is achieved. The highest crowning meditative asanas, pranayamas (breathing techniques), and Yoga Nidra (psychic sleep), which are embedded in the deep roots of Sri Dharma Mittra's teachings, are also imparted to the students.
DHARMA I (Absolute Beginners): This is the beginning level of the Dharma Yoga series. Students will practice DY Surya Namaskar Vinyasa and be introduced to DY Shiva Namaskar Vinyasa Level I to warm up the body, bring flexibility to all muscles and joints, and wake up the nervous system. A gentle yet powerful series of balancing, stretching, back bending, twisting and mild inverted postures will follow. This practice ends with Deep Relaxation, breathing exercises, and concentration/meditation to remove impurities and bring a sense of well-being to the body and radiant peace to the mind.
DHARMA II (Intermediate): This practice builds on the fundamentals of Dharma I, and is designed for those wishing to advance in posture practice. Dharma II will ignite the entire bodily system through practice. A series of deeper balancing, stretching, back bending, twisting and inverted variations will be taught, including the Headstand, King of Postures. This practice finishes with Deep Relaxation, breathing practices, and concentration/meditation, which will induce deep calm and simultaneously invigorate the students.
Dharma III (Advanced Intermediate): This intermediate practice builds on the teachings of Dharma II, and is designed for those wishing to move advance through our progressively challenging asana practices. Dharma III will ignite the entire bodily system through practice, unleashing the life force within it. With regular practice, weight problems and disease become a thing of the past, as one attains good health and increased stamina, and gains the opportunity to attain Self-realization. The balancing, back bending, twisting and inversion variations increase in difficulty. Special meditative Headstand and Shoulderstand practices are introduced. This practice finishes with Deep Relaxation, breathing exercises, and concentration/meditation certain to bring a deep sense of calm, increased sense of balance, peace, and invigorated energy to all students.
Dharma IV (Intermediate/Advanced/Teachers): This intermediate to advanced practice builds on the teachings of Dharma III, and is designed for those wishing to move advance through our progressively challenging asana practices. Dharma IV will ignite the entire bodily system through practice, unleashing the life force within it. With regular practice, weight problems and disease become a thing of the past, as one attains good health and increased stamina, and gains the opportunity to attain Self-realization. The balancing, back bending, twisting and inversion variations increase in difficulty. Special meditative advanced inversions are introduced. This practice finishes with Deep Relaxation, breathing exercises, and concentration/meditation certain to bring a deep sense of calm, increased sense of balance, peace, and invigorated energy to all students.
Master Practice | Dharma IV-V (Intermediate, Advanced & Teachers): This class is for intermediate and advanced students and yoga teachers. The practice is Dharma Level V of Sri Dharma Mittra’s Shiva Namaskara Vinyasa series. Dharma Yoga Registered Teachers, apprentice teachers and students, as well as teachers of all backgrounds from around the world commonly take this class. Be ready for an amazingly graceful yet extremely challenging practice steeped in 50 years of Sri Dharma's experience of the classical traditions. One of the joys of Master Practice is exploring variations of advanced postures you may not encounter anywhere else in the world of today, as well as the instruction in how to take the steps necessary to acquire these postures. You will be guided through a purifying Deep Healing Relaxation session which includes Yoga Nidra, and can begin to cultivate the mind through invaluable and profound sacred teachings on the ethical rules (yama), the yogic observances (niyama), the laws of karma, yogic diet, ancient varied breathing practices and sound techniques. Highly recommended for regular practitioners and yoga teachers. Caution: do not miss out.
“Each posture is designed to bring the practitioner a specific state of consciousness.” DM
Self Realization, Breathing and Meditation Gaining spiritual knowledge allows one to realize their full potential. This knowledge has the power to purify the body of toxins and calm the mind, leading to a state of optimum health, general well-being and self-empowerment. Sitting breathing and meditation techniques bring cumulative benefits. Chairs are provided, no previous experience needed.
Psychic Development Techniques is a special series of mental exercises sequenced to improve your psychic abilities and promote the projection of your thoughts. They include specific breathing exercises, directed visualizations, and these two powerful mantras: the Mantra for Purification and the Mantra for Unification. These mantras will establish perfect psychic rhythm to mental patterns which puts power behind your thoughts making it easier to achieve your goals and desires in life. These ancient techniques have only been passed down by word of mouth from teacher to disciple and continue to be taught in this way. This class culminates in a final meditation to make your personal dreams a reality.
Kirtan Devotional chanting. Bhakti Yoga is the yoga of devotion to the True Inner Self. Calling for or chanting the names of the Divine is considered the simplest method to find peace.
|
SRI DHARMA MITTRA
Sri Dharma Mittra has spent most of his life in service to humanity, disseminating the ancient knowledge of how to achieve radiant health and spiritual development. He was born in the late 1930's and has studied Yoga since 1958. After meeting his guru (teacher), Sri Swami Kailashananda, he immersed himself in intense study and practice of the classical eight limbs of Yoga and nine years of dedicated full time practice of Karma Yoga. Sri Swami Kailashananda is known as the first Guru to bring the practice of Hatha Yoga to the west in the early 1950’s. Sri Dharma was accepted and initiated as a sannyasi (one who renounces the world in order to realize God). During these years he had the esteemed honor of being the personal assistant to the Guru attending to all his needs. Dharma Mittra spent many years as a full-time yogi and brahmachari (celibate religious student who lives with his teacher and devotes himself to the practice of spiritual disciplines). He then began teaching, only for his Guru and with selfless expectation. He was the main demonstrator for the Yoga asanas at the many lectures the Guru gave to the public in the '60’s and '70’s. After many years as a celebrated teacher at his guru’s Ashram, Sri Dharma left in 1974 to found the Yoga Asana Center, currently known as Dharma Yoga New York Center. Sri Dharma was one of the first independent Yoga teachers on the East Coast, initiating hundreds of thousands on the path of Yogic practice and teaching. Dharma Mittra began disseminating this knowledge before "styles" of Yoga became popular, and has remained truthful to the original classical practice. Students from all walks and styles of Yoga love his teachings. Sri Dharma has literally been teaching classes continuously every day since he started in 1967. To this day he still makes himself available regularly to anyone who walks through the doors of the Dharma Yoga Centers in need of help and direction. He is known as "the Rock of Yoga" due to his dedication and fortitude, and also as the "Teacher's Teacher" for his experience and knowledge. Sri Dharma continues to inspire, enlighten, and reveal the real meaning of Yoga to Yoga teachers and practitioners daily. Sri Dharma writes: "It is my greatest joy to share with students this knowledge that I have acquired in the past 50 years of practice and study. Dharma Yoga practice will give one’s body the power and strength to have resistance to common illnesses and diseases. With proper encouragement and increased faith in the Guru, as one can improve his physical body and mental attitude rapidly, thereby igniting the higher motives of making one's self useful to himself and all mankind." Sri Dharma is a most beloved Yoga Master, known for his humility, humor, joy and kindness in teaching. Every student who comes to his practices is treated "as part of his family." He diligently teaches the Yamas, the first step of Yoga, as he sets the greatest example for it in his life. In every class you will hear "without the Yama’s, known as the ethical rules, there is no success in Yoga." He tirelessly promotes ahimsa (nonharming) through vegetarianism, veganism, a live food Yoga diet, and kindness to all living beings, especially our inferior brothers in the animal kingdom. In 1975, Dharma created the Sun Salutation and Yoga Course Chart. This chart includes all hand-done drawings and art work, as well as photographs and two Yoga class programs. In 1984, he completed the Master Yoga Chart of 908 Postures as an offering to his Guru for all Yoga aspirants. This original masterpiece was meticulously assembled from over 1,350 photographs of posture variations he took of himself, all hand crafted before the computer age. Over 300 of these now-popular postures were created by Sri Dharma (though he will say they only "came through" Divine intuition). The poster has been an invaluable teaching tool for decades. It can be found in in just about every Yoga school and Ashram worldwide including in India. The poster was also used as the tool and inspiration for Yoga Journal's book -Yoga, where he is featured in his headstand series. Dharma Mittra is also the author of 608 Yoga Poses, published by New World Library and featured in American Yoga. His Maha Sadhana DVD set, containing Level I – A Shortcut to Immortality and Level II – Stairway to Bliss, has been widely acclaimed for its preservation of the main teachings of Yoga. They contain 8 hours of posture practice, breathing teachings, holy discourses, and Kirtan, providing an amazing overview of Sri Dharma’s years of dedicated service to the tradition. Yoga Master Dharma Mittra offers over 50 years of gems from his practice in two beautiful, useful, high quality DVD’s from Pranayama. Maha Sadhana (meaning the great practice) levels I and II are comprised of Asana and Pranayama (breathing) practices, meditation practices and spiritual discourses as the core content. Both are as amazing to watch as they are to practice with, since a man of Dharma Mittra’s age (he was born in the late ‘30s) wouldn’t be expected to have the strength, flexibility and muscle tone that he does. Lest we should be distracted by his perfection of postures, however, including such things as ease into full splits and the perfectly smooth flow between postures, Dharma Mittra emphasizes more than once in both DVDs that the postures 'are only one of the eight limbs of practice, designed to prepare the body for breathing exercises and meditation.'” More information can be found in The Life of Sri Dharma and Dharma Mittra's Answers. www.dharmayogacenter.com BE RECEPTIVE |