Meditation for Beginners

Venkata was a Professor of Psychology and Director of the Institute for Yoga & Consciousness at Andhra University in South India, until he immigrated to the US in May 2006. By virtue of his training, his approach to yoga has been secular and psychological. He believes that yoga is a self-regulation strategy, which deals with body, mind and behavior in a synergistic way. The way of life/values and the set of practices prescribed by yoga for the regulation of the body-mind complex are universal in scope and nature, whether or not one subscribes to its world views. He acknowledges that yoga opened a new vista in his life by providing a means to approach, and to come to terms with the complexities of the mind-body processes on the one hand, and living in the world on the other, through the cultivation of awareness awareness and attention. He believes that meditation enabled him to progressively develop an attitude of witness to life. Meditation is an ancient technique that has been practiced across centuries in many different cultures. In recent years Western medical community recognized that meditation effectively reduces stress and promotes well being. It is also found to bring about positive changes in the brain structure and its functions. Meditation, which involves both Focusing/ Concentration and Mindfulness may be transformative it as it heals and enhances the being at all levels.

Venkata’s workshops on Meditation focus both on the theory and practice of. He describes the the nature of the human mind, attention and the affect of stress on body and how meditation helps to deal with them.

The Practice involves Joint and Gland Exercises, also known as Meridian Exercises, and Yoga Nidra and meditation on Breath. He incorporates the elements of Body Scanning and Vippasana in the practice. Venkata will also elaborates on how the principles and practice of Meditation can be applied in Daily Life.