The 21-day Sādhanā series

Exercises

You can read the theory bit here.

Sādhanā has been described as ‘a discipline undertaken in the pursuit of a goal.

Abhyāsa is repeated practice performed with observation and reflection. Kriyā, or action, also implies perfect execution with study and investigation. Therefore, sādhanāabhyāsa, and kriyā all mean one and the same thing.

sādhaka, or practitioner, is one who skillfully applies…mind and intelligence in practice towards a spiritual goal.’ (B.K.S. Iyengar)

 I have a newfound control on every aspect of my time, and I intend to make the best use of it. Not by overworking myself, but by being more productive. Not by compromising on responsiveness, but by choosing when and how to respond. Not by neglecting my health – but in fact – giving more time to my body and mind. And…not by complaining that I don’t have the time – but by making the best use of all the time that is available to me.

This 21-day Sādhanā challenge is my way of a bit of course correction – and breaking some long-standing habits. You are welcome to try it for yourself.


How to go about it

This sādhanā is designed to be a 21-day course. Why 21 days? The short answer is that it is believed that 21 days makes a habit.

And so the sādhanā is designed as a series of 21 articles, each touching upon a specific topic, to serve as the backdrop for the exercises that follow. I would recommend that you read one article a day, for 21 days at a stretch, and then read the summary articles broken down week-by-week (week 1, week 2, week 3) – again, one a day. And finally, the “What I learnt” article, to complete the theory bit of the sādhanā.

Once done with the theory and recommended readings, start off with the exercises.


Love in the times of Corona

At the start of the lockdown, I penned down a few thoughts, in no particular order. You can read them here, or fill in the form below, and I will send the e-book to you.

Consider them to be musings of a fellow traveler, in the journey called life. 


Aparigraha through writing

Exercise 1 Write for 3-5 minutes everyday Difficulty level – 1 (easy to execute) Time commitment – 10 minutes everyday This exercise is simple. All…
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A small step towards tapasya

Exercise 2 Wake and sleep Difficulty level – 2 (moderately difficult) Time commitment – 10 minutes everyday This exercise is simple – after all, we…
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Connect with Nature

Exercise 3 Connect with nature Difficulty level – 1 (easy) Time commitment – 10 minutes everyday – ideal. Else every alternate day. Chances are that…
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Know your breath, know your self

Exercise 4 Breathing Difficulty level – 1 (easy) Time commitment – 10 minutes everyday Breathing is a fundamental life process. Our life is a collection…
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Amani-bhava – the bliss of no-mind

Exercise 5 No-Mind Difficulty level – 3 (difficult) Time commitment – 10 minutes every alternate day From observing, to observation. From total involvement, to no…
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Freeing up your time

Exercise 6 Freeing up your time – Part 1 Difficulty level – 3 (difficult) Time commitment : (-45) minutes everyday Till now, we discussed 5…
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Rediscovering eating

Exercise 8 Rediscovering Eating Difficulty level – 2 (moderately difficult) Time commitment : 15 minutes per day – week 1, 30 minutes per day –…
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Celebrate small achievements

Exercise 9 Tracking accomplishments Difficulty level – 1 (easy) Time commitment : 10 minutes everyday This exercise will help you reflect upon your daily tasks,…
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Cultivating steadfastness

Exercise 10 Tāḍāsana Difficulty level – 1 (easy) Time commitment : 10 minutes thrice a week We are nearly halfway through the course, and it’s…
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I am He

Exercise 11 Soham Meditation Difficulty level – 1 (easy) Time commitment : 10 minutes thrice a week As we enter the second phase of our…
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I respect the divinity in you

Exercise 12 Anjali Mudra Difficulty level – 1 (easy) Time commitment : 5 minutes everyday Today, we will practice an introductory mudra – the Anjali…
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The wedding of the mouse

Today, let me tell you another story. There was a beautiful hermitage on the bank of river Gangā, where a group of hermits lived in…
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Seeking peace

Exercise 14 Sukhāsana Difficulty level – 1 (easy) Time commitment : 10 minutes thrice a week This is a meditative āsanā, and among the easiest…
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Melt with the universe

Exercise 15 Jñāna Mudra and Chin Mudra Difficulty level – 1 (easy) Time commitment : 5 minutes everyday Today, we will practice our second mudra…
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You are what you eat

Exercise 16 Rediscovering food Difficulty level – 3 (difficult) Time commitment : At every meal and throughout the day We have spoken about perspectives, basic…
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Freeing up your time

Exercise 17 Freeing up your time – Part 2 Difficulty level – 3 (difficult) Time commitment : (-45) minutes everyday A few days back, I…
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Two fishes and a frog

We had some good exercises this week. We deserve a story! As the frog said, “the one with thousand tricks sat on the head of…
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The masculine and the feminine

Exercise 18 Chandra-bhedana pranayama Difficulty level – 2 (moderately difficult) Time commitment – 10 minutes, thrice a week in Week 3 This is the first…
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Udyana Avagāhan

Exercise 19 उद्यान अवगाहन – Forest bathing Difficulty level – 1 (easy) Time commitment : One hour every week We spoke about connecting with nature…
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Preparing for death

Exercise 20 शवासन – Śavāsana Difficulty level -3 (very difficult) Time commitment : 10-15 minutes, after every yogic practice The standing joke in yoga classes,…
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Preparing for rebirth

Exercise 21 Discovering your swara Difficulty level – 1 (easy) Time commitment : As indicated throughout the day We spoke about knowing the breath, through…
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