Yoga Psychology in Tureya Foundation???

JenniferM · Aug 19th, 2008, 04:27

I am new to the these forums so hello to all of you.

I am heading to India next month and was thinking about the Psych program at Tureya as well so thank you for the information.

If any of you have committed to this yet and/or already have made travel plans I would be happy to chat more with you.

Thanks,
J

Mike Thomas · Aug 19th, 2008, 20:28

Hey! It is nice to see so many people taking interest in the Tureya Ashram. I have found a home there, and I hope that others may discover a similar experience if they decide to visit.

Since I am still not sure what PM refers to, I have decided to post my email account mikethomastheyogi@gmail.com for those of you who wish to contact me personally regarding yoga, India, or in this case the Tureya Ashram. Please do not exploit this email address as I am sharing it to help others, not be abused by spam mail.

I have also bookmarked this page and am ready to help anyone who might have questions. Does anyone know how to expand this topic and make it more general?

I will try to answer the questions fully with the hope that the FAQ will be out in the open for people interested in an overview of the Ashram from a students perspective. I want to take the time because the ashram has made such a difference in my life, and I hope that others may find inspiration to travel to India if they are in search of spirituality. But I will be leaving soon for a photographic documentary in China this October, so if you have questions please let me know soon.

in response to jeffyb:

You will definitely enjoy the ashram in November as it is a great time of year to stay in Kodaikanal. My close friend visited last year in November and said that it was really the perfect time to visit. My stay at the ashram was during the summer, and while Kodaikanal never went above 70'F the majority of India was scorched in a heat that I am not accustomed to.

My experience of the people at the ashram was as follows: I noticed a lot of people from a variety of backgrounds and personal disciplines. People had come from around the world to stay at the ashram, and I had made friends during my stay who came from Brazil, Canada, England, Switzerland, and Japan. There were also several people who had visited during my stay that used the ashram as a retreat. They were very eclectic individuals of which I would go to the extend of considering enlightened as I had an opportunity to talk with several of them and felt that they had a vibrancy that went beyond joy and contentment. It was their contribution to the community that gave me an initial conformation in the quality of the ashram as I have always held my reservations regarding ashrams in general, especially after some experiences I had with Ashrams in the US and Northern India which I would consider commercial retreats. Of course the most important aspect of the community was the teachers and Swami Tureyananda who have set in motion my true spiritual journey.

There is one basic explanation of the ashram community that may answer your question: essentially Tureyananda's teachings work to help the individual in the exploration of spiritual living. While there were many classes and courses taking place during my 2 month stay, students were free to explore their own experience of the spiritual life and receive guidance in the process. Aside from the personal teachings, I also studied, along with other students, practical lessons, techniques from the yogic systems, rigorous asana routines, classes in cleansing through the kriyas, and more advanced lessons from the yogic system (like tantra).

Overall, the courses take care of, what I would consider, two necessary qualities that can be applied in life: one is the spiritual aspect, of which I found extremely potent for those who are interested in self-transformation; and two the academic aspect which is necessary if one wished to have a qualified position for helping other (or making a living in a positive way). Since my stay I have been able to use the teachings both in my personal life and business life; my spiritual lifestyle continues to unfold as I am also using the teaching to drastically improve my private practice of psycho-therapy. In the end, I have received a life long experience that has helped me and my patients. What more can be said!

I know I might be hyping up the Tureya Ashram, but really I want others to know that spiritual living is out there and available to everyone. If you do not plan to visit Tureyananda, that's fine. But at least take the effort and explore what is available to you. Spirituality is one of the most fulfilling paths in life, and you will never be disappointed in its results along the way. We only have this life to live, learn, and love, so why let it go to waist? Again I hope that this has been useful, perhaps guiding, to some as I believe in the cause and purpose of spiritual living and hope that others might find refuge in the spiritual life.

Arise, Awake, and Stop not till the goal is reached!

Sama · Aug 19th, 2008, 21:55

I've had more than a few emails with the ashram and have decided to take their course next year....your input has been invaluable, Mike, thanks!

I am also very interested in their retreat at Rameswaram, a town that I loved.

JenniferM · Aug 20th, 2008, 02:27

Thank you for all the information.

machadinha · Aug 20th, 2008, 23:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Thomas

Since I am still not sure what PM refers to, I have decided to post my email account <...> for those of you who wish to contact me personally regarding yoga, India, or in this case the Tureya Ashram. Please do not exploit this email address as I am sharing it to help others, not be abused by spam mail.

PM = Private Message, a function that will become available to you after some time spent here, and a minimum number of posts. Members can send each other private messages that way, without needing an email address. The function has been limited for newcomers to stop abuse of it.

Your mail address as posted now will attract spam automatically, there's nothing anyone can do about that. There are automated programs (so-called spambots) "harvesting" the web for precisely such addresses, which of course are easily recognizable by their format. That's why I suggested creating a separate disposable webmail address for it, that you can then cancel or just disregard later.

It's better to post it in a format like mike AT blablah DOT com; maybe you can still edit your post to that effect (the edit function is again limited to a few days); or maybe a mod (moderator) will notice this and change it for you; or you can drop a note to the "contact us" address at the bottom of each page to ask them to do so.

cosmicjel · Aug 21st, 2008, 01:22

thanks a lot Mike, it is really helpful and valuable.. I am planning to go on November for Yoga Psychology course. I believe you did the Yoga Therapy course, how does it differ from Yoga Psychology? I have background in psychology as well and I am hoping to integrate spirituality into my practice so it was great to hear from someone who is already doing that.. Would you recommend either one more in terms of content of the classes?

JenniferM · Sep 18th, 2008, 04:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Thomas

-cosmicjel-

I have spent 2 month at the tureya foundation's ashram to study yoga therapy and get a degree to become a certified yoga therapist. The program was exceptional and went beyond many of my expectation of what I was going to find at an ashram. Before visiting I had never been to India, and I always imaged overcrowded cities and excess pollution (again my misconceptions). While there are many cities in India, there are also many areas of the country that are complete open spaces including the mountains of Kodaikanal where the ashram is located.

I have been practicing yoga for over 8 years now, and I started with hatha yoga and gradually move towards ashtanga. I became a certified teacher in 2001 and have been teaching in Boulder, Colorado since then. I have experienced many forms of yoga and include within my practice the asanas, meditation, and pranayama. But I learned many new things from my stay at the Tureya Ashram as there are many practices and traditions that are not known to the west, many of which are extremely useful for both spiritual life and our overall health. For instances Swami Tureyananda taught many lessons regarding how to cleanse the body and purify the organs for optimum health. They were very practical lessons and started from a very basic and approachable level and moved towards a more advanced understanding.

The ashram itself is very traditional. It is also a smaller community as Swami Tureyananda is not interested in a large number of students at one given time. I liked this atmosphere a lot as it provided me with the space and support to practice the techniques in a peaceful environment. The ashram was mixed with both foreign students and Indians. The teachers were of the same mix, and for the yoga therapy course we had 2 teachers from the ashram, a teacher from America, and swamiji would also guide several courses a week.

The ashram overlooks a massive valley which is perfect for meditation. It is also situated on a large peace of land, much of which has not been developed or renovated which give the ashram a very natural feel.

HI Mike,

I am planning on going there in about a month, is there a strong hatha yoga pratice there as I am looking to do some internal work mentally, spiritually an physically.

Thanks

jeffyb · Sep 25th, 2008, 17:52

Hi there--Thanks to Mike for all the info. I'll be attending the therapy course in November. So, I'll see you, cosmicjel...Can't wait!

PriyaGopal · Sep 29th, 2008, 15:49

Thanks for all the comprehensive information mike. We really appreciate the time you put into answering these questions. They were really helpful in guiding me and making my discussion on where to stay yoga in India. I've made plans to visit next January. I'm so excited! If anyone else is going to be visiting let me know!

cosmicjel · Nov 9th, 2008, 20:42

hi jeff! i do not know how to reach you.. so if you get this can you e-mail me? hope you are well and i will probably see u at the office tomm. peace

parkerM · Nov 16th, 2008, 16:57

Here are some extra details about yoga psychology if anyone is interested:

"Yoga psychology is as vast as the subject it seeks to know and understand, the mind itself. Yoga psychology is the study of 'mind' and consciousness. When we study yoga psychology, we deeply and experientially explore our body-mind connection and work towards integration."

Read the rest in this link:

http://www.bigshakti.com/articles/4.aspx

SaraswatiLight · Nov 17th, 2008, 18:15

I'm currently staying in India and met a girl who just finished a retreat at the ashram and loved it. Does anyone know if the ashram allows drop-ins or do I have to notify them in advance? I emailed them yesterday but I thought I would post here as well in case I can get a quick response. Thanks for your help!

Sama · Nov 17th, 2008, 20:35

you need to notify them in advance if you want to take a course. I'm all set for 2009.

karuna · Nov 29th, 2008, 14:59

Mod Note:
The Tureya Foundation, or its agents, spend a surprising amount of time attempting to spam this forum with fake recommendations and posts designed to bump this thread up to the top of the list.

I have no idea how this might relate to the organisation's honesty or integrity, I shall leave that up to each individual to decide.

As it has become impossible to tell who is genuine and who is not (regular posters aside!), this thread is closed.

Aug 19th, 2008, 04:27	#16
JenniferM Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York City Posts: 18	I am also thinking about going as well I am new to the these forums so hello to all of you. I am heading to India next month and was thinking about the Psych program at Tureya as well so thank you for the information. If any of you have committed to this yet and/or already have made travel plans I would be happy to chat more with you. Thanks, J

Aug 19th, 2008, 21:55	#18
Sama a pain in the asana Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: the India inside my heart Posts: 6,339	I've had more than a few emails with the ashram and have decided to take their course next year....your input has been invaluable, Mike, thanks! I am also very interested in their retreat at Rameswaram, a town that I loved. __________________ *MY INDIA, 2005-2008* "Once you have felt the Indian dust, you will never be free of it." (Rumer Godden, 1975)

Nov 16th, 2008, 16:57	#26
parkerM Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Dakota Posts: 1	Here are some extra details about yoga psychology if anyone is interested: "Yoga psychology is as vast as the subject it seeks to know and understand, the mind itself. Yoga psychology is the study of 'mind' and consciousness. When we study yoga psychology, we deeply and experientially explore our body-mind connection and work towards integration." Read the rest in this link: http://www.bigshakti.com/articles/4.aspx Last edited by Aishah : Nov 16th, 2008 at 17:44. Reason: Adjusting post for copyright purposes.

Nov 29th, 2008, 14:59	#29
karuna Just a big girl with a small dream Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: A little town you've probably never heard of Posts: 2,976	Mod Note: The Tureya Foundation, or its agents, spend a surprising amount of time attempting to spam this forum with fake recommendations and posts designed to bump this thread up to the top of the list. I have no idea how this might relate to the organisation's honesty or integrity, I shall leave that up to each individual to decide. As it has become impossible to tell who is genuine and who is not (regular posters aside!), this thread is closed. __________________ Mosquitos suck.

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Aug 19th, 2008, 20:28	#17
Mike Thomas Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Denver, Colorado Posts: 3	Hey! It is nice to see so many people taking interest in the Tureya Ashram. I have found a home there, and I hope that others may discover a similar experience if they decide to visit. Since I am still not sure what PM refers to, I have decided to post my email account mikethomastheyogi@gmail.com for those of you who wish to contact me personally regarding yoga, India, or in this case the Tureya Ashram. Please do not exploit this email address as I am sharing it to help others, not be abused by spam mail. I have also bookmarked this page and am ready to help anyone who might have questions. Does anyone know how to expand this topic and make it more general? I will try to answer the questions fully with the hope that the FAQ will be out in the open for people interested in an overview of the Ashram from a students perspective. I want to take the time because the ashram has made such a difference in my life, and I hope that others may find inspiration to travel to India if they are in search of spirituality. But I will be leaving soon for a photographic documentary in China this October, so if you have questions please let me know soon. in response to jeffyb: You will definitely enjoy the ashram in November as it is a great time of year to stay in Kodaikanal. My close friend visited last year in November and said that it was really the perfect time to visit. My stay at the ashram was during the summer, and while Kodaikanal never went above 70'F the majority of India was scorched in a heat that I am not accustomed to. My experience of the people at the ashram was as follows: I noticed a lot of people from a variety of backgrounds and personal disciplines. People had come from around the world to stay at the ashram, and I had made friends during my stay who came from Brazil, Canada, England, Switzerland, and Japan. There were also several people who had visited during my stay that used the ashram as a retreat. They were very eclectic individuals of which I would go to the extend of considering enlightened as I had an opportunity to talk with several of them and felt that they had a vibrancy that went beyond joy and contentment. It was their contribution to the community that gave me an initial conformation in the quality of the ashram as I have always held my reservations regarding ashrams in general, especially after some experiences I had with Ashrams in the US and Northern India which I would consider commercial retreats. Of course the most important aspect of the community was the teachers and Swami Tureyananda who have set in motion my true spiritual journey. There is one basic explanation of the ashram community that may answer your question: essentially Tureyananda's teachings work to help the individual in the exploration of spiritual living. While there were many classes and courses taking place during my 2 month stay, students were free to explore their own experience of the spiritual life and receive guidance in the process. Aside from the personal teachings, I also studied, along with other students, practical lessons, techniques from the yogic systems, rigorous asana routines, classes in cleansing through the kriyas, and more advanced lessons from the yogic system (like tantra). Overall, the courses take care of, what I would consider, two necessary qualities that can be applied in life: one is the spiritual aspect, of which I found extremely potent for those who are interested in self-transformation; and two the academic aspect which is necessary if one wished to have a qualified position for helping other (or making a living in a positive way). Since my stay I have been able to use the teachings both in my personal life and business life; my spiritual lifestyle continues to unfold as I am also using the teaching to drastically improve my private practice of psycho-therapy. In the end, I have received a life long experience that has helped me and my patients. What more can be said! I know I might be hyping up the Tureya Ashram, but really I want others to know that spiritual living is out there and available to everyone. If you do not plan to visit Tureyananda, that's fine. But at least take the effort and explore what is available to you. Spirituality is one of the most fulfilling paths in life, and you will never be disappointed in its results along the way. We only have this life to live, learn, and love, so why let it go to waist? Again I hope that this has been useful, perhaps guiding, to some as I believe in the cause and purpose of spiritual living and hope that others might find refuge in the spiritual life. Arise, Awake, and Stop not till the goal is reached!

Aug 20th, 2008, 02:27	#19
JenniferM Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York City Posts: 18	Thank you for all the information.

Aug 21st, 2008, 01:22	#21
cosmicjel Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Istanbul & San Francisco Posts: 9	thanks a lot Mike, it is really helpful and valuable.. I am planning to go on November for Yoga Psychology course. I believe you did the Yoga Therapy course, how does it differ from Yoga Psychology? I have background in psychology as well and I am hoping to integrate spirituality into my practice so it was great to hear from someone who is already doing that.. Would you recommend either one more in terms of content of the classes?

Sep 25th, 2008, 17:52	#23
jeffyb jeff Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 11	Hi there--Thanks to Mike for all the info. I'll be attending the therapy course in November. So, I'll see you, cosmicjel...Can't wait!

Sep 29th, 2008, 15:49	#24
PriyaGopal Account Closed Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 1	Thanks for all the comprehensive information mike. We really appreciate the time you put into answering these questions. They were really helpful in guiding me and making my discussion on where to stay yoga in India. I've made plans to visit next January. I'm so excited! If anyone else is going to be visiting let me know!

Nov 9th, 2008, 20:42	#25
cosmicjel Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Istanbul & San Francisco Posts: 9	hi jeff! i do not know how to reach you.. so if you get this can you e-mail me? hope you are well and i will probably see u at the office tomm. peace

Nov 17th, 2008, 18:15	#27
SaraswatiLight Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Switzerland Posts: 4	I'm currently staying in India and met a girl who just finished a retreat at the ashram and loved it. Does anyone know if the ashram allows drop-ins or do I have to notify them in advance? I emailed them yesterday but I thought I would post here as well in case I can get a quick response. Thanks for your help!

Nov 17th, 2008, 20:35	#28
Sama a pain in the asana Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: the India inside my heart Posts: 6,339	you need to notify them in advance if you want to take a course. I'm all set for 2009.

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