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

thr brain structure and its functions. Meditation, which involves both

Focusing/ Concentration and Mindfulness may be transformative it as it

heals and enhances the beingat 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 Scnning and Vippasana in the

practice. Venkata will also elaborates on how the principles and

practice of Meditation can be applied in Daily Life.