Questions and Answers about RussaYog

• Can RussaYog help me lose weight?
• How is RussaYog different from traditional yoga?
• How does RussaYog compare to weight training?
• How does RussaYog influence the aging process?
• Does RussaYog improve sexual abilities?
• How does yoga in general and RussaYog in particular contribute to spiritual health?
• What kind of body "look" does RussaYog create?
• Should I take any special precautions whle doing RussaYog?
• Will RussaYog make me feel good while I'm doing it and after?
• Sometimes my mind is locked into negative thoughts. Can RussaYog help me get out of these states?
• What is "karmic" wealth as mentioned in the preface of the book? How does yoga allow us to generate and enjoy "karmic wealth?"
• Can anyone learn and then teach RussaYog?
• What is chai? Do you have great recipe for chai?
• What is RussaYog? (takes you to "What does RussaYog offer?" page)
• Who are the instructors? (goes to "prof" page)
• Who are the new instructors? (goes to "teacher" page)
• How can I become an instructor? (goes to "teacher training" page)
• What is the Primal Shakti 7.7 Yoga Tree? (goes to "news" page)
• What is the Yoga Danda (Yoga Staff)? (goes to "news" page)

• Can RussaYog help me lose weight?
Weight loss has emerged as one of the most important physical and psychological health issues in "rich" societies. Four parameters control weight loss or gain:
(i) caloric intake;
(ii) efficiency of converting food to "body;"
(iii) metabolism, i.e., rate of caloric use per unit of work done; and
(iv) energy expended.
RussaYog, like traditional yoga, is a calming exercise. It forces one to maintain balance under forces pulling from different directions. Unlike vigorously moving exercises, RussaYog forces the practitioner to learn how to maintain balance and a mental vision of "detached-attachment." Such a balance should allow one to modify the first parameter listed above (caloric intake). Just slowing down the eating process can greatly influence how much food one eats. An hour of RussaYog burns about 300 Calories. The resultant muscle growth also helps by burning calories faster. The human body is incredibly efficient—a single candy bar can allow a typical human to walk about 2 miles.

1 gallon of gas has energy equal to about 100 candy bars— 27,000 calories
Mileage of an average SUV: 15 mpg
Mileage of a typical human adult: 270 mpg
Mileage of a bicyclist: 1,000 mpg

• How is RussaYog different from traditional yoga?
On the physical level traditional yoga places the body in asanas (or poses) which test the body's flexibility. In some asanas the practitioner also needs great balance and (usually) lower body strength. The asana is then held for anywhere from 10 seconds to minutes, to even hours. Usually an asana is rarely held more than one minute. In RussaYog a free flowing rope, looped over an anchor in the ceiling (or a tree branch or a playground swingset...) is gripped. This allows the user to manipulate the direction of the force of gravity. Now the Earth's gravity does not just pull one downward, but can be used to place upward force, sideway force. This allows the RussaYog practitioner do asanas that would require one or several "helpers." The practitioner can not only develop flexibility and balance, but strength and stamina normally associated with weight training.

• How does RussaYog compare to weight training?
Weight training is based on using movable weights (either directly or through machines, such as pulleys) to stress muscles and thus strengthen them. Weight training is an excellent exercise to build strength and if done correctly, posture. Over the last several decades there has been an intense effort made by equipment designers to take weight training away from "free weights" to large machine-based workouts. The benefits of this (apart from profits for equipment makers) trend has been that many more people, some with injuries or weaknesses that would not allow them to workout with free weights, can participate. The downside to this trend is that the user does not have to depend upon "balance" and use of many core muscles. Weight training can also cause an imbalanced body look sometimes sported by bodybuilders (huge upper body, tiny calves, etc.). RussaYog provides the muscle strength available through weight training, although one cannot build huge muscles, since one uses the body's own weight for resistance. It is particularly good for core muscles and balance. It also "lifts" the body frame for an erect posture.

• How does RussaYog influence the aging process?
In the U.S.A. (and many other developed countries) the aging process is characterized by the following (statistical based) changes:
* An increase in weight of 1 to 2 pounds per year from ages 25 to sixty. This is accompanied by a loss of about 1% muscle strength per year from age 25 onward.
* A combination of weakening abdominal muscles causes the abdomen to sag outward—even for thin people.
* A gravity driven drooping of shoulders, breasts, and buttocks. A lowering of erection angle for men.
Other changes like hair loss, hair color loss, memory loss, loss of balance, etc., are also brought on by aging. It would be incorrect to say that a practitioner of Russayog will not age! However, the counter gravity use of ropes and strengthening of core trunk muscles can definitely postpone or even banish the first three aging related processes. A number of Russayog asanas pull the body up and "gently backwards"—as if a physical therapist was working with you. • Can anyone do RussaYog?
Anyone can do some parts of RussaYog. However, since many asanas require a strong grip, upper body and trunk strength, practitioners should slowly build up to them. Athletes who are already participating in sports (runners, swimmers, football players, rowers, etc.) should have no problem doing the full offering of asanas. A good rule of thumb for anyone would be the following:
Can you grip a bar and hold your body hanging off the ground for 5-10 seconds? If you cannot, it is good to do an easier version of the asanas shown. Most asanas are done in three steps: easy, harder, hardest. Certainly if you've had back, shoulder, knee, or wrist surgery, please check with your physician before starting.

• Does RussaYog improve sexual abilities?
While sex involves complex physical and psychological issues, there is no question that the physical part is closely tied to physical fitness. An important part of erectile dysfunction is related to high cholesterol, obesity, and high blood pressure. After all, male erection and female arousal have to do with good blood flow. The lingam-yoni asanas of Russayog are especially useful for developing the groin and abdominal muscles, the core muscles. In fact, the first sequence of asanas should greatly help the physical aspect of sexual fitness.

• How does yoga in general and RussaYog in particular contribute to spiritual health?
Let us first define a general concept of our spiritual being—a sense that we are part of a bigger picture. The word "Ik Onkar" or "one source, many manifestations" summarizes a spiritual view of the Universe. You are spiritual if you can go past the "me-versus-you" duality. The calming nature of yoga can help quiet the mind and look at the Universe with a "big picture" view—to simultaneously see our infinitesimal and infinite form. RussaYog, as will be apparent to the practitioner, creates a greater degree of imbalance (and, therefore the muscles are called upon to restore balance). During the period of high physical stress, the student learns to calm the mind, viewing the stress in a positive manner. It creates the intense burn felt after a vigorous workout, yet you are left with an energized, uplifted sensation.

• What kind of body "look" does RussaYog create?
Many fitness programs are indeed associated with a certain kind of appearance. The strong but gaunt look of distance runners, the powerful look of sprinters, the heavily muscled look of body builders, etc. Based on the kind of asanas in RussaYog and the muscles they stress, a practitioner should expect to slowly develop the lean, strong look of trapeze artists. A major difference being that RussaYog asanas are not aerial, nor are they fast-moving. Quite the opposite—RussaYog is done with the body in virtual stillness.

• Should I take any special precautions whle doing RussaYog?
As mentioned earlier, consult your physician before beginning any new form of exercise, especially if you have any condition for which you are under a doctor's care. It is important, as in any demanding exercise program, to warm up. A special warm-up procedure has been designed for RussaYog. Additionally, it is very useful to wear gloves (for example, weight-training gloves) so that the pressure of the ropes does not cause discomfort. After a few sessions the hand and wrist will strengthen, but it is a good idea to use gloves.

• Will RussaYog make me feel good while I'm doing it and after?
Absolutely! Most students feel a sense of elation during and after the asan. The combination of quick, powerful movements and the calm holding asans releases a burst of endorphins. Many students feel a sense of optimism and a "pump" resulting from enhanced blood flow. In a biographical movie "Pumping Iron" on Arnold Schwarzenegger (movie star, body builder, politician) he compares the pump he gets from training to the sensation of sex. Not only does RussaYog produce a balanced mind and body...the process itself is a pleasure. You should see benefits even if you do the full RussaYog session only once per week. For greater fitness, RussaYog can be integrated with other fitness programs.

• Sometimes my mind is locked into negative thoughts. Can RussaYog help me get out of these states?
To escape negative thoughts (assuming one is not in need of medical treatment for depression) one needs to enter the chanchal state (dithering or sampling state). This requires playful activity. The Bal-Lila portion of the RussaYog session is excellent for this.

• What is "karmic" wealth as mentioned in the preface of the book? How does yoga allow us to generate and enjoy "karmic wealth?"
Karmic wealth represents the total worth of all of your life's actions or karmas. Some of these actions and experiences are given a price tag by the market place, especially in advanced capitalist societies. However, a large fraction are "untagged." In a hurried "rat race" lifestyle it is inevitable that we only value karmas that have a price tag. Purely material wealth is important, but only up to some threshold level. It would be unwise to ignore the larger karmic wealth. In the calm meditative state one should be able to value karmas that are "free." Sometimes the free karmas are actually more valuable than "tagged" karmas. I estimate that an average American family fritters away about $70 K of "free" karmic wealth per year. This is more than the average annual income.

• Can anyone learn and then teach RussaYog?
Anyone can use RussaYog for personal use. Consult your physician before beginning a RussaYog workout if you have any medical history which would preclude you from doing the workout. However for use for profit, note that RussaYog session (warm-up and asans) have been developed after considerable research by Dr. Jasprit Singh. They are protected through intellectual property laws. You need permission/certification to teach.

• What is Chai? How is chai made?
Chai, the Hindi word for tea, is a delicious, healthy, hot tea drink, ubiquitous all over India and other South Asian countries and the Middle East.

"Masala chai" is a blended beverage of mixed spices, milk, and honey or sugar. It is a healthier alternative to hot chocolate, latte or cappuccino, and can be made with regular milk or dairy-free alternatives.

There are many different chai blends unique to their region of India but the original recipe was created out of the need for a medicinal and healthy recipe to combat minor discomforts for those without easy access to medical care. It is perfect for cold winters, and surprisingly refreshing even on a hot summer day! Below is the RussaYog recipe. It is easy to make. For a decaffeinated version, use decaffeinated black tea. The black tea and spices we use are purchased at the local Indian Grocery store. They can be found in your local grocery store, although you are more likely to find loose tea at the Indian grocery store.
Wikipedia has a good explanation of the origins and types of "chai." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chai

Recipe for RussaYog Chai:
For four cups of chai you'll need:
2 qt. pot (large enough to hold 5 cups of liquid)
1 whole cardamom pod, crushed
1/2 inch (in length) stick of cinnamon
3 whole cloves
1/2 tablespoon of fresh ginger , peeled and grated
set aside 2 teaspoons of black loose tea
(or 4 bags of black tea)
1/4 can of skim evaporated milk
(or whole milk, if you prefer)
4 teaspoons of sugar or honey (or more, if you prefer)

Pour five cups of water into the pot.
Add the spices. Turn the fire on high heat.
Bring just to a boil, then add black tea.
Turn the fire low. Brew 2--3 minutes.
Add sugar and milk.
Turn off the fire. Stir, then strain into teapot.
Enjoy!