Anuradha Sridharan

  It's the exam season for children across various schools in India. I just wrapped up my 2nd sem exams (MSc Yoga Therapy) last week. At SVYASA (my Yoga University), we are asked to enter the exam hall 30 min before the exam start time. We settle down on the floor by rolling a mat with an independent small desk in front of us. (Those who are unable to sit on the floor are allowed to sit on the chair). We close our eyes and take deep breaths for 5 minutes. We chant OM 3 times, followed by "Om Sahana Vavatu" Shanti Mantra. We then do 9 rounds of Nadi Shuddhi Pranayama (alternate nostril breathing). The answer sheets are then distributed, followed by the question papers. This routine made us feel calm and peaceful (switch from stressful sympathetic nervous system to relaxed parasympathetic nervous system). The nerves settle down and we then start writing the exam. As I wrapped up the exam schedule, the memories of my 10th/12th board exams and Engineering degree semester ex...

  Human evolution is a transition in our mental refinement. Our scriptures talk about this transition in two stages: Prakrta Purusha - unrefined person Samskrta Purusha - refined person Prakrta purusha is a stage driven by our likes/dislikes. We lead our lives according to our whims and fancies. Young children (infants and toddlers) act according to what they feel like doing. They do what they want to do without any hesitation or guilt. We then slowly transition to refining our personality and decide our actions based on what is proper. This transition coincides with the manifestation of our intellect at the subtle level and the growth of the cerebrum and nerve cells in our forebrain at the gross level. Intellect helps us to reason, analyze, and think about the consequences of our actions before acting impulsively. This transition from Prakrta purusha to Samskrta purusha is influenced by multiple factors - parenting, family values, childhood environment, right role models, value-...