Solana ashram

METHOD & TRAINING

solana aShram

METHOD AND TRAINING

Martial Arts
Training

The Muay Thai Sangha Curriculum, integrates concepts from a variety of Thai martial arts styles, all with their roots in the siddha tradition of south India. The essence of our fighting style comes from a deep understanding of the South-East Asian martial arts.

The training is focused on developing body awareness, a practical understanding of energetic principles, effective self-defense and the relation between our practice and our daily lives.

We work on the concepts of effective self-defense and non-confrontation, blending the energetic principles of Muay Thai Chaiya, ground fighting Silat and Krabi Krabong (Traditional Thai Weapons).

Our martial arts training helps to synchronize body, breath and mind. Certain exercises connect students with the five elemental qualities, helping them to express energy in the most effective way.

01.

earth

Earth is related to structural alignment and moral strength.

02.

water

Water is related to the flow of change, and transforming one’s emotions.

03.

air

Air is an evasive element and is connected to the mind.

04.

fire

Fire is expressed through explosiveness and will power.

05.

ether

Ether is an overall awareness of the way these elements interact.

Ultimately, all the values that we learn in our martial arts training are as applicable in our relationships as they are in combat. The goal of our training here is to optimize our human potential and to become spiritual warriors in our daily lives.

Meditation
Training

Meditation refers to a practice whereby an individual trains their mind to continuously observe what is in the present moment. Meditation does not belong to any religion, philosophic method or spiritual community.

Rather, it is a natural human ability that can be further developed through our own efforts. We could say that it is something that we perform in everyday life, when focused on the task at hand – but the real practice of meditation puts us in touch with the deeper reality within.

We believe that proper guidance is important in clarifying our practice. Having an experienced teacher will aid in the process of acknowledging emotions, thoughts and dealing with sensations that may arise as a result of our practice.

-TYPES OF MEDITATION-

HEART MEDITATION

A practice in which our attention is focused in the heart center, observing whatever arises naturally from moment to moment. We often combine this practice with the use of Tibetan singing bowls to aid in the release of emotional blockages and inner tension.

FOUR ELEMENTS MEDITATION

Occasionally we hold a group meditation on one of the four elements, so its energetic qualities are understood and can be used in our training.

The earth meditation is performed in the caves and teach us how to connect to our basic instincts.

The water meditation takes place under waterfalls and teach us how to flow with emotions and how to embrace change.

The wind meditation is practiced in a wide-open natural space and will teach us about expansion of the mind.

The fire meditation is done in front of a fire and will teach us how to build inner power, purify our mind and make us more determined.

SIDDHA MEDITATION

Siddha meditation connects us with the life force. Our practices are separated into seven steps, each step will help us to deepen our meditative experience, and raise our vibrational state. The effect of the meditation varies from student to student and will awaken different perceptions according to each individual’s quality.

Warrior
Yoga

We have included certain Warrior Yoga sequences based on our fighting principles to improve our balance, flexibility and coordination.

All the asanas find their origin in South Indian Siddha Martial Arts, and the routines can be practiced with or without weapons for self-defense or self-healing purposes.

Sound
Healing

Sound has a profound effect on matter. Certain frequencies help to induce deep meditative states, creating clarity of mind, and opening one’s intuition.

Healing frequencies impact our nervous system, helping to balance all the energetic centers of the body and easing the stress caused by pressures of daily life and emotional trauma. We have included the use of Tibetan singing bowls in our evening heart meditation to prepare us for our practice.

Private sound healing therapies are available upon request.

Positive
Actions

Our practice encourages positive action as a way of reinforcing the path of self-development. Every two weeks, according to the phase of the moon, activities have been organized so that students have the opportunity to experience the power of performing righteous actions from the heart.

On new moon days we often buy live animals (fishes, turtles, frogs and eels) and release them into the river, and on full moon days we take trips jungle and local waterfalls to pick up litter. We conclude these days with a “Mettha” (loving kindness) meditation and an explanation of how to work from the heart in our daily lives. We believe that learning to serve others is a very important step on the path of self-healing.

Schedule

Our teaching time in the ashram goes from Monday morning to Saturday afternoon. We don’t have classes on Saturday evenings or Sundays. And we recommend that all the students who wish to come and practice within the group, come with an open heart and with a mind empty of ideas or methods as this will ensure the maximum benefit of their experience.

MORNINGS

9:00 am

Warrior Yoga

10:00 am

Siddha Meditation

11:00 am

Empty Hand Martial Arts

11:50 am

Warrior Breathing

The communal work starts at around 8:30 AM for about twenty minutes (cleaning, watering the plants, etc). At approximately 8:50 AM we drink some tea/coffee, and discuss our training until we begin our Warrior Yoga practice at around 9:00 am. Following the Yoga, we begin our Siddha meditation practice, then move on to our empty hand training. We conclude our practice at 11:50 AM with breath work.

EVENINGS

3:00 pm

Sound Healing Heart Meditation

4:00 pm

Martial Arts With Weapons

5:00 pm

Warrior Yoga

5:30 pm

Mantra Breathing

In the early evening, after having a cup of tea, we begin our sound healing heart meditation at 3:00 PM, this is followed by the weapons training and our warrior yoga. At 5:30 PM we conclude our practice for the day with mantra breathing.

Solana ashram

solana aShram

METHOD AND TRAINING