Ans: Anyone—men, women, boys and girls—who are 7 years and above can learn Keimoudo. It is a complete discipline and therefore can be practised by anyone, irrespective of their goal, age and gender. Its martial arts training is suited for those looking for overall fitness, health and well being, those wanting to learn self-defence, and those seeking spiritual answers.
Moxshlife Warriors (MW) has separate batches for children and adults and imparts training accordingly.
Ans: Yes. Upon joining the regular course, students' progress is graded every quarter through grading exams, after which they are awarded progressive grading belts in Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue and Brown belts.
After the successful completion of the basic course in Keimoudo, students are awarded the Black Belt 1st DAN. After this, Keimoudo Black Belts who wish to learn the art further can enroll for Black Belt Higher DAN Course.
Ans: Yes. Even though the Master says that the primary aim of Keimoudo is not winning a bout, MW conducts its Annual Keimoudo Kickboxing Sparring Tournament once a year. Students from all of MW's centres and Affiliated Centres participate in the tournament.
Although Keimoudo's objective is spiritual development, it nevertheless has regular sparring sessions in its syllabus, and MW's annual sparring tournaments represent the culmination of these sparring sessions.
The objective is to motivate students to show their skills in the application of what they have learnt, and winners are awarded medals as a mark of encouragement.
Ans: The Master says that all natural foods like fruits, vegetables and nuts and good food prepared fresh at home are the best. One must eat balanced food, drink sufficient water and avoid overeating, skipping meals, or under-eating. For more details, you can personally schedule an appointment with the Master.
Ans: The science of Yoga was discovered and practiced in India thousands of years ago. It is an integrated system of education by which the human soul is brought into conscious communion with the Supreme Soul. It is a state where there is no Sankalpa (thought) or Vikalpa (doubt).The word 'yoga' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Yuj' which mean 'to join'. Yoga can be interpreted variously as 'union, oneness' etc. In simple terms, the word 'union' implies the integration of body, mind and spirit, resulting in harmony.
Ans: The literal meaning of Vedanta is 'end of knowledge'. The first step for an aspirant embarked on this journey is the intellectual study of the truth. As the aspirant undergoes evolutionary development, realization unfolds step by step. In order to remove the cause of all false identification the aspirant lets go of all feelings of I-ness and Mine-ness. The aspirant develops Vairagya (dispassion) and Viveka (discrimination).
Ans: There are four paths of Yoga:
Karma Yoga - The Path of Action: Karma Yoga entails selfless service and is most suitable for those with an energetic disposition. Karma Yogis strive to detach themselves from all their attachments and curb their ego. They serve without expecting reward and try to bring about unity in diversity.
Bhakti Yoga - The Path of Devotion: This path tends to appeal to people who are emotional by nature. By practicing chanting, prayer and mantra repetition, Bhakti Yogis streamline their emotional energy into spiritual channels.
Jnana Yoga - The Path of Knowledge: This is the path of knowledge taken by the intellectuals for spiritual evolution. A Jnani uses two powerful techniques of Viveka (discrimination) and Vairagya (dispassion) to lift the veils of Maya (illusion).
Raja Yoga - The Scientific Path: In Raja Yoga, one learns to control the senses and the mental Vrittis (thought waves generated by the mind). Raja Yoga is also called Ashtanga (eight limbs) Yoga. It has eight stages: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi. These eight stages constitute an entire discipline and a holistic way of life.
Any of the above paths can be chosen depending on one's temperament. However, it is best to adopt a synthetic approach and practice all the four paths, so that the entire being is developed.
Ans: Actually the word Yoga itself is enough and complete. Yoga is yoga and does not need any support. But unfortunately, because of individual needs, for gaining popularity, etc. people have modified yoga and created versions of yoga and given their own name. Some have modified it and made aerobic-like variations, practice yoga in a temperature-controlled environment, etc.
But Traditional yoga is one that is taught as it is, without any modification. It is Yoga which is being run from a lineage by being handed down from one Master to the other for over thousands of years. A good example is the Sivananda lineage.
Ans: The study of Raja Yoga is done in eight stages (limbs), which is known as Ashtanga Yoga.
1) Yama (Restraints): This is the preparatory stage, where one undergoes internal purification through moral education and cultivation of virtues like truthfulness, non-violence, energy conservation, etc. These ethical groundings are basic and without these one must not venture into the advanced stages.
2) Niyama (Observances): At this stage, one is taught many codes of right conduct like cleanliness, contentment, study of self, austerity and prayer, which generate a cheerful disposition and a positive attitude in the practitioner. These are the prerequisites for those wanting to embark on the spiritual journey.
3) Asana (Postures): The term Asana means steady pose. Asanas are Yogic physical exercises that are unique and cannot be compared to any other form of exercise in the world. Asanas work on the internal machinery of the body - the glands, organs and muscles. They affect even the deepest and remotest part of the body. The internal organs are massaged and stimulated because of the numerous movements involved in the practise of Yoga Asanas. The endocrine system is rejuvenated. Asanas go far beyond mere physical benefits, becoming a mental exercise in concentration.
4) Pranayama (Yogic Breathing Exercise): This is the science of Yogic breathing which cleanses and strengthens the entire respiratory system. It brings the anabolic and catabolic processes of the body in equilibrium and brings about harmony in the entire system. Pranayama means to 'control the prana'. Control of the prana leads to control of the mind. When the subtle prana is controlled, all other gross manifestations of prana in the body will slowly come under control. Pranayama is instrumental in preparing a person for spiritual development, as it calms the mind and makes it lucid and steady.
5) Pratyahara (Withdrawal of the Senses): This is preliminary to concentration and meditation, which are not possible without the obstruction of the senses from the objective world to become centred, self absorbed and introspective.
6) Dharana (Concentration): This is the practice of concentrating the mind or focusing it upon either an external object or an internal idea, to the exclusion of thoughts. A firm ethical grounding, internal purification and energy conservation are necessary for concentration.
7) Dhyana (Meditation): Dhyana is a state of mind where there are no sensual thoughts. It is an unbroken flow of perception on a single object similar to the steady flow of water in a river. The state of dhyana is freedom from the lower senses. It is a transcendental state where there is no awareness of the body, mind or duality. Here, the seeker becomes one with the sight and the explored. When dhyana deepens, super-consciousness descends. It induces a sense of oneness.
8) Samadhi (The Super-conscious state): It is sublime beyond description. It is beyond the mind to grasp and describe Samadhi.
Raja Yoga also includes Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Yantra Yoga, Nada Yoga and LayaYoga.