SHALA Prague - Lakshmish

LAKSMISH

SYC sanskrit, philosophy & chanting teacher

Vidwan Laksmish Bhat from SYC in Mysore, India, will be visiting our shala in March 2025.

He will give lectures on chanting yoga mantras, the basics of Sanskrit, explanations of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika - one of the main yogic scriptures, give insight into the life of an yoga aspirant and on the background of a Brahmin life and finally do a puja for our shala.

Laksmish je učitelem Sanskrit, filosofie a chanting (přednášení manter) v SYC (Sharath Yoga Centre) v městě Mysore, Indii a navštíví v březnu naši shalu. Během 4 dnů workshopů nám nastíní základy sanskrit, chanting, védické filosofie, výklad Hatha Yoga Pradipiky (jednoho z hlavních jógových textů), přednese nám o brahminském životě a nastíní podstatu života aspiranta jógy. Také povede puju, brahminskou ceremonii. Toto je jeho druhá návštěva u nás, poprvé tu byl v roce 2023, probíraná látka bude nová, nebudeme opakovat to co jsme probírali při jeho první návštěvě.

Laksmish v Mysore každoročně učí stovky studentů. Původem z tradiční brahminské rodiny (a vesnice), kde již jako dítě začínal se studiem sanskrit a védy, v těchto studiích dále pokračoval na Mysore Universitě a dovršil je magisterským titulem.

Workshop bude otevřený všem úrovním včetně úplných začátečníků bez předešlých zkušeností v Sanskrit nebo chanting.

We are honoured and excited to welcome Lakshmish to SHALA Prague on his 2025 European tour. This is a unique opportunity to meet and study with a genuine Indian scholar of his wealth and dept of knowledge.

Laksmish is the Sanskrit, chanting and philosophy teacher at SYC (Sharath Yoga Centre) in Mysore, India. Every year he teaches hundreds of students.

He was born in a small village, Madgeri, nearby Gokarna (Shivas holy place) in the north of Karnataka in India into a Brahmin family. He studied Sanskrit by the traditional method in his village for continuous 8 years, then came to the Mysore Maharaja Sanskrit College for further studies of Advaita Vedanta. He has obtained Vidwan title in that subject and subsequently a Master’s degree from Mysore University.

Laksmish conducts the traditional Brahmin puja rituals every day in his home and at the SYC yoga shala and Saraswati Jois shala for the benefits of the students and family, as part of his work.

March 29 - April 1, 2025 (Saturday - Tuesday)

Saturday 29/3

8:00 - 9:30 Full Led Primary class with Denisa

10:00 - 10:45 Chanting

11:00 - 12:00 Philosophy

12:00 - 13:00 Sanskrit

13:00 - 14:00 Break (shower, something to eat) and time to prepare for puja

14:00 - 15:00 Puja

15:00 Puja brunch (not according to the Indian tradition, we will eat all the fruit and food we will bring for the puja)

Sunday 30/3

8:00 - 10:00 Mysore class with Denisa

10:00 - 10:45 Chanting

11:00 - 12:00 Philosophy

12:00 - 13:00 Sanskrit

13:00 - 14:00 Break (shower, something to eat)

14:00 - 15:00 Talk and reflection on Sharathji's life

Monday 31/3

6:30 - 9:00 Mysore class with Denisa

9:30 - 10:15 Chanting

10:30 - 11:30 Philosophy

11:30 - 12:30 Sanskrit

Tuesday 1/4

6:30 - 9:00 Mysore class with Denisa

9:30 - 10:15 Chanting

10:30 - 11:30 Philosophy

11:30 - 12:30 Sanskrit

All lectures will include the basics of Sanskrit, chanting of certain mantras, including the understanding of their history, explanation of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and it's meaning in yoga tradition, insight into yogic and Brahmin life, reflections on Sharathji's life and clarifications of some yoga principles like parampara.

There will be continuity in the teaching. Students must attend all classes. Only Saturday's puja and Sunday's Reflections on Sharathji's life can be attended separately.

Chanting

Mantras about different gods (Bhajans) with explanations, correct chanting of Primary series asanas, numbers, opening and closing prayers of ashtanga with explanations, telling moral stories, japa.

Chanting cleanses the energy in our body, especially right after practice you will feel positive, calm and tranquil.

Philosophy

Hatha Yoga Pradipika's chapter on Pranayama (we will not be practicing pranayama in the sessions), who should practice pranayama, who shouldn't and why, Kriyas and their benefits and major 8 pranayama techniques explained.

Sanskrit

Sanskrit letters reading and writing, how to write and read simple words

Price:

2.900 CZK early bird price (until 9/3)

includes all classes, puja and Sunday talk

does not include mysore classes and led class - these can be booked through our schedule

zvýhodněná cena při platbě do 9/3

Cena obsahuje všechny lekce, sobotní puju a nedělní odpolední povídání

cena neobsahuje mysore lekce a vedenou lekci - ty si rezervujte přes náš rozvrh

3.600 CZK regular price (paid after 9/3)

This price includes all classes, puja and Sunday talk

does not include mysore classes and led class - these can be booked through our schedule

cena při platbě po 9/3

Cena obsahuje všechny lekce, sobotní puju a nedělní odpolední povídání

cena neobsahuje mysore lekce a vedenou lekci - ty si rezervujte přes náš rozvrh

400 CZK only Puja

300 CZK only Sunday talk about Sharathji's life

Places are limited. We advise to book your place early on.

All payments are final. No cancellations or refunds available.

In preparation for Lakshmish's workshops we will run Chanting and Sanskrit classes from the beginning of March to refresh our memories. We will go through the topics he taught us during his 2023 visit.

FURTHER EXPLANATION

Vidwan

A vidwan (or vidvan) is a person who has vidyā (knowledge) of a particular science or art. In Hindu philosophy, the word, vidvān, alludes to an expert in discrimination, to the one who is an expert in the Vedanta.

Brahmin

Brahmin is a varna (class) in Hinduism specialising as priests, teachers (acharya) and protectors of sacred learning across generations. The traditional occupation of Brahmins was that of priesthood at the Hindu temples or at socio-religious ceremonies and rite of passage rituals such as solemnising a wedding with hymns and prayers. Theoretically, the Brahmins were the highest ranking of the four social classes.