In this episode of the Finding Harmony Podcast, Harmony and Russell reconnect with their Sanskrit and chanting teacher, Dr. M.A. Jayashree, who has spent a lifetime immersed in the study and teaching of ancient yogic wisdom. This insightful conversation dives deep into the transformative power of Sanskrit sounds in yoga practice, exploring how these sacred vibrations can influence spiritual growth and inner transformation.
Join us as we discuss the significance of mantra, the role of chanting in traditional yogic practices, and how these ancient sounds can be a pathway to deeper spiritual awareness. Our guest shares her personal journey of growing up in India, her experience as a woman studying and teaching Sanskrit, and the profound impact that chanting has had on her life and the lives of her students.
Key Topics:
Jayashree Anandampillai
Dr. M.A. Jayashree is a retired Professor of Sanskrit, currently the director of Anantha Research foundation, Mysore, an institution engaged in foundational research work in the field of ancient sciences of India and also in the field of Sanskrit and Indian culture.
She holds a doctorate degree in Sanskrit from Bangalore University on the topic, “Concept of Mind in Indian philosophy” completed under the guidance of Prof K. T. Pandurangi.
She has many books, monographs and papers to her credit in the fields of Sanskrit, Ancient Sciences, Indian history, Culture, Music and so on. She holds a vidvat (master) degree in Carnatic classical music and is a Performing Musician. She is an accomplished artist in Mysore school of painting. She is the Vidwatpramukh for ItihasaSankalanaSamiti, Karnataka chapter.
She has a large following of overseas students to learn Yoga Sutras of Maharshi Patanjali and Srimad Bhagavadgita. She has conducted many workshops on chanting of Yoga Sutras and Bhagavad Gita, given lectures on Yoga Philosophy and taught Sanskrit in an easy way in many parts of the world like Hong Kong, Thailand, America & Europe. She has also given several sessions in the “Evolution – Asia Yoga Conference ” in Hong Kong for 3 consecutive years. She has produced many CDs and books as learning aids in the traditional method of oral chanting in the name ‘Srutiparampara’
Dr. M.A. JAYASHREE is from from Mysore, Karnataka, in Southern India. She was born and brought up in a traditional Indian brahman family environment. After starting her studies in the scientific field, she became more and more involved in the understanding of Indian philosophy and scriptures. This led her to achieve a deep knowledge of both Yoga and Sanskrit, which she speaks fluently. Dr. M.A. JAYASHREE took her PhD in Sanskrit, of which she has become a popular teacher by working in several educational institutions of Mysore (College and University) alongside her private tuition to Yoga students. She has also studied the traditional Indian music system, and her wonderful voice has allowed her to become a recognized singer. She has featured several CDs on Veda, Yoga Sutra, Sloka and Sanscrit poems. Dr. M.A. Jayashree, along with her brother Prof. M.A. Narasimhan are the founders of the Anantha Research Foundation, Sanskrit & Yoga Research Foundation, Mysore, whose purpose is to bring the wisdom of traditional Indian teachings to contemporary students all over the world.
Links to chanting:
https://open.spotify.com/track/28Pax7cpc8H1vUMrabDLHJ
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00:00 - Introduction to the Finding Harmony Podcast
00:50 - Meet Jayashree: Sanskrit Scholar and Chanting Teacher
02:26 - The Invocation and Its Significance
07:31 - Saraswati: The Goddess of Knowledge
15:04 - Meditation and the Role of Mantras
22:36 - Yoga in Indian Culture and Upbringing
38:34 - Accidental Journey into getting a PhD in Sanskrit
45:01 - Cultural Practices and Chanting
58:54 - The Essence of Yoga and Dharma
01:09:13 - Concluding in a space of Gratitude
Painter + Ashtanga Yoga Teacher
Russell Altice Case began painting professionally in 1991. However, as a person who wandered from place to place for over a decade, he didn't establish a permanent studio space until settling in San Francisco. In 2016 he has relocated his studio space to Calgary, Canada, where he resides and continues to create stunning works of art.
Russell has been practicing and teaching Ashtanga yoga for more than 25 years. An Authorized level II teacher through Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, a humble and refined teacher, Case is known for his joking spirit, and his perpetual eye toward social justice work. When Pattabhi Jois invited him to his pranayama class in 2007 he considered this distinction to be the highest grade.
First and foremost his work is convincing cynical skeptics to the efficacy of mindfulness practice, and his art work is distinctly post-structuralist as it weaves a range of intertextual connections and cultural motifs through its field of view.
That is to say..
Who are we looking at all these things?
Where does the seer reside?
Who is the one doing the looking at all of these things?