TEACH YOGA. TOUCH HEARTS

A Guide to Creating Inspirational Yoga Practice

Buddha said that words have the power to heal and destroy, and when words are genuine and kind, they can change our world. Teach Yoga Touch hearts is Ritu Kapur's first book and she has presented beautiful words of wisdom from around the world. This was a concept that originated in her heart and became a labor of love and a source of joy. Whether you are a yoga practitioner or a yoga teacher, this book will touch your heart and will inspire you to deepen your practice. The book has presented information about yoga in a comprehensive and easy-to-read manner, honoring India's ancient philosophy based on Patanjali's Yoga Sutra. In this book, you will find easy-to-follow meditations, quotes, and themes that will add joy and depth to your current practice. 

The book includes the translation of a few Sutras that can be used in our practical lives. There is a chapter based on teachings from all the eight limbs of yoga namely, Yamas and Niyamas, which are the moral and ethical guidelines described by Rishi Patanjali. The other limbs are Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi. The author has done justice to all the limbs and talked about why it is important to be aware of all of them and how we can benefit from each of them during our daily practice. She has added a chapter on Koshas, Chakras, and Yoga Nidra each and talked about these essential parts of yogic practice in a way that is easy to understand and assimilate in one's practice. There are beautiful quotes and passages on different yogic themes in chapter 12. Chapters 13 and 14 include poems and prayers from around the world. The author's selection will strike a chord with everyone, making us realize that spirituality is a universal phenomenon explained by ancient yogis and modem physicists, poets, and priests alike.  

The foreword note for the book is written by a great yogi, Swami Maheshananda Saraswati, who has recommended the book highly to keep the enthusiasm high throughout the journey in yoga and self-realization. In his words, "It beautifully integrates the sayings, poems, and wisdom of great yogis, poets, and masters in an organic blend of inspirations that touch upon the reader's heart. The ingenuity and originality in presenting the various topics, themes, meditations, quotes in a systematic and refreshing way have come from deep insights that Ritu has experienced over her years of living yoga. Words can make a difference, and you will feel their powerful impact through this book. There are a lot of pointers in the book that will touch upon your heart, and you will feel the need for further contemplation. For many seeking the right inspiration and enthusiasm on the path of inner pilgrimage, this book may become an indispensable guide." 

Ritu has a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy from Boston University. She has been living in the Boston area since 1995 and has worked as an Occupational Therapist in various healthcare settings. Although she was exposed to yoga at an early age in India, she discovered the beauty of yoga again as an adult and pursued two different yoga teacher trainings to learn different approaches. She has been sharing her love of yoga with people of all ages and abilities since 2009. Encouraged by her husband, a long-time meditator himself, she opened her yoga and meditation studio, SOHUM, in Westborough, MA in 2014. Teaching yoga was rewarding and fulfilling, and she eventually left her job as a Rehab Director to manage the studio. For seven years, SOHUM was a space that made yoga practices accessible to many; it nourished and nurtured the love of yoga for teachers and practitioners alike. 

Ritu is currently teaching yoga classes online, planning local and international retreats, and working on her next book. She finds much joy in her ongoing studies in Indian philosophy, Vedic chanting, and Hindustani classical music. She hopes that the messages from this book manifest as inspiration, guidance, and empowerment to many. Her first book signing was held at the Tatnuck Booksellers in Westborough and was very successful, making Ritu the bestselling local author. The book has received 5-star reviews on Amazon with beautiful words of praise and recommendations. Sharing a couple of reviews here:  

“Ritu Kapur has brought out inspiring guidance to all yoga teachers in this handbook. Not only does one get a simple systematic knowledge from the sourcebooks, our scriptures, but the step-by-step guidance also adds a compassionate touch. The quotes and poems add universal harmony and an additional fragrance—a must-read for all who want to get a comprehensive overview for teaching the ancient tradition of yoga and meditation, so relevant and a necessity of modern times.” ~ Shashikala Dwarakanath, Physician, Spiritual Teacher, Co-Founder of Chinmaya Boston 

“A Tapestry of Experiential Wisdom for Modern Times. If you're interested in a beautifully woven tapestry of the ancient wisdom of yoga coupled with the lived experience from a wise teacher, I highly recommend Ritu Kapur's book. The author shares applications of the teachings from various paths in such a way that will support and benefit one's daily practice, whether it be your personal practice or as a teacher of students. It's filled with suggestions for creating beautiful, meaningful practices and offers such depth of experiential understanding. This will be one of my main reference books for some time as there is so much to digest and contemplate. A gift to the yoga world.” ~ Judy L, yoga teacher

"A beautiful guide for the teacher and practitioner alike. It's filled with practices, ideas for cues, themes, as well as space for your own personal notes. This book will inspire and assist you in taking your classes and personal practice to new heights by helping bring to light a deeper dimension of yoga beyond asana. The author makes accessible some core teachings of yoga philosophy and invites you into meaningful contemplation with her curation of poems, scriptures, and quotes from influential teachers, mystics, and great thinkers. Teach Yoga Touch Hearts is a book I will refer to repeatedly for encouragement, advice, and inspiration for years to come." ~ Kellie M, yoga teacher 

The book is available on Amazon. You can pick up a signed copy of the book at Tatnuck Booksellers in Westborough, MA.  You can connect with Ritu at Ritu.Kapur@Sohum.org and visit her website to learn more about her book and online classes. 

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