Resources at a glance

Bhagavad Gita 
Video Intro to the Bhagavad Gita  

Conference 
Conference notes archive

Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Full copy of the "Hatha Yoga Pradipika" translated by Pancham Sinh

Gheranda Samhita
"Gheranda Samhita" Translation and commentary by Rai Bahadur Srisa Chandra Vasu


Sri K. Pattabhi Jois
Namarupa 3 Gurus Interview


Sanskrit
Sanskrit Alphabet Chart
Ashtanga Yoga Opening and Closing Mantras 
Transliteration and Transcription Tool 
Shala chanting resources


Teachers
K Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute (KPJAYI)
 


Yoga Sutras
"Conquering the Internal Nature:  Raja Yoga" Yoga Sutra commentary by Swami Vivekananda
Samadhi Pada 
Chant the Yoga Sutras with Dr. M. A. Jayashree 

Gheranda Samhita Online

"(Having closed the eyes) let him contemplate that there is a sea of nectar in his heart: that in the midst of that sea there is an island of precious stones, the very sand of which is pulverized diamonds and rubies. That on all sides of it there are Kadamba trees, laden with sweet flowers; that, next to these trees, like a rampart, there is a row of flowering trees, such as the malati, jati, kesara, champaka, parijata and padmas, and that the fragrance of these flowers is spread all round, in every quarter. In the middle of this garden, let the Yogi imagine that there stands a beautiful Kalpa tree, having four branches, representing the four Vedas, and that it is full of flowers and fruits. Insects are humming there and cuckoos singing. Beneath that tree, let him imagine a rich platform of precious gems, and on that a costly throne inlaid with jewels, and that on the throne sits his particular Deity, as taught to him by his Guru. Let him contemplate on the appropriate form, ornaments and vehicle of that Deity.” 

 

Full copy of "Gheranda Samhita" Translation and commentary by Rai Bahadur Srisa Chandra Vasu

http://brihaspati.net/downloads/Gheranda_Samhita_S_C_Vasu.pdf

Ujjāyī vs. Free Breathing in Ashtanga Yoga (Gheranda Samhita) by Elise Espat

We started off by looking at the Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā which led to the conclusion that:

If Ujjāyī is one of the eight Kumbhakas and Kumbhakas are breath retentions, then Ujjāyī is a breath retention.  If our breathing during practice does not include breath retentions, then it cannot be called Ujjāyī.

Here is a link to the post: Part 1 = Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā (हठ योग प्रदीपिका)

Now let's look at the Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā (धेरंड संहिता).

Notice here in chapter 5.46 that Ujjāyī is listed as a Kumbhaka (breath retention), just as it is in the HYP:

And here is GS the description of the technique (5.69-70):














Conclusion:
If Ujjāyī is one of the eight Kumbhakas and Kumbhakas are breath retentions, then Ujjāyī is a breath retention.  If our breathing during practice does not include breath retentions, then it cannot be called Ujjāyī.

Read the Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā
Gheraṇḍa Saṃhitā PDF