Primary Series Demonstration

Hatha Yoga Pradipika Online

"There exists at present a good deal of misconception with regard to the practices of the Haṭha Yoga. People easily believe in the stories told by those who themselves heard them second hand, and no attempt is made to find out the truth by a direct reference to any good treatise."

Whether young, old or too old, sick or lean, one who discards laziness, gets success if he practises Yoga. 2.66

Success comes to him who is engaged in the practice. How can one get success without practice; for by merely reading books on Yoga, one can never get success. 2.67

Success cannot be attained by adopting a particular dress (Veṣa). It cannot be gained by telling tales. Practice alone is the means to success. This is true, there is no doubt. 2.68

 

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

http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/hyp/index.htm

AAYS Holiday Class Schedule Labor Day Weekend 2012

LABOR DAY WEEKEND
Fri 31 Aug Moon Day, no class

Sat 1 Sep rest day, no class

Sun 2 Sep
6:30 am Door Opens
8:15 am Mantra / Mysore
10:00 am Door Closes

Mon 3 Sep Labor Day
6:30 am Door Opens
8:15 am Mantra / Mysore
10:00 am Door Closes

Tue 4 Sep
Regular Schedule
Beginner Course Starts

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

Some Yoga Mats - Reviewed by Elise Espat

Yoga Mat. But which one?

Originally published March 2010, Ashtanga Yoga Brooklyn Blog.  New, improved, updated. Also, some of these are affiliate links. While opinions are always my own, deciding to purchase through an affiliate link helps support this blog.  Thanks!

One thing that I really love about Ashtanga yoga is that you really only need yourself in order to practice. While there are certain advantages to going "en plein air", most people are going to use a yoga mat and sometimes a rug too.  But which mat? And why use a rug?

The Typical
Most people (myself included) started with an inexpensive PVC yoga mat. Usually around $20, one can find these mats just about everywhere from Barnes and Noble to the local pharmacy. Slippery and stinky at first, this will dissipate over time. Usually the go-to mat for yoga studio mat rentals because of the very low price, these mats shred over time. They are often thick, but not firm (a quality that beginners often mistake for a good thing). I do not recommend purchasing a PVC yoga mat. There are many health concerns regarding PVC and it is usually not recycled. These days, with a little effort, you'll definitely be able to get your hands on an eco-friendly mat at a comparable price point. Search Gaiam for mats around $30. I haven't tried any of them, let us know!  

The Eco
The common eco mats ($40-$70) are the Jade Harmony mat or the Jute mat. When you first roll it out, it has a strong rubber smell, but that goes away. I found mine (Jade) to be incredibly sticky from day one. So sticky, that certain maneuvers on the mat had to be rethought on account of the non-slippage. That said, other people have told me that it was slippery for them. The Jade mat also attracts dust and hair at the beginning, so be prepared to wipe it off a lot if that kind of thing bothers you. After over two years of use, mine had yet to shred. Other people had shredding within a year. Thickness varies, medium to firm. While the non-stick and eco aspects are positive, for people learning jump throughs I definitely recommend considering a mat with a different textured surface or placing a rug on top for seated postures. Other natural mats can be found through Hugger Mugger, and Manduka. I've tried the Manduka eKO Lite. It is super light (great for travel). It has two sides: slick and sticky. Extra padding is in order for certain second series postures.  The Manduka eKO SuperLite Travel Mat.  It has a similar feel to the eKO Lite, but is thinner making it great for travel.  A very thin mat or thick and very firm mat are what I recommend as the best practice surfaces.

The Classics
The Manduka Pro ($90) mat is an Ashtanga classic. Slippery, thick, and firm. Ideal for Ashtanga practice, but not necessary for beginners. Does not shred. These things last forever (sustainable), but to my knowledge are not eco-friendly. They are heavy and travel with them is not fun at all. We carry Manduka Pro mats at the Shala, this has been my daily practice mat for years.


The Rug
I don't really know why other people use rugs, but here's why I like them.

1. Practice seems less daunting when I'm staring at a rug instead of The Mat.
2. Rugs come in many fun colors and patterns and can liven up any mat.
3. Instead of worrying about cleaning my mat all the time, I just have to wash my rug.
4. Soaks up moisture.
5. Doubles as a resting blanket.
6. Good surface for learning jump throughs.
7. Extra padding for certain postures.
8. Some say they help with slipping.

If you aren't going to India tomorrow, you can find a Mysore rug at many Ashtanga shalas, studios, and online. Many people also use "mat towels". I prefer rugs.

How/where to get a mat
- Online (new-stores, new/used-craigslist)
- At a yoga studio (new/used)
- Health food stores (new)

What to do with an old mat
Tips here Yoga Mat:  Clean or Replace?