Aug 22, 2012
Aug 21, 2012
Should I practice if... by Elise Espat
I'm sick?
Yes, practice at home. You don't want to get anyone else sick. Just do what you can.
If you have a fever, just rest.
Yes, practice at home. You don't want to get anyone else sick. Just do what you can.
If you have a fever, just rest.
I'm injured?
Yes. Talk with your teacher in person, they'll be able to give you specific instruction on what to do and how to proceed. Practice is effort toward steadiness of mind. It really isn't about the asanas. Your asana practice might be a bit different when you are working with an injury. That is really totally ok.
Yes. Talk with your teacher in person, they'll be able to give you specific instruction on what to do and how to proceed. Practice is effort toward steadiness of mind. It really isn't about the asanas. Your asana practice might be a bit different when you are working with an injury. That is really totally ok.
I'm menstruating?
No. Rest during your first three days of menstruation.
I'm pregnant?
Maybe. Talk with your teacher in person.
Maybe. Talk with your teacher in person.
I'm feeling sad/tired/scared/angry/upset/happy/etc.?
Yes. See "effort toward steadiness of mind".
I'm sore?
Yes. Let your teacher know.
I'm unsure of what to do/forgot what to do?
Yes. Just show up and try to remember. If nothing comes to you, your teacher will. However, nothing will happen if you don't show up.
Yes. Just show up and try to remember. If nothing comes to you, your teacher will. However, nothing will happen if you don't show up.
I'm a beginner?
Yes. Just show up. Your teacher will show you what to do.
It is a moon day?
No. Just rest.
I missed days and dread what will happen?
Yes. Just show up and see what happens. No fear.
I don't like it/am not comfortable?
Yes. It is okay to feel confused, emotional, uncomfortable, etc. If you trust your teacher and have faith in the practice, it will pass. If you don't trust your teacher and don't have faith in the practice, find a new teacher and maybe a new practice.
Yes. It is okay to feel confused, emotional, uncomfortable, etc. If you trust your teacher and have faith in the practice, it will pass. If you don't trust your teacher and don't have faith in the practice, find a new teacher and maybe a new practice.
I'm hungover/constipated/hungry/ate something right before?
Yes. Just show up and see what happens. That is how we learn.
Yes. Just show up and see what happens. That is how we learn.
Right, so yoga is the cessation of the thinking mind so that one can see the true nature of the self. Practice is effort toward steadiness of mind. It all starts to come together through consistent, dedicated, uninterrupted practice, done over a LONG period of time. So really, you are practicing 24/7. The asana bit, the ritual where you show up to work on the tristhana happens "every day". Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and then rest on either Saturday or Sunday and moon days. This system works pretty well because some days you'll be like "Yay yoga!" and it will be easy to show up and other days you'll be like "Snooze!" If you have designated rest days, then when the mind starts setting up obstacles, you can say "that's cool, we'll rest on Saturday, today I'm going to practice no matter what!" And then when you hit snooze anyway, show up the next day for sure. And then when it happens again and again and you think you can't go back, let the feelings go. Turn that passion toward getting back tomorrow.
It is sort of like maintaining a long-term relationship...it can't only be about the physical. Looks fade. Get interested in what can't really be seen, the inside stuff. Try to figure out this steady mind thing. Let go of the asanas.
Of course, you can't learn yoga from a website. Ask your teacher about this stuff. Do what they say. See what happens.
Aug 19, 2012
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
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
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
Aug 18, 2012
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
Aug 17, 2012
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:
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
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
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