Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Kriyas & Pranayama

Don't forget...Steve is providing a session on Kriyas and Pranayama this weekend. Your homework during the two weeks prior to the training was to do research on each of these topics. It is important to be able to engage in constructive dialog, ask questions, challenge the information being provided (respectfully of course). We are jumping forward a bit in the Yoga Sutras to accomodate this class, so take a look at Sutras 2.1-2.9.

In Sutras 2.40-41, "Through its effective practice of teh physical purity, attachments to toxins and corruptive forces disappear naturally as natural instinctual or intuitive catharsis or revulsion and as such one rids onself of their noxious influence directly prortionately as to the development of the inner wisdom..."

"Purification of body, speeck and min is a central practice of ancient Yoga."

Ask yourself on Kriyas:

  1. What is Kriya?
  2. Why do any or all of the Kriyas?
  3. How do they apply to our lives now versus when they were invented/created?
  4. Look at the Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali, 2.1 Tapah svadhyaya isvara-pranidhana kriya yoga. How does this fit into what Steve is going to be teaching?

Websites to visit:

www.rainbowbody.net/purity/kriya.htm

http://www.anmolmehta.com/blog/2007/11/19/free-online-kundalini-yoga-kriyas-e-book/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kriyas

On Pranayama:

  1. What is Pranayama?
  2. Look up types of pranayama? Are there any that you are particularly interested in learning or discussing?
  3. Guruji believes that the introduction of pranayama too soon can make one crazy...what do you think?

Some websites:

http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/pranayama/

http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&q=pranayama&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&resnum=4&ct=title (this is Iyengar on pranayama)

http://holisticonline.com/Yoga/hol_yoga_breath_home.htm

Be curious...ask questions...challenge your teacher. But, remember to be respectful of the information and the messenger.

See you Friday!

Linda

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Ashtanga Yoga vs. Gymnastics

Hello All,
As we begin to work on adjustments and discuss asanas, we spend a lot of time talking about techinique, alignment, anatomy... physical elements. I am by no means suggesting that we shouldn't or that it is not important, but I'm reading the yoga sutras and so far there is no mention of asanas.
I'm reminded of the importance of yoga, that is, quieting of the mind and life off the mat. Sometimes it's easy to become wrapped up in all that is going on in each asana physically, but ultimately we're hoping to teach yoga, not gymnastics!
I personally struggle to separate the two at times in my own practice. Through dance and Pilates, I learned to use my body as a technician, so I find it easy to let my mind focus on alignment, form, and aesthetic.
When first started Ashtanga, Krista Shirley told me that because of where I was physically, that I could take my practice a lot further than others who are just starting out. I don't think she was wrong in saying that, but I think there are other challenges available to the more flexible/conditioned that may not be challenges to others.
I'm rambling a bit, but my point of discussion is, yoga vs. gymnastics. Any one else have thoughts, struggles, or something to share?

~Absalon

Monday, September 8, 2008

Thank you

Thank you to all of you for your energy this weekend. It's amazing and an honor to be part of something so special.

Namaste!