Posts Tagged ‘Ashtanga Yoga’

Patanjali’s Yoga – How to Practice Dharana

Tuesday, March 22nd, 2011

yoga teacher trainingBy Clyde Granger

Within the Yoga Sutras, the practice of Dharana is the sixth limb of Ashtanga Yoga. The word “Dharana” itself means “unbending concentration of the mind.” When a person can operate with total and undiluted concentration and focus it brings a deep sense of satisfaction. We all feel a sense of frustration whenever we are unable to properly focus in order to accomplish a task such as writing a paper, studying, tending a garden, or working.

One of the reasons that we are unable to properly focus our minds is because our minds are jumbled and bursting with random thoughts, ideas, fears, worries, memories, or even something as seemingly harmless as a song. One of the main facets of the practice of Dharana is achieving an ability to concentrate on something while being undisturbed by internal as well as external distractions.

The meditative form of Dharana is also known as receptive concentration. With the aid of Dharana, a frame of conditions are constructed that aid the mind in focusing in a single direction and object instead of having the focus shattered in several directions which causes unbalance and for the mind to be diverted.

The term “Dharana” is shared with both the practice of intense concentration and the state of mind in which a person is able to successfully gain deep concentration. Dharana should ideally be undertaken at every moment of the day so that a person may gain the highest level of control of the mind as well as the body.

The way that Dharana works is that it strives to reconstruct the mind by focusing it on a concrete entity. One good way to begin is by rolling the eyes downward and upward in a single direction in order to achieve the proper concentration.

Any inanimate object that is chosen for practicing has no intrinsic role in the meditative process itself. Instead, the only purpose of the object is to keep the mind from straying to memories, dreams, and snatches of thought. This is done by purposefully centering the mind on a random object.

The practice of Dharana will be especially beneficial to anyone dealing with frustration, anger, and restlessness. Dharana is the practice of conditioning the mind to focus and concentrate in a way that it becomes feasible to avoid any and all frustration. Concentrate the mind on a single point, allow the mind to become stable, and silence the flurry of activity (mind chatter) that we have become used to.

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Jesus Was a Supreme Yogi

Thursday, December 23rd, 2010

By Kamlesh I. Singh

Wishing you bliss this holiday season and honoring Jesus, a Supreme Yogi…..

The life of Chirst was an exceptional example of living as a True Yogi. He may not have had life insurance, but he definitely had death insurance! Modern day life insurance in the west represents a policy that provides some form of assets and/or benefits to the loves ones we leave behind. However, in spiritual terms, death insurance is what you take with you when you leave this physical body. I was once asked in a talk by one of Amma’s Swamis- “What do you have in your spiritual bank account?” Such a question is referring to the level of consciousness. Perhaps there is some yoga practice there, some pranayama, some meditation, mantra chanting, purity of diet, harmony in thought or action, highest intentions for life or for the world. On the other hand, perhaps there is nothing. Maybe there is even some “I should do more of…” or “I should do less of…..” statements. Regardless of the self judgement, here is what really matters!

Imagine that leaving the body is about simply shifting energy from one form to another, or taking the Illumination of your Being- the level of your awakened state – Your Highest Self – Your “Super Conscious state (as labeled in psychology), and directing it elsewhere. Suppose the brilliance of your Inner Light, your aura, indicates the level of your infinite peace, your eternal bliss, your Ananda Maya Kosha (Bliss Body and 5th layer of your aura). Think for a moment how amazing your transformation would be and the energy of your presence existing thereafter. Look at how Christ’s liberation has affected the world! Now, before the mind creepes into to analyze it all, see if you can hold on to the experience for one complete moment. That is enough. Just that one moment of knowing the True Self, having broken free from the tenacious grasp of the ego, to know true identity, is defining. And, then to know what to create for your New Year’s Resolution is even more refreshing. lol.

Great Yoga Masters like Jesus Christ are always reminding us to stay connected to the True Self.

Recently, I was really struggling emotionally and sitting with my pain. I prayed for some inspiration and flipped open to a page of B.K.S Iyengar’s book, Light on Life. There was a teaching on Dharana – Concentration- the fifth limb of Ashtanga Yoga. Iyengar states that concentration purifies the ego and leads directly to meditation. He says “Yoga insists, go on, go on, redouble your efforts, renounce the fruits of your progress, the powers and honors you have accumulated. Don’t fail now when you are so near.” He explains as one approaches awakening, temptation from the path will arise, even by angels. When Jesus was very near to his goal, a dark angel took him to a high place to see all of earth and offered him power and dominion over it. Iyengar says “He too was a supreme renunciate- a Bhaktan.”

This holiday season let’s honor and celebrate the Chirst Consciousness in all of us and in all things, making us all one big family, dysfunctional as it may be…..lol. Heartfelt thanks to you for choosing yoga and choosing union, especially in such an intense time on earth. Cheers to your Journey into the Awakening and Knowing that…

You are entirely INFINITE LIGHT!

Om Shanti. Peace and Amen.

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(Just in case you are looking for some deep food for thought to end this year.)

We don’t come here just to have a better life, but also to have a better death!

Happiness, Peace and Love to you!

Kamlesh Singh

Yoga and Thai Yoga Massage

http://www.yogavortex.com

Kamlesh I Singh, MA. Physical Education, Yoga Author of “Feeling Peace with 108 Yoga Poses” and Instructor of yoga for over 10 years. Kamlesh enjoys teaching classes, workshops and individual sessions of Yoga and Thai Yoga Massage. She enjoys helping people create optimal health, fitness and inner peace. Special first time clients receive 50% first session. Visit http://www.yogavortex.com and email kamlesh108oms@yahoo.com to stay connected. Wishing you love, light, peace and infinite blessings!

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Ashtanga Yoga: Practice Asteya for Inner Peace and Self Acceptance

Friday, November 12th, 2010

By Heather L Johnston

Wholeness is a state of being that recognizes and appreciates every other soul, as the reflection of the self. The life energy that animates you and I, also flows through and around every plant, animal, body of water, soil and through the atmosphere. The difficulty comes when we begin to see ourselves as separate; separate from each other, inferior, superior, broken or disconnected. Separation creates an emptiness that desperately needs to be filled. We long to be whole. Many times in looking to fill the emptiness we come up with handfuls of nothing.

How do we come back to wholeness?

Patanjali, in his four books of Yoga Sutras (7th century A.D., a rewriting of ancient Eastern beliefs), shows how wholeness is already who and what we are. He then demonstrates step by step, 196 approaches to realize this gift inside. All we need to do is to start with ‘one’ aphorism to feel what it is like to be free of anxiety, emptiness and fruitless striving.

Asteya, the third of Patanjali’s ten ethics (see Yama #3) has to do with not taking, and not leaving someone or something, (or the self) less than whole. Taking can mean using someone’s idea and taking the credit for oneself; or mocking anothers religion leaving them to feel excluded. It could mean trying to show someone up; or taking a gift or something that has not been earned. ‘Taking’ demonstrates that our needs are greater than someone elses and that we are more deserving, which ends up creating misery for everyone, bringing us back to fruitless striving.

Asteya (Sanskrit, non-stealing) is only one of Patanjali’s teachings. In following the principle of Asteya we become aware of who the Self really is. We end up living our lives with kindness, gratitude and inclusion.

Seven Ways to Asteya, Peace and Self Acceptance:

1. Allow someone the freedom, space and time to discover their own path. (then offer the same length of rope to the self)

2. “Let the ‘thoughts’ of judgment go, before they come out on the end of the tongue.” HJ

3. Be happy where you are on your own path, knowing that all things come to those who seek. Feeling whole where we are keeps the self contented.

4. Release feelings of superiority or deserving. These two thoughts will lead to suffering.

5. See the beauty in your own soul and desire only the true gifts of the self.

6. Observe anothers actions with curiosity and non-attachment.

7. Celebrate the many different ways that life manifests for us at different points in time.

How lucky we are to experience life in a physical form, if only for a short time. Asteya is a part of yoga that helps us to greet the workings of nature with sensitivity, knowing that all is inside of us.

The entire universe of the soul awaits discovery.

Experiment with Asteya (non taking) and the effect it has on others. Then come back here and leave a comment to let us know how it affected you. Looking forward to hearing from you! Heather

Heather Johnston is a Registered Dental Hygienist and a Certified Yoga Instructor based in Cambridge, Ontario Canada. She enjoys all aspects of health, is fascinated with anatomy and evolution, and is always looking for ways to strengthen the body and mind.

Visit Heather at www.YogaRestores.com for related articles and tips.

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The Concept of Yoga

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

By Robert Shorn

In the west more and more schools teaching yoga and pranayam are coming up everywhere and people are taking to this Hindu philosophy based practice that aims at balancing the body and mind in harmony as well as elevating the consciousness to a higher spiritual awareness. Yoga consists of breathing techniques, body postures both, sitting and standing postures combined with few cleansing rituals.

A few well known yoga disciplines are:

Ananda: Means Bliss. This is ideal for those who are new to Yoga science and are getting initiated now. It consists of basics of body stretching and flexibility building asanas with no meditation or chanting.

Kundalini Yoga system: Entails breathing exercises and awakening of the inner energy in the body through breath control. Yoga as a science made its entry into the west through Kundalini yoga.

Bikram Yoga Practice: Involves 26 asanas repeated with stretch exercises and breathing techniques practiced in room with temperature up to 100 degrees to promote body flexibility.

Ashtanga Yoga: Promotes overall body control, keeping body fit and increasing the stamina through asanas that are designed to exercise each part of the body separately. It is also called power yoga as it gives better body control.

Kripalu: Control of mind and body through breathing techniques and meditation techniques.

Integral: Basic system of building body co ordination and increasing flexibility through simple exercises that do not stretch the body to limits. Ideal for beginners to yoga.

Anasura: Consists of body posture and mind control to increase spiritual awareness.

Iyengar: Yoga promotes all round well being and flexibility of the body along with treating body ailments and improving conditions with the help of props, pillows, cushions and rope etc to help with body exercises.

Though practice types may differ, all yoga systems are based on body, mind and spiritual well-being of human beings. This being the case, you can choose the system that suites your goal and helps you attain the same.

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Losing Weight Naturally – The Power of Yoga

Friday, August 27th, 2010

By Johnny B Adams

Yoga has existed for thousands of years. Many of us fail to realize the extent to which yoga has positive effects towards weight loss. Yoga tones the body in an uniformed way unlike those commercialized weight loss programs out there which claims to have cut down body weight drastically. Yoga can be practiced by individuals of various age groups. You are not too old to practice yoga. The Vinyasa or Flow yoga is the common type of yoga practiced by those who want to lose weight.

Out of the many Vinyasa yoga exercises, the Astanga yoga still stands to be the most popular. Ashtanga yoga combines various athletic movements The poses still remains to be the same as a very slow and calm paced workout that combines strength and grace. The main difference between conventional forms of yoga and Astanga lies in the movements between the poses. Instead of holding on to a certain pose for a long time, the movements that take place during transitioning to a new pose are more brief and athletic.

For those who are just about to set out into a journey of yoga, it is always advisable to start off with a beginner level yoga that will help you lose weight. Yoga is an excellent way to to make your body muscles more flexible and toned up. Many of us ought to think that yoga isn’t a exercise, but for a matter of fact, it is. Muscle balance and control are needed to balance a certain yoga pose. Improving these steps does help the body to burn fats hence losing weight.

Yoga also helps to perform aerobic exercises. Aerobic exercise is physical exercise that helps improve the oxygen system. Aerobic exercises are performed at moderate levels of intensity and over an prolonged period of time. Yoga helps us to breathe the correct way in turn can be an added advantage towards aerobic exercises. The more you tone and sculpt your muscles, the stronger you become. You’ll be able to do your aerobic exercises more easily and for longer periods of time. Yoga helps to reduce the possibilities of developing osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is common among ladies in which after their menopause, their bones tends to lose density and are prone to fractures.

So, if you wish to receive a FREE weight loss program that has been proven to help countless OVERWEIGHT VICTIMS transform their physique, by using many ways including YOGA, checkout PrimitiveFitness.com. It’s an ALL FREE – ONE STOP – FITNESS CENTER.

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Hatha Yoga

Tuesday, April 27th, 2010

By Disele Long

Hatha yoga is the most common and basic yoga practiced in the Western world. Originating in India over two thousand years ago, yoga serves to clear the mind, instill a sense of peace, awaken self awareness and help the physical body maintain strength and flexibility. The “ha” translates to sun and the “tha” translates to moon. This represents the duality of our minds and body and how all of our opposites can work together. Both the dualities of meditation and exercise are explored and enhanced through Hatha yoga.

Regular yoga practice can increase your strength and flexibility. Each time you begin, your blood begins to flow better and becomes more oxygenated. This allows you to stretch and go deeper into each pose every time you try it.

Types of Asanas (Poses)

There are several types of yoga poses that incorporate the hatha style of yoga. They can be done easily with practice and patience as hatha yoga is more for beginners. The types of poses, or asanas, are:

• Seated

• Twists

• Inversion

• Balancing

• Core strengthening

• Back bending

• Forward bending

• Side bending

• Hip opening

• Prone yoga poses

• Supine yoga poses

• Standing yoga poses

Specific Poses

The specific poses of hatha yoga serve to physically improve the body and its functioning. They will also help enhance the spirit and soul. The Cat Stretch pose helps to loosen the back and relax the shoulders. The sitting pose is vital to developing patience and self awareness. This meditative pose can bring peace and calm to the mind. The Cow pose stretches the hips and legs, improves circulation and helps clear the mind. Triangle pose is primarily done to improve posture and increase lung functioning. The Tree pose is an easy and effective way to improve balance and poise. Most hatha yoga sessions end in Corpse pose. This is done by lying on your back with arms and legs spread comfortably apart. Your palms face up toward the sky.

Physical Tips

When doing some of the poses that make up basic hatha yoga, you should never feel pain. You must breathe deeply and naturally as you do the asana. As you breathe and move, the poses will come more naturally. You should never strain, but gently increase your ability to complete and hold each pose. If a pose feels difficult or painful, stop immediately and try it as you feel more secure and focused. If you already have any severe back or neck injuries or issues, you should check with a doctor before you try to do any yoga poses or techniques.

Mental Tips

In order to get the most out of a hatha yoga session, you must be in a proper state of mind. You need to be in a calm, quiet and peaceful place. Actually, all types of yoga cannot be done fully or effectively in a stressful or loud place. It is time to quietly get in touch with every aspect of your body and mind. You must also let go of any stresses, as they will interrupt your breathing and keep your mind from quieting. While many people turn to yoga to find mental peace and clarity, you must go into it in the right state of mind. You have to be open to the benefits of this meditative practice in order to fully experience it.

Please click here for relate topic: Ashtanga Yoga.

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Ashtanga Teaches People How to Be Better Versions of Themselves

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

By Athena McDonald

Many have now turned to yoga practices in order to become fitter and healthier. The main reason for this is because many have verbalized their positive and highly productive experiences with Ashtanga Yoga. Aside from that, they are also starting to get bored with normal exercise techniques. And since a lot of the moves of Ashtanga are interesting, it became their first choice for work out refuge.

There are actually a lot of instruction manuals that are being widely purchased today just so they can learn how to perform the Ashtanga properly. In fact, experts say that in their experience, the Ashtanga helped them calm the wind and feel relaxed. Ashtanga is also capable of making them more flexible.

According to those who have tried performing the Ashtanga, their stamina was developed and strengthened. Many also practiced this particular kind of yoga because it provided them with a more revolutionary exercise session.

Ashtanga is actually not an easy task. This is why those who are interested in performing it should first check with their doctors if they have any medical conditions that might hamper the way they perform the Ashtanga. If their doctor finds anything wrong, they will be advised not to perform anything strenuous, especially the Ashtanga form of yoga. The Ashtanga yoga is actually regarded as one of the most strenuous exercise methods to have ever been discovered.

They can learn more about Ashtanga by purchasing the instruction manuals and also by listening to what yoga experts say. According to today’s best-selling Ashtanga guides, the best stores to purchase yoga products are eBay and Craigslist.

Since the Ashtanga moves are quite difficult to do, whoever wants to practice this particular kind of yoga should listen closely to the experts and follow the manuals right to the dot. They should always warm up before they start and cool down when they are done. Warming up and cooling down can largely reduce the chance of acquiring injuries that are caused by getting into the yoga positions too quickly. Since the poses associated with Ashtanga Yoga are somewhat difficult, the practitioners should slowly and gradually get into the position instead of rushing.

It is best to learn more about the Ashtanga Yoga before deciding to practice it because if they know nothing about this kind of yoga, then their experience will not be as successful as they want it to be.

Athena has been writing articles for the past 3 years. Check her latest website over at http://www.ashtangaguide.com/ which gives people advice about the best ways to get Ashtanga products such as the Ashtanga Yoga as well as more information on Ashtanga Yoga.

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Ashtanga Yoga – The Intermediate Series: Mythology, Anatomy and Practice

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

Namaskar Dear Ones,

If you are considering reading a new Yoga book, Ashtanga Yoga – The Intermediate Series: Mythology, Anatomy and Practice, by Gregor Maehle, is well worth your time. This book should be part of every Ashtanga practitioner’s library.

Hopefully, Gregor Maehle will continue writing quality books about Ashtanga Yoga. His latest book, Ashtanga Yoga – The Intermediate Series: Mythology, Anatomy and Practice, serves as a solid reference guide for practitioners of Ashtanga and Hatha Yoga. Gregor has managed to give the reader a full view of Intermediate Ashtanga Yoga.

All the Best.

OM Shanti,

Paul

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Ashtanga Yoga

Sunday, December 20th, 2009

Yoga Teacher TrainingBy Elizabeth Henshall

Ashtanga Yoga or Restorative Yoga – how to make the choice

Ashtanga Yoga is very different to the gentle practice of Restorative Yoga. In fact Ashtanga Yoga is a lovely choice for people who are strong and healthy but it would not be a good choice for anyone who has been recently ill, is suffering from burnout or quite chronic stress related conditions such as high blood pressure, severe headaches or chronic fatigue syndrome. The more active forms of yoga such as Ashtanga, with its emphasis on building towards physical strength as well as flexibility, tend to move quickly with the breath of the person doing the practice and form very beautiful flows of movement which are followed carefully by the Ashtanga practitioner. At its best the student can mediate as they do the flow but they have to have good health and a strong body to do this. For those who know a little about yoga sequences like ‘The Salute to the Sun’ is a good example of an Ashtanga flow.

For the person who has been ill and wants to start on a self-help route to recovery and wellbeing this form of Yoga is not advisable. That person’s body needs to rest, refresh and restore itself quietly and gently while it heals. Restorative Yoga helps that happen by emphasising the unique needs of a body whose nervous system has been overloaded and whose immune system has started to break down under ongoing stress – or which is in pain following distress in their muscular or skeletal systems. A restorative yoga session will involve only 4 or 5 postures which will each be held for some minutes but there will never be any strain placed on the body because each pose is TOTALLY supported by soft props. The careful placing of these props means that the body is free to relax and release its own powerful healing system while the person is taken through the most essential postures for their needs. Bodies are clever and know very well when they find their very own balance point as all the systems find themselves supported enough to come down off ‘high alert’. As soon as your body experiences that degree of support it knows it can switch out of overdrive and it heaves a sigh of relief! Experienced Restorative Yoga teachers will take time to help students work out their own Restorative Body Map and show them how to constantly bring their bodies back to balance point and so to healing. A session would typically include a posture to help to gently open the chest and aid breathing, a quiet supported forward bend to ease the spine, a very gentle twist of the torso to ease the digestion and a very beautiful relaxation to help the body fully switch channels from the Sympathetic High-Alert Nervous System to the ParaSympathetic Calm-and-Centred Nervous System.

There is a great contrast in the two styles but underlying them both are age old principles of body care and the use of postures to work through all parts of the body so that health and wellbeing are promoted along with a calm, controlled mind. We just have to find the yoga approach that is right for us at any point in time.

Restorative Yoga Workshops and more information about how to use this form of self healing can be found on Restorative Yoga and Yin Yoga. The Fifty, Fit and Fabulous programme provides a step by step approach to wellbeing through holistic care and is outlined on these sites.

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