CoursePREP Q&A

Question 1

The History and Origins of Yoga Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czBjZW-pgjY

Answer 1

M. Marla Cunningham, PhD.
Assistant Professor University Virginia
School of Nursing
Counselling Psychologist
Certified Yoga therapist
Founder and Director: cardiac Medical Yoga

Question 2

1. When is the first reference of Yoga that is known to us?

From the first video.

Answer 2

The first known reference to yoga
Pre-Vedic age 6500-4500 BCE
Indus Valley civilization
6:26 min into video

Question 3

2. What are the Vedas and what is the meaning of “Veda”?

Answer 3

The Veda’s are the oldest writings in existence and is the most sacred books of Hinduism.
Veda means knowledge or sacred law.
Vedic Era 1,500 – 1,000 BCE
7:25 mins in

Question 4

SJQ. T/F: Vedas are books?

Answer 4

True.

Question 5

SJQ. What were the Vedas focused on?

Answer 5

• Investigations of relationship between the universe, nature, God and humans.
• Philosophical and religious exploration.
• Writings: hymns, rituals, theologies, philosophies.

Feuerstein, G. The if history literature philosophy and practice Hohm Press:2008
END SLIDE 7.55

Question 6

SJQ. T/F Ayurvedic Medicine is a sister science to yoga and was significantly developed during the Vedic period?
Feuerstein, G. The if history literature philosophy and practice Hohm Press:2008
END SLIDE

Answer 6

True

Question 7

3. What is the definition of Ayurveda in this lecture?

Answer 7

• Ayurveda: Ayur - Life, Veda - Knowledge.

- One of the oldest systems of medicine in the world.

Question 8

SJQ. How were the early practices of Ayurveda Medicine handed down?

Answer 8

Early practices were handed down by word-of-mouth.

Question 9

SJQ. Who is - Baba Hari Dass?

Answer 9

Baba Hari Dass is a monk and Ayurvedic practitioner who brought Ayurveda to the U.S. in early 1970.

Question 10

SJQ. What are the Yoga Sutra’s?

THEY ARE ALSO Aphorism’s

Answer 10

• Basic foundational text describing yoga practices and concepts.

REPEAT: The Yoga Sutra’s are the basic foundational text describing yoga practices and concepts.

Question 11

4. A. How did yoga evolve in the Pre-Classic Era?

4. B. What did the Pre-Classic Era focus on?

Answer 11

500 - 200 BCE. This period a more coherent philosophical system of yoga began to emerge

• Schools of Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism emerged, Systematised and Incorporated Philosophical aspects of Yoga.
• Patanjali systemised the Yoga Sutra’s (the basic foundational text describing yoga practices and concepts).

Question 12

What does COHESION mean?

Answer 12

the action or fact of forming a united whole.

Question 13

What does EVOLVE mean?

Answer 13

to evolve is to come forth gradually into being, develop.

Question 14

What does PHILOSOPHICAL mean?

Answer 14

• philosophy literally meant a love of knowledge and wisdom.
• In modern times, the field of philosophy is more specifically the study of how we think through problems.

What do you mean being philosophical?
To be philosophical is to stay detached and thoughtful in the face of a setback, or to approach a tough situation in a level-headed way. … In ancient Greece, philosophy literally meant a love of knowledge and wisdom. In modern times, the field of philosophy is more specifically the study of how we think through problems.

Question 15

What does SYSTEMATIZED mean?

Answer 15

Systemization -creating a new/improved system.

Systemization is the act of creating a new system. The primary benefit of creating a System is that you can examine the process and make improvements. Developing Systems helps everyone do what they have to do with minimum misunderstanding.

Question 16

What are the Yoga Sutra’s?

Answer 16

The Yoga Sutra’s are the basic foundational text describing yoga practices and concepts. (books/manuals)

Question 17

What is an aphorism?

Answer 17

An aphorism is a brief saying or phrase that expresses an opinion or makes a statement of wisdom without the flowery language of a proverb. Aphorism comes from a Greek word meaning “definition.” The term was first coined by Hippocrates in a work appropriately titled Aphorisms.

Question 18

What are Patanjali’s 8 Limbs of Yoga?

Answer 18

SLIDE 9. M11.21 Patanjali LIMBS YOGA

• Yama’s (avoidances) Behavioural and Ethical Guidelines
• Non-arming
• Truthfulness
• Non-stealing
• Conservation of energy/sexual energy
• Non-possessiveness
• Niyama’s (observances) Behavioural and Ethical Guidelines
• Purity
• Contentment
• Austerities
• Self reflection, self study of scriptures
• Contemplation on higher power/God

Question 19

What are Nadis?

Answer 19

Nadis = Energy Channels

Question 20

What are Chakras?

Answer 20

Chakras = Energy Centers in the body

Question 21

What are Bandhas?

Answer 21

Bandhas = Locks

Question 22

What are Mudras?

Answer 22

Mudras = Gestures

Question 23

5. What did Patanjali do?

Answer 23

ANSWER Q5:

• Patanjali systemised the Yoga Sutra’s (the basic foundational text describing yoga practices and concepts).
• Patanjali took pre-existing philosophical beliefs and traditional practices of Yoga and systemised them in text called yoga is such. - Yoga Sutra’s (196 aphorisms) became one of the authority text on yoga. - Patanjali’s work included the “Ashtanga”(eight limbed) or “Raja Yoga” (Royal Path).

Question 24

6. What is the purpose of yoga in the Mahabharata?

Answer 24

ANSWER Q6:
The Mahabharata Defines the purpose of Yoga as uniting the individual Atman (spirit/soul) with the universal, all pervading Brahman.

more stuff on that

• The Mahabharata Defines the purpose of Yoga as uniting the individual Atman (spirit/soul) with the universal, all pervading Brahman.
  -The Bhagavad Gita is part of Mahabharata and it consists of about 700 verses. It covers the laws and rules of yoga practice that focuses on Enlightenment. (SPEAKER M 13.45: )
• The Bhagavad Gita is part of Mahabharata. (
  SLIDE 15 M13.52 )

Question 25

7. What is the Bhagavad Gita about?

Answer 25

• Part of the Mahabharata;
• Consists of about 700 versus.
• Covers the laws and rules of yoga practice that focuses on Enlightenment.
• Is a story that is narrated by a dialogue between Krishna (God) and Arjuna (human).

AND

• Consists of three prominent types of Yoga(that had not been very emphasized previously:
• Karma Yoga: the Yoga of action.
• Bhakti Yoga: the Yoga of devotion.
• Jnana Yoga: the Yoga of knowledge.

Question 26

8. What does the Hatha Yoga Pradipika focus on?

Answer 26

• Composed by Svatmarama (included compilation of earlier hatha yoga text).
• Focuses on physical purification, i.e. postures and breathing techniques that a person practices to achieve higher states of consciousness.
• Also elaborates on chakras, nadis, bandhas, mudras etc.
• Hatha yoga Pradipika outlines 84 Asanas; (other scholars state only 16 postures are proposed - four of which are seated poses).
  SLIDE REF: Feuerstein, G. The Yoga Tradition – Its History, Literature, Philosophy and Practice; Hohm Press: Chino Valley, AZ, 2008.

ANSWER Q8 MINE REWORDED
- Hatha Yoga Pradipika focuses on physical purification through Yoga Asanas and Pranayama techniques that a Arjuna practices to achieve higher states of consciousness. It also elaborates on chakras, nadis, bandhas and mudras and outlines eighty four Asanas.

Question 27

What is the Sanskrit word for human?

Answer 27

Arjuna

Question 28

What is the sanskrit word for God?

Answer 28

Krishna

Question 29

What is the Sanskrit word for spirit/soul?

Answer 29

Atman (spirit/soul)

Question 30

What does Gheranda mean?

Answer 30

• Gheranda means “vessel”.

Question 31

What Does the Gheranda focus on?

Answer 31

Gheranda Samhita (speculated 17th Century)

• Author unknown.
• Gheranda means “vessel”.
• Text is a step-by-step manual that focuses on practices done to purify the body and mind the realisation of the soul.
• Details 32 asanas is for building body strength ETC.

SPEAKER: Very Clear step by step asanas.

SLIDE REF: https://en. Wikipedia.org/wiki/Gheranda_Samhita