History & Philosophy Flashcards
What does yoga mean?
The word ‘Yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’, meaning ‘to join’ or ‘to yoke’ or ‘to unite
What is Vinyasa Yoga?
Vinyasa is an approach to yoga in which you move from one pose directly into the next. There’s a flow to a Vinyasa yoga session, though the specific poses and the pace of the flow vary from one instructor to the next. Vinyasa yoga focuses on connecting the breath to your movements, which tend to be set at a faster pace.
What are the 8 limbs of yoga/Astanga give the names in Sanskrit for all the 8. Describe what they are.
Yama. - donts Niyama - dos Asana - physical Pranayama - breathwork Pratyahara - meditation Dharana - removal of senses Dhyana - Dhyana refers to meditation. In this stage the yogi is focused inward, and only on the singular object or name or idea. Samadhi - Enlightement
What does Kosha mean and what are they
is a covering of the Atman, or Self according to Vedantic philosophy. There are five koshas, and they are often visualised as the layers of an onion in the subtle body.
- Annamaya Kosha (Physical Sheath)
- Pranamaya Kosha (Vital Energy Sheath)
- Vijnanamaya Kosha (Wisdom or Awareness Body)
- Anandamaya Kosha (Bliss Body)
What does Vayu mean and what are the Vayus
Life Force / Energy in the body could be further subdivided into energetic components - Vayus.
Prana - situated in te head, 3rd eye. Fundamental energy in the body.
Apana - is situated in the pelvic floor and its energy pervades the lower abdomen. Its flow is downwards and out.
Udana- is situated in the throat and it has a circular flow around the neck and head. Govern speech / self-expression.
Samana - Abdomen, energy at navel. Governs digestion, experiences and emotions.
Vyana- is situated in the heart and lungs and flows throughout the entire body. Governs circulation, assist other vayus work.
What are the 5 yamas
Ahimsa: nonviolence Satya: truthfulness Asteya: nonstealing Brahmacharya: continence Aparigraha: noncovetousness
The five niyamas are:
Saucha: cleanliness Samtosa: contentment Tapas: heat; spiritual austerities Svadhyaya: study of the sacred scriptures and of one’s self Isvara pranidhana: surrender to God
Who is the legendary founder of Yoga teachings
Pantalaji is recorded as capturing the sutras and structuring Yoga as a philosophy.
BKS Iyengar brought it to the west.
Explain what Prana is
Prana is a Sanskrit word that has a number of interpretations in English, including “life force,” “energy” and “vital principle.” The term is used in Hindu and yogic philosophy to refer to all the manifest energy in the universe, present in both living beings and inanimate objects. Yogis may wish to gain a greater understanding of prana in order to be able to extend and improve their own energy and thereby improve their health and wellness. In the energy body, prana is said to flow through energy channels known as nadis.
Who is Krishna to Arjuna
The cousin relationship existing between
Which type of yoga is characterized by its use of props
Iyengar Yoga is characterized by several qualities, primarily precision and alignment, timing of the poses, sequencing of the postures, and the use of props
Name the bandhas, where they are located and what is there purpose
Jalandhara Bandha (Neck/Chin Lock): Works directly with vocal diaphragm to help promote ujjayi breath, lengthens the cervical spine, stimulates thought processing and calms the heart.
Uddiyana Bandha (Diaphragm Lock): Engages the abdominal muscles, fires up the Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipur), stimulates blood circulation and improves digestion.
Mula Bandha (Root/Pelvic Lock): Engages the pelvis muscles, creates a solid foundation for the spine, taps into the Root Chakra (Muladhara), which helps us feel grounded.
Know 3 different Kriyas and what they are
Kapalabhati - breathing technique which removes all the respiratory blockages from the tracts and detoxifies the entire lymphatic system.
Netti Pot - Neti Kriya denotes purification of the nasal passage and the nostrils. Neti kriya is performed using four types of tools which you can choose from.
Dhouti - Dhouti kriya is particularly specific to the cleansing of the upper intestine. It is one of the most rigorous yet highly beneficial types of kriya after Nauli Shatkriya. This kriya is performed with the intention of inducing vomiting in order to clear any impurities or blockages in the intestine.
What are the Upanishads
Collection of vedic texts, which contain the earluist religious concepts of Hinduism, Buddism, Jainism, they are also knoown as Vedanta, which means the end of the veda.
What are the Nadis, and be able to explain the 3 main channels and give their names
Idā has a moonlike nature and feminine energy with a cooling effect. It courses from the left testicle to the left nostril and corresponds to the Ganges river.
Pingala is associated with solar energy. The word pingala means “orange” or “tawny” in Sanskrit. Pingala has a sunlike nature and masculine energy.[11] Its temperature is heating and courses from the right testicle to the right nostril. It corresponds to the river Yamuna.
Sushumna is considered to be the single most important energy channel within the body. This central channel runs from the base of the spine up to the crown of the head – along the central axis of the core.
