Miscellaneous YTT

Question 1

What are the 3 Gunas and what do they represent?

Answer 1

The 3 qualities of nature. Adjust them to maintain balance in yourself.

1. Sattva - light, balance, joy, intelligence
2. Rajas - action, activity, change
3. Tamas - darkness, heaviness, “evil”

Question 2

Dosha

Answer 2

an error or imbalance in nature. balance Kappa, Pitta & Vata to adjust this.

Question 3

8 Limbs of Raja Yoga

Answer 3

1. Yama - restraints
2. Niyama - observances
3. Asana - physical yoga postures
4. Pranayama - control of the breath/vital energy
5. Pratyahara - withdrawal from the senses (bridge between the external and internal)
6. Dharna - single focus; one-pointedness of the mind and nothing can break your path
7. Dhyana - meditation
8. Samadhi - enlightenment/being reborn/bliss/the ultimate achievement

Question 4

The 3 Bodies

Answer 4

1. Physical: human/earthly body
2. Astral: energy body / spiritual body
3. Causal: highest body that houses the soul. Karmic debt held here.

Question 5

3 Elements of OM

Answer 5

A + U + M

The creator, the protector, and the destroyer.

God created the sound and the universe arose from it.

Question 6

5 Points of Yoga

Answer 6

1. Proper Exercise: Asanas
2. Proper Breathing: Pranayama
3. Proper Relaxation: Savasana
4. Proper Diet: vegetarian
5. Positive Thinking & Meditation

Question 7

4 Paths of Yoga

Answer 7

1. Karma Yoga - the path of selfless service
2. Bhakti Yoga - the path of devotion/faith
3. Raja Yoga - physical approach that has 8 limbs.
4. Jnana Yoga - the path of knowledge

Question 8

4 Types of Assists

Answer 8

1. Deepening
2. Directional
3. Stabilizing
4. Energizing

Question 9

Sections of the Spine + Vertebrae in Each

Answer 9

Cervical: 7 vertebrae

Thoracic: 12 vertebrae

Lumbar: 5 vertebrae

Sacral

Coccyx

Question 10

Lordosis

Answer 10

Excessive inward curve of the spine

Question 11

Kyphosis

Answer 11

Excessive outward curve of the spine / hunchback.

Question 12

7 Chakras

Answer 12

1. Root
2. Sacral
3. Solar Plexus
4. Heart
5. Throat
6. Third Eye
7. Crown

**they’re located at the junctions of astral tubes / energy channels called Nadis

Question 13

4 Types of Joints

Answer 13

1. Gliding: glides smoothly in one plane (carpals / hands)
2. Uniaxial: moves in one direction and includes Hinge (knee) and Pivot (elbow)
3. Biaxial: has flexion and extension (finger)
4. Multiaxial: moves in multiple directions and includes Saddle (thumb) and Ball & Socket (hips + shoulder)

Question 14

True North - 5 Elements

Answer 14

1. Ground down like EARTH
2. Flow like WATER
3. Build an inner FIRE
4. Soften like AIR
5. Create SPACE for something new

Question 15

4 Parts of Abdominals

Answer 15

1. Transverse Abdominus (deepest)
2. Internal Oblique
3. External Oblique
4. Rectus Abdominus

Question 16

Kapalbhati

Answer 16

• passive inhale, active exhale

- strengthens lung capacity, cleanses respiratory system, movement of diaphragm massages other internal organs

Question 17

Anuloma Viloma

Answer 17

• alternate nostril breathing
• 1:4:2 ratio
• brings balance between 2 nostrils / sides of body
• calms mind and purifies energy channels

Question 18

Yamas

Answer 18

Yamas are “Restraints”

1. Ahimsa: Nonviolence
2. Satya: Truthfulness
3. Asteya: Nonstealing
4. Brahmacharya: Nonexcess
5. Aparigraha: Nonposessiveness

Question 19

Niyamas

Answer 19

Niyamas are “Observances”

1. Purity
2. Santosha: Contentment
3. Tapas: Self-Discipline
4. Svadhyaya: Self-Study
5. Ishvara Pranidhana: Surrender