The Principles of Asana Practice

Question 0

What 2 important qualities does Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra desribe an asana as having?

Answer 0

sthira=steadiness/alertness
sukha=ability to remain comfortable in an asana

Both should be present to the same degree

Question 1

What is an asana?

Answer 1

Translates as “posture”

Question 2

What is the first step of our yoga practice?

Answer 2

Consciously link breath and body

Question 3

If we want to practice the asana progressively in order to gradually achieve more steadiness, alertness, and overall comfort, we must….

Answer 3

Accept ourselves as we are. Recognize our starting point and learn to accept it.

Question 4

What is the most important aspect of asana practice?

Answer 4

Finding the natural link between breath and movement

Question 5

One of the most basic principles of yoga is…

Answer 5

Become fully involved in our actions

Question 6

Forward-bending postures naturally amplify…

Answer 6

Breathing out or exhalation

Question 7

Backward-bending postures are more easliy performed when

Answer 7

Breathing in or inhaling

Question 8

Beginning Twisting postures are closely linked to

Answer 8

Breathing out or exhalation

Question 9

The simple rules for linking breath and movement are

Answer 9

When we contract the body we breathe out (exhale), when we expand we breathe in (inhale)

Question 10

Pausing at the end of each movement helps us

Answer 10

Remain more conscious of both the movement and breath.

Question 11

Losing the attention on the movement and breath causes

Answer 11

practice to become mechanical….this is no longer yoga. (no attentiveness)

Question 12

The length of the breath determines…

Answer 12

the speed of the movement

Question 13

In addition to directing the breath consciously during asana practice, we are also trying to make our breathing …

Answer 13

fuller and deeper

Question 14

Gaining a fuller breath consists of consciously

Answer 14

expanding the chest and abdomen on inhalation and contracting it on exhalation

Question 15

When we inhale, first fill

Answer 15

the chest, then the abdomen

Question 16

As we exale, first release

Answer 16

the abdomen, then empty the upper lobes of the lungs in the chest region

Question 17

Ujjayi breath helps us

Answer 17

stay closer to the breath and more alert during asana, and tells us when we have to change or stop the asana

Question 18

Ujjayi breath consists of

Answer 18

narrowing the flow of breath in the throat. Produces a gentle breathing sound. Like a slightly closed valve. Should not require effort or create tension.

Question 19

Yoga is a practice of observing yourself without

Answer 19

judgement

Question 20

Yoga is not an ______experience

Answer 20

external

Question 21

If we do not pay attention to ourselves, we can’t call it

Answer 21

yoga.

Question 22

In yoga we are not creating something for others to

Answer 22

look at.

Question 23

The quality of the breath is the clearest indication of the quality of our

Answer 23

asana practice.

Question 24

Consciously following the breath is a form of _________ in which we try to become completely one with the ____________.

Answer 24

meditation, movement