Theory Flashcards
What does the Ashtanga series yoga focus on?
Primarily on the spinal cord. Through repeated practice it becomes strong and aligned, enabling us to sit still with a straight spine.
It also increases our awareness of subtle nerve currents that run through the spine, allowing us to tap deeper into our intuition
Who was Ashtanga developed by? When
According to him….
Sri Pattabi Jois in Mysore India in 1950s
Through practice one discovers many new possibilities for oneself, both physically and spiritually.
Practice and all is coming
Ujjayi breathing aim is what
Remain aware of our breath during practice,
If we lose awareness of breath the mind has wondered off and the asana is likely to be misaligned.
Allows us to dynamically meditate
The Bhandas
What are they?
Internal energy locks we try to maintain during practice.
Moola Bhanda- activation of pelvic floor area. Pulling the perenium muscle upwards.
Uddhiyana Bhanda- activation of the abdominal muscles. Pulling inward and upward. Helps to lengthen thoracic spine.
They are considered to direct our energy upwards
what is the goal of yoga?
Self realisation. Coming to know who you really are.
Self realisation often happens in a time of crisis- in times when our known world falls apart. Whatever the reason, during these moments all the things we considered essential to have and do appear irrelevant compared to the present moment. A moment of clarity often happens. In these moments we remember who we have always been.
How can I be myself?
Who you think you are is a mental construction. This is the ego- the idea of who one is. If we identify with our thoughts we loose connection with ou true selves.
Our true nature awaits us with eternal patience.
The mind must stop modifying reality for us to return.
‘Yoga brings to am end the modifications of the mind’
In what way does the mind modify reality?
4 basic types of mental modifications:
- memory :
- memory relates the current experience to the past and hence brings prejudice and judgement. - Desire
- Desire implies that we are lacking something in the present moment and find ourselves wanting something else. - Knowledge
Therefore the present moment is already something supposedly known therefore loses its infinite potential. - Unconsciousness
The mental modifications are so common and quickly arising that we must be totally attentive to our mind to not be carried away.
Sensitivity and Equanimity- The wings of Yoga
2 qualities which much grow for yoga or meditation to succeed.
To know where your thoughts and actions arise from take lots of sensitivity.
Sensitivity We naturally develop a sensitivity through the practice of yoga.
If we have desire or aversion (dislike) to what we experience it becomes an obstacle that doesn’t allow us to proceed.
We must develop equanimity- which means not reacting with desire or aversion- simply remaining present with what is.
Dharma and Renunciation
What is Dharma
How do you live your dharma?
How does this relate to our actions?
Doing what you are ‘supposed to do’ is living your Dharma.
Dharma is your duty. Only this you can know.
To live your Dharma means staying attuned to your intention in any action. How? through sensitivity to your whole being in the action, a sensitivity which grows through the practice of yoga.
In any action, intention is the seed you plant.
How its grows is not up to you. This means we give up any expectation with regard to your action. This shifts our focus to the present in the moment of action.
If we pay attention we will recognise the essence of our original intent.
What does Abhyasa mean? And why would we do it?
It means constant continual practice. In order to have self- realisation constant self observation, 24 hours a day is necessary?
What does Ashtanga mean>
Ashtanga means 8 limbs. This is 8 different classes of practice. Some behavioural, some physical some mental.
What are the 8 levels of Ashtanga yoga?
- Yama: 5 ethical disciplines that lead to living in harmony with other beings
- Niyama: 5 precepts to observe in order to develop self- control.
- Asana: Developing mastery of the body via beneficial postures.
- Pranayama: Developing mastery of breath (and hence the mind)
- Pratyahara: Sense withdrawal (bringing the awareness inwards)
- Dharana: absolute concentration on an object
- Dhyana: Meditation
- Samadhi: An experience of totality (fully present in the moment. When modifications of the mind stop.
- Yama .
What are the 5 Yamas and how do they deal with how we relate to other beings?
Yamas and Niyamas are ethical guidelines fo creating a harmonious living environment in which Yoga can flourish.
- Ahimsa
- non violence. Physically, verbally and mental (hardest) - Asteya:
- non- stealing. Otherwise it will result in tension.
- subtler: not possessing objects that we don’t need. - Satya: Truthfulness.
Telling lies complicates our life. However no matter what we say, its only true from one perspective, thus silence is a practice of Satya.
Mastery of Satya brings power to our speech and what we say will quickly manifest. - Brahmacharya:
Union with Brahma= absolute reality and the universe self.
Involves channeling our sexual energy to subtler planes so self realisation can happen? - Aparigraha:
Non-attachement. To people, objects and the results of our actions. It results in attention to reality as it is. As opposed to how we wish it or expect it to be.
- Niyama
What is this? There are 5 what are they?
Niyama are personal observances that will foster a harmonious lifestyle for yoga.
- Sauca: and why is it important?
-means purity. Of our body, mind and environment.
-implied cleanliness externally, more importantly internally.
-means not toxifying the body.
Yoga has a number of ways to detoxify the body known as Kriyas.
-A subtler practice of Sauca is maintaining purity of thought.
Sauca draws the mind away from the physical and towards the divine. (important) - Santosa:
-means being content with our current situation. Santosa implies choosing the positive view of a situation.
In times of challenge we practice Santosa by seeing how the challenge might lead to our personal growth.
In times of success we practice this by feeling gratitude for what is, without feeling greedy for more. Understanding that everything is for a reason. - Tapas
Means to heat the body. Inner heat is generated by determination and discipline, all necessary for self- realisation.
Application: chose one simple practice at a time, something we know is beneficial for us and those around s and completely stick to it no matter what- with no excuses. Eventually this practice becomes second nature at which point you can chose a new one. - Isvara prandihana:
- To recognise the divine. Offer your actions and to contemplate it. This helps us to overcome ego, which is the biggest barrier to yoga.
- Asana
purpose of Asana.
-beneficial bodily postures. Their practice leads to stability in body and mind.
By focusing in bodily alignment, we discover our own engraved imbalanced postural habits. We become aware of all parts of the body, we have closer contact with inner sensations that are normally just subconscious, thus elevating them to conscious.
