Yoga philosophy

Question 1

Name each stage of the 8 Limb Path and the meaning

Answer 1

1. Yamas - Moral restrictions
2. Niyamas - Moral observances
3. Asana - Pose / seat
4. Pranyama - Breath control
5. Pratyahara - Control of Senses
6. Dharana - Focus & Concentration
7. Dhyana - Meditation
8. Samadi - Oneness / Liberation

Question 2

List the Yamas and the meaning of each

Answer 2

1. Ahimsa - Non violence
2. Satya - Truthfulness
3. Asteya - Non stealing
4. Brahmacharya - Moderation of senses / right use of energy
5. Aparigraha - Non greed

Question 3

List the Niyamas and the meaning

Answer 3

Saucha - Cleanliness
Santosha - Contentment
Tapas - Discipline
Svadhyaya - Self study
Ishvara Pranidhana - Surrendering to a higher power

Question 4

What are Sankalpas

Answer 4

Intentions also Mantras

Question 5

What are Samskaras

Answer 5

Grooves or habit patterns we have unconsciously built within ourselves

Question 6

What is Dharma

Answer 6

Why am I here
What is my purpose

Question 7

What is Moksha

Answer 7

State of liberation / our purpose

Question 8

What are the 3 Gunas & the qualities of each

Answer 8

Tamas - loosing our way
is a state of darkness, inactivity, materiality and ignorance. Tamas manifests from ignorance and deludes all beings from their spiritual truths.

Other tamasic qualities are laziness, attachment, boredom, addiction, dependency.

Rajas - running in place
is a state of energy, action, change, and movement. The nature of rajas is of attraction, longing and attachment and rajas strongly binds us to the fruits of our work. prompting change for changes sake, can move you to sattva or tamas.

Other rajasic qualities are chaos, anxiety, worry, restlessness, stress, courage, determination

Sattva - moving forward in life
A state of harmony, balance, joy, and intelligence. Sattva is the guna that yogis achieve towards as it reduces rajas and tamas and thus makes liberation possible.

Other sattvic qualities are happiness, peace, wellness, freedom, love, compassion, equanimity, empathy, friendliness, focus, self-control, satisfaction, trust, fulfillment, calmness, bliss, cheerfulness, gratitude, fearlessness, selflessness

Question 9

What is yoga

Answer 9

Translated as Yoke or join.
Uniting of the mind & body through breath, movement, discipline, self study, connection with the sacred. Invites us to see unity

Question 10

What is vinyasa

Answer 10

Translated as Thread
Aligning & uniting movement with breath

Question 11

Who is known as the father of modern yoga

Answer 11

Krishnamacharya

Question 12

What are the 4 ancient texts that guide the path of the yogi

Answer 12

The Vedas
Teach the three paths to salvation: Jnana (knowledge), Bhakti (devotion), karma (action). Opens the door to spiritual understanding that will guide & connect you closely with the divine

Upanishads
Drawing inwards, The soul, reincarnation, Karma, Brahman & liberation.The spirituality of these texts are what the yogi follows to understand their path & cycle of existense

Bhagavad Gita
Story of moral lessons. Directly experience the sacredGuide and teach us as we seek to understand the complex state of being human. The main lesson is: the yogi is here to be of service, that service is to find your Dharma & follow it fully

Yoga Sutras
Ancient philosophical wisdom. What yoga is, why we should do it, how we will benefit from it, how to practice it

Question 13

Significance of 108

Answer 13

Sacred is Hinduism, Buddhism & yogic tradition.

Sanskrit
Desires
Feelings
Astrology

Question 14

What are the yoga sutras

Answer 14

Threads of thought to help us be within the practice

Question 15

What are 3 sections of the Bhagavad Gita

Answer 15

Karma yoga - the path of action
Bhakti yoga - the path of devotion
Jnana yoga - the path of wisdom

Question 16

What does Kosha mean and what are the 5 Koshas

Answer 16

Sheaths or layers of our being

Anamaya - Physical material body,
Keeping your body healthy to experience life with ease

Manomaya - Thinking & emotional mind
Strengthening awareness of self and emotions, focus (Dharana), self study (savadiyaya) and pratyahara (sense contrrol) enhancing our wellbeing

Pranayama - Surrounds the physical and penetrates the vital energy in & around the body
Pathways of energy influenced and fuelled by Prana (life force/energy), breathing techniques, opening us to mental & emotional ease

Vijnanamaya - The home of our inner knowing and wisdom
Through meditation and focus going inwards freeing ourselves from thought, emotion & experience we can recognise life’s message to us

Anandamaya - The Sheath of bliss
The sweetness of a still mind, inner peace & joy free from thoughts, emotions, energy and body

Question 17

What does Pranyama mean

Answer 17

Control of breath & extension of life force
Prana - Lifeforce energy
Yama - Control or
Ayama - To extend

Question 18

Name 5 pranayama exercises you could teach in a class

Answer 18

Ujjayi- victorious breath
Brahmari - humming bee breath
Sama Vritti - box breathing
Kapalabhati - skull shining breath
Nadi Shodhana - alternate nostril

Question 19

What are the Vayus

Answer 19

Pancha Prana Vayus (winds)

Prana divided into energetic components that move energy through us

Question 20

How many Vayus are there, name & describe each one

Answer 20

5 Vayus

Prana Vayu
Brings in the fuel. Inward & upward, from the head to the diaphragm, food, air, senses, information & thoughts. Its quality is energising and uplifting. Inhale crown of the head down and in towards the heart and diaphragm.

Apana Vayu

Grounding, downward & rooting. Downwards & away, part of exhalation, nourishes digestive organs, elimination & reproduction. Governs elimination of substances from the body and releases negative thoughts & emotions. Situated in the pelvic floor & throughout the lower abdomen & legs. exhale, sense the body releasing and grounding from the crown to the tailbone.

Vyana Vayu

Expands omnidirectional from the core, expansive energy. situated in the heart and flows throughout the entire body, predominating in the joints & limbs. circulation throughout the body, freedom of movement, creativity and independence of mind. Inhale, feel the breath radiate outward from navel to arms & legs.

Samana Vayu

In the abdomen with its energy centred in the navel. Converts prana into body movement. moves from the periphery to the centre,. governs assimilation of all substances: food, air, experience, emotion & thoughts. Harmonising and balancing. represents pulsation, expansion, contraction. Contracts to the core, gap between inhale & exhale. Inhale sense breath expanding front, sides & back of torso. exhale softly draw the navel toward spine sensing breath moving back to middle body.

Udana Vayu

Rises and moves outwards. Situated in the throat, upward flow around neck & head and out of the body. functions to hold us up to stand tall. governs speech, self expression, growth. Inhale, notice space from diaphragm to head, exhale feel breath ascending up & out of body.

Question 21

How does Prana Vayus apply to Asana

Answer 21

Prana Vayu: creates focus to lift, lengthen and open upper body

Question 22

What are the Bandas (philosophical)

Answer 22

Banda translates as lock or seal.

Bandas are engaged to help contain and direct your energy & prana, they are located in the core central channel.

They also bring awareness & effect to the deep front line of body & give structural support in asana.

Bandas are often engaged when practicing pranyama.

Ancient yogis used the bandas to regulate the nervous system and obtain longer breath holds, this helped to clear & purify the nadis (channels) and grathis (karmic knots) within the pranic body.

Question 23

Describe the Bandas effects on the physical body

Answer 23

They temporarily halt the flow of blood, so when they are released there is an increased flow of fresh blood. activate organs to strengthen, renew & rejuvenate as circulation is bolstered.

Question 24

Name the 4 Bandas

Answer 24

Mula Bandha - Root lock

Uddiyana Bandha - Lifting of the diaphragm lock

Jalandhara Bandha - Throat lock

Maha Bandha - All 3 locks at the same time

Question 25

Describe Mula Bandha

Answer 25

The root lock, the first of 3

Halts the downward flow of Apana Vayu, redirecting up to the navel

Exhale, engage the pelvic floor, draw it up towards your navel, isolate and draw up the perineum. Strengthens the perineal floor & brings circulation to the pelvic area.

In the asana it can give an extra lift, useful when jumping or inverting and holding.

Question 26

Describe Uddiyana Bandha

Answer 26

Flying upwards / abdominal lock, the second of 3.

Located in the region of Samana Vayu, symbolically Uddiyana Bandha is purifying as it increases digestive Agni (fire).

Exhale, suck the belly in drawing up and underneath the ribcage towards spine.

Provides structural support in the asana. Tones massages and cleanses abdominal organs & enables longer breath suspensions.

Used with Mula Banda drawing up pelvic floor also draws up the abdomen. not recommended during menstruation.

Question 27

Describe Jalandhara Bandah

Answer 27

The throat lock

Blocks the leak of Amrit (divine nectar) from Bindu into the digestive fire of Agni.

Inhale the lungs two thirds full, hold the breath. Lower the chin & draw the chin back closer to the chest so the back of the neck does not round.

Regulate blood pressure, decreases heart rate, promotes relaxation

Question 28

Describe Maha Bandah

Answer 28

Engage Mula Bandah followed by Uddiyana and Jalandhara.

Concentrates prana and increases the absorption of energy during periods of inner awareness, rejuvinating the body and harmonising the mind for meditation

Question 29

What are the chakras

Answer 29

Translates to Wheel, a swirling vortex wheel of energy.

Primary energy centres, there are 7 located along the central vertical axis of the front body they all connect to the energy channel of the spine, Sushumna.

Question 30

How does Apana Vayu relate to asana

Answer 30

Apana Vayu: creates focus to ground & stabilise lower body

Question 31

How does Vyana Vayu relate to asna

Answer 31

Vyana Vayu: creates focus of circulation of fluid movement

Question 32

How does Samana vayu relate to the asana

Answer 32

Samana Vayu: pulls energy into the centre for strength

Question 33

How does Udana vayu relate to the asana

Answer 33

Udana Vayu: creates focus to keep a long spine and correct posture

Question 34

Benefits of Ujjai breathing

Answer 34

Improve concentration, release tension, regulate heating & cooling of the body, warms the core from the inside

Question 35

Benefits of Brahmari breathing (hummingbee)

Answer 35

Soothe & calm through vibration & focused awareness, soften & release excessive tension

Question 36

Benefits of Sama Vritti (box breathing)

Answer 36

relaxation tool that can help clear your mind, relax, focus

Question 37

Benefits of Kapalabhati (skull shining breath)

Answer 37

Cleansing the nasal passageways & sinuses, supplying the brain with fresh oxygen rich blood. Cleanses throat and lungs, stimulates the abdominal muscles & organs

Question 38

Nadi Shodhana benefits

Answer 38

Balance left & right side of the being. Cleanses, calms & eases the nervous system.

Question 39

What are the Yamas & Niyamas

Answer 39

Yamas are about restraining behaviours that are motivated by grasping, aversion, hatred, and delusion; the niyama are designed to create well-being for ourselves and others.

It’s about avoiding behaviors that produce suffering and difficulty, and embracing those that lead to states of happiness. If you align your life with them, they’ll lead you to your highest aspirations: peace, truth, abundance, harmonious relationships, contentment, purity, self-acceptance, love, and meaningful connection to the Divine—the essence of happiness.

Question 40

What are the Gunas

Answer 40

Translates as strand or fibre. States of nature and of being within us. Awareness of the gunas tells us if we are moving forward in life.

Things that effect the gunas: Food, daily life, activities

Question 41

How can we access the Chakras

Answer 41

Asana

meditation

affirmation

bija seed mantra

visualisation

mudras

Question 42

Name the 7 Chakras

Answer 42

Root Chakra - Muladhara

Sacral Chakra - Swadhisthana

Solar Plexus Chakra - Manipura

Heart Chakra - Anahata

Throat Chakra Vishuddha

Third eye chakra - Ajna

Crown Chakra Sahasrara