Religiousness in Yoga Study Guide: Chapter Fourteen Practice

TKV Desikachar teaching at Gaunts House

‘Religiousness in Yoga: Lectures on Theory and Practice’ by the University Press of America,
a transcript of recordings of a one month Yoga Programme in Colgate University in 1976, published in 1980.

Unlike the later redacted edition, re-published in 1995 as the ‘Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice’, it captures the evolution of the retreat with the days lectures and Q & A dialogues as they alternated between ‘lectures on the principles and purposes of Yoga and discussions related to the practice of Yoga with special reference to the postures and the breathing techniques’.

TKV Desikachar, in his forward to the original version wrote:

“These lectures and discussions, printed words put before persons I might never meet,
are but reflections of that deeper result that grew out of a living face-to-face encounter.
Coming to learn of Yoga only through reading leaves much to be desired.
Yet, something worthwhile about Yoga might be shared through the medium of the printed word.”

A chapter by chapter Study guide is offered below with added verse and word cross-references where possible to support a a deeper linking with the teachings within these lectures and Q & A sessions.

Chapter Fourteen Practice: The Concept, Preparation and Techniques of Bandha
– Pages 195-205

1. Definition of Bandha P195

2. Definition and location of each Bandha P195-197

3. Question on Role of Mūla Bandha P197

4. Who is ready to do Bandha? P197

5. Introducing Bandha in Āsana P197

6. Teaching and technique of each P197-199

7. Application within Prāṇāyāma P199

8. Vinyāsa Krama with Bandha P199

9. Application of Bandha within Śīrṣāsana P200

10. Question on using long Bahya Kumbhaka in Śīrṣāsana P200

  • Not natural so we must build up to it

11. Question on Mūla Bandha in inverted postures P200

  • Difference between gravity and conscious effort

12. Some Āsana in which Bandha not possible P200

13. Anticipate a great reduction in breath with Bandha P200

  • A ratio of 10.10.20.10 becomes 6.6.12.6

14. The best Āsana for Bandha P200

  • Inverted, lying flat, sitting with back straight

15. Some Āsana in which Bandha not possible P200

  • Backbending and twisting Āsana

16. Some Prāṇāyāma in which all Bandha not possible P202

17. Question on Jālandhara Bandha in Kapālabhāti P202

18. Question on Bandha as part of daily life P202-203

19. Question on Agnisāra and risks P203-204

20. Question on back being straight for Bandha P204

  • Back never completely straight

21. Is it good to change position for Prāṇāyāma P204-205

Follow this link for a Downloadable PDF version of the Chapter Fourteen Study Guide

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