Follow this link for details of Online 121 Art of Dhyāna eStudy Modular options
The Viniyoga of Dhyāna Modular Workshop and Courses
– Empower your Mind Exploring how to Customise Dhyāna
This page introduces the Art of Application of Dhyāna Modular Workshop and Course Student Study Programme. As the student progresses through the interlinked and developmental Modules they will experience in-depth learning in all areas of Dhyāna practice and Dhyāna study theory.
Together these Modules will initiate and empower the student in the arts of learning to skilfully work with the principles that underpin creating and sustaining a personalised Dhyāna practice. The outcome will be the ability to independently and intelligently choose, adapt and ultimately self-develop and self-refine our personal Dhyāna Sādhana in the fields of Dhyāna practice and Dhyāna study theory.
The Art of Application of Dhyāna Modules Framework
The Art of Application of Dhyāna Modules reflects the teachings of TKV Desikachar and his father and teacher T Krishnamacharya as taught to Paul Harvey over 25 years through:
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To present a view of the Application of Dhyāna to help develop our practice and deepen our relationship with Yoga Sādhana. It is offered with respect for the vital source from which these Yoga teachings originated and their place in our age and culture. Its role is not to train students as Yoga teachers.
They are offered as a:
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The Module One Workshop and Module Two Course offer deep and profound training in the Viniyoga of Dhyāna and how it inspires and guides our personal Yoga practice and study Sādhana, either for personal development or, if relevant, professional skills.
The Art of Application of Dhyāna Module One Workshop
offers a tw0-day workshop opportunity for a student who has undertaken the Application of Āsana, Mudrā and Prāṇāyāma Modules, to have an in-depth introduction to the primary principles and teachings on the Application of Dhyāna practice and Dhyāna study theory and how they inspire and guide our personal Yoga practice and study Sādhana, either for personal development or, if relevant, professional skills.
“Meditation is not a technique,
it is a journey.”
– TKV Desikachar
Follow the link for further details of the Live Small Group Art of Application of Dhyāna Module One Workshop.
As well as being complete in itself it offers a necessary foundation for those interested in the further study through the two-day Module Course Two on Dhyāna practice and Dhyāna study theory.
“The ability to fix the question is a requisite for Dhyāna.
One who cannot is not ready for meditation.”
– TKV Desikachar
The Art of Application of Dhyāna – Course Module Two
is a two-day course module, intended for those students who, having completed an Art of Application of Dhyāna Module One Workshop, wish to explore further the primary principles and teachings on Dhyāna practice and Dhyāna study theory.
The Art of Application of Dhyāna Module Two Course focus topic is listed below:
- Module Two – Why and how to cultivate Dhyāna within a Yoga practice
Follow the link below for further details on the Live Small Group Art of Application of Dhyāna Module Course Two.
The Link between the practice limbs of Āsana, Mudrā, Prāṇāyāma and Dhyānam
One of the hallmarks of Krishnamacaharya’s and Desikachar’s teaching focused on the developmental and progressive integration of the different aspects of Āsana, Mudrā, Prāṇāyāma and Dhyānam into a single constantly evolving organism. Thus in honouring the Paramparā it is not possible for me to separate these four practice components into four completely disconnected study topics to be learnt in any random order.
The way I was taught was that a knowledge of the practice and planning principles within Āsana are necessary to appreciate the practice and planning principles within Mudrā. From there a knowledge of the practice and planning principles within Āsana and Mudrā are necessary to appreciate the practice and planning principles within Prāṇāyāma, and so with Āsana, Mudrā and Prāṇāyāma regarding Dhyānam.
This means that students wishing to study the Application of Dhyānam need to have integrated the limbs of Āsana, Mudrā and Prāṇāyāma into their personal practice Sādhana.
So to summarise we need to be grounded in the practice and theory of Āsana in order to develop our study of the practice and theory of Mudrā. The same goes for the study of Prāṇāyāma being an extension of the practice and study of Āsana and Mudrā.
Finally, the practice of Dhyānam is an extension of the practice of Āsana, Mudrā and Prāṇāyāma.
This was the message of Krishnamacaharya’s and Desikachar’s teaching in that we are learning to practice Yoga as a developmental, progressive, holistic process, rather than the more compartmentalised, learnt in any order, boxes of postures, breathing and mediation so prevalent in todays Yoga market place.
“What good is the sword of wisdom
to cut away the chains of illusion
if the holder is too weak to bear it.”
– T Krishnamacharya
This same message is seen within the teachings and texts of Haṭha and Rāja Yoga in that we need to develop step by step the practice tools of Āsana, Mudrā and Prāṇāyāma in order to be prepared for the demands of Dhyānam.
