108 Yoga Planning Pointers – 61 – We can either respect our limits or else overwork them…

The element of compromise in the body

6. We can either respect our limits and
accommodate them, or else overwork
them and risk creating a need to rectify.
This is where the idea of using the same
Āsana practice all the time has limitations.

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Planning Pointers

Āsana Mudrā & Prāṇāyāma
– Collected Viniyoga of Practice Planning Principles

Āsana Mudrā & Prāṇāyāma
– Collected Practice Planning and Practice Theory Questions

108 Yoga Planning Pointers – 60 – If you are doing the same Āsana practice, over a long period of time…

The element of compromise in the body

5. If you are doing the same Āsana practice,
over a long period of time,
it is not the same, because it becomes a habit.
In this, it can have a different effect to what is required.
Thus, when you design an Āsana practice for
a long period you should be very careful.
In this situation perhaps accommodate a
compromise and build in a safety factor.

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Planning Pointers

Āsana Mudrā & Prāṇāyāma
– Collected Viniyoga of Practice Planning Principles

Āsana Mudrā & Prāṇāyāma
– Collected Practice Planning and Practice Theory Questions

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108 Yoga Planning Pointers – 59 – It is usually the teacher that initially observes the escape…

The element of compromise in the body

4. It is usually the teacher that initially
observes the escape, rather than the
area of the body where the mind is.
This is another example of an
involuntary, as in unconscious, response
to a voluntary, as in conscious, movement.
Thus, for example, in Āsana what we try
to do can have different responses:
Such as what we want to happen,
and  what we don’t want to happen.
If voluntary intentions produce
involuntary responses, then you can
lose touch with what is happening.

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Planning Pointers

Āsana Mudrā & Prāṇāyāma
– Collected Viniyoga of Practice Planning Principles

Āsana Mudrā & Prāṇāyāma
– Collected Practice Planning and Practice Theory Questions

Learning Support for Chanting the Sarvaguṇa Sampanna Mantra – Krama and Jaṭā Pāṭhaḥ

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Learning Support for Chanting the Taittirīya Saṃhitā 7.1.6 – Sarvaguṇa Sampanna Mantra
Karoti Rūpāṇi – Krama Pāṭhaḥ by TKV Desikachar combined with Jaṭā Pāṭhaḥ by Sujaya Sridhar.
– Private Recording of TKV Desikachar and Sujaya Sridhar by Paul Harvey
To Download or Listen
To Download the Chant Sheet in Romanised Saṃskṛta with Notations

Link to Veda Mantra Chanting Practice – PDF & MP3 Support Resources

Learning Support for Chanting the Sarvaguṇa Sampanna Mantra – Krama Pāṭhaḥ

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Learning Support for Chanting the Taittirīya Saṃhitā 7.1.6 – Sarvaguṇa Sampanna Mantra
Karoti Rūpāṇi – Krama Pāṭhaḥ.
From my personal library of recordings of my teacher.
To Download or Listen
To Download the Chant Sheet in Romanised Saṃskṛta with Notations

Link to Veda Mantra Chanting Practice – PDF & MP3 Support Resources

Learning Support for Chanting the Sarvaguṇa Sampanna Mantra – Saṃhitā Pāṭhaḥ

Mantra_logo

Learning Support for Chanting the Taittirīya Saṃhitā 7.1.6 – Sarvaguṇa Sampanna Mantra
Karoti Rūpāṇi – Saṃhitā Pāṭhaḥ.
From my personal library of recordings of my teacher.
To Download or Listen
To Download the Chant Sheet in Romanised Saṃskṛta with Notations

Link to Veda Mantra Chanting Practice – PDF & MP3 Support Resources

108 Yoga Planning Pointers – 58 – This also applies that, as a teacher, we should be aware…

The element of compromise in the body

3. This also applies that, as a teacher,
we should be aware of the student’s limitations.
These are variables according to the person,
as well as the climate, the environment, etc.
They are not constant and neither are the effects.
This compromise can react in many ways.
For example:
You put your mind in one place during
an Āsana, the body compensates
and places the escape elsewhere.

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Planning Pointers

Āsana Mudrā & Prāṇāyāma
– Collected Viniyoga of Practice Planning Principles

Āsana Mudrā & Prāṇāyāma
– Collected Practice Planning and Practice Theory Questions

108 Yoga Planning Pointers – 57 – Thus, the body tells us something but…

The element of compromise in the body

2. Thus, the body tells us something but,
we are not always aware of what it is.
This can be the result of factors in one’s life.
For example, age, profession, activities.
And, as said, it can often show in ways we cannot see.
For example, position of feet, tension in face,
position of hands, angle of shoulders, angle of arms.
So we must respect our limitations as well as our assets.

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Planning Pointers

Āsana Mudrā & Prāṇāyāma
– Collected Viniyoga of Practice Planning Principles

Āsana Mudrā & Prāṇāyāma
– Collected Practice Planning and Practice Theory Questions

108 Yoga Planning Pointers – 56 – Working with safety factors brings in another factor…

The element of compromise in the body

1. Working with safety factors brings
in another factor to consider.
This is the element of compromise in the body.
This is often something you don’t see.
For example, an involuntary movement
of the head in Sarvāṅgāsana.

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Planning Pointers

Āsana Mudrā & Prāṇāyāma
– Collected Viniyoga of Practice Planning Principles

Āsana Mudrā & Prāṇāyāma
– Collected Practice Planning and Practice Theory Questions

Design and Experiment with Four Āsana Practices to use Bhujaṅgāsana to…

Design and Experiment with Four Āsana Practices to use Sālamba
Bhujaṅgāsana and/or Nirālamba Bhujaṅgāsana to:

1. To strengthen and prepare the legs and back for Vīrabhadrāsana
2. As Pratikriyāsana to Halāsana
3. To prepare for staying in Dhanurāsana
4. To emphasise the work in Daṇḍāsana

The Vinyāsa Krama or planning steps in each of the four practices will be for a maximum of 60 working breaths.

– It will be based around Āsana especially Bhujaṅgāsana.
– In this instance, the practice will not include any Mudrā, Prāṇāyāma or Dhyāna.
– In the planning structure, any link Āsana such as Samasthiti, Śavāsana, Vajrāsana, do not count in the breath tally.
– Make notes on what you have discovered from each practice.
– Justify to yourself your choice of supporting or compensatory Āsana within the scheme.

To Download or View this Question as a PD1F Study Sheet

Yoga Practice Planning and Theory Questions – Collected & Collated

108 Postural Practice Pointers – 53 – The application of modification within the Āsana…

The application of modification
within the choice of Āsana relates
more to the purpose of the Āsana.
Whereas, the application of variation
within the choice of Āsana relates
more to the purpose of the practice.

Link to Series: 108 Postural Practice Pointers

Āsana and Mudrā Glossary
– Grouped into Standing, Kneeling,
Lying, Inverted, Backbend, Seated & Sitting

108 Postural Practice Pointers – 52 – At the heart of the Viniyoga of Āsana process…

At the heart of the Viniyoga of Āsana
process around the practice of Āsana,
is the experience of moving as if you
have not already experienced the Āsana
and are, as if, meeting it for the first time.
When it comes to staying in the Āsana, then
staying as if you already know the Āsana,
and are once again greeting an old friend.

Link to Series: 108 Postural Practice Pointers

Āsana and Mudrā Glossary
– Grouped into Standing, Kneeling,
Lying, Inverted, Backbend, Seated & Sitting

Stress or tension, however, has its origin in the attitudes to our actions….

TKV Desikachar teaching at Gaunts House

“Stress or tension, however,
has its origin in the attitudes to our actions.
There are two attitudes in particular that are the cause of stress.
These are:
Aham and Mama.
Aham or Ahaṃkāra is the attitude “I am the doer”
and Mama or Mamakara is the attitude “it is for me”.
These two factors most surely produce Udvega.
The moment the attitude is one of NaMama
– ‘not by me’, ‘not for me’,  there cannot be any stress.
A person who has total faith in God cannot
have stress and will not exhibit the Udvega.”
 Yoga Sūtra on Stress – An interview with TKV Desikachar

Action is best performed when it is for the good of the society…

srimad_bhagavad_gita

Action is best performed when
it is for the good of the society,
with the spirit of dedication to the lord
and with freedom from the attitude of
being the doer and the beneficiary.”
– TKV Desikachar on Gītārtha Saṃgraha of Śrī Yāmunācārya Śloka Seven
(Yāmunācārya commentary on Bhagavad Gītā Chapter Three)

View All Gītārtha Saṃgraha Quotes Collected & Collated
View All Bhagavad Gītā Quotes Collected & Collated

108 Gītā Study Pointers – 10 – The Yoga of action…

srimad_bhagavad_gita

The Yoga of action.
Who is acting?
Why am I acting?
Where am I acting from?
What am I acting towards?
– Paul Harvey on Bhagavad Gītā Chapter Three

Link to Series 108 Gītā Study Pointers

View All Bhagavad Gītā Quotes Collected & Collated
View All Gītārtha Saṃgraha Quotes Collected & Collated

108 Yoga Sūtra Key Word Pointers – 13 – Śraddhā

The aim of this Series, and its companion page (Paul’s Yoga Sūtra Study Questions), with its Sūtra by Sūtra guided study question within a parallel flow, is to progress through a themed reflective journey across the four chapters or Pāda that comprise the Yoga Sūtra of Patañjali.

On this page, a word will be listed as a symbol for a specific verse or set of verses as we progressively traverse each chapter. It will offer an exploration, via a link to the Saṃskṛta Glossary, of all the connected quotations and posts, collated from within the website these past 12 years, to invite the reader to form their own opinion as to what is implied.

On the companion page, a question will be proffered as a reflection and inquiry into a single verse. Here each verse in the text will be explored successively, via a link to its translation, word-by-word breakdown and added commentaries collated from the website, again to invite the reader to form their own opinion as to what is implied.

My wish is to offer an insight into the spectrum of Yoga teachings received from T Krishnamacharya mainly via TKV Desikachar, in terms of both breadth and depth.

108 Yoga Sūtra Key Word Pointers – 13

ŚRADDHĀ

Chapter One verses 20-22

Paul’s Yoga Sūtra Keywords – Collected & Collated into Chapters
Paul’s Yoga Sūtra Questions – Collected & Collated into Chapters
Paul’s Yoga Sūtra Reflections – Collected & Collated into Chapters
TKV Desikachar Yoga Sūtra Quotes – Collected & Collated into Chapters
T Krishnamacharya Yoga Sūtra Quotes – Collected & Collated into Chapters

108 Yoga Sūtra Study Question Pointers – 19 – In Sūtra 1.19 Patañjali appears to be alluding to two possible cul-de-sac’s…

The aim of this series, and its companion series (Paul’s Yoga Sūtra Study Keywords), with its single guided Sūtra word within a parallel flow, is to progress through a themed reflective journey across the four chapters or Pāda that comprise the Yoga Sūtra of Patañjali.

On this page, a question will be proffered as a reflection and inquiry into a single verse. Here each verse in the text will be explored successively, via a link to its translation, word-by-word breakdown and added commentaries collated from the website, to invite the reader to form their own opinion as to what is implied.

On the companion page, a word will be listed as a symbol for a specific verse or set of verses as we progressively traverse each chapter. It will offer an exploration, via a link to the Saṃskṛta Glossary, of all the connected quotations and posts, collated from within the website these past 12 years, again to invite the reader to form their own opinion as to what is implied.

My wish is to offer an insight into the spectrum of Yoga teachings received from T Krishnamacharya mainly via TKV Desikachar, in terms of both breadth and depth.

Chapter One Samādhi Pādaḥ verse 19

bhava-pratyayaḥ videha-prakṛti-layānām |

In Sūtra 1.19 Patañjali appears to be alluding to
two possible cul-de-sac’s for misplaced intention,
in terms of experiencing an illusion of freedom.
What are they and how can they be avoided?

To Download or View this Question as a PDF Study Sheet

Paul’s Yoga Sūtra Keywords – Collected & Collated into Chapters
Paul’s Yoga Sūtra Questions – Collected & Collated into Chapters
Paul’s Yoga Sūtra Reflections – Collected & Collated into Chapters
TKV Desikachar Yoga Sūtra Quotes – Collected & Collated into Chapters
T Krishnamacharya Yoga Sūtra Quotes – Collected & Collated into Chapters

108 Yoga Sūtra Study Question Pointers – 18 – In Sūtra 1.18 Patañjali introduces the notion of Saṃskāra…

The aim of this series, and its companion series (Paul’s Yoga Sūtra Study Keywords), with its single guided Sūtra word within a parallel flow, is to progress through a themed reflective journey across the four chapters or Pāda that comprise the Yoga Sūtra of Patañjali.

On this page, a question will be proffered as a reflection and inquiry into a single verse. Here each verse in the text will be explored successively, via a link to its translation, word-by-word breakdown and added commentaries collated from the website, to invite the reader to form their own opinion as to what is implied.

On the companion page, a word will be listed as a symbol for a specific verse or set of verses as we progressively traverse each chapter. It will offer an exploration, via a link to the Saṃskṛta Glossary, of all the connected quotations and posts, collated from within the website these past 12 years, again to invite the reader to form their own opinion as to what is implied.

My wish is to offer an insight into the spectrum of Yoga teachings received from T Krishnamacharya mainly via TKV Desikachar, in terms of both breadth and depth.

Chapter One Samādhi Pādaḥ verse 18

virāma-pratyaya-abhyāsa-pūrvaḥ saṃskāra-śeṣaḥ anyaḥ |

In Sūtra 1.18 Patañjali introduces the notion of Saṃskāra.
What is the relationship of Saṃskāra, as introduced
in this Sūtra, to the outcome of Abhyāsa,
as discussed in the preceding Sūtra?

To Download or View this Question as a PDF Study Sheet

Paul’s Yoga Sūtra Keywords – Collected & Collated into Chapters
Paul’s Yoga Sūtra Questions – Collected & Collated into Chapters
Paul’s Yoga Sūtra Reflections – Collected & Collated into Chapters
TKV Desikachar Yoga Sūtra Quotes – Collected & Collated into Chapters
T Krishnamacharya Yoga Sūtra Quotes – Collected & Collated into Chapters

108 Yoga Planning Pointers – 55 – For example Viparīta Padmāsana could be approached…

We must also consider the safety factors

3. For example Viparīta Padmāsana could
be approached by working dynamically
from Ardha Padma Sarvāṅgāsana
into Ardha Padma Halāsana. This would
ascertain the ability to work into and with
Padmāsana in an inverted Āsana such as Śīrṣāsana.
Thus, any Āsana practice must allow for certain
safety factors, so we are able to work with respect
and regard for the individual involved and yet
retain consideration of and for the safety factors.

Āsana Mudrā & Prāṇāyāma
– Collected Viniyoga of Practice Planning Principles

Āsana Mudrā & Prāṇāyāma
– Collected Practice Planning and Practice Theory Questions

108 Yoga Planning Pointers – 54 – For example we have Śīrṣāsana and Padmāsana…

We must also consider the safety factors

2. For example, we have Śīrṣāsana and Padmāsana.
Because of being able to do these Āsana a
person wants to do Padmāsana in Śīrṣāsana,
exploring an Āsana known as Viparīta Padmāsana.
However one has to know the factors involved.
One cannot assume that because two things
are possible, a third will follow automatically.

Āsana Mudrā & Prāṇāyāma
– Collected Viniyoga of Practice Planning Principles

Āsana Mudrā & Prāṇāyāma
– Collected Practice Planning and Practice Theory Questions