Posts archive: All Yoga News Views & Blog Journal Posts

Three Tools in the Application of Yoga – Israel January 10th-13th 2018

Posted on by Paul Harvey


Four Days of Training in Yoga Practice & Study

January 10th-13th 2018 with Paul Harvey

Three Tools in the Application of Yoga

Āsana – Sūtra – Cikitsā

Practice – Inquiry – Therapy

Theme 1. Teaching Intermediate Āsana

Theme 2. Exploring Yoga Sūtra as a Spiritual Inquiry

Theme 3. Applying Yoga within Cikitsā Situations

Our time together will explore the above three themes from an Application perspective and their relevance to Yoga teaching within a variety of situations for a variety of students.

We will spend our mornings focused around the Study of the Yoga Sūtra as a Spiritual Inquiry and Teaching Intermediate Āsana within a range of situations. Our afternoons will again focus on Teaching Āsana Practice within 121 situations and Exploring Yoga as Cikitsā. We will immerse ourselves in the teachings of T Krishnamacharya on the Application of Yoga within 121 situations, as well as his understanding of Haṭha, Rāja and Āyurveda from my 23 years of study with TKV Desikachar.

Follow Link to Read or Download a PDF of the Course

My understanding of Prāṇāyāma is that the Kumbhaka should be an aid……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

kumbhaka

“My understanding of Prāṇāyāma is that the Kumbhaka should be an aid.
The aim is to get a feeling difficult to put into words, but different from normal states.
The question is how much does Kumbhaka play a part in this?
So Investigate the use of Kumbhaka and only use it when it helps you be with the breath.”
– TKV Desikachar Switzerland 1978

The perception that something is desirable is Sukha….

Posted on by Paul Harvey

“The perception that something is desirable is Sukha.
This perception sets in motion an urge to possess it.
This is Rāga.
Whether what is desired will give a lasting happiness is a different matter.”
– T Krishnamacharya’s commentary to Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 7

There is an impression in some schools that Tamas and Rajas……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

guna

“There is an impression in some schools that Tamas and Rajas are to be rejected.
This is not so, both are necessary. It is the combination thats important.”
– TKV Desikachar December 1st 1979

During the practice of Āsana one must constantly use Ujjāyī……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

“During the practice of Āsana one must constantly engage
in regulating the exhale, inhale and retention.
Ujjāyī is to be smooth and slow,
according to the strength or capability of the student.”
– From T Krishnamacharya’s composition,
the Yoga Rahasya Chapter One verse 33

Without Āsana, Prāṇāyāma cannot become accomplished……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

“Without Āsana,
Prāṇāyāma cannot become accomplished.
Without containing Prāna,
the mind cannot achieve steadiness.”
– From T Krishnamacharya’s composition,
The Yoga Rahasya Chapter One verse 45

Without mastering Āsana and regulating the inhale and exhale in Āsana……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

“Without mastering Āsana and
regulating the inhale and exhale in Āsana,
the Āsana will not produce the desired fruits.”
– From T Krishnamacharya’s composition, the Yoga Rahasya

When the body is disordered………….

Posted on by Paul Harvey

“When the body is disordered,
make use of the body to reduce.
When thought is agitated,
make use of Prāṇāyāma to reduce.”
– From T Krishnamacharya’s composition,
The Yoga Rahasya Chapter Four verse 31

Uḍḍīyāna Bandha is a pre-requisite for the other two Bandha…….

Posted on by Paul Harvey

“Uḍḍīyāna Bandha is a pre-requisite for the other two Bandha, Jālandhara and Mūla.”
– From T Krishnamacharya’s composition,
the Yoga Rahasya Chapter One verse 67

Āsana is not just another form of exercise……

Posted on by Paul Harvey


In exploring the principles that underpin the practice of Āsana the first idea to consider is that our practice is not just another form of exercise. Yoga Āsana are more than just physical postures or exercises to stretch and tone the body, or enhance our sense of personalised well-being. From within its Haṭha roots the concern of Yoga is our relationship with the force which is behind our movements and its source that initiates our every action.

Further the different practice elements that constitute a mature Yoga practice are not separate compartments. They are linked through the principles underpinning them. For example a respiratory competence learnt through the practice of Āsana facilitates progress within the seated practice of Prāṇāyāma. An enduring stable posture learnt through the practice of Prāṇāyāma supports the cultivation the meditative attitude inherent in progress towards Dhyāna or meditation.

read more

Our action has two foundations……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

“Our action has two foundations.
One, Vidyā never leads us into trouble.
Two, Avidyā leads us into trouble
because of something we did into the past
influencing our present action.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

108 Sūtra Study Pointers – 29 – Ātma is the source of the sunlight in the Psyche.

Posted on by Paul Harvey

Ātma is the source of the sunlight in the Psyche.
– Reflections on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 21

Link to Series: 108 Sutra Study Pointers

The practice which is Śodhana for the Antar Aṅga……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

“The practice which is Śodhana for the Antar Aṅga
is Antaraṅga Sādhana.”
– T Krishnamacharya introduction to Yoga Sūtra Chapter Three

Often Dhyāna fails because one is not able to reach the first stage……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

“Often Dhyāna fails because one is not able to reach the first stage,
the Pūrva Aṅga.
Often one wants to go to the second stage
without going through the first one,
and that is not possible.”
– TKV Desikachar Madras December 19th 1988

What is the most important aspect of Pūrva Aṅga?

Posted on by Paul Harvey

Question:
What is the most important aspect of Pūrva Aṅga?
Response:
“Pūrva Aṅga is essentially a process of elimination
in which we eliminate those thoughts that are not relevant.
In fact Yoga is the process of eliminating the undesirable
so we can be linked with the desirable.
It is the movement from Saṃyoga to Viyoga,
from Saguṇa to Nirguṇa.
But we must be careful how we define desirable or undesirable.”
– TKV Desikachar Madras December 19th 1988

Dhyāna is an activity of a mind dominated by Sattva linked to Ātma…….

Posted on by Paul Harvey

dhyana

“Dhyānam is an activity of a mind
dominated by Sattva linked to Ātma.
So Ātma and Sattva required for Dhyānam to occur.”
– T Krishnamacharya commentary on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Three verse 2

If you are not in a hurry you will enjoy the process.

Posted on by Paul Harvey

“If you are not in a hurry
you will enjoy the process.”
– TKV Desikachar

In Sūtra Three and Four the mind is operating……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

“In Sūtra Three and Four the mind is operating.
In Sūtra Three the mind is the means.
In Sūtra Four the mind is the means and the boss.”
– TKV Desikachar on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 4

The mind depends on Cit……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

“The mind depends on Cit.
It is like a stone,
it depends on Ātman or Cit to give it life.”
– TKV Desikachar on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 2

Any Abhyāsa is only for the mind, you cannot go beyond that point.

Posted on by Paul Harvey

Abhyāsa

“Any Abhyāsa is only for the mind,
you cannot go beyond that point.”
– TKV Desikachar on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 2