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PDF Repository for the Viniyoga of Yoga Practice & Study Posts and Resources

Posted on by Paul Harvey

The role of this post is to let readers know that there is now a single resource page where you can centrally access any individual post from the Yoga Studies Journal that is also offered as a PDF. Links to existing PDF’s are correlated on this page from within two primary fields, that of Yoga Practice and of Yoga Study.

“Yoga Practice is an essential part of Yoga Study.
Rather than Yoga Study being an essential part of Yoga Practice.”

This will offer those interested a single point of reference to PDF versions of posts grouped around the topics below. As I continue to add to these resources the date at the bottom of each topic will indicate the last update. Meanwhile thank you for your interest.

The 200+ Yoga Practice and Yoga Study PDF Resources are grouped as follows:

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Yoga can be a mystery to be resolved or a question to be solved……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

Yoga can be a question to be solved, or a mystery to be resolved.

The process for one is Jñana Dhyānam and for the other Bhakti Dhyānam.
From the perspective of the Yoga Sūtra, common to both
is the relationship with and yoking of, Citta, as if to Cit.

Patañjali in his seminal text on meditation
discusses two primary paths for Dhyānam:
Jñana Yoga, the power of Ātma Vicāra
and Bhakti Yoga, the power of Japam.
Both lead towards the same goal.
It is merely the means that are different,
rather than the goal.

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Strange to find my bananas enveloped by Yoga teachings on Vinyāsa Krama……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

fruit_stall_madras

One day I was shopping at my favourite fruit stall in Adyar, Chennai in 1980.
This was in the days prior to such things as plastic bags, plastic bottles, etc.

So my fruit was put into paper bags and as the vendor handed them to me I noticed that they had been handmade from someone’s old A4 notes written in a distinctive green ink.

S’funny I thought, as the writing and sketches look familiar and sure enough
it was my own notes from my personal lessons with Desikachar.

Somehow my original notes had worked their way from being written up by me,
to the waste paper basket in my apartment, and via my cook,
to a paper bag maker, to be resold to the street vendors.

A curious juxtaposition to find my bananas
enveloped by Yoga teachings on Vinyāsa Krama.

Question to Krishnamacharya – “Can you explain the concept of Vinyāsa and Pratikriyā Āsana?”

Posted on by Paul Harvey


Question to T Krishnamacharya:
“Can you explain the concept of Vinyāsa and Pratikriyā Āsana?”

“The question asked relates to Yoga and not to Vidyā Abhyāsa. There is no Āsana without Vinyāsa. Yoga is an experience, Āsana is the third of the eight limbs of Yoga and it is also important to pay attention to first two limbs, namely Yama and Niyama.

One who wishes to enquire into and understand Vinyāsa should first know what is Āsana. According to Patañjali Yoga Sūtra, Āsana is defined as “Sthira Sukham Āsanam“.

Sthira – Namely firm and without disease and Sukham – pleasant and comfortable. To be in Sukham state, all parts of the body should be in perfect harmony. This is true for all, whether one is a man, woman, deaf, mute, blind or even for animals. Any action that disturbs this state of harmony should be followed by a Pratikriyā to restore the harmony. One cannot but accept this principle.

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108 Sūtra Study Pointers – 64 – Viparyaya is merely an opinion……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

Viparyaya is merely an opinion,
convincing in its rightness to exist.
A flight of fancy, posing, as if a truth.
– Reflection on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 8

Link to Series: 108 Sutra Study Pointers

108 Yoga Practice Pointers – 60 – The place of learning is in the space between the Āsana.

Posted on by Paul Harvey

The place of learning is in the space between the Āsana.
In that Āsana practice is a movie, not a series of pictures.
A marker towards Nirodha is not leaking between Āsana.
Thus containing energetic itches on coming back to stillness.

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Practice Pointers

When reflecting on the intimacy of the relationship between Prāṇāyāma and Āsana experientially……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

When reflecting on the intimacy of the relationship between
Prāṇāyāma and Āsana experientially, we could consider
exploring the practice of Prāṇāyāma and its developmental
conjunction with Āsana, via the following reference points.

Within the age-old coalescence of Prāṇāyāma and Āsana,
Prāṇāyāma can have three potential roles in influencing
the physical, energetic, psychological or emotional
effects arising from the prior practice of Āsana.

In this context the application of Prāṇāyāma can be
from one of three directions. It can be used to either
pacify, or to stabilise, or to intensify, the various
experiences arising from the practice of  Āsana.

In the beginning of our journey into the arts of Āsana and Prāṇāyāma……

Posted on by Paul Harvey


In the beginning of our journey into the arts of Āsana and Prāṇāyāma, the outcome of our exploration into the breath in Āsana sets a direction and parameters for the beginnings of our exploration into how and where to develop the breath in Prāṇāyāma.

As we establish, progress and refine our practice of Prāṇāyāma, the strengths and issues that arise from our practice of Prāṇāyāma invite a subtler investigation of the breath in Āsana.

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108 Teaching Path Pointers – 39 – Krishnamacharya and Desikachar’s life work focused on the training of students……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

All of Krishnamacharya’s and Desikachar’s
life work focused on the training of students,
some of whom then went on to become teachers.
Rather than the reality that pervades Yoga today,
in that the priority is on the training of teachers,
some of whom may go on to became students.

Link to Series: 108 Teaching Path Pointers

108 Sūtra Study Pointers – 63 – Avidyā is the illusion of experiencing what feels real……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

avidya

Avidyā is the illusion of experiencing
what feels real, as if it is actually true.
However, that we experience a feeling as real,
does not in fact actually mean that it is true.
So how to discern as to whether a feeling
that we experience as real, is really true?
– Reflections on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 5

Link to Series: 108 Sutra Study Pointers

The Viniyoga of Āsana – Summary Post of Parts 1 to 5

Posted on by Paul Harvey

– The Viniyoga of Āsana – Summary Post of Parts 1 to 5
– The Viniyoga of Āsana Part 1 – Āsana according to Haṭha and Rāja
– The Viniyoga of Āsana Part 2 – There are Many Approaches to Āsana Practice
– The Viniyoga of Āsana Part 3 – The Principles used in Constructing an Āsana
– The Viniyoga of Āsana Part 4 – Considerations around the Direction of Āsana Practice
– The Viniyoga of Āsana Part 5 – Common Points within the Variables in Āsana Practice
– The Viniyoga of Āsana – Summary Post of Parts 1 to 5 – Download as a PDF

1. The Definition of Āsana according to Haṭha and Rāja Yoga

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The Viniyoga of Āsana Part 5 of 15 – Common Points within the Variables in Āsana Practice

Posted on by Paul Harvey

5. What are the Common Points within the Variables in Āsana Practice

If we look at all the variables around Āsana practice we can find some similarities between various individuals.

For example:

  • The variable must accept and include a persons previous training
  • We must respect where a person is coming or starting from
  • It is better to consider the immediate situation rather than the long term
  • We must respect the after effect of the Āsana practice
  • We must respect the after action to come
  • We must respect the travel from A to Z or Upāya
  • Z seems to vary much more than A, i.e.
    Practice in the morning – generally less variables
    Practice in the evening – more subject to the days effects and different lifestyles
  • We must respect age, condition, gender, work, lifestyle, etc
  • It is also necessary to consider some technical priorities
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The Viniyoga of Āsana Part 4 of 15 – Considerations around the Direction of Āsana Practice

Posted on by Paul Harvey

4. Considerations around the Direction of Āsana Practice

As well as considering what is acceptable to each and everybody as basic principles of Āsana practice, we must consider the direction of one’s Āsana practice.

For example:

  • Where are we starting from in terms of practice as a process?
  • Where are we going to in terms of practice as a process?
  • Is this process of potential change working with Immediate needs in mind?
  • Is this process of potential change working with long term needs in mind?
  • Is this process of potential change trying to integrate both Immediate needs and long term needs?

So what is Yoga practice as a process? Practice as a process is consideration of all the factors that surround the establishing of a home practice. For example this can be:

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The Viniyoga of Āsana Part 3 of 15 – The Principles used in Constructing an Āsana Practice

Posted on by Paul Harvey

3. The Principles used in Constructing an Āsana Practice

So how have the various schools of Yoga come to ideas of using rest, preparation, counterpose, etc as planning principles in the practice of Āsana?

Also if we have certain principles underpinning how we work, how do we apply them to students already set in a particular mode of Āsana practice?

For example:

  • Perhaps if they have a physical problem then you have something to work with. However you need to be tactful about pointing such things out, maybe waiting.
  • Otherwise you can try to meet them halfway i.e. adding a couple of things to their practice they know and a couple they don’t.
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The Viniyoga of Āsana Part 2 of 15 – There are Many Approaches to Āsana Practice

Posted on by Paul Harvey

2. There are Many Approaches to Āsana Practice

To consider this aspect we need to look at different approaches to Āsana practice using as examples the viewpoints of different schools of practice to what are seen by many as the two primary ‘classical’ Āsana.

For example:

From these examples we are led to the belief that we must respect that there are various schools of thought around the principles of practice of Āsana.

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The Viniyoga of Āsana Part 1 of 15 – Āsana according to Haṭha and Rāja

Posted on by Paul Harvey

1. The Definition of Āsana according to Haṭha and Rāja Yoga

HAṬHA PRADĪPIKĀ Chapter One verse 17

haṭhasya prathama-aṅgatvād-āsanaṁ pūrvam-ucyate |
kuryāt-tad-āsanaṃ sthairyam-ārogyaṃ cāṅga-lāghvam ||

Āsana, being the initial limb of Haṭha, is spoken of first.
Āsana brings about steadiness, improved health and lightness of limb.

For me, still to this day, one of the simplest, direct and most succinct definitions on the purpose of Āsana within the processes and practices of Haṭha Yoga, is the definition offered in the Haṭha Pradīpikā Chapter One verse 17.

It is a definition valid for any situation, discussion or presentation, or as a response to questions from any background, or level of interest around why we practice Āsana.

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108 Yoga Practice Pointers – 59 – Yoga is the performance of a practice……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

Yoga is the performance of a practice,
rather than the practice of a performance.
Though these days it appears to be getting
more difficult to distinguish one from the other.

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Practice Pointers

108 Yoga Practice Pointers – 58 – The purpose of modifying the Form of an Āsana……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

The purpose of modifying the Form of an Āsana
is to facilitate access to the Function of an Āsana.
Here the Viniyoga is according to the starting point
and potential within the students approach to practice.

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Practice Pointers

108 Yoga Practice Pointers – 57 – Initiating movement of the trunk……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

Initiating movement of the trunk,
does not automatically guarantee
initiating movement in the spine.
We need to appreciate the difference
and learn how to prioritise the latter.

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Practice Pointers

Considerations for Vinyāsa Krama around Bakāsana……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

bakasana

When studying the many aspects of Āsana, my teacher taught me not just the final form of the Āsana, but also that there was a learning around the context and especially the Vinyāsa Krama of each Āsana and the ‘family’ to which they belonged.

For example when studying Āsana such as Bakāsana, I was taught that there are certain protective and selective criteria that need to be considered as part of both the dynamic of the form and the prerequisite steps. These also help in determining the readiness of the practitioner to engage in the dynamic that Āsana, such as this one, sit within.

These considerations include a specific Vinyāsa Krama or steps into and out of the Āsana. These steps in themselves offer a sort of check list to determine if the student is adequately prepared and thus ready to engage in the process of which the final form is but a still frame within a movie.

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The ideal Dhyānam, which becomes easier with practice……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

dhyana

“The ideal Dhyānam,
which becomes easier with practice,
requires certain preparations to reduce
the tendency of the mind to be distracted,
either by being jumpy and agitated, or dull and inert.
Chief among these preparations are proper diet and Prāṇāyāma.”
– T Krishnamacharya’s commentary to Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 2

I think, that all those who want to practise Vedic chanting……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

“I think, that all those who want to practise
Vedic Chanting must be able to do so,
provided there is no confusion
with Patañjali’s Yoga.”
– Extract from an interview with TKV Desikachar on Vedic Chanting

For Yoga Teachers it is important to understand……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

“For Yoga Teachers it is
important to understand
the movement of the mind
as well as of the body.”
– TKV Desikachar on Sāṃkhya and Yoga

108 Teaching Path Pointers – 38 – Krishnamacharya and Desikachar’s teaching……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

Krishnamacharya and Desikachar’s transmission
sought to preserve specific personal priorities
when transmitting Yoga teachings to others.
For example when teaching youngsters,
the focus was on doing less with more.
However when teaching adults personally,
the focus was on doing more with less.
This would be with regards to Āsana practice,
as well as with regard to the number of Students.

Link to Series: 108 Teaching Path Pointers

Even with my students they teach a posture because it has been……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

“Even with my students they teach a posture
because it has been taught to them.
Like a rubber stamp.
This is not Viniyoga.
People have rigid ideas.
For example, why Cakravākāsana for this lady
after Śīrṣāsana, whereas something else,
say Mahāmudrā for somebody else.
So it does not follow what is good for me
is good for everybody.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983