How do we apply Viniyoga to students already set in a particular mode of Āsana practice?

If we have certain principles underpinning how we teach, how do we apply Viniyoga to students already set in a particular mode of Āsana practice?

For example, 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.

If they have been practising in this way for several years what does it matter if it takes several months to influence their Āsana practice.

There are Many Approaches to Āsana Practice

To consider this statement we need to look at different approaches to Āsana practice. Here, we can use viewpoints of different ‘styles’ of practice as to what are seen by many as the two primary ‘classical’ Āsana.

For example:

• If you want to use Śīrṣāsana and Sarvāṅgāsana you just go ahead and use them.
• You need to master all the standing Āsana before you use Śīrṣāsana and Sarvāṅgāsana.
• You need to build up to use Śīrṣāsana and Sarvāṅgāsana at the end of the practice as the ‘climax’ of your efforts.
• You start with Śīrṣāsana and Sarvāṅgāsana with the practice leading towards standing Āsana.
• You use Sūrya Namaskāram before you use Śīrṣāsana and Sarvāṅgāsana.
• You need be able to do all the Pratikriyā Āsana and the Vinyāsa Krama before attempting Śīrṣāsana and Sarvāṅgāsana.

From these examples we are led to the belief that we must respect that there are various viewpoints on the principles of practice for these two primary Āsana.