Posts archive: All Collected Yoga News Views & Blog Posts Timeline

Yoga Practice is about a re-turning towards our inner life……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

Yoga Practice is about a re-turning towards our inner life.

However, even without outer obstacles,
we can encounter inner feelings that arise
and manifest as if obstacles to that re-turning.

Here it might be helpful to reflect
on how to cultivate the four pillars of
Maitrī, Karuṇā, Muditā and Upekṣā and
the role they can have in helping to transform
the unhelpful aspects of these inner feelings.

“Bhāvana is a beneficial attitude
that is consciously cultivated
despite tendencies to the contrary”
– T Krishnamacharya commentary on
Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 33

With the spirit of Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 33 in mind,
the cultivation of the four pillars is an inner practice
that can support a stepping, rather than stymieing,
onto our practice mat or seat through:

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108 Sūtra Study Pointers 73 – Upekṣā – Cultivating a feeling of holding a distance……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

Upekṣā
Cultivating a feeling of holding a distance from
the self-deprecation that can so often accompany
our attempts to improve the quality of our inner life
and old responses to inner tensions and memories.
– Reflection on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 33

Link to Series: 108 Sutra Study Pointers

108 Sūtra Study Pointers 72 – Muditā – Cultivating a feeling of looking……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

Muditā
Cultivating a feeling of looking,
from a joyful space in ourselves,
at what we can do well and now,
rather than what we can’t do well or now.
– Reflection on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 33

Link to Series: 108 Sutra Study Pointers

108 Sūtra Study Pointers 71 – Karuṇā – Cultivating a feeling of compassion

Posted on by Paul Harvey

Karuṇā
Cultivating a feeling of compassion
towards our bodies and minds,
whatever state we find them in.
– Reflection on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 33

Link to Series: 108 Sutra Study Pointers

108 Sūtra Study Pointers 70 – Maitrī – Cultivating a feeling of friendliness

Posted on by Paul Harvey

Maitrī
Cultivating a feeling of friendliness
towards our own attempts,
let alone other’s demands,
to distract ourselves.
– Reflection on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 33

Link to Series: 108 Sutra Study Pointers

This particular full moon day is known as Guru Pūrṇimā……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

Guru Pūrṇimā

This particular full moon day is known as Guru Pūrṇimā. On this day the ongoing transmission from teacher to student is especially honoured. In previous years I have offered posts with chants honouring the lineage of teachers.

This year I would like to focus on the significance of the full moon within this day by offering a chant known as the Candra Namaskṛtya Mantra.

oṣadhayaḥ saṃvadante somena saha rājñā ‖
– Taittirīya Saṃhitā 4.2.6

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108 Sūtra Study Pointers – 69 – ‘Who’ is that identifies that……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

‘Who’ is it that identifies
that we misidentify?
– Reflection on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Four verse 18

Link to Series: 108 Sutra Study Pointers

108 Sūtra Study Pointers – 68 – ‘Who’ is that misidentifies?

Posted on by Paul Harvey

‘Who’ is it that misidentifies?
– Reflection on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 5

Link to Series: 108 Sutra Study Pointers

108 Teaching Path Pointers – 40 – Yoga offerings include Yoga for Asthma……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

Yoga offerings include
– Yoga for Asthma
– Yoga for Bunions
– Yoga for Colds
– Yoga for Digestion
– Yoga for Eyesight
– Yoga for Flexibility
and so on through to

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TKV Desikachar talks on Śraddhā in the light of the Yoga Sūtra……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

TKV Desikachar talks on Śraddhā in the light of the Yoga Sūtra
at the KYM and responds to questions.

“Śraddhā is essential for progress,
whether in Yoga or any other endeavour.
It is a feeling that cannot be expressed or intellectually discussed.
It, however, is a feeling that is not always uncovered in every person.
When absent or weak,
it is evident through the lack of stability and focus in a person.
Where present and strong,
it is evident through the commitment, perseverance
and enthusiasm the person exhibits.
For such a person, life is meaningful.”

The Yoga Sūtra of Patañjali deals with the mind. It examines the different functions of the mind and provides means to modify these functions so that it serves the person in a very constructive way.

The means by which certain qualitative changes in the mind are brought about is called Sādhanā. There is also the possibility that certain individuals may develop such a mind without effort. That is, the qualities are inherent in that individual and mature on their own to manifest one day in the form of some extraordinary capacities. However, such persons are few. For the rest of us, the same changes are possible but it is a question of time and practice. The end result is the same, it is only the time taken to achieve it that will differ.

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Question: What is the greatest obstacle to meditation?

Posted on by Paul Harvey

Question: What is the greatest obstacle to meditation?
“The biggest obstacle to meditation is Vikalpa,
the ability of the mind to fabricate in spite of reality.
Through Vikalpa, the mind fabricates thoughts of no essence,
no substance; and since meditation is, for most of us,
the play of the mind, Vikalpa is the greatest obstacle.”
– TKV Desikachar Madras December 19th 1988

108 Sūtra Study Pointers – 67 – Some Prāṇāyāma Techniques prioritise Length……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

Some Prāṇāyāma Techniques prioritise Length.
Other Prāṇāyāma Techniques prioritise Subtlety.
While yet other Prāṇāyāma Techniques prioritise Both.
– Reflection on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 50

Link to Series: 108 Sutra Study Pointers

108 Sūtra Study Pointers – 66 – Not taking away that which belongs to somebody else. 

Posted on by Paul Harvey

Asteya – non-stealing.
It’s not taking away that
which belongs to somebody else.
Whether Dravya, Dharma, Karma, Vidyā.
– Reflection on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 37

Link to Series: 108 Sutra Study Pointers

The pursuit of ‘Yoga happiness’ can be so demanding or intense……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

The pursuit of ‘Yoga bliss’ can be so demanding or intense that it can drive us as students to search for it through moving experientially from one Yoga seminar, workshop or retreat, or live or online Yoga class, or the latest Yoga hybrid or crossover style, to another.

The primary purpose for Āsana is to take us towards Yoga,
rather than just taking us towards more and more Āsana.

One irony from this pursuit is that any experience will not be exactly the same next time we reach for it, once we have been through that ‘first time taste’. This is the nature of Avidyā and its illusory mimicry, as lived through its child Rāga.

“Attraction is the consequence of happiness.”
– Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 7

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The Viniyoga of Āsana Part 6 of 15 – Planning an Appropriate Āsana Practice

Posted on by Paul Harvey

6. Planning an Appropriate Āsana Practice

In this post we will consider questions around the planning of an appropriate Āsana practice.

For example how would we consider the following situation:

  • Rising at 6.30am
  • Stiff neck
  • Stiff legs
  • Nostrils blocked
  • Stomach pain
  • Head heavy
  • Work meeting at 8.30am (15′ walk)

We can find out how much time is available, say 30′. So now we can prepare a practice. Though, whatever principles you use there are certain things that must happen.

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In the West, whilst they don’t accept authority……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

“In the West,
whilst they don’t accept authority,
they would like to be the authority.”
– TKV Desikachar Madras 1998

Āsana offers a purpose more than just physical……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

“Āsana offers a purpose more than just physical.
Āsana offers a link of the mind to the physical.
Āsana introduces the concept of Dhyāna as a practice.
Āsana seeks to minimise the Saṃskāra
or habitual patterns which dull the mind.
In doing so it seeks to increase our sensitivity to ourselves,
what is around us and its corresponding influences,
and to what sustains us.”
– TKV Desikachar

Sound – A Means Beyond Āsana and Prāṇāyāma……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

The following lecture was given by Desikachar
at the Viniyoga America Seminar
at Colgate University in August, 1987.

We have briefly covered Āsana and Prāṇāyāma in these lectures on the different components of Yoga practice.

I would like us to examine the question:
Is there anything more beyond Āsana and Prāṇāyāma?

This morning I was reciting some Saṃskṛta verses in which the great masters say that in this time in the evolution of the world, which is known as Kali Yuga, the strict disciplines that should go with Yoga are not possible. The vigorous practice of Āsana with Bandha and Mudrā, sitting in a very good seated posture, long breath retention after inhalation and after exhalation—not all these are possible at this time. So, they said, we have to find other means.

In this context, what is meant by Yoga? For the ancient people, Yoga was not just physical or respirative gymnastics. Yoga is to do something with the whole person so that the mind changes from the usual unfocused mind to one that can be focused on anything significant. The object of focus could be God, or trying to master oneself, or some other important idea.

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New Resources Page for Veda Mantra Chanting Practice PDF’s & Sound Files

Posted on by Paul Harvey

yoga_sutra_cover

The role of this page is to offer a centralised resource where you can access and download all the PDF’s and MP3’s that are currently offered as references and supports for the continuing development of our Personal Veda Mantra Chanting Practice.

These will also offer a further point of reference as the resources are grouped under the categories shown below. The date at the bottom of each topic group will indicate the last update.

Quick Links:
1. Veda Chant – Beginners Exercises
2. Veda Chant – Opening Chants
3. Taittirīya Saṃhitā Chants
4. Taittirīya Brāhmaṇa Chants
5. Taittirīya Āraṇyaka Chants
6. Taittirīyra Upaniṣat Chants
7. Other Upaniṣat Chants
8. Other Chants – Ancient
9. Other Chants – Modern
10. Veda Chant – Closing Chants
11. Veda Chant – Resources as Sound Files

Following the Quick Links above will take you to the downloads within that group.

New Resources Page for Yoga Sūtra Chanting Practice PDF’s & Sound Files

Posted on by Paul Harvey

yoga_sutra_cover

The role of this page is to offer a centralised resource where you can access and download all the PDF’s and MP3’s that are currently offered as references and supports for the continuing development of our Personal Yoga Sūtra Chanting Practice.

These will also offer a further point of reference as the resources are grouped under the categories shown below. The date at the bottom of each topic group will indicate the last update.

Quick Links:
1. Opening Yoga Chants
2. Opening Yoga Sūtra Chants
3. Beginners Yoga Sūtra Chants
4. Yoga Sūtra Chant in Chapters
5. Closing Yoga Chants
6. Closing Yoga Sūtra Chants
7. Yoga Sūtra Chanting Resources as Sound Files

Following the Quick Links above will take you to the downloads within that group.

The original essence of the Yoga Sūtra was passed on by oral tradition……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

yoga_sutra_cover

“The original essence of the Yoga Sūtra
was passed on by oral tradition.
First you learn the rhythm of the Sūtra.
This was in Saṃskṛta,
first learning the words or Sūtra, then the meanings.
By learning to recite the Sūtra perfectly it was clear
that you were earnest in wanting to learn their meanings.
The scheme would be to repeat it twice,
in exactly the same tone used by the teacher.
This would take many years.
Thus these days it’s difficult to expect to
understand the Sūtra from a book or a course.”
– TKV Desikachar 1979

Sometimes we try to transmit what we cherish……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

“Sometimes we try to transmit
what we cherish.
This is not Viniyoga.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

We never know when we are going to die……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

“We never know when we are going to die.
So we must prepare for death.
Because at the moment of death
you become what you think.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

Know your breath and its unique characteristics in Āsana and you will……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

Know your breath and
its unique characteristics within Āsana
and you will have an initial template
for working with your breath in Prāṇāyāma.

Modern Postural Yoga talks a lot about individual patterning from our genetic past, along with upbringing and lifestyle conditioning, determining what body patterns we inherently carry from life to death. From this, how we need to consider what body we bring to Āsana practice and how we need to be intelligent in our choice of Āsana for our body and mind and the developmental direction of our body in Āsana practice.

Less talked about is that exactly the same can be said for our breath and the individual patterning from our genetic past, along with upbringing and lifestyle conditioning, determining what breathing patterns we inherently carry from life to death. From this, we also need to consider what breath we bring to Āsana practice and how we need to be intelligent in our choice of breathing patterns in Āsana for our body and mind and the developmental direction of our breath in Āsana practice.

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108 Sūtra Study Pointers – 65 – The use of Āsana and Prāṇāyāma is an investigation……

Posted on by Paul Harvey

The use of Āsana and Prāṇāyāma is
an investigation of all the 9 obstacles
in Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 30.
Those things that come between how
we are and how we would like to be.
– Reflection on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 30

Link to Series: 108 Sutra Study Pointers