When the mind is not very clear……
“When the mind is not very clear,
you only get the message from the mind.”
– TKV Desikachar on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 4
Posts archive: All Yoga News Views & Blog Journal Posts
When the mind is very clear……
“When the mind is very clear,
you get the message from deep inside.”
– TKV Desikachar on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 3
108 Postural Practice Pointers – 21 – Backbends disturb the length and quality of the exhale……
Postural Practice Pointer 21 – Backbends disturb the exhale
Backbends disturb the length and quality of the exhale,
in that they impact the Apāna and push the Mūla downwards.
Thus we need to consider an appropriate Pratikriyā Āsana
to compensate for this disturbance to the Apāna Sthāna.
Hence Pratikriyā such as Apānāsana to restore the Apāna.
Mystery is always present; it need not be limited to symbols or God……
“Mystery is always present;
it need not be limited to symbols or God.
It can be found in anything, provided we seek it.
It is in the hands of the seeker, not in the object.
Mystery is always there, everywhere,
provided the seeker is serious.”
– TKV Desikachar Religiousness in Yoga
‘A Session for Questions’
Chapter Sixteen Page 230
108 Yoga Practice Pointers – 54 – I find my personal practice mat a place to face myself……
I find my personal practice mat a place to face myself.
Thus when I feel resistance to getting onto my mat,
I find it helpful to ask myself a question around,
what is it in myself that I don’t want to face today.
The Art of Sūtra Psychology – Personal Sādhana Study Modules 2019-2022
I was privileged to be able to study the Yoga Sūtra in its entirety over three times, word by word, Sūtra by Sūtra along with the commentaries of Krishnamacharya and Desikachar, within the intimacy and vitality of private lessons over 23 years of visits to Chennai.
“The beauty of the Sūtra is that they are only related to the mind.
Thus they stand above various religions and can be studied and
related to by all types of persons from all types of religions.”
– TKV Desikachar on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 1
Rooted through this traditional method of transmission the Yoga Sūtra have long been a support for my personal Yoga practice and study Sādhana. With this in mind I designed a range of Workshop and Course Modules with detailed Yoga Sūtra Workbooks to facilitate being able to offer these teachings to individuals and small study groups of five students for both a personal and professional pursuit.
The Art of Sūtra Psychology Module One Workshops
Offer a 2 day Module as an opportunity for a student from any Yoga background or style to have an in-depth introduction to the primary principles and teachings introducing and underpinning the Yoga Sūtra and how they can inspire and guide our personal Yoga practice and study Sādhana, either for personal development or, if relevant, professional skills.
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Module One – Yoga Sūtra Overview Chapters 1-4
Upcoming Dates for 2019 Module One Workshops – for groups of five students:
The Art of Sūtra Psychology – Module One Two Day Workshop December 7/8th 2019
Upcoming Dates for 2020 Module One Workshops – for groups of five students:
The Art of Sūtra Psychology – Module One Two Day Workshop November 7/8th 2020
Upcoming Dates for 2021 Module One Workshops – for groups of five students:
The Art of Sūtra Psychology – Module One Two Day Workshop November 6/7th 2021
(Follow this link for details of Online Art of Sūtra Psychology 121 eStudy Module 1 options)
The Art of Sūtra Psychology Modules Two – Five Courses
108 Yoga Practice Pointers – 53 – It is possible to achieve the form of an Āsana without accessing the function……
The Art of Sāṃkhya Philosophy Module One Workshop February 22/23rd 2020
Module One Art of Sāṃkhya Philosophy
– Exploring the Primary Principles of Sāṃkhya and its relationship to Yoga
The Art of Sāṃkhya Philosophy Module One Workshop offers a weekend opportunity for a student from any Yoga background or style to have an in-depth introduction to the primary principles and teachings from the Sāṃkhya Kārikā and how they can inspire and guide our personal Yoga practice and study Sādhana, either for personal development or, if relevant, professional skills.
“Sāṃkhya has been fundamental in its influence on the philosophical foundations
underpinning such as Yoga, Buddhism and Āyurveda.”
Based in the Cotswolds, it is open to all except complete beginners and is limited to around five students to allow for a personalised approach and in-depth transmission between teacher and student.
Upcoming Dates
- The Art of Sāṃkhya Philosophy – Module One Personal Sādhana Workshop 5February 22, 2020
An in-depth overview of Sāṃkhya Philosophy – Module One
Two Day Workshop February 22/23rd 2020 – Places Waitlisted - The Art of Sāṃkhya Philosophy – Module One Personal Sādhana Workshop 6March 12, 2022
An in-depth overview of Sāṃkhya Philosophy – Module One
Two Day Workshop March 12/13th 2022 – Five Places Available
108 Sūtra Study Pointers – 45 – One of the aims in Yoga is to yoke to…..
One of the aims in Yoga is to yoke to
the more discerning aspects of the psyche,
rather than to the more distracting aspects of the psyche.
– Commentary around Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 14
108 Teaching Path Pointers – 37 – Consider Āsana as vehicles to transmit the fundamental principles of practice……
As a teacher it can be helpful to consider Āsana as
vehicles to transmit the fundamental principles of practice.
For example a cardinal principle of practice is that Āsana
have a primary and a secondary aspect within their Lakṣana.
Thus we must inquire into what is the primary aspect in this Āsana,
and what is the secondary aspect in this particular Āsana?
The idea is to maintain the integrity of the primary characteristics.
Thus we may need to compromise the secondary characteristics.
For example in Uttānāsana to sustain the primary work in the spine
we can consider a secondary compromise by releasing the knees.
108 Yoga Practice Pointers – 52 – Āsana is the primary choice to work the breath.
The idea is to bridge the gap that is between what exists and what is desired….
“The idea is to bridge the gap that is between what exists and what is desired.
This is what Abhyāsa refers to. This is not exactly practice.
1. We first require an appreciation of what we want to do or learn.
2. We then find out how to travel or go in that direction.
3. We then learn the techniques by which we travel.”
– TKV Desikachar on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 12
108 Yoga Practice Pointers – 51 – Is it a misdirection within Āsana from talking about effects on the body…..
Online Art of Sūtra Psychology – 121 eStudy Module One
The Online Art of Sūtra Psychology – 121 eStudy Module One
Clear your Flow Exploring Awareness within Mind and Emotions
This particular eStudy Module One consists of nine 121 live video meetings to facilitate a personalised approach and in-depth transmission between teacher and student. It introduces the student, through an online teaching dialogue, to the primary principles and essential teachings from T Krishnamacharya and TKV Desikachar within the Yoga Sūtra.
It is open to all except complete beginners and offers an opportunity for any Yoga Student, teacher or trainee teacher from any Yoga background to develop and deepen their personal Yoga Sādhana.
108 Teaching Path Pointers – 36 – I feel we need to ensure that we use our practice……
I feel we need to ensure that
we use our practice to support our teaching,
rather than using our teaching to support our practice.
Abhyāsa means constant effort and attention in order to continue in one direction……
“Abhyāsa means constant effort and attention
in order to continue in one direction.
We must never break this process because we
never really know in advance how things might change”
– TKV Desikachar Religiousness in Yoga
‘A Session for Questions’
Chapter Sixteen Page 223
108 Study Path Pointers – 22 – It’s not until I understand how to cultivate a space in My self……
It’s not until I understand how to
cultivate a space within My self
can I begin to experience that
which is the essence of the Self.
108 Teaching Path Pointers – 35 – There are those Yoga teachers who speak to your fantasies…….
108 Yoga Practice Pointers – 50 – Candra is that which can direct Prāṇa and Apāna in order to influence……
108 Sūtra Study Pointers – 44 – Yoga is about recognising change and……
Yoga is about recognising change and
recognising that which recognises change.
– Commentary around Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 16