Amongst the vital tools
for our journey are
a mirror and a map.

A mirror to reflect
what you are not and
a map to guide you
as to where not to go.

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers

If we accept
the premise that
Yoga is not about
making us feel better,
then what is it about?

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers

When Tamas prevails
over Rajas and Sattva,
action lacks direction
and clarity. Here, Tamas
is not just a state of
inertia, even action can
be as if from Tamas.

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers

When Rajas predominates over Sattva,
it colours the knowing in discernment.
Then, Tamas prevails.

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers

Our efforts to reduce over
stimulating Rajas and Tamas,
are more important than our
efforts at cultivating Sattva.

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers

Breath
a gift from the highest
a vehicle for awareness
a proof of existence
a source of life

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers

Fire in the Belly – Peace in the Mind.

From a traditional Yoga viewpoint the yoking
of seemingly contrasting qualities or natures
within the body and mind have long been a goal.

According to Yoga, two of these contrasting qualities
are seen through the lens of the body and of the mind.

Known through opposite symbols, as in the Sun or
Surya, to be lived as the fire in the belly, and as in
the Moon or Candra, to be lived as peace in the mind.

Cultivating an intelligent relationship between these
two qualities can offer a model for our practice as well
as a means to better embrace the challenges in daily life.

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers

The paradox of Tamas is that,
given the nature of Tamas is to obscure,
you don’t know that you are in a state of Tamas.

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers

Make friends with your breath.
Because, it’s very possible it will be
the last thing you will know in this life.

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers

All our aspirations or wishes can be categorised
into four goals or aims for, or in a human life.
They are Dharma, Artha, Kāma and Mokṣa.
Collectively, they are known as the Puruṣārtha.

One might also consider Dharma and Mokṣa
as the banks of a river, through which flows the
everyday life activity of both Artha and Kāma.

In that it is the discernment and insight inherent
in Dharma and Mokṣa that supports the actions
we find ourselves engaged or enmeshed within
through the wiles and woes of Artha and Kāma.

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers

Krishnamacharya’s Yoga Loom
had three interwoven threads.
Namely,
an appropriate application,
according to,
an individual’s specific needs,
of:
Kāya Cikitsā through Āyurveda,
Prāṇa Śakti through Haṭha,
Citta Adhyātmika through Rāja.

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers

The Body is a vehicle for the Breath.
The Breath is a vehicle for the Spirit.

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers

To be involved in the
mystery of one’s breath,
is to be involved in the
mystery of one’s life.

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers

“Perhaps be careful that the habits
you are re-habituating towards
are not just as blinding as the
habits you are de-habituating from.”

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers

According to the Paramparā of
Krishnamacharya and Desikachar,
Āsana begets Mudrā,
Mudrā begets Prāṇāyāma,
Prāṇāyāma begets Pratyāhāra,
Pratyāhāra begets Dhāraṇā,
Dhāraṇā begets Dhyāna.
Of these five Upāya, only
Dhyāna is Meditation.

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers

Haṭha Yoga is about the vitality of our Prāṇa.
Rāja Yoga is about the clarity of our Citta.
Krishnamacharya’s teachings reflect their
relative importance, in the correlation and
integration of both within our Yoga Sādhana,
as beacons for our outer and inner journey.

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers

Better not to confuse:
– Bodywork with Āsana.
– Energywork with Mudrā.
– Breathwork with Prāṇāyāma.
– Mindwork with Dhyānam.
– Voicework with Mantra.
– Soulwork with Puruṣa.

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers

Don’t let Meditation become
just another form of security,
rather than an inquiry
into the nature of insecurity.

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers

Don’t let Āsana become just
another form of security,
rather than an inquiry
into the nature of insecurity.

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers

Containing the Body,
or Kāya Nirodha
doesn’t always imply that…
you can contain the Breath.
Containing the Breath,
or Prāṇa Nirodha
doesn’t always imply that…
you can contain the Mind.
Containing the Mind
or Mano Vṛtti Nirodha.
doesn’t always imply that…
you can contain the Psyche.
Containing the Psyche,
or Citta Vṛtti Nirodha
doesn’t always imply that…

Link to Series: 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers