Collated Related Short Posts & Quotes:

“The practices dealing with the body and the
breath are known as Āsana and Prāṇāyāma.
They are interlinked, in Āsana the body is
the focus and the breath serves this focus.
In Prāṇāyāma the regulation of the breath is the focus,
the body is prepared adequately via Āsana for this
regulation to materialise without any resistance.”
– TKV Desikachar Madras 1996

“Uttānāsana is an intense standing forward bend.
It is often used to begin a sequence of Āsana.
Its use can improve mobility in the primary joints
and extend muscles, primarily on the back of the body.
Its form respects the movements adapted in daily life.
The use of an intense closing Āsana implies
some cautions in the stretched areas of the body,
such as the lower back, sacrum, hips and legs.
The awareness can be placed on the abdomen
leading to a longer, smoother exhalation and
counterbalancing, with this inner work, the
physical effort required by its dynamic approach.
There are a number of adaptations to support
the student experiencing a feeling of melding
between the energetic flow of the movement
and the depth and stillness of the breath.”
– 108 Postural Practice Pointers

“Dvi Pāda Pīṭham or Two Foot Support combines
the characteristics of a lying Āsana and a backbend,
as well as offering an alternative to more intense
backbends, or as a preparation for inverted Āsana.
This Āsana can be applied initially within a dynamic
context working as a preparation for the body,
plus allowing gradual access to stronger Āsana,
such as prone backbends and inverted Āsana.
The way for progressive work to access the upper half
of the body, neck and shoulders links to a subtle and
precise work with the breath, especially the inhalation.
Here the focus of attention is supported through the
application of techniques such as, firstly, locational
breathing and then, if appropriate, directional breathing.
This can further help the involvement of the student
in the longer-term intention and purpose of the Āsana.
In its more intense Śikṣaṇa form Dvi Pāda Pīṭham is a
challenging option for the more experienced student.”
– 108 Postural Practice Pointers

“There are those Mudrā that are utilised
within Haṭha Yoga to stimulate Agni.
There are those Mudrā that are utilised
within Rāja Yoga to pacify the Citta Vṛtti.
Both work on containment, but with a
different focus and intentional outcome.”
– 108 Mudrā Practice Pointers

“The ‘seed’ of potential for Ujjāyī as an
Ajapā Mantra abides within the ‘shell’ of
a Bhāvana for Ujjāyī as a Dhāraṇā Deśa.
The Deśa also needs to be supported by
utilising a locationally relevant Ādhāra,
as in this instance, the Viśuddhi Ādhāra.
Further considerations can be around the
linking of the sound of Ujjāyī to a semantic
thought-form, by adding Mano Japā Rūpa to
this Ajapā, as some do through using Haṃsa.
However, one could argue that this formation,
shifting from a non-language feeling-based
experience into a language thought-based
experience, can detract from the Bhāvana,
in that a unique Lakṣaṇa of Ujjāyī resides in
the notion of ‘sounding’ without language.”
– 108 Prāṇāyāma Practice Pointers

“In Āsana the breath
is a support for the mind.
In Prāṇāyāma the breath
is a mirror for the mind.”
– 108 Yoga Practice 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.”
– 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers