Links to Related Resources & Longer Articles:

• Even in the case of Śikṣaṇa Krama the ancient teachers had steps…….
• The concept of Bhāva and Abhāva in Yoga Practice……

Collated Related Short Posts & Quotes:

“There are indications that
accompany the distractions.
Such as a sense of uneasiness,
or a melancholic moodiness.
Or, as an agitation in the body
and in the breath, expressed as
unsteadiness in the limbs and
in the exhalation and inhalation.”
– Paul Harvey on Yoga Sūtra Chapter One verse 31

“Personally, there is little we can
do with this eternal desire to live.
But there is something we can
do about the ways it affects us.”
– Paul Harvey on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Four verse 10

“Attitude is nothing but an attitude.
If you can change your attitude,
you lay down another Saṃskāra.
The mind learns through habits.
So by changing habits you change the mind.
Yoga is a way of taking steps to initiate change.
Therefore Yoga practice is a Saṃskāra,
to prepare the mind for a different attitude.”
– Paul Harvey on Yoga Sūtra Chapter Four verse 11

“Some factors which a Sādhaka (efficient or skilful person) and
a living master will take into consideration when giving a transmission:
The teacher must recognise whether the student is Bhāva Sādhaka or Abhāva Sādhaka.
Bhāva (move towards) Sādhaka is where a person comes to Yoga with a direct positive attitude. An interest.
Abhāva (move away) Sādhaka is one who is running away from something,
is a vacuum and is looking for something to fill it.
Appears to be strongly positive because they are running away from something.
A person who does not know what to do in life.
They want to do something to keep themselves occupied.
Or running away from something and are looking for something during a transit in life.
Very frustrating for a teacher who spends a lot of time with Abhāva Sādhaka until they find something better.
The teacher may test the student to see the difference. For example cancelling lessons.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

“Patañjali has proposed 3 approaches to verify the indications.
Tapas – Process of action
Food, Āsana, Prāṇāyāma.
You will be doing something that you will not be habitually doing.
For example one day no salt, cigarettes, Prāṇāyāma.
Tapas is from the root to create thirst.
It means to deprive.
It will tell us about ourselves.
It will reveal our Saṃskāra and Pariṇāma or changes in ourselves.
From this Tapas we will start to get an indication of our individual nature.
For example active or lazy.
Tapas indicates the the beginning of the Bheda, through the Bhāva.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

“Even practice can be mechanical even if it is regular.
So Yukta Anu Bhāva (skilful becoming) is
how much you have learnt from the practice.
What it has taught you.”
– TKV Desikachar France 1983

“Āsana practice should take into account:
– Where we are – Where am I?
– Where are we going – What is my goal?
– What happens afterwards – How do I continue with my life?
There needs to be steps in the sequence to lead to the goal and counter postures
to prepare for life after the Yoga practice, a Vinyāsa.
The postures need to be visualised prior to being executed, Bhāva.
It is important to prepare for life after a Yoga practice
so that a student is fully prepared for life outside the Yoga room.”
– From study notes with TKV Desikachar in England 1992

“Āsana has three complementary facets that
need to be considered as unique potentials
for development within any Vinyāsa Krama.
Firstly, exploring the body in terms of what is
its potential regarding Strength and Flexibility.
Secondly, exploring the breath in terms of what
is its potential regarding Length and Subtlety.
Thirdly, exploring the mind in terms of what is
its potential regarding Attention and Attitude.
– 108 Postural Practice Pointers

“As with any skill in the application
of learning, it is only through
personal transmission that the
student’s individually unique
chanting needs can be truly met,
in terms of access to and process
with all of the six phonetic crafts,
namely:
1. Varṇa – Saṃskṛta Pronouncing
2. Svara –  Musical Pitch
3. Mātrā –  Saṃskṛta Timing
4. Bala – Vocal Strength
5. Sāma – Ability to Sustain a Note
6. Saṃtāna – Continuity of Breath and Sound”
– 108 Chanting Practice Pointers

“Some people use Yoga (or even training for a career as a Yoga Teacher),
to move away from something undesirable for, or in their lives (Abhāva).
Others use Yoga to move towards something desirable (Bhāva) for, or in their lives.
Either can be positive, however good to be clear about our motives,
especially if our relationship with that which we wanted to move away from,
or that which we wanted to move towards,
changes along the way.”
– 108 Yoga Teaching Path Pointers