Links to Related Resources & Longer Articles:

• cYs Practitioner Training Programme Retreat Extract 1 – Self Planning & Self Practice
• Studying, Practicing and Learning the Tri Bandha involves Theory, Techniques and Cautions…
• The Viniyoga of Inversion as an Āsana or as a Mudrā……
• The Westernisation/Modernisation of Yoga Āsana with its emphasis on structural…
• This particular full moon day is known as Guru Pūrṇimā……

Collated Related Short Posts & Quotes:

“The moon, whose rays are auspicious for
the gathering of medicinal herbs,
is the god of herbs, whilst the light of the sun
gets to the bottom of all impurities.
This is why we recite Mantra to these two stars,
during the preparation of Āyurveda remedies.”
– T Krishnamacharya

“The terms Ha and Ṭha also represent
two extreme sides of a wavering mind.
Ha often is meant to represent the sun, Ṭha the moon.
Suṣumṇā in the middle Nāḍī.
Prāṇa in the Ha and Ṭha represents
a confused and wavering mind.
Prāṇa in the  Suṣumṇā represents a clear, steady mind.
Hence, Jñāni is one whose Prāṇa is in Suṣumṇā
and Ajñāni is one whose Prāṇa is still
in the opposite two Nāḍī, Ha and Ṭha.”
– TKV Desikachar Religiousness in Yoga
‘Various Approaches to Yoga’
Chapter Seventeen Page 246-247

“One aspect to the art of modification in Āsana,
is in order to sustain a specific direction of Candra
according to the primary Lakṣaṇa of and in an Āsana,
amidst a contrary potential to stimulate a dispersion
of Candra, because of the demands of the secondary
Lakṣaṇa overpowering that of the primary Lakṣaṇa.
This also implies that we have personally embedded
a theoretical and experiential understanding, through
study of the process in the Viniyoga of Āsana, according
to their inherent primary and secondary characteristics.”
– 108 Postural Practice Pointers

“Within the energetic processes in Haṭha Yoga
the concept of Candra is that which can direct
Prāṇa and Apāna in order to influence the activities of Sūrya.”
– 108 Yoga Practice Pointers

“Bṛṃhaṇa Kriyā and Laṅghana Kriyā, as
expansive and contractive activities, are two
potentials explored through Āsana and the Breath.
Alongside the practice of Āsana, Mudrā and Prāṇāyāma,
they are actualised through a theoretical understanding of
the primary principles that inform Haṭha Yoga and Āyurveda.
The alchemical process underpinning this understanding
is the relationship between the two primary principles of
Prāṇa and Agni in order to influence Haṭha Yoga concepts such
as Prāṇa, Apāna, Sūrya, Candra, Nāḍī, Cakra and Kuṇḍalinī.
In terms of Bṛṃhaṇa Kriyā and Laṅghana Kriyā, the
Viniyoga of Bṛṃhaṇa effects a dispersion of Agni from
the core to the periphery and the Viniyoga of Laṅghana
effects a concentration of Agni from the periphery to the core.
Integrating the application of these two specific processes
facilitates access, through the Merudaṇḍa, Prāṇa and Agni,
to either energising or cleansing potentials, or as collaborative
outcomes within the practice of Āsana, Mudrā and Prāṇāyāma.”
– 108 Yoga Practice Pointers

“Haṭha Yoga seeks
to stimulate Sūrya
for a quality of action
and to nourish Candra
for a quality of attention.”
– 108 Yoga Practice Pointers

“A common phrase in modern Yoga language
is the notion of Yoga increasing energy levels.
Yet the theory that underpins the practice of
Haṭha Yoga offers a process by which we learn
to harness and intensify the vitalities of Prāṇa
and Agni rather than just, as if increasing them.
Furthermore, when looking at Yoga practice from
a Cikitsā and Rakṣaṇa perspective, the concept of
harnessing becomes even more relevant, as we are
often working with an energetic dissipation as a
short-term starting point, perhaps also within a
longer-term point of origin or supporting factors.
Here, harnessing also implies the possibility of a
more skilful relationship with the two polarities of
Sūrya and Candra, so we can better use their energy,
rather than them consuming our self-sense of vitality.”
– 108 Yoga Practice Pointers

“Bṛṃhaṇa Kriyā as a
lifestyle support aims
to nourish Candra.
Laṅghana Kriyā as a
lifestyle support aims
to stimulate Sūrya.”
– 108 Yoga Practice 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.”
– 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers