Links to Related Resources & Longer Articles:

• Āsana and Mudrā Glossary – Grouped into Standing, Kneeling, Lying, Inverted, Backbend, Seated & Sitting
• Glossary of Prāṇāyāma & Bandha Practice Techniques – Grouped into Primary, Secondary & Ancillary Techniques
• A series on Āsana Part One – Moving into our Bodies with Samasthiti

Collated Related Short Posts & Quotes:

“The hands should be upwards for counting and breathing,
with elbows slightly bent to keep the shoulders relaxed.”
– From study notes with TKV Desikachar England 1992

“Within the Bhāvana for certain prone backbend Āsana,
such as in Sālambana Bhujaṅgāsana, or supported Cobra,
there is no intentional weight bearing on, or by the hands,
though the opposite of which is a more common occurrence.
Hence, being able to lift the hands off the ground at any point.
Thus, in Sālambana Bhujaṅgāsana, the hands are not weight
bearing, as in such as Ūrdhva Mukha Śvānāsana. Instead they
have a role as a barometer with regard to vertical or downward
pressure on the ground, along with a role as a compass with regard
to horizontal or forward movement emanating from the sternum.
Here, the Bhāvana is a sensation of wall to wall in terms of,
as if a movement forward, rather than the more stereotypical
image of a straight arm lift, often including over emphasis on
the cervical/thoracic and lumbar/sacral junctions creating an
upward backbend rather than encouraging a forward spinal arch.”
– 108 Postural Practice Pointers

“Hands shouldn’t be used in Uḍḍīyana Bandha,
the effect should come from the exhale which
starts in the navel, as if pulling up a piece of string.
It must be pulled up and brought closer to the Maṇipūra.
If this is done properly, then very little to be done afterwards.
Exhale is followed by a small jerk as Uḍḍīyāna pulls the Mūla up.”
– 108 Mudrā Practice Pointers

The element of compromise in the body
“Thus, the body tells us something but,
we are not always aware of what it is.
This can be the result of factors in one’s life.
For example, age, profession, activities.
And, as said, it can often show in ways we cannot see.
For example, position of feet, tension in face,
position of hands, angle of shoulders, angle of arms.
So we must respect our limitations as well as our assets.”
– 108 Yoga Planning Pointers
– The Viniyoga of Planning Principles Guidelines – Collected & Collated