Collated Related Short Posts & Quotes:

“In the language of Yoga,
the seat of all impurities is the abdomen.”
– TKV Desikachar 1984…

“Bhāvana on Forward Bending and the
role of the Abdomen, when moving into
Paścimatāna Āsana such as Uttānāsana.
In terms of Kinesiological, Physiological or
Energetic criteria. Better to move forward
pulling back from the abdomen, rather than
pushing forwards from the lower back.”
– 108 Postural Practice Pointers

“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

“Parivṛtti Trikoṇāsana
Standing Rotated Triangle Pose
Requires Less Attention
Offers Less Stability
Jaṭhara Parivṛtti
Lying Abdominal Rotated Pose
Requires More Attention
Offers More Stability
Ardha Matsyendrāsana
Seated Abdominal Rotated Pose
Requires More Attention
Offers Less Stability.”
– 108 Postural Practice Pointers

“The practice of Jālandhara Bandha requires the practitioner
to keep the spine straight, the head will be slightly forward.
So draw the head back as well, as it tends to come forward,
ie the centre of gravity in the head moves forward of the body.
If set right you will feel a little contraction in the abdomen.
So, align the spine up, draw the head and neck back, and tilt
the chin in, though not to the throat, the chest or to the heart.”
– 108 Mudrā Practice Pointers

“In Learning the Tri Bandha we engage with certain potential contraindications:
1. The Tri Bandha reduce the length and subtlety of the breath.
2. The accumulative effect when repeated should be more intense,
but often the opposite is what can actually happen.
3. In the beginning the use of the Tri Bandha can disturb the system and
create tendencies, such as for the practitioner to lose their temper.
4. The continued use of the Tri Bandha can easily
raise tensions in the neck and shoulders.
5. If the abdomen appears to be retracted strongly, but the breath
is getting shorter the practitioner is probably cheating.”
– 108 Mudrā 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