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
• The presence and actions of Prāṇa Śakti……..

Collated Related Short Posts & Quotes:

“Then he has certain ideas also about Kuṇḍalinī.
The force is Prāṇa,
the force called Śakti or Kuṇḍalinī is indeed Prāṇa.
The only means that can have any effect is the use of Prāṇāyāma,
with emphasis on exhalation and the Bandha,
aided by devotional chantings.
And the evolution of Kuṇḍalinī is very much linked to the person’s state of mind and Vairāgya.”
– TKV Desikachar from lectures on ‘The Yoga of T Krishnamacharya’,
given at Zinal, Switzerland 1981.

“The act of establishing contact with the external world is called Yoga.
It is continuous, inevitable, swiftly changing.
Yoga is a basic fact of life.
However it is the quality of the relationship that leads to a healthy life and well being or otherwise.
The clarity and strength of the force involved in the contact and awareness of the contact
is reflected in the flow of what is called Prāṇa Śakti.
What is it that disturbs this flow?”
– TKV Desikachar

“Sarvāṅgāsana is the Āsana commonly known as
shoulder stand. It is seen as one of the so called
“classical” inverted Āsana, the other “classical”
inverted Āsana being Śīrṣāsana, or head stand.
This Āsana draws together a firmness in the
body, with the subtler purpose of the breath,
with a sense of inner attention for the student.
For this triad to be realised, certain steps need
to be respected with regards to a rationale for
the application of Sarvāṅgāsana, along with
appropriate choices in long-term and short-term
preparation for its use, incorporating appropriate
use of Pratikriyāsana, and cultivation of an
increasing length of stay in the Āsana.
For adults, the most important link whilst in
the Āsana is the relationship with the breath.
Cultivating the power of the breath can also help
in keeping the practitioner attentive to the possible
bio-stresses accumulating from staying in the Āsana.”
– 108 Postural Practice Pointers

“Prāṇāyāma, in relation to
Haṭha and Rāja Yoga Sādhana,
has differing priorities, albeit
en route towards similar goals.
In Haṭha Yoga the intended outcome
of Prāṇāyāma is Prāṇa Śakti.
In Rāja Yoga the intended outcome
of Prāṇāyāma is Manas Śānti.”
– 108 Prāṇāyāma Practice Pointers

“Cikitsā Krama is to help
stabilise dispersed Prāṇa Śakti.
Rakṣaṇa Krama is to help
conserve stabilised Prāṇa Śakti.
Śikṣaṇa Krama is to help
intensify conserved Prāṇa Śakti.”
– 108 Yoga Practice Pointers

“Haṭha Yoga is about the vitality of our Prāṇa.
Rāja Yoga is about the clarity of our Citta.
Krishnamacharya’s teachings reflect their
relative importance, in the correlation and
integration of both within our Yoga Sādhana,
as beacons for our outer and inner journey.”
– 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers

“Krishnamacharya’s Yoga Loom
had three interwoven threads.
Namely,
an appropriate application,
according to,
an individual’s specific needs,
of:
Kāya Cikitsā through Āyurveda,
Prāṇa Śakti through Haṭha,
Citta Adhyātmika through Rāja.”
– 108 Yoga Study Path Pointers