Ashtanga YogaAshtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a classical and structured approach to asana, or the physical postures in yoga. The precise synchronization of breath and movement is the main characteristic of this style of yoga practice. Using this method heat and sweat are generated and this plays an important part in cleansing the body and developing flexibility. The use of bandhas, or contraction of specific muscles in the perennial and lower abdominal areas during postures is also emphasized in Ashtanga Yoga. These seemingly simple methods constitute a rigorous and dynamic approach to the practice of yoga postures. The Surya Namaskar exercises at the beginning of all of the different sequences are the foundation of this approach to yoga (asana) practice. There is debate about the age of Primary Series, but everyone agrees that Surya Namaskar is truly ancient. Ashtanga Yoga teaches fixed sequences of postures. When these sequences are memorized the student has freedom to practice on their own. Developing a personal yoga practice is a great accomplishment. As we practice the same postures regularly we are able to perceive subtle changes in our bodies. By paying attention to our energy level and flexibility from day to day we can gain a personal, intuitive understanding of how to take care of our bodies. Not only in terms of exercise, but in terms of diet and lifestyle as well. The word Vinyasa denotes this particular approach to the practice of asanas. In Sanskrit the word Vinyasa has a number of meanings including "arrangement", or "to put down or place in a particular arrangement". Sri Pattabhi Jois defines Vinyasa as "breathing and movement system". Sri BNS Iyengar (of Mysore India) defines Vinyasa as "breath, count, sight, and posture". Sri T. Krishnamacharya defined Vinyasa as "correct arrangement". All of these statements point in a consistent direction. The central importance placed on the breath is a fundamental principal of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. Breath is the engine which drives the whole machine. The arrangement of postures in the Ashtanga sequences is very specific. The time spent in postures is regulated by a fixed number of breaths. The counting of breath adds a level of precision that otherwise would not be possible as well as a meditative quality that is very distinct to Ashtanga Yoga. Even the eyes are controlled and directed to specific places. This is known as Dhristi. The heating of the body during practice is another fundamental idea behind the Vinyasa approach. Bandhas are connected with this. Mula and Udiyana Bandhas, are contractions in specific muscle groups in the perineum and lower abdominal arias which play a key role in balance, concentration, flow of breath, as well as the production of heat in the yoga practice. For practical purposes you might say vinyasa means to "jump back, do a pushup, and sit down again." These movements increase heat and punctuate the different postures. In each posture many things happen in our bodies that are specific to that pose. The vinyasa will erase the conditions created by the previous pose so that the next one can be done starting fresh. There are different ideas among teachers and practitioners as to what components are most important and how much variation should be used in the form. For more thoughts on this click Politics of Ashtanga. The word Ashtanga means eight limbs. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali explain a system of yoga with eight limbs. This is considered to be an authoritative text, and all forms of yoga taught in the west today refer back to it in one way or another. Asana (posture) is the 3rd limb of this system. It is therefore safe to say that there is more to yoga than physical exercise. The other limbs include moral and ethical disciplines (Yama), personal restraints (Niyama), breathing exercises (Pranayama), restriction of the senses, (Pratyahara), concentration (Dharana), meditation (Dhyana), and absorption into the object of concentration (Samadhi). This last stage is referred to as a kind of ecstatic bliss. We can also consider the basic description that the Patanjali Sutras give as to what yoga is. The various translations imply the "control or stopping of the fluctuations in the mind." So what does all this mean? What is the purpose of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga? An Indian teacher might say something like "To unite common soul with super soul." The wisdom of Sri Pattabhi Jois's statement "Do your practice and all is coming" always makes me smile. It is difficult to argue with these kinds of statements, but for the Western mind they do leave some room to wonder. Not all, but most people in the west discover yoga through the practice of asana or yoga postures. The yogic practices work quickly to make a person feel better. Kept up for any length of time Ashtanga Yoga will produce dramatic results in our bodies. After this there is a natural curiosity that leads us to look further into yoga. At this stage most people begin to read some of the classical literature about yoga and perhaps experiment with meditation and the various sitting practices. What does it mean to stop the fluctuations of the mind? Is this the same thing as contemplating one's navel??? Maybe! From my own experience, and from lengthy discussion with my teachers and students, I have concluded that it means creating an internal, mental and emotional environment that is happy and stable. This can only be done by taking a deep look into our selves, our lives, and our position in life. We have to determine what sort of views we are going to hold on life and the nature of the world, and what we want. No small task! Whatever grasp we have on these big questions, it will be challenged. But with no grasp at all, it is not possible to be on a firm foundation that does not fluctuate. That means we have to work on it. We have to cultivate our views on life and think deeply. By practicing the various yogic disciplines we can develop a stronger, more stable nervous system. We can also gain a more integrated, well thought out view of ourselves and what we want to do. Things are certain to happen in life that none of us are prepared for. In these moments we can see exactly what sort of spiritual practice we really have, and how much of it was only an idea. Efforts to create health and vitality in the body help us in ways that at first may be too subtle to perceive, but later this becomes very clear. Time spent improving our physical health, in meditation reflecting on ones feelings and impressions, controlling the unstable nature of the mind by cultivating the ability to concentrate- all of these things together can greatly improve our mental health and inner stability. Asana practice creates physiological changes which make the deeper, internal practices more accessible. With this vehicle we can reach the other stages. I have noticed that my teachers are all very strong people emotionally and psychologically. These are the people that I have admired the most in my life. They are not easily upset or thrown off balance. They are capable of controlling their emotions, yet at the same time humbly acknowledge that they are as human as anyone else, and maybe more so. Their lives are no less challenging than anyone else's. But they draw inner strength from their practice and meet life's challenges with courage, humor and a calm, gracious dignity. This inner composure is what I believe the scriptures are referring to as "controlling the fluctuations of the mind." It is not easily won and cannot be faked. At least not for very long! That sort of strength takes many years and a lot of life experience to develop. The way the world looks through our eyes has everything to do with how we are looking. The way the world responds to us and to our actions has to do with how we approach things, what we carry with us, and what our intentions are. Physical illnesses, negative thoughts like guilt, sadness, self pity and the results of our negative actions follow us around and darken our presence. This has a bad effect on everything and attracts misfortune. The effects of our positive thoughts, our practice, our joy, and efforts to evolve ourselves will shine through and have positive affects not only on us but everyone and everything around us as well. This balance of positive and negative thoughts, as well as actions, shapes the internal environment that we live in. It determines how we feel and what we attract to ourselves. When a person realizes this, not as a concept from a book, but as a personal conviction, it creates a great shift of interest. We start to wake up. We realize and become certain of the fact that what is going on inside of us creates what is happening outside of us, and not the other way around. The stronger, brighter and clearer we are, the better everything gets and the more fun life is. This leads us away from the material pursuits and toward inner work and simplicity. Kindness, humbleness and compassion emerge. These are the mark of a true spiritual aspirant. Money, possessions, fame, prestige, recognition, influence- all of these things may be enjoyed by us. However, if they are seen as the true goal in life then we miss the point and lose our way. Detachment, simplicity and inner peace go out the window as we reflect on our desire for material things and our discontentment with the present circumstance. Insecurity, greed and manipulation are sure to develop. All the teachings agree on this. Those sought after things will come and go as fate may determine, and according to our magnetism, or ability to attract them. The strength, stability and radiance inside each of us create this magnetic force that acts upon the world around us. To understand and make efforts to increase that inner strength is to become a yogi. It requires discipline and dedication. Then a hidden power and grace emanate from that personality. This has a positive and very powerful influence on the surroundings of that individual. Not every one can see that brightness right away, but it acts as a concrete force of nature none the less. Other spiritual people from all traditions can recognize it immediately. Life can be so beautiful if we cultivate the beauty. Yoga is a true effort to cultivate that beauty. In spite of our faults and failings, if we are making efforts to improve, then at least we know we are on the path. We live in difficult and intense times where mental health and inner peace are at an all time low. I believe these ancient practices offer a path to healing and happiness for anyone who has the strength to practice them. OM |
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