The practice track that was done was a different kind of yoga by Deborah Fryer- less physical and more meditation based.
The class started with chanting a mantra with corresponding mudra then phased into was done to limber up the spine and lasted about 15 minutes. This was done to increase energy. Then we moved to the floor for 25 minutes of guided meditation that included visualization and various pranayama practices.
The philosophical elements were not overtly stated. This class served as a mental and spiritual realignment- an increase in frequency and pattern of energy.
The philosophical elements of this practiced supported the practice by increasing awareness and enhancing energy...it was awesome
Monday, December 1, 2008
Yoga Practice Track: Class 5
The practice for the day was Ashtanga Yoga-often known as the more intense form of yoga. The goals of the practice
Class commenced with sun salutations to warm the body. After a seriesof these we moved through the standing postures in preparation for the sitting postures- all while concentrating on the breath.
Jessica reminded the class to surrender to the postures, not to force the muscles to a stretch as this often leads to resistance. She also reminded the class to focus on our own abilities and no one else's. This was really just an indirect reminder to keep our eyes in check to prevent any injuries.
Some elements of philosophy included in the practice were prana and pranayama. These elements seemed to support the practice by stressing breath as the life force and emphasized its importance in the practice.
The philosophical elements of this form of Hatha Yoga really supported the practice. Because this form of yoga is so intense and demanding it was helpful to have philosphical elements to push through the physical part.
Class commenced with sun salutations to warm the body. After a seriesof these we moved through the standing postures in preparation for the sitting postures- all while concentrating on the breath.
Jessica reminded the class to surrender to the postures, not to force the muscles to a stretch as this often leads to resistance. She also reminded the class to focus on our own abilities and no one else's. This was really just an indirect reminder to keep our eyes in check to prevent any injuries.
Some elements of philosophy included in the practice were prana and pranayama. These elements seemed to support the practice by stressing breath as the life force and emphasized its importance in the practice.
The philosophical elements of this form of Hatha Yoga really supported the practice. Because this form of yoga is so intense and demanding it was helpful to have philosphical elements to push through the physical part.
Yoga Practice Track: Class 4
The practice done was Bikram Yoga. Bikram practice maintains continuity so really the same postures and elements were used every Bikram track.
Again, Bikram Yoga is a form of Hatha Yoga that incorporates heat with the asanas as a cleansing and healing agent.
The goal of the practice is the cleansing of the body in preparation for self-transcendence.
Pranayama was emphasized throughout the practice. Jessica (the instructor) reminded us that pranayama is what distinguishes yoga from common calisthenics.
Stillness was also emphasized in class. The practice room is a quiet room where shoes and other belongings are prohibited.
As in every Bikram session, we closed the class with a purificatory technique- "Breath of Fire".
The philosophical elements really enhanced the practice. The heat, pranayama, and stillness were constant reminders that we were not simply there to exercise- we were there to practice yoga and meditate to find our higher being.
Again, Bikram Yoga is a form of Hatha Yoga that incorporates heat with the asanas as a cleansing and healing agent.
The goal of the practice is the cleansing of the body in preparation for self-transcendence.
Pranayama was emphasized throughout the practice. Jessica (the instructor) reminded us that pranayama is what distinguishes yoga from common calisthenics.
Stillness was also emphasized in class. The practice room is a quiet room where shoes and other belongings are prohibited.
As in every Bikram session, we closed the class with a purificatory technique- "Breath of Fire".
The philosophical elements really enhanced the practice. The heat, pranayama, and stillness were constant reminders that we were not simply there to exercise- we were there to practice yoga and meditate to find our higher being.
Yoga Practice Track: Class 3
The practice that I participated in at class today was Kundalini Yoga. Kundalini or "coiled one" is the serpent power which lies dormant in the lowest psycho energetic center of the body. The awakening of this serpent power is the central goal of Tantrism and Hatha Yoga.
Harmony and energy flow were emphasized in this practice. We began the class by chanting a mantra using the abhaya mudra and sitting in easy pose, arms over head hugging our ears, and hands in prayer with thumbs crossed. The mudra was Sat Naam. On "Sat" we inhales and drew in our stomachs so our navel would touch our spines (or as close as they could get). On Naam we exhaled and relaxed the stomach.
We then proceded with Kundalini yoga and then ended the class with another Kriya.
The kriya started with sitting in easy pose and the Gyan mudra. We chanted "Saa, Taa, Naa, Maa" and fost each word touched the next finger to the thumb. We started out out loud, then went to a whisper, then silently,back to a whisper, and back to out loud.
The philosophical elements were stated to be the repatterning of energy and frequency as well as pranayama. This supported the practice by giving meaning to the mantras, kriyas, and mudras- thus, enhancing the experience.
Harmony and energy flow were emphasized in this practice. We began the class by chanting a mantra using the abhaya mudra and sitting in easy pose, arms over head hugging our ears, and hands in prayer with thumbs crossed. The mudra was Sat Naam. On "Sat" we inhales and drew in our stomachs so our navel would touch our spines (or as close as they could get). On Naam we exhaled and relaxed the stomach.
We then proceded with Kundalini yoga and then ended the class with another Kriya.
The kriya started with sitting in easy pose and the Gyan mudra. We chanted "Saa, Taa, Naa, Maa" and fost each word touched the next finger to the thumb. We started out out loud, then went to a whisper, then silently,back to a whisper, and back to out loud.
The philosophical elements were stated to be the repatterning of energy and frequency as well as pranayama. This supported the practice by giving meaning to the mantras, kriyas, and mudras- thus, enhancing the experience.
Yoga Practice Track: Class 2
The practice I participated in was Bikram Yoga. Bikram Yoga is a practice of yoga that incorporates heat (a room heated to about 100-105 degrees) as a cleansing and healing agent.
The goal of this practice is cleansing of the body. The elevation of room temperature aids in the release of impuritites by sweating and pranayama. Bikram yoga is concerned with physical and energetic purification and training. Its goal is to bring the body and mind into a perfect state of health through a series of physical postures and breathing exercises.
The class started with a deep breathing exercise to warm the body. Hands were interlaced under the chin; as a deep inhalation began the elbows opened to the top of the head while the head tilted back. This is done as a toxin release.
Pranayama was emphasized throughout the practice to emphasize that class as more than a mere physical exercise.
The class closed with the purificatory technique "Breath of Fire" (relating to fire) as an inner cleansing. The philosophical elements supported and added to the practice by emphasizing the need to cleanse the body of impurities and change of energy in order to attain enlightenment.
The goal of this practice is cleansing of the body. The elevation of room temperature aids in the release of impuritites by sweating and pranayama. Bikram yoga is concerned with physical and energetic purification and training. Its goal is to bring the body and mind into a perfect state of health through a series of physical postures and breathing exercises.
The class started with a deep breathing exercise to warm the body. Hands were interlaced under the chin; as a deep inhalation began the elbows opened to the top of the head while the head tilted back. This is done as a toxin release.
Pranayama was emphasized throughout the practice to emphasize that class as more than a mere physical exercise.
The class closed with the purificatory technique "Breath of Fire" (relating to fire) as an inner cleansing. The philosophical elements supported and added to the practice by emphasizing the need to cleanse the body of impurities and change of energy in order to attain enlightenment.
Yoga Practice Track: Class 1
Ashtanga Yoga was the form of Hatha Yoga practiced today. The goals of this practice are, ideally, are to transcend the ego and find realization of the true self. As well as develop the body's potential to withstand transcendental realization.
The goals of the practice stated in the class did not overtly indicate that self transcendence was the goal. However, it was indirectly stated that without coordination of the breath with the postures yoga was just another exercise.
The elements of yoga philosophy that were made part of the practice instructions were pranayama (breath control) and prana (life force). These two elements supported the practice by emphasizing the philosophy over the actual practice. The incorporation of these made the experience more of a personal endeavor rather than just another exercise class.
My instructor also emphasized the concept of stillness and quieting the mind. The room practiced in is a "Quiet Room". Shoes and other belongings are left in a neighboring room to ensure this.
The goals of the practice stated in the class did not overtly indicate that self transcendence was the goal. However, it was indirectly stated that without coordination of the breath with the postures yoga was just another exercise.
The elements of yoga philosophy that were made part of the practice instructions were pranayama (breath control) and prana (life force). These two elements supported the practice by emphasizing the philosophy over the actual practice. The incorporation of these made the experience more of a personal endeavor rather than just another exercise class.
My instructor also emphasized the concept of stillness and quieting the mind. The room practiced in is a "Quiet Room". Shoes and other belongings are left in a neighboring room to ensure this.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Sadhana Yoga: 4th class
It was a great night for Astanga Yoga! With this time change and cooler weather, meditation at the end of class was exactly what I needed! In the evening the studio really sets the mood for yoga, its great. So great that it made me forget about all the homework and chores I had waiting for me at home- so peaceful.
This time, I settled very gently into every pose and took in the yoga readings for the day as I moved through the postures. I achieved some new poses and progressed to binding and more advanced stages. I didn't resist tension this time, just surrendered to it, breathed deeply and put myself in a higher state of being. Lots of progress in todays class. Jessica has always said to surrender to the tension, not to fight it and I never quite understood what was meant by that until today.
Meditation at the end of class yielded a completely peaceful me...so peaceful that I didn't even get mad after class when I went to start my car and found that it was not working...
This time, I settled very gently into every pose and took in the yoga readings for the day as I moved through the postures. I achieved some new poses and progressed to binding and more advanced stages. I didn't resist tension this time, just surrendered to it, breathed deeply and put myself in a higher state of being. Lots of progress in todays class. Jessica has always said to surrender to the tension, not to fight it and I never quite understood what was meant by that until today.
Meditation at the end of class yielded a completely peaceful me...so peaceful that I didn't even get mad after class when I went to start my car and found that it was not working...
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