“īśvara Praṇidhānā – What is our attitude towards our own action?”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
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īśvara Praṇidhānā – What is our attitude towards our own action?
What is Yoga? – An interview with Paul Harvey on BBC Radio Bristol 1986.
What is Yoga?
- An interview with Paul Harvey on BBC Radio Bristol Feb 1986.
I. Yoga is often portrayed as sitting still perhaps in rather bizarre positions communicating with the depths of human relaxation and comprehension. How accurate a picture is that?
I am delighted to welcome to the Programme this afternoon Paul Harvey who among other things teaches Yoga at the Centre for Yoga Studies in Bath and at the Whiteladies Natural Health Clinic. You also, I think, have a couple of diplomas haven’t you?
PH. Yes I have though I feel that my main training has come not from diploma work but from the closer experience of studying and practising Yoga in India.
Download a copy of the interview as a PDF
Continue ReadingAlso posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Pauls Musings on Yoga Today, Prāṇāyāma, viniyoga of Yoga
Before launching on Antaraṅga Sādhana, one should be a Nistavān……
“Before launching on Antaraṅga Sādhana, one should be a Nistavān (a consistent expert) in Bahiraṅga Sādhana.
If this earlier stage is very well established, then only a teacher may teach Dhyāna.”
- T Krishnamacharya 1984
Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, Āsana, Aṣṭāṅgā, cYs Journal, Dhyānam, Haṭha, Krishnamacharya Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Prāṇāyāma, viniyoga of Yoga
Principles of Practice Planning according to the viniyoga of Yoga
Yoga Sūtra Chapter Three verse 6
tasya bhūmiṣu viniyogaḥ
“Its application is in stages.”
“The spirit of viniyoga is starting from where one finds oneself.
As everybody is different and changes from time to time, there can be no common starting point, and ready-made answers are useless.
The present situation must be examined and the habitually established status must be re-examined.”
- TKV Desikachar
Also posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Prāṇāyāma, viniyoga of Yoga
The mind can be perceived, and perceive in three ways……
“Pratyakṣa (through the senses) – Direct perception
In other words the object placed in front of you.
The senses help us in comprehending the object.
Anumāna (inference) – We don’t have all the information.
We have certain indications that allow us to complete the picture.
Anu – to follow.
From the part you can get the whole.
From the effect you get to the cause.
Āgamāḥ (authentic teachings) – No information directly.
Only information is from words
Some truth that has already existed.
We take the words and believe them as if we had seen it for ourselves.
For example God.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
So how do you find out these important facts?
“So how do you find out these important facts?
According to Patañjali (Yoga Sūtra C1 v7) an object which can be understood by the mind can be perceived in three ways.
Pratyakṣa (through the senses),
Anumāna (inference),
Āgamāḥ (authentic teachings).”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Saṅgabheda – Different individuals have different situations or social……
“Saṅgabheda -
Different individuals have different situations or social situation.
For example large family and small area for practice.
Depending on the Saṅga they are coming from we must respect the Sādhana.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
Serve Yoga and Yoga will serve you.
Serve Yoga and Yoga will serve you.
tat-artha eva-dṛśyasya-ātmā
“That purpose of the seen is indeed for our essence.”
Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 21
Manobhāva – Some people have capacity for great imagination……
“Manobhāva – Some people have capacity for great imagination, others just flat, no colour, no taste.
For example children making a drawing. Some use many colours, others use little colour or drawing.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in Āsana, Āyurveda, cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
Svabhāva (innate disposition) – Nature of a person……
“Svabhāva (innate disposition) – Nature of a person.
For example tendency to put on weight, liver problem, muscular pains for no reason, changes in temperature.
This is why Āyurveda divides humans into 3 types.
Approximately Pitta-Sattva, Kapha-Tamas, Vāta-Rajoguṇa.
We not only look at the physical structure, but also how food affects the individual.
Heavy in the morning, etc.
For example different children in the family affected by the same food differently.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in Āsana, Āyurveda, cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
One important thing is food……
“One important thing is food.
Different combinations have different effects on the body.
When we work with Āsana and Prāṇāyāma we need to consider which foods to take.
Your mind is according to your food.
The type of food you take influences your mind.
The subject is vast.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in Āsana, Āyurveda, cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Prāṇāyāma, viniyoga of Yoga
To give the right thing to the right person at the right time is Satviniyoga……
“To give the right thing to the right person at the right time is Satviniyoga.
Don’t look at the file, look at the student!”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
To give the right thing to the right person at the right time…
| Body | Deha Bheda | Vāyo | Age |
| Place | Deśa Bheda | Śakti | Strength, Will, Energy |
| Gender | Liṅga Bheda | Mārga | Direction based on one’s potentials |
| Time | Kāla Bheda | Vṛtti | Avocation responsibilities |
| Application of what we know having two directions: | |||
| Type | Bhava | Positive action towards something | |
| Abhava | Positive action to get away from something | ||
Also posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Prāṇāyāma, viniyoga of Yoga
Vṛttibheda – our job, profession, work……
“Vṛttibheda – our job, profession, work.
Vṛtti affects Sādhana because different Vṛtti affect different Sādhana – Architect, Priest, Gynaecologist.
Innumerable but grouped into simple categories.
They also have mental effects and must be respected.
Vṛtti also works with conscience.
so job and time must be respected.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
Mārgabheda – Direction one takes……
“Mārgabheda – Direction one takes.
For example – material benefits or,
Nāstika – don’t believe in God, nothing beyond what we can perceive or,
Anastika – not even blinking comes without the will of God.
Mārgabheda influences Sādhana very much.
This must be respected.
Otherwise something else other than your Mārga will be introduced as Yoga.
For example Hindu chanting at the beginning of Yoga seminars.
Or OM on visiting cards, brochures, etc.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
We must respect the practice involving the body…….
“We must respect the practice involving the body.
Deśabheda – Latitude, longtitude, or place at which a person is practicing or thinking.
Deśa means climate, food.
Liṅgabheda – The body of a man or a woman. Masculine or feminine.
Kālabheda – Seasons. Cold, humid, rain, heat.
To adapt the Sādhana according to the time of the year.
Certain texts say rituals, mantra according to season.
Āyurveda talks about season and food, season and medication, season and relaxation.
Vayabheda – Age influencing, young and impatient, old and patient.
Śaktibheda – Concerning strength of the individual.
Some are strong.
i.e. genetics of body and mind.
Memory, ability to grasp, sit and study.
i.e. some can sit and chant for hours or 15′.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in Āsana, Āyurveda, cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
What are the factors to consider in our teaching?
“What are the factors to consider in our teaching?
At least they should be made known to the student.
Dehabheda – tall, fat, lean, scoliosis, straight back.
Sādhana according to the physical characteristics.
Something which must be fed, otherwise it will destroy.
For example lumbar lordosis and deep back bends could cause problems.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in Āsana, Āyurveda, cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Haṭha, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
Q: How necessary is Yoga in these modern times?
Question to T Krishnamacharya:
Q: How necessary is Yoga in these modern times?
TK: For the strengthening of the Aṅga,
Yogāsana practiced with long inhalation and exhalation is important.
To reduce the disturbances of the mind,
to gain mental strength and to increase longevity,
Prāṇāyāma is necessary.
Also posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Krishnamacharya Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Prāṇāyāma, viniyoga of Yoga
Q: What must form an essential part of a person’s daily practice?
Question to T Krishnamacharya:
Q: What must form an essential part of a person’s daily practice?
TK: A minimum of ten minutes in Antaḥ Trātakam, Śanmukhīmudrā or Mahāmudrā
Also posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Krishnamacharya Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
The breath is the ultimate extension tool……
Also posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Paul Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Prāṇāyāma, viniyoga of Yoga
These five Kleśa surround the heart of every individual……
“These five Kleśa surround the heart of every individual.
They are related to the three Guṇa known as Sattva, Rajas and Tamas.
As long as one chooses not to inquire into the true nature of one’s self and acts mechanically,
they will unknowingly contribute to the dominance of the Kleśa.”
- Śrī T Krishnamacharya commentary to Yoga Sūtra C2 v3
Yet, whatever the advances in the medium of the manual, I feel as……
I am here deeply immersed these past few weeks with finalising and sorting out printing for 750 pages of Course, Yoga Sūtra and Chanting manuals for the next 3 year Practitioner Programme and 250 pages Course and Yoga Sūtra manuals for the next 2 year Postgraduate Programme, both starting over the next two weeks.
Within this I find myself reflecting back to my first Practitioner Training Programme in 1985.
This was a different story with introducing the use of handouts with typewriters, lots of Snopake (typing correction fluid) and photocopiers.
Now, nearly 3 decades later, I send a file to the printers at the push of a button and they produce a finished manual, good to go in 24 hours.
Yet, whatever the advances in the medium of the manual, I feel as inspired as ever with the message offered to me all those decades ago.
View or Download the Full syllabus for the cYs 3 year Practitioner Training Programme.
Also posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Pauls Musings on Yoga Today, viniyoga of Yoga
Yoga Practice offers the Soil……
Also posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Haṭha, Paul Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
īśvara Praṇidhānā – How do we take the fruit of our action?
“īśvara Praṇidhānā - How do we take the fruit of our action?”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983