“Patañjali does not mention this once.
He also says that if a person thinks about Īśvara and its presence and omnipotence he will avoid problems and not get sick.
It sounds odd that such a practice will make you avoid sickness.
It means you will not suffer like others with the Antarāya (interventions).
You will reduce the obstacles, the suffering that accompany sickness.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Category Archives: Haṭha
Patañjali does not mention this once…….
I was taught a lot about Prāṇāyāma through my 121′s with……
I was taught a lot about Prāṇāyāma through my 121′s with Desikachar from 1979 to 2002.
These practices, unique to Yoga, were integrated right from my first lesson in Madras.
In its learning infancy as a consistent practice, it was taught as a skilful means, as an essential part of the preparation for Dhyānam, through affecting the Citta Guṇa.
Some decades later in its experiential maturity, I find it a skilful means for a re-union with and extension of Dhyānam.
The process of Cikitsa has two parts……
“The process of Cikitsa (Therapy) has two parts:
1. Rakṣaṇa (protection) Krama (sequence)
I am healthy and don’t want to be sick.
By not doing anything there will be no Rakṣaṇam.
For example Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 16: heyaṃ duḥkham-anāgatam
‘The suffering not yet come must be avoided.’
I’m alright now but I must be careful so I don’t get sick tomorrow.
This is Rakṣaṇa Krama.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in Āsana, Āyurveda, cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga, Yoga Articles
General outline on Cikitsa Krama……
“General outline on Cikitsa Krama.
More sophisticated than Śikṣaṇa Krama.
Already when you know an object it is seen differently by different people.
So when I offer a healing object it is seen as a cause of disease by others.
One mind can influence minds differently, because different minds receive things differently.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in Āyurveda, cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
We cannot say that this Āsana or this Prāṇāyāma can be given……
“We cannot say that this Āsana or this Prāṇāyāma can be given for this disease.”
- T Krishnamacharya 1984
Modern Yoga appears to be increasingly about being someone……
Also posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Paul Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
Modern Yoga appears to be increasingly about going somewhere……
Also posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Paul Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Yoga Bricolage
Is there an equivalent of “redemption” in the Yogic system?
Question:
Is there an equivalent of “redemption” in the Yogic system? Getting out of the trouble caused by Avidyā?
Response:
A complex question as all the major Religious traditions have different views as to what it is and how it works.
The word redemption is from the root ‘redimere’ to buy back. Being saved from sin, error or evil and protection from damnation or disgrace, eternal or temporary.
Continue ReadingAlso posted in Āsana, cYs Journal, Pauls Musings on Yoga Today, Prāṇāyāma, Yoga & Sāṃkhya, Yoga & the Bhagavad Gītā
The re-action of Tapas should lead you towards Svādhyāya……
“Svādhyāya -
Reflecting on our actions will tell us something about oneself.
The word means going toward oneself.
The re-action of Tapas should lead you towards Svādhyāya.
Also means study of texts.
For example Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā and Pūrṇa Matsyendrāsana.
Is the effect different from what it said will happen?
This leads to Svādhyāya and Anumāna or to a teacher.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, Āsana, cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Kriyā, Viniyoga, viniyoga of Yoga, Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two
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, 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, Krishnamacharya Quotations, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, Prāṇāyāma, viniyoga of Yoga
Patañjali has proposed 3 approaches to verify the indications……
Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two verse 1
tapaḥ svādhyāya-īśvara-praṇidhānāni kriyā-yogaḥ
“The activities of Yoga are self-discipline, self-study and respect for the divine.”
“Patañjali has proposed 3 approaches to verify the indications.
Tapas - Process of action
Food, Āsana, Prāṇāyāma.
You will be doing something that you will not be habitually doing.
For example one day no salt, cigarettes, Prāṇāyāma.
Tapas is from the root to create thirst.
It means to deprive.
It will tell us about ourselves.
It will reveal our Saṃskāra and Pariṇāma or changes in ourselves.
From this Tapas we will start to get an indication of our individual nature.
For example active or lazy.
Tapas indicates the the beginning of the Bheda, through the Bhāva.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983
Also posted in All Yoga Sūtra Posts, Āsana, Aṣṭāṅgā, cYs Journal, Desikachar Quotations, Kriyā, Prāṇāyāma, viniyoga of Yoga, Yoga Sūtra Chapter Two
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, 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, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, Pauls Daily Quotes Page, viniyoga of Yoga
T Krishnamacharya answers his students……
A selection of the questions asked over the years by his students, together with Krishnamacharya’s responses.
-.Originally published by the KYM Darśanam May 1994
After having seen the consequences of your action……
“After having seen the consequences of your action,
to think and then to jump,
not the other way round.”
- TKV Desikachar France 1983