Prashnayantra Statement - February 23, 2024

Today's Statement:

Establish a breath cycle, and do/pace all actions and corrections so that the breath cycle remains absolutely undisturbed

Some Thoughts and Hints:

• When initially trying this approach, it is best to establish a breath cycle, in terms of its region, duration and volume, that is conducive for that particular asana. For example, some difficult asanas may have a shorter duration breath more natural to them. Hence working in this mode also improves the skill of knowing the suitable breath cycle upfront.

For this statement we will explore a few classes of asana.  I would like to do this one again and investigate a few others. Maybe you can explore a deeper twist and see if you can keep the breath absolutely undisturbed.

You tube Link: https://youtu.be/OvCh0q1_Xx0

Message me with your feedback about the statement we worked on today.  

Thank you,

Pam 

You can sign up to receive the emails too: can sign up for emails or view more problem statements here: http://prashnayantra.appspot.com

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Information about the statement generator:

Srineet Sridharan is the grandson of B.K.S. Iyengar and the creator of the statement generator. Below he writes more about this.

About Prashnayantra: A Yogasana Problem Statement Generator

23 Feb 2014

Beginners focus on learning how to do asanas, and improving their poses over time. At some point however, you need to go beyond this, and slowly embark on a study of yogic principles. This project auto-generates problem statements that are intended to help in this journey.

These problem statements are based primarily on classes conducted in the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute, Pune, and particularly from attending classes conducted by Prashant Iyengar.

Stepping into the ladder towards yogic principles, I would say that the level of problem statements generated here is still near the initial steps. There are higher, subtler principles and lessons that go beyond those addressed in the problem statements here. For example, Prana-kriya, Chakra-kriya, Pranayama etc. are not covered here.

The problem statements generated here will make most sense to those who attend the classes cited above. While others may yet benefit from them, they may not be able to appreciate them in the same sense. This unfortunately, is true of any somewhat specialized subject that has not yet built a formal widely-accepted jargon, but has developed specific terms used by teachers. At this point, I do not aim to provide an explanation of each of the problem statements, and nor am I fully equipped to do that.

How to Use

Those that attend the classes will realize that the problem statements generated here have tremendous potential to raise the level of students who use them in their practices. This project may help students get a grip on the many topics, paradigms and principles covered informally in classes, but that slip away from their minds over time.

Teachers may use these problem statements for their own study from a teaching point of view, or even just to help come up with a topic to cover in their next class.

Classes could use this to put up on a " Thought for the Week " type notice board.

It'd be great to have a community of students that work on these problem statements, share their notes, and learn together. Maybe an online community too.

This Project

Other than just being somewhat fun and interesting, I believe there is value in this project in that, the listing and systemetization of various informally taught, but as yet uncataloged, lessons and principles, in the form of the grammar used to generate the problem statements.

Caveats

Some auto-generated problem statements may seem non-sensical. The fault lies entirely with me (I probably let something slip through to simplify the grammar). At the same time, what may sound non-sensical to one, may well be deep and insightful to a more penetrating mind...

Terms of Use

The terms of use for this project, when using the generator or the problem statements generated by it, are along the lines of Creative Commons with Attribution. So feel free to use the site and the problem statements as you please; just acknowledge this site Prashnayantra as the source of the statements.

About the Author

I am the grandson of B.K.S. Iyengar, son of his daughter Vanita, and nephew of Geeta and Prashant Iyengar. I live in Pune with my wife Mugdha and daughter Deeksha.

Contact

Will be very happy to hear from you. Please send me an email

Copyright © 2014 Srineet Sridharan

Prashnayantra: Exploring Prasarita Padottanasana

 

Prashnayantra is a yogaasana problem statement generator 

You can sign up for emails or view more problem statements here: http://prashnayantra.appspot.com

Today's Statement:

As you do Prasarita Padottanasana, have organic body and skeleto-muscular body, work with each other in a give and take fashion, as though they are trading and negotiating with each other for mutual benefit.  Understand this approach to experiencing an asana.

YouTube - https://youtu.be/RyANqrCSuT8?si=bzUyjnyKqasGp5jf

Message me with your feedback about the statement we worked on today.  Sorry the video is cut a bit short as someone showed up at my door while I was recording :)

Thank you,

Pam 

Srineet Sridharan is the grandson of B.K.S. Iyengar and the creator of the statement generator. Below he writes more about this.

About Prashnayantra: A Yogasana Problem Statement Generator

23 Feb 2014

Beginners focus on learning how to do asanas, and improving their poses over time. At some point however, you need to go beyond this, and slowly embark on a study of yogic principles. This project auto-generates problem statements that are intended to help in this journey.

These problem statements are based primarily on classes conducted in the Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute, Pune, and particularly from attending classes conducted by Prashant Iyengar.

Stepping into the ladder towards yogic principles, I would say that the level of problem statements generated here is still near the initial steps. There are higher, subtler principles and lessons that go beyond those addressed in the problem statements here. For example, Prana-kriya, Chakra-kriya, Pranayama etc. are not covered here.

The problem statements generated here will make most sense to those who attend the classes cited above. While others may yet benefit from them, they may not be able to appreciate them in the same sense. This unfortunately, is true of any somewhat specialized subject that has not yet built a formal widely-accepted jargon, but has developed specific terms used by teachers. At this point, I do not aim to provide an explanation of each of the problem statements, and nor am I fully equipped to do that.

How to Use

Those that attend the classes will realize that the problem statements generated here have tremendous potential to raise the level of students who use them in their practices. This project may help students get a grip on the many topics, paradigms and principles covered informally in classes, but that slip away from their minds over time.

Teachers may use these problem statements for their own study from a teaching point of view, or even just to help come up with a topic to cover in their next class.

Classes could use this to put up on a " Thought for the Week " type notice board.

It'd be great to have a community of students that work on these problem statements, share their notes, and learn together. Maybe an online community too.

This Project

Other than just being somewhat fun and interesting, I believe there is value in this project in that, the listing and systemetization of various informally taught, but as yet uncataloged, lessons and principles, in the form of the grammar used to generate the problem statements.

Caveats

Some auto-generated problem statements may seem non-sensical. The fault lies entirely with me (I probably let something slip through to simplify the grammar). At the same time, what may sound non-sensical to one, may well be deep and insightful to a more penetrating mind...

Terms of Use

The terms of use for this project, when using the generator or the problem statements generated by it, are along the lines of Creative Commons with Attribution. So feel free to use the site and the problem statements as you please; just acknowledge this site Prashnayantra as the source of the statements.

About the Author

I am the grandson of B.K.S. Iyengar, son of his daughter Vanita, and nephew of Geeta and Prashant Iyengar. I live in Pune with my wife Mugdha and daughter Deeksha.

Contact

Will be very happy to hear from you. Please send me an email

Copyright © 2014 Srineet Sridharan

Monday Mornings in MARCH and More!

 

Monday mornings - online

Monday Mornings in March Join me online Monday mornings in March. Class will be live from 10:00 - 11:15 a.m. A recording will be sent after for those that can not attend the live class or would like to do the class again. Please pre-register by emailing Pam Plnyogastudio@gmail.com

Email Pam

Tuesday evenings - Christopher Lake

In-person classes continue until the end of March in Christopher Lake at the Anderson Community Centre. Punch cards are available from Pam or Carmen. Classes time: 6:30-7:45 pm

Email Pam

Wednesday evenings - Prince Albert

Join me for in-person classes at the Margo Fournier Centre in Prince Albert starting March 20th. Adult and Teen classes!

Email Pam

Coming to my blog…

Coming to my blog will be more content.  Pose of the month, small sequences, and something I have enjoyed exploring is Prashnayantra.  These are autogenerated sayings of Prashant Iyengar”s to explore in your own practice. Watch for the first one to be posted Monday, February 19th Hope to see you soon! Pam 🦋

View in browser:  

https://us4.campaign-archive.com/?e=0ada985795&u=e5cb4d358fbb8e8b27b432131&id=9d93e9c180

REPOST - Triang Mukakapada paschimottanasana

 Reposted on Feb from July 2011

Hello, 

Reposting this post of the month as the images did not seem to be displaying properly.

Watch for a NEW February pose of the month coming soon!

Thank you!

Pam 

This pose is a combination of Virasana (heros pose), Dandasana (staff pose) and Paschimottanasana (forward bend).  In YOGA: The Path to Holistic Healing, by B.K.S. Iyengar, he says that the literal meaning of trianga is "three parts of the body".  So, in this pose, the three parts of the body are the buttocks, knees and feet.  Please remember that the instructions given are only a general guideline.

Above are possible props you may need to attain correct alignment in this pose.  I also forgot to include a bolster in the picture..so it should be there too!

Begin in Dandasana (staff pose).  Make sure both sitting bones are pressing evenly into the floor.  The legs extend out and press out through heels.  Keep the knees pointing up to the ceiling and engage the thigh muscles.  The thigh bones press down to the floor.  From the base of the spine, lengthen up the spine, keeping the crown of the head parallel to the ceiling and the shoulders moving back and down away from the ears.  The throat, eyes and abdomen should be soft.  If you are not able to sit on the floor with the legs straight or the back straight place some height under the buttocks.

Bend the right knee and bring the right foot back beside the right outer hip.  Use your hand to cut the calf muscle in half and roll the outer side out, giving more space behind the knee.  While the left leg remains straight, kneecap pointing up to the ceiling, the thighs should remain parallel.  Ground both sitting bones.

If the sitting bones are both grounding evenly the hips should look even and be parallel.

If both sitting bones are not pressing evenly to the floor and the hip on the bent knee side
lifts up place height under the sitting bone of the straight leg.

The height, whether foam blocks, a bolster or blanket should only go under the buttock of the straight leg.

Keep a strap handy by..and then inhale and raise the arms up overhead.  Lengthen from the hips to the fingertips so both sides of the torso lengthens evenly.  The shoulders move down and back.

On the exhalation, reaching for the extended foot, keep the spine concave.  If you cannot reach the foot without rounding the back take hold of the strap around the foot.

Coming into the forward bend, the bend should come from the hip crease, not the abdomen.  Press into the bent leg shin and the back of the straight leg and as you exhale again, allow the abdomen to soften inward toward the spine and release forward as if you were trying to hook the ribs over the knee.  Keep the shoulder blades moving down and into the body.  If the hand can reach the foot release the forehead towards the knee or shin.  Draw the elbows out to the side in line with the shoulders and keep the breastbone lifting up.  Gently roll the right ribs towards the left.  If it feels like you are rolling to one side use more height.

 If the hamstring muscles at the back of the leg are very tight and the shoulders are tight stay at the concave back stage for awhile.

If the forehead does not quite reach the shin without straining the back of the neck place a bolster horizontally across the shin and rest the forehead on the bolster.  The bolster also helps support the elbows, allowing the upper back muscles to relax and release down.


The next three pictures are even more variations if you find it difficult to reach the shin or bolster across the shin.

Place a chair on the mat in front of you and reach the arms up the back seat of the chair to the point where the shoulders can release back and down and the forehead can rest easily.

Rest a bolster against the chair.

Or rest the bolster on the chair.

In all the variations, with or without support under the hip make sure that the legs remain active.  Keep the outer thigh of the straight leg rolling in, kneecap up, press out through heel.  Press into bent leg shin.  That action will help keep the spine lengthening up from the base of the spine.


 Side view: If you are sitting up on height and feel any strain at the back of the knee or hyper-extend the knee place a rolled blanket or towel under the knee.

Top view:  Place the blanket only under the straight leg. 

Benefits: Tones and simulates circulation in the pelvis and abdominal organs, helps with digestion and tones the liver helping with the effects of excess bile secretion, reduces flatulence and constipation, brings flexibility to knee joint and helps make the body supple and agile and helps to correct dropped arches and flat feet.  This pose is also calming to the nervous system.

Cautions: If have a lower back injury only practice the concave back stage.  Don't let torso twist or lean to the outer side of straight leg so spine and abdominal organs are not strained.  If have a knee issue do not do without help and support.  Also avoid during menstruation if have ovarian cysts, endometriosis, fibroids or migraine headache.

Enjoy the benefits of this pose!

Namaste!

Pamela Nelson

http://www.plnyoga.blogspot.com