Yoga: A Gem for Women - Yoga Sadhana - Method of Practice and Prerequisites

Yoga: A Gem for Women - Yoga Sadhana - Method of Practice and Prerequisites

 

In this next chapter Geeta gives many helpful prerequisites before your practice begins.

She begins with Mental Attitude.

 

One must understand that Yama and Niyama (universal and individual codes of conduct) come first.  Geeta writes, "the practice of asana and pranayama without these two prerequisites becomes merely a physical exercise and not a psychosomatic subject."  and that, "Without ethical discipline practice becomes meaningless, according to yoga texts."

Geeta writes how yama-niyama and asana-pranayama are like a railway track, running parallel.

Geeta advises us that we need not be afraid of this discipline as being impossible. 
With the cultivation of good habits and practice it comes.  No knowledge is gained instantly. 
Geeta also reminds us that yoga is not a hobby, not mere entertainment, but should be approached "seriously, with faith, enthusiasm, determination, keenness, courage, will and dedication."

This chapter, as all the others is full of helpful tips and hints and worth reading over.
Geeta writes about intelligence, ego and the mind.  One needs some humility in practice as an inflated ego can be a downfall in Yoga.

Geeta highlights about 30 tips or prerequisites in this chapter - here are just a few:
- learn to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy pain.
- do not move with an aggressive mind or by hardening the muscles
-aim at the quality of the asana, not the quantity
-be alert and watchful in every limb, as the entire body should be responsive to the asana

So through repetition comes understanding of the meaning and from there comes realization.
Geeta describes this as Karma, Jnana and Bhakti all merging into One.

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.blogspot.com

Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor



Spring Updates - 2017

I've been working on a few classes and workshops for the upcoming Spring.
Although they are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances I'm posting here today.

If you are interested in any of the classes or workshops please contact me to register or if you have any questions please feel free to contact me also.

Have a great weekend.
Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.blogspot.com

Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor

 

    

Yoga: A Gem for Women - Know your Body

 

Yoga: A Gem for Women - Know your Body

 

As we move into "Part Two - Practice" of A Gem for Women, the next chapter is called Know Your Body.  It is surprizing how little we often do know about our own bodies, often taking for granted that it will just do it's thing as we go about our day to day lives.  We are fortunate that for the most part it does do this.  But, like any machine with many systems it needs to be maintained and tuned.  This requires knowledge of not only each part, but how the parts interact with others and how each system interacts as a whole.

  

This requires spending time with ourselves, looking inward and becoming more and more aware of even the most subtle changes.  Foods that do or don't agree with us, sounds, shows, people...

It is something I wish I had started doing in my teens.  I realize now many things I put off and didn't listen to have manifested in imbalances in the body and mind that I am now learning how to deal with.


Geeta writes about how, according to Samkhya Yoga Philosophy the human body is made up of 25 components. These 25 components are affected by the action of the gunas (sattva, rajas and tamas) - light, action and inertia. The 25 components include the individual soul (purusa), nature (prakrti), intellect (buddhi), ego (ahamkara), mind (manas), 5 subtle elements (smell, touch, sound, taste, sight), 5 gross elements (earth, water, fire, air, ether), 5 sense organs (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, skin), 5 organs of action (feet, hands, speech, organs of generation and excretion).

Geeta writes also about the body in terms of Ayurveda in balancing the body.  The main idea I took away from the ancient systems was that equilibrium must be maintained or disease sets in.  The whole being from physical to spiritual must be balanced.

This chapter gives so much information regarding the workings of the body from the gross body to the internal body that it is important to read.  It is not so in depth that one won't understand, but makes clear how important the health of each cell is.

Geeta ends the chapter with, "When the body has been so magnificently and artistically created by God, it is only fitting that we should maintain it in good health and harmony by the most excellent and artistic science of Yoga."

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.blogspot.com








Yoga Classes Canceled today due to weather

Yoga Classes Canceled today due to weather.

Posting to let everyone know that I have canceled my yoga classes today due to the weather.

Take care and safe travels.

Pam

Yoga: A Gem for Women - Three Milestones in a Women's Life

Yoga: A Gem for Women - Three Milestones in a Women's Life

 

 

This last chapter before Part Two on Practice discusses the three important stages in a women's life.

Youth, middle age and old age - with youth is the beginning of menstruation, then pregnancy and delivery and lastly menopause as a woman reaches old age. It is another wonderful chapter to read as gives many helpful clues for women at every stage of her life.

 

Geeta writes, each milestone can have trying periods in a woman's life affecting her body and mind.

 

Many physical changes occur in a woman as they reach puberty so one needs to maintain a healthy body so the organs and glands can all function properly.

 

There is also an emotional shift during this time so yoga can help not just physically, but also to maintain a calm and balanced mind.

 

Geeta gives information about the many menstrual disorders that a woman may suffer from throughout her life. Yogic practice is a great help here and from other works I know Geeta has many recommendations to help women experiencing disruptions or problems with their menstrual cycles.

 

Pregnancy is a natural stage in many women's lives.  Geeta writes that it is essential for a pregnant woman to maintain her physical and mental well-being both for her sake and the sake of the child within.  Although caution must be practiced Geeta gives much great information on the benefits of yoga pre, during and post pregnancy. 

 

Menopause is the last stage, occurring anywhere from 40-50 years old.  As the ovaries stop functioning there is many changes again to a woman's life as menstruation ends. Once again this is both physical and physiological.

 

Geeta gives us hope - she writes, "Yoga is a gift for old age. One who takes to Yoga when old gains not only health and happiness but also freshness of mind, since yoga gives one a bright outlook on life.."

 

  "How useful Yoga is can only be understood by practicing it."

Geeta Iyengar

 

 

Namaste.

Pamela Nelson

www.plnyoga.blogspot.com



 

 



Yoga: A Gem for Women - Is Yoga Ideal for Women?

 

Yoga: A Gem for Women - Is Yoga Ideal for Women?

 

In Chapter VI, Geeta entitles the chapter as, "Is Yoga Ideal for Women?"
You may wonder how this chapter differs from when she asked in Chapter IV "if women were eligible for yoga? "

 

                   Let's find out...:)

But I'm sure you've already guessed the answer!

'Yoga", Geeta writes, "helps woman to fulfil her tasks as well as to maintain her completion, lustre, and femininity. She no longer needs cosmetics, as proper circulation makes her skin glow.  It is no exaggeration to say that yogic practices are ideally designed to help her in all conditions and circumstances of her daily life."

Geeta describes how yoga is an ideal exercise because it exercises the entire body and brings lightness to the body, ability to work and resistance from disease.
Yoga improves respiratory, circulatory, digestive, nervous, glandular, genito-urinary and eliminatory systems.

Geeta writes about the 5 sheaths or layers, which are Annamaya kosa (outer sheath), Pranamaya kosa (physiological body), Manomaya kosa(psychological body), Vijnanamaya kosa (intellectual sheath) and Anandamaya kosa (spiritual body and innermost sheath).

The sheath, like the 8 petals of yoga are all interdependent and interpenetrating.  Asana and Pranayama brings total attention to all the sheaths from the physical to the spiritual - and vice versa.

Geeta writes much more very interesting and inspiring things about yoga in this chapter. 
I love how she describes it as a special gift. I think sometimes we don't always remember this, but it is a gift that I feel very lucky to have found and incorporated into my life.

I hope you will give yourself the gift of yoga today!
Try a few poses like sirsasana, sarvangasana, halasana or setubandha sarvangasana - Geeta writes these poses supply fresh blood to the brain and keeps it alert, active and at the same time in a restful state.

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.blogspot.com