Asanic Laboratory

Prashant Iyengar, the son of B.K.S. Iyengar wrote a small book called, Classwork Book - 1 - Precepts, Concepts, Schemes, Themes and Perspectives in Asana and Pranayama. This post is based on Class 2.

Asanic Laboratory

Prashant writes that,”A creative physical culturing can carry out lab activity or experimentation in the ” doing-realm” of asanas, considering those as postures and corporeal negotiations.”

We tend to experiment more on how can we do more or do a better posture so that the physical postures are taken to be more “doing endeavors”.  This would be a more physical culture endeavor.

Classically, Prashant writes, “Yog and even asanas as yogasanas, are knowledge-processes and wisdom-processes. Asanas are executed by an inter-activity agency for a very internal purpose.”

Therefore, experimentations should delve more into how one can have more and better emotional and intellectual sensitivity or how one can have better comprehension and understanding.  

Prashant explains that it is more important to ask, how can I “know” better, than just “do” better.

He writes, “This will evolve various styluses of knowledge process, observation process, sensitivity process, emotional process, intellectual process, “I”-ness process, thought process, analytical process, synthesis process and so on.  This turns out wisdom for conduct of life.  The problems of life are less solved by material means and more by wisdom (spiritual) means.”

Try in your own laboratory setting. Here is one of the Prashnayantra Problem Statements that might be an ideal place to start.

The statement is: 

Do Viparita Karani. Then follow that by various Twisting.  Now come back and do your original asana.  Observe how your asana this time is different from how you did it originally, and identify the influence of the intervening asanas, on your experience of doing that asana in the end.

Let me know your experience.

In peace,

Pam 

Asana are Structured by Vidhi and Vritti

 

Asana are Structured by Vidhi and Vritti

Prashant Iyengar, the son of B.K.S. Iyengar wrote a small book called, Classwork Book - 1 - Precepts, Concepts, Schemes, Themes and Perspectives in Asana and Pranayama. This post is based from Class 1 - Asanas are Structured by Vidhi and Vritti.

First what is the meaning of Vidhi?  It can have a few definitions, but some are, "rule", or "command'.  A set of rules for good behavior which is considered right and important by the majority of people for moral, religious or emotional reasons.  The Puranas say it is a statement that induces one to act.

Vritti means stream of consciousness, a whirlpool where thoughts surface in the mind.  In yoga there are 5 specifically defined movements of thoughts that can both help or hinder the sadhaka.  

They are:

• Pramana - right knowledge
• Viparayaya - misconception
• Vikalpa - inagination or feeling
• Nidra - deep sleep
• Smriti - memory

In the yoga sutras of patanjali, sutra 1.2 - yogas chitta vritti nirodha is often translated as, yoga is the stilling or controlling of the modifications or fluctuations of the mind.  

How do we control this whirlpool mind?   Through asana, pranayama and meditation

Prashant writes:

Asanas have a technical mode and process.  Teachers stress on demonstrating those and articulating those, to form sets of instructions. In popular and physical-cultured yogic postures, the bio-mechanics becomes greatly important.

The technical mode and process is the "vidhi" of asanas. 

These vidhis change from uninitiated students to neophytes to familiar ones to proficient ones and masters.  The technical process has basically two aspects, the objective (standard mode) and the subjective (customized mode).

What Prashant is saying is that how the asana is done by instructions give is the objective aspect, they are universal and standard, where everyone does an asana one way.  It is the rule or command of the asana.  

But, to this there must also be personal subjective considerations to be made depending on one's level of understanding, one's stage in life, condition in life, state of the body and mind, and any chronic or acute conditions of the body and mind.  They will change form person to person and from time to time. Prashant says, "One's ability, capacity, capability and needs required are to be considered."

So the Vidhi or process and procedure, are built up on the two factors of objective and subjective considerations. An example might be how one person might be in utthita trikonasana (triangle pose) using a chair for support and another is not using a chair.  They both may be using the same instructions, but what is required is different for each individual. In saying this the person using the chair may be a more experienced and proficient practitioner and the other a raw beginner. 

As we move to the Vritti in yoga, Prashant writes:

The "vritti" in asana is the mindset, mind-profile, attitudes nd the pronoun "I" conditions.  The given vritti of an individual can be, and more often is, varying and heterogeneous.  However, the compass of the mindset must be pointing at tranquility, neutrality, sublimity, placidity, passivity, purity, piety, sanctity, virginity, nobility, etc.

 The vritti generally depends on the calibre of the chitta, or mindset and can have objective and subjective aspects.  One can have different mindsets depending on if a beginner or more proficient practitioner.  There are different mindsets due to the pathology of one's psyche and consciouness at a given point in time.  It will change also depending on if one is attempting an asana, doing an asana, studying an asana, performing an asana, exploring as asana, experimenting in an asana, etc.

In your practice try to notice your mindset in different stages of asana, the time of day, week and even season.

This post is my understanding of Prashant's writing of Class 1. 

Om peace,

Pam 

 

 

 

Yoga in Action - Moving from Beginner to Intermediate

 

Students of yoga often wonder when they might be ready to move into the intermediate class.  

In the beginning, the practice forms the foundation.  So in yoga, a strong, steady and stable foundation is required to proceed in yoga. It forms the basis to move into the next, or intermediate stage.  

One cannot neglect the practice of yoga that was done in the past as it creates the freedom of the body and mind to proceed. The beginner practice is a prerequisite.

Geeta Iyengar writes in Yoga in Action, "Performing the asana-s is one aspect of sadhana, but to understand one's own body, breath and mind through the practice is another aspect."

She writes, "Sometimes we limit the freedom of the body movements because of fear and/or pain or we attempt to break the limits using will power in the wrong way, resulting in injury.  When the body is unprepared, both approaches are wrong."

In over 20 years of teaching, I have seen many people hinder themselves in their practice because the physical may not be like the 'photos', and I have seen those that seem very adept at the poses hinder themselves thinking they are much further along the path because they look closer to the 'photos'.  I have been guilty of this myself in my own practice at times. We must learn that asana is a process to look into oneself and that every action has its effect somewhere, which has to be searched and noticed. 

I think it is good to question whether or not one is ready to move into a more intermediate class or not.  The fact you are questioning means you have taken time to consider some points, to look at your reason why.  Is it ego or are you prepared.  Whatever you do, set an intention, do the practice and see what happens.  If you are a more intermediate student, stepping back to the beginner stage can teach us even more about ourselves and our tendencies.  Have you been doing just what you like, have you created some bad habits?  

As Jack Kornfield says,"The goal of practice is always to keep the beginner's mind."

Om Shanti, shanti, shanti,

Pam 

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Interested in classes? Please email me for more class information.

plnyogastudio@gmail.com

Fall Classes - Where the Mind Goes

 Hello!

I hope summer has been a time to relax and enjoy the warm weather, family and friends.

I haven't posted in awhile, but hope to more this fall.

I did want to post my upcoming fall classes.  I have been preparing classes with the theme of Where the Mind Goes.  Classes will be an exploration into the mind and how to let go of the chatter of the mind.

I also would love to lead a fall or winter retreat.  If you know of any great venues please share them with me.  I am on the look out for that perfect spot and hope you can join!

If you are interested in any of my online or in-person classes please let me know.  The details are in the posters below.

Thank you and hope to see you soon.

Om Shanti,

Pam

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Where the Mind Goes The theme of classes this fall is “Where the Mind Goes”.  We will explore concepts of the mind through body and breath awareness.  I hope you will join me either for the online session or in person in Christopher Lake or Prince Albert.  I will be teaching a live online class Monday mornings from 9-10:15 a.m.  The recording will be provided after, along with access to my full online library from the past 4 years. I will also have an in-person class Monday at noon in Prince Albert and Tuesday evenings in Christopher Lake.   Please see the posters below and message me for further details or to register. I would also greatly appreciate if you share the posters with anyone else you think might be interested. I look forward to seeing you soon and hope you have had a nice summer so far.  Still some summer left to enjoy! Peace and joy, Pam 🪷

Email Pam

Online live classes with recording, plus access to my full playlist of classes from the past 4 years.  Enjoy yoga at anytime from your home or wherever you might be! Please register early so I know if have enough interest to run the session.

Noon yoga Monday mornings at the Margo Fournier Centre (formerly the P.A Arts Centre).  5 classes in each session.  There is a slight error on the poster as I am away October 7th also.  Please message if have questions, but registration can be done at the Arts Centre or online through the City of Prince Albert.  Please register early!

Tuesday evening classes will continue this fall through CPL Rec. Classes are by punchcard which can be picked up through Carmen at CPL Rec office or me. Although registration is not required it would be great to get an idea of how many are interested.  Please message me if you hope to join.  Thank you!🙏

Email Pam

Summer In-Person Yoga Clases

 

I am happy to say that I will be teaching a Summer Yoga Session at the Anderson Community Centre in Chirstopher Lake starting July 8th.  The class will be on Monday mornings from 9-10:15 a.m.

Please pre-register and bring a mat.

Hope to see you soon.  Summer is a great time to start or nurture your yoga practice.  

Please email me at plnyogastudio@gmail.com or CPL Rec at cplrec@sasktel.net to register or for more informatin.

Thank you!
Pam 

Summer Yoga Class Special - Online Library

 

Happy Solstice!!!  

The longest day of the year and the official start of summer.

Although summer is a busy time, it is also a great time to build a consistent yoga routine.

I am offering a great summer special for July and August!

I am opening up my online library of classes from the past 4 years and creating a summer YouTube playlist that will be available to you on June 30th and stay available to you until September 15th.

There will be a multitude of All Level, Iyengar Flow and Restorative classes to chose from, as well as some new shorter classes that I will add this summer. 

A super great deal with a great summer price:

Only $80 for unlimited classes

(that's less than $10 a week for the summer)

Please contact me at: plnyogastudio@gmail.com to register or for more information.

Thank you,

Pam