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Many people think that asanas work at the level of the muscles to get more flexibility and strength. But there is much more to asana practice than this. The yogic texts talk about the benefits of asanas at the level of the Prana to heal various conditions of the body and the mind. In this workshop, we will study the following aspects of asanas as outlined in the classical yogic texts and taught in traditional yoga practices like the Ashtanga Vinyasa school of practice:
Prana
Agni, the body's fire
Bandhas
The Ujjayi breath
Mudras -Pressing against various parts of the body to channel energies and evoke certain mental states
Mind states. (Hlada) -Refined pleasure not of the senses
We will practice some simple asanas from the half-primary series of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga (There will be no wrestling in Marichiasana-D, that is promised). You can adjust the asanas to suit your body needs. Emphasis will be placed on breath, bandhas and the body sensations that arise and not on the final form. The first rule of yoga - Ahimsa - will always be emphazied. All levels of yoga practitioners are welcome. The class will be interactive with stories and connections established between the yoga sutras and the asana practice.
Yoga Sutra 2.47 states that:
प्रयत्नशैथिल्यानन्त्यसमापत्तिभ्याम्॥४७॥ prayatna-śaithilya-ananta-samāpatti-bhyām ॥47॥
Right Effort followed by meditation results in infintie bliss. We shall, therefore, end the class with a 15 minute meditation to experience deep states of mental stillness after settling the body.
Duration: 2 hours of asana practice
Focus and purpose of the asanas in this class :
The intent of the asanas in this class is to tune in to the body and discover what is there to be discovered and not to achieve picture perfect poses. The asanas will not be very complex and modifications can be used.
Location, dates and time: Saturday June 14, 2024. 4pm-6pm PST
Hybrid (online and in-person) at Asta Yoga, 417, 14th street, San Francisco, CA
Cost: $25-$35 sliding scale
Registration links
In-Person Class: Available soon
Online Class: Available soon
(For now, please email me and a link shall be sent to you once the information is on the website)
References:
1) Your most valuable possessions for Yoga -Agni and Prana
2) Practical Implications of seemingly esoteric yogic concepts like Agni and Prana
3) Prowess in Poses: The secrets that they do not tell you
4) Bandha- The Great Protector in Asana Practice
5) Mindfulness (Smriti): Tapping into the body's memory in asana practice
6) The difference between Hot Yoga and Hatha Yoga
7) Breath, Bandha and Agni(Fire) : The core of asanas in Hatha Yoga
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