Tag Archives: Ashtanga

17 Jul
2013

MYSOREPEDIA.COM

jois

Claudia’s guide to Mysore – Check it out — here.

“Ever since my first trip to Mysore to study at the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute back in 2008 I wanted to have a comprehensive list of information, as in: when to go, how to prepare, what to pack, places to stay, where to eat, etc. I wanted it so much that I created one. ”

We try not to let money drive us, but for all those who practice ashtanga a one month trip to Mysore is $2500 away. It potentially will change your life.

Flight from JFK to Bangalore round trip ———— 1,200
Car Service Back and Forth Bangalore-Mysore —    100
Shala First Month —————————————    650 (**)
Hotel stay for the first couple of days ————–     100
Rental in a Gokulam home (1 bedroom for 2) —–    250
Food ——————————————————    150
Rickshaws/Transportation/Events/Other ———–      50

Living Situation?

Many students just walk around Gokulam and knock on doors.  Indian families are opening their doors to students more and more.  Prices have been going pretty high these days ranging anywhere from 7000 to 20000 Rupiahs per month depending on how far from the shala you rent, which is very different from the 400 Rupiahs I paid back in 2008 for a room 6 blocks away.

Check out this map of Mysore

For more on food, transportation in Mysore, and shopping check out the link at the top of the post.

Om Namah Shivaya

0 comments blevine32
11 Jul
2013

7/11 Quote: R. Sharath Jois

“You should not be practicing to have a “good” practice, but instead to keep steadiness within yourself. Practice happily regardless of whether it is “good” or not. Sometimes some postures will not be possible, but when you accept the good and the bad and everything becomes equal for you, that is yoga.”

~R. Sharath Jois

0 comments blevine32
Ashtanga, Learning, Yoga

Ashtanga Yoga Opening Mantra

Video

The Opening Prayer is a blessing of gratitude offered to the lineage of teachers and their students who have enabled this ancient practice to survive through thousands of years so that we can experience its benefits today. The recitation of this mantra cleanses the energy of the space we have chosen to practice yoga, as well as preparing the mind, body and emotions for the forthcoming Ashtanga sequence.

Om
Vande Gurunam Charanaravinde
Sandarshita Svatma Sukava Bodhe
Nih Sreyase Jangalikayamane
Samsara Halahala Mohashantyai

Abahu Purushakaram
Shankhacakrsi Dharinam
Sahasra Sirasam Svetam
Pranamami Patanjalim
Om

Translation:

om

I bow to the lotus feet of the Gurus
The awakening happiness of one’s own Self revealed,
Beyond better, acting like the Jungle physician
Pacifying delusion, the poisonous of Samsara (conditioned existence).

Taking the form of a man to the shoulders,
holding a conch shell (divine sound), a wheel (discus of light or infinite time) and a sword (discrimination).

One thousand heads white,

To Patanjali, I salute.

om

12 Jun
2013

Ujjayi Pranayama

What is Ujjayi Pranayama? (also referred to as Ujjayi breath)

Many beginner students often ask, “What is this strange Ujjayi Pranayama breathing technique?” As a beginning yoga practitioner, it might seem odd that some of your fellow students sound like Darth Vader while they’re practicing. Here’s the explanation:

In Sanskirt, the word ujjayi means victory. Ujjayi or victory breath is a type of pranayama (controlled breathing) in which you breathe in a constant, even rhythm through both nostrils, holding your glottis partially closed.

Yes, when done “correctly,” it can sound like Darth Vader although some advanced practitioners are able to silently utilize the Ujjayi breath.

This method of breathing can be easily learned within just a few practices.

You can practice Ujjayi breath throughout the entire Ashtanga yoga series and other yoga practices if you want to increase the lucidity of your practice.

As a great teacher once taught me, there’s really no reason to open the mouth during a yoga practice. The nose is for breathing, the mouth is for eating & drinking. (Intuitively, this makes sense as our noses have the ability to filter air whereas our mouths do not)

Here is a video of Kino McGregor teaching Ujjayi Pranayama:

Benefits of Ujjayi Pranayama include:

  • increased concentration during practice
  • more inward focus
  • less distractions
  • released tension

What benefits have you felt while practicing Ujjayi Pranyama?

0 comments blevine32
4 Jun
2013

What is Asana?

Asana is a Sanskrit word that loosely translates as “poses” or “postures” in English. Asana is one of the eight limbs of Ashtanga yoga. When the average Westerner thinks of yoga, they think of the asanas.

It’s great to see that so many Westerners are finding yoga but we also feel that as a result, yoga has become somewhat commercialized and diluted. For example, ask the average Westerner what comes to mind when they think of yoga and their answer might be, “The girl from Lulu Lemon’s advertising.” Or they might associate asana with other “classes” offered at their local gym such as Zumba or pilates.  However, at Lucid Practice, we adhere more to the Eastern approach when viewing asana.

Through the daily, consistent practice of asanas with proper breathing, the practitioner purifies body and mind. You begin to feel a new source of energy and become more aware of your surroundings and your own inner being. We grant ourselves the ability to truly concentrate. The ultimate purpose of asana is to prepare the body and mind for meditation.

what is asana

Click to read more about our views on the other limbs of yoga specifically the yamas and niyamas.

What’s your definition of asana?

1 comment Paz Romano