MATT HUISH YOGA

PHOTOS & VIDEO

“The wise ones declare that the mind is caused by the movement of prana; and hence by the restraint of the prana, the mind becomes quiescent. When the mind abandons the movement of thought, the appearance of the world illusion ceases...

There are two seeds for the tree known as the mind which carries within it innumerable notions and ideas: first, the movement of prana and second, vasana or conditioning. When there is movement of prana in the appropriate channels, then there is movement in consciousness and mind arises...

Wise ones declare that the abandonment of conditioning and the restraint of prana are of equal effect; hence one should practice them simultaneously.”

Selections from Yoga Vasistha Chapter 5

THE EIGHT FOLD PATH OF MEDITATION

Filed under: by: John K

The Latin word for meditation is ‘mederi’ which means ‘to heal’. To meditate is to develop an understanding of your inner self, to know yourself better, so that you can improve your life, by watching yourself as a witness to control anger and be more retrospective towards your behaviour and relationship with others.

Meditation is getting in touch with your inner self.
The dictionary defines meditation as continuous and profound contemplation or musing on a subject or series of subjects of a deep or abstruse nature; “the habit of meditation is the basis for all real knowledge” .

• Meditation is a way of life.
• Meditation is getting in touch with the vast reservoir of energy within us.
• Meditation is a state of being.
• To me, meditation is thoughtlessness.
• Gurumaa says that “meditation is being aware”.

However, experience says that real meditation cannot occur without the grace of the master. Meditation starts with repetition of mantra and concentration of breath. Once the seeker starts meditating regularly, the mantra slowly fades out and the breathing becomes so slow that keeping count of it becomes difficult.

According to doctors, the best stress relief technique is meditation. Many patients have been cured of their mental as well as physical problems by meditation and related breathing techniques.

The eight-fold path of yoga as described by sage Patanjali leads to meditation. The first one is yama which is social behaviour which tells us to be non-violent, truthful and honest, not to steal, not to be lustful or possessive. niyama i.e. discipline tells us to be pure, content, austere, study the sacred texts and live with the awareness of the divine. The next point is asana, where we must learn to sit erect so that the energy generated within us can move up the spinal cord from the muladhara chakra towards the head. Once asana has been mastered, we go on to pranayama or controlling or balancing the breath. After the breath is controlled, pratyahara or withdrawal of the senses occurs. Dharana allows the mind to fix itself on an object or sound or within oneself. Uninterrupted meditation is known as dhyana which is the next step. Samadhi, the eighth and final step is the very goal of meditation, which is absolute bliss and union with God. In Samadhi, one realizes the pure consciousness and unites with the absolute.

Visit Anandmurti Gurumaa site for a number of amazingly simple and effective guided meditation techniques. You would also like the great soothing meditation music cds from Mystica Music.

From : Spiritual Guided Meditation

Definition of "Ashtanga"

By Richard Rosen

The term "ashtanga" comes from the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, where it refers to classical yoga's eight (ashta)-limb (anga) practice. (Some yoga scholars such as Georg Feuerstein maintain that Patanjali's real contribution to yoga was kriya yoga, the "yoga of ritual action," and that the eight-limb practice was borrowed from another source.) The eight limbs are restraint, observance, posture, breath control, sense withdrawal, concentration, meditative absorption, and "enstasy." This last word, which means "standing inside of," is Mircea Eliade's translation of samadhi, which literally means to "put together" or "bring into harmony." In samadhi, we "stand inside of" our true Self in preparation for the ultimate state of classical yoga, the eternal "aloneness" (kaivalya) of that Self in the purity and joy of its being.

While Patanjali's underlying dualism between Self and nature has long been out of favor, his eight-limb method still influences many modern schools of yoga. One of those schools is the currently popular Ashtanga Yoga developed by K. Pattabhi Jois from the teachings of T. Krishnamacharya (father of T.K.V. Desikachar, brother-in-law of B.K.S. Iyengar, and mentor to both).

Since I'm not an authority on this practice, I asked Ashtanga teacher Richard Freeman to explain. He replied that the Krishnamacharya-Pattabhi Jois system is indeed modeled on the eight limbs of Patanjali; the emphasis, however, is on the correct performance of the third limb (posture) as a means of realizing all the limbs, including, of course, samadhi. Since we in the West sometimes focus exclusively on posture and overlook the other limbs, Richard believes that Pattabhi Jois calls his system "Ashtanga" in part "to encourage his students to look into the whole practice more deeply" and integrate all the limbs.

Richard Rosen, who teaches in Oakland and Berkeley, California, has been writing forYoga Journal since the 1970s.

Pada Hastasana

Pada Hastasana

Vinyasa Count:

      PADA HASTASANA VINYASA:  3 ASANA:    2 DRISTI:   NASAGRAI 1   (IN)  step the legs half a foot apart     (EX)  hands beneath foot      IN   head up 2    EX   head down     5BR   PADA HASTASANA            3    IN   Head up     (EX)  Hold position -   (IN)  come up      EX   Samasthitih

Pada Hastasana - Six simple Fundametal Asanas (standing positions) build the fundament for Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Practice.

Moon Days and Ashtanga Yoga

Phases of the moon are determined by the moon’s relative position to the sun.

Full moons occur when the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the Sun. During a full moon, the moon is fully illuminated by the sun and is seen as a round disc from the Earth’s surface.

New moons occur when the moon is between the Earth and the Sun. During a new moon, the moon is seen as a thin crescent from the Earth’s surface.

In Ashtanga tradition, new moon days and full moon days should be days of rest for Ashtanga yoga practitioners. By observing moon days, we recognize and honor the rhythms of nature.

The human body, similar to our planet, is affected by the gravitational pull of both the moon and the sun. The positions of the sun and moon creates an energetic experience that can be compared to the breath cycle.

The full moon corresponds to the end of an inhalation where we feel energetic and emotional, but not well grounded.

The new moon corresponds to the end of an exhalation where we feel calm and grounded, but not energetic or inclined to physical exertion.

CHANDRA KRAMA: MOON SEQUENCE

It is traditional not to practice Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga on the full moon or the new moon. The days preceding the full moon cause an increase of fluid in the body, an internal high tide, and generally involve an increase in energy. As this tends to mean over stimulation, intense practice is not recommended on the full moon. The days preceding the new moon (sometimes called the dark moon) cause a decrease of fluids in the body. As a tendency there will be less energy, the joints will be more dry and restricted, with an increased chance of injury if you attempt an intense physical practice. This is your body’s internal low tide. Of the two it is less problematic to practice on the full moon rather than the new moon.

The twenty four hours preceding the exact time the moon is at its peak (brightest or darkest) is the day or time not to practice. If the moon is full at 2.04am on Monday morning, do not practice on the Sunday before. At 2.05am the moon is already waning (becoming darker) and so practice later on Monday morning is advisable. For further information on this subject please read Ashtanga Yoga As It Is.

The Moon sequence (available in poster format) is a pre-cursor to the Primary series and is generally more accessible for almost all Yoga practitioners. If you are having trouble with the Primary sequence, or if you are struggling with an injury, this sequence is a great alternative. Although there are no jumps in this sequence the core principles of Vinyasa, continuous flow and awareness of the breath are maintained.

Chandra Krama is intended for practice on the full moon and the new moon. Practicing an alternative gentle sequence at those times of the month can be advantageous. For example, you will avoid strain and injury if you do not do a strenuous practice at those times and you can become increasingly aware of your changing internal body condition as influenced by the waxing and waning moon. Alternatively the Moon sequence can be done at any time when you are feeling tired or incapable of doing your regular practice. Practiced with patience, this sequence is rewarding and strengthening.

The Moon sequence is accessible for almost all Yoga practitioners, though it has been designed with Ashtanga practitioners in mind. If you do not have a committed Ashtanga practice, do not attempt to do all of this sequence at once. Take your time to build your ability with the Asana and omit any postures that are too difficult. This sequence is generally therapeutic for shoulders, wrists, knees, hips and the lower back . The final back bending sequence (the last 5 Ustrasana positions) should be omitted if there is weakness in the lower spine.

Spiritual Stretching

No wonder Americans are Downward Dogging by the millions: yoga can work wonders on mind,

body, and soul. In the U.S., 16.5 million people practice it, and it’s thus become a coast-to-

coast,Zeitgeist-defining phenomenon as well as a multi-billion-dollar industry. In these outtakes from

the yoga portfolio featured in our June issue, Michael O’Neill photographs the movement’s leading

figures, from Christy Turlington and Sting to Rodney Yee and B.K.S. Iyengar.

Awaken Your SPIRITUAL WARRIOR

Spiritual Warriors know how to always flow with the current, not against it. They have the ability to remain steady and calm in the most challenging situations and because of their open and receptive hearts they move from a place of trusting the universe. They are loving and compassionate always even though their actions may sometimes seem harse on the outside. All actions come from a place of the highest and purest love. They are peaceful and free from the bond of ego.

Our planet is in great transition and it is time for Spiritual Warriors to wake up and serve the world. Join us as we lovingly flow through intermediate to advanced asana, pranayama and meditation while we touch on deep life teachings of this sacred practice. Unravel the mystery of your own heart to reveal the greatest gem... Your Truth.

Madonna

Madonna Stays in Shape With Ashtanga Yoga Workouts

“Yoga is a metaphor for life. You have to take it really slowly. You can’t rush. You can’t skip to the next position. You find yourself in very humiliating situations, but you can’t judge yourself. You just have to breathe, and let go. It is a workout for your mind, your body and your soul.” Madonna.

Madonna practices Ashtanga (aka astanga) yoga, which is a style which encourages more dynamic movements and transitions between the postures.

Astanga yoga can be an effective cardio workout as well as a isometric bodyweight bearing exercise.

Madonna began to practice ashtanga yoga (the Vinyasa style) to get back in shape after the birth of her daughter, Lourdes, in 1996. At this time she was with fitness trainer Carlos Leon who became her personal trainer. He may have been the source of her inspiration to adopt yoga as a way to stay in shape.

Now almost 12 years later, she is still in great shape, and has recently started a new world tour. For a 49 year old (50 years old this August) she is doing very well. So, what does Ashtanga yoga involve?

Ashtanga yoga practice consists of six progressively difficult series of linked postures, each requiring between 90 minutes to three hours to complete. Each sequence typically begins with 10 Sun Salutations and the standing poses. This is referred to as the “opening sequence”. The student then moves to either the Primary, Intermediate, Advanced A, B, C, or D, depending on his or her skill level, a back-bending sequence, finally closing with a set of inverted postures, referred to as the “finishing sequence”.

Ashtanga Yoga is traditionally taught in Mysore style (supervised self practice), where each student moves through the practice at his or her own pace and level. So, astanga yoga is not like the average yoga class you are likely to find in your local gym or village hall. It is much more dynamic, and requires a greater level of strength, coordination, balance and flexibility than other styles. This is why this form of yoga keeps Madonna in such great shape.

Madonna’s enthusiasm for ashtanga yoga has since appeared in her work; Madonna chanted the opening ashtanga chant on her Ray-of-Light album, and also played an ashtanga teacher in the movie The Next Best Thing.

However, she does not limit herself to yoga. She also enjoys horse-riding and gyrotonics, which is a set exercises derived from swimming, yoga, gymnastics, and tai chi, and is intended to improve flexibility and balance as well as muscle strength, and to increase overall flexibility and mobility in joints. It has been compared to and contrasted with Pilates but offers much more flexion.

So, if you wish to look slim, toned and sexy like Madonna when you are 50, you need to make a fitness routine, like Ashtanga yoga, a daily event.

Namaste

Ashtanga yoga is a system of yoga transmitted to the modern world by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. This method of yoga involves synchronizing the breath with a progressive series of postures—a process producing intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. The result is improved circulation, a light and strong body, and a calm mind