Yoga Practice, Yoga Poses, Yoga Wisdom and Health

Yoga Practice

Practicing yoga will give you wonderful benefits such as energy, balance and a sense of well-being in your life. But remember, practicing yoga does not simply mean doing yoga poses or going to yoga class. It is, as described in The Eight Limb Path of Yoga, a lifestyle of practicing goodness, body control, health, focus, spiritualty and peace. Here’s some things I’ve discovered on my journey.

The Eight-Limb Path of Yoga

The Yoga Sutras outline a plan for living that flows from action to knowledge to liberation. This plan or path has eight limbs called “The Eight-Limb Path of Yoga”. T.K.V. Desikachar points out in his book The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice that it is important to note that the order presented is not important; there are no set rules or definitive routes to follow. Rather, if we are truly practicing yoga we should strive to do all of the eight limbs all the time. And, over time as our yoga practice develops we will find ourselves naturally closer to yoga’s true and original purpose, personal enlightenment. You’ve got to know and try to truly live The Eight Limb Path of Yoga.

The Eight-Limb Path of Yoga

Yamas: The Five Moral Restraints
Ahimsa – nonviolence
Satya – truthfulness
Asteya – nonstealing
Brahmacarya – moderation
Aparigraha – nonhoarding

Niyamas: The Five Observances
Sauca – purity
Santosa – contentment
Tapas – zeal, austerity
Svadhyaya – self-study
Isvara-pranidhana – devotion to a higher power

Asana: Postures

Pranayama: Mindful Breathing

Pratyahara: Turning Inward

Dharana: Concentration

Dhyana: Meditation

Samadhi: Union of Self with Object of Meditation

The Body is an Expression of the Mind.

Yoga asana practice is about building physical strength through yoga poses which prepare the body for stillness. This necessary physical strength and stamina allow the mind to remain calm during meditation. Through meditation we can achieve our own inner journey to Self – the level at which we connect with the universal consciousness. So let’s get down on our yoga mats for practice…………

Home Asana Practice

I very much enjoy taking yoga practice at a studio where the teachers can give me the much needed guidance I need. It’s a nice to talk to other yoga enthusiast and share a couple hours of practice on the mat. But after basically 6 months of asana practice a couple of times a week in class and none at home I decided (OK – my teachers “strongly” suggested in her sweet way) to add a couple of sessions at home. Definitely a different feel but one I am finding I totally enjoy it. In a quiet room in my house early in the morning I find I am really able to focus on turning inward and on my breathing much more than during class. My teacher gave me a general sequence to follow which gives a well-rounded practice but at home I make daily changes as needed. What I have noticed in the six weeks since I started the home practice is that I am getting stronger, more flexible, more accurate in my poses and better able to focus………imagine that! I encourage you to also get down on the mat for some home practice.

My basic home practice sequence is as follows:

1. Virasana – Hero Pose

2. Supta Padangusthasana – Reclining Big Toe Pose

3. Adho Mukha Svanasana – Downward-Facing Dog

4. Tadasana – Mountain Pose

5. Vrksasana -Tree Pose

6. Uttanasana – Standing Forward Bend

7. Utthita Trikonasana – Extended Triangle Pose

8. Virabhadrasana II – Warrior II Pose

9. Utthita Parsvakonasana – Extended Side Angle Pose

10. Parsvottanasana – Intense Side Stretch Pose

11. Prasarita Padottanasana – Wide-Legged Forward Bend