Posted by Michele Harney, Yoga Rathgar & Dundrum – Dublin
The fourth of five sūtras fundamental to the study of Āyurveda:
“Food is medicine, medicine is food. Food is that which is digested, medicine is that which helps it to digest”
Robert E. Svoboda
Return to home page
Posted by Michele Harney, Yoga Rathgar & Dundrum – Dublin
The third of five sūtras fundamental to the study of Āyurveda:
“Like increases like. Under certain circumstances ‘like cures like cures like’ and under other circumstances ‘like causes like’ but always ‘like increase like’, by the principle of resonance”
Robert E. Svoboda
Return to home page
Posted by Michele Harney, Yoga Rathgar & Dundrum – Dublin
The second of five sūtras fundamental to the study of Āyurveda:
“Air, fire and water are the three principles most fundamental to life. They appear in the body as vāta, pitta and kapha and their subtler forms are prāṇa, tejas and ojas respectively. They represent, in order, the cosmic urges to movement, transformation and stability.”
Robert E. Svoboda
Return to home page
The first of five sūtras fundamental to the study of Āyurveda:
“Everything that exists in the external universe has its counterpart in the internal universe of the human body-mind-spirit-complex”
Robert E. Svoboda
Posted by Michele Harney, Yoga Rathgar & Dundrum – Dublin
Nowadays there is a plethora of yoga books, DVDs, and yoga classes. How does a student choose the best method for learning yoga? Krishnamacharya used to say that the greatest drawback to learning from a book and not from a teacher was that the practice was not tailored to the student. Before a student begins practicing yoga, he must ask himself, “Is this practice appropriate for me?” A yoga teacher must always consider his students and ask, “Is this practice that I am teaching appropriate for this particular student?” Underlying all of Krishnamacharya’s teaching was this principle: “Teach what is appropriate for an individual.”
A.G Mohan
An excerpt from Krishnamacharya: His Life and Teaching
Return to home page
Posted by Michele Harney, Yoga Rathgar & Dundrum – Dublin
Some excerpts from an interview with Ganesh Mohan
“Yoga therapy complements modern healthcare”
“A therapeutic Yoga session gives the patient a voice in his or her own healthcare. Yoga allows patients to do something for themselves, rather than having something done to them”
“the eye does not see what the brain does not know”
Return to home page
The concept of the viniyoga of Yoga is a fundamental hallmark of the teachings of T Krishnamacharya and TKV Desikachar. It is the application (viniyoga) of Yoga to the person rather than the person to Yoga. It requires a profound understanding of only 3 numbers in order for it to work as intended by Krishnamacharya and Desikachar
– 121.
Courtesy – Paul Harvey Yoga Quotes Page
Return to home page
Some excerpts from an article by Paul Harvey outlining the viniyoga (application) of prāṇāyāma from a Rāja Yoga and a Haṭha Yoga perspective.
“In the Rāja Yoga approach, as delineated in texts such as the Yoga Sūtra, the practice of Prāṇāyāma is focused around developing and refining the principles of attention, timing and number of breaths.
The fruits of this approach are a reduction in confusion (Yoga Sūtra C2 v52) and fitness for the first steps in the meditative process (Yoga Sūtra C2 v53) towards cultivating an experience of being filled with a subtle sense of stillness (Yoga Sūtra C1 v3).
“In the Haṭha Yoga approach, as delineated in texts such as the Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā, the practice of Prāṇāyāma is focused around developing and refining the principles of using two primary channels (īḍā and piṅgalā) through a variety techniques to effect a śodhana (clearing of blockages) of the nāḍī (channels for prāṇa).”
“…..the practice of Prāṇāyāma links the student to the more refined aspects of dhāraṇā (concentration) and dhyānam (meditation) as a seated practice.”
Read full article. The article is also available as a downloadable PDF, courtesy of Dharma Downloads
Return to home page
“Food will either sustain the body or eat it.”
-Śrī T Krishnamacharya
Return to home page
From the BBC website:
“The theory that meditation can reduce stress, depression and even chronic pain is one that has been gaining in momentum in recent years.
So the BBC’s David Sillito has been learning the art of mindfulness meditation in order to find out for himself.
After getting to grips with the activity, he joined some other devotees for an MRI scan to find out what impact the practice can have on brain activity.”
View article and video.
Return to home page
“Food will either sustain the body or eat it.”
-Śrī T Krishnamacharya
Return to home page
“Food will either sustain the body or eat it.”
-Śrī T Krishnamacharya
Return to home page
Phys Ed columns from New York Times 2011.
“Perhaps the most inspiring exercise science published in 2011 involved the effects that working out can have on the brain. By studying both lab rodents and people, scientists this year showed that exercise increases cognitive sharpness, even if the amount of exercise is small.”
Return to home page
January being imminent, many will be making New Year resolutions and looking at fitness from the perspective of body and mind. Yoga is a practice that encompasses both. The popularity of Yoga and the choice of classes available in Dublin has increased dramatically over the past 15 years. Reading a recent article in the Irish Independent titled ‘Is Yoga actually bad for you?’ my initial thought was ‘yes’ Yoga, as with many disciplines, may be bad for you if the practice being taught is inappropriate for the individual and being taught by a teacher who does not have a professional qualification.
As there is no formal regulation of Yoga teachers in Ireland, top of the list in terms of selecting a Yoga class is to look at the prospective Yoga teacher’s training and teaching background. Speaking with and/or emailing the teacher to find out more prior to signing up for a class will also help in terms of making a decision.
A number of Yoga teachers in Dublin now also offer individual lessons. However many of these lessons are taught ‘as if’ a group class for one, as opposed to being specific the individual. Yoga taught on a one to one basis provides an opportunity to tailor practice specific to your needs and personal situation. The Yoga teacher must have been taught the skills of appropriate application. There are few teachers in Dublin, indeed in Ireland who are sufficiently qualified in this regard.
Many current Yoga trainings do not provide a sufficient grounding for teachers in the skills fundamental to the application of Yoga to the individual whether it be from a developmental, a recovery or a therapeutic perspective. It is important here to check out the training background of the Yoga teacher. For individual lessons an initial consultation where both you and the Yoga teacher meet to discuss objectives and expectations, prior to committing to individual Yoga lessons is beneficial.
Return to home page
The following is an extract from an article by Gary Kraftsow from Yoga International the Yoga Magazine published by the Himalayan Institute. The article demonstrates how Yoga teaches us to lift ourselves out of stress, anxiety and depression, and move towards a deeper sense of self.
“Yoga teaches us that we aren’t our feelings or our symptoms but live in multidimensional relationship with them. One way to grasp this paradox is to picture the Self (purusha or pure, undifferentiated awareness) as pervading all nine interlocking and interdependent spheres of influence without being any one of them. The first three spheres correspond to our moods, thoughts, and behaviors and, where they overlap, our sense of self or svabhava. These spheres profoundly affect—and are affected by—our memory, unconscious conditioning, and by the fourth sphere, our physiology, particularly our autonomic nervous system (ANS). The remaining five spheres represent our anatomy and our relationships with family, society, the world, and the entire cosmos”
Return to home page
A summary of the details of a new Irish study has shown that a significant number of patients use alternative and complementary medicines without informing their GP, despite the fact that these may negatively interact with conventional medicines. The article is published by Irish Health.
“We found that a significant number of patients were using alternative and complementary medicines, with the majority not disclosing this to their GP and a significant proportion having chronic medical conditions for which they were also taking conventional medicines,” the researchers explained.
I think if research was conducted on the disclosure by clients to their complementary therapist in relation to their use of conventional medicine the findings would be similar. My experience in the area of Yoga teaching and Yoga therapy, in Dublin, is that students/clients quite regularly do not disclose relevant information in relation to specific physical conditions and the taking of prescribed medication.
While clients complete a confidential health questionnaire, additional information is frequently revealed though dialogue and verbal questioning. Clients often do not appreciate the importance of full disclosure in relation to their medical situation. It is as if there is a perception that medical treatment and complementary treatment are separate and that what is prescribed by one may not relevant to the other.
The point is that they are mutually supportive.
Return to home page
The following post on Paul Harvey’s cYs Journal include insightful answers to questions typical of the type that are often asked in relation to Yoga.
A few months ago Paul was asked to provide ‘expert quotes’ in response to three questions for a media article by a freelance journalist for MSN on a Yoga related issue. Paul’s reflections below taken directly from the cYs Journal page.
Q1. What are some examples of illnesses or ailments that can improve or be cured with the use of Yoga?
“It is not possible to give examples of illnesses or ailments that can be improved as it all depends on the matrix of the person who may also have certain combinations of problems. A student with cancer may improve or a student with a history of colds may experience little change.
The viewpoint of Yoga is to look at people as individuals and work from there rather than the more usual view of making lists of problems with flash card like answers to a specific problem. e.g.. Sciatica, High Blood Pressure, Insomnia, Osteo-arthrosis, Chron’s Disease, etc.
Yoga says that we are all individuals who also have from time to time chronic or acute illnesses or ailments. In this view one hallmark is that the practice must be adapted to the individual and their current situation and immediate potential rather than expecting the individual to adapt to the practice.
This means that two individuals with the same symptoms may need very different approaches to practice and lifestyle choices because of their history, mindset and opportunity and intentions for implementing change.
Yoga also tells us that nothing is destroyed so nothing is ‘cured’. We can perhaps reduce the symptoms to the point where they are dormant. Given the right sun, soil and moisture they can ‘sprout’ again. So cure is not a term that can be applied.
Yoga Psychology says being symptom free also implies that we still have to take care as the seeds can be re-activated given the right stimuli.”
Q2. Is there a certain type of Yoga which is more beneficial, when it comes to health, than other types?
“Any approach to Yoga which facilitates meeting with a student, developing an understanding of their unique background, looking at the opportunities for change which exist for the student in the immediate and near future, being able to propose a personalised practice appropriate to their situation and meeting regularly to both review and progress the practice according to the experiences and feedback from the student.
This is really only realisable through 121 lessons, though not of the type offered by many which are comparable to a group class for one. A more comparable example would be to consulting a homeopath, or acupuncturist, or medical herbalist, or counsellor, where there is time, attention and personalised support and treatment offered.”
Q3. Is there a certain type of Yoga that can prove especially beneficial to those with asthma, and if so, why is this type of Yoga particularly good?
“As the physical basis of asthma is experienced through its effects on the breath, any approach that sees the breath as the canvas on which the pictures of the poses are painted could be helpful. Along with an approach that has the integral and intimate use of the breath in practice as a first priority, the study and application of the principles of Yoga Psychology would be very relevant to working with issues that could well underpin the students history of symptoms and personal experiences.”
Return to home page
Image: Paul Harvey’s Yogastudies.org
Most common questions on Yoga relate to the health benefits associated with practicing Yoga, together with questions around how Yoga practice differs from conventional exercise.
Answers to these questions have been researched and are presented in a detailed article published on the IAYT (International Association of Yoga Therapists) website, providing interesting reading.
In terms of the health benefits the information is grouped under physiological benefits, psychological benefits, and biochemical effects. It is based on the regular practice of traditional āsana (yoga postures), prānāyāma (breath), and dhyāna (meditation).
Yoga Compared to Conventional Exercise
Yoga |
Exercise |
| Parasympathetic nervous system dominates Subcortical regions of brain dominate Slow dynamic and static movements Normalization of muscle tone Low risk of injuring muscles and ligaments Low caloric consumption Effort is minimized, relaxed Energizing (breathing is natural or controlled) Balanced activity of opposing muscle groups Noncompetitive, process-oriented Awareness is internal (focus is on breath and the inifinite) Limitless possibilities for growth in self-awareness |
Sympathetic nervous system dominates Cortical regions of brain dominate Rapid forceful movements Increased muscle tension Higher risk of injury Moderate to high caloric consumption Effort is maximized Fatiguing (breathing is taxed) Imbalanced activity of opposing groups Competitive, goal-oriented Awareness is external (focus is on reaching the toes, reaching the finish line, etc.) Boredom factor |
There has been an enormous increase in the number of Yoga classes on offer in Dublin over the past number of years. Classes on offer vary in terms of ‘style’ and vary also in terms of the level of training and experience of the teacher.
How does a prospective student choose between the myriad of ‘styles’ ‘venues’ and ‘teachers’ on offer?
Begin with what you wants to achieve by attending a class. Is it to improve general health and wellbeing, is it to increase in fitness levels, for strength and flexibility. Is it to achieve a reduction in the symptoms of stress, anxiety, or depression. is it to help deal with a specific back issue or other health issue.
Review the training background of the teacher. Where did they complete their training? How many years of training have they had? Is the training accredited and are they now accredited to teach? I recommend a minimum of 3 years teacher training.
Having no governing body for Yoga in Ireland, professional Yoga trainings will generally be accredited with the BWY British Wheel of Yoga or EUFNY the European Union of Yoga Federations.
The ‘types’ or ’styles’ of yoga classes on offer include the following (in alphabetical order):
Ashtanga
Set sequences. Pathabi Jois
Bikram
Hot studio, very physical and aerobic. Very little emphasis on breath and students ability to perform difficult postures. Very popular at the moment.
Hatha
This is a term that refers to the physical side of Yoga, asana. All Yoga classes on offer could be describes as hatha Yoga classes
Ivengar
Strict alignment. BKS Ivengar, brother in law of T Krishnamacharya
Viniyoga
Characterised by emphasis on breath, integration of the breath with the movement. Dynamic and static movement. Classes at the Winton Practice. TKV Desikachar. Makes Yoga practice strikingly accessible for people. Innovative in its approach.
Viniyoga is not so much a style as it is a methodology for developing practices for individual conditions and purposes. This is the approach developed by Sri. T. Krishnamacharya, teacher of well-known contemporary masters B.K.S. Iyengar, K. Pattabhi Jois and Indra Devi, and continued by his son, T.K.V. Desikachar. Key characteristic of the asana practice are the careful integration of the flow of breath with movement of the spine, with sequencing, adaptations and intensity dependent upon the overall context and goals. Function is stressed over form. Practices may also include pranayama, meditation, reflection, study and other classic elements. Personal practices are taught privately. Given the scope of practice, the inherent therapeutic applications and the heritage of the lineage, the training requirements for teacher certification are extensive.
Vinyasa Flow
Flowing movement
The results of a British Government-funded trial on treatment of CFS, has recently been published in The Lancet. It was undertaken by researchers led by Prof Peter White at Barts and The London School of Medicine.
The research states that Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), in which patients discuss their fear and avoidance of physical activity, combined with Graded Exercise Therapy, helps sufferers gradually increase the amount of activity such as walking they can manage.
For more information read article published in the Irish Independent.
Return to home page