Understanding Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga and Raja Yoga.

THE FOUR PATHS OF YOGA

There are four main paths of Yoga - Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga and Jnana Yoga. Each is suited to a different temperament or approach to life. All the paths lead ultimately to the same destination - to union with Brahman or God - and the lessons of each of them need to be integrated if true wisdom is to be attained.

( I will write about the other paths soon )

Raja Yoga 

Raja Yoga means royal and is sometimes called the crown of Hatha Yoga. Raja adds concentration after body and mind are cleaned and trained to stay calm and attentive. The improvement in our power of concentration, as a result of Raja Yoga, moves all of our attention towards the source of our Being in order to become that Being. Raja Yoga is a complete system, also refered to as Ashtanga Yoga because of the eight (ashta) limbs (anga) the system rests on.

ASHTANGA - THE EIGHT LIMBS OF RAJA YOGA

Compiled by the Sage Patanjali Maharishi in the Yoga Sutras, the Eight Limbs are a progressive series of steps or disciplines which purify the body and mind, ultimately leading the yogi to enlightenment. These 8 limbs are:

1. Yamas - The Yamas or restraints (Don'ts) are divided into five moral injuctions, aimed at destroying the lower nature. They should all be practiced and developped by the letter but also more importantly in the spirit. They should all be practiced in word, thought and deed.
• Ahimsa or non-violence
• Satya or truthfulness
• Brahmacharya or moderation in all things (control of all senses). Also refers to celibacy
• Asteya or non-stealing
• Aparigraha or non-covetousness
2. Niyamas - The Niyamas or observances (Do's) are also divided into five and complete the ethical precepts started with the Yama.. These qualities are:
• Saucha or purity - this internal and external cleanliness.
• Santosha or contentment
• Tapas or austerity
• Swadhyaya or study of the sacred texts
• Ishwara Pranidhana which is constantly living with an awareness of the divine Presence (surrender to God's Will)
3. Asanas - Postures
4. Pranayama - regulation or control of the breath. Asanas and Pranayama form the sub-division of Raja Yoga known as Hatha-Yoga
5. Pratyahara - withdrawal of the senses in order to still the mind.
6. Dharana - concentration. The last 3 steps constitute the internal practice of Raja Yoga. When Dharana is achieved, it leads to the next step:
7. Dhyana - meditation is that state of pure thought and absorption in the object of meditation. There is still duality in Dhyana. When mastered Dhyana leads to the last step:
8. Samadhi - the superconscious state. In Samadhi non-duality or oneness is experienced. This is the deepest and highest state of consciousness where body and mind have been transcended and the Yogi is one with the Self or God.

As you can see the Hatha Yoga school or branch is a small fraction of the Ashtanga Yoga System or Raja Yoga. The term Hatha Yoga branch consists in the physical practice of Yoga: Asana and Pranayama. The oldest manual to study the Hatha Yoga system is the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. In this book Swami Swatamarama tells us that obtaining self-control and self-discipline is much easier when we start with the physical and energetic body, verses trying to directly control the mind as in Raja Yoga. Through the mastery of the prana, or energy of the body, we can then easily master the control of the mind and obtain success with Raja Yoga. In verse 1:41 he tells us that when the flow of prana is stabilized through the practices of Hatha Yoga, the breath stops spontaneously and a mindless state naturally arises. The main goal of this text is to illuminate the physical disciplines and practices of Hatha Yoga and integrate these with the higher spiritual goals of Raja Yoga (meditation).Swatamarama begins with explaining the relationship between Hatha Yoga and Raja yoga, informing us that Hatha is a preliminary practice for Raja Yoga. 

The way we learn Ashtanga Yoga is starting with Asana practice. The practice of asanas purify the body and bring health benefits. As the practitioner keeps a daily routine for a long time, the nervous system is also purified and the mind gets stronger. When I say stronger I mean that the mind is still and with no distractions. The body and mind are in a equanimous state of control. When this happens is easier to start the practice of pranayama where you need to sit for long period and apply the breathing techniques. This practice can be challenging for lots of practitioners because you need to sit comfortable, preferably in Padmasana and keep the spine strong and straight during the entire practice. This simple position held for some period of time can be very challenge for the body, nervous system and the mind. The practice of Pranayama can lead to the next limbs of Ashtanga Yoga method. But: Without an earnest effort and reverence towards the practice of yama and niyama, however, the practice of asana is of little benefit (Flynn).

Practicing asana for many years with correct vinyasa and tristhana gives the student the clarity of mind, steadiness of body, and purification of the nervous system to begin the prescribed pranayama practice (Flynn). "Through the practice of pranayama, the mind becomes arrested in a single direction and follows the movement of the breath" (Jois 2002 23). Pranayama forms the foundation for the internal cleansing practices of Ashtanga yoga (Flynn).

The definition of yoga is "the controlling of the mind" [citta vrtti nirodhah] (Jois 2003 10). The first two steps toward controlling the mind are the perfection of yama and niyama (Jois 2003 10). However, it is "not possible to practice the limbs and sub-limbs of yama and niyama when the body and sense organs are weak and haunted by obstacles" (Jois 2002 17). A person must first take up daily asana practice to make the body strong and healthy (Jois 2003 10). With the body and sense organs thus stabilized, the mind can be steady and controlled (Jois 2002 16). With mind control, one is able to pursue and grasp these first two limbs (Flynn).

Practicing Mysore Style - What do you need to know

Mysore Style:

1-The Mysore Style class is the traditional way to learn the proper Ashtanga Yoga method.  You do not need to know the sequence to start but if you want to have results and advance in the practice you need to practice the sequence as much as possible when you learn from the teacher. Ashtanga yoga is practiced traditionally 6 days a week. Five days mysore style, one day led class and one day off. Of course it's overwhelming in the beginning and I don't recommend to force yourself to do a 6 days a week practice. Take it slowly and with time adding more days in your routine.

2- In the beginning is overwhelming to remember all the sequence as given by the teacher, all the correct vinyasas and somehow we feel lost, disappointed and sometimes discouraged to continue on. Traditionally is not permitted to have sequence sheets in the class by the yoga mat and I think thats is the best way to learn because you will need to practice at home to remember what you have learned. Sorry Im old style :)

3- Mysore style definitely challenges not only physically but mentally as well. But no worries because with time you will memorize what you have to do and then your body will just flow from one asana to another and then you can bring attention to more subtle aspects of the practice (drishti, breath, bandhas)

Do and Don'ts in a Mysore room:

1- Mysore practice is a silent practice. Of course there is communication between student and teacher but there is no communication between students. Keep conversations for after or before class.

2- Students do not stop their practice to help other students (verbally or physically). Keep focusing on your own practice. The teacher will help students when its needed. There is no rush. Thats why Mysore class usually have a two hours time. Be patient and wait for the teacher.

3- When you can't do a posture properly ask the teacher to come and help. Adjustments are helpful to progress, understand and avoid injuries. If you have a question on how to do it, ask for help. Its a individual practice, use this advantage.

4- Keep your drishti! Focus on your practice.

5- Bring your own mat and a towel. You know why...I say all the time.

Remember everything takes time. Nothing in nature blooms overnight. Be patient with your body and with yourself. Never compare your journey to others. Practicing Ashtanga yoga is a very humble experience. You need three D's! Detication, Determination and Discipline. We don't choose what to do or whats feel nice and beautiful. We have to stick with a sequence that never changes but the changes inside are what we are looking for. Sometimes we feel we are walking forward 5 steps and then 10 steps back. Sometimes we get stuck in some posture and never move forward. Don't get frustrated. Thats why we practice together to help each other. The rest is practice.....

Namaste

Thoughts on the practice with Chris Paris Yoga - KPJAYI Authorized teacher

I am so inspired by Chris Paris thoughts on the practice of Yoga. I met him in Mysore March 2015 and a year later Chris received from Sharath Jois the authorization to teach the Primary Series of Ashtanga Yoga. Thank you Chris for your time and kindness.

1- Could you share how was your life before the practice of yoga and what leaded you to this path?

With some difficulty

I first was aware of yoga asana when I was seven or eight years old as my mum had a book and I used to explore some postures.  

I remember when I was fourteen I had a careers interview and I had my idea to be a graphic designer because I liked art and drawing.  Whilst waiting for the interview I was looking at books in the library and remember coming across light on yoga and Iyengar doing Scorpion posture.  I never thought that yoga could be a career at that time, or that the two moments may take on a different meaning in the future.

My life was strongly influenced by theatre and arts in my early days because my parents were in the arts.

Age 10 I bought the Beatles Sergeant Pepper album and heard WITHIN YOU WITHOUT YOU George Harrison.  I played it over and over and fell i love with everything india.  The lyrics are very philosophical and wonderful about their time with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.

Later around age 15 I remember thinking about philosophy, I became aware of Jung and the collective unconscious, and also read “the problems of philosophy” Bertrand Russell the famous Oxford philosopher.  

Then 17 I had a connection with the Krishna Consciousness movement.  I read Ishopanishada.

At 19  I met my Spiritual master and took initiation from him

So to answer the question, you have to define “before the practice of yoga”  which is not so easy.  There seems that yoga was always around.  But my formal engagement with yoga practice was as a Krishna Bhakta.  

Before this many small things led me to this.  Conversations, books, George Harrison.

Formal Asana practice didnt happen until 2002, which was 18 years later.  

2- Do you see Ashtanga yoga practice as a healing practice?

Ashtanga yoga as taught by KPJAYI ?  Yes it can and ought to be a regeneratve practice.  But it can be a destructive practice if not practiced correctly.  

I dont see it as yoga theraphy in the sense that western physiotherapists are a healing modality.  I think yoga is Holistic approach, so if the vital energy is strong and blocks removed then the body will naturally heal its self.  So we are not becoming obsessed with certain conditions and symptoms.

So healing yes but rather than healing I would say REGENERATIVE.

3- What are the main obstacles in the practice of yoga and how do you overcome them?

Attachment, assumption, false perceptions, personal ambition.  Illness, Practice is itself the best way to overcome these.  But sometimes a small amount of gentle practice is needed, a soft touch.  Not pressure.  But its continuity of application that is the key.

4- What do you advice to students that don't have a shala they can practice regurlary?

Practice in a group regularly.  Either once a month or every couple of months.  But connect with other practitioners and develop links with the community.

Also to practice at the same time and same place if possible daily, and develop breath as a priority before worrying about posture.

5- Sri K. Pattabhi Jois once said 99% Practice and 1% theory. Why regular practice is important and beside physical asanas what type of practices, studies and book do you recommend?

He said that.  But actually the philosophy and practice need to be equal and balanced.  But in the beginning there is no point asking lots of questions, most of which are answered by the practice.  I think that is why he said that.  He wanted his students to do more and question less.

Some formal meditation practice is very usefull after a certain point.  Regular practice develops mental stability and continuity.  That is important.

Everybody needs to consider Jiddu Krishnamurti.  His practice of radical inquiry is extraordinary.  I recommend THE KRISHNAMURTI PENGUIN READER  if you can find a copy, but anything by him is good if you have not met him.

6- Ashtanga yoga is seem to be a very physical practice. How can you help students to seek a more internal practice instead of focusing only on asana progress?

Practical advice to keep bringing the attention back to the Bandhas and Dhristi.  But also when talking to students, talk about deeper aspects of practice.

Also creating a Shala environment that supports internal absorbtion.

7- What teacher(s) made an impactful influence on you?

George Harrison

Bertrand Russell

Carl Jung

Tolkien

Erich Fromm

His Divine Grace A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami

Timothy Leary

Krishnamurti

Sri Sri Anandamurti

Adi Da Samraja

My master Vijaya Tirtha

Swami Sivananda Swami Vishnudevananda

Swami Kailasananda

Joey Miles

Hamish Hendry

Goenkaji

Chogyum Trumpa

Patabhi Jois

Sharath Jois

Krishnamacharya

Haidakan Baba ji 

8- Any final thoughts on the practice?

All practice should be seen within the context of Sadhana.  Our entire life journey can be seen as Sadhana.  So practice and life are one.

Ashtanga as a specific practice as taught in Mysore is not accessible to all.  Yet some physical practice can be done by all and it can then grow.  The relevance of having a very powerful shamanic physical practice which pushes you though points of crisis, is that we can really move beyond many limiting ideas in the body and mind.  It is deeply purifying.  My feeling is more and more that we need our community to assist in maintaining our own practice.  This technique is on the path for some, but not all.  Yet everyone is on a path toward greater understanding.

More info at:

http://www.hatha.co.uk/?page_id=42

If your interested in talking to Chris about philosophy, retreats, or classes, or your needing cover or someone to assist for Mysore style, please send an email to :

mail@hatha.co.uk or call 07944 662886

Second Series - Punishment in Paradise

  I'm not going to lie to you. My practice has been like a roller coaster. Since when I came back from Mysore this year it's being difficult to maintain the same energy and attitude towards my mat, which is very natural I guess. There I had my teacher, the support of the Shala and the point of attention only towards my practice. Also the weather was great...plus the coconuts in the end of the practice! I can't complain :)
 My practice since India got longer but even when I got exhausted there I had to keep going. Not because it was an obligation but because it was such a special moment and opportunity to practice at the Shala receiving adjustments and energy from my teacher. If you are in the same spot I am or if you have been through this (Please I need your advice :) we may understand each other. Practicing the Primary plus a chunk of the Second Series 6 days a week is so tiring! At least for me....
 Then I tried to come up with solutions like " I will do only primary and second if I still have energy " or I will do primary in the morning and second late afternoon" or " maybe second 3 times a week" and etc........ and what I noticed in y body is my nervous system being unbalanced reflecting through my body and my thoughts.
  The second series or Nadi Shodhana its a practice build to clean the nervous system and this series is to challenge the nervous system using asanas as a false, self-imposed stress so that you practice how to remain calm and clear in the midst of challenge life situations. (Inspired by Kino MacGregor book)

  That being said I think is important to keep on going to create mental strength and stamina.Sometimes I wish I had only about a hour long practice instead of almost 2 but at the same time I'm thankful for my teacher to put me in this type of situation or I would never feel doubt of myself. My ego is really punched every time I had to do it. It hurts and sometimes I just want to run away from my mat but I choose this discipline to be the studies of my own self for self discoveries. Its amazing how this practice uses us as a laboratory and let us experiences ourselves raw and how it is.

Funny Ashtanga Yoga Cartoons

Yoga method by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois

The words of Guruji. Very simple and yet profound.

The Process VS The Results

  Everyone wants results right? In our jobs, our bosses want to see results. As citizens we want to see and have results. Society want results. We expect results in our relationships. We want the things done in our time. Our mind is trained by generations to think and act like that. We are attached to results and we totally rush in the process.
  As yoga is my primary teacher I learned that the process is the most important phase to be lived. The results is just the consequence that we have to face without expectation. In the process we learn, we fail, our ego is little by little destroyed, because the process is a slow transformation that must be accept with patience and love.Our mind is direct to accomplish the results but not in the process. When we start to train our mind to live the present and in the process, we are living fully.
  In Ashtanga Yoga method is a very slow process of learning. There are different series of poses to learn in a formal sequence. We can not skip one to practice the other( even if we know the other ) because this method train the mind to accept the challenge of the process.  I have notice in myself and lots of students the necessity of perfecting an asana. Asana is just a vehicle to experience the inner self. While performing the asana the focus should be in the breath, gaze and Divine. Letting the ego go with the expectations for results. Experience the present moment even if brings pain, insecurity or fear. Being out of our comfort zone we start to see and feels things with equanimity. We start to train our mind to be in balance in the mat when we are felling good or not. Taking the lesson out of our mat into our everyday lives.
  One of the beauty of Ashtanga yoga methods is that you have no choice...It is what it is.... I can not choose what I like and practice. Every asana was knowledgeably put in a sequence by Sri. K. Pattabhi Jois.
  You go to a yoga studio and the boom of the class is the crow pose, headstands and handstands :)" Yes I feel in power"....and when you can not do it you feeI bad...and sad, because you see everyone doing, you see that awesome handstand picture on instagram. The asana don't make you became a big yogi or yogini...The process of learning and accepting where you are is the yoga in a pure essence.
  In the physical aspects when you focus in the process you build more awareness and strength. You are preparing you body and mind in a slow process for the result that may or may not happen...But who cares? Live the experience of the present moment.
 This lessons I take out of the mat to my personal life slowly also. We all have dreams,goals and plans to accomplish. Nothing happen in the time we want. We do our part, living fully with love, respect and devotion and God take care of the rest. Giving the fruits of our actions to God, detaching of the results is live in yoga.

Facts about full moon

 When I first started to practice Ashtanga yoga I did not understand much why we can not practice during moon (New and Full moon) days. When is a full moon day, that means the practitioners will take a rest.

 The logic behind is very interesting and go back many many years back. Like the ocean and all things of watery nature we are affected by the phases of the moon( human beings are about 70% of water). Our energy changes as the cycles of the moon. The full moon is considered a holiday in the Ashtanga tradition. It is also a fact that during the full moon we have more energy and passion, resulting a more aggressive practice where we can go more " deeper " than we are suppose to and end up hurting ourselves and or having an injury. During the new moon days we rest to retain energy. It is the day of the month that is believed we have less energy in the body.

 Its is important to remember that is the rest of  ASANA practice only ( third limb of Ashtanga Yoga ). Yoga is not asana. Asana is just a piece of the Ashtanga system. The other limbs are to be planted in our beings to be practice and to be flourished every day, all the time. Specially the Yamas and Niyamas.

Curious facts of full moon days:

  

1-In a study of 1,000 tonsillectomy operations, 82 per cent of post-operative bleeding crises occurred nearer the full moon than the new moon, according to the Journal of the Florida Medical Association.

2-The Californian grunion only spawns on the three or four nights after the highest tide associated with each full moon. The fish come ashore to lay their eggs.

3-Siri Lankan government rule bans playing sport on a full moon. 

4-Wesak, the most important of the Buddhist festivals, is celebrated on the full moon in May. It celebrates the Buddha's birthday and, for some Buddhists, marks his birth and death. 

Yoga physical aspects and beyond

   Yoga Asanas or poses(how we call in the west)is the third limb of the Ashtanga Yoga practice. I see the Ashtanga Yoga method as the pure essence of yoga. To experience the deep aspects of this practice we first start with the Yamas and Nyiamas. There the transformation starts. The third limb is the asana, what we generally aproach first in the west and most of the people think what yoga is all about. Yoga is a philosophy of life, which also has the potential to create a vibrantly healthy body and mind.

   Ashtanga Yoga, practiced in its correct sequential order, gradually leads the practitioner to rediscover his or her fullest potential on all levels of human consciousness - physical, psychological, and spiritual. ` In Ashtanga yoga method we practice an asana at a time until we are ready to practice the next one. It takes time, devotion and a daily practice. The goal is not to be able to do the next asana or posture.

  The goal is through the asana prepare our minds for the other limbs of yoga : pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (sense withdrawal), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (contemplation). These branches support each other. Asana practice must be established for proper practice of pranayama, and is a key to the development of the yamas and niyamas. Once these four externally oriented limbs are firmly rooted, the last four internally oriented limbs will spontaneously evolve over time.

  Sri K. Pattabhi Jois said to practice one asana 1000 times to make it perfect and at least 100.000 times to start to understand ourselves from that asana. From that point of view we realize how the practice its the main role of the asana limb. How important is to repeat again and again, be humble and learn from whatever feeling comes out of the practice. Everyday people create different styles of yoga, different names for the yoga asana practice.Giving to the student what he/she wants. The Ashtanga series are made to carefully study with dedication and devotion. We all get tempted and curious about doing advanced asanas,but if we just practice what we want or what looks cool, we are just getting attached to the asana itself and not focusing in the main goal of yoga.

  The evolution of asanas comes from Surya namaskara A and B ( The Sun Salutations A and B). It is how in the Ashtanga method we start. We also find called as Mysore style (Self practice). From the Sun Salutations on your own pace you open an space in your body and mind for the following asanas and psych and subtle levels. It is recommended to study under a guidence of a Guru or a authorized/Certified teacher. If is not possible, continue your exploration through practice and study and when the opportunity comes to have a directed teacher from the lineage embrace it! Studying from a directed teacher we call parampara.

What is Parampara?

Traditional Ashtanga Yoga is founded on the concept of parampara, a term meaning direct, experiential knowledge passed in succession from teacher to student. Our teachers have committed themselves to the instruction of Ashtanga Yoga as it was taught to them from the source in Mysore, India by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, R. Sharath Jois, and R. Saraswathi. Ashtanga Yoga and Parampara ‘Parampara’ literally means an uninterrupted succession and denotes the direct and unbroken transmission of knowledge from teacher to student. Traditional Ashtanga Yoga is founded on parampara and a commitment to its established instruction. Shri K. Pattabhi Jois took this method from Mysore, India and disseminated it all over the world. Guruji’s teachings are now continued by his family: R. Sharath Jois, R. Saraswathi, Manju Jois, and Sharmila Mahesh. Surrendering to the lineage of Astanga Yoga is to enter a river of teachings that has been flowing for thousands of years, a river that masters, past and present, have followed into an ocean of knowledge and wisdom.