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).

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

Ashtanga and Pregnancy - Second Trimester

Hello everyone!
 Lots of people are asking me how is my practicing going, if I still have my regular practice and how I feel about it. So here we go...
 I'm almost on my 5th month pregnant and I definitely feel much better than my first trimester. I do still practice Ashtanga yoga (some days the practice is shorter than others, or an extra day off), but now with a bigger belly I need to modified postures and also excluded some asanas of my daily practice. I can not forward fold as deep as before because of my bigger belly, I can't do deep twisting postures and I also avoid some back bending postures of the second series where I need to lay belly flat down. But Im thinking some ways where I can make a special prop for my belly...we will see ;)
 I also feel I lost connection between the legs with the upper body, because I can not activate my core muscles like before anymore, uddhiyana bandha is gone, so vinyasas are in a totally another level now. They are very basic, mostly walking back and through, sometimes I jump through but as I said before is hard because there is no core integration in the body by this point. Somehow I feel totally as a beginner in my practice, discovering and rediscovering new approaches to the changes occurring in my body.
 For most of Ashtanga practitioners is all or nothing so the change in practice can give a big impact in the mind. In the very beginning was a little weird to feel the changes in my body but now is a very natural reality. Everyday my body is changing and Im totally okay with that. My practice now feels more meditative and I feel I rediscover my breath in a more deeper way which feels great.
 Other thing I changed in my routine is to eat something before practicing. Traditionally the practice is done on empty stomach for the purification process occur nice and easy. Now Im more about nourishing my body instead of focusing in purification of my system. So far this pregnancy is teaching me deep lessons of impermanence and detachment and also is a ego smasher which for me is really important for my understanding of life an death.
 The practice of yoga (any style) is to make ourselves to feel good, the mind balanced, the heart calm and a sense of peace that is not affect by external situations. The more I practice and teach I see that does not matter which level of asana practice you are, what can you do with your legs or arms. If you see yoga just as contortion or balancing on the hands is better to go for an acrobatic/circus training. Do not compete with others or yourself, always approach the practice in a humble way. There is a place to be accessed during practice, a special and sacred space to connect with the Divine that lives within. In the end thats whats matter.
Shanti Shanti Shanti

The Pregnant Ashtangi

*This is a personal post from my own experience of being an Ashtanga practitioner and being pregnant. I don't want to generalize the subject as each practitioner have their own experience with their body, so Im speaking only about myself.


  Only God knows how is being mentally and physically difficult for me to be an Ashtanga practitioner and a pregnant woman at the same time. When I knew I was pregnant, my husband and I decided to give a break in my practice as Pattabhi Jois, Saraswathi and Sharath recommend for the first trimester of pregnancy. That is advised because the first three months are very delicate and hard movements as well overheating the body can cause miscarriages easily. I do know some women who practice Ashtanga and didn't stop their practice and they were fine. As I said before each person have their own opinions and I decided to follow the advice of my teachers, myself and family. Either way I continue with gentle stretches and teaching of course. The first 3 months and a half it was really hard and I think it was good to take a rest from my practice. I felt morning and night sickness. In the afternoons felt sleepy and tired. Now I'm in the 4th month and I feel better about being sick and I feel more energy in the mornings. I still feel suddenly sleepy, even more after when I eat something.
  Now Im welcoming the practice back into my routine. It's not being easy. I still feel lack of energy, I get tired quicker and even sleepy on the sitting positions or sometimes I suddenly feel hungry. Then I get a feeling that I'm not in control of my body anymore. But then I breath mindfully, I control my breath and then I calm my thoughts and my mind. I feel connected again with my body and deep inside I know its all temporary. I am where I am supposed to be.
  Every change is for the best and for us to learn something about ourselves.  I am a practitioner who strives for results and improvement. Im always thinking ways to achieve results in my practice. Now I just need to find ways to enjoy more my journey and improve my relationship to whatever is presented in the present moment. I think most of the Ashtanga practitioners are like that. If not wait until you can not practice the way you always do so you know better ;)We strive for results somehow, but then when we get an injury or something happens that is beyond our control like my pregnancy we are forced to step back and be mindful of every little step and movement of body and mind.
  Putting aside all the "negative"or not pleasant experiences of our new "temporary" practice there are positives as well.
1-Ego of course gets smashed and I feel much more humble.
2-I breath more mindfully because I want to send enough oxygen to the baby and I also want my mind and body to feel as calm as possible. So there is no rushing or forcing something to happen.
3- As a teacher I feel much more compassion and understanding for the students.
4-As a practitioner I learn that everything is temporary and impermanent. Attachment causes suffering. Liberation of all things is the goal of my practice. So not even to my practice I should feel attached or dependent to.

Some point along the years Ashtanga practitioners learn that does not matter how your practice looks like today, or in the past either how you think it will looks like in the future, we will continue to do it because this is the essence of the practice to just go and do it even if is just a few sun salutations.
Today it was half primary, tomorrow lets see whats happen. No expectation? Im working on that as well. Practice and all is coming.
Namaste.

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.

There is no competition with God

 You probably have seen somewhere the moto " I only compete with myself". Well, this type of thinking and feeling shows more compassion towards others, but not to oneself.
 What I mean is even when one think that they are competing only with themselves, still have a competition. Roots in a rajasic state of mind that is attached to results, leading to create anxiety and a constant desire for the fruits of actions (results).
  We all want to become a better being, a better practitioner, a better anything you name... We may compete with ourselves each day towards this goal and sometimes thinking just in the results and not being fulfilled in the process.

" Obligatory action, performed without any craving or aversion by a man unattached to results - this kind of action is sattvic. "
Bhagavad Gita.

 One of the best gifts of surrendering to God, the Supreme Power (or you name it..) is the ability of trust. Performing the duties, your Sadhana and thats it. Finding equanimity in the center of ourselves even when life is twisted. And why worry about it? Everything made by him is Supreme Perfection and Supreme Love even when there is pain and fear.
 We do our Sadhana with love, dedication, devotion, determination and faith. God takes care of everything else. Offering the fruits of actions to Him, we create a state of equanimity and peace within.