Question:

– Crocodile Walk — Well last, but hardly the least, or easiest. The starting position for the crocodile is lying face down, legs straight out.  Hands close in to the shoulders, elbows in, fingers facing up towards the head.  Toes tucked under.  The position can be either Chaturanga Dandasana or Nakrasana.  This means lift the whole body slightly off the floor.  Now… There are three ways to do this.  From easiest to hardest. If you are having trouble staying up, drop the body to the floor.  Keep you hands in and toes tucked under.  Start rolling gently from side to side.  As you do this start to edge the body forwards.  There is a timing to in and it is probably best to lift the hands off the floor to allow yourself "room" to walk them forwad.  Think of how a crocodile walks. Reverse the direction and walk the same distance backwards. Watch that you do not bruise the hips. The next one, keep the body slightly off the floor.  If the body raises up during the walk, just remember, crocodiles lift their bodies way up only when extremely stressed.  Now holding the body up walk  forwards on your hands and toes.  You will probably have to move one limb at a time.  Edge your way forward.  Smile. .  Walk backwards the same distance. The next version.  Body off the floor. Now jump, yes jump, the whole body forwards.  Hands and feet leave the ground at the same time, the body moves forward slightly.  Land. Watch that you do not smush your face into the ground. To do this you need to tension the whole body and push forward with the toes while releasing the tension through to the head.  Experiment, you will get it.  Reverse the jumping and walk the same distance backwards. Now you are all warmed up, proceed to the rest of your practice. Wade

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– Rabbit Walk — Another all fours one again.  One starts in a squat (probably on your toes) with the arms fairly close together on the floor in front of you.  Knees apart to let the arms through. Rabbits hop and this motion is a hop also.  Move the  hands along the floor until you get a feeling of weight in the hands, then HOP the back legs forward.  Move the hands along the floor again (keeping contact).  Simple as carrot pie.  You can hop quickly or slowly, long or short hops.  You get to decide.  Pick a distance again.  When you are done going forward, hop the same distance backwards.  Persistence, liveliness, active spine, relaxed hips, joy. Next up, the best of the best, Crocodiles. Wade

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– Crab Walk — To get into the position sit with your legs slightly bent, hands on the floor besides you bum.  Fingers initially point forwards towards your feet.  Lift your butt up so (hopefully) your body is in a table position, all the weight is equally distributed on your hands and feet.  Now crab walk forwards (feet leading). Find a comfortable position for your head.  Walk a decided distance.  Take a break.  Now, turn the hands around (fingers) pointing the other way.  Walk backwards (head first) with the butt up in the air.  Weight equally on hands and feet and side to side.  Breathe, time it to the motions if you wish. Perserverance.  You can do other variations, such as walking sideways. Remember this is moving asana, it is supposed to warm up the body and increase its internal energy.  Soft strong motion. Wade

Response:

– Seal Walk — Once again pick a distance you would like to do this walk.  Seals are of course ungainly on land, though they can move very quickly when they need too.  The basic position is on your hands and knees.  Hands flat on the floor slightly out from the body, 60 degree angle (think seal flippers).  Feet straight back, toes undone.  Head and neck parallel to the floor. To walk forwards move the hands slightly forward, then draw the right leg forwards and tuck it across (fairly tightly) and over the left knee.  The right foot will now be pointing out and back along the left side.  Move the hands forward again, this time taking the left leg and tucking in front of the right knee. Repeat.  Go your distance and then you walk backwards.  To walk backwards take your tucked leg, pull and across it and then put it behind and across the other leg.  Pull your hands in, repeat until you have walked the same distance backwards. If it is hard on your kness, try spreading your weight on your entire shin.  Once again there will be an arching of the spine, when you move your legs and a spinal twist when the legs are crossed.  A good starting distance?  Maybe 30 feet.  You can time the breathe with the motion, inhaling when crossing the legs, exhaling when moving the hands. Wade

Response:

I thought I would write some things up about various Okido Yoga practices.  Practices which do not seem to crop up in other Hatha Yoga styles. The first is a set of five animal walks.  Much of Hatha Yoga is derived from observation of the natural movements of animals. Humans sometimes have big brains that interfere with the body’s natural instincts. Observing and applying animal motions can improve one’s physical health. The set of five animal walks are: Elephant Seal Crab Rabbit Crocodile Each animal walk mimics the motion of the particular animal.  Each is a moving asana used to warm, strengthen and soften the body.  They are meant to be done in sequence during a single yoga session. — Elephant Walk — Elephants are four legged and as you can probably guess the elephant walk is on all fours.  Arms and Legs are fairly straight, feet hip width apart, heels down.  Hands spread evenly on the floor, fingers forward, shoulder width apart in line with the shoulders.  Head and neck relaxed.  The body weight is evenly distributed between the hands and feet and from the left to right side.  The motion is to walk with the same care and attention (and hopefully ease) that an elephant displays.  Pick a distance to walk, can be down a corridor, the length of a basketball court, or around the perimeter of the same court.  You will quickly discover an appropriate distance.  They are best done outside on the lawn.  When one walks there should be motion in the spine.  It is a slight twisting of the entire spine and a circular motion of the lumbar region.  After walking forwards reverse the direction (go feet first) and walk backwards the same distance.  They are not meant to be easy (just simple and effective), you may sweat and breathe hard.  There is nothing wrong with that.  If you would like to time the breathe with the motion you can inhale when one hand is placed and exhale when the other hand is placed. I saw a program on a Zen monastery, they cleaned the halls of in a similar way to the elephant walk every day.  They did it a quick run holding the rag in their hands.  To clean all the halls was over a mile! Wade

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Question:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – That people can do this is amazing in itself but yoga reintegrates a person so all their systems are in harmony. Wade What a gift yoga is. Yes, I agree! — ~Stu

I agree as well as to what a gift yoga is, and it surprises me to find the above story of the person who quits "after the 3rd class" but then I notice it’s also "after 3 weeks" — So: there was one yoga class per week, and I’m bound to suspect, very little "at-home" study and practice. Perhaps it was a bikram class and they hurt themselves or ran across a very regimentative instructor? Neil

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Dear Janiss, Geez, what kind of yoga are you studying? I’ve taken basic Hatha, Iyengar, a bit of power yoga here and there and the only thing that ever happened to me  was I got stronger and more flexible, and felt great after class (occasionally a little sore the next day). I’ve only become a whirlwind of negative emotion as a result of a negative inner life. That  said, I have heard of certain yoga styles – Kundalini being one that comes to mind – that  have had strange effects on the practitioner.

ehem …. To see what "strange effects" KY can have read: http://www.3ho.org/ and http://www.yogibhajan.com/intro.html On the other hand, I’ve heard of other styles, such as Kripalu, which are supposed to be emotionally healing. And Iyengar especially can take a therapeutic view – I know one Yoga teacher  here in Los Angeles who has workshops on Yoga and depression, and apparently he’s very good at helping people with non-clinical depression.

That’s what Yoga does – yes. We shouldn’t forget that Yoga is still an integral part of the Ayurveda – a whole health and lifestyle-system. I do have a student who was able after 40 years of depression to manage her disease without drugs. To find a lot of good KY teachers in California: http://www.sikhnet.com/Sikhnet/IKYTA.nsf/California!OpenView I honestly don’t think it’s the Yoga so much as there is probably something that’s been going on with you for a long time that you have, perhaps, been burying?

I agree on that. Maybe the Yoga is only the trigger. And maybe the type of yoga you are studying is not right for you. Or maybe it’s just me – I don’t have particularly emotional responses to physical activity!

I don’t belief that! You never had sex?? Can you belief a yoga experience beeing as good or better than that? Try some Kundalini Yoga … I just feel you need  to look deeper than at just your three yoga classes.

Yes, I agree with you. Sat Nam! Hari Har Singh

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ehem …. To see what "strange effects" KY can have read: http://www.3ho.org/ and http://www.yogibhajan.com/intro.html   No. Check THIS site: http://kundalini-info.org/engkni.html   and this one: http://www.kundalini-support.com/index-3.html                  * Designed to close the book on shareware crpg’s: *                    ULTIZURK IV: Lord of the Cyclops nears completion!                   http://hometown.aol.com/lotcyclops/madpage.html

Response:

snip< …I’ve become hyper-sensitive.  I’m quick to anger at the slightest provocation.  I even became downright violent when … snip<

Such things can happen if you are trying too hard. Remember you are doing more than stretching your arms and legs. Your spine is also bending and twisting … you are manipulating and playing around with your central nervous system. If you are going into the poses too far and and too hard, then the nerves become agitated instead of calmed. That said, the anger and hypersensitibity you experience is still your own. Shit happens. Deal with it.

Response:

Its funny I just responded with a similar post concerning the importance of the yamas on a different newsgroup. It may be more simple than that. Sometimes when a really tense person gets a massage the person leaves with more anxiety.  Its as if a layer of stress is peeled away revealing a deeper layer.

Yes, I think people develop mental and physical controls to inhibit their "bad" behavior.  These inhibitions are there as a defensive measure against criticism, violence (basically pain) that they receive when they interact with other people.  There are even defensive measures against one’s own judgments that involve repression, denial and general unawareness.  The black bag they carry that they hide things they do not want others or themselves to see. A person thinks "It is not good to be stressed".  Therefore they find a way of meeting their ideal.  There are many ways of doing this, one of them being to hide it from others through physical and mental control (tight shoulders, controlled speech, and literally burying it down in one’s unconscious).  When a person relaxes they forget about the controls for a bit and all that pressure is released and stuff that is hidden emerges (sometimes much to the surprise of the person).  But as is said the truth shall make you free.  Non-lying. That people can do this is amazing in itself but yoga reintegrates a person so all their systems are in harmony. Wade

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Technically if the yoga you are practicing is just physical activity it is not yoga at all. It is bhoga. I think you are missing the point slightly. I heard an Ashtanga teacher say that people very very rarely ‘flip out’ or ‘lose it’ because they practise Ashtanga (Vinyasa) Yoga. Those things happen more often in some other kinds of Yoga, I’ve been told. This is because a physical asana practise like in Ashtanga is very grounding and people don’t start pranayama on meditation until after they have developed and advanced asana practise. Marcus

In my familiarity with Ashtanga several years ago the practice was not purely physical.  There is great emphasis put on where your attention is during practice, and maintaining an equanimity of being in the moment of each pose.  Ultimately it is this discipline of the mind that distinguishes the practice from bhoga. And I agree with the general Ashtanga doctrine that echoes Iyengar (not a coincidence) to master asana before moving on to pranayama on meditation.  I did not have that experience, having started  a regular meditation practice long before learning correct asana practice. I think it has been a determent to my sadhana. — ~Stu

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That people can do this is amazing in itself but yoga reintegrates a person so all their systems are in harmony. Wade

What a gift yoga is. — ~Stu

Response:

That people can do this is amazing in itself but yoga reintegrates a person so all their systems are in harmony. Wade What a gift yoga is.

Yes, I agree! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – — ~Stu

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Please, please take off the horsehair underwear! Pennance is really not necessary! Actually, while I take a rather spiritual approach to everything, especially every day life, sometimes I think a little bhoga is a good thing, even for someone who has been practicing yoga for quite a while (which I believe you yourself acknowledged). I treasure the bhoga side of my practice, as it keeps me able to laugh at myself  when I’m trying too hard to master either my mind or body. When life gets too heavy for whatever reason, it’s usually time for a little bhoga, or maybe an aerobics video, or both. A Buster Keaton movie doesn’t hurt, either. Once I’ve regained my perspective, it’s time to dig more deeply once  again. Bhoga aside, I do a lot of non-yoga physical activity, but I try to take a mindful, more spiritual approach to it than most people do.  If bhoga is the more shallow, three-dimensional world of Yoga, then what can I call the more uplifting, spiritual side of other forms of physical fitness? -Janiss

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Now, after my third yoga class, I’m ready to quit!  Since this has been the only change in my life in the last few weeks, it’s the only thing to which I can contribute this horrible, upside-down feeling.  I’ve become hyper-sensitive.  I’m quick to anger at the slightest provocation.  I even became downright violent when I ruined a shirt in the laundry!  I can’t concentrate at work.  Several times I’ve realized I had been sitting at my desk, blankly staring.  This is all totally against my pre-yoga self. So much for a gentle, stretching exercise.  After talking to some classmates, I wonder why they have continued.  Relationship break-ups soon after starting yoga, job abandonment, questioning everything they are.  I can’t tolerate such upheaval.  All at once anyway. Is this typical?

Sorry for not reading entire thread, but would like to give two thaughts: 1) Breaking up, mentally, or even hurting oneseft physically (like injury or such) depends sometimes just on how much you (better said: your teacher) will push you, and that depends most on your goal and your eagerness (excuse my spelling) to achieve it. I have read and heard some things that some yogis were forced (but willingly!) to go through in order to become holy, and selfrealized. The qey is to have consciousness BEYOND body, thoughts, mind, ego and all that, and mind likes to defend from attempts to change. One anegdote: Swami Vivekanand was once asked (or rather million times, but this once didn’t have patience to assure that man that all would be OK and so on) if man can go mad from meditation practice. He replied, much to man’s surprise: "Than go mad! If this is only price to pay to find God, than go mad, man!" However, I doubt you’ll go mad or unpolite or rude or something, probably just dig deep in your mind and reach for the soul, like going in the old attic; you’ll find diamonds, but will have to dig through piles of old-stored junk in order to find it. IMHO, have you not had that diamond on this attic, you wouldn’t have urge to start your quest. This is process of dragging contents of your attic outside, on daylight, to view and valuate and throw away what you don’t need. 2) If you quit yoga, yoga will not lose, only you can lose. Will you quit at first obstacle? Love, Rup Puri

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Its funny I just responded with a similar post concerning the importance of the yamas on a different newsgroup. It may be more simple than that. Sometimes when a really tense person gets a massage the person leaves with more anxiety.  Its as if a layer of stress is peeled away revealing a deeper layer. Yes, I think people develop mental and physical controls to inhibit their "bad" behavior.  These inhibitions are there as a defensive measure against criticism, violence (basically pain) that they receive when they interact with other people.  There are even defensive measures against one’s own judgments that involve repression, denial and general unawareness.  The black bag they carry that they hide things they do not want others or themselves to see. A person thinks "It is not good to be stressed".  Therefore they find a way of meeting their ideal.  There are many ways of doing this, one of them being to hide it from others through physical and mental control (tight shoulders, controlled speech, and literally burying it down in one’s unconscious).  When a person relaxes they forget about the controls for a bit and all that pressure is released and stuff that is hidden emerges (sometimes much to the surprise of the person).  But as is said the truth shall make you free.  Non-lying.

This is a great perception here, Wade, well said! Neil Dennis

Response:

Geez, what kind of yoga are you studying? I’ve taken basic Hatha, Iyengar, a bit of power yoga here and there and the only thing that ever happened to me  was I got stronger and more flexible, and felt great after class (occasionally a little sore the next day). I’ve only become a whirlwind of negative emotion as a result of a negative inner life. That  said, I have heard of certain yoga styles – Kundalini being one that comes to mind – that  have had strange effects on the practitioner. On the other hand, I’ve heard of other styles, such as Kripalu, which are supposed to be emotionally healing. And Iyengar especially can take a therapeutic view – I know one Yoga teacher  here in Los Angeles who has workshops on Yoga and depression, and apparently he’s very good at helping people with non-clinical depression. I honestly don’t think it’s the Yoga so much as there is probably something that’s been going on with you for a long time that you have, perhaps, been burying? And maybe the type of yoga you are studying is not right for you. Or maybe it’s just me – I don’t have particularly emotional responses to physical activity! I just feel you need  to look deeper than at just your three yoga classes. -Janiss

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – And maybe the type of yoga you are studying is not right for you. Or maybe it’s just me – I don’t have particularly emotional responses to physical activity! Ms. Garza: I have in the past enjoyed your insights.  I am a little surprised at your response though. Technically if the yoga you are practicing is just physical activity it is not yoga at all. It is bhoga.  Really is nothing wrong with that.  There is a certain amount of bhoga in yoga.  For a beginner a practice in bhoga is fine but as one advances one would hope that their practice summoned the depth that is yoga. — ~Stu

Ms. Garza: 1000 apologies. Sorry as I was hitting the send button I noticed the little emoticon on your sentence.  I over reacted.  Just a pet peeve.  Too much time on my hands really.  Should find a job instead.  Not even sure how I could doubt your sadhana that is really an inspiration to us all. I will wear scratchy horsehair lined underwear as penance for a week. I hope you will be a frequent contributor to this NG. I really enjoy your writing and expertise in the area. — ~Stu

Response:

And maybe the type of yoga you are studying is not right for you. Or maybe it’s just me – I don’t have particularly emotional responses to physical activity!

Ms. Garza: I have in the past enjoyed your insights.  I am a little surprised at your response though. Technically if the yoga you are practicing is just physical activity it is not yoga at all. It is bhoga.  Really is nothing wrong with that.  There is a certain amount of bhoga in yoga.  For a beginner a practice in bhoga is fine but as one advances one would hope that their practice summoned the depth that is yoga. — ~Stu

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You talked with other students in the class and they too blamed yoga for relationship break-ups, job abandonment, questioning everything they are. I find that hard to believe.  I have been going to different yoga classes of various levels and schools now for some 40 years and I have not heard such a thing. Perhaps people with a pulled muscle or injury (due to poor guidance), or feeling a little "spacey" (from deep meditation without proper preparation).  But the things you mention suggests deep character modifications.  What kind of yoga class is this?  I am not sure what type of class could cause people to change this much – it is almost as if these people were modified through alcohol or drug dependence. It may not be the yoga practice but the yoga teacher that is the main influence here.  It can be very difficult to understand why things happen, but as I have found out all sorts of things do happen.  I think character modifications are OK but not so quickly as not being able handle the changes without being destructive.  I think the yamas are put in place just for this upheaval that deep seated change can bring. Wade

Its funny I just responded with a similar post concerning the importance of the yamas on a different newsgroup. It may be more simple than that. Sometimes when a really tense person gets a massage the person leaves with more anxiety.  Its as if a layer of stress is peeled away revealing a deeper layer. — ~Stu

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You talked with other students in the class and they too blamed yoga for relationship break-ups, job abandonment, questioning everything they are. I find that hard to believe.  I have been going to different yoga classes of various levels and schools now for some 40 years and I have not heard such a thing. Perhaps people with a pulled muscle or injury (due to poor guidance), or feeling a little "spacey" (from deep meditation without proper preparation).  But the things you mention suggests deep character modifications.  What kind of yoga class is this?  I am not sure what type of class could cause people to change this much – it is almost as if these people were modified through alcohol or drug dependence.

 It may not be the yoga practice but the yoga teacher that is the main influence here.  It can be very difficult to understand why things happen, but as I have found out all sorts of things do happen.  I think character modifications are OK but not so quickly as not being able handle the changes without being destructive.  I think the yamas are put in place just for this upheaval that deep seated change can bring. Wade

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Now, after my third yoga class, I’m ready to quit!  Since this has been the only change in my life in the last few weeks, it’s the only thing to which I can contribute this horrible, upside-down feeling.  I’ve become hyper-sensitive.  I’m quick to anger at the slightest provocation.  I even became downright violent when I ruined a shirt in the laundry!  I can’t concentrate at work.  Several times I’ve realized I had been sitting at my desk, blankly staring.  This is all totally against my pre-yoga self. So much for a gentle, stretching exercise.  After talking to some classmates, I wonder why they have continued.  Relationship break-ups soon after starting yoga, job abandonment, questioning everything they are.  I can’t tolerate such upheaval.  All at once anyway. Is this typical?

Dear Casper, several ppl in this ng allready told you that anger is ok, it’s good to feel it, that it comes from inside, etc. I can also tell you that often other feelings hide behind this anger / violence. Feelings like insecurety, sadness, grief, stress, fear and depression. Maybe you can feel within yourself what could fit to your anger – what feelings hide behind your anger. None of these emotions are "bad". What makes them "bad" and an painfull experience to us that we think of them as something unwanted / "negative" and painfull and therefor start a tragic don quichote fight within ourself against what we are, our own beeing. A fight we cannot win but many of us still do fight until they die – not fullfilled but exhausted / burned out from this figfht against themselfs to fullfill the image they – their Ego – created. Often an in-human image created to fight ones own humanity. All these feelings and emotions are within you. The Yoga doesn’t give you feelings like a feeling-drug that you swallow. Now there are some questions that come to my mind: These gentle exercises does make you angry – is this something you know? That gentleness does make you angry? What about your own gentleness? Are you gentle and caring with yourself? Gentleness is a big power! ("Flowerpower!" "The power of cannons cannot open a heart. But with 1 or 2 humble words it can be opened forever." One last short tip: It also can be a beeing carful and gentle with yourself to stop joining the Yoga class if the experience is to extreme to handle for you. Be carefull with yourself. Whatch what is happening! Good luck on your path! Sat Nam – Hari Har Singh

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Now, after my third yoga class, I’m ready to quit!  Since this has been the only change in my life in the last few weeks, it’s the only thing to which I can contribute this horrible, upside-down feeling.  I’ve become hyper-sensitive.  I’m quick to anger at the slightest provocation.  I even became downright violent when I ruined a shirt in the laundry!  I can’t concentrate at work.  Several times I’ve realized I had been sitting at my desk, blankly staring.  This is all totally against my pre-yoga self. So much for a gentle, stretching exercise.  After talking to some classmates, I wonder why they have continued.  Relationship break-ups soon after starting yoga, job abandonment, questioning everything they are.  I can’t tolerate such upheaval.  All at once anyway. Is this typical?

You talked with other students in the class and they too blamed yoga for relationship break-ups, job abandonment, questioning everything they are.  I find that hard to believe.  I have been going to different yoga classes of various levels and schools now for some 40 years and I have not heard such a thing. Perhaps people with a pulled muscle or injury (due to poor guidance), or feeling a little "spacey" (from deep meditation without proper preparation).  But the things you mention suggests deep character modifications.  What kind of yoga class is this?  I am not sure what type of class could cause people to change this much – it is almost as if these people were modified through alcohol or drug dependence. Be that as it may, I would look long and hard at Wade’s response.  Note these changes in your life: -Shortened attention span -hyper sensitivity -irritability Research has demonstrated that yoga has the opposite effect relaxing the body, increasing attention span, and releasing anger.  You may look up Yoga research at Pubmed.com. It may very well be that yoga has brought your attention to behaviors that were there before, only they were not on your radar. — ~Stu

Response:

good point.. one of the aims of yoga is to release the tensions and the anger… it’s a good sign… even if it kills you and destroys your whole life as you know it…  the aim of yoga is rebirth with a different consciousness and new awareness anyway… so I say stay with the pain and the anger until it all goes away… no pain no gain…  mental or physical.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Now, after my third yoga class, I’m ready to quit!  Since this has been the only change in my life in the last few weeks, it’s the only thing to which I can contribute this horrible, upside-down feeling.  I’ve become hyper-sensitive.  I’m quick to anger at the slightest provocation.  I even became downright violent when I ruined a shirt in the laundry!  I can’t concentrate at work.  Several times I’ve realized I had been sitting at my desk, blankly staring.  This is all totally against my pre-yoga self. So much for a gentle, stretching exercise.  After talking to some classmates, I wonder why they have continued.  Relationship break-ups soon after starting yoga, job abandonment, questioning everything they are.  I can’t tolerate such upheaval.  All at once anyway. Is this typical?

Casper, The binders come off and your true personality comes out.  Why did you start yoga in the first place?  You got one thing right, that you are angry (and angry before you started yoga).  Its not yoga which caused the anger, you are angry.  So what are you going to do about it?  When are you going to do something about it?  Destroying your current situation (relationship break-ups, job abandonement, ….) will not help yourself, changing yourself instead will make the difference. Hyper-sensitvity, upside-down feelings, violence, lack of concentration are all symptoms of being angry.  Its just not just is it? Wade

Response:

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Now, after my third yoga class, I’m ready to quit!  Since this has been the only change in my life in the last few weeks, it’s the only thing to which I can contribute this horrible, upside-down feeling.  I’ve become hyper-sensitive.  I’m quick to anger at the slightest provocation.  I even became downright violent when I ruined a shirt in the laundry!  I can’t concentrate at work.  Several times I’ve realized I had been sitting at my desk, blankly staring.  This is all totally against my pre-yoga self. So much for a gentle, stretching exercise.  After talking to some classmates, I wonder why they have continued.  Relationship break-ups soon after starting yoga, job abandonment, questioning everything they are.  I can’t tolerate such upheaval.  All at once anyway. Is this typical?

Casper, The binders come off and your true personality comes out.  Why did you start yoga in the first place?  You got one thing right, that you are angry (and angry before you started yoga).  Its not yoga which caused the anger, you are angry.  So what are you going to do about it?  When are you going to do something about it?  Destroying your current situation (relationship break-ups, job abandonement, ….) will not help yourself, changing yourself instead will make the difference. Hyper-sensitvity, upside-down feelings, violence, lack of concentration are all symptoms of being angry.  Its just not just is it? Wade

Response:

Now, after my third yoga class, I’m ready to quit!  Since this has been the only change in my life in the last few weeks, it’s the only thing to which I can contribute this horrible, upside-down feeling.  I’ve become hyper-sensitive.  I’m quick to anger at the slightest provocation.  I even became downright violent when I ruined a shirt in the laundry!  I can’t concentrate at work.  Several times I’ve realized I had been sitting at my desk, blankly staring.  This is all totally against my pre-yoga self. So much for a gentle, stretching exercise.  After talking to some classmates, I wonder why they have continued.  Relationship break-ups soon after starting yoga, job abandonment, questioning everything they are.  I can’t tolerate such upheaval.  All at once anyway. Is this typical?

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Question:

B.S.K. Iyengar is one of the world’s formost teachers of Hatha Yoga. His style taught by the many student’s he & his schools have trained have made Iyengar Yoga almost a brand name. There is strong focus on form in this style. The use of props is also different. For the most part though the basic postures & joy of yoga will be familiar to you from your previous experience. Enjoy the class. peace sandra

Response:

Don Weymer asked about Iyengar yoga (ref: BKS Iyengar). inlight responded that: – <"Iyengar Yoga" refers to the "yoga" taught by the Indian man named B.K.S. Iyengar. – <It is, primarily, Hatha Yoga. Of course, many believe that it is a very incomplete (at best) approach to the profound spiritual disciplines of the religion of Hinduism. – <Many feel that to name Yoga after oneself is analagous to a fictitious term like: "Swaggart Christianity." Of the first 2 points I will concur; however to the last, I have never seen it said that Shri Iyengar did indeed name the style after himself. "Iyengar" is the name of Brahmin priests in south & southwest India.  Shri Iyengar hails from this lineage (hence the white cord he is often depicted wearing).  I have never seen it said (written or otherwise) that this system of hatha yoga is indeed named for him.  It could be his lineage.  Any authorities?  Iyengar folk?

Response:

I took Yoga in college about 5 years ago and now I am trying it again.  The class I am enrolled in is called Iyengar Yoga; can anyone tell me what it means and what the difference is compared to other types of Yoga?  Thanks in advance. Nicole Weymer

"Iyengar Yoga" refers to the "yoga" taught by the Indian man named B.K.S. Iyengar. It is, primarily, Hatha Yoga. Of course, many believe that it is a very incomplete (at best) approach to the profound spiritual disciplines of the religion of Hinduism. Many feel that to name Yoga after oneself is analagous to a fictitious term like: "Swaggart Christianity."

Response:

I took Yoga in college about 5 years ago and now I am trying it again.  The class I am enrolled in is called Iyengar Yoga; can anyone tell me what it means and what the difference is compared to other types of Yoga?  Thanks in advance. Nicole Weymer

Response:

I practice Iyengar yoga in the UK and have a very good teacher but he does not promote videos or books at all as a way of practicing yoga.

I guess that could take money out of his pocket. There’s no substitute for a good, live teacher, but you can expand your practice and learn a lot from other media as well. My teacher encourages us to go to other teachers as well as books and videos to learn as much as we possibly can.

Response:

I practice Iyengar yoga in the UK and have a very good teacher but he does not promote videos or books at all as a way of practicing yoga. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m not entirely sure of PA geography, so you may find something close if you go to this URL, which as a list of Iyengar teachers by state: http://comnet.org/iynaus/cert4.html#PA Good luck. It’s worth the effort to find a good Iyengar teacher. rwd Hi all. I am fairly new at yoga and began by doing 6 weeks of Iyengar every day of the week. I absolutely loved the way my body changed over just that amount of time. It was amazing what yoga did for my entire being. Now I have been away from it for about 5 weeks and am missing it genuinely. There are no Iyengar teachers in my area (I am having trouble finding teachers around here (Reading, PA area) at all, actually. Can someone tell me, what other forms of yoga might be as intense as Iyengar yoga? I liked the seriousness and intensity of the classes. I tried one yoga class here that was doing a whole lot of chanting, which I enjoy, but I also know the benefits of asanas. And my second question is about finding a class around here. Does anyone know of any in Reading (or Allentown) areas? Does anyone know how I could find out? Thanks so very much, Sara Namaste (is that how you spell it?)

Response:

I’m not entirely sure of PA geography, so you may find something close if you go to this URL, which as a list of Iyengar teachers by state: http://comnet.org/iynaus/cert4.html#PA Good luck. It’s worth the effort to find a good Iyengar teacher. rwd – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Hi all. I am fairly new at yoga and began by doing 6 weeks of Iyengar every day of the week. I absolutely loved the way my body changed over just that amount of time. It was amazing what yoga did for my entire being. Now I have been away from it for about 5 weeks and am missing it genuinely. There are no Iyengar teachers in my area (I am having trouble finding teachers around here (Reading, PA area) at all, actually. Can someone tell me, what other forms of yoga might be as intense as Iyengar yoga? I liked the seriousness and intensity of the classes. I tried one yoga class here that was doing a whole lot of chanting, which I enjoy, but I also know the benefits of asanas. And my second question is about finding a class around here. Does anyone know of any in Reading (or Allentown) areas? Does anyone know how I could find out? Thanks so very much, Sara Namaste (is that how you spell it?)

Response:

Hi all. I am fairly new at yoga and began by doing 6 weeks of Iyengar every day of the week. I absolutely loved the way my body changed over just that amount of time. It was amazing what yoga did for my entire being. Now I have been away from it for about 5 weeks and am missing it genuinely.

Pick up a book or a tape and continue at home – even five minutes a day would be a start. There are no Iyengar teachers in my area (I am having trouble finding teachers around here (Reading, PA area) at all, actually. Can someone tell me, what other forms of yoga might be as intense as Iyengar yoga? I liked the seriousness and intensity of the classes. I tried one yoga class here that was doing a whole lot of chanting, which I enjoy, but I also know the benefits of asanas. And my second question is about finding a class around here. Does anyone know of any in Reading (or Allentown) areas? Does anyone know how I could find out? Thanks so very much, Sara Namaste (is that how you spell it?)

Did you look at the teacher directory at http://www.iyengar-yoga.com?  Many Iyengar method teachers teach out of their homes and have small classes of 5-8 students. You may need to talk to teachers in the vicinity who can direct you to people in your specific neighborhood.  Generally these teachers don’t advertise and depend on word of mouth to find students.  Call the closest Iyengar Center see what they tell you. — ~Stu

Response:

Hi Sara, I don’t live in PA, but sometimes it takes a little detective work to find yoga classes. The bigger studios advertise in the yellow pages, but there are good teachers who teach at rec centers, gyms, dance studios, and in their homes. They don’t necessarily advertise, so you have to ask around. Type "yoga Pennsylvania" into your web browser and see what you come up with. There are many nice forms of yoga to try. Why don’t you get some tapes while you are looking for a class so you don’t miss out in the meantime? Good luck with your search!

Response:

Hi Sara My Pennsylvania geography isn’t very good.  I’ve copied and pasted the Pennsylvania entries in the yoga Journal’s teachers directory here.  My Iyengar teacher is listed in the Florida part.  The directory is organized by states in the US.  I enjoy Iyengar yoga very much, too. Amy YOGA JOURNAL SOURCE 2001 YOGA TEACHERS & CENTERS PENNSYLVANIA Awakening Arts Rona French Schaffer 805 S. 24 St. Allentown, PA 18103 Phone: (610) 820-0444 Classes at Cedar Crest, Lehigh, Lafayette & Moravian College. 20 years experience. Yoga & Health in Bethlehem Joan Thirion, Director 154 W. Langhorne Ave. Bethlehem, PA 18017 Phone: (610) 867-2523 Website: www.yogaandhealth.com Kripalu, Ashtanga, Bikram’s classes in Bethlehem. Teacher training, breathwork, Reiki training. Yogability Patty Beichert 707 Valley Rd. Blue Bell, PA 19422 Phone: (215) 654-1120 Certifed wholistic yoga teacher. Call for schedule. Baptiste Power Yoga Rhea Slichter 931 Haverford Rd. Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 Phone: (610) 541-0568 Fax: (610) 541-0534 Baron Baptiste’s Power Yoga, Ashtanga Power Yoga and apprenticeship teacher training. Baptiste Power Yoga 931 Haverford Rd. Bryn Mawr, PA 19081 Phone: (610) 541-0568 Baron Baptiste’s Power Yoga classes. Workshops with Baron Baptiste. Apprenticeship teacher training. Yoga Sport Dee Silvers R.N. 200 S. Roberts Rd. A-4 Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 Phone: (610) 525-5651 Fax: (610) 525-7989 Website: www.yogasport.com Source for Ashtanga tradition. Manju Jois C.E.Y. (Chief Executive Yogi). Daily classes, one on ones, workshops, Mysore style, teacher led. Outrageous staff, great joyous energy, kickin’ classes, all levels. Gloria Guldager 164 S. Keswick Ave. Glenside, PA 19038 Phone: (215) 884-4725 Website: www.dca.net/gottagoyoga Kripalu certified. Group and private classes available. Philadelphia are a. Self Mastery Yoga Programs: Yoga & Ayurveda Hari Sharana Zandler 833 Buck Ln. Haverford, PA 19041 Phone: (610) 642-5621 Iyengar, Kripalu, chakra yoga classes, teacher training, ayurvedic consultations, yoga therapy. Center for Well-Being Dean & Rebecca Lerner P.O. Box 644 Lemont, PA 16851 Website: www.centerforwellbeing.net Certified instructors in the Iyengar Yoga tradition. Comprehensive class schedule. Power Yoga Works Bill Raup, Director Rt. 30 & Rt. 401 Great Valley Ctr. Malvern, PA 19355 Phone: (610) 889-YOGA Website: www.poweryogaworks.com Ashtanga and Baptiste style yoga, workshops, teacher training, yoga 7 days a week. Whole in One

Question:

Yoga Styles: There are really three complimentary ways to view the various Yoga disciplines of the Hindu religion: 1. Yoga as a generic or general term for the many, progressive spiritual disciplines of Hinduism; i.e., Karma Yoga (ethics), Bhakti Yoga (devotion), Hatha Yoga (postures to prepare for:) Raja Yoga (meditation) and Jnana Yoga (Spiritual Enlightenment and to a lesser degree intellectual study). *In the Saivite tradition of S. India (from which Patanjali hailed), this same progressive path is termed: Chariya, Kriya, Yogam and Jnanam, respectively. 2. Yoga as one of the six orthodox philosophies of Hinduism. This is the classical yoga of the Hindu Guru Patanjali. Part of this is Astanga Yoga or the eight-limbed (astanga) process; i.e., Yama, Niyama (Karma and Bhakti Yoga), Asana (Hatha Yoga), Pranayama, Pratyhara, Dharana, Dhyana (Raja Yoga) and Samadhi (Jnana Yoga). There are other what could be called "subsidiary yogas" that fall within these major categories such as: Mantra Yoga (chanting), Japa Yoga (with beads), Nada Yoga (music) and Kundalini Yoga (study/experience within Raja Yoga of the chakras). This is a good foundation for what is really Yoga; i.e., the many spiritual disciplines of the Hindu religion, taught by qualified Hindus free of charge. Therefore all the other non-sense in the name of "yoga" is just that. Most are simply personality cults. True Yoga will be about the former and phony "yoga" will be about the latter. Simply if your "teacher" is not a Hindu (or a derivative religion), obviously then does not teach yoga as Hinduism and charges money, then you are "learning" a bogus form of "yoga." Think of the "3 P’s" Personality, Picture and Price tag. If this is what you encounter, you would be wise to walk (or run) away from such sites or individuals. Better yet, tell them to get a life and stop stealing and misinterpreting these profound Hindu spiritual disciplines.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yoga Styles: There are really three complimentary ways to view the various Yoga disciplines of the Hindu religion: 1. Yoga as a generic or general term for the many, progressive spiritual disciplines of Hinduism; i.e., Karma Yoga (ethics), Bhakti Yoga (devotion), Hatha Yoga (postures to prepare for:) Raja Yoga (meditation) and Jnana Yoga (Spiritual Enlightenment and to a lesser degree intellectual study). *In the Saivite tradition of S. India (from which Patanjali hailed), this same progressive path is termed: Chariya, Kriya, Yogam and Jnanam, respectively. 2. Yoga as one of the six orthodox philosophies of Hinduism. This is the classical yoga of the Hindu Guru Patanjali. Part of this is Astanga Yoga or the eight-limbed (astanga) process; i.e., Yama, Niyama (Karma and Bhakti Yoga), Asana (Hatha Yoga), Pranayama, Pratyhara, Dharana, Dhyana (Raja Yoga) and Samadhi (Jnana Yoga). There are other what could be called "subsidiary yogas" that fall within these major categories such as: Mantra Yoga (chanting), Japa Yoga (with beads), Nada Yoga (music) and Kundalini Yoga (study/experience within Raja Yoga of the chakras). This is a good foundation for what is really Yoga; i.e., the many spiritual disciplines of the Hindu religion, taught by qualified Hindus free of charge. Therefore all the other non-sense in the name of "yoga" is just that. Most are simply personality cults. True Yoga will be about the former and phony "yoga" will be about the latter. Simply if your "teacher" is not a Hindu (or a derivative religion), obviously then does not teach yoga as Hinduism and charges money, then you are "learning" a bogus form of "yoga." Think of the "3 P’s" Personality, Picture and Price tag. If this is what you encounter, you would be wise to walk (or run) away from such sites or individuals. Better yet, tell them to get a life and stop stealing and misinterpreting these profound Hindu spiritual disciplines.

Hey…..OKA Before you buy.

Response:

Peter Namaste!

You are mostly correct Sahaj Yogi. Do not forget that "Inlight" only ventilates his personal opinion (as we all do).

You are too kind :- ) Agree you and many others feel differently about the "importance" of the varoius "yoga’s"…

Everyone has the right to chose their path. No one path is more important or better than another and comparing them in hierarchical terms (high or low), good/bad, better or worse, right/wrong, or as to comparative advantage simply betrays an insecurity or in inlights case, intolerance, bigotry, and prejudice. Expressing and sharing your experiences or discussing the different characteristics of one practice versus another is instructive and well, however if you do not see that inlight attempts to ridicule, demean, harass, and intimidate then that is your own choice to ignore. Personally I like to challenge this. His bigotry, closemindeness, and intolerance is clear to myself and is not characteritic of most Hindus (nor is it shedding positive light on Hindusim if we use inlight as an example of a Hindu). I know that you have witnessed Inlight for as many years as I have so you should know that  inlight derides eclectic yoga as being inauthentic attacking anything that he smells non-Hindu in a series of rude posts ignoring any dialogue.  Then he directs people to  a web site (classicalyoga.com) where he sells books and correspondence costs about Hinduism and yoga (the information on yoga there being both incorrect and eklementary). Although you may take him as "authentic" in reality hje is a spammer (making side money) by selling these books and courses. This is well known to those who have gone the entire route with him. Spamming and scapegoating with ulterior motives can be ignored, but once in awhile I find that it is my dharma to confront such spam, sham, and scam. I usually "ignore" his posts (they have always been the same) so do not worry, I do not take any of this nonsense seriously — it is an ancient "problem"   For you I expect your dharma will be necessarily different. Nice to talk again, Kailish is wonderful!  Wonderful! Namaste! Likewise, nada yoga is not music (but music can be  part of a  nada yoga discipline). Once one has expeience with Brahma nada he will know it is not mere music!

Nicely put

Response:

You are mostly correct Sahaj Yogi. Do not forget that "Inlight" only ventilates his personal opinion (as we all do). Karma yoga is the yoga of actions or work as in self less service or action without attachment to results. As such it is surrender to the highest "self".

Agree you and many others feel differently about the "importance" of the varoius "yoga’s"… <snip! Yoga is not a philosophy and can not be fitted into one without losing its essential teaching i.e., to go beyond the limitations of conceptional mind

Yoga is often referred to as a science! Likewise, nada yoga is not music (but music can be  part of a  nada yoga discipline).

Once one has expeience with Brahma nada he will know it is not mere music! 2. Yoga as one of the six orthodox philosophies of Hinduism. This is the classical yoga of the Hindu Guru Patanjali. Part of this is Astanga Yoga or the eight-limbed (astanga) process; i.e., Yama, Niyama (Karma and Bhakti Yoga),

Yama and Niyama Karma and Bhakti? Ah, what’s in a name… Asana (Hatha Yoga), Pranayama, Pratyhara, Dharana, Dhyana (Raja Yoga) and Samadhi (Jnana Yoga).

According to the Great Patanjali this is all "raja Yoga"… Have you ever experienced Samadhi? If you have you would not call it like this.

Response:

Probably just a waste of time trying to correct some minor points. Karma yoga is the yoga of actions or work as in self less service or action without attachment to results. As such it is surrender to the highest "self". As such it is not a system of ethics in the Western sense (Where there are laws written done to conform to and where if one breaks these commandments, then one is punished. Thus the idea of sin is foreign also in karma yoga, the motivation being positive (surrender to universal love — the classic being the Bhagavad Gita where surrender is to the form of Krishna). Again you repeatedly make the mistake equating hatha yoga with postures. They are not the same., i.e., asana practice is but one practice within hatha yoga. This should be well known to anyone who has done even a little sincere research. That is like describing a large library which is full of many books, to be a library full of smut, because there is a book or two in the library that you consider indecent.  So since you have posted here close to a  thousand times repeatedly (and wrongfully) equating hatha yoga with only asana practice despite being informed of your error, I am prompted to ask  what gives with you? Is it deliberate misinformation, harassment, a sick or ill temperament, or religious duty? Let us know what your problem is. please? Yoga is not a philosophy and can not be fitted into one without losing its essential teaching i.e., to go beyond the limitations of conceptional mind — of bias, prejudice, and mere intellectualization. This Sri Patanjali says many times and in many ways, should you care to study him. If you do study him, you will need to meditate, because it is not a text that can understood with logic alone (as he also says). Likewise, nada yoga is not music (but music can be  part of a  nada yoga discipline). I wish to make some of these corrections so that others do not get too far misled by your posts, and only secondarily wish to admonish you for your continued arrogance in these matters, not that I feel that you are listening, but more so to bring out the nature of your character so that confusion over this nonsense may be removed.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yoga Styles: There are really three complimentary ways to view the various Yoga disciplines of the Hindu religion: 1. Yoga as a generic or general term for the many, progressive spiritual disciplines of Hinduism; i.e., Karma Yoga (ethics), Bhakti Yoga (devotion), Hatha Yoga (postures to prepare for:) Raja Yoga (meditation) and Jnana Yoga (Spiritual Enlightenment and to a lesser degree intellectual study). *In the Saivite tradition of S. India (from which Patanjali hailed), this same progressive path is termed: Chariya, Kriya, Yogam and Jnanam, respectively. 2. Yoga as one of the six orthodox philosophies of Hinduism. This is the classical yoga of the Hindu Guru Patanjali. Part of this is Astanga Yoga or the eight-limbed (astanga) process; i.e., Yama, Niyama (Karma and Bhakti Yoga), Asana (Hatha Yoga), Pranayama, Pratyhara, Dharana, Dhyana (Raja Yoga) and Samadhi (Jnana Yoga). There are other what could be called "subsidiary yogas" that fall within these major categories such as: Mantra Yoga (chanting), Japa Yoga (with beads), Nada Yoga (music) and Kundalini Yoga (study/experience within Raja Yoga of the chakras). This is a good foundation for what is really Yoga; i.e., the many spiritual disciplines of the Hindu religion, taught by qualified Hindus free of charge. Therefore all the other non-sense in the name of "yoga" is just that. Most are simply personality cults. True Yoga will be about the former and phony "yoga" will be about the latter. Simply if your "teacher" is not a Hindu (or a derivative religion), obviously then does not teach yoga as Hinduism and charges money, then you are "learning" a bogus form of "yoga." Think of the "3 P’s" Personality, Picture and Price tag. If this is what you encounter, you would be wise to walk (or run) away from such sites or individuals. Better yet, tell them to get a life and stop stealing and misinterpreting these profound Hindu spiritual disciplines.

Response:

Question:

: You just have to give it a little more time — the benefits are enormous. I : feel that if a person has a busy schedule, it’s the running and weightlifting : they should sacrifice, NOT their yoga practice. This is also interesting to me (a fairly enthusiastic yoga beginner). With my schedule, I can basically either do 4 days of yoga (4Y) or 2 yoga, two weightlifting (2Y2W).  There is no question that my flexibility, etc., would increase faster with 4Y; what evidence is there that my *strength* would increase equally or as much in comparison to 2Y2W?  (I also take at least one ballet class 6 days per week.) Greg Shenaut

Response:

This is also interesting to me (a fairly enthusiastic yoga beginner). With my schedule, I can basically either do 4 days of yoga (4Y) or 2 yoga, two weightlifting (2Y2W).  There is no question that my flexibility, etc., would increase faster with 4Y; what evidence is there that my *strength* would increase equally or as much in comparison to 2Y2W?  (I also take at least one ballet class 6 days per week.)

I think it really depends on the yoga style you are doing and what your goals are, and sadly I am no expert on even the yoga I practice. However, I know that both Bikram styles and ashtanga styles are active ( ashtanga more so, obviously), and build terrific strength and balance in musculature that starts in the deep tissue through slow holds and breathing, as opposed to strength training, which just strips the outer muscle fiber and forces it to rebuild itself. The difference is in how long you are willing to practice before you see a visible difference in your outer body, though. For me it took about six months before I really saw a  change. Internally, of course, I felt a difference after just several weeks. But if you have the time, why don’t you just  try committing to yoga as your priority?  This is really the only way you’ll know. My approach was scientific — I decided I would practice five or six days a week ( as recommended — and one and a half hours a day was enough exercise  for me, thanks) and give the entire experiment several months to take hold . If I felt I needed some other type of exercise, I decided,  I would focus on it then. But  I never did. I really believe that certain yoga styles will give you all the fitness you ever need — aerobically and anaerobically, not to mention emotionally. But! I’m a convert. YMMV. Indigo

Response:

Yoga is great for flexibility, but I think you need some cardio and strength training to keep those curves!

 :). I disagree. I have been doing Bikram for one year straight. I’ve lost thirty pounds, and my body is miraculously changed. The right yoga style works all the internal organs and deep muscle tissue that you can’t get to to strength train with other forms of exercise. You just have to give it a little more time — the benefits are enormous. I feel that if a person has a busy schedule, it’s the running and weightlifting they should sacrifice, NOT their yoga practice. Indigo

Response:

Question:

nedug Namaste! "As far as I`ve understood the Hanta-yoga, it is a manner of yoga, which improves flexibility and helps to heal chronic diseases. For not knowing exactly, which exercises of my nicely illustrated book  are against which diseases, I hope someone of you will send me descriptions of exercises, which would help me to eliminate my following problems. 1. I`ve about 30 pounds overweight. Can I lose `em by practising Hanta-yoga or another yoga-style ? 2. I`m 16 years and I still want to grow a bit (5-10). Are there any exercises , which help me to increase my heights." Hatha yoga is firstly an integrated practice of integrating the body, mind, and energy with creation/creator ending fragmented or dualistic tensions and suffering. Ha is symbolic of Solar polarity and Tha of the lunar polarity while yoga means to integrate (end the corruptive state of separation or duality). Hatha yoga proposes to do this mainly through  processes of asana (postures), pranayama (energy exercises utilizing the breath), bandhas (energy locks), mudras (a combination of pranayama, asana, bandha, and visualization), and meditation. This makes it distinct from many other schools of yoga which do not make much use of asana, pranayama. bandha, or mudras. However since asana practice is part of hatha yoga, asanas were never designed as a practice by itself) out of context with the other practices), but in the West too often people mistakenly confuse the term hatha yoga as the same thing as asana practice. Having said that about hatha yoga, yes it can be healing, but according to hatha yoga, no disease can be completely healed without healing also the corresponding mental/emotional energetics involved in the illness (the vyadhis). Without the energetic component being also transformed the basic cause of the dis-ease is still present and will manifest again (even if the physical symptoms are removed) either in the same "form" or in another form. Thus hatha yoga attempts to work causally and bring the practitioner into direct "self awareness" or relationship with these forces as a wholistic method of self knowledge (versus book knowledge). Specifically overweight can be caused by a myriad of emotional/mental, karmic, and biochemical imbalances which can be accessed and remedied through a hatha yoga practice where you learn to become more sensitive to the life principle, creation,  and its Source and thus no longer harm "self" or others (or Self). This is a gradual process of awakening (deconditioning old body/mind (thought/emotional/somatic) patterns. When this process is successfully accessed, you will also dissolve the energetics that is creating the burden and stress of the overweight condition. You will naturally do this without using will power, but rather joyful dedication to life and love without attachment to the fruits of your action. Regarding height — who can say what your optimum height is? However asana practice helps lengthen the spine and bring circulation, blood, fluids, and energy into the joints and bones. Twists, inverted poses, forward and backward bends, and so forth all can be seen as an extension (versus a contraction). Is there something inside which feels contracted and suppressed and wishes to expand and express itself? This is good and is a natural expression of your dormant potential of which yoga is designed to liberate. Your higher potential as an embodied human form is greatly stimulated through these practices and thus if your natural growth has been stunted, it will aid in its natural unfoldment as well. Kinesthetically oriented yoga is a wonderful adventure which can be applied to all aspects of our daily life with benefit and I encourage you start consciously exploring its possibilities even right now as you are reading this. Lengthen the spine, be comfortable, find the deep strong peace inside and honor (through acknowledgement) the vibrancy and intelligence within the miracle of your body, of the dna, of the Source of this life and all life and continue the exploration without break. Peace, Love, and Victory to You!

Response:

Sorry, I

Question:

In simpler terms, the full lotus position is synergistically "based" on an open pelvis and hip when the top of the pelvis is neither tilted forward (anteversion) nor backward (retroversion). The pillows propped properly under the sit bones to tilt the sit bones back will tilt the top of the pelvis forward creating correction for most (but not all)people. This height of the pelvis must thus be customized individually through self awareness to become optimal. One sign that it is needed is that the lower back is too rounded (forming a posterior arc outward) and the knees are higher than the top of the pelvis. Another simple way we can determine the verticalness of the lumbar/sacral articulation other than a mirror is to place our hands on the back of the iliac crests and tilt the pelvis back and forth slightly to "feel" the alignment. The pillows thus will bring the knees down and the sacrum in line with the lumbar spine. If this is not done then stress may  occur in many places other than in the lower back, pelvis, hip, knees, ankles,  the upper back may also hunch forward, and the back of neck become compressed. Too high a bolster will also create stress (especially possible  lumbar spine compression). Yoga Mudra and especially baddha padmasana are excellent correctives (assuming that one can get into padmasana without strain in the first place). Propping the sit bones back to help tilt the top of the pelvis forward helps also in sitting forward bends (like paschimottanasana) for those with tight hip extensors (hamstrings or gluteus maximus).

Response:

When I began yoga, the thought of using a cushion never even occurred to me.  So I learned to sit in the various seated poses without any props.  Blocks, blankets, belts, bolsters — I have since found out that some yoga styles make liberal use of these, but I’d already gotten used to not having them, so there was no reason to start using them.  I really like plain yoga, just me and the earth.  Well, I do use a mat. Specifically, Padmasana is the most stable and self-supporting asana of all (next to Savasana).  Once you learn how to do it well, you’ll probably prefer doing it with no cushion.  It really does not need it. i am wondering….   those of you who are experience/advanced, are you supposed to use a cushion during the full lotus posture all the time?   I mean, are you supposed to progress towards eliminating the cushion or  keep using the cushion indefinitely? thanks for helping.

– "O see ye not yon narrow road, So thick beset with thorns and briars? That is the path of righteousness, Though after it but few enquires." Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

Response:

Sabre asked: "i am wondering….   those of you who are experience/advanced, are you supposed to use a cushion during the full lotus posture all the time?   I mean, are you supposed to progress towards eliminating the cushion or  keep using the cushion indefinitely? thanks for helping." Sabre Namaste! Once the hips and ankles are open and there is no strain or pain, the full lotus offers the best pose for meditation. Since the spine rests upon the sacrum (which in turn articulates with the pelvis) the sacrum must be placed in an upright position or else the rest of the spine/neck will have to compensate, muscles will be stressed. and energy depleted. Since most Western  people have tight hip and pelvic muscles, the sacrum is most often tilted backward because the top front of the pelvis at the Anterior Superior Iliac Spine (ASIS) while sitting is retroverted. However when this condition arises (for most Westerners who do not practice asanas this is the case) one way is to make much effort to right it (thus depleting energy or straining) and the other way is to place a pillow under the sit bones to tilt them backward. As the sit bones tilt back, the ASIS tilts forward correcting the retroversion of the pelvis and allowing the top of the sacrum to also move forward and thus support the spine without strain either to the spine or the pelvis. Here too many pillows or too much elevation of the sit bones pointing them back too much can cause an excessive anterior tilt (reflected in too much an arch in the lumbar spine called excessive lordosis) which can cause compression of the lumbar spine. Thus in the normal person (without other imbalances/diseases) the lower back should be propped up so the spine is long in its natural curves, the head rises as the tail bone grounds, and the back of the pelvis is straight with the lumbar spine (the torso raises up off the pelvis in back). Hence the arising of tension and stress is minimized and thus the energy and attention  is maximally liberated for meditation. When the sacrum and lumbar spine are not aligned well other stresses at the thoracic spine and neck can arise as compensations, so it is of value to determine the right front and back tilt for your own situation. With functional asana practice, most will find a prop unnecessary, while in some cases a pillow will actually cause imbalance. I agree with the other posters that lotus is an excellent posture for stability and the activation of the bandhas, but only if it is done without force or pain. Jai

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According to Hatha Yoga discipline (flexibility) one works up to the point that no help in any form is needed, so no cushions. Of course it is your own body dictating what is best for you. There is nothing wrong with using a cushion till eternity, when you are comfortable using it. No two people are the same, especially not body-wise, so listen to what your body wants! What you are supposed to and what real life teaches often are two different things, because all books are generalizations. Namaste – Paul. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – i am wondering….   those of you who are experience/advanced, are you supposed to use a cushion during the full lotus posture all the time?   I mean, are you supposed to progress towards eliminating the cushion or  keep using the cushion indefinitely? thanks for helping.

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i am wondering….   those of you who are experience/advanced, are you supposed to use a cushion during the full lotus posture all the time?   I mean, are you supposed to progress towards eliminating the cushion or  keep using the cushion indefinitely? thanks for helping.

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        This is a great question, because it brings up the issue of rules.         Here’s the true answer. There isn’t any ‘right’ way to sit.          Different traditions offer us opportunities to sit in different ways.         I think the most useful way is the one that allows you to sit comfortably so that your body and it’s sensations aren’t the focus. peace, sandra

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Question:

It is a pity that cults like Sahaja Yoga get free advertising on the alt.yoga homepage while no reference is allowed to sites such as the above that reveal the hidden truth of these cults.

That’s wrong. You – and everybody else – is / are allowed and encouraged to add as much references, comments, etc. to the site as you want without any censorship, as long as you respect the common rules we have in the Usenet (no flaming, no spam, etc.). Feel free to add your comments, critics, Links to the GUESTBOOK that can be easily found on the alt.yoga FAQ homepage. This is the right forum for comments and discussions to and about the Yoga paths that are mentioned on the FAQ page. The pages of the paths themselves are left to the responsibility of the paths / their practitioners / followers / devotees. If you’d like your reference to be added at the Sahaja Yoga site on the alt.yoga FAQ homepage I will have to ask the Sahaja Yoga Organisation if they don’t mind that your link is connected with their site at the alt.yoga FAQ homepage. Sat Nam – Hari Har Singh

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You are quite correct. Yoga means union ie "Union with the all pervading power" or "Union with the eternal spirit". How can this be achieved? Not by physical exercises alone. This union takes place through your own pure desire. If you sincerely desire it only then will it happen.

Hari Har Singh: Who are you to judge? To say "it will only happen when…"? Are you God?

No, but Peter Hewitson believes that his guru is the one and only incarnation of the Supreme Goddess (Adi Shakti). He is merely parroting what he has heard her say. And: Isn’t it a sign to be united with the one to be desireless?

Members of the Sahaja Yoga cult believe there is a divine ‘pure desire’. They believe that it is this ‘pure desire’ that leads them to buy real estate and other expensive presents for their guru. Please see the Sahaja Yoga website http://www.sahajayoga.org/ for more info. Regards, Peter Ah – that’s the only reason – you want to advertise your Yogastyle. )

If you look at Peter Hewitson’s posting history you will see that he has sent out dozens of adverts for his cult. Many of them are under his previous domain name which he no longer uses (because the postmaster was alerted to Peter’s abuse and chucked him off – presumably). For further information on the Sahaja Yoga cult see: http://mitglied.tripod.de/Sahaja_Yoga_Facts/index.htm It is a pity that cults like Sahaja Yoga get free advertising on the alt.yoga homepage while no reference is allowed to sites such as the above that reveal the hidden truth of these cults.

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Question:

Thanks for the replies; I took a class at the Himalayan Institute last week and was very pleased with it and with the way I felt when I left. I’m going to take a few more classes there and then try Integral which has a space on 1st Ave in my neighborhood…   – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – NYC is a great place to sample a tremendous variety of yoga styles — and its all within blocks of each other. There’s the Himalayan Institute on 5th and 14th Integral Yoga, also in the village Jiva Mukti Sivananda Yoga Zone and lots of others. The Yoga Site (www.yogasite.com) has a directory of teachers and styles. John The Yoga Site I studied yoga about twenty five years ago in Wellesley (sp?), Mass. with Basha L… (hello Basha if you’re out there-although many years have past, you are always a ray of brilliance in my life)  and was consistent with my practice up until a few years ago.  I’ve gotten more involved in running and biking (I am an avid bicycle commuter in NYC) and the rigors of a hectic Manhattan life; my yoga practice has unfortunately quieted for the most part.  Lately I find my body yearning for yoga and for people who practice it.  My question is; where do I go in NYC to revive my practice…any suggestions are humbly appreciated.

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NYC is a great place to sample a tremendous variety of yoga styles — and its all within blocks of each other. There’s the Himalayan Institute on 5th and 14th Integral Yoga, also in the village Jiva Mukti Sivananda Yoga Zone and lots of others. The Yoga Site (www.yogasite.com) has a directory of teachers and styles. John The Yoga Site

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I studied yoga about twenty five years ago in Wellesley (sp?), Mass. with Basha L… (hello Basha if you’re out there-although many years have past, you are always a ray of brilliance in my life)  and was consistent with my practice up until a few years ago.  I’ve gotten more involved in running and biking (I am an avid bicycle commuter in NYC) and the rigors of a hectic Manhattan life; my yoga practice has unfortunately quieted for the most part.  Lately I find my body yearning for yoga and for people who practice it.  My question is; where do I go in NYC to revive my practice…any suggestions are humbly appreciated.

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Check out: http://integralyogaofnewyork.org/html/frmset1.htm

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How about the Himalayan Institute on 14th and 5th?  I’m loving their programs and would be happy to answer any questions.  Sivananda is pretty good as well. It really depends on what you’re looking for.  A spiritual community or a fitness program. I’d only suggest yoga zone if you’re looking for the later. -J

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I studied yoga about twenty five years ago in Wellesley (sp?), Mass. with Basha L… (hello Basha if you’re out there-although many years have past, you are always a ray of brilliance in my life)  and was consistent with my practice up until a few years ago.  I’ve gotten more involved in running and biking (I am an avid bicycle commuter in NYC) and the rigors of a hectic Manhattan life; my yoga practice has unfortunately quieted for the most part.  Lately I find my body yearning for yoga and for people who practice it.  My question is; where do I go in NYC to revive my practice…any suggestions are humbly appreciated.

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Though I’ve never taken classes there, I know there’s lots of yoga in new york.  I know people who’ve taught at the Iyengar center in Manhattan, which I think has classes all the time and is in the yellow pages.  More centers and teachers are online now with their offerings, so a web search will turn up alot.  And you can look at the alt.yoga faq http://www.snafu.de/~ffg/alt.yoga/faq.htm or www.yogasite.com for teacher-finders. Good luck with finding a class to inspire you back into practice. Tim

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You are so lucky!  New York!  One of my big ambitions is to go to a Jivamukti class in NYC. Why don’t you try them? Regards, Rowan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Though I’ve never taken classes there, I know there’s lots of yoga in new york.  I know people who’ve taught at the Iyengar center in Manhattan, which I think has classes all the time and is in the yellow pages.  More centers and teachers are online now with their offerings, so a web search will turn up alot.  And you can look at the alt.yoga faq http://www.snafu.de/~ffg/alt.yoga/faq.htm or www.yogasite.com for teacher-finders. Good luck with finding a class to inspire you back into practice. Tim

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YogaZone is great. They have locations in mid-town and the Flatiron district and offer a wide variety of classes. Jennifer

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – You are so lucky!  New York!  One of my big ambitions is to go to a Jivamukti class in NYC. Why don’t you try them? Regards, Rowan Though I’ve never taken classes there, I know there’s lots of yoga in new york.  I know people who’ve taught at the Iyengar center in Manhattan, which I think has classes all the time and is in the yellow pages.  More centers and teachers are online now with their offerings, so a web search will turn up alot.  And you can look at the alt.yoga faq http://www.snafu.de/~ffg/alt.yoga/faq.htm or www.yogasite.com for teacher-finders. Good luck with finding a class to inspire you back into practice. Tim

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Question:

Thank you, Sandra, for your reply and encouragement. I particularly liked your statement "challenged to do less". I have decided to stick with Sivananda and allow myself to be challenged. I am sure you are a wonderful teacher as you have certainly helped me. Namaste, Jim

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Thank you for answering my post. I switched styles because I moved. I now live nearer to a Sivananda Center. However, because of its strenuousness, I find myself attending less.

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   I hope you will feel comfortable approaching the teacher as you approached this news group. As a moderately experienced teacher myself ( about 10 yrs) I know one of my biggest concerns is that I still have trouble teaching students, I tend to come in and teach a class by intuiting what most of the people in it seem to want. I often learn from the students that I’m off, sometimes way off. I ask for feedback, but I recognize that most people want to be able to just take the class, they are hoping it will work well for them. If they give me comments afterwards I am grateful to get them. It is a skill and a gift of a good teacher to be able to teach us each as individuals while still maintaining a complete class format.    I encourage you to ask for what you need from your teacher. If part of the class is working for you, and it’s the best available, you will be challenged to do less, to practice at your own pace. Best of luck to you, I hope you will come to enjoy the practice, sandra

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Why did you switch styles in the first place? Knowing this will help us to advise you. I find that I learn something about yoga or myself in every class I take, and that there is always some part that doesn’t feel just right to me. Too hard, too easy, opposites of the same coin. What I’m learning is that no matter what or where, it is my yoga practice and I need to stay centered in it. peace, sandra

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I am in my fifties and had been practicing Integral Hatha Yoga for over a year. I enjoyed it and made some progress. I switched to Sivananda style yoga a few months ago and find their open classes too strenuous while the beginner classes are too basic. Does anyone have an opinion as to whether it would be better for me to challenge myself at Sivananda or to continue my steady enjoyable progress at Integral yoga? Any ideas will be deeply appreciated.

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