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developing a personal practice
Question:
Maybe you could try Sahaja Yoga. Go to www.sahaja-yoga-meditation.com for more information.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Thanks for your suggestions everyone. Kundalini is a style of yoga that focuses on a constant flow of asanas. Each session is different from the next. The poses are done in a certain sequence in order to work on specific spiritual, emotional and physical aspects of the yogi/yogini. The idea is to keep your eyes closed, going as deep into your meditation/practice as possible, ideally for the whole session. Practitioners focus on the third eye while breathing in and out to the mantra of sat nam. Here’s a link to a good page about Kundalini; www.3ho.com I think I’ll just start with doing generic Hatha moves in whatever order comes to me naturally rather than worrying about the specific order of a Kundalini set. For now I’ll save Kundalini for teacher-guided sessions. What styles of yoga do you do for your own personal practice? The only styles that I’ve done at all extensively are Kundalini, Bikram and Pranayama yoga. Maybe someone could suggest a style that would be more suitable to personal practice. I’m always willing to try something new. Sat Nam.
Response:
What styles of yoga do you do for your own personal practice?
You might like Kripalu. It’s deeply meditative and you can close your eyes if you want to. You move in and out of the postures slowly and gently, but you hold them for a long time. Lots of internal awareness, noticing what emotions, physical sensations, thoughts come up during the poses. It uses the same postures that everyone else does, w/ a different foot position here and there–up on the toes in Warrior I rather than having the foot flat on the floor. It’s a very embracing tradition–how does the pose manifest in YOUR body today, rather than making your body fit the pose. They have a couple of nice videos, but just practicing mindfully will work too. Good luck on your home practice. I really find that my home practice is the most special of all. Namaste!
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Thanks for your suggestions everyone. Kundalini is a style of yoga that focuses on a constant flow of asanas. Each session is different from the next. The poses are done in a certain sequence in order to work on specific spiritual, emotional and physical aspects of the yogi/yogini. The idea is to keep your eyes closed, going as deep into your meditation/practice as possible, ideally for the whole session. Practitioners focus on the third eye while breathing in and out to the mantra of sat nam. Here’s a link to a good page about Kundalini; www.3ho.com I think I’ll just start with doing generic Hatha moves in whatever order comes to me naturally rather than worrying about the specific order of a Kundalini set. For now I’ll save Kundalini for teacher-guided sessions. What styles of yoga do you do for your own personal practice? The only styles that I’ve done at all extensively are Kundalini, Bikram and Pranayama yoga. Maybe someone could suggest a style that would be more suitable to personal practice. I’m always willing to try something new. Sat Nam.
Response:
Maybe someone could suggest a style that would be more suitable to personal practice. I’m always willing to try something new.
Many people from the 3HO have a background in the Iyengar system. Mr. Iyengar was one of a number of Yoga teachers that brought Yoga to the west in the 50’s and 60’s. He has written numerous books on the practice of yoga. His book "Light on Yoga" has become a "bible" to a number of schools of yoga. His latest book "Yoga the Path to Holistic Health" is really a must read for the practicing yogi. His students have set up institutes throughout the world and a system of rigourous training to insure that Iyengar taught teachers have a consistent method of teaching. Two Web sites about Iyengar Method Yoga can be found at: http://www.iyengar-yoga.com/ http://www.bksiyengar.com/ — ~Stu
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Sat Nam I can tell you what I did. I created CDs, you can easily create cassettes, with the music that I used to practise each set. I then recorded a bell when it was time to change position. It works for me. You can concentrate on the mediatations and asanas without worrying about time. Nick
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – In response to I’d like to do Kundalini at home. That type of yoga has a very specific flow to all the poses, and every session is different from the next. By Kundalini do you mean Hatha Yoga? I really like going to classes because I can keep my eyes closed and let myself be guided by the teacher. A beginning student should keep their eyes open when learning asana because: (good reasons snipped) I think the original poster is referring to the Kundalini style of practicing Yoga in which the students do indeed keep their eyes closed the entire class. I don’t know the whole reasoning (I’m not a Kundalini pracitioner) but I’ve been to a Kundalini class and it did seem integral to the style. By the way, alignment and daydreaming are less of a concern in Kundalini classes, because there wasn’t a whole lot of holding a single pose as there is in other styles–the entire class was to upbeat, rhythmic drumming, and there was continual vigorous movement that flows from pose to pose as well as repeating motions, running in place, etc. Again, I’m not a Kundalini practitioner and I don’t know how typical this class was. Allison Williams
Dear Allison / Stu, indeed in Kundalini Yoga it is required often to close the eyes in order not to distract yourself from what is happening within. Of course the eyes should be opened in the beginning the asana is explained and the beginning student learns it in order to see what it is and how it is to be done. And during the practice with closed eyes it is the teachers work to check his / her students and correct them – if necessary. But the best would be if the teacher explenations are that good that you can follow it without opening the eyes. (If you do because you may have problems having your eyes closed – that’s no problem and ok too. But I would allways ask you to try it with closed eyes – the experience is different!). In Kundalini Yoga you often do meditate while practicing asanas – and focussing on what is on the outside would be a distraction to your meditation, that’s why you close your eyes. I know many meditations that do require closed eyes – not only Kundalini Yoga meditations. Sat Nam – Hari Har Singh
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I have not heard it personally, but I’ve heard a lot of good things about John Friend’s new audio CD Anusara Yoga 101. Has anyone heard this yet? I know that John Friend’s teaching is normally excellent so I would surmise that the new CD is good. He calls it his "best work." I think it’s two classes, IIRC. You can get info at his website http://www.anusara.com
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For those videos: Try the ancient healing ways catalogue at: http://www.a-healing.com Sat Nam – Hari Har Singh – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been doing yoga for almost three years now and have a really hard time practicing on my own at home. I’ve got books and a space to do it in, I just don’t know where to begin in building a set. I’m okay with tuning in and warming up, but I hate having to keep breaking my meditation to check a book for what comes next. I’d like to do Kundalini at home. That type of yoga has a very specific flow to all the poses, and every session is different from the next. I really like going to classes because I can keep my eyes closed and let myself be guided by the teacher. I want to build something that allows me to flow between poses and stay in deep concentration the whole time. Any ideas to help get me started? Dear Sugarmaggs, my first question: have you asked your teacher on this? Maybe this could be an issue to be discussed in the group. My idea would be that you – if you hate to check the book what comes next – choose an kriya that is short enough that you can memorize it. There are for example the 9min. meditations. Here you can find one example of those effective short kriyas: http://home.snafu.de/ffg/yogaintro.html Repeating a kriya a view days / weeks can be a special experience too. 
Find yourself a Kriya that you liked very much and start with that. You can also try Yoga Videos or be your own teacher and tape the books instructions so that you can follow them while practicing. Good luck and much fun with your practice! (allthough it’s sometime is hard – i know, but that’s part of the yoga / lesson! Sat Nam – Hari Har Singh
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been doing yoga for almost three years now and have a really hard time practicing on my own at home. I’ve got books and a space to do it in, I just don’t know where to begin in building a set. I’m okay with tuning in and warming up, but I hate having to keep breaking my meditation to check a book for what comes next. I’d like to do Kundalini at home. That type of yoga has a very specific flow to all the poses, and every session is different from the next. I really like going to classes because I can keep my eyes closed and let myself be guided by the teacher. I want to build something that allows me to flow between poses and stay in deep concentration the whole time. Any ideas to help get me started?
Dear Sugarmaggs, my first question: have you asked your teacher on this? Maybe this could be an issue to be discussed in the group. My idea would be that you – if you hate to check the book what comes next – choose an kriya that is short enough that you can memorize it. There are for example the 9min. meditations. Here you can find one example of those effective short kriyas: http://home.snafu.de/ffg/yogaintro.html Repeating a kriya a view days / weeks can be a special experience too. :-) Find yourself a Kriya that you liked very much and start with that. You can also try Yoga Videos or be your own teacher and tape the books instructions so that you can follow them while practicing. Good luck and much fun with your practice! (allthough it’s sometime is hard – i know, but that’s part of the yoga / lesson! Sat Nam – Hari Har Singh
Response:
In response to I’d like to do Kundalini at home. That type of yoga has a very specific flow to all the poses, and every session is different from the next. By Kundalini do you mean Hatha Yoga? I really like going to classes because I can keep my eyes closed and let myself be guided by the teacher. A beginning student should keep their eyes open when learning asana
because: (good reasons snipped) I think the original poster is referring to the Kundalini style of practicing Yoga in which the students do indeed keep their eyes closed the entire class. I don’t know the whole reasoning (I’m not a Kundalini pracitioner) but I’ve been to a Kundalini class and it did seem integral to the style. By the way, alignment and daydreaming are less of a concern in Kundalini classes, because there wasn’t a whole lot of holding a single pose as there is in other styles–the entire class was to upbeat, rhythmic drumming, and there was continual vigorous movement that flows from pose to pose as well as repeating motions, running in place, etc. Again, I’m not a Kundalini practitioner and I don’t know how typical this class was. Allison Williams
Response:
I’ve been doing yoga for almost three years now and have a really hard time practicing on my own at home. I’ve got books and a space to do it in, I just don’t know where to begin in building a set. I’m okay with tuning in and warming up, but I hate having to keep breaking my meditation to check a book for what comes next. I’d like to do Kundalini at home. That type of yoga has a very specific flow to all the poses, and every session is different from the next. I really like going to classes because I can keep my eyes closed and let myself be guided by the teacher. I want to build something that allows me to flow between poses and stay in deep concentration the whole time. Any ideas to help get me started?
Response:
I hate having to keep breaking my meditation to check a book for what comes next.
You could use a videotape so you can keep flowing. It seems that after practicing for 3 years, you should probably be able to practice intuitively. I wonder if you just don’t trust yourself. Why don’t you drop the books and just try it on your own. Breathe and move from the inside out and see what happens. You might surprise yourself!
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’ve been doing yoga for almost three years now and have a really hard time practicing on my own at home. I’ve got books and a space to do it in, I just don’t know where to begin in building a set. I’m okay with tuning in and warming up, but I hate having to keep breaking my meditation to check a book for what comes next. I’d like to do Kundalini at home. That type of yoga has a very specific flow to all the poses, and every session is different from the next. I really like going to classes because I can keep my eyes closed and let myself be guided by the teacher. I want to build something that allows me to flow between poses and stay in deep concentration the whole time. Any ideas to help get me started?
Make a tape reading what is written in your books, and then let it roll ! — The Ruminating Yoga Cow. Oh la Vache ! Mes univers photos du web http://alesclandre.multimania.com
Response:
I’ve been doing yoga for almost three years now and have a really hard time practicing on my own at home. I’ve got books and a space to do it in, I just don’t know where to begin in building a set.
Start small. Try five minutes in the morning. Perhaps a forward bend and a couple standing poses. Once this becomes a habit you can expand the time. I’m okay with tuning in and warming up, but I hate having to keep breaking my meditation to check a book for what comes next.
Meditation is very simple. If it is so complex you need to go to a book then it is not meditation. Guided meditation tapes are available. You may want to try <http://www.wildmind.org/index_wildmind.html Or better yet learn meditation from a teacher. I’d like to do Kundalini at home. That type of yoga has a very specific flow to all the poses, and every session is different from the next.
By Kundalini do you mean Hatha Yoga? I really like going to classes because I can keep my eyes closed and let myself be guided by the teacher.
A beginning student should keep their eyes open when learning asana because: -It will keep your mind focused on the practice, closing your eyes will foster day dreaming. -You should be paying attention to foot placement, balance, alignment. It is there to see. -If your teacher is allowing you to work with your eyes closed I would question the teacher’s background. I want to build something that allows me to flow between poses and stay in deep concentration the whole time.
Allow your eyes to relax into your head. Go with the flow. But at first you need an intellectual understanding of the asanas. Like a musician that at first need to learn scales and music notation. After these rudiments are well established then intuition comes into play to become a virtuoso. Your home practice is a chance to experiment with the edge. Find your pace. Let the flow come with practice. — ~Stu
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