Yoga's huge cannon of tradition, history and philosophy can make it seem mysterious. Ashtanga teacher and practitioner Emma Hicks pinpoints 15 important facts about the practice, from an Ashtanga viewpoint.
1. Why Ashtanga means ‘eight limbs'. This refers to the eight limbs of Yoga from Patanjali's Yoga Sutras: Yama - abstinence, Niyama - observance, Asana - posture, Pranayama - breath control, Pratyahara - sense withdrawal, Dharana - concentration, Dhyana - meditation, Samadhi - contemplation or absorption. All these limbs are ‘nourished' during the practice of Ashtanga Yoga.
2. Why yogis sometimes do not practice on Full or New Moon days. This is because the moon has a direct effect on our bodies by affecting the water within us, as it does on tides. And Moons effect our emotions. Full moons bring ‘things to the full' (projects, relationships, agreements, emotions). New Moons are ‘empty' so re-newing, re-thinking (ideas, projects, relationships and commitments). It is also a good time to fast.
3. Why yogis sometimes do not practice on Saturdays. Saturday is known as ‘Saturn's' day (Satan). Saturday being the day of the Planet Saturn. This planet is known to be disruptive and wild, so to stay in tune with nature you usually rest from yoga practice on that day.
4. The truth about Nadis. There are 72,000 Nadis (energy vessels) in the body. The main three that are usually taught and focused on in mainstream yoga practice are: the Susumna (spinal column) and Ida and Pingala (criss- cross up the spine). They all meet at the Ajna Chakra between the eyebrows. There are said to be three sizes of Nadi: Small vessel like veins/ lager capillaries /and also larger tube-like vessels.
5. Why yogis traditionally do not eat meat. This is not only because of the vow of Ahimsa (non violence), but because meat is dead, so there is no Pranic Value (life force) within it. As yoga practice is designed to increase your Prana (life force), meat does little to enhance it. If anything it will give bad vibrations through your system and can make you toxic. Some may even say meat makes you violent, depending on how the animal was killed.
6. The importance of Ujjayi Breath. Ujjayi breath is known as ‘psychic breath'. When done correctly it comes from the back of your throat and sounds rather like ‘Dath Vader'!
7. Why there are three Bandhas (energy ‘locks) that you keep held during asana. One at the throat (Jalandhara Bandha), the other below the belly button(Uddiyana Bandha), and one near the pelvic floor (Moola Bandha). And yes, do keep these held all throughout your yoga practice!
8. Who was Patanjali? Patanjali is known as ‘the father of Yoga' He established the practice of Ashtanga yoga direct from the Vedas. These ancient scriptures are the core of all yoga Practices and are very very important. They are the ‘holy grail' of all Yoga philosophy and science. Through the practice of Yoga Patanjali made these ancient scriptures accessible for the common man'
9. Meaning of: Patanjali Yoga Sutra No 2. Yogas Citta Vritti Nirodhah: Cessation of the fluctuations of the mind; this, in essence, is yoga. This one Sutra holds the key and the goal to all yoga practice. The entire science of yoga is based on this one Sutra: 'If you can control the fluctuations of the mind you will experience Yoga'.
10. The benefits of Sandalwood oil/essence: these are said to awaken the ‘psychic centers' of the mind. Rub on pulse pints and between the eyebrows.
11. The value of Savasana - ‘Corpse Pose'. Savasana invites total surrender and relaxation. Savasana removes fatigue, calms the mind, and creates an anabolic state in which your cells and tissues repair and rejuvenate. It is done at the end of your practice.
12. Should I do yoga when menstruating? There is conflicting advice. The best thing to do is do what you feel is comfortable for you personally. Many people practice during a period and do inversions such as headstands shoulder stands, and are not troubled. But it is up to the individual. The best advice is to leave yoga asana out on the first two or three days of your period, many people do not. Be aware the apana (energy/blood flow) goes down during inversions. As inversions increases general apana, they not be appropriate during menstruation.
13. Why adjust? Adjustments are when a teacher helps you into a position (posture/asana) and holds you there while you breathe. Adjustments are there for muscle memory. Yoga asana ‘squeezes' bad memory/emotions out of muscle fibers and adjustments give the muscles better and correct memories. If a student needs a little help in memorizing an asana or getting into an asana adjustments are there to give the muscle a ‘correct' memory of that pose.
14. How many chakras are there? There are eight! From the base of the spine up to the crown they are...Mooladhara, Swadhisthana, Manipura, Anahata, Vishuddhi, Ajna, Bindu, and Sashara. When these are purified through yoga practice the yogi is able to retain Prana (life force).
A word about the author:
Emma Hicks has been a teacher, practitioner, and yoga author for fifteen years. She began with the study of iyengar and hatha yoga, pranayama and philosophy, then furthered her studies in the ashtanga discipline. She maintains a dedicated daily practice and today continues to study ashtanga yoga and Sanskrit. She teaches throughout India and from her studio in Richmond, Surrey - see www.ashtangalondon.com or email info@ashtangalondon.com
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