The Various Yoga Disciplines VII
You can empower yourself with Yoga. Physicians, therapists, or remedies can help us through major crises, but we ourselves are primarily responsible for our own health and happiness. Especially the source of lasting happiness lies within us. Yoga reminds us of this truth and helps us find the inner strength to live responsibly and wisely. Now, let's discuss another Yoga discipline.
Sivananda Yoga was developed by Swami Vishnu Devananda, who was sent to the West by his teacher, Sivananda, to draw people onto the Yogic path. He established Sivananda Yoga Vendanta Center in Montreal in 1959, and has trained over 10,000 teachers with numerous Sivananda Centers around the world. It is one of the largest schools of Yoga. He was a great promoter of traditional Hatha and Raja Yoga. He studied various styles of Yoga for ten years before he came to the West. In 1958 he authored a very thorough guide to Yoga called The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga, which was published in 1960. Sivananda was one of the early Western forms of Yoga and it helped set the tone for many of the first Yoga classes taught in the country. Devananda and my teacher, Richard Hittleman, were some of the first Yoga influences for teaching the Westerns in class form. Devananda was known as the "flying Swami" for the different peace missions he accomplished around the world.
Here's a little history of Devananda before discovering Yoga......He was born in Kerela, South India, in 1927. Even as a young child one of his main character traits was a strong will and determination. His mother (who took her vows of renunciation from Swami Sivananda) said that whenever her son wanted something, nothing or no one could stop him. An interesting anecdote tells how as a 5-year-old he had a strong desire to go to school and learn. He was told it was impossible because the nearest school was five miles away. The child took it upon himself to pack and go early the next morning for the long five mile walk through the jungle. He walked back that evening and would do the same for many years to come.
Without financial resources to attend a University as a teenager, he joined the army to receive the scientific education he yearned for. During this time he was looking for a lost paper in a waste basket, when he came across a paper entitled 20 Spiritual Instructions by Swami Sivananda.. The pamphlet began: "An ounce of practice is better than tons of theory". The practicality and inherent power of these words lead him to travel across India during a 36-hour leave to meet Sivananda in the far away Himalayas. After this short impressive visit, he was immediately drawn to a second visit which the young disciple received two powerful lessons from Swami Sivananda.
The first lesson came when Devananda felt too timid and a bit arrogant to bow to the Guru Sivananda.. So the Master stretched out with his face on the ground before the young student demonstrating the lesson of humility. The second lesson came during a worship ceremony to the Ganges River. He was perplexed and doubtful as he pondered why intelligent people would worship something scientifically is merely H2O. The Master then smiled subtly and gazed at his student who instantly beheld the river as a vast, bright, cosmic light. Interestingly, I had a similar awakening with my teacher as we stood hand in hand staring at the ocean in San Francisco. It's a connection hard to explain, but you instantly feel the cosmic light. The Master then invited him to remain at the Ashram (dwelling of a Guru) to study and become a Yogi. For ten years Devananda continued at the Sivananda Ashram and was trained in all aspects of Yoga by the Guru. Devananda quickly learned the path of Hatha Yoga and was a very keen and tireless Karma Yogi. One day the Guru gave him a 10 rupee note (less than a dollar) and his blessings to travel to the West and spread the teachings of Vendanta. "People are waiting" were the words of the Master. More on Sivananda next month. Here's To Your Dancing Health!
Warrior Pose III
This pose strengthens our connection with the grounding energy of the earth, whether on two legs or one. It has an emphasis in the first position of establishing a firm and grounded foundation in the LEGS while lifting and expanding the CHEST. It's an excellent way to integrate the upper and lower halves of the BODY. Not only does this pose strengthen, but, it is exceptional for teaching the MIND focusing. The SPINE, LEGS, HIPS, ARMS, SHOULDERS, and THROAT are stretched and toned. In the second position, you lengthen and stretch the SPINE, SHOULDERS, ARMS, CALVES, and ACHILLES TENDONS. Be sure to keep your arms by your ears as you tilt the body. Start with a small lunge and eventually work into a deeper lunge. In the final position you will work on balance which enhances your MENTAL stimulation. You continue a nice stretch and tone throughout the ENTIRE BODY. Your standing LEG and ABDOMEN is strengthened. Perform only what you can comfortably. Dancer and I disclaim any liabilities or loss in connection with the exercise and advice herein.
1. Begin in Mountain pose, feet under your knees, under your hips, and under your shoulders.
2. Step out in front of you on your right foot and bending your leg at your knee, supporting your weight. The left leg remains straight. Simultaneously arms come up and your palms meet overhead. Release your neck and look up at your hands and hold for 10-20 counts.
3. After your hold, slowly tilt the body forward as you straighten the neck and keep your arms by the ears. Try to stretch from your fingertips to the heel of your left foot. Hold for 10-20 counts.
4. Gently push off the floor with your left foot and bring your weight over the lunged leg. Simultaneously straighten it and support your body that becomes parallel to the floor. Arms are still by your ears and head is in alignment with the spine. Hold for 10-20 counts. Return to Mountain pose and repeat identical movements on the other leg. Rest and repeat.