Yoga for the Dancer The Various Yoga Disciplines, cont.
Yoga practitioners have for thousands of years begun the day at sunrise, a time that's considered to be auspicious and especially potent for meditation, prayer and tapping into your highest potential. This time sets the right tone for the entire day. Sunrise is a quiet and peaceful time that's charged with symbolic significance for Yoga practitioners. The sun is celebrated as the first teacher, or Guru, to bring the teachings of Yoga to humanity. The sun is a symbol for the spirit, which shines with undiminished brightness forever. Guru literally translated means lighter of darkness and it's easy to see why it's associated with the sun. If your climate doesn't offer much sun, you can still enjoy sunrise with a special, daily celebration pondering the sun's profound symbolism.
This month we will begin to explore Viniyoga. It's an ancient Sanskrit term that implies differentiation, adaptation and appropriate application. Viniyoga was created in the 1970's by Sri T. Krishnamacharya with focus on the breath. The word Viniyoga actually refers to a concept that means "proper application based on the situation" and in this style Yoga, it means that the Yoga itself should be based on the needs of the individual and whatever their particular situation may be. Viniyoga is much gentler and not as structured as other Yoga disciplines. This style of Yoga uses asanas (exercises or poses) as well as chanting, meditation, pranayama (breath), bandhas (body locks) and other methodologies, to be adapted to suit the needs of the particular student. Viniyoga has a relaxed approach to placement of the body and a much less vigorous pace.
Viniyoga is a methodology of teaching that respects the students' capabilities, needs and aspirations. The theory is the student is always changing physically, mentally and emotionally, and therefore, the practice must be adapted in order to continuously increase the students' therapeutic benefits. Viniyoga's goal is to get you to feel comfortable and steady. Rather than aiming for an idealized posture, and because Viniyoga is such an adaptable form of Yoga, almost anyone can benefit from it. It is not just for people that are ageing, sick or injured. It can be used by people of excellent health and fitness, and anyone looking for a form of Yoga that can be tailored to meet their individual needs. This requires an understanding of a person's present condition, personal potential, appropriate goals and the means available. Because everybody is different, these aspects will vary with each individual, giving each practitioner the tools to individualize and actualize the process of self-discovery and personal transformation.
Viniyoga is different from other forms of Yoga in four main ways: Firstly, it uses repetition into and out of postures. It also focuses on function rather than form. It is more important that the pose creates the desired effect than being technically perfect. And next, the breath is the medium for movement in the poses and the breath can be adapted in order to create the desired effect in the student. Finally, Viniyoga teachers use combinations of varying difficulties, lengths and intensities to suit their students. Breath and movement are linked together as a way to move the body and quite the mind. Students are taught that the breath should actually lead the body into and out of each posture. Viniyoga is more concerned with developing a balanced and appropriate practice for each student. Because Viniyoga is highly individual, it is often taught as a private session. More on Viniyoga next month. Here's To Your Dancing Health!
Complete Breath
The Complete Breath is the single most important exercise you can learn. So many of us are shallow breathers robbing ourselves of oxygen. This exercise has a most positive effect on the ENTIRE ORGANISM in every one of its functions. Some specific results are: Purification of the BLOOD resulting in a healthy and glowing SKIN and COMPLEXION. Overcoming fatigue and regaining VITALITY. Improvement in ALERTNESS and CLARITY OF MIND. Also, your LUNG CAPACITY is expanded increasing your endurance. If you elect to rise on your toes during your hold, you strengthen your TOES, FEET, ANKLES and LEGS. Through rising on your toes you also gain GRACE, BALANCE and POISE. This exercise has such a calming effect for the BODY and MIND. Dancer and I disclaim any liabilities or loss in connection with the exercise and advice herein..
1. Stand easily and erectly with arms at your sides.
2. Exhale through your nose as you contract your abdomen to empty your lungs. Relax your neck on your exhalation.
3. Slowly inhale through your nose and begin to expand your abdomen to pull the air into the base of your lungs. Your arms and head will begin to rise.
4. While inhaling have your palms meet overhead with arms stretched upward. If you wish, rise on your toes for your hold of 10-20 counts. As you slowly exhale through your nose, lower your arms, return feet to the floor, relax your neck and contract your abdomen. Repeat 3-10 times.