Michael Hetherington - The Complete Book of Oriental Yoga: Hatha and Taoist Yoga for the Seasons

Hatha and Taoist Yoga for the Seasons

By Michael Hetherington

(L. Ac, Yoga Teacher)

~~~

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2014 Michael Hetherington

By law, this work is protected by copyright.Therefore, no one is permitted to copy, broadcast, transmit, showor play in public, adapt or change in any way the content of thisbook - for any other purpose whatsoever - without prior writtenpermission from Michael Hetherington.

www.michaelhetherington.com.au
Australia

Disclaimer

All material in this book is provided foryour information only and may not be construed as medical advice orinstruction. No action or inaction should be taken based solely onthe contents of this information; instead, readers should consultthe appropriate health professionals on any matter relating totheir health and well-being.

The information and opinions expressed hereare believed to be accurate, based on the best judgment availableto the authors, and readers who fail to consult with theappropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries. Thepublisher is not responsible for errors or omissions.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personalenjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away toother people. If you would like to share this book with anotherperson, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Ifyoure reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was notpurchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.comand purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard workof this author.

I would like to thank the yoga teachers atZen Central in Brisbane, Australia who first introduced me to afusion of Indian yoga and Oriental medicine. They also taught mehow yoga can be practiced in a fun and joyful way. I would like tothank my partner, Angela Hammond, for the help with photos, thegraphic design and ongoing support. I would also like to thank theyoga community in Australia and around the world who continue toinspire and motivate me. And of course, I would like to offer aspecial thanks to all the saints, sages and mystics of the past whodedicated their lives to the path of truth.

About the Author

Michael Hetherington is a qualifiedacupuncturist, health practitioner and yoga teacher based inBrisbane, Australia. He has a keen interest in mind-body medicine,energetic anatomy, yoga nidra and Buddhist style meditation.Inspired by the teachings of many, he has learnt that alight-hearted, joyful approach to life serves best.

www.michaelhetherington.com.au

Other Titles by Author:

Chakra Balancing Made Simple and Easy

How to Do Restorative Yoga

The Little Book of Yin

Meditation Made Simple

How to Learn Acupuncture

EFT Through the Chakras

Introduction

Those who flow as life flows, know theyneed no other force

~ Lao Tzu

Oriental Yoga is a fusion of traditionalIndian Hatha yoga with traditional Oriental medicine and Taoistcosmology. The aim of applying this knowledge is, like all yogasand spiritual paths, to help the practitioner align with thenatural cosmic forces of the universe. When one aligns with thesenatural forces, the path becomes more harmonious, more easeful andmore joyful, for these are the innate qualities of the universalway.

This book aims to give the yoga practitioneran understanding of basic Taoist philosophical concepts, as well asprovide practical tools and techniques to apply this theory toenhance ones daily life. As do all systems and philosophies, theyare not absolute, as the absolute lies beyond the world of conceptsand ideals. Therefore, this philosophical framework serves more asa practice to prepare one to springboard toward the absolute.

The aim of this book is to help one come to adeeper understanding of the natural forces at play and how we fitinto this dance we call life. I hope to equip you with tools andtechniques to assist you in making useful and beneficial lifestyleadjustments and also influence your yoga practice so that it may bein harmony with the natural order of things. I also hope toencourage and inspire a willing attitude, so that you remain openand allow intuition and flow to become an everyday reality andoccurrence. When we find this flow in our daily lives, joy andhappiness are not far away. In truth, they are already there. Whenwe cultivate this flow in our daily lives, the mind becomessteadier and intuitionour inner wisdom beyond the world ofthoughtsbecomes a lot stronger and more prevalent in our lives,saving us a great deal of stress and exertion.

The first part of this book aims to cover thefundamental principles and overarching philosophical approach tothe practices of Oriental yoga. The second part of the book isfocused more on practical aspects, which take into considerationthe 5 elements and the 5 seasons.

I have found this information to be veryhelpful and useful in my life, as well as in the lives of those whoare familiar with it. Therefore, Im sure it will serve you in manybeneficial ways, also.

Thank you for taking the time to pick up thisbook. Im positive it will help you make a stronger connection withthe natural forces of life and also help with the deepening of youryoga practice.

Yoga and the Seasons

There is no doubt that energy moves throughus differently according to the time of day, the climaticconditions, the attitudes we harbor and the cycles of the moon,just to name a few. With the natural flow of seasons, so too itmakes sense that our yoga practice is to reflect these changes.

Throughout Chinese medicine and Taoistthought, the aim is to find and establish harmony by aligning withthe natural flow of life. To live the path of least resistancemeans that one is aligned with nature and with the divineexpression of life itself. These ideas are not limited to Chinesethought and can be found throughout ayurvedic medicine (said to bethe oldest medicine on the planet), yogic science and many othertraditions and cultures who place great importance on learning fromthe changes in nature.

No amount of individualized effort, willpoweror force can be sustained and supported when working against thenatural flow of nature and the universe. Only when one comes toflow with the natural forces of life and the universe, can onebegin to uncover the deep peace, joy and stillness that residewithin.

In the western world, we are familiar withthe four seasons - spring, summer, autumn and winter. However, inthe Taoist understanding of time and change they devised fiveseasons. They are spring, summer, late summer, autumn and winter.The extra season is called late summer and refers to the end of thesummer season when it becomes more humid. In section 2 of this bookwe will explore each of the 5 elements in much greater detail.

Oriental Yoga Fundamentals

Nature does not hurry, yet everything isaccomplished.

~ Lao Tzu

Introduction to the 5-Elements/Phases

Within Traditional Chinese Medicine andTaoist cosmology, the 5element theory was most likely conceivedaround 476 - 221 BC. This was really one of the first developmentsof science, as they came to realize that natural phenomena wasactually produced and created through the interacting relationshipsof natural elements and were not, therefore, the acts of Gods orunseen beings that reigned havoc on the earth when they were notpleased or showered gifts from above when they were happy.

This was a revolutionary breakthrough in theway they viewed life and the process of disease. Over timemainlythrough their observationsthey focused on five primary elementsand their inter-relationships within all physical phenomena. Theyalso drew connections between these elements and the mental,emotional and spiritual dimensions of the human being. This theorydid not die out through time. Instead, it became even moresolidified into the theory and practice of traditional Chinesemedicine and Taoism to this day; therefore, making it one of theoldest and most field-tested theories and medicines on theplanet.