Pegrum Juliet - Dynamic Yoga: A complete mind and body workout

dynamic yoga dynamic yoga a complete mind
and body workout This edition published in 2016 by CICO Books an imprint of Ryland Peters & Small Ltd 2021 Jockeys Fields 341 E 116th St London WC1R 4BW New York, NY 10029 www.rylandpeters.com First published in 2001 as Ashtanga Yoga 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Text Juliet Pegrum 2001 Design and photography CICO Books 2001, 2016 (Photo on Photosindia/Corbis) The authors moral rights have been asserted. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. A CIP catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress and the British Library. eISBN: 978-1-78249-508-6 ISBN: 978-1-78249-346-4 Printed in China Editor: Mandy Greenfield Designer: Emily Breen Photographer: Geoff Dann ( by Richard Jung) Senior editor: Carmel Edmonds In-house designer: Fahema Khanam Art director: Sally Powell Head of production: Patricia Harrington Publishing manager: Penny Craig Publisher: Cindy Richards important health note Please be aware that the information contained in this book and the opinions of the author are not a substitute for medical attention from a qualified health professional. If you are suffering from any medical complaint, or are worried about any aspect of your health, ask your doctors advice before proceeding.

The publisher can take no responsibility for any injury or illness resulting from the advice given, or the postures demonstrated within this volume. contents Yoga is an enduring, profound philosophy. In this opening section, learn about the ideas and history of yoga, and how they apply to dynamic yoga. Find out how to practice yoga to gain the most benefit from it, including breath control techniques, advice on diet, and key safety tips. You will discover that the practice of yoga is a way of life that brings health and harmony to the body, mind, and spirit. Before beginning to learn yoga, it is helpful to have an overview of the ideas and beliefs surrounding it, as an understanding of these is key to gaining the most from your yoga practice.

The ancient practice of yoga has been traced back to the Puranas, which are Sanskrit chronicles that may date from as early as 6000 BC. Yoga does not belong to any religion; rather, it is an enduring, profound philosophy that embodies some ideas that are common to all religions. The word yoga translates as the bond, from its root yuj, meaning to yoke or harness. This union refers to the highest attainment of the practice, which occurs when the mind becomes fully absorbed in the atman or transcendental soul. This ultimate experience is rarely attained. However, on a day-to-day level, practicing yoga still brings huge benefits to body, mind, and spirit.

Yoga has been passed down from teacher to disciple from ancient times to the present day, and has diversified into many different schools and approaches. The method described in this book is dynamic yoga, also known as Ashtanga yoga (see ). The eight limbs of yoga are the subject of the Yoga Sutras (or sayings) written by Patanjali between 400 and 200 BC. Patanjali is known as the architect of yoga because he compiled and systematized the existing knowledge of yoga, giving it a philosophical shape. It is essential to have a basic understanding of Patanjalis Yoga Sutras to bring the mind and sense organs under control, for the achievement of enlightenment. The aim of yoga is union with the inner self, the essence of all things.

Guru Shri Pattabhi Jois (known as Guruji by his students), the founder of dynamic yoga (see ), once replied to a question about yoga, Do your practice and all is comingmeaning that to grasp something intellectually is not comparable to the experiential knowledge of a subject. Overstimulating the intellect in an effort to understand yoga is counter-productive. The classic example is trying to imagine what sugar tastes like if you have never eaten it. However, as a beginner it is important to have some intellectual understanding in order to propel you farther along the path of yoga. It is said in the Yoga Sutras, Let one bring chitta [mind] under control by withdrawing it, wherever it wanders away, drawn by the various objects of sight. What this means is that only when the mind is completely still, without disturbance, can the true nature of self be experienced.

When the mind is quiet, there is no duality of subject and objectit is free to rest in its own intrinsic qualities, which are joy, equanimity, bliss, and compassion. This may appear to be a simple task, but in my experience, when trying to remain still for just 20 minutes to meditate, the mind conjures up an array of distractions. Guruji likened the untamed mind to a monkey being led by the five senses, jumping from one thought to the next, completely absorbed in the external world, inquisitive and restless. The wisdom of yoga says that only by turning your attention within will you find true, lasting peace and contentment. The eight limbs Patanjalis eight limbs highlight the path by which disturbances (which distract the mind from the experience of yoga) can be removed. The second four steps consist of the inner practices: sense withdrawal (pratyahara) concentration (dharana) meditation (dhyana) self-realization (samadhi), when the eternal self alone shines in the mind. The second four steps consist of the inner practices: sense withdrawal (pratyahara) concentration (dharana) meditation (dhyana) self-realization (samadhi), when the eternal self alone shines in the mind.

The last four are collectively referred to as raja yoga, or mind control. The outer practices The restraints, or yamas (which translates as forbearance), are the first step and consist of five abstentions which relate to your attitude toward others. The restraints establish an ethical code of conduct, and are a means to regain balance in your life. The abstentions include non-harming, truthfulness, non-stealing, non-sensuality, and non-possessiveness. They are referred to as the great vows and they continue throughout all levels of yoga practice. There is never a point at which you can say, Now I am a great yogi and beyond the force of my actions.