Tag Archives: Yoga Mala

Books on traditional Yoga

There are now many books concerning the practice of traditional Yoga.

  • Ashtanga Yoga (Yoga Korunta) that was taught by Shri K. Pattabhi Jois
  • Shri T. Krisnamacharya
  • K.S. Iyengar

 

Ashtanga Yoga

book_Yoga Mala  Ashtanga Yoga, Le Guide Pratique-David Swenson_

  • Yoga Mala, by Shri K. Pattabhi Jois.

Translation in English of the work written in 1958 by Shri K. Pattabhi Jois in Kanada (the language of Karnataka). Explanations on the philosophy and discipline of yoga, breathing system and questions about the practice of yoga and the benefits of this practice.

  • Guruji : A Portrait of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Through the Eyes of His Students, by Eddie Stern & Guy Donahaye
    It is a rare and remarkable soul who becomes legendary during the course of his life by virtue of great service to others. Sri K. Pattabhi Jois was such a soul, and through his teaching of yoga, he transformed the lives of countless people. The school in Mysore that he founded and ran for more than sixty years trained students who, through the knowledge they received and their devotion, have helped to spread the daily practice of traditional Ashtanga yoga to tens of thousands around the world…
    Editeur : Farrar, Straus & Giroux Inc, Reprint (5 octobre 2012)
    ISBN-10 : 0374532834 
  • Ashtanga Yoga, The Practice Manual, by David Swenson. Personnellement, c’est le livre que je préfère…
    Editeur : Ashtanga Yoga Productions, Édition : 2 Spi (3 février 2007)
    ISBN-10 :     1891252089 
  • Ashtanga Yoga : The Definitive Step-by-Step Guide to Dynamic Yoga, by de John C. Scott
    John Scott’s Ashtanga Yoga draws on his expertise as a teacher of this most energetic form of yoga.
    Editeur : Harmony (15 mai 2001)
    ISBN-10 : 0609807862
  • ASHTANGA YOGA, Practice and Philosophy  by Gregor Maehle. An extensive explanation of the fundamental techniques of breath, bandhas and drishti is followed by a detailed and comprehensive study of each posture of the Primary Series,
    Editeur : New World Library – 1 (31 août 2007)
    ISBN-10: 1577316061

 41YDCEFWS1L._SX353_BO1,204,203,200_  ASHTANGA YOGA,-Gregor Maehle

Shri T. Krisnamacharya

Sri T. Krishnamacharya 

  • Nathamuni’s Yoga Rahasya de Sri, presented by Sri T. Krishnamacharya and translated by K. V. Desikachar,
    Editeur : Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, july 1998
    ISBN : 81-87847-18-2

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  • Yoga Yajnavalkya, by G. Mohan & and Ganesh Mohan, The Yoga Yajnavalkya was considered by the great yogi Sri T. Krishnamacharya to be the most important and authentic classical text on yoga after the Yogasutras of Patanjali. Many other yoga texts, including the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and Gheranda Samhita have borrowed verses from this text. The Yoga Yajnavalkya takes the form of a conversation between the sage Yajnavalkya and his wife Gargi. The book is a well-structured presentation, following the eight limbs of yoga. An important feature of this text is the in-depth discussion of the kundalini and sound pranayama practices.
    Publisher : Svastha Yoga, 2nd edition (July 5, 2013)
    ISBN-10 : 9810716486 
  • The Heart of Yoga, by K. V. Desikachar.
    Sri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, who lived to be over 100 years old, was one of the greatest yogis of the modern era. Elements of Krishnamacharya’s teaching have become well known around the world through the work of B. K. S. Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois, and Indra Devi, who all studied with Krishnamacharya.
    Editeur : Inner Traditions, 2nd Edition, Revised Edition (1 mars 1999).
    ISBN-10 : 089281764X
  • Krishnamacharya : His Life and Teachings, by G. Mohan & and Ganesh Mohan, In this book, the author, A. G. Mohan, a well-respected yoga teacher and yoga therapist, draws on his own memories and Krishnamacharya’s diaries and recorded material, to present a fascinating view of the man and his teachings, and Mohan’s own warm and inspiring relationship with the master. This portrait of the great teacher is a compelling and informative read for yoga teachers and students who truly want to understand the source of their tradition and practice.
    Publisher : Shambhala, 1 edition (July 13, 2010)
    ISBN-10 : 159030800X
  • The Yoga of the Yogi : The Legacy of T. Krishnamacharya, by Kausthub Desikachar.
    The Yoga of the Yogi This deeply personal biographical tribute by Krishnamacharya’s grandson includes photographs, archival materials, and family recollections that have never been published elsewhere, as well as unique insights into the “master of masters” by some of his most famous students-Indra Devi, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, B.K.S. Iyengar, and T.K.V. Desikachar.
    Editeur : North Point Press, Original (13 septembre 2011)
    ISBN-10: 0865477531

 

B.K.S Iyengar

And of course all the works of Shri B.K.S. Iyengar
Official Website : www.bksiyengar.com

Bible du Yoga

  • Light on Yoga : Yoga Dipika, by Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar
    The definitive guide to the philosophy and practice of Yoga–the ancient healing discipline for body and mind–by its greatest living teacher. Light on Yoga provides complete descriptions and illustrations of all the positions and breathing exercises. Features a foreword by Yehudi Menuhin.
    Publisher : Schocken; Revised edition (1979)
    ISBN-10 : 0805210318
  • Light on Prãnãyãma : The Yogic Art of Breathing, by Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar
    n this classic yoga best-seller a world-renowned yoga master shares the techniques of breathing together with a comprehensive background of yoga philosophy.
    Publisher : The Crossroad Publishing Company (June 1, 1985)
    ISBN-10: 0824506863
  • Light on Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, by Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar,
    BKS Iyengar’s translation and commentary on these ancient yoga sutras has been described as the “bible” of yoga.
    Publisher : Thorsons, New edition edition (October 21, 2002)
    ISBN-10 : 0007145160
  • The Tree of Yoga (Shambhala Classics), by B.K.S. Iyengar
    Iyengar developed a form of yoga that focuses on developing strength, endurance, correct body alignment, as well as flexibility and relaxation. The Iyengar method integrates philosophy, spirituality, and the practice of yoga into everyday living. In The Tree of Yoga, Iyengar offers his thoughts on many practical and philosophical subjects including family life, love and sexuality, health and the healing arts, meditation, death, and Patañjali’s Yoga Sutras.
    Publisher : Shambhala (March 26, 2002)
    ISBN-10 : 1570629013
  • Light on Life : The Yoga Journey to Wholeness, Inner Peace, and Ultimate Freedom, by Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar
    K.S. Iyengar―hailed as “the Michelangelo of yoga” (BBC) and considered by many to be the most important living yoga master―has spent much of his life introducing the modern world to the ancient practice of yoga. Yoga’s popularity is soaring, but its widespread acceptance as an exercise for physical fitness and the recognition of its health benefits have not been matched by an understanding of the emotional, intellectual, and spiritual development that the yogic tradition can also offer.
    Publisher : Rodale Books, Reprint edition (September 19, 2006)
    ISBN-10: 1594865248
  • ETC.

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Ashtanga Yoga News Letter 3 : march 2019

Yoga « way to fullness » … 

The "Hindu Trinity", Brahma, Vishnū, Ćiva.

The “Hindu Trinity”, Brahma, Vishnū, Ćiva.

On the way to the intuition of “non-duality”, we try to be coherent yet if we are honest with ourselves we know how hard it is. For example, you are asked to stand up straight, we think and feel that we are vertical, but if we look in a mirror, we will see that this is an illusion, we have a shoulder higher than the other, the head inclined to one side, the pelvis rotated, a knee bent, the belly forward or backward, more support on one foot, etc.. In short, we are twisted. It is the same in postural yoga practice “asana” (Devanāgarī: आसन). We need an outside perspective to straighten, untwist and align ourselves, in order to go vertical.

During his first meeting with Guruji (Sri K. Pattabhi Jois), Anne expressed “it’s strange, but for the first time in my life I experienced a person other than myself you knew better than me what was good for me … and I trusted … “him.

Transmission of Yoga exists in this relational quality. It is a relationship of love, without love there is nothing of value, we cannot achieve the “Kingdom of Heaven” for a Christian, or what we call “Deep Reality” in Yoga.

The practice of Yoga Mala is a precision work (from the Latin praecisus), i.e. “no split” without division of breathing, movement, concentration, rhythm etc.. It is a work of unification. Hindus, like Christians might say  to live a relationship state of “Trinity.”

Three not two, two is not  one… The Trinity is not a duality and non-duality “advaïta” (Devanāgarī: अ त) is not unity. This is articulated One between “I” and “you” of ourselves, a … A relational One 

«Oh yoguin, ne pratique pas le Yoga sans vinyāsa…»
Vāmana Ṛṣi (devanāgarī : वामन ऋषि)
Yoga Korunta

Forth yoga Korunta  śloka express :

« Trī stanam avalokayé

Āsanam prānāyāma dristhihi »

Translation

The three key points of the method are: posture, breathing and concentration of the gaze.

Shri K. Pattabhi Jois’s comment

The method of yoga Korunta consists of three simultaneously performed points, that are:

a. Posture Āsana : to lengthen and stretch the spine back to ensure good blood circulation;

b. Breathing Pranayama : The wide opened rib cage so that breathing is good, long and soft;

c. Dristhihi : The head in alignment and directed towards one of the nine focus points so that the mind is concentrated. In this way, in your practice, you will not be troubled by what is happening around you and within you.


Guruji (Sri K. Pattabhi Jois), Laksmi Puram, Mysore

Om Shanti,

JC Garnier

History of Yoga Korunta (Ashtanga Yoga)

Travelling in the North of India to spread the science of Yoga for the treatment of various ailments, Sri T. Krishnamacharya – thanks to the patronage of the Maharajah of Mysore (well known for his philanthropy and spiritual faith) – discovered by chance, in the 1930s, in the university Library of Calcutta, an ancient manuscript written on palm leaves and entitled “Yoga Korunta”. The author, a sage of ancient times, called himself “Vanama”. Composed between 500 and 1500 BC, the document was excellently preserved. Also a specialist in ancient Sanskrit, Sri T. Krishnamacharya understood from the turn of certain phrases that it was part of a much older oral tradition (between 3000 and 4000 years BC).

Sri T. Krishnamacharya

Sri T. Krishnamacharya

Following this discovery, Sri T. Krishnamacharya, who taught a different method of yoga, altered his teaching for the third time. He asked Sri K. Pattabhi Jois to devote himself exclusively to this method of original Yoga, called Yoga Korunta, and to pass it on.

From 1937 onwards, Pattabhi taught Yoga Korunta in Mysore, India.

Only in the late 1960s, André Van Lysebeth, the first teacher of European yoga, spends three months to study Yoga in India with Pattabhi.

André speaks of him and the quality of his training and popularizes him by publishing laudatory articles in the paper « YOGA » which he edits.

La "REVUE YOGA"

La “REVUE YOGA”

Around 1973, Americans participate in the demonstration of yoga by Manju (Pattabhi’s son) in the ashram of Gitānanda (near Pondicherry). Thus Norman Allen became a pupil of Pattabhi or Guruji, as his disciples call him, later Nancy Gilgoff and David Williams came.

Pattabhi chose to use the term “Ashtanga” for his school in reference to one of the six points of view of orthodox Indian philosophy, i.e. Yoga. The other points of view are: Nyāya, Vaisheshika, Sāṃkhya, Mîmâmsâ, Vedānta.

The bible of Yoga, written by Patañjali, is “The Yoga Sūtra” (a kind of synthesis of all the preceding knowledge).

In the second chapter of this book, at verse (YS II-29) the foundations of the practice of yoga are being explained, the definition of which is “aṣṭāṅga yoga”. Thus, all the spiritual techniques referring to this book can be called aṣṭāṅga yoga.

This way the name of “Yoga Korunta” was changed to “Ashtanga Yoga”. Actually, the institute of Pattabhi was called “Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute of Mysore”, which made the American students think that he taught a kind of Yoga called “Ashtanga Yoga”.

In 1975, Nancy Gilgoff and David Williams invited Guruji and his son Manju, who thus set off on their first voyage to America in order to teach yoga. Manju stayed in the United States. This practice of Yoga spread rapidly throughout America from California, extending up to Hawaii, under the name of Ashtanga Yoga.

Les livrets de JB Rishi sur l'Ashtanga Yoga

In Europe, the first teachers to spread this method were called Jean-Pierre Radhu (Belgium), Gabriel Plessis (Paris, Rouen – 1972). With the permission of Guruji, Jean Bernard Rishi in Paris (France 1975) published leaflets on the sun salutations of Mysore and the standing postures (photos of Pattabhi in black and white). Having taught Ashtanga Yoga for several years, they all changed their methods of different reasons. Later, Jean Claude Garnier (France, Belgium – 1978) and Serge Fonteneau (France, Château Renauld) embraced the teachings of Pattabhi and have made it their business to disseminate them.

Today, this traditional form of Yoga, mainly known under the name of Ashtanga Yoga, is one of the most practiced worldwide.

Sharath Rangaswamy, the grandson of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, teaches the Ashtanga Yoga he has learnt from his grandfather.

For further reading :

  • Yoga Mala – Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (paperback)
  • Ashtanga Yoga – John Scott (Le courrier du livre).
  • Ashtanga Yoga – Le Guide Pratique: Un Guide Illustré Destiné à une Pratique Personnelle, Première et Deuxième… de David Swenson

The three points in the Ashtanga Yoga practice

The key point of the « garland of postures » (Yoga Mālā), taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois is called « Vinyasa ». It is described in the fourth śloka of the Yoga Korunta :

In Sankrit devanagrari :

« ट्री स्तनम् अवलोकय्é आसनम् प्राņआयाम द्रिस्थिहि »

In occidental characters :

« Trī stanam avalokayé āsanam prāņāyāma dristhihi »

That we can translate as:

The vinyāsa, the connecting movements between the postures, is composed of 3 fundamentals (Tristana) which are:

  1. The breathing (Ujjãyi Prãnãyãma – the victorious breath)
  2. The control of the pelvic floor and the abdominal ball (Mūla bandha),
  3. The focused gaze (drishti) in the postures (āsana).

Each of these spaces (positioning -Bandha) is one of components of the breathing technique called « ujjāyī prāņāmāya ».

The 3 points ashtanga yoga EN

When the three components (Tristana) are in harmony, synchronised with the movement, the sequence of Yoga postures and its rhythm, the yogi has reached the tristana. Once the tristana is reached, the yogi (le sādhaka) enters into the seventh part of the Aṣṭāṅgayoga, the meditation (dhyāna).

The ujjāyī breathing is the basis of the « Vinyasa ». The correct body positioning in the ãsana(s), comes from the Bandha(s). Drishti completes this trinity.