Guest guest Posted January 5, 2001 Report Share Posted January 5, 2001 I am new to Ashtanga Yoga, but I have a question. Are other breathing methods used later on? I know that there is an emphasis on Ujayi at first, but I am wondering if other pranayamas are taught later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2001 Report Share Posted January 6, 2001 In Ashtanga Yoga, Pranayama is taught as a separate practice only after the body has been purified & strengthened through Yoga Chikitsa (Primary Series), and the nervous system cleansed by means of Nadi Shodana (Intermediate). <br><br>I don't know exactly at which stage Pranayama is taught, but before Sri K Pattabhi Jois will instruct you in its techniques, you must have attained a high level of proficiency in Asana practice. Only very few Ashtanga students have reached that level. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2001 Report Share Posted January 6, 2001 Very interesting. And when that pranayama is taught, is it similar or different to, for example Iyengar style, pranayama? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2001 Report Share Posted January 6, 2001 I haven't the foggiest what Ashtanga Pranayama looks like, but since it is another yoga style, it might differ from Iyengar. As far as I know, Pranayama is taught only by Guruji himself in Mysore to the chosen few, and there are no textbooks on it such as BKS Iyengar's "Light on Pranayama".<br><br>However, as a beginner in Ashtanga all this shouldn't bother you. You should concentrate on Primary & Intermediate Series instead, which to master could keep you busy for the rest of your life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2001 Report Share Posted January 6, 2001 Check out message #650 for a little more on pranayama by takeitup. Thanks, Alan Little, for documenting all of these highlights from the club's past on your home page! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2001 Report Share Posted January 6, 2001 sparrow, <br><br>Thank you for your hint. That msg is interesting indeed (just wondering; takeitup, is that DS himself?). <br><br>I guess I must check out Alan Little's website more often. For everyone who still doesn't know: Our Bavarian Englishman here has an excellent collection of "selected greatest hits" from the Ashtanga Yoga club at <a href=http://www.alanlittle.org/yoga/index.html target=new>http://www.alanlittle.org/yoga/index.html</a> . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2001 Report Share Posted January 6, 2001 Hmmm, sounds like stick this, don't worry ever about learning more. I would be interested in studying a complete system. Not a system that is deficent in some areas. It is funny how Ashtanga pranayama is hardly ever mentioned (other than Ujayi). Do you think that people who have completed the Series' still aren't prepared for pranayama? If they aren't who ever is? And when?<br><br>Secrecy leads to suspicion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2001 Report Share Posted January 6, 2001 My understanding is that Pattabhi Jois does include all 8 limbs as described by Patanjali, but teaches them in a sequential order. I think he teaches pranayama after completion of 3rd series (putting it out of reach for many of us mere mortals). <br><br>However, I seem to recall someone here once posting that he hasn't been teaching pranayama at all anymore due to the overwhelming numbers of students at his shala. If true, perhaps one of the advanced students here could confirm? I hope it's not; it would be a shame if the popularity of Ashtanga asana practice ended up being detrimental to the continuity of the teaching of the rest of the system.<br><br>Alternatively BNS Iyengar is said to teach pranayama after 2nd series.<br><br>I'm curious though: in Iyengar yoga (BKS that is), at what point can a student begin studying pranayama? Do you have to have a very advanced asana practice?<br><br>Does anyone know under what conditions Krishnamacharya taught pranayama? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 6, 2001 Report Share Posted January 6, 2001 There are Jois certified teachers who freely teach astanga pranayama, even to those who are doing 1st series. I've done it; it's hard work at first, quite a work out. <br><br>I'm told it differs from what Iyengar might teach in that it includes a sequenced variety of different pranayma techniques where the Iyengar way might focus on just 1 technique for an entire session. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2001 Report Share Posted January 7, 2001 There is a site that gives some information about pranayama (and everything else too), but I myself anyway am not into doing practice alone before good instruction: www.itsyoga/manual/index.html or just www.itsyoga.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2001 Report Share Posted January 7, 2001 Thanks for the link. I have to say though, what's there isn't really close to the pranayama practice I was referring to.<br><br>I agree with you that direct instruction is necessary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2001 Report Share Posted January 8, 2001 stst,<br><br>I can assure you that even if you do nothing but Primary Series in your whole life, your practice will never be "deficient" in any way.<br><br>However, if you think that Primary & Intermediate Series are not enough for you and you want to do something that goes beyond of it, then it should be better for you to go to Mysore and study under the guide of Sri K Pattabhi Jois. That's the only correct way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2001 Report Share Posted January 8, 2001 What the...?<br>I've practiced Ashtanga for a half year now and we study the 1st pranayama usually in the beginning or at the end of every lesson! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 8, 2001 Report Share Posted January 8, 2001 Secret song,<br><br>What the... do you mean with "the 1st pranayama"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 9, 2001 Report Share Posted January 9, 2001 In Lino Miele's book Ashtanga Yoga (pages 156-160 in the newest, 4th edition) there are instructions for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Bhastrika pranayamas.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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