ashtanga yoga Digest Number 408

[Guest guest]

khebin,

if you want a vigourous and challenging practice involving a lot of muscle

strength, balance and control, then you want to do "ashtanga vinyasa

yoga". if you want a gentler practice, then you want to do "kripalu" yoga.

i dont know much about "iyengar" yoga. besides these traditional forms,

there are other hybrid forms like "power" yoga or "hot" yoga about which i

know nothing. i suggest you look up the all the above on the web and decide

what you want.

 

also, try to take classes in the beginning from somebody and learn about

the "bandhas" (locks) since they seem to be (to my limited knowledge) the

single most important and elusive-to-master component.

 

finally, what is usually referred to as "yoga" is just one component of the

eight components that make yoga. (in the west, normally, only the the

"asana" ("poses") component is done). if you want a spiritual practice,

then you want to do yoga in its entirety - all eight components. this is

usually referred to as "Raj Yoga" and involves, amongst other things,

pranayama (breath control) and meditation. in fact, in Raj Yoga, the

emphasis on poses is minimal, since poses by themselves have no spiritual

benefits.

 

-mayu.

may the aum be with you.

 

 

>

> Message: 5

> Tue, 17 Jun 2003 00:41:21 -0000

> "Khebhin" <serenity8264

> New member

>

> Hi all! My name's Khebhin,and I just joined the group. I'm a 38 year

> old guy that's new to yoga as well. There's nowhere near here to

> learn,so I'm on my own. I presently am doing five cycles of Sun

> Salutation a day,and will be getting some tapes soon to expand my

> practice. I really don't know the difference in the schools of

> yoga,so I'm hoping to learn that as well.

> Anyone that has hints or such,please feel free to email me,or post

> here. I'm always looking for friends as well. Anyway,that's it for

> now. Namaste. Khebhin