Guest guest Posted April 12, 2004 Report Share Posted April 12, 2004 Hi barbara, I applaud you for your clarity and your ernest sincerity at which you apply to your practice. The only opinion that I can give you concerning the bandas is what pattabhi jois or guruji says: keep practicing and all is coming. He also says that astanga is 99 per cent practice and one per cent theory. Books that I have read about peoples experience on the bandas say that it takes a while to really understand them. Given that, I still think that it is possible to obtain sensitivity in that area and become conscious at what is happening. Me personally.... been practicing on an every day basis for two years. I like to do the nauli exercises before practice because it sensitizes that area for me and i am more able to focus on uddiyana banda. Then basically I just focus and that area and keep my breathing long and steady. I can say that since I have started focusing more on bandas, things feel more in line. certainly in paschimottanasana, uttanasana, trikonasana... well, everything really. Don't worry too much about it though. Just do your practice.... all is coming. take care --- Barbara <bmills ha scritto: > Hi! > > I have been practicing hatha yoga with an emphasis > on alignment, inner > awareness, etc. Having always been into maintaining > a good level of > fitness from aerobic exercise, weight lifting, and > horseback riding > (dressage) I am unhappy with my current practice in > that while I am > increasing my range of motion, I am losing my upper > body strength and > muscle mass. This is of concern to me as I am post- > menopausal and very > interested in preventing osteoporosis. > > I was trying to maintain yoga practice along with > aerobic and weight > training but simply do not have the time for all of > this, and am > concerned that the weight training conflicts with > the goals of Hatha > yoga. Yoga is a priority for me and I wish to > maintain daily Asana and > meditation practice. I think that Ashtanga yoga > would likely meet my > spiritual and physical needs. I live rather far > from teachers so am > starting with the help of videos. (I particularly > like Richard > Freeman’s primary series with his emphasis on proper > alignment). > > I have a question about the Bandhas, especially > Uddiyana Bandha. In the > booklet accompanying Richard Freeman’s video he > mentions that the > Uddiyana Bandha applied here is not the same as that > described in other > types of yoga. I have understood Uddiyana Bandha as > a pulling up of the > abdomen and internal organs without tensing the > abdominal muscles. In > fact I have been taught that tensing abdominal > muscles is counter > productive in that it shortens rather than lengthens > the front body. > > I have been experimenting with the bandhas trying to > feel what is right > and after applying mulabandha I pull in the lower > abdominal muscles > below the navel and then elongate the front torso, > raising the sternum, > grounding the shoulders and dropping the shoulder > blades so that there > is a feeling of the front body ascending and the > back body dropping. > This seems to feel right as it makes me feel more > stable in the poses, > and produces body heat. The first day after doing > this though Surya > Namaskar A and B and the standing poses (that is as > far I can go for > now). I experienced sore lower abs (about half way > between my pubic bone > and my navel). Is this the area that should be > worked? Am I on the > right track? I hope that my explanation is clear > enough for people to > be able to answer this. > > I am not used to moving from one pose to the next so > quickly so do tend > to lose my proper alignment, but from what I have > read here the idea is > just to maintain practice and all of this will fit > into place. > > I would appreciate any comments or advice. I > realize that I do need a > teacher and will probably be able to set that up in > a couple of months, > but for now this is impossible. Thank you all. > > Namaste > Barbara > > > > --- > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. > Checked by AVG anti-virus system > (http://www.grisoft.com). > Version: 6.0.655 / Virus Database: 420 - Release > 4/8/2004 > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > > > > > Links > > > ashtanga yoga > > > ____________________ Mail: 6MB di spazio gratuito, 30MB per i tuoi allegati, l'antivirus, il filtro Anti-spam http://it./mail_it/foot/?http://it.mail./ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2004 Report Share Posted April 12, 2004 Hi Barbara, I know this wasn't your question, but I just wanted to say that Ashtanga yoga can be very beneficial in preventing osteoporosis, especially when you get into arm balances and back-bends. Weight training is important too so even if you do minimal lifting, the combination can work well. I'm pre- menopausal and have mild osteoporosis and I mostly depend on yoga for my weight bearing excersize. Keep it up (and don't forget your calcium!) JoAnne --- Barbara <bmills wrote: > Hi! > > I have been practicing hatha yoga with an emphasis > on alignment, inner > awareness, etc. Having always been into maintaining > a good level of > fitness from aerobic exercise, weight lifting, and > horseback riding > (dressage) I am unhappy with my current practice in > that while I am > increasing my range of motion, I am losing my upper > body strength and > muscle mass. This is of concern to me as I am post- > menopausal and very > interested in preventing osteoporosis. > > I was trying to maintain yoga practice along with > aerobic and weight > training but simply do not have the time for all of > this, and am > concerned that the weight training conflicts with > the goals of Hatha > yoga. Yoga is a priority for me and I wish to > maintain daily Asana and > meditation practice. I think that Ashtanga yoga > would likely meet my > spiritual and physical needs. I live rather far > from teachers so am > starting with the help of videos. (I particularly > like Richard > Freeman’s primary series with his emphasis on proper > alignment). > > I have a question about the Bandhas, especially > Uddiyana Bandha. In the > booklet accompanying Richard Freeman’s video he > mentions that the > Uddiyana Bandha applied here is not the same as that > described in other > types of yoga. I have understood Uddiyana Bandha as > a pulling up of the > abdomen and internal organs without tensing the > abdominal muscles. In > fact I have been taught that tensing abdominal > muscles is counter > productive in that it shortens rather than lengthens > the front body. > > I have been experimenting with the bandhas trying to > feel what is right > and after applying mulabandha I pull in the lower > abdominal muscles > below the navel and then elongate the front torso, > raising the sternum, > grounding the shoulders and dropping the shoulder > blades so that there > is a feeling of the front body ascending and the > back body dropping. > This seems to feel right as it makes me feel more > stable in the poses, > and produces body heat. The first day after doing > this though Surya > Namaskar A and B and the standing poses (that is as > far I can go for > now). I experienced sore lower abs (about half way > between my pubic bone > and my navel). Is this the area that should be > worked? Am I on the > right track? I hope that my explanation is clear > enough for people to > be able to answer this. > > I am not used to moving from one pose to the next so > quickly so do tend > to lose my proper alignment, but from what I have > read here the idea is > just to maintain practice and all of this will fit > into place. > > I would appreciate any comments or advice. I > realize that I do need a > teacher and will probably be able to set that up in > a couple of months, > but for now this is impossible. Thank you all. > > Namaste > Barbara > > > > --- > Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. > Checked by AVG anti-virus system > (http://www.grisoft.com). > Version: 6.0.655 / Virus Database: 420 - Release > 4/8/2004 > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > > > > > Links > > > ashtanga yoga > > > Tax Center - File online by April 15th http://taxes./filing.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 12, 2004 Report Share Posted April 12, 2004 There are different idea's surrounding holding the bandha's throughout ones practice. In the beginning if one over holds moola bandha one might be over using those muscles which can lead to exhaustion. I believe that awareness energetically of the 3 bandha's should always be maintained throughout the whole practice but literally holding all bandha's for what turns out to be 2 hours from start to finish of the primary series could be more than exhausting. For someone who is beginning the ashtanga series finding proper alignment and enjoying the movements of the primary series should be as strong of a focus and bandha work. Breath work should be the focus. Working with the bandha's and then letting them go throughout the series is just fine. All of it is fine. Adding other tapes to your collection for variety might be nice since you do not have a teacher that you are working with. John Scott is also another wonderful practitioner and teacher. Hope that you continue to explore the practice and have fun. Dorion - "Barbara" <bmills ashtanga yoga Sunday, April 11, 2004 1:36 PM ashtanga yoga Starting Ashtanga practice Hi! I have been practicing hatha yoga with an emphasis on alignment, inner awareness, etc. Having always been into maintaining a good level of fitness from aerobic exercise, weight lifting, and horseback riding (dressage) I am unhappy with my current practice in that while I am increasing my range of motion, I am losing my upper body strength and muscle mass. This is of concern to me as I am post- menopausal and very interested in preventing osteoporosis. I was trying to maintain yoga practice along with aerobic and weight training but simply do not have the time for all of this, and am concerned that the weight training conflicts with the goals of Hatha yoga. Yoga is a priority for me and I wish to maintain daily Asana and meditation practice. I think that Ashtanga yoga would likely meet my spiritual and physical needs. I live rather far from teachers so am starting with the help of videos. (I particularly like Richard Freeman's primary series with his emphasis on proper alignment). I have a question about the Bandhas, especially Uddiyana Bandha. In the booklet accompanying Richard Freeman's video he mentions that the Uddiyana Bandha applied here is not the same as that described in other types of yoga. I have understood Uddiyana Bandha as a pulling up of the abdomen and internal organs without tensing the abdominal muscles. In fact I have been taught that tensing abdominal muscles is counter productive in that it shortens rather than lengthens the front body. I have been experimenting with the bandhas trying to feel what is right and after applying mulabandha I pull in the lower abdominal muscles below the navel and then elongate the front torso, raising the sternum, grounding the shoulders and dropping the shoulder blades so that there is a feeling of the front body ascending and the back body dropping. This seems to feel right as it makes me feel more stable in the poses, and produces body heat. The first day after doing this though Surya Namaskar A and B and the standing poses (that is as far I can go for now). I experienced sore lower abs (about half way between my pubic bone and my navel). Is this the area that should be worked? Am I on the right track? I hope that my explanation is clear enough for people to be able to answer this. I am not used to moving from one pose to the next so quickly so do tend to lose my proper alignment, but from what I have read here the idea is just to maintain practice and all of this will fit into place. I would appreciate any comments or advice. I realize that I do need a teacher and will probably be able to set that up in a couple of months, but for now this is impossible. Thank you all. Namaste Barbara --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.655 / Virus Database: 420 - Release 4/8/2004 Links Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 13, 2004 Report Share Posted April 13, 2004 Thank you all for your helpful and encouraging feedback. I will gradually increase my focus on the bandhas, but most importantly will just keep practicing. I will get the John Scott DVD as well. Barbara --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.655 / Virus Database: 420 - Release 4/8/2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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