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"and the purpose of yoga is...
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| NBennett 2006-03-22, 4:05 pm |
| ....to build heat."
that is according to the instructor in the class i was in on friday night.
i was shocked to hear her say it, and disappointed to see the others in the
class blythely accept this information. very discouraging for me for
several reasons. after trying many classes, this was the closest to what i
was looking for. the least aerobic-like, the most spiritual, the most
calming. i'm heat adverse. anytime this class got out of hand toward the
athletic side, i'd chalk it up to the instructor providing variety to suit
all students, or to me having an off night. but now i know, her underlying
goal in all classes is to make us hot. it was not a discussion type of class
so any comment or question from me would have been disruptive. besides,
she's entitled to her beliefs. maybe heat is what it's all about for her.
once again i'm in the wrong class.
my quest continues.
nancy
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| danijel dubicanac 2006-03-22, 4:05 pm |
| she might have been referring to tapas?
a.. ("glow/heat"): austerity, penance, which is an ingredient of all yogic
approaches, since they all involve self-transcendence
www.yogajournal.com/newtoyoga/159.cfm
a.. "Heat" or "fire." Denotes religious austerity, intense meditation,
penance, bodily mortification or special observances. Connotes spiritual
purification and transformation as a "fiery process" which "burns up"
impurities, ego, illusions and past karmas that obstruct God-Realization.
www.himalayanacademy.com/resources/...SVGlossary.html
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| omjaroo 2006-03-22, 4:05 pm |
| ....to build heat."
>i was shocked to hear her say it, and disappointed to see the others in the
>class blythely accept this information
"Hatha yoga is a refuge for all those who are scorched by the fires. To
those who practice yoga, hatha yoga is like the tortoise that supports
the world."
- Hatha Yoga Pradipika
>once again i'm in the wrong class.
>my quest continues.
>nancy
Nancy,
It is fascinating (and most gratifying) to watch the sophistication of
your yogic discrimination grow :-) This to me is very jnanic like
development.
Please, please, please tell me you have read Richard Hittleman's "Yoga:
the 8 Steps to Health and Peace." If not, just say the word and I will
mail you my personal copy within the hour...
Jared
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| NBennett 2006-03-22, 4:05 pm |
| maybe, danijel, but i dont really think so. she was talking about people who
drink water in class (me!) and said that in stricter classes it wasnt
allowed because "it cools you down, and the purpose of yoga is to build
heat."
my personal belief is that life, money and time is in too short supply to
spend it doing yoga which is unpleasant enough to be a penance.
thanks for the info and reference sites. it helps me understand where she
might be coming from. even though it might not be appropriate for me, it
probably is for others.
nancy
"danijel dubicanac" <danijel@burza.hr> wrote in message
news:dv1jjr$gul$1@ss405.t-com.hr...
> she might have been referring to tapas?
>
>
> a.. ("glow/heat"): austerity, penance, which is an ingredient of all yogic
> approaches, since they all involve self-transcendence
> www.yogajournal.com/newtoyoga/159.cfm
>
> a.. "Heat" or "fire." Denotes religious austerity, intense meditation,
> penance, bodily mortification or special observances. Connotes spiritual
> purification and transformation as a "fiery process" which "burns up"
> impurities, ego, illusions and past karmas that obstruct God-Realization.
> www.himalayanacademy.com/resources/...SVGlossary.html
>
>
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| NBennett 2006-03-22, 4:05 pm |
| thanks jared. i do have the book but i havent read it through yet. i
started, but i found it very dry and god-based and you know how that sits
with me. i guess its time to pull it out and see if it appeals to me more
now.
i love the quote - hatha yoga is a refuge for all those who are scorched by
the fires. perfect! hatha is my cool oasis, not something i do as a penance.
i'm encouraged by your perception of my development. it sometimes feels to
me like i'm spinning my wheels.
nancy
"omjaroo" <omjaroo@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1142204248.890736.98440@j52g2000cwj.googlegroups.com...
> ...to build heat."
>
>
> "Hatha yoga is a refuge for all those who are scorched by the fires. To
> those who practice yoga, hatha yoga is like the tortoise that supports
> the world."
> - Hatha Yoga Pradipika
>
>
> Nancy,
>
> It is fascinating (and most gratifying) to watch the sophistication of
> your yogic discrimination grow :-) This to me is very jnanic like
> development.
>
> Please, please, please tell me you have read Richard Hittleman's "Yoga:
> the 8 Steps to Health and Peace." If not, just say the word and I will
> mail you my personal copy within the hour...
>
> Jared
>
| |
| omjaroo 2006-03-22, 4:05 pm |
| Nancy,
It's interesting to me that you seem to have an intuitive sense of the
correct practice of hatha yoga. The hatha yoga pradipika suggests
avoiding things like to much heat, heavy physical labor, fasting and
other austerities. The original without commentary makes for a quick
and interesting (if incomprehensible :-) read.
http://www.geocities.com/kriyadc/ha..._pradipika.html
Below is a quote by B K S Iyengar from a forward he wrote for a
translation and commentary of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika.
http://lib.ru/URIKOVA/SANTEM/SVATMARAMA/hyp.txt
Svatmarama says that practice has to be done without thinking of its
fruits, but with steadfast attention, living a chaste life and
moderation of food. One should avoid "bad company, proximity to fire,
sexual relations, long trips, cold baths in the early morning, fasting,
and heavy physical work". (1.61). In 1.66 he says that yoga cannot be
experienced "by wearing yoga garments, or by conversation about yoga,
but only through tireless practice". Earlier, in 1:16, he says:
"Success depends on a cheerful disposition, perseverance, courage,
self-knowledge, unshakable faith in the word of the guru and the
avoidance of all superfluous company." And Patanjali says, "faith,
vigour, sharp memory, absorption and total awareness are the key to
success".
If you can not find an external teacher, perhaps you would be willing
to trust yourself to teach yourself. Hittleman is very supportive of
the idea of one's internal guide (guru). His books are specifically
written to those who are self motivated and wish to learn a correct
approach to the study and practice of yoga by themselves with a book as
a reference and guide. While I think that "Yoga: the 8 steps" is the
most complete of his books, it does contain a ton of
information/perspective in a short space. It also addresses other
aspects of yoga in addition to hatha. Hittleman's books, "Introduction
to Yoga" and "Be Young with Yoga" are excellent self study guides (not
so dry :-) for Hatha and are readily available on Amazon for mere
pennies.
Jared
o
^
| |
|
| On Mon, 13 Mar 2006 11:09:55 -0800, omjaroo <omjaroo@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Nancy,
>
> It's interesting to me that you seem to have an intuitive sense of the
> correct practice of hatha yoga. The hatha yoga pradipika suggests
> avoiding things like to much heat, heavy physical labor, fasting and
> other austerities. The original without commentary makes for a quick
> and interesting (if incomprehensible :-) read.
> http://www.geocities.com/kriyadc/ha..._pradipika.html
>
> Below is a quote by B K S Iyengar from a forward he wrote for a
> translation and commentary of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika.
> http://lib.ru/URIKOVA/SANTEM/SVATMARAMA/hyp.txt
>
> Svatmarama says that practice has to be done without thinking of its
> fruits, but with steadfast attention, living a chaste life and
> moderation of food. One should avoid "bad company, proximity to fire,
> sexual relations, long trips, cold baths in the early morning, fasting,
> and heavy physical work". (1.61). In 1.66 he says that yoga cannot be
> experienced "by wearing yoga garments, or by conversation about yoga,
> but only through tireless practice". Earlier, in 1:16, he says:
> "Success depends on a cheerful disposition, perseverance, courage,
> self-knowledge, unshakable faith in the word of the guru and the
> avoidance of all superfluous company." And Patanjali says, "faith,
> vigour, sharp memory, absorption and total awareness are the key to
> success".
>
Jared, if you are not careful, you will scare Nancy off! We are not all
called to be brahmacharis (celibate). If that were the case, I'd have to
say that I've been doing it wrong for 38 years. If I had to choose between
sex and yoga, I'd take sex. Fortunately, I didn't have to make that choice
in order to have a meaningful and highly beneficial practice.
--Don
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/yogabare
| |
| Themis 2006-03-22, 4:05 pm |
| I have found yoga to enhance sexual relations and vice versa. To each
his own, but I think if yoga helps you get the maximum from other
facets of life, embrace it, right?
Don wrote:
> On Mon, 13 Mar 2006 11:09:55 -0800, omjaroo <omjaroo@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> Jared, if you are not careful, you will scare Nancy off! We are not all
> called to be brahmacharis (celibate). If that were the case, I'd have to
> say that I've been doing it wrong for 38 years. If I had to choose between
> sex and yoga, I'd take sex. Fortunately, I didn't have to make that choice
> in order to have a meaningful and highly beneficial practice.
>
> --Don
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/yogabare
| |
| Jimbo O'Neill 2006-03-22, 4:05 pm |
| Now that we are on the subject... here is a fantastic website for those
who are interested in YOGA and SEX. Check it out.
www.sivasakti.com
Don wrote:
> On Mon, 13 Mar 2006 11:09:55 -0800, omjaroo <omjaroo@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> Jared, if you are not careful, you will scare Nancy off! We are not all
> called to be brahmacharis (celibate). If that were the case, I'd have to
> say that I've been doing it wrong for 38 years. If I had to choose between
> sex and yoga, I'd take sex. Fortunately, I didn't have to make that choice
> in order to have a meaningful and highly beneficial practice.
>
> --Don
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/yogabare
| |
|
| On Tue, 14 Mar 2006 13:48:56 -0800, Themis
<rock_star_to_the_max@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I have found yoga to enhance sexual relations and vice versa. To each
> his own, but I think if yoga helps you get the maximum from other
> facets of life, embrace it, right?
>
Yup, that's how I see it.
--Don
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/yogabare
| |
| Jimbo O'Neill 2006-03-22, 4:05 pm |
| Now that we are on the subject... here's a terrific website that I've
just found for those who are interested in YOGA and SEX. Check it out.
www.sivasakti.com
Don wrote:
> On Mon, 13 Mar 2006 11:09:55 -0800, omjaroo <omjaroo@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> Jared, if you are not careful, you will scare Nancy off! We are not all
> called to be brahmacharis (celibate). If that were the case, I'd have to
> say that I've been doing it wrong for 38 years. If I had to choose between
> sex and yoga, I'd take sex. Fortunately, I didn't have to make that choice
> in order to have a meaningful and highly beneficial practice.
>
> --Don
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/yogabare
| |
| NBennett 2006-03-22, 4:05 pm |
| wellllllllll... if celebacy is part of yoga i would put it on the shelf
with the other parts of yoga that i don't accept, or that would make my
yoga experience unrewarding. already on that shelf are ashtanga,
building heat, exclusively physical goal, exclusively spiritual goal,
expensive yoga clothing, forced silence and pain. i'm not saying these
things aren't valid. they just aren't valid for me.
sorry, jared, i also enjoy long trips and bad company sometimes. i do
aim for cheerful disposition, perserverance and courage. i'm working on
self-knowledge.
nancy
| |
| omjaroo 2006-03-22, 4:05 pm |
| >sorry, jared, i also enjoy long trips and bad company sometimes. i do
>aim for cheerful disposition, perserverance and courage. i'm working on
>self-knowledge.
Please... If you were my daughter, I'd be smiling with fatherly pride
:-)
Jared
| |
| omjaroo 2006-03-22, 4:05 pm |
| Hi Don,
>Jared, if you are not careful, you will scare Nancy off!
Over the years, I've gotten the impression that Nancy doesn't scare
easy :-)
>We are not all called to be brahmacharis (celibate).
I don't recall mentioning it. I don't remember Hittleman ever
discussing it.
A very interesting subject though. One I have found few really know
anything about. I agree with you that celibacy is not in the least
required to make excellent progress in yoga. I also believe it is not
for everyone and that when and if it is, the individual will know it.
Then the challenge becomes finding a source of good information
concerning the how, what, why and when of it. My understanding is that
traditionally (eastern) it is encouraged in the pre-sexually active
aspirant being guided in a traditional/formal setting; then in the
post-householder (later) years.
I have personally maintained what I refer to as stage I celibacy (no
sex with others) for a long time. At the beginning it was situational
and later would become a preference (subject to choice and/or change).
I have found that a huge percentage of the garbage (hate, discontent,
hassle, expense, pretension, health issues, conflict) in my life
disappeared after I took sex out of the equation of my life and
relationships. Fact is my life is much more pleasant, less complicated
and easier to manage for my having eliminated the use of energy,
resources, and ethical compromises required to find, maintain and then
clean up after, romantic relationships.
I have not attained to what I call level II celibacy (no sexual
expression in thought, word or deed). This what I believe most people
think of when the word celibacy is mentioned. However the tone of my
life and the practice of level 1 celibacy creates a tendency towards
and eventual movement to Level 2. The goal of course is to reach what I
call level III celibacy, which is a transcendence of any idea or
illusion of sex distinction: or in other words to live as a fully
realized human being.
Jared
o
^
| |
| jela1966@hotmail.com 2006-03-22, 4:05 pm |
| Interesting discussion --- This is the first time I've come to this
group. I have done yoga off and on over the years and most
consistently over the past 8 months practicing Kripalu. As many ways
of thought, practice, belief, etc that there are in the world, there
are as many adherents who seek to impose sex as part of if not
fundamental to said systems. Such a powerful force but the heart of
such a belief is that everything revolves around sex, which I find
deeply troubling. I recommend the Elementary Particles by Michel
Houellebecq for a look at the impact of the centrality of sex in modern
life (albeit a grim view.)
My approach to yoga is to build strength, energy and balance to allow
for a stronger, more energetic, balanced existence with a focus toward
inner peace and and the removal of delusions (as opposed to focused on
better sex or higher earning potential or reaching nirvana.) We all
choose.
PLL
Ithaca, NY
| |
| danijel dubicanac 2006-03-22, 4:05 pm |
| i was told in one ashtanga seminar that it's better not to drink during the
practice, because body becomes drowsy at that time, also induces more
sweating than usual, but the instructor wasn't dogmatic about it. he just
recommended it and said we should try for ourselves.
| |
| omjaroo 2006-03-22, 4:05 pm |
| >This is the first time I've come to this group.
PLL,
Welcome to alt.yoga :-)
>Interesting discussion
Yes... and what is it you find interesting ?
>Such a powerful force but the heart of such a belief is that everything
>revolves around sex, which I find deeply troubling.
Sex is life=E2=80=A6 along with air, water, food, shelter and
self-actualization (way down the list). A belief in the illusion of
live and death requires the chasing after of these things.
>I recommend the Elementary Particles by Michel Houellebecq for a look
>at the impact of the centrality of sex in modern life (albeit a grim view.)
Thanks for the recommendation. I always appreciate these :-)
>My approach to yoga is to build strength, energy and balance to allow for
>a stronger, more energetic, balanced existence with a focus toward
>inner peace and and the removal of delusions (as opposed to focused on
>better sex or higher earning potential or reaching nirvana.)
Sounds mature :-)
>We all choose.
That we do :-)
>PLL =E2=80=A8>Ithaca, NY
My regards to Ithaca; the place of my birth over a half century ago :-)
Jared =20
o
^
| |
| omjaroo 2006-04-06, 1:32 pm |
| Hi Don,
>Jared, if you are not careful, you will scare Nancy off!
I've gotten the impression over the years that Nancy doesn't scare
easy :-)
>We are not all called to be brahmacharis (celibate).
I don't recall mentioning it. I don't remember Hittleman ever
discussing it.
A very interesting subject though. One I have found few really know
anything about. I agree with you that celibacy is not in the least
required to make excellent progress in yoga. I also believe it is not
for everyone and that when and if it is, the individual will know it.
Then the challenge becomes finding a source of good information
concerning the how, what, why and when of it. My impression is that
traditionally (eastern) it is encouraged in the pre-sexually active
aspirant being guided in a traditional/formal setting; then later in
the post-householder years.
I have personally maintained what I refer to as stage I celibacy (no
sex with others) for a long time. At the beginning it was situational
and later would become a preference (subject to choice and/or change).
I have found that a huge percentage of the garbage (hate, discontent,
hassle, expense, pretension, health issues, conflict) in my life
disappeared after I took sex out of the equation of my life and
relationships. Fact is my life is much more pleasant, less complicated
and easier to manage for my having eliminated the use of the energy,
resources, and ethical compromises required to find, maintain and then
clean up after, romantic relationships.
As yet I have not attained to what I call level II celibacy (no sexual
expression in thought, word or deed). This is what I believe most
people think of when the word celibacy is mentioned. However the tone
of my life and the practice of level 1 celibacy creates a tendency
towards the eventual movement to Level 2. The goal of course is to
reach what I call level III celibacy, which is a transcendence of any
idea or illusion of sex distinction: or in other words to live as a
fully realized human being.
Jared
o
^
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