Hello friends,
I have been practicing yoga for quiet some time now but due to my shift of placement i have lost contact with my yoga guru
at present i practice some free hands, after that
Ardha-Salabhasana
Chakrasana
Ardha Matsyendrasana(Half Spinal Twist)
anulom vilom pranayam(breathing)
bhadrasana(butterfly pose)
sirsana(head stand)
so my query is to get out of the monotonous routine what changes can be done
I beleive in an ideal world the practice should be tailored to the individual.
This is the approach promoted by the viniyoga tradition and that originating from the now grand-father of modern yoga today T Krishnmarcharya.It also the basis for the therapeutic applications of yoga. Folk come to yoga with different kinds of obstruction in their nervous system.The matrix of obstructions each individual has is unique to them so the practice is adapted to the individual.The process of yoga is to keep on purifying on al levels from the gross to to the subtlest.The therapeutic apporach supported here by Mukunda Stiles is one that says to adapt the practice to the individual.The sound basis for this lies in the fact that the greatest authority on yoga for every given individual is found within themself, their own nervous system ultimately . The ancient texts where thur spirtual yogic knowledge orginates serve us as reminders of our spiritual heritage and
the years of self-study that has gone on before us.
You did’nt ask a therapeutic Q. But even if we don’t have any major obstructions part of the key to an effective practice is knowing where our obstructions lie.
There is’nt much to go on here other than encourage you to look at a wider toolbox or perhaps comment on the sequence or list of asanas you’ve outlined.
Perhaps your yoga guru can still provide encouragement and guidance from a distance.
Your anolima viloma practice is a nice wy of balancing the pranic body/kosha. The breath is the bridge between the mind and body. If we are able cultivate
an awareness and sensitivity to the life-force, the energetic dimension of pranayama or our practice it can be really helpful in unlocking some of our obstructions.
A systematic appraoch to learning pranayama is outlined by BKS Iyengar in his book Light on Pranayam. HE advocates the learning progression in his basic course-
anuloma pranayama
viloma pranayama
pratiloma pranayam then leading to surya bhedana pranayama & chandra pranayama
leading eventually to nadi shodhana
(Avoid what i would call the rapid or vigourous breathing category as this can lead to nervous instability and bring unexpected or ill effects to someone’s whole subtle nervous system is not completely open.Alsothe simplest can be the most advanced, and literally alter the way the nervous system works because both are inimtately related. The ancient yogis knew all about this secret; modern medicine and science however may catch on once ancient knowledge of the methods of spiritual transformation are more widely accepted and practiced)
These are not practices to be underestimated but learnt systematically and i they may sound innocuous especially the simpler breathing patterns and rythms but they are indeed very potent. The beginners approach is to tread with caution and respect. Just do a little and observe the effects during and especially afterwards. This is often when the cause- effect dynamic is known. A book i have drawn attention to in another post is Light on pranayama. by BKS Iyengar. i don’t know your years of experience but the safest way would be to find an experienced teacher and not under-estimate the potency of pranayam. Done gradually and gently to begin with but over a long period of time as it will certainly take years to master. The trick here is to cultivate an awarness of the energetic dimension of the breath, the subtle breath.- otherwise you are just breathing normally if it is not done with awareness and using both conscious control and manipulation…
The iyengar approach employs the use of digital pranayam- using the fingers to regulate ida and pingala, or chandra & surya nadi networks.A major project in hatha yoga is to find perfect balance between the two.He also teaches pranayama for starters lying down as he found because most or many students were unable to sit in a meditative posture without strain this would be better as it otherwise afected their ability to concentrate and relax. I have observed also myself that some practices can be better optimiise lying down when the student in relaxation (but alert! without falling asleep…hehe)state for this main reason also.This maybe somehwat different from other approaches but many teaachers have adopted his methods
I’m not quite clear what you mean by free-hands perhaps you mean flow or ad-lib or free-style vinyasa. Regarding (ardha)salabhasana which i have grown more fond of myself, you might find this video interesting, useful depsite the usually glossines of yoga journal’s offerings.There are a few little tips towarsd the end related to active and relaxed musculature and apporpiate actions.I came across the video a few days ago.
In short to answer you question- i have said this a number of times that a complete yoga practice is always far bettter and more effective.The effects are greater. It is just a matter of learning & application of known and proven methods,experimenting and persevering. Pranayama & Meditation is not necessarily something you add on to asana or even the icing on the cake so to speak. The apporach i advocate is an integral one that adress all limbs and all koshas of the mind-body-emotions-spirit/Self/Atman matrix.
If something is not working also or is not suited to your temperament- i think Osho advocated a similar suggestion to try what suits and works for you. Never get stuck on a system or fixated on an ideology or even a guru or single teacherespecially if there are doubts.This can lead to stagnation of your practice and yourself.Always think outside the box and beware of group-think-don’t get stuck in it.Yogais about gentle and playful self-exploration.
Bruce Lee who came up with his own style of martial arts which was actually a fusion of his own, of many influences -kkung-fu,karate, ju-jitsu you name it etc which he developed through having to grow up on the bad- mean streets of hong kong as a kid & teenager and beyond aand wanting to be able to defind himself amongst the threatening gang culture of his day,but also being fortunate enough to be in contact with a number of living masters and influences, said something like
find what works for you, what serves you the best, and discard the rest.
The best students never follow the herd, like the sheep.That is the only way any given individual can truly develop his fullest potenntial. The great Sivananda told an early disciple of his,the great and esteemed Satyananda that at one point he had to fly the spiritual nest of his,his ashram and discipleship etc, in order to develop completetly himself and fulfill his own dharma or life’s purpose,mission etc.
so my query is to get out of the monotonous routine what changes can be done
Too many to list.