MODULE 2

ASANA

EXPERIENCING AND INFLUENCING GROSS ENERGY

CONNECTING WITH GROSS ENERGY - EXPERIENCING PHYSICAL SATISFACTION

STUDY YOGA HISTORY & PHILOSOPHY

Learn how the history of yoga is messy, missing parts, and still being sorted. Discover how yoga’s core concepts developed non-linearly over thousands of years in at least ten cultural movements. Study Tirumalai Krishnamacharya’s influence on modern postural yoga and the legacy of his students. Learn about the sharing of Taoist yoga by Paulie Zink and Paul Grilley.

ENGAGE WITH A PERRENIAL YOGA PRACTICE

Understand asana practice as the experiencing and influencing the most dense energy of our body-minds. Consider how asana practice connects us to gross energy and the experience of physical satisfaction. Explore how asana practice evolved from one seated posture in Yoga Sutras of Patanjali to over one hundred postures in the 1850s.

OBSERVE YAMAS & NIYAMAS

Explore the ethics-integrity pairing of ahimsa (non-violence, non-harm, care, compassion) and ishvara-pranidhana (surrendering to divine mystery, trust in “what is”). Contemplate this pairing as the greatest of all yama-niyama pairs. Consider how Thich Nhat Hanh exemplifies this ethic-integrity pairing. Imagine other icons who embody this ethics-integrity pairing.

PRACTICE & SHARE ASANA

Learn and teach sun salutation postures, including: hastasana, uttanasana, ardha uttanasana, chaturanga dandasana, urdhva mukha svanasana, adho mukhasvanasana, and utkatasana. Understand vinyasa as a cycle of complementary opposites. Explore the rhythm of sthira (steadiness) and sukha (ease) in asana practice. Comparethe three main energies of asana practice: vitalization, sensitization, and relaxation.

PRACTICE & SHARE PRANAYAMA

Explore linking breath with movement. Experiment with inhales during blooming-lifting movements and exhales during grounding-rooting movements. Experience how the breath creates and fuels movement with how movement shapes and changes breath. Continue to experiment with ujjayi pranayama practice.                                                                                                                                                      

PRACTICE PRATYAHARA

Practice self-reflective journaling as pratyahara. How do effort and ease manifest in your asana practice? Does asana practice feel more like working toward achievement or a process of self-exploration? Are there ideal postures, or postures ideally adapted?  What about your body are you grateful for? How do you show appreciate for your body?

PRACTICE DHARANA

Consider various anchors of awareness for dharana practice,including: tactile sensations, visual sensations, auditory sensations, gustatory sensations, and olfactory sensations. Practice walking meditation moving slowly and intentionally with body awareness as a form of dharana practice. Explore anjali mudra (prayer hands) as a point of focus for dharana practice.

PRACTICE DHYANA

Chant Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra (Death Conquering Chant) for physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Continue to practice chanting the Om Mantra, bringing awareness to how you feel when you do.  Consider your most meaningful thing and a word or phrase that represents that thing.

CO-CREATE CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY

Consider how popular yoga culture not only sustains, but often amplifies, patterns of marginalization, including racism, body size bias, and ableism. Consider what it means to include, accommodate, and respect all backgrounds, bodies, and abilities. Meet with mentor and peer groups.

CREATE YANTRA

Become familiar with the historical significance and modern day of uses of the Sri Yantra and Bhuvaneshvari Yantra.Notice their common elements. Study the symbolism of various colors and geometric shapes commonly found in yantras. Co-create community yantra with sacred geometry elements, exploring collective creativity.

STUDY AYURVEDA

Become aware of how the pancha mahabhutas mix to form three main doshas (energy patterns): (i) vata = air-wind + space-ether, (ii) pitta = fire + water, and (iii) kapha = earth + water. Learn how these energy patterns are the internal and external forces essential to life and can be harmful if out of harmony.                                              

STUDY ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY & BIOMECHANICS

Learn musculoskeletal system basics, including major bone, muscle, and connective tissue names and functions. Understand various body movements like flexion, extension, hyperextension, abduction, adduction, and rotation. Explore the concepts of compression and tension.