To the Sky

Shipwreck in the sea of faces, There's a dreamy world up there,

Dear friends in higher places, Carry me away from here,

Travel light let the sun eclipse you, 'Cause your flight is about to leave,

And there's more to this brave adventure, Than you'd ever believe,

Yoga practice then and now...

Then...


Yoga practice = asanas (exercise) + pranayama (breathing) + kriyas (cleansing techniques) + bandhas & mudras (energy direction manipulation)  + dhyana (meditation) + yama/niyama (attitude training)

Asanajaya

Asanajaya is a Sanskrit word which means "to conquer or master the pose" or "victory over the pose".  It has been said that when one has mastered the practice of asana, then he is ready for the higher practices of yoga such as pranayama and meditation (Krishnananda, 1981).

Asana is one of the six categories of practices under the discipline of yoga (Gharote, n.d.).  Asanas (postures), pranayama (energy control through breathing exercises), bandhas (energetic locks) and mudras (gestures), kriyas (cleansing practices), pratyahara-dharana-dhyana (withdrawal of the senses, concentration, meditation), and yamas and niyamas (attitude training) comprise these six categories.

The purpose of asana practice is to prepare both body in mind for the higher practices of yoga.  The purpose of yoga is to make the mind still and peaceful so that the one who practices yoga becomes selfless and useful member of society.  Some of the goals of physical education is to develop an individual's personal and social behavior, and his understanding and respect for differences among people (National Alliance for Sports and Physical Education, 1992).  These goals are somehow similar to the goals of yoga.

Conquering the pose

Asanajaya comes from two Sanskrit words (i.e., asana, jaya) which means victory over a pose.

The yoga sashtras say that in order for us to conquer to mind, we have to first conquer to body.  We do that by practicing asanas.  It has been said that once we are able to practice daily for three hours with stillness and steadiness, then we have achieved asanajaya.

Practice and Non-Attachment

Abhyasa Vairagyabhyam Tannirodhah (By practice and non-attachment, they [mental fluctuations] are restrained) - Yoga Sutra I:12.

The Yoga Sutras I:12-16 talks about practice and non-attachment.  These sutras say that the mental modifications or fluctuations of the mind can be controlled through practice and non-attachment.  Practice means to keep the mind steady or calm.  The steadiness or calmness of the mind happens only when practice is done regularly and with deep sincerity over a long period of time.