The session that was — Importance Of Dynamic Stretching in Yoga
Let me start this with a question. Did you guys watch Ayn on 7th of June? I just hope you all did.
No! Not the Surya starrer …Not the Movie! (For others who wonder what it is…there is Tamil movie by that name 😊 …. Dumb joke huh! I just tried to be funny there:)
We at Atma Yoga Shala went live on the 7th of June , many times , with Ayn, who is a registered nurse by profession and is a Yoga teacher, Yoga practitioner and learns under Sri, Srivatsa Ramaswami who is a direct student of Srt.T.Krishmacarya.
Here is a gist of the interesting live session as I understood it.
TOPIC — IMPORTANCE OF DYNAMIC STRETCHING IN YOGA
If you had been following our memes, you would remember a specific meme where a Bird turns its head and stares right at you sarcastically, when it hears you say
Yoga is just slow stretching!!
Is it or is it not?
What is dynamic stretching in Yoga and what do you call that?… read through to know
This session was mainly aimed at clarifying our VIPARYAYA — Incorrect understanding. Patanjali states that one of the Citta Vritti (activities of the mind) is Viparyaya. With most of us trying to understand our definitions of what yoga is or what yoga is not, this session is the one you should watch!
WHO IS WHO
There are many who think that Yoga belongs to India, but this session was a clear eye-opener that Yoga is for the entire humanity.
If you are wondering why …. The session started with an introduction as how Ayn came to practice Yoga and Ayn is from the Philippines 😊. The amount of wisdom he shares in the session is a clear indication that Yoga is Universal and beyond borders.He stands as a shining example.
KNOW THE DIFFERENCE — SHOW THE DIFFERENCE
I have sat in lectures where the speaker is actually a Gilderoy Lockhart ( I am assuming you are a harry potter fan or at least watched the film). The character claims many things which he never did or experienced.
Ayn in no Gilderoy Lockhart ! In the session Ayn spoke to us about the differences between Static stretching, Dynamic stretching in physical exercises and Vinyasa Krama Practice which is followed in this style of Yoga. While it was not all speech, Ayn was quick to show us examples in person.
The best sessions are always delivered when one remembers the mantra — Know your Audience.
THE ULTIMATE CONNECTION
Some look at Yoga as just a physical exercise of one kind. Some wonder how Yoga is connected to the mind while some wonder what mysterious is mentioned in the Yoga Sutras. The conversations between Joshna and Ayn led to demystifying these topics and connecting the asanas with the sutras. This I would state is the ultimate connection which every Yoga practitioner, every student of Yoga should understand.
What is the ultimate purpose of a Yoga practice ?
What is an Asana ?
Why should we keep moving or do a dynamic practice ?
These were some of the topics which were touched upon. Now I am sure all would be intrigued about what the answers are. More intrigued if you had missed the session! I know 😊
BREATHE
BREATHE ! BREATHE ! BREATHE! — — Where would you most commonly hear this?? The picture that comes to my mind is of a woman in labour! and of course Joey getting sympathy pains for Phoebe 😊
Breathing becomes the most important aspect of Vinyasa krama and that makes all the difference. In Vinyasa Krama , it is breath which emphasizes the movement involved in the asana or yoga practice. The movements of the body are synchronized with the breath of the individual. When a practice is done unmindful of the indications of breath, the result becomes counterproductive.
This I realised could be a reason why some feel that Yoga is not my cup of tea. Probably, they never knew how to make the tea or how to drink it properly
The practice of deep breathing during yoga practice, automatically corrects postures, ensures proper circulation there by resulting in increased blood flow from heart but at the same not raising the heart rate. This is a feature exclusive to the vinyasa krama yoga practice.
WORDS OF WISDOM
This is a common feature of the AYS Live sessions 😊. The session was filled with many words of wisdom
- Mind Controls Body. Breath Controls Mind.
- Yoga is not just stretching. Think flexibility as a bonus to yoga practice. Flexibility is not what we are aiming for.
- When in doubt — Exhale.
- If you don’t use it, you lose it.
- Vinyasa krama is to prepare our body to make it sit comfortably and for that we need to move.
The session in my words is an honest attempt at exploring the benefits of Yoga. I would end this with the lines of Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I —
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
I think the road less traveled is that of Vinyasa Krama Yoga and let us take it. I am sure it will make all the difference.
If you wonder where it is offered …. I don’t have to answer that 😊
Cheers
