theyogacomics:
The 9 Drishtis
“Dṛṣṭi means gazing point. There are nine dṛṣṭis in the āsana practice. If the dṛṣṭi indicated for the āsana is too difficult, one may always revert to nāsāgra dṛṣṭi. With time and practice, the proper dṛṣṭi for each posture will be possible. Dṛṣṭi improves concentration and brings about a realization of oneness during the practice. With the gaze focused in one place during our practice, we can be more present in the postures. This focus and awareness can carry over into our daily life.”
~ Sharath Jois:
“By practicing these drishti (dṛṣṭi) points the mind no longer looks around, observing or judging, but instead becomes focused and soft. In the vinyasa system, drishti is one of the vital components to draw prana inwards. Prana follows awareness. If our awareness is scattered then our prana will mirror those same qualities and it will be evident in our behavior and life choices on and off the mat.”
~ Magnolia Zuniga
The 9 Drishtis
1 - Tip of the nose - Nasagra Drishti
2 - Up to space - Urdva Drishti
3 - Third Eye - Brumadya Drishti
4 - Tip of the middle finger - Hastagra Drishti
5 - Tip of the thumb - Angushta Drishti
6 - Right Side - Parshva Drishti
7 - Left Side - Parshva Drishti
8 - Navel - Nabi Drishti
9 - Tip of the big toe - Padagra Drishti
Guruji: “Yoga is an internal practice, the rest is just a circus”
Credits, References, Notes:
Please consult your teacher regarding correct drishti. For ease in reading for non-Sanskrit speakers, we have chosen to spell sanskrit words phonetically rather than using diacritic marks.
R. Sharath Jois, AṢṬĀṄGA YOGA ANUṢṬHĀNA.
Magnolia Zuniga: http://on.fb.me/17EBEyF
Awesome Editor: Jessica Walden and Elise Espat(Albuquerque Ashtanga Yoga Shala
Cartoon guy: Boonchu Tanti , Ashtanga Illustrations by Boonchu
theyogacomics:
“Ayurveda made simple”
“Ayurveda is India’s ancient system of health and healing. The word Ayurveda has been translated in many different ways including: “knowledge of life”, “science f longevity” or “art of living”. Ayurveda is very complex but many of us associate Ayurveda with the doshas, Pita, Vata, and Kapha. Ayurveda teaches that each individual possesses certain characteristic physical and mental traits that are fixed at the moment of conception and persist throughout that individual’s existence. One’s constitution is expressed in terms of these three doshas. Most of us are bi-doshic: the one dosha that influences us most strongly is followed closely by a second dosha whose affect is almost as pronounced. The constitutional type is an expression of the organism’s energy-flow strategy, in all realms of existence.” - Dr. Robert E. Svoboda
Along with diet and lifestyle, the practice of yoga asana can help bring balance to the doshas. Ashtanga brings warmth and fire to the kapha constitution to increase energy and reduce lethargy. It brings heat and sweat to the Vata constitution to allow the release of toxins through the skin and foster stability of mind. Ashtanga brings breath awareness to the Pita constitution to cool the raging fire and bring peace to the mind. For all doshas, asana practice compliments the positive aspect of each dosha, while at the same time, teaches us what we need to do to come into balance: breath awareness, stoking the fire, slowing down, getting stronger, getting more flexible, doing more, doing less, realizing we are all the same, and that there is no difference…
Awesome Editor: Jessica Walden
Cartoon guy: Boonchu Tanti, Ashtanga Illustrations by Boonchu
My space for today. I love practicing Ashtanga outside in the fresh air, it’s especially invigorating.
Pictures from my home asana practice this evening: Natarajasana (Lord of the Dance) variations & a grasshopper pose in the bottom right. Weee!
Natarajasana (Lord of the Dance) variation.
oopmedi asked: Is there any kind of music you listen to while you're doing yoga? Something that get's you into the mood?
I’m old school in that I prefer to practice yoga without music. Actually, I don’t even use music while I teach. (for reference, I practice Ashtanga and teach a highly active, free form style of Vinyasa yoga influenced heavily by my studies of traditional Ashtanga yoga)
Music is fine and lovely, but in my eyes, it’s can be very distracting and inhibits me from observing the quality of my breath. It’s too easy to get caught up in a meaningful lyric and completely lose focus; it’s happened to me and I’ve seen it before in my students…
Practicing without music is like a form of moving meditation. It might take some getting used to, but it’s worth the effort… As well all aspects of yoga, it’s all about commitment and consistency!
Luck to you~ ea
Stills from a time-lapse #yoga video I shot this morning. #backbends #asana (Taken with Instagram)
Working on Vrschikasana B… (Taken with GifBoom)
yosoraw-deactivated20120611 asked: What's your workout routine? I know you're a yoga teacher and that is a lovely workout but, is there anything else you do?
Nope, yoga is really it.
But I don’t just teach yoga, I maintain a daily personal practice as well… research “ashtanga yoga” to learn more…
And yeah, I would say daily puddles of my own sweat is a “lovely” workout, sure. ;)
“If we practice the science of yoga, which is useful to the entire human community and which yields happiness both here and hereafter - if we practice it without fail, we will then attain physical, mental, and spiritual happiness, and our minds will flood towards the Self.” -Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (Taken with instagram)
