12 - Eight Limbs of Yoga Book and Audiobook

[yogani]

EIGHT LIMBS OF YOGA BOOK AND AUDIOBOOK

Chapter 1 - Eight Limbs of Yoga
   The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
   Yoga and the Human Nervous System
Chapter 2 – The Structure of Practices
   Our Inherent Spiritual Capabilities
   An Inventory of Practices
   The Journey of Purification and Opening
Chapter 3 – Self-Directed Practice
   Building a Daily Routine (Practice Chart)
   Self-Pacing
   Keeping up Practices with a Busy Schedule
   Group Practice and Retreats
   Our Role as Teachers and Researchers
Chapter 4 – The Rise of Enlightenment
   Enlightenment Milestones
   The Divine Marriage
      
See the Online Book at: http://www.aypsite.com/plus/books/12-8lims
Listen to the Online Audiobook at: http://www.aypsite.com/plus/audiobooks/12-8lims-audioplayer.html

Hello:

You can discuss this Book and Audiobook by replying in this topic. Feel free to include short quotes from the book related to any comments or support questions you may have. Be sure to reference the page or audio track number you are commenting on. 

The guru is in you.

[bluemoon]

Hello,

This is a question in reference to page 39 where the section "Building a Daily Routine (Practice Chart)" begins.

I cannot find asanas in the practice chart and I wonder why that is. It seems to me that asanas are mentioned

My understanding of the typical sequence of practice is as follow:

1) DM
2) SBP
3) Asanas
4) Samyama
...

Is that right?

[Charliedog]

Hi bluemoon,

From http://www.aypsite.com/plus/385.html
Baseline System of Practices

In the AYP approach to practices we begin with deep meditation. So no matter where we may have begun our practices in the past, if we choose to utilize the AYP baseline system, deep meditation will be the suggested starting point. Once we are established in twice-daily deep meditation, the entry into additional practices may follow flexible sequence and timing, according to individual inclinations and experiences. The sequence of doing a full practice routine, with suggested time and order of learning indicated, looks something like this:

Asanas (10 minutes - learned sometime after deep meditation and spinal breathing)

Spinal Breathing Pranayama (10 minutes - learned second, after deep meditation)

Chin Pump (2-3 minutes - learned sometime after spinal breathing)

Spinal Bastrika (2-3 minutes - learned sometime after spinal breathing)

Deep Meditation (20 minutes - learned first)

Core Samyama (10 minutes - learned after deep meditation and spinal breathing, when abiding inner silence is recognized)

Yoni Mudra (2-3 minutes - learned sometime after spinal breathing)

Cosmic Samyama (5 minutes - learned sometime after core samyama)

Rest (5 minutes or more - included at the end of all sittings)

 

[bluemoon]

Hi Charliedog,

I realize that I did not pay attention to the way I was asking for clarification.

What I meant to write is this: I could not locate asanas in the practice chart, which as I understand it gives some guidelines about the order in which practices are to be learned for maximum efficiency and comfort.

If DM is the first practice to learn, then SBP, what comes next? Asanas? Samyama? I understand that it depens on one's own preference.

[yogani]

Hi bluemoon:

Sorry for not chiming in sooner here.

On page 40 of the Eight Limbs book, the AYP sequence of learning is:

- Deep Meditation
- Spinal Breathing Pranayama
- Asanas (postures)
- Mudras and Bandhas
- Samyama

This is assuming asanas have not been undertaken elsewhere already.

The practice chart is about sitting practices. In a note at the bottom, asanas are mentioned to be practiced before sitting, and rest after sitting. More on the AYP approach to asanas can be found in the Asanas, Mudras and Bandhas book. You can also find updates, illustrations and video for the AYP asana routines in Lessons 71 and 383.

All the best!

The guru is in you.

PS: Thank you Charliedog for your clear response above.   

[rpanwala]

Hi yogani: 

Since we are on this topic, do we have a suggested baseline on the timing of taking up the different practices on our AYP routine?
I realize that we take them up on our own preference as we feel ready, and self-pace according to our own individual experiences.

However, for those of us not so good at gauging when to consider adding more practices, I think a "suggested" baseline would still help.

Would love to hear your thoughts.

 

[yogani]

Hi rpanwala:

I have always been a bit reluctant to give precise time lines for taking on additional practices and enhancements, because everyone is different in their capacity. The general advice has been to say "months or years" not "days or weeks."

Given the tendency of many to overdo at the AYP all-you-can-eat yoga restaurant, perhaps we should be more firm and say "6 to 12 months" or longer depending on personal experience. That's not too bad considering that some traditional teachings require decades, lifetimes, or never! 

Open source with a comprehensive system of practices carries with it the risk of overdoing, but I think many would agree that the opportunities for human spiritual transformation are quite fantastic.

There is more we could do on timing aspects, but to make it work might mean limiting access to practices according to a schedule. That is creeping back toward the traditional decades, lifetimes or never scenario, which many will not find attractive. So we carry on with open source, enphasizing moderation in practice, self-pacing and grounding. In many cases less will be more...

Practice wisely and enjoy!

The guru is in you. 

PS: One of the goals of the teacher training program is to facilitate more informed choices in taking on practices via local hands-on teaching and support. All in good time...

[rpanwala]

Hi yogani:

Thank you for your response.

That's not too bad considering that some traditional teachings require decades, lifetimes, or never! 

Major take aways for me from your post:

• have moderation in practices & apply them wisely
• if feel super inclined, add a new practice or enhancement
• self-pace if necessary
• less is more with AYP routine

& you're on your way to self-reliance!

[yogani]