Yoga Postures & Meditation
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What is Yoga?
Yoga is the science of body, breath and mind. It includes postures, relaxation, breathing and meditation practices. Each practice contributes to a feeling of health, inner peace and well being. There are no beliefs. The practices bring about deep relaxation that allows the inner nature to unfold.
Avinashi's personal style includes fluid, easy movements that bring the fluids of the body into motion, i.e. the lymph and circulatory systems. Since we are 80% water this washes all of us into motion. Stuck, habitual patterns of movement and of body posture begin to melt. Habits of the mind loosen simultaneously.
She also works in detail with anatomy and physiology . Over time the student learns to use their joints in ways to repair injuries such as knee and lower back pain, and learns to make best use of their potential strength by using the whole body as an integrated whole. Just as a blade of grass stays upright by having water pressure in all cells, we learn to optimize strength and vitality by using every part of the body. For example, we are less aware, unconscious of the back of the body that we can't see, than the front. which we dress and decorate.
Who should do Yoga?
Yoga is for everyone. The only pre-requisite is being able to breathe. Difficult looking postures have simple variations that anyone can do. Over time, a natural by-product of doing yoga is becoming flexible, strong, fit and healthy.
Postures (Asanas)
With regular practice of postures, equilibrium and vitality become the normal state of mind and body. The practices work via the:
Musculo-skeletal system to correct posture, improve flexibility and strength
Endocrine (glandular) system which is toned to balance hormone production. For example, yoga has been used with benefit for depression, hypo-thyroidism, diabetes and pre-menstrual tension
Immune, circulatory and digestive systems which are given internal massage that stimulates and regulates function
Sympathetic (flight-and-fight) activity which is reduced and para-sympathetic nervous system (relaxation) stimulated
The postures lead to a state of relaxation, introversion and sense withdrawal. They initiate a state of spontaneous meditation. Anyone interested in meditation is advised to begin with these practices.
Breathing (Pranayama)
Prana is energy, the vital force in every atom. Yoga has many practices to generate and accumulate energy. At a physical level, matter becomes energy when burned with oxygen, so we use specific breathing practices to bring maximum oxygen to each cell. On a subtle level, breathing, breath retention and physical locks (mudras and bandhas) influence the flow of prana in the energy channels (nadis). If we are able to master the flow of life force, we become masters of our mind and body.
Meditation (Dhyana)
Meditation is a way to resolve inner conflicts and clear unconscious tension. Yoga stems from ancient traditions of tantra that means "expanding consciousness and freeing it from limitations". It is a way to enjoy the world while being free of mental bondage.
Courses run over a term covering different aspects of meditation. They all include talk and discussion time, followed by practice. Topics include:
Prana Vidya - knowledge of energy - used as a healing practice for yourself and others
Nada Yoga - meditation using sounds as vibration to stimulate the subtle vibrations of our energy centers (chakras). Includes chanting as meditation.
Chakras - a thorough introduction to kundalini yoga, including pranayama, mudras and bandhas.
Mantra - a course aimed to establish a daily practice of meditation. Ideal for beginners.
Read Avinashi's article meditation in asanas - on being your own therapist and Antar Mouna - inner silence - what happens when the inner noise ends.
The Teacher
Avinashi Saraswati is an affiliated member of Satyananda Yoga Academy and a full member of International Yoga Teachers Association. In 1980 she was initiated as a poorna sannyasin and given the title swami (master of ones mind) by her teacher, Swami Satyananda Saraswati. She lived in the ashram for nine years of intensive practice. She is also qualified as a registered nurse, remedial massage therapist and counselor.
