Friday, June 18, 2010

COULD THIS EXPLAIN WHY AMERICANS LOVE ASHTANGA?*





A fellow sadhaka recently shared with me some insight from the out-of-print book, “Health, Healing and Beyond: Yoga and the Living Tradition of Krishnamacharya” by T.K.V. Desikachar with R.H. Cravens:


Krishnamacharya’s definition of Vinyasa: “That which has a beginning, middle and end.”

“For teenagers, they should only focus on Asana and do them quickly, one after another, so they don’t get bored.”

“Adults can focus on both Asana and Pranayama when young, mostly Pranayama and Dhyana as they reach middle age, and just Dhyana in old age.”

Desikachar relates that his father’s entire method was devoted to reconciling the received knowledge with modernity. “One practices in India early in the morning because only then is it cool enough for comfort. This would be entirely inappropriate in Switzerland in winter – midday would then be best.”

“Each student is an individual and the practice should be designed specifically for them.”



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*Because we're, like, you know, a nation of teenagers. Or whatevs...

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