Tuesday 4.30p MS: Week 1 (Mar 3, 2009)

No new students for March-April session

Discussion: Patanjali Yoga Sutras I.30-31, the obstacles that throw the mind off the path of yoga, and the accompaniments that signify the distracted condition of mind.

PYS I.30
Disease
Lack of perseverence or interest (styana)
Doubt (samsaya)
Negligence (pramada: Carelessness due to pride)
Idleness (alasya: Physical laziness, sloth due to tamas)
Gratification of the senses (avirati: “Dissipation” of energy, incontinence, non abstention)
Delusion (bhrantidarsana: GSI: “You imagine you have reached there but you haven’t; illusory knowledge.”)
Missing the point (failure to gain ground)
The inability to maintain the progress achieved (due to pride or stagnation)
Cause the distractions of the mind (vikshipta citta) and are the obstacles

PYS I.31
Pain (duhkha: Sorrow)
Frustration (daurmanasya: Despair)
Shakiness of the limbs (angamejayatva, &
Involuntary Breathing (svasaprasvasah)
Are the natural accompaniments of a distracted condition of mind.


Invocation in Swastikasana

1. Virabhadrasana II [Swap first prior to Trikonasana to get freedom in hips without the challenge of stiff hamstrings]
a. With the back to the wall, and holding the wall ropes to prevent fatigue or falling due to lack of balance and stamina

2. Utthita Trikonasana
a. With the back to the wall, and holding the wall ropes to prevent fatigue or falling due to lack of balance and stamina

3. Utthita Parsvakonasana
a. With the back to the wall, and holding the wall ropes to prevent fatigue or falling due to lack of balance and stamina

4. Simhasana Box Savasana with weight on thighs (LM)
a. In lieu of standings and Viparita Karani for excess heat and shakiness.
b. Use a neck roll, and bandage the head. Support arms on blankets sloped down towards elbow to prevent forcing open the chest. Weight on frontal thighs.

5. Supta Baddha Konasana (LM)
a. Belt the legs to support the pelvis, use a neck roll, and use arm support to prevent forcing open the chest. Sandbags on groins. Eyebags in palms, bandage forehead.

6. Viparita Karani
a. Buttocks and upper back supported with bolster; blanket under head.