How to practice: Surya Namaskara A
Yoga by Delight Yoga
For thousands of years, Hindus have revered the sun, which they call Surya (the god of health), as both the physical and spiritual heart of our world and the creator of all life itself. The sun has immense power and becoming aware of the effects of the sun on our lives we will begin to awaken our inherent solar forces. Handed down from sages of ancients times Salute to the Sun, sun worship is presented in many ancients cultures: Egyptians, Mayans, Incas, Aztec, Atlantis, Stonehenge, North Americans Indians, Chinese Yin and Yan. Practising the Surya Namaskara we superimpose this solar energy and form on our present body/mind complex. This is the transforming force for a fuller and more active life and a greater appreciation of the richness of the world we live in. As we start our Astanga practice with the dynamic flow of Surya Namaskara A, we set the foundation and tone of our whole practice – it is in fact at this very beginning that we establish the connection of breath and movement (vinyasa), setting the rhythm and the tone, the grace and the stability of the whole practice. And repeating these fluid movements with dedicated awareness for 5 times will make the body ready and set the mind in the correct attitude. When we understand the ‘correct method’ for practising Surya Namaskara, we will understand the whole Astanga Vinyasa system, as each series of postures, can be simply considered an extension and refinement of the movements of the sun salutations. Sūrya Namaskāra A Instructions 1. ekam Inhale, raise arms overhead, palms touching Dhristi: to the middle of the thumb (añguṣṭhamadhye) 2. dve Exhale, fold forward, hands to the floor (Uttānāsana) Dhristi: to the nose (nāsāgre) 3. trīṇi Inhale, lift the head, straighten the spine Dhristi: in the middle of the eyebrows (bhrūmadhye) 4. catvāri Exhale, hands down, float back, elbows close to chest (Caturāṅga Daṇḍāsana) Dhristi: to the nose (nāsāgre) 5. pañca Inhale, roll on tops of feet, open the chest, straighten arms (Ūrdhva Mukha Śvānāsana) Dhristi: in the middle of the eyebrows (bhrūmadhye) 6. ṣaṭ Exhale, roll over the toes, push back, lift hips, straight arms (Adho Mukha Svānāsana), 5 breaths Dhristi: to the navel (nābicakre) 7. sapta Inhale, float forward, feet in between the hands, lift the head, lengthen the spine Dhristi: in the middle of the eyebrows (bhrūmadhye) 8. aṣṭau Exhale, head to knees (Uttānāsana) Dhristi : to the nose (nāsāgre) 9. nava Inhale, come up, raise arms overhead, palms touching Dhristi : to the middle of the thumb (añguṣṭhamadhye) Exhale, lower arms by the sides, Samasthitiḥ Dhristi : to the nose (nāsāgre) Sūrya Namaskāra A Benefits - Improves posture - Strengthens the spine, arms, legs and wrists - Stretches the chest, lungs, shoulders, abdomen, hamstrings, calves, arches and hands - Tones the abdomen and stimulates the abdominal organs - Energizes the body and improves digestion - Relieves stress, mild depression, sciatica headache, insomnia, back pain, fatigue and the symptoms of menopause - Therapeutic for high blood pressure, asthma, flat feet, sciatica, sinusitis - Calms the brain
Yoga Anatomy: Skeletal System
Yoga by Delight Yoga
The skeletal system includes all the bones and the joints in our body. This system serves four main functions: Support: It provides a support and gives firmness to the body. Protection: It protects the various delicate organs like i.e. brain or lungs. Movement: It provides surface for the attachment of muscles and itself acts as a lever. Thus along with the muscular system, it helps in the movement of various parts of the body or of the body as a whole.
Physical Anatomy Applied to Yoga
Yoga by Delight Yoga
INTRODUCTION As the practice of yoga techniques deeply influences the functions and structures of the human body, it is important to understand its constitution and the way our body works. Compared with the ancient yogic anatomical knowledge, modern anatomy is more an objective science-based on experiential and direct observations than an empirically subjective matter based on personal experiences, as the old Ayurvedic medicine was.
The Importance of Yoga Alignment
Yoga by Delight Yoga
Alignment is the term we use in yoga to describe the precise way to do any given pose in order to maximize its benefits and minimize the risk of injury. It offers options for practitioners of all levels, shapes and sizes and encourages the use of props, modifications to find the safest and most beneficial way for each body to fully experience each pose.
The Yamas & Niyamas
Yoga by Delight Yoga
The Yamas & Niyamas are the first two limbs of the eight limbs of yoga according to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Yama is the attitude towards our environment and Niyama is the attitude towards ourselves. They create a container for yoga to happen.
The Eight Limbs of Yoga
Yoga by Delight Yoga
Within the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali is the section called Astanga yoga (the eight limbs of Yoga). On the one hand, they are considered to be in a linear order, but on the other hand, they keep recurring at different levels in a kind of spiralling effect that supports and enhances practice. There are eight limbs of Yoga. These are:
An Introduction to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Yoga by Delight Yoga
Yoga is considered by some to be the oldest unbroken line of philosophical/spiritual thought. It has its origins in India at the time of the Rig Veda, perhaps the oldest book in the world. It spread to the north, to the east (where it is known as Chan and Zen) and eventually to the west.
10 Fundamental Principles of Yoga
Yoga by Delight Yoga
Yoga is a complex tradition, which has a history of 5000 or more years. Beginners are easily overwhelmed by the vastness and richness of Yoga’s practice, philosophy, and literature. But there are a few underlying principles that, once grasped, provide easier access to all the numerous aspects of Yoga. Here are ten such fundamental principles:
The Origin of Yoga
Yoga by Delight Yoga
Despite more than a century of research, we still don’t know much about the earliest beginnings of Yoga. We do know, though, that it originated in India 5,000 or more years ago. Until recently, many Western scholars thought that Yoga originated much later, maybe around 500 B.C., which is the time of Gautama the Buddha, the illustrious founder of Buddhism.
Yoga Poses in Sanskrit
Yoga by Delight Yoga
Can’t quite tell “Urdhva Mukha Paschimottanasana” apart from “Prasarita Padottanasana”? Not sure what to do when the teacher calls for “Karnapidasana”? Not clearly visualising “Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana”? Fear not, help is on the way...
The Sanskrit Alphabet
Yoga by Delight Yoga
The pronunciation of Sanskrit is very simple: you open your mouth wide and move the tongue and lips as necessary (they are almost pure muscles and have little inertia or resistance to movement). By contrast, the pronunciation of English requires much effort, for we barely open the mouth, and instead of simply moving the tongue we move the whole jaw.
10 Definitions of Yoga
Yoga by Delight Yoga
10 Definitions of Yoga There are lots of references to Yoga in Hindu scriptures, especially in the Gita, the Upanishads and other Puranas. Here’s a selection of 10 quotations from Sanskrit literature, which are trying to define or qualify Yoga:
Why take rest on Moondays?
Yoga by Delight Yoga
On moon days we can recognize and through this recognizing, honor the natural rhythms of nature. Because if anything, nature teaches us that only change is constant. Both the new moon and the full moon create energetic experiences within us. Because of this, we see these days as yoga holidays in Astanga Yoga tradition. Lunar phases are determined by the relative position to the sun.
Breathing in Ecstasy
Yoga by Arno Nistal Ten Veen
Breathing in Ecstasy In this article, Arno gives you some insights into how the way you breathe is directly related to how you feel, and how you exchange energy with life itself with all of your life…
What is Satsang? Getting to know your Self
Yoga by Katiza Satya
Dive into Satsang, get to know your Self. Are you ready to free yourself from your limitations, fears and confusions we are all individually and socially trapped in? Satsang is an invitation for the ones who feel the call in their hearts to awake to the nature of being human, our right to live from true Peace, true Joy and true Love.
The Light within
Yoga by Katiza Satya
The Light Within We are the very source of all what we are searching for; healing, happiness, peacefulness, freedom or perfection, but it is so easy to be missed. Even when we try to point towards it is already too far, because you can't point to that which is already here, and what you really are.
What is a Women's Circle? Living real sisterhood
Yoga by Katiza Satya
What is a Women's Circle? A sacred space and sharing time to the fact that we are so many women practicing Yoga and finding a way to live consciously and making a difference in our realities and the world we are in. With good intentions, we enter the path of yoga, inner growth, inner reflection, etc. We find answers, however, it seems that there is always something missing... We are somehow in need of refuge and a healthy ground to re-construct and reevaluate our lives. Women's time has come now To heal and reconnect with our true wisdom, we need to awake and take responsibility for our deep disappointments, hurts, pains and denials and allow the healing to take place. This inner healing is the healing of Humanity, we as women need to take the leap NOW, for the benefit of our self, our loved ones, our children and finally heal all of our relations, (and) to give back to humanity what has been lost. Women give birth to Life All that is materialized in the world created by humans, is the creation of women because we allow it consciously and unconsciously. In that way, women are responsible for how planet earth is affected by our human kingdom. And by that, we have a role. Just like men have their own role. Only we (yes we do this ourselves:)) have been neglecting or true role, our true nature. That's why it's women time now, to heal what is preventing us from being who we truly are. When we step into that femininity, we automatically give space for men to do the same. We can start weaving this new reality cause we, women, are so near to true nature: our physical conditions, our moon cycle, remind us constantly that we are open and vulnerable, so we can love infinitely and with no conditions. Embracing this fact gives us freedom, strength and wisdom! Let's weave a new reality. Together. In sisterhood. Respecting all, loving all, including all men. We are opening the door for that. Women Circle at Delight Yoga Every month the classes are connected to the theme of the month, in line with the moon. Most probably most of you will be connected with this time naturally. The wisdom of the moon themes come through Jamie Sams. She shares this in the book 'The 13 Orginal Clan Mothers'. Our intention is to create real sisterhood. A save community to share, be vulnerable, liberate pain and awaken the True woman that you are. We will come together in circle’s monthly, planned around the full moon. There are 13th moon cycles in a year and therefore 13 circles. There will be practices and time for sharing and connecting with other sisters. It's a special class, bookable a week before through the regular schedule. We are looking forward to sharing and growing together!
The Opening & Closing Mantra of Astanga Yoga
Yoga by Sasha Van Aalst
The Opening Mantra vande gurūṇāṁ caraṇāravinde sandarśita svātma sukhāvabodhe | niḥśreyase jāṅgalikāyamāne saṁsāra hālāhala mohaśāntyai || ābāhu puruṣākāraṁ śaṅkhacakrāsi dhāriṇam | sahasra śirasaṁ śvetaṁ praṇamāmi patañjalim || I bow to the lotus feet of Gurus The awakening happiness of one’s own Self-revealed, Beyond better, acting like the Jungle physician, Pacifying delusion, the poison of Samsara.
My teacher training experience with Delight Yoga
Yoga by Dolores Mae Höppener
Now, I feel what it is to be a spiritual being having a human experience. Now, I - and every particle in my body - know why I practice yoga on the mat. Now, I really dare to choose to be the Light. Now, I have the tools to stay Here. Now, I operate with faith.
The essence of Immortality
Yoga by Katiza Satya
Ohm ॐ, We are honored to have received the teachings and blessings of Maratika Rinpoche at Delight Yoga on May 15th and 18th. We are very grateful to share one of his teachings transmitted in Amsterdam on May 18th, 2017 through this blog. Besides the texts, we hereby share the pictures for visualization of HRIH and Buddha Amitayus with you also.
The Delight of Being: Let it be as a life strategy
Yoga by Juno Burger
The Delight of Being A senior monk and a junior monk were traveling together. At one point, they came to a river with a strong current. As the monks were preparing to cross the river, they saw a very young and beautiful woman also attempting to cross. The young woman asked if they could help her cross to the other side.
Just being is enough
Yoga by Kevin Sahaj
Maybe you have this experience that you are thinking to much. We are always planning, worrying, solving some problem, judging what we see as good or bad, liking or disliking. Is there ever a time when we are just being? Simply experiencing life as it is in whatever colour, sound, taste and touch is unfolding NOW by NOW, is a rare event.
The Importance of Your Yoga Practice
Yoga by Kevin Sahaj
Do you have a practice of yoga that you do regularly at home by yourself? If the answer is yes then you may have understood what is the real meaning of yoga practice: to dive deeply into yourself and find what is truth.
'Why do you want to meditate?' asked master Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche
Yoga by Dana Marshall
Why do you want to meditate? At ten years old, sitting in front of meditation master Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, I was asked “ Why do you want to meditate?”
Why Meditate? Finding Sanity in an Insane World
Yoga by Kimberly Poppe
Why Meditate? Finding Sanity in an Insane World Each morning when I wake up and look at the news, it feels like the world has gone insane and that we are in some apocalyptic horror movie with a script so badly written that no one would believe it is actually real.
The Path of Krishnamacharya
Yoga by Adela Serrano
Tirumali Krishnamacharya (1888-1989) is also known as “The Father of Modern Yoga”. He was born in the south of India, in a Brahmin family and was trained in the study of the Vedas by his father, the Vedas are the basis of what is known as Hinduism.
Find your sacred space: an interview with Tijn Touber
Yoga by Michel Fijn
Once upon a time there was a man; a virtuoso of the guitar and member of one of Hollands most beloved and famous bands in the eighties, Lois Lane. He seemed to have it all – the most desired woman in Holland and a band who caught even the curious eye of superstar Prince, who would later take the whole ensemble on a world tour – all of them except for this man.
Find your sacred space: an interview with Katiza Satya & Kevin Sahaj
Yoga by Michel Fijn
To set foot inside the sacred space of Katiza Satya and Kevin Sahaj is to feel submerged in the very essence of their being. The smell of sandalwood incense, the simple tones of dark wood, earthly colours and matted white walls, the many statues and tokens of those who represent the divine, holding the space that is their home now;