Ashtanga Yoga Los Angeles

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Back by popular demand :)

Surya Namaskara A

The practice of the Surya Namaskara, or Sun Salutations, has come down to us from the long distant past, and is capable of rendering human life heavenly and blissful. By means of it, people can become joyous, experience happiness and contentment, and avoid succumbing to old age and death. — Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (44, Yoga Mala)

The Surya Namaskara form the foundation for the entire method of the practice of yoga - and, as we all know, if one’s foundation is firm, then whatever is supported by it will be stable as well. So, if the Surya Namaskara are first learned properly and their inner meaning grasped, then all the various asanas, pranayamas and the like that follow them will be useful and beneficial in their outcomes. — Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (preface, P2, Surayanamaskara)

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"Ganapati or Ganesha also known as Vinayaka, there are over 100 names, perhaps the most popular of the Hindu deities, worshiped by all sections of the Hindus. No undertaking whether sacred or secular, can get started  without first honoring or worshiping him."

He is remover of obstacles, god of new beginnings, gate keeper, scribe of the gods

Aspects of 4 arms sometimes represents: axe to cut off attachments, lasso to bring you closer to god, open palm indicating no fearing, bowl of sweets to enjoy your life.

Source: Hindu Gods & Goddesses, Swami Harshananda.

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"Durga is perhaps the most widely worshipped aspect of Shakti... Literally, Durga means 'one who is difficult to approach' or 'difficult to know'. Being the personification of the totality of the powers of the gods, she is naturally difficult to approach or to know."

Source: Hindu Gods and Goddesess, Swami Harshananda, 104.

Photo credit: Ravi Yarma Press, Malavi, LP.

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Guru Purnima,1999.

K. Pattabhi Jois, James Butkevich, Christopher Hildebrandt.

Photo credit: John Berlinsky, 35mm b/w film camera. Image is not photoshopped.

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Bangareshhara Temple, Gudnapor, 1999. Sirsi, India.

Photo credit: James Butkevich

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The legendary Eden Centre in Kathmandu was in business from 1962 to 1973, when due to U.S. Pressure on Nepal all hashish shops had to close down. The Eden Centre and its owner Mr. Dilip D. Sharma were widely known because of their many posters and annual calendars which, today, are all highly coveted collectibles.

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Happy Mother's Day to all! Something to think about while celebrating with your loved ones. — Om Shanti, Ashtanga Yoga LA

Sarasvati is the shakti, the power and the consort of Brahma the creator. Hence, she is... the mother of all creation. Literally, Sarasvati means "the flowing one," in the Rgveda, she represents a river in the deity presiding over it, hence she is connected with fertility, purification... power, intelligence, all knowledges, arts, sciences, crafts and skills. Knowledge is the antithesis of darkness of ignorance, hence she is depicted as pure white in color.

—Hindu Gods and Goddesses, Swami Harshananda, Sri Ramakarshna Math, Chennai, India.

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Sri Indra Sharma, a master artist of visual identity to the mystic metaphors of Hindu deities.

"...one of India's most noted painters. He comes from a long line of traditional painters dedicated to exerting a genuine spiritual influence on society through artistic means.." - James H. Bae, In a World of Gods & Goddesses

Photo: In a World of Gods & Goddesses, 29

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Image: Durga by: Indra Sharma

Durga's Three Eyes The left eye represents desire (the moon), the right eye represents action (the sun), and the central eye knowledge (fire).

Durga's Vehicle - the Lion The lion represents power, will and determination. Durga's Many Weapons

The conch shell in Durga's hand symbolizes the 'Pranava' or the mystic word 'Om',

The bow and arrows represent energy - potential and kinetic.

The thunderbolt signifies firmness and confidence.

The lotus in Durga's hand is not in fully bloomed, ...stands for the continuous evolution of the spiritual quality…

The "Sudarshan-Chakra" or beautiful discus, ...destroy evil and produce an environment conducive to the growth of righteousness.

The sword - knowledge, which has the sharpness of a sword. Knowledge which is free from all doubts, is symbolized by the shine of the sword.

Durga's trident or "trishul" is a symbol of three qualities - Satva (inactivity), Rajas (activity) and Tamas (non-activity).

Devi Durga stands on a lion in a fearless pose of "Abhay Mudra", signifying assurance of freedom from fear.

Works cited 1. Shri Gyan Rajhans 2. In a World of Gods & Goddesses, Indra Sharma, James H. Bay

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AshtangaYogaLA.org  

Sunday, April 21, 2013

1 - 3 PM 

SIGN UP ONLINE

For new students who have always. wanted to try Ashtanga Yoga.

For current students, who want to work on breath and bandhas, dristhi and alignment

For past students who wish to begin their practice again.

Looking forward to sharing this experience with you all!

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Asanas

Throughout the descriptions of the asanas, breathing instructions are given which direct aspirants to do rechaka and puraka, or exhale and inhale, as much as possible. It is sufficient, however to breathe in and out five to eight times in each posture. To remedy a particular ailment, an aspirant may remain in the curative postures specific to a complaint for 50 to 80 breaths.

— Yoga Mala, Sri Pattabhi Jois, 48.

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sweat

Jalena shramajatena gatra mardhanam acharet drdhatha laghuta chaiva tana gatrasya gayate.

One should practice rubbing the body with perspiration that comes from exertion. As a result there comes a firmness and lightness of the body.

— Hatha Yoga Pradipika II:13

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The Six Poisons

A vital aspect of internal purification that Pattabhi Jois teaches relates to the 6 poisons that surround the spiritual heart. In the yoga shatra, it is said that God dwells in our heart in the form of light, but this light is covered by 6 poisons: kama, krodha, moha, labha, matsarya, and mada. These are desire, anger, delusion, greed, envy, and sloth. When Yoga practice is sustained with great diligence and deication over a long period of time, the heat generated from it burns away these poisons, and the light of our inner nature shines forth.     — This forms the practical and philosophic basis of Ashtanga Yoga as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. 

photo: Sri K. Pantabhi Jois: A Tribute, book

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Aims in Life (purusarthas)

1. dharma: duty 2. artha: the acquisition of wealth for independence & higher pursuits 3. kama: pleasures in life 4. moksa: liberation

Light on Pranayama, pg 9, BKS Iyengar

photo: In a World of Gods & Goddesses, Indra Sharma, 171.