Types Of Yoga Courses 200 hours

Astunga yoga is the power of the eight limbs yoga. This method of yoga involves synchronizing the breath with a progressive series of postures—a process producing intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. The result is improved circulation, a light and strong body, and a calm mind.The path of internal purification for revealing the Universal Self consists of the following eight spiritual practices:

Yama [moral codes]
Niyama [self-purification and study]
Asana [posture]
Pranayama [breath control]
Pratyahara [sense control]
Dharana [concentration]
Dhyana [meditation]
Samadhi [absorption into the Universal] 

The first four limbs—yama, niyama, asana, pranayama—are considered external cleansing practices. According to Pattabhi Jois, defects in the external practices are correctable. However, defects in the internal cleansing practices—pratyahara, dharana, dhyana—are not correctable and can be dangerous to the mind unless the correct Ashtanga yoga method is followed (Stern and Summerbell 35).

For this reason, Pattabhi Jois emphasizes that the "Ashtanga Yoga method is Patanjali Yoga" (Flynn).The definition of yoga is "the controlling of the mind" [citta vrtti nirodhah] (Jois 2003 10). The first two steps toward controlling the mind are the perfection of yama and niyama (Jois 2003 10).

However, it is "not possible to practice the limbs and sub-limbs of yama and niyama when the body and sense organs are weak and haunted by obstacles" (Jois 2002 17). A person must first take up daily asana practice to make the body strong and healthy (Jois 2003 10). With the body and sense organs thus stabilized, the mind can be steady and controlled (Jois 2002 16). With mind control, one is able to pursue and grasp these first two limbs (Flynn).

To perform asana correctly in Ashtanga yoga, one must incorporate the use of vinyasa and tristhana. "Vinyasa means breathing and movement system. For each movement, there is one breath. For example, in Surya Namskar there are nine vinyasas. The first vinyasa is inhaling while raising your arms over your head, and putting your hands together; the second is exhaling while bending forward, placing your hands next to your feet, etc. In this way all asanas are assigned a certain number of vinyasas" ("Ashtanga Yoga").

"The purpose of vinyasa is for internal cleansing" ("Ashtanga Yoga"). Synchronizing breathing and movement in theasanas heats the blood, cleaning and thinning it so that it may circulate more freely. Improved blood circulation relieves joint pain and removes toxins and disease from the internal organs.

The sweat generated from the heat ofvinyasa then carries the impurities out of the body. Through the use of vinyasa, the body becomes healthy, light and strong ("Ashtanga Yoga").

Tristhana refers to the union of "three places of attention or action: posture, breathing system and looking place. These three are very important for yoga practice, and cover three levels of purification: the body, nervous system and mind. They are always performed in conjunction with each other" ("Ashtanga Yoga").

Posture: "The method for purifying and strengthening the body is called asana" (Jois 2002 22). In Ashtanga yoga,asana is grouped into six series. "The Primary Series [Yoga Chikitsa] detoxifies and aligns the body. The Intermediate Series [Nadi Shodhana] purifies the nervous system by opening and clearing the energy channels. The Advanced Series A, B, C, and D [Sthira Bhaga] integrate the strength and grace of the practice, requiring higher levels of flexibility and humility. Each level is to be fully developed before proceeding to the next, and the sequential order of asanas is to be meticulously followed. Each posture is a preparation for the next, developing the strength and balance required to move further" (Pace). Without an earnest effort and reverence towards the practice of yama and niyama, however, the practice of asana is of little benefit (Flynn).

Breathing: The breathing technique performed with vinyasa is called ujjayi [victorious breath] (Scott 20), which consists of puraka [inhalation] and rechaka [exhalation] ("Ashtanga Yoga"). "Both the inhale and exhale should be steady and even, the length of the inhale should be the same length as the exhale" ("Ashtanga Yoga"). Over time, the length and intensity of the inhalation and exhalation should increase, such that the increased stretching of the breath initiates the increased stretching of the body (Scott 21). Long, even breathing also increases the internal fire and strengthens and purifies the nervous system ("Ashtanga Yoga").

Bandhas are essential components of the ujjayi breathing technique. Bandha means "lock" or "seal" (Scott 21). The purpose of bandha is to unlock pranic energy and direct it into the 72,000 nadi [energy channels] of the subtle body (Scott 21). Mula bandha is the anal lock, and uddiyana bandha is the lower abdominal lock ("Ashtanga Yoga"). Bothbandhas "seal in energy, give lightness, strength and health to the body, and help to build a strong internal fire" ("Ashtanga Yoga"). Mula bandha operates at the root of the body to seal in prana internally for uddiyana bandha to direct the prana upwards through the nadis (Scott 21). Jalandhara bandha is the "throat lock" (Jois 2002 23, n.27), which "occurs spontaneously in a subtle form in many asanas due to the dristi ("gaze point"), or head position" (Scott 23). "This lock prevents pranic energy [from] escaping and stops any build-up of pressure in the head when holding the breath" (Scott 23). Without bandha control, "breathing will not be correct, and the asanas will give no benefit" ("Ashtanga Yoga").

Looking Place: Dristhi is the gazing point on which one focuses while performing the asana ("Ashtanga Yoga"). "There are nine dristhis: the nose, between the eyebrows, navel, thumb, hands, feet, up, right side and left side. Dristhipurifies and stabilizes the functioning of the mind" ("Ashtanga Yoga"). In the practice of asana, when the mind focuses purely on inhalation, exhalation, and the drishti, the resulting deep state of concentration paves the way for the practices of dharana and dhyana, the six and seventh limbs of Ashtanga yoga (Scott 23).

Instruction in pranayama can begin after one has learned the asanas well and can practice them with ease (Jois 2002 23). "Pranayama means taking in the subtle power of the vital wind through rechaka [exhalation], puraka[inhalation], and kumbhaka [breath retention]. Only these kriyas, practiced in conjunction with the three bandhas[muscle contractions, or locks] and in accordance with the rules, can be called pranayama" (Jois 2002 23). The threebandhas are "mula bandha, uddiyana bandha, and jalandhara bandha, and they should be performed while practicingasana and the like" (Jois 2002 23). "When mula bandha is perfect, mind control is automatic" ("Ashtanga Yoga"). "In this way did Patanjali start Yoga. By using mulabandha and by controlling the mind, he gradually gained knowledge of Yoga" (Jois 2003 11)

Practicing asana for many years with correct vinyasa and tristhana gives the student the clarity of mind, steadiness of body, and purification of the nervous system to begin the prescribed pranayama practice (Flynn). "Through the practice of pranayama, the mind becomes arrested in a single direction and follows the movement of the breath" (Jois 2002 23). Pranayama forms the foundation for the internal cleansing practices of Ashtanga yoga (Flynn).

The four internal cleansing practices—pratyahara, dharana, dhyana, and samadhi—bring the mind under control (Stern and Summerbell 35). When purification is complete and mind control occurs, the Six Poisons surrounding the spiritual heart [kama (desire), krodha (anger), moha (delusion), lobha (greed), matsarya (sloth), and mada (envy)]—"will, one by one, go completely" (Stern and Summerbell 35), revealing the Universal Self. In this way, the correct, diligent practice of Ashtanga Yoga under the direction of a Guru "with a subdued mind unshackled from the external and internal sense organs" (Jois 2002 22) eventually leads one to the full realization of Patanjali's eight-limbed yoga.

Yoga incorporated with Acupressure

Yoga posture and stimulated points for self healing

 Acu-Yoga exercises to activate special points that correspond to the Chrakras and Meridians.

Acu-yoga therapeutically apply Acu-Yoga postures and points as self-treatment for common complaints. A powerful, self-healing system utilizing yogic breathing techniques, mudras, meditations, and dietary considerations.

Acu-Yoga combines step-by-step yoga instruction with acupressure points to discharge harmful stress and toxins. Acu-Yoga can relieve lower back pain, chronic fatigue, and recharge your body's vital energy. 

• What is Acupressure: How Acupressure relieves pain and common complaints, how it works as a beauty treatment, for better sex, back care, healing trauma and emotional pain, Acupressure methods, energy work, and more.

• Acupressure Foundations How Acupressure works, self-acupressure and healing touch applications in real life for neck problems, tension headache, and night sweats.

• Acupuncture & Acupressure Points Acupressure and Acupuncture points anatomical location, name, reference numbers, home study materials, and meridian functions. 

• Colds and Flu Covers the causes and eight acupressure points, their locations and benefits for relieving colds and flu. Learn how to stimulate each of these points, step by step with photos for prevention and relief. 

• Immune System Boosting Covers five activities, which weaken the immune system and provides 12 acupressure points, their locations and benefits, for immune system boosting. Learn how to stimulate each of these points, step by step with photos. 

• Acupressure & Acupuncture - Brief History Covers the origins of Acupressure and Acupuncture as an ancient Chinese healing art. – how Acupressure and Acupuncture developed in China out of instinct to self-care techniques for relieving stress.

• Acupressure Pain Relief: How Acupressure Works & Relieves Chronic Pain Discover how stimulating points triggers endorphins to relieve pain. How deep breathing and Acupressure restores harmony, health and well-being. 

• Acupressure Spiritual Touch: Acupressure Massage Healing Energy Work; Channeling Chi, Qi Energy & Chakra Balancing; Discover Spiritual Bodywork & Light Touch for Healing on the Third Eye Point to develop intuition. 

• Acupressure Massage Techniques Chinese Massage Therapy Techniques, Chinese Massage Tui Na skills and Trigger Points. Learn traditional pressure point methods such as tapping acupressure points.

• How to Apply Pressure to Acupressure Points Guidance for using your fingertips on Acupressure points to relieve tension and pain: how long to hold points, how much pressure, eating, and how to release an acupressure point. 

• Acupressure Precautions, Guidelines & Prodedures Acupressure point safty, treatment indications, injury, burns, and body temperature. Acupressure boundaries, points for Pregnancy, Lactation, and precautions.

• Massage Points: Discover ways Acupressure can enhance Massage Therapy & how Chinese Massage works. Learn more about Massage Therapy Points. Discusses how acupressure therapy, trigger points, and pressure points enhance Massage Therapy. Discover how these massage therapy points can be integrated with Massage Therapy practices for increased effectiveness for both the Massage client and Massage Therapist.

• Energy Work & the Life Force: Specific Acupressure points for greater healing results. Discover how these Acupressure points relieve tension, pain, trauma, and burnout. Learn acupressure techniques, guided self-healing Qi Gong Breathing exercises to counteract addition, support recovery, especially after trauma. Acupressure healing energy work relieves chronic fatigue and depression to counteract stressful times.

• Chiropractic Care: How Chiropractors can integrate Acupressure Massage Therapy and self-acupressure points with spinal adjustments for enhanced Chiropractic Care. Chiropractic techniques and Acupressure points complement each other and were traditionally practiced together in ancient China.

• Reflexology & Acupressure: Discover how Acupressure Point Therapy integrates and enhances ear, hand, and foot Reflexology. Increased effectiveness results from integrating Acupressure points and techniques with Reflexology points and massage techniques.

• Shiatsu Therapy How Shiatsu Therapy methods stimulate Acupressure points for increased effectiveness. Shiatsu healing methods stimulate Acupressure points and meridians for relieving, tension, and stress related complaints such as burnout, shallow breathing, muscle shoulder and neck tension.