41) What is the level of precision needed in Yoga Asanas ?

When it comes to yoga asanas the word "precision" or more specifically "antaomical precision" is mostly associated with the Iyengar System of Yoga . I have never been trained in the BKS Iyengar system of yoga and hence cant really vouch for the quality / effectiveness of such a high degree of anatomical precision needed during a yoga asana practice . Even if it is needed the question comes whether it is the job of the teacher to give such a long complex list of commands to the students to help him find such a high degree of anatomical precision or should the student discover for himself what is the best anatomical right position for himself ? Many such question exists .
The Iyengar System of Yoga has some of the world's best yoga teachers like John Schumacher(http://www.unitywoods.com/), Judith Lasater(http://www.judithlasater.com/), Dr.Krishna Raman ( http://www.krishnaraman.com/)and many others who appreciate BKS Iyengar System of Yoga and vouch for the effectiveness of its highly anatomical approach to yoga . But there are again some famous Yoga teachers like Vanda Scravelli ,Esther Myer , Victor Van Kooten who were once serious students of BKS Iyengar but later became critical of his highly anatomical approach to the asana practice and quit BKS Iyengar System to start their own yoga styles that encourages people to find what is the best way to do a posture with the teacher giving only the main pointers and not all the detailed anatomical instructions that happens in an Iyengar Yoga Class .Why even the great philosopher J.Krishnamurti started practicing yoga first with BKS Iyengar and later went for the more gentler Vinayasa based approach of Krishnamacharya as taught by his son Sri.Desikachar .

So now comes the question , who is right and who is wrong ?
There is no right or wrong approach here and it all boils to discover what is true for you . That is the beauty of yoga . The various styles and system offers us an excellent opportunity to choose what is best for us and what is the best style that we resonate with . Maharshi Patanjali in his Yoga Sutra gives the definition of Asana as "Sthira ( Steady) and Sukham ( Comfortable ) " .He does not elaborate further but these 2 things are to be met in a yoga practice i.e the posture should be steady as well as comfortable . How do you go building both these things and up to what extent you go about building both these things depends upon the competency of the teacher as well as the dedication of the student .

Coming to the Sivananda System of Yoga - Swami Vishnu devananda did not focus on elaborate instructions with regard to Asana practice nor he gives too much space for the student to discover what is true for himself as he felt both these approaches are quite complicated for a student who is just a common man i.e who has many things to do apart from yoga practice and who cant dedicate full time in to this . He wanted to keep things simple and except for some basic instructions with regard to Asana practice he did not not focus on detailed descriptions . Since the Sivananda System of Yoga is more ideal for a group practice for common people it is more ideal to keep the instructions simple and less and hence it is the way it is and many people are happy with the system .
But in case a student is fully in to yoga and willing to dedicate his time and energy in to this practice full time then he needs to go beyond the Sivananda System of simplicity and discover what is true for him i.e the highly anatomical precision approach of BKS Iyengar or the more holistic approach of Vanda Scravelli .

Conclusion : Do what is best and true for your situation and no need to get fanatical with a particular approach .

14 -Special Instructions for effective Asana Practice by Swami Sivananda

Today i.e 14th July is the Maha Samadhi day of Swami Sivananda and toady was the day I started my Yoga Journey at the Sivananda Yoga Centre in Chennai ,India 10 years back in 1997 and as a tribute to my Master ( Swami Sivananda ) I am sharing these special instructions for an effective Asana Practice by Swami Sivananda as today's message .


1) Asanas should be practised in a well ventilated , clean room where there is free movement of fresh air .The floor must be even . Asanas can be practised on the sandy bed of rivers , open airy places and by the sea-side also .If you practise them in a room , see that the room is not congested so as to allow free movement of hnads , legs and of the body .

2) Asanas should be done on empty stomach in the morning or at least three hours after food .Morning time is best for doing Asanas .

3) Get up at 4 a.m .Answer the calls of nature .Wash your face .Then practise your Asanas , Pranayama and Meditation .This order is beneficial .If you are very particular to meditate from 4 to 6 a.m., you can do Sirshasanafor 10 to 15 minutes and then sit for meditation .When meditation is over , you can take to other Asanas .

4) Be regular in the Practice .Those who practice by fits and starts will not derive any benefit .

5) Start with minimum time of doing Asanas and then gradually increase the period . You can do the Asanas as long as you can comfortably keep up the posture .

6) Asana is the third Anga in Ashtange Yoga .When you are established in Asanas ,then only you will derive benefits of Pranayama .

7) Maximum benefits can be achieved if Japa also is done during the practice of Asanas and Pranayama .

8) Regularity in the practice is very necessary if one wants to relaise the maximum benefits of Asanas .Generally , people practice for two months in the beginning with great interest and enthusiasm and leave off the practice . This is a sad mistake .They want a Yoga teacher always by their side . They have got the effeminate learning mentality .They are lazy , torpid and slothful .

9)Physical exercises draw the Prana out .Asanas send the Prana in , and distribute it quite evenly throughout the body and different systems .Asanas are not only physical but also spiritual , as they awaken the Serpent Power ( Kundalini ) that is sleeping in the Muladhara Chakra .


10) Ladies also should practice Asanas .They will have healthy and strong children .If mothers are healthy and strong , children also will be healthy and strong . Regeneration of the young ladies means the regeneration of the whole world .If ladies practice a course of Asanas systematically with interest and attention ,they will have wonderful health and vitality .There is no doubt of this .

11) In the beginning you cannot perform some of the Asanas perfectly .Regular practice will bring perfection .Patience and preseverance , earnestness and sincerity are needed .

12) Never change the Asanas .Adhere to one set tenaciously .If you do one set of Asanas today and some other tomorrow and so on , you cannot derive much benefit .

13) The more steady you are in the Asana , the more you will be able to concentrate and make your mind one pointed . You cannot get on well in your meditation without having a steady posture .

14) If you cannot perform a particular Asana quite satisfactorily , do not loose heart .Where there is a will , there is a way .Rome was not built in a day .Try , try , try again .Continuous practice will make you all right .


15) Those who practice Japa can repeat the Mantra during the practice of Asanas .When you recite the Mantra for six months , a hbait will be formed and the force of Samskara will keep up the uninterrupted practice even during the performance of Asana .There will be no difficulty .Business people who have very little time at their disposal , can have Japa during their practice of Asanas .It is something like getting four fruits by throwing one stone only .You will get many siddhis .

16) If you are careful about your diet , Asanas and meditation , you will have fine , lustrous eyes , fair complexion and peace of mind in a short time .Hatha Yoga ensures beauty , health , strength and long life to the Yogic students .


17) Avoid unnecessary worry .Do not be troubled .Be not anxious .Do not be idle .Do not waste time .Do not worry yourself if there is delay in your progress . Wait cooly .You are bound to succeed if you are sincere .

18) Never miss a day in your Sadhana , spiritual practices .


19) The practice of Asanas before starting Japa and Meditation is very good and conducice .It removes laziness and drowsiness of the body and mind .It steadies the mind .It fills the mind with new vigour and peace .


20) Sattvice food is necessary when you practice Asanas and Pranayama .Take milk , Ghee , sweet curd , fruits , almonds , cream , etc .Give up garlic , onions , meat ,fish , smoking , liquors , sour and pungent articles . Overloading must be avoided . Take Mithahara .Be regular and punctual in taking meals .Eating all sorts of things at all times is highly dangerous for a Yogi .


21) Asana and Pranayama remove all sorts of diseases , improve health , energise digestion , invigorate the nerves , straighten the Sushumna Nadi , remove Rajas and awaken the Kundalini . Practice of Asana and Pranayama bestows good health and a steady mind . As no Sadhana is possible without good health , no meditation is possible without a steady mind .Hatha Yoga is of immense use for Shyana Yogis , Karma Yogins , Bhakatas and Vedantins as well .