Yoga is a science of well-being. Its goal is to keep
or restore our health and to bring about peace and happiness. It has been
tested and refined over nearly 5,000 years. Yoga comes from the Sanskrit verb
root yuj – it means to yoke, to join or unite. It is a precise system that
integrates the different parts of who we are: physical, energetic, emotional
and spiritual and brings about health, Peace and Happiness.
There are many schools of yoga. Viniyoga refers
to the tradition passed down from T. Krishnamacharya (acknowledged as the
"Grandfather of Modern Yoga") through his son TKV
Desikachar. The teachings of Krishnamacharya are traditional yoga teachings that can be traced teacher to teacher all the way back to 9th Century sage Nathamuni. Viniyoga literally means "appropriate application". It is
an approach to yoga that is adapted for the individual needs and interests of
the practitioner. The
Viniyoga tradition acknowledges that each of us are different in age,
constitution, mental clarity, structural stability, strength, weaknesses and interests. Therefore, each
student will have unique needs and abilities. This demands that the techniques used are appropriate and useful to the student. A combination of asanas (postures), pranayama (breath work), chanting, prayer , ritual and/or meditation is crafted into unique practices. The teachings of Viniyoga can be traced all the way back to the first authoritative text about Yoga: The Yoga Sutra-s of
Patanjali. This text was written sometimes between 400BC and 400AD. Little is
known about the author of the Yoga Sutra-s. The legend states that the human
race was praying for relief of suffering. In response, ishvara, the supreme
teacher, sent the sage Patanjali who composed three treatises. The Caraka
Samhita (on medicine) taught us the art of healing. The Mahabhasyam taught the
art of communication and the Yoga Sutra-s taught the way to a peaceful mind and
delivery from suffering.
What makes Viniyoga unique:
Breath and movements are linked together. Each movement is initiated through the breath to affect the spine and its relationship to the rest of the body.
The skillful combination of repetition of postures and stay in a "static" posture is used to transform poor movement patterns and bring balance to the musculature of the body.
Function is more important than form: each posture is in service to bring balance to the body. Many schools of yoga emphasize form over function, encouraging students to force their body to "copy" an ideal posture, often resulting in injuries or reinforcing of poor movement patterns.
Adaptation:No two bodies are the same: each posture should be adapted to the needs and abilities of the students. Unique adaptations of each posture are used to meet the musculo-skeletal needs and physical abilities of each student.
Sequencing: crafting a balanced viniyoga practice is an art. Each practice should be like "flossing" or the "sonicare" for the body and mind. Postures, breathing exercises and other elements of the viniyoga practice are carefully chosen and sequenced in a specific order to create a practice that brings balance and a feeling of lightness to the body and mind. The practices should be simple, elegant and effective.
Tradition: Viniyoga follows the 8 limbs of traditional Ashtanga yoga: Yamas, Niyamas, Asanas, Pranayama, Prathyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi are integrated in the teachings if/when appropriate.
Relationship: The teacher/student relationship should be of mutual respect.
Practically, regular yoga practice results in increased
strength, flexibility and better health. The breathing exercises increase lung
capacity, the effect of the postures boost immunity and center the mind. Yoga
clears the mind, allowing for greater concentration and productivity. Yoga has
been shown to be a key ingredient in programs to reverse heart disease and is
recommended by doctors to alleviate and/or to help dealing with many
chronic diseases as well as back pain, arthritis and most common ailments.
However, there is so much more to the science and philosophy of yoga. If one is
so inclined, they might want to scope the depths of the yoga tradition as a
means to connecting to their Source and finding the answers to the
philosophical questions that lie at the core of the human faculty of thought.
At the heart of yoga is the message that every human being
is, by nature, balanced and whole, and that this balanced inner self cannot be
permanently destroyed or damaged. It is our inherent nature. Yoga is a method
for increasing our awareness of this inner self.
From: Yoga, mastering the Basics
Tatpratisedharthamekatattvabyasah: The persevering practice
of a single principle keeps obstacles (to inner peace-or attaining a state of
yoga) at a distance. Yoga Sutra I-32
