P-06. Introduction: Weekly format

“The Art of Sitting” focuses on the asanas suitable for seated pranayama. The course takes a step by step approach and offers theoretical knowledge, demonstrations, and explanation of what and why is essential for seated pranayama. Variations to standard asanas are demonstrated and discussed to allow all students to practise correctly in order to realise the benefits of seated pranayama. The alternatives address conditions of young age and old age, stiffness, tension, restlessness, health conditions, and pregnancy.

Our subjects focus on material from our lineage and our teachers so that you may hear, in their own words wherever possible, their teaching. This is Parampara. The word denotes the transmission down a line, from teacher to student, from a guru “teacher” (Sanskrit: गुरु) to a śiṣya “disciple” (Sanskrit: शिष्य). It is lineage.

Each week follows the pattern: Learn/ Study/ Practice. These are three modes of engagement used in Yoga Mandir. They are applied across four levels of the Yoga Mandir syllabus for practitioners: Foundation, Developing, Established, and Mature. Further details are included in the Yoga Sadhana booklet available from Yoga Mandir.

Knowledge has two facets. One is objective and the other subjective. Objective knowledge is based on speculation, thinking and analysis, whereas subjective knowledge is to verify the objective knowledge with experience. Subjective knowledge comes through practical experience and objective knowledge is earned through theoretical study. Yoga is both a practical as well as a theoretical subject, but it is neither blind practice nor a discursive one. Any practice needs some objective knowledge. One puts this objective knowledge or the acquired knowledge into practice, so that one experiences the reality of the objective knowledge.

Iyengar BKS. Astadala Yogamala, vol 1, Yoga freedom through discipline, p 103

1. In the Learning mode we introduce definitions and preview the details of an area of enquiry
2. In the Studying mode we look at details and nuance whilst hearing from the teachers of our lineage
3. The Practicing mode focuses on doing/experiencing where you practice to sequences recorded by Alan Goode

There is intentional repetition of key quotes and study points, as recommended by BKS Iyengar:

I request you to rub yourself with my words and with other people’s words, and until they are digested, do not form opinions. Then you will enjoy the bliss which is unalloyed, untainted and free from stains. [And] put everything to the test of experience.

Iyengar, BKS. Tree of Yoga, The fruit, p 72

As you progress through the Art of sitting course, study yourself: engage in Svadhyaya. You’re encouraged to take notes from the objective knowledge lessons and the subjective experience sessions. You may observe your tendencies and inclinations, your preference for practice (karma marga: path of action) or theoretical study (jnana marga: path of knowledge). These concepts are introduced during Yoga Mandir practitioner courses and are summarised in the Yoga Sadhana booklet (available from Yoga Mandir).

Download the Reading & research log  Download the Q&A log?

Alan: do we show a sample use of the files?