Keen on Yoga Podcast

Gary Kraftsow shares his background and experiences studying with Kṛṣṇamācārya & Deśikācar. He discusses the teachings he received and the impact they had on his life. He also talks about the relationship between Kṛṣṇamācārya & Deśikācar and their teaching methods. Kraftsow explains the concepts of Viniyoga and Vinyasa and how they are applied in yoga practice.  www.viniyoga.com | @americanviniyogainstitute Connect 👉 Website: www.keenonyoga.com 👉 Instagram:  @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga 👉 Work Enquiries: info@keenonyoga.com  Key Points Gary Kraftsow studied with Krishnamacharya and Desikachar and shares his experiences and the impact they had on his life. Krishnamacharya and Desikachar were both revered teachers who adapted and made yoga practices relevant for practitioners. Viniyoga is the adaptation of yoga practices to suit the needs of the practitioner and apply them appropriately. Vinyasa refers to the sequence and order in which postures are placed in a yoga practice. The teachings of Krishnamacharya and Desikachar emphasized the transformation of the body and the practitioner's highest potential. Adapt postures to suit individual needs and functional benefits. The breath is essential in linking the mind and body during yoga practice. Yoga is an integrated practice that includes yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, and meditation. Release valves are compensating mechanisms that occur when the body cannot stabilize a certain part. Find a sustainable yoga practice that supports overall well-being and prepares for the end of life.

www.keenonyoga.com | @adam_keen_ashtanga Adam explores the topic of community in the context of yoga, specifically Ashtanga yoga. He discusses the importance of community and belonging, as well as the challenges and drawbacks that can arise within a community. Adam also touches on the role of the teacher, the need for autonomy within a community, and the balance between a firm center and expanding edges. He emphasizes the importance of open discussion and the preservation of individuality within a collective. Support Keen on Yoga 👉 Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf 👉 PayPal: https://paypal.me/adamandtheresa 👉 Subscribe, like and share our videos, it helps us a lot  Connect 👉 Website: www.keenonyoga.com 👉 Instagram:  @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga 👉 Work Enquiries: info@keenonyoga.com  Key Points  Community is essential in yoga, providing a sense of belonging and support. However, communities can have drawbacks, such as strict rules and a lack of autonomy. The role of the teacher is important in creating a healthy community dynamic. Balancing a firm center with expanding edges allows for growth and dialogue within a community. Preserving individuality and autonomy is crucial within a collective. Open discussion and the ability to question and express doubts are essential in a community. The modern yoga center can play a role in fostering inclusivity and community. Community should extend beyond the yoga class and into daily life. The concept of sangha, or community, has always been important in spiritual practices.  

www.rodneyyeeyoga.com/ | @rodneyyeeyoga   Rodney Yee is an American yoga instructor who rose to prominence in the mid-1990s when he was featured on the cover of Yoga Journal magazine and starred in some of the first-ever yoga instructional videos and DVDs with Gaiam/Living Arts. After his interview with Oprah in 1999, both Yee personally and yoga were catapulted into the mainstream spotlight. Support Keen on Yoga 👉 Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf 👉 PayPal: https://paypal.me/adamandtheresa 👉 Subscribe, like and share our videos, it helps us a lot  Connect 👉 Website: www.keenonyoga.com 👉 Instagram:  @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga 👉 Work Enquiries: info@keenonyoga.com   Key Points From dance to yoga Starting with Iyengar yoga Working with Richard Rosen There was no such thing as a yoga career in those days The need to study yoga Creating Gaiam yoga videos On Oprah in 1999 Sold a million videos the day after Fulfilling the map of your skin Being in a place where there is no you Yoga and self reflection The pyramid of yoga Giving a touch of the yoga landscape Even in a bad asana class something else happens Staying relevant in yoga teaching Questing for meaning Teaching this new generation It was easy for us to out do our parents I’m inspired by anyone who is enquiring deeply  

Adam discusses the concept of short forms in Ashtanga Yoga. He explains that while the traditional practice involves doing the entire series every day, it is not always practical or beneficial.  Key Points Short forms in Ashtanga Yoga can be a sensible approach when time, energy, or inspiration are limited. Variation in practice is important to prevent stagnation and maintain enthusiasm. Short forms should still incorporate the principles of posture, counter posture, building, and vinyasa. Grounding and ending the practice with a focus on the parasympathetic nervous system is essential. Practitioners should listen to their bodies and make adjustments to their practice as needed.    

Daniela Bevilacqua, a research associate at the University of SOAS in London, speaks about the Hatha Yoga tradition, the past lack of research and the recent surge of interest in the subject.  https://www.yogicstudies.com/ys-103 | @dhanya_83 Key Points ·      Hatha Yoga texts have been overlooked in the past, with more focus on the philosophical side of yoga. ·      The recent surge of interest in Hatha Yoga is due to scholars and practitioners addressing the textual sources with a different curiosity. ·      Tapas (austerities) and Hatha Yoga are closely connected, with tapas being a form of inner heat produced through austerities. ·      Sadhus practice extreme body modifications for various reasons, including spiritual devotion, burning karma, and the well-being of society. ·      Further research is needed to explore the historical development of Hatha Yoga and its connection to tapas. Sadhus claim to possess various supernatural powers, such as mind reading and walking on leaves. ·      Teachings and initiations within the sadhu community are often reserved for Indians and not foreigners. ·      Certain sadhu groups have a militant nature and have historically been involved in mercenary activities. ·      Female sadhus face challenges in a patriarchal society and often have to fight against societal norms and expectations. Women from educated, middle-class families are slowly gaining positions in Sadhu society. ·      Being fluent in Hindi and an outsider helped Daniela connect with the Sadhus and gain their trust. ·      Hatha Yoga in the Sadhu society has different layers of meaning, including tapas and manipulation of the subtle body. ·      Modern technology, such as smartphones and social media, has impacted the lives of Sadhus. ·      Daniela formed friendships with some Sadhus and continues to stay in touch with them.   

Dr. Ian Baker discusses the connection between Tibetan yoga and modern postural yoga, specifically Astanga yoga. He explores the origins of postural yoga in Tibet and the Himalayan world, highlighting the common elements and different emphases between traditions. He also delves into the practices of Tibetan yoga, such as Hatha Yoga, Tantra, and the subtle body, which focus on the circulation of prana and the transformation of metabolic heat into mystic fire.  Connect with Ian Baker 👉 Website: https://ianbakerjourneys.wordpress.com  👉 Instagram: @ianbaker108  Connect with Keen on Yoga 👉 Website: www.keenonyoga.com 👉 Instagram:  @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga 👉 Work Enquiries: info@keenonyoga.com  Key Points Tibetan yoga and modern postural yoga share common elements and different emphases. The practices of Tibetan yoga focus on the circulation of prana and the transformation of metabolic heat into mystic fire. Tapas (heat) is an important aspect of yoga practice, burning away afflictive emotions and expanding our sense of self. The origins of postural yoga can be traced back to Tibet and the Himalayan world. Tantric Buddhism originated from the exchange of knowledge along ancient trade routes, such as the Silk Roads. The cultivation of inner fire, or tummo, is a common practice in various traditions, including the Wim Hof method and ancient Chinese Yangshen traditions. Transformative heat is associated with powerful goddesses in both Hindu tantra and tantric Buddhist texts. Tantra embraces a body-positive approach, celebrating sensory awareness and the potential of the human body.  

(www.keenonyoga.com | @adam_keen_ashtanga ) Adam explores the concept of tradition in Ashtanga Yoga. He defines tradition as a way of working, a pattern carried over from the old to the new.   Support Keen on Yoga 👉 Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf 👉 PayPal: https://paypal.me/adamandtheresa 👉 Subscribe, like and share our videos, it helps us a lot  Connect 👉 Website: www.keenonyoga.com 👉 Instagram:  @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga 👉 Work Enquiries: info@keenonyoga.com  Key Points Tradition in Ashtanga Yoga is a way of working, a pattern that is carried over from the old to the new. Tradition needs to be contextualized and adapted to suit the modern epoch and the needs of the current age. Yoga asana and philosophy are context-sensitive and need to evolve to suit the values and understanding of the modern world. There is a balance between tradition and non-tradition, where pragmatism and maintaining an ideal coexist. Belonging to a tradition can provide a sense of support and community, but it is important to critically evaluate and adapt the tradition to suit individual needs.  

 Celest Pereira –  (www.celestpereira.com | @celestpereirapt ) Adam and Celest discuss the topic of pain and its relationship to the brain. They explore the idea that pain is not solely felt in the body, but rather is an output of the brain.  Support Keen on Yoga 👉 Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf 👉 PayPal: https://paypal.me/adamandtheresa 👉 Subscribe, like and share our videos, it helps us a lot   Connect 👉 Website: www.keenonyoga.com 👉 Instagram:  @keen_on_yoga | @adam_keen_ashtanga 👉 Work Enquiries: info@keenonyoga.com  Key Points ·      Pain is not solely felt in the body, but is an output of the brain. ·      Pain is a communication tool used by the brain to alter behavior and promote safety. ·      Outputs can be both safety outputs (like pain) and empowering outputs. ·      The biopsychosocial model of pain considers the biological, psychological, and social factors that contribute to pain. The brain is a highly suggestive organ that can influence pain perception. ·      Empowering language and positive suggestions can have a significant impact on pain management. ·      The placebo effect is a real and powerful phenomenon that should be explored and utilized. ·      Movement is medicine and can help in pain management. It is important to keep moving and try different forms of movement. ·      Subtle interventions can have profound effects on the body and brain. ·      Finding joy in activities outside of studying or work is important for overall well-being.      

#171 Adam Keen - Are we practicing Patanjali's yoga? (www.keenonyoga.com | @adam_keen_ashtanga) Adam explores the question of what kind of practice we are doing in modern yoga. He discusses whether we are practicing Patanjali's yoga and how it aligns with our current aims and aspirations. Adam highlights that Patanjali's yoga does not focus much on asana and aims to control the senses and transcend the suffering of the world. He also delves into the concept of Dharma and its importance in yoga philosophy. Adam touches on the evolution of yoga and the inclusion of dynamic asana in modern practice. He concludes by discussing the influence of tantric yoga and its emphasis on using the body as a vessel of knowledge. Key Points ·      Modern yoga practice differs from Patanjali's yoga in terms of its focus on dynamic asanas and its aim to live in unity and connection with the world. ·      Dharma, the objective principles of life, is the basis of yoga philosophy and guides our actions and attitudes towards the world. ·      The inclusion of dynamic asana in modern yoga can be seen as a way to use the body as a vessel of knowledge and to live in harmony with the world. ·      Tantric yoga offers a body-positive approach and emphasizes the awakening of energy and the exploration of esoteric practices. ·      Modern yoga is an evolution of traditional yoga practices, incorporating elements from Patanjali's yoga and tantric yoga.   SUPPORT US 👉 Subscribe, like and share our videos, it helps us a lot  👉 Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf 👉 Support us directly: https://paypal.me/adamandtheresa CONNECT WITH US 👉 Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/keen_on_yoga/   👉 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/adam_keen_ashtanga/ 👉 Work Enquiries: info@keenonyoga.com        

Richard Rosen (www.m-yoga.org/richard-rosen  | @richardrosenyoga) Adam interviews Richard Rosen, a yoga teacher and author, about his background in yoga and his book, Yoga FAQ. They discuss the evolution of yoga texts, the influence of yoga on Western psychology, and the potential for yoga to suppress emotions. They also explore the role of asana in yoga, the trend of yoga anatomy in classes, and the need for assessing students and structuring classes effectively.  SUPPORT US 👉 Subscribe, like and share our videos, it helps us a lot  👉 Buy us a coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/infoRf 👉 Support us directly: https://paypal.me/adamandtheresa 👉 Become a Patron for €10 monthly: https://keenonyoga.com/membership/ CONNECT WITH US 👉 Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/keen_on_yoga/ | https://www.instagram.com/adam_keen_ashtanga/ 👉 Work Enquiries: info@keenonyoga.com  This conversation covers various topics related to yoga, including accessibility and challenges, the importance of beginner's courses, the practice of pranayama, the significance of savasana, meditation and concentration, the relevance of Sanskrit in yoga, and influences on modern yoga. Richard Rosen shares his insights and experiences, highlighting the need for a balanced and patient approach to yoga. He also discusses his guilty pleasure of writing silly poetry and draws inspiration from various writers and books.   Takeaways Yoga is more than just asana; it is a comprehensive practice encompassing philosophy, meditation, and self-discovery. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, while a foundational text, can be seen as life and world-denying, and may not fully align with modern yoga practices. The Vedas, Upanishads, and other ancient texts provide valuable insights into the history and philosophy of yoga, but they can be challenging to read and interpret. The popularity of yoga has led to the evolution of different styles and approaches, and teachers need to have a solid understanding of the tradition and the needs of their students. Yoga anatomy can be useful for teachers, especially in therapeutic contexts, but it should not overshadow the broader aspects of yoga practice. Yoga should be accessible to all, but it is important to approach it cautiously and seek proper guidance to avoid injury or discouragement. Beginner's courses can provide a solid foundation for yoga practice and help new students ease into the practice gradually. Pranayama, the practice of breath control, can be challenging to teach and may require patience and perseverance from both the teacher and the student. Savasana, the relaxation pose, is an essential part of yoga practice and can help develop self-awareness and a witness consciousness. Meditation and concentration are integral to yoga and can be practised both on and off the mat. Learning Sanskrit can deepen one's understanding of yoga and its traditional texts, but it is not necessary for all practitioners. Various individuals and schools, including B.K.S. Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois, and Indra Devi, have had significant influences on modern yoga. Richard Rosen finds joy in writing silly poetry and draws inspiration from writers such as Ian Banks, Stanislaw Lem, and José Saramago.   "Yoga doesn't affect the union, it reveals a union that pre-existed and will always exist." "In any meditation practice, the world should be included in the meditation." "I'm a little bit unhappy with flow classes." "We can't put it to rights here, but yeah." "Nobody wants to breathe." "There's consequences often times."