Quarter 2 Month 6
Recordings
In the course of your studies you will sometimes need to access the recordings out of numeric sequence. Attached are the five month six recordings for your convenience.
Guided Asana Practice and Breathing
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Prana & the Subtle body
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The Endocrine System
Recording 26
Notes on Practice - Bandhas
The month six Notes on Practice discuss bandhas, specifically Mula Bandha. Bandhas are contractions that are used during both pranayama and asana as you progress in your practice.
Reading Assignment - Notes on Practice - Bandhas
Please read the month six Notes on Practice before beginning the new asanas for month six. Please review the Notes on Practice at least weekly during the month.
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Asana Practice - Back Bends
Your asana practice for month six focuses on back bends. Included as resources for this lesson are a PDF explaining the asanas, as well as recording 22, "Guided Asana Practice and Breathing - Month Six." We have also included the "Notes on Practice Lined Pages" document, including a photo of each asana, that you can print out and use if you wish to keep your own personal notes on the poses. Here are snapshots of the asanas you'll be learning in month six:
(Click on the images for full size and gallery version.)
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Reading/Listening/Practice Assignment - Back Bends
Please listen to recording 22, "Guided Asana Practice and Breathing - Month Six," read the PDF "Q2 M6 Asana Practice," which explains this month's asanas, then begin studying and practicing the new asanas. Please re-listen to the recording and re-read the PDF at least weekly during the month.
Guided Asana Practice and Breathing
Recording 22
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Theory and Philosophy - Recording 23 Prana and the Subtle Body
In theory and philosophy recording 23, Goswami Kriyananda discusses prana and the subtle body. Please listen to the recording, which is included as a resource in this lesson.
"This is a discourse on the subtle anatomy of the earthling...
how karma can be softened, how things can be changed,
how the nature can be re-molded."
- Goswami Kriyananda
Listening Assignment - Recording 23 Prana and the Subtle Body
Please listen to recording 23, "Prana and the Subtle Body," by Goswami Kriyananda.
Prana & the Subtle body
Recording 23
Benefits of Back Bends
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Reading Assignment - Benefits of Back Bends
Please read and study the PDF "Benefits of Back Bends." One way to memorize the benefits of an asana is to repeat one of them out loud just before you do the asana. Then, the next day, repeat a different benefit, and so on. In this way, you’ll memorize the benefits of each asana in a few months and you’ll be able to offer yourself and others more motivation to practice as well as more understanding of the tremendous health benefits of doing yoga.
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Reading Assignment - The Breathing Book
In The Breathing Book, please read and practice the movements on pages 108-144.
Reading Assignment - Yoga, the Iyengar Way
In Yoga, the Iyengar Way, please read pages 91-93 and 133-144.
Theory and Philosophy - Philosophy of Yoga Practice - Part III
The attached article, "Philosophy of Yoga Practice - Part III," continues your study from months four and five.
from the article:
"As prana enters the chakric system, it provides the potential
energy to activate the samskaras that reside in the five lower
chakras. Therefore, simply breathing creates a momentum behind
the mental and emotional patterns of our consciousness. In other
words, if we change our breathing pattern, we can change the
emotional pattern and the intensity with which the samskaras activate.
This is one of the reasons why pranayama is such a powerful technique."
Reading Assignment - Philosophy of Yoga Practice - Part III
Please read and study "Q2 M6 Theory and Philosophy," "Philosophy of Yoga Practice - Part III."
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Reading Assignment - The Spiritual Science of Kriya Yoga
In The Spiritual Science of Kriya Yoga, please read pages 72-82, 104-112, and 190-206.
Anatomy and Physiology - Recording 26 The Endocrine System
The month six anatomy and physiology section examines the endocrine system; probably the most important system in the body, having a powerful influence over the entire body/mind complex.
Listening Assignment - Recording 26 The Endocrine System
Please listen to recording 26, "The Endocrine System," which is included as a resource of this lesson. We recommend you outline the recording. In Human Anatomy in Full Color, review as needed in conjunction with the recording.
The Endocrine System
Recording 26
Teaching Skills - Recording 24 Communication Skills for Yoga Teachers Part II
The recording for month six is Dr. Bill Kirkwood exploring our motivations as teachers. This is a short, but very important recording that you should make time to reflect upon. Beginning with month seven, the focus of the teaching skills section will shift to developing communication skills in the context of a yoga class. Recording 24, "Communication Skills for Yoga Teachers Part II," is included as a resource in this lesson.
from the recording:
"While our words are important ... we communicate more
than words, we communicate feelings and very definitely attitudes."
Listening Assignment - Recording 24 Communication Skills for Yoga Teachers Part II
Please listen to recording 24, "Communication Skills for Yoga Teachers Part II."
Communication Skills for Yoga Teachers Part 2
Recording 24
Assignments - Asana Practice
Please submit the following two assignments.
Personal Reflections - Asana Practice
1. Spend at least three minutes at the end of each savasana session this month developing neutrality in the perineum and practicing Mula Bandha.
2. On several occasions, visualize yourself performing one of this month’s asanas with all of its actions and awareness. Feel the posture as you do this. Then physically do the posture. Record your observations.
3. Place a thin sheet of white tracing paper over one of this month’s asana photos and carefully trace it with a pencil. Feel the posture as you do this. Then physically do the posture. Record your observations.
Personal Reflections - The Breathing Book
Chapter Five of The Breathing Book (pages 108-144) describes many excellent movements to improve breathing. While you are practicing these movements, journal how you felt during and after. What is the major benefit of practicing these movements? Which ones were your favorites? Choose at least three of them and continue practicing them for a month. These personal reflections are for your own use; you do not need to turn them in.
Personal Reflections - Theory and Philosophy
Watch your mind and body carefully this month. Observe how the klesas manifest in your life. Which are strong, which are weak, which are active, which are dormant? Remember that “dormant” does not mean nonexistent. These personal reflections are for your own use; you do not need to turn them in.
Personal Reflections - Teaching Skills
Reflect on your motivations for wanting to teach. What are some of the subconscious reasons? Make two lists for yourself: one listing the positive motivations you have and one listing the motivations which you need to be cautious of. These personal reflections are for your own use; you do not need to turn them in.
Study Questions
Asana - Mula BandhaTheory and Philosophy - Philosophy of Yoga Part IIITheory and Philosophy - Spiritual Science of Kriya Yoga p. 104-112Teaching Skills - Recording 24 Communication Skills Part II |
Asana PracticeTheory and Philosophy - Spiritual Science of Kriya Yoga p. 190-206Theory and Philosophy - Recording 23 Prana and the Subtle BodyAnatomy and Physiology - Recording 26 Endocrine System |