Sacred Spiral Yoga
Category 1
Category 1 deals with the Origins and History of Yoga, Astanga, Philosophy, Sacred Texts and an introduction to Sanskrit.
There is quite a lot of text in this module, so for your convenience we have additionally organized the material into downloadable pdf docs. Some by Paul Carlos and also a selection by other writers and scholars.
If you do choose to download, we do suggest that you keep everything in the same format that we have assembled for easy reference.
Origins
The Indus-Sarasvati civilisation
India can claim today to be descended from one of the oldest civilizations known. The ancient
Indus civilization flourishing in the Sarasvati valley was eminent as far back as the seventh
millennium B.C.
The field of Yoga is associated with a number of sacred texts. One of the oldest of these texts of
Yoga is the Rig-Veda. This collection of some 1028 hymns, can also be traced to roughly the same
period and area of the Sarasvati valley: 7000 – 1900 B.C.
Originally the Rig-Veda was transmitted orally from generation to generation, so it’s actual time of
development is lost to scholars. The first Sanskrit codices date to approx. 3000 -2000 B.C.
Nevertheless, Yoga is such an ancient practice, that nobody really knows exactly when it started.
But, it has been around for a very long time and likely arose when various sages and devout folk
were trying to understand the deeper meaning of what life was all about. One famous legend
could possibly give us an idea about the true origin of yoga.
According to the legend, Shiva was the first yogi. And many thousands of years ago, Shiva reached
enlightenment in a place called Mount Kailash.
The story says that he had seven disciples who became known as the seven rishis. They are
considered the founders of most spiritual traditions in the world.
No one can prove Shiva’s existence or if any of these stories are true. However, given the nature of
the material, maybe it’s not a legend after all.
That said, Yoga is most likely to have been the collective product of this ancient and highly
sophisticated civilization.
It is safe then to date the origins of Yoga to at least 5000 - 7000 years BC in the sarasvati valley
area. This estimation could easily be a lot older.
Many scholars such as Georg Fuerstein, David Frawley and others have done excellent and
extensive work into history and origin and meaning of Yoga.
India can claim today to be descended from one of the oldest civilizations known. The ancient
Indus civilization flourishing in the Sarasvati valley was eminent as far back as the seventh
millennium B.C.
The field of Yoga is associated with a number of sacred texts. One of the oldest of these texts of
Yoga is the Rig-Veda. This collection of some 1028 hymns, can also be traced to roughly the same
period and area of the Sarasvati valley: 7000 – 1900 B.C.
Originally the Rig-Veda was transmitted orally from generation to generation, so it’s actual time of
development is lost to scholars. The first Sanskrit codices date to approx. 3000 -2000 B.C.
Nevertheless, Yoga is such an ancient practice, that nobody really knows exactly when it started.
But, it has been around for a very long time and likely arose when various sages and devout folk
were trying to understand the deeper meaning of what life was all about. One famous legend
could possibly give us an idea about the true origin of yoga.
According to the legend, Shiva was the first yogi. And many thousands of years ago, Shiva reached
enlightenment in a place called Mount Kailash.
The story says that he had seven disciples who became known as the seven rishis. They are
considered the founders of most spiritual traditions in the world.
No one can prove Shiva’s existence or if any of these stories are true. However, given the nature of
the material, maybe it’s not a legend after all.
That said, Yoga is most likely to have been the collective product of this ancient and highly
sophisticated civilization.
It is safe then to date the origins of Yoga to at least 5000 - 7000 years BC in the sarasvati valley
area. This estimation could easily be a lot older.
Many scholars such as Georg Fuerstein, David Frawley and others have done excellent and
extensive work into history and origin and meaning of Yoga.
Article by David White
Read this entertaining article by David White - Yoga, A brief history of an idea
Astanga
‘Astanga’ means ‘eight limb’ and is usually associated with the eightfold path of Yoga laid out by
Patanjali, a revered Indian saint and scholar living around 200 BCE, in his classic ‘Yoga Sutras’. For
our students reference I have included my full 4 chapters of audio narration mp3's of his famous
Sutra's. Find these in the resource section.
This system although not the only one, is perhaps the most well-established and formalised
dualistic Yoga path. Adepts of genuine Astanga Yoga may be said to be following the Classical Yoga
path.
Astanga is a broad generic term for the above conditions and certainly includes, but is not limited
to, Patabi Jois’ Astanga Vinyasa Yoga School, known commonly as Astanga Yoga. Much
unwarranted confusion has arisen over this basic point.
The limbs or ‘arms’ are:
1 Yama - Community social & ethical codes of conduct.
2 Niyama – Personal moral/ethical codes.
3 Asana – Posture training
4 Pranayama – Breath training
5 Pratchahara – sense withdrawal.
6 Dharana - Concentration
7 Dhyana – Meditation
8 Samhadi – Attainment of blissful union with the universal consciousness.
When we consider the basic purpose of yoga as ‘Union with the Universal Consciousness’, the
above scheme takes on a greater sense of meaning. I will not go deeply into each limb as this has
already been done very effectively by many modern and historical scholars. A list of excellent links
will be given at the end of the article.
Briefly, upon a little reflection, we can see that community and personal ethics and morals play a
role in understanding ourselves as spiritual beings. To attain a high level of self- honesty – within
the privacy of your own thoughts and feelings, is really to come to the realization that what we do
unto others we do directly to ourselves and conversely, what we do to ourselves we do directly
unto others. To take real responsibility for this is an enormous task and may be in the end all that
is needed to attain real Yoga.
The art of Posture and Breath control builds tremendous mind/body training and prepares and
develops us for the process of Meditation & Relaxation (sense withdrawal)
Concentration is really a tool we need from the 3rd limb on-wards and indeed really at any level.
Meditation takes us towards and into ‘absorption’ – in the yogic case, contemplation and
absorption into the supreme being (Ishvara Pranidhana). Yogic philosophy tells us a kernel or seed
of the universal being dwells within our own hearts (jivatman). This is not really ‘God’ in the
western sense of a deity outside of ourselves, but rather an all pervading consciousness that is
within all animate and inanimate things.
Samadhi is the state of attaining a sense of union, in the case of Yoga, with the Universal
consciousness (purusha). Described as a state of supreme bliss, (Ananda) it is the outcome of
spiritual practice and following the dedicated Astanga path.
Since the basic premise of Astanga Yoga starts with our-selves intrinsically in a state of dis-unity, or
connection, and needing to work hard to attain re-connection/unity, it is known as a ‘dualistic’
school.
An example of a Yogic school that starts from the opposite basic premise - that we are innately
and always connected but seem to have forgotten is the ‘Advaita Vedanta’ school of Ramana
Marhashi. Needless to say many versions of these two basic ideas - dual and non-dual abound.
Patanjali, a revered Indian saint and scholar living around 200 BCE, in his classic ‘Yoga Sutras’. For
our students reference I have included my full 4 chapters of audio narration mp3's of his famous
Sutra's. Find these in the resource section.
This system although not the only one, is perhaps the most well-established and formalised
dualistic Yoga path. Adepts of genuine Astanga Yoga may be said to be following the Classical Yoga
path.
Astanga is a broad generic term for the above conditions and certainly includes, but is not limited
to, Patabi Jois’ Astanga Vinyasa Yoga School, known commonly as Astanga Yoga. Much
unwarranted confusion has arisen over this basic point.
The limbs or ‘arms’ are:
1 Yama - Community social & ethical codes of conduct.
2 Niyama – Personal moral/ethical codes.
3 Asana – Posture training
4 Pranayama – Breath training
5 Pratchahara – sense withdrawal.
6 Dharana - Concentration
7 Dhyana – Meditation
8 Samhadi – Attainment of blissful union with the universal consciousness.
When we consider the basic purpose of yoga as ‘Union with the Universal Consciousness’, the
above scheme takes on a greater sense of meaning. I will not go deeply into each limb as this has
already been done very effectively by many modern and historical scholars. A list of excellent links
will be given at the end of the article.
Briefly, upon a little reflection, we can see that community and personal ethics and morals play a
role in understanding ourselves as spiritual beings. To attain a high level of self- honesty – within
the privacy of your own thoughts and feelings, is really to come to the realization that what we do
unto others we do directly to ourselves and conversely, what we do to ourselves we do directly
unto others. To take real responsibility for this is an enormous task and may be in the end all that
is needed to attain real Yoga.
The art of Posture and Breath control builds tremendous mind/body training and prepares and
develops us for the process of Meditation & Relaxation (sense withdrawal)
Concentration is really a tool we need from the 3rd limb on-wards and indeed really at any level.
Meditation takes us towards and into ‘absorption’ – in the yogic case, contemplation and
absorption into the supreme being (Ishvara Pranidhana). Yogic philosophy tells us a kernel or seed
of the universal being dwells within our own hearts (jivatman). This is not really ‘God’ in the
western sense of a deity outside of ourselves, but rather an all pervading consciousness that is
within all animate and inanimate things.
Samadhi is the state of attaining a sense of union, in the case of Yoga, with the Universal
consciousness (purusha). Described as a state of supreme bliss, (Ananda) it is the outcome of
spiritual practice and following the dedicated Astanga path.
Since the basic premise of Astanga Yoga starts with our-selves intrinsically in a state of dis-unity, or
connection, and needing to work hard to attain re-connection/unity, it is known as a ‘dualistic’
school.
An example of a Yogic school that starts from the opposite basic premise - that we are innately
and always connected but seem to have forgotten is the ‘Advaita Vedanta’ school of Ramana
Marhashi. Needless to say many versions of these two basic ideas - dual and non-dual abound.
Philosophy
“Yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind”. - Patanjali
“While the process of yoga may seem complicated, the central theme is one of removing,
transcending or setting aside the obstacles, veils or false identities . . . eventually coming to rest in
our true nature”- Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati
The famous quote in the header from Patanjali’s Yoga sutras gives us almost all we really need to
know – stilling the fluctuations of the mind.
The first chapter of the Yoga sutras, (see resource section for pdf's) in particular the first four
sutra's, give Patanjalis description of what yoga is, elaborating on the first sentence quoted above.
Swami Jnaneshvara’s statement indicates that most us have a lot of contemplation and meditation
work to do on our-selves! . . .
Read more
“While the process of yoga may seem complicated, the central theme is one of removing,
transcending or setting aside the obstacles, veils or false identities . . . eventually coming to rest in
our true nature”- Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati
The famous quote in the header from Patanjali’s Yoga sutras gives us almost all we really need to
know – stilling the fluctuations of the mind.
The first chapter of the Yoga sutras, (see resource section for pdf's) in particular the first four
sutra's, give Patanjalis description of what yoga is, elaborating on the first sentence quoted above.
Swami Jnaneshvara’s statement indicates that most us have a lot of contemplation and meditation
work to do on our-selves! . . .
Read more
Patanjali |
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Patanjali, a famous Indian sage, was active around 200 B.C. and authored
important texts on medicine, grammar and yoga among others. His 196
verse ‘Yoga Sutras’ is possibly one of the most well-known of all yoga
texts and is widely studied.
Georg Feuerstein, a modern day authority on historical yoga, has this to say:
“Patanjali, who is by the way often wrongly called the “father of Yoga,” believed that
each individual is a composite of matter (prakriti) and spirit (purusha). He understood
the process of Yoga to bring about their separation, thereby restoring the spirit in its
absolute purity. His formulation is generally characterized as philosophical dualism. This
is an important point, because most of India’s philosophical systems favour one or other
kind of non-dualism: The countless aspects or forms of the
empirical world are in the last analysis the same “thing”—pure
formless but conscious existence”.
With his ‘yoga sutras’, Patanjali is also credited with presenting the
modern form of the famous ’eight-limb’ (ast-anga) path of classical
yoga. . .
Read more
important texts on medicine, grammar and yoga among others. His 196
verse ‘Yoga Sutras’ is possibly one of the most well-known of all yoga
texts and is widely studied.
Georg Feuerstein, a modern day authority on historical yoga, has this to say:
“Patanjali, who is by the way often wrongly called the “father of Yoga,” believed that
each individual is a composite of matter (prakriti) and spirit (purusha). He understood
the process of Yoga to bring about their separation, thereby restoring the spirit in its
absolute purity. His formulation is generally characterized as philosophical dualism. This
is an important point, because most of India’s philosophical systems favour one or other
kind of non-dualism: The countless aspects or forms of the
empirical world are in the last analysis the same “thing”—pure
formless but conscious existence”.
With his ‘yoga sutras’, Patanjali is also credited with presenting the
modern form of the famous ’eight-limb’ (ast-anga) path of classical
yoga. . .
Read more
Lifestyle |
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Human beings fall into various nations and cultures with greatly differing levels of lifestyle, education, religious beliefs, ethics and morals and philosophical views. Happiness, fulfillment, wisdom and love are rare. In our individually perceived but shared world, there are many popular trends and fashions. Status is very important to virtually everybody. Unfortunately, none of these really help us with deep, conscious living that has a base in inter-connection and interdependence. Both vitally needed aspects if we are to transcend today's extremely precarious and difficult global situation. The field of yoga encourages the qualities of kindness, empathy, truthfulness, tolerance, joy and fulfillment, caring and even abundance. As in Buddhism and other similar streams, non-attachment is such a vital key. The true and absolute way to align nonattachment in our lives is to up-root identification. Without identity, attachment collapses. . .
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Self Realization |
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Our world today is filled with incredible opportunity for finding our way to information and turning that into personal knowledge that has never been available before. However, the big danger that comes along with that potential, is that we don't take anything seriously enough - information is just a click or two away and most folk now-adays have lost sight of the enormous difference between real experiential knowing and just mass market information. So if we are truly interested in self-realization, we should know at the outset that the path of Yoga needs a very firm commitment and decision to do whatever it takes. Another formidable challenge that I see a lot of is folk making that substantial commitment, but it seems that they live for the path, for yoga, for their teacher, for the trendy vibe and many more exterior identities. . .
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Yoga Schools and Styles |
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Welcome to the Sacred Spiral introduction to Yoga Over the duration of the course you will learn What Yoga really is as opposed to all the many modern-day interpretations. We give you a good general view, including origins and history, lifestyle, living a ‘spiritual’ life, introduction to Meditation, Contemplation, physical work, Relaxation and breathing exercises. We also look briefly into the many different approaches and styles of Yoga currently active. I trust you will benefit greatly and enjoy the course and be motivated to take up a practice for yourself. What is Yoga? “Yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind”. - Patanjali “While the process of yoga may seem complicated, the central theme is one of removing, transcending or setting aside the obstacles, veils or false identities . . . eventually coming to rest in our true nature”- Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati The famous quote in the header from Patanjali’s Yoga sutras gives us almost all we really need to know – stilling the fluctuations of the mind. . .
Read more
Read more
Yoga terms - Philosophy |
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ONE HUNDRED SANSKRIT WORDS EVERY YOGI SHOULD KNOW
Yoga philosophy The yoga tradition has a long and rich history and has developed its own special vocabulary, which is mostly expressed through Sanskrit, one of the oldest living languages on Earth. Here are 100 Sanskrit words I think every yogi should be familiar with and be able to at least briefly define. I’m not asking you to do anything but look the list over and keep an eye out for these words as you do your reading over the next 10 months. You may disagree with some of my inclusions and look for words I missed or omitted. Feel free then to make your own list. NOTE: some of the words here may be transliterated differently in the texts you read; e.g. chitta = citta; shiva = siva; vritti = vrtti.
Please check the pdf for this external article. We will update shortly
Yoga philosophy The yoga tradition has a long and rich history and has developed its own special vocabulary, which is mostly expressed through Sanskrit, one of the oldest living languages on Earth. Here are 100 Sanskrit words I think every yogi should be familiar with and be able to at least briefly define. I’m not asking you to do anything but look the list over and keep an eye out for these words as you do your reading over the next 10 months. You may disagree with some of my inclusions and look for words I missed or omitted. Feel free then to make your own list. NOTE: some of the words here may be transliterated differently in the texts you read; e.g. chitta = citta; shiva = siva; vritti = vrtti.
Please check the pdf for this external article. We will update shortly
Sacred Texts
(Several pdf copies are available on the page)
Ancient Texts There are many ancient texts so I will mention only those most relevant to this course. For those interested enough there is a great website dedicated solely to 'Ancient Texts'. Hatha Yoga Pradipika The Hatha Yoga Pradipika is a medieval scripture written in 1350. The Nath Yogi Swatmarama is the author. The meaning of the title is interesting to consider if one wishes to begin to understand the book’s content. Pradipika means “light” or “to illuminate”, ha means “sun”, tha means “moon” and yoga or yug means to “join”. So the title suggests: light on how to join the sun and the moon, or another way we could say this would be: The low-down on how to go beyond all limitations posed by living in a mundane reality where Nature and Spirit are kept separate. When viewed from this perspective, hatha yoga is a tantric practice as it attempts to bring about a harmony between the two energies of life: the pranic and the mental. This pair can also be described as the shakti, or female, cool current which travels through the ida nadi, and the mind, or male, hot current which travels through the pingala nadi. When their union takes place in the central channel (sushumna nadi) it is the union of body and mind, and this is the awakening of higher consciousness. . .
Read more
Ancient Texts There are many ancient texts so I will mention only those most relevant to this course. For those interested enough there is a great website dedicated solely to 'Ancient Texts'. Hatha Yoga Pradipika The Hatha Yoga Pradipika is a medieval scripture written in 1350. The Nath Yogi Swatmarama is the author. The meaning of the title is interesting to consider if one wishes to begin to understand the book’s content. Pradipika means “light” or “to illuminate”, ha means “sun”, tha means “moon” and yoga or yug means to “join”. So the title suggests: light on how to join the sun and the moon, or another way we could say this would be: The low-down on how to go beyond all limitations posed by living in a mundane reality where Nature and Spirit are kept separate. When viewed from this perspective, hatha yoga is a tantric practice as it attempts to bring about a harmony between the two energies of life: the pranic and the mental. This pair can also be described as the shakti, or female, cool current which travels through the ida nadi, and the mind, or male, hot current which travels through the pingala nadi. When their union takes place in the central channel (sushumna nadi) it is the union of body and mind, and this is the awakening of higher consciousness. . .
Read more
Sanskrit
Why bother with Sanskit? The following is an excerpt from an article by Dr Paul Jerard Read the full article here “Yoga has been around for centuries; its roots founded in ancient India. As time and progress have brought Yoga to other parts of the world, it has evolved into many different things. It has become a way for people to maintain proper levels of physical fitness, a way to release stress and anxiety due to day-to-day life, and a way to find a deeper mind-body connection. While many of these philosophies and goals existed in ancient Yoga, the modern conveniences of our lives have changed it dramatically. In order to fully understand anything, it is crucial to get all the necessary background information. Sanskrit is the language in which Yoga originated. It is, therefore, an integral part of the deeper study of Yoga. When a teacher studies Yoga, it is extremely important to understand where it came from, as well as how it has changed. Yoga teachers should study and learn the Sanskrit names of all the postures and breathing exercises they intend to teach. This helps when you cross-reference with other Yoga teachers. Many of the Sanskrit names have deeper meanings, which enlighten us further as to the original purpose of each posture, technique, or breathing exercise. Although Yoga teachers need this essential knowledge, whether or not they choose to teach their students the Sanskrit names of all the poses is a personal choice. Some students may object to Sanskrit for religious reasons and some never seem to adapt to second languages. When faced with a diverse class of varying levels, a class of beginners, or a specialized class, perhaps they are not interested in the history behind Yoga. In that case, it might be better to use words in your native language to avoid confusion. You might mention the Sanskrit name in conjunction with the native word of your student’s first language, or offer to speak with anyone after class if they are interested in the Sanskrit names. Teaching Sanskrit is up to each individual Yoga instructor’s discretion. If you choose to delve into Sanskrit with your students, make sure you are pronouncing the words correctly, and giving correct knowledge about their meanings. This may require a bit of extra effort on the Yoga teacher’s part, but it is important not to give misinformation to the students”.
Sanskrit Glossary
Assignment - Category 1
1) Write up brief notes, approximately a page, on your 'off the cuff' knowledge of the origins and history of Yoga.
2) Write up some notes on what you understand to be the true meaning of Yoga. This may change later on and this is fine.
3) Could you write some notes on the philosophy of Yoga? If not, go back and read through again and then try a second time.
4) List at least 3, or more, sacred texts that are important to the field of Yoga. Have you read through any? If not, which text would you begin with? Patanjali's Yoga Sutra's is meant as a 'manual' for teachers and furthermore, we place a lot of emphasis on this text. So this is a good place to begin if you need some prompting.
5) Could you write some notes on your perceptions of how Yoga could help people generally with meaning in life and also how folk commonly live their lives (lifestyle).
6) Could you write down the Sanskrit names of the Asanas that you teach? Have you looked into our glossary? Just 'reading' a glossary can be most informative.
7) Can you write some notes on modern popular styles and schools? What are your thoughts on the overall world-wide trends and movement of Yoga?
2) Write up some notes on what you understand to be the true meaning of Yoga. This may change later on and this is fine.
3) Could you write some notes on the philosophy of Yoga? If not, go back and read through again and then try a second time.
4) List at least 3, or more, sacred texts that are important to the field of Yoga. Have you read through any? If not, which text would you begin with? Patanjali's Yoga Sutra's is meant as a 'manual' for teachers and furthermore, we place a lot of emphasis on this text. So this is a good place to begin if you need some prompting.
5) Could you write some notes on your perceptions of how Yoga could help people generally with meaning in life and also how folk commonly live their lives (lifestyle).
6) Could you write down the Sanskrit names of the Asanas that you teach? Have you looked into our glossary? Just 'reading' a glossary can be most informative.
7) Can you write some notes on modern popular styles and schools? What are your thoughts on the overall world-wide trends and movement of Yoga?
