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YCB Level-1

Ashok Danole

Prepared By Ashok Danole for Level 1 1 Prepared By Ashok Danole for Level 1 2

1 Introduction to Yoga and Yogic Practices 2 Introduction to Yoga Texts

1.1 Yoga : Etymology, definitions, aim, objectives and 2.1 Introduction and study of PYS including memorization of
misconceptions. selected Sutras (Chapter I- 1-12).
1.2 Yoga : Its origin, history and development. 2.2 Introduction and study of BG including memorization of
1.3 Guiding principles to be followed by Yoga practitioners. selected Slokas (Chapter II -47, 48, 49, 50 and 70).
1.4 Principles of Yoga (Triguna, Antahkarana-chatustaya, Tri- 2.3 Introduction and study of Hathpradipika.
Sharira/ Panchakosha). 2.4 General Introduction to Prasthanatrayee.
1.5 Introduction to major schools of Yoga (Jnana, Bhakti, Karma, 2.5 Concepts and principles of Aahara (Diet) in HYP and BG
Patanjali, Hatha). (Mitahara and Yuktahara).
1.6 Introduction to Yoga practices for health and well being. 2.6 Significance of Hatha Yoga practices in health and well being.
1.7 Introduction to Shatkarma: meaning, purpose and their 2.7 Concept of mental wellbeing according to Patanjala Yoga.
significance in Yoga Sadhana. 2.8 Yogic practices of Patanjala Yoga: Bahiranga and Antaranga
1.8 Introduction to Yogic Sukshma Vyayama, Sthula Vyayama and
Yoga.
Surya Namaskara.
2.9 Concepts of healthy living in Bhagwad Gita.
1.9 Introduction to Yogasana: meaning, principles, health benefits.
2.10 Importance of subjective experience in daily Yoga practice.
1.10 Introduction to Pranayama and
Prepared By Ashok DanoleDhyana
for Level 1 and health benefits.
3 Prepared By Ashok Danole for Level 1 4

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3 Yoga for Health Promotion

3.1 Brief introduction to human body.
4A Practical - A. Demonstration Skills
3.2 Meaning and Means of health promotion and role of Yoga
in health promotion. 4.1 Prayer: Concept and recitation of Pranava.
3.3 Yogic positive attitudes ( Maîtri, Karuna, Mudita,Upeksha).
3.4 Concept of bhavas (Dharma, Jnana, Vairagya, Aishvarya) 4.2 Yoga Cleansing Techniques
and their relevance in well being.
3.5 Dincharya and Ritucharya with respect to Yogic life style. Knowledge of Dhauti, Neti and practice of Kapalabhati.
3.6 Holistic approach of Yoga towards health and diseases.
3.7 Introduction to First aid and Cardio Pulmonary 4.3 Yogic Sukshma Vyayama and Sthula Vyayama
Resuscitation (CPR).
3.8 Yogic management of stress and its consequences. a. Yogic Sukshma Vyayama
3.9 Yoga in prevention of metabolic and respiratory disorders.
3.10 Yoga for personality development. b. Yogic Sthula Vyayama
Prepared By Ashok Danole for Level 1 5 Prepared By Ashok Danole for Level 1 6

4A Practical - A. Demonstration Skills 4A Practical - A. Demonstration Skills

4.4 Yogic Surya Namaskara 4.6 Preparatory Breathing Practices
 Sectional breathing (abdominal, thoracic and clavicular)
4.5 Yogasana  Yogic deep breathing
Tadasana, Vrikshasana, Ardha Chakrasana, Padahastasana,
Kati Chakrasana, Trikonasana 4.7 Pranayama
 Dandasana, Sukhasana, Padmasana, Vajrasana,  Concept of Puraka, Rechaka and Kumbhaka
 Bhadrasana, Mandukasana, Ushtrasana, Shashankasana,  Anulmoa Viloma / Nadi Shodhana
Uttana Mandukasana  Sheetalee
 Paschimottanasana, Purvottanasana  Bhramari
 Vakrasana, Gomukhasana
 Bhujangasana, Shalabhasana, Makarasana 4.8 Understanding of Bandha
 Pavanamuktasana, Uttanapadasana, Ardha Halasana,
 Jalandhara Bandha
Setubandhasana
 Uddiyana Bandha
 Vipareetakarani, SaralPrepared
Matsyasana, Shavasana,
By Ashok Danole for Level 1 7
 Mula Bandha Prepared By Ashok Danole for Level 1 8

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4A Practical - A. Demonstration Skills 4B Practical - B. Teaching Skills

Essentials of good lesson plan: concepts,
needs, planning of teaching Yoga
4.9 Understanding of Mudra
 Hasta Mudras (chin, Chinmaya, Brahma, adi, jnana, Dhyana Principles of teaching Yoga protocol to
and Nasika) different groups
Preparation for a Yoga class
Factors influencing yoga teaching.
4.10 Practices leading to Meditation and Dhyana
 Recitation of Pranava & Soham Class management in Yoga: its meaning and
 Recitation of selected hymns needs.
 Body and breath awareness Conducting yoga practical lessons:
Precautions & Contraindications of practices
Prepared By Ashok Danole for Level 1 9  Models of ideal Yoga lesson plans
Prepared By Ashok Danole for Level 1 10

4A Practical - A. Demonstration Skills

4.1 Prayer: Concept and recitation of Pranava and hymns.
4.2 Yoga Cleansing Techniques
Knowledge of Dhauti, Neti and practice of Kapalabhati.
4.3 Yogic Sukshma Vyayama and Sthula Vyayama
a. Yogic Sukshma Vyayama (Micro Circulation Practices)
 Neck Movement
Griva Shakti Vikasaka ( I,II,III,IV)
 Shoulder Movement
Bhuja Valli Shakti Vikasaka
Purna Bhuja Shakti Vikasaka
 Trunk Movement
Kati Shakti Vikasaka (I, II, III, IV, V )
 Knee Movement
Jangha Shakti Vikasaka Prepared
(II-A&B
By Ashok)Danole for Level 1 11 Prepared By Ashok Danole for Level 1 12

Janu Shakti Vikasaka

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Prepared By Ashok Danole for Level 1 13 Prepared By Ashok Danole for Level 1 14

Prepared By Ashok Danole for Level 1 15 Prepared By Ashok Danole for Level 1 16

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Prepared By Ashok Danole for Level 1 17 Prepared By Ashok Danole for Level 1 18

Prepared By Ashok Danole for Level 1 19 Prepared By Ashok Danole for Level 1 20

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ान Dhyāna समािध Samādhi

Samādhi is ि पु िटभ Tripuṭibhaṅga
• Dhyāna or Meditation is a trifold process
• ि पु िट Tripuṭi – Meditator, Process, Object • Increased knowledge about the object
• Three things are necessary • JUMP: to higher level of consciousness

X
• तैलधारा वत् Tailadhārā vat
Meditator Object
Meditator Object
1 3
Process
Process
2

Introduction to Hatha Yoga Lecture One - Overview

• Hatha Yoga - its meaning
• Definition, aims and objectives of Hatha Yoga
• The origin of Hatha Yoga - Tantras
• Important Hatha Yogic Texts

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Introduction to Hatha Yoga Science of Hatha Yoga Practice

• The word “Hatha” can be translated in two ways: as • Purification by removing imbalance of Doshas
“willful” or “forceful,” • Balance of Ida and Pingala - Sympathetic and
Parasympathetic systems
• The yoga of activity, “sun” (ha) and “moon” (tha) - • Though Hatha Yoga practices have their therapeutic
the yoga of balance. (Pingala and Ida)
benefits, they are not exclusively meant for therapy.
• It helps a fit person to progress towards the highest
• Hatha practices are designed to align and calm your
goal of life, i.e., self-realization.
body, mind, and spirit in preparation for meditation.

Aims and Objectives

Swathmarama’s Hatha Yoga Pradipika
•Kriyas bring about purification (shodhana) of the body

•Asanas make the body strong (drdhata) and disease–free (arogyam) Four 4 important steps/limbs
•Pranayama practices make the body light (laghavam) of body 1. Âsana
•Mudras and bandhas to steadiness (sthairyam) 2. Prânâyâma
•Meditation to spiritual absorption or liberation. 3. Mudras
4. Nâdânusamdhâna.

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Gheranda Samhita - Saptanga 7 Yoga Important Hatha Yoga Texts

zaexnm! †FtaíEv StEyRxEy¡ c la"vm!,

àTy]m! c inilRÝí "qSy sÝsaxnm!.

Shiva Samhita
author is unknown, means ‘Siva’s compendium
1. Shatkarma – Purification of the body zaexnm
Hatha Yoga Pradipika
2. Asanas – Strength/firmness of the body †Fta 15th century in Sanskrit by Swami Swatmarama
3. Mudras – Steadiness of the body StEyR Hatha Rathnavali
4. Pratyahara – Attaining courage xEy¡ Srinivasa Maha Yogindra Bhatta - 1625 and 1695 A.D.
5. Pranayama – Lightness of the body (la"vm!) Gheranda Samhita
6. Dhyana – Direct perception of the atman àTy]m Gheranda’s Compendium - 17th century
7. Samadhi – Detachment/isolation. inilRÝ

Lecture 2 - Overview Do’s and Don’ts

• Dos and Don’ts to be followed by the Hatha Yoga hwiv*a pr< gaePya yaeigna isiÏimCDta,
Practitioner. ÉveÖIyRvtI guÝa inivRyaR tu àkaizta.
hathavidyä paraà gopyä yoginä siddhimicchatä|
• concept of Matha (Ideal Place for Sadhana)
bhavedvéryavaté guptä nirviryä tu prakäçitä||
• concept of Mitahara, Pathya (conducive) and
Apathya (non-conducive). Hatha yoga is the greatest secret of the yogis who wish
to attain perfection (siddhi). Indeed, to be fruitful, it
• Causes of Success (Sadhaka Tatva) and Causes of
must be kept secret; revealed it becomes powerless.
Failure (Badhaka Tatva) in Hatha Yoga Sadhana.

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Do’s and Don’ts

An ideal place for Sadhana
viûôIpiwsevnmadaE vjRnmacret!, suraJye xaimRke deze suiÉ]e inépÔve,
xnu> àma[pyRNt< izlai¶ jlvijRte,
twa gae]Rvcn< - vjRyet! ÊjRnàNt< viûôIpiwsevnm!, àat> @kaNte miQka mXye SwatVy< hQyaeigna.
õanaepvasaid kay¬ezivix< twa.
Fire, women and long pilgrimages should The hatha yogi should live alone in a hermitage
be avoided. Therefore and practice in a place the length of a bow
Gorakhnath said: Bad company, mixing (one and a half meters), where there is no
hazard from rocks, fire or water, and which is
with women, bathing in the early in a well-administered and virtuous kingdom
morning, fasting and tasks which produce (nation or town) where good alms can be
pain in the body should be avoided. easily attained.

Concept of Matha
Concept of Mitahara
Mitâhâra, the Measured Food

This is the description of the yoga hermitage as prescribed suiõGx-mxurahar> ctuwa¡z-ivvijRt>,

by the siddhas for the hatha yoga practitioners. ÉuJyte izv-sMàITyE imtahar> s %Cyte. 60.
The room of sadhana should have a small door, without
aperture (window), holes or cracks, being neither too
high nor too low. It should be spotlessly clean, wiped Mitahara is defined as agreeable and sweet food
with cow manure and free from animals or insects.
(nutritious, sweet, lubricating and of one’s liking)
Outside, there should be an open platform with a
thatched roof, a well and a surrounding wall (fence). leaving one fourth of the stomach free, and eaten
The appearance of the hermitage should be pleasant. (as an offering to please Shiva)

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Qualities of Apathya Food

Qualities of Pathya Food
Éaejnmiht< iv*at! punrSyae:[I-k«t< ê]m!,
può< sumxur< iõGx< gVy< xatu-àpae;[m!,
Aitlv[mMlyu´< kdzn-zakaeTk< vJyRm!.||1.60 ||
mnaeiÉli;t< yaeGy< yaegI Éaejnmacret!. || 1.63||
Eating food which is bitter, sour, pungent, salty or
hot, green vegetables, sour gruel, oil, mustard,
The yogi should take nourishing and sweet food
and sesame, and consuming alcohol, fish, meat,
mixed with, ghee and milk; it should nourish the
curds, buttermilk, kulattha, berries, oil cakes,
dhatus (basic body constituents) and be pleasing
asafetida, garlic, etc. are said to be bad for a yogi.
and suitable.

Causes of Success Causes of Success

(Sadhaka Tattwa) in Hatha Yoga Sadhana (Sadhaka Tattwa) in Hatha Yoga Sadhana
• Enthusiasm (Utsah): “A positive attitude, constant
%TsahaTsahsaÏEyaRt! tTv-}anaí iníyat!, inspiration and the idea of attaining perfection.” Every day
should seem like the first day of practice. This
jn-s¼-pirTyagaT;ifœÉyaeRg> àisÏ(it. || 1.16|| spontaneously generates perseverance.
• Courage (Sahas): “Courage to face the inner visions and
Enthusiasm, perseverance, discrimination, realizations as they dawn”.
unshakeable faith, courage, avoiding the • Perseverance (Dhairya): No matter what happens one
company of common people, are the (six causes) should practice this regularly.
which bring • Discriminative knowledge (Tattvajnana): “Everything a
person does in every aspect of his life should be conducive
success in yoga. to his sadhana.”

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Causes of Success Causes of Failure

(Sadhaka Tattwa) in Hatha Yoga Sadhana (Badhaka Tattwa) in Hatha Yoga Sadhana

ATyahar> àyasí àjLpae inyma¢h>,

• Determination (Nischaya): “Resolve to carry on the
practice under all circumstances.” jn-s¼í laELy< c ;ifœÉyaeRgae ivnZyit.

Atyähäraù prayäsaçca Prajalpo niyamägrahaù |

• Aloofness from company (Janasangha parityaga): “It is Jana-saìgaçca laulyaà ca Ñaòbhiryogo vinaçyati ||1.15||
better to stay away from social interactions and negative
influences, but do not consider others to be inferior.” • Overeating, exertion, talkativeness, adhering to rules, being
in the company of common people and unsteadiness
(wavering mind) are the six (causes) which destroy yoga.

Causes of Failure Causes of Failure

(Badhaka Tattwa) in Hatha Yoga Sadhana (Badhaka Tattwa) in Hatha Yoga Sadhana
• Atyâhâra (Over-eating): Having more food than the apetite is • Janasângha: Being in people’s company is
called atyâhâra. A yogi should forfeit this habit. ‘janasângha’. This disturbs a Hatha yogi, because the
• Prayâsa (exertion): Exceeding certain limits in labour, whether it people’s company arouses feelings, like lust, anger,
is physical or mental or oral. This should be avoided by a yoga
practitioner. love, hate, misery, and ego, etc.
• Prajalpa (talkativeness): Exceeding the limit in speech is
called ‘prajalpa’ or ‘bahubhâshana’. • Laulya (fickle-mindedness): Capricious behavior of
• Niyamagraha (adhering to rules): the senses is called ‘laulya.’ There are ten senses in a
Adhering to some traditional rules and regulations is niyamagraha. human being.
I. wanting to take cold bath, bathing very early in the morning.
II. stick to having only fruits or milk or any other particular food.
III. If the condition is not fulfilled, then the practice of yoga is hindered.

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PRANAYAMA

• HATHA YOGA SCHOOL  PATANJALI SCHOOL

• KUMBHAKA  NO KUMBHAKA
• BHANDHAS  NO BANDHAS
• GURU  NO DANGER SAFE PATH
• RISKY
THANK YOU

05-Dec-2015 46

सू यभे द ाणायम
Sūryabheda Prāṇāyama

* Inhale through right nostril, exhale

through left nostril.

ASTAKUMBHAK
Benefits:
* Good for people with Kapha prakruti, asthma etc
* Helpful for curing depression and over weight
* Helpful to overcome shyness and tamas (lethargy)
* Hyper active people (Rajasic) should avoid this

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उ ािय ाणायम Cooling Prāṇāyama practice

Ujjāyi Prāṇāyama
शी ारी ाणायम
Śītkārī Prāṇāyama
* Breathing through nose slowly with awareness * Inhale through mouth, exhale
by making a sound in the throat region. through nose.

Benefits: * As the air moves through the tongue and mouth, it creates a
* Helps for pointed awareness cooling effect on the inner surfaces of the mouth.
* Strengthens the muscles of epiglottis
* Helpful for tonsillitis, sore throat and asthma * Expansion from linear to surface awareness

Cooling Prāṇāyama practice

BHASTRIKA
शीतली ाणायम
Śītalī Prāṇāyama • Bellows breath
• Place both hand on the knee go for force full
* Inhale through the tongue, exhale Inhale through both nostrils and force full
slowly through the nose. Exhalation both nostrils
* Feel the jet of cool air
• Limitation – BP, IHD, Hernia, Gastric Ulcer,
Epilepsy, Kidney problem, Glaucoma, Vertigo,
* An overall cooling effect is observed
Asthma, chronic bronchitis, Tuberculosis, first
* Expansion from pointed to linear awareness pregnancy.

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Laya Prāṇāyama practice

Benefits
ामरी ाणायम
• De-toxins the body, balance the three Doshas, Bhrāmarī Prāṇāyama
post labour it is good for women. It balance
and strengthen the nervous system, Mind get * Inhale fully, while exhaling produce
the humming sound of a female bee. (Singgggg...)
ready for meditation * Key is to produce resonance
* Sound frequency = Natural frequency of the body

Benefits:
* Helps to move from surface to 3D awareness
* Calms down the mind (Mano vega)
* Restlessness can be reduced

MOORCHA PLAVANI
• Meaning Swooning or fainting breath • Lightness of the body, Floating of the body
• Inhalation and push back the head observe • Inhalation gulping the air and exhalation
eyebrow centre and bring the head and exhale normally.
normally.
• Limitation – IHD, BP, Epilepsy.
• Benefit-Helps to release stress, anxiety, anger
and neurosis, increase the vital level,
Preparation technique for meditation.

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BANDHA
• Means lock
• BANDHAs are NEURO-MUSCULAR LOCKS
• Literally means ‘to bind’ , ‘to hold captive’ or
BANDHA ‘to contract’
• Opposite poles of energy or shakti are bound
together
• Through contraction of muscles & organ in the
physical body, the shakti is accumulated into a
particular center

TYPES OF BHANDAS BENEFITS - BANDH

JALANDHARA (Chin Lock)
• By contracting the perineum,
UDDIYANA (Abdominal Lock)
MOOLA (Rectum Lock) performing uddiyana & locking
ida & pingala with jalandhara,
sushumna becomes active
• The prana & breath become still.
Thus death, old age & sickness
are conquered

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MUDRA MUDRA
• MUDRAs are gestures or expressions. Their • Specific body position which channelizes the
use has been mentioned in Vedic energy produced by asana & pranayama
Period,Tantra,Temple Worship,Dance (Mukha • It must be kept secret
or Face, Hasta or Hand & Pada or Feet • ASANA MUDRAs: YOGA-MUDRA (yoga-
Mudras) and Yoga (Asana, Pranayama, dhyana, mudrasana), MAHA-MUDRA (Janu-
Kriya and shakti Mudras). sirasana),VIPARITA-KARANI etc.
• SOME MUDRAs: MEENA (fish), KURMA • PRANAYAMA MUDRAs: CHIN, CHINMAYA.
(tortoise), VIHANGA (bird)etc. ADI.BRAHMA, NASIKA, VISHNU, SHANMUKHI

BENEFITS - MUDRAS
TYPES OF MUDRAS
MAHA MUDRA •Purify the body, bio
MAHA VEDHA MUDRA magnetic field & shield
KHECHARI MUDRA
VIPAREETA KARANI MUDRA from negative forces
SHAKTI CHALANA MUDRA
SHAMBHAVI MUDRA •Helps in developing the
concentration while
practicing

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3.5 Dincharya Ratricharya

Ayurvedic approach to Lifestyle
Categorized into 3 parts:
Dincharya ~ िदनचया (Diet and regimen for
• THANKS
the daytime)
 Ratricharya ~ raiÇचया (Diet and regimen for
the night)
 Ritucharya ~ ऋतु चया (Seasonal Diet and
regimen) and Sandhikal (diet instructions for
the joint period of two seasons)

(Regimen - a prescribed course of diet )

Prepared By Ashok Danole for Level 1 66

3.5 Dincharya Ratricharya 3.5 Dincharya Ratricharya

Dincharya: Dincharya (Contd.):
EARLY RISING: Wake up during Brahma muhurta ( 3 to 6 am); Vyayma (Exercise)
approximately 2 hours before sunrise  Snanam (Bath)
CLEANLINESS:  Satsanga
 Brush teeth  Meditation
 Gargling with either hot or cold liquid  Balanced diet
 Gandusha – fill mouth with ¾ capacity with fluid, hold without  Swadhyaya
movement till nose and eyes starts watering  Rest & sleep
 Kavala – fill mouth to half capacity with fluid, move it briskly and spit
quickly  Vegas to be controlled
 Clean tongue •Suppressible urges are lobha, shoka, bhaya, krodha, irshya, lajja and
 Eliminate the body’s waste products - empty the colon & bladder atiraga
 Anjanam  Vegas NOT to be controlled
 Nasyam • Non suppressible urges are urine, faeces, flatus, vomit, sneeze,
 Dhoompaan yawn, belching, tears, hunger and thirst. If they are suppressed they
 Abyanga (Massage ) cause various diseases
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3.5 Dincharya Ratricharya 3.4 Concept of bhavas (Dharma, Jnana, Vairagya,

Ratricharya : Aishvarya) and their relevance in wellbeing.
THE 4 BHAVAS
 Take light, easily digestible, favorable food at night The paths of Bhavas lead to the ultimate goal of `moksha`
 Don’t take full meal at night .Literally the word `Bhava` stands for feeling or attitude.
 Walking (100 steps) before going to bed. In context of Yogic studies, Bhava indicates a
 Pray God before going to bed complementary attitude for a given technique or concept.
 Massage the soles of your feet with oil before going to bed These Bhavas, thus, play a very important role in the path
to induce sound sleep
of Yoga. Regular and repeated practice of these
 Sleep in a comfortable, wide, smooth bed that should be
techniques slowly enhances the accompanying `Bhava` in
high up to the knee level
 Head should be towards east or south direction & feet one`s personality.
should not be towards God or teacher These Bhavas that people come across in the Yogic
 Go to bed within first prahara of night before 10pm (within path train them to achieve higher levels of
3 hours after sunset)
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spirituality. Prepared By Ashok Danole for Level 1 70

3.4 Concept of bhavas (Dharma)

Dharma Bhavas
 Is the attitude when the individual gets deeply
engrossed in religious thoughts and practices.
The word Dharma also means Duty. It is necessary for an
individual to comprehend the priorities in life and then act
accordingly. It is said that one, who is always on the path of
Dharma, is saved from all sorts of pains and sufferings.
Yoga is also believed to outline a hierarchy of duties;
one`s first duty is to self, then family and friends, place of
work, society and finally, humanity in general.
Neglecting this hierarchy, leads to several disagreements
and problems at the intra and inter-personal level.
All meditative yoga asanas belong to the Dharma Bhava conception.
All meditative yoga asanas belong to the Dharma
Bhava conception. Sutra 1.2 of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: “Yoga Chitta Vritti Nirodha”.
Prepared By Ashok Danole for Level 1 71 Prepared By Ashok Danole for Level 1 72

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3.4 Concept of bhavas (Dharma, 3.4 Concept of bhavas (Dharma,

Jnana Bhava Jnana Bhava
It is the feeling when a person reaches the stage of The components of Jnana Bhava are complete
ultimate knowledge. In Yoga, `Jnana` refers to awareness concentration, co-ordination, training of senses, breath
and knowledge. awareness, control, balance and so on.
According to ancient Indian philosophy, all that an
individual needs to know and understand for a meaningful
life is actually present within the self.
However, `Maya` or illusion keeps pulling people into the
external world. Thus they remain busy with the outside
world, looking for a purpose and meaning. This leads to a Konasan
state of confusion and frustration. Jnana Bhava in Yoga can Sutra 2.6 of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: “Drk-
be instrumental in solving such problems. Jnana begins Darsanasaktyoh-Ekatmata-Iva-Asmita”
with awareness about self, at all levels physical, mental, Yoga asanas involving upward and sideward stretches,
emotional and spiritual. asanas for extremities of the body and `pranayams`
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adhere to the conception of Jnana Bhava.
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3.4 Concept of bhavas

The forward bending yoga asanas, head-low postures and asanas
Vairagya Bhavas involving twist of the spinal cord have been classified under the
is widely understood as renunciation. This Bhava actually conception of Vairagya Bhava.
refers to detachment.
For a householder, fulfilling his duties towards his own
family is very important and renunciation does not
necessarily mean detachment.
Vairagya Bhava actually leads a householder to a state of
being `in the world but not of the world`.
The elements of Vairagya Bhava are humility, objectivity,
reducing the ego, `let-go` attitude, surrender and so on.
All forward bending asana like yoga mudra,
chakrasana, Paschimottanasana help.
Sutra 1.16 of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: “Tatparam Purusakhyateh
Prepared By Ashok Danole for Level 1 75 Gunavaitrshnyam” Prepared By Ashok Danole for Level 1 76

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3.4 Concept of bhavas (Dharma,

Aiswarya Bhava The Kriyas and all the yoga asanas involving
is the stage when the individual has already backward bending of the spine aid in achieving
accomplished the earlier three Bhavas, namely Dharma, Aiswarya Bhava.
Jnana and Vairagya.
Aiswarya Bhava depicts the feeling of achievement,
satisfaction, knowledge yet being humble. All these
elements are helpful in boosting one`s confidence level. In
fact, the confidence that the person may not have attained
during the first three Bhavas, he obtains it at this stage.
This Bhava is difficult to understand theoretically, but is
easier to experience through determination and faith.
The components of Aishwarya are confidence, self-
reliance, sense of achievement and so on. Sutra 1.13 of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: “Tatra sthitau –yatnaḥ
The Kriyas and all the yoga asanas involving backward abhyāsaḥ”
bending of the spine aid in achieving Aiswarya Bhava. 77
Prepared By Ashok Danole for Level 1 Prepared By Ashok Danole for Level 1 78

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