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The
Seven-Limbed Hatha Yoga System
FIRST LIMB: SHAT KARMAS (Six
Cleansing Actions) |
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The Shat
Karmas are derived from the branch of Ayurvedic
purification techniques known as Pancha Karma (five
cleansing actions devised approximately 500 B.C.E)
were developed as a means to purify and strengthen
the physical body, extend the lifespan, remove
disease and render the body a more appropriate
vehicle for the expression of higher consciousness.
They include: Neti (nasal cleansings); Dhauti
(tissue cleansing for eyes, ears, tongue, forehead,
esophagus, stomach, rectum and anus); Nauli
(abdominal self massage); Basti, (yogic enema);
Trataka (gazing steadily upon an object such as a
candle flame, mandala (circle) or yantra (precisely
calculated geometrical symbol) or chakra; Kapalbhati
(skull shining – purifying the frontal region of the
brain by rapid breathing through the nostrils). Some
of the Shat Karma practices are done daily, others
are done according to time, season or individual
needs. |
SECOND LIMB: ASANA (Posture)
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Asana
literally means “seat”. A steady and comfortable
meditative pose; Also a specific position of the
body which channels prana (life force) by opening
the nadis (energy channels) and chakras (pranic/psychic
vortex in the body) and removing granthis, (pranic/psychic
knots in the subtle energy body.) |
THIRD LIMB: PRANAYAMA (Breath
Control) |
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Pranayama is techniques of breathing and breath
retention that increase the pranic energy. The word
is composed of two Sanskrit words, prāna, life
force, or vital energy, particularly, the breath,
and “āyāma”, to lengthen or extend. It is often
translated as control of the life force. |
FOURTH
LIMB: MUDRA (Gesture) |
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Mudra is
a gesture or position, usually of the hands, that
locks and guides energy flow and reflexes to the
brain. By curling, crossing, stretching and touching
the fingers and hands, we can talk to the body and
mind as each area of the hand reflexes to a certain
part of the mind or body |
FIFTH LIMB: PRATYAHARA (Sense
Withdrawal) |
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Pratyahara is the first stage of concentrating the
mind by withdrawing attachment away from the five
senses. At this stage, the consciousness of the
individual is internalized in order that the
sensations from the five senses (taste, touch,
sight, hearing and smell) don’t reach their
respective centres in the brain. With this, the
sadhaka (disciple) is free to mediate without
distractions. |
SIXTH LIMB: DHARANA
(Concentration) |
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Dharana
is the initial step of deep concentrative
meditation, where the object being focused upon is
held in the mind without consciousness wavering from
it. The object of meditation, the meditator,and the
act of meditation remain separate. The meditator or
the meditator’s meta-awareness is conscious of the
act of meditation on an object or his or her own
self which is concentrating on the object. |
SEVENTH LIMB: DHYANA
(Meditation) |
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Dhyana
is one-pointed absorption of the mind through
concentration on an object of meditation such as a
form, thought or sound. As the meditator becomes
more advanced, consciousness of the act of
meditation disappears and only the consciousness of
being/existing and the object of concentration exist
in the mind. |
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Mission Statement:
"Yoga Therapy of
Michigan integrates the ancient wisdom of Classical
Yoga, Hatha Yoga and Ayurveda, to facilitate the
continuum of self healing from dis-harmony to vitality
by serving both the individual and the professional,
through guidance, practice and education." |
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Yoga Therapy
of Michigan is easily accessed from West Bloomfield,
Bloomfield Hills, Wixom, Brighton, Birmingham,
Southfield, Oak Park, Commerce Twp., Novi, Farmington Hills,
Farmington, Beverley Hills, Berkley, Royal Oak, and
other locations in Oakland Country, Wayne County, and
Livingston County. |
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reserved.
www.yogatherapy-om.com
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