Yoga Assists

Description

The founders of Jivamukti Yoga outline the fundamental principles of the assist, and how to apply them in practice and service to others. The benefits of both giving and receiving an assist-the extraordinary mind/body/spirit connection between yoga teacher and student-depend on knowing what an assist is, and fully understanding the method of Jivamukti itself. Though "corrections"-with teachers who fixed students' mistakes-had evolved to "adjustments," the world-renowned founders of the Jivamukti Yoga method recognized this still suggested that changes to one's technique were necessary. In this book, they use "assist" to communicate the idea of two beings interacting on various levels of consciousness to bring into focus the five central tenets of Jivamukti: Shastra (or scripture), devotion, nonviolence, music, and meditation. From cultivating trust and patience to final relaxation and massage, this step-by-step, fully illustrated guide-featuring dozens of asanas-explores the giving of yoga as an art, a flowing dance of body, breath, and energy between two connected beings. Whether we receive or give, an assist is an active process in the resolution of a relationship between teacher and student, a microcosm of the flowing interrelation among all people, and all species. Introduction Relationship The Power of Intention How to Use This Book The Lineage Principles of Assists Set the Intention, Focus A Moving Body Cultivate Trust and Patience Speak Up Demonstration Blocks, Belts, Blankets, Ropes, Bolsters, Walls, Beams, Etc. The Magic Touch Stop, Look, and Listen Establish the Seat Find Space – Move In Assist Energy Flow Isotonic and Isometric Strengthening Continuity Assist the Breath Standing Asana Assists Tadasana, Mountain or Samasthiti, Steady Standing Trikonasana, Triangle Virabhadrasana I, Warrior I Virabhadrasana II, Warrior II Utthita Parshvakonasana, Extended Side Angle Parshvottanasana, Standing Forward Bend Over One Leg Adho Mukha Shvanasana, Downward-Facing Dog Forward Bend Assists Pashchimottanasana, Seated Forward Bend Janushirshasana, Head of Knee Down Sukhasana Variation, Ankle to Knee Baddhakonasana, Bound Angle Upavishtha Konasana, Seated Straddle Forward Bend Twists Jathara Parivartanasana, Reclining Spinal Twist Parivritta Utkatasana, Rotated Awkward Ardha Matsyendrasana, Half Seated Spinal Twist Parivritta Trikonasana, Rotated Triangle Parivritta Utthita Hasta Padangushthasana, Moonrise Parivritta Utthita Parshvakonasana, Rotated Extended Side Angle Parivritta Vikasitakamalasana, Rotated Blossoming Lotus Konasana, Compass Back Bend Assists Bhujangasana, Cobra Urdhva Mukha Shvanasana, Upward-Facing Dog Shalabhasana, Locust Dhanurasana, Bow Ushtrasana, Camel Urdhva Dhanurasana, Upward-Facing Bow Inversion Assists Salamba Sarvangasana, Supported Shoulderstand Halasana, Plow Karnapidasana, Ear Press Bakasana, Crane Adho Mukha Vrikshasana, Downward-Facing Tree Pincha Mayurasana, Peacock Feather Shirshasana, Headstand Final Relaxation Assists Shavasana, Corpse Shavasana Massage for Neck, Face and Head Shavasana Massage for Hands Shavasana Massage for Feet Acknowledgments About the Authors