In a modern world where Yoga has been
equated to mere physical postures with a little breath
manipulation and so called mediation, Swamiji's contribution
to the development of Yoga in the past century and his
codification of the ancient teachings in a modern scientific
manner is unparalleled. Swamiji's teachings like him are
huge and seemly never ending in their depth. I am presenting
some of the core concepts that I feel are a unique feature
of this tradition that is now known as Gitananda Yoga or
Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga tradition.
1. YOGA IS A WAY OF LIFE
Yoga is not something you do but a way of life to be
lived 60/60/24/7/365/x. This requires a lot of
introspection, consciousness, awareness, dedication and
determination. Easy to say, tough to do but Swamiji showed
us how and it is unto us to follow him.
2. CREATE GURUS NOT FOLLOWERS
Swamiji never wanted to have a huge number of students or a
huge million strong organisation. He was more interested in
bringing out the potential inherent in each one of his
students even if they later hated him for it! Each and every
one of Swamiji's students is the best they could have been
in this lifetime. Each is an individual and Swamiji brought
out the best in each one. No stereotyping or mass mould
production at all. Swamiji made them so aware of their
Divine nature that many times they forgot him!!
3. BREATH IS LIFE
No other system comes close to Swamiji in terms of the vast
repertoire and depth of his Pranayama teachings. Starting
with the Vibhagha Pranayama and then step by step building
up to more than 120 intricate Pranayamas is done is a manner
that Prana, that vital cosmic catalyst fills every cell with
life and light.
4. NO OPTION YOGA
Swamiji termed Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga as the No Option
Yoga and placed great importance on a deep understanding of
the Yamas and Core principles of Gitananda Yoga by Dr Ananda
Balayogi Bhavanani (2006) Niyamas which are the firm
foundation upon which the real Yoga life can be built. "You
wouldn't build a colossal building without a foundation but
you want to do it with Yoga?" he would ask numerous easy
going aspirants who wanted some 'quick fix' Yoga.
5. STEP-BY-STEP APPROACH
Every aspect of Swamiji teachings follows a step by step
structured approach that is easy to follow and methodical.
Emphasis is placed on learning and re-learning the
proceeding steps and then proceeding further. No shortcut
please was his refrain for it is always better to be slow
and steady than fast and sorry. The emphasis is on growing
into the practice rather then forcing oneself into it and
that is why the use of props and other contraptions that
make Yoga so costly today have never been part of this
tradition.
6. LOVE FOR INDIAN CULTURE
The major problem facing Yoga in the West is the fact that
Yoga has been cleaved away from Indian Culture (Sanathana
Dharma). Without an understanding of the Indian (Hindu)
culture and the way of life where Yoga originated, it is
very difficult to find answers to many of the questions that
confront the sincere seeker. Swamiji tried to inculcate in
all students a deep love and understanding of the culture
from which Yoga has sprung. Amma has continued this with her
unique contribution to the cultural renaissance in
Pondicherry as well as all over the world.
7. BOUNTIFUL PRACTICES
Scores and scores of practices and techniques are part of
this tradition that has numerous Hatha Yoga, Laya Yoga and
Jnana Yoga practices for the sincere aspirant. Polarity
practices and the Mantra Laya deserve special mention as
also the Laya Yoga Kriyas. The intricate and in-depth
understanding of Chakras, Nadis and Bindus etc from the
Dakshina Marga Tantra tradition of Yogamaharishi Swami
Kanakananda Brighu is not found elsewhere in any system.
8. YANTRA, IN TUNE WITH NATURE
In this Paramparai there are three important sciences,
namely Mantra, Yantra and Tantra. Yantra is the mystical
science of number, name and form and is a method by which
one can live to learn "in tune" with the cycles of the
universe rather than be "off tune" with those very cycles.
According to the Yantric concept as taught by Swamiji each
number has a special quality to it and is not merely a
measure of quantity as is usually Core principles of
Gitananda Yoga by Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani (2006)
presumed. Every aspect of life goes through a phase of
Nines. This phase may be nine years, nine months, nine weeks
or even nine days. This concept can be further extended both
ways to go up to nine milliseconds on one hand and nine
lifetimes on the other.
9. MUDRAS, DIVINE COMMUNICATION
One of the main features of the Gitananda tradition is the
detailed exposition and understanding of Mudra, the ancient
Yogic art and science of gesturing and sealing vital Pranic
energies. These advanced techniques designed to improve
neuromuscular coordination, culture human emotions and still
the restless mind are a means of non-verbal communication
that is subtle and refined. They enable us to communicate
intrapersonally with our inner self, interpersonally with
others and transpersonally with the Divine. The Oli Mudra
teachings as well as the usage of Hastha Mudras with the
breath in Vibhagha and Pranava Pranayamas are unique to this
tradition.
Swamiji was in tune with the Akashic
record and there is no other way one can explain the
phenomenal and limitless knowledge and wisdom that sprouted
forth through his eloquent roar of truth. May we always be
worthy of these great teachings and may his blessings always
be with us as we traverse the evolutionary path he
envisioned for us.
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