iniquity (noun)
1. gross injustice or wickedness.
2. a violation of right or duty; wicked act; sin.
The Hatha Yoga system includes asana along with the six shatkarmas (physical and mental detox techniques), mudras and bandhas (psycho-physiological energy release techniques) and Pranayama (pranic awakening practices). Fine tuning of the human personality at increasingly subtle levels leads to higher states of awareness and meditation.
In an Iyengar class, poses (especially standing postures) are typically held much longer than in other schools of yoga, so that practitioners can pay close attention to the precise muscular and skeletal alignment this system demands. Also specific to Iyengar, which is probably the most popular type of yoga practiced in the United States, is the use of props, including belts, chairs, blocks, and blankets, to help accommodate any special needs such as injuries or structural imbalances.
"In forward bends, for example, if someone's hamstrings aren't flexible, he or she can use a prop to help extend the spine. The wall is often used for support in a variety of poses," explains Janet MacLeod, who teaches at the Iyengar Yoga Institute in San Francisco. "Using props gives the student support, allowing them more freedom to breathe deeply into the pose." For more information, visit www.iyisf.org."
- Not All Yoga is Created Equal, by Jennifer Cook, on Yoga Journal
The key to all styles of yoga is to get the fundamentals and form correct, this is where the props aid the student. There is more focus on symmetry and alignment and also meditation. Each pose is held for a longer amount of time than in most other yoga styles, developing a state of focused calm. Iyengar Yoga is meditation in action.
Benefits include toning muscles, eliminating tension and easing chronic pain. When we strengthen weak areas of ourselves and open and stretch tight ones, our bodies return to their correct alignment.
Practicing Iyengar yoga will give you a good knowledge of classic yoga poses so that whatever other style you practice, you will have the basic fundamentals of how to do each posture. The teacher focuses on alignment and inner awareness. Awareness starts with the body and expands to other parts of the self as one continues with the regularity of practice."
- Styles/ Types of Yoga, by author unknown, on yoga.org.nz
| 1. | When do you feel your best? In the morning During the afternoon and early evening Late at night <-- duh |
| 2. | You usually walk fairly fast, with long steps fairly fast, but with short, quick steps <-- mince, mince, mince less fast, head up, looking the world in the face less fast, head down very slowly |
| 3. | When talking to people, you stand with your arms folded have your hands clasped have one or both your hands on your hips <-- I'm a little teapot touch or push the person to whom you are talking play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair |
| 4. | When relaxing, you sit with your knees bent and your legs neatly side by side your legs crossed your legs stretched out or straight with one leg curled under you <-- yar |
| 5. | When something really amuses you, you react with a big, appreciative laugh <-- and possibly a snort a laugh, but not a loud one a quiet chuckle a sheepish smile |
| 6. | When you go to a party or social gathering, you make a loud entrance so everyone notices you make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know <-- make quietest possible entrance and try to stay unnoticed |
| 7. | You are working hard, concentrating hard. You are interrupted. You: welcome the break feel extremely irritated vary between these two extremes <-- just ask my housemates |
| 8. | Which of the following colors do you like most? red or orange black yellow or light blue green dark blue or purple white brown or gray <-- see above test |
| 9. | When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep, you lie: stretched out on your back stretched out face down on your stomach on your side, slightly curled <-- snuggled up to Brett's back with your head on one arm with your head under the covers |
| 10. | You often dream that you are falling fighting or struggling searching for something or somebody flying or floating <-- also a, b, and c but mostly d You usually have a dreamless sleep Your dreams are always pleasant |
| Other people see you as sensible, cautious, careful, and practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or too easily, but someone who is extremely loyal to the friends you do make and who expects the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you realize that it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but, equally, that it takes you a long time to get over it if that trust is broken.
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| 41-50 | Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting; someone who is constantly the center of attention, but sufficiently well balanced not to let it go to your head. They see you also as kind, considerate, and understanding; someone who will cheer them up and help them out. |
