A strategy for approaching Ashtanga practice for Kidney stone formers. But perhaps not JUST for Kidney stone formers

Includes:
Kidney Stone Risk Greatly Increases in Summer Months
Should only Kidney stone forming Ashtangi's be concerned?
What should you drink and how much?
Why did I form kidney stones...again ?
Is this what's caused my Kidney stone formation this time, my sweaty Ashtanga practice?
Ashtangi's we love to sweat, it's part of the practice, no. No?
Does sweating remove toxins from the body?
My sweaty Ashtanga practice
My LESS sweaty Ashtanga practice
Hydrate more
A strategy for approaching Ashtanga practice for Kidney stone formers, but perhaps not just for Kidney stone formers

*Apologies in advance to the cut and paste nature of this post, I can't currently sit up for more than half an hour at a time (was ten minutes at one point) and have stitched this together over the weekend, apologies too if I don't respond to any comments right away. I'm doing so much reading and thinking on this topic while I'm stuck in bed that I wanted to post it while it's fresh in my mind.

*this is just a blog remember, not a medical journal and I'm an enquiring Ashtanga Vinyasa practitioner not a teacher

Magnified calcium oxalate stone

"Kidney Stone Risk Greatly Increases in Summer Months

INDIANAPOLIS – “I’m sweating like a pig!” We have all made that comment at some point in our lives and summer is the season of sweat. BUT, for folks with kidney stones, “sweat” spells “dehydration”. Dehydration affects urine output, which is a problem for kidney stone formers.

Now, urine isn’t usually a topic of proper social conversation, but for those who form urinary stones, it’s a critical concept. When the body is dehydrated, the kidneys conserve water by making urine that is concentrated, and concentrated urine sets up a cascade for stone crystal formation.

According to Dr. James Lingeman, co-director of the International Kidney Stone Institute, “The focus in stone prevention is not the amount of fluid consumed, but rather the amount of urine produced. In the summer months, extra intake is necessary to counteract the season’s dehydrating effects. I tell patients they should never pass up a drinking fountain!” The International Kidney Stone Institute

After practice

Should only Kidney stone forming Ashtangi's be concerned?

This is a general health issue, Weigh yourself directly before practice then again afterwards to see the quantity of fluid you have lost through sweating. When you pass urine following your practice, consider the quantity, the colour, particularly in the morning but also throughout the day.

"What should you drink and how much?

It is probably the volume of fluid drunk that is important and water is of coarse cheap and safe. The aim is to drink sufficient fluid to ensure that your urine is dilute and therefore less likely to allow crystallization of a stone. Whether your local mains water is hard or soft does not influence you risk of further stones. Clearly it is difficult to determine exactly how much fluid one should drink to meet the required urine output. A useful rule of thumb is the colour of the urine. You should aim for a very light coloured or nearly clear urine (champagne coloured) at all times throughout the day and any darkening (towards the colour of lucozade) should be a trigger for you to drink more fluid. Be particularly careful in situations where you may become dehydrated i.e. exercise, hot weather, long flights, in air-conditioned rooms, hot offices and factories". www.urologypartners.co.uk

good

not so good

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WHY DID I FORM KIDNEY STONES.... AGAIN?

When you have, or rather form, Kidney stones the doctors ask you to try to catch the stone as it eventually comes out (a tea strainers works well, fits in the pocket, and you can take it anywhere), they want to test the stone to see what variety it is, it's make up. My stones tend to be calcium oxalate. Then they give you a list of things you should limit or cut out of your diet altogether.

FROM HERE

See this even more detailed breakdown of The Oxalate Content of Food (Thank-you Chiara) if you happen to have stones of the Calcium oxalate variety

http://www.ohf.org/docs/Oxalate2008.pdf

Rhubarb: The first time I had kidney stones was ten years or so ago, it was probably due to Rhubarb. We were surprised to find we had some growing in the garden of the house we were renting. Rhubarb reminded me of my childhood, I ate a lot of it that summer. Rhubarb is turns out is HIGH in oxalate.

Spinach was probably on the list they gave me after that first time but I was a meat eater then and not a fan of anything green, I probably didn't even register it.

A few years later I discovered Ashtanga, became a vegetarian and when green smoothies became the rage I jumped on the band waggon, those with spinach in where my favourite. I was having a green smoothie with spinach every day. Go, healthy me!

Spinach too however is HIGH in oxalate

The excess of spinach was probably the cause of my second kidney stones experience.

But what caused me to form kidney stones this time?

I've been relatively mindful of what was on the list, avoided spinach and rhubarb obviously....God, just noticed eggplant is on the list, bugger, love aubergines. Still, I haven't gone overboard on them recently or anything else on the list. If you ever have Kidney stones you DON'T want to have them again certainly not a third or indeed a fourth time.

So I've been doing some googling and came across an article on the connection between Kidney stones and sweating, I've quoted from it at the top of the post and included the article at the bottom of the post.

Is this what's caused my Kidney stone formation this time, my sweaty Ashtanga practice?

Ashtangi's we love to sweat, it's part of the practice, no. No?

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Eddie Stern Workshop

"Tapas means to burn, it is the purification on a physical level due to the heat created by the asana practice, through the sweat we remove the impurities. Tapas can also be translated as discipline which should give a sense of calmness, of smoothness in the body and in the sense's organs, but if we are too rigid, too obsessed, it can turn up in a "pathological disturbance".

Boiling the Blood - David Robson

"In Ashtanga, we sweat a lot. Following the vinyasa system, we jump back and forth between postures and between sides. That creates a lot of heat. And then there’s the internal heat that we create with our breath. By controlling the inhalation and exhalation while we practice, making them long and even, we fan our internal, metabolic fire.

Guruji said that when we create this internal heat with our practice, we “boil the blood.” When the blood boils it becomes thin, allowing it to circulate more freely around the joints and to cleanse our organs".

Kino- Conference with Sharath in Mysore December 2011

"Sharath started out by talking about the journey of Ashtanga Yoga. He said “When we start practicing in the beginning we don’t have much flexibility, body is tight, then you keep practicing and your body gets more flexible, smooth, light.” In the Hatha Yoga Pradipika is states that “When we are working out, by putting effort into the asana we get sweat out. Means you have to work hard in asana, sweat will come out. That sweat has good and bad qualities in it. Rub the sweat back into your body and it will become light. Poisons are leaving the body.” Gurui would often talk about leaving the sweat on your body. Sharath added that for face it’s ok to take it off, the sweat runs into your eyes and you can’t see. I also remember once that Guruji said that the type of sweat that comes when it’s really hot outside and you sweat while walking down the street is not of much use and you can just take that off."

Report from Sharaths Conference Mysore 9/9/12 by Megan

"By working the asanas, by putting forth effort, many of the inside poisons and toxins come out and the body is purified. We should rub our sweat into the skin, not off of the body. He (Sharath) said some asanas are slippery and we might have a towel but not to use a towel too often to wipe sweat. The sweat created from practice is not “easy” sweat, meaning sweat created by heating the room like in hot yoga. The sweat we create through our efforts is beneficial if rubbed back into the skin.

Ashtanga yoga
Ashtanga yoga is a system of yoga transmitted to the modern world by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (1915-2009). This method of yoga involves synchronizing the breath with a progressive series of postures—a process producing intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. The result is improved circulation, a light and strong body, and a calm mind. http://www.ashtanga.com

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When did sweating become such a seemingly big part of our asana practice, it appears to be encouraged (see above) or is that a misunderstanding, a misreading, the only reference to sweat in Krshnamacharya's Yoga Makaranda (1934) is this on page thirty-four

"After completing their yoga practice consisting of asana and pranayama, the yoga practitioner must rest for fifteen minutes keeping the body on the floor before coming outside. If you come outdoors soon after completing yogabhyasa, the breeze will enter the body through the minute pores on the skin and cause many kinds of disease. Therefore, one should stay inside until the sweat subsides, rub the body nicely and sit contentedly and rest for a short period". Yoga Makaranda p34 Krishnamacharya

Some sweating is expected perhaps from a vinyasa practice but should it be a goal of practice or rather something to balance, to regulate.

I sweat a lot, my wife who's Japanese Korean rarely sweats. I tended to need to practice my Ashtanga on a thick microfiber yoga towel, my wife could get away with practicing on a Kleenex (and not the mansize ones either). Is she doing something wrong, am I ?

I'm not suggestion we shouldn't sweat at all during our practice, a healthy glow, a sheen, is one thing, towel ringing and sodden shorts something else altogether. Some of us naturally sweat more than others, that may be natural for us and nothing to apologise for, but perhaps we do need to consider our practice and limit where possible the conditions that cause us to sweat excessively even for us and to ensure that we take on sufficient fluids to ensure the production of sufficient urine to keep our kidneys and thus our bodies healthy.

To reiterate...

“The focus... is not the amount of fluid consumed, but rather the amount of urine produced".

See also this site that questions the extent of the role of oxalate in diet in the formation of Kidney Stones and raises the question of and the importance of water intake.

Oxalates and kidney stones
"The formation of kidney stones containing oxalate is an area of controversy in clinical nutrition with respect to dietary restriction of oxalate. About 80% of kidney stones formed by adults in the U.S. are calcium oxalate stones. It is not clear from the research, however, that restriction of dietary oxalate helps prevent formation of calcium oxalate stones in individuals who have previously formed such stones. Since intake of dietary oxalate accounts for only 10-15% of the oxalate that is found in the urine of individuals who form calcium oxalate stones, many researchers believe that dietary restriction cannot significantly reduce risk of stone formation.

In addition to the above observation, recent research studies have shown that intake of protein, calcium, and water influence calcium oxalate affect stone formation as much as, or more than intake of oxalate. Finally, some foods that have traditionally been assumed to increase stone formation because of their oxalate content (like black tea) actually appear in more recent research to have a preventive effect. For all of the above reasons, when healthcare providers recommend restriction of dietary oxalates to prevent calcium oxalate stone formation in individuals who have previously formed stones, they often suggest "limiting" or "reducing" oxalate intake rather than setting a specific milligram amount that should not be exceeded. "Reduce as much as can be tolerated" is another way that recommendations are often stated".

Does sweating remove toxins from the body?

"Can you sweat toxins out of your body?

Did you know your body has its own air conditioning system when it becomes too hot? It’s called sweating. Your body releases water on your skin, which then evaporates in order to cool down to the normal temperature of 98.6 degrees.

Sweat is 99% water combined with a small amount of salt, proteins, carbohydrates and urea, says UAMS family medicine physician Dr. Charles Smith. Therefore, sweat is not made up of toxins from your body, and the belief that sweat can cleanse the body is a myth.

“You cannot sweat toxins out of the body,” Dr. Smith says. “Toxins such as mercury, alcohol and most drugs are eliminated by your liver, intestines or kidneys.”

Some people have even participated in something called a “sweat lodge.” Some Native American cultures still use the lodge as a very important purification ceremony. However, Dr. Smith warns that these can become dangerous and sometimes result in injury or, in severe cases, death.

“By forcing your body to perspire through heat exposure or heavy exercise, you can cause your kidneys to save water and actually hang on to any toxins that may be circulating in your system,” he says". University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

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My sweaty Ashtanga practice

When I moved upstairs to the new home shala, I revelled in the warmer closed room. I started practising Ashtanga again, a hot sweaty Ashtanga practices where I would sweat one, one and a half, even as much as two kilo's in a practice, felt good after the practicing through winter in the draughty open plan room downstairs. Detox right? Although supposedly there's not much evidence to suggest sweat removes toxins from the body, that's the job of the kidney's, we get rid of toxins through the urine not the sweat glands.

After a week of seriously sweaty practices in the new home shala I did start to wonder if it was a bit much, googled around, looked at a lot of marathon runners sites, they take on liquid before, throughout and after their marathons.

In Ashtanga we are taught to avoid drinking during practice, we don't want to cool down that internal heat that we've worked so hard to create right, or lose focus, lose our concentration by taking a drink breaks.

I want to create some internal heat, I want to keep the muscles warm and flexible but do I need to be sweating like crazy, doesn't it suggest I'm overdoing it somewhat, that I have the balance wrong, am not regulating my practice sufficiently.... and do I (we) really need to practice in such hot rooms. In hot countries, in Mysore India for example , isn't the idea to practice at the coolest part of the day.

My LESS sweaty Ashtanga practice

I changed my approach to practice, perhaps too late it seems for this stone. Rather than trying to sweat more I've sought to sweat less

Practice earlier
A cooler room
A slower practice
Breath more slowly, longer fuller inhalations and exhalations
Conserve energy, more delicate jump throughs and back (Sharath style), better movement of the body
A lighter ujjayi
More subtle use of bandhas
The occasional mini savasana where I begin to overheat

Any other suggestions?

Ramaswami would stress that Krishnamacharya instructed mini savasanas whenever the breathing or heartbeat would become a little fast. Perhaps we (kidney stone formers) should be taking them too if we begin to sweat TOO much

Hydrate more
I do still sweat quite a bit during my Ashtanga practice and even though I practice my Ashtanga more slowly than most perhaps it's still a long practice and the weather is getting warmer. I'm going to sweat to some extent even when I take a more Vinyasa Krama approach to my Ashtanga. So I need to think about hydrating even more than I have been, before, after and yes perhaps ( as a last resort) during practice.

from the AYA2 House recommendations
"Water. Ashtangis need more than other people. We’re detoxing. Drink a ton. But not during practice. It’ll compromise your focus, cut the internal heat that fuels practice, and slosh around".

I've read good things recently about drinking a 16oz glass of water as soon as you get up in the morning, I've started doing that but perhaps I should aim for two glasses an hour or so before practice. And half hour an hour after practice start re hydrating as much as possible.

But what about the big taboo of drinking during practice. I have a tendency towards forming stones, should I perhaps modify the approach to practice here.

I could take a mouthful, just a mouthful after the standing sequence and a mini savasana but with a good focus on the breath and bandhas to not allow myself to cool too much, another mouthful and mini savasana after navasana say and again after badha konasana, another perhaps after Urdhva Dhanurasana (there used to be a mini savasana there anyway once upon a time) and finally a last mouthful at the end of the practice before taking rest.

Half an hour after practice I could start re hydrating as usual.

But doesn't this beg the question, why practice Ashtanga at all. Shouldn't I as a Kidney stone former, switch back to a lighter Vinyasa Krama practice, perhaps Ashtanga just isn't for me?

This surely suggests a fixed idea of what Ashtanga is, haven't we moved past the idea of Ashtanga as fixed and unchanging, unmodified asana practice.

In a Vinyasa Krama practice I still have to choose a number of subroutines to build up my practice. I do that but choose to keep that choice of asana relatively fixed, the Ashtanga sequence(s), I believe there are benefits to this. Vinyasa krama also includes, drishti (although the gaze tend usually to be down), ujjayi, bandhas. The breath though is long and slow in Vinyasa Krama but that is also how it was recommended by Krishnamacharya in his Mysore days and by Jois in Yoga Mala. Practicing slowly is still Ashtanga. Ramaswami recommends a mini savasana if we lose control of the breath or the heart begins to race but this too is in keeping with Ashtanga, the breath and heart beat should remain regular throughout our Ashtanga practice. I think it follows that if we become TOO hot, begin to sweat too much then we should perhaps consider a mini savasana also, just as we might with the breath or hearbeat or perhaps practice less asana altogether or modify some of those we have. Perhaps in the hot summer months we should practice half a series, spend longer on the finishing sequence on pranayama on chanting perhaps.

"Doing too many asanas

The first night of the workshop Manju told the group that the problem with the practice of yoga in the U.S. is that nobody pays attention to chanting or pranayama (breath control). “Everybody wants to sweat it out on the carpet,” he said. Here, as opposed to in India, he explained, yoga practice “is very physical, like being at a gym. But we have to suppress that mentality. We’re not in a gym here, we’re practicing yoga.” Ashtanga Yoga with Manju Jois - Elizabeth Kaufman Yoga Chicago

And besides I suspect, have a theory, that it's my Ashtanga Vinyasa practice that dislodged the stone from the wall of the kidney and encouraged it to move along it's merry way BEFORE it became too large and need surgical removal or an invasive procedure. Yoga asana practice, those tight marichi binds and supta kurmasana, the heel digging into the kidneys in yoga mudra, these are all ways Ramaswami, would I think argue, that the yogis found to massage the internal organs. I will be asking the specialist about this when I have my scan Wednesday.

So here's a few ideas, the beginning of a strategy. Many of these suggestions are already a part of my practice, these days I try conserving energy, I use Sharaths' delicate jump through for example, my ujjayi is subtle as are my use of bandhas....

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A strategy for approaching Ashtanga practice for Kidney stone formers

(work in progress discussion welcomed)

But perhaps not just for Kidney stone formers

1. Drink a glass perhaps even two of water half an hour to an hour before practice

2. A cooler practice room

3. A more subtle Ujjayi

4. A more subtle engagement of bandhas

5. A slower approach to the practice in general, long slow inhalation and exhalations

6. Aim to conserve energy throughout, a more subtle jump back and through or perhaps not between each side of an asana

7. Take mini savasanas

8. Consider a shorter practice in the hot summer months, more time spent on the finishing sequence.

9. Half hour after practice begin to rehydrate ( weigh yourself before and after practice to work out how much you have lost in sweat).

An for kidney stone formers only perhaps

10. Drink water during practice* - if your still concerned about sweating too much

a. Take a mouthful of water, just a mouthful after the standing sequence followed by a mini savasana but with a good focus on the breath and bandhas to not allow myself to cool too much,

b. another mouthful and mini savasana after navasana

c. another after badha konasana,

d. another perhaps after Urdhva Dhanurasana (there used to be a mini savasana there anyway once upon a time)

e. another mouthful at the end of the practice before taking rest.

*rather than just grabbing your bottle of water and losing focus, come to formal dadasana, take your mouthful of water, lay back in savasana for five to ten breaths, chakrasana back into where you left off.

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The International Kidney Stone Institute

Kidney Stone Risk Greatly Increases in Summer Months (full article)

The essential concepts of stone formation are as follows: stone crystals form in the urine only in the presence of particular molecules in enough quantity and concentration to allow chemical union. As Dr. Lingeman quips, “Crystals love one another and they seek togetherness.” The essentials of stone prevention, therefore, are to reduce either the quantity or the concentration (through dilution) of those molecules.

For the ten percent of Americans who will have a kidney stone at least once in their lifetime, the pain of the stone is a poignant memory. In the acute or immediate sense, stones can cause severe pain, nausea and vomiting, blood in the urine and infection. If left untreated, kidney stones can result in failure of one or both kidneys.

There are several types of stones, and people form them for various reasons. Many patients understandably want to know why they form stones. The metabolic issues are quite complex, but there are a number of universal steps patients can take to prevent stone formation.

Increase urine OUTPUT Remember that perspiration decreases urine volume. What is important here is to maintain a high urine output despite loss of fluid through sweating. Pale, clear urine 24 hours per day, seven days per week is the goal. The volume of urine should exceed 2 liters in twenty four hours. Water is the best liquid, but fruit juices are acceptable. Try to limit beverages high in caffeine or calories, and watch out for high sodium sports drinks.

Limit salt and sodium intake Salt drives extra calcium into the urine, which increases risk of calcium stone formation.

Limit animal protein intake High animal protein intake is associated with an increased risk of both calcium and uric acid stone formation. Experts recommend limiting meat protein intake to twelve ounces per day. This is plenty to meet the needs of healthy adults.

Consume calcium rich foods to meet the FDAs Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) It is a common misconception that patients who form calcium stones need to avoid dairy products. Current research supports consuming a normal amount of calcium in the diet for nearly all patients who form stones.

In the summer months, the most important of these recommendations is the first: increase urine output. By increasing fluid intake in the summer months, the effects of dehydration can be minimized. Drink more fluids? No sweat!

About IKSI

The International Kidney Stone Institute is a charitable organisation dedicated to supporting clinical and basic science research and education for the detection, management and prevention of kidney stone disease.

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Srivatsa Ramaswami's Vinyasa Krama webpage

Srivatsa Ramaswami chanting with his teacher T. Krishnamacharya

Srivatsa Ramaswami

Author of The Complete Book of Vinyasa Yoga and other books based on more than three decades of private study with T. Krishnamacharya, Ramaswami aims to teach yoga much as it was taught to him by the master. This, he says, has been widely done only in more fragmented form, even by other notable teachers who studied under the same guru.Ramaswami emphasizes slow, steady movements and long breaths— so much so that his Vinyasa Krama approach can make some of what is taught internationally as vinyasa yoga, look a bit like like aerobics by comparison. Ramaswami has relocated to the U.S. from Chennai, and he frequently tours in several states, offering workshops and teacher trainings.
See also Ramaswami’s recent article in Namarupa: My Studies With Sri Krishnamacharya.

BOOKS

The Complete Book of Vinyasa Yoga: The Authoritative Presentation-Based on 30 Years of Direct Study Under the Legendary Yoga Teacher Krishnamacha [Paperback] Srivatsa Ramaswami (Author)

Sri T. Krishnamacharya (1888–1989) was the most influential figure in the last 100 years in the field of yoga. Many of today's best-known yoga teachers—including his brother-in-law B. K. S. Iyengar, his son T. K. V. Desikachar, and Pattabhi Jois, founder of Ashtanga yoga—studied with him and modeled their own yoga styles after his practice and teaching. Yet, despite his renowned status, Krishnamacharya's wisdom has never before been made completely available, just as he taught it. Now, in The Complete Book of Vinyasa Yoga, Srivatsa Ramaswami—Krishnamacharya's longest-standing student outside his own family—presents his master's teachings of yogasanas in unprecedented detail. Drawing upon his 33 years of direct study, beginning in 1955 and continuing nearly until his teacher's death, Ramaswami presents more than nine hundred poses and variations in logically structured sequences, precisely describing Krishnamacharya's complete Vinyasakrama system. Along with every movement of each yoga posture, he covers the proper breathing techniques for each pose—something no other book also derived from Krishnamacharya's teaching does. Nearly 1,000 full-color photographs are featured in this authoritative landmark presentation of the study practiced by the "grandfather of modern yoga."

Yoga for the Three Stages of Life: Developing Your Practice As an Art Form, a Physical Therapy, and a Guiding Philosophy [Paperback]
Srivatsa Ramaswami (Author)

Essential reading for those looking to customize their practice to life's changing needs.
• Includes sections on vedic chanting, throat breathing, and exercises for women.
• Presents a unique portrait of T. Krishnamacharya and his teachings.

For 33 years Ramaswami studied with the legendary T. Krishnamacharya, teacher of B.K.S. Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois, and T.K.V. Desikachar and perhaps the most influential figure in the field of yoga in the last 100 years. Since that time he has developed Krishnamacharya's teaching into what may be the most highly evolved program available for making yoga a way of life, rather than simply a routine. In seventeen chapters Ramaswami lays out the whole philosophy of yoga, including principles for right living, postures, breathing practices, meditation practices, and mental disciplines.

Key to Ramaswami's teaching is the focus on adapting yoga to individual needs and to different stages of life. During the early part of life, learning yoga as a physical art form is most beneficial for the self-confidence and discipline it instills. In middle age, yoga should focus on physical therapy and maintaining optimum health as far into life as possible. In the last stages of life, the practitioner will be ready to focus on the ultimate goal of yoga--true understanding of the philosophy behind it and the realization of truth.

Yoga Beneath the Surface: An American Student and His Indian Teacher Discuss Yoga Philosophy and Practice [Paperback]
Srivatsa Ramaswami (Author), David Hurwitz (Author)
In The Complete Book of Vinyasa Yoga Srivatsa Ramaswami presented the full breadth of yogasana teachings as taught by Sri. T. Krishnamacharya (1888–1989) — the father of modern yoga. Now, for the first time, Ramaswami imparts his vast yoga experience and knowledge of Krishnamachara's distinct vinyasa krama system in an accessible question-and-answer format with experienced California yogi David Hurwitz. In a beautifully clear and conversational style, Ramaswami and Hurwitz delve deeply into various general and specific topics relating to yoga philosophy and practice, shedding light on even the most confusing concepts. The nearly 240 questions are drawn directly from Hurwitz's private study with Ramaswami, and include: Does yoga lead to happiness? How do we achieve the famous ahimsa (non-violence)? How does the yogi "see" his soul? What is the role of breath in Asana? Where does willpower come in? and Was Krishnamacharya happy? Yoga Beneath the Surface is the next best thing to studying directly with one of yoga's true gurus — and a must-read for every serious yoga student.

The Basic Tenets of Patanjala Yoga by Srivastsa Ramaswami (Cambridge Yoga publications).
Ramaswami has been a student of Prof. Krishnamacharya for over two decades in the theory and practice of Yoga. Apart from Yogasanas and Pranayama, he has studied yoga texts such as Patanjala Yogasutras, Samkhya Karika, Hathayoga- pradipika. UpanishadsasChandogya,Taithiriya, Svetasvatara,Isavasya,the Gita etc., adhyayana(chanting) of the whole of Taithiriya Aranyaka of Yajur Veda and Upanishads, Mantraprasanam etc., all from the Acharya. He has also had yoga lessonsfrom Sri T. K. V. Desikachar, and has written a seriesof articles on Yoga, and also contributed to a few journals. S. Ramaswami holds a masters degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from Oklahoma State University, and has had teaching experiencein Indian universities. He has been teaching yoga practice and also the texts for over fiveyears.

A Brief Introduction to Yoga Philosophy: Based on the Lectures of Srivatsa Ramaswami [Paperback]
David Hurwitz (Author), Srivatsa Ramaswami (Contributor)

This is a brief guide to the Yoga Sutras of Patañjali. It is brief by way of being practical. After stating the goal of Yoga, it is basically an exposition of the eight limbs of Yoga Patañjali gives in Chapter two and the beginning of Chapter three of his Yoga Sutras.

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras: Based on the Teaching of Srivatsa Ramaswami by Pam Hoxsey
Book and CD by Pam Hoxsey
Local author and yogi, Pam Hoxsey, learned to chant the Yoga Sutras from Srivatsa Ramaswami, who learned them from his teacher. T. Krishnamacharya. They met one-on-one for two hours each morning in two-week intervals, repeated over three years. They chanted the sutras, and then Ramaswami would discuss their meanings. This book--and the CD--is the result of their meetings together.
This version of the Yoga Sutras is comprehensive. Each sutra is written as a phrase, followed by a word-by-word translation, and then a summary of its meaning. In addition, a “tacit question” is often proposed to suggest what topic is being explained. Sometimes there are additional short “notes” to further aid in understanding.
At the end of the book is Ramaswami’s handwritten Sanskrit, followed by the chant phrases written in English with red and blue markings to indicate where the pitch goes up and down. And then there’s the CD by Pam, who has a beautiful voice, chanting the sutras. So you can both read the Yoga Sutras and learn to chant them as they were originally chanted and passed on through the centuries before Patanjali wrote them down.
You can order the book directly from Pam by calling 847.328.4246.

VINYASA YOGA HOME PRACTICE BOOK [Kindle Edition] Anthony Hall (Author)

A Home Practice Book and stand-alone companion to Srivatsa Ramaswami's Complete Book of Vinyasa Yoga (Ramaswami was a student of Krishnamacharya for over 30 years ).

This edition, over 350 page, includes Guidelines, Practice Notes and practice Sheets for 10 categories of postures; On your feet, Triangle, On one leg, Asymmetric, Seated, Bow, Meditative, Supine, Inverted and lotus as well as Practice notes and sheets for 83 subroutines within those categories.

Includes practice sheets on Pranayama, Pratyahara and meditation with video links to tutorials.

Also Includes video links for all the subroutines and an accompanying video and practice sheet page online.

It is of course NO substitute for Ramaswami's own books, 'The Complete book of Vinyasa Yoga' and 'Yoga for the Three Stages of Life' both of which I've gained renewed respect for in the process of preparing these notes. The Complete book of Vinyasa Yoga lays out the breath for every single movement in and out of every posture, in every subroutine, quite remarkable. The Three Stages of Life goes into such depth that I consider it the best book on yoga I've come across thus far.

This book is dedicated to my teacher, Srivatsa Ramaswami

ARTICLES

MY STUDIES WITH SRI KRISHNAMACHARYA Srivatsa Ramaswami in Namarupa Spring 2007
"WHENEVER úR Å KRISHNAMACHARYA taught me, prayer came first. Classes started with a meditative prayer (dhyána ùloka) to Lord Viüóu for the success of the session, followed by prayers to Lord Hayagràva, the repository of all Vedic knowledge, and to Lord Käüóa. Next would be a prayer appropriate to the topic at hand—to Patañjali if it was a yoga program, to Bádaráyaóa for a program on Brahma Sâtras, to Kapila for a Sáêkhya class, or the appropriate peace chant (ùánti páôha) for upaniüadic vidyás and Vedic chanting programs. There would always be a Pârva-ùánti (beginning peace invocation), and following tradition, class would always end with a peace chant called Uttara-ùánti, normally the surrender ùloka to Lord Náráyaóa found in Viüóu-sahasranáma, and the forgiveness or küamápana-stotra, if it was Vedic chanting class. The way my guru maintained añjali-mudrá while saying the prayer was a point of study. He said that in this mudrá the palms should be slightly cupped while keeping the hands together. There should be a hollow between the palms sufficient to hold an imaginary lotus or your heart in a gesture of loving offering to the dhyeya, the object of your meditation..."

A collection of Early 'Yoga Therapy' Articles on Asana, Pranayama and Yoga Philosophy By Srivatsa Ramaswami , while a Trustee of Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, MADRAS,

The S Ramaswami downloads shown below are PDF copies of newspaper articles (The Indian Review, in serial form 1977-78 ) printed whilst he was trustee of the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram.

1 Yoga, its basis, practice and benefits - Article 1 by S Ramaswami

2 What the four Chapters of Yogasastra say - Article 2 by S Ramaswami

3 About Sri T Krishnamacharya, my Guru - Article 3 by S Ramaswami

4 Prelude to the Practice of Āsana - Article 4 by S Ramaswami

5 On Your Feet for Asana - Article 5 by S Ramaswami

6 More Standing Asana - Article 6 by S Ramaswami

7 The Triangle Pose - Article 7 by S Ramaswami

8 The Supta Asana - Article 8 by S Ramaswami

9 Dwipada Pitham - Article 9 by S Ramaswami

10 Vajrasanam - Article 10 by S Ramaswami

11 Saravangasanam - Article 11 by S Ramaswami

12 Halasanam - Article 12 by S Ramaswami

13 Padmasanam - Article 13 by S Ramaswami

14 Some Simple Balancing Asana - Article 14 by S Ramaswami

15 Siddhasanam - Article 15 by S Ramaswami

16 Sirsasanam - Article 16 by S Ramaswami

17 Kapalabhati - Article 17 by S Ramaswami

18 Pascimatanasanam - Article 18 by S Ramaswami

19 Prone Postures and the Spine - Article 19 by S Ramaswami

20 Sagarbha Pranayama - Article 20 by S Ramaswami

21 The Kumbhaka - Article 21 by S Ramaswami

22 On Antaranga Sadhana - Article 22 by S Ramaswami

23 On Yoga Texts - Article 23 by S Ramaswami

from http://www.yogastudies.org/dharma-downloads/

Newsletter Articles : Srivatsa Ramaswami 2009-2012 (updated monthly)

Ramaswami's Newsletters Vol 1 2009 Collection

January 2009 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami-Triguna

February 2009 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami

March 2009 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami -A “Creative” Hypothesis

April 2009 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami -Vajrasana Story

Sanskrit Chants April 2009

May 2009 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami - Yoga for the heart

June 2009 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami -Vedic Convocation

June 2009 1. SRI PATTABHI JOIS--- 2. Between Death and Birth

July 2009 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami -A Tale of two Bhakti Yogis

August 2009 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami - Head and Shoulders above......

September 2009 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami - Vinyasakrama Practice

October 2009 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami-Svadhyaya and Story of Tirumular

November 2009 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami - Meditating on Meditation

December 2009 from Srivatsa Ramaswami - One legged poses and story of Bhagirata

Ramaswami's Newsletters Vol II 2010

January 2010 Newsletter-One Verse Exposition of Adi Sankara

February 2010 Newsletter From S. Ramaswami--Yoga Nerves

March 2010 Newsletter--T.T Program--Yoga vs Ach..choo

April 2010 Newsletter--Subhashita(Good Saying)

May 2010 Newsletter --Yoga and Bronchial Asthma

June 2010 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami--Chitta Vritti

July 2010 Newsletter From Srivatsa Ramaswami--Story Time

August 2010 Newsletter--2010 VK-TT Program Feedback

September 2010 Newsletter --Yoga Gymnastique

Mid-September 2010 Newsletter--Mr Mark Singleton's Letter

October 2010 Newsletter--Pancha Kosa Vidya

November 2010 Newsletter From S.Ramaswami--Yajnyavalkya

December 2010 Newsletter from Srivatsa Raaswami--Durvasa

Ramaswami's Newsletters 2011 Vol III

January 2011 Newsletter S. Ramaswami - Iswarapranidhana

February 2011 Newsletter-Thus Spake Sri T Krishnamacharya

March 2011 Newsletter from S. Ramaswami—Breath of Yoga

April 2011 Newsletter from S. Ramaswami—Mantra Cover

May 2011 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami-Advaita

June 2011 Newsletter - Statics and Dynamics of Asana

July 2011 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami—Trivikrama

August 2011 Newsletter —Yoga TT Program, What I Learnt.

September 2011 Newsletter—Spinal Exercise, the bottom of It.

October 2011 Newsletter from S. Ramaswami--AVVAIYAR

November 2011 Newsletter from S. Ramaswami—Yoga Joint

December 2011 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami-Chants

Ramaswami's Newsletters 2012 Vol IV

January 2012 Newsletter — Yoga, Knowing the Unknown

February 2012 Newsletter — Mantra Pranayama

March 2012 Newsletter — Chanting with Sri Krishnamacharya

Mid March 2012 — Message from Sri Krishnamacharya's Daughter -Vinyasakrama Yoga Videos

April 2012 Newsletter — Yoga Sutra Quartet--VK Yoga

May 2012 Newsletter — My Facebook Phase

June 2012 Newsletter — Asana and vinyasa

July 2012 Newsletter - YOGAGATE VISWAMITRA

August 2012 Newsletter — Divine Mother (Sakthi) Chants

October 2012 — Use of Voluntary Breath Control in Asanas

November 2012 Newsletter — Chittavritti,an Illusion

Mid November 2012 Newsletter — An Interview

December 2012 Newsletter — RISHIS

Some mentions in other texts

Tantra Yoga Secrets; Eighteen Transformational lessons to serenity by Mukunda Stiles p322

"Krishnamacharya's student Srivatsa Ramaswami, comments on Sutra I,23: "The end of Spiritual practice is only attained by placing yourself in the Lord (Ishvara)" * Yoga For the Three stages of life, Srivatsa Ramaswami.

Yoga Body: The origins of Modern Posture practice by Dr Mark Singleton p185

" Srivatsa Ramaswami, Who studied with Krishnamacharya for thirty-three years until the letters death in 1989, recalls that when he asked his teacher where he might procure the text of the Yoga Rahasya, he was instructed 'with a chuckle" to contact the Saraswati Mahal library in Tanjore (Ramaswami 2000). The library replied that no such text existed, and Ramaswami, noticing that the slokas recited by krishnamacharya were subject to constant variation, concluded that the work was the "masterpiece of (his) own guru" *Yoga for the Three Stages of Life, Srivatsa Ramaswami

Yoga of the heart: The healing Power of Intimate connection by Mark Whitwell p141

"Other contempory books I can recommend for practical instruction and insights are:

Yoga for the three stages of Life Srivatsa Ramaswami"

Yoga beyond fitness: Getting more than Exercise from an Ancient Spiritual practice by Tom Pilarzyk p18

"Srivatsa Ramaswami, a yogi in the tradition of the great Krishnamacharya, argues that

What you might call Western American yoga has taken on a distinctive character. Yoga, with it's unique approach to physical culture, has to compete with other popular forms of exercise, like gym workouts or even gymnastics. We have 'power yoga' and other similar systems in which considerable exertion is used, like the pumping and jumping in Ashtanga yoga vinyasas a la gymnastic floor exercises. though these were part of the ancient vinyasa yoga, several parameters such as breathing requirements, leaping the heart and breath rate under check, have been passed over in favour of generating excitement".

Teaching yoga: Essential Foundations and Techniques by Mark Stephens p127

" But as Srivatsa Ramaswami (2000, 95-96) points out, pratyahara is of three types, one of which jivana pratyahara refers to the "efforts made by the individual to maintain life and more especially, breathing." The point is to explore asana practice through the steadiness and ease of the breath, continuously connecting the breath with the body and mind.

Yoga for singing: A Developmental tool for technique and performance by Judith R Carman pxiv

"…he (Krishnamacharya) was the teacher of B.K.S. Iyengar, pattabhi joys, Srivatsa Ramaswami, Indra devi, his son T.K.V. Desikachar, and senior student A.G. Mohan. From these master teachers and their students who became master teachers flow most of the main styles of yoga teaching in the world today".

Krishnamacharya His Life and Teachings A.G. Mohan p13

"Although qualified as an industrial engineer, Ramaswami was a stockbroker by profession, a partner in his father's brokerage firm; he served as senior consultant to my project in the mornings and worked for the brokerage firm in the afternoons. Ramaswami was a pleasant, soft-spoken person and we got along well. When I mentioned my interest in spirituality to him he recommended that i attend a lecture by a revered teacher he knew (krishnamacharya). Curious and eager to meet this teacher, i attended the lecture."( in 1971)

Yoga and the Luminous: Patanjali's Spiritual path to Freedom by Prof. Christopher Key Chapple p251

"Krishnamacharya's most prominent disciples include B.K.S. Iyengar in Pune, his son and grandson T.K.V. Desikachar and Kaustub Desikachar in Chennai, Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, Srivatsa Ramaswami and others".

CHANTS

Here are some traditional chants

Durga Suktham (128kbps MP3)

Yoga Prayer (128kbps MP3)

Learn Pranayama Mantra Chant (128kbps MP3)

Learning 12 Suryanamaskara Mantras (128kbps MP3)

Learning Ganesha Prayer Chant (128kbps MP3)

Learning Gayatri Mantra Chant (128kbps MP3)

Learning Patanjali Prayer Chant (128kbps MP3)

Learning Peace Chant Mantras (128kbps MP3)

Learning Sanskrit Alphabets (128kbps MP3)

Learning to Chant Sivalinga Mantras (128kbps MP3)

Learning to Chant Yoga Sutras Lesson I (128kbps MP3)

Learning to Chant Yoga Sutras Lesson II (128kbps MP3)

Learning to Chant Yoga Sutras Lesson III (128kbps MP3)

Learning to Chant Yoga Sutras Lesson IV (128kbps MP3)

Learning Tryambaka Mantra (128kbps MP3)

Narayana Suktham (128kbps MP3)

Purusha Suktham (128kbps MP3)

Vedic Chant Pravargya (128kbps MP3)

Vedic Convocation Mantras (128kbps MP3)

Learn Ganesha Prayer (128kbps MP3)

List Of Chants in CDs

Mantra Chants from Srivatsa Ramaswami (Recorded and marketed in India)

Between 1980 and 2000, Srivatsa Ramaswami recorded mainly for 'ÂSangeetha' (Master Recording Company) chanting of several ancient Sanskrit works

Play Sri Raghavendra Sahasranamavali

Prayer - Ganesha Stuthi
Pranayamam (Caution: To be learnt & practiced only under expert guidance)
Adithya Hrudayam
Ganesa Sahasranamam 60 minutes
Gayarti and Gayatri Sahasranama
Surya Namaskara-Yajur veda 60 minutes
Maha Narayana Upanishad-yajur veda ` 60 minutes
Indrakshi,Siva Kavacham 20 minutes
Rudram-Chamakanm-Yajur Veda 25 minutes
Purusha Suktam-Yajur Veda 10 minutes
Devi Mahatmyam Vol I 60 minutes
Devi Mahatmyam Vol II 60 minutes
Devi Mahatmyam Vol III 45 minutes
Aswa Medha- Yajur Veda Vol I 60 minutes
Aswa Medha -Yajur Veda Vol II 60 minutes
Aswa Medha-Yajur Veda Vol III 45 minutes
Mooka Panchadasi Vol I 60 minutes
Mooka Panchadasi Vol II 60 minutes
Mooka Panchadasi Vol III 30 minutes
Sundara Kanda from Valmiki Ramayana (2 Voumes MP3 10Hrs)
Swadhyaya/Kushmanda-Yajur Veda 45 minutes
Taittiriya Upanishad-Yajur Veda 45 minutes
Veda Parayana-Chitti sruk-Yajur Veda 45 minutes
Patanjali's Yoga Sutra 20 minutes
Anjaneya Sahasranamavali
Durga Sahasranama
Sri Lalita Sahasranama Stotram
Siva Sahasranama 45 minutes
Hariharaputra Sahasranama 45 minutes
Subrahmanya Sahasranama 45 minutes
Aditya Hrudayam from Ramayana 10 minutes
Sri Raghahavendra Sahasranamavali
Sandhya Vandanam 60 minutes
Bala Ramayanam ( Ramodantam) 45 minutes

Mp3 versions available below from Sangeetha

Stotrams

Taittiriya upanishad (krishna yajurveda)

Sri devi mahathmyam

Aditya hrudayam & veda parayanam

Sri ganesha sahasranaamam

Ramayanam - hanuman chalisa

Sandhya vandhanam

Ashwamedha - recital (with achchidra)

Shri vishnu sahasranaamam

Sri lalitha sahasranama stotram & sowbhagya astakam

Mooka panchashathi

Sri raghavendra sahasra namavali

Varuna & suryanamaskaram-yajur veda

Sundara kandam

Indrakshi, sivakavacham & vedic chanting

Mahanarayanopanishad

VEDASARA SIVA SAHASRANAMA STOTRAM

Sahasranamavali

Yoga of patanjali

VINYASA KRAMA VIDEOS. Ramaswami teaching/demonstration on YOUTUBE

INTRODUCTION TO VINYASA KRAMA( inc. my favourite of Ramaswami's chants)

1. inc. HASTA VINYASA (HAND/ARM VARIATIONS)

2. inc. PARSVA BHANGI (SIDE STRETCH)

3. inc. UTTANASANA

4. inc. UTKATASANA

5. inc. MALASANA

6. inc. PASASANA

7. inc. FULL TADASANA ( on toes)

A series of TV programs of Srivatsa Ramaswami on Vinyasa Krama Yoga in 1980

"During the early 1980s I gave a(n) 8 part series of asanas following
the vinyasakrama with my students from Kalakshetra. Each program was
about 20 mts aired every week under the youth program. Part of it was
asanas and the other part an interview with me which I have deleted in
these videos as they were in Tamil.. My son Badri, 8 or 9 at that time
had recorded it. During my visit to Chennai in Feb, my friends
Srimathy and Ravi of Ashtanga Yoga Chennai and former teachers at KYM
helped to edit it and get portions of the audio replaced with my
Indglish descriptions. The video quality is poor and the audio blank
in the later parts. It was interesting even for me to see how I was
teaching 30 years back. Have a look (at all the 4 videos) if you have
the time and maybe you would like to forward it to a friend or two.
Here are the links
Vinyasa Krama asanas 1980 I http://youtu.be/vEM_QbH2fdo
VinyasaKrama asanas 1980 II http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKbmT8Ssuho&feature=plcp
VinyasaKrama asanas 1980 III http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjMrVq6HuOw&feature=plcp
VinyasaKrama asanas 1980 IV http://youtu.be/olAhZEBWTr0
For a more complete treatment of Vinyasakrama asanas, maybe you would
like to look at my book “The Complete Book of Vinyasa Yoga”. Here is
the Amazon link
Find this book on amazon.com"
Srivatsa Ramaswami Oct 2012 Newsletter

I Standing, triangle and some of the meditative series built on virasana and vajrasana

II Supine postures inc. Shoulderstand and some lotus postures

III mostly Bow postures

IV Some Seated and Asymmetric postures

"PS. You may also consider watching my videos on this subject 'Yoga and the three Gunas II to V' in my you tube channel. These videos running totally for about an hour contain a talk I gave at Sarah Matah's studio in Los Angeles a few months back". Srivatsa Ramaswami
https://www.youtube.com/user/srivatsaramaswami

Ramaswami's TEACHER TRAINING

SRIVATSA RAMASWAMI’S School of Yoga
200 Hour Vinyasakrama Yoga Program—Registered with Yoga Alliance

Loyola Marymount University
Address: 1 LMU Drive • Los Angeles, CA 90045 • USA

School of Yoga with Srivatsa Ramaswami
200 Hr Teacher Training Program on Vinyasakrama Yoga—Registered with Yoga Alliance.
Subjects:
1. Vinyasakrama Yogasanas (60 hours)
2. Visesha Vinyasas (20 hours)
3. Pranayama (20 hours)
4. Mantras and Meditation (20 hours)
5. Sri Krishnamacharya's Works (20 hours)
6. Yoga Sutras (20 hours).
7. Yoga for Internal Organs (10 hours)
8. Yoga Business and Teaching Methodology (10 hours)
9. Anatomy and Physiology (10 hours)
10. Subtle Anatomy and Chanting (10 hours)
Total: 200 hours

I. Complete Vinyasa Krama Asanas : In this program about 700 Vinyasas woven around several classical postures will be taught in 10 major sequences. Emphasis will also be placed on breath synchronization with the movements so important to Krishnamacharya’s krama or method. Total instruction 60 Hrs
II. Visesha Vinyasa and Viyasakrama : In this practicum, Speacial Vinyasa sequences, like several Sun Salutation methods and other unique sequences will be taught. Adapting Hatha Yoga to individual needs and developing a sustainable, progressive personal yoga practice will also be discussed. Instruction 20 Hrs
III. Pranayama Methods: In this course several Pranayama methods including Nadi Sodhana, Anuloma, Pratiloma, Viloma Ujjayi, Kapalabhati and Bhastrika and Pranayama with mantras will be taught in detail. Several textual references from Hathayoga Pradipika, Yoga Yagnyavalkya and Yoga Upanishads also will be discussed. Also teaching methods of Pranayama. Total Instruction 20 Hrs
IV. Mantras and Meditation: In this program, Mantras as a means of developing the mind towards meditation will be discussed and taught. Several classical mantras including Pranava (Om), Gayatri, Sanskrit alphabets (matruka) mantras will be taught. Introduction to vedic mantras. Total Instruction 20 Hrs
V. Sri T Krishnamacharya’s Works: Even as Sri Krishnamacharya is well known, his works which contain some of his great insights to Yoga are not yet well known. One way to study the Master’s wisdom will be to study his works. In this program, some of his important works especially Yoga Rahasya will be gone through in detail. Yoga Makaranda and his work on Yoga Sutras will also form part of the study. Total Instruction 20 Hrs
VI. Raja Yoga (Yoga Sutra) Studies: Traditionally Yoga Sutras have been the Yogi’s Bible. Sri Krishnamacharya would exhort his students to eschew any practice that may violate or is inconsistent with the teachings and thought process of the Yoga Sutras. It is incumbent on all committed Yogis to take a serious and depth look at the Sutras. In this course all the sutras will be taught with the sutra meaning. Total Instruction 20 Hrs
VII. Yoga for the Internal Organs: In this program, emphasis will be placed on a proper assessment of available yoga techniques to impart health to different parts of the body, especially the internal organs, called the kosas, as the heart (hrdaya kosa), lungs (svasa kosa), stomach (anna kosa) and others . Total Instruction 10 Hrs
VIII. Yoga Business and Teaching Methodology: Practical information on how to get a website, start a newsletter and generate word of mouth will be provided. In the second part of this course methods of teaching different aspects of yoga like asanas, pranayama, meditation, and texts to different groups of people(all ages) will be covered. Total Instruction 10 Hrs
IX. Chanting Yoga Sutras and Subtle Anatomy: This course contains two seperate segments. In the first, participants will be taught the methodology of chanting the Yoga Sutras. Practice of chanting several sutras using the conventional method of "chandas". Total Instruction 10 Hrs
X. Anatomy and Physiology: The class will take an overview of the major bones and muscles of the body. We will look at their location and function and specifically how they can be utilized in various yoga postures. Total Instruction 10 Hrs

Teacher Training Certificate Program in Core Vinyasa Yoga (week-long) and Two Weekend Yoga workshops-- 1. Yoga For Internal Organs and 2. Asanas, Pranayama, Mantras and Meditation

GRADUATES/TEACHERS LIST

Events Diary for upcoming workshops and training

See also my
VINYASA KRAMA YOGA PRACTICE BLOG

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This page will be linked to from the blog side bar and updated regularly.

Please feel free to add any links or to mention another resources directly relating to Ramaswami and Vinyasa Krama that you feel should be included (mentions in other texts and articles you may come across could also be included)..

Still No Primary, Manju TT Looming

In defence of Ashtanga, a comment response.

Duhkha - July 2013 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami

Why I (continue to) blog about my Ashtanga practice

Ashtanga History

Old Ashtanga Videos, Krishnamacharya, Pattabhi Jois, Sharath - full Pattabhi Jois led Primary, 2nd and Advanced series, interviews etc.

Updated: The way back - Six weeks off regular practice...Manju looming ever larger

The Way Back (to practice) - 2

Eddie Stern and Namarupa: Long term aid efforts. Ravada Village, Uttarkashi District, Himalayas

Updated: The Way Back (to practice) - 3 ASHTANGABOTS

" we have not understood or studied the concepts ( of Yoga ) or brought them into our experience.

...reminded me of the section from which this quote is taken, too good not to share in full. Krishnamacharya lays it on quite thick (even thicker in Singleton's translation, make of that what you will).

The Way back (to practice) - 4. Ashtanga hero

The Way Back ( to practice ) - 5 CRASH

The Way back (to practice) - 6 Pain Meditation

The way back ( to practice) - 7 what practice

Ashtanga and Sweat : Avoiding TOO sweaty an Ashtanga practice

Ashtanga Yoga in one image - mahamudra

The Way Back ( to practice) - 8. One posture, it can be enough

Today is My teacher Srivatsa Ramaswami's Birthday - Resources

BOOKS

ARTICLES

Some mentions in other texts

CHANTS

List Of Chants in CDs

Sri K. Pattabhi Jois Birthday - Resources

Yoga Mala by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois:

Surya Namaskara by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois:

Guruji a Portrait of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois: