Nice book review from my friend Michelle over at Ashtangi Angel, the first part of the book sounds especially fascinating (plus some great pictures inc. a pregnant Joanne Darby being guided through practice by Pattabhi Jois).
Michelle's post reminded me of the old articles by Ramaswami that I posted here some time back (which I liked and tend to trust because I know that Ramaswami's wife was a Gynecology Doctor and I always imagined her looking over his shoulder as he wrote them).
Also a remembered a resource from Rose
Resources for Ashtanga yoga and pregnancy from http://yogarose.net
Here are the contents:
Michelle, Ashtangi Angel, teaches in Coventry on Saturday morning's and will be holding a workshop on Overcoming fear in Ashtanga Yoga on November 8th see THIS post
Black eyes, aversion (dvesha) and the quest for enlightenment...
Srivatsa Ramaswami's series of articles on Antenatal Yoga, part 1 of 3
Article 1 India Review Nov 1980
See next post for Article 2
Download as a pdf from Paul Harvey's excellent resource page
See previous post for Article 1
Download from Paul Harvey's excellent resourse
See earlier post for Article 1
See earlier post for Article 2
Download the pdf from Paul Harvey's excellent resource
Joanne Darby and Pattabhi Jois from Yoga Sadhana for Mothers Anna Wise and Sharmila Desai |
Michelle's post reminded me of the old articles by Ramaswami that I posted here some time back (which I liked and tend to trust because I know that Ramaswami's wife was a Gynecology Doctor and I always imagined her looking over his shoulder as he wrote them).
Also a remembered a resource from Rose
Resources for Ashtanga yoga and pregnancy from http://yogarose.net
"Book review: Ashtanga Sadhana for Mothers by Anna Wise and Sharmila Desai
So I've been graciously sent a copy of a new book from Yogamatters entitled, 'Ashtanga Sadhana For Mothers' for review. Many thanks to the guys at Yogamatters for the opportunity to read and review this book :) Was a little worried at first as I'm not a mother, in fact have not a single maternal bone in my body, but upon reading last night, was instantly drawn in and could not put it down. It's been written as an offering to women and families in the practice. The intention was to create a resource for women steeped in the practice of ashtanga yoga who are going through the rite of passage to becoming a mother.
Here are the contents:
No preview on Amazon as yet so have a look at Michelle's review
follow the link to the full review or click on the title above http://ashtangiangel.blogspot.jp/2014/10/book-review-ashtanga-sadhana-for-mothers.html
from Amazon.com |
Black eyes, aversion (dvesha) and the quest for enlightenment...
Overcoming fear in Ashtanga workshop |
***
Srivatsa Ramaswami's Antenatal Yoga articles
from when he was teaching at KYM
(Ramaswami was I believe one of the founding trustees of Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram KYM)
from my old post of Ramaswami's Anenatel articles held at Paul Harvey's excellent resource Centre for Yoga Studies
Article 1 India Review Nov 1980
See next post for Article 2
Download as a pdf from Paul Harvey's excellent resource page
Article 2 India Review Nov 1980
See previous post for Article 1
Download from Paul Harvey's excellent resourse
Srivatsa Ramaswami's series of articles on Ante-natel Yoga, Article 3 of 3
See earlier post for Article 1
See earlier post for Article 2
Download the pdf from Paul Harvey's excellent resource
also...
from Nathamuni's/Krishnamacharya's Yoga Rahasya
the section on pregnancy from Chapter III
"Now, following old practices, the yoga practice useful for pregnant women will be discussed for easy childbirth. 8
The practice of yoga during pregnancy , should not have excess forward bends, for the protection of the foetus. 9
Dandasana, Padmasana, Bharadvajasana, Virasana, and Vajrasana should be practised with long inhalations and exhalations. 10
As per the old texts, upto five months of pregnancy one may practice Sirsasana and Sarvangasana without any harm.11
Sprinting, dancing, speaking very loudly one should avoid during pregnancy. These could lead to miscarriage, or defects to the fetes.12
Insomnia, can be overcome with the practice of Ujjayi and breathholding while sitting firmly in Padmasana. 13
Pranayama may be done without Kapalabhati and Bhastrika. It is not acceptable to do Udiyana and Mulabandha during pregnancy. 14
One is bound to do Jalandharabandha always while doing yoga. All sastras are in agreement in that this bandha helps to master Apana vayu (for easy childbirth). 15
After 5 months of pregnancy, Sitali and nadisodhana pranayamas are desirable for pregnant women, but never suryabedha. 16
Keeping the knees and the hands (forearms) on the floor, as four supports, look down and then lift the ankles (pressing through the toes) with the hips in proper position. 17
The practice of yoga during pregnancy , should not have excess forward bends, for the protection of the foetus. 9
Dandasana, Padmasana, Bharadvajasana, Virasana, and Vajrasana should be practised with long inhalations and exhalations. 10
As per the old texts, upto five months of pregnancy one may practice Sirsasana and Sarvangasana without any harm.11
Sprinting, dancing, speaking very loudly one should avoid during pregnancy. These could lead to miscarriage, or defects to the fetes.12
Insomnia, can be overcome with the practice of Ujjayi and breathholding while sitting firmly in Padmasana. 13
Pranayama may be done without Kapalabhati and Bhastrika. It is not acceptable to do Udiyana and Mulabandha during pregnancy. 14
One is bound to do Jalandharabandha always while doing yoga. All sastras are in agreement in that this bandha helps to master Apana vayu (for easy childbirth). 15
After 5 months of pregnancy, Sitali and nadisodhana pranayamas are desirable for pregnant women, but never suryabedha. 16
Keeping the knees and the hands (forearms) on the floor, as four supports, look down and then lift the ankles (pressing through the toes) with the hips in proper position. 17
Remaining in that position, lift the knees and raise the head still keeping the hands on the floor. This asana is Unmukha Pitham. 18
Using dwipadapitham as a pratikriya, this asana gives strength to all parts of the body, especially for weak pregnant women, asserts Gagi. 19
Seated in Padmasana position, she must stretch both the arms overhead. Thn she should bend the arms and bend sidewards as well. 20
These result in strengthening the arms in a short time. One should use proper inhalation, exhalation and breath holding appropriately. 21
The housewife should do arm movements in standing positions also. It should be done in a disciplined way twice a day, always with the thoughts on the Lord. 22
Mahamudra, Baddhakona, and the vinyasas of Tadasana without the forward bend, should be practiced by the lady of the house and who loves her husband. 23
Generally in this world, among women, shyness and fear are commonly found. They are also prone to be talkative, deluded, and fickle minded. 24
Those who are firm believers in following their vadharma, they give up easily influenced by others. It is therefore said that Kriya Yoga has disappeared among them. 25
All women are not like this. There are a few yoginis like Gargi Ahalya and others who are focused on the meditation of the Highest. This is a great wonder in God’s creation. 26
No one, pregnant, sterile, boy or girl should elaborately talk and question about God". 27
Using dwipadapitham as a pratikriya, this asana gives strength to all parts of the body, especially for weak pregnant women, asserts Gagi. 19
Seated in Padmasana position, she must stretch both the arms overhead. Thn she should bend the arms and bend sidewards as well. 20
These result in strengthening the arms in a short time. One should use proper inhalation, exhalation and breath holding appropriately. 21
The housewife should do arm movements in standing positions also. It should be done in a disciplined way twice a day, always with the thoughts on the Lord. 22
Mahamudra, Baddhakona, and the vinyasas of Tadasana without the forward bend, should be practiced by the lady of the house and who loves her husband. 23
Generally in this world, among women, shyness and fear are commonly found. They are also prone to be talkative, deluded, and fickle minded. 24
Those who are firm believers in following their vadharma, they give up easily influenced by others. It is therefore said that Kriya Yoga has disappeared among them. 25
All women are not like this. There are a few yoginis like Gargi Ahalya and others who are focused on the meditation of the Highest. This is a great wonder in God’s creation. 26
No one, pregnant, sterile, boy or girl should elaborately talk and question about God". 27
***
Pictures below Krishnamacharya wife and two of his children from the 1938 documentary http://youtu.be/ML9yZd7bIvY
NB: The above quotes from Yoga Rahassya come from a translation (possibly his own) that Ramaswami gave to us on his 200hr TT course at LMU where we went through Yoga Rahasya, as well as Krishnamacharya's Yoga Makaranda, line by line.Pictures below Krishnamacharya wife and two of his children from the 1938 documentary http://youtu.be/ML9yZd7bIvY
from