सञ्चार (sañcāra) Freeflow
In my May 2009 Newsletter I had included an article on Yoga for the Heart wherein I attempted to explain the procedures that are available in Yoga to help the heart doing its function effectively. I had concentrated mainly on the venous return of the blood to the heart which is an important function of blood circulation or रक्त सञ्चार and प्राण सञ्चार (rakta sañcāra prāṇa sañcāra). I also dealt with a few other procedures that help the heart as a vital internal organ. You may wish to access that article here
Here I would like to briefly touch upon the benefit of yoga in cellular respiration the most essential aspect of unimpeded circulation of blood and diffusion of prana प्राण सञ्चार रक्त सञ्चार ( rakta sanchara and prana sanchara). It is common knowledge that the oxygenated blood from the lungs enter the heart which in turn pumps with pressure the oxygen rich blood into the circulatory system of blood vessels रक्त नाळ (rakta nāḻa) through firstly the arteries धमनि (dhamani). The arteries then branch into smaller vessels called arterioles and then reach and branch off into minute capillaries, a network of capillaries तन्तुकी (tantuki) called capillary beds surrounding the cells. The transmission of blood takes place through these arteries and arterioles but the actual delivery takes place when blood reaches the capillary network. Almost every cell is supplied with these capillaries. In these beds the actual exchange of nutrients and oxygen takes place in the earlier portion of the capillary then the function changes. Then the waste products in the blood enter into the capillaries and the blood and thus the entire quality of the blood changes from oxygen and nutrient rich to carbon dioxide and waste products filled. The blood in the later part of the capillaries enters the small venules which then empties into the veins and then the the vena cavae enroute to the heart for reprocessing. In the capillary bed, the exchanges are like that of postman who delivers incoming mail and takes away the outgoing mail from the customer only to return the next day, doing the same work again--and again
When blood is pumped out of the heart and traverses through the blood vessels रक्त नाळ ( rakta naala) and reach the arterioles they do not necessarily enter the capillary beds. The capillaries have sphincters which act like valves. In fact the blood enters the capillaries only in certain beds at a time. When the sphincters are closed the blood is shunted or it bypasses the capillary bed traversing from the arterioles to the venules. Normally the sphincters open up when the muscles around the capillary bed are stretched. So usually in a couch potato many areas of the body may not get proper blood circulation and cell respiration through the capillaries. Usually when one moves around one uses some muscles and it facilitates blood flow in some areas where the muscles and vessels are stretched. So people who do normal work have a better circulation than one who is habitually static. If we exercise then more sphincters open and there is more complete blood circulation and cellular respiration.The exercise that are popular however are the aerobics, where a certain kind of movement is repetitive like jogging , rowing or swimming in which certain muscles in the body are exercised that facilitate good circulation to those specific areas. Of course there is a general increase in the blood pressure which helps to open up more capillary beds and thus improve circulation and cell respiration. The sketch shown below from a google search shows the capillary bed one with free flow of blood through the capillary bed and the other where the blood is bypassed without benefitting the cells.
In Vinyasa krama, however almost every muscle/ muscle group can be targeted and thus open up more capillary beds . Scores of asanas and hundreds of vinyasas help to reach almost all the skeletal muscles and the tissues. This stretching of different muscle groups helps open up more capillaries and thus more complete circulation and respiration. In fact in a 30 minute practice of slow vinyasas with appropriate synchronous breathing, more than 100 vinyasas can be done reaching many parts of the body including quite a few rarely accesses areas. In addition thoracic exercises like pranayama, hasta vinyasas then abdominal and pelvic exercises like the bandhas kapalbhati, nauli, the inversions like sarvangasana and sirsasana and others all unique yogic procedures help to stretch more tissues and thus improve circulation/respiration to almost all the cells in the body. That is why yoga, especially if done with judicious use of vinyasas and conscious yogic breathing, is considered sarvanga sadhana or yoga for all parts of the body. The reach of vinyasa yoga is far and deep and can potentially access and respirate all the cells
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Between July 28,2017 and August 6,2017 I am scheduled to teach two programs at Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles. One will be a 20 hour Core Vinyasakrama Yoga Program between 6PM and 8 PM during these days. It will cover the main asanas and vinyasas in the 10 major sequences as I learnt from my guru Sri Krishnamacharya. This will be useful for those who would like an introduction into this breath oriented vinyasa krama asana practice containing hundreds of vinyasas and tens of asanas. Introduction to pranayama also will be included. Many who have already participated in my earlier 100 hr and 200 hr TT programs may consider registering for this program as a refresher course. My book "Complete Book of Vinyasa Krama" will be the source book. This is available with Amazon
Here is the link for registration to the program
The second program will be a 50 hr program on Bhagavatgita. Sri Krishnamacharya was a versatile teacher. In addition to yogasanas he taught vedic chanting several texts like the Yoga Sutras, Brahma Sutras, upanishads and of course the Bhagavat Gita. He truly lived up to his given name Krishnamacharya, meaning Krishna the teacher/preceptor. His teaching of the Gita had a unique depth and flavor as he was a practicing yogi, not just an academician. In this program the Bhagavat Gita (The teachings of the Lord) will be gone through completely verse by verse chapter by chapter. It deals with the entire range of human experience and endeavors and the Lord’s guidance to everyone to go through life fruitfully and reach the ultimate spiritual state of Yoga. This program is especially designed for Yoga Students. Bhagavat Gita even as it is known as a text of Vedanta it is also known as Yoga Satra, or a Yoga text.
Here is the link to register
Last couple of years I have been offering a 100 hr Vinyasakrama TT program. I taught this program at LMU, Los Angeles, Saskatoon, Canada, Madrid, Spain, Chennai (twice) and New Delhi. But the last two offerings at Sydney and Montreal had to be cancelled due to lukewarm support. However, Saraswati of Yoga Vahini in Chennai has agreed to organize the same program in Chennai for the third time. I am sure this will go through. It will be in February March 2018 and the details will be known soon. In the meantime if anyone is interested please write to
yogavahinichennai@gmail.com