Yoga Exam

Front 1

prana

Back 1

-sanskrit word for "breath"
-a vital, life-sustaining force of living beings and vital energy. comparable to Qi.
-central concept in Ayurveda and yoga. flows through fine subtle channels called nadis.
-breath, respiration, life, vitality, wind energy, strength. also connotes the soul.
-vital life sustaining force of the body and universe.

Front 2

why would anyone worry about having or not having prana?

Back 2

-prana is energy. blood carried prana. Prana and physical energy req. for all practices. W/o prana you would die.
-reactions to experiences and events can block prana.
-you can move blood and prana into an area by your intent and action.
-energy conservation and investment of energy must be done wisely. too much work depletes energy stores. too little work causes slow strength devel.

Front 3

pranayama

Back 3

the practice of breathing techniques to control and build energy and increase oxygen uptake in the body. pranayama can bring energy like food brings energy.

Front 4

yamas

Back 4

-non-violence: appreciating and accepting life as it expresses itself. the path to non-violence. applies to asana practice.
-truthfulness: comes without pretense or the desire to influence outcomes. Total acceptance is key.
-non-stealing and non-coveting: willing to be generous both materially and mentally and to take joy in the good fortune of others.

Front 5

niryamas

Back 5

-purity: cleansing the body, the energetic system and more.
-self-study: devotion to the source, the path.
-tapas: being present with acceptance. the mental fire to be stronger inside than the outside circumstances."the truth need not be defended b/c it is true".
-contentment: arises from acceptance of what cannot be changed.

Front 6

what is the basis of all yoga practice?

Back 6

-quiet awareness (2nd yoga sutra, by patanjali.
-proper yoga involves resolving mental agitation.
-be present now and be aware now.

Front 7

flexibility

Back 7

-adapting mentally and/or physically implies a willingness to let go. physical flexibility will increase as you let go mentally.
-arises safely from the inherent strength of a given muscle when it is lengthened and from the development of uniform strength around a joint.

Front 8

strength

Back 8

-muscle strength is an element descr. of self-protection and self expression is is dep. on the amount of energy available.
-the amount of blood vessels available to the muscle (vascularity) determines a muscle's strength. takes 2 years to devel. new blood vessels.
-muscle resilience maintained by proper practice that is non-injurous.
-muscle use improves strength and helps devel. muscle control.

Front 9

maximum functional flexibility

Back 9

-the ability to express the max amount of strength and energy without impairment.
-comes from practicing poses w. a relaxed and lengthened spine using eccentric contractions
-pliant muscle (strong when held in a long position) is more durable. can express more energy w/o tearing as easily.

Front 10

vinyasa

Back 10

-flowing movement to allow prana to flow in the same way blood and breath flow. awareness of the flow is essential.
-vinyasa can be between poses or within poses

Front 11

balance

Back 11

-balance is about being present now.
-improves ability to cope with stress, joint stability, and ability of nervous system to track-respond-make subtle changes.