YOGA THERAPY SUMMIT:

Leslie KaminoffSaturday Morning: The Anatomy of BreathSaturday Afternoon: The Anatomy of the Spinal Release and SupportSunday Morning: The Anatomy of Bandha, Dynamic and Static

PRANA AND APANA NYASA

Om namo pranayá Pranaya nama om Pranaya swahä Om namo apanayá Apanaya nama om Apanaya swahä Om swahä Haríh om

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2017 YOGA THERAPY SUMMIT, CHICAGO, IL 2Unless otherwise noted ©Leslie Kaminoff. Illustrations by Lydia Mann.

LESLIE KAMINOFF: YOGA ANATOMY THE ANATOMY OF BREATH

The Anatomy of BreathSome questions for our exploration:

▶ From a Western anatomical perspective what is the basis of the unique perspective on breathing within the Desikachar/Krishnamacharya methodology?

▶ What is the relationship between the movements of the body and the movements of the breath?

▶ What is the relationship between the movements of the inhale and the exhale in the practice of asana and pranayama?

▶ If freedom is our ultimate goal, are there underlying, limiting assumptions about breathing that need to be identified and challenged?

▶ What is breathing?

BREATHING DEFINITIONS:

Mechanical The shape change of the thoracic and abdominal cavities

Physiological Chemical process by which the body’s tissues are supplied with oxygen and freed of waste (Prana/Apana)

Neurological The afferent/efferent signals that monitor blood chmistry and provide autonomic, voluntary and habitual control of respiratory activity

Intellectual/Spiritual The ability to recognize the value of challenging breathing habits as well as the ability to surrender to

the limits of our control.

2017 YOGA THERAPY SUMMIT, CHICAGO, IL 3Unless otherwise noted ©Leslie Kaminoff. Illustrations by Lydia Mann.

LESLIE KAMINOFF: YOGA ANATOMY THE ANATOMY OF SPINAL RELEASE AND SUPPORT

The Anatomy of Spinal Release and Support ▶ What is the spine?

SPINAL DEFINITIONS:

Mechanical The core support structure of the human body, evolved to neutralize tension and compression forces in three dimaensions of space.

Functional Adaptable protection for the central nervous system (Sthira/Sukha)

Spiritual The central axis, providing a template for the vertical path leading from lower to higher aspirations

2017 YOGA THERAPY SUMMIT, CHICAGO, IL 4Unless otherwise noted ©Leslie Kaminoff. Illustrations by Lydia Mann.

LESLIE KAMINOFF: YOGA ANATOMY THE ANATOMY OF BANDHA: DYNAMIC AND STATIC

Prana, Apana, Agni, Kundalini From “Teachings” by Claude Marechal re: Yoga Yajnavalkya

As for the correct regulation of the breath, Professor Krishnamacharya’s prescriptions are supported by the definition of pranayama given by Yajnavalkya: “Prana-apana samayoga pranayamah iti iritah” (Yoga-Yajnavalkya VI.2).

As the text indicates, the inhaled breath must be brought to meet with the exhaled breath. Krishnamacharya stipulates how to correctly use the thoracic, dorsal and diaphragm musculature in the work of inhalation in order to feel it as a movement descending towards the epigastric region. Likewise for exhalation, the Professor explains how to employ the abdominals with a view to instigating the sensation of an ascending movement towards the epigastric region.

Beginning from these principles, all the technology of pranayama is designed, ordered, justified, and acquires its coherence. In this perfect edifice, the bandhas naturally find their place in serving the union of the prana and apana vayus.

The famous notion of kundali is similarly clarified. The coiled serpent sleeping at the entrance to the path of liberation (middle path or shushumna nadi) symbolises the inertia of the mind troubled by ignorance (avidya).

BANDHA DEFINITIONS:

Bandha Coordinated actions of the breathing mechanism that produce support and/or release along the vertical axis of the body

Static bandha Coordinated actions of the breathing mechanism occurring without movement of air

Dynamic bandha Coordinated actions of the breathing mechanism occurring with movement of air

Mula, Uddiyana, Jalandhara, bandhas Interrelated actions occurring at the pelvic, respiratory, vocal diaphragms

Jivha bandha Actions of the tongue that stabilize or release activity in the throat region

The Anatomy of Bandha: Dynamic and Static