The founders of Jivamukti Yoga outline the fundamental principles of the assist, and how to apply them in practice and service to others.
The benefits of both giving and receiving an assist-the extraordinary mind/body/spirit connection between yoga teacher and student-depend on knowing what an assist is, and fully understanding the method of Jivamukti itself.
Though "corrections"-with teachers who fixed students' mistakes-had evolved to "adjustments," the world-renowned founders of the Jivamukti Yoga method recognized this still suggested that changes to one's technique were necessary. In this book, they use "assist" to communicate the idea of two beings interacting on various levels of consciousness to bring into focus the five central tenets of Jivamukti: Shastra (or scripture), devotion, nonviolence, music, and meditation.
From cultivating trust and patience to final relaxation and massage, this step-by-step, fully illustrated guide-featuring dozens of asanas-explores the giving of yoga as an art, a flowing dance of body, breath, and energy between two connected beings. Whether we receive or give, an assist is an active process in the resolution of a relationship between teacher and student, a microcosm of the flowing interrelation among all people, and all species.
Author(s): Gannon, Sharon
Publisher: Open Road Media
Year: 2014
Language: English
Commentary: Fundamental principles of the assist, and how to apply them in practice and service to others.
Pages: 184
Tags: Fundamental principles of the assist, and how to apply them in practice and service to others.
Introduction
Relationship
The Power of Intention
How to Use This Book
The Lineage
Principles of Assists
Set the Intention, Focus
A Moving Body
Cultivate Trust and Patience
Speak Up
Demonstration
Blocks, Belts, Blankets, Ropes, Bolsters, Walls, Beams, Etc.
The Magic Touch
Stop, Look, and Listen
Establish the Seat
Find Space – Move In
Assist Energy Flow
Isotonic and Isometric Strengthening
Continuity
Assist the Breath
Standing Asana Assists
Tadasana, Mountain or Samasthiti, Steady Standing
Trikonasana, Triangle
Virabhadrasana I, Warrior I
Virabhadrasana II, Warrior II
Utthita Parshvakonasana, Extended Side Angle
Parshvottanasana, Standing Forward Bend Over One Leg
Adho Mukha Shvanasana, Downward-Facing Dog
Forward Bend Assists
Pashchimottanasana, Seated Forward Bend
Janushirshasana, Head of Knee Down
Sukhasana Variation, Ankle to Knee
Baddhakonasana, Bound Angle
Upavishtha Konasana, Seated Straddle Forward Bend
Twists
Jathara Parivartanasana, Reclining Spinal Twist
Parivritta Utkatasana, Rotated Awkward
Ardha Matsyendrasana, Half Seated Spinal Twist
Parivritta Trikonasana, Rotated Triangle
Parivritta Utthita Hasta Padangushthasana, Moonrise
Parivritta Utthita Parshvakonasana, Rotated Extended Side Angle
Parivritta Vikasitakamalasana, Rotated Blossoming Lotus
Konasana, Compass
Back Bend Assists
Bhujangasana, Cobra
Urdhva Mukha Shvanasana, Upward-Facing Dog
Shalabhasana, Locust
Dhanurasana, Bow
Ushtrasana, Camel
Urdhva Dhanurasana, Upward-Facing Bow
Inversion Assists
Salamba Sarvangasana, Supported Shoulderstand
Halasana, Plow
Karnapidasana, Ear Press
Bakasana, Crane
Adho Mukha Vrikshasana, Downward-Facing Tree
Pincha Mayurasana, Peacock Feather
Shirshasana, Headstand
Final Relaxation Assists
Shavasana, Corpse
Shavasana Massage for Neck, Face and Head
Shavasana Massage for Hands
Shavasana Massage for Feet
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
