Understanding Vinyasa Krama Practice

Vinyasa Krama Practice is a holistic compilation of

• asanas/postures, practiced with

• pranayama/breathing patterns,

• tri-bandhas/three locks(Uddiyana/throat lock, Jalandhar/Abdominal lock & Moola/root lock)

• pratyahara/withdrawal of senses, and lastly

• dhyana/meditation.

As per Ramaswami’s teachings, 2 sutras from Patanjal Yoga Darshan help a practitioner to move further in their yogic progress.

First one is

स्थिरसुखमासनम् ॥४६॥

sthira-sukham-āsanam ||46||

An asana must be steady and comfortable.

And for staying in any bodily posture for longer durations of time, it is imperative that there should be a good circulation, respiration, a good tone to one's body and strength in muscles.

State of perfection of the body comes to only those who have mastered this anga/step of yoga.

All asanas are used to lead to a good seated posture for meditation.

Second one is

प्रयत्नशैथिल्यानन्तसमापत्तिभ्याम् ॥४७॥

prayatna-śaithilya-ananta-samāpattibhyām ||47||

Prayatna – means continued effort of life(Breathing) needs to be shithil– relaxed/smooth. Breathing needs to be made long and fine. Word Ananta – means infinity.

While putting one's mind on the infinite, breathing refined, one can attain Samapatti/unity within.

Now Ananta is also the name of Adishesha, the celestial serpent king on whom lord Vishnu sleeps. Rishi Patanjali is the reincarnation of Adishesha and hence Ananta in above sutra can also mean contemplating on Rishi Patanjali one can attain unity.

T Krishnamacharya says that it is the breath that should be made smooth and effortless, not the posture. Prayatna is Jeevana Prayatna or the effort of life which is breath.

Asana Siddhi is important for longer Dharana/One pointedness and Dhyana/Meditations.