yogachara

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Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Prof. Mahendra C Patel and Prof Keyur S.
Sahrabudhe for their direction, assistance and guidance.
In particular, Prof. Mahenrda C patels recommendations and
suggestions have been invaluable for the project.

Project Mentor : Prof Mahendra C Patel

Photography Guide : Prof Keyur S. Sahrabudhe
Styling : Mitali Ambekar
Models : Medha Srivastava
Anastasia Damani
Vanshaj Kapur

The Ultimate Expression

I Do : asana or the postural practise

I Think : pranayama or the breathing

practise

I Feel : self realisation with yoga

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CONTENT

The Journey of Exploration

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A JOURNEY OF EXPLORATION

YOGA

A JOURNEY OF EXPLORATION
The word Yoga means "unity" and is
derived from the Sanskrit word yuj
meaning "to join". Yoga is about
joining the individual "spirit" with
the Divine "Spirit" or individual consciousness with Divine Consciousness to realize our already complete
nature. It is a means of balancing
and creating harmony between the
body, mind, breath and emotions.
And, like finely woven cloth, yoga
weaves together layers of expression
to create an integrated whole. It is a
multidimensional expression of who
we are.

As our yoga practice deepens we

begin to see that each posture has
many levels of expression. It is really
a form within a form created and
sustained by the dualities of
movement and stillness, tension and
relaxation. This could be expressed
as the yin and yang of each posture,
the coming together and balancing
of opposing forces. It is in exploring
these energies in every posture that
we can begin to understand who we
are more deeply.

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THE ULTIMATE EXPRESSION

THE ULTIMATE EXPRESSION

Yoga is the science of activating your
inner energies in such a way that
your body, mind and emotions
function at their highest peak. When
your body and mind function in a
completely different state of relaxation and a certain level of blissfulness, you can be released from the
sufferings. It is a means to be in
perfect tune. Your body, mind and
spirit and the existence are in
absolute harmony. When you finetune yourself to such a point where
everything functions beautifully
within you, naturally the best of your
abilities will just flow out of you.
Each posture has an emotional expression. It is the most challenging
and revealing and often it creates
the deepest sense of inner questioning.

It allows us to explore the emotional

edge of a posture where we begin to
see how even deep seated emotions
are changing, fluid and impermanent.Every posture has the capacity
to move us deeper if we allow the
full expression of who we are in that
moment to be manifest in our
practice as we explore the tantalizing synergy created by opposing
forces. If we can allow the posture to
bloom within us and explore our
physical edge with softness, our energetic edge with awareness and
our emotional edge with compassion we have the potential to reach
inside to our own pool of wisdom
and insight and come to a deeper
understanding of who we are. We
can bring this same depth of experience; this same rich tapestry of sensation, emotion and mindfulness to
our everyday lives.

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Yoga truly enhances every moment

and creates an experience of exploration at every level of our being.
There are three different aspects to
the mind: thinking, feeling and
willing. This gives rise to three different approaches to life and three
kinds of persons who start out more
empowered in one of the modes of
perception. Some people see their
self and others in terms of power
and action, some see in terms of
meditation and thought, and some
perceive through emotions and
feelings.
The mottos of these three types are:

I do

Asana (postural practice)

Traditional yoga postures are woven
into a creative, intelligent vinyasa
style that promotes alignment, core
strength, and flexibility. In addition
to a phenomenal physical benefit,
learning to move in the flow of yoga
develops grace, confidence, and curiosity.

I Think

Pranayama (breath
practice) Working with the breath
promotes mental concentration and
is extremely helpful for stress management. We use the breath, which
is always present and ever-changing,
to learn about compassion and
foster self-awareness, as well as
move energy through the body.

I Feel

Dhyana (meditation
practice) Learning to explore our
thoughts and calm our internal
chatter is a valuable tool for anyone.

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THE ULTIMATE EXPRESSION

I do

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the eagle pose

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THE ULTIMATE EXPRESSION

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GARUDASANA
Garudasana or Eagle Pose is one of the cultural
asanas that embodies the twofold twists of the extremities in one pose. It mimics an eagle, a bird
reputed to have fantastic powers of concentration.
Garuda means eagle and asana means pose. The
suppleness and the elasticity indicate the freedom
of movement. This is a balance asana that can help
loosen your joints, improves your powers of concentration and your poise and your balance.

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the tree pose

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THE ULTIMATE EXPRESSION

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VRKASANA
Also known as the tree pose, Vrkasana improves
body and mind co-ordination and sense of balance.
It Strengthens thighs, calves, ankles, and spine and
Relieves sciatica and reduces flat feet.

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TULANDASANA
Also known as balancing stick pose, tulandasana
helps in straightening and strengthening every
muscle. It builds up balance and flexibility and can
also be caused as a stress buster as it helps create an
emotional balance too while performing this pose.

the stick pose

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I do
THE ULTIMATE EXPRESSION

the camel pose

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USTRASANA
Ustrasana or Camel pose s a beautiful backbend and
can help to open up the chest and the thoracic spine.
It strengthens the back muscles , improves postures
and Stimulates the organs of the abdomen and neck.

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THE ULTIMATE EXPRESSION

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TRIKONASANA
In the Sanskrit language, kona means angle and tri
stands for three. Therefore, trikonasana is also
referred to as the triangle pose. Trikona asana
provides a great long stretch to many of the muscles
of the body, stimulates circulation to the spinal area
and excites reflex nerve activity, benefiting the
cranial nerves associated with the sensory organs of
the head, especially the eyes.It benefits all muscular
groups simultaneously, reduces saddle bags and is
good for kidneys, thyroid and adrenal glands.

the triangle pose

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THE ULTIMATE EXPRESSION

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ANJANEYASANA
This asana is an integral pose in most yoga traditions,
providing intense psoas stretches, quadricep
strengthening, a wonderful backbend and strong
shoulder opening. The Kripalu websites call this
lunge ashwa sanchalanasana, which is Horse or
Equesterian pose.

the lunge pose

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THE ULTIMATE EXPRESSION

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ARDHA MATSYENDRASANA
Matsyendra meaning the lord of the fishes is also
called the full pose . it is very difficult and reserved
for advanced yoga adepts. The health benefits of this
pose are so extensive that the an easier variation of
the great matsyaendra was devised that can be performed by everyone. This is called ardhamatsyendrasana , ardha meaning half. This Asana improves
liver efficiency and removes debility of kidney. It
tones the roots of the spinal nerves and sympathetic
nervous system.

the full pose

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URDHVA
DHANURASANA
Also known as Chakrasna, chakra meaning
wheel, Urdhva Dhanurasana means a raised
bow. Urdhva means raised, elevated or upright
and dhanur means bow. Both wheel posture
and raised bow posture describe the appearance of this asana. This asana has an overall tonic
effect for the entire body. It strengthens the arms,
shoulders and upper back as well and stimulates
the cardiovascular system.

the wheel pose

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I do
THE ULTIMATE EXPRESSION

the pigeon pose

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KAPOTASANA
Kapo meaning a dove or a pigeon, Kapotasana
means imitating the kings puffed pigeon chest. This
asana rejuvenates the lumbar and dorsal regions of
the spine, the pubic region, and the urinary system
and helps the Endocrine glands receive a fresh
supply of blood. This asana is a slightly more challenging than other backbends. However, when
done, it feels great in the shoulders, spine and hips.

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PASCHIMOTTANASANA
In Sanskrit paschima means back or west and the
word mottana means to give mobility to the spinal
cord (tan) by stretching. So this yoga asana can be
rightly known as the back stretch pose. It is considered one of the most potent and powerful asanas as
it ensures the proper circulation of the blood in the
entire body. pascimottana asana combats many
deadly diseases like dyspepsia, gastritis, and diabetes
and stimulates the appetite, removes lethargy,
weakness and anxiety in the being.

the back stretch pose

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I do
THE ULTIMATE EXPRESSION

the warrior pose

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VIRABHADRASANA
Virabhadrasana , also called as the warrior pose, is
not the pose of an anonymous warrior, its the pose
of Virabhadra, the auspicious hero born from a
bead of sweat from Lord Shivas forehead. Whats
really being commemorated in this poses name, and
held up as an ideal for all practitioners, is the spiritual warrior, who bravely does battle with the universal
enemy, self-ignorance (avidya), the ultimate source
of all our suffering.

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BHUJANGASANA
The final position of this Asana resembles the
Hooded Snake hence, it is called Bhujangasana.This
pose is both good in and of itself, and it is one of the
standard poses in the Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) sequence. For good reason as cobra energizes
your sympathetic nervous system as it strengthens
your back muscles.

the cobra pose

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the cow pose

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THE ULTIMATE EXPRESSION

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GOMUKHASANA
Gomukha means head of a cow. The legs assume a
triangular form and the body in this position resembles the cows head. This asana loosens shoulders
and releases neck tension. The practice of Gomukhasana brings out poisonous elements from the
legs, knees, waist, and kidneys. This helps bringing
down the blood pressure to its normal level.

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I THINK

the control of prana

Pranayama is the art and science of
systematically observing, accepting,
understanding, and training each of
the levels of our being, such that we
may coordinate and integrate those
aspects of ourselves, and dwell in
the direct experience of the center
of consciousness. Pranayama or
Breathing Exercise promotes proper
breathing. In a Yogic point of view,
proper breathing is to bring more
oxygen to the blood and to the
brain, and to control Prana or the
vital life energy.

Pranayama Yoga also goes hand in

hand with the Asanas. The union of
these two Yogic Principles is considered as the highest form of purification and self-discipline, covering
both mind and body. This practice of
opening up the inner life force is not
merely to take healthy deep breaths.
It is intended for yoga practitioners
to help and prepare them in their
Meditation process.

when
so is
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THE ULTIMATE EXPRESSION

I Think

the breath is still,

s the mind still
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THE ULTIMATE EXPRESSION I Feel

I FEEL
route to self realisation
Learning to explore our thoughts
and calm our internal chatter is a
valuable tool for anyone. Different
spheres of consciousness become
accessible to a yoga practitioner.
Yoga ensures good physical &
mental health one can utilise this to
the best advantage by deep meditation on the inner self. Self realisation
is its major role. It can be achieved
by remembrance of god, by righteousness, by a life virtue. The highest
aim of yoga is realisation of the true
self. This leads to cosmic Love, a
feeling of oneness with all & the experience of pure being, unflawed
knowledge & infinite bliss.

By practicing yoga attention is

focused on inward finding integration, balance, compassion & Love.
Intense practice of yoga has been
found to activate intuitions & creativity, unfold artistic capabilities &
enhance mental power. Yoga is no
magic pill but leads to the desired
goal through patient and systematic
practice. Yoga starts with the mind
and its goal is a complete stilling of
mind so that the light of indwelling
spirit may shine out.

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