D edicated

To
T he G reatest G uru I n M y U niverse

THE LION OF PONDICHERRY

Yogamaharishi
Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj
(24.07.1907 - 29.12.1993)

Who Protected the Purify of Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga

With His Mighty Roar of Truth
©2014 By Yogacharya Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani

All rights reserved

1st Edition : 2002

2nd Edition : 2004
3rd Edition : 2008
4th Edition : 2014

Published by :
44, Ist Cross, Iyyanar Nagar
Puducherry - 605 013. South India.
E-mail: yognat@gmail.com
Ph : 0413 2241561

Printed by : SARGURU PRINTOGRAPHS,

MOBILE : 94433 97875
www.sarguruprintographs.com

Any material reproduced from this book may be done

so only with prior permission of the author and with
due credit to the source. This is an important aspect
of Yogic culture and we request all readers to follow
this request in the true spirit of Yama and Niyama.
 CONTENTS

Preface i
About the Compiler and Editor iii
Acknowledgments xi
About this Book xv
Chapter I: What is Yoga? 1
Chapter II: Yogic Prayers 7
Chapter III: What is Ashtanga Yoga? 9
Chapter IV: Yama and Niyama 11
Chapter V: What is Asana? 13
Chapter VI: What is Pranayama? 19
Chapter VII: Hatha Yoga 23
Chapter VIII: What are the Chakras? 33
Chapter IX: Nature of Man 41
Chapter X: Yogic Texts 47
Chapter XI: Yoga Sadhana 55
Chapter XII: Yoga Therapy 65
Chapter XIII: Yoga in Modern India 75
Chapter XIV: Yoga and Spor ts 79
Chapter XV: Stress: The Bane of Modern Living 81
Chapter XVI: Viva Questions 83
Chapter XVII: Mahabharata Quiz 105
Chapter XVIII:Quiz Questions 113
Chapter XIX: Model Theor y Papers 125
Index 151
 PREFACE

It is only the potent blessings of my beloved Guru- Father, Swamiji,

Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj and Guru-
Mother, Ammaji, Yogamani Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani that has
enabled this fourth edition of my book, “A PRIMER OF YOGA
THEORY” to reach you once again. I am nothing without their
blessings and offer my humble salutations and respects to the
lotus feet of the Greatest Yoga Team of the past century.

One of the most gratifying events for any author is when their publisher
gives them the good news that it is time for a new edition of their
book. Such a feeling of satisfaction fills my heart as I work on this
fourth edition and so many changes and improvements come to
mind. However as it is being used for so many Yoga Sport events, I
control myself from adding more and more information so as to not
tax the young minds who are already so burdened with their scholastic
studies. I will keep those additions for an enlarged version that I
plan for university students some time in the near future.

The basic structure of the book is unchanged as it has been

complimented by so many including many of my dear friends
and advisors who help me know the reality in a smooth manner
without mincing words. I have taken great care to correct the
few mistakes that had crept into the last edition despite my best
ii PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

efforts. My students Yogachemmal Smt. Meena Ramanathan,

Yogachemmal G. Dayanidy and Smt. Reena Dayanidy have been of
great help in finding out the mistakes present in the previous edition
and in giving their valuable suggestions as dedicated students should
for their teacher.

I thank my Dharmapatni, Yogacharini Devasena Bhavanani for her

constant encouragement and support in all my endeavors. She and
my children, Dhivya Priya and Anandraj continue to inspire me to
“Do My Best and Leave the Rest” as taught by the Srimad Bhagavad
Gita.

May this new edition serve its purpose of educating us all in the
great art and science of Yoga and dispelling any false impressions
of Yoga being “just a physical exercise”.

Puducherry, South India

September 13th 2014
Yogacharya
Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani
 ABOUT THE COMPILER AND EDITOR

Yog acharya Dr. An anda Balayogi

Bhavanani was born to the world famous Yoga
team of Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda
Giri Guru Maharaj and Puduvai Kalaimamani,
Yogamani, Yogacharini, Smt. Meenakshi Devi
Bhavanani on April 16, 1972, at Pondicherry,
South India.
He was reared in the ‘Gurukula’ atmosphere of
Ananda Ashram, first at Lawspet and then at
Sri Kambaliswamy Mad am in That tan
chavady, Pondicherry where the Yoga Vidya
(Knowledge of the Art and Science of Yoga)
was imbibed as a 24 hour a day Sadhana and not just a few classes now
and then. Nominated as his Guru Father’s successor on his fourth birthday
itself as Madathiapathy of Sri Kambaliswamy Madam (an ancient
Samadhi site), Ananda took great interest in the Hindu Rites and Rituals,
Mantra, Yoga and the Carnatic Fine Arts from a young and tender age.
He has been trained in Rishiculture Ashtanga (Gitananda) Yoga from
that tender age. He has assisted his parents in the Yoga training imparted
at Ananda Ashram, Sri Kambaliswamy Madam and ICYER from that time
onwards.

He began his studies of classical Carnatic Vocal Music at the age of four
years under Puduvai Kalaimamani Sri V. Manikannan performing Vocal
Music Arangetram at the age of 12 years at Marie Hall, Podicherry
on August 11, 1984. At the age of seven, he began arduous training in
Carnatic Music under the tutorage of Kalaimamani Srirengam R.
Ranganathan of Pondicherry, one of the most famous Carnatic Vocalists
of South India. He continued his training for twenty years until his Guru’s
death in 2002. He has studied Mridungam since the age of five, beginning
with world-famous Master Sri K.M. Vaidhyanathan in 1977. Later,
Thiruvarur Sri R. Krishnamurthy, one of the most respected classical
Mridungists of modern times, accepted him as a disciple. He completed
his Mri dungam Aran getram in 1987. He began the study of
Bharatanatyam under his mother Puduvai Kalaimamani Smt. Meenakshi
Devi Bhavanani in the Kalakshetra tradition of Rukmani Arundale when
he was five years of age. At the age of eight, world-famous Bharatanatyam
master Natya Kalanidhi Padmasri Adyar K. Lakshmanan of Chennai
accepted him as a disciple and he performed many performances under
the guidance of Lakshman Sir. For the past decade he has shared a
special Manasika Guru-Sishya relationship with Padma Bhushan Sri T.V.
iv PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

Sankaranarayanan, one of India’s greatest vocalists. He treasures all

these blessed relations with his illustrious Gurus that the Divine has
bestowed upon him in his artistic evolution.
His initial training in scholastic work was in the Ashram itself and only
when he was 13 was he sent to Bhavan’s Gandh i Vidyashram,
Kodaikanal, to do his formal schooling. At school in addition to his academic
proficiency, he was also one of the cricket team’s major stars and the all-
round Athletic Champion. He was awarded the “K.S. Jayarama Iyer Award
for Best Instrumentalist” for three successive years and in his final
year he served as the School Captain.

He has written a book on Yoga For Children at the age of 12 years itself
and has written and edited 22 other books including Yoga and Modern
Man that takes a look at various Yogic concepts with humorous cartoons
and line drawings and A Yogic Approach to Stress that deals with the
Yogic and medical explanations and management of stress. His A Primer
of Yoga Theory that has also been published in Tamil as Yoga Vina Vidai
Thoguppu has become a standard textbook for Yoga Sport events and is
also prescribed in many academic Yoga courses. It is now in its 4th edition.
Yoga: 1 to 10 explains numerous concepts of Yoga and Indian Culture
through a numerical codification and has been translated and published
in Italian along with four other books of his. He co-authored Tamil books
with Yogachemmal Smt. Meena Ramanathan on Basic Hatha Yoga
Lessons of Gitananda Yoga as well as Yoga for Weight Loss. In the past
few years he authored, Yoga for Health and Healing, Yoga for Weight
Reduction, Chakras, Hatha Yoga of the Gitananda Tradition, Meditation
the inner Yoga, Yoga and Wellness, Suryanamaskar and Understanding
the Yoga Darshan (an exploration of the Yoga Sutra of Maharishi Patanjali).
He recently published a text book on Yoga Chikitsa: The Application of
Yoga as a Therapy and Saraswati’s Pearls a book on Yoga and Music co-
authored with Yogacharini Dr. Sangeeta Laura Biagi of Italy.

He has also edited and revised new editions of Dr. Swami Gitananda
Giri’s Correction of Breathing Disorders through Rishiculture Ashtanga
Yoga and also Pujya Swamiji’s books on Mudras, Surya Namaskar and
Pranayama in the Gitananda Tradition. He has had 135 scientific and
Yoga papers and 60 scientific abstracts on Yoga and Yoga research
published along with 16 notes compilations on Yogic education and
therapy. He has also scripted and presented 19 DVDs on Yoga that are
being marketed for a worldwide audience in different languages by the
famous Super Audio Company in Chennai.

He undertook the Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses in Yoga at

ICYER under the guidance of his Guru-father Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami
 ABOUT THE COMPILER AND EDITOR v

Gitananda Giri in 1991 and following this joined medical college in order
to combine the best of eastern wisdom with the best of modern medical
science. During his Medical Studies at J.N.M.C Wardha (Nagpur University),
he was the top student in a class of hundred. He secured Distinction in
Surgery and a Gold Medal in Community Medicine in his final year,
topping five Medical Colleges affiliated to Nagpur University. He was
also the Student Representative at Medical College. Later he completed
his internship at JIPMER Hospital, Pondicherry, India.

He has completed with distinction Post Graduate Diploma in Family

Health (PGDFH) from Sri Ramachandra Medical College, Chennai (2003).
He has also completed a Diploma in Psychological Counseling as
well as a Diploma in Stress Management from the Institute for Health
Care Administration, Chennai in 2001 and a Certificate in Pediatrics
from IMA Sinha Institute, New Delhi. He was awarded MD (Alternative
Medicine) by the Indian Council of Alternative Medicines, Kolkata, West
Bengal in 2013.

He was a performer of Bharatanatyam and has performed all over India

and notably at the ABHAI National Dance Festival in 1992. Following
his f ather ’s Maha Sam adhi on 29.12.1993 he st opped his dance
performances and instead, focused his attention on Dance Choreography,
especially in the rhythmic aspect for Yoganjali Natyalayam. He has helped
to choreograph 11 Major Dance Dramas and 12 Mini Dance Dramas
for Yoganjali Natyalayam. He has CO-DIRECTED the Ramavathara (2003),
Pancha Mahabhuta (2004), Jayadeva’s Dasavathara (2005), Navagraha
Vazhipaadu (2006), Karna Charitram (2007), Namashivaya Vazhga (2008),
Panchali Sabadam (2009), Muruga Muruga (2010), Shakuntala (2011),
Thamizh Moothatti Avvai (2012) and Iyarkaiyai Vanangiduvom–Homage
to Mother Nature(2013).He has composed lyrics, music and
choreographed four complete Bharatanatyam Margams (the classical
performing repertoire) with more than 80 compositions that could be called
Ananda Nartana Margam.

As a Carnatic Vocalist and instrumentalist he has released many albums

of which THE YOGA OF SOUND has the unique blend of English lyrics
with Carnatic Raga and Tala in an attempt, to bridge the gap between
East and the West. The second Album TAMIL INBAM is a collection of
Tamil Compositions in Carnatic Music. He is a regular performer at
programmes in and around Pondy and has performed at International
Yoga Festival, Government Music Festival, Millennium Sunrise Festival,
Thiagaraja Festiv al, Puduvai Tamil Isai Sangam and Eswaran Koil
Kumbabhishekam amongst many others in Pondicherry. He is well known
for his spontaneous imagination in the concerts and for his explanations
on the Yogic aspects of Carnatic Music. He has performed innumerable
vi PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

vocal and instrumental recitals all over and it is notable that he has
performed five times in the Isai Vizha (Music Festival) conducted by the
Govt of Pondicherry. He has also performed in Italy, Switzerland, Germany,
UK, South Africa, USA, Australia and New Zealand in recent times.

He has been a featured speaker at many Yoga conferences and is a

regular featured speaker at the International Yoga Festival conducted by
the Government of Pondicherry each year in January since 1993. He
has also been the Co-ordinator and Jury at the International Yoga Festival,
Pondicherry annually. He has also organised Himalaya Yoga Olympiad in
Pondicherry (2001) in his capacity as Himalaya State Coordinator. He is
responsible for reviving the Pondicherry Yogasana Association (2000)
founded by Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri in 1975. He is
currently the General Secretary of the Pondicherry Yogasana Association
and a member of the Executive Committee of Indian Yoga Federation,
Kolkata. The PYA has been active in conducting Yoga Sport events such
28 Pondicherry State Level Yoga Sport Championships and 15 Swami
Gitananda Best Youth and Child Award Competitions. It is notable that
two of his students trained at YOGNAT have won the CHAMPIONSHIP
awards in the Pondicherry Government sponsored International Yoga
Festival in 1999 (M. NIRAIMATHI) and 2011 (A.S. ANIRUDH).

Yoga for him is not just the performance of a few Asanas or Pranayamas
but is a means for evolution of the human mind in to further states of
consciousness and awareness. He has been instrumental in developing
the concept of Yoga Tableaus as a performing art and has trained hundreds
of young people in the difficult art of acrobatic Yoga Asanas. The Yoga-
Asana Tableau Concept has been developed by Dr. Ananda as a vital
tool to inculcate the sense of team spirit and mutual cooperation in
youngsters. His pioneering efforts in this field have been widely applauded.
Dr. Ananda has also been a pioneer in the revival of the use of the
acrobatic Natya Karanas (difficult, athletic and acrobatic postures of
Bharatanatyam) into the modern dance repertoire. W ith his finely
developed aesthetic sense, he tastefully weaves these acrobatic poses
into his classical dance choreography and productions.

Even in his formative years, he attended various Yoga Conferences and

seminars at New Delhi, Bombay, Lonavla, Bhopal, Bangalore, Chennai,
Kancheepuram, Madurai and other places along with his parents. He also
assisted in the conduct of three International Yoga Conferences conducted
at Pondicherry by Ananda Ashram by Swamiji and Ammaji and has been
ex-officio advisor to the International Yoga Festival of the Pondicherry
Government since 1993.
 ABOUT THE COMPILER AND EDITOR vii

As a Mridungist he has accompanied great artists like Padma Bhushan

T.V. Sankaranaarayanan, Kal aimamani Srirengam Ranganathan,
Kalaimamani Kulikkarai S.P. Vishvalingam, Vidushi Radha Kalyanaraman,
Kalaimamani S. Matangi, Sri B. Gov indarajan, Kumbakonam M.R.
Gopinath, Kalaimamani S.V. Jagadeesan and others on the Mridungam
and is a ‘B’ Grade Mridangist recognized by All India Radio. He
regularly plays for Yoganjali Natyalayam dance performances. He has
played Mridungam for Sendhen Tamilisai, a Music Album by Kalaimamani
Pulavar I. Pattabiraman in 2002 as well as Bhakti Mani Mala, a music
album sung by Smt. Jyothirmayi (2003). He has also played Mridungam in
the Music Therapy Albums of Dr. Hariharan PhD.

He shares a special relationship with Mutthamizmamani Kalaimamani

Pulavar I. PATTABHIRAMAN, the illustrious Tamil Scholar and poet of
Pondicherry who has composed the lyrics for all dance dramas of YOGNAT
in the past 25 years. Dr. Ananda values this relationship that has stimulated
an inner growth manifesting as a deep love for the Tamil language and
that has motivated his skill in Tamil composition.

He is a life member of Indian Medical Association; ABHAI (Association of

Bharatanatyam Artists of India); Chennai, IAYT (International Association
of Yoga Therapists, based in USA); APPI (Association of Physiologists
and Pharmacologists of India), Indian Academy of Yoga, BHU, Varanasi
and the Pondicherry Psychology Association. He is Honorary International
Advisor to International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) in the USA,
the Australian Association of Yoga Therapists and is on Editorial Board
for Yoga Mimansa journal of Kaivalyadhama, Lonavla, India. He is Hon
Chairman of Sanathana Dharma Sangha, the Hindu Movement in Italy
and Europe as well as more than a hundred Rishiculture Ashtanga
(Gitananda) Yoga centres worldwide. He is Patron of Gitananda Yoga
Associations of Australia, Germany, UK, Czech Republic, North America
and Italy.

He has traveled abroad 14 times and given workshops, classes, lectures,

performances and talks in USA (San Francisco), UK (Cornwall and Wales),
Italy (Rome, Milan, Merano, Liverno, Genova and Savona), Switzerland
(Locarno), Germany (Berlin), Australia (Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne,
Adelaide, Gold Coast and Victoria), New Zealand (W ell ingt on,
Paraparaumu), South Africa (Cape Town). He was a featured Guest at
the MILAN YOGA FESITVAL 2007 and 2008 and Merano Yoga Festival
2012 where he gave successful workshops and performed concerts of
South Indian Music for an appreciative audience. He was a featured guest
presenter at the INTERNATIONAL YOGA THERAPY CONFERENCE in San
Rafael, USA where he lectured and taught in October 2008. He has given
invited talks at the Tagore centre of the Indian Embassy in Berlin in 2007
viii PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

and 2008. He was invited guest of the National Institute of Integrative

Medicine, Melbourne in April 2009. He has taught and performed at the
GITANANDA ASHRAM in Italy on all his visits to the Mini India created near
Savona by Svami Yogananda Giri.
He was invited to be Major Presenter at the REUNION IN YOGA - IYTA
World Yoga Convention held at Sydney, Australia in September 2010.
Nearly 200 delegates attended the World Convention that was held after
a gap of 13 years. It is to be noted that previous such invitees have been
Swami Satyananda Saraswathi, Swami Gitananda Giri , Swami
Satchitananda, B.K.S. Iyengar, Andre Van Lysbeth, Lilias Folan, Howard
Kent, Mansukh Patel and Swami Maheshwarananda. He has conducted
successful Yoga workshops for IYTA in Sydney in 2008, 2012 and 2014.

Dr. Ananda is Chairman of the International Centre for Yoga Education

and Research (ICYER), the internationally acclaimed Yoga Institute
established as Ananda Ashram in 1968. He is Chairman of Yoganjali
Natyalayam, a world famous Institute of Yoga, Bharatanatyam, and
Carnatic Music established in Pondicherry in 1993. He is also Director of
studies for both these institutes.

He has received the Marudha Ramalinganar OUTSTANDING YOUNG

PERSON AWARD and Rolling Shield for the year 2002 from the Youth
Peace Centre, Pondicherry and receiv ed the title award of Yo ga
Vib hushan f rom Tam il Nadu State Yoga Association and Sports
Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (Tuticorin) at the 15 th Tamil Nadu
State Yogasana Championship held at Kovilpatti, Tuticorin Dist, Tamil Nadu
in August 2003.He received the title award of Yoga Bishmacharya from
the Tirumoolar Yoga and Natural Diet Trust, Chennai and Tamil Nadu
State Yoga Association at the Tamil Nadu State Yogasana Championship
held at Chennai in November 2004. He has been honoured with the Yoga
Chakravarthy title awarded by Gitanjali Yoga Centre in September 2005.
Other titles and awards received by him are Palkalai Chemmal, Sagala
Kala Vallavan, Isai Sevagan, Puduvai Mannin Maindhan, Achiever Award
2003, Jnana Vruddha, Muthaizh Suvaignar, Mattala Vittaga Mamani,
Sevai Thilagam , Shiva Yoga Chudar, Yoga Kalaimamani, Yoga Thilagam,
Saivneri Isai Chemmal, Sri Aurobindo Award, Palkalaisudar Mamani,
and Biodiversity Award 2014. He was awarded the School Psychology:
Best Performance Award 2013 by Indian School Psychology Association
(InSPA), during 3rd National Conference on School Psychology Services
to Multiple Disabled Children, held 22-24 November 2013 at NIEPMD,
Muttukadu, Tamil Nadu, India. He was honoured for his Yoga Seva by
Kumari Selja Union Minister for Tourism during the 18th International Yoga
Festival 2011 in the presence of Sri V. Narayanasamy, Union Minister for
Culture, Lt Governor of Pondicherry Dr. Iqbal Singh, Chief Minister Sri
 ABOUT THE COMPILER AND EDITOR ix

Vaithiyalingam, Home Minister Sri Valsaraj, Tourism Minister Sri Malladi

Krishna Rao and Social Welfare Minster Sri Kandasamy. He was also
awarded the LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD IN FIELD OF YOGA on
January 7th 2011 by Department of Tourism, Govt. of Pondicherry during
the 18th International Yoga Festival. He was nominated by Pondicherry
Govt Department of Art and Culture to the Governing Body of the South
Zone Cultural Centre, Tanjavur under Ministry of Culture, Govt of India
in 2013.

He worked from 2000 to 2004 as a Senior Research Fellow in the

Yoga Research Project conducted by Department of Physiology, JIPMER
under auspices of Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as well as
Ministry of Defense, Govt. of India, New Delhi. He involved in various
research studies at JIPMER and published numerous scientific papers
on these findings. He worked as Medical Officer in the Village Health
Programme and the Child to Child Health Education Programme
run by the Auroville Health Centre in the International Township of
Auroville, Tamil Nadu from 1999 to 2000 and 2004 to 2008. He worked as
Programme Coordinator in the Advanced Centre for Yoga Therapy,
Education and Research (ACYTER), JIPMER, Puducherry from March
2009 to July 2013. Many research studies were completed and scientific
papers published from this centre established by a MOU between JIPMER
and MDNIY in June 2008. The centre focused on the role of Yoga in the
prevention and management of cardiovascular disorders and diabetes
mellitus and 36,000 patients benefited from Yoga therapy consultations
and practical sessions. The centre also popularized the science of Yoga
among medical professionals and general public and conducted three
national workshops on Yoga in medical education, Yoga and hypertension,
Yoga and diabetes as well as workshops on Yoga and HIV etc with excellent
response from all over the country.

Dr. Ananda is currently Deputy Director of the Centre for Yoga Therapy
Education and Research (CYTER), MGMC&RI, Pondicherry under
auspices of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth. He is extremely proud of his illustrious
and dear student Yoga Chemmal Smt. Meena Ramanathan who is working
as Coordinator and Yoga Therapy Consultant for this centre that is serving
thousands of patients, medical prof essionals and paramedi cal
professionals through Yoga.

He is happily married to Yogacharini Devasena Bhavanani who has a

Master’s degree in Sanskrit in addition to being an eminent Yoga Expert,
Carnatic Vocalist and Bharatanatyam Dancer, teacher and choreographer.
They have a talented daughter Dhivya Priya Bhavanani and son Anandraj
Bhavanani.
THE TREE OF ASHTANGA YOGA
 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I gratefully acknowledge the great blessing and good fortune I have had to be
born the son of the greatest Yoga Team of the last century. I offer this compilation
to the lotus feet of my Guru-Father Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda
Giri Guru Maharaj and my Mother-Guru Kalaimamani Yogacharini
Smt. Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani who have inculcated in me the discipline
of Yoga as well as sowing the seed of this great art and science in my heart.

I have also been privileged to receive the blessings and good will of some
of the great masters of Yoga such as Padmabhusan Sri B.K.S. Iyengar,
Sri Yogendra Ji, Sri Sant Keshavdas, Swami Chinmayananda, Swami
Dayananda, Yogi Amrit Desai, Sri Direndra Brahmachari, Swami Chidananda
Saraswathi, Sri Ma Yoga Shakti, Swami Satchitananda, Maharishi
Arunachalam, Swami Veda Bharathi, Dr. H.R. Nagendra, Sri T.K.V. Desikachar,
Swami Suddananda Bharathi, Sri Kannaya Yogi, Sri S.Sridharan and great
Yogic personalities such as Srila Sri Shankara Giri Swamigal, Prof. T.R.
Anantaraman, Prof. Dr. B. Ramamurthy, Dr. W. Selvamurthy, Dr. M.V.
Bhole, Prof. Dr. Madanmohan, Prof. R.C. Gupta, Sri Yogeshwar, Sri D.R.
Karthikeyan, Shri S.K. Jindel, Prof. K.R. Sethuraman, Prof. N. Ananthakrishnan,
Dr. B.R. Sharma, Dr. I.V. Basavaraddi, Dr. S.V. Rao, Dr. R.P. Pandey, Dr.
S.R. Joharapurkar and Dr. M.D. Khapre.

I thank all my elders who have blessed me in the propagation of Yoga in

general and Yoga Sport in particular such as Dr. Niren Mujumdhar of the
Indian Yoga Federation, Calcutta.

I wish to put on record my appreciation of the authors of the following

texts from which I have sourced a majority of the questions and answers.
May they continue to guide aspirants on this wonderf ul path towards
the Divine.

1. Yoga: Step-By-Step by Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri.

2. Ashtanga Yoga of Patanjali by Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri.
3. Raja Yoga Sutras by Swami Jyothirmayananda.
xii PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

4. Mudras by Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri.

5. Four Chapters On Freedom by Swami Satyananda Saraswati.

6. Light on Yoga by Padmabhushan B.K.S. Iyengar.

7. The Science of Yoga by I.K. Taimni.

8. Laghu Yoga Vashistha by Narayana Swami Aiyar.

9. Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Dr. Georg Feuerstein.

10. Bhagavad Gita by Swami Chidananda.

11. Gita Inspirations by Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri.

12. Yoga Kosha. Published by Kaivalyadhama, Lonavla, Maharasthra.

13. Yoga and Sports by Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri and Yogacharini Meenakshi
Devi Bhavanani.

14. Yoga. Published by V. K. Prakashan Trust Chennai.

15. Hatha Yoga Pradipika: English Translation by Pancham Sinh.

16. Gheranda Samhita: English Translation by Rai Bahadur S.C. Vasu.

17. Surya Namaskar by Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri.

18. Shiva Samhita: English Translation by Rai Bahadur S C Vasu.

19. Prasnopanishad: Commentary by Paramahansa Niranjananda.

20. The Six Systems of Hindu Philosophy by Swami Harshananda.

21. Shambala Encyclopedia of Yoga by Georg Feuerstein.

22. Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha by Swami Satyananda Saraswathi.

23. Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali by Padmabhushan B.K.S.

Iyengar.

24. A Primer of Hinduism by D.S. Sharma, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai.

25. Yoga in Education by Dr. H.R. Nagendra, T. Mohan and A. Shriram.

26. Yoga: Its Basis and Applications by Dr. H.R. Nagendra.

 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xiii

27. New Perspectives in Stress Management by Dr. H.R. Nagendra and

Dr. H. Nagarathna.

28. Integrated Approach of Yoga therapy for Positive Health by

Dr. H.R. Nagendra and Dr. H. Nagarathna.

29. Pranayama: The Art and Science by Dr. H.R. Nagendra.

30. Health Benefits of Yoga (c) 2001, 2004 Trisha Lamb. www.iayt.org.

31. Forty Types of Yoga by Georg Feuerstein. www.yrec.org.

32. Ancient Yoga and Modern Science by Prof. T.R. Anantaraman.

33. 84 Asanas by Georg Feuerstein. www.yrec.org.

34. 200 Key Sanskrit Terms of Yoga by Georg Feuerstein. www.yrec.org.

35. Nathamuni’s Yoga Rahasya translated by Sri T.K.V. Desikachar.

36. Yoga Sutra of Patanjali with the commentary of Vyasa by

Bangali Baba.

37. Yoga Life (International Journal of Yoga Jivana Satsangha) edited by

Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani. www.icyer.com.
xiv PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

“I died as a mineral to become a plant; I died as a plant to

become an animal; I died as an animal to become a man; I
died as a man to become an angel; I died as an angel, to
become God. When was I ever the less by dying?” - Rumi
 ABOUT THIS BOOK

Yoga is an art and science that developed from the core of Sanathana
Dharma. The Yogic life is the living of a unified holistic concept assuring
health, happiness, longevity and spiritual evolution. Yoga in its wholistic
sense can never be competitive, and there exists no objective measurement
by which one person can be declared more yogic than another. Therefore
the term “competitive Yoga” is a paradox and has no real meaning.
Howev er the prof iciency of the Sadhaka can be compared with that of
another in the performance of the Asanas, Kriyas, Mudras, Pranayamas
and the Shat Karmas. Yogasana competitions are a ‘f act’ in today’s
Yoga world and are mushrooming up in all directions. W hen conducted
efficiently and when the competitors approach them with the right Yogic
attitude of ‘Nishkama Karma’, i.e., self less action, then the Yogasana
competitions hav e a lot to off er. They stimulate the young minds and
giv e them an outlet for the competitiv e spirit, driv e and energy. The
youngsters learn to take the ‘win’ with the same equanimity (Samabhava)
as the ‘loss’. They learn to accept that on any given day someone
else may be better than them. They learn to accept the ‘highs’ with
the ‘lows’ and realize that proper planning dedicated and disciplined
practice and enthusiastic participation is more important than the result.
The youngsters are stimulated to intense practice and thus dev elop
amazing body skills, which they may not dev elop otherwise. The
competitions provide a meeting point for the youngsters to meet and
interact positiv ely with others hav ing similar interests. Formation of a
group of similar minded Yoga Sadhaks can reinf orce the indiv idual’s
practice whenever it slackens due to any reason. Positive ‘Peer Pressure’
creates a back up to counter any inertia that may hinder the practitioner
in their Sadhana. Due to competition, the Sadhaka is shaken out of
the complacency that tends to creep in when the practice of Yoga
becomes a habit as monotonous as the brushing of teeth in the morning.
They make sure that they don’t miss their practice and put in extra
energy and time to keep in shape. The competitiv e edge sharpens and
focuses the body awareness, thus fostering greater accuracy and perfection
that in turn stimulates the real Yogic growth. Spectators and the lay
xvi PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

observ ers of these competitions get stimulated to take up the practice

of Yoga and this in turn also draws these persons and the participants
into a deeper Sadhana. The basic idea of Yoga receives wide general
publicity and this can ‘open doors’ f or many who are ignorant of this
ancient art and science f or the mind and body. Thus we can see how
Yogasana competitions, when put in the framework of competitive sport
can restore the competitions to their original purpose, which was to
produce a ‘healthy mind in a healthy body’.

However when discussing the benefits of Yogasana competitions, we must

not ignore the pitfalls that are present in ‘competitive Yoga’. Yoga provides
relief from the ‘rat race’ that pervades every area of modern life. Thus by
putting stress and a competitive element into the practice of Yoga, we
may be acting against its positive role and create more stress and tension
than relief. Unless the competitions are well structured, they can lead to
confusion, partiality, and improper judgment thus finally creating a totally
a-yogic situation as seen in many competitions. There is then friction
amongst the participants, judges and organizers, which is as bad as that
seen in other sporting competitions with everyone beating up each another.
As in other competitions, the ego of the victor is ‘patted and fed’ often
becoming so bloated that it destroys all spiritual sensitivity and perceptions.
This ego boosting leads to very unpleasant situations and finally the whole
idea of Yoga gets lost. The person starts to think that the success is all
due their work alone and that there is no need to be thankful to the parents,
Guru or even the Divine. Asmita (ego) is one of the Kleshas (mental quirks)
that are the root cause of human misery, and the aim of Yoga is to destroy
the Kleshas and not to pamper them. Competitors may make the effort
for the sake of the rewards and not for the sake of the practice itself. This
is the antithesis of the philosophy of wholistic Yoga. Too much emphasis
on competition can lead to the practitioners getting ‘hung up’ in their
bodies. There is even the real danger of competitive Yoga breaking away
from mainstream Yoga and becoming a subject onto itself, with its exponents
living gross, crude and a-yogic lives thus falling in the same pitfalls as
their sporting compatriots from other sports. This is why those in-charge
of such competitions must stand firm on moral and ethical issues. Competitors
must sign a statement that they are vegetarian, non-smoking, non-drinking
 ABOUT THIS BOOK xvii

and non-drug users. They must have a basic knowledge of Yoga theory
and marks should be allotted for Yoga deportment and character. They
must be regular practitioners who are attached to either Yogashrams or
accredited Yoga groups. W hen all these considerations are taken into
account, then ‘Yoga Sports’ can be a beacon light for other sports in
terms of living the Yogic and sporting ideals. Thus Yoga Sports can add
as well as benefit from the association with the sporting world and be a
proper link between the two worlds of Yoga and sports.

Thus we can see that though the world of sports and that of Yoga lie nearly
on opposite poles, they have a lot to offer to each another. They can stimulate,
strengthen and benefit the practitioners of either science to a great extent
when approached properly and with an understanding of their respective
merits and limitations. We can also see that though Yogasana competitions
have both positive and negative aspects, they can be an effective link between
Yoga and sports. It is now necessary for the practitioners of Yoga and
sports to understand the benefits of their close association with one another
and create the needed framework in which both can complement each
another more effectively. This association between these two sciences can
then provide humankind with a disciplined, strong, efficient and healthy
body and mind for further evolution towards the Divine.

Nowadays organizers of Yogasana competitions are taking into consideration

the theoretical Yoga knowledge of the competitor as well as their proficiency
in Yogasanas. In this situation it is necessary to have a systematic
approach to the theory papers in the competitions. This book is an attempt
to systematize the theory questions in Yogasana Competitions and provide
the competitors as well as organizers a foundation on which to base the
theory papers.

I have found that the easiest way to learn is through question and answer
models and so have presented this book in the question and answer pattern.
The material given in this book is merely a beginning and the Sadhaka
must actualize these concepts in themselves through extensive contemplation
and self-analysis. I also give at the end of the book some model papers
that can be used in theory exams.
xviii PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

Any material reproduced from this book may be done so only with
prior permission of the author and with due credit to the source.
This is an important aspect of Yogic culture and I request all the
readers to follow this request in the true spirit of Yama and Niyama.

I wish that all those who go through this book would find that it enriches
their knowledge of Yoga theory as much as it did for me in its compilation.

- Yogacharya Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani

Pondicherry.
Dated: 13-9-2014
 WHAT IS YOGA?

Q.1. What is Yoga?

Ans:
 Yoga is that which joins (Yujate anena iti yogaha)
 Union (Yuj) of
o Body-Emotions-Mind
o Jiva-Atman
 A state of mastery over the senses and mind (Kathopanishad)
 Stilling the whirlpools (modifications) of the mind stuff (Yogah
chitta vritti nirodhah)-Yogamaharishi Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras
 Skill in action (Yogah karmasu koushalam) - Yogeshwar Sri Krishna
in Srimad Bhagavad Gita
 Equanimity of mind (Samatvam yogah uchyate) - Yogeshwar
Sri Krishna in Srimad Bhagavad Gita
 A skillful and subtle process to calm down the mind (Yoga Vashistha)
 Dis-association f rom the union with pai n (Duhkha samyoga
viyogam yoga sangnitam) - Yogeshwar Sri Krishna in Srimad
Bhagav ad Gita
 “Yoga is said to be the oneness of breath, mind, and senses,
and the abandonment of all states of existence.”—Maitri Upanishad
 “Yoga is the union of the individual psyche (Jivatman) with the
transcendental Self (Paramatman). “—Yoga Yajnavalkya
 “Yoga is said to be the unification of the web of dualities (Dvandva
Jaala).”—Yoga Bija
 “Yoga is said to be control.”—Brahmaanda Purana
 “Yoga is the separation (Viyoga) of the Self f rom the
World-Ground (Prakrithi).”—Raja Maartanda
 “Yoga is said to be the unity of exhalation and inhalation and of
blood and semen, as well as the union of sun and moon and of
the indiv idual psyche with the transcendental Sel f .”
— Yoga Shikha Upanishad.
 YOGIC PRAYERS

Q.1. Render a few important Yogic prayers with their meaning?

Ans:
Aum. Sahanavavatu Sahanau Bhunaktu Sahaviryankaravavahai
Tejasvinavadhitamastu Ma Vidvisavahai
Aum. Shanti Shanti Shanti. Aum.
“May he protect us both, May he nourish us both. May we both
work together with great energy. May our study be enlightening
and fruitful. May we never hate each other. Om Peace Peace Peace.”

Aum. Yogena Cittasya Padena Vacham

Malam Sarirasya Ca Vaidyakena
Yopakarottam Pravaram Muninam
Patanjalim Pranjaliranato Asmi. Aum.
“I offer my salutations with folded hands to Patanjali, the renowned
among the sages, who removed the impurity of mind through Yoga,
of the speech by Grammar and of the body by Ayurveda.”

Aum. Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah Sarve Santu Niramayah

Sarye Bhadrani Pasyantu Ma Kascit Duhkhabhagbhavet
Aum. Shanti Shanti Shanti. Aum.
“Let all become happy; let all remain free from unhappiness;
Let all acquire goodness; let nobody become recipients of misery.
- Om Peace Peace Peace”.

Q.2. Render the Guru Gayatri of the Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga

Paramparai.
Ans:
Aum. Tat Paramparyaya Vidmahe
Jnana Lingeshwaraya Dhimahi
Thanno Guru Prachodayat. Aum.
” I am aware of the great lineage that is represented by the lingam
of wisdom. I meditate upon that source of wisdom. May it illumine
my entire being”.
8 PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

Q.3. Give the twelve names of the Sun in Mantric form?

Ans:

Om Hram Mitraya Namaha (Adoration to the ‘Friend of All’)

Om Hrim Ravaye Namaha (Adoration to the ‘One praised by All’)
Om Hrum Suryaya Namaha (Adoration to the ‘Guide of All’)
Om Hraim Bhanave Namaha (Adoration to the ‘Bestower of Beauty’)
Om Hroum Khagaya Namaha (Adoration to the ‘Stimulator of Senses’)
Om Hrah Pushne Namaha (Adoration to the ‘Nourisher of Life’)
Om Hram Hiranyagarbhaya Namaha (Adoration to ‘Promoter of Virility’)
Om Hrim Marichaye Namaha (Adoration to the ‘Destroyer of Disease’)
Om Hrum Adityaya Namaha (Adoration to the ‘Inspirator of Love’)
Om Hraim Savitre Namaha (Adoration to the ‘Begetter of Life’)
Om Hroum Arkaya Namaha (Adoration to the ‘Inspirator of Awe’)
Om Hrah Bhaskaraya Namaha (Adoration to the ‘Effulgent One’)
 WHAT IS ASHTANGA YOGA?

Q.1. Who codified Ashtanga Yoga?

Ans: Maharishi Patanjali.

Q.2. When did he compose the Yoga Sutras?

Ans: More than 2500-3000 years ago.

Q.3. How many limbs are there in Ashtanga Yoga?

Ans: Eight

Q.4. What are the limbs of Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga?

Ans:
 Yama - Moral Restraints
 Niyama - Evolutionary Observances
 Asana - Steady Posture
 Pranayama - Energy/Breath Control
 Pratyahara - Sensory W ithdrawal
 Dharana - Single Minded Concentration
 Dhyana - Meditative State
 Samadhi - State of Complete Oneness.

Q.5. How are the eight limbs divided?

Ans:
 Adhikara Yoga - Yama, Niyama
 Kriya Yoga - Tapas, Swadhyaya, Ishwara / Atman Pranidhana
 Bahiranga - Yam a, Ni yama, Asana, Pranayama,
(+/-Pratyahara)
 Antaranga - Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi, (+/-Pratyahara)
 Samyama - Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi

Q.6. What are the other names of Ashtanga Yoga?

Ans:
Raja Yoga, Patanjala Yoga or Yoga Darshana.
 YAMA AND NIYAMA

Q.1. What are the five Yamas (moral restraints) ?

Ans:
 Ahimsa - Non-Violence
 Satya - Truthfulness
 Asteya - Non Stealing
 Brahmacharya - Controlling the Creative Principle
 Aparigraha - Non Covetedness

Q.2. What are the Pancha Niyamas (five evolutionary observances)?

Ans:
 Saucha - Cleanliness
 Santosha - Contentment
 Tapas - Austerity or Discipline
 Swadhyaya - Self-Knowledge or Self Analysis
 Ishwara or Atman
Pranidhana - Surrender to Divine/Atman

Q.3. What are the fruits of perfection in Ahimsa?

Ans: There is no hostility in his presence

Q.4. What are the fruits of perfection in Satya?

Ans: W hatever he utters will come true

Q.5. What are the fruits of perfection in Asteya?

Ans: All the riches will flow towards him

Q.6. What are the fruits of perfection in Brahmacharya?

Ans: Great valour is gained and fear of death is lost

Q.7. What are the fruits of perfection in Aparigraha?

Ans:
Knowledge of previous births and future births as well .
 WHAT IS ASANA? 17

(72) Baddha Paksheshwara Asana- Garuda posture

(73) Vicitra Asana- lovely/variegated posture
(74) Nalina Asana- day lotus (Nebumbium Speciousum) posture
(75) Kaanta Asana- beloved posture
(76) Shuddha Pakshi Asana- pure bird posture
(77) Sumandaka Asana- very slow/gradual posture
(78) Caurangi Asana- Caurangi Siddha’s posture
(79) Krouncha Asana- heron posture
(80) Dridha Asana- firm posture
(81) Khaga Asana- crow posture
(82) Brahma Asana- Brahma’s posture
(83) Naaga Peetha Asana- serpent seat posture
(84) Shava Asana- corpse posture

For best instruction in

Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga,
Bharatanatyam and Carnatic Music

YOGANJALI
N AT YA L AYA M
25, II nd Cross, Iyyanar Nagar,
Pondicherry-605 013.
Tel: 91-413-2241561

Cell: 98423-11433 E-mail: yognat2001@yahoo.com

Website: www.rishiculture.org
18 PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

Two roads diverge, one leading to Cosmic Consciousness,

upwards, marked by many positive qualities,
the other leading downward, to self-indulgence and
self-absorption, marked by negative characteristics.
Every human being must choose the path he/she wishes to take
- upwards to evolution, or downwards, to devolution.

THE CH OICE IS ULTIMATELY Y OURS!

 WHAT IS PRANAYAMA?

Q.1. How does Patanjali define Pranayama in the Yoga Sutras?

Ans:
Tasmin sati shvasa prashvasayor gati vichhedah pranayamah
(Asana having been completed, cessation of inhalation and exhalation
“Kevala Kumbaka” is Pranayama).

Q.2. What are the benefits of Pranayama according to Patanjali?

Ans:
 Tatah kshiyate prakashah aavaranam.
(Thereby the covering of inner light disappears).

 Dharanasu cha yogyataa manasah.

(The mind attains the necessary fitness for the higher practices
such as concentration).

Q.3. What are the eight classical Kumbhakas (Pranayamas) according

to Hatha Pradipika?

Ans:
 Surya Bhedana - Sun Cleaving Breath
 Ujjayi - The Victorious Breath
 Sitkari - Hissing Breath (Cooling Breath)
 Sheetali - Beak Tongue Breath (Icing Breath)
 Bhastrika - Bellows Breath
 Bhramari - Sound of Bee Breath
 Murccha - Fainting or Swooning Breath
 Plavini - Floating Breath

Q.4. What are the Pancha Prana Vayus (Five Major Airs)

Ans:
“Hridi Prano Gude Apanah, Samano Nabhi Mandaley, Udanah Kantha
Desastho, Vyanah Sarva Shariragah” - Shiva Samhita
Prana ( Heart region), Apana (Anal region), Samana (Navel), Udana
(Throat) and Vyana (Pervades entire body).
THE CHAKRAS
 WHAT ARE THE CHAKRAS?

Q.1. What are Chakras?

Ans:
Vortices of Pranic energy located along the pathway of Sushumna
Nadi. Chakras are primarily a Tantric concept. They are usually
depicted as lotuses.
Q.2. How many Chakras are there?
Ans:
There are seven major Chakras. (Six lower Chakras plus Sahasrara).
According to the teachings of Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri there are
six lower (pinda) and six higher (anda) Chakras making a total of
12 Chakras. The Shiva Agamas also mention Dwadashantha in
relation to Chakras. Many more minor Chakras are situated at vital
junctions of the body.
Q.3. Where are the Chakras located?
Ans:
They are l ocat ed in t he psychic or energy body (Pranamaya
Kosha or Sukshma Shari ra). They are related to m ajor nerv e
plexi and endocrine glands present in the physical body (Annamaya
Kosha). They are connected to a network of psychic channels
(Nadis). They are fully manifest in the Anandamaya Kosha (Karana
Sharira)

Q.4. In which Chakra is Kundalini said to reside?

Ans: Mooladhara Chakra

Q.5. Which book is considered the authority on Chakras?

Ans: Shat Chakra Nirupana

Q.6. Name the paths of Yoga that are related to Chakras.

Ans: Kundalini Yoga and Laya Yoga.
 YOGIC TEXTS

Q.1. What are some important Yoga texts

Ans:
Patanjala Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Vashishta, Shiva Samhita,
Gheranda Samhita, Hatha Yoga Ratnaavali, Hatha Yoga Pradipika,
Shiva Swarodaya, Prasnopanishad, Yoga Upanishads, Thirumandiram,
Nathamuni’s Yoga Rahasya and Shat Chakra Nirupana.

Q.2. What are the humane qualities that Maharishi Patanjali advises
us to cultivate?
Ans:
The attitudes to be cultivated (Samadhi Pada-33rd Sutra) are:
 Maitri - Sukha : Friendliness towards those who
are happy
 Karuna - Duhkha : Compassion towards those who
are miserable
 Mudhita - Punya : Cheerfulness towards the
virtuous
 Upekshanam - Apunya : Indifference towards the wicked

Q.3. How many chapters are there in the Bhagavad Gita?

Ans: Eighteen

Q.4. What are the names of the Padas in the Yoga Sutras?
Ans:
 Samadhi Pada
 Sadhana Pada
 Vibhuti Pada
 Kaivalya Pada
Q.5. How many Sutras are there in the Yoga Sutras of Maharishi
Patanjali?
Ans: 196 / 195 verses or sutras

Q.6. How can the Chitta Vrittis be classified

Ans: Klishta and Aklishta (painful and non painful)
72 PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

Q.11.What are some of the limitations of Yoga Therapy

Ans:
Though Yoga and Yoga therapy are very useful in bringing about a
state of total health it is not a miracle cure for all problems. It needs
a lot of discrimination on the part of both the therapist as well as
the patient. It may not be useful in emergency conditions and there
is a strong need to consult a qualified medical doctor where in
doubt. Each patient is different and so the therapy has to be moulded
to suit the individual needs rather than relying on a specific therapy
plan for patients suffering the same medical condition. A very true
problem is that there is a different approach of the different schools
of Yoga to the same condition. It is better to follow any one system
that one is conversant with, rather then trying to mix systems in a
“Yogic Cocktail’. One must also be vigilant as there is a strong
presence of numerous quacks pretending to be Yoga therapists
and this leads to a bad name for Yoga therapy as well as Yoga in
general. Premier institutions and governing bodies must take necessary
action to weed out these unscrupulous operators that are in Yoga
only for the money.

Q.12.Name some disorders and diseases amiable to Yoga Therapy.

Ans:
 Psychosomatic and Stress Disorders
Bronchial asthma, Diabetes mel litus, Hypertension, Irritable
bowel syndrome, Gastro intestinal ulcer diseases, Atherosclerosis,
Seizure disorder (epilepsy) and Headache, etc.
 Physical disorders
Heart disease, Lung disease, Mental retardation
 Psychiatric disorders
Anxiety disorders, Obsessive-compulsive disorder, Depression,
Substance abuse
 Musculo-skeletal disorders
Lumbago, Spondylosis, Sciatica, Carpel tunnel syndrome, Rheumatism
 Degenerative disorders
Osteoarthritis, dementia, etc.
 YOGA IN MODERN INDIA

Q.1. Name some important Yoga scientists of India.

 Dr. B.K. Anand, AIIMS, New Delhi
 Prof. T.R. Anantaraman, BHU, Varanasi
 Dr. K. Arunachalam, Madurai
 Dr. T.K. Bera, Konavla
 Dr. M.V. Bhole, Kaivalyadhama
 Dr. Ramesh Bijlani, AIIMS, New Delhi
 Dr. B.T. Chidanandamurthy, Pune
 Dr. G.S. Chinna, New Delhi
 Dr. K.K. Datey, Mumbai
 Dr. T. Desiraju, NIMHANS
 Dr. Ganesh Shankar, Sagar University
 Dr. S.K. Ganguly, Kaivalyadhama
 Dr. M.L. Gharote, Kaivalyadhama
 Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri, Pondicherry
 Dr. K.S Gopal, JIPMER, Pondicherry
 Dr. M.M. Gore, Kaivalyadhama
 Dr. K.S. Joshi, Pune
 Dr. P.V. Karambelkar, Kaivalyadhama
 Dr. Krishna Bhatt, Manipal
 Swami Kuvalayananda, Lonavla, Maharashtra
 Dr. Lajpat Rai, MDNIY, New Delhi
 Dr. Madanmohan, JIPMER, Pondicherry
 Dr. R. Nagarathna, sVYASA
 Dr. H.R. Nagendra, sVYASA
 Dr. M.V. Rajapurkar, Kaivalyadhama
 Dr. Venkata Reddy, Secunderabad
 Dr. B. Ramamurthy, Chennai
 Dr. W. Selvamurthy, DIPAS, New Delhi
 Dr. Shirley Telles, sVYASA
 Dr. R.H. Singh, BHU, Varanasi
 Dr. Subash Ranade, Pune
 Dr. K.N. Udupa, BHU, Varanasi
 Dr. S.L. Vinekar, Kaivalyadhama
 VIVA QUESTIONS

1. Who is the codifier of ‘Yoga Darshana’?

Ans: Maharishi Patanjali

2. Who is the author of the ‘Hatha Pradipika’?

Ans: Yogi Swatmarama Suri

3. Where is the famous Yoga centre Kaivalyadhama located?

Ans: Lonavla

4. In which city is the Sri Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram located?

Ans: Chennai

5. Where in South India can you expect to find a depiction of

Patanjali?
Ans: Chidambaram

6. What year was the First International Yoga Festival held by

Government of Pondicherry Tourism Dept?
Ans: 1993

7. Which Mudra is used in Bhramari Pranayama?

Ans: Shanmuki or Yoni Mudra

8. Which Mudra helps in cases of neck pain?

Ans: Brahma Mudra

9. A topsy-turvy Mudra that is useful in Diabetes.

Ans: Viparita Karani Mudra

10. According to the Hatha Pradipika the best of all Mudras is ?

Ans: Kechari Mudra
84 PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

11. Mudra where both eyes are fixated on mid point between eyebrows?
Ans: Sambhavi Mudra

12. In Sadanta Pranayama, air is inhaled via _____ and exhaled

via __________.
Ans: In through the teeth and out via the nose

13. In Surya Bhedana, the air is exhaled through which nostril.

Ans: Left nostril

14. Name the four components of Pranayama.

Ans: Puruka, Kumbhaka, Rechaka and Shunyaka

15. Name the 3 types of Kumbhakas.

Ans: Antara, Bahira and Kevala Kumbhakas

16. Which Pranayama purifies all the 72,000 Nadis?

Ans: Nadi Shuddhi

17. Inhalation and exhalation are through which nostril in Chandra

Anuloma Pranayama?
Ans: Left nostril

18. Name some important Yoga texts

Ans: Patanjala Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, Yoga Vashistha, Shiva
Samhita, Gheranda Samhita, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Shiva Swarodaya,
Yoga Upanishads

19. Which the Kriya can also be called a Pranayama?

Ans: Kapalabhati

20. The King of Asanas is ______________________.

Ans: Shirshasana

21. Who is the Goddess of Knowledge?

Ans: Goddess Saraswathi
 MODEL THEORY PAPERS

MODEL THEORY PAPER - I

FILL IN THE BLANKS

1. Satya belongs to the Pancha________________.

2. Soucha belongs to the Pancha_______________.
3. The last three limbs of Ashtanga Yoga are known together as _______.
4. The three Gunas are Tamas, Rajas and ________________________.
5. The Yoga Sutras have ________________verses (sutras).
6. The Yoga Sutras were given by__________________________________.
7. The first Chakra is ________________________.
8. W e can control the Chitta Vrittis by Abyasa and ___________________.
9. Kriya Yoga consists of _______________, Swadhyaya and Ishwara Pranidhana.
10. A Mudra is_______________for energy.
11. The mother Klesha is __________________________.
12. The Kleshas can be destroyed by ________________________.
13. The energy sheath / body is the ____________________Kosha.
14. The three bodies are the Sthula Sharira,___________ and the Karana Sharira.

MATCH THE FOLLOWING

15. Ahimsa a. Memory

16. Tapas b. Non-stealing
17. Vibhuti Pada c. Niyama
18. Ekagratha d. Non-coveted ness
19. Vikshipta e. Truthfulness
20. Vikalpa f. Cleanliness
21. Smrithi g. Yama
22. Viparyaya h. Contentment
23. Anumana i. Self Analysis
24. Asteya j. Yoga Sutras
25. Aparigraha k. One pointed mind
26. Satya l. Partially distracted mind
27. Soucha m. Imagination
28. Santhosha n. Chittavritti
29. Swadhyaya o. Inference of right knowledge

TRUE OR FALSE ?

30. Asana is the first step of Ashtanga Yoga.


A Ashrams of Modern India, 77
Aahara, 73
Abhaava Yoga, 4
Abhyasa, 73, 86
Abimanyu, 106, 108, 111, 112
Abinivesha, 48, 96, 115
Abyasa, 57, 96,
Adam Pranayama, 119
Adhibhautika, 97
Adhidaivika, 97
Adhikara Yoga, 9, 12, 87
Adhimatra, 55, 61, 97
Adhimatratma, 55, 62, 97
Adho Mukha Swanasana, 28, 113
Adhyatma Yoga, 4
Adhyatmika, 97
Adi Shankara, 116, 117, 122
Agama, 58, 96
Agni, 36, 50, 106, 110
Agni Yoga, 4
Ahamkara, 44, 46, 59, 60, 97
Ahimsa, 11, 88
Ajapa Japa, 22
Ajna Chakra, 39
Akash, 16, 38, 49, 63, 96
Alabdhabhumikatva, 55, 96
Alasya, 55, 96
Amrtanadopanishad, 2
Anahata Chakra, 37
Ananda Ashram, 77, 78, 124
Anandamaya Kosha, 41, 63, 68,
95
Anavasthitatwa, 55, 96
Angamejayatva, 55
Anima, 57, 97
Anjali Mudra, 119
Annamaya Kosha, 33, 41, 63, 68,
95
Antah Karana, 44
Antaraaya, 55, 96- 99
Antaranga Yoga, 9, 87
Antarya Kumbhaka, 21
Anuloma, 21, 25, 31, 84
Anumana, 58, 96
Apana, 19, 88
Aparigraha, 11, 88
Apas, 35, 49, 63, 96, 115
Aprakasha Mudra, 118
Apunya, 47
Arambha Avastha, 57, 61
Ardha Matsendrasanasana, 29
Arjuna, 105-112, 121
Artha, 42, 95
Asamprajnata, 59, 96
Asana, 5-9, 13-17, 62, 78, 87, 88,
101, 114, 121
Asana Mudras, 24
INDEX
Ashta Kumbakas,19
Ashta Siddhis, 57, 97
Ashtanga Yoga, 2-10, 62, 78,
87-93, 123
Asmita, 48, 96, 115
Asparsha Yoga, 4, 6
Asteya, 11, 88
Asthi, 43, 46, 98
Aswamedha Yagna, 110, 112
Aswini Mudra, 23, 24, 27, 98,
100, 118
Atharva Veda, 50-52, 102
Atma Prajna, 63
Atman, 1, 9, 11, 40, 46, 87-89,
93
Atman Prasadhanam, 62
Attanga Yoga, 10
Aurobindo Sri, 5, 77, 122
Avastha, 57, 61,62
Avidya, 48, 91, 93, 96, 115
Avirati, 55, 96
B Devadutta, 20, 88, 115
Bahir Kumbaka, 21
Bahiranga Yoga, 9, 87
Balarama, 53, 98, 105, 110, 112
Bandha, 15, 23-25, 68, 114,
115, 121
Bandha Trayam, 24, 89
Basti, 29, 30, 74, 120, 121
Bhadrasana, 13, 74, 101
Bhagavad Gita,1,4,6,45-47,
62,81-87,98,109,114,116
Bhakti, 3, 4, 28, 62, 68, 71, 100
Bhastrika, 19, 20, 74, 88
Bhaya, 45, 104
Bheeshma, 105-112
Bhima, 105-111
Bhramari, 19, 22, 27, 83, 88,
118, 119
Bhujangasana, 13, 27, 100, 113
Bhujangini Mudra, 23, 24
Bindu, 46, 71, 89
Biochemical Effects of Yoga, 66
Brahma Mudra, 118
Brahma Sutras, 51
Brahmaanda Purana, 1
Brahmacharya, 11, 58, 88, 97
Branti-Darshan, 55
Buddhi, 44, 45, 46, 59, 82, 97,
103
Buddhi Yoga, 4
C Ekagra Chitta, 60
Cardinal Principles of Yoga, 3
Chakras, 33, 46, 92
Chakrasana, 25, 29, 101
Chakshu, 24, 36, 42, 95
Chandra, 15, 16, 21, 25, 31, 84
Chandra Anuloma, 21, 120
Chandra Bhedana, 21, 31
Chatur Ashramas, 57, 97
Chatur Mahavakyam, 52
Chaturanga Yoga, 2
Chaturvidha Purusharthas, 42, 95
Chaturvimsati Tattva, 97
Chidra Chitta, 60
Chitta, 44, 69, 87, 95, 114
Chitta Prajna, 63
Chitta Vikshepa, 55
Chittavritti, 47, 58, 95, 96, 115
Classification of Diseases, 67
Cooling Pranayamas, 22
D
Dama, 56
Danda Dhouti, 121
Dasa Avatara, 53, 98
Daurmanasya, 55
Dayananda Swami, 77, 103, 123
Dhananjaya, 20, 88, 111, 115
Dhanurasana, 13, 29, 101, 113,
121
Dharana, 5, 6, 9, 23, 24, 58, 62,
68, 69, 87, 113
Dharma, 42, 49, 62, 93, 95
Dharmendriya, 62, 104
Dhatus, 74, 98
Dhauti, 26, 29, 30, 74, 90, 121
Dhritarashtra, 105, 106, 110, 111
Dhyana, 5, 6, 9, 24, 59, 62, 68,
69, 87, 113
Dhyana Yoga, 4
Diksha, 91
Divya Chitta, 60
Draupadi, 105-111
Drona, 106, 108-111
Dugdha Neti, 89
Duhkha, 47, 55, 97
Durvasa, 109, 110
Duryodhana, 105-109, 111
Dvaita, 100
Dvandva, 1
Dwadasha Kramas, 46
Dwesha, 48, 82, 96, 115
E
Eight Clasical Kumbakas,19
Eighty Four Postures, 15
Eka Padasana, 28
Ekagratha, 48, 95, 114
Ekendriya, 59, 60, 61, 62
Eleven Asanas (Yoga Bhasya), 14
152 PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI
F I
Fifty-Two Elements of Yoga
Therapy, 70
Five Deha Doshas, 45, 104
Five Kleshas, 48
Five Koshas, 41, 63, 68, 94
Five Maha Bhutas, 49, 60, 63, 96,
115
Five Niyamas, 11
Five Prana Vayus, 19, 88
Five Upa Prana Vayus, 20, 88, 115
Five Yamas, 11
Four (Five) Fold Awareness, 2
Four Important Asanas, 13
Four States of Awareness, 44
Fourteen Lokas, 44
Fourteen Main Nadis,20
G Kundalini Yoga, 5, 33
Gaja Karani, 100, 121
Gandha, 34, 42
Gandhari, 106, 108
Ganga, 86, 107, 117
Garbha Pindasana, 25, 90, 122
Garima, 57, 97
Garudasana, 13, 100, 101
Gayatri, 7, 22, 103
Georg Feuerstein, 3, 10, 116
Ghata Avastha, 57, 61
Ghatastha Yoga, 4
Gheranda, 2, 4, 6, 84
Gheranda Samhita, 13, 23, 47, 49
Ghrta Neti, 89, 120
Gitananda Giri Swami, 2, 3, 10,
24, 33, 46, 70, 73, 75, 76,
79, 94, 98, 102, 104, 113-
116, 122-124
Goraksha, 2, 14, 16
Goraksha Paddhati, 14, 49
Grahasta, 58, 97
Grahna, 34, 42, 95
Granthi, 71, 91
Granthis, 46
Gunas, 43, 60, 95, 115
Guru, 7, 62, 70, 99, 105, 106,
122-124
Guru Yoga, 4
H Karma, 4, 6, 62, 68, 121
Halasana, 25, 101, 113
Hamsa Mantra, 22
Hanumanasana, 28, 102
Hasta, 71, 99
Hatha (Yoga) Pradipika, 13, 19,
20, 23, 24, 47, 49, 74, 83,
88, 116, 118, 119
Hatha Ratnaavali, 15, 49
Hatha Yoga, 4, 5, 23, 49, 74, 84,
100, 120
Hiranyagarba, 4, 90
Hiranyagarba Yoga, 4
Iccha Shakti, 44
Ida, 20, 88, 98
Indian Academy of Yoga, 78,
117, 124
Indra, 105, 108, 110, 121
Indriya Prajna, 63
Indriyas, 28, 46, 60, 61
Integrated Approach to Yoga
Therapy, 67
International Yoga Festival, 83
Ishwara, 9, 11, 87, 88, 113, 115
Ishwara Pranidhana, 5, 12, 62
Isitva, 57, 97
Itihasas, 51
Iyengar BKS, 10, 76, 78, 116,
122
J Kundalini, 4, 5, 6, 33, 91
Jagrat, 44, 103
Jalandhara Bandha, 23, 24, 89
Japa, 4, 22, 55, 68, 97
Japa Yoga, 4
Jathis, 25, 30, 68
Jayadratha, 108, 109
Jihva, 35, 42, 95
Jiva Vrittis, 73
Jivanmukta, 91
Jivatman, 1, 89
Jnana, 4, 7, 24, 62, 67, 70
Jnana Shakti, 44
Jnana Yoga, 3, 4, 70
Jnanendriyas, 42, 60, 95, 97
K Loka, 44, 46
Kaivalya, 47, 60, 91, 93, 95
Kaivalya Pada, 47, 60, 95
Kaivalyadhama, 75, 77, 78, 83,
117, 122
Kakasana, 101, 122
Kama, 42, 43, 45, 81, 95, 104
Kamavasayita, 57
Kambaliswamigal, 76, 123
Kanakananda Swami, 76, 124
Kapalabhati, 20, 29, 30, 31, 74,
84, 120
Kapha, 43
Kapotasana, 101, 113
Karana Sharira, 41
Karma Yoga, 3, 4, 6, 68
Karmendriya, 42, 60, 95, 97, 114
Karna, 105-112
Karuna, 47, 69
Kathopanishad, 1
Kaula Yoga, 4
Kechari Mudra, 23, 88, 99, 118
Kevala Kumbaka, 19, 20, 21, 88,
120
Kleshas, 48, 49, 93, 96, 115
Kleshma, 43
Kokilasana, 101, 113
Kouravas, 105, 110
Krikara, 20, 88, 115
Krishna, 1, 2, 45, 50, 53, 75, 79,
82, 87, 98, 104-112
Krishnamacharya, 76, 78, 83,
117, 122
K r i s h n a m a c h a r y a Yo g a
Mandiram, 78, 83, 117
Kriya, 21, 26, 71, 84, 90, 113,
115, 120, 121
Kriya Mudras, 24
Kriya Shakti, 44
Kriya Yoga, 5, 9, 49, 62, 87, 96,
113, 115
Krodha, 43, 45, 81, 95, 104
Kshipta, 48, 95, 114
Kukkutasana, 13, 101, 113
Kumbhaka, 19-21, 84, 88, 119,
120
Kunthi, 106, 107, 108, 110
Kurma, 16, 20, 53, 88, 98, 115
Kurmasana, 13, 28, 100, 122
Kuvalayananda Swami, 75, 76,
122
L
Lagima, 57, 97
Lambika Yoga, 5
Laya Yoga, 5, 33
Limitations of Yoga Therapy, 72
Linga Purana, 57
Linga Sharira, 43, 95
Lobha, 43, 95
Lokeshana, 56
M
Maamsa, 43, 46, 98
Maatsarya, 43, 95
Mada, 43, 95
Madyama, 55, 97
Maha Mudra, 24, 118
Maha Yoga, 5
Mahabharata, 51, 86, 103, 106,
109
Mahima, 57, 97
Maitri, 47, 69
Maitri Upanishad, 1
Majjaa, 43, 46, 98
Manas, 4, 39, 44-46, 60, 62, 103
Mandala, 39, 40, 46, 92, 94
Manipura Chakra, 36, 94, 115
Mano Prajna, 63
Manomaya Kosha, 41, 63, 68
Mantra Yoga, 5, 71
Mark of a Yogi, 2
Marman, 92
Matsyasana, 13, 25, 27, 35, 113
Mayurasana, 13, 28, 74, 101, 122
Meda, 46
Medas, 43, 98
Meru Asana, 28
 INDEX 153

Mimamsa Darshana, 49 Paravairagya, 59 Rajakapotasana, 25, 29

Moha, 43, 82, 95 Parichya Avastha, 57, 61 Rajas, 43, 95, 115
Moksha, 42, 91, 95 Paschimottanasana, 13, 25, 26, Rakta, 43, 46, 98
Moola Bandha, 5, 23, 24, 89, 118 89, 113 Ramana Maharishi, 76, 86, 123
Mooladhara Chakra, 33, 34, 91, Pashupata Yoga, 5 Ramayana, 116
94, 115 Patanjala Yoga, 4-6, 9, 47, 84 Rasa, 43, 46, 98
Mother Klesha, 48 Patanjali Maharishi, 1, 2, 5, 7, Rasana, 35, 42
Mridu, 55, 61, 97 9, 10, 12-14, 19, 47-49, 55, Rechaka, 21, 84, 119, 120
Mudha, 48, 95, 114 58-60, 83, 86-88, 93, 104, Rig Veda, 50, 51, 52, 102
Mudhita, 47 114-117, 122 Rishi, 15, 51, 94, 101, 104
Mudra, 23, 24, 74, 83, 84, 88, Payu, 36, 42, 95, 114 Rishikesh, 77, 78, 117, 123
98, 99, 114, 116, 118, 119 Physiological Benefits of Yoga, Rupa, 36, 42
Mumukshatwa, 56, 99 65
Murccha, 19, 88, 119 Pillars of Yoga Sadhana, 63 S
Pingala, 20, 88, 98 Sabija, 59
N Pitta, 43 Sadanta, 22, 84, 119
Naada Yoga, 5 Plavini, 19, 88, 119 Sadhana Chathustaya, 56, 99
Nadi Shodhana, 92 Pondicherry, 75-80, 103, 117, Sadhana Pada, 12, 47, 95
Nadi Shuddhi, 21, 84, 98, 119, 118, 123, 124 Sahasrara Chakra, 40, 91, 94
120 Prajna, 45, 63, 93 Sama, 56
Nadis, 20, 33, 46, 84, 88, 92, 98, Prakmamyam, 57, 97 Sama Veda, 50, 51, 52, 102
120 Prakrithi, 1, 48, 60, 93 Samadhana, 56
Naga, 20, 88, 106, 115 Pramada, 55, 96 Samadhi, 5, 6, 9, 12, 47, 59-63,
Names of the Sun, 8, 89 Pramana, 58, 95, 96, 114 87, 95-97, 113, 115, 117,
Narayana Arpana Bhava, 56 Prana, 4, 5, 19, 20-24, 46, 73, 122, 123
Narayana Bhava, 56 88, 114 Samadhi Pada, 47
Nasarga Mudra, 24 Prana Bindus, 46 Samadhi Yoga, 6
Nauli, 25, 29, 30, 74, 120, 121, Prana Granthis, 46 Samana, 19, 88,
Nava Dhushyas, 46 Prana Nadis, 46 Samatvam, 1, 82, 87, 93, 114
Navasana, 28, 101 Prana Prajna, 63 Sambhavi Mudra, 23, 118
Neti, 25, 26, 29, 30, 74, 90, 120 Prana Vahaka, 46 Samkhya Darshana, 49
Neti-Neti, 92 Prana Vahana, 46 Samkhya Yoga, 6, 81
Nidra, 45, 58, 95, 104, 114 Prana Vana, 46 Samnyasa Yoga, 6
Nihsvasa, 45, 104 Prana Vayus, 46, 73 Samprajnata, 59, 96, 97
Nimitta Bhava, 56 Pranamaya Kosha, 33, 41, 63, Samputa Yoga, 6
Nirbija, 59 68, 94 Samrambha Yoga, 6
Nirguna, 43 Pranayama, 9, 19-26, 57, 62, Samshya, 55, 96, 99
Nirmana Chitta, 60 68-70, 83, 84, 87, 90, 92, Samyama, 9, 60, 87, 113
Nirodha Chitta, 60 100, 116, 118-120 Sananda, 59, 97
Pranayama Mudra, 24 Sankalpa, 73
Niruddha, 48, 95, 114
Pranayama Sadhana, 57 Santosha, 11, 12, 88
Nirvichara, 59 Sanyasa, 58, 97, 123
Nirvitarka, 59 Pranidhana, 9, 11, 87, 88, 113,
115 Sapta Dhatus, 43
Nishpatti Avastha, 57, 62 Sapta Rishi, 94,104
Niyama, 5, 9, 10, 11, 62, 87, 113 Prapti, 57, 97
Prasupta, 48, 96, Saptanga Yoga, 2, 6
Noukasana, 113 Sarvangasana, 27, 38, 91, 113
Nyaya Darshana, 49 Pratyahara, 5, 6, 9, 28, 62, 68,
Sashahasana, 100, 113
69, 87
Pratyaksha, 58, 96 Sasmita, 59, 97
P Satsangha, 68, 69, 92
Pada, 24, 34, 42, 47, 95, 114 Pritvi, 34, 49, 63, 96 Sattva, 43
Padmasana, 13, 25, 28, 34, 39, Psychological Attitudes, 69 Satya, 11, 88,
40, 101 Psychological Benefits of Yoga, Savichara, 59
Padottanasana, 28 66 Savitarka, 59
Pancadashaanga Yoga, 5 Punya, 47 Seven Dhatus, 43
Pancha Deha Doshas, 45, 104 Puraka, 21 Seven Types of Prajna, 63
Pancha Kleshas, 48 Purana, 4, 5, 51, 52, 86 Shabda, 38, 42
Pancha Koshas, 41, 63, 68, 94 Purna Yoga, 5 Shadanga Yoga, 2, 6
Pancha Maha Bhutas, 49, 60, 63, Purpose of Ashtanga Yoga, 10 Shakuni, 108
96, 115 Puruka, 84, 119 Shanka Prakshalana, 120
Pancha Prana Vayus, 19, 88 Purusha, 48, 59, 93, 96 Shanmuki Mudra, 24, 119
Pancha Niyama, 11 Putreshana, 56 Shanta Chitta, 60
Pancha Yama, 11 Sharada Devi, 123
Pandavas, 106-112 R Sharira, 43, 63, 89, 95
Pani, 35, 42, 95, 114 Raaga, 48, 82, 115 Sharira Prajna, 63
Paramatman, 1, 89 Raja Yoga, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10 Shat Chakra Nirupana, 33, 47
154 PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI
Shat Darshanas, 49,96
Shat Karmas, 24, 68, 120, 121
Shat Kriya, 121
Shat Ripus, 43, 95
Shat Sampatti, 56, 99
Shavasana, 13, 27, 82, 101
Sheetali, 19, 22, 74, 88
Shirasasana, 27-29, 84, 101
Shitileekarana Vyayama, 30, 68
Shiva Purana, 6
Shiva Samhita, 19, 47, 49, 55,
84, 97,
Shotra, 38, 42, 95
Shraddha, 56, 63
Shunyaka, 21, 84, 119
Shushupthi, 44, 103
Siddha Yoga, 6
Siddhasana, 13, 15
Siddhis, 12, 57, 60, 61
Simhasana, 13, 100
Sitkari, 19, 22, 74, 88
Sivananda Swami, 117, 123
Smrithi, 58, 95, 114
Soma, 46
Soucha, 11, 12, 88
Sparsha, 4, 37, 42
Sparsha Yoga, 4, 6
Stages of Vairagya, 59
States of The Chitta, 48
States of The Kleshas, 48
Sthula Sharira, 41, 43, 95
Sthira Sukham Asanam, 13, 14,
114
Stitha Prajna, 45, 82, 114
Stress, 27, 65-68, 81, 82
Stress Management Programmes,
82
Structural Systems in Yoga, 46
Styaan, 55, 96, 99
Sukha, 47
Sukha Pranayama, 21
Sukra, 43, 46, 98
Sukshma Sharira, 33, 41, 43, 95
Surya Anuloma, 21, 90
Surya Bhedana, 19, 21, 25, 31,
74, 84, 88, 90, 119
Surya Namaskar, 23, 119
Sushumna, 20, 33, 88, 91, 98
Sutra, 47, 104
sVYASA, 75, 78, 116, 117
Swadhisthana Chakra, 35, 94,
115
Swadhyaya, 5, 9, 11, 12, 62, 68,
69, 87, 88, 113
Swapna, 44, 103
Swasha Praswasha, 55
Swatmarama, 2, 74, 83,116
T Vichinna, 48, 96,
Taaraka Yoga, 6
Tamas, 30, 43, 95, 115
Tanmatras, 42, 60
Tantra, 6, 91, 92
Tanu, 48, 96
Tapas, 5, 9, 11, 12, 60-62, 87,
88, 113, 121
Tejas, 36, 46, 49, 63, 96
Thirumoolar, 10
Thuriya, 44, 103
Tirumandiram, 10, 47, 57, 97,
98
Titiksha, 56
Tittibasana, 100
Tolasana, 99
Trataka, 29, 30, 31, 68, 69, 74
Tri Doshas, 43, 73
Trigunas, 43, 73,
Trikonasana, 27, 101
Tri Sharira, 41, 95
Trivikramasana, 102, 122
Tvak, 37, 42, 95,
Types of Disciples, 55, 97
Types of Kumbhakas, 84, 120
U
Udaaranaam, 48, 96
Udana, 19, 88
Uddiyana Bandha, 24, 89, 120,
121
Ujjayi, 19, 74, 88, 119
Upa Prana Vayus, 20, 88, 115
Upanishad, 2, 5, 6, 50, 52, 53,
102
Upanishad Brahmayogi, 97
Upanishads, 4, 47-52, 84, 89
Uparti, 56
Upastha, 37, 42, 95, 114
Upekshanam, 47, 69
Ushtrasana, 13, 25, 26, 100, 121
V
Vairagya, 56-61, 69, 86, 96, 99
Vaisheshika Darshana, 49
Vajrasana, 13, 26, 34, 35, 90,
101, 121
Vak, 38, 42, 95, 114
Vaman Dhouti, 120
Vanaprastha, 58, 97
Vashikara, 59, 60, 62
Vasitva, 57, 97
Vata, 43, 74
Vatayanasana, 100, 113
Vayu, 37, 49, 63, 96
Veda Vyasa, 52, 86, 105, 106,
111, 116
Vedanta Darshana, 49
Vedas, 49, 50, 51, 52, 102
Vibhaga Pranayama, 119
Vibhuti Pada, 47, 95
Vichara, 59, 97,
Vijnana Prajna, 63
Vijnanamaya Kosha, 41, 63, 68
Vikalpa, 58, 95, 114,
Vikshipta, 48, 95, 114
Viparita Buddhi, 73
Viparita Karani, 23, 24, 26, 74,
83, 90, 118
Viparyaya, 58, 95, 114
Viranchasana, 26, 90, 102
Vishnu Mudra, 119
Vishnu Purana, 6, 100
Vishnudevananda Swami, 76, 99,
123
Vishuddha Chakra, 38, 94
Vitarka, 59, 97
Viteshana, 56
Viveka, 10, 44, 56, 86, 99
Viveka Khyati, 10
Vivekananda Swami, 76-78,117,
122, 123
Vyadhi, 55, 96
Vyana, 19, 88
Vyasa, 10, 48, 86, 108, 111
Vyatireka, 59, 60, 61
Vyutthana Chitta, 60
W
What Is Yoga, 1
Y
Yajnavalkya, 1
Yajur Veda, 50, 52
Yama, 5, 9, 10, 62, 87
Yantra Yoga, 6
Yatamana, 59, 60, 61
Yoga Bhashya, 14, 48, 86
Yoga Darshana, 5, 9, 49,71,
83,93, 115
Yoga Institutions, 78
Yoga Life, 116
Yoga Margas, 3
Yoga Masters of Modern India,
76
Yoga Research in India, 77
Yoga Roodha,2, 87,
Yoga Sadhana, 55, 86, 96, 97, 99
Yoga Scientists of India, 75
Yoga Shikha Upanishad, 1
Yoga Sport, 79, 80, 103, 104
Yoga Sutra, 5, 9, 10, 12, 14, 19,
47, 48, 86, 93, 98, 104, 114,
120
Yoga Therapy, 65-72
Yoga Vashistha, 1, 84
Yogachudamani Upanishad, 2
Yogah Chittavritti Nirodhah, 1,114
Yogah Karmasu Koushalam, 1,
114
Yogic Prayers, 7
Yogin, 93
Yogini, 93
Yoni Mudra, 23, 119
Yudhishthira, 105-112
Yuj, 1, 85, 114