Yoga World

How do you say the word "chakra"? Is it shakra, kakra or chakra? It is easy to mispronounce this word because of the way it transliterates into the Roman (English) alphabet. But ultimately it is not a hard thing to understand or say.

We kick off our season-long discussion of The Yogic Body, tackling some big questions before digging into details. What is the difference between the "Yogic Body" and the "Subtle Body"? (5:42) We briefly introduce all the elements of the Yogic Body — chakras, kundalini, prana, vayus, nadis, bandhas, koshas (8:53) — before delving into whether the yogic body is real. (23:00) Of course, that question is more complex than it seems. Join us as we dig in!www.ghoshyoga.orgReferenced: Yoga Body by Mark Singleton

Why do we practice yoga postures? What are the benefits that we hope to get, and what have teachers told us will happen? This episode digs into the purpose and benefits of posture practice, especially in the past hundred years. Two big schools emerge, one of subtle energy and one of the body. Finally, what is the scientific evidence of any of it?

Scott and Ida discuss the nature of "alignment" throughout the last hundred years. Did older texts talk about alignment? When did it become important, and how did that change the way we practice yoga? Is alignment a good idea? They cover early pioneers such as Krishnamacharya, Shivananda and Yogendra, as well as Iyengar and Jois, all the way into the modernity of Birch.This episode is the first of two about alignment, covering the first three "buckets" of what it means.

We dig into the Yoga Sutras to see what they say about asana practice. They are briefly explained as part of the eight-limbed system, and often included in arguments about disease and health. Are they a suitable form of meditation? Is modern asana practice squeezed into the Yoga Sutras via a loophole?

What are yoga postures like in hathayoga? Scott & Ida dig into a couple Hatha texts and compare the asana instruction to modern practice.

Scott & Ida consider the whole century, including its progression, its changes, and the questions left unanswered. Is yoga healthy? Do the internal organs relate to the chakras? Is yoga inherently peaceful? They cover lots of territory as they sort out the entire season's topics.

Fitness is king. While yoga has gradually become more physical, now we just want the exercise without the label 'yoga'. The first significant scientific study about yoga's aerobic impact, and Iyengar writes about performing for crowds.

The culture of the world changes drastically in the 1960s and yoga is part of it. Even the Beatles are meditating and put Yogananda on their cover. Two of the most game-changing books of the 20th century are here, as asana becomes central, with a side of yoga philosophy.

The second world war puts a lot of things on hold including yoga, but it creates famine and Indian Independence. This week we discuss yogic superpowers, nationalism and the idea that all religions are actually the same. Join us!

Yogis in India develop scientific experiments and strive for the perfectly proportioned body. Above all, yoga is refashioned as a health regimen that is fit for Indian nationalism.

The first episode of "Traveling Through the Decades" which digs into each decade of the 20th century and its impact on yoga. The first decade of the century brings the reintegration of Hatha Yoga into the conversation, as well as some new techniques from Denmark. And a prolific yogi from Baltimore.