Yama – letting go of negative actions. Moral precepts Niyama- developing positive qualities of action.
Developing and letting go of the astral self. A practice dealing with the ego. In essence it is sila (virtue) practice. Dissolving of negative qualities and the cultivation of positive qualities, a healthy sense of self, pure lifestyle which purpose is to create a mind free from guilt and anxiety, creating a mind that is suitable for concentration. A mind without yama and niyama (eg a mind lacking virtue) lacks the natural peace necessary for the practice and the attainment of concentration (samadhi).
Asana Keeps the body healthy, strong and in harmony. The control of the muscular, nervous and skeletal system. Conscious control leading to unconscious control, the true goal is to stop the body messages reaching the mind as the hinder the concentration process.
Pranayama Literally meaning energy work. Bringing the subtle energy of the breath and prana (vital force) into the awareness of the practitioner, drawing the mind away from the coarser physical plane to cultivate awareness and control of the vital force.
Pratyahara The transition from external word to the internal world turning the senses and attention inward. The initial attaining of stillness in meditation.
Dharana The initial step of deep concentrative meditation, where the object being focused upon is held in the mind without consciousness wavering from it. Fixation of attention.
Dhyana (jhana) First to third jhanas. Absorption into a single point or quality of the meditation object. Accompanied by bliss, serenity, one pointedness.
Samadhi Fading of mediation object and bliss, the apparent fading of dualism. The mind expands and enters into a bright awareness, equanimity. The fourth jhana. This state of samadhi allows the mind to dissolve all ideas of separation, concept and feelings from self and object. Self/object & self/other dichotomy. This is considered right concentration from the dhammic view. Often misunderstood as a union of the meditator and the cosmos or the meditator and God. This state is still dependent on causes and therefore not final realization.
Professional profile of Kim White of Mindbody Yoga
The
mindbody yoga
system teaches yoga in a Buddhist frame work. The eight limbs of yoga are taught to produce Samadhi. However this is not the ultimate goal of Buddhism. Having attained samadhi one can then combine their samadhi with true insight practice and further progress along the Buddhist path. Ahjan Kim White teaches in Phuket Thailand. Kim concentrates on teaching the cultivation of all the three bodies (mental, prana & physical ) through meditation, pranayama and asana practice. Private training is offered on a weekly basis. The mindbody yoga system is also taught at the samadhi centre on the gold coast, group classes and private classes available. First week of training free.
