KEY CONCEPTS OF BHEEMASHAKTI YOGA

 


1. Origins
2. 7 Dimensions
3. Mandala
4. Kriya
5. Breathing Techniques
6. Body Priming
7. Meditation



ORIGINS

Bheemashakti Yoga was created in Mysuru, India in 2005 as a result of a deep relationship between yoga teacher Jonathan Patriarca and his teacher, Master HR Suresh. Together they built a yoga center where they trained students in body transformation and meditation techniques. 

 
 
 
 



7 DIMENSIONS OF THE BODY CONCEPT

Bringing yin and yang into balance by systematically harmonizing the 7 major directions the body can open and energize. All yoga postures are based on a combination/variation of one or more of these dimensions. When the direction of opening has become “energized”, strength, flexibility, and endurance are equally balanced. 

The 7 dimensions correlate to the 7 main chakras:



लँ
1. Leg Dimension

 

Muladhara · Base of Spine

 


वँ

2. Forward Fold Dimension

 

Svadisthana · Sacral

 



र

3. Twisting Dimension

 

Manipura · Solar Plexus

 




य 

4. Backbend Dimension

 

Anahata · Heart

 
 

हँ  

5. Shoulderstand Dimension

 

Vishuddha · Throat

 



उँ 

6. Handstand Dimension

 

Ajna · Third Eye

 





ॐ 

7. Forearmstand Dimension

 

Sahasrara · Crown

 


 
 






Mandala

◯

Mandala Rhythm is a method of timing yoga practice for optimal transformation of body and mind consciousness. The Mandala Rhythm harmonizes the yoga practice with cycles in nature and the human body to achieve the greatest transformation with the least amount of resistance. 




Kriya

 

Something that arrives from nothing, initiates the karmic ripple effect and then dissolves back into nothing. In this practice, it means repetitive cleansing movements. Moving energy along pathways, squeezing/compressing energy along pathways.

 






Breathing Techniques

Kapalabhati Breathing

 

Kapalabhati (literally “skull shining” breath), is a vigorous breathing technique of rapid short exhalations  through the nose, using the power of the lower abdomen  to expel the air. This breathing energizes the body and quickly strengthens the lower bandha system. 

 


Bhastrika

 

Bhastrika or “bellow’s breath” is performed by using the belly as a bellows to vigorously pump the breath in and out of the nostrils. It is used to clear the channels and warm the body up before beginning the physical part of practice. Bhastrika allows the practitioner to “shake off” or loosen areas of tightness or stress.

 




Body Priming

Body priming refers to the systematic conditioning of the muscles and joints necessary to quickly and safely improve strength, flexibility and endurance. 

The body priming process involves understanding the body’s natural state of openness and energization, or humming threshold. The humming threshold is when the internal body is warm and energization is at its optimum.

The humming threshold changes daily, and serves as a measurement or reference for physical progress. The main objective for priming the body is to move the humming threshold toward a more open and energized state in all 7 dimensions of the body. When practicing the BYS system one remains in constant awareness of this threshold and how it changes with practice. Each dimension will have different characteristics and rates of improvement, so it is important to observe the natural rhythm of contraction and expansion in the body.





7. Meditation

The BYS approach to yoga is deeply rooted in the belief that physical yoga practice is done to prepare the body for meditation.