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
©2017 By Yogacharya Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani

All rights reserved

1st Edition : 2002

2nd Edition : 2004
3rd Edition : 2008
4th Edition : 2014
5th Edition : 2017

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.sargurupg.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 fifth 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
fifth 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 Dr. Meena Ramanathan,

Yogachemmal G. Dayanidy, Yogachemmal Reena Dayanidy, Shvetika
Kaul and P.Lakshman Prathap 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

July 24th 2017
Yogacharya
Dr. Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani
 LIFE SKETCH OF PALKALAI CHEMMAL
YOGACHARYA DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

Yogacharya Dr. Ananda 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
Kambliswamy Madam in Thattanchavady,
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 Shri 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 years 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 Shri K M
Vaidhyanathan in 1977. Later, Thiruvarur Shri R. Krishnamurthy, one of the
most respected classical Mridungists of modern times, accepted him as a
disciple. He completed his Mridungam Arangetram in 1987. He began the
study of Bharata Natyam 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 Bharata Natyam master
Padmasri Adyar K. Lakshmanan of Chennai accepted him as a disciple and
Ananda performed many times under his guidance. For the past decade he has
shared a special Manasika Guru-Sishya relationship with Padma Bhushan
Sangeeta Kalanidhi Sri TV 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.
iv PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

His initial training in scholastic work was in Ananda Ashram and only when he
was thirteen was he sent to Bhavan’s Gandhi Vidyashram, Kodaikanal, to do
his formal schooling. At school in addition to his academic proficiency, he was
also one of the cricket team’s stars and all-round Athletic Champion. He was
awarded the “K.S. Jayarama Iyer Award for Best Instrumentalist” and in his
final year served as 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 explanations and
management of stress. The 2nd edition of the Stress Book was released recently.
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 3rd
edition. “Yoga: 1 to 10” explains numerous concepts of Yoga and Indian Culture
through a numerical codification using the numbers 1 to 10. It has been translated
and published in Italian in 2009. He coauthored a Tamil book on Basic Hatha
Yoga Lessons of Gitananda Yoga as well as Yoga for Weight Loss. In the
past few years he has 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). His latest creations include “Yoga Chikitsa: The Application of
Yoga as a Therapy” and “Saraswati’s Pearls” a book on Yoga and Music
coauthored with Yogacharini Dr. Sangeeta Laura Biagi of Italy.
He 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 175 scientific and Yoga papers and 69 scientific
abstracts on Yoga and Yoga research published along with 25 notes
compilations on Yogic education and therapy. He scripted and presented 19
DVDs on Yoga marketed worldwide 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 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 JNMC 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 about 500
students from the five Medical Colleges affiliated to Nagpur University. He
 ABOUT THE COMPILER AND EDITOR v

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 (Deemed University), 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 Bharata Natyam and has performed all over India and
notably at the ABHAI National Dance Festival in 1992. Following his father’s
Maha Samadhi on Dec. 29-1993 he has stopped his dance performances and
instead, focused his attention on Dance Choreography, especially in the rhythmic
aspect for Yoganjali Natyalayam. He has helped to choreograph 16 Major
Dance Dramas and 15 Mini Dance Dramas for Yoganjali Natyalayam. He has
also recently composed the music as well as choreographed four complete
Bharatanatyam Margams (the classical performing repertoire) with more than
four dozen 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 well known for his spontaneous imagination in the concerts
and for his explanations on the Yogic aspects of Carnatic Music. He has
performed innumerable vocal and instrumental recitals all over India including in
Bombay, Dehra Dun, Chennai, Cochin, Lonavla (Pune), Chidambaram, Bangalore
and Pondicherry. It is notable that he has performed five times in the Isai Vizha
(Music Festival) conducted by the Govt of Pondicherry from 1998 to 2012. He
has also performed in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, UK, South Africa,
USA, Canada, 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 Yogasana Competition held
at the International Yoga Festival – Pondicherry annually.
He is responsible for reviving the Pondicherry Yogasana Association (2000)
founded by Yogamaharishi Dr Swami Gitananda Giri in 1975. He is currently
General Secretary of the Pondicherry Yogasana Association and member
of the Executive Committee of Indian Yoga Federation, Kolkata. PYA has
been active in conducting Yoga Sport events such 31 Pondicherry State Level
Yoga Sport Championships and 18 Swami Gitananda Best Youth and Child
Award Competitions.
vi PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

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 (Dr M Niraimathi) and 2011 (AS 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 him as a vital tool for inculcating a sense of “team spirit and
mutual cooperation” in youngsters. His pioneering efforts in this field have been
widely applauded. He has been a pioneer in the revival of acrobatic Natya Karanas
(difficult, athletic and acrobatic postures of Bharatanatyam) into the modern
dance repertoire. With his finely developed aesthetic sense, he tastefully weaves
these acrobatic poses into his classical dance choreography and productions.
He has had the good fortune of meeting and receiving the blessings of numerous
Great Yoga Masters such as Swami Chidanada, Swami Chinmayananda, Swami
Satchidananada, Swami Dayananda, Swami Digambarji, Padmabhushan BKS
Iyengar, Sri Yogendra Desai, Yogacharya Sri TKV Desikachar, Sant Keshav
Das, Yogi Amrit Desai, Yogic Direndra Brahmachari, Smt Hamsaji and Dr Jayadev
Yogendra and Sri Yogeshwar. He has also been privileged to receive the blessings
of eminent Scientist Yogis such as Shri RR Diwakar, Dr K Arunachalam, Dr B
Ramamurthy, Prof TR Anantaraman, Dr W Selvamurthy, Dr HR Nagendra, Dr H
Nagaratna, Dr MV Bhole, Dr SV Rao, Dr RP Pandey, Dr Khapre and Dr SR
Joharapurkar. His illustrious mentors facilitating integration of Yoga with modern
medicine include Prof Madanmohan, Prof KR Sethuraman, Prof N
Ananthakrishnan, Prof RL Bijlani and Prof BV Adkoli.
As a Mridungist he has accompanied great artists like Padma Bhushan T.V.
Sankaranaarayanan, Kalaimamani Srirengam Ranganathan, Kalaimamani
Kulikkarai S.P. Vishvalingam and others on the Mridungam and is a ‘B’ Grade
Mridangist recognized by All India Radio. He has played Mridungam for
“Sendhen Tamilisai”, a Music Album by Kalaimamani Pulavar I Pattabiramane
in 2002 as well as “Bhakti Mani Mala”, a music album sung by Smt Jyothirmayi
(2003) as well as 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 drama 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 Bharata
Natyam Artists of India); Chennai, IAYT (International Association of Yoga
Therapists, based in USA); APPI (Association of Physiologists and
 ABOUT THE COMPILER AND EDITOR vii

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) of USA, the Australian
Association of Yoga Therapists and on various Academic, Research and Editorial
boards 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 15 times and given workshops, classes, lectures,
performances and talks in USA (San Francisco and Kripalu in Massachusetts),
Canada (Montreal), 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
(Wellington, Paraparaumu), South Africa (Cape Town). He was a featured Guest
at the Milan Yoga Festival 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 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 from 16 to 19 September 2010.
Nearly 200 delegates attended the World Convention that was held after a gap
of 13 years. He has conducted successful Yoga workshops for IYTA in Sydney
in 2008, 2012 and 2014. He is an invited Keynote Speaker at the Golden Jubilee
50th anniversary of IYTA to be celebrated in October 2017 at Sydney.
Dr. Ananda is a Senior Lecturer in Mantra, Yantra, Yoga History and Philosophy
and Yoga Physiology and Anatomy for the fully residential Yoga Teachers Training
Courses at the International Centre for Yoga Education and Research
(ICYER) in Kottakuppam, Tamil Nadu. These full time residential courses, the
6- Month International Yoga Teachers Training Course and the One Year Yoga
Teachers Diploma Courses are well established and presented to an international
professional standard. These courses have been held annually since 1968 and
students from all over the world attend these Yoga Teachers Training courses.
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
viii PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

world famous Institute of Yoga, Bharata Natyam, and Carnatic Music established
in Pondicherry in 1993.
He has received the Marudha Ramalinganar Outstanding Young Person
Award and Rolling Shield for the year 2002 from the Youth Peace Centre,
Pondicherry and received the title award of “Yoga Vibhushan” from Tamil Nadu
State Yoga Association and Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu
(Tuticorin) in 2003. He received the title award of “Yoga Bishmacharya” from
the Tirumoolar Yoga and Natural Diet Trust, Chennai and Tamil Nadu State Yoga
Association in 2004. He has been honoured with the “Yoga Chakravarthy”
title by Gitanjali Yoga Centre in 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 honored with
the InSPA PK Subbaraja Trust Best Performance Award by CM of Puducherry
Sri V Narayanasamy during 6th InSPA International Conference and 3rd
International Conference of the Department of Applied Psychology of Pondicherry
University in 2016.
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 Vaithiyalingam and awarded “Lifetime Achievement
Award in Field of Yoga” on January 7, 2011 by Department of Tourism, Govt
of Pondicherry during the 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 as Senior Research Fellow in the Yoga Research Project
conducted by Department of Physiology, JIPMER (2000-04) under auspices of
Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as well as Ministry of Defense,
Govt. of India. 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 (1999 -2000 and 2004-08). He
worked as Programme Coordinator in the Advanced Centre for Yoga
Therapy, Education and Research (ACYTER), JIPMER (2009-13) where many
research studies were completed and scientific papers published through MOU
between JIPMER and MDNIY. The centre focused on the role of Yoga in the
prevention and management of cardiovascular disorders and diabetes mellitus
and nearly 40,000 patients were benefited. The centre popularized science of
Yoga among medical professionals and general public conducting National
Workshops on Yoga in medical education, hypertension, diabetes and HIV etc.
Dr Ananda is currently DIRECTOR, Centre for Yoga Therapy Education and
Research (CYTER) under auspices of Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Puducherry.
 ABOUT THE COMPILER AND EDITOR ix

More than 36,000 patients have benefited from Yoga therapy and 65 papers and
25 abstracts published along with the conduct of five successful National CMEs.
International Day of Yoga has been celebrated in a grand manner since 2015
with weeklong events every year. He is extremely proud of his illustrious and
dear students Yoga Chemmal Dr Meena Ramanathan who is Deputy Director
and Yoga Chemmal Sri G Dayanidy who is Lecturer for this innovative centre.
He finds pride of place in many reference biographies such as Reference Asia,
Emerald Who’s Who in Asia, Biography, Asia Pacific Who’s Who, Famous
India: Nation’s Who’s Who, Asia: Men & Women of Achievement, Kohinoor
Personalities, Asian Admirable Achievers And Asian American Who’s Who. He
has received the Best Personalities of India Award and Shining Achievers of
India Award from Friendship Forum, New Delhi in 2015 and 16 for his excellent
contribution towards welfare of people.
He is a recognized PhD Guide (Yoga Therapy and Inter Disciplinary Research)
by Sri Balaji Vidyapeeth, Pondicherry and was the first Indian to be recognized
as IAYT Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) by International Association of
Yoga Therapists, USA in 2016.
In recent years he has travelled abroad 15 times and conducted invited talks,
public events, workshops and retreats and been major presenter at Yoga
conferences in the UK, USA, Italy, South Africa, Germany, Switzerland, Canada,
Australia and New Zealand. He is an Honorary International Advisor to the
International Association of Yoga Therapists (www.iayt.org), the Australasian
Association of Yoga Therapists (www.yogatherapy.org.au), the World Yoga
Foundation (www.worldyogafoundation.in) and Gitananda Yoga Associations
worldwide (www.rishiculture.org).
He is currently Member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of CCRYN,
Ministry of AYUSH, Govt of India as well as Expert Committee of AYUSH for
Celebration of International Yoga Day and Yoga & Diabetes programs. He is
also member of the Executive Council of the Indian Yoga Association
(www.yogaiya.in) and Board of Directors of the Council for Yoga Accreditation
International (www.cyai.org) as well as Technical Committee of QCI Yoga
Schemes.
He is happily married to Yogacharini Smt Devasena Bhavanani who has a
Masters 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 wonderful 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.

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

Dr. H. Nagarathna.
 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xiii

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: 24-7-2017
 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.
2 PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

Q.2. List some definitions of Yoga as given by Yogamaharishi

Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri.
Ans:
 Science of right - useness (righteousness).
 Conscious evolution.
 A technology for spiritual development
 Mother of all science
 The path of moderation.
 The true art of living.
 A way of life.
 Science and art of mastering the mind
 Four (five) fold awareness.
o Awareness of body
o Awareness of emotions
o Awareness of mind
o Awareness of awareness itself
o Awareness of how unaware we are!

Q.3. What does Yogeshwar Sri Krishna say to be the mark of a Yogi?
Ans:
Yatahi nendriyartheshu na karmasu anushajatey sarva sankalpa
samniyasi yogaroodh tada uchyate
(Then alone is one said to have attained to Yoga when, having
renounced all desires, one does not get attached to the sense objects
and actions.”—B.G.VI-4)

Q.4. Name the Yogas of Patanjali, Goraksha, Swatmarama and Gheranda

as well as those mentioned in Amrtanado panishad and
Yogacudamani Upanishad?
Ans:
 Patanjali – Ashtanga Yoga (eight limbs)
 Goraksha – Shadanga Yoga (six limbs)
 Swatmarama – Chaturanga Yoga (four limbs)
 Gheranda – Saptanga Yoga (seven limbs)
 Amrtanadopanishad – Shadanga Yoga (six limbs)
 Yogachudamani Upanishad – Shadanga Yoga (six limbs)
 YOGIC PRAYERS

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

Ans:
Aum. Sahanavavatu Sahanau Bhunaktu Sahaviryamkaravavahai
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

Sarve 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 Pancha Yamas (five 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.
12 PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

Q.8. What are the fruits of perfection in Soucha?

Ans:
Indifference towards the body and non-attachment as well as fitness for
cheerfulness, one pointedness, sense control and vision of the self

Q.9. What are the fruits of perfection in Santosha?

Ans: Unexcelled happiness

Q.10.What are the fruits of perfection in Tapas?

Ans:
Impurities are destroyed and the body and sense organs attain perfection.

Q.11.What are the fruits of perfection in Swadhyaya?

Ans: Union with the desired deity

Q.12.What are the fruits of perfection in Ishwara Pranidhana?

Ans: Samadhi is attained

Q.13.In which verses of the Yoga Sutras does, Patanjali mention

the powers gained by perfection in the Yamas and Niyamas?
Ans:
The Siddhis or powers gained through perfection in the various
aspects of Adhikara Yoga are stated by Maharishi Patanjali in Sutras
35 to 45 of the Sadhana Pada in the Yoga Sutras.

The Niyamas
 WHAT IS ASANA?

Q.1. How does Patanjali define an Asana?

Ans:
Sthira sukham asanam
(Asana is a posture held firm with comfort)

Q.2. How many Asanas are said to exist?

Ans: 84,00,000

Q.3. According to Hatha Pradipika, which are the four most important
Asanas?

Ans: Siddhasana, Padmasana, Simhasana, and Bhadrasana

Q.4. According to Hatha Pradipika, which is the most important Asana?

Ans: Siddhasana

Q.5. What are the classical Asanas mentioned in Hatha Pradipika?

Ans:
Siddhasana, Padmasana, Simhasana, Bhadrasana, Swastikasana,
Gom ukasana, Veerasana, Kurm asana, Kukkutasana, Uttana
Kukkutasana, Dhanurasana, Matsyasana, Paschima Tanasana,
Mayurasana, Shavasana

Q.6. What are the classical Asanas mentioned in Gheranda Samhita?

Ans:
Siddhasana, Padmasana, Bhadrasana, Muktasana, Vajrasana,
Swastikasana, Simhasana, Gomukasana, Veerasana, Dhanurasana,
Mritasana, Guptasana, Matsyasana, Matsendrasana, Gorakshasana,
Paschim ottanasana, Ut katasana, Sankatasana, Mayurasana,
Kukkutasana, Kurmasana, Uttana Mandukasana, Uttana Kurmakasana,
Vrikshasana, Mandukasana, Garudasana, Vrishasana, Shalabhasana,
Makarasana, Ushtrasana, Bhujangasana, Yogasana.
 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).
 HATHA YOGA

Q.1. What is a Hatha Yoga?

Ans:
It is the physical science of balancing the opposite energies in
the body. HA ref ers to the solar/masculine/positive energy and
THA to the lunar/feminine/negative energy. Asanas, Pranayamas,
Kriyas, Surya Namaskar, Mudras and Bandhas are techniques included
in Hatha Yoga.

Q.2. What is a Mudra?

Ans:
A gesture that creates a seal for energy and promotes neuromuscular
coordination.

Q.3. Which is the most important Mudra?

Ans: Kechari Mudra (Hatha Pradipika).

Q.4. What is a Bandha?

Ans:
Neuromuscular lock for energy useful in Pranayama Sadhana.

Q.5. What are the benefits of Bandhas and Mudras?

Ans:
These are advanced techniques to culture emotions and still the
mind. They improve neuromuscular coordination and are useful in
Pranayama Sadhana.

Q.6. What are the classical Mudras mentioned in Gheranda Samhita?

Ans:
Maha Mudra, Nabho Mudra, Uddiyana Bandha, Jalandhara Bandha,
Moola Bandha, Maha Bandha, Maha Vedha, Kechari Mudra, Viparita
Karani, Yoni Mudra, Vajroli Mudra, Saktichalani, Tadagi Mudra, Manduki
Mudra, Sambhavi Mudra, Pancha Dharana, Aswini Mudra, Pasini
Mudra, Kaki Mudra, Matangi Mudra, Bhujangini Mudra.
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.
 NATURE OF MAN

Q.1. What are the Pancha Koshas (The Five Sheaths)?

Ans:
 Annamaya Kosha
 Pranamaya Kosha
 Manomaya Kosha
 Vijnanamaya Kosha
 Anandamaya Kosha
- Physical Sheath
- Energy Sheath
- Mind Sheath
- Sheath of Intellect
- Sheath of Eternal Bliss

Q.2. How to correlate the Pancha Koshas with the three Sharira?
Ans:
 Sthula Sharira - Annamaya Kosha
 Sukshma Sharira - Pranamaya, Manomaya and
Vijnanamaya Koshas
 Karana Sharira - Anandamaya Kosha

PANCHA KOSHA IN PERFECT ALIGNMENT

HIGHER
POWER

ANNAMAYA KOSHA
(Physical Body)
PRANAMAYA KOSHA
(Vital Body)
ANANDAMAYA KOSHA (Bliss Body) MANOMAYA KOSHA
(Mind Body)
VIJNANAMAYA KOSHA (Wisdom Body)
42 PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

Q.3. What are the Chaturvidha Purusharthas?

Ans:
 Dharma - Righteousness or Righteous Living
 Artha - Worldly Success or Material Prosperity
 Kama - Sensory Fulfilment or Emotional Prosperity
 Moksha - Spiritual Fulfilment or Spiritual Prosperity

Q.4. What are the Karmendriyas (senses of action)?

Ans:
 Pada - Locomotion (Feet)
 Pani - Dexterity (Hands)
 Payu - Excretion (Rectum
 Upastha - Reproduction (Genitals)
 Vaak - Speech (Mouth)

Q.5. What are the Jnanendriyas (sense organs) and related Tanmatras
(subtle elements)?
Ans:
 Shotra - Ears - Hearing (Shabda)
 Chakshu - Eyes - Sight (Rupa)
 Grahna - Nose - Smell (Gandha)
 Jihva - Tongue - Taste (Rasana)
 Tvak. - Skin - Cutaneous Sense (Sparsha)

YOGA IS HARNESSING THE SENSES

 NATURE OF MAN 43

Q.6. Name the three bodies (Sharira) of man?

Ans:
 Sthula Sharira - The Gross Body
 Sukshma Sharira - The Subtle Body
 Karana or Linga Sharira - The Causal Body

Q.7. What are the three Gunas (Trigunas)?

Ans:
 Sattva - Principle of Luminosity and W isdom
 Rajas - Principle of Activity and Passion
 Tamas - Principle of Inertia and Darkness

Q.8. What is the state beyond the three Gunas?

Ans: Nirguna

Q.9. What are the Sapta Dhatus (Seven Substances that make up
the Human Body)?

Ans:
Rasa (Chyle), Rakta (Blood), Maamsa (Flesh), Medas (Fat),
Asthi (Bone), Majja (Marrow), Sukra (Semen)

Q.10.What are the Tri Doshas (The Three Humors)?

Ans:
 Vata - Wind
 Pitta - Bile
 Kapha or Kleshma - Phlegm

Q.11.What are the Shat Ripus (T he Six Enemies of the Spirit)?

Ans:
 Kama - Passion
 Krodha - Anger
 Lobha - Greed
 Moha - Infatuation
 Mada - Pride
 Maatsarya - Malice or Envy
44 PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

Q.12.What are the Antah Karana (Internal Processes)?

Ans:
The internal processes-inner instruments-aspects of MIND are:
 Chitta-the memory bank-the subconscious
 Manas-the conscious mind
 Buddhi-intellect-Possesses Viveka (discrimination) and has three
important powers;
i. Kriya Shakti - power of action
ii. Jnana Shakti - power of wisdom
iii. Iccha Shakti - power of will

 Ahamkara-‘I am’ ness

i. Impure- all is ME and MINE
ii. Pure-all is mine through the Divine

Q.13.What are the 14 Lokas-14 Planes of Consciousness?

Ans:
A. HIGHER – 7
 Bhuh Loka - Earth
 Bhuvah Loka - Sky
 Svah Loka - Heaven
 Mahah Loka - Middle region
 Janah Loka - Place of births
 Tapah Loka - Mansion of the blessed
 Satya Loka - Abode of truth

B. LOW ER – 7 - NARAKA
Satala, Vitala, Mahatala, Rasatala, Talatala, Atala, Patala

Q.14.What are the Four States of Awareness/Consciousness?

Ans:
 Jagrat - Wakeful State
 Swapna - Dream State
 Sushupthi - Deep Sleep
 Thuriya - Total Awareness
 NATURE OF MAN 45

Q.15. What are some qualities of a Stitha Prajna according to Bhagavad

Gita?
Ans:
“Equal mindedness in all situations” is described as Stitha Prajna
or Samabhava in the Srimad Bhagavad Gita. Yogeshwar Sri Krishna
says that the man of Stitha Prajna has the following qualities: He is,
 Beyond passion, fear and anger. (II.56)
 Devoid of possessiveness and egoism. (II.71)
 Firm in understanding and unbewildered. (V.20)
 Engaged in doing good to all beings. (V.25)
 Friendly and compassionate to all. (XII.13)
 Has no expectation, is pure and skillful in action. (XII.16)

Q.16.What are the Pancha Deha Doshas (Five Blemishes of the Body)?

Ans:
 Kama - Sexual Desire
 Krodha - Anger
 Nihsvasa - Sighing
 Bhaya - Fear
 Nidra - Sleep

Q.17.What are the primary instincts common to both animal and

human nature?
Ans:
 Hunger
 Procreative instinct
 Fear
 Sleep

Q.18.What differentiates the human nature from the animal nature?

Ans:
 Intellect (Buddhi) and Consciousness (Manas)
 According to Ammaji (Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani)
the main differences between animal and human nature are
Consciousness, Control and Choice (the three ‘C’s)
46 PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

Q.19.What are the structural systems in Yoga according to Yogamaharishi

Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri?

Ans:
Pujya Swamiji Gitananda Giri has described the Nava Dhushyas
or nine factors that are the physical structural systems of the human
body. He has also described the Dwadasha Kramas or the twelve
systems of man that also takes into account the non physical aspects
of the human functioning.
The Nava Dhushyas (Nine Physical Structural Systems) are:
 Asthi - Bone Tissue
 Maamsa - Muscle Tissue
 Nadis - Channels of Nerve Energy
 Rasa-Rakta - Circulation and Blood Components
 Indriyas - Vital Organs
 Granthis - Endocrine Glands
 Meda - Adipose Tissue
 Majjaa - Bone Marrow
 Soma - Hormones including the higher Ojas,
Tejas and Sukra
The Dwadasha Kramas include in addition to the Nava Dhushyas,
the non-physical components of:
 Prana - the cosmic catalyst associated with emotions. This includes
the sub units of Prana Vayus (nerve currents), Prana Nadis (channels
of Pranic flow), Prana Vahaka (nerve impulses), Prana Vahana
(nerve fluids), Prana Vana (psychic vortexes associated with
the Chakras), Prana Granthis (nodes of Prana) and Prana Bindus
(foci of higher mental energy).
 Manas - subconscious, conscious and superconscious mind
including the Buddhi (intellect), Bindu (foci of consciousness),
Loka (planes of consciousness), Mandala (etheric mental and
energy patterns and fields)
 Chakra - etheric energy nature associated with the nerves and
glands of the physical body. It is also related to the psyche and
Ahamkara. it also includes the psychic nature associated with
the higher self or Atman
 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)
 YOGA SADHANA

Q.1. What are the Antaraaya (obstacles) or Chitta Vikshepa (disturbances

to consciousness) to Yoga Sadhana?

Ans:
 Vyadhi - Disease
 Styaan - Dullness
 Samshya - Doubt
 Pramada - Procrastination
 Alasya - Laziness
 Avirati - Worldly Mindedness
 Branti-Darshan - Illusion
 Alabdhabhumikatva - Inability to find any state of Yoga
 Anavasthitatwa - Inability to maintain a state of Yoga

Q.2. What are the other obstacles that are mentioned by Patanjali
following these mental obstacles?

Ans:
 Duhkha - Pain
 Daurmanasya - Despair
 Angamejayatva - Tremors of the body
 Swasa Praswasa - Irregular breathing

Q.3. How to overcome these obstacles?

Ans: Om Japa, contemplation and surrender to the Divine

Q.4. What are the types of disciples (Sadhakas) mentioned in Shiva

Samhita?

Ans:
 Mridu - The Feeble One
 Madyama - The Average One
 Adhimatra - The Superior One
 Adhimatratma - The Supreme One
 YOGA THERAPY

Q.1. List some of the physiological benefits of Yoga?

Ans:
 Stable autonomic nervous system equilibrium, with tendency
toward parasympathetic nervous system dominance rather
than the usual stress-induced sympathetic nervous system
dominance
 Pulse rate decreases
 Respiratory rate decreases
 Blood pressure decreases
 Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) increases
 EEG - alpha waves increase
Theta, delta, and beta waves also increase during various
stages of meditation
 EMG activity decreases
 Cardiovascular efficiency increases
 Respiratory efficiency increases
Respiratory amplitude and smoothness increase, tidal volume
increases, vital capacity increases, breath-holding time increases
 Gastrointestinal function normalizes
 Endocrine function normalizes
 Excretory functions improve
 Musculoskeletal flexibility and joint range of motion increase
 Posture improves
 Strength and resiliency increase
 Endurance increases
 Energy level increases
 Weight normalizes
 Sleep improves
 Immunity increases
 Pain decreases
 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
76 PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

Q.2. Name some world famous eminent Yoga masters of Modern

India.

 Brahmarishi Vishwatna Bawra

 Swami Chidananda Saraswathi
 Sri T.K.V. Desikachar
 Swami Digambarji
 Sri Direndra Brahmachari
 Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri
 Padma Bhushan BKS Iyengar
 Swami Jyothirmayananda
 Srila Sri Kambaliswamigal
 Swami Kanakananda Brighu
 Sri T. Krishnamacharya
 Swami Kuvalayananda
 Paramahamsa Swami Madavadas
 Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
 Sri Ma Yoga Shakti
 Yogamani Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani
 Swami Muktananda
 Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
 Sri Pattabi Jois
 Sri Ramana Maharishi
 Baba Ramdevji Maharaj
 Swami Shivananda Saraswathi
 Swami Satchitananda
 Swami Satyananda Saraswathi
 Swami Vishnudevananda
 Swami Vivekananda
 Paramahamsa Yogananda
 Sri Yogendra Desai
 YOGA IN MODERN INDIA 77

Q.3. Name some important Ashrams of Modern India.

Ans:
 Mata Amritananda’s Ashram, Kerala
 Ananda Ashram, Kanangad, Kerala
 Ananda Ashram, Pondicherry
 Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry
 Swami Chinmayananda’s Ashram, Sidbari
 Swami Dayananda’s Ashram, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
 Gnanananda Tapovanam, Thirukoiloor, Tamil Nadu
 Swami Haridas’s Ashram in Vandavasi, Tamil Nadu
 Swami Jyothirmayananda’s Ashram in Ghaziabad, New Delhi
 Kaivalyadhama Yoga Ashram, Lonavla
 Patanjali Yoga Peeth, Haridwar
 Swami Muktananda’s Ashram at Ganeshpuri
 Swami Rama’s Ashram in Dehra Dun
 Ramakrishna Mission, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
 Ramana Ashram, Thiruv annamalai, Tamil Nadu
 Sri Ravishankar’s Ashram in Bangalore
 Sri Sai Baba’s Ashram in Puttapatti
 Sheshadri Swamigal Ashram, Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu
 Shivananda Ashram, Rishikesh
 Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
 The Yoga Institute, Mumbai
 Yoga Niketan, Rishikesh

Q.4. Name some important institutions doing Yoga research in India.

Ans:
 CCRYN (Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy),
Ministry of AYUSH, New Delhi
 AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences), New Delhi
 BHU (Banaras Hindu University), Varanasi, UP
 DIPAS (Defense Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences),
New Delhi
78 PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

 ICYER (International Centre for Yoga Education and

Research), Pondicherry
 JIPMER (Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical
Education and Research), Pondicherry
 Kaivalyadhama, Lonavla, Maharashtra
 Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, Chennai
 Morarji Desai National Institute for Yoga, New Delhi
 NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro
Science), Bangalore
 Patanjali Yoga Peeth, Haridwar
 sVYASA (Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana
Samsthana), Formerly VK Yogas, Bangalore
 Vemana Yoga Research Centre, Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh
 The Yoga Institute, Santa Cruz, Mumbai
 CYTER, MGMCRI, Pondicherry

Q.5. Name some important Yoga institutions in India.

Ans:
 Ananda Ashram (ICYER), Pondicherry
 Asana Andiappan Yoga Institute, Chennai
 Ashtanga Yoga Research Centre, Mysore
 Bihar School of Yoga (Bihar Yoga Bharathi), Monger, Bihar
 Divine Life Society (Sivananda Ashram), Rishikesh
 Indian Academy of Yoga, BHU, Varanasi
 Kaivalyadhama Ashrama, Lonavla
 Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, Chennai
 Morarji Desai National Institute for Yoga, New Delhi
 Ramamani Iyengar Yoga Institute, Pune
 Sivananda Ashram, Nayar Dam, Kerala
 sVYASA University (VK Yogas), Bangalore
 The Yoga Institute, Santa Cruz, Mumbai
 YOGA AND SPORTS

Q.1. What is Yoga Sport?

Ans:
The competitive aspect of Yoga in relation to individuals or teams
is known as Yoga sport. Various events have been conducted since
the past few decades all over India and the world and the first International
Yoga championship was held at Pondicherry in 1989 by Swami Gitananda
Giri under the patronage of Vishwa Yoga Samaj. Since then more
than 25 international championships have been held all over the
world.

Q .2. Name some i mp o rtant fo un d in g fath ers o f the Yo ga Sp ort

mo vemen t.

Ans:
 Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri
 Yogiraj Dhyan Dhar
 Kriya Yogi Bishnu Gosh
 Shri Krishna Kisore Das
 Shri MS Viswanath
 Yogacharya Gurupriya Giri
 Shri Fernando Estevez Griego (Swami Maitreyananda)

Q.3. Name so me important associ atio ns an d federations of

Yoga Sport.

Ans:
 International Yoga Federation
 World Yoga Council
 International Council for Yoga Sport
 Asian Union of Yoga
 Yoga Confederation of India
 Indian Yoga Federation
80 PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

 Yoga Federation of India

 South India Yoga Federation
 North India Yoga Federation
 State Yoga Associations are functioning and organizing Yoga
Sport events all over the country and are especially active in
Pondicherry, Haryana, West Bengal, Karnataka, Delhi, Orissa,
Maharastra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.

Q.4. When and where was the First International Yoga Championship
held?

Ans:
1989 at Pondicherry, India.

Q.5. What are some differences between Yoga and sports?

Ans:

YOGA SPORTS

 Parasympathetic dominance  Sympathetic dominance

 Slow and static movements
 Muscle tone is normalized
 Low calorie consumption
 Low risk of injury
 Effort –minimum and relaxed
 Energizing activity
 Natural and controlled
breathing
 Balanced activity of
opposing muscle groups
 Process oriented
 Focus is on internal
awareness
 Infinite possibilities for
growth in self-awareness
 Rapid and forceful movements
 Increased muscle tension
 Higher calorie consumption
 Higher risk of injury
 Effort –maximum and tense
 Fatiguing activity
 Breathing is taxed
 Imbalanced activity of opposing
muscle groups
 Goal oriented
 Focus is on external awareness
 Boredom factor as there is no
higher philosophy or goal
than the body
 STRESS: THE BANE OF MODERN LIVING

Q.1. What is Stress?

Ans:
”Stress is an altered state of body and mind from normal homeostatic
conditions that is caused due to extrinsic or intrinsic factors”
“ Stress is an exaggerated response to internal or external stimulus”

Q.2. What are the stages in the stress reaction?

Ans:
 Stage of Alarm
 Stage of Resistance
 Stage of Exhaustion

Q.3. What are the phases in development of stress disorders?

Ans:
 Psychic phase
 Psychosomatic phase
 Somatic phase and
 Organic phase

Q.4. Name some disorders caused or aggravated by stress?

Ans:
Hypertension, Bronchial Asthma, Diabetes Mellitus, Colitis, Migraine,
Thyrotoxicosis, Atherosclerosis, Peptic Ulcers and Autoimmune disorders

Q.5. How does the Bhagavad Gita describe the stress response?
Ans:
In Chapter Two (Samkhya Yoga), in Verse 62 and 63, the pattern
of behaviour (stress response) is given that ultimately leads to the
destruction of man.
Verse 62: “Brooding on the objects of the senses, man develops
attachment to them; from attachment (Sangha or Chanuraaga)
comes desire (Kama) and from unfulfilled desire, anger (Krodha)
sprouts forth.”
82 PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

Verse 63: “From anger proceeds delusion (Moha); from delusion,

confused memory (Smriti Vibramah); from conf used memory
the ruin of reason and due to the ruin of reason (Buddhi Naaso)
he perishes.”

Q.6. What method is given in the Bhagavad Gita to combat stress?

Ans:
In verse 64 of the second chapter, Lord Krishna also gives us a
clue to equanimity of mind (Samatvam) and how to become a person
settled in that equanimity (Stitha Prajna) who is not affected by the
opposites (Dwandwa).
He says,
“But the disciplined Yogi, moving amongst the sensory objects with
all senses under control and free from attraction (Raaga) and aversion
(Dwesha), gains in tranquility.”

Q.7. Give the full forms of the following stress management programmes.
Ans:
 IRT - Instant Relaxation Technique
 QRT - Quick Relaxation Technique
 DRT - Deep Relaxation Technique
 SMET - Self-Management of Excessive Tension

Q.8. Give brief concept of the following stress management programmes.

Ans:
 IRT - Stretch and relax in Shavasana
 QRT - Breathing with feeling
 DRT - Part by part relaxation with Akara, Ukara and
Makara chanting
 SMET - Alternate stimulation and relaxation combination

Q.9. Give the three stages of QRT.

Ans:
 Observation of abdominal muscle movement
 Synchronization with breathing
 Breathing with feeling
 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
100 PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

161. What is Tittibasana?

Ans: Butterfly pose

162. What does Garudasana mean?

Ans: The pose dedicated to the eagle vehicle of Lord Vishnu

163. What does the term “Hatha Yoga” mean?

Ans: The physical science of balancing the positive and negative energies
of the body

164. Which Bhakti leader used the medium of dance and song to
make one feel the personal presence of God near him?
Ans: Chaitanya Maha Prabhu

165. ‘Kumbha Mela’ is celebrated every twelve years in four cities

of India. What are they?
Ans: Prayag, Haridwar, Ujjain and Nasik

166. Which is the source of information about ten incarnation of Vishnu?

Ans: Vishnu Purana

167. Who is the founder of Vishistadvaita?

Ans: Sri Ramanuja

168. Who propounded Dvaita?

Ans: Madwacharya

169. Name some Yoga practices related to the animal kingdom

Ans: Ushtrasana, Sashahasana, Vyagrasana, Chatus Padasana,
Marjariyasana, Adomuka Swanasana, Vrishabasana, Gopucchasana,
Urdhwa Mukha Swanasana, Vyagraha Pranayama, Simhasana, Kukriya
Pranayama, Gaja Karani, Matangi Mudra, Aswini Mudra, Gomukasana,
Vatayanasana etc

170. Name some Yoga practices related to the reptiles and amphibians
Ans: Sarpasana, Sarpa Kriya, Bhujangasana, Vrishchikasana, Bhujangini
Mudra, Kurmasana, Makarasana, Bhekasana, Mandukasana etc
 VIVA QUESTIONS 101

171. Name some Asanas related to birds

Ans: Kukkutasana, Kapinjalasana, Garudasana, Kakasana, Krounchasana,
Raja Kapotasana, Hamsasana, Bakkasana, Mayurasana, Padma
Mayurasana, Kokilasana, Chakorasana, Pincha Mayurasana etc

172. Name some Asanas related to numbers

Ans: Chatus Pada Asana, Dwipada Uttanasana, Ekapada Sirasasana,

Ashtanga Bhumi Sparshasana, Chatur Dandasana, etc

173. Name some Asanas related to Rishis

Ans: Vasishtasana, Vishwamitrasana, Kapilasana, Matsyendrasana,
Ashtavakrasana, Dhruvasana, Galavasana, Ruchikasana, Marichyasana,
Bharatwajasana, Kashyapasana, Koundinyasana, etc

174. Name some Asanas related to human qualities and activities

Ans: Ratacharyasana, Ashv a Sanchalanasana, Vi rasana,
Brahmacharyasana , Akarna Dhanurasana, Siddasana, Dharmikasana,
Shavasana, Sukhasana, Garbapindasana, Shirasasana, Hastasana,
Bhadrasana, etc

175. Name some Asanas related to objects

Ans: Sethubandasana, Meru Asana, Chakrasana, Halasana,
Trikonasana, Dhanurasana, Parighasana, Pashasana, Malasana,
Vajrasana, Vrikshasana, Navasana, Stambam Asana, Dandasana,
Ardha Chadrasana, etc

176. Name some Asanas related to the plant kingdom?

Ans: Padmasana, Vrikshasana, Talasana, Nalina Asana, etc

177. Name some Asanas related to shapes?

Ans: Trikonasana, Baddhakonasana, Parshvakonasana, Ardha
Chakrasana, Chakrasana, Upavishtakonasana, Ardha Chandrasana,
Ardha Kati Chakrasana etc
 MAHABHARATA QUIZ

1. W ho was the commander of King Virata’s army, killed by Bhima

for molesting Draupadi in the Matsya Kingdom?- Keechaka
2. W hich Asura in the form of a boar did Lord Shiva and Arjuna
kill at the same time? Mooka
3. Uttara is the son of? Virata the Matsya King
4. W ho killed Jarasandha? Bhima
5. Celestial fathers of Nakula and Sahadeva-Aswini Twins
6. Celestial father of Arjuna- Indra
7. W ho was the mother of the Kouravas? Ghandhari
8. Celestial father of Yudhishthira-Yama
9. W ho cursed Arjuna to become a eunuch for a period of time? –
Urvashi
10. W ho taught Arjuna the art of music and dance in Amaravathi?-
Chitrasena
11. Celestial father of Karna-Surya
12. Father of the Kouravas-Dhritarashtra
13. Son of Dushanta and Shakuntala?-Bharata
14. W ho is the Guru in mace warfare for Bhima and Duryodhana?
Balarama
15. W ho is the brother of Draupadi?-Dhrishtadyumna
16. W ho was the father of Bheeshma?-Shantanu
17. Karna’s foster father?-Adhiratha, the charioteer
18. W ho was the mother of Veda Vyasa?-Satyavathi
19. W ho asked Karna for the Kavacha and Kundala? Indra
20. A King who Krishna forgave 100 times but finally beheaded-who
is he? Shishupala
21. The Rakshasha son of Bhima?-Ghatotkacha
106 PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

22. This student cut off his thumb for Dronacharya. W ho is he?-
Ekalavya
23. W ho killed all the sons of the Pandavas at night at the end of
the Mahabharata? Ashwathama
24. A lady burned Yudhistra’s toes. W ho was she? Gandhari
25. Sage Parasara is the father of?-Veda Vyasa
26. W ho was the Guru for the Pandavas before Dronacharya?-
Kripacharya
27. Father of Draupadi—Drupada
28. Arjuna’s wife who was the daughter of the Naga King-Uloopi
29. Arjuna’s son by Chitrangada-Babhuvahana
30. Subhadra’s son-Abimanyu
31. This king was going to help the Pandavas but was tricked by
Duryodhana into becoming Karna’s charioteer. W ho was he?
Shalya
32. W hat question did Draupadi ask when she was summoned to
the court?- She asked whether Yudhishthira lost her or
himself first
33. W hat promise did Karna make to Kunthi? That he would not
kill any of the Pandavas except Arjuna.
34. W ho was the Commander-in-chief of the Pandava army?
Dhrishtadyumna
35. W ho was the Asura that was spared by Krishna and Agni in the
Khandava forest because Arjuna had given him protection? –
Maya
36. W ho was born with three eyes and four arms? Shishupala
37. W ho dragged Draupadi to the court?- Duhshasana
38. W ho was the person used as a shield to kill Bheeshma?-
.Shikandi
39. W hich son of Dhritarashtra objected to Draupadi being brought
to the court as a slave? – Vikarna
40. W here did Bhima meet Hanuman?- Gandhamadana forest
41. W here did Arjuna reunite with his brothers after 5 years in
heaven?- Gandhamadana forest
 MAHABHARATA QUIZ 107

42. W here did Shiva fight Arjuna?-Himalayas

43. Kingdom gifted to Karna by Duryodhana- Anga
44. W hat was the kingdom ruled by Pandu known as?-Hastinapura
45. Drupada was the king of —Panchala
4 6 . W here was Duryodhana captured by the Gandharvas and then
freed by the Pandavas? Dwaitavana
47. Name of the town where Duryodhana tried to burn the
Pandavas-Varanavata
48. W ho built the inflammable mansion for the Pandavas as
ordered by Duryodhana?-Purochana
49. The Rakshasha whose sister married Bhima-Hidimba
50. In which city did Bhima kill the Rakshasha called Baka?-
Ekachakra
51. City built by the Pandavas-Indraprastha
52. Shishupala belonged to which Kingdom?- Chedi
53. W here did Duryodhana mistake floor for a pond and a pond for
a floor?-In the palace built for Yudhishthira by Maya Asura
at Indraprastha
54. Kingdom where the Pandavas spent the 13 th year of exile?
Matsya
55. W hat is the relationship between Nakula and Bhima? Step
Brothers
56. W hat is the relationship between Madhri and Kunthi? Both had
same husband
57. W hat is the relationship between Duryodhana and Yudhistira?
Cousins
58. W hat is the relationship between Nakula and Sahadeva? Twin
brothers
59. W hat is the relationship between Arjuna and Krishna? Brother-
in law
60. W hat is the relationship between Arjuna and Bheeshma?
Nephew and grand uncle
61. W hat is the relationship between Ganga and Bheeshma?
Mother son
 QUIZ QUESTIONS

A. TRANSLATE THE FOLLOWING:

1. Vatayanasana - Horse face pose

2. Noukasana - Boat pose
3. Dhanurasana - Bow pose
4. Kapotasana - Pigeon pose
5. Kukkutasana - Rooster / Cock pose
6. Halasana - Plough pose
7. Sarvangasana - Shoulder stand
8 . Paschimottanasana - Posterior stretch / back stretch pose
9. Kokilasana - Cuckoo pose
10. Utkatasana - Squat pose / Powerful pose
11. Bhujangasana - Cobra pose
12. Sashahasana - Rabbit pose
13. Matsyasana - Fish pose
14. Adho Mukha Swanasana - Downward facing dog pose
15. Bhekasana - Frog pose
16. Bakkasana - Crane pose

B. ANSWER THE FOLLOWING

1. W ho said, “Yoga is 4 fold awareness?”

Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri
2. W hat is Samyama?
Dharana + Dhyana + Samadhi
3. W hat is Kriya Yoga?
Tapas, Swadhyaya and Ishwara Pranidhana together are known
as Kriya Yoga.
4. W hat is Adhikara Yoga?
Yama and Niyama together are known as Adhikara Yoga.
114 PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

5. Bhagavad Gita says “Samatvam ___________________ “.

Samatvam yoga uchyate

6. Bhagavad Gita says “Duhkha ____________________ “.

Duhkha samyoga viyogam, yoga sangnitam

7. Bhagavad Gita says “Yogah _____________________ “.

Yogah karmasu koushalam

8. Patanjali’s definition of Yoga is ____________________?

Yogah chittavritti nirodhah

9. The ‘Root’ word of Yoga is ______________________.

Yuj

10. Man of equanimity is called as (B.G) ______________________.

Stitha Prajna

11. W hat is a Mudra?

A seal for energy

12. W hat is a Bandha?

A lock for energy

13. Define Asana as per Patanjali Yoga Sutras.

Sthira sukham asanam

14. Swami Gitananda said that Yoga is Evolution. What type of evolution
is it?
Conscious evolution

15. List the Karmendriyas?

Pad a (F eet), Pani (Hands), Payu (Excreti on), Upastha
(Reproduction), Vaak (Speech)

16. List the Chitta Vrittis.

Pramana (right knowledge), Viparyaya (wrong knowledge), Vikalpa
(imagination), Nidra (sleep), Smrithi (memory).

17. W hat is Prana?

Vital cosmic catalyst / energy

18. List states of the Chitta.

Mudha (dull), Kshipta (totally distracted), Vikshipta (partially
distracted), Ekagratha (one pointed). Niruddha (controlled)
 QUIZ QUESTIONS 115

19. Name the Kleshas.

Avidya (ignorance), Asmita (ego), Raaga (attraction), Dwesha
(repulsion), Abinivesha (clinging to life)
20. How to destroy the Kleshas.
Kriya Yoga, the Yoga of Purification
21. W hat happens when the Chittavrittis are controlled?
Then the seer rests in his essential nature (Thada drishtu swarupe
avasthanam)
22. Number of Petals in Mooladhara.
Four
23. W hich endocrine gland corresponds to Mooladhara Chakra?
Gonads
24. W hich nerve plexus corresponds to the Manipura Chakra?
Solar plexus
25. Anahata means ______________________?
Unstruck sound
26. The shape of Mooladhara is ______________________.
Cube / square
27. Name the three Gunas.
Tamas, Rajas, Satvas
28. W hich element (Pancha Maha Bhutas) is related to Swadhisthana
Chakra?
Water (Apas)
29. W hat happens if one perf ects Ishwara Pranidhana?
One attains Samadhi
30. Name components of the Bandha Trayam.
Jalandhara, Uddiyana and Moola Bandhas
31. W hat are the Upa Prana Vayus?
Naga, Kurma, Krikara, Devadutta and Dhananjaya

C. NAME THE AUTHORS:

1. Name the author of the ‘Yoga Darshana’
Maharishi Patanjali
 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.

126 PRIMER OF YOGA THEORY BY DR. ANANDA BALAYOGI BHAVANANI

31. The Yoga Sutras has 199 verses.

32. Mudha means intelligent mind.
33. Niruddha means no mind at all.
34. The Chittavritti Vikalpa means to sleep.
35. The Chittavritti Viparyaya means wrong knowledge.
36. Agama is a method to attain Pramana or real knowledge.
37. Yama and Niyama are known as Adhikara Yoga.
38. The mother Klesha is Avidya.
39. Asmita, Raaga and Dwesha are Kleshas.
40. Bhramari is a Kriya.
41. Alasya is a Pranayama.
42. Kunjala is a type of Pranayama.
43. Prasupta and Udaaranaam are states of the Kleshas.
44. The gross body is the Sthula Sharira.
45. Grahna is the nose and the sense of smell.
46. Yama, Niyama and Asana are known together as Samyama.
47. Ahimsa, Satya, Tapas, Brahmacharya and Asteya are the five Yamas.
48. The most important Asana is Padmasana.
49. Mudra means a breathing practice.

50. Yoga is just an exercise.

MODEL PAPER - II

1. The sense organs are known as the ___________________ in Sanskrit.

2. The Sahasrara Chakra has ____________________________ petals.

3. Yoga is one of the six ______________________ of Sanathana Dharma.

4. Nauli is one of the six __________________________.

5. The Chaturvidha Purusharthas are Dharma, Artha, Kama and _______.

6. Obstacles to Sadhana can be overcome by ______and contemplation of God.

7. Bandha Trayam consists of Moola Bandha, Uddiyana Bandha and________.

8. Yoga is _______________________in action.

9. Yoga is ___________________evolution.

10. The 4 th Pada in the Yoga Sutras is the ________________________Pada.

 MODEL THEORY PAPERS 127

MATCH THE FOLLOWING

11. 84,00,000 a. Attraction

12. Bandha b. Energy sheath
13. Asmita c.Fully expanded state of Klesha
14. Raaga d. Dormant state of Klesha
15. Abinivesha e. Sheath of eternal bliss
16. Prasupta f. Asanas
17. Udaaranaam g. The skin (Cutaneous sense)
18. Annamaya Kosha h. Lock for energy
19. Pranamaya Kosha i. Ego
20. Anandamaya Kosha j. Use of the feet
21. Kaarana Sharira k. Speech
22. Chakshu l. The causal body
23. Tvak m. Clinging to life
24. Pada n. Physical sheath
25. Vak o. The eyes (sense of sight)

TRUE OR FALSE ?

26. Jihva is the tongue and the sense of taste.

27. Payu is the Karmendriya of excretion.
28. Manipura is the third Chakra.
29. Anahata Chakra is the centre of un-struck sound.
30. Sahasrara has 100 petals.
31. Yoga, Vedanta and Mimamsa are part of the Shat Dharshanas.
32. Trataka is one of the Shat Karmas / Kriyas.
33. Pranayama means the control of body.
34. Tapas is one of the Pancha Yama.
35. Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha are the Chaturvidha Purusharthas.
36. The lower Samadhi is Nirbhija Samadhi.
37. The planes of lower Samadhi include Vitarka and Vichara.
38. Vyadhi, Styaan and Samshya are Antaraaya.
39. W orldly mindedness (Avirati) is not an obstacle to Yoga Sadhana.
40. Murccha and Plavini are not in the eight classical Kumbhakas.
41. Surya Bhedana is a standing Asana.
42. Nyaya is the name of one of the Chakras.
43. Pani is one of the Jnanendriyas.
44. Vak is a Karmendriya.
45. Linga Sharira is the subtle body.

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
 Ananda Ashram at the International Centre for
Yoga Education and Research (ICYER)
This world famous Yoga Institute has been offering intensive Six Month
International Yoga Teachers Training Courses from October 2nd through March
25th since 1968, without any break. Thousands of students from all over India and
the world have been thoroughly trained in an intensive Yoga programme which
starts at 4.30 am each morning and concludes only by 9.00 pm each evening.
CLASSICAL RISHICULTURE ASHTANGA YOGA (GITANANDA YOGA) as
expounded by the world famous Guru, Yoga Maharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda
Giri Guru Maharaj is taught in carefully graded steps. Swami Gitananda, a Medical
Doctor born in India but who spent forty years in the West, taught Classical
Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga (Gitananda Yoga) with a scientific, medical basis. The
revered Swamiji, considered one of the five leading world experts in Classical
Ashtanga Yoga, attained Maha Samadhi on December 29, 1993.

Yogic cleansing practices and fasting, diet and nutrition are basic to the course.
More than 108 asana, 44 pranayama and 56 kriya are taught in the six months.
Thorough study of the Yoga Sutra, Upanishads, Yoga Vasishtha, Hatha Yoga
Pradipika, Gheranda Samhita, Bhagavad Gita and other important Yogic texts is
made. Training is also given in Carnatic Music, with emphasis on devotional bhajan.
Those interested may also study Bharatanatyam and Classical Instrumental Music.
Training in Raja Yoga and Jnana Yoga techniques are given, including elaborate
work with Yogic relaxation, concentration and visualization practices. Seats in the
course are limited to ten persons annually, who are accepted only after going through
preliminary instruction with the Institute’s trained teachers as well as participation
in the 52 Lesson Correspondence Course, Yoga: Step by Step, which is the basic
syllabus of the Six Month Course. The Institute has a traditional Gurukula setting,
in an ideal garden atmosphere, on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. Students are
also introduced to the Indian way of life, festivals, cultural programmes, community
activities and Hindu rites and rituals, to cultivate an awareness of the culture from
which Yoga has sprung.

From October 2001, this course has been extended to an additional six months
training, for those considered suitable, giving “hands on” training in Yoga teaching
and class organization as well as undertaking senior yoga practices. Those eligible
for this advanced Yoga work will at the end of the one year training receive a One
Year International Diploma in Yoga Education. ICYER has more than one hundred
affiliated Yoga centres in twenty two countries of the world. Thirty books have been
published, as well as a monthly magazine, Yoga Life, which has completed
nearly 50 years of publication for a worldwide audience. The International Centre
for Yoga Education and Research (ICYER) is also headquarters for several
worldwide organizations, including Vishwa Yoga Samaj, Yoga Jivana
Satsangha (International) and the Society for the Preservation of Rishiculture
Yoga (SPARC). The International Centre for Yoga Education and Research
is also the office headquarters for Sri Kambaliswamy Madam, a 150 year old
Samadhi site of the great Ashtanga Yoga Guru Srila Sri Kambaliswamigal at
Thattanchavady, Pondicherry. The Samadhi of its founder, Yogamaharishi Dr.
Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj, is also located at Sri Kambaliswamy Madam
and has become a world famous pilgrimage place. Swami Gitananda left his
body in Maha Samadhi at 2.20 am on December 29, 1993, Arudhra Darshan Day
and the full moon in the Tamil month of Margazhi. Daily puja are conducted at Sri
Kambaliswamy Madam, with elaborate puja every Sunday morning. Sunday puja
are open to public who wish to experience a traditional Hindu puja. Grand puja for
the Samadhi of the eight Gurus of the lineage are conducted throughout the year,
as well as many Carnatic Music Festivals at the Sri Kambaliswamy Madam.

The City Centre of ICYER, Yoganjali Natyalayam was established on March

29, 1993. This flourishing Centre of Yoga, Bharatanatyam and Carnatic Music
with more than 400 actively enrolled students and 20,000 alumni is located in
central Pondicherry, behind the New Bus Stand. It caters to the needs of the
local populace as well as providing special individual and personally tailored
lessons for passing tourists and those visiting Pondicherry on a short term basis.
Yoganjali Natyalayam has developed a very popular Bharatanatyam troupe,
which specializes in performance of the difficult acrobatic Natya Karanas, which
are essentially a form of asana. The Centre presents full length Bharatanatyam
dance dramas every year in to celebrate the birthday of its visionary founder,
while its spectacular Annual Day held every year is a feast of spectacular music,
dance and Yoga demonstrations.

THE FOUNDER: A Master Yogi and great Spiritual Teacher, Yogamaharishi Dr.
Swami Gitananda Giri had the unique talent of infusing the mystic insights of the
Rishi into practical life. The exponent of a Bengali Tantric tradition, which stretches
back hundreds of years, Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri, a medical doctor
and scientist, was able to express the abstract ancient insights in practical modern
terms. One of the greatest Masters of Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga in the twentieth
century, Yogamaharishi Dr. Swami Gitananda Giri Guru Maharaj of Pondicherry,
India, was a brilliant and dynamic Guru known as THE LION OF PONDICHERRY.
He taught hundreds of thousands of persons worldwide, the intricate and demanding
art and science of Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga, through his books, his magazine
articles, his monthly magazine YOGA LIFE, and his world tours in which he lectured
and taught hundreds of thousands of seeking spirits worldwide. His influence on
the modern world of Yoga is immense. He was named Madathiapathi of Sri
Kambaliswamy Madam in 1975 and carried out his religious duties scrupulously.
He founded Ananda Ashram (1968) and later, the International Centre for
Yoga Education and Research (1989) on the shores of the Bay of Bengal,
eight kilometers north of Pondicherry. He also founded in March 1993 Yoganjali
Natyalayam, to teach the Indian cultural arts of Bharatanatyam and Carnatic
Music, as well as Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga to the local populace. Throughout,
his approach was scientific, rational and systematic. In 1987 he was awarded
the title, “The Father of Modern Scientific Yoga” by Vishwa Unnyanan Samsad of
Calcutta. He was also one of the pioneers in bringing the concepts of traditional
yoga to the Western mind. On December 20, 1986, Swami Gitananda Giri was
awarded the title “YOGA SHIROMANI” by the then President of India Shri Zail
Singh Ji, at the World Yoga Conference held in New Delhi. He personally taught
an intensive Six Month International Yoga Teachers Training Course in his
Pondicherry Ashram for twenty five years from 1968. On March 10, 1986, Swami
Gitananda was appointed to Central Council for Research in Yoga and
Naturopathy, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India,
New Delhi. Swami Gitananda cooperated and served as advisor to Government
in organizing the First International Yoga Festival in Pondicherry sponsored by
Department of Tourism, in January 1993. Since then, the Festival has been held
yearly from January 4th to 7th, and Yogacharini Meenakshi Devi Bhavanani
continues to act as advisor for this grand event. Her services and that of Swami
Gitananda are regularly and publicly appreciated by the Pondicherry Government
at this festival. Swami Gitananda was given so many other honors, including the
honour of being the First Vice President of the All India Association of Mutts and
Ashrams based in Kancheepuram, Tamilnadu to which he was elected in 1983.
The organization was headed by the Presidentship of the Shankaracharya of
Kancheepuram. To name Swamiji’s accomplishments would take volumes and
indeed, volumes have been written on him. No history of Yoga in modern times is
complete without reference to his name. He is the author of twenty two books on
Yoga, and conducted five World Conferences on Yoga. More than 135 centres of
Rishiculture Ashtanga Yoga are established worldwide, with thousands of
Ashtanga Yoga teachers trained by him now actively propagating not only Yoga,
but also various aspects of Indian culture. He was part of the intellectual community
of Yoga practitioners, and was the Chief Patron of the prestigious Indian Academy
of Yoga, centered at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
For more details contact:
International Centre for Yoga Education and Research (ICYER)
16 A, Mettu Street, Chinnamudaliarchavady, Kottakuppam,
(Six Kilometers North from Pondicherry on ECR Highway),
Tamil Nadu 605 104. India.
Website: www.icyer.com
E mail : ananda@icyer.com
Phone : +91 413 2622902