Part 1. Review: Yoga Chikitsa : Healing Techniques and assistance -Manju Jois
80 pages
from the publisher
The word yoga has three meanings; opportunity, prosperity and unification. Yoga is also the sacred knowledge of how to heal imbalances and eventually become one with ourselves.
When Manju taught yoga with his father Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India in the 1960’s, almost all of the students had some form of disease or illness. Often health care could not help the patient and they were asked to go to yoga as a last resort. They then used the yoga therapy and knowledge of how to heal imbalances through yoga to cure and relieve physical and mental ailments.
This knowledge has never before been taught to western students, so it is with great joy we now open a window into one of the most fundamental, but the least explored parts of Ashtanga yoga.
This is not a regular presentation of the Ashtanga Primary series but rather a collection of asana taken from Primary, Intermediate or Advanced, that Manju has supposedly chosen for their suggested healing benefits.
As mentioned, this book may be more suited to those teaching who can try out the assists and shoulder massages on their students, regular and home practitioners may prefer Manju's earlier Book on the Primary and intermediate series.
See my review page for reviews of all of the above
REVIEWS
That said the book is perhaps worth the price for this photo alone.
Paert 2. REVIEW: Simon Borg-Olivier and Bianca Machliss' Yoga Synergy 12 week online Yoga Therapy Course 'Therapeutic applications of movement and breathing: yoga therapy'.
Note: for those Ashtangi's coming to the post for the review of Manju's book, you might be interested to hear that Simon has online Ashtanga course coming soon.
This is more of an introduction than a review as I've only just begun Simon and Binaca's new Yoga Therapy course, more reviews to come as I progress through the course.
If the excellent, and highly recommended, 120 hour YogaSynergy Fundamentals course is more like an online university short course, with it's wealth of materials, Anatomy and Physiology text book, Powerpoint slide books, video lectures and practice videos for each module as well as a chat rooms and access to faculty, the new YogaSynergy Online Yoga Therapy course feels more like an extended workshop.
I loved the Yoga Fundamentals course, I keep going back to the material, the videos as well as hunting through the powerpoints and course notes but the course does take a degree of commitment that many might not be able to offer or maintain. The Yoga Therapy course is perhaps more accessible while perhaps covering much of the same material, in an applied environment.
The course includes course notes, a resources page, a forum and all the Powerpoint slides that Simon Borg-Olivier refers to throughout the lectures but mostly the course consists of videos, lots of videos.
Each week seems to be made up of between five and ten videos of between ten minutes to half an hour in length, some may even be longer.
So far I'm still on the first week but the format is excellent.
We have Simon Borg-Olivier, and in later weeks I imagine, also Bianca Machliss, working with an audience, introducing an area of therapy in manageable chunks and then applying those techniques to member of the audience, theory and practice.
Simon stresses we are our own first and most important perhaps client, that we can and no doubt should explore these techniques on our own bodies.
I like that Simon doesn't jump straight into too much anatomy in the first week, as much as we need for the therapy suggestions he is offering. Week three though, seems to go into more detail.
I was constantly getting up to try stuff out, standing in frount of the mirror to see how balanced my body was (it wasn't, isn't), walking back and forth in frount of a mirror or window to check my gait.
Most of all I trust Simon, I've met him, seen how he checks an article that I pass to him, checking first the bibliography and the research quoted. I know his background, how he was first introduced to pranayama by his father, a freediver, as a child. How after many years of yoga practice with the likes of BKS Iyengar, Shandor Remete, Pattabhi Jois and others he, along with Bianca, went back to University to study for a Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy. Not satisfied with the tradition passed along to them they went back to school so as to be able to check the ground of the teaching they received.
I wish I had the commitment to go back and do a degree in Anatomy and physiology, perhaps then I would consider actually teaching. Simon and Bianca's course is a start at least.
With many yoga teachers, however experienced they may be working with bodies, I wonder at times if they have ever opened an anatomy book in their lives or whether they are just passing along the 'wisdom' of others, subject to 'Chinese whispers', as are many of the old texts quoted. Simon has a Bachelor of Science in human biology, a research based Master of Science in molecular biology (Bianca has a Bachelor of Science (Microbiology & Psychology) as well as his and Binaca's Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy. Simon knows how the body works on a molecular level, which interests me immensely when we talk of pranayama, as well as it's anatomy and physiology alongside several decades of practice and teaching.
Below and outline of the course - look out for future blog posts reviewing future weeks as I move on to them.
80 pages
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| Yoga Chikitsa : Healing Techniques and assistance -Manju Jois Amazon Link |
The word yoga has three meanings; opportunity, prosperity and unification. Yoga is also the sacred knowledge of how to heal imbalances and eventually become one with ourselves.
When Manju taught yoga with his father Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, India in the 1960’s, almost all of the students had some form of disease or illness. Often health care could not help the patient and they were asked to go to yoga as a last resort. They then used the yoga therapy and knowledge of how to heal imbalances through yoga to cure and relieve physical and mental ailments.
This knowledge has never before been taught to western students, so it is with great joy we now open a window into one of the most fundamental, but the least explored parts of Ashtanga yoga.
*
The Book carries Manju Pattabhi Jois' name above the title of the book but I was unclear perhaps how much of the book was actually written by Manju himself. Inside, it says "Text by Manju Jois, Anna Bjärkvik and Camilla Silva", with graphic design by Johan Lundback. the Translation by Claudia Hamilton. Anna Bjärkvik is credited as the publisher. It seems to be more inspired by Manju's recent yoga therapy themed workshops and it is presented as a "complement to Manju Jois' courses and workshops.
Anna Bjärkvik has mentioned that "...the book was made entirely under Manju's supervision and that it was his idea to create this book. He arranged the photo shoot and the content of the book. (In page 22 you can see that he is the one arranging the photo shoot) It is his words as exact as possible in the instructions and benefit of each asana and the tales are recorded when Manju told them for us and then written down. So everything except the introduction is Manju's words or an attempt to write down his exact teachings without adding any of our (Me, Camilla & Johans) personal opinions on the practice of yoga. We are very honoured to be part of this project to help share Manju's deep wisdom that comes from a place of experience and heart".
*Anna Bjärkvik has mentioned that "...the book was made entirely under Manju's supervision and that it was his idea to create this book. He arranged the photo shoot and the content of the book. (In page 22 you can see that he is the one arranging the photo shoot) It is his words as exact as possible in the instructions and benefit of each asana and the tales are recorded when Manju told them for us and then written down. So everything except the introduction is Manju's words or an attempt to write down his exact teachings without adding any of our (Me, Camilla & Johans) personal opinions on the practice of yoga. We are very honoured to be part of this project to help share Manju's deep wisdom that comes from a place of experience and heart".
There's still no LOOK INSIDE feature on Amazon for Manju's Jois' new book (This is unfortunate as many will buy the book solely on the basis of Manju's name without any idea of the actual contents ). I was delighted to receive a review copy of Yoga Chikitsa : Health and healing Techniques, last week.
On reflection the book is probably a little wasted on me, it's not really for the regular or home practitioner perhaps but for a teacher, possibly one who has attended one of Manju's new Yoga Chikitsa workshops. I've attended Manju's TT twice (highly recommended) but not the new therapy workshop.
Table of contents
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| Yoga Chikitsa : Healing Techniques and assistance -Manju Jois |
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| Yoga Chikitsa : Healing Techniques and assistance -Manju Jois |
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| Yoga Chikitsa : Healing Techniques and assistance -Manju Jois |
We might question some of the posture choices for a book of this kind as well as the benefits claimed. While hanumanasana might be fine on one of Manju's Yoga Chikitska workshops where he is in attendance, given the minimal instruction in the book, it could conceivably lead to injury, likewise Eka raja kapotasana, Vatayanasana and gomukhasana.
*
Structure
The first line of each asana presented is on Therapeutic benefits, these tend to be the same or similar in each group of asana presented.
The purpose of the selection of standing postures (five postures with their variations) tends to be to "...balance the imbalances in the hips or stretch out the spine".
The 'Therapeutic purpose' of the selection for stiff shoulders (four postures), "Revolving tension around the shoulders and shoulderblades, releasing the emotional blockages that could settle there".
Those for knee problems (five postures), to "....ease pressure on the knee joint, to reduce discomfort and revitalise the knee".
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| Yoga Chikitsa : Healing Techniques and assistance -Manju Jois |
The back problems selection (three postures), all "To improve and revitalise the spine" and "...to relieve trouble with scolirosis",
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| Yoga Chikitsa : Healing Techniques and assistance -Manju Jois |
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| Yoga Chikitsa : Healing Techniques and assistance -Manju Jois |
The hip problem selection (two postures) "Correcting imbalances in the hips and counteract arthritis".
A group of postures for respiratory problems or a stiff chest (five postures) then to be "To open the chest and airways" and "...also rejuvinates the spine".
We have asana for stomach problems (two postures) to "Energise the internal organs and ease stomach problems".
And a final two postures in the Increased Strength group to "Increase the firmness and strength of the body".
*
Each asana has a couple of lines under Technique, minimal instruction on how to enter the posture. Those for knee problems suggest putting a rolled up towel behind the knee, those in the Stiff Shoulders selection offer a suggestion of where an assisting teacher might rub the students back or shoulders.
The Technique section is sometimes the same as the Assistance section, the rolled up towel suggestion, a back or shoulder rub but more often than not a suggestion on how to support the student as they enter the posture, or not spring out of a posture when preparing to exit.
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Photos throughout the book tend to be of one student assisting another, I counted only four photos of Manju, which was disappointing, in one of which he's assisting.
Note: To see Manju assisting each of the primary and intermediate asana see these excellent videos.
Manju always encourages chanting on his workshops. The chants include the Sanskrit, roman transliteration ( I would have liked this to have been larger or even in bold to stand out more) and a translation. It's unclear if the translation is by Manju himself, indeed, how involved Manju was in the actual writing of the text.
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| Yoga Chikitsa : Healing Techniques and assistance -Manju Jois |
Finally there are also a four charming short stories with a 'moral' in italics at the end.
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| Yoga Chikitsa : Healing Techniques and assistance -Manju Jois |
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| see my review of Manju's earlier book here http://grimmly2007.blogspot.jp/2013/02/manju-jois-bundle-dvd-training-manual.html |
It's nice to get an insight into the new style of workshop that Manju has started offering, how he is quite prepared to introduce some Intermediate and Advanced asana to students practicing the Primary series.
*
The price of the 80 page, text light, book is a concern perhaps, $30 on Amazon.com.
The price may be partly due to the fact the book is self published and in colour. I'm able to reduce my own book by 50% to bring it virtually down to cost on Lulu but Amazon don't allow me to change the price
The price may be partly due to the fact the book is self published and in colour. I'm able to reduce my own book by 50% to bring it virtually down to cost on Lulu but Amazon don't allow me to change the price
To put the price in context, Patabbhi Jois' father's own book Yoga Mala is $12.23 ( down from $18).
Gregor Maehle's Ashtanga: Practice and Philosophy, 320 detailed pages of instruction is $23:84 ($15.96 on kindle), Kino MacGregor's likewise detailed 240page instruction manual, $16.26
John Scots Ashtanga Yoga is $11.89 (down from $21).
David Swenson's essential Ashtanga manual, Hard covered, ring bound, 260 pages covering all of Primary and Intermediate with several variations for every posture and short form practice sheets only $21.00
Even Richard Freeman and Mary Taylor's new Art of the Vinyasa is selling for less. $15.46 for it7s 336 pages ( down from $24.95).
Manju's nephew Sharath's book is more expensive however, at $34 for it's text lite 91 pages.
Manju's earlier book covering Primary and Intermediate is however a little more expensive $34.00 from Ashtanga.com
See my review page for reviews of all of the above
REVIEWS
That said the book is perhaps worth the price for this photo alone.
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| Yoga Chikitsa : Healing Techniques and assistance -Manju Jois |
See my review of Manju's earlier book, DVD and CD here
And perhaps my recent post...
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| https://yogasynergy.com/online-courses/yoga-therapy-therapeutic-applications-posture-movement-breathing/ |
Note: for those Ashtangi's coming to the post for the review of Manju's book, you might be interested to hear that Simon has online Ashtanga course coming soon.
This is more of an introduction than a review as I've only just begun Simon and Binaca's new Yoga Therapy course, more reviews to come as I progress through the course.
If the excellent, and highly recommended, 120 hour YogaSynergy Fundamentals course is more like an online university short course, with it's wealth of materials, Anatomy and Physiology text book, Powerpoint slide books, video lectures and practice videos for each module as well as a chat rooms and access to faculty, the new YogaSynergy Online Yoga Therapy course feels more like an extended workshop.
I loved the Yoga Fundamentals course, I keep going back to the material, the videos as well as hunting through the powerpoints and course notes but the course does take a degree of commitment that many might not be able to offer or maintain. The Yoga Therapy course is perhaps more accessible while perhaps covering much of the same material, in an applied environment.
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About the course
Over 12 weeks of Video Lectures, you will learn to make the yoga you teach safer and more effective.
Many people practice exercises way beyond their understanding and physical capability, which is why it is so easy to get injured.
If you’re a yoga teacher and would like to deal with your students’ ailments and conditions safely and effectively, first you have to understand the anatomy and physiology of your own body.
Once you have understood how to manage your own ailments and injuries, it’s then much easier to start giving advice to other people.
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The course includes course notes, a resources page, a forum and all the Powerpoint slides that Simon Borg-Olivier refers to throughout the lectures but mostly the course consists of videos, lots of videos.
Each week seems to be made up of between five and ten videos of between ten minutes to half an hour in length, some may even be longer.
So far I'm still on the first week but the format is excellent.
 |
| The first twelve of fifty general principles |
We have Simon Borg-Olivier, and in later weeks I imagine, also Bianca Machliss, working with an audience, introducing an area of therapy in manageable chunks and then applying those techniques to member of the audience, theory and practice.
 |
| from the powerpoint file |
Simon stresses we are our own first and most important perhaps client, that we can and no doubt should explore these techniques on our own bodies.
Most of all I trust Simon, I've met him, seen how he checks an article that I pass to him, checking first the bibliography and the research quoted. I know his background, how he was first introduced to pranayama by his father, a freediver, as a child. How after many years of yoga practice with the likes of BKS Iyengar, Shandor Remete, Pattabhi Jois and others he, along with Bianca, went back to University to study for a Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy. Not satisfied with the tradition passed along to them they went back to school so as to be able to check the ground of the teaching they received.
I wish I had the commitment to go back and do a degree in Anatomy and physiology, perhaps then I would consider actually teaching. Simon and Bianca's course is a start at least.
With many yoga teachers, however experienced they may be working with bodies, I wonder at times if they have ever opened an anatomy book in their lives or whether they are just passing along the 'wisdom' of others, subject to 'Chinese whispers', as are many of the old texts quoted. Simon has a Bachelor of Science in human biology, a research based Master of Science in molecular biology (Bianca has a Bachelor of Science (Microbiology & Psychology) as well as his and Binaca's Bachelor of Applied Science in Physiotherapy. Simon knows how the body works on a molecular level, which interests me immensely when we talk of pranayama, as well as it's anatomy and physiology alongside several decades of practice and teaching.
Below and outline of the course - look out for future blog posts reviewing future weeks as I move on to them.
