TheLoneRider
a seeker in search of Easter Eggs
Yoga

Hatha and Yantra Yoga Fusion July 10-24, 2018

Hatha and Yantra Yoga Fusion

Location: Adventure Hostel, Bangkok, Thailand

Main Sanskrit Glossary
  1. indriyas - 10 sense organs - five of expression or action and five of cognition
  2. atma - supreme spirit, true self, soul
  3. shatkriya - purification process
  4. Prana - life force that sustains all of us (aka chi)
  5. Pranayama - a yogic breathing exercise designed to extract more prana from the air we breathe (my personal definition)
  6. Uddiyana Bandha - emptying the lungs and sucking-in the tummy
  7. Khumbaka - a breath-hold, could be in-breath or out-breath
  8. Bahya Khumbaka - breathing-in and holding it
  9. Antara Khumbaka - breathing-out and holding it
  10. Nadi - energy channel, not physical
  11. Sushumna Nadi - the main nadi that connects all the chakras, located in the spinal column (think spinal cord but not physical), blue in color
  12. Ida - major nadi, feminine, on the left side of the Sushumna Nadi, red in color
  13. Pingala - major nadi, masculine, on the right side of the Sushumna Nadi, white in color
  14. Chakra - energy hub lined up from tip of the spine to the top of the head. Depending on school of thought, there could be 5 or up to 11 chakras
  15. Sahasrara Chakra - the main energy hub on top of the head. When prana reaches this level, the mind gets into a state of one-pointedness (meditative bliss? sorry, I'm there yet)
Article Glossary
  1. Prana - life force that sustains all of us (aka chi)
  2. Pranayama - a yogic breathing exercise designed to extract more prana from the air we breathe (my personal definition)
  3. Uddiyana Bandha - emptying the lungs and sucking-in the tummy
  4. Khumbaka - a breath-hold, could be in-breath or out-breath
  5. Bahya Khumbaka - breathing-in and holding it
  6. Antara Khumbaka - breathing-out and holding it
  7. Nadi - energy channel, not physical
  8. Sushumna Nadi - the main nadi that connects all the chakras, located in the spinal column (think spinal cord but not physical), blue in color
  9. Ida - major nadi, feminine, on the left side of the Sushumna Nadi, red in color
  10. Pingala - major nadi, masculine, on the right side of the Sushumna Nadi, white in color
  11. Chakra - energy hub lined up from tip of the spine to the top of the head. Depending on school of thought, there could be 5 or up to 11 chakras
  12. Sahasrara Chakra - the main energy hub on top of the head. When prana reaches this level, the mind gets into a state of one-pointedness (meditative bliss? sorry, I'm there yet)

CAUTION: this is not a do-it-yourself sequence. I'm simply narrating how I'm doing my practice. This is advanced, experimental and unproven - not for every yoga practitioner

Fuzion: Hatha and Yantra Yoga
When I was in Dharamshala, seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile, I talked to Dr. Chok Tenzin Monlam Peltsok, a Tibetan Tantra yogi, about Tibetan yoga or Yantra Yoga. It got me started into researching more about Yantra Yoga. I went to Youtube, got some names, followed links, read some more, etc.

Yantra Yoga
What makes Yantra Yoga distinct from Hatha are the pranayama and the movement (from my limited knowledge and experience). Hatha Yoga can be very physical and reserves kumbhaka for the advanced practitioner. In Yantra, pranayama is more about antara kumbhaka while doing the movement. The Yantra movement is not physically challenging - it's designed not to develop muscles or stamina but to move energy around the body.

L-Sit Surprise
One epiphany was the L-Sit. After doing the Yantra Yoga 5-Root subtle breathing, I attepted to do an L-Sit, which is perhaps the most difficult abdominal yoga asana. I could do the L-Sit but can't hold it for long. When I did the L-Sit after the Yantra Yoga, I lifted my body up effortlessly! It's not because I felt strong. It was because I felt so light! At that point, I knew there was something special to Yantra Yoga that needed more exploration. But because I can't find a Yantra Yoga teacher, it only meant biohacking my body.

Hatha and Yantra Yoga Fusion
Sirsasana A: headstand

Bio-Hacking
Here in Bangkok, given ample time in the morning to deepen my practice, I started practising Yantra Yoga more as a curiosity. But I felt its benefit and began to acquire one Aha! Moment after another on how I can intelligently combine the best of Yantra Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Vipassana Meditation, and freediving techniques. To find out what happens, I executed all of it. To cite an example, take for instance, the Downward Dog.

Downward Dog

  1. empty my lungs and suck my tummy in Uddiyana Bandha and hold my breath - Bahya Kumbhaka (in Hatha Yoga, you breath while holding this pose)
  2. keep holding the breath until the panic-attack kicks-in (when you feel like you're dying because you can't breathe)...and then I still continue holding the breath while calmly observing all body sensations (I'm combining freediving and Vipassana here)
  3. in this position, I also visualize prana converging on a particular chakra, with all its nuances - number of petals, color, etc. I only release the tummy and come up for air when I really cannot hold it anymore.
  4. upon inhalation, I visualize green prana-filled air into my nose that goes up all the way to the skull and curves down into the red ida nadi and the white pingala nadi until the air reaches the base of the spine (there is controlled breathing in Hatha Yoga, but I haven't come across something with this kind of detailed and vivid visualization)
  5. on the exhalation, I would visualize the green air at the base of the spine to go into the blue Sushumna Nadi, going all the way up and exiting the top of the head (Sahasrara Chakra)

By the time I'm done with just this Downward Dog, I already feel light-headed and require a few normal breaths to recover. I keep doing that technique on every asana. When the asana opens up the body, I would do an Antara Kumbhaka instead of a Bahya Kumbhaka. By the time I'm done with the entire sequence, I would then do the Yantra Yoga 5-Root subtle yoga. This is followed by the last step, meditation.

Ending Thoughts
The foregoing is intense and I risk frying my nervous system - in theory. But I haven't felt anything negative so far. The above has been my practice almost on a daily basis here in Bangkok.

Verdict? I'm strong and I feel...not sure how to word it...but I feel power simmering within me. But how do I intensify and nurture this? How can I use it in my daily life? It's a feeling I never had with Hatha Yoga alone. I intend to pursue and deepen this practice, following every Aha Moment that presents itself. Let's see where it takes me.

--- TheLoneRider
YOGA by Gigit Yoga by Gigit | Learn English Learn English | Travel like a Nomad Nomad Travel Buddy | Donation Bank Donation Bank for TheLoneRider




Reader Comments:

David LloydDavid Australia
CRAZY WORLD OF DAVID
(July 24, 2018) Hi Gigit, I find the above explanations very interesting and i woukd like to be involved, frankly I think you should make contact with Dr Nun Amen Ra, I will forward information regarding his disaplined regime aimed soley at longevity. My email address is dlloyd22@gmail.com I dont find facebook easy to navigate I follow Nuns regime as much as is practically possible at the moment and find the long fasting as easy to adher to and good for energy enhansment. Kind regards David

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  3. Bangkok with $19 Dec 8-11, 2018
  4. 30 Days - Goodbye Bangkok Nov 8, 2018
  5. Revolving Peoplescape of Bangkok Oct 8 - Nov 8, 2018
  6. Food and Friendship at Dalad Vietnamese Oct 8 - Nov 8, 2018
  7. Movie Review: First Reformed (2017) Nov 6, 2018
  8. Doing Online Work at The Work Loft Nov 5, 2018
  9. Window Seat [His Precious] Nov 1, 2018
  10. Surreal Odyssey at Bangkok Float Center Oct 29/31, 2018
  11. Bangkok Halloween with Rinna and Steve Oct 27, 2018
  12. Push-Ups Oct 22/24, 2018
  13. Pad Thai at Thip Samai, Bangkok Oct 16, 2018
  14. Birthday Walkabout Oct 16, 2018
  15. Coming to Terms with Donations Oct 14, 2018
  16. Feelin' Da Blues at Adhere the 13th Blues Bar Oct 12, 2018
  17. Visiting the Grand Palace of Thailand Oct 12, 2018
  18. A Web Mandate in Bangkok Oct 8, 2018
  19. 29 Days in Bangkok: Thank You and Goodbye Aug 27 - Sep 24, 2018
  20. Calling the Bangkok Police Sep 23, 2018
  21. Movie Review: Mindfulness and Murder (2011) Sep 22, 2018
  22. Yoga Inversions at Now's Fitness Gym Sep 19, 2018
  23. Flow Yoga with Teacher Kea at Now's Fitness Sep 18, 2018
  24. Movie Review: Under Construction (2015) Sep 15, 2018
  25. Walking Tour of Little India Sep 15, 2018
  26. Vinyasa Yoga with Teacher That at Now's Fitness Sep 14, 2018
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  30. Exercise Ball Workout with Teacher Bie at Now's Fitness Sep 11, 2018
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  32. Exploring the Tree-Engulfed Wat Bang Kung Temple Sep 9, 2018
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Bangkok Map
Google Map

Bangkok, Thailand

hotels in Bangkok HOTEL

Adventure Hostel Bangkok - N7 BTS train stop, dorm rooms, great for solo travelers, laundry, roof deck, entertainment center, kitchen, all-day tea-coffee, fridge, clean
1541 Phahonyothin Rd. Payathai

restaurant in Bangkok RESTAURANT

Dalad Vietnamese Restaurant Dalad Vietnamese Restaurant - N7 BTS train stop, authentic Vietnamese cuisine, clean & hygienic, fresh green leafy vegetables
195 Soi Pradipat 19, Pradipat Road, Phayathai

spa and wellness in Bangkok SPA / WELLNESS

Bangkok Float Center Bangkok Float Center - experience a surreal sensory immersion as you effortlessly float on 10 inches of water, 5-stars from 524 Tripadvisor reviews
99/6-9 SHOW DC Retail and Entertainment Mega Complex (4th Floor)

gyms on On Nut, Bangkok GYM| gyms on On Nut, Bangkok YOGA

Now's Fitness Bangkok - gym equipment, yoga, Muay Thai, boxing, fitness trainer, cafe, healthy food
726 Soi On Nut 14 Rd, Khwaeng Suan Luang, Khet Suan Luang, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10250


Useful Information

Bangkok Cost Index

as of Sep 4, 2018: US$1 = Baht 32 = Php 53

  • Bht 60 sm, 90 big one mug draft beer
  • Bht 13 1.5 liter drinking water
  • Bht 220 one hour massage
  • Bht 60-80 muesli breakfast
  • Bht 60-80 tom yum soup in modest eatery
  • Bht 25-30 coffee
  • Bht 30-50 pad thai
  • Bht 350 Adventure Hostel lodging
  • Bht 20-30/load laundry, coin operated machine
  • Bht 7 bus ride
Transport Maps of Bangkok
  1. Chao Phraya Express, MRT, BTS, Khlong boats, Airport Link
  2. Bus Routes: 1-14
  3. Bus Routes: 15-30
  4. Bus Routes: 32-49
  5. Bus Routes: 50-70
  6. Bus Routes: 71-88
  7. Bus Routes: 501-516
  8. individual bus routes
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by Train from Bang Sue Train Station

For more train info: Bangkok to Chiang Mai trains - departing from Hua Lamphong - MRT (Bangkok)

(I'm using Bang Sue as a starting point because I was closer to it, but you may be closer to the Hua Lamphong station)

  1. take the MRT train to Bang Sue Station. Take the #1 Exit to the north provincial trains
  2. Proceed to Counter 2. You will see an information booth, a train schedule chart and the ticket counter. Choose the train and pay at the ticket counter.
  3. daily train schedule:
    • 8:48am - #7 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 7:30pm, not sleeper, B638
    • 2:06pm - #109 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 4:05am, sleeper
    • 6:31pm - #9 Premium Train, arrive Chiang Mai 7:15am, sleeper, B938 upper deck, B1038 lower deck
    • 7:56pm - #13 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 8:40am, sleeper, B768 upper deck, B838 lower deck
    • 10:22pm - #51 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 12:10pm, sleeper, 3rd class B270 (non sleeper), 2nd class B438, B728 upper deck, B798 lower deck

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