The golden rule of practice, a thousand names and a teacher’s memory

Yoga Theory

Meditation, and a teacher’s memory

Meditation with the Viṣṇu Sahasranāma

We learned a meditation method built on the Viṣṇu Sahasranāma Stotra, the hymn of a thousand names of Viṣṇu from the Mahābhārata. The stotra first came up in the 6 September homework, as a breathing practice.

Remembering names is part of the job

We paired up, and each of us introduced our partner to the class. The point was memory and observation. A teacher should build the professional habit of remembering every student’s name.

The method: organise what you hear as you hear it, and store it in a system. Sorted information is far easier to recall than a loose pile of facts.

A memory exercise

We practised that method by memorising a list of five specialisations of nursing.

Yoga Practical

The golden rule of practice

To build flexibility and strength, practise every day:

• at the same time,
• in the same place,
• facing the same direction.

Start with only 5 minutes a day. Build up to 10 minutes, then more, as the habit settles.

Prāṇāyāma: Anuloma-Viloma

We practised Anuloma-Viloma, alternate-nostril breathing: in through one nostril, out through the other, switching sides each round. Sit in one of the steady seats from 6 September.

Warm-up and the back stretcher

After the usual warm-up, we were introduced to a back-stretch technique using a back-stretcher prop.

Homework

Before the next class