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| Srivatsa Ramaswami chanting with his teacher T. Krishnamacharya |
Author of The Complete Book of Vinyasa Yoga and other books based on more than three decades of private study with T.Krishnamacharya, Ramaswami aims to teach yoga much as it was taught to him by the master. This, he says, has been widely done only in more fragmented form, even by other notable teachers who studied under the same guru.Ramaswami emphasizes slow, steady movements and long breaths— so much so that his Vinyasa Krama approach can make some of what is taught internationally as vinyasa yoga, look a bit like like aerobics by comparison. Ramaswami has relocated to the U.S. from Chennai, and he frequently tours in several states, offering workshops and teacher trainings.See also Ramaswami’s recent article in Namarupa: My Studies With Sri Krishnamacharya.
BOOKS
Sri T. Krishnamacharya (1888–1989) was the most influential figure in the last 100 years in the field of yoga. Many of today's best-known yoga teachers—including his brother-in-law B. K. S. Iyengar, his son T. K. V. Desikachar, and Pattabhi Jois, founder of Ashtanga yoga—studied with him and modeled their own yoga styles after his practice and teaching. Yet, despite his renowned status, Krishnamacharya's wisdom has never before been made completely available, just as he taught it. Now, in The Complete Book of Vinyasa Yoga, Srivatsa Ramaswami—Krishnamacharya's longest-standing student outside his own family—presents his master's teachings of yogasanas in unprecedented detail. Drawing upon his 33 years of direct study, beginning in 1955 and continuing nearly until his teacher's death, Ramaswami presents more than nine hundred poses and variations in logically structured sequences, precisely describing Krishnamacharya's complete Vinyasakrama system. Along with every movement of each yoga posture, he covers the proper breathing techniques for each pose—something no other book also derived from Krishnamacharya's teaching does. Nearly 1,000 full-color photographs are featured in this authoritative landmark presentation of the study practiced by the "grandfather of modern yoga."
Srivatsa Ramaswami (Author)
Essential reading for those looking to customize their practice to life's changing needs.
• Includes sections on vedic chanting, throat breathing, and exercises for women.
• Presents a unique portrait of T. Krishnamacharya and his teachings.
For 33 years Ramaswami studied with the legendary T. Krishnamacharya, teacher of B.K.S. Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois, and T.K.V. Desikachar and perhaps the most influential figure in the field of yoga in the last 100 years. Since that time he has developed Krishnamacharya's teaching into what may be the most highly evolved program available for making yoga a way of life, rather than simply a routine. In seventeen chapters Ramaswami lays out the whole philosophy of yoga, including principles for right living, postures, breathing practices, meditation practices, and mental disciplines.
Key to Ramaswami's teaching is the focus on adapting yoga to individual needs and to different stages of life. During the early part of life, learning yoga as a physical art form is most beneficial for the self-confidence and discipline it instills. In middle age, yoga should focus on physical therapy and maintaining optimum health as far into life as possible. In the last stages of life, the practitioner will be ready to focus on the ultimate goal of yoga--true understanding of the philosophy behind it and the realization of truth.
Srivatsa Ramaswami (Author), David Hurwitz (Author)
In The Complete Book of Vinyasa Yoga Srivatsa Ramaswami presented the full breadth of yogasana teachings as taught by Sri. T. Krishnamacharya (1888–1989) — the father of modern yoga. Now, for the first time, Ramaswami imparts his vast yoga experience and knowledge of Krishnamachara's distinct vinyasa krama system in an accessible question-and-answer format with experienced California yogi David Hurwitz. In a beautifully clear and conversational style, Ramaswami and Hurwitz delve deeply into various general and specific topics relating to yoga philosophy and practice, shedding light on even the most confusing concepts. The nearly 240 questions are drawn directly from Hurwitz's private study with Ramaswami, and include: Does yoga lead to happiness? How do we achieve the famous ahimsa (non-violence)? How does the yogi "see" his soul? What is the role of breath in Asana? Where does willpower come in? and Was Krishnamacharya happy? Yoga Beneath the Surface is the next best thing to studying directly with one of yoga's true gurus — and a must-read for every serious yoga student.
Ramaswami has been a student of Prof. Krishnamacharya for over two decades in the theory and practice of Yoga. Apart from Yogasanas and Pranayama, he has studied yoga texts such as Patanjala Yogasutras, Samkhya Karika, Hathayoga- pradipika. UpanishadsasChandogya,Taithiriya, Svetasvatara,Isavasya,the Gita etc., adhyayana(chanting) of the whole of Taithiriya Aranyaka of Yajur Veda and Upanishads, Mantraprasanam etc., all from the Acharya. He has also had yoga lessonsfrom Sri T. K. V. Desikachar, and has written a seriesof articles on Yoga, and also contributed to a few journals. S. Ramaswami holds a masters degree in Industrial Engineering and Management from Oklahoma State University, and has had teaching experiencein Indian universities. He has been teaching yoga practice and also the texts for over fiveyears.
David Hurwitz (Author), Srivatsa Ramaswami (Contributor)
This is a brief guide to the Yoga Sutras of Patañjali. It is brief by way of being practical. After stating the goal of Yoga, it is basically an exposition of the eight limbs of Yoga Patañjali gives in Chapter two and the beginning of Chapter three of his Yoga Sutras.
Book and CD by Pam Hoxsey
Local author and yogi, Pam Hoxsey, learned to chant the Yoga Sutras from Srivatsa Ramaswami, who learned them from his teacher. T. Krishnamacharya. They met one-on-one for two hours each morning in two-week intervals, repeated over three years. They chanted the sutras, and then Ramaswami would discuss their meanings. This book--and the CD--is the result of their meetings together.
This version of the Yoga Sutras is comprehensive. Each sutra is written as a phrase, followed by a word-by-word translation, and then a summary of its meaning. In addition, a “tacit question” is often proposed to suggest what topic is being explained. Sometimes there are additional short “notes” to further aid in understanding.
At the end of the book is Ramaswami’s handwritten Sanskrit, followed by the chant phrases written in English with red and blue markings to indicate where the pitch goes up and down. And then there’s the CD by Pam, who has a beautiful voice, chanting the sutras. So you can both read the Yoga Sutras and learn to chant them as they were originally chanted and passed on through the centuries before Patanjali wrote them down.
You can order the book directly from Pam by calling 847.328.4246.
A Home Practice Book and stand-alone companion to Srivatsa Ramaswami's Complete Book of Vinyasa Yoga (Ramaswami was a student of Krishnamacharya for over 30 years ).
This edition, over 350 page, includes Guidelines, Practice Notes and practice Sheets for 10 categories of postures; On your feet, Triangle, On one leg, Asymmetric, Seated, Bow, Meditative, Supine, Inverted and lotus as well as Practice notes and sheets for 83 subroutines within those categories.
Includes practice sheets on Pranayama, Pratyahara and meditation with video links to tutorials.
Also Includes video links for all the subroutines and an accompanying video and practice sheet page online.
It is of course NO substitute for Ramaswami's own books, 'The Complete book of Vinyasa Yoga' and 'Yoga for the Three Stages of Life' both of which I've gained renewed respect for in the process of preparing these notes. The Complete book of Vinyasa Yoga lays out the breath for every single movement in and out of every posture, in every subroutine, quite remarkable. The Three Stages of Life goes into such depth that I consider it the best book on yoga I've come across thus far.
This book is dedicated to my teacher, Srivatsa Ramaswami
ARTICLES
"WHENEVER úR Å KRISHNAMACHARYA taught me, prayer came first. Classes started with a meditative prayer (dhyána ùloka) to Lord Viüóu for the success of the session, followed by prayers to Lord Hayagràva, the repository of all Vedic knowledge, and to Lord Käüóa. Next would be a prayer appropriate to the topic at hand—to Patañjali if it was a yoga program, to Bádaráyaóa for a program on Brahma Sâtras, to Kapila for a Sáêkhya class, or the appropriate peace chant (ùánti páôha) for upaniüadic vidyás and Vedic chanting programs. There would always be a Pârva-ùánti (beginning peace invocation), and following tradition, class would always end with a peace chant called Uttara-ùánti, normally the surrender ùloka to Lord Náráyaóa found in Viüóu-sahasranáma, and the forgiveness or küamápana-stotra, if it was Vedic chanting class. The way my guru maintained añjali-mudrá while saying the prayer was a point of study. He said that in this mudrá the palms should be slightly cupped while keeping the hands together. There should be a hollow between the palms sufficient to hold an imaginary lotus or your heart in a gesture of loving offering to the dhyeya, the object of your meditation..."
A collection of Early 'Yoga Therapy' Articles on Asana, Pranayama and Yoga Philosophy By Srivatsa Ramaswami , while a Trustee of Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram, MADRAS,
The S Ramaswami downloads shown below are PDF copies of newspaper articles (The Indian Review, in serial form 1977-78 ) printed whilst he was trustee of the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram.
Newsletter Articles : Srivatsa Ramaswami 2009-2012 (updated monthly)
Links to come to each individual article.
January 2009 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami-Triguna
February 2009 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami
March 2009 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami -A “Creative” Hypothesis
April 2009 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami -Vajrasana Story
Sanskrit Chants April 2009
May 2009 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami - Yoga for the heart
June 2009 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami -Vedic Convocation
June 2009 1. SRI PATTABHI JOIS--- 2. Between Death and Birth
July 2009 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami -A Tale of two Bhakti Yogis
August 2009 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami - Head and Shoulders above......
September 2009 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami - Vinyasakrama Practice
October 2009 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami-Svadhyaya and Story of Tirumular
November 2009 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami - Meditating on Meditation
December 2009 from Srivatsa Ramaswami - One legged poses and story of Bhagirata
Ramaswami's Newsletters Vol II 2010January 2010 Newsletter-One Verse Exposition of Adi Sankara
February 2010 Newsletter From S. Ramaswami--Yoga Nerves
March 2010 Newsletter--T.T Program--Yoga vs Ach..choo
April 2010 Newsletter--Subhashita(Good Saying)
May 2010 Newsletter --Yoga and Bronchial Asthma
June 2010 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami--Chitta Vritti
July 2010 Newsletter From Srivatsa Ramaswami--Story Time
August 2010 Newsletter--2010 VK-TT Program Feedback
September 2010 Newsletter --Yoga Gymnastique
Mid-September 2010 Newsletter--Mr Mark Singleton's Letter
October 2010 Newsletter--Pancha Kosa Vidya
November 2010 Newsletter From S.Ramaswami--Yajnyavalkya
December 2010 Newsletter from Srivatsa Raaswami--Durvasa
January 2011 Newsletter S. Ramaswami - Iswarapranidhana
February 2011 Newsletter-Thus Spake Sri T Krishnamacharya
March 2011 Newsletter from S. Ramaswami—Breath of Yoga
April 2011 Newsletter from S. Ramaswami—Mantra Cover
May 2011 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami-Advaita
June 2011 Newsletter - Statics and Dynamics of Asana
July 2011 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami—Trivikrama
August 2011 Newsletter —Yoga TT Program, What I Learnt.
September 2011 Newsletter—Spinal Exercise, the bottom of It.
October 2011 Newsletter from S. Ramaswami--AVVAIYAR
November 2011 Newsletter from S. Ramaswami—Yoga Joint
December 2011 Newsletter from Srivatsa Ramaswami-Chants
Srivatsa Ramaswami mentioned in other texts
Tantra Yoga Secrets; Eighteen Transformational lessons to serenity by Mukunda Stiles p322
"Krishnamacharya's student Srivatsa Ramaswami, comments on Sutra I,23: "The end of Spiritual practice is only attained by placing yourself in the Lord (Ishvara)" * Yoga For the Three stages of life, Srivatsa Ramaswami.
Yoga Body: The origins of Modern Posture practice by Dr Mark Singleton p185
" Srivatsa Ramaswami, Who studied with Krishnamacharya for thirty-three years until the letters death in 1989, recalls that when he asked his teacher where he might procure the text of the Yoga Rahasya, he was instructed 'with a chuckle" to contact the Saraswati Mahal library in Tanjore (Ramaswami 2000). The library replied that no such text existed, and Ramaswami, noticing that the slokas recited by krishnamacharya were subject to constant variation, concluded that the work was the "masterpiece of (his) own guru" *Yoga for the Three Stages of Life, Srivatsa Ramaswami
Yoga of the heart: The healing Power of Intimate connection by Mark Whitwell p141
"Other contempory books I can recommend for practical instruction and insights are:
Yoga for the three stages of Life Srivatsa Ramaswami"
Yoga beyond fitness: Getting more than Exercise from an Ancient Spiritual practice by Tom Pilarzyk p18
"Srivatsa Ramaswami, a yogi in the tradition of the great Krishnamacharya, argues that
What you might call Western American yoga has taken on a distinctive character. Yoga, with it's unique approach to physical culture, has to compete with other popular forms of exercise, like gym workouts or even gymnastics. We have 'power yoga' and other similar systems in which considerable exertion is used, like the pumping and jumping in Ashtanga yoga vinyasas a la gymnastic floor exercises. though these were part of the ancient vinyasa yoga, several parameters such as breathing requirements, leaping the heart and breath rate under check, have been passed over in favour of generating excitement".
Teaching yoga: Essential Foundations and Techniques by Mark Stephens p127
" But as Srivatsa Ramaswami (2000, 95-96) points out, pratyahara is of three types, one of which jivana pratyahara refers to the "efforts made by the individual to maintain life and more especially, breathing." The point is to explore asana practice through the steadiness and ease of the breath, continuously connecting the breath with the body and mind.
Yoga for singing: A Developmental tool for technique and performance by Judith R Carman pxiv
"…he (Krishnamacharya) was the teacher of B.K.S. Iyengar, pattabhi joys, Srivatsa Ramaswami, Indra devi, his son T.K.V. Desikachar, and senior student A.G. Mohan. From these master teachers and their students who became master teachers flow most of the main styles of yoga teaching in the world today".
Krishnamacharya His Life and Teachings A.G. Mohan p13
"Although qualified as an industrial engineer, Ramaswami was a stockbroker by profession, a partner in his father's brokerage firm; he served as senior consultant to my project in the mornings and worked for the brokerage firm in the afternoons. Ramaswami was a pleasant, soft-spoken person and we got along well. When I mentioned my interest in spirituality to him he recommended that i attend a lecture by a revered teacher he knew (krishnamacharya). Curious and eager to meet this teacher, i attended the lecture."( in 1971)
Yoga and the Luminous: Patanjali's Spiritual path to Freedom by Prof. Christopher Key Chapple p251
"Krishnamacharya's most prominent disciples include B.K.S. Iyengar in Pune, his son and grandson T.K.V. Desikachar and Kaustub Desikachar in Chennai, Pattabhi Jois in Mysore, Srivatsa Ramaswami and others".
CHANTS
Ramaswami teaching the chanting of Mantras, Sutras and Vedic chants in the traditional method, via his website.
Durga Suktham (128kbps MP3)
List Of Chants in CDs
Mantra Chants from Srivatsa Ramaswami (Recorded and marketed in India)
Between 1980 and 2000, Srivatsa Ramaswami recorded mainly for 'ÂSangeetha' (Master Recording Company) chanting of several ancient Sanskrit works
- Prayer - Ganesha Stuthi
- Pranayamam (Caution: To be learnt & practiced only under expert guidance)
- Adithya Hrudayam
- Ganesa Sahasranamam 60 minutes
- Gayarti and Gayatri Sahasranama
- Surya Namaskara-Yajur veda 60 minutes
- Maha Narayana Upanishad-yajur veda ` 60 minutes
- Indrakshi,Siva Kavacham 20 minutes
- Rudram-Chamakanm-Yajur Veda 25 minutes
- Purusha Suktam-Yajur Veda 10 minutes
- Devi Mahatmyam Vol I 60 minutes
- Devi Mahatmyam Vol II 60 minutes
- Devi Mahatmyam Vol III 45 minutes
- Aswa Medha- Yajur Veda Vol I 60 minutes
- Aswa Medha -Yajur Veda Vol II 60 minutes
- Aswa Medha-Yajur Veda Vol III 45 minutes
- Mooka Panchadasi Vol I 60 minutes
- Mooka Panchadasi Vol II 60 minutes
- Mooka Panchadasi Vol III 30 minutes
- Sundara Kanda from Valmiki Ramayana (2 Voumes MP3 10Hrs)
- Swadhyaya/Kushmanda-Yajur Veda 45 minutes
- Taittiriya Upanishad-Yajur Veda 45 minutes
- Veda Parayana-Chitti sruk-Yajur Veda 45 minutes
- Patanjali's Yoga Sutra 20 minutes
- Anjaneya Sahasranamavali
- Durga Sahasranama
- Sri Lalita Sahasranama Stotram
- Siva Sahasranama 45 minutes
- Hariharaputra Sahasranama 45 minutes
- Subrahmanya Sahasranama 45 minutes
- Aditya Hrudayam from Ramayana 10 minutes
- Sri Raghahavendra Sahasranamavali
- Sandhya Vandanam 60 minutes
- Bala Ramayanam ( Ramodantam) 45 minutes
TEACHER TRAINING
SRIVATSA RAMASWAMI’S School of Yoga
200 Hour Vinyasakrama Yoga Program—Registered with Yoga Alliance
Loyola Marymount University
Address: 1 LMU Drive • Los Angeles, CA 90045 • USA
School of Yoga with Srivatsa Ramaswami
200 Hr Teacher Training Program on Vinyasakrama Yoga—Registered with Yoga Alliance.
Subjects:
1. Vinyasakrama Yogasanas (60 hours)
2. Visesha Vinyasas (20 hours)
3. Pranayama (20 hours)
4. Mantras and Meditation (20 hours)
5. Sri Krishnamacharya's Works (20 hours)
6. Yoga Sutras (20 hours).
7. Yoga for Internal Organs (10 hours)
8. Yoga Business and Teaching Methodology (10 hours)
9. Anatomy and Physiology (10 hours)
10. Subtle Anatomy and Chanting (10 hours)
Total: 200 hours
I. Complete Vinyasa Krama Asanas : In this program about 700 Vinyasas woven around several classical postures will be taught in 10 major sequences. Emphasis will also be placed on breath synchronization with the movements so important to Krishnamacharya’s krama or method. Total instruction 60 Hrs
II. Visesha Vinyasa and Viyasakrama : In this practicum, Speacial Vinyasa sequences, like several Sun Salutation methods and other unique sequences will be taught. Adapting Hatha Yoga to individual needs and developing a sustainable, progressive personal yoga practice will also be discussed. Instruction 20 Hrs
III. Pranayama Methods: In this course several Pranayama methods including Nadi Sodhana, Anuloma, Pratiloma, Viloma Ujjayi, Kapalabhati and Bhastrika and Pranayama with mantras will be taught in detail. Several textual references from Hathayoga Pradipika, Yoga Yagnyavalkya and Yoga Upanishads also will be discussed. Also teaching methods of Pranayama. Total Instruction 20 Hrs
IV. Mantras and Meditation: In this program, Mantras as a means of developing the mind towards meditation will be discussed and taught. Several classical mantras including Pranava (Om), Gayatri, Sanskrit alphabets (matruka) mantras will be taught. Introduction to vedic mantras. Total Instruction 20 Hrs
V. Sri T Krishnamacharya’s Works: Even as Sri Krishnamacharya is well known, his works which contain some of his great insights to Yoga are not yet well known. One way to study the Master’s wisdom will be to study his works. In this program, some of his important works especially Yoga Rahasya will be gone through in detail. Yoga Makaranda and his work on Yoga Sutras will also form part of the study. Total Instruction 20 Hrs
VI. Raja Yoga (Yoga Sutra) Studies: Traditionally Yoga Sutras have been the Yogi’s Bible. Sri Krishnamacharya would exhort his students to eschew any practice that may violate or is inconsistent with the teachings and thought process of the Yoga Sutras. It is incumbent on all committed Yogis to take a serious and depth look at the Sutras. In this course all the sutras will be taught with the sutra meaning. Total Instruction 20 Hrs
VII. Yoga for the Internal Organs: In this program, emphasis will be placed on a proper assessment of available yoga techniques to impart health to different parts of the body, especially the internal organs, called the kosas, as the heart (hrdaya kosa), lungs (svasa kosa), stomach (anna kosa) and others . Total Instruction 10 Hrs
VIII. Yoga Business and Teaching Methodology: Practical information on how to get a website, start a newsletter and generate word of mouth will be provided. In the second part of this course methods of teaching different aspects of yoga like asanas, pranayama, meditation, and texts to different groups of people(all ages) will be covered. Total Instruction 10 Hrs
IX. Chanting Yoga Sutras and Subtle Anatomy: This course contains two seperate segments. In the first, participants will be taught the methodology of chanting the Yoga Sutras. Practice of chanting several sutras using the conventional method of "chandas". Total Instruction 10 Hrs
X. Anatomy and Physiology: The class will take an overview of the major bones and muscles of the body. We will look at their location and function and specifically how they can be utilized in various yoga postures. Total Instruction 10 Hrs
Teacher Training Certificate Program in Core Vinyasa Yoga (week-long) and Two Weekend Yoga workshops-- 1. Yoga For Internal Organs and 2. Asanas, Pranayama, Mantras and Meditation
GRADUATES/TEACHERS LIST
Events Diary for upcoming workshops and training
See also my
VINYASA KRAMA YOGA PRACTICE BLOG
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Please feel free to add any links or to mention another resources directly relating to Ramaswami and Vinyasa Krama that you feel should be included (mentions in other texts and articles you may come across could also be included)..
1 comment:
Thanks so much for putting together this presentation of Ramaswami's work!
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