Testimonials

Cheryl McCollum says:

My time with Ted at Yoga Awareness took me deeper into the yogic way of life furthering my understanding of the many benefits of yoga as a complete, healthy ... read more

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Sylvia Whelchel says:

This experience has been transformational for me! It's Life Training! Self development skills to live life. To have healthy positive relationships at home, ... read more

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Yoko Nagashima says:

I would like to thank you Ted for such a wonderful and valuable gift. I really appreciate that you are a dedicated teacher for us. I had never thought ... read more

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Santina Melcone says:

My inspiration to join into this one-year study was that I was willing to look at myself. The reason I chose this lineage is because I saw a commitment ... read more

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Henry Vandervelde says:

When I keep each movement within each breath, and my asana is skillfully guided to a continuous balance of ease and effort, then I am able to settle into ... read more

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Des Abreu says:

Hi Ted. Thank you SO much. I felt so much and still feel so much better. And I could not believe my eyes on the cellulite reduction! Why didn't I do ... read more

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Craig McCollum says:

Having lived on Maui as a kid, I was excited to join my wife in the Sadhana Training with Ted in Makawao. I quickly found that I was not wading in shallow ... read more

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Yoga & Ayurveda GLOSSARY of Terms

Useful words and phrases
which are commonly used in Yoga and Ayurveda.

Yoga Sutra

Philosophy from the Vedas

The Vedas, the source of Indian thought from 5000 years ago, inspired the great sages of the past to present the six schools of thought known as 'Darsanas'. Darsana means mirror, a mirror that can reflect one to oneself. Yoga is one of these Darsanas.

Patanjali

Patanjali compiled the Yoga Sutras between 2,000 - 2,500 years ago and this ancient and time-proven system continues to be a map of human existence. Considered the Raja (king) of Yoga he states that Yoga is the ability to direct the mind exclusively towards an object and sustain that direction without any distraction (meditation).

Raja Yoga is described as the awakening and preparation for this study is Hatha Yoga. The attainment of a stable mind in a healthy body is the goal of Yoga. The methods given by Patanjali for us to reach this state are Kriya Yoga (also known as Karma Yoga in the Bhagavad Gita) and the eight parts of Ashtanga Yoga - yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyanam, samadhi.

Viniyoga, as described in the West, is the appropriate application of these tools to the level and needs of each individual.

"The first purpose of Yoga is to establish a healthy relationship between the teacher and student, having a mutual willingness, commitment and respect
for the teachings" (Patanjali, sutra 1.1).

Raja Yoga

Raja Yoga is the ‘Teaching of Patanjali’. Patanjali has given us Kriya Yoga (attitude) and Ashtanga Yoga (method) to attain a state of focus and peacefulness.

Viniyoga

Viniyoga was a name given by Desikachar to Western students in the late 1980’s. It describes the appropriate use of Raja Yoga to progressively develop a student.