Timing and Sequence

Focus on the goal of the practice and build on the participants


Knowing when to push harder and when to be gentle involves reading energy. What time of the day is it? What is the weather? How big is the class? Who is there?

Engineering the order of asanas is demanding and involves skills with reading energy and how to integrate something new with something familiar. Transitions and length of time holding each pose is based on experience level, energy level and participants.

The passing of time can be measured in many ways. Getting the hang of inverted physical poses means that I need to keep focused on the ground. My gaze will lead and the momentum will take me as far as I can see. Its up to me to make sure I have laid a good foundation. A good base.

Significance of 108

What is the significance of 108?

Mala beads have 108 beads. It evolved as a simple logistical solution to doing repetitions of mantras. Aim for 108 times and you will be more likely to meet a hundred reps done correctly.

There are many mathematical reasons why 108 is observed. One of the is a feature of the planets. There are 9 planets; Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Saturn and Pluto. There are also 12 zodiac signs and 12 Chinese animal years. 12X9=108 Another planetary mathematical formula is that the distance between the Earth and the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the Sun as is the distance between the Earth and the Moon is 108 times the diameter of the Moon. There are also 108 stitches on a baseball.

NADA YOGA: The Yoga of Sound

A Sound Meditation Class with Baird Hersey at Yoga Vermont Today

Baired was an inspirational leader of meditation through sound. This workshop was beneficial and intriguing. I learned more about meditation techniques than I had ever thought I could take in one day.

“Unequaled bliss comes to the heart of the Yogi who hears the internal sound of the Nada.”
-The Nada-Bindu Upanishad

By bringing our minds to single pointed attention on the internal sacred sound, we quiet the chatter of the mind and experience a deep feeling of comfort and contentment.

This meditation, based on the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, will use the 4 levels of sound: Vaikhari (external sounds), Madhyama (mental sounds). Pashyanti (visual sounds), and Para, (the internal sound) to connect us with the Nada, the sound of bliss.

Climbing the Nada Mala: The 4 Levels of Sound
Seeing the Inner Light
Hearing the Anahata Nada
Riding The Bliss: Ancillary & Supportive Practices