08/26/2025
Question: can you explain the stages of life model and the different Krama-s that exist in Vinyāsa Krama methodology and system? Can one say Ashtanga Vinyasa series' are a form of Sṛṣṭi Krama, active sequences for youths? Are there different sequences we can standardize for each of the different Krama-s in Vinyāsa Krama as Ramaswami and Desikachar teach?
Answer: it is imperative to study the Yoga Rahasya that Krishnamacharya transmitted. Stages of life model is an old model in general applied to society in India, and it is spoken of as it relates to practice of Yogāsana and Prāṇāyāma in this Yoga Rahasya. Srivatsa Ramaswami, TKV Desikachar, AG Mohan, they all teach it. I would highly advise always learning any such Śāstra from a qualified Ācārya, ideally one who is both scholar and practitioner to combine insights as such. Ramaswami sir teaches programs on Yoga Rahasya I would highly advise, as he does conduct a variety of programs on several classical Śāstra-s even. Learning just by reading a translation by yourself just doesn't do it like actually sitting at the feet of a qualified Ācārya going through efforts to properly explain and break down the Sanskrit in the Śāstra-s to decode their meaning.
In any case, as mentioned, these categories roughly derive from Krishnamacharya's teachings from Yoga Rahasya. Generally, there's a stages of life model, do refer Ramaswami sir's book by that name even, it is excellent and my all-time favourite book on Yoga.
Some use Sṛṣṭi and Sikṣana Krama-s interchangeably, vast āsana repertoire for youths is emphasized, perhaps a certain leaning toward learning to perfect the forms when applicable, etc. This is generally for first stage of life, for the young dedicated student or Brahmachari. Generally emphasizing building strength and encouraging growth in reference to the practice of āsana-s.
Second stage for the Gṛhasta or householder is in prioritizing health maintenance with important potent procedures like Prāṇāyāma and Mudrā-s, it's no longer an important objective to necessarily get the leg-behind-the-head, prioritize FUNCTION over FORM. If a practitioner still has advanced āsana capacities, they can certainly still touch on such practices, just that they aren't the most important things they practice. Again, for them it's practices of Paśchimottānāsana, Mahā Mudrā, possibly the two Viparīta Karaṇī Mudrā-s if they are safe and applicable for them to practice. The category is sometimes referred Sthiti Krama as in maintenance, for health, but otherwise you see this term Rakṣana Krama which also refers maintenance and sustenance.
The third stage of life for retiree is also variously referred. Sometimes Samhāra Krama, other times Antya Krama, or Adhyatmika Krama (though the term Adhyatmika is mostly used in other context, a list of three in Adhyatmika (intra-organic), Adhibautika (external influences), and Adhidaivika (divine or supernatural agencies, environmental and "acts of God," etc, refer Sāṁkhya Kārikā and the threefold suffering or Duḥkha). Generally, this stage prioritizes spiritual pursuit, emphasis of meditation. Sure, āsana-s can and are still practiced, Prāṇāyāma and Mudrā-s, whatever is still safe and applicable, but priority to meditation.
This is all not to say children aren't introduced to Prāṇāyāma and meditation, as it is understood in India they initiated into Sandhyavandana ritual which includes both.
Cikitsā Krama is specifically referring individual cases and adaptive practices according to such, these are highly individualized and often adapted. These are usually unique in special considerations for particular individuals requiring Cikitsā Krama. The sequences and practices can be quite varied, and not to be confused with Jois' primary series in Ashtanga Vinyasa which he referred to as Yoga Cikitsā, they are not the same approach.
These are not at all to be made general and standardized into type Ashtanga Vinyasa series, it is ALWAYS assumed they are to be individualized according to the individual, choosing what is appropriate. That is how Ramaswami and Desikachar teach this.
You CAN say Ashtanga Vinyasa makes sense as Sṛṣṭi Krama and/or Sikṣana Krama, of course, but they aren't the only practices for youths as Ramaswami teaches youth appropriate practices that are not fixed in sequence as in Ashtanga Vinyasa series', he began his studies with Krishnamacharya when he was only 15 and was NOT taught Ashtanga Vinyasa series'. But anyway, it also makes sense in understanding why BKS Iyengar was not taught about meditation under Krishnamacharya, he was a youth when he learned from him during his teenage years, taken for granted he's practicing daily his family's tradition for Sandhyavandana, and otherwise meditation is not a focus at youth but rather practices for strength and growth, youths not typically able to grasp heady discourses on lofty ideas from Samādhi Pāda, etc. Youths may be diligently instructed to recite Yogasūtra and Upaniṣad-s, but they're not expected to understand the discourse or sit for explanations of the classic commentaries under the teacher until they are adults, and then their focus on such subjects taking most priority in old age.
It is considered uncommon for persons to naturally have no desires and naturally have inclination toward Sannyasin, it cannot be forced as abuse can occur, and renunciation comes more naturally to people into old age anyway. Hence the three stages of life model.
To learn about these individual application, it necessarily delves into the art of Viniyoga. Read Mohan, take KYM courses, study under Ramaswami sir, this is where you can learn the nuance of such subjects. Ramaswami doesn't go into detail about individual application except to say we must apply practice as such, so one can get more details in Mohan books like "yoga for body, breath, and mind" and the excellent and detailed "yoga therapy." And taking KYM courses can help bring to life the understanding of Viniyoga for your understanding.
