Persian Yoga

Collecting info.

#health - #exercise - #home - #history

Some terms:

• shena
• asana
• varzesh-e pahlevani - touted as the reason why Iranians are regular winners at international wrestling and weight-lifting events.
• varzesh-e bastani - the zourkhaneh system of training is what is now known as varzesh-e bastani.
• koshti pahlevani - form of wrestling practiced under the varzesh-e bastani system.
• zoorkhaneh / zurkhaneh - literally the "house of strength".
• koshti - traditional Iranian wrestling, dating back to ancient Persia and Parthia

http://www.persianyoga.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYiwwvOF46Y

https://www.facebook.com/persianyoga

http://www.indianclubs.com.au/2205/persian-yoga-three-ways-improving-meel-swing/

http://www.zurkhaneh.com.au/blog/benefits-of-zurkhaneh-persian-yoga-martial-arts-conditioning

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pahlevani_and_zoorkhaneh_rituals :

... a traditional Iranian system of athletics originally used to train warriors. It combines martial arts, calisthenics, strength training and music.

Recognized by UNESCO as among the world's longest-running forms of such training, it fuses elements of pre-Islamic Persian culture (particularly Zoroastrianism, Mithraism and Gnosticism) with the spirituality of Shia Islam and Sufism.

Practiced in a domed structure called the zurkhaneh, training sessions consist mainly of ritual gymnastic movements and climax with the core of combat practice, a form of submission-grappling called koshti pahlevani.

The traditional gymnasium in which varzesh-e bastani is practiced is known as the zurkhaneh (Persian: زورخانه‎‎, also spelled zoorkhaneh and zourkhaneh), literally the "house of strength".

These gyms are covered structures with a single opening in the ceiling, with a sunken 1m-deep octagonal or circular pit in the center (gaud).

Around the gaud is a section for the audience, one for the musicians, and one for the athletes. A portrait of Ali is hung on the wall of every zurkhaneh.

An aspiring member may be a male from any social class or religion, but they must first spend at least a month watching from the audience before they can join.

Traditionally, the zurkhanehs demanded no payment from their athletes, and depended instead on public donations. In return, the zurkhaneh provided community services and protection.

One example is the "casting of flowers" ceremony in which athletes held koshti matches and other displays of strength to raise funds for the needy.

There are today 500 zurkhaneh in Iran and each has strong ties to their local community.

Zurkhanehs have commonly had strong political affiliations, either advocating or denouncing particular governments. This type of sports diplomacy is said to be a natural extension of the patriotic nature of zurkhaneh training dating back to the days when pahlevans served in the king's court.

The main portion of a varzesh-e bastani session is dedicated to weight training and calisthenics, notably using a pair of wooden clubs (mil), metal shields (sang), and bow-shaped iron weights (kabbadeh or kaman). This is followed by exercises like Sufi whirling and juggling, all of which are intended to build strength. The athletes move in unison to the drum beats of the morshed. Every session ends with bouts of koshti pahlevani.

Ancient Zoroastrians believed that the development of physical and mental strength could be used to enhance spirituality. Thus, aside from once preparing warriors for battle, this training is supposed to promote kindness and humility through the cultivation of outer strength.

Under the supervision of a pishkevat, students are instructed in traditional ethics and chivalry. Participants are expected to be pure, truthful, good-tempered and only then strong in body. Acquiring the rank of pahlevan (hero) requires mastery of the physical skills, observance of religious principles, and passing the moral stages of Gnosticism. The principles of unpretentiousness are exemplified by a verse recited at many meetings: "Learn modesty, if you desire knowledge. A highland would never be irrigated by a river." (Kanz ol-Haghayegh)

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http://www.persianyoga.com/history.html

https://www.alignbreatheconnect.com/persian-yoga-on-the-north-shore.html

http://www.persianyoga.com/blog/how-to-recover-from-rotator-cuff-injuries-injury-proof-your-shoulders

Asanas collectively constitute the physical aspect of Yoga and are known to have immense physical and mental health benefits. Different authors or schools of yoga may have different names for an asana. Many asanas have multiple names or one name may refer to multiple asanas.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_asanas

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_Sutras_of_Patanjali#Eight_limbs

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adho_Mukha_Svanasana

http://www.persianyoga.com/store/p6/Shena_Board_.html

http://www.persianyoga.com/blog

http://www.persianyoga.com/blog/top-10-benefits-of-swinging-persian-meel

http://www.persianyoga.com/uploads/1/7/0/7/17075132/1728536_orig.jpg

http://persianyoga.simplybook.me/index/about

http://www.rmaxinternational.com/flowcoach/?p=446

https://www.alignbreatheconnect.com/persian-yoga-on-the-north-shore.html

http://www.zurkhaneh.com.au/blog/benefits-of-zurkhaneh-persian-yoga-martial-arts-conditioning

http://www.izsf.net/en/home

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kettlebell

a cast-iron or cast steel weight (resembling a cannonball with a handle) used to perform ballistic exercises that combine cardiovascular, strength and flexibility training.

By their nature, typical kettlebell exercises build strength and endurance, particularly in the lower back, legs, and shoulders, and increase grip strength.

The basic movements, such as the swing, snatch, and the clean and jerk, engage the entire body at once, and in a way that mimics real world activities such as shoveling or farm work.

Unlike the exercises with dumbbells or barbells, kettlebell exercises often involve large numbers of repetitions. Kettlebell exercises are in their nature holistic; therefore they work several muscles simultaneously and may be repeated continuously for several minutes or with short breaks. This combination makes the exercise partially aerobic and more similar to high-intensity interval training rather than to traditional weight lifting. In one study, kettlebell enthusiasts performing a 20-minute snatch workout were measured to burn, on average, 13.6 calories/minute aerobically and 6.6 calories/minute anaerobically during the entire workout - "equivalent to running a 6-minute mile pace".

The movements used in kettlebell exercise can be dangerous to those who have back or shoulder problems, or a weak core.⁸ However, if done properly they can also be very beneficial to health. They offer improved mobility, range of motion and increased strength.