The Yogi Masters in India know that there are many paths to Enlightenment. Some will pick Asana, the physical practice, and master poses like Sirsasana, headstand. Others, like the Buddha, sit under a tree and Meditate day upon day until they reach enlightenment. Both paths are equally potent, but most of us weren’t created for an all-or-nothing path to enlightenment.
Most of us are at our strongest and most resilient when we blend the harmonies of the eight limbed path. Astanga Yoga is known as the eight limbed path. It is comprehensive of the most potent practices in the ancient traditions of self-awareness. At one end of the spectrum of disciplines is Asana-the physical alignment practice. Most American’s practice this exclusively. At the opposite end of the spectrum is Meditation-complete withdraw from senses-perfect union with the divine. In the middle of these life extending practices, I find Pranayama. The cleanser of the emotional and spiritual bodies. I began yoga class this evening with a primer in alternate nostril breath. For some people, this is the only form of yoga that is practiced. Inhaling and exhaling out of separate nostrils activates the balancing mechanism in your subtle body. Hot fires are cooled, and dull embers are stoked. Confidence emboldened, ego checked.
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