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.
0 Comments
As YES Yoga becomes more established as a 3x per week yoga studio-hosted within the Namaste Center Summerville-I am called to create deeper intention for our shared practice. I’ve selected four primary lessons that I will revisit throughout the month of February. I’ll post videos to my YouTube channel with more explanation on each for the appropriate moon cycle.
One is from an ancient text. A second is a mudra-or hand pose/asana. The third is a contemporary text. The fourth is for self-healing. From the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Chapter II, 47 “Yoga Pose is a steady and comfortable position. Yoga Pose is mastered by relaxation of effort.” Mudra for ‘Releasing Worry’ Open hand palms-up at your heart level. Connect the entire line from the base of palms to the tip of the little fingers. Connect the tips of the middle fingers. From Light on Life, BKS Iyengar “Spirituality is not some external goal that one must seek, but a part of the divine core of each of us, which we must reveal.” Hand Positions to Release Tension in Body Lie on floor, Hold each posture for twelve deep breaths. Can listen to soothing music. Place palms over eyes - Feel the forehead release. Place palms over ears – Feel the jaw release. Place palms behind head – Feel neck release. Place palms on chest, above heart – Feel shoulders release. Place palms on abdomen, below bellybutton – Feel hips and legs release. Shavasana-corpose pose-Meditate. |
Categories
All
Archives
June 2016
|