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Tag Archives: yoga sutras
Gentle
A theme that keeps popping up in my life is ‘be gentle’. This reminds me of sutra 2.46 sthira sukham asanam ‘asana is a steady and comfortable posture’. There is not to be gripping, tension, or hanging out in a yoga posture. Asanas are a balance of flexibility and strength. Whether you are standing in tadansana (mountain pose) or trikonasana (triangle pose) there is a combination of strength and suppleness. I find that in postures I tend towards hardening rather than softening while engaging my muscles.
The other day I was watching my cat, Ike, as he was laying around. Suddenly he jumped up and bolted across the apartment. His ability to be strong, agile, yet completely flexible intrigued me. Ike relaxes when it is time to relax, and engages when it is time to play. It is the kind of strength, flexibility, and adaptability that I hope to create in my life. Rather than always living in ‘fight or flight’ mode, being able to be in a state of real relaxation and then adjust as necessary.
As the season shifts slowly from this mild winter to spring I feel as though there is a blossoming and clearing in preparation for the summer months. Even if this winter wasn’t that cold, the short dark days still had the heaviness of winter. As those impressions melt away the idea of gentleness comes forward inviting me to soften as the days lengthen and the warmth comes.
My asana practice has shifted as I try to melt away the hardening and soften into the spring. The challenge to release from the habitual pattern of using strength rather than flexibility is an on going process. As I focus on this intention on my yoga mat I begin to notice the softening in my life. We are our own worst enemies and judgements towards ourselves do not foster an environment for growth. Now is the time to be kind to myself and let go of the lengthy list of things to do and be gentle and more realistic about what I can accomplish in one day. When the judgements fall away, things become much easier.
Live Light Practice:
Allow the self-love and self-care to happen without the underlying judgement. What does gentle mean to you? What does it look like? How do can you be gentle with yourself? What is one way you can be gentle today?
Apr12
Asana is Steady and Comfortable
This video is about Sutra 2.46: Stiram sukham asanam (Asana is a steady and comfortable posture). We are looking for suppleness and strength in a posture. Where we are free of tension and toxins so with a quiet body, a quiet mind follows. A completely supple body is always healthy and tension free. So notice how you are sitting right now – where is there tension and where is there suppleness?
As we begin to notice patterns in our asanas we notice the same in our day-to-day. How does steadiness and ease show up for you? Are you often tense and stressed and unable to let go? Or are you so free and go with the flow that you have no control in your life? Just like in a asana where we don’t want to sink into our joins, we don’t want to be complete push overs in our lives.
Take a moment to reflect on which end of the spectrum you lean towards – strength, flexibility, or balanced sense of steadiness and ease?
No judgement, just become aware of your tendencies.
Feb10
Time
I feel like time passes so quickly that sometimes it can be easy for me to miss the great things that are right in front of me. For the past week I have been in Singapore having quality time with my family as well as scouting out new locations for yoga retreats. When stepping away from life at home it is important to continue the practice letting go and being in the moment.
One way that I practice being mindful of myself during travels is writing in a journal even for a few minutes each day. It can be extremely helpful to recall what has actually happened and how I am being as a person.
A few days ago we went to the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in the outskirts of Singapore to explore the beautiful jungle and get away from the sea of modern malls. To get to the far corner of Singapore we took a taxi, and personally not living here thought nothing of how we would find a cab in such a remote location. After a few hours of exploring, spotting over 20 monitor lizards, and eating a delicious meal we decided it was time to head back to town. Since it was pouring rain and we were so far out of town we were finding that no cabs were coming our way. After two hours of sitting at the cafe thinking we would get a cab the restaurant staff came to us to let us know that cabs weren’t coming and we needed to take the free shuttle that runs every 2 hours, and the next one wasn’t coming for another 45 minutes.
If I had been in the NY I would have already had my iPhone out to pass the time. At the start of our waiting I found that without my iPhone I was fidgety. Then I was reminded that I was with my family and I had no where to be and nothing to do. So that afternoon was one of my favorite ones while in Singapore. We played games, talked, and enjoyed each others company. Resisting the moment and trying to change the situation would not have helped. Enjoying the time and being present to it allows for there to be an ease in the moment.
That evening I journalled about the experience, expressing how I felt, what I enjoyed, how much I love my family and love to travel. Being mindful and journalling are steps towards stilling the mind. Sutra I.2 is Yoga citta vritti nirodhah - Yoga is the controlling of the fluctuations of the mind stuff. It is an important sutra to keep in mind because the more aware we become of the fluctuations and distractions of the mind the more we are able to control it and witness life rather than react to it.
Live Light Practice:
For one full day be in the moment and don’t rush to the next thing. At the end of your day take 5-20 minutes to write down highlights of your day. Know that what you recall from your day is what’s important and let the rest fall away. Do not force your thoughts or details on the events, writing how you felt during the day can be a powerful reminder of how you are being as a person.
Dec19