Thinking back to the beginnings of my pranayama feels like a different lifetime. It is interesting how the body and mind can be harnessed once you commit to this training. Now, a day of missed practice feels unbalanced; more than one day feels like I can't breathe. Not in the literal sense of course. What I …
Category: raja yoga
How to study the YogaSutras
Scriptures or religious texts may be used for many reasons; mostly to provide meaning and purpose, and to evoke a deeper connection with the Divine. Many look to these texts to the convey sacred truths and use them to promote ritualistic practices and moralistic experiences that foster communal identity. But the YogaSutra is not a religious text; notice …
The YogaSutra
There are people who say that most texts - scripture or academic can be a tedious read. While some knowledge can be gained from studying these texts and their various interpretations, they realize that 'true' understanding is largely intuitive - a continuous outpouring of 'aha' moments. Others while enquiring about the phase of life you are in …
gurus and teachers
There are many designations provided to the one who instructs - teacher, lecturer, instructor, professor, and so on. Similar words in Samskritham (Sanskrit) are अध्यापक, adhyapak, शिक्षक, shikshak, उपाध्याय, upAdyaya; specifically for a spiritual teacher are धर्मोपदेशक, dharmopdeshak, बोधक, bhodhak, आचार्य, Acharya, etc., to list a few. Although the hierarchy among the above listed words …
surya namaskar asanas
Surya Namaskar is a graceful sequence of twelve asanas, poses performed as one continuous exercise. Components of Surya Namaskar Surya Namaskar is composed of three main elements - asana form (alignment), energy and rhythm (breath) and manthras (japa/bija). Chakras, energy centers and bandhas, locks, are not addressed in this post. Twelve Asanas This version begins and ends with Samastithihi - translated as Even …
surya namaskar salutations to the sun
The Sun. Topic of many a conversation. We complain when the Sun unleashes its glory - a scorching summer day. But we endure knowing it is shortlived at the approach of cold weather. We also complain that the Sun is not warm enough - a dark, freezing winter day. When a ray of sunlight cuts through the …
choosing your yoga path(s)
Truth is One; paths are many. - Rig Veda My family loves exercise and sports. Growing up, my brother and I were introduced to tennis and table tennis by my father who was an avid player. While early morning walks was my mother's exercise, she supported his love for the sport by regularly driving us to …
styles of yoga
It is interesting to see many different ways that yoga is being practiced. With instructors trained from various lineages, and multitude of classes to choose from, it can be confusing. When you see the class listings you ask a friend who has been taking the class: if the instructor is holding poses longer or is creating a …
types/paths to yoga
Teachers from various lineages have contributed to the evolution of yoga that is practiced in the West over the past hundred years. Here is an attempt to outline the paths to help you make your choice. The word 'yoga' was explained in the post 'what is yoga' . Now, lets define the words type and style before relating it to 'yoga'. Types versus Styles Frequently, the …
what is yoga?
"Yoga is a journey of the self (ego), through the self (selfish to selfless) to the Self (True Nature)". Essence of the Bhagavad Gita The yoga that we all talk about during social hour is actually asana, pose practice. When you tell everyone that you do yoga, is it safe to assume that you are referring to an …
