The cliché, “a picture is worth a thousand words”. Artist: Asha Parayanthal Images and sounds. Very powerful. We process images at an alarming speed connecting us quickly to our past, reminding us of people, places, feelings and stories. They can inspire and help us learn. Or they can be frightening and nightmarish. Recently, a video …
Category: raja yoga
Āsana Dozen – reminders for abhyāsa
The only instruction about āsana that Śri Patanjali has in the Yóga Sūtra is in the second chapter called Sādhana Pāda. Sūtra 46, Shithra Sukham Āsanam; states ‘that position which is steady and comfortable is āsana’. Practiced within this context, postures are meant to develop the ability to sit comfortably for long periods of time …
ÓM in Ancient Writings
I hadn’t planned on writing a series on ÓM. Sometimes you get caught up in the moment, right? So, here is a naïve attempt to bring out the essence of the wisdom of ÓM in the earliest writings in the next few paragraphs. As a longtime yogini (that is, one who only does āsanas and …
Deciphering ÓM
If you think this title is a bold move, you are absolutely right. But you must agree that there is something magnificent about the sound ÓM that is waiting to be explored. Have you noticed students after chanting a chorus of ÓM in their yógāsana class fall out of the room energized and at the …
Aparigraha – Non Hoarding
"Freedom does not come from acquisition. It comes from letting go." Sogyal Rinpoche In the Bhagavad Gita it is said, "The yogi is quite happy with what comes unsought"; but here Patanajli goes further and says, "Stop receiving even that" (Svāmi Venkateśananda). Meaning, a person practicing Asteya (non-stealing) may not steal, but if something …
Brahmacharya
Brahmacharya is much more than the popular notion of celibacy. While celibacy is a must for those choosing the life of monk and svāmihood, the rest who partake the sensory world, will certainly appreciate a simpler explanation of Brahmacharya. Living in a society permeated with pleasure, the principle of Brahmacharya presents a ground rule towards …
Astèya – Non-Stealing
Growing up in India, wastefulness was looked down upon. A bucket of tepid water for a bath, old newspaper to cover school books, soaking dirty dishes and soiled clothes before washing, resusing plastic bags were just a few habits automatically passed down through generations. Did I do them mindfully? Not always. Was I being reminded …
Ahimsā- Non-Harming
The introduction to the first two limbs of Rāja Yoga, Yama and Niyama, lists the five restraints and five observances which make up the ten ethical principles that operate on every action, word and thought. We begin our study with the first restraint, Ahimsā. Ahimsā, non-harming, appears in the second chapter, Sādhana Pāda, of the Yoga Sūtras …
performing āsana
Many websites and books provide detailed instructions on how each pose is done; how to begin, where to place the foot and the hands, which muscles to contract or stretch, when to rotate the hip, how long should you hold a pose, what should be the breathing pattern, and so on. For a beginner clear …
Yoga Day 2018
"My studio is doing a special 2 hour yoga class for Yoga Day. Looking forward to practicing the poses.” "Guess what? The YMCA is adding an outdoor yoga class this evening. And, the studio in my neighborhood is also hosting a lunch time yoga class along with some healthy snacks. I'm planning to go to …
yogajivan 