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 …
Tag: raja yoga
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 …
Yama and Niyama
What constitutes, Raja Yoga, is listed in the second chapter, Sādhana Pāda in the YogaSutra. Sādhana Pāda means laying out the practical hints so a seeker can actually practice to make any progress on the yogic path. यमनियमासनप्राणायामप्रत्याहारधारणाध्यानसमाधयोऽष्टावङ्गानि॥२.२९ Yama-niyama-āsana-prāṇāyāma-pratyāhāra-dhāraṇā-dhyāna-samādhayo'ṣṭāvaṅgāni||29||According to this sutra the eight limbs, aṣṭāṅga are: Yama, Niyama, Āsana, Prānayāma, Pratyāhāra, Dhārana, Dhyāna and Samādhi. This post is only an introduction …
warm ups
The dictionary definition of warm up is the act of preparation for a game, performance, or workout, involving gentle, loosening exercises. To perform the best on the field, stage, tennis court, even on a yoga mat, warm ups are absolutely essential. Although many in the yoga world agree warm ups are important, the push for …
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 …
lessons in yoga-abhyasa
"We are what we repeatedly do; Excellence then is not an act, but a habit." Aristotle Ready, Mat, Go Asana as just an exercise is called Vyayama. This is where we all begin. So where is your yoga mat? Is it tucked away under your bed or in the corner of your hallway closet? Are you hitting the snooze button every …
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 …
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 …
last 3 limbs of raja yoga
Writing the introduction to Rāja Yoga and its first 5 limbs made me realize how difficult it is to write about spiritual practices. But it was a wonderful exercise in discovering what I have understood in order to convey the essence to you. At this stage, learning continues to be an intense study, with frequent challenges and rare aha moments, propelled by vacillating …
my practice, my abhyasa
“Yoga is 99 percent practice and one percent theory.” Ashtanga Yogaacharya, Shri Pattabhi Jois In the Fall of 2000, I felt a gentle push to begin yoga. Opening the yellow pages, I found YogaLife Institute, located only 3 miles away. On a warm September evening, I entered their doors for a simple yoga class. What I …
