Does the word Tapas (pronounced as ‘tha-pus’) instantly conjure up an image of an emaciated person standing on one leg on top of a mountain with eyes closed, and focused on realizing the Self, demonstrating the colossal nature of austerity? Impossible? The challenge in this post is to bring us down from that mountain of …
Tag: raja yoga
Santóṣa Sūtra – Contentment
Santóṣa (pronounced as sun-tho-sha) is the second Niyama listed in the Sādhana Pāda of Patańjali’s Yoga Sūtra. Have you seen an infant after her feeding and diaper change? Her facial expression, in fact the whole body appears to be at peace. She is full, clean and loved. A precious moment of satisfaction where nothing more …
Śaucha Sūtra 2:41
Śaucha, the first Niyama is dealt with in the second chapter, Sādhana Pāda, of the Yoga Sūtras. While sūtra 2.40 stresses physical (external) cleanliness, the sūtra 2:41 focuses on the benefits of mental (internal) purity. Remaining aware of our inner conversation is critical to both inner and outer purification. Anger, hate, jealously, prejudice, greed, pride, …
Śaucha
Have you wondered there are some things we do daily which support the cultivation of yoga practices – like those that relax the mind into peaceful silence – while others do not? In the practice of Rāja Yoga, Yama and Niyama, are considered as the philosophies of right behavior and lifestyle, the dos and don’ts …
Rāja Yóga
"This is not intended to be a scholarly treatise on yoga philosophy; the subject is so vast that it would be presumptuous of me to try." Alice Christensen Echoing similar sentiments, I have used the words of the yogi-authors (see below) in this attempt to introduce you to Rāja Yóga. Type of Yoga The name Rāja …
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 …
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 …
yogajivan 