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: 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 …
Evolution of Sankalpa
Sankalpa सङ्कल्प Sankalpa (सङ्कल्प), is a Samskrtham term used in yoga and védānta philosophy to indicate intention. Let’s break the word into two; sum and kalpa. The root ‘krp’ in one of its word forms as kalpa offers the meaning to be able or capable to make a resolve (courtesy my Sanskrit teacher). The second part …
Meditation is
If I attempt to define meditation, it will end up describing how it calms, brings clarity, uplifts mood and energy, produces feelings of joy and contentment among others, with miniscule moments of stillness. While these point towards the outcomes, they still do not express what the word meditation categorically means. Struggling to find the precise …
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 …
drishti
The word दृष्टि, ‘driśti’ comes from the Samskritham root 'to see'. In yoga, it means to hold a steady gaze. This steady gaze can be directed in two directions: Outward gaze using physical points called Bahir Driśti, बहिर्दृष्टि Inward gaze as in चक्र, chakra or मुद्रा, mudra called Antar Driśti - अन्तर्दृष्टि दृष्टि, driśti is used in आसन - āsana, प्राणायाम - prānayāma and धारणा …
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 …
surya namaskar abhyasa
surya namaskar abhyasa Sunrise is one of the most beautiful sights of Mother Nature. Writers and poets near and far have sung its praises. Seeing the rising sun illuminate mountains and roof tops, places of work and worship is breathtaking. My best memory is a glorious ball of fire rising on a faraway shore as if …
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 …
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 …
yogajivan 