My teacher from gobodhiyoga.com told me this, “I like to think of the movement between one yoga asana and another as the song of my practice, and each individual pose as the space between the notes that gives the intention behind the movements their personality rhythm and expression.” Syl Carson
Sometimes my practice is smooth and fluid like her description of a symphony, and other times it is like rock music with choppy riffs and metal rhythms. An excerpt from my journal. July 2, 2019.
Vinyasa flow
I like to go slow – find the full expression of the pose – but I linger there, worried about what comes next. At this point I intellectualize instead of keeping the mind/body connection. I’m afraid I do this off my yoga mat too. I stay to long where I am, even if I’m not comfortable, instead of using faith that I will know what is next.
How can I take these insights from my yoga practice and apply them to my life, long after my mat is rolled up and put away? The Yoga Sutras contain 196 threads of wisdom or threads of knowledge that help support a comprehensive yoga practice. These nuggets of wisdom teach you to let go of attachments that are weighing you down, stop with the self- judgement and learn self-compassion instead.
The second book of the Yoga Sutras describes the qualities needed to change the mind effectively and gradually, from a state of distraction to one of attention. Sutra 2:1 says the practice of yoga consists of three components: tapas (austerity), svadhyaya (self-study), and Ishvara pranidhana (unshakeable faith in the guiding and protecting power of God).
Tapas means to heat; to glow; to shine; to purify; to fire; to change; to transform. Accepting pain as a help for purification to acquire radiance of body and clarity of mind. Tapas also refers to austerity, meaning undertaking the practices that puts your body and mind through hardship so as to expand your endurance.
Svadhyaya translates to self-study. Sva = self, one’s own inner reality. Adhyaya = a chapter; a season or phase; a portion; a lesson; study. The study of yourself through each chapter and season of your life, separately and as a whole. How each chapter relates to each other. This is not study for mere logic, quoting or debating. The purpose of study is to become as a little child, humble and teachable. The sutras say we self-study through study of the scriptures.
Ishvara is the guiding and protecting force, divine providence. Pranidhana = complete surrender; complete recognition; embracing tightly; keeping at the center of life. When these are joined together it refers to having complete faith in the guiding and protecting power of God. The last part of the Sutra refers to kriya which means action, effort to initiate with purpose. And last yoga the process of acquiring a calm and tranquil mind.
Definitely a work in progress. Some days, weeks and years go better than others, but this is where the beauty lies. At any given moment in time, we may feel like we are not succeeding, only later to realize it was part of the plan to move us forward. My thoughts from my journal, teach me I still need practice living in the present moment. I linger in the past, and sometimes fear the future. Trust and allow is what is needed.
Namaste Friends, Holly
