DAY 28: BOOK THREE

Book Three of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali…..

I can’t emphasize this enough…if you are interested in knowing the root of the practice…far beyond the physical movement you make on the mat…the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is where to begin, because this is where you begin.

Book Three of the Yoga Sutras explains the 6th, 7th and 8th limbs of Yoga – Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (contemplation/enlightenment/self-realization).  Practicing all three is called Samyama.  And this may be the most challenging part of Yoga.

It takes physical and mental strength to breathe and move,  physical and mental strength to be sure you’re behaving “right.”  Physical and mental strength to let go of outside distractions.  But, in my opinion and experience in practice, it takes much MUCH more than physical or mental “strength” to concentrate, meditate and experience something greater than you ever thought you were.

This is a part of the practice I cannot explain, mainly because I’m still working, every day, to experience it myself.

Dig deeper…

April 29, 2010   Posted in: Yoga  One Comment

DAY 27: GAZING AT THE MOON

What a beautiful full moon!  I’ve spent some time tonight on the deck, gazing at the moon.  Its brilliant light is soothing, calming and energizing.  Sitting in the moonlight, breathing and being with my thoughts – it brings me solace.

April 27, 2010   Posted in: Yoga  No Comments

DAY 26: GOTTA GET HAPPY

When you have feelings of unhappiness, where do they come from?  Current situations, or past situations, or a combination of both?

The more I learn about Yoga, the more I come to realize that this is a life-long practice that takes patience and dedication.  And every once in a while (or more often than that), you slip.  You let the past get the best of you – old feelings emerge, which can bring up feelings of unhappiness.

The past is the past, and “getting past the past” is possible, if you work really hard at it.  There’s forgiveness, and resolution, and letting go.  And it’s tough work.

If you’re willing to do the work, happiness will come.

April 27, 2010   Posted in: Yoga  No Comments

DAY 25: JUST BREATHE

We’ve all been there.  We think we’re having a great day.  We think we’ve got it all together.  We know what we want, and if we’re lucky, have the resources within us to find it.  Then…..BAM….we get hit with something that just stresses us out.  Could be anything – a look, a comment, an action, a behavior, a memory.  And before we know, our breath is high ‘n tight in our chest, and we’re not sure what to do.

Breathe.  Remember to breathe.  Remove yourself from the situation, take a few minutes, and breathe.

April 26, 2010   Posted in: Yoga  No Comments

DAY 24: MORE SUTRAS

As many of you may have been following this month, I have decided as part of my 40-day practice to “get back to the basics” of Yoga.  I am deep into the Yoga Sutras right now, and the emphasis is on the Yamas and Niyamas – ethical disciplines and self-observations.   Whew…..tough stuff that makes you realize that no matter how far you think you’ve come, you got a long way to go…..

For anyone who really wants to know more about the practice, this is where you start….

April 26, 2010   Posted in: Yoga  No Comments