Yamas

What Ails You?

Posted by Dhruti on Jun 14, 2011 | 0 comments

#9 in a series of posts that addresses the topics listed in this article.

“I hate yoga sometimes.”

A few years ago, as my journey into yoga began to pick up speed and my body and mind seemed to change minute by minute, I wrote the following, “Yoga is good for what ails me, even if it is yoga that ails me.”   To expand on that thought, I knew that although my body was exhausted and my mind was tired, continuing my studies and keeping up with my asana practice was the best avenue for me for to learn why I felt the way I did.

Another way to view this is to look at Ahimsa, or non-violence, the first of the Yamas.  Ahimsa is the opportunity to study what is causing you harm, or in this case to hate yoga; hatred is a harmful emotion.  You could be attaching the label of hatred to yoga as a whole, but it is more probable there is something being released through the practice itself causing you to place blame on the practice.  Continuing with your practice, especially when you feel such things, is the most opportune time to study what causes you to react and the consequences of those reactions.  Remember, asanas are about breaking your reactive patterns on and off the mat, increasing your ability to be happy and at ease throughout the many facets of life.  So, if you notice such feelings coming up, well then good, that means it’s working!

Jai Bhagwan

Making The Most Of Time

Posted by Dhruti on May 16, 2011 | 0 comments

#6 in a series of posts that addresses the topics listed in this article.

“I may be smiling at you when you walk in late and loudly slam your mat on the floor next to your meditating classmates but that doesn’t mean I approve. We all have busy lives but if you arrive late please try to be respectful of me and your fellow students. Start thinking yoga BEFORE you come in.”

We have three very simple rules for all of our classes, which are as follows:

1.  Non-violence (Ahimsa):  Do not hurt yourself.
2.  Truthfulness (Satya):  Listen to your body and work within the limits of your body’s ability.
3.  Non-stealing (Asteya):  Classes start on time and we make the most out of the class time we have.

Clearly these guidelines are based on the yamas, the first limb of Patañjali’s Ashtanga Yoga (remember those niyamas the other day?).  It is the third rule of class that I would like to address:  Asteya, or non-stealing.

What could stealing have to do with arriving late to a yoga class?  Asteya means far more than simply not taking that which we can pick up with our hands and carry off.  All discontentment arises as soon as we compare ourselves to others, who they are or what they have, causing us to be discontent with ourselves.  Then, we begin to believe that we need what someone else has to be happy, which is where the coveting begins.  Asteya reminds us not to take anything that is not freely given, whether it is tangible items, words or ideas.

In a classroom setting this translates to beginning class on time; the non-stealing of time.  If, however, you find yourself delayed and are committed to attending our classes, please come!  Keep in mind that if you come in after class begins, remember that the teacher will not backtrack to catch you up.  Do the best you can, for that is all that you can ever do in any situation.  On the flip side of this, if you have arrived on time and someone else arrives late, then this is a wonderful opportunity for you to practice!  Practice what you have learned and let go of any distractions; those distractions are not happening to you, they simply things that are happening.

Jai Bhagwan