|
Centuries ago when Patanjali wrote the Yoga Sutras, he gave us an
outline of how to develop as human beings. Similar to the Ten
Commandments of the Bible, the Sutras map out behavior that teaches
us to move less from our Ego Selves and more from a deeper selfawareness.
This Self-Awareness is based in compassion and love for
ourselves as well as for all other beings outside of ourselves. In
Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga or Eightfold Path, he gives us a blueprint to
help us seek and reveal our inner radiance. The Eightfold Path
encompasses or embraces the Yamas, Niyamas, Asana, Pranayama,
Pratyahara: the withdrawl of the senses, Dharana: the gathering and
focusing of the consciousness within, Dhyana: the ability of the
consciousness to enjoy and stay in the within, and Samadhi: union with
the Divine.
For Patanjali, the two main avenues for growth in the human body are:
1. Yamas or lovingly restraining from certain behaviors which prevent
us from seeing the reflection of our true nature and, 2. Niyamas or
Observances which, if compromised greatly restrict or limit the quality
of a joyful, expansive life. Coupled with Asana practice and
Pranayama, these comprise the first 4 Limbs of Patanjali’s Eightfold
Path to Enlightenment and the beginning stages of our journey into
Yoga. Nischala Joy Devi, in her book The Secret Poser of Yoga, says
that ”It is up to each of us in our hearts to decide which level of
consciousness we want to abide in, in our spiritual life as well as in the
world. As you read and practice the Yamas and Niyamas, feel that they
are sparking your Golden Age (Sat Yuga) consciousness where virtue is
supreme. These two giant pyramids of virtue are given to us so that we
may remember to live our lives in a noble and sacred way.”
The term “Yama”, originally meant to “Bridle” or “Rein”. Patanjali used
it to describe a restraint that we willingly and joyfully place on
ourselves to focus our efforts. It is similar to how a rider guides his
horse in the direction he would like it to go. If the rider is sensitive
with soft hands but a firm and steadfast seat, the horse responds in
kind with a willingness to comply to the riders wishes. If, on the other
hand, the rider tries to overpower the horse with force and violence,
the horse will, by his own nature, react in a way that can endanger
both the rider and the animal itself. If used in the former sense, selfrestraint
can be a positive force in our lives – the kind of discipline that
leads us toward the fulfillment of our Dharma, or life purpose.
The 1st Yama is Ahimsa. Translated as Non Violence, it traditionally
meant “ not kill or hurt anyone or anything.” However, if we broaden
this idea, it can also mean non violence in thought, word, or deed. This
makes the practice of Ahisma as having reverence, love and
compassion for all living beings including our own selves. It is the
experience of seeing our own oneness in everyone and everything. The
Reverend Jaganath Carrera says of Ahisma, “Nonviolence is supreme
among all the yamas, never to be violated. It is to be applied to human
beings, animals, and so-called inanimate objects.” And further, “To do
what is right and good, to act in a way that fosters well-being and
harmony, should be motivation enough. Yogis’ actions should bring no
harm to anybody, including themselves, and benefit to somebody.”
(Inside The Yoga Sutras, Reverend Jaganath Carrera) In fact, Ahisma
really begins with our own self not only in our actions but in the words
we use and in the thoughts we think. It asks us to maintain
compassion towards ourselves and others; being kind and treating all
things with care.
How do we learn to practice Ahisma in our daily lives? A simple way is
catching ourselves when we go to squish that spider or ant that crawls
across our kitchen counter. Graciously and kindly pick it up and place it
outside on a plant where it can live its life and fulfill it own dharma.
When you’re sitting in traffic and want to scream at the person ahead
of you, take a deep breath with a long exhale. Then see how you feel.
Just a split second “time out” can do wonders. Watch your thoughts. At
the end of your day, take a mental inventory of what you thought and
said. Awareness of our patterns is the first step to changing them.
And, in our yoga classes, whenever we are forcing an asana, we lose
the ability to really feel what is going on in our body. At that point, we
aren’t practicing Ahisma. Violence and awareness really can’t coexist.
We need to pull back at times rather than push and to surrender rather
than fight. One of the main purposes of yoga is to cultivate feeling and
awareness in the body, and force only achieves the opposite result.
Even our thoughts can create fear and anger. How many times have
you watched someone pop up easily in a pose that you find difficult if
not totally impossible. And instead of thinking what a wonderful
experience it must be for that student, your mind instead goes to
criticism of your self and all the negative reasons why you aren’t that
good. This is the opposite of Ahisma.
There are so many possibilities in our daily lives to practice Ahisma.
Once you become even a little aware, you’ll begin to change. Softness
will start to permeate your life in so many wonderful ways!
“Service is not possible unless it is rooted in love and compassion. The
best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
Mahatma Gandhi.
To incorporate Ahisma into your yoga practice first sit in Pranayama.
Place your thumbs below the occipital ridge at the back of your skull.
That is called a Marma point and is a place of energy. Give that area a
gentle massage with your thumbs. Breathe all the way up your spine.
As you exhale, let your head come forward as your chin moves toward
your sternum. Feel the stretch and release of tension. Lovingly breathe
into the sensations. After a few breaths, inhale and raise your head and
let your thumbs gently massage the base of your skull one more time.
Then sit quietly.
For your asana practice, try creating muscular energy in one part of
your body while balancing that with a soft and gentle lengthening in
another part. For example, come into Vrksasana or Tree Pose. Ground
your feet deeply into the earth and let the muscular energy rise up
through your legs and into your core. Then as if a warm sun were
shining in your heart, lengthen your torso and raise your arms
overhead looking up at your fingertips. Feel the balance between the
grounding down of your lower body and the rising up and lengthening
of your upper body. Breathe into the idea of Ahisma as you experience
the pose.
For your Savasana, release fully into the earth. On an inhale, breathe in
compassion for yourself and as you exhale breathe out compassion of
all other living things. Then let go and release fully into your final pose.
As a lifelong advocate of both physical fitness and spiritual growth, Francesca finds the
practice of yoga a natural. She began studying yoga seriously 6 years ago when first
introduced to the philosophy and alignment principals of Anusara Yoga. She is now a
registered SOYA yoga instructor with a RYT 500 designation with the Yoga Alliance and is a faculty member of the South Okanagan Yoga Academy in B.C. Canada. She says, “Taking the seat of the yoga teacher is a gift and a responsibility given to me by my teachers. I take this position seriously since I now function as both student and teacher. My desire is to share my love of yoga and the philosophy that enlivens it with all my students.” She encourages people of all ages, shapes, and sizes to come to class and enjoy the many
benefits of a yoga practice.
You can email Francesca at francesca.shree@me.com or
visit her website for more information at www.shreeyoga4u.com
|
Yoga
Teacher Training Programs
