Most yogis will tell you that probably the most important book you can read to really deepen your yoga practice and essentially living a yogic lifestyle is by reading Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. It's not the easiest book to read. Actually one really can't read it, one must study it. Yes, it's one of those kinds of books that you can pick up time after time and savor it's truth and wisdom.
He only devotes a few sutras to the actual practice of yoga, but one sutra I explored in a workshop recently said this about practicing any asana or yoga posture, "Two essentials for posture: Yoga has been defined as the mastery of the thought patterns of mind field (1.2), so that Self-realization can be experienced (1.3). To be able to do the meditation practices that allow this, it is essential that the posture be (2.46): Steady and Comfortable. Yoga teachers will say these qualities are called: sthira = steady, stable, motionless and sukham = comfortable, ease filled.
Think about that for a moment when you are in a pose, any pose. Say you are in Warrior 1 and you are kind of just going through the motions. Your mind is everywhere but on the mat, your breath is shallow and physically you might be feeling labored, shaky, underchallenged, over challenged, or maybe even bored. Are you really doing yoga? NO...my friends you are not. Try it again only this time, bring attention to your breath which will help steady your mind and bring those 2 gems to the practice: sthira (steadyness) and sukham (ease) and see how that transforms your pose. Only then will you be truly practicing yoga instead of something that is posing (no pun intended) as yoga. So commit to the choice (I will too) of truly practicing yoga as opposed to a nice stretch class.
Blessings,
Susan
Friday, November 13, 2009
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