Yoga gives us techniques so we actually DO have greater control over our minds, thus our life. This, too, gives us greater understanding of the tricks the mind can play. These scientific techniques we identify as physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama) are designed so we may simply BE. YOGA is the science of self-realization
Yoga stretches and develops our skeletal muscles as well as the ´muscles of the mind´. This is called ´neuroplasticity ´The brain is plastic, or it is capable of change. Brain cells called neurons, form new connections among themselves and the more we do same things, the stronger these neural links become. We créate new cells by becoming aware of the mind´s habits of creating and perpetuating thoughts or actions, known as ´samskaras´. Sanskaras are the habits of actions and thought which repeat themselves. As seen from a yogic perspective, everytime we do or think something (regardless of being positive or negative), we are more than likely going to do it again.
This weekend´s Introduction to Yoga will provide us the tools necessary to continue our practice at home with a pdf of the exercises as well as once weekly meeting on-line to deepen our practice. This way we deepen our practice, remain connected and supported as we change and créate postivie thought-form paradigms or patterns, reflected by an ease of movement in life. We lead our lives with our hearts, walking tall, with self-esteem and self-empowerment. We have the tools, the power of conscious breathing, to sustain and deepen this state of well-BEing and equanimity.
In Patanjali´s Yoga Sutra, he delineates a system scientifically created to créate Self-Transformation which he called Kriya Yoga, the Yoga of Action.
Kriya Yoga consists of 3 elements: Tapas (the fire and stamina/dedication that fuels our practice), Svadhaya (self-reflection/self-study) and Ishvara Pranidhana (life is an on-going process, may we give up the illusion of having control).
Tapas in Sanskrit means Heat. For the ancient yogis, the human body needs to be heated or used. A regular yoga practice provides the body and the mind with strength and resilience to simply live life. The feeling this Tapas creates in the machine of the body (breathing, moving, lubricating cells or light) is what provides us the means to créate and maintain a regular practice. This extends to off-the-mat as well. We have more energy and patience. It is like magic how our physical yoga practice translates into our day to day activites.
Svadhaya or self-study or self-observation (BEing the conscious witness) allows we, the practitioner, to what is happening in the body and the mind. As we practice asanas and breath consciously, we become more sensitized, we realice that we have inner and outer legs, not just the front and back of the legs, as we stretch regularly. We observe our breath, and even what thought-forms arise.
Svadhaya, extends beyond the mat as well. We become more sensitive or more aware of how food may leave us feeling congesting or foggy after ingesting it, thus we begin to alter our diet as we listen to the intelligence of our bodies. We are re-introduced to one another physically, mentally and emotionally through the practice of Svadhaya or Self-Study.
Ishvara Pranidhana is the third elemento f Kriya Yoga: life is an on-going experience of which we let go of the illusion BEing in control. For example, a yogic approach to wieght los would be to plan to walk 1 hour a day and eat smaller portions, especially at dinner time. We, as humans, are goal-setters, and many things may happen so the goal may not be reached. We can influence the second approach but not control that (for example), in 3 month I will lose 25 pounds. This creates disillusion and frustration.
The first approach of Kriya Yoga asks us to focus on walking and eating les and see what happens.
Taking It Home
To deepen samskaras, the key is repetition. In the case of yoga, this means practice, ideally every day, a personal Sadhanna. This is what will most efficiently forge new neural pathways and strengthen grooves we’ve already begun to dig. Yogis find that setting an intention to practice daily for a specific amount of time can help it happen. Be realistic, though, and shoot for an amount that we are likely to be able to do, perhaps 15 or 20 minutes a day to begin. While yoga classes can be valuable, I advocate a personal practice, usually done at home, to best deepen the grooves. Part of this comes down to practicalities.
Few people have more than a few hours per week that they can dedicate to yoga. If it takes half an hour to get to a class, half an hour to get home, and extra time to change your clothes, pack our mat, and whatever else we need to do, a single 90-minute class could easily consume three hours. In that same amount of time we could do a 20-minute practice six days a week and a hour-long session once a week. If we can afford the time, the combination of a single class weekly and a daily home practice works well. For others, a home practice combined with intermittent weekend or weeklong retreats to learn new material and get inspired gives them what they need.
At first, a daily practice of even 20 minutes a day may seem like a lot. If so, see if we can harness the tapas/perserverance to practice any amount we can daily—even if it’s only taking a single conscious breath—until the groove and your sensitivity to the benefits of yoga deepen. W may then notice that l sowe feel much better that—without being hoaxed by our doctor or our spouse—we find ourself simply making the time we need, and even wanting to increase it. This is a sure sign that some kind of transformation is underway.
Keep in mind that despite our best attempts, we may be unable to live up to our intention. If so, that’s okay. The first step to life transformation is to see what is; that is, to acknowledge, at least to ourself, where w aere right now. We may not be able to change patterns immediately, but all change begins with seeing clearly. If our first attempt doesn’t work, we might want to scale back our intention a bit or simply try again.
Be advised, though: Creating new samskaras will not magically make old ones disappear. We may still be drawn to cigarettes or greasy cheeseburgers long after you’ve given them up. Even if we’ve overcome much of the negative conditioning that goes into low self-esteem, we may still find self-doubt surfacing in challenging times. The reemergence of signs of old programming doesn’t signal failure of the yogic path. It simply illustrates how persistent old samskaras can be. Our response to such a relapse should not be despair but a recommitment to practice. Every day we go to your yoga mat or meditation cushion/Sadhanna, we are working to deepen the grooves or patterns that best serve our life.
