Role of Detox in Yoga

Yoga is, “Chitha vrithi Nirodha”- it’s our ability to harness the mind; it’s our ability to prevent the deviation of the mind.

If we are not talking about mantra yoga, jnana yoga, karma yoga or raja yoga, why the popular yoga (in the west) focus mostly on poses? We spent hours in 105⁰F with rigorous (or athletic) vinyasa; same sequences again and again with counts; or hold poses for several minutes (while pondering an exit strategy- as I do in restorative!). They all seem to be a part of same yoga philosophy. If one need to connect the yoga definition with the asana practice, we need not go far – it is in the definition of asana, “Sthira Sukham Asanam”. The yoga pose need to be stable, comfortable and easy. Really? Instructors use comforting jargons to boost participant confidence: yoga is a journey; one need to differentiate challenge and the struggle; with practice comes perfection; be where you are; honor thyself etc.  In order to access the pose as patanjali perceived we need to put our thoughts into it; we need to refine our thoughts; and our mind, body and spirit need to sync. Now…does it make sense to say, yoga, “Chitha vrithi Nirodha”?

How do you combine or melt the mind, body and spirit. It’s like welding; unless the surfaces to be welded are clean it may take some effort to join them. Cleansing your body, mind and spirit is yoga; and its power to detox is the beginning of your journey to reach samadhi. Intelligent breathing, mindful poses and cognitive focuses form the triangular base on which you are going to build your character.

I want to thank all who have registered for Twin Heart Yoga Detox workshop on December 06. I am happy to be a part of your journey and wish could accommodate more. Hope you may be able to join in a later workshop.

Jay