Strength in Yoga
“Strength does not
come from physical capacity. It comes from indomitable will…your struggles
develops your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to
surrender, that is strength”, Mahatma Gandhi.
Welcome to the next session of Lokah Samastah Sukhino
Bhavantu (LSSB) this Sunday at 7 AM in the Cambridge Chase Park (1359 Haversham
Dr., Aurora, IL) when we incorporate the yoga sequences to strengthen the body,
mind and spirit. The planks, supported arm and shoulder stands engaging myriad of
abdominal muscles are sure to develop the biceps, triceps and a sculpted six-pack.
But, the strength through yoga means much more than we normally envision.
Jesus was a yogi; so was Buddha; what made them different? They
were able to arrest the deviation of mind. Was that not the classical
definition of yoga by Patanjali, “Chittah Vrithi Nirodah”- 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, jnana or karma yoga, why
popular yoga (in the west) focus mostly on poses? We may 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 proclaim the same philosophy. If one needs to
connect the yoga definition with the asana practice, we need not go far – it is
in the definition of asana, “Sthira Sukham Asanam”. Yoga poses need to be
stable, comfortable and easy. Really? Instructors use comforting jargons to
boost participant confidence in a class: “yoga is a journey”; “one needs to
differentiate challenge and the struggle”; “with practice comes perfection”; “be
where you are”; “honor thyself”, etc. In
order to access poses 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 does yoga strengthen the spirit?
One of the cardinal rules in Ashtanga Yoga is
“Iswarapranidhana” (see divinity in everything as an ethical observance, Yoga
Sutra II.32) that spins off love, compassion and service and respect one self
and others around you. Free, total and fruitful and faithful relationship emanating
from that adherence is what we foster, slowly and steadily, through the path of
Yoga.
We will work on a total body strengthening sequence focusing
on all chakras- the lights one need to reach our goal, our destiny-
purification of mind, body and spirit.Hope you will be able to join us.
Love,
Jay
P. S. What is new on 18th?
One of my good friends, Karen Ryan, has kindly agreed to lead part of the
practice this Sunday. Karen is a practicing travelling yogi and a compassionate
wellness consultant whose ability to deliver the art, science and philosophy of
yoga is remarkable. I am happy and proud to have Karen on board. Thanks Karen!
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