"Without continuous change, it would be impossible to grow." In wrapping up my philosophy discussion on aparigraha (the fifth yama) with my George Washington University yoga class last week, I concluded with the following reading from Charlotte Bell's Mindful Yoga, Mindful Life - a simple, down-to-earth book on the 8 limbs of yoga. After class a couple students asked me to share the reading. So here it is: "Freedom does not come from acquisition. It comes from letting go. In the same way … [Read more...]
Beyond OM
As Sri Dharma Mittra often states at the start of a Master class, "all yoga practices begin and end with the sound of OM." True to form, this video captures this instruction at the beginning of his full day of teaching at the Washington Convention Center April 6, 2014. Beyond the sacred sound of OM, which is said to be the oldest mantra in the world, there are many other mantras frequently chanted in asana classes at yoga studios around the world. Mantras exist for many things including … [Read more...]
Moderation is Key
At least twice a year I recommit to stop buying books on Amazon.com and instead read one of the many I already own (and this is one of those times!). Regardless of this commitment, almost daily I pick up one of my many versions of either The Yoga Sutras or The Bhagavad Gita - both are key if you wish to delve deep into the philosophical heart of yoga. So while the rain poured and poured outside this morning, I huddled reading a few slokas (aka verses) of my favorite version of The Bhagavad … [Read more...]
A Lesson from Ants
Tapas may be one of the easiest Niyamas (ethical observances) to understand yet the hardest to follow. Tapas is Sanskrit for discipline. As the 3rd Niyama listed in Patanjali’s eight-limbs of yoga, I often think Tapas should be the first. To fully experience Saucha (cleanliness) and Santosha (contentment), which are the first two Niyamas, mindfulness and full-attention are required. True discipline (tapas) commands that we are attentive in the moment. Many times discipline takes months, … [Read more...]
What is Yoga?
I teach yoga as a one-credit undergraduate course at GWU in Washington, DC. At the start of each semester, I ask the students to pair up and define within a couple sentences "what is yoga?" As they're crafting their answers I remind them that whatever they come up with, it's right. Yoga is a very individual experience so for each person the definition will vary. Here are a few of the responses I received in last week's class: - Yoga is a way to improve posture - It helps reduce … [Read more...]
How to Om: the best read I’ve seen on Om
Since 2008 I've written a few posts on chanting Om which is the oldest chant in India. I've answered questions such as why Om, what is Om and how to Om. My last writing/blog post on Om even included a brief discussion of the yoga sutras that cover the topic of Om (see OM, OM, OM). Om, considered to be an all-pervading sound in the universe, connects us to everything around us and within us. Comprised of three syllables –A, U, M – Om is pronounced AhhOohMmm. At least one of these … [Read more...]
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