This pose obviously strengthens the arms, but it is fundamentally a balance and so promotes equanimity of mind and emotions. If you get your centre of gravity correct it becomes less about arm strength and [...]
Pramana Viparyaya Vikalpa Nidra Smrtayah Sutra 1.6 lists the five movements (vrtti in Sanskrit) of the mind: Correct knowledge; incorrect knowledge; imagination; sleep; and memory. Sutra 1.7 Explains that correct knowledge (pramana) comes from three [...]
What is holding you back from your true potential of sustained peace? We have looked at the aim of yoga and the path of yoga; Sutra 2.3 lists the five obstacles (the Kleshas) that stand [...]
Aparigraha the fifth Yama “aparigraha sthairye janma kathanta sambodha” When one is steadfast in non-possessiveness or non-grasping with the senses (aparigraha), there arises knowledge of the why and wherefore of past and future incarnations. Yoga [...]
Brahmacharya, the fourth Yama Yoga Sutra 2.38 Traditionally this YAMA is often thought of as celibacy - the idea being that the yogi conserves their sexual energy so that this energy is used to progress along [...]
1.33: maitri karuna mudita upeksanam sukha duhkha punya apunya visayanam bhavanatah citta prasadanam The mind will be undisturbed if you can cultivate the attitudes of friendliness towards the happy, compassion towards those in pain, delight [...]
2.1: Tapah svadhyaya isvara pranadhanani kriya yogah These Sanskrit words will be familiar to anyone who knows their Nyamas from their Yamas! Patanjali puts extra emphasis on the last three Nyamas by starting Chapter 2 with [...]
Having looked at the first 4 Sutras in the last newsletter, we’re going to jump to 1.12 to 1.16 that delve into the fundamental yogic principles of ‘practice’ and ‘non-attachment’ (abhyasa and vairagya). We learnt [...]
“asteya pratisthayam sarva ratna upasthanam” When non-stealing (asteya) is established, all jewels, or treasures present themselves, or are available to the Yogi. Yoga Sutra 2.37 In Sanskrit - A = not, Steya = stealing. This [...]
“satya pratisthayam kriya phala ashrayatvam” “As truthfulness (satya) is achieved, the fruits of actions naturally result according to the will of the Yogi.” Yoga Sutras 2:35 This Yama is a commitment to truthfulness. Satya literally [...]
