Tapas

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

This week in class we will be exploring Tapas, the third Niyama.

You never enjoy the world aright, till the Sea itself floweth in your veins, till you are clothed with the heavens, and crowned with the stars; and perceive yourself to be the sole heir of the whole world, and more than so, because men are in it who are every one sole heirs as well as you.  

                                                             – Thomas Traherne

In our relationship with the environment, the real power does not lie in the hands of technologists or politicians or directors of multinational corporations. It is individuals like you and me who make the final decisions about what is bought and sold in the stores, how much carbon dioxide is pumped into the atmosphere, and what is dumped into the sea. Each of us can begin to heal the environment right away by changing our daily habits.

And beyond that, there is another area which deserves our immediate attention: the world within. For each of us has an entire world within, an internal environment as real as the one we see around us. This internal environment has a powerful effect on the external environment: the way we think affects the way we treat the earth. When we purify this inner environment, we are not only making ourselves more secure and fulfilled, but we are also making an important contribution to the health of Mother Earth.

Words to Live By: Inspiration for Every Day – Eknath Easwaran

The homework is to consider the third Niyama, Tapas.  Tapas is translated as discipline, austerities, and heat.  Tapas can also mean effort.  Through this effort impurities are burned up and we purify our inner and outer environments.  Evaluate your effort as it relates to your Yoga practices and see if there is room for change.

Blessings,

paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga

417 NE Birch St., Camas, WA 98607
360.834.5994

www.rushingwateryoga.com

info@rushingwateryoga.com

Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver Washington since 2003

Samadhi

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

This week in class we will be exploring Samadhi, the eighth limb of Yoga - contemplation, absorption, union, bringing into harmony, self-realization.  

The concept of samadhi is found in verse III.3 of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.  In addition chapter 1 is devoted to samadhi.

III.3 tadeva arthamatranirbhasam svarupasunyam iva samadhih

When the object of meditation engulfs the meditator, appearing as the subject, self-awareness is lost.  This is samadhi.

Samadhi is not a practice but is the result of practice.  It is a state of being.  Meditation culminates in the state of Samadhi.  It is not that you practice Samadhi.  Nobody can consciously practice Samadhi.  Our effort is there only up to meditation.  You put all your effort in dharana (concentration).  It becomes effortless in dhyana (meditation); and you are just there, knowing that you are in meditation.  But in Samadhi, you do not even know that.  You are not there to know it because you are that.  You think first with a lot of interruptions; that is dhyana.  Then you become what you think, that is Samadhi. 

A person experiencing Samadhi is not sitting stiffly with eyes closed.  They do everything we do but without attachment and they are not affected by what they do.  They are living liberated people.  They are active – more active than other people, always doing for others.

Homework:

How does contemplation with eyes closed prepare me for contemplation in action, with my eyes open?

Is contemplation an act of will or surrender?

References:

Light on the Yoga Sutras, by BKS Iyengar, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, by Sri Swami Satchidananda, The Essence of Yoga, Bernard Bouanchaud, and Yoga: A Gem for Women, Geeta Iyengar

Blessings,

paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga

417 NE Birch St., Camas, WA 98607
360.834.5994

www.rushingwateryoga.com
info@rushingwateryoga.com

Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver Washington since 2003 

Dhyana

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

This week in class we will be exploring Dhyana, the seventh limb of Yoga - concentration.

The concept of Dhyana is found in verse III.2 of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.

III.1 tatra pratyaya ekatanata dhyanam

A steady, continuous flow of attention directed towards the same point or region is meditation.

Dhyana is described simply as meditation. However, unlike the act of meditation that we typically understand, Dhyana comes as a result of our efforts. Instead of coming to the mat to meditate, we come to the mat to focus our attention – on asana, on our breath. Dhyana is achieved when we are completely absorbed in that upon which we have focused our attention.

Dhyana is described in Hindu scriptures as pouring oil from one pot to another. The stream of oil does not bubble or break. It is a continuous steam. In dhyana time and space stand still. Unaware of the external world, your attention is focused without distraction. Your mind is steady and open. The awareness of your physical body falls away.

A quote from BKS Iyengar, “True meditation leads us to wisdom (jnana) and understanding (prajna), and this specifically helps in understanding that we are more than our ego.”

Homework:

It is said that meditation removes stress and brings stability of mind and emotions. In the context of dhyana, meditation is only possible when stress is already removed and the mind is still. Consider how your asana practice can bring you closer to this elimination of stress and stillness of mind.

  

References:

Light on the Yoga Sutras, by BKS Iyengar, Light on Life, by BKS Iyengar

Blessings,

paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga

417 NE Birch St., Camas, WA 98607
360.834.5994

www.rushingwateryoga.com
info@rushingwateryoga.com

Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver Washington since 2003

Dharana

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

This week in class we will be exploring dharana, the sixth limb of Yoga - concentration.

The concept of dharana is found in verse III.1 of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.

III.1 desa bandhah cittasya dharana

Fixing the consciousness on one point or region is concentration (dharana).

Dharana means focus of attention.  Focusing the attention on a chosen point or area, within or outside the body, is concentration.  By it the functions of the mind are controlled and brought to one focal point.

Once mastery of the five stages of yoga from yama to pratyahara is achieved, the art of focusing the mind and consciousness is undertaken.  Dharana is established when the mind learns to remain steady on its own, or hold on to an unmoving object.

The practitioner can cultivate dharana in asana when the practice is turned inward by directing the organs of actions and the senses of perception towards the mind and the mind towards the core.

Dharana is a practice: the mind running, your bringing it back; its running, your bringing it back.  You are taming a monkey.  Once it is tamed, it will just listen to you.  You will be able to say, “Okay, sit quietly.”  And it will.  At that point you will be meditating.

Dharana is the beginning of meditation and meditation is the culmination of concentration. 

Homework:

Why must we stop running all over the place to attain a state of concentration?

Is concentration a matter of work or of will?

Consider all of the limbs of yoga we have discussed so far: from yama to pratyahara.  How do they all work together to support the practice of Dharana? 

References:

Light on the Yoga Sutras, by BKS Iyengar, The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, by Sri Swami Satchidananda, and The Essence of Yoga, Bernard Bouanchaud

Blessings,

paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga

417 NE Birch St., Camas, WA 98607
360.834.5994

www.rushingwateryoga.com
info@rushingwateryoga.com

Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver Washington since 2003

Pratyahara, the fifth limb of Yoga - the withdrawal and emancipation from the senses.

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

This week in class we will be exploring Pratyahara, the fifth limb of Yoga - the withdrawal and emancipation from the senses.

The concept of pratyahara is found in verse II.54 and II.55 of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.

II.54 svavisaya asamprayoge cittasya svarupanukarah iva indriyanam pratyaharah

Withdrawing the senses, mind and consciousness from contact with external objects, and then drawing them inwards is pratyahara.

II.55 tatah parama vayata idriyanam

Pratyahara results in the absolute control of the sense organs.

Pratyahara is the transition from the external world to the internal world. Yama and niyama eliminate interruptions by instructing the yogini to live peacefully and purely. Asana removes distractions of the physical and mental being. Pranayama prepares the yogi for meditation. And, pratyahara – control, or refinement of the senses – is the result of the yogini’s work in the first stages. It is also a new step for the yogini – to turn the senses inward toward the soul.

The sense organs allow us to perceive the external world in a personal way. We see, touch, smell, taste, and hear things that we enjoy or do not enjoy. If left uncontrolled, the mind will tell us to continue our quest for more, bigger, and better sensual pleasures. Inevitably, our senses become dulled from over-stimulation and are no longer able to be satisfied. This leads to unhappiness and suffering. In the words of BKS Iyengar, “Here lies the true role of pratyahara… It is the friend who releases you from the snares of the external world, and leads you towards happiness in the delight of the soul.

Homework:

Select a day (or an hour!) to study your sensual experiences. Note which experiences bring up feelings of attachment – “I want more!” and, note which bring feelings of aversion – “Never again!” Consider what actions follow those sensual experiences. Are your actions based on an intellectual decision that you’ve made? Or are your actions based on the unconscious drive for more or less of the sensual experience?

References:

Light on Yoga and Light on the Yoga Sutras, by BKS Iyengar, Yoga: A Gem for Women, by Geeta Iyengar

Blessings,

paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga

417 NE Birch St., Camas, WA 98607
360.834.5994

www.rushingwateryoga.com
info@rushingwateryoga.com

Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver Washington since 2003

Pratyahara

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

This week in class we will be exploring Pratyahara, the fifth limb of Yoga. 

This is an important secret of life: if you remain idle without doing something useful your mind thinks scattered and random thoughts, and wastes its energy.  Your good thoughts should definitely be brought into action.  A though is like an unripened fruit that is not yet eaten by anyone.  Ripening fruit means bringing a positive thought into action.  She who is great, successful, creative, and dynamic knows how to bring all her good and creative thoughts into action, and how to give a shape and form to her creative thinking process.

                                                                        -  Swami Rama                                                                                                                                  

Yoga Gems: A Treasury of Practical and Spiritual Wisdom from Ancient and Modern Masters – Edited by Georg Feurstein  

The homework is to learn how your Yoga practice can help you “give a shape and form to your creative thinking process.”  Consider how the 5^th and 6^th limbs of Yoga, Pratyahara – refinement of the senses and Dharana – concentration, can assist you in this process.  Finally, bring one of your good thoughts into action.

Blessings,

paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga

417 NE Birch St., Camas, WA 98607
360.834.5994

www.rushingwateryoga.com
info@rushingwateryoga.com

Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver Washington since 2003

Pranayama, the fourth limb of Yoga.

Greetings Yogis and Yoginis,

This week in class we will be exploring Pranayama, the fourth limb of Yoga. 

Pranayama – rhythmic control of the breath.

In verses II.49 – II.53 of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras the concept of pranayama is presented.

II.49 – tasmin sati svasa prasvasayoh gativice hedah pranyamah

Pranayama is the regulation of the incoming and outgoing flow of breath with retention.  It is to be practiced only after perfection in asana is attained.

Prana means breath, respiration, life, vitality, wind, energy or strength.  Ayama means length, expansion, stretching, or restraint.

Normally the flow of breath is unrestrained and irregular.  Observing these variations, and conditioning the mind to control the inflow, outflow and retention of the breath in a regular, rhythmic pattern, is pranayama.

II.52 – tatah ksiyate prakasa avaranam

Pranayama removes the veil covering the light of knowledge and heralds the dawn of wisdom.

Its [pranayama] practice destroys illusion, consisting of ignorance, desire and delusion which obscure the intelligence; and allows the inner light of wisdom to shine.  As the breeze disperses the clouds that cover the sun, pranayama wafts away the clouds that hide the light of intelligence.

The yogini’s life is not measured by the number of days but by the number of breaths.  Therefore she follows the proper rhythmic patterns of slow deep breathing.  These rhythmic patterns strengthen the respiratory system, soothe the nervous system and reduce cravings.

As a fire blazes brightly when the covering of ash over it is scattered by the wind, the divine fire within the body shines in all its majesty when the ashes of desire are scattered by the practice of pranayama.

The practice of pranayama develops a steady mind, strong will power and sound judgment.

  

Homework:

Why is it important to have practiced asana for some time before practicing pranayama and how does the practice of asana prepare you for the practice of pranayama?

How do the practices of yama and niyama prepare you for the practice of pranayama? 

References:

Light on Yoga, Light on Pranayama, and Light on the Yoga Sutras, by BKS Iyengar

Blessings,

paul cheek
Rushing Water Yoga

417 NE Birch St., Camas, WA 98607
360.834.5994

www.rushingwateryoga.com
info@rushingwateryoga.com

Serving Yoga to Camas, Washougal, and Vancouver Washington since 2003