The Yoga Bridge, Week 24, April 11, 2014

This week, I had a great week at the Yoga studio. I was close to a six-minute head stand. I could get my feet to the floor in Halasana. I stayed for two classes back to back. Improvement. Thanks svadhayaya.

Back to the park, my refugee, I spent time in the fern forest committing to memory the Sanskrit words of Yamas and Niyamas. I wanted the words to be a part of me. A discovery, my understanding of Yamas and Niyamas was very rudimentary. Actually, the words themselves were just tips of ice burgs. For example, I found a swami, Nithyananda, an eccentric genius, on you tube, that gave a detailed explanation of Aparigraha.    Truly, the explanation was mind-blowing.   Below is the  link.

Ashtanga Yoga: Aparigraha   “https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPYyupfZgjI”

As I was using a Mala to aid in memorizing the sanskrit words by reciting the words out loud, ” Aum, yama, ahimsa, satya, esteya, brahmacharya, aparigraha, Niyama, sauca, santosa, tapas, svadhayaya, isvara pranidhana. Aum.”  108 times. I looked up and there was an animal sitting in front. It must have heard the chanting.  At first, I was worried that the fox would attack.  The red fox was curious, almost playful.  I felt honored to have the visitor.

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The Yoga Bridge, Week 20, March 14, 2014 The Journey for Individuality

 

This week, I did some time thinking and studying in a forest.  Meditation. Reading, Asanas, Loving Kindness.  Mantras.    Yoga has started me down a spiritual path  to find the true self.  I started reading Iyengar’s book on Patanjali’s sutras as in the picture.

Other things that I learned from reading and want to add to the yoga practice.

1) Every time I say the word, Aum, I will say it with passion and tremendous respect.

2) Every time I say the word, Aum, I will  try to surrender completely to God.

3) Asana, move slowly to keep a steady base. Never in a hurry.

4) Use my skin. The skin is what tells me where I’m in space. Give it attention.

5) Prana means energy, not breath. The cosmos breaths me.

As per the suggestion of a Swami on YouTube, I declared my self enlightened. It was like giving notice to my mind.  The declaration was done with tremendous passion and sincerity.  This was the advise of a swami, in regards to enlightenment. I do  follow the yamas and niyamas.