Namaste Dear Friends,
Today’s (June 13th) hatha yoga class at 1:30PM is CANCELLED. Please note that Yoga for Men and Yin Yoga are on as scheduled. In sum, this week’s classes include:
Monday:
Hatha Yoga CANCELLED
Yoga for Men w/ Greg @ 5:30–6:30PM
Yin Yoga w/ Julie @ 6:45–8:00PM
Tuesday:
Gentle Yoga w/ Julie @ 4:30–5:30PM
Vinyasa Flow w/ Julie @ 6:00–7:00PM
Wednesday:
PWYC Express Flow w/ Greg @ 12–12:45PM
Hatha Yoga w/ Greg @ 5:30–6:45PM
Slow&Steady w/ Julie @ 8:30–9:45PM
Thursday:
Intro to Yin w/ Julie @ 4:30–5:30PM
Vinyasa Flow w/ Julie @ 5:45–7:00PM
Friday:
Stretch&Unwind w/ Greg @ 12:00–1:00PM
Saturday:
Morning Flow w/ Greg @ 11:15–12:30PM
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YOGA SUTRAS OF PATANJALI
This week we begin moving into the second chapter, or Sadhana Pada, of the Yoga Sutras. This chapter outlines the practices by which one can use to remove the obstacles to reveal the Shining Self. Arguably, it is most important chapter for us because it introduces Kriya Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga, including the role of afflictions (kleshas) and the basic psychology of yoga.
(Chapter 2, Sutras 1–3)
1. Self-discipline, self-study and surrender to God constitute Kriya Yoga.
2. These are performed to promote samadhi and to remove afflictions from the mind.
3. Ignorance, egoism, attraction, aversion and clinging to life are the five afflictions.
Kriya Yoga literally means Yoga Practice, which consists of three primary aspects: tapas (self-discipline/austerity), svadhyaya (self-study via studying Vedantic texts, for example), and Ishvara pranidhana (devotion/surrender to God).
Several weeks ago we discussed how Ishvara pranidhana and discrimination (viveka) were the two primary means described in the Samadhi Pada to achieve samadhi. Attaining samadhi directly by way of these two approaches can be challenging, which is why tapas and svadhyaya may be required as additional aids. Consequently, it is said that Kriya Yoga is relevant to almost everyone.
Yoga recognizes five kleshas, or afflictions or causes of suffering, which sutra 2.3 lists. The cause of all afflictions is ignorance (avidya). It is not an ordinary ignorance or lack of outer/book knowledge. It is a spiritual ignorance of not knowing our true nature as Eternal, Purusha, Love, Divinity, Self, call-it-what-you-will. It is because of ignorance that we confuse the transient with the eternal, the body-mind system with the Self. It is said that all causes of pain and suffering automatically disappear when avidya is replaced by enlightenment.
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POSE OF THE WEEK
Matsyasana (fish pose)
••• Matsyasana is the counterpose for the shoulder stand and plow poses, for example, that we explored in previous weeks. Different traditions use different variations concerning the placement of the legs (i.e., either straight or bound in full lotus). Here, we describe the straight-leg version since it is accessible to most people.
The pose begins by lying on one’s back and rolling the arms under the body with the hands under the hips, palms down. The arms/elbows press into the floor to lift the chest up and arch the back. The chest continues to lift and the head drops back until its crown touches the floor.
Having the crown of the head touch the floor may not be accessible to some. In this case, the head may simply drop back to a comfortable position with an emphasis on opening the throat and chest regions.
Please speak with your instructors regarding other types of safe modifications for your body type.
Om Namah Shivaya
nava yoga 