Yoga Sutra 1.1, what?

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I am constantly setting out to push myself out of my comfort zone. So, it doesn’t take me too long to pick up new projects. I’m partially, admittedly so, addicted to “doing”. I have a good mediation practice. I can be a human “being”. I just don’t like down time. Which brings me to my next projects….

First being what you see right now, blogging. I have a little-known passion for writing; I haven’t been serious about since my first kid was born. And secondly deepening my knowledge of yoga philosophy starting with Yoga Sutras, and here we are.

What are the Yoga Sutras?

The Yoga Sutras were written around 1700 years ago by the Sage Patanjali. Nothing concrete is really known about him, but he is credited as being the father of yoga. This is typical of yoga sages as they understood that their teachings were reflection of a cooperative effort and not just one person. If the origin story is to be believed then he was a gift to Gonika, a devoted yogini, from the Sun God. Praying for a son, she opened her palms and a small snake was moving in her hands. Upon taking human form she named him Patanjali- Pata: falling down, Anjali: prayer mudra. Snakes are not seen until they move. They are un-manifasted energy. Until you move you're own energy, you're own power, you do not know it is there either. 

Sutra means thread. The Yoga Sutras are threads of knowledge that allow you to better understand yoga. Bite sized lessons that us, normal people (not great sages that spend all day meditating and levitating), can absorb and apply. Depending on the translation there are 195 or 196 divided into four chapters/padas. As a whole the Yoga Sutras cover the definition, obstacles, and purpose of yoga, as well as the 8 limbs of Ashtanga. Then moves on to the manifestations of these practices, ending in liberation of your mind. 

The only place to start is as the beginning....

Yoga Sutra 1.1

1.1   Atha Yoga Anushasanam

Then comes the right time to undertake the practice of yoga.

Atha: beginning, now

Yoga: yoke, union

Anu: that follow, accompanies

Shasanam: discipline, execution

I’ve been teaching for a while, so I thought I understood this translation. Being that when you’ve exhausted all options you come to realize that yoga is the way to calm your mind, rejuvenate your spirit, and all those badass-ry things. Once I took the time to delve a little deeper, to sit with the phrase, to reflect- let’s just say it was a smack my head moment of gigantic proportions.

Atha- auspicious, begin, now: this is not just referring to the “now” that is the beginning but the deeper now of who you are and where you are in your life.

1. Are you ready to take up the discipline of yoga?
2. Are you ready to make the commitment to change your present life?
3. Can you look past your prejudices, your reasons, your consciousness and habitual thought patterns, and allow yourself to see things with a beginner’s mind?

This does not just apply to your mat. It is a common misconception that yoga begins and ends with rolling out and up your mat. What you do on your mat is 1/8 of yoga as a whole. So yes, when it comes to the surface asana/physical practice of yoga the answers to the questions are fairly easy. Most people can make the time to "exercise" and most people come to yoga as beginners so the beginners' mind is a given. 

But now take out the whole mat practice. Let's focus on the majority- the other 7/8. Which is your actual LIFE! 

Practical application of 1.1 for me

Let's go back to the two pet projects I mentioned at the beginning: studying the Yoga Sutras and blogging. Now I had to sit back and be brutally honest with myself on if I had the discipline or even the time to commit to new endeavors.

Think about it yourself. 

How often have you started something and then realized you where over committed. This leads to anxiety, stress, lack of sleep. Maybe other commitments fall through the cracks because you have too many balls in the air. This affects your quality of life, your family, your job. 

Why was this a smack my head moment? 

Because this was exactly what I needed. I'm a "doer". I pack my schedule so tight. Don't get me wrong, I'm good at saying no and prioritizing. But I love helping, studying, learning. And part of me really thinks sleep is a waste of time. I need this Sutra. I need this reminder to check in with who I am in this moment before committing myself to anything, yoga related or otherwise. It was like the universe had brought me the exact lesson at exactly the right time. 

After some conscious thought, I decided yes, I could do this. I could commit to a self study through the sutras practice and consistent blog but with conditions.

I would pursue not my commitments but Sankhya (removing sorrow and embracing joy) first.

This means that I begin at the beginning with the word Atha and the knowledge that I understand who I am in this moment: homeschooling mother of three, yoga manager,  yoga teacher trainer. I’m busy, you could say. So, in order to remove potential sorrow (and epic drama) I will not pressure myself.

I commit to not expecting to understand everything.

I commit to not always posting my blogs on time.

I commit to taking the sutras as they come but aiming for one a month.

I commit to taking an honest look at my life and making sure each day to be excited about something.

And I commit to having the discipline to stay the course until I finish all the sutras, trust the process, and where it leads.

Conclusion

Yoga is an experimental science. We are all beginners, because none us will ever know it all- and who would want to. I'm excited to embark on this new journey into not only the Yoga Sutras, but into myself. 

Yoga Sutra 1.1- check!

Only 195 or 194 to go. :)

The pants are Buddha pants- come back next week for a review :) Coupon code is APRILFORT3

I hope you will follow me on this journey or join me! The books I’m working with are:

The Yoga-Sutra of Patañjali: A New Translation and Commentary

By Georg Feuerstein Ph.D.

Buy on Amazon

The Path of the Yoga Sutras: A Practical Guide to the Core of Yoga

By Nicolai Bachman

Buy on Amazon

Inside the Yoga Sutras: A Comprehensive Sourcebook for the Study & Practice of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras

By Jaganath Carrera

Buy on Amazon

Yoga Props: What is this wheel???

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So if you come to my classes, or attended classes at City Centre or Champions Life Time, then you may have heard about the yoga wheel. I get asked all the time what is a yoga wheel? Is it the pose? Is it a ride? Is it really a wheel?

Yoga has a lot of props. These can range from well known, think blocks and straps, to downright odd, what about those toe spacers?

A Yoga wheel is a circle made of plastic and sticky mat material looped around it. From what I could find it was developed by Sri Dharma Mittra and his son Yogi Varuna. There wheel is called Dharma Yoga Wheel (try googling DYW also). Since it's popularity there are many other brands on the market now. I prefer the Plexus wheel as it supports 250lbs of weight. They come in various sizes from 6" to 12". 

These wheels can be used for a variety benefits: back, shoulder, chest opening, quad/hip flexor stretch, balance enhancer.

I've had a blast playing with mine! 
And I'm so enthused I went and got certified to teach it and will be facilitating the first workshop in May. 

I found it best for inversions! I can't normally get into forearm balances, but I'm excited now that I don't fall out of them constantly. And it's nice not to have to be dependent on the wall. Here is a hint, hold on to the side closest to you and lightly place your head against the wheel. For me it was like a subconscious "I've got you". Engage your core muscles, walk your feet as close as you can, even if you bend your knees. Remember that it is just like any other inversion so you will want to use that cantilever method of getting your hips above your shoulders (this will make it easier to get up). Gentle lift one foot up, keeping the knee bent. Then lightly kick off the standing foot. 

And I mean LIGHTLY. Otherwise you'll just end up in a supported shoulderstand. Slowly straighten the opposite leg, keeping core pulled in and up as well as drawing the inner thighs together. 

My experience with backbends was a little different. I have a strong backbend practice, so I didn't necessarily find it beneficial there, but I could see where someone who was looking to build more there could. I loved having it for rolling along the spine, you take kind of a reverse table and walk your legs up and down to "roll" the wheel - and the plexus wheel fits perfectly in between your shoulder blades. I found it really accessible as a Yin prop as well, for supported backbends and shoulderstands. 

A stranger usage was the balance. Standing on the wheel is great! I haven't been able to do anything one legged yet, but Malasana to standing and back down is really challenging. I can feel my core, legs, glutes, and the soles of my feet engage. The higher end wheels can support your weight but the cheaper version can't always. So check the maximum weight from the manufacturer. I love PLEXUS, because it does support a LOT of weight and is super sturdy. They have a varity of sizes. Use my referral code and get $10 off your order of $80 or more. http://plexusco.refr.cc/aprilfort

Was it worth it?

They are a little impractical to carry around. Though I still think it is worth it! I love having this new toy that is improving my practice at a faster rate. 

And if all else fails the kids can race them across the living room floor. LOL!

Much love! 

p.s. the shirt is from www.yogaskinz.com