Not that we will be scrutinizing pratyahara, but that we will practice under scrutiny.
Scientists know that when a phenomenon is observed it changes; merely by the act of watching something you can change it. Many of our habits are changed by initiating that first step: watch what you do. As you become aware of actions, maybe actions you don't even know the origins of, you become less likely to continue them. When you watch your breath it is a challenge not to make changes to it; to resist the temptation to make it move as you think it should. When you do yoga in a group, or in a room that is observable from the outside, you will choose different actions than when you practice yoga alone at home. I find it challenging to motivate myself at home to practice big, sweaty asana and sometimes an extended sama vritti. But put me in a yoga studio with a teacher and a bunch of other students and watch how still I sit. Look how sweaty I am.
Pratyahara is the practice of withdrawing the senses. As you get better at reducing your external stimuli input, you are forced to face your internal voice; your mind's eye and ear. When you take away the external distractions you are under your own scrutiny. You may have let go of the power of another's view through certain techniques, but now you must let go of your own ego driven need to be "good" in another's eyes.
Let today's practice be your opportunity to live without judgement, comparison, or the need to please. Practice without editing yourself.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
The Hibernation Factor
As we come to the end of winter, exciting changes are taking place outside. The light is returning to us. Just this morning I was fortunate enough to see a flock of migrating Canada geese. At this point I'm sure I'm not the only one who is ready to see warmer temperatures return and to be able to be outside for longer periods of time. (I'm particularly ready to be done with socks. It was warm enough in the house recently to walk without them and it was delightful.)
While all these changes happen slowly outside, inside we're feeling the effects of a long, cold winter. Even though we know spring is just around the corner, it's still dark early and it's cold. Maybe some have eaten a rich diet, trying to feel warm and secure in all the cold darkness. Maybe we're less inclined to want to get up and move. What some may call Seasonal Affective Disorder, I'm calling the hibernation factor. It makes sense that we're slower and maybe more apt to be sad after so many months of this kind of weather. You could look up the science of what occurs physiologically when our part of the earth is tilted away from the sun, what the lack of vitamin D does, how the irregular exposure to sunlight effects our melatonin levels. What we don't need is another "disorder" diagnosis. What we need is practice working with (as opposed to on) what we're feeling in preparation for the opportunity to bloom in spring.
I have been focusing recently on pratyahara. Pratyahara is the practice of reducing the influence of the senses in order to better know yourself. We will continue to work with this process over the next few weeks with the intention of preparing ourselves for the coming light. Now is the time to prepare your ground so you can flourish in the spring.
We will continue to utilize pranayama to create stillness and quiet internally. As a result, we will reduce the chatter that usually fills our heads and know ourselves better. Then we can take action from that place of knowledge, rather than habits or experiences.
While all these changes happen slowly outside, inside we're feeling the effects of a long, cold winter. Even though we know spring is just around the corner, it's still dark early and it's cold. Maybe some have eaten a rich diet, trying to feel warm and secure in all the cold darkness. Maybe we're less inclined to want to get up and move. What some may call Seasonal Affective Disorder, I'm calling the hibernation factor. It makes sense that we're slower and maybe more apt to be sad after so many months of this kind of weather. You could look up the science of what occurs physiologically when our part of the earth is tilted away from the sun, what the lack of vitamin D does, how the irregular exposure to sunlight effects our melatonin levels. What we don't need is another "disorder" diagnosis. What we need is practice working with (as opposed to on) what we're feeling in preparation for the opportunity to bloom in spring.
I have been focusing recently on pratyahara. Pratyahara is the practice of reducing the influence of the senses in order to better know yourself. We will continue to work with this process over the next few weeks with the intention of preparing ourselves for the coming light. Now is the time to prepare your ground so you can flourish in the spring.
We will continue to utilize pranayama to create stillness and quiet internally. As a result, we will reduce the chatter that usually fills our heads and know ourselves better. Then we can take action from that place of knowledge, rather than habits or experiences.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
No More Auto Pilot
Be Deliberate
Yesterday I watched my 5 month old daughter frown at her feet. She was sitting up, moving her left toes, but her face said, "how is that happening?" It occurred to me that I am still getting used to existing in the physical world. We become accustomed to our bodies when we're kids, then stop paying attention to them, unless they hurt. Ever marveled at the grace of an animals' movement? They use all their muscles in concert all the time. They do not compartmentalize and they do not become over burdened by emotional baggage. That's not to say they can't feel emotions, but rather that they are so in the moment they can't collect those emotions and relive them later.
Have you ever looked back on something you've done or said and thought, "Why?!" Today's intention and subsequent practice will hopefully move you away from ever having to ask yourself that question again. Even if you look back on a word or action and find it less than admirable, at least you'll know why you did it. That may not seem like the best end to something you did that you're embarrassed about, but part of knowing yourself is taking responsibility for those things you don't like about yourself. Don't bury those things under action whose motivation is a mystery to you. Be yourself. Strive to be the best version and moving toward that best version means to understand and accept the version you are now.
We will continue the practice of drawing the mind internally on the breath and keeping it there. The practice of quieting the senses' power is called pratyahara. To know yourself intimately, it helps to place less emphasis on the outside world and concentrate on the internal environment. Not only does this practice quiet the mind, it presents an opportunity to be present in the moment. By concentrating on the breath, we will be less distracted and then can know each moment as it is, as opposed to how we perceive it through our experiences. As a result, our bodies, breath, and mind integrate. This integration means never again will one part of yourself make a decision that another part will question later.
Yesterday I watched my 5 month old daughter frown at her feet. She was sitting up, moving her left toes, but her face said, "how is that happening?" It occurred to me that I am still getting used to existing in the physical world. We become accustomed to our bodies when we're kids, then stop paying attention to them, unless they hurt. Ever marveled at the grace of an animals' movement? They use all their muscles in concert all the time. They do not compartmentalize and they do not become over burdened by emotional baggage. That's not to say they can't feel emotions, but rather that they are so in the moment they can't collect those emotions and relive them later.
Have you ever looked back on something you've done or said and thought, "Why?!" Today's intention and subsequent practice will hopefully move you away from ever having to ask yourself that question again. Even if you look back on a word or action and find it less than admirable, at least you'll know why you did it. That may not seem like the best end to something you did that you're embarrassed about, but part of knowing yourself is taking responsibility for those things you don't like about yourself. Don't bury those things under action whose motivation is a mystery to you. Be yourself. Strive to be the best version and moving toward that best version means to understand and accept the version you are now.
We will continue the practice of drawing the mind internally on the breath and keeping it there. The practice of quieting the senses' power is called pratyahara. To know yourself intimately, it helps to place less emphasis on the outside world and concentrate on the internal environment. Not only does this practice quiet the mind, it presents an opportunity to be present in the moment. By concentrating on the breath, we will be less distracted and then can know each moment as it is, as opposed to how we perceive it through our experiences. As a result, our bodies, breath, and mind integrate. This integration means never again will one part of yourself make a decision that another part will question later.
Monday, February 11, 2013
Prana Vayu and the Fear of Intimacy
Open up to yourself and find that you are better able to open to others; both to give and receive intimate feelings.
Valentine's Day is a christian holiday that celebrates a saint who supposedly was known for being associated with the tradition of courtly love (Wikipedia).
In modern times, there is an unfortunate imperative out there that you must not be alone. And if you are fortunate enough to have an intimate partner, the imperative is that you must prove your love with the purchase of items.
As with the new year, I try not to celebrate that which has been marketed to turn a profit. Instead I focus on the quality of the idea. Celebrate new beginnings. Celebrate love. And not just romantic love.
Think for a moment about the people who persist in your life. Think about the emotions you've taken out on them. The faults you think you have that they endure. Who make you a better person my their very existence. These are the people who should be celebrated. And not only on the 14th of February.
Take a moment to think of these people and feel full of gratitude for your amazing good fortune; that you have met these people, maybe were born to these people, and continue to know them, continue to have relationships with them. Hopefully, there's more than one person, but even if there is but one, you are very rich.
This week's intention surrounds the blockages and defenses we erect in order to protect ourselves from pain relating to emotional intimacy. When we let go of past pain, we open ourselves up to give and receive our deepest emotions. We strengthen those relationships with people who are closest to us by our trust. We enrich our lives.
The flow of energy that moves in our chest and heads is called prana vayu. It will be our focus in asana practice this week, as it encompasses our hearts and head. By moving our hearts, we can let go of those defenses we intellectual determine we need as protection.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)