May Monthly Theme: Dhyana and Samadhi

The monthly theme for May brings us to the last two limbs of Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga,  Dhyana and Samadhi.

From the previous limb or Dharana, we learned the importance of single pointed concentration.  It is the foundation for the next limb, Dhyana, or meditation.  It is at this point that there is uninterrupted flow of concentration.  It is a fine distinction but at this point the mind has quieted and in the stillness it produces few or no thoughts at all.  One is aware without focus.  One has actually merged with the object of concentration.   It has often been compared to rain drops falling.  The rain drops themselves represent, dharana,  or intermittent moments of focused attention.  When they fall to Earth and create a river, there is a merging of the individual raindrops into one stream, like dhyana, or meditation.

The final limb is Samadhi, or enlightenment or super consciousness.  Here we lose all attachment and are one with the meditation.  Samadhi is the state in which we no longer experience reality through our own filters.  Instead we experience reality directly.  It is the state in which you are aware on a cellular level of the underlying oneness of the universe.  Judith Lasater says “ Samadhi is a state of being intensely present without a point of view.”  It is believed that we can achieve this in our everyday lives but is seems we need the journey of yoga to discover what was present inside us all along. 

April Monthly Theme: Pratyahara and Dharana

The theme of the month moves us to the first two internal limbs of Patanjali’s Eight Fold Path:  Pratyahara (sense withdrawal) and Dharana (concentration on a single point).

Pratyahara, the fifth limb,  is the bridge between the four external limbs and movement toward the internal limbs of Patanjali’s Yoga. In Pratyahara (sense withdrawal) we draw our awareness away from the external world and outside stimuli.  Often the mind can still wander in asana and pranayama.  In pratyahara we become self observant.  Here we observe our cravings, and habits that interfere with our inner growth. When we detach from our senses, we direct our attention internally.   Consequently, we have developed our ability to concentrate through asana (posture), pranayama (breath control), and Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses) and now we can deal with distractions of the mind itself.

In Dharana (concentration on a single point), we focus on a single point to prepare for meditation. Dhāraṇā is the initial step of deep concentrative meditation, where the object being focused upon is held in the mind without consciousness wavering from it.

Here the object of meditation, the meditator, and the act of meditation itself remain separate. That is, the meditator or the meditator's meta-awareness is conscious of meditating, on an object, and of his or her own self, which is concentrating on the object. One way that the Hatha Yoga Pradipika suggests that we develop this ekagrata (single pointed concentration and focus of mind) is through the practice of Trataka, or candle gazing.  

February Monthly Theme: Asana

Asana is the third limb in Patanjali’s eight limbed path and is known as posture.

The Sanskrit word asana actually means "seat." By taking a seat, you establish a connection to the Earth. Through asana practice we consciously connect to a touchable, tangible, sense-able level of reality. This is why we often begin our yoga practice at this third limb. In fact, Pattabhi Jois states in his book Yoga Mala, “If the limbs and sub-limbs of yama and niyama are to be practiced, then steps should be taken to ensure that one does not fall victim to disease, obligation or poverty. For when a person becomes ill, his mind cannot be steady, nor can he do any work. Therefore, the body, sense organs, and mind must be stabilized to prevent obstacles, such as disease, from occurring. To bring the body and sense organs under control, the asana should first be studied and practiced. It is, after all not possible to practice the limbs and sub-limbs of yama and niyama when the body and sense organs are weak and haunted by obstacles.  To destroy diseases of the body and sense organs, asana must be studied and practiced.” 


According to Patanjali, the seat that you establish should be steady and joyful, in body as well as mind. The word asana, therefore, also describes the goal of this yoga practice, which is to consciously relate to all beings with steadiness and joy.



sthira sukham asanam (Y.S.II:46)

Sukham: easy, joyful, comfortable
Asanam: seat, connection to the earth


What is Vinyasa form or practicing Asana? 
At North Shore Yoga we practice Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. The word vinyasa means "a joining or linking mechanism." Krama means "the process"; it refers to the succession of changes that occurs from moment to moment. Vinyasa krama means the succession of changes undertaken with a single pointed intention, free from fluctuation. Learning only static postures does not reveal the incredible potential of asana. When individual asanas are linked together correctly in a sequence, the result is a physiological change. Most people are not conscious of their intention from moment to moment. Details fill their lives, but the casual thread of the vinyasa remains elusive. They may often find themselves in situations wondering, "How did I get into this one?" When we establish a conscious intention and teach ourselves how to remain aligned with that intention, no matter how much we are dissuaded or distracted by the external world, the process unfolds as it should.

The vinyasa is the element that sews together the various moments in a sequence of changes. It is like the string on which pearls are strung for a necklace. The linking strand may be of two types: conscious or unconscious. Change is always occurring, but usually a sequence of changes is linked by unconsciousness; in other words, the conscious mind fails to perceive it.     

When you practice a sequence of asanas, you link them with conscious breathing. The real vinyasa, or link, however, is the intention with which you practice asanas. It is the intention that links the postures with consciousness instead of unconsciousness. The breath is a metaphor for that intention. If your intention is to practice asana to realize the Self, every breath you take will help break down your sense of separation from others.

January Monthly Theme: Niyama

The monthly theme for this month is Niyama or Observances.  This relates to the yogi's behavior towards himself and a way to create self-discipline.

1. SAUCHA: Purity, cleanliness
Saucha is the practice of cleaning the body. We want to be  pure in every way. This includes bathing, brushing the teeth and the practice of kriyas, as well as maintaining a clean house, a clean mind….. When we try to be perfectly clean, we start to learn about dirt. The resulting realization arises: nothing is always and forever in a state of absolute cleanliness. It is a never-ending job. All we can do is to try. To the yogic way of thinking the only real dirt is avidya, ignorance of the True Self. Through the practice of saucha we learn about the physical body and thus ignorance is reduced.

2. SANTOSHA: Contentment
Contentment is independence from external conditions. Don't look for happiness or comfort in external circumstances because those conditions are always subject to change. Be happy with what you have. We will never be truly happy in an external situation. Elevate the mind so that you can perceive the world without conflicts. How do we do this?: Tapas, the next niyama.

3. TAPAS: To burn, self discipline, austerity
By subjecting ourselves to extremes of pleasure and pain, we will develop an internal way to deal with it all. Santosha in the face of tapas facilitates endurance and the ability to concentrate the mind regardless of external conditions. Steadiness and equanimity is developed. Tapas also translates as passion or fervor for the subject, sticking to it no matter what.

4. SWADYAYA: Study of the Self through Scripture
It is often translated as scriptural study, the actual reading of and reflecting on the sacred books, ie. Vedas, Upanishads, Yoga Sutras, Bible etc. these works remind one of their true nature or Atman. When you study something you hold it in your attention and come to know something of it. Likewise, to immerse yourself in scripture is to hold in your attention, Divine ideas, thoughts and words.

5. ISHWARA PRANIDHANA: Devotion to God or the Divine as you see it

Develop an attitude of surrender. Before you do any action offer it to a higher source. In this way you free yourself of selfish action.. This practice will enable you to reach for something higher than the apparent limitations of body and mind. Ishvara pranidhana shifts our perspective from the obsession with "I"—with our narrow individual concerns and perspective—that causes so much of the mind's distraction and creates a sense of separation from our Source. Since Ishvara pranidhana focuses not on ego but on the sacred ground of being, it reunites us with our true Self.

The yamas and niyamas are given to the yogi as practices. Perfection is impossible, but we must strive for constant and steady practice. 

December Monthly Theme: Savasana

Savasana  is a yoga asana often used to begin or conclude a yoga session. It is a relaxing posture intended to rejuvenate one's body, mind and spirit In Savasana, our bodies integrate and assimilate what we have just practiced.

It is about letting go completely. Proper relaxation is essential for the health of our mind and body and for clarity of thought for making good choices. The obstacles to a good Savasana are sleep, boredom, mental agitation, and the ultimate obstacle: thinking you don't need Savasana anymore. Mental agitation and tension are obstacles that make us miss the point of life's journey.

As Sri, K. Pattbhi Jois says, “Most difficult for students, not waking, not sleeping.” It may be the most difficult asana to master, yet the focus is simple -- all you do is relax every body part. If you get distracted or agitated, you can always come back to this basis. Just undo, unwind, let go totally. Place yourself carefully in the pose, and then just get out of the way and observe. Savasana raises our consciousness and intention to a higher, more spiritual plane. In these moments, we feel how yoga is a spiritual science, not a physical work out.   Sometimes in Savasana you get a taste of the unconditioned mind, with no thoughts arising, just bare awareness. When you achieve peace in Savasana, remind yourself that you can call upon this feeling, contact this place inside you, at any time during the day.

The aim of yoga practice in daily life is to live vividly from moment to moment without being stuck in thinking or the idea of not-thinking. Wood floor, open window, blanket, cushion, t-shirt, wool socks – there is something profound just here. We are not trying to create an experience; we are making room for experience to happen. Experience, like the present moment, is always waiting for a place to happen. The architecture of savasana requires us to continually let the ground we are lying down on, literally the ground of our thoughts and our bodies, to fall away, until the constructs that frame our experience pass on. This is an act of both dying and being born. Our imagination makes us very busy exploring the world of choices. In the end, there will be no choice, just death. So in the center of your bumbling human life, where you are always looking around for something better, notice how the present moment is just a small death away.  

Savasana is the art of practicing our death, little by little, every day. “If student does not get up from savasana,” says Pattabhi Jois, “or lifting student up (and he/she) is like a stiff board, savasana is correct.”

 “…every day, a little ‘bit dying.” Pattabhi Jois

November Monthly Theme: The Other Yamas

The November theme of the month are the other four Yamas or restraints in Patanjali’s 8 limbed path. These restraints are placed on ourselves willingly in order to focus our efforts in the right direction. It is a disciplined path that allows us to head toward the fulfillment of our dharma, or life purpose. The other four  yamas—Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, and Aparigraha allow us to coexist harmoniously with others.

1. SATYA,  means "truth," or "not lying." Practicing satya means being truthful in our feelings, thoughts, and words, and deeds. It means being honest with ourselves and with others.

2. ASTEYA, or "not stealing,"  means more than not taking things that don’t belong to you.  It means also rooting out any subconscious beliefs of lack and scarcity that cause greed and hoarding.  We steal because we misperceive the universe as lacking abundance or we think that there is not enough for everyone. 

3. BRAHMACHARYA: Continence  . is when we consciously choose to use our  sexual energy or life force to express our dharma, rather than to frivolously dissipate it in an endless pursuit of fleeting pleasures. Brahmacharya reminds us to use use our energy wisely and conservatively.

4. APARIGRAHA: Greedlessness 
Aparigraha means not coveting what isn’t ours and not wanting what isn’t ours.  It is also the non-accumulation of things. Things take your energy which takes your energy and time away from spiritual practices. If it is collecting dust let go of it, get rid of it. Direct all that extra energy towards sadhana (spiritual practice.). 

The yamas and niyamas are given to the yogi as practices. Perfection is impossible, but we must strive for constant and steady practice. 

October Monthly Theme: Abhyasa and Vairagya

Abhyasa and Vairagya (Practice and Non-Attachment)

The question arises of how do we arrive at a state of yoga and what should we do and not do? Patanjali states in sutras 1.12-1.16:

ABHYASA VAIRAGYABHYAM TANNIRODHAH
These mental modifications are restrained by practice and non-attachment.

TATRA STHITAU YATNO’BHYASAH
Of these two effort toward steadiness of mind is practice (effort must be continuous.)

SA TU DIRGHA KALA NAIRANTARYA SATKA RASEVITO DRDHAHUMIH
Practice becomes firmly grounded when well attended to for a long time, without break and in all earnestness.

According to Desikachar, “This sutra emphasizes the need to approach practice soberly with a positive, self-disciplined attitude and with a long term view toward eventual success.” 

DRSTANUSRAVIKA VISAYA VITRSNASYA VASIKARA SAMJNA VAIRGYAM
At the highest level there is an absence of any cravings, either for the fulfillment of the senses or for extra ordinary experiences.

As we develop our practice along the correct lines, we find that our ability to discipline ourselves and reject intrusive influences grows (Desikachar)

TAT PARAM PURSA KHYATER GUNAVAITRSNYAM
When the individual has achieved complete understanding of his true self, he will no longer be disturbed by the distracting influences within and around him.

In the end this higher form of detachment develops from self understanding. The mind becomes detached from its personal desires. The desires are not suppressed. One is just no longer disturbed by them.