The Yoga Sutras, Part 2

Today I'd like to continue my series on some of the philosophy of yoga. Practicing only the physical part of yoga (asana) leaves out so much of the good stuff, so it's important to occasionally take a step back and reexamine yoga as a whole. Luckily, there is quite a bit of literature and ancient texts that do just that.

So in my last post on the Sutras, I began going through the Yamas, which are the basic moral guidelines for relating to others. Next up is Satya, which roughly translates as "truthfulness." Seems pretty self-explanatory, right? Being truthful with others seems like a fairly obvious guideline to practice. However, there are some nuances worth examining.

Firstly, it is importance to recognize that Satya refers to truth as it relates to our highest selves. So what that DOESN'T mean is brutal honestly. It is essential to use our understanding of Ahimsa (non-violence; do no harm) into our interpretation of Satya. We must be conscious of the impact of our words and truth-telling.

As my yoga practice has grown over the years, I have come to the understanding that being authentic and entirely genuine in my interactions with others is essential to my feelings of happiness and fulfillment. It is so important to truly understand our own deepest needs and desires and be able to communicate those needs; being truthful with ourselves first paves the way for greater honestly in our interactions with others. Listening for the whispers of TRUE SELF that we can hear sometimes, when we are still and quiet or in meditation, becomes easier when we act in a way that is an authentic representation of the true self.

In physical practice, Satya is essential in understanding what we need from asana on any given day. Recognizing and being honest with ourselves when we need more of a gentle, restorative practice- rather than just pushing through intense asanas anyway- will yield a much greater satisfaction and fulfillment from the practice.

"It is only when we silence the blaring sounds of our everyday existence that we can finally hear the whispers of truth that life reveals to us, as it stands, knocking on the doorsteps of our hearts."
-K.T. Jong

Live every day as your most authentic Self. Speak your truth. Practice radical honesty with yourself and others- see what happens!
Xx Rebecca

The Yoga Sutras

Sometimes as yogis, we put the most emphasis on the physical aspect of our practice- the asanas, or postures. In all reality, asana is only one small part of yoga.

Patanjali was a great sage of ancient India. He is the author of the Yoga Sutra, written around 2,000 years ago. It gives us a blueprint of the steps to achieve a state of inner bliss- the ultimate goal of yoga.

In the Yoga Sutra, Patanjali outlined an 8-limbed path of practice. The 8 limbs are: 

1.    The Yamas - basic moral guidelines for relating to others: characteristics we seek to embody as our most compassionate selves. 

v Ahimsa – non-violence

v Satya – truthfulness

v Asteya – non-stealing

v Brahmacharya – responsibility in the sharing of energy

v Aparigraha – non-hoarding or non-grasping

2.    The Niyamas - personal observances

v Saucha – purity

v Samtosha – contentment

v Tapas – disciplined use of our energy

v Svadhayaya – self-examination

v Ishvara pranidhana – devotion to the Highest Self

3.    Asana - physical postures

4.    Pranayama - breath control

5.    Pratyahara - withdrawal of the senses 

6.    Dharana - concentration

7.    Dhyana - meditation

8.    Samadhi - self-actualization and union with the Divine (i.e. "enlightenment")

I’ve been doing a series on the Yamas the last few weeks for one of my classes, and I think they’re absolutely worth closer examination for anyone who practices yoga.

Ahimsa is probably the best recognized of the Yamas. It translates from Sanskrit to non-violence. Ahimsa encompasses much more than just physical harm to others- it also includes non-violence in our words and our thoughts. It means having compassion for every living thing, and asking ourselves in every situation, “How can I best ensure that no harm is done here?”

A true practice of ahimsa requires honest self-examination and careful vigilance. We must notice our words and thoughts, and be aware of the intention behind our actions. It takes a lot of humility and honesty to achieve this introspection.

In asana practice, the concept of ahimsa is absolutely essential. Students of yoga must always examine the body carefully and recognize when they have to back off of a pose. If we let our egos get in the way, we can get caught up in “achieving” poses even if we do harm to our bodies in the process. Ahimsa asks us to be non-violent in our interactions with others, and also non-violent towards ourselves.

Check back for more of the Philosophy of Yoga in the next few weeks as I continue to work through the rest of the Yamas.

“This is the unusual thing about non-violence- nobody is defeated, and everybody shares in the victory. “ Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.