Reposted from July 2010.

Have just returned from Satsang (Sanskrit sat = true, sanga = company), playful asana and cooling pranayama with the most inspiring teacher I have ever had the pleasure of practicing with. Clive Sheridan, a true yogi, he has been practicing since 1968, lived the true yogic life in India for many years. His stories are truly wonderful and inspiring, he exudes love and understanding. As he says “ every time you hear inspiring words a few more seeds pierce the armour which keeps us from realising what we truly are”. And this is how I feel, I always remember his words but every time I hear them again I feel inspired to continue my personal journey and work even harder, it brings so much joy. Clive is not to be found on any website, he lives for each moment and what it brings with it, it is all out of our control, it is predestined and all of our actions come from the Mother (Ma). We live in very turbulent times, the Kali Yuga. However, the good news is during turbulent times things can be stirred up and either transformation into higher realms can take place or total destruction can occur. But what is pulling the strings of the play (lila)? what will be will be………. What is the point of worrying (that’s the conditioned mind), just do your best in all of your actions for all living beings….

There are many reasons why one may choose to practise yoga.  Ask yourself, why do I practise yoga? Or why am I considering practising yoga?  There are a myriad of reasons.

In the beginning you may choose to practise yoga because you heard it helps remove tension, relaxes you, or is a healthy way of exercising your body, removing stress of work, family matters or life in general.  Or perhaps you are more interested in the philosophical side and want to know more.  At some point in life we all wonder who or what we truly are?  What is it all about?

Whatever the reason was in the beginning these may change as you progress further, the mysteries will unfold as you become more involved in the deeper aspects.  At the very least it is one “pastime” where we don’t have to compete, society seems to be built on competing, from a very early age we are encouraged to be the best, instead of just making the best of who and what we are and not in comparison to others.

Whatever your reasons you must be patient, work hard, and with great perseverance all will unfold.  Only with regular practise will the deeper aspects reveal themselvesAs Pattabhi Jois said it is “99% practice 1% theory” (founder of Ashtanga Yoga Mysore)

Physical aspects – yoga postures (asana)

Yoga asana (postures) is undoubtedly very good healthy exercise for the body.  Cleansing the body by removing toxins (blockages).  Stimulating inner organs, glands and nervous system.  The movements oil the joints keeping or increasing free movement of the skeleton, always a good thing especially as we age.   As my Father  (my very first yoga teacher way back in the early 60’s) used to say “you have to keep moving”.

Quietening the chattering mind.

While practising asana we focus on our breath (ujayi breath), the sound of the breath moving over the throat.  As we continue to practise focussing on the breath (single point of concentration – dharana) it deepens and slows.  The chattering monkey mind takes a rest.  This is one of the reasons we feel more relaxed after a yoga asana session.   Of course we can at any moment in time, not only during asana practise, just take time to sit quietly and focus on the breath.  Letting all the mind stuff, the thoughts, bubble to the surface and release them, without going deeper into the thought and turning it into a major epic. Most of the stress we feel is caused by an overactive mind, the conditioned mind.  It is a huge task to still those constant fluctuations. In the beginning you may only manage it for a moment, but will feel the instant benefit.  Always coming back to the breath will help the mind to quieten.

Whatever your reasons for thinking of or indeed practising yoga just go for it, forget any goal and enjoy the journey.

Ashtanga – 8 steps or limbs of Yoga according to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras

Yama

Niyama

Asana

Pranayama

Pratyahara

Dharana

Dhyana

Samadhi

Yamas – there are 5 – abstainments (acts we should refrain from taking), ways we should not act

Ahimsa – non violence towards all other beings and the world in general.  Our actions should be non harming.  Not only our actions but our words should be non harming and also our thoughts.  Thoughts are also very powerful and can affect us all.

Satya – truthfulness, we should not lie

Asteya – non stealing – we should not take from others or from the universe.  It is not ours to take it is for all.  Even our breath is only borrowed.

Bramacharya – continence, do not over indulge in sexual activities with many different partners.  Conserve that energy for higher things.

Aparigraha – non greed, do not hoard, make sure to share, only take what is necessary to feed and clothe yourself, do not hoard and keep it from others who may need it to survive and be comfortable.  Food, clothing, housing.

There are 5 niyamas (observances) on the 2nd step or limb of Ashtanga Yoga according to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras

Saucha - purity

Samtosha - contentment

Tapah - accepting pain and not causing pain

Svadhyaya - study of spritual books

Isvarapranidhanani - worship of God or self-surrender