yama – Yoga Chikitsa

January 31, 2020

Aparigraha – non-grasping, feeling the difference between holding and grasping

Aparigraha, the fifth and final of the Yamas completes the first rung of Patañjali’s ladder toward Ultimate Liberation. This Yama requires the aspirant to practice non-grasping, to live life allowing for a state of flow to exist within all connections.

Grasping is an attempt to control. An attempt to mold and shape the outcome of our efforts and interactions into something of our own, instead of allowing what is possible to blossom. This practice of aparigraha leads aspirants away from the demands and stimulations of the outside world and guides the yogi deeper on the journey inward. The yogi will gain more control over their thoughts, words and actions and will find they are no longer ruled by the impulse to control the results of all of their connections.

Aparigraha opens students up to releasing the desire to own and allows us to let go of what is unnecessary and out of our control. Yogis are able to learn and truly embrace their own strength. Knowing they already have everything they need contained within their own hearts.

This practice leads to knowledge of the difference between committing and grasping. Commitment often starts with the best of intentions, a symbiotic connection which is mutually beneficial. Then, through a series of inevitable life events, commitment can turn into grasping and trying to control. And yet, it can seem impossible to identify the moment when a loving commitment, a gentle clasp of fingers, is transformed and suddenly a desperate, unrelenting desire to control is ruling the connection.

With discipline, self-study, connection, non-violence, truth, non-stealing and honoring of sacred energy, the yogi can start to notice when this transformation happens. The yogi will start to notice when they are attempting to control the outcome of their efforts and return to their own work of Kriyā Yoga and the previous Yamas.

For your journaling opportunity, explore ways you already know you try to grasp and control situations. Additionally, how might you change this pattern of trying to control into an opportunity for deeper self-study?

How could the practice of aparigraha apply to the time you spend practicing yoga on the mat?

How can this practice expand to include our personal relationships?

Currently, we’re exploring each of these Yamas (mahāvrata) as well as the Niyamas and trying to understand how we can start to integrate the lessons of these guidelines in our posture practice and our daily lives. Share how you’re experiencing and practicing truthfulness today and everyday with our Ashtanga community and read what others are learning by following #yogafoundationschallenge on IG.

Through the lens of our practice, we can start to view our patterns and reactions as a means to known them and adapt/change them as needed. I encourage you to practice with extra care over the next few weeks and journal about your experience on and off the mat. This will give you an additional tool to process the ideas and concepts we’ll explore throughout the challenge.

Tag @bellapranayoga in each entry along with #yogafoundationschallenge and #bellapranaashtanga to be entered in a drawing to win:

Mysore Practice Rug
Yogi Assignment by Kino MacGregor
4 oz bottle of Mahanarayan Oil
PLUS 10% off workshops with Ajay Tokas in July 2020

See the daily schedule below and follow the tag #yogafoundationschallenge on Instagram to hear experiences from our community as well as share your own. Now, you take practice 🙂

Friday, January 31 – Aparigraha – non-grasping, feeling the difference between holding and grasping
Saturday, February 1 – Śauca – cleanliness and why it’s so important on our spiritual journey
Sunday, February 2 – Saṃtoṣa – contentment, feeling joy everywhere
Monday, February 3 – Tapas – self-discipline as a path toward freedom
Tuesday, February 4 – Svādhyāya- self-study, repetition of mantras and calming the mind
Wednesday, February 5 – Īśvara Praṇidhāna – connection to the unknown

* About Jessica

* Upcoming Events & Workshops

January 30, 2020January 30, 2020

Brahmacarya – celibacy and what it means for the yogi

The fourth Yama, brahmacarya, calls the yogi to take on a practice of total control of ones sexual engagements. In other words, the aspirant is being called to practice celibacy. This can seem like a heavy topic for most yogis as it enters into our private life and a deeper and more intimate way than the previous Yamas. Before brushing this Yama off as one that ‘isn’t for me,’ it’s important we first understand the definition of this Yama as it relates to Patañjali and the social circumstances of his time and caste. Then, we’ll delve into the subtler layers of this practice.

At the time the yoga sūtras were codified (somewhere around 400-500 of the Common Era) Patañjali was organizing these teachings as they were taught to male brahmanical aesthetics. Patañjali literally wrote these vows for male priests whom had renounced society and the householder lifestyle. Understanding the setting in which these sūtras were written, it’s a little easier to understand the strict call for celibacy from the aspirant. Patañjali called for the restraint of sexual behavior, as a means for the aspirant to not be ruled by their emotional, physical and mental impulsive responses. The original layer of commentary goes on to explain there are certain circumstances and at certain times when sexual behavior could be accepted and not seen as a hinderance along the yogi’s spiritual path. It’s possible to understand this practice of celibacy as much more than simply refraining from sex. This is a practice which is a means to allow students to increase their own life force and gain insight into life’s deepest truths.

By being conscious and mindfully intentional about our most intimate interactions, the yogi is able to gain knowledge about preexisting patterns of thoughts, emotional responses and impulsive reactions. Additionally, conscious attention to these precious and intimate connections, will develop the capacity for the aspirant to nurture and grow their reserve of sacred, vital energy.

Why is it important to nurture and reserve your sacred energy?

As you explore, meditate and journal on this Yama, try to witness your own inner dialogue about the subject matter. Are there layers of this practice which seem impossible? Layers which seem appealing? How do you connect to your sacred vital energy?

If you’re curious, Pattabhi Jois provides the following advice in The Yoga Mala for committed couples to honor brahmacarya while still maintaining their intimate connections.

The best time for sexual intercourse is between sunset and sunrise. Sex during the day can weaken the life-force.
Only those in committed relationships should engage in sex. Sexual thoughts of someone other than your partner should be avoided as well.
The most appropriate time for intercourse is between days four and sixteen of a woman’s cycle.
It is not recommended to have sex on the days of the new and full moon. Energy should be reserved on these days.
All sexual activity should be a balance of righteousness, fairness, prosperity, purpose, and physical and/or motional pleasure and/or desire.
We should always think of the higher self while engaging in intercourse. This will ultimately lead to brahmacarya and increase our life-force and connection with the Divine.

Tag @bellapranayoga in each entry along with #yogafoundationschallenge and #bellapranaashtanga to be entered in a drawing to win:

Mysore Practice Rug
Yogi Assignment by Kino MacGregor
4 oz bottle of Mahanarayan Oil
PLUS 10% off workshops with Ajay Tokas in July 2020

See the daily schedule below and follow the tag #yogafoundationschallenge on Instagram to hear experiences from our community as well as share your own. Now, you take practice 🙂

Friday, January 31 – Aparigraha – non-grasping, feeling the difference between holding and grasping
Saturday, February 1 – Śauca – cleanliness and why it’s so important on our spiritual journey
Sunday, February 2 – Saṃtoṣa – contentment, feeling joy everywhere
Monday, February 3 – Tapas – self-discipline as a path toward freedom
Tuesday, February 4 – Svādhyāya- self-study, repetition of mantras and calming the mind
Wednesday, February 5 – Īśvara Praṇidhāna – connection to the unknown

* About Jessica

* Upcoming Events & Workshops

January 27, 2020January 26, 2020

Ahiṃsā, non-violence includes so much more than you might think

To observe and practice non-violence, yogis are called to much more than simply the restraint from physical violence. Non-violence is a lifestyle and the respect for all the world and the collective journey of existence we are all participating in. In fact, Patañjali calls for an elimination of violence in thought, word and deed. That’s quite the tall order, to control your engagement with the world with such precision that you are no longer even harboring thoughts that are even remotely violent.

Original commentary on the yoga sūtras goes on to elaborate that this practice of non-violence is required every single day. We learn we can not truly embody non-violence unless it is a constant force saturating throughout our intentions, impacts and ideas.

Ahiṃsā is the tolerance and acceptance of all of the differences amongst the living creatures of the universe. As well as a respectful use and care of all non-living objects as well. Ahiṃsā is also the practice of kindness. Kindness in all of our actions, thoughts and intentions.

As we meditate on this practice of non-violence, I invite you to grab a journal and explore a couple of questions. As you journal on what comes up for you with these questions, use this as an opportunity to get to know yourself better, to see a clearer vision of you. This exploration will lead to gaining knowledge of yourself and offer you opportunities for growth and transformation.

What does it mean to you to be non-violent?

Personally, how have you identified moments in your existence where you have caused harm and what steps did you take to be accountable for that impact? How could you adapt your patterns to impact the world less violently?

Are there truly violent acts, which are considered socially acceptable? And if so, why do we accept them?

Practicing non-violence can take an infinite number of forms. It may come in the form of forgiveness, letting go of past sufferings for the sake of both you and the world around you. Or maybe it comes in the form of acknowledging the presence of the human asking for food on the street corner. It’s also possible to for our act of non-violence to be standing up and using your voice to help those whose voices are being ignored. Or it might be making choices to support the health and vitality of our planet, instead of what is convenient or familiar.

Tag @bellapranayoga in each entry along with #yogafoundationschallenge and #bellapranaashtanga to be entered in a drawing to win:

Mysore Practice Rug
Yogi Assignment by Kino MacGregor
4 oz bottle of Mahanarayan Oil
PLUS 10% off workshops with Ajay Tokas in July 2020

See the daily schedule below and follow the tag #yogafoundationschallenge on Instagram to hear experiences from our community as well as share your own. Now, you take practice 🙂

Tuesday, January 28 – Satya, the vast extent of truthfulness
Wednesday, January 29 – Asteya, understanding the scope of non-stealing
Thursday, January 30 – Brahmacarya – celibacy and what it means for the yogi
Friday, January 31 – Aparigraha – non-grasping, feeling the difference between holding and grasping
Saturday, February 1 – Śauca – cleanliness and why it’s so important on our spiritual journey
Sunday, February 2 – Saṃtoṣa – contentment, feeling joy everywhere
Monday, February 3 – Tapas – self-discipline as a path toward freedom
Tuesday, February 4 – Svādhyāya- self-study, repetition of mantras and calming the mind
Wednesday, February 5 – Īśvara Praṇidhāna – connection to the unknown

* About Jessica

* Upcoming Events & Workshops