I write a lot about asana, the physical practice of yoga. The yoga we all know from our classes. I also write a lot about yoga as therapy, how it helps my scoliosis, my sore back, the physical symptoms of fibromyalgia.
But asana is only a small part of this yoga. The most common part, granted, but still such a small part. And I feel I don’t address the other elements of this amazing, life-changing practice enough. I realised this as I wrote Friday’s post. And I realised that I don’t address these other parts because they are so much harder to write about, so much harder to find clarity in.
I have been teaching Hatha Yoga for nearly five years now. I can create asana sequences off the cuff. I can tell if someone has tight hips or a sore back or neck issues as they walk into a room. These things have come to me naturally after years of practice, practice, practice. 90% of the classes I teach focus on asana, and because of this I feel I need to push myself to write more about the other parts of yoga. Create clarity for myself before I teach to others.
Yoga, like many mystical practices, was originally practiced by renunciates; those who chose to live away from the world to find oneness with Spirit. Consequently, it can be hard for those of us who want to live in the world, watch TV, listen to rock music, drink Pina Colada, get caught in the rain, whatever AND live a life dedicated to yoga. It can be more than hard; it can be downright overwhelming to try to incoporate yoga into ordinary life.
As most of you dear readers already know, sometime around 4000 years ago the great sage Patanjali (or many great sages going under the pseudonym of Patanjali) decided to compile the Yoga Sutras; a series of verses covering this all encompasing practice which have arguably become the foundational text of yoga. In the second chapter Patanjali lays out the 8 limbs, the 8 important parts of yoga that the practitioner must incorporate into their lives, of which asana is just one.
Over the next 8 Tuesdays I want to look at each of these limbs in turn and write about my interpretation of them, how I try to incorporate each limb into my very westernised, very chaotic life; a life very much rooted in the real world.
I hope you will enjoy my ramblings!
“Now the practice of yoga begins”
Yoga Sutra 1.1
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Great idea! I’ll be eagerly awaiting.
Awesome! I can’t wait : )
Great idea. Something I always want to learn more about. Every writer covers them differently. Yoga Journal (in the states) just did a nice series on the sutras.
Can’t wait to read about the 8 limbs. I know very little about the “theory” behind yoga and only about the physical practice/asanas. x
Rachel, I’m really looking forward to this series! What a great idea. I can’t wait to read about your insight and practical tips for incorporating a Yogi lifestyle into a modern one.
This will be fun to read!
I love the parallel between the 8 limbs of yoga and the 8 fold path.
That was my focus on my final paper for teacher training.
Can’t wait to see what you have to share!
I’m looking forward to it! My practice is really rooted in asana and I want to learn about all of yoga…but it is really hard when it is just me.
Great! I’m looking forward to it!
im hesitant for the same reasons: so much there, so little space to write!
i’m really interested to see how you work it!
Hi Rachel! I’ll be looking forward to those posts! I practice Ashtanga, so those posts will really be a great help to me!
I’m looking forward to following along!
One of my YTT instructors used to refer to those who wrote the Yoga Sutras as “Patanjali and his buddies,” and this will likely stick with me forever!
It is so true how “western” yoga focuses heavily on asana first. I teach power yoga and it’s everything physical but try to focus on true power that really comes from within. Deeping your practice is more than taking the deepest lunge or the crazy leg behind the ear pose. It’s about seeing your values eye to eye when you’re up against the strong sensations that you might be feeling while lunging deep in a warrior pose. But sometimes a good sweaty challenging class is so blissful!
Nikki – Agreed on all counts!!
I’m looking forward to it! My yoga training starts in 5 weeks so this will be a breath of fresh air from all my confusing reading (hopefully
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[...] So I exchange the asana for soaking in a hot bath, making a jigsaw puzzle, catching up with a friend on the phone, or just general lounging and relaxing. I also remind myself that yoga is more than just an asana practice. So much more! [...]