Yoga
Namaste all,
Yoga tomorrow morning Greasby Centre at the usual time, 11.15 a.m. where will continue to work towards Sirsasana (head stand) which means, as always, continuing to build strength throughout the body, breath and mind.
Through building strength of being, we also build strength of mind which is achieved through the practices of Pratyahara (drawing awareness inwards) and Dharana (concentration, willpower, focus). Both of these practices as outlined in the 8 limbs of yoga of Patanjali are really more the means of building strength and focus of the mind so that we can build the necessary resilience to enable to mind to stay strong in times of difficulty.
This lifestyle system is comprised of eight linked, yet distinctive practices:
YAMA – Restraints, moral disciplines or moral vows.
NIYAMA – Positive duties or observances.
ASANA – Posture.
PRANAYAMA – Breathing Techniques.
PRATYAHARA – Sense withdrawal.
DHARANA – Focused Concentration.
DHYANA – Meditative Absorption.
SAMADHI – Bliss or Enlightenment.
Through the practices we continue our journey to our inner self, higher consciousness or that which is beyond the mind, ego and conditioning we all experience, whatever you would like to call or identify with during your yoga practices.
Remember though, above all, listen to the feedback from your body, breath and being and respond accordingly. The staged approach that we use in class is for the purpose of being able to be deeply holding a pose while maintaining a steady breath and a well aligned pose that is able lift up and resist gravity rather than sink into it.
To listen to your body means to respect its physical limitations and not let your ego, machinations of the mind or conditioning rule how deep we go into a pose or how far we try to push.
Be wherever you can be in comfort!
Shanti Om
Sue x
