yogas citta vrtti nirodhah
Yoga is the ability to direct the mind exclusively toward an object and sustain that direction without any distractions.
This sutra is often quoted as the definition of Yoga. But it is not true. This sutra kicks off explaining what is Yoga. Yoga is controlling the mind, bringing down the fluctuations. (more…)
If you have been considering getting a tattoo of Bhagavad Gita like all the celebrities, think again. You don’t need a small sloka on you anymore. You get to wear the entire eighteen chapters by wearing a pendant. Yes, the entire Bhagavad Gita is written on this pendant on a 1 cm sq chip. The only catch is you will also have to carry a 200X microscope and there is no english transliteration for those of you that cannot read Sanskrit.
I still prefer Sri Krishnamacharya’s method. He just knew the entire Gita by heart. And, I am quite happy carrying a paper back pocket edition with me.
I heard this song while I was traveling in Tamil Nadu. I came across it in youtube while I was looking for something else. It is an interesting song in Tamil from a movie called Dasavatharam.
Checkout the word clouds for this page. I got this tip from rantlust.
If you have traveled in India you would know by now, shoes are normally not allowed inside homes, temples and a lot of other places. But, recently shoes were not allowed in press meetings and any meeting that involved a politician. It is not because there is anything holy about a politician, but quite the opposite.
There were so many incidents where journalists and common people threw slippers at all the lying politicians. I guess I don’t have to use lying politicians, just politicians would do. I think these incidents were inspired by the shoe attack of Bush. Some people in India threw packets of chicken biryani. But, none of them hit the mark. I guess it is quite difficult to pull this off. Focus and concentration are key to this and tons of Yoga would help. I can suggest an asana to perfect this.
atha yoganusasanam
These are the most famous words in Yoga. With the first Sutra, Patanjali says that the subject matter is of ancient origin, but he has studied it to such a depth that he is qualified to share his understanding. This is a very important Sutra, as he says that Yoga is universal. There are no restrictions and is open to anyone. Religion, atheist, agnostic, caste, married, unmarried, gender, age – no bar.
Atha – Now, authority, prayer for both auspicious beginning and successful conclusion, cleansing process
Yoga – the subject being taught is Yoga
Anushasanam – I have learnt this from my teacher. Yoga is an experiential science or knowledge. It creates a lineage from teacher to student.
I will be writing about a chosen Yoga Sutra every week. I was introduced to this recently at KYM and ever since I have been fascinated by this. This will be such a treat.
There is no equivalent word for Prana in English. It is usually translated as breath. But that is incorrect according to my teachers at KYM. The concept explained here is from KYM and is originally from a book called Yoga Yajnavalkya Samhita. Breath is related to Prana, but it is not the whole component. In Yoga philosophy, breath is converted to Prana that can flow, when the body and mind are conditioned in a certain way.
Prana is created in the center of the body (hrdya) and it ideally stays within the body. Prana does leak out of the body for various reasons.The idea of Prana in the body and that is leaking out is symbolic of the state of mind. (more…)
A Raksasa is a demon. A very cruel person is also referred to as a Raksasa. Little did I know that a Raksasa is also a person who accumulates wealth but gives away little. Brahma Raksasa is one that accumulates knowledge but who does not share it with anyone. I read this new meaning of Raksasa in a book related to Yoga. (more…)
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