WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO PRACTICE THE WHOLENESS OF YOGA IN TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY?

There is no doubt that during times of uncertainty our true nature is challenged. As we ourselves begin to feel fearful we can shine light on either the brightest or darkest parts of ourselves. But please know this, as with anything in life it is about perspective. There are fluctuations & opposites in all areas of our human experience, these are not mistakes but purely by design, we humans do not learn from the light, we learn to become the light, in times of darkness.

We have night & day, up & down, good & bad, happiness & sad, we are both light & dark.

And both are welcome, both are OK.

In times like these, which outwardly appear to be dark, we are being called upon to shine brighter. We as a collective are the light. This is not a time to turn against each other but instead turn inward & towards each other & explore all parts of ourselves. These times, the fluctuations- the unknown, it is now we are reminded to return back to the routes of our practice, we are called to practice yoga beyond the mat.

So lets explore what that looks like.

To revisit the fundamental structures we have in place to guide us back, to the light & truth of who we are, it must begin with you. Now is the time for deep self care. This is not selfish, this is self empowering, this is creating time & space for you to step fully into the unknown with a sense of calm & ease whilst exploring all parts of yourself. This is a time to practice the 8 limbs of yoga & use the practice in its entirety to ease anxious feelings, to slow the mind, calm the nervous system & cultivate a sense of wholeness, to find that steady & comfortable seat amongst that of which we cannot control.

We can always control what we ourselves choose to do & how we do it. In this we are extremely privileged & hold immense power.

So the 8 limbs of yoga, what are they & how can we together implement them during times of such uncertainty?

Yamas - These practices relate to our social conduct, our relationships with the outside world & how we choose to manage our behavior in everyday life. In their essence these make up our moral code of conduct, our values & social restraints.

Our Yamas are defined clearly by the following practices:

1. Ahimsa - None harm to others / kindness

2. Satya - Truthfulness - to self & others.

3. Asteya - None Stealing (Yes people this does mean all the loo roll too)

4. Brahmacharya: Right use of energy, originally referred to as celibacy (not that popular these days, i’ll explain more)

5. Aparigraha: None Possessiveness.

Niyamas: - These are practices to help us journey inward, to grow mentally, emotionally & spiritually through self exploration, curiosity & self care such as disciplined practices like meditation, these are our personal observations.

Other clearly defined practices are:

1. Tapas: Commitment / Purification & Discipline

2. Santosha: Contentment / gratitude

3. Saucha: Cleanliness - of mind, speech & body.

4. Svadhyaya: Study, of self & ancient scriptures.

5. Isvara pranidhana: Surrender - the ego / to a higher source.

Asana - Our physical practice is designed to prepare the body & mind for a comfortable seat in which we can enter into meditation, this requires where possible a disciplined daily practice of varying postures, in short all poses/shapes we do on our mat both in & outside of a studio setting is an asana practice.

Pranayama - Prana ‘breath’ or often referred to as energy/life force & Ayama ‘restraint’ or breath control is used to help alter the mind & physical state of the body. Breath work, using a variety of breathing techniques stimulate our life force energy thus uniting each layer of our physical, mental & emotional well-being for optimal health & vitality. You can use breath work alone to change or alter your physical, mental or emotional state, most common practices to help cultivate a sense of calm include Nadi Shodana (alternate nostril breathing), Sama Vritti (Equal breathing) & Bhramari (Humming Bee Breath)

Pratyahara - This, the 5th limb is often the one most forgotten among the western world & perhaps because the concept seems to go against everything we as westerners have created for ourselves. So much noise, so much stimulation, so much busyness, this practice is often ignored because it can be deeply challenging as actively encourages us to pull back from the outside, to withdraw our senses & instead go inward despite the distractions we face on a daily bases. This practice enables us to not only withdraw from the noise of the outside world but also the noise that we ourselves create within the mind, this is about redirecting our focus, our energy inward to help enlighten the energy that travels in & around the body, in particular reengaging & stimulating our chakra systems. It has been said that it is Pratyahara that makes yoga, yoga.

Dharana - This practice is best approached with a sense of calm, relaxation and clear intention ‘ Calming the monkey mind’ we can have anywhere between 60-100’000 thoughts a day making this one of the hardest & yet most powerfully rewarding practices of our 8 limbs. Dharana is the practice of focused concentration, to help charm the mind & enter into a moment of union between the breath, the body, thought & the present moment. Each stage of the 8 limbs further prepares you for the next & so with this practice of concentration we are deeper prepared for the next phase, otherwise known as meditation.

Dhyana - Very similar to Dharana, however the difference lies amidst our focus, whereas Dharana teaches us how to focus our attention, Dhyana teaches us the art of observation, can we observe our internal & external experiences & remain aware without attachment? Can we be fully aware & present without any & all expectation, surrendering to the moment, losing your sense of self thus expanding consciousness? This can also be referred to as the ‘Bliss’ state, the center of two worlds, stillness of the mind with little to no thoughts & yet complete awareness.

Samadhi - The final stage, the magic, the ‘awakening’ the complete transcendence, the state of ecstasy. Very rarely, if ever will you find a ‘fully awakened being,’ the Delai Lama himself doesn’t refer to himself as fully woke, and so in everyday human terms or at least my perception of Patanjali’s 8th Limb is that we come to find that of which we seek. We settle into a state of peace, an inner knowing & deeper connection to self & all living things. Though this may all seem a little woo woo, really it’s about achieving that which we all want, happiness, joy, peace, calm, love & freedom. It’s the realisation, understanding & respect that there is something greater than us, whether that be god, the universe, mother earth, divine - it is within this stage that we see, we acknowledge & we understand that we are all, one. We are all connected.

So now you know a little more about the 8 Limbs of Yoga, over the coming days we will further discover how we can implement these into everyday life, this is where the fun begins, this is where we get to dive a little deeper, swim a little further & explore the vast ocean that is our potential, our true power. Within our true self. It is here we have the answers, it is here we can find stability & relinquish that of which we cannot control.

Is it easy? No, else we would all be the Delai Lama.

Will it happen overnight? No. (Good job we may have allot of time on our hands then)

Is it worth the work? Yes.

Charlie xx