Namaste Noble Warriors!
“There is nothing higher than Purusha (spirit). He is the culmination; He is the highest goal.”
– Katha Upanishad
The task of a yogi for the first several years of Practice is primarily one of cleansing and accountability. In asana poses, this cleansing comes from learning how to ‘let go’ into the postures while trusting the breath. The accountability comes from making sincere effort to sustain challenging poses while keeping alignment.
Yogi’s never blame others for the difficulties of life that we must all endure but work to clear out their own negative habits and lazy tendencies. This takes tremendous spiritual strength, far greater strength than is needed to do a Bench Press or a Chaturanga or even doing Hill Repeats on your bicycle. But, regular fitness training helps us rise out of mediocrity and is a form of purification that can help burn away our negative and feeble habits and tendencies.
Yogi�s rely upon the Yamas and Niyama as techniques to whittle slowly away at our habits and tendencies so as to remove the auto-pilot mode of human doingness and get us to arrive at the place of true human beingness. They help unveil the causes of our ‘problems’ and sufferings in our daily life. They steer us through the calvacade of paradoxes which tumble our way as we hit stride on the Path of living spiritually while enjoying the many delights of a worldly life.
DON’T MISS COACH ILG’s talk on the Yamas and Niyamas
THIS SUNDAY!
August 10
L.A. Workshop Series: The Yamas and the Niyamas
Powerhouse Gym
10:30 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
A discussion of Patanjali’s first (Yama) and second (Niyama) “limbs” of Classical Yoga. The five Yamas (“restraints”) coupled with the five Niyamas (“observances”) can be thought of as “The 10 Commitments” of Yoga practice.
These ethical and moral guidelines are non religious and only intend to modify our behavior so that all imperfections are transformed into virtues. Yama and Niyama, when combined with Asana (postures) and Pranayama (breath control) constitute “Hatha Yoga.” Includes handouts.
All workshops in the L.A. Workshop Series cost only $10 and will take place in the “grotto” at Powerhouse Gym, 20914 Nordhoff Chatsworth, CA, 91311, (818) 775-0300. Workshops limited to 20 students. No reservations accepted; arrive early. Please bring a sitting cushion.
Nama Shanga Ya,
steve ilg, R.Y.T
author/Total Body Transformation
www.highperformanceyoga.com
These teachings are the "Rasas" or "sap" of Wholistic Fitness. You’ll find insights to ponder, student chi to keep your own chi topped off, and plenty of proven training techniques to test on your own body, mind, and spirit! Also, you’ll find my very popular Race Reports, and news of our Sangha’s (community’s) latest transpersonal fitness adventures!