The Gunas

The more I study and try to understand Yoga the more I learn how deep it really is. There are so many different levels and understandings of yoga. For some it may just be a way to stretch there body, but for others it can be a deep healing and spiritual experience. Also understanding the deep ideas of yoga are so helpful in ones practice. One such principle of yoga are the Gunas. In sandscrit Prakriti means nature. The idea is that Prakriti has three ways of manifesting herself into the physical whelm, these are the Gunas. There are three Gunas:Rajas, Tamas, and Sattva. Each Gunas has a different expression. They show up in every thing we do, and govern all physical activity.

Rajasic movement is dynamic, insistent, and passionate. When it comes to yoga one who is dominate in Rajas would be seeking power, stimulation, in nailing a posture. On an emotional level Rajas is expressed through anger, willfulness, manipulation.

Tamasic Energy is heaviness or lethargy. In a mental state it would be ignorance or inability to perceive. On the emotional level Tamas shows itself through slothfulness, inattentiveness with low mental activity. An example would be from the Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, when King Theoden is in that trance like state. In yoga Tamasic energy would be what keeps someone from trying a posture or from participating.

Sattvic Energy is light, delicate, clear and graceful. An example of this would be the sunlight touching a still pond. Sattva means The Source. Sattva is "the pure mind with neither judgment nor self-awareness." Sattva is free from negative thoughts and emotions which in turn creates enlightenment and self-realization. A Sattvic example would be Spock from Star Trek. In yoga Sattva would view a yoga practice as a journey "with each yoga postures as a potential for both steady joy as well as challenge."

Gunas are so fascinating. The more I dive into my practice the more I hope to realized how each Gunas effects what I am doing.

**The information presented from this post comes form Syl Carson and Bodhi Yoga. If you would like to learn more about Syl Carson or Bodhi Yoga go to www.gobodhiyoga.com **

My first week.

Besides taking time out of my daily life to do a yoga session, I am finding that yoga is helping me throughout the day. When I start to get upset or stressed I have found that using the Ujjayi Pranayama takes away the edge I am feeling. Ujjayi Pranayama is achieved when one touches the tip of their tounge to the top of their mouth, with the lips turned up like a smile. The inhalation and exhalation should sound like the ocean. UD means extreme, while JAYI means conquering, subduing. Through deep breathing, energy is diffused in the body*. I find I can use this breathing anywhere. I can feel it subduing the stress I may be having as it calms me down.
Another great move that I have been using through out my day is the Viparita Karani. Viparita means inverted while Karani means a particular type of practice. This is a restful practice where the body is inverted without effect*. I use this posture when my head starts to feel over whelmed. After doing this I feel calmer and my head quiets down. This posture is achieved when one has their back on the ground and hips on a bolster and legs flat against the wall with the heals out. When i do this I can feel energy moving from my feet and lower body into my upper body, which helps me relax and become balanced.
I am thoroughly enjoying my yoga experience. If anyone wants to know more about yoga go to www.gobodhiyoga.com until I write again Namaste!

*"Yoga the Iyengar Way" by Silva Mira & Shyam Mehta

My new way of life- First weekend of Bodhi Yoga Teacher Training

I started my first class of my yoga teacher training certification class thursday night from http://www.gobodhiyoga.com/ Wow. There are so many thoughts in my head I do not even know where to start, so I guess I will just start from the moment I walked into the room. To get into Syl’s studio you walk up these large dark wood stairs which lead you to large doors which happened to be open when I walked up to them. The door led to a large studio type room with textured yellow walls. As soon as I walk in Syl is there to meet me. Syl. Besides being taken aback by how tall she, her spirit just seemed to move through me in a wave of love and expectance. She already knew my name. I went and took my place on the floor with a mat and little yoga chair. As each member of our group walked in Syl was there to hug and invite them.

Our group consists of three ladies and a Man.

Once everyone was seated we started. We first introduced ourselves and explained how we learned of Bodhi yoga. I explained that a couple of Christmases ago that my mom got me a White Mountain yoga cd and yoga mat. We were then asked to wright the intention we had for the class. Here is my intention: “My intention for this training is to discover and learn about myself. Knowing myself and my spiritual gifts will allow me to help others who need healing, love, or just my friendship. I want to help my family heal and propel them to a path of enlightenment. I am energetically and spiritually inviting anyone to come along with me on this spiritual journey. I am discovering a new way of life and a new meaning to it.”

After everyone said their intention Syl says that each time she does this training there is a common link and pattern between everyone. Sometimes she sill have a whole class of kids who just graduated high school, or a group of massage therapists. She said that she feels this class is a very deep and knowledgeable class. She then turns to me and said that despite my age I am very wise and will fit right in with the group.

After we established the intention for the class and what each individual person was bringing we did a Kundalini class. At the beginning of each kundalini who start and end with a chant. Syl did the chant and whoever wanted to join in could or you could just listen to her do it. Syl’s chanting is like nothing I have ever heard before. It is so deep and reaches far into your body igniting thoughts and feelings that have been long asleep. I could listen for hours to her chanting. We then did the session of yoga and it was great! I feel like I really moved so much unstuck energy that has been in my organs and body.

After we did the session we got into the history of yoga and being a teacher. It was just so relaxing and nurturing. Until I talk to you again. Namaste.