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Happy Diwali

October 28, 2011 in books, events, jnana, Yoga | Add Your Comment

A Nasa Photo of India during Diwali

diwali in india the festival of lights

For hundreds of millions of people, we’re in the midst of one of the most important holidays of the year. Diwali celebrates the return from exile of Rama, a much beloved form of divinity. Across India and around the world, lamps and candles are lit to help guide Rama home.

No, we surely don’t have to subscribe to Hindu beliefs to practice Yoga, but we can use these myths and stories to enrich our practice.

Essentially Rama was known for doing the right thing, even when it is extremely difficult, even when he could have gotten away with the easy route. Rama underwent great hardships and personal loss to do what was just.

When we practice Bow pose, Dhanurasana, it honors the Bow left by Shiva as test of righteousness for who would win the hand of Sita in marriage. Rama was the only suitor who could lift the bow, and was so strong that it broke under his draw. (please don’t pull that hard in class!)

The kneeling warrior pose, Anjaneasana, honors Hanuman, Rama’s faithful servant, who is the quintessential symbol of devoting ourselves to what matters most.

Bridge Pose, Setu Bhandasana, honors the bridge that Hanuman built from India to Lanka – to rescue Sita from the clutches of the villain Ravana. In my practice, I like to see it as the bridge from where and how I am, to where and how I’d like to be.

Although they were not easy to get to, I loved visiting the places in India sacred to Ram: Nasik where he lived in exile for 14 years, and the southeastern most tip – Rameshwar and Dhanuskodi, where Hanuman built the bridge. These places are continuously teeming with countless pilgrims, seekers of peace and simplicity, they welcomed me with open arms.

The Long Ancient Corridor at Rameshwar – a meditative walk.

long corridor at rameshwar jyotir lingam

At the root of many Hindu stories are simple seeds of guidance, how we could live more peaceful lives, richer with meaning and purpose.

Happy Diwali! Consider lighting a candle tonight, and sitting in stillness for a few moments. I hope your practice brings clarity, helps you to cut through the chatter of our turbulent times, so you can do the right thing, and dedicate yourself to what matters most.

On Saturday we have our Open Mic Kirtan/Satsang – We’ll share some music and stories. it’s a free event and you’re most welcome to listen in, or bring something to share.

On Sunday morning, we’ll be sure to integrate these postures into our peaceful Yoga class in West Concord.

Om Shanti, I’ll see you in class.

-john

P.S.  Many thanks to all who joined us for the full-house Live Music Yoga class with Karnamrita. She promises to return, but in the meantime, We’ve got Tom Lena, Irene Solea, Bernadette, Bindy, and Clarence Dow confirmed to offer their beautiful sounds for our Yoga classes in Concord. See the Events page for the scoop.

For a fun read of the stories behind our Yoga poses, check out these books:

Ganesha Goes to Lunch: Classics from Mystic India (Mandala Classics)

and

Downward Dogs and Warriors: Wisdom Tales for Modern Yogis

 

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Fire and Ice

December 9, 2010 in jnana, tapas, writing, Yoga | 7 comments

Namaste.

Just back from Sunny Florida where I was visiting my father and his wife. Dad's great, and it's uncanny how much like me he's become over the years. Thursday was 70 degrees, and the bluest of skies. The locals were all bundled up, and thought me "crazy" to be splashing around in the ocean waves. 

Vamadeva in headstand Venice Florida

The wave crashing over my headstand confirmed their suspicions.

Back at Logan airport on Saturday, I stood out in the frigid, biting wind for a good hour waiting for the bus to Framingham. Smiling at the juxtaposition, I practiced my equanimity. Fire and Ice, we've got to at least try and accept it all – embrace it with grace.



Waiting with me were a couple of chain-smoking, real-deal Hells Angels, they in their 'uniforms' and me in mine. They got a kick out of my sandals, and Shiva scarf, while I appreciated that in contrast with their gruffness, they wear angel-wings on their back. 

I asked how I could get a vest, Nobody would mess with me!

Hells Angels -

Reclining in the plush and toasty bus, I was glad to be back, and so grateful for my mindfulness practice. When I'm present to what is, my experience of life is so rich and rewarding, I can see beyond our masks.

Stop here for a moment, notice your breath, notice your posture, notice the tone and quality of your presence. Close your eyes, enjoy this moment for what it is, without having to change what it is. 

Yoga practice gives us glimpses of this place, where we are not in memory, not predicting – Not grasping, not resisting, just present.

This is where I want to live, this is why I practice, this is why I teach.

A couple of special events to share with you:

This coming Sunday the 12th – 9am in West Concord – Live Music Yoga Class with Tom Lena

Next Sunday the 19th Restorative Yoga Session with myself and Natalie 12:30pm

I love the teachings of Yoga, and I love sharing them with y'all even more. Our classes exist because of you, and for you. 



Om Shanti, I'll see you in class.



-john



PS: Remember Charlie Browns Christmas Tree? 

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Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras

October 30, 2010 in books, jnana, Sutras, video, Yoga | Add Your Comment

 Every few thousand years, a good book comes along:

Patanjali's yoga sutras

Before written language, teachings were passed to the next generation by the chanting and memorization of short soundbites called sutras. Sutra means a thread, it's where our word suture comes from.

  The teachings were sacred, secret, and for the priviledged classes.

Patanjali, often called the father of classical yoga was the first known person to gather the knowledge of Yoga and write it down, penning The Yoga Sutras over two thousand years ago. I can imagine at the time this was quite blasphemous, to break from tradition and write down the secret teachings. He was a radical – our kind of guy.

  Now anyone could learn the secrets of Yoga and liberate themselves.

The sutras can be cryptic, and were meant to be 'unpacked' through commentary by a teacher. In the practice of Swadyaya, we play detective, excavating the meaning of the sutra within the context of our own lives. 

As your practice and understanding of yourself evolves, your understanding of the Sutras evolves. In essence, you weave these threads of wisdom into your practice, using them to help navigate your life.

   YS II.35 AHIMSA PRATISTHAYAM TAT SAMNIDHAU VAIRA TYAGAH

Originally written in Sanskrit, there are many translations to choose from. When researching a sutra, I often have many translations open, gleaning an understanding from bits of each commentary. 

A good translation to start with is: The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Commentary on the Raja Yoga Sutras by Sri Swami Satchidananda. it is used in many teacher trainings, is well indexed, and has many stories to draw from. I love my tattered, drawn in, dog-eared copy that has accompanied me all over the world.

My current favorite is from Edwin Bryant:  The Yoga Sutras of Patañjali: A New Edition, Translation, and Commentary

Nischala Joy Devi brings a feminine slant to the Sutras:  The Secret Power of Yoga: A Woman's Guide to the Heart and Spirit of the Yoga Sutras

Chip Hartranft from the Arlington Center:  The Yoga-Sutra of Patanjali: A New Translation with Commentary

A Buddhist view from Geshe Michael Roach and Christie Mcnally: The Essential Yoga Sutra: Ancient Wisdom for Your Yoga

Desikachar:  The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice

Georg Feuerstein:  The Yoga-Sutra of Patañjali:

To learn how to chant the Sutras, check out Manorma's disc:  Yoga Sutra Of Patanjali

To hear them, check out this video of Krishnamacharya at 50 years old:

If you add just one book to your library this year, make it a copy of the Yoga Sutras, the original 'self help' book.

What's your favorite sutra, or translation? Click the add comment link to add yours to the list.

Om Shanti, I'll see you in class.

John

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Tapas

September 11, 2010 in jnana, tapas, Yoga | 4 comments

The Sanskrit word Tapas means to burn, to be austere, but in Hatha Yoga, it usually means making a concerted effort.

Tapas is most often the doing part of Yoga, putting in that extra bit effort that makes us stronger… But for someone who tends to overdo, Tapas could mean doing less, say, resting in a child's pose for a few breaths during a challenging sequence of postures.

       Going against the grain of our conditioning creates friction.

This willingness to override our conditioning – our usual ways of doing things, strengthens our resolve, and we become more aware of our motivations.

       The fine line between wants and needs comes into focus. 

My good friend and revered teacher Swami Sathasivom recently vowed to perform a Sahasrara Chandi Homam.

Sahasrara means 1008, and the Chandi Homam (an elaborate and ancient fire ceremony) is his signature ritual of devotion. 

His plan was to perform 10 per day, for 108 days. His practice took 14 hours per day, for the avowed 108 days straight, a feat that has never been completed by a single person before.

Honored to be there for his 1008th Chandi Homam, I snapped this picture and as he wept tears of joy. 

Swami sathasivom coaxes an om out of the puja fire - sahsrara chandi homam

Can you find the Sanskrit Om in the flames of the Puja fire?  Sanskrit om - sacred syllable - Aum

When I find myself wavering on a commitment, I think of Swami Sathasivom, his focus, his determination to do what is so important to him. His 14 hours of practice a day, rain or shine for 108 days. If he can do that then I can surely follow through with my little challenge.

Slipping into Yoga-speak, it's the moving from Tamas through Rajas, to dwell in Sattva.

We don't have to practice 14 hours a day to benefit from Yoga, but we do have to put in sincere effort – sustained over time. If we truly want change, we need to go against our grain, to welcome the friction.

       Tapas can be as simple as not having that third cookie.

The heat of Tapas forges the new us, the who we'll be on the other side of our practice.  Less bound by conditioning we're that closer to freedom, closer to Mukti.

I've left some sanskrit words undefined here, so you can try out my new Yoga Glossary page.

Om Shanti,  I'll see you all in class.

john

p.s.  My brand new camera (long story) shot this great video of Swamiji performing his 1008th Chandi Puja: 

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Back to Nature

July 17, 2010 in animals, creativity, jnana, writing, Yoga | 8 comments

a wild rabbit

I was sad one day and went for a walk; I sat in a field.
A rabbit noticed my condition and came near.

It often does not take more than that to help
at times– to just be close to creatures who
are so full of knowing, so full of love that they
don't chat, they just gaze with their marvelous
understanding.      -St. John

___________________________________________

We can't get back to nature.  We are nature.  When we can remember that, we tend to make better choices for our environment.

   What we do to nature, we do to ourselves.

Have you ever wondered why so many of the Yoga postures are named for things found in the natural world?  We have cows and cats, Camels and Crescent Moons.  Notice there is no Angry Motorist, Stressed Out Mom, or Corporate Bigwig posture…

The Yogis spent much time observing the natural world, and how we could live more in tune with the way of nature. They saw where the human condition could get us off track.  There's all the usual suspects of greed, fear, pride, stress, and strife, but the main culprit is our lack of awareness.

This is where our practice can really shine.  In slowing down, we can observe ourself in real-time, seeing aspects of ourselves we'd like to strengthen, and parts we would rather see less of.  

Our practice can return us to that simpler time, where we could do one thing at a time, more in harmony with the natural world.

   Our stress levels plummet, and we begin to heal.

Just stand in tree pose.  Go ahead, back away from the monitor. Stand up tall and true on one leg.  Embody the essence of a particular tree that you know.  

Aspire to her strength and suppleness, her grounding and reaching. Unconditionally sheltering and feeding all who come.  Stand in gratitude for your chosen tree.  

    All this time she's been breathing in your exhales,  and providing your inhales.  

Ask what you can learn from her.  If she could speak in our language, I'd imagine she'd say:  "Use less paper and wood.  When you do need to buy paper, seek out recycled… and in solidarity with me, stand in tree pose in the checkout line."

Yes, there is a Rabbit pose:  

Rabbit Yoga pose

 

And the rabbit stealing a cookie pose:

rabbit steals a cookie

Somedays, a carrot just doesn't cut it.  

Om Shanti,  I'll see you in class.

-john

p.s.  Two spots just opened up in our Oct. 2nd. Fall retreat, (The Oct 15th retreat is full up)  Let me know right away if you'd like to join us.

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The Cookie Thief

June 27, 2010 in abundance, jnana, writing | 8 comments

A woman was waiting at an airport one night,
With several long hours before her flight.
She hunted for a book in the airport shops.
Bought a bag of cookies and found a place to drop.

She was engrossed in her book but happened to see,
That the man sitting beside her, as bold as could be.
Grabbed a cookie or two from the bag in between,
Which she tried to ignore to avoid a scene.

So she munched the cookies and watched the clock,
As the gutsy cookie thief diminished her stock.
She was getting more irritated as the minutes ticked by,
Thinking, "If I wasn't so nice, I would blacken his eye."

With each cookie she took, he took one too,
When only one was left, she wondered what he would do.
With a smile on his face, and a nervous laugh,
He took the last cookie and broke it in half.

He offered her half, as he ate the other,
She snatched it from him and thought… oooh, brother.
This guy has some nerve and he's also rude,
Why he didn't even show any gratitude!

She had never known when she had been so galled,
And sighed with relief when her flight was called.
She gathered her belongings and headed to the gate,
Refusing to look back at the thieving ingrate.

She boarded the plane, and sank in her seat,
Then she sought her book, which was almost complete.
As she reached in her baggage, she gasped with surprise,
There was her bag of cookies, in front of her eyes.

If mine are here, she moaned in despair,
The others were his, and he tried to share.
Too late to apologize, she realized with grief,

That she was the rude one, the ingrate, the thief.

Please.. share this with someone.   If you like this, you may like:   Yoga Poems: Lines to Unfold By, and Go In and In: Poems From the Heart of Yoga

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Why 108?

May 28, 2010 in jnana, Uncategorized, Yoga | 9 comments

my odometer at the spring Yoga retreat in massachusetts

On the way to teach at our Spring Retreat I had run a few errands, and took a long-cut to visit a friend, and look at some harmoniums.  

When I pulled up at the retreat center and shut off the car, I looked down to see a perfect 108 on my odometer.  

I teach Japa Meditation to Yoga Students, where we use a Mala, a string of 108 beads to count the recitation of a chosen Mantra, or sacred word.

In the Yoga Asana communities you'll often see people practicing 108 sun salutations for a cause, or on the change of seasons.

Invariably the question:  "Why 108?" comes up.  There are many opinions about Why 108, but here I'll mention a few that people tend to agree upon.

108 comes from multiplying 9 times 12.  Two sacred numbers in many traditions.  

9 is the number of planets that are said to rule us (the grahas),  and 12 is the number of zodiacs in Hindu astrology.  This allows 108 combinations of planet – in – signs.

The ancients measured, quite accurately, that the distance between the earth and the sun as 108 times the sun's diameter.

The distance between the earth and the moon is just about 108 times the moon's diameter.  (some say it moved)

The diameter of the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the earth.

Like the Beatles song from The White Album,  this number 9 just keeps coming back:

9 x 1 = 9
9 x 2 = 18, 1 + 8 = 9
9 x 3 = 27, 2 + 7 = 9
9 x 4 = 36, 3 + 6 = 9
9 x 5 = 45, 4 + 5 = 9
9 x 6 = 54, 5 + 4 = 9
9 x 7 = 63, 6 + 3 = 9
9 x 8 = 72, 7 + 2 = 9
9 x 9 = 81, 8 + 1 = 9
9 x 10=90, 9 + 0 = 9
9 x 11=99, 9 + 9 = 18, 1 + 8 = 9
9 x 12 = 108

and… 1 + 0 + 8 = 9 

A baseball has 108 stitches.  In Ayurveda and martial arts, there are 108 marma, or pressure points on the body.

Have you heard any others?  click on the comment link to share what you've heard.   Japa Mala can be a very powerful, and comforting  form of mediation.  in a future post I can go over the details, but it's best learned in person.  

I'd be glad to teach you the basics to get you started, shoot me an email.  You can see some nice malas on the link to the left.

Om Shanti,   -j

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Who are you

May 13, 2010 in jnana, writing, Yoga | 2 comments

"I know there's a place you've walked where love falls from the trees"  -the who

Who are you?

Parent, Student, Teacher, Runner, Boss, Worker, Friend, Yogi, Golfer, Lawyer, Human, American… We wear so many hats (masks?) that we can lose sight of who we really are.  We are not just these aspects we project into our world.

We are how we do, what we do… We are how we play these roles.

Our practice shines the light of awareness on all parts of ourselves. If we have the courage to look clearly at how we are doing what we do, we can see our weaknesses, fears and doubts, along with our greatest strengths.  

Only when we embrace the whole of ourselves, with equanimity, can change begin to happen.  

I came to Yoga to integrate the scattered parts of myself, Engineer, Yogi, Vegan, Teacher, Student, Human Man, Brother, Son… It just took too much energy to switch between roles.  

With practice, I get a clearer view, and gain perspective.  I wear less hats now, I keep simplifying, unbecoming,   looking forward to just being…  Unconsciously conscious.

How to mend the gap between how we are, and how we'd like to be:

The teachings are clear and simple, we become what we think and what we do. Set a clear intention of how you'd like to be, and practice living that way.  Start on your mat, and don't look away when you dislike what is revealed.

When you feel yourself squirm with resistance… that's where the juice is. The bigger the resistance, the bigger the potential breakthrough.  

Listen carefully, to your body, to your mind, to your breath, and to your emotions.  When they conflict, you can't hear your Ananda, your bliss trying to shine out.  When you get these aspects of yourself all inline, integrated with your intention… there's a profound clarity there. 

Yoga tells us: If you don't like what you're thinking or doing, to practice the opposite.  Stay the course. Breathe calm and acceptance into the discomfort.  On the other side is that clear glimpse of your true nature.

Lasting change comes from filling yourself to the brim with the antidote to how you don't want to be anymore.

Be steadfast and keep going.  Your efforts will shine-out into your other roles, your practice will radiate out to others… They're counting on you, and we're all in this together.

Om Shanti,  I'll see you in class.

-j

p.s.  A special treat!  I've arranged for Irene, a music therapist, to come play Live music for our Yoga class.  See the events page to meet Irene and get the details.

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Covered

February 2, 2010 in abundance, calling, jnana, writing, Yoga | 2 comments

Amachi Om Tapestry

The Om tapestry that covers my television

Last Fall, on one of those amazing warmish days, I had all my windows open, and had a great practice going.  When it was time to wind down I settled in for a nice shavasana.  As I lay there checking in, realized it was a bit chilly.  
 
My body voted for rest – my mind clinged to comfort. "Move, and get a blanket was the predominant thought."  My body won.  Just as I surrendered to the chill – to contentment,  a strong wind blew the Om tapestry off my TV.  It landed perfectly, covering my feet.
 
 I'm grateful, but not surprised anymore when I get just what I need, right when I need it.
 

While traveling India I found myself in a few precarious situations. Things turned out okay… not always the best outcome, but okay. 

This one time, I was on the back of a motorcycle, hurtling through impossible-traffic in Gaya.  The term 'holding on for dear life' must be indian in origin, and the only thing scarier was the thought of the return trip.  My hands went numb.  Taking a few deep breaths of the thick air, my grip loosened.
 
"Worry is a prayer for what we don't want."  -Sharon Gannon
 
A smile came over me, inside and out.  I seemed to realize It'll be okay… or not… but the fierce grip wouldn't help either way.  It's a level of trust, that I could handle whatever is coming my way.  My illusion of control dissolved.
  
"You can't always get what you want – you get what you need."   -Mick Jagger
 
An aspiring meditator who I work with individually, was walking in the woods when she came across a railroad crew working with power tools on the track. They were loud and she resented their presence.  They were 'ruining' her peaceful walk.  Her practice kicked in, trying to find peace, she created thoughts of how the crew was protecting life, making the trains safe etc…  
 
Alas, she walked a bit further than usual and actually got lost.  When she got still and tried to get her bearings… off in the distance she heard the workers, and their sounds guided her home to safety.  
 
When what is 'bad' becomes 'good'  what really changes?

Don't hold on so tight, and we'll get what we need… We're covered. 
 
I've got a great interview in the works from a Yoga student who is a master at manifesting.  She's going to share some of her stories with us.  If you've got a story about being covered, please, Click on the comments link, and share it with us.
 
Om Shanti, I'll see you in class.
 
John

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Downward Facing Dogmatic

October 23, 2009 in jnana, Yoga | 4 comments

You've forsaken all other activities, and taken the time to get to class.  You unroll your mat, setup your space and: 

a: Go through the motions, muscle on through, and hope some of the Yoga sticks to you.

b: Focus, Flow, and seek to understand how the teachings relate to you, and how you relate to the teachings.

Taken at surface level, some of these teachings can seem superficial, trite, or yes, even dogmatic.   "Open your heart, Draw energy up the back of your leg,  Set a clear intention."  What does it all mean?  Better put, what does it all mean to you? 

One of the beauties of Yoga is it's pure potential to be what you need it to be. Need to stretch, strengthen, de-stress? Then yes, Yoga practices can help.  

But when practiced that way, it's like applying a band-aid.  The benefits are fleeting. Feel bad – get to Yoga – feel good for a while, then feel bad again.  

A small intention will get you just that, and that's all your Yoga may ever be.

When we approach our Yoga practice like we do everything else, we become more of who we already are.  I think the world has had enough of us all doing that.

We've got to dig deeper, scratch below the surface and get to the roots of our issues.  The bad feeling is there to show us a change is needed.  dare to look.

Shift your perspective

Yoga asks us to set aside what we think we know, and to vary our perception. We hone the ability to zoom our awareness in on a particular sensation, or zoom out and gain perspective on the whole of our lives.  In each moment, would the micro, or the macro view be best?  

The question becomes: How can this posture, this very breath, help me to become a better person, neighbor, parent, friend, partner, or spouse? 

Spice it up

When we practice this way, our efforts are concentrated, It's like a strong spice, say Saffron, it's sacred, and a little goes a long way towards the color and flavor of how we experience what's in front of us.

Unmake your mind

The teachings are a map, left by the anicents, a map to our freedom.  Each pose, each breath, is potentially a step closer.  In class we create a model of how we could live,  and after class shows how we could feel all the time.

We need to remember why we fell in love with Yoga in the first place, and be sure our Yoga is about, what our Yoga is about.

Om Shanti.  I'll see you in class.

John

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