week 1
ZOOM LINK Opening Gathering
Day 1!
The Buddha said, “To straighten the world, you must do a much more difficult thing…. Straighten yourself first. You are your only Master.”
Day 2!
“An ounce of practice is worth a ton of theory.” - Swami Sivananda
Day 3!
Yoga Sūtra Chapter 2 verse 46
स्थिरसुखमासनम् ॥४६॥
sthira-sukham-āsanam ||46||
Steady and comfortable is posture.
The yogic posture of the body/mind should be firm and stable without tension or harshness, as well as pleasant and agreeable without dullness or sleepiness.
The posture of yoga is alert and at ease (relaxed) without being unconscious or mechanical
Day 4!
ZOOM LINK Class at 10am Vancouver Time
Yoga Sūtra Chapter 2 verse 47
प्रयत्नशैथिल्यानन्तसमापत्तिभ्याम् ॥४७॥
prayatna-śaithilya-ananta-samāpattibhyām ||47||
Both relaxation of continued effort and unity in the infinite.
The means to perfection of asana is by focusing on the breath; making it deep, smooth and long, and by relaxing the intensity of the effort, being receptive and limitless.
The posture is attained by making the breath smooth and long and by concentrating or focusing the mind on the breath. (Srivatsa Ramaswami’s interpretation)
Perfection in posture is achieved when the effort to perform it becomes effortless and the infinite within is reached. (BKS Iyengar’s interpretation)
Commentary by T Krishnamacharya:
“The practice of Āsana (posture) without breathing and without remembering Ananta (the eternal/the infinite) has no value.”
Day 5!
Recording from Day 4! Passcode: 0@3CJRbb
Yoga Sūtra Chapter 2 verse 47 (continued)
Commentary by Swami Venkatesananda
“To make sure that we get the message, that there is no struggle (resistance), Patanjali adds this sutra. Two things are combined - ‘prayatna saithilya’ - effortless effort without strain. This is saying go to the point where you are about to feel strain and stop there. If you stop before, you are lazy! But that is only half of the sutra. The second half - ‘ananta samapattibhyam’ - means contemplation of the endless. THis is a romantic way of saying, "Go on. Do." There is infinite potential or possibility in you . So Patanjali says, "Stop when strain is experienced, but go on gently."
Day 6!
ZOOM LINK Class Time 7am Vancouver Time
RECORDING LINK! Passcode: K%2xi=*^
“(To attain success in yoga), deep desire, faith, courage, perseverance, Sattvic (pure) and limited food - are required…one should practice daily at an appropriate time with devotion, sincerity and respect and without going against how it was taught by the guru (teacher).”
-T Krishnamacharya
Day 7!
“My body is my temple. The asanas are my prayers.” -BKS Iyengar