As we approach the new year, I would like to share a beautiful year ending note put together by my amazing yoga teacher (Milauni). Something for us to look into as we go into the NEW YEAR!
"I’m sure by now we all know, WHAT YOGA IS… in the west we know yoga as limited to a physical exercise… as a form of workout! But Yoga is an experience, an experience of “fully living in the beauty of the present moment”. Yoga is an Abhayasa, a constant practice, a practice that involves inculcating social ethics & human values for us to function harmoniously in society & for ourselves, a practice of breathing techniques that strings the breath back to its original rhythm & including a practice of yoga asanas or postures that heal the body & remove restlessness/disease from it. It also includes a practice of meditation to still the mind. But above all yoga is a way of life, to live a life of greater awareness & continuous growth.
The Patanjali Yoga Sutras mentions 9 obstacles on the Path of Yoga, these obstacles exist at varied degrees in all of us. It is the practice of Yoga, this very Abhayasa which in fact frees us from the obstacles so we can live this GIFT of LIFE to its full potential.
Coming into the New Year I’d like to highlight 2 obstacles, let’s see if we can identify to what degree these exist in us and to what extent it is stunting our physical and spiritual growth! One being… Aalysa. Aalysa is laziness, a heaviness not only in the body but also extending to the state of mind as well. It is also seen as an acquired bad mental habit to avoid exertion. Being gripped by Aalysa, we might lose passion & enthusiasm in life and this acts as a barrier to any achievement, growth or learning.
In my personal journey, I’ve felt that when I’ve stayed committed to the larger goal, to be mindful of the body’s health & its restoration, Aalysa has stayed at bay.
Another obstacle is Pramada. Pramada means carelessness and/or negligence, a state of not being attentive. Often we do things knowing well that they are not good for us and that is because of Pramada. Perhaps overexertion/overworking the body or improper food intake, or even anger, these deviations cause tiredness in the mind and body and as a result disconnecting us from health & wellness. Pramada is also not doing something even though we know it is beneficial for us! A lack of persistence and commitment creates erratic and even negative results leading to less devotion towards our own health and wellbeing.
As we move into the NEW YEAR 2021, let’s observe ourselves by taking a closer at our approach to life and rethink our patterns. What has happened is over and gone, and if we were captivated by Aalysa or Pramada, it is over NOW! A simple awareness of this can break their shackles, SO LET’S PROGRESS NOW, make the best of 2021 & live our life with FULL ENTHUSIASM & OUR COMPLETE POTENTIAL. Make your own health, your first priority! "
Yes? What do you think?
PS: To join Milauni's online NEW YEAR YOGA SERIES, 7 days a week, you can sign up at
Tiny.cc/YogaNewYear_JanFebMar2021 (Timings mentioned in the attached flyer).
For more information on Milauni' s amazing yoga classes, you can send her an email at milauni.nagar@gmail.com
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