 Photo by Simon Wilkes on Unsplash Perplexity is the beginning of knowledge - Khalil Gibran This blog post is part of our Yoga Sutras series. Want to start at the beginning? Yoga Sutra 3.55 तारकं सर्वविषयं सर्वथाविषयमक्रमं चेति विवेकजं ज्ञानम् tarakam sarva visayam sarvatha visayam akramam cha iti vivekajam jnanam Discriminative spiritual knowledge transcends temporality and comprehends all things in all conditions simultaneously. In Yoga Sutras 3.53-3.55, Patanjali addresses the importance of living in the present moment to the spiritual aspirant. Sutra 3.53 explains how to accomplish this. By samyama on the smallest unit of time (in other words, a moment) and the sequence of these moments in time, one unravels time and gains understanding of it.
Like all other siddhis produced through meditation on specific objects or concepts, this makes logical sense to me. When we concentrate upon something, its mysteries are revealed to us.
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 Photo by Sam Schooler on Unsplash Bring the mind into sharp focus and make it alert so that it can immediately intuit truth, which is everywhere. The mind must be emancipated. - Bruce Lee This blog post is part of our Yoga Sutras series. Want to start at the beginning? Yoga Sutra 3.50 सत्त्वपुरुषान्यताख्यातिमात्रस्य सर्वभावाधिष्ठातृत्वं सर्वज्ञातृत्वं च Sattva purusa anyata khyati-matrasya sarva-bhava adhisthatrtvam sarvajnatrtvam ca By understanding the difference between sattva and Purusha attainment of omnipotence and omniscience are realized. I think here is about where - forgive me - trying to understand the Sutras starts to get “scary.” By that I mean, it is deep into a philosophy created in a very different time and place than the one we are living in now. It challenges our view of “reality.”
The vedic view is a completely different way of seeing the world based on observations from several centuries ago. Thus at first, the words “omnipotence” and “omniscience” seem to my western mind at best, truly unscientific; at worst, deeply disturbing.  What brought you to yoga?
Initially the physical benefits, but this has evolved over time. I’ve come to appreciate the powerful connection to community and the tremendous emotional resilience that I have developed that I believe is a result of my continuous practice. What is your approach to teaching? I believe this will evolve over time, but to be genuine and authentic, to create a sense of community and to guide my students to cultivate the tools to live mindfully and with purpose - on and off the mat! Why did you choose to teach at 5KY? I consider 5 Keys my “yoga home” and have a strong desire to give back to the community that has given so much to me over the years. What makes your soul sing? Connecting with nature and giving back to family, friends and the community at large through various ways.  Photo by Felipe Bastias on Unsplash " Calmness is the cradle of power." - Josiah Gilbert Holland This blog post is part of our Yoga Sutras series. Want to start at the beginning? Yoga Sutra 3.38 ते समाधावुपसर्गा व्युत्थाने सिद्धयः te samādhāvupasargā vyutthāne siddhayaḥ These accomplishments are obstacles to samadhi but powers in worldly life. Sutra 3.38 is so simple and easily missed among the great siddhis or powers listed in Pada Three of The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, but is the most important Sutra in this set. As I referenced at the beginning of the year, Patanjali cautions us here that these siddhis can derail our spiritual progress.
When we get caught up in these “superphysical senses” (Satchidananda, 237) we are thrust back into the material world. We may become so enamored with our newfound abilities that we lose sight of the spiritual progress that exists beyond their attainment. Patanjali catalogues these potential accomplishments through samyama so that yoga practitioners can spot them and overcome them if and when they arise.  What brought you to yoga?
I was introduced to it by a cheerleading teammate in high school and would go to classes occasionally. Then, in college I found a studio close by and went nearly everyday. I struggled with a lot of anxiety and depression so finding not only the practice of yoga but a community helped me so much. What is your approach to teaching? I believe that I am simply there to offer guidance. The yoga practice is highly individual for each student and I respect and honor that. I want to hold space and create an environment that welcomes all. Why did you choose to teach at 5KY? I love how accessible the studio is. There are truly classes for everyone. The first class I went to also made me feel welcomed and that makes such a difference. What makes your soul sing? My soul sings when I volunteer at a cat rescue. I adopted my first pet in my 20s and through that opened up a love for animals especially cats. Going there feels my soul in ways words cannot describe.  Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash Success is balance. - Laila Ali This blog post is part of our Yoga Sutras series. Want to start at the beginning? Yoga Sutra 3.12 ततः पुनः शान्तोदितौ तुल्यप्रत्ययौ चित्तस्यैकाग्रतापरिणामः tataḥ punaḥ śāntoditau tulyapratyayau cittasyaikāgratāpariṇāmaḥ From that preceding state, when subsiding and arising thoughts are balanced in the mind, a flow of one-pointedness is manifested. In Sutra 3.12, Patanjali concludes his explanation of the stages of accomplishment in samyama.
To recap, in Yoga Sutra 3.10, Patanajali explains that first the practitioner achieves a state called nirodhah parinamah, wherein a steady flow of tranquility is developed in the meditator’s mind. In Yoga Sutra 3.11, Patanjali describes the rising state of absorption the practitioner achieves in their chosen object of meditation, which is called samadhi parinamah.  What brought you to your yoga practice?
I really missed yoga in a studio and wanted to find the right place. I decided to try five keys with little to no expectations and am so happy! What benefits did you notice once you started practicing consistently? I’m able to focus on clearing my mind more and increased mobility. What would you now tell yourself before you started practicing yoga? You can do hard things! It’s a practice and every day is a work in progress. I’m so grateful for every instructor at five keys who has helped me over the last 7 months. I feel so seen and heard in this studio and I love the “come as you are” feeling when I walk in!!  Photo by Lital Levy on Unsplash "I am so absorbed in the wonder of earth and the life upon it that I cannot think of heaven and angels." - Pearl S. Buck This blog post is part of our Yoga Sutras series. Want to start at the beginning? Yoga Sutra 3.11 सर्वार्थतैकाग्रतयोः क्षयोदयौ चित्तस्य समाधिपरिणामः sarvārthataikāgratayoḥ kṣayodayau cittasya samādhipariṇāmaḥ As distractedness declines and one-pointed focus arises in the mind, a flow of absorption in the object of meditation arises. Although Yoga Sutra 3.11 may seem quite esoteric at first, when we look at it from the basics, it actually makes quite a bit of sense. Let’s break this one down into pieces, since it is the only sutra we’ll cover this month and is central to understanding subsequent sutras in pada three.
Sutra 3.11 is made up of seven Sanskrit words (combined here into four). And when we look at them one by one, what Patanjali is trying to explain becomes quite clear.  What brought you to yoga?
My deep love for movement and flow led me to yoga, where I found a practice that beautifully blends both. What is your approach to teaching? I aim to create a safe and welcoming space for students to explore their own potential and discover the joy and playfulness that yoga offers. Why did you choose to teach at 5KY? I was drawn to Five Keys Yoga because of its commitment to “yoga for all abilities.” I truly appreciate their intentional approach to making yoga accessible to everyone. What makes your soul sing? I may sound repetitive, but nothing lights me up more than flow. When my breath and movement come together in perfect harmony, it brings me a sense of joy and clarity.  What brought you to your yoga practice?
I was searching for a mindful practice where I could be in the present moment without distractions like my phone or tv. I also love to stretch and was looking to tone my muscles - yoga was the perfect answer! What benefits did you notice once you started practicing consistently? I noticed my balance and flexibility improve significantly! Also found myself moving more freely and with more comfort, as well as feeling less anxiety in my daily life. What would you now tell yourself before you started practicing yoga? To give yourself grace, and not get discouraged when falling out of routine. It’s never too late to jump back in! |
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