On Yoga

Today I have written down some notes I have made either for classes or in hopes of remembering.  Funny thing about the mind, or at least mine...I keep having to re-remember.

Because these notes are from over the years most ideas will have been taken from one place or another.  I didn't write down the source all the time, something I am trying to remember to do better.

Mr. Iyengar has often written that yoga is a complete subject. It is a science, art and philosophy.

The practice of yoga aims at overcoming the limitations of the body.  It is the perfect balance between the body and mind to achieve self-realization.  Yoga teaches that obstacles in the path of our self realization indicate themselves in physical and mental illnesses.

When the physical state is not perfect, then the mental state is imbalanced.  Yoga practice helps to overcome this imbalance.  To be balanced and reach self-realization one must be self-aware.  This isn't just an awareness you notice once and think you've got it.  It is constant, ongoing.  What may be truth for you at one point will change over time because we experience things like changing hormonal levels, physical levels, emotional levels and psychological levels throughout our whole life.

So, Yoga practice helps us to be more self-aware, to notice and accept our subtle changes in body, mind and breath to reach self-realization.

Yoga asanas (postures) and Pranayama (breath work) not only benefit the muscles and bones of the body, but also the organs, glands and nervous system.  Yoga brings equilibrium and healing to the physical body which helps bring emotional balance and mental clarity.

Yoga asanas tone the whole body - yoga is integration - one pose can have many benefits because to be balanced or whole, all the systems of the body must be balanced. Our systems do not work separately, they are also integrated together.

So, that is why it is important to slow down, breath and listen, otherwise you may miss your "aha" moment.  The moment you realize all that is truly important.

Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
http://www.plnyoga.blogspot.com

plnyogastudio@gmail.com