In Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, by B.K.S. Iyengar he writes about the Hathayoga Pradipika written by Svatmarama.
He says that Svatmarama explains that the body, being inert, tamasic, is uplifted to the level of the active, rajasic, mind through asana and pranayama with yama and niyama. When the body is made as vibrant as the mind, through study, svadhyaya and through practice and repetitions, abhyasa, both mind and body are lifted towards the noumenal state of sattva guna. From sattva guna the sadhaka follows Isvara pranidhana to become a gunatitan (free from gunas).
Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.vpweb.com
Enjoy the benefits of yoga because yoga is for EVERYONE! Yoga aims to develop endurance, balance, strength and align the body correctly. Not only does yoga help to improve your physical wellbeing..but also your mental well being. Please check with your doctor before starting any practice.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
UPCOMING EVENTS
AT
PLN YOGA STUDIO
October
23 - “Sun”day Salutation – 10:15a.m. - 12:15 p.m. - $25/class or $60 for all three
Join me once a month for a two hour Sunday Yoga Practice. The classes will focus on the Sun Salutations - Surya Namaskar.
This dynamic vinyasa (flow sequence) is a combination of postures moving together with the breath. The class will focus on these poses and introduce a few other vinyasas.
November
5&6 - All Levels Yoga Workshop with Jo-Ann Sutherland
Pre-registration required by October 21st. Workshop will be cancelled if not enough participants. Please contact for more information or check out website for details.
5&6 – Focus on Christmas sale at the PA Ex. – 10 – 5 both days. We will have dharma items for sale there – jewellery, fleece-lined wool sweaters, hats and mitts, scarves, singing bowls, purses, prayer flags and more!
20th – ‘Sun”day Salutations – 10:15a.m. - 12:15 p.m. – see October for details.
December
4th – “Sun”day Salutations - 10:15a.m. - 12:15 p.m. – see October for details.
10th – Amnesty International – Write for Rights – 10-11:15 a.m. yoga class – by donation, - proceeds to A.I.
Stay after for some life saving letter writing and snack. Pre-registration requests for events so I have idea of numbers attending!
Happy Fall!
Namaste.Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.vpweb.com, www.plnyoga.blogspot.com, email: plnyoga@plnyoga.vpweb.com, phone: 306.982.2737
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Yesterday, some other yoga teachers and I met at my house to discuss the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. We have been meeting for a few years now and the discussions (and food) is always interesting, thought provoking and helpful. Our yoga path is our own, but to be able to discuss and talk with others can lead to insights that one may not have reached on our own.
Yesterday we finished the last four or five sutras in Pada one (book one), Samadhi pada. Here Patanjali discusses the many stages of samadhi (profound meditation). Although I am no where close to this last limb in the eight limb path, sutra 1.50 spoke to me.
Mr. Iyengar translates this in Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali as:
I.50 tajjah samskarah anyasamskara pratibandhi
A new life begins with this truth-bearing light. Previous impressions are left behind and new ones are prevented.
This idea that at some point in our dedicated practice we can reach a point where we are no longer bound by our past actions, past oscillations of the mind that impede real knowledge is very freeing. It gives hope to me to continue on the yogic path.
In sutra I.51 Mr. Iyengar writes, "Nirbija samadhi is the conquest of the citta wherein the root mind is one with the seer. As all invading thoughts are brought to an end by practice and detachment, the soul is freed from the shackles of earthly vehicles: the body, senses, mind, intelligence and consciousness. The seer is in amanaskatva state" There is no more feelings of "I", he says and we become one with the universe.
Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.vpweb.com
Yesterday we finished the last four or five sutras in Pada one (book one), Samadhi pada. Here Patanjali discusses the many stages of samadhi (profound meditation). Although I am no where close to this last limb in the eight limb path, sutra 1.50 spoke to me.
Mr. Iyengar translates this in Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali as:
I.50 tajjah samskarah anyasamskara pratibandhi
A new life begins with this truth-bearing light. Previous impressions are left behind and new ones are prevented.
This idea that at some point in our dedicated practice we can reach a point where we are no longer bound by our past actions, past oscillations of the mind that impede real knowledge is very freeing. It gives hope to me to continue on the yogic path.
In sutra I.51 Mr. Iyengar writes, "Nirbija samadhi is the conquest of the citta wherein the root mind is one with the seer. As all invading thoughts are brought to an end by practice and detachment, the soul is freed from the shackles of earthly vehicles: the body, senses, mind, intelligence and consciousness. The seer is in amanaskatva state" There is no more feelings of "I", he says and we become one with the universe.
Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.vpweb.com
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Mr. Iyengar in conversation with Swami Radha
In 1984 Mr. Iyengar came to Canada for the first time. Swami Radha had already established her ashram in British Columbia and had been corresponding with Mr. Iyengar since the 1970's. During this visit they had a chance to visit.
Some of this conversation has been reprinted in a few different places. I read an article in the Iyengar Yoga Centre of Victoria's newsletter, winter 2009 and spring 2010.
The whole article is very interesting. I have just put a bit from the article in today's blog.
Swami Radha: What is the procedure in order to practice hatha yoga?
Mr. Iyengar: Hatha yoga starts from the body and goes directly disclosing, from the body to the breath, from the breath to the mind, from the mind to intelligence, from intelligence to the self and from the self towards the soul, one after the other.
Swami Radha: It is similar to when we look at a picture. At first we may not be able to see everything at once, so we begin by looking at one area and then another. Finally, we can see the whole picture.
Mr.Iyengar: Yes, then we experience in totality with complete alertness. For example, the body for me is the gross soul. So how can the envelope be separated from the content?
Swami Radha: Right. Duality is the creation of the mind.
Mr.Iyengar: No one can demarcate where the body ends and the mind begins, where the mind ends and the soul begins. These terms are all for the sake of convenience, when it is explained that one is the gross body, one is the subtle body, and one is the causal body. We express it as sthula, suksma and karana sarira. Patanjali explains using this in different terminologies. He calls it visesa, avisesa, lingamatra and alinga. The soul is encased in them. The body can be perceived, therefore it is distinguishable. The mind, I-consciousness are nondistinguishable therefore have to be conceived: whereas intelligence is differentiable from the soul. Therefore, as our existence is expressed from gross to subtle, for the sake of convience we express it as body, mind and soul.
Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.vpweb.com
Some of this conversation has been reprinted in a few different places. I read an article in the Iyengar Yoga Centre of Victoria's newsletter, winter 2009 and spring 2010.
The whole article is very interesting. I have just put a bit from the article in today's blog.
Swami Radha: What is the procedure in order to practice hatha yoga?
Mr. Iyengar: Hatha yoga starts from the body and goes directly disclosing, from the body to the breath, from the breath to the mind, from the mind to intelligence, from intelligence to the self and from the self towards the soul, one after the other.
Swami Radha: It is similar to when we look at a picture. At first we may not be able to see everything at once, so we begin by looking at one area and then another. Finally, we can see the whole picture.
Mr.Iyengar: Yes, then we experience in totality with complete alertness. For example, the body for me is the gross soul. So how can the envelope be separated from the content?
Swami Radha: Right. Duality is the creation of the mind.
Mr.Iyengar: No one can demarcate where the body ends and the mind begins, where the mind ends and the soul begins. These terms are all for the sake of convenience, when it is explained that one is the gross body, one is the subtle body, and one is the causal body. We express it as sthula, suksma and karana sarira. Patanjali explains using this in different terminologies. He calls it visesa, avisesa, lingamatra and alinga. The soul is encased in them. The body can be perceived, therefore it is distinguishable. The mind, I-consciousness are nondistinguishable therefore have to be conceived: whereas intelligence is differentiable from the soul. Therefore, as our existence is expressed from gross to subtle, for the sake of convience we express it as body, mind and soul.
Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
www.plnyoga.vpweb.com
Monday, September 19, 2011
PLN Yoga Studio
"Sun” day Salutation
Join me once a month for a two hour Sunday Yoga Practice.
The classes will focus on the Sun Salutations - Surya Namaskar.
This dynamic vinyasa (flow sequence) is a combination of postures moving together with the breath. The class will focus on these poses and introduce a few other vinyasas.
2011 Dates:
October 23rd, November 20th and December 4th
Classes will include:
Warm –up
Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) sequence with variations
Inverted and seated postures
Pranayama
Savasana
Instructor: Pamela Nelson, Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor
Time: 10:15am-12:15pm
Location: PLN Yoga Studio - #3-3800 5th Ave. E. , Prince Albert , Sk.
Cost: $60 for the three Sundays or $25/class
For more information or to register contact Pamela Nelson.
T: 982-2737 or E: plnyoga@plnyoga.vpweb.com
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Words of Wisdom - 8
An asana is not a posture which you assume mechanically.
It involves thought, at the end of which a balance is achieved between movement and resistance.
-B.K.S. Iyengar
Namaste.
Pamela Nelson
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