Ashtanga Yoga- Yama

Ashtanga Yoga has 8 limbs- Yama, Niyama, Pranayma, Asana, Pratayhar, Dhyan, Dharana and Samadhi. 
That is why Yoga doesn't translate to only being able to do asanas. What are Yamas?

Yama is the first limb/anga of Ashtanga yoga. Yama can be interpreted in different ways but loosely it is related to how you behave with the outside world. There are five such disciplinary rules explained by Patanjali in the form of yoga Sutra. Namely Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya and Aprigraha.

Ahmisa: (A =Not+ Himsa=Hurt) Not hurting anything or anyone by any action. But himsa doesn’t relate to violence directly but not being inclusive or not fulfilling our duties, failing to protect our and the loved ones dependent on us is also himsa. Ahimsa suggests that we treat others the way we want to be treated in simple terms. Being kind, friendly and taking up the fights that are worth taking- coming from responsibilities. It certainly doesn’t suggest that if your life is in danger do not act and let yourself be the victim; but it suggests that adopt your attitude with heightened awareness.

Satya: Truthfulness! Patanjali explains to be truthful as long as it goes along with Ahimsa. What that means if your truth is going to hurt someone’s feelings or cause trouble which can be avoided then better not speak of it. Telling lies is never suggested but telling the truth should again be realized with awareness. There could be multiple instances like your friend asking you “Was I wrong in this situation?” or fighting siblings coming to parents and asking- who was right? In such tricky situation one should consider the situation if the asking person is at the right mindset to accept you pointing their misbehavior or it is rhetorical question for gaining sympathy and responding accordingly. Perfect way to guide and still following Ahmisa & Satya is to ask them to reflect and ask, “What do you think?”

Asteya: (A= Not + Steya = To steal) Although it is very trivial to know that one should not steal what belongs to others; it also means not taking credit for other’s work. Having the zeal to steal what belongs to others comes from the feeling of lack of gratitude for the things that we have! Feel abundance; count your blessings and rest assured that you and everyone around will get whatever they wish for; there is no need to steal.

Brahmacharya: (Brahma= Creator of the universe + Charya = behavior). The way I interpret terms is “behavior” that will take you close to Brahma. This term is meant for celibacy mainly. And it makes sense for the devoted yogis who would like to save their energy for getting to the highest realization; getting to the stillness of mind. For such quest not dwelling on physical lust seems to be suggested. However for people who are leading the life which is not completely dedicated to such quest then this can be interpreted as not dwelling on sexual desires and letting it disturb our yoga practice or meditation. Gaining control and being able to achieve stillness of mind when we decide to- is Brahmacharya.

Aparigraha: (A= Not + Parigraha = to seize/take). This again goes with the concept of abundance and believing there will be enough for everyone. Not taking advantage of anyone or any situation with the purpose of hoarding. Take what is necessary and share with others. Be respectful of others’ needs as well as yours.

अथ योगानुशासनम् ।

This is the first yoga sutra described by Maharshee (“Maha+Rishee”= Great Teacher) Patanjali.

Before starting to explain what the first yoga sutra means, it is important to know what the word sutra means and why it is important in our learning. The word “sutra” in Sanskrit means a thread or a string. In Indian literature it often explains a theorem or aphorism in a few precise words which could be principles of guiding life, rituals, or simply any field of knowledge. In the context of yoga sutra; Patanjali explains the yoga teachings as understood from Vedas (4 vedas explained in Hinduism are Yajurveda, Rugveda, Atharvaveda and Samveda) in precise, profound words to depict the eternal truth about Yoga that guides us beyond any religion, time or any bounds! The word “sutra” here means a string which ties the knowledge gained by the teacher, receiving student and the teachings.

The very first sutra says- “अथ योगानुशासनम् ।“ In simple English “Now yoga authoritative instructions of Yoga begins. The word “atha” means beginnings; is found in almost all Holy Scriptures. Patanjali explains that this is the beginning of a journey that starts by him learning the depths of yoga and being ready to share his understanding to his disciples who in turn can carry forward this knowledge to her/his disciples. “Anushasan” means the disciplined way of teaching/learning. As we are getting ready to start our Yoga teacher training; Patanjali reminds us that “NOW” you are ready to begin your formal education of Yoga. Here NOW is the most important word to remember. You need to be “in now” to practice yoga. Being in now will help to have complete focus on the task at hand either doing asana or receiving instructions; just give your 100% attention- so that you will be READY to let this formal education of Yoga to begin!

YTT...

As I embark my journey on being Yoga Teacher training; I will be sharing my perspective on the lessons that we are receiving. For you who were lucky enough to escape my craze of Yoga; here is a news for you. I have started learning Yoga Teacher Training at Inner Vision Yoga which is 200+ Hrs of yoga teaching certification course. I would highly recommend it to anyone who has slightest inclination towards Yoga. As promised on their website; this course will transform your life forever and for good reasons! 

So why this and why now? What type of Yoga you will be learning? How long is the course? How do you manage the full-time job and such demanding course at the same time? Those were some of the questions I received when I shared my big news :)

First thing first; why YTT=Yoga teacher Training? (hey, I work at Intel and if I don't start using TLA=Three Letter Acronyms for everything in my life; I might get fired!)

Those who know me have gotten lecture on Yoga at least once. All my mommy friends who went through pregnancy; have definitely heard my stories of how Yoga helped me to go through natural delivery w/o epidural! I was one of those crazy ladies that you hear stories who go to Yoga in the morning and deliver baby on the same day!! Yes, next stop of YTT is definitely to learn how to teach prenatal Yoga.

Why Yoga? Well, just like any Indian I got introduced to Yoga in my childhood. Got in trouble/ did some masti/broke something in the house/school; what was our consequence back then? "Stand in the corner and hold your toes; till you calm down."- Forward fold (Uttanasna); before even that poor kid can say such complicated word!!

As you can see Yoga has always been part of my life. After my 10th grade exam; got a long vacation which everyone said you should enjoy; once a lifetime you will have such down time; yuhu!! I was pumped up to plan what I would do of such free time and my Mom came to the rescue; pun intended. “Seating idle for 2.5 months; sleeping in late and hanging out with friends and doing nothing? How can that be fun? Well, you got to enroll in Yoga classes.” Oh no! And that made me wake up early morning every so often to attend that Yoga training. Although I didn't like the waking up part; once I got there I loved every bit of it. Ok, not every bit- was never fond of Shuddhi Kriya and couldn't do any of it out of will to-the-date. My sisters will tell you those funny stories how I miserably fail trying jaldhauti; but end up drinking water like camel in Sahara desert.

Since then whenever life got me or I had any aches; I twisted towards Yoga! And how can I officially start talking about my passion for Yoga to others and get license as well to do so? YTT!!

On a serious note, Yoga has the potential to solve almost everything in the mayhem-that we call LIFE. Yoga is for all ages, all races, at all physical fitness levels and can be healing aid to almost all known-unknown ailments; be it physical or psychological. And I want to learn how Yoga can do such amazing things to our mind, body and to our existence. As I keep learning; I would like to keep sharing this ancient powerful knowledge to everyone the way I receive it. 

There are many myths about Yoga like do you need to be vegetarian or what type of Yoga (here they are referring Yogasanas and not Yoga) or is it for Hindus; on & on. I was surprised to know that Yoga existed before any religion; did you know that? More on those myths for future blog.

Before I stop; I just want to pass on my mantra that seems to be the solution for all our worries, why this happened to me and why not & so on... I would like every reader of this blog to think about this powerful acceptance as "You are where you need to be!" Namaste!

Perfect World!

             

 

              Once upon a time there was an elephant family with Mama, Papa & their daughter Elly. Baby Elly was everyone’s favorite with her cheerful smiles & charming curiousness. Then Elly started going to a school. Soon after, she came home with a grumpy mood. Mama said, “What happened to my sweet Elly; is something bothering you, honey?” “Humph, why am I so fat Mama? I want to be like that skinny Deer; she looks so pretty.” said Elly. “Oh honey, come here. You are perfect the way you are!” But that didn’t cheer her up. There onwards every once in a while Elly came home with sadness in her eyes & grumbles like “Why do I have to have such a long-ground touching trunk and not cute pink nose like Bunny? … Why does my skin feel so baggy & not like Cheetah’s tight shiny one…” All the time, Mama’s only response was, “You are perfect the way you are!” But that didn’t make Elly a bit happy.

              On and on Elly went and started sulking by passing day. Then one day Mama said, “Elly, why don’t you get a paper and we can do some painting this afternoon.” Elly loved to paint; especially when she was allowed to use big girl’s water colors!! Elly said,” What should I paint, Mama?” “Umm, how about painting the mountains that you saw on your field trip? You loved seeing such big mountains, waterfall, soft tickling grass & all your friends…” responded Mama. “Ooh yeah, that would be fun.” cheered Elly. She got all her supplies & was about to start. Then she realized that Mama has put out only orange color. “Mama, there is only one color- orange. How am I supposed to paint gray mountains, blue waterfall, white clouds, green grass & all my friends are of so many different colors and patterns?” “Well Elly, orange is your favorite color. So I thought you would like to paint everything in the same color; won’t you?” Elly thought for a moment and she had a broad grin on her face. She could sense how Mama has tricked her. She hugged Mama and said,” I get it Mama. Nature has everything in different sizes, shapes, colors. Yet, everything is perfect the way it is!”

                                                                                                                                            - Ketaki Joshi.

Dear Celeste...

When I noticed the small cross and flowers for the first time besides the road, I didn’t pay much attention. Yet another roadside accident and someone reminding others to be cautious! But then came Valentine’s Day, and you got a red heart shaped balloon and nice bouquet of roses. I smirked, if only people did that gesture when loved ones were alive. Often I’ve seen people who are blessed in long-term relationship making excuses like, “Why showoff for only one day, I love you every day and I don’t need to make a display of my love.” Well, to be honest I am one of those people; rather I was. But then I stumbled on you- Celeste! That Valentine’s Day, I did stop at that yellow signal instead of speeding through it like every day- only to read your name, to know you better. And your name was embossed on that cross, surrounded by beautiful roses and a heart shaped balloon. That day I stopped by at the grocery store and bought red balloons for my kids, a card for my husband and a box of chocolates for me- in case he forgot to get me anything (which he did!). It was a big surprise for everyone at home and was well received!

As days passed by it became a game for me to notice what sort of gifts you were receiving. With seasonal changes color of your bouquet kept changing. You got a pinwheel when spring rolled in; to remind me to stop and sniff the sweet smell of new life around me. You even got green clover for St. Patrick ’s Day. And I started thinking about you… how was your life? Who loved you so much that they made an attempt to celebrate everything with you even after you…? I even tried googling you; what could have happened to you? One faintest trace revealed that at that same intersection there was a fatal accident almost a decade ago. There were not many details or not even mention of your name. But I knew that must have been you. Celeste, unknowingly I’ve learnt so much about you. You really loved flowers of all colors, all shapes. Your birthday is in May and you were quite religious person. Or am I talking about the person who loves you so much?

One thing is clear that you have taught me how to love, rather how to express love when I still have time to do so. Few years back I had a nanny who used to say “I love you honey” while hanging up the phone with her grown up kids/husband/mom & so on to all of her family members. I told her it was a sweet gesture and she replied, “Yeah, I wouldn’t know when it will be the last time I would say love you; so I make sure that I remind them every given chance!”   And I am like, “What a depressing thought!” But looking at Celeste reminded me that it’s life. Harsh and cold on my face; every day every turn. When I hear about calamities around us- someone getting a divorce, someone losing a job which was his only identity, about terrorist attacks, someone losing a grip on the rock while trekking or worse someone disappearing from the life forever like Celeste! It gives me a jolt of reality- life in unpredictable.

Even if life is unpredictable and we cannot control it, I keep on reminding myself- “This is it! This is the only life and should be lived to the fullest- with no regrets!!” Thanks Celeste for teaching me love, compassion and living life fully. Thanks for reminding me the quote- “Live every moment as if there is no tomorrow and dream so big as if you’ll live forever!”

सल

       एक दिवस मुलीला शाळेत सोडताना तिने अचानक विचारलं ,"ममा, what do you mean by सल ?" मी ड्राईव्ह करत असताना अशा गुगली टाकणं तिला छान जमतं . मग नेहमी प्रमाणे आमची प्रश्न-उत्तरं सुरु झाली. मी -"कोणत्या भाषेतला शब्द विचारते आहेस, सायली? आणि कुठे ऐकलास - context काय?" ती म्हणाली, "It is a मराटी word. I heard it sometime back while you were talking to मावशी on the phone." माझी अमेरिकेत जन्मलेली आणि वाढत असलेली मुलगी माझ्यावर नेहमी watch ठेवून असते. माझा भारतात फोन चालू असताना ती आजूबाजूला खेळात असली तरी कान माझ्या बोलण्याकडे असतात आणि मग अचानक कधीतरी असे ऐकलेले शब्द माझ्यासमोर प्रश्न म्हणून येतात. आता तिला कसा समजवावं ह्या विचारात आधी माझ्यातली मराठी अस्मिता जागी झाली. "अगं सायली किती वेळा सांगितलंय, मराटी नाही- म रा ठी ! म्हण बघू .." असं बोलता बोलता शाळा आली सुद्धा. मग मी तिला बाय केलं आणि म्हंटलं घरी आलीस कि संध्याकाळी सांगते हं सल म्हणजे काय ते.."
       मग ड्राईव्ह करताना तिला काय बरं सांगावं सल म्हणजे काय ते; हा विचार करताना मीच भूतकाळात हरवून गेले. सल म्हणजे आमच्यासारख्य असंख्य भारतीयांच्या मनात कुठेतरी सतत असलेली टोचणी. दिवाळी-दसरा वीकएंड च्या सोयीने साजरा केला की लहानपणी साजरे केलेले सण-वार डोळ्यासमोर येतात. आणि मग मोजक्या मित्र परिवारासोबत सगळ्यांच्या सोयींनी potluck करताना ह्यात काहीच वावगं नाहीये असं मानून फक्त बॅकयार्ड मधे स्वस्तिकाची रांगोळी काढताना आलेलं हसू म्हणजेही सल!
       सगळं घर भरलेलं असतं, मुलं मजेत खेळत असतात; नवरा भांडी घासत असतो आणि स्वतःचाच स्वतःला हेवा वाटत असताना अचानक डोळे भरून येतात की, हे सगळं बघायला आज आई-बाबा इथे नाहीत. हा जीवघेणा क्षणही सल दाखवून जातो. असे किती आणि कुठले-कुठले सल घेऊन आपण सगळे हसत वावरत असतो. कितीवेळा मानत असूनही आता तिकडे रात्र असेल; आता ती ऑफिसला गेली असेल अशा वेळेच्या गणितात न बसल्यानी राहून गेलेला फोन आणि मग त्या आठवणींनी आलेलं हसू आणि कधी-कधी रडूसुद्धा; म्हणजे सुद्धा सल!
       आज दिवसभर ऑफीच्या कामातही लक्ष लागलं नाही. कुठले कुठले सल दिवसभर टोचणी देत गेले. संध्याकाळी सायलीला कसं बरं समजावू, सल म्हणजे काय! त्यात माझा इंग्लिशच्या बाबतीत आनंदच! तरीही प्रयत्न केलाच- "REGRETS"! हं सुचला शब्द; अशा आनंदात मुलांना pickup ला गेले. गाडीत बसल्या बसल्या डबे खाल्ले का, दिवस कसा गेला आणि त्यांच्या सगळ्या चिवचिवाटात सायली आणि मी दोघीही विसरून गेलो की आपण आज कशाबद्दल बोलणार होतो. नेहमीसारखंच मुलांना भेटून मनावरचं मळभ दूर झालं. आणि पुन्हा एकदा एक सल विरून गेला.
        आणि मग मला खरा अर्थ कळला- सल म्हणजे दुसरं-तिसरं काही नाही तर ठुसठुसणारी एक आठवण!!