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!