The physical practice of yoga, asana, is only one of yoga's eight tenets. In India, asana is considered the basest aspect, but a necessary part of practicing the other seven principles. Certainly asana is the easiest and funnest aspect of yoga. We get to show up on the mat and exercise. Endorphins are released. We become physically stronger and more supple. Aches and pains disappear. After an hour or two, we roll up the mat and don't have to think about it again until tomorrow.It's tempting to consider the practice of asana a complete yoga practice. But, asana is just a stepping stone to the other yogic principles. Through the physical practice of yoga we purify our bodies, readying them for the more rigorous yoga practices. Only healthy, supple bodies can sit in meditation for long periods of time. And that's really the purpose of yoga.
Yoga's roots date back approximately 5,000 years, as described in the Vedas and Tantras. Ashtanga Yoga, the eight-fold path, is set forth in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras (circa 400 BC). The first principle, Yama, is broken down into five components:
- Ahimsa—the principle of nonviolence
- Satya—the principle of truthfulness
- Asteya—the principle of non-stealing
- Brahmacharya—the principle of celibacy
- Aparigah—the principle of non-hoarding or non-possessiveness
I wish I could say I practice nonviolence towards all beings, but truthfully my thoughts towards my fellow humans are frequently violent. Especially at work. Practicing nonviolence towards animals—veganism, volunteer work with animal rescues—is easy compared to letting go of resentments triggered by people.
My favorite thing about blogging is not having to censor myself. As a career writer, I've spent nearly 30 years writing shit other people want me to write. Really boring crap. Blogging is liberating and fun. No one's paying me to do this, so I get to voice my strong opinions. And I strongly believe that the way we abuse animals to turn them into food for our increasingly obese society is wrong.
Like many who are drawn to the practice of yoga, I'm a certified instructor. I taught adults and children for years in San Francisco. I've studied yoga asana and philosophy in Mysore and Goa, India; in Ubud, Bali. Hopefully as I continue to practice and my body continues to purify, I'll be able to let go of some of this anger. Believe it or not, I've already come a long way.
For more information on the Yoga Sutras, visit the web site of preeminent Sutras scholars, Jayashree and Narasimhan, founders of Anantha Research Foundation.
