8 Stages of yoga

When you are inspired by some great purpose,some extraordinary project,all your thoughts break their bonds;Your mind transcends limitations,your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, greatand wonderful world.Dormant forces, faculties and talentsbecome alive, and you discover yourselfto be greater person by farthan you ever dreamedyourself to be.

- Sage Patanjali

About 2500 years ago, a great physicist, and astrologist, sage Patanjali introduced the practice of yoga (which was practiced only by selected few at the time), to common people. Sage Patanjali is considered to be the founder of the system of yoga, as he was the first to document the practice and philosophy of yoga in an ancient scripture called “yoga sutras” consisting of 185 verses. Yoga by definition means to bind, join, to unite, union or communion. It requires disciplining of the intellect, the mind, the body, the emotions, and the soul in order to come in communion with God or Supreme Universal Spirit.

Patanjali breaks down the science of yoga as eight limbs or stages of Yoga. By attaining mastery of all stages, a yogi can attain Samadhi or enlightenment:

1. Yama, or 5 universal moral commandments are; Non-violence, Truth, Non-stealing, Self-restraint, and Non-hoarding (another facet of non-stealing). As the yogi truly and honestly practices the Yamas, (all 5 aspects of universal moral code of conduct), he or she establishes themselves deeper and further into their faith in god, because they realize, they do not need to collect material things, they do not need to steal, or lie, they do not need to use violence or be defensive against each other.
2. Niyama, individual disciplines or “code of conduct”; The five niyamas listed by Patanjali are; Purity of the body and the mind, Contentment and tranquility of the mind, Austerity (Tapas) having self-discipline, and perseverance, and vigor, Self-study, and Dedication to the Lord.
3. Asana, or posture. Asana brings steadiness, health, and lightness of limb. A steady and pleasant practice of asanas bring, mental equilibrium and prevent fickleness of mind. Asanas create agility, balance, endurance, and great vitality. The yogi conquers the body by practice of asanas and makes it a fit vehicle for the spirit.
4. Pranayama, meaning the science of breath; inhalations, exhalations, retentions, and extension of breath and its control over the body. Following proper rhythmic patterns of slow deep breathing, the yogi learns to strengthen the respiratory system, soothe the nervous systems, and reduce cravings. As the desires and cravings diminish, the mind is set free and becomes a fit vehicle for concentration.
5. Pratyahara, control or withdrawal of all 5 senses; As we become in control of our 5 senses, we turn our attention from external world to our internal world and go deeper into meditation, and self-discovery
6. Dhrana, Concentration; When the body has been tempered by asanas, when the mind has been refined by the fire of pranayama and when the senses have been brought under control by pratyahara, the yogi reaches the sixth stage called dharana. Here he is concentrated wholly on a single point or on a task in which he is completely engrossed. The mind has to be stilled in order to reach the state of complete absorption.
7. Dhyana, Meditation; “as water takes the shape of its container, the mind when it contemplates an object is transformed into the shape of that object. The mind which thinks of the all-pervading divinity which it worships, is ultimately through long-continued devotion transformed into the likeness of that divinity”. Meditation is a very important part of reaching the universal spirit.
8. Samadhi, A state of peace, serenity, equanimity, joy, tranquility, a state of super consciousness brought about by profound meditation, in which the individual becomes one with the object of his/her meditation.
   
   I would like to discuss each stage in the next 8 articles, please feel free to ask any questions, and share your comments or ideas. Your thoughts and comments can make or break this discussion group! If you’re willing to truthfully share your ideas and feelings, we can have very good discussions, and we can learn from each other as a community.

So the discussion topic for this week will be the Yamas; or 5 universal moral commandments are;

1. Non-violence
2. Truth
3. Non-stealing
4. Self-restraint, or celibacy
5. Non-hoarding (another facet of non-stealing).

As the yogi truly and honestly practices the Yamas, he or she establishes themselves deeper and further into their faith in god, because they realize, they do not need to collect material things, they do not need to steal, or lie, they do not need to use violence or be defensive against each other. So Our conscious will always guide us and let us know when we are violating the universal codes of conduct, in other words, "we always know"!

What is your perspective in how practicing these 5 principles will help you in your life? What are your challenges?

Tapas, fire in the belly

Our first discussion topic will be around "the fire in the belly", TAPAS. Tapas is key to practice of hatha yoga or physical yoga.

BKS Iyengar writes; Tapas is derived from the root 'tap' meaning to blaze, burn, shine, suffer pain or consume by heat. it there means "a burning effort under all circumstances to achieve a defenite goal in life. It involves purification, self-discipline, and austerity". The whole science of character building may be regarded as practice of Tapas.

Tapas can apply to every aspect of your life, my goal is to evolve furture into my own spiritual path, and allow my light to shine, inspiring those around me to shine with me! I was very much inspired by the following article written by Scott Rose. I welcome all comments, please keep in mind there are no right or wrong answers, just sharing of the ideas.

Are you ready? by Scott Rose

Are you ready to blaze your own Spiritual Path? Are you ready to step up to the plate and evolve? It’s up to you to claim the consciousness that is rightfully yours. No one else can do it for you.

This is the West; there are no gurus for this. You have to be your own guru - and don’t look at me. I’m just a dude; a blogger and shop-keeper, with a partner, a dog, a cat and a garden. The most I can ever do is share paths with anyone interested and belt my own frequency as best I can.

This is not religion; there are no saviours for this. The old systems that did everything for everyone are crumbling, so you’ll have to save yourself and do the work for yourself. Not I or anyone else can play saviour any more - it won’t work where the Human Race is going.

If you thrive on independence, tolerate nothing less than the truth and are always questioning: you carry a chord of Light inside you. If you are taking action to protect the planet and the life that resides here: you carry a chord of Light inside you. If you are opening up perceptions of reality that exist beyond this one and are flooded with ancient memories of yourself in alternate existences: you carry a chord of Light inside you. You carry a powerful chord of Light inside you that is collectively responsible for a massive shift in consciousness on this planet.

Light exists as information. You experience Light as conscious awareness. You bring Light - information, freedom and choice - to the planet, through your own personal growth and evolution. Know yourself! Know that your journey here is effecting something. Take responsibility and take direction for the path that you are on today.

Are you interested in knowing how to take control of your personal evolution? Are you aware of your own personal energies?
There is nothing wrong in ‘taking control’ of your personal growth and evolution. Look at it this way: if you aren’t in charge of yourself then someone else is!

Your personal energies are the sum total of you. They exist as an electromagnetic frequency and they carry the story of who you are. All your emotions, all your experiences - whether you view them as good or bad - are all broadcasted here. Other people can pick up on those frequencies and become effected by them. How are you effecting other people, and your planet?

You have the power to choose the frequency you wish to broadcast - if you are willing to own it. If not, then you are allowing others the ownership of your frequency. Understand the immense value of your broadcast, because what you broadcast comes back to you as an experience of reality. Can you see what’s been happening on your planet?

Your frequency. Your choice.
You can decide right now that your personal vibration, the essence of who you are, is a priority in your life. Start activating your astral bodies, reclaim your existence in non-physical realities and clear the cobwebs! I don’t know what you’ve been told about ‘new-agey’ stuff, but this is what the REAL New Age is about. So… are you ready?

4 Week Yoga Series Starting in Jan 2009

Friday Jan 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th
10:15 – 11:30 AM
California Yoga Center, 570 Showers Drive Suite 5, Mtn View
$60 for the full series (4 weeks)

The classes run for four consecutive weeks and introduce the students to foundation level yoga poses (with support), principles of movement and alignment, yoga philosophy, relaxation, and breathing techniques.

Each week, we build upon the previous week. The needs of each individual are addressed and respected. This is a beautiful yoga studio, and the class size is intentionally kept small.

Please register by calling or emailing Faranak on or before Dec 30th 408-368-7668 or fparsi@yahoo.com

California Yoga Center is located in the San Antonio Shopping Center (El Camino & San Antonio Road), around the corner from Trader Joe’s, near the back door of Sears.
www.californiayoga.com