and the rest will follow …
I have always loved this song by En Vogue (yes, I am dating
myself). Super-catchy melody accompanied
by a snappy beat. I am attracted to
songs based on melody and beat; definitely not a fan of slow sappy songs. I don’t really pay attention to lyrics though. Many a time have I sung along to songs on the
radio, without even realising what words I am singing, let alone their meaning.
But somehow, these 3 words from the En Vogue resonate with
me … Free your mind.
There are 8 limbs of yoga.
The first 2 limbs advise on the moral codes we should follow in interacting
with others and personal duties towards ourselves (yamas, niyamas). The other ‘lower’ limbs deal with the body
(asana, pranayama). These prepare us for
the ‘higher’ limbs which deal with the mind (pratyahara - sense withdrawal, dharana
- concentration, dhyana - meditative absorption) and ultimately lead to Samadhi
(enlightenment).
In today’s modern context of yoga, there are classes for
Asana, Pranayama and Meditation, each with different styles and
techniques. I have my regular Ashtanga
(asana) practice and I try to do some Pranayama first. I find that it helps deepen and lengthen my
breath in preparation for my Ashtanga practice.
Meditation? Nah, but not that I haven’t tried. If you put me in a seated position first
thing in the morning with no movement involved …. I will fall asleep and it
doesn’t matter how much sleep I have had the night before. My gift of being able to sleep anywhere anytime
is a curse when it comes to developing a meditation practice 😀
Different forms of meditation have different methods. Some will focus on a thought/concept, a deity
or repetition of a mantra. Some get the
mind to concentration on breath control or observance of the breath. Some will instruct not focussing on anything
at all but to watch the thoughts that come into your head. Not holding on to any but just acknowledging
it and letting it go. The Ashtanga yoga
practice has been described as ‘Meditation in motion’. Students are instructed to focus on observing
and controlling the breath, keeping it steady in length, depth and rhythm
whilst syncing it to specific movements.
Drishti (specific gazing points in each asanas) also help to focus the
mind. I have to admit that I may start
off doing that but in the end, my mind wanders off. Yes, bad Ashtangi. But I can’t help it.
My time on my mat each morning is my personal
time. Breathing and moving through
asanas which are automatic to me now is a chance for me to mentally
let go. It is amazing what thoughts come
into my head and even more astonishing, the conclusions and ‘A-ha’ moments that
pop out of nowhere. Many a day have I
stepped onto my mind worrying about something or pondering a problem and during
my practice, the solution just comes to me, clearly and logically. I have even generated mental To-De lists;
things that I have needed to do for weeks but have forgotten. Strangely (or not), it is sometimes hard to
hold on to these thoughts. The To-Do
list is usually forgotten by the time I am done with practice. I am guilty of stopping (just a few times) to
write them down . The
solutions or possible options to more complex issues/problems though, tend to
stick and get reinforced in my head. Sometimes
they even get sorted out in point-form which I love. Call it an occupational leftover from my
previous life as a management consultant.
It never ceases to amaze me what passes through my mind during the time
I am on my mat.
There are days when I manage
to keep my mind on controlling my breath and observing the sensations passing
through my body. Inevitably though, my
mind will go off at some point. If
Guruji heard this, he would probably go ‘Bad lady. Incorrect method’. But instinctively I feel that sometimes not
controlling your mind is enlightening; a form of release and freedom from all
restraint. I feel mentally lighter; no
worries or concerns, even if it's just for a while before coming back to reality.
So, try it … click on this link ... come on😉
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