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The Philosophy of Yoga
At Susquehanna Yoga, we believe that
understanding and studying the ancient philosophy behind the practice of
Yoga helps our students get the most benefit out of their class time. For
this reason, we include the ‘Philosophy of Yoga’ Lessons in
sequential order in our newsletter. All lessons are also
archived for reference and are
available on this page.
Yoga is prescriptive - IF you do this, then that will happen. Yoga teachers sometimes describe to their students how certain poses should
feel, or what happens to their body in a particular posture. But students
must learn to listen to their own body and find their own way.
Classic Yoga instruction takes out the descriptive and is solely
prescriptive, and is therefore the most direct route to the center.
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The Philosophy of Yoga (Yoga
Sutra 1.29 & 1.30)
1.29 - tatah pratyakcetana adhigamah api antaraya abhavah ca
Obstacles along the journey toward the Inner Self are
dissipated through the repetition of aum and meditation on God.
Repeating aum with awareness and understanding of its power leads the
practitioner to the True Self. The True Self is that part that is
akin with the Supreme One. This realization of our connection with the
Supreme One is Self-Realization. And any impediments along this
journey to Self-Realization are washed away through this
repetition of aum like the ocean slowly washes away the
shoreline.
When Self-Realization is obtained, you, the observer cleave to the observed
and become one in the same. The True Self is revealed with no
distractions, no hindrance and rises like a new sun on a new day.
1.30 - vyadhi styana samsaya pramada alasya avirati bhrantidarsana
alabdhabhumikatva anavasthitatvani cittaviksepah te antarayah
Such impediments are disease, inertia, doubt, heedlessness, laziness,
indiscipline of the senses, erroneous views, lack of perseverance and
backsliding.
The sutras reveal the nine obstacles the aspirant faces
on his way to the True Self and ultimately Self-Realization.
These obstacles can hinder his progress and his focus.
The nine obstacles are grouped into three main categories:
Physical, mental, intellectual and spiritual.
Disease and lack of interest or sluggishness are manifestation of the
body’s consciousness that is indirect opposition to the consciousness of the
Supreme One and the True Self. These impediments are in the physical
category.
Lingering doubt, pride or carelessness, idleness and sense
gratification are grouped under the mental category and derive
from ego. The ego is the seed of the physical body just as our thoughts are
the seeds of our words and actions.
Living in a world of delusion is a result of human logic. This is
found in the category of intellect. The intellect wants desperately
to make logical the illogical. Human logic can never understand Supreme
Logic. The by-product is only illusion.
Lack of perseverance and the inability to maintain progress due to
pride or stagnation are spiritual obstacles. These
obstacles relate to the desire, or lack there of, to be with harmony with
the Supreme One. These obstacles relate to our ultimate shortcomings when
compared to the Supreme One.
All thought the journey to Self-Realization is beset with many challenges.
The sutras reveal tools to combat them and reach the union that is
yoga.
Paraphrased from:
Light on the Yoga Sutras of Pantanjali
B.K.S Iyengar |
Philosophy of Yoga Archives:
Invocation Chant
Yoga Sutra 1.13
Yoga Sutra 1.15
Yoga Sutra 1.16
Yoga Sutra 1.17
Yoga Sutra 1.18
Yoga Sutra 1.19
Yoga Sutra 1.21 & 1.22
Yoga Sutra 1.23 - 1.26
Yoga Sutra 1.27
Yoga Sutra 1.28
Yoga Sutra 1.29 & 1.30
Yoga Sutra 1.31
Yoga Sutra 1.33
Yoga Sutra 1.35 & 1.36
Yoga Sutra 1.37
Yoga Sutra 1.39
Yoga Sutra 1.40
Yoga Sutra 1.41 & 1.42
Yoga Sutra 1.43
Yoga Sutra 1.44
Yoga Sutra 1.45
Yoga Sutra 1.46
Current Yoga Sutra
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