Lesson Two From The Mat to Our Lives: Letting Go

   

       Aparigraha or non-grasping is one of the five Yamas, which are part of the eight limb path of yoga.  Aparigraha teaches us not to take more than what we need and not to hold onto things.  It teaches us our attachments and grasping on to things in our lives is a great generator of our own suffering.
     We become so attached to sensations, to people, to objects, and to outcomes when we lose or don't attain these things we react negatively.  These negative reactions we have then cause us to suffer.  In yoga we learn and practice how to let go, how to not grasp, and how to not take more than we need.
      Letting go our of desire for control, our desire for material possessions we don't need, and letting go of relationships that don't serve us.  Letting go our our judgements, fears, anger, blame, expectations and so much more.  It is truly amazing what happens when bring the practice of Aparigraha into our lives and let go.
     One of the things I have been working on letting go of is my need to feel in control and plan my future.  I am practicing living in the present moment and trying to do my best right now.  I don't have to worry about the future because what I am doing now will lead me down the right path to where I am suppose to be.
     What have you let go of and how has it made a difference in your life?

Perfectionism and Yoga

Perfection in an asana is achieved when the effort to perform it becomes effortless and the infinite being within is reached. - Yoga Sutras

     Often we come to yoga with a destination or goal in mind.  We want to achieve or master a certain posture or postures.  We think that if we can get into an inversion or finally bind in another we will be doing yoga.  We become so attached to the final expression of the pose we miss the essence of yoga.  The goal of asana is not to push or stretch or bend our bodies into a position.  The asana practice is done to teach us to be present, to practice non judgement, and learn contentment.  

     If we become so attached to the final expression of a posture we are not being present.  We are often pushing our selves too hard.  So how do we find a balance?  We must let go of our attachments, we must be present in the postures, and we must learn to accept where we are in that moment.  Each day we come to our mats we are a little different than the day before.  Maybe our balance is better or worse than the previous day or maybe we are more stiff or more flexible.  We have to learn to trust we are exactly were we are meant to be.   knowing that with consistent practice we will grow and transform without being attached to any outcomes.  This is the practice of yoga.