In the yogic teachings, our human experience consists of five koshas. Kosha is a Sanskrit word meaning sheath or layer. From this particular teaching, we are able to examine our experience in five different ways, to get to know ourselves, our bodies, our minds, and our experience in a deeper way. This month we'll be focusing on purifying the five layers of our being, and developing deeper insight into the forces that contribute to our overall health, clarity, and well-being. The Koshas are:
*Annamaya Kosha~(anna means food) this kosha refers to the gross physical body composed of the five elements
*Pranamaya Kosha~(prana means vital energy) and refers to our psycho-physical being on an energetic or electrical level
*Manomaya Kosha~(manas means mind) and refers to the level of our being that is conscious thought, involving reason and logic
*Jnanamaya Kosha~(jnana means intelligence) and refers to our ability to discern truth from untruth, and comprehend the subtle knowledge of experience
*Anandamaya Kosha~(ananda means bliss) and refers to the part of our being that experience divine love and ecstatic joy
This month, as we explore the various layers of our experience we can focus on purifying on all levels to cultivate a human experience that is based on true love, wisdom, and peace. As Sybil puts it, "It is the softening and inter-webbing of all 5 koshas that allows us to know the truth, the intuition of each of us, the heart of each of us (the mana, prana and the anna of each of us) to know what is conditioned in ego and what is unconditioned and pure. It is the way of the heart, belly and root softening, and communicating so that truth rises up so strong and clear, without doubt or second guessing."
So, we'll practice purifying Annamaya Kosha with healthy food and drink, purifying Pranamaya Kosha with breathing and focusing our energy on what is wholesome, purifying Manomaya Kosha by examining our mind and its destructive habits and patterns, purifying Jnanamaya Kosha by seeking to know what is true and pure, and purify Anandamaya Kosha by celebrating life through devotion, joy, and service to others.
When all Koshas have aligned and exist in pure harmony Self-Realization results. Then, we are liberated from torment, and the doors of love, clarity, and truth are opened.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
An Inspiring Story
One of our recent Flow90X contest winners shared her story with us - this is a summary of her words:
"I really was dead set against ever doing or enjoying yoga. It just didnt seem like it was for me. In April of last year I suffered a major and debilitating spinal injury during a skiing accident. I was left severely incapacitated and faced months or even years of recovery. During my initial long months of recovery, I suffered from a syndrome which damaged my nerves and left me virtually paralyzed. Working with a physical therapist, I gradually regained some of my mobility, but was told my recovery was now at a plateau.
Due to the repeated encouragement of my therapist, I reluctantly tried yoga. At first, I was frustrated by my yoga experience. I felt like my body was not moving the way it should, and I had to modify the poses a ton to accomodate my injury. Due to sheer desperation, I persisted. Inspired by the Flow 90X Contest in January, I decided to just come as often as I could and see what would unfold. Amazingly, slowly, but surely, within a few months time, I have regained so much more mobility and function in my physical body.
But this was not all... I experienced something else. I experienced myself completely, without judgment. I realized presence, the true depth of breath, and discovered the mindbody connection people talk about. By following my intuition and listening to the wisdom of my heart, I became Yoga. The yoga practice I could have never seen myself doing or being, became an integral part of my life. I now practice yoga frequently at Flow and attribute the recovery of my body and the blossoming of my heart to yoga."
"I really was dead set against ever doing or enjoying yoga. It just didnt seem like it was for me. In April of last year I suffered a major and debilitating spinal injury during a skiing accident. I was left severely incapacitated and faced months or even years of recovery. During my initial long months of recovery, I suffered from a syndrome which damaged my nerves and left me virtually paralyzed. Working with a physical therapist, I gradually regained some of my mobility, but was told my recovery was now at a plateau.
Due to the repeated encouragement of my therapist, I reluctantly tried yoga. At first, I was frustrated by my yoga experience. I felt like my body was not moving the way it should, and I had to modify the poses a ton to accomodate my injury. Due to sheer desperation, I persisted. Inspired by the Flow 90X Contest in January, I decided to just come as often as I could and see what would unfold. Amazingly, slowly, but surely, within a few months time, I have regained so much more mobility and function in my physical body.
But this was not all... I experienced something else. I experienced myself completely, without judgment. I realized presence, the true depth of breath, and discovered the mindbody connection people talk about. By following my intuition and listening to the wisdom of my heart, I became Yoga. The yoga practice I could have never seen myself doing or being, became an integral part of my life. I now practice yoga frequently at Flow and attribute the recovery of my body and the blossoming of my heart to yoga."
Spring - Healing & Renewal
Spring is Here - the Way of the Healer. Indigenous and tribal peoples of each continent have differing perspectives, but there are also many commonalities - we are exploring them seasonally this year at Flow.
Spring is a time for paying attention to what has heart and meaning. As archetypal healers, we extend our arms in love to acknowledge, accept, recognize, and express gratitude to others. Healers recognize that the greatest remorse is love unexpressed. We are Here to be Love, to express Love. Expressing love in all ways is living life whole-heartedly.
To be whole-hearted, like the four chambers of the heart, we sustain emotional and spiritual health by living full, open, clear and strong.
* We live life fully by saying "Yes" to life as it is now.
* We are open by allowing ourselves to see where we protect or defend and, in allowing ourselves to be open to courage where we feel most vulnerable, create incredible compassion.
* We are clear when we take time to deeply consider and, when we are doubting or ambivalent, be patient and allow the fruit to ripen before taking action or making decisions.
* We are strong in our hearts when we live courageously. The root of the word courage is coeur and one meaning is "the ability to stand by one's heart or to stand by one's core." To move through life authentically, paying attention to what is real and true and present.
Spring is a time for storytelling, singing, dancing and silence. Lying meditation with our hands at our heart and asanas that are rooted in "4-legs" are both practices that support healing and whole-heartedness.
I know the time has come
For me to walk through the door
To take a look at this critic within,
Who only wants me to listen
To what needs to be heard,
So I then can heal
and bring that part of me
back to me.
When I awake in the morning,
It is either the very next day
after many, many days
Or it is the very first day.
Today, it is the very first day
Of what exists now.
~Twainhart Hill
Many thanks to the book the Four-Fold Way for inspiring our seasonal archetypal themes and much of the content here.
Spring is a time for paying attention to what has heart and meaning. As archetypal healers, we extend our arms in love to acknowledge, accept, recognize, and express gratitude to others. Healers recognize that the greatest remorse is love unexpressed. We are Here to be Love, to express Love. Expressing love in all ways is living life whole-heartedly.
To be whole-hearted, like the four chambers of the heart, we sustain emotional and spiritual health by living full, open, clear and strong.
* We live life fully by saying "Yes" to life as it is now.
* We are open by allowing ourselves to see where we protect or defend and, in allowing ourselves to be open to courage where we feel most vulnerable, create incredible compassion.
* We are clear when we take time to deeply consider and, when we are doubting or ambivalent, be patient and allow the fruit to ripen before taking action or making decisions.
* We are strong in our hearts when we live courageously. The root of the word courage is coeur and one meaning is "the ability to stand by one's heart or to stand by one's core." To move through life authentically, paying attention to what is real and true and present.
Spring is a time for storytelling, singing, dancing and silence. Lying meditation with our hands at our heart and asanas that are rooted in "4-legs" are both practices that support healing and whole-heartedness.
I know the time has come
For me to walk through the door
To take a look at this critic within,
Who only wants me to listen
To what needs to be heard,
So I then can heal
and bring that part of me
back to me.
When I awake in the morning,
It is either the very next day
after many, many days
Or it is the very first day.
Today, it is the very first day
Of what exists now.
~Twainhart Hill
Many thanks to the book the Four-Fold Way for inspiring our seasonal archetypal themes and much of the content here.
Winter - The Way of the Warrior
This year, your Flow instructors decided to explore the four seasons from the ways of the ancient healers, visionaries, and healers as four of our monthly themes. This month, we explore winter.
Winter is the way of the warrior. The highest nature of the inner warrior is quite different than inner turmoil outwardly expressed as warring or fighting. To guide in developing our inner warrior, we choose to show up and be present. To show up with honor, respect and courage. The Latin word respicere means "the willingness to look again."
Mastering others is strength;
Mastering yourself is true power.
When you are content to be
simply yourself and dont compare
or compete, everyone will respect you.
~Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
We convince by our presence.
~Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass
A physical practice for winter's warrior energy is standing in any position (yoga or similar postures are widely recognized for their rebalancing energetic warrior power) with various hand positions, including the deeply powerful position of one hand on the heart (4th chakra) and one hand on solar plexus (3rd chakra). Eyes are fixed softly on a distant point just below your heart level. Here we are anchored in the energy of empowerment and heart. Similar standing meditation practices are found in Oriental, Asian, Tibetan and shamanistic traditions.
Ancient societies drew pictures of trees and tree people to symbolize our biological need to be connected to nature. Another physical practice for the teachings of the warrior, is tree pose. A warrior's way is to be rooted, stable, yet flexible and bending in the wind. Our roots are associated with the honoring of our past. Our trunk the present life force and creative spirit. Branches symbolize our flowering or growing.
Enjoy exploring your inner warrior this month - winter warrior words: north, air, winds, winged creatures, tree people, power, presence, communication, position, standing, right action, show up, and dancing.
Winter is the way of the warrior. The highest nature of the inner warrior is quite different than inner turmoil outwardly expressed as warring or fighting. To guide in developing our inner warrior, we choose to show up and be present. To show up with honor, respect and courage. The Latin word respicere means "the willingness to look again."
Mastering others is strength;
Mastering yourself is true power.
When you are content to be
simply yourself and dont compare
or compete, everyone will respect you.
~Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching
We convince by our presence.
~Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass
A physical practice for winter's warrior energy is standing in any position (yoga or similar postures are widely recognized for their rebalancing energetic warrior power) with various hand positions, including the deeply powerful position of one hand on the heart (4th chakra) and one hand on solar plexus (3rd chakra). Eyes are fixed softly on a distant point just below your heart level. Here we are anchored in the energy of empowerment and heart. Similar standing meditation practices are found in Oriental, Asian, Tibetan and shamanistic traditions.
Ancient societies drew pictures of trees and tree people to symbolize our biological need to be connected to nature. Another physical practice for the teachings of the warrior, is tree pose. A warrior's way is to be rooted, stable, yet flexible and bending in the wind. Our roots are associated with the honoring of our past. Our trunk the present life force and creative spirit. Branches symbolize our flowering or growing.
Enjoy exploring your inner warrior this month - winter warrior words: north, air, winds, winged creatures, tree people, power, presence, communication, position, standing, right action, show up, and dancing.
Love-Union
Love - Union
One of the things that I have have found to be so deeply true is that whether we are speaking of romantic love or unconditional spiritual love, what we are really talking about is the willingness and courage to be unconditionally open, fiercely vulnerable, and radically tender with ourselves and others. The great master Chogyam Trungpa spoke extensively of the 'shaky tenderness' that underlies our whole life situation, and the way to direct our lives toward that tenderness with fearlessness and confidence. In holding ourselves with utmost vulnerability and openness, we discover that we have the capacity to be Love itself. We discover our capacity to be 100% available to ourselves, others, and life.
Love often sounds so sweet, so mushy...but, if we look into the depths of unconditional love we call on our warrior-ship as a way to live our lives totally uninhibited, open, and free. Our willingness to love includes our willingness to hurt, and if we allow ourselves to find the great courage to not turn away from fear or hurt, we manifest within ourselves the capacity to be buddhas and to approach life from a standpoint of radical, fierce love.
One of the things that I have have found to be so deeply true is that whether we are speaking of romantic love or unconditional spiritual love, what we are really talking about is the willingness and courage to be unconditionally open, fiercely vulnerable, and radically tender with ourselves and others. The great master Chogyam Trungpa spoke extensively of the 'shaky tenderness' that underlies our whole life situation, and the way to direct our lives toward that tenderness with fearlessness and confidence. In holding ourselves with utmost vulnerability and openness, we discover that we have the capacity to be Love itself. We discover our capacity to be 100% available to ourselves, others, and life.
Love often sounds so sweet, so mushy...but, if we look into the depths of unconditional love we call on our warrior-ship as a way to live our lives totally uninhibited, open, and free. Our willingness to love includes our willingness to hurt, and if we allow ourselves to find the great courage to not turn away from fear or hurt, we manifest within ourselves the capacity to be buddhas and to approach life from a standpoint of radical, fierce love.
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