Sutra 1.12

I have been thinking of what to blog about next.  I have a feeling I may have covered this already,  but let's do this one again.

Abyasa is practice.  Viragya is nonattachment.  Vrtti are the fluctuations of the mind, Citta. 

Now that we know this here is a sutra:

Sutra 1.12 abhyasa-vairagyabhyam tan-nirodhah
-The vrtti states of mind are still by practice and dispassion.
(Edwin F. Bryant-his translation of the Yoga Sutras)

What does this mean to you? It means you are in control of what you think, say, and do.  If you decide that today you will practice at home. While moving towards your mat, you look around and think, "Oh!  That needs to cleaner, better, newer," or even,"Oh! I could really go for some cookies instead of practice." These are the vrttis. This is the mind not knowing what it wants.  Swimming between two decisions.


I will tell you I also struggle with those decisions. Over the last couple years the decision has gotten easier.  I know now how I feel after I practice.  After a long practice and after all my inversions, I am always amazed at the state of my mind. It becomes calm, I become clear, not even thinking of what I needed to do before.  All of those little pieces of paper that float around in my life haunting me in every direction seem to disappear.    Decisions come so easily after practice.  Especially after a practice where I had no expectations. 

Need a little calming of your own vrttis?  Here is a sequence you can do to help.  Be sure to stay in each pose for about 5-7 breaths. 

Adho Mukha Virasana
Adho Mukha Svanasana
Uttanasana
Tadasana
Trikonasana-Vira I-Vira II-Parsvakonasana-Ardha Chandrasana (do these in a Vinyasa)
Prasarita padottanasana
Adho Mukha Vrksasana
PinchaMyurasana
Sirsasana
Salamba Sarvangasana
Halasana
Vipariti Karani
Savasana

After you get done,  notice the feeling of resistance has disappeared.....it is truly magical:-)