08/29/09

Eight arms…that’s it right? Eight arms?

There are eight major parts of the practice of yoga. They are grouped under Ashtanga, The Eight Limbs of Yoga. If you read something and don’t understand what I am talking about, would like clarification, or are panicking because you saw the words “abstinence” or “continence” relax, I will be going into each limb and each yama and niyama to the most minute detail.

The Eights Limbs of Yoga (in Sanskrit and English) are:

-Yama (Abstinence)

-Niyama (Observances)

-Asana (Posture)

-Pranayama (Breath Control)

-Pratyahara (Sense Withdrawal)

-Dharana (Concentration)

-Dhyana (Meditation)

-Samadhi (Contemplation)

Okay, lets all calm down. Yama or Abstinence does not mean not having sex at all, it tells us things we should abstain from or have control over. The Yamas are: ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truthfulness), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (continence) (once again, calm down), and last, but certainly not least aparigraha (non-greed).

Ahimsa, or non-violence, is something that is seen most commonly in the yoga practice. This is the reason many yogis are vegetarian or vegan, because killing animals or treating animals poorly is a violent action and yogis try to do the least amount of harm possible. The Yoga Sutras say that all harm ceases to those who practice non-violence.

Satya, or truthfulness, means being honest in both word and action. Also, we are not abstaining from truthfulness, but from non-truthfulness. This is a very straight forward yama, and The Sutras say that those who are established in truthfulness, actions and their results, become subservient.

Asteya, or non-stealing, refers to not stealing physical possessions or stealing energy or time. Another way we steal is by not allowing others to use something of ours. We are often thieves and do not realize it. The Yoga Sutras explains it like this: we steal from nature all the time, whose air do we breath? Whose water do we drink? This doesn’t mean that we go and starve ourselves or we stop breathing but we take each breath, each drink, each bite of food as a gift and treat it with reverence and be thankful. The Sutras say to those established in non-stealing all wealth comes.

Brahmacharya, or continence, does not mean to not have sex. It means have control over your sexual urges. Don’t just go around sleeping with anyone you meet. The fluids in our bodies are sacred. Share them with those you love, even then try to be controlled. Sex is not the only way to show love and if it is how is a mother to love their son, or a father their daughter? Love comes in many forms. The Sutras say to those established in continence, vigor is gained.

Aparigraha, or non-greed, means not hoarding things for yourself. Aparigraha is also a form of asteya. It can also be translated as “not receiving gifts”. Breathe. It’s going to be okay. Receiving gifts is fine. When a gift is given, the giver should not expect something in return. When a gift is received the receiver should not feel obligated, or bound that they must give a gift in return, or that you must not speak against them because “Oh, they gave me a gift, how could I disagree with them?” Don’t we give people gifts to make them happy? Why expect something in return, when what we are seeking is happiness? Let their joy be their gift to you.

These are the yamas. I hope this has been informative. Probably, your best bet for more info on this would be: The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, translation and commentary by Sri Swami Satchidananda (this is the book I used to write this). Questions are always welcome! Also, please, please, please remember not just the yamas, but all the limbs and parts of the limbs take years, even decades to truly get good at and yes, perfect. The most important part is that you are even trying to practice them. Jai to all!

Jai jai,

The Yoga Monster

Fake what?

About a week or so ago my partner had said to me, "Nick your should teach prenatal yoga." Mind you this came out of nowhere, and I had a good laugh at first, then I had one of those "wait a second.." moments; I realized being a male prenatal yoga teacher may not be such a ridiculous notion after all. However once he made the suggestion of wearing one of those fake bellies so I could be make-believe-pregnant. I drew the line at the fake belly (I say that now).

This leads us to the fun part of the story:

Yesterday afternoon I found myself in the calm nurturing bosom (tee hee) of Mama Yoga at OmFactory Yoga Studio (omfactorynyc.com). OmFactory is tranquil "urban oasis" is midtown Manhattan where classes are offered in: Vinyasa, Acroyoga, Restorative, Forrest Yoga, Prenatal, and soon coming to OmFactory Antigravity Yoga. The prenatal class was actually taught by a sub that day not its usual teacher who I hear is pretty awesome (I'll be, hopefully, observing her next week).

As I observed I noticed that a huge part of the class is really about establishing a safe environment and community so these women can see and share with one another about there experiences throughout their pregnancies. Before class even began the women were talking about the pains in there body, where they were, is this and that normal; really sharing about what they were going though and how they were going through it. The meditation began and the focus of the meditation was how you, your body, and the baby were all feeling. This really helps establish a bond between mother and child during meditation.

Class consisted of lots of sitting poses beginning with what I would call " Pinwheel legs", one leg bent and laterally rotated to the floor, the other leg bent and medially rotated to the floor (that may or may not have made sense I apologize). Then some cat/cows, a little sprinkling of Warrior I and II. Squats that I would like to call Kaliasana, because you squat, bend the elbows to 90, stick your tongue out and "AHHHHHHHH". Then a very supported resting pose with bolsters galore: back, head, legs, arms. Let me tell you, good thing there were only two people in this class cause I don't think there would have been enough bolsters to go around. This all leading to final meditation once again feeling you, your body and your child.

To say the least it was quite fascinating and beautiful, the mamas-to-be seemed so light and airy afterwards. This would be quite an interesting niche to find myself in as a male prenatal yoga instructor with a fake belly (honestly, I can see it happening).

Until next time beautiful people, Om Shanti

The Yoga Monster

Welcome!

Hello all!

Welcome to The Yoga Monster. This is a place where thoughts and ideas are shared about the practice of yoga. The reason I call this The Yoga Monster is because it is a place for people who totally consume there practice night and day and are very into not only the physical practice of asana (posture), but are also interested in yogic philosophy and bringing the many aspects of this peaceful practice into your daily life.

First and foremost I would like to introduce myself, I am Nick. Namaste. I am a yoga teacher I teach a hatha vinyasa style and I am an acroyoga and antigravity yoga enthusiast. I am currently in New York City teaching and volunteering at two yoga studios and a gym. For information about my classes feel free to contact me through your comments and such, and feel free to ask me any questions you would like and I will try to answer them to the best of my ability.

For those reading this some may notice a lot of people tend to not realize how huge the practice of yoga actually is. People tend to find themselves very caught up in the practice of asana, the practice of yoga posture, because it is a great work out and you feel amazing afterwards. Believe me there is nothing wrong with getting caught up in the asana, asana are an amazing way to exercise the body and mind. For me personally I love practicing posture! I could be in downward facing dog all day long, but there are things that come before asana (yama and niyama) and things that follow asana, when the yogi becomes more advanced (one example being pranayama)

Time for me to take a deep uji breath before I go through all Eight Limbs of Yoga. My point here is that there is so much more to the practice of yoga aside from only the physical aspect of asana. Allow the energy of yoga to fully consume you, making your appetite for its awesome effects to be insatiable, always craving and wanting more, constantly looking to get deeper into your practice. Let your inner Yoga Monster loose and run rampant through the streets! Well...run mindfully through the streets.

Also, just to get the word out there this Saturday, August 22nd I am organizing an event at one of the yoga studios I teach at in Forest Hills (that's Queens). The event is called One Thousand Bows for Peace. Yup, exactly what it sounds like, we will be doing 1,000 Yogic Sincerity Bows all dedicated to peace. There is no money of any kind involved, all we ask for is your presence. If you would like you can bring a prayer or a pillar candle (please no tapers or tea lights) to place on our alter to burn during our thousand bows. For address, directions and phone number info try bamboomovesnyc.com

Om shanti.

The Yoga Monster