"Do or do not. There is no try." Yoda said it best in Star Wars. If we want to manifest the life of our dreams, it isn’t enough to visualize and plan. You must act. You must do. There is power in movement and this week’s classes are designed to assist your launch into action and your manifestation of change.
Our thoughts and emotions hold great power. Yoga and meditation help us quiet our mind and tune in to our inner desires––what will bring us true contentment or Santosha. But identifying and visualizing the life we want is only the beginning. You are what you do. Each action we take creates a new pattern inside and out. It is vital to practice with purpose and follow up your intentions with action.
“Do your Practice and All is Coming”- Sri K Pattabhi Jois.
Yoga is a practical discipline, and the Yoga Sutras are a roadmap to manifesting self-realization or yoga. These principles are applicable to all life and not just the yogic path. Abhyasa and Vairagya are two core principles discussed in Yoga Sutra 1:12 to 1:16. For purposes of this discussion, we’ll focus on Abhyasa, which is defined as effort or practice.
Abhyasa means that you can’t contemplate yoga to garner its benefits. To progress in your body, mind, and heart, doing asana, pranayama, and meditation is the key. Patanjali advised three principles for abhyasa: practicing for a longer time, practicing without interruption, and committing to the practice. Putting in the effort matters most. In other words, action creates the seeds for growth.
Often in yoga class, teachers will instruct you to release distractions and settle into sensation and breath. We store emotions in our tissues, so movement helps to release those negative ones that could be holding us down. In this manner, we can also release our often-repetitive thought patterns. When we’ve created more space to focus on that which we wish to manifest through action, we are manifesting positive growth.
Your guides this week will inspire you to action with different styles and practices to encourage your growth. Have fun and take action this week!
Turn Feelings into Action with Christen Bakken
Hand to Toe Flow with Kylie Larson
Robert Sidoti - Yoga for Men 2: Welcome Back
Jack Cuneo - Align & Flow: Take Action