“Cut to the Chase”; “Make a long-story short”; “BFF”; “BTW”
We love the short version of things. We create complexity and then shake our heads and simplify to understand the complexity.
In our 200hr Teacher Training Program (which is for any student who wants to deepen his/her understanding of yoga-not just for those who can do wheel pose!), we have a homework assignment that sums up the Yoga Sutras. I love this niffy, short intepretation. I have selected one of them and it is posted below! Enjoy!
1. Explain the meaning and significance of the first two sutras in Pada I.
The first two sutras in Pada 1 explain the meaning of yoga. Depending upon the translation you’re reading, Sutra 1.1, which reads “Atha Yoga Anusasanam” (translated as “Now is the experience of yoga”), is most commonly regarded either as the definition of yoga or as the definition of the sutras themselves. Sutra 1.2, which reads “Yogas Citta Vritti Nirodaha” (translated as “Yoga is the cessation of vritti from the citta”), completes the definition of yoga. Thus, taken together, these two sutras state that to experience yoga (“union”, “completeness”), one must be present “in the now” and that his/her mind must be free of mental fluctuations, or vritti.
2. What are abhysa and vairagya? How do they apply to yoga practice?
Abhysa is practice and vairagya is detachment from the cause of mental modifications. Practice (in the verb form) and detachment apply to yoga practice (in the noun form) in that consistent application of both yields a deeper, more meaningful yogic experience.
3. What are the three components of yoga in practice?
The three components of yoga in practice are 1. accepting pain as help for purification, 2. study of spiritual books, and 3. surrender to the Supreme Being.
4. List and define the five kleshas (afflictions).
The five obstacles are: 1. ignorance: recognizing the non-Self as the Self (ignorance of your true Self and the value of Spirituality), 2. egoism: the reflection of the true Self on the mind (egoism and its self-centeredness), 3. attachment: that which follows identification with pleasurable experiences (attachment to pleasure), 4. hatred: what follows identification with painful experiences (Aversion to pain), and 5. clinging to bodily life (clinging to life out of fear of death).
5. What is Avidya?
Avidya is the collection of dramas and ignorant belief patterns that we cling to. Our Kundalini (or coil of energy that holds the Shakti in our bodies) is tightened by our Avidya. Our avidya can eventually strangle us if we let it.
6. List the 8 limbs of Pantanjali’s Ashtanga yoga in Sanskrit with their common English translations.
The 8 limbs of Yoga are: 1. yamas – the codes of self regulation or restraints, 2. niyamas – observances or practices of self training, 3. asana – postures, 4. pranayama – expansion of the breath and prana, 5. pratyahara – withdrawal of the senses, 6. dharana – focused concentration, 7. dhyana – effortless concentration, and 8. Samadhi – complete union or freedom.
7. Define the 10 yamas and niyamas in Sanskrit with their common English translations.
The 5 yamas are: 1. ahimsa – nonviolence, 2. satya – truthfulness, 3. asteya – nonstealing, 4. brahmacharya – celibacy, 5. aparigraha – noncovetousness. The 5 niyamas are: 1. saucha – purity, 2. samtosha – contentment, 3. tapas – austerity, 4. svadhyaya – study of classic texts, 5. ishvara-Pranidhana – surrender to God.(Supreme Consiousness)
8. How many times is the word “asana” mentioned in the Sutras?
Asana is only mentioned 2 times in the Sutras.
9. What are the 4 padas? What do they mean?
The 4 padas are the 4 chapters of Pantanjali’s Sutras: I: Samadhi, II: Sadhana, III: Vibhuti, and IV: Kaivalya. Samadhi Pada states that Samadhi is found in the full experience of the now and that what prevents us from being in the now is vritti. Sadhana Pada defines the methods for stilling the vritti, which will enable the individual to attain Samadhi. Sadhana Pada introduces the 8 limbs of yoga. Vibhuti Pada describes the process for Samyama, or how to bring Samadhi into living. Kaivalya Pada explains how the negatives tendencies that block us from carrying out our dharma are dissolved, namely by obtaining Samadhi and practicing Samyama.
10. What is the meaning of the word Sutra?
The word sutra is generally translated to mean “thread”.
11. Sutra 11.44: How does this sutra apply to you in your own practice and evolution?
For me, my ultimate goal is to evolve to a place of self-realization and self-acceptance, which I believe will open enable me to come to universal realization or union with all things. Thus, I believe that through self-realization, which can only be achieved through consistent practice, I can come to the place of union of all things or yoga.
12. Which sutra resonates most strongly with you? Why?
Sutra II:42, “By contentment, supreme joy is gained”, really resonates with me. This is because of my personal tendencies toward perfectionism, which I feel can be a true hindrance to me a lot of the time. Also, one of the most important things to me in life is experiencing joy and joyfulness. Therefore, Sutra II: 42 is a reminder to me that in order to experience supreme joy – the joy of all joys – I mustn’t allow my mind to get caught up in the minutia of perfectionism.
