As the Beaming Diidhiti series is coming to an end (click here if you are new to the series and wanna read more about it first!) – I would like to thank Tara and Faern for all the work that was put into the series to make it enjoyable for you readers. Underneath this post I will include all the links of the various posts we have all written so if you have some time, go read it!
Beaming Diidhiti has given me a lot of reason to explore the word “inspiration” this month and what I take on, or off my yoga mat. I discussed how my bingeing got me to yoga (click here to read that post) and how drishti has lead me to chose a more positive life (click here to read that post). But I gotta admit there is one theme that I carry with me on AND off the mat. And that is the phrase “sthira sukham asanam”. This sankrit phrase comes from Patanjali’s Yoga-Sutra (sutra 2.46 to be exact); the first known text introducing yoga to civilization. And it is loosely defined as to practice with ease.
On my yoga mat, this sutra inspires me to not take my practice so seriously. As I go through my postures, I want to attain alignment, strength and flexibility. But I do not want to hurt myself. As a fellow yoga blogger, Jen at Yoga Life Way, reminds us – yoga is supposed to be FUN! (I even have a vid blog about it here). Yoga is a place to be ourselves; exactly the way we are. And well, I tend to laugh, a lot. Even in highly inappropriate situations. So why should it be any different on the mat? When I fall from bakasana, I laugh. When I quiver in warrior II, I giggle. I chose to be on the mat, I want to be here, so why make the practice a struggle? When I enter a posture I may not find comfort in, I tend to tense up. That is when I bring in this sutra to relax. Ease up. Let it go. Let the tension melt and explore what my body does. Curiosity did not kill the yoga cat.
Off the mat, this sutra does more than just remind me to go with the flow and let things to. It also reminds me to live life lightly. Now this could mean several things – to have more fun, to not take offense, to let things slide. The versatility of this sutra is just amazing isn’t it? But more specifically, sthira sukham asanam is all about ease. Stress less. Worry less. When my mind wants to quickly react to a comment, I slowly breathe in sthira sukkham and out asanammmm. Living a life of reactivity is energy consuming and most of the time, hurtful. It is not my job to correct other’s opinions. It is my job to not allow others to affect me.
Thank you for joining me in this journey of inspiration.We had fun creating this event for you and I hope you feel the same way =)
If you would like to read Tara’s post on my blog – click here
Faern’s post on my blog here.
Namaste.
April 26th, 2011 at 5:08 pm
I love how you explained how it inspires you to "live life lightly." I think this is so true and such a beautiful way to phrase it!
April 26th, 2011 at 5:58 pm
this is exactly what i needed to read today. thanks
those photos of you are super adorable, by the way!
April 27th, 2011 at 2:50 am
i love the playfulness of your photos and I like the new comment thingy.
April 27th, 2011 at 3:12 am
I used your comment widget idea. you rock!!