Yoga Reminder: Lightened Reflections

Discipline and wisdom in practice determine the quality of the disciple and his progress in yoga,

it is conventional to separate the message of the Bhagavad Gita into three yoga paths: action, devotion, and wisdom. But all these three paths are there in the Yogasutra. It is just the emphasis on certain practices, depending on the stage of the practitioner, that is different.

Balance and clarity are a state of mind; they do not arise from the objects we come in contact with. They arise because of our minds’ response to such contact.

Without progressive steps in deepening mental focus, there is no vinyasa at the mental level in asana practice. Since yoga is itself about bringing the mind to stillness, vinyasa necessarily implies orderly steps toward a steady mind.

While persistence is a virtue, blind adherence is risky.

Devotion also requires our effort; we must nurture it, embody it, envision it, and embrace it. No

For asanas to be a powerful agent of transformation, we must do them not purely from the force of habit but with a stream of awareness.

From steadiness arises the possibility of holding to positivity. A scattered mind cannot stay focused on a positive goal.

The point underlying the anjali mudra in all contexts is developing the sense of humility and reducing the ego.