Ātmasaṃyama yoga – Inner Blossoming
Ātmasaṃyama yoga is the art of restraining the body/mind/senses in order to attain union with our true nature. Here I share how this practice, which is the focus of our classes for the month, can help you go beyond the illusions that surround us so we can reconnect with our soul self.
The journey into winter..
As we approach the winter solstice, a time when the days grow shorter and the nights stretch longer, we find ourselves transitioning from the vibrant expressions of summer to a season of introspection and renewal.
Whilst summer invites us to bask in the warmth of self assurance, where our individuality shines brightly in the sun’s glow, winter beckons us to slow down, to turn inward, and to reconnect with the deeper essence of our being.
In this quiet and reflective time, we have the unique opportunity to plug into the true source of our power and confidence, the soul self. Here, amidst the stillness, we can cultivate a profound understanding of who we are, embracing the wisdom that comes from within as we prepare for the rebirth of the light.
“To remain in the small self is to only bear witness to suffering and so we create space in our housings of the great Self via the tools of yoga…”
Takes us to a place of renewal…
Through our life’s conditionings, consciousness becomes invisible to us so therefore, the practice of atma samyama yoga is to dust away the impurities or pull away the veil between us and our true nature – our home.
To remain in the small self is to only bear witness to suffering and so we create space in our housings of the great Self via the tools of yoga. Through asana and pranayama, and stretching our perception via meditation we come into contact with atma vimarsha, the confidence that arises from our true essence and from our trust in the Supreme Power within.
This is why we ‘yoga’ not to perfect the art of handstands or splits, not to be part of the latest trend, but to cultivate a divine discipline to consistently move past the maya (illusion) of the self via the senses, and uncover the true glory within.
And true understanding
The power of discrimination known as drithi (discrimination) comes with atma samyama, the discipline of training the buddhi (the intellect) via spiritual practice. Gradually this repetition ceases sense desire and the labels that we place upon things, this is known as pratyahara instead all is seen as acts of universal energy/god pointing us in the direction of home and remembrance of the impermanence of the world and the housings that we currently inhabit and the eternity of our relationship to source/god/universe.
Here is a little musing for you:
Is consciousness centered in the body or is the body centered in consciousness. Am I contained in the universe or is the universe contained with me?
Pose of the month
Pose – Hasta Padasana: Hand to Foot Pose
Pronounced – Hasta Paah daah sana
Type – Squatting Forward Fold
Sanskrit – हस्तपदासन
In the category of forward folds this pose requires closing down, tuning in but also to sustain balance throughout
Don’t worry!!
In Jivamukti the class is structured so that the body is prepared; stretched, strengthened and opened by visiting the requisite shape and effort in preparatory postures so that our destination posture each month begins to feel more and more accessible over the 4/5 weeks of practice.
Book your first discounted class now! Use the code AUM
Mantra of the month
The Katha Upanishad 2.3.12
नैव वाचा न मनसा प्राप्तुं शक्यो न चक्षुषा ।
अस्तीति ब्रुवतोऽन्यत्र कथं तदुपलभ्यते ॥ १२॥
naiva vācā na manasā
prāptuṃ śakyo na cakśuṣā
astīti bruvato’nyatra
kathaṃ tadupalabhyate
First, accept that the Self exists, and accept that it can be known.
Then it’s real nature is open to experience
