The Journey of Yoga From rustic forest hermitages to downtown Yoga Studios
In some of the early texts, the yogis that are mentioned are not necessarily the clean-living, health-conscious and physically toned practitioners we would recognize by that word today. The holy itinerants who practised yoga, generally known as sadhus, seem to have been raggle-taggle gypsies who wandered the earth freely, unshackled by convention and in pursuit of spiritual ecstasy, which they would get wherever they could find it.
Nothing works like practising patience when dealing with difficult people or situation. To practice patience is to hold back when you want to say something nasty or feel overpowered by someone's irritable presence. But holding back creates a pressure-cooker situation where you keep stuffing anger within.
Sankalp is a personal vow - a firm resolve to achieve something or to follow a specific path. An understanding of the motivation behind your "Sankalp" is necessary. If your resolution is only dealing with cosmetic changes in your life, it may not uphold the work, time, and energy needed to accomplish the same. However, if a Sankalp's inspiration is rooted in a yearning to change your life for the better, then all the grind needed to see through your resolution seems worth it.
It’s very rejuvenating when you have 3-4 days of holiday and most of the time you want to spend the time by enjoying with your family and friends. Work-related worries are also minimal, food is good, everyone is happy, its festivities all around. But like all good things, these festivities also get over. Work catches up and so does our bodies need to exercise. Sharing a few pointers as to how to resume your yoga practice after one has given a break.
The predominant thought that we have just before slipping into the subconscious sea of sleep, brews all night, infecting our consciousness. If we can and if we do use our volition to impregnate our consciousness with vigour and vitality at that hour before slumber, we will have transmitted fresh burst of energy into our psychic self. We innately desire a vigorous body and an agile mind. There is an innate desire to defy the aging process, if not defy then slow down at least.
Whenever we think of being ‘mindful’ other terms that readily flash into the mind is to be focused, to concentrate, to be alert or to be aware... The aforesaid words make the whole exercise of being mindful a little dreary. Being mindful means to willingly participating in the exercise of awareness. The key word here being “willingly” and then the whole exercise becomes an enjoyable experience.
Sankalpa, a Sanskrit word which means vow; a promise you make to yourself. It is an affirmation for you to make changes in your life for a better way of living. You can be completely honest about what you want to change, or the qualities you wish to cultivate within yourself. It is an intention, a will or determination.
