Well, it’s been a fabulous week at Good Life Yoga.  Our Level One Anusara Yoga Immersion kicked off last Friday with great success.  Participants had a grand opportunity to deepen their practice through additional knowledge of philosophy and the Universal Principles of Alignment.  We ended today, tired, sweaty and radiantly happy.  I’ll have some pictures up soon!

No class this Friday - regular classes begin again this Saturday!

The Anusara Invocation

 At the beginning of an Anusara yoga class you are invited to participate in chanting an invocation in the Sanskrit language. 

The Anusara Invocation opens the door to a deep remembrance of your true supreme nature; one that is free, blissful and inherently good.  We are reminded to see it in ourselves and in the world around us.  We chant and step into the flow of Grace – We chant and we ask for blessings on our practice – that we may become more in balance, stronger, more courageous, more compassionate and capable of serving this grandest pulsation of Love.

This week we explore the invocation.  I’ll offer you the traditional translation and then my own interpretation having chanted it now for over 10 years.  Every time I chant this lovely invocation I find my own energy enhanced, altered, acknowledged – I am swept willingly into the grand pulsation of Grace.  I am ready to practice with my mind, body and heart open to the possibility that greatness is flowing through me, as me, for me and because of me.  It is an awesome journey of delight and recognition.  Join me this week on the mat.

Om Namah Shivaya Gurave

I offer myself to the Light, the Auspicious one who is the True Teacher

within and without

I offer, I honor, I am awestruck to acknowledge this great teacher who resides within me. It is incredible that it has chosen to be me.  The One who has created all the beauty and goodness in the world, chose to add me.  I serve this Light with my whole heart and body.

Saccidananda Murtaye

Who assumes the forms of

Reality, Consciousness and Bliss,

This great teacher – this greatness is everything that I am.  It is me sleeping.  Awake.  My every waking experience is infused with this supreme consciousness.  It knows the totality of me – even of parts I am unaware. 

Nisprapancaya Shantaya

Who is never absent and is full of peace,

I am always supported.  This greatness, this goodness, is never absent from me.  I cannot find a place that it isn’t.  Even when I turn away, even when I feel I am not worthy of its peace - this, goodness stands ready to embrace me.  Indeed is already embracing me, waiting for me to recognize its touch.

Niralambaya Tejase

Independent in its existence,

It is the vital essence of illumination.

It is the Light.  It is the essence of Light. It is the brightness of Light.  The core of all energy is illuminated in goodness.   It is the end and the beginning.  It is the substance of itself.  It needs nothing else as it is everything.  It is the matrix of my heart.

Balanced Action

In Anusara yoga, we practice balanced actions of Muscle Energy and Organic Energy in our poses to create the most freedom and bliss.  Muscle Energy is a contracted supportive energy and Organic Energy is an expanded, open energy – when these two are in balance there is an optimal flow of energy created throughout the body. 

Creating a well balanced life also requires a balance of these two actions.  You need enough muscle power balanced with a letting go to find the middle – where bliss and freedom reign.  How many times have you tried to muscle your way into a project, or an asana and achieved optimal results.

Conversely, when we expand too much, we give way to a wild ride that may not be taking us where we want to go, or we may just find ourselves floating off into an eddy.  Indecision, disorganization, lack of plan – can all lead to a sense of being overwhelmed; literally our boat feels that it is sinking.  When we ‘shore up’ check the winds and set a course, our balance is restored – freedom and peace ensue.

This week we cultivate and practice the art of balancing these main flows of energy to create freedom and bliss in our poses.   

Tapas:  Energy of Transformation

Tapas is the third Niyama and is literally translated as ‘heat’.  Consider ‘heat’ as energy – a supreme energy ignited to transform oneself.  Carried in this energy is the desire, or intention to align with the greatest offering of our self.  We use this heat to burn through anything that holds us back from realizing our true nature.  Tapas is the disciplined energy – or intentional energy we use to burn through the misty layers of uncertainty, disharmony and malaise.

Turning up the ‘heat’ – spiritually and physically leads to transformation.  Think of water on a stove, the heat is low, the water remains water.  Crank up the heat and pretty soon water is steam – it is itself only in another form.  It is free and capable of rising up, leaving behind whatever held it down.  We are always capable of recognizing our true nature – one that is free, strong and joyful – we aren’t always capable of assuming those attribute without some effort, some discipline; some desire to transform. This week we set our flame up high and burn through anything that is holding us back from fully stepping into the flow of our true nature.  Prepare to perspire and be inspired.