Self aware or self conscious?

BKS Iyengar often discussed the importance of developing self awareness and distinguishing it from self consciousness. 

First, it’s important to define these two terms. Self awareness is the ability to observe oneself and one’s actions without judgment or criticism. It involves being mindful of our thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations in the present moment. Self consciousness, on the other hand, is a state of being overly aware of oneself and one’s appearance or actions in a way that can be self-critical or self-consciousness. 

According to Iyengar, self awareness is a crucial component of yoga practice, as it allows us to understand our bodies and minds more deeply. We can identify areas of tension, imbalance, or resistance and work to release or improve them. Self awareness also helps us to recognize patterns or habits of thinking that may be holding us back or causing stress. By tuning in to our own experience, we can cultivate greater intimacy and understanding with ourselves. 

However, Iyengar also cautioned against self consciousness, which can detract from our ability to be present and focused in the moment. When we are overly aware of ourselves, we may become distracted or preoccupied with our own thoughts, judgments, or insecurities. This can interfere with our ability to fully engage in our practice or our relationships with others. 

So how can we cultivate self awareness without slipping into self consciousness? Iyengar suggested that we begin by simply observing ourselves, without judgment or attachment to any particular experience. We can watch our breath, notice our posture, and observe our thoughts and emotions as they arise. By practicing this kind of detached observation, we can learn to become more aware of ourselves without getting caught up in self-critical or self-conscious thoughts. 

Additionally, Iyengar emphasized the importance of practicing yoga poses with alignment and precision, as this can help to bring the mind into a state of focused awareness. When we are fully engaged in the details of our practice, we are less likely to become distracted by self-conscious thoughts. Instead, we can direct our attention to the sensations in our body, the breath, and the present moment. 

Overall, self awareness is a valuable tool for deepening our understanding of ourselves and our relationship to the world around us. By learning to observe ourselves without judgment or attachment, we can cultivate a greater sense of intimacy and compassion for ourselves and others. At the same time, it’s important to remain mindful of the distinction between self awareness and self consciousness, and to work to cultivate a state of focused awareness in our practice and in our lives.

Yoga: A holistic system for achieving balance in your life!

Yoga is often misconstrued as just a physical practice of contorting your body into different poses. This image of yoga is reinforced by the countless Instagram posts of yogis bending their bodies into impossible shapes or doing handstands on the beach at sunset. However, yoga is much more than just the asana or physical practice – it's a holistic system for achieving balance in your life.

The practice of yoga originated in ancient India as a means of achieving spiritual enlightenment. It is a system that includes eight limbs, of which asana or the physical practice of yoga is just one. The eight limbs are, in order: yama (abstinence), niyama (observances), asana (physical postures), pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), dharana (concentration), dhyana (meditation), and samadhi (union).

Asana is just one aspect of yoga, and while it is important for strengthening the body and increasing flexibility, it is not the end goal of the practice. The physical postures are meant to prepare the body for the other limbs of yoga, which focus on controlling the mind and achieving inner peace.

In addition to the physical practice, yogic philosophy focuses on cultivating a positive mindset, developing ethical behavior, and achieving self-realization. The yamas, or ethical principles, include non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, continence, and non-greed. The niyamas, or personal observances, include cleanliness, contentment, self-discipline, self-study, and surrender to a higher power.

Another important aspect of yoga is pranayama, or breath control. This practice involves regulating the breath and using it as a tool to calm the mind and increase energy levels. Pranayama techniques include alternate nostril breathing, ujjayi breathing, and kapalabhati.

Pratyahara, or withdrawal of the senses, is the practice of turning inward and detaching from external distractions. This is necessary for achieving concentration and meditation, which are integral components of yoga. Concentration involves focusing the mind on a single object or thought, while meditation is a state of deep awareness and inner peace.

The ultimate goal of yoga is samadhi, or union with the divine. This is achieved through the practice of the other seven limbs, and involves transcending the limitations of the ego and connecting with a higher consciousness.

We hope that through attending classes at Iyengar Yoga Source that you discover how yoga is much more than just the physical practice of asana. It is a holistic system for achieving balance and harmony in all aspects of your life. By incorporating the other limbs of yoga – including ethical behavior, breath control, concentration, and meditation – into your practice, you can cultivate a positive mindset and achieve inner peace. If you are interested to know more about the philosophy of yoga, drop in on our Sunday evening yoga sutra discussion group! Email iyengaryogasource@gmail.com for more information!

Student Spotlight: Elizabeth's 30 day Pranayama Challenge

Reflections on a 30-day Pranayama Challenge

Several months ago, Kathleen sent out a challenge (I LOVE a challenge!) to practice Pranayama every day for 15 minutes for 30 days. It's two months later, and I'm still practicing. I genuinely don't want to miss a day. To support my practice, I rented Linda's 4-week pranayama class and would ask for a new lesson when I was ready - about every week or two. I've been doing 20 to 40 minutes a day and have noticed some significant benefits. I'm sleeping better; my pulse oximeter tells me that my oxygen levels have increased from 94 to 98%. I have much less air hunger which has to do with the structure of my chest due to mild scoliosis.

I can take a deep breath now when I want one. I would recommend the classes to get instruction as there are a lot of factors involved. My neck is stronger and less stiff because of practicing Jalandhara Bhanda during Pranayama. I'm more alert and motivated and have been accomplishing more of my higher aspirations rather than being driven by my conditioned habits!! According to Linda, BKS Iyengar said that Pranayama strengthens the connection to the Soul, and it does seem to be facilitating that for me. It's subtle, but it does seem easier to do what is challenging and yet beneficial. I'm delighted I took this challenge and find it amazing to have received all of these benefits.. the surprising thing is that the benefits come all day... not only when I'm practicing. Thank you, Kathleen, for suggesting this challenge and to Linda for her excellent instructional videos!


Elizabeth T.

Thank you Elizabeth for sharing your experience!

Student Spotlight: 30-Day Pranayama Practice - Judy J.

A 30 day challenge was just what I needed to jump start a daily Pranayama practice. With a feeling of excitement I began on the 24th of February. Early in the challenge I made note to self about the movement of breath in both supine and seated positions. As the month progressed, I noticed when practicing supine, the inhale became more full and the fill line higher in the chest while the exhale became longer and more controlled. The changes when practicing seated were not as transformative. This position gave me more challenge. But I found that by lifting my sternum, and pressing my back and arms to the wall, I could maintain an open chest which seemed to help. Now after 30 days I have come away from this with: 1. a couple setups which I found work well for me 2. Practice is everything, in Yoga, in Pranayama and in life.

Thanks to Judy for sharing her story!


Take on a 30-day pranayama or home practice challenge, write a short paragraph about your experience for a free drop in class!

Introductory Yoga Perfect for New Students

Beginning yoga students are in a class of their own. In a literal sense they need their own sacred space in order to learn.  A dedicated class away from those who know the basics and are more interested in the next stage of learning yoga. In a figurative sense, they are raw students, as BKS Iyengar would say, and have no habits to break from wrong practice. In the realm of yoga they are tabula rasa. Frequently they are timid, curious, stiff and occasionally hyper-flexible. As a teacher of yoga, it is my quest to teach the basics and set the novice on a life-long transformative journey.

We begin with standing poses. To be sure that students get off on the right foot, we teach the poses feet first. Once a beginner has the correct foot position, the foundation will stabilize and the legs can be trained to rotate and straighten. It is surprising that one may not know if the leg is straight or bent, rotated externally or internally, but that is the nature of the beginner. We use basic instructions to state which actions will straighten the leg, for example, "press the foot and lift the knee cap".  While some students may understand these words, others will have to be shown and some will need the instruction of a skillful touch of the teacher’s hand to awaken their legs. Once this is accomplished, the upper body can be addressed with the same sensitivity.

Self Study from the periphery to the core is one of the guiding principles of yoga. In the process of learning the biomechanics of their physical body, new students increase body intelligence. With repetition of the poses, proficiency in alignment develops.  Neuromuscular connections are awakened, confidence is increased, balance improves, and expansion and extension emerge. Over several weeks the raw beginner transforms into a more knowledgeable practitioner. Skillful practice is cultivated and motivation is internalized.

Physical body, breath body, and mental body begin to awaken. Yoga is so much more than stretching muscles, the most superficial level of the practice.  As the student learns the physical shape coupled with the actions muscles must perform in order to align the skeleton, awareness deepens. Engaging the art of concentration to observe the components of the pose is the start of the inward process. Once a muscular mental body is cultivated and students can pay attention to what is happening on their mat, stress levels decline and concerns with daily living activities are left with their shoes at the studio door.  

At Iyengar Yoga Source we teach Introductory classes and introduce 25 poses to new comers. In the store on our web site you may purchase a poster with the poses and names in English and Sanskrit or download the digital file. 

 

Mastering Profound and Deep Relaxation

What is the purpose of such a practice?

Restorative poses are supported in a manner that allows practitioners to remain in a relaxed position for an extended period of time. Typically the body is still while the breath is mobilized and the mind is stabilized. Various poses target specific areas, similar to a more active practice, except in this case the body is still.

What are restorative poses?

The simplest answer is to teach one to deeply and profoundly relax and to tone the Sympathetic Nervous System. Once relaxation is learned under optimal conditions and we encounter stressful events, then we are are less likely to have a fully blown over-reaction.  Restorative poses replenish energy after a demanding day or week, or can provide a less demanding practice during one’s menstrual cycle. When a variety of poses are used the body will be purified, soothed and refreshed. Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclinded Bound Angle Pose) is seen below.

What is the process of such a practice?

The inner work practiced in asana is more easily done when the body is still and “points of the pose” are not demanding one’s attention as they do in a more active practice.  The physical body is put at ease. Poses are propped to make them comfortable based on individual differences. The breath is encouraged to move in a rhythmical manner, and the consciousness can then be directed in a specific pathway.  

Yoga Philosophy teaches us that the manomyakosa, the mental sheath of our embodiment, is comprised of components with unique functions. The goal is to quiet the mind, manos, which is concerned with the human condition, to quite the ego, asmita,  which is absorbed with issues pertaining to “me, my and mine”, and to exist in a witnessing state from the perspective of our discriminating intelligence, buddhi.  Once these components are deciphered then one can cultivate a steady state of mental calmness. Stilling the fluctuations of the mind, the goal of yoga, becomes more pronounced as one cultures the manomyakosa.  

At Iyengar Yoga Source we practice Restorative Poses once a month for each level of class.  Once a student learns the proper set up for the poses, then they can cultivate the art of relaxation.

Yoga's Stress Free Zone

providence-iyengar-yoga-studio

When stressful events strike, powerful hormones are released into the blood stream. A toxic stew wears and tears our organic body and weakens the immune system. My first exposure to the biochemistry of stress came from The Stress of Life by Hans Selye. It was a fascinating read for me at the time. Modern inventions such as voice mail, cell phones, and computers were accelerating the pace of life. Cigarettes were being revealed as the killers they are. Heart disease, cancer and diabetes were on the rise. As a budding yoga teacher, I felt passionate about yoga's ability to reduce the strength of the fight of flight (or freeze) response and bolster one's resistance to stress. My experience showed me how a regular yoga practice toned the parasympathetic nervous system, the pathway to relaxation and digestion. 

Practice and Detachment

B.K.S. Iyengar said these principles are two wings on the bird of yoga. We are encouraged to practice diligently, uninterruptedly, for an extended period and to let go of those habits that prevent us from doing so. On a practical level, when we step on our mat to practice, we become detached from distraction. We cultivate a muscular mental body and concentrate on the task at hand: our practice, which must be heartfelt rather than mechanical. With the tools of yoga we create a state of concentration on the physical body and the breath. 

What are the tools of yoga?

The more one studies the Self, the more one discovers the power of these hidden jewels. The most obvious tool is our vehicle, the body, our ride while on this planet. We use our muscles and bones to mold ourselves into iconic shapes called asanas, yoga poses. As the asana is held, the organic body is stretched, squeezed, flushed and rinsed in a unique manner. The breath is the second tool. The point is to engage the breath in a deliberate manner to energize the body, deliver prana, and rid oneself of impurities. While these first two aspects are more superficial, when we engage our consciousness, the third tool, the practice becomes more absorbing and we penetrate inward. We exist in a witnessing state and are at the threshold of Yoga's Stress Free Zone. 

Moving from Learning to Understanding to Mastery

At Iyengar Yoga Source students learn to practice in this manner and as the weeks go by they become more proficient with the process. One can learn the process with simple poses which makes these teachings accessible to first year students. There are many other tools to utilize while practicing yoga. Come and practice with us and find your Stress Free Zone. It will make you feel whole, together and in harmony with your Self. 

Standing on your own two feet.

by Linda DiCarlo

Life is constantly challenging us to maintain stability, strength and stamina under unusual circumstances. Occasionally we are thrown off balance, feel sluggish or run out of gas and have to retreat. To remain focused during these tough times requires physical as well as mental muscles. A standing pose yoga practice can transform your legs and your core, improve stability and equilibrium as well as develop your mental acuity. 

Each Standing Pose Has a Different Shape

By working with a wide variety of standing positions the legs are engaged to maximize stability in the hips, knees and ankles. Even though the position may be held for less than a minute, when repeated on a regular basis, these muscles, bones and joints become stronger and more flexible. Equally important is the vestibular system, located in the inner ear. It impacts your ability to balance and is challenged to become more adapt by the demands of unique positions. 

Upper Body Strength and Coordination are Engaged in a Deliberate Manner

While the lower body has its clear intention, the upper body is held steady to compliment the work of the lower body. The standing poses become full body poses. Extension and expansion of the entire embodiment becomes a reality and this awakens one's awareness in an interesting manner. 

The Breath is Called to Action in Each Pose

Of course we breath on a regular basis, but in yoga poses normal breathing is not enough. The breath works as diligently as the body and interestingly works as a tool for purification. In addition to the unusual task of gaseous exchange occurring in the alveoli of the lungs, the positive life force of prana rides on the breath. The body becomes saturated with these initial components and the end result is that consciousness spreads and awakens the intelligence in your vehicle, the body. 

We practice Standing Poses in just about every class. Certain sequences place a greater emphasis on this category of poses. Come and practice with us and experience the points I have mentioned above. See for yourself. 

What is So Different About Iyengar Yoga?

What is So Different About Iyengar Yoga?

by Linda DiCarlo

Linda teaches beginning to advanced students at the Iyengar Yoga Source in Providence, RI.

The art and science of yoga has evolved over the last several decades to appeal to contemporary society. In an effort to keep up with trends, individual teachers have devised a variety of approaches in yoga classes. There is something for everyone: slow, fast, sequential, hot, suspended, musical, silent, eyes opened or closed, disciplined, freedom of movement and the list goes on. All yoga is good as long as no one is getting injured. After all, the philosophical tenet of ahimsa, non-violence, is the first step of a yoga practice. 

  • Yoga is An Attention Game

The Iyengar method of yoga is "meditation in action" according to BKS Iyengar. After ten years of searching, I first started practicing the method in 1986 and was impressed with the mental discipline required to pay attention for the duration of a class. At the same time I was fascinated by the effects of following the precise instructions on alignment. This was yoga with a clear purpose, no ambiguity! It taught me how to pay attention for an extended period of time.

  • Instructions are Clear and Precise

The teacher was articulate and had the ability to describe what I was to do in a pose and then how to make that happen. He demonstrated the poses being taught and invited us to all watch him closely. Then we practiced the pose and he observed us keenly to see what we missed. He demonstrated again and we repeated the pose. The end result was impressive. Alignment improved and concentrated deepened.

  • Rich Diversity of Poses are Utilized

Iyengar Yoga has a rich, diverse collection of poses that are practiced over time. No two classes are the same. Each week there is a different emphasis. Standing, Seated, Arching, Twisting, Inverted, or Restorative. The creativity of the teacher is well exercised. 

  • Home Practice is Cultivated

As one moved through the various levels of classes, new sets of poses are learned and students cultivate the ability to develop a home practice. Practitioners are considered beginners for five years, but after only a couple months one feels as if mastery has begun. Confidence builds and the evolution of the yogi continues for years and years. It is a beautiful awakening of body, consciousness and soul. 

There is an ineffable quality to Iyengar Yoga and one must try it to truly understand the uniqueness of the method. It is best to attend a few consecutive classes to investigate the teacher, the variety of sequences and the effects created. As an educated consumer you will be able to describe the differences for yourself. Do come. 

Start your Iyengar Yoga training with our beautiful Iyengar Yoga Beginner Pose Guide. Download for viewing on your mobile device or order a poster size print today. Featuring 28 basic poses along with the Sanskrit and English names, our guide will assist you in your home practice. Click below to view: 

Yoga Sequences to Uplift the Spirit - Providence RI Yoga Studio

Yoga Sequences to Uplift the Spirit

It is interesting to study the psychology of yoga poses. Different states of mind can be experienced while in yoga postures (asanas) of various shapes. Hence, you can design a practice to become more calm, joyful, focused, alert, or relaxed. The spine arching, chest opening poses are utilized to relieve depression or uplift the spirit.

What is normal posture? 

The range of movement during the course of the day typically does not include chest expanding actions, rather the opposite is more likely. The chest houses the physical heart, considered the seat of emotions. The heart chakra, Anahata, located at heart level in the center of the body is associated with love and compassion. When thee components are crowded, the mood is flattened or deflated and the depth of breathing is shallow. By standing with shoulders rounded and chest sinking, the head tilted forward and downward, one can observe this psychological state. 

What are the Effects of Chest Opening?

When we expand the chest with active or supported chest opening poses, spaciousness in the chest cavity is created. The ability to breathe is enhanced and body chemistry is transformed. We become more alert, energized and open hearted. 

Supported or Energetic Approach?

Methodically practice to strengthen the back, extend the shoulders, hip flexors and thighs to prepare the body to open the chest region. Work with a chair or bolster to provide support to remain in the pose for several minutes. This is an excellent way to work if one has low energy or a flat affect. For a more energetic practice use the rope wall to invigorate the chest cavity. Use the yoga chair as support to increase the movement of the spine away from the skin on the back. Once one has suitably prepared, the classical backbends can be practiced. 

These sequences are somewhat technical and are generally followed with poses to bring the body back to a neutral position. It can take some time to understand how to create a sequence to open the chest. Lessons with a good teacher can help you cultivate the skill to practice in this manner. At our Iyengar Yoga Source studio, we practice spine extending poses every month. They are progressive and you can learn to practice in the privacy of your home practice space.