Week Two: Wheel of Yoga
Bhava Meditation Exercise
My experience with the Bhava mediation exercise was complete different and very unfamiliar. The idea of "spreading love and receiving love from all sources" is a beautiful one and although I do express gratitude for the natural world I've never connected this with physically holding object from the natural world and giving thanks as a meditative experience. I was open to the experience , but to be completely honest I did feel a bit silly gathering items as people walked by me on the trail, my ego was at work I guess. While quietly giving thanks to each object the meditative experience was beautiful. Holding the natural while being surrounded by it in mediation brought on such a calmness. It felt purposeful and fulfilling in a way I never though, kind of like taking some time to show love and appreciation to someone you've been meaning to connect with.
Wheel of Yoga Worksheet Questions:
Think about other yogis you know. In what ways do they live their yoga?
Positivity is a trait in most yogis I've met. Also having a really great ability to be present in the moment, especially in conversation remaining engaged and really soaking in whatever is happening at that time.
Can you think of subtle ways to incorporate each type of yoga in a studio class? Raja, Hatha, Mantra, Bhakti, Karma, Jnana?
Raja yoga could be incorporated through guided mediation before the physical practice and during Savasana.
Hatha yoga can be incorporated by reminding students to challenge themselves outside their comfort zone, while being safe.
Mantra yoga maybe incorporated at beginning of the practice and reminded to students throughout the physical practice to help clear mind and remain in the moment.
Bhakti yoga could be incorporated through the initial mediation by referring to the idea of "creating love and gratitude outside the self", centering the practice around gratitude for life itself.
Jnana yoga can be incorporated by discussing on of the 6 steps during the introduction of the class and centering the practice around it.
Karma
How do you currently live your yoga, on and off the mat?
The idea of living yoga is something I've never considered. Yes I've practiced yoga through Hatha and have read up on the principles of the Yamas and Niyamas of Raja Yoga which have been amazing discoveries in my life. But I never thought of it as living yoga and I'm not sure why. With that aside Mantra Yoga is something I really connect with, in the form of favorite quotes from people I admire in history or in my life, they've often been the means I've used to recenter myself mentally.
One of my favorites that I keep at home and work is,
“Your beliefs become your thoughts, Your thoughts become your words, Your words become your actions, Your actions become your habits, Your habits become your values, Your values become your destiny.”
- Gandhi
Off the mat I'd like to say I've applied the concepts of the Yamas and Niyamas in my life that I read about 10 years ago, but haven't revisited them since then, a time when I needed them the most. I'd also like to think these concepts have stayed with me, unconsciously, and that I live them by how I approach situations in my life, interact with the people around me and my general world view.
Living my Yoga is a concept I'd like to make a conscious choice, and at the risk of sounding cliché, after having my baby girl I'm inspired to do so.