Inspirational Theme: Chandogya Upanishad
As we are in a time of new beginnings I will now be working with inspirational themes from the foundational yoga texts in all of my classes. I will post the passages I'm working with and which classes I'll be using them in here. Please check in regularly and feel free to email me for further info or discussion anytime you like.
Inspiration for classes on Jan. 29th, Jan. 30th, and Feb. 2nd
"In the city of Brahman is a secret dwelling, the lotus of the heart. Within this dwelling is a space and withing that space is the fulfillment of our desires. What is within that space should be longed for and realized. As great as the infinite space beyond is the space within the lotus of the heart. Both heaven and earth are contained in that inner space, both fire and air, sun and moon, lightning and stars. Whether we know it in this world or not, everything is contained in that inner space. - Chandogya Upanishad
I love this particular passage because of the poetic way in which it expresses a key teaching in our practice of yoga- that which we seek is inside of us. All the wonder, and magic, the knowledge and the surety, the contentment and the joy that we search for...is just below the surface of our busy minds, waiting to be found in the stillness of our hearts.
With the practice of Hatha Yoga we are given a further tool to aid us in our discovery of this hidden treasure. Through focused, conscious practice we can, and do!, begin to remove the layers that bind the heart so that it's inherent fullness can be felt. So that our actions, and our words, even our thought begin to be guided by this sense of connection to our deepest truth.
Joy is our true nature. And it is our birthright. It is up to us to cultivate practices that allow us to connect to it.
See you in class!