7 mins

Koshas

A bite size run through of the koshas - the 5 x sheaths of the self. These move from Annamaya (food body) to Pranamaya (breath body) , Manomaya (mind body) into Vijnanamaya (wisdom body) and Anandamaya (bliss). Here we begin to see how the physical informs the more subtle elements which not only make up our own bodies but the entire cosmos. That’s right we are a micro fraction of what is taking place on a macro scale - you tiny speck of star dust!

Code: ILYST007
Props: meditation cushion
14th Jan ‘22

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7 mins

Viveka

'Viveka' or true discernment between important versus unimportant aspects of the self is broken down here into several paths. We can all get a little confused in life between the seer and the seen, between Prakriti (nature) and the Purusha (the self/ the non-changing light of awareness) but I hope this helps your ability to see a little more clearly.

Paths of Viveka:
1. Learning about the self before understanding others
2. Noticing that pain and pleasure are the effects of the mind.
3. Realising that knowledge comes from your own experience.
4. Feeling into the sense of flow
5. You become separate from the ego.
6. Loose the mind to find the self - Samadhi;

'When purusha alone remains, resting in its own svarupa - Atmana Atmanam. Beholding the self by the Self, one is satisfied by the Self. This is the highest Samadhi'. Sri Swami Satchidananda.

Code: ILYST006
Props: meditation cushion
5th Nov ‘21

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7 mins

Karma

Here we discuss the 3 different types of karma and how these have potential outcomes into our material world. Remember that karma is not always bad, there are good outcomes and bad ones - unfortunately we can’t always control it! In this studio talk I will match up karma, samskara and the great cycle of life and death, samsara. A lovely talk to break down this concept.

Reading References;
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali translation by Sri Swami Satchidananda
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali translation by Edwin F Bryant

Level 1

Code: ILYST005
Props: meditation cushion
14th Oct ‘21

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5 mins

Practise as Repetition

Here we take a look at ‘Japa’ how a mantra can be repeated again and again to create power and focus. Is this truly a way of turning unmanifest into manifest reality? Here we draw upon 2 yoga sutras from Patanjali* We shall take a peak into how mantra can be used for intensions, and how our one pointed mind can aid clarity, dispelling the mind of vrittis - (the whirlpools of thought).

*no. 28 ‘To repeat it with reflection upon its meaning is an aid’ and no.41 ‘just as the naturally pure crystal assumes shapes and colors of objects placed near it, so the yogis mind, with its totally weakened modifications, becomes clear and balanced..’ from The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Translation from Sri Swami Satchidananda.

Level 1

Code: ILYST002
Props: meditation cushion
6th September ‘21

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