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

Read More

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

Read More

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

Read More

10 mins

True Self

‘The central tension of spiritual life is this: the urge, desire, even need we feel to transform ourselves and the equally pressing urge, desire or need to accept and love ourselves exactly as we are’, by The Recognition Sutras. Here we discuss this valued point between the true self, Atman, inner consciousness v the ego self, the every changing physical matter which we see all us, changing day to day.

Reading References;
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Bringing Yoga To Life by Donna Farhi
The Recognition Sutras by Christopher Wallis

Level 1

Code: ILYST004
Props: meditation cushion
30th September ‘21

Read More

10 mins

Tapas

Here we unravel the meaning of Tapas; ‘ fiery cleansing’ into our practise and how (as Patajali indicates) this can be divided into physical, verbal and mental clarity. So many texts which try and explain ‘what is yoga?’ come down to a simple understanding that it is a discipline, a state of self-control which after the expression of Tapas (internal heat and a degree of discomfort) lead into svadhyaya and finally into a state of samadhi - bliss.

Reading References;
The Path of Yoga by Stuart Ray Sarbacker
Is this Yoga? by A Foxen & C Kuberry
The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
Bringing Yoga To Life by Donna Farhi

Level 1

Code: ILYST003
Props: meditation cushion
25th September ‘21

Read More

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

Read More

10 mins

OM

Diving into ‘The yoga sutras of Patanjali’ we discuss the vibrational qualities of OM. Why OM is used in practise, the break down of the actual sound and how this fits into our highlighted topic of ajapa - meaning unrepeated or a quiet continuum within. Let’s dive into this topic as we begin to peal open a few concepts from the yoga sutras. This is a perfect Studio talk to do before practicing ‘Humming’ within the Air series.

Level 1

Code: ILYST001
Props: meditation cushion
6th September ‘21

Read More