Making Sense of the Sutras

Most people associate the practice of yoga with the physical asana practice. I often hear friends say things like “I tried yoga once,” or “I need to get back into yoga.” For many years, I, too, had similar thoughts, not fully realizing the actual meaning behind the word “yoga.” I knew that an hour at yoga class gave me an amazing sense of strength, yet there was also a lightness about my body as I rolled up my mat and exited the studio. I loved the feelings of peace and clarity I had after each practice, and I knew I wanted more. But even though I was attending classes regularly, at least twice a week, I never thought about how or why this physical workout was seemingly able to transport me to another world, or why yoga was different than anything else I had ever done at the gym, in school or at home. I had also heard the instructors call out the Sanskrit names for each pose, but I was far too distracted and overwhelmed with the details of life to stop and learn more about these words and their relation to all of those Down-dogs and Warriors.   I was so confident and content with my asana practice, I didn’t even realize how much of this ancient, beautiful practice I was missing…until last winter.

As a ChildLight Yoga instructor, I was teaching kids’ classes at Yoga East, an Ashtanga Shala in Portsmouth, NH, but never had the time to stay for any of the wonderful classes or workshops offered there. The studio was beautiful, the owners and instructors amazing individuals, and I often grabbed a class schedule on my way out the door, just in case I could ever squeeze it in after my late-afternoon kids classes had ended. But it was tough. When my back-to-back classes were both over, it was a mad dash to clean up the studio, gather my things, organize my notes and remember where I parked the car. I had to hurry home, as this once per week class was late in the day, and my family would be waiting at home for me, and I wanted to relax with my kids before they had to go to bed.

One cold day in January, a simple flyer advertising a workshop changed all of this. The workshop, a “30-day Lifestyle Intensive” called to me. I can’t exactly remember what words were written, but the workshop description might as well have said “Amy, you need this workshop, register immediately.” It promised to give the student a chance to reflect, gain perspective and control negative forces, leading to bad habits, stress and general discomfort and unhappiness. At that point, I was burnt out from the stresses of work and family. I was wearing myself too thin, but I was too focused and determined to change anything. I simply wanted to succeed at everything.

As January was the time for making New Year’s Resolutions, I felt like this was it! I told my family they’d have to make do without me on Tuesday nights for 5 weeks, and I registered for the workshop, in hopes of making some changes. The workshop asked us to commit to 30 days of daily asana practice, diet and nutrition journaling and guidelines, purifications (four different pranayama, or breathing practices), and to attend the weekly meeting at the studio.

The daily asanas and purifications were tough to fit in to my busy life, but I managed and felt the effects almost immediately. As someone who has successfully changed my eating habits and remained interested in nutrition, I enjoyed the dietary guidelines and journaling assignment as well. But it was the two hour meetings that affected me most and taught me everything I was missing about the practice of yoga.

The weekly lifestyle intensive meetings were led by Karen and Kimberly, two of the most knowledgeable, articulate and passionate yogis I’ve ever met. Karen and Kimberly’s workshop introduced me to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and it was through these teachings that I began to unlock the mystery behind yoga.

The Yoga Sutras are a collection of books which define yoga philosophy and guide us towards a path of spiritual enlightenment.  The four books of the Sutras are made up of verses, and each verse explains in minimal words, a lesson.  Each week we discussed several Yoga Sutras, by learning the Sanskrit pronunciation and translation.  The Sutras are fascinating because although they were written thousands of years ago, they apply to our world today.

I was hooked.  The Sutras provide a basis of understanding behind each of the “eight limbs” of yoga, all of which are practiced as a way to bring peaceful harmony to your physical, mental and emotional body.  This was the beginning of my education and understanding of “yoga.”

There are many translations, and some are more easily understood than others, but all will speak differently to different practioners.  For me, I was looking for guidance towards a more peaceful existence, and my life was lacking in spirituality for a long time.   Yoga is not a religion, but it can serve a similar purpose to those who are seeking spiritual guidance in a non-religious way.

I hope you will join me in exploring the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.  I can’t wait to share with you some of the verses I’ve learned this year!  I look forward to occasionally posting on my own experiences relating to some of the more pertinent of Patanjali’s lessons.

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