Wisdom of the Yoga Sutras for the New year of 2023

My seasonal holiday reading has been to revisit The Yoga Sutras,  a seminal ancient text compiled between 500BC and 400CE by Sage Patanjali. I have been reading the  interpretations of both BKS Iyengar and Sri Swami Satchidananda. Satchninandas commentary is  more accessible and full of anecdotes whereas Iyengar's is more scholarly and poetic. It has been so interesting to study them both side by side. If I were to impart one yoga sutra for the transition into the new year, my choice today would be Sutra 1:12.

abhyāsa vairāgyaābhyāṁ tannirodhaḥ
Practice and non-attachment are the way to still the mind

Through continued practice and repeated effort we learn correct understanding i.e. we see the world through an untainted lense- a lense where we are free from desires. Our minds fluctuate between pain or non-pain, however we can detach these fluctuations through repeated yoga practice. Each time we practice, we create an action which is like the pulsation quivering on the surface of the lake. When the vibration dies out, impressions are left (Sanksaras). When we have left a large number of these impressions on the mind we create a habit and from new habits a new life state can arise.  A life state which leads us perfect the communion of the body, soul and mind.

New yoga classes begin on the 9th January - if you would like to join me click the link here. I wish you all a peaceful 2023 and a dedicated Yoga practice that brings you to a state of Samadhi.