Our many layers of self ~ Koshas

Just as reptiles shed their many layers of skin human beings have a similar potential to shed layers our spirit and self realization as we become more enlightened.  These layers we have are a part of us united at the core by spirit.  Each layer is distinct spiraling out from the center connecting our body, mind, spirit, and intelligence.

The 5 Koshas are these spiraling layers that make us who we are surrounding our true spirit.

PHYSICAL~ ANAMAYAKOSHA- Ana means food.  Food is neccesary for the physical body.  This is the first layer respecting the physical body, digestion, and assimilation.  This Kosha helps give the others form.   

ENERGY~PRANAMAYAKOSHA- Prana means breath.  Breath creates energy and life force to the body.  The vital airs within the body (vayus) affect the functioning of the whole body.   

MENTAL~MANOMAYAKOSHA- All that rises from the mind; thoughts, reasoning, and emotions are part of this layer. Disruption of this layer can affect the previous 2 layers in breath and the physical body. 

WISDOM~VIJANANAMAYAKOSHA- Underneath the processing, thinking aspect to the mind but more specific in knowing.  It knows, discriminates, judges between this or that, between useful and not useful.  Being very close to our center core it guides us on deeper levels.  Again, all Koshas need each other for the other to function properly. 

BLISS~ANANDAMAYAKOSHA- This is the total absorption of bliss, joy, and happiness.  This Kosha is the interior of all the Kosha's closest to  the true self (Atman).  It is a different reality from mind it is a genuine feeling of joy without distractions from the body and mind.  Again, all the other Koshas are necessary to lead us to our innermost sanctuary.

1st Certified Class!

I did it, I did it!

  I had been so stressed about teaching my first real yoga class with strangers.  I had been thinking about this day for weeks now.  I knew it was coming.  I kept practicing and practicing with friends and family.

Finally the day came, and I woke up feeling good.  Surprisingly, I felt a new calmness about my yoga class I would be teaching that day.  I had been meditating and asking the divine to help me rid my anxiety.  I gave myself permission to bring a script up to my mat with me in case I forgot what I had planned.  I decided to be open with my students and let them know that I am a newly certified yoga instructor.  I decided to be ok with myself, just being me.  Not some amazing yoga instructor I had been to before.  Just me.

 With these realizations and promises to myself I came to find my peace.  I was able to allow authenticity occur.  I was able to allow ego to sit aside.  I was able to flow with the earths energy and pick up intuitivly on what my students needed that day.  A script was helpful where to go, but intuition was my true guide.

So how did it go?

I think it went well.  My students said they enjoyed it at the end of class.  They said it was a great combination of relaxation/stress relief and movement.  Sure, they may have been being nice and encouraging because they are polite and knew this was my first class as a certified yoga instructor.  Either way, I am accomplishing my goal.  I am moving forward into a uncomfortable newness, but I am also growing into my newness.  A new way of living, breathing, and looking at things.

Yoga is teaching me so much about myself.

Yoga is teaching me so much about the world.

Yoga is teaching me how I want to live my life in this world.

Class on Thursday!

Becoming a Yoga instructor is alot more of challenge to me than I ever thought it would be.  It is quite humbling.

I am teaching my first official class this Thursday.  Now, yes, I have been teaching my practicum classes ever since I got home from my Yoga Teacher Training in Hawaii.  I have been getting positive feedback from my students, which is really nice.

What I have discovered is that it's something from within that I need to trust and believe.  It is not like I can just be the same as some of my mentor yoga instuctors.  I can be like them, but I have to be me.  I am still trying to find me, as a yoga instructor.  

Friends have been asking me if I remember feeling this way when I first started teaching Pilates 10 years ago.  I have to say, I don't think so.  What is the difference?  I think it is the spiritual element.  It is not just about exercise or asana.  It is so much more.

I ask myself what is it about my yoga gurus that I love so much, that I fear I don't possess inside of me?  I know, I learned, that everything we really need is what we already possess inside.  I believe I have love and positivity to share.  Why am I so scared, and what am I scared of?  Failing?  No, it's not an option.

Please send me some loving thoughts for my Thursday class at 5pm.  I so want to do a good job!  I have been dreaming and night-maring about it since last Thursday. 

I found this lovely poem I thought was appropriate and wanted to share.  I may read it in my class Thursday.  Keep posted, I will fill you in with the details of class on Thursday.

Our Greatest Fear —Marianne Williamson
it is our light not our darkness that most frightens us
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented and fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other
people won’t feel insecure around you.
We were born to make manifest the glory of
God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people
permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
Our presence automatically liberates others.

2nd limb of Yoga~Niyamas

My last blog post was about the 1st of 8 aspects or limbs of Yoga, Yamas.  This blog is going into the 2nd limb of Yoga, Niyamas.  The Yamas and Niyamas are similar limbs with the main difference being the first limb consists of ethics and the second limb are personal practices and observances.  These limbs progressively lead to the highest stages of awareness and to spiritual life.

1st Niyama~

SHAUCHA

This Niyama is about cleanliness.  Simply put cleanliness of body, mind, and thoughts.  Keeping a clean environment and home is also part of Shaucha.

2nd Niyama~

SANTOSHA

Everyone in Yoga school loved this Niyama.  Santosha is about living in gratitude and trust.  Being content and trusting in the goodness of life.

3rd Niyama~

TAPAS

Enthusiasm, excitement, and an inner fire to be the best you can be.  Being passionate about pursuing spiritual enlightenment. 

4th Niyama~

SVADHYAYA

Practicing svafhyaya is like looking into a mirror and being able to see a deeper reflection of ourselves.  Asking yourself deep questions like, "Do I reflect on my life and cultivate constant personal inner growth?" or, "Am I wise and intuitive, introspective and alert to the messages and answers all around me?"*  Studying the self in a deep way.

5th Niyama~

ISHVARA PRANIDHANA

This is about surrendering to the Divine within or your own intimate connection with the universe.  Having this inner presence of Ishvara Pranidhana is like having our foremost teacher.   Listening and honoring that inner voice is the best teacher one can ever have.

Yama is not an animal resembling a Llama

In yoga Philosophy, The Yoga Sutra's by Patanjali, there are various teachings called The Eight Limbs of Yoga.  The first one of the eight is called Yamas.  Yamas can be described as human ethics, similar in ways to the 10 commandments, except there are 5 Yamas.  In fact the following "Limb" of yoga is Niyamas, which also contains 5 elements but focuses on how we relate to our personal observances.  So today's blog is focusing on the first limb of yoga, Yamas.

5 Reflections in Yamas

1. Ahimsa:  This reflection can be compared to the way parents teach their children to be good and grow up with personal fulfillment in order to benefit society.  Being compassionate, being non-violent in the physical sense and in words and thoughts to self or others.  Our thoughts about ourselves and others can be just as powerful as physical.  It's clear intention is to act with clarity and love.  Notably stating though, protecting ourselves from injustice or standing up for ourselves does not violate the reflection of Ahimsa.

2. Satya-  This reflection is about being committed to the truth.  Speaking with the intention of being truthful and an inner truth or integrity.  Satyas meaning is "actively expressing and being in harmony with the ultimate truth.  Setting aside your "ego mind," you may learn that in your true nature you are happier, more balanced, and compassionate.  You may also learn that sometimes you are moody, controlling, and sometime a sad person.  It's all good, its honest, and its real.  Always be real.

3.  Asteya-  Another good lesson for our children is Asteya, no stealing on every level.  This is about not stealing tangible or intangible goods.  You are no better stealing someones idea than you are stealing the shirt off their back.  Stealing stems from the belief that we cannot create what we need. This is a misinterpretation!  We all have everything we truly need inside ourselves and stealing from others creates negative karma, which ultimately can harm you.  Stealing is never the answer.

4.  Brahmacharya-  This is one of the most debatable reflections and can be interpreted by the individual based on their religious or spiritual beliefs.  Basically it is about honoring your sexual being and others involved with respect.  It may mean being celibate until married, it may mean being monogamous and faithful in a committed relationship.  Some will also define it simply as, if you are having sex, have it!  If you are not having sex, don't dwell on it in your mind, be in the present.  It's really about being moderate in thought, word, and deed, while staying present.

5.  Aparigraha:  This reflection is about non-hoarding or non-possessiveness.  Again, truly, there is an abundance out there for us.  Sharing, and giving to those in need are examples of good karma and really believing that the perfection of the universe will provide.  Possessions do not make the person you are, you make the person you are.

That's it for my blog on Yamas.  Stay tuned to learn the other half of the yoga sutras "10 commandments", the Niyamas.

I think its a good theory.  How about you?