exploring the yamas: bramacarya.

Brahmacarya is the practice of moderation or continence.

Straight from the sutras:

By abiding in behavior that respects the Divine as omnipresent, one acquires an inspired passion for life.

–YS, 2.38

Although some translations of the sutras focus primarily on celibacy, the practice encompasses more than that. What I find beautiful about the Mukunda Stiles translation, is that the yama is phrased in the positive– there is no deprivation, in fact, quite the opposite. I have been enjoying Rolf Gates’ book Meditations from the Mat, and his musings on brahmacarya really resonated with me. The translation of the sutras that he relies upon translates this sutra as follows (which I also really dig) “When the practicioner is firmly established in continence, knowledge, vigor, valor and energy flow to him.” Gates explains that moderation leads to freedom, both physically and energetically. When one frames the issue in such a way, brahmacharya takes on a whole new persona.

On the mat, we focus our attention today on finding moderation in our asanas, and this relates back to the sutra shtiram suka asanam– finding effort and ease within the pose. Give equal weight to what you perceive as challenging poses and easy poses. Cultivate a lightness in your body.

By letting go of excess, we can truly follow our hearts and fulfill our dharma.

Pranayama: nadi shodana. (alternate nostril breathing.)

Warm-ups: chakravakasana vinyasa (table, bhaktasana, table, adho mukha svanasana– with breath.)

Surya namaskar, modified.

Standing flow (hold each for 3 moderate breaths): virabhadrasana i, virabhadrasana ii, trikonasana, utthita parsvakonasana, prasarita padottanasana

Balance flow (hold each for 3 moderate breaths): vrksasana, virabhadrasana iii, ardha candrasana.
Inversions and affiliated postures (5 moderate breaths each): dynamic setu bandha sarvangasana (bridge– up on inhalation, roll down on exhalation), sarvangasana, supported matsyasana, navasana, apanasana.

Seated postures ( hold for 3 moderate breaths or practice dynamically): pascimottanasana, janu sirsasana, parivrtta janu sirsasana (modified), upavista konasana, bharadvajasana, supta baddha konasana.

Jathara parivartanasana, savasana.

Om.

Namaste.

Thanks to the lovely Elsie Escobar for the use of her photo of upavista konansana. Visit Elsie’s website and listen to her glorious podcasts right here.