Mysore Sojourn : "Inspiration"
In the Ashtanga Yoga System, pranayama is placed after asana. Through an asana practice, the body develops a strong base/ foundation, strength, & steadiness to support the extension of prana i.e. pranayama. It is only after 10 years of slow, steady asana practice, that I have finally embarked upon understanding the concept of prana through the practice of pranyama. B.K.S. Iyengar's book, Light on Life, has been supporting my asana practice; I had not got beyond the chapter on asana. It is now, as my pranayama practice begins in Mysore, that I move forward to read the next chapter on pranayama. In this chapter, he writes, "the word inspiration, means both to breath in and to grasp a feeling in the form of an idea". It is this sentence that inspired me to write this blog on "Inspiration"
My friend, Shriram Ramdas, would say to me, "Radhika, in life, you have to surround yourself with people who are smarter than you, who know more than you, who push your boundaries, who challenge you - that is the way to growth". I have always remembered this and I look forward to meeting these people, thriving through these interactions and being "inspired" by them. I have had the good fortune to be "inspired" by quite a few people. In my yoga journey as well, the "inspirations" continue to flow. But a few stand out at this juncture of my life. I'd like to share five people who have been (and are) instrumental in shaping my journey thus far.
Eclectic mix perhaps...
- B.K.S. Iyengar's is truly a living legend. I deeply respect his views on Yoga. The precision, the tenacity, the rigour with which he approaches yoga and life leaves me charged each time I read something of his. He has shaped my practice to a large extent. I do not yet practice the Iyengar style (I have taken only 1 class), but through his books, Light on Yoga and for me, more specifically, Light in Life, I have got a perspective like no other. 'Light on Life' is my holy book - you will always see me with it. (Incidentally, the other other book I tend to carry with me is The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - Translation & commentary by Sri Swami Satchinananda.) I recently purchased, Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and I look forward to being guided through the sutras with this great man and inspiration.
 |
| B.K.S. Iyengar |
- Sadie Nardini is quite on the opposite end of the spectrum in terms of personality. I accidentally stumbled upon her a few years back and I loved her. She is a yogini, that lives in New York city, teaches around the world and has her own brand of yoga she calls, Core Strength Vinyasa Yoga. Her "rockstar - yogi" avatar (leather jacket, red lips, black nail polish, tattoo et al) instantly resonated with me. I am all for being extremely disciplined about the practice, food, work, relationships BUT, I like to have fun as well and Sadie is just that! She rocks on the mat & off it. She is my-kinda-gal and I follow her religiously :) .www.sadienardini.com
 |
| Brendan & Sadie |
- Brendan Brazier brought a strong perspective on food for me. And though, he is vegan (which I am not), his food philosophies are based on solid-strong principals and I find myself gravitate towards it - his products, the food advice etc. www.myvega.com
 |
| Swami Vivekananda |
- I began to intently pay attention to Swami Vivekananda's message when I was studying yoga in the Swami Vivekananda Institute in Bangalore. I liked what I heard. I have never been religious in my outlook, I have not prescribed to rituals, I have no picture of "God" at my altar. I am not a non-believer - I believe divinity is in each of us. I find the same messages echo through his lectures on Practical Vedanta and other such works. For me, one of his most powerful statements is , "Take up one idea. Make that one idea your life - think of it, dream of it, live on that idea. Let the brain, muscles, nerves, every part of your body, be full of that idea, and just leave every idea alone. This is the way to success, that is the way great spiritual giants are produced". I remind myself of this often. 2013, incidentally marks 150th birth year anniversary (1863 - 2013).
- And perhaps, I would add to this list, Vinay Kumar-Ji, my guru,guide, mentor in Mysore. I have only begun practicing under his guidance this year but, it feels 'right' for the moment. Each morning at the practice, he gently enables me to challenge the boundaries I set for myself. He helps me to understand the tightness, the knots, the habits, the stored impressions, the strengths and vulnerabilities. And he works patiently, day after day to help me realise, release and rise!
Amongst other definitions, the Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines inspiration as, "a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation". I feel blessed to be on the path of yoga and to have access to the knowledge and "sacred revelation". I look for forward to more such inspiration to unlock that potential (divinity) that is within me and us all.
And, I hope, I am able to inspire you!
"Om"
Very very precise presentation of your mind and body on towards the path of self-discovery, through Yoga; It is good and I like it. Do keep it up. But one thing I would like to point out is that at this lofty height, you will find less and less numbers of fellow traveler, and when you arrive at the top, there might be none. Here in our country and society, the mass stays at the mundane level; so some of us stay down below, mired here with the masses and do our bit to take them up if possible.
ReplyDelete