In this episode Casey and Erin discuss yoga sutras 12-14

Yoga sutra number 12 ABHYASA VAIRAGYABYAM TANNIRODHAH
These mental modifications are restrained by practice and non-attachment.

I think for some people, especially the newer Yoga Student this is hard to wrap your mind around. Shouldn’t I have goals when I am practicing yoga? The answer is, not really. I suppose if you do have a goal, it would be to reconnect with your true self. And to keep coming back to that space.

Sutra 13 TATRA STHITAU YATNOBHYASAH
Of these two, effort towards steadiness of the mind is practice.

He continues you always have to be at it, not just for a few minutes a day and then allowing the mind to have its own free time all other hours. It means you become a eternally watchful, scrutinizing every thought.

So this is what the ancient scripture says, I’m not saying I agree with every part of it. For me at this point it seems quite impossible for me to observe every thought, but you know I’m not there yet. I agree with managing the mind as best we can, so maybe after years of practice it does become possible to witness everything.

14th yoga sutra SAT TU DIRGHA KALA NAIRANTARYA SATKARASEVITO DRDHABHUMIH
practice becomes firmly grounded when well attended to for a long time without break and in all earnestness.

We are a culture of immediate gratification. Even though, I think most people would agree and understand that the best things in life come from when we apply effort consistently for a while. We go through this growth process, which at times is uncomfortable, but it’s not the pose at the end, it’s the journey while were working on attaining it. It’s the daily grind. It’s the showing up for yourself by showing up to the mat and practicing.

Then the second part of the sutra talks about in all earnestness. So when we show up to the mat we do so with focus, and dedication.

I have seen in my yoga career while taking classes, the same students showing up for years and years, and the poses never come. They could say well yes I keep showing up to my mat, but only they know if they are focusing on the practice and surrendering while they’re there. Remember, Yoga is not just the poses, it’s the union of the mind and the body and spirit.

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