Srivatsa Ramaswami teaches that Patanjali’s definition of the word ‘yoga’ in the Yoga Sutras is often mistranslated by yoga scholars. Yoga has many meanings, and it is often only understood to mean ‘union’ or ‘to yoke or join’. This meaning is from the Sanskrit word ‘yujir’. The sage Yajnavalkya uses ‘yujir’ when he describes yoga as union with God.

The second sutra is:

yogas-citta-vritti-nirodhah

Yoga is stilling or stoppage of the movements of the mind.

Here Patanjali does not say that yoga means to ‘yoke’ or to ‘unite’.

The Yoga Sutras meaning of yoga is a derivative of the word ‘yuja’ which means ‘peace of mind ’, or ‘samadhi’, which is the 8th limb of ashtanga yoga.
Yoga is medicine whichever way it is defined...

Nicki Doane says, yoga is to destroy or let go of all self defeating, self limiting tendencies of the mind.

Nicki Doane in Hanumanasana, a pose that honours the great leap made by Hanuman, the monkey God from the Ramayana, across the ocean from India to the mountains of Sri Lanka.

“Everybody can breathe, therefore everyone can practice yoga...The mastery of yoga must not be measured simply by the ability to master the techniques of yoga like asana and pranayama, but by how it influences our day-to-day living, how it enhances our personal relationships, and how it promotes clarity and peace of mind.”

— T. K. V. Desikachar

Over the last month, I mentioned I would share the shoulder medicine as well as the Peace Prayer tutorial.

Here it is:

SHOULDER ROTATIONS FROM HASTA VINYASAS

SHANTI MANTRA (TEACHER/STUDENT PRAYER)

I will be posting much more yoga material on Instagram. If you don’t have an account you might consider getting one! If you do have an account hit me up with any questions or answers.

Here’s the replay link from Ryan’s workshop this morning, you’ll have access to this one until midnight PST, Wednesday:

REPLAY RYAN’S WEEKLY WORKSHOP

THE DIGITAL STUDIO CLASS SCHEDULE

Today, Tuesday January 26th
7-8am PST Karma Vinyasa with Chris Phillips
8:30-9:45am PST Weekly Workshop with Ryan Leier
4-5pm PST Vinyasa with Malina Dawn
5:30-6pm PST In Conversation, with Guest Teacher, Danielle Laporte

Today, Wednesday January 27th
8-9am PST Vinyasa with Kiyah Leier-Marshall
10:30-11:30am PST Vinyasa with Annie Clarke
4-5pm PST Vinyasa with Vanessa Bourget
6-7:15pm PST Vinyasa with Risto Duggan

40 DAYS OF PRACTICE FACEBOOK GROUP

4O DAYS OF PRACTICE DAILY EMAIL COMPILATION

30 MINUTE RECORDED PRACTICE WITH RYAN

RYAN’S PLAYLIST