Chitta Vritti Nirodha

There are 3 main Bandhas, or locks.

• Mula Bandha
  • Root lock, pelvic floor muscles.
  • Engage the pelvic floor (Kegel), lift he muscles upward.
• Udayana Bandha
  • Upward Flying Lock, abdominals up to the diaphragm.
  • Draw the lower belly towards the spine.
• Jalandhara Bandha
  • Throat lock
  • Place chin on sternum and lock throat.

A Pranayama exercise using all three locks can be experienced by inhaling a deep inhale. With the breath held in, engage the Mula Bandha. Engage the Udayana Bandha. Engage the Jalandhara Bandha. Raise your shoulders and hold until you need to breathe again. When you need to breathe again, release each bandha, lower the shoulders, and let out the air through the nose or through parsed lips slowly.

Nadi’s are the channels or pathways in which Prana (life energy) passes through the body. There are 72,000 nadis. The 3 main Nadi’s are:

1. IDA
   1. Starts at the root chakra and runs up the back left side of the spine and ends at the left nostril. Associated with lunar energy, feminine, and cooling. Means comfort in Sanskrit.
2. Pingala
   1. Starts at the root chakra and runs up the back right side of the spine and ends at the right nostril. Associated with solar energy, masculine, and warming. Means orange in Sanskrit.
3. Sushumna
   1. Is the central and most important channel. It connects the base chakra to the crown chakra.

The purpose of Yoga is Moksha, liberation and hence immortality in the state of Samadhi, union, which is the meaning of Yoga as describe by Patanjali. ​(Satcittananda, 1978)​

This is obstructed by blockages in the Nadis, which allow the vital air, Prana, to languish in the Ida and Pingala channels. The unblocking of the channels is therefore a vital function of Yoga. The various practices of Yoga, Pranayama, mantras, visualization, mudras, etc., work together to force the Prana to move from the Ida and Pingala into the central Sushumna. The mudras for example, close off various openings, trapping Prana and directing the Sushumna. This allows kundalini to rise up the Sushumna channel, leading to liberation.

1. Satcittananda, S. (1978). Yoga Sutras of Patanjali . Integral Yoga Publications.

What is Yoga?

Dictionary

• Merriam-Webster
  • A system of exercises for mental and physical health
  • A Hindu philosophy that teaches a person to experience inner peace by controlling the body and mind
  • A Hindu theistic philosophy teaching the suppression of all activity of body, mind, and will in order that the self may realize its distinction from them and attain liberation
  • A system of exercises for attaining bodily or mental control and well-being
• Cambridge Dictionary
  • A set of physical and mental exercises….which is intended to give control over the body and mind

“Nothing but Yoga will make you better at Yoga, but Yoga will make you better at everything”

Etymology and Yogic Philosophy

The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit root yuj meaning to yoke or to unite. This union is both at an individual level – body, mind and spirit / soul and on a universal level – The Self with The Supreme Consciousness:

• THE TRUE SELF (Atman) – According to yogic philosophy, Yoga is the challenge of finding your Atman. In an attempt to find the truth that underlies and pervades everything about you, we can begin to look at what you are NOT:
  • YOU ARE NOT THE BODY: we are all in a state of delusion (Maya). We wrongly identify our bodies as being part of our True Self. We refer to the different components of our bodies as “ma hair”, “my hand”, etc. However, if you were to remove any body part, would you be any less of a person? Yoga teaches us to break through this illusion and to search out who that entity saying “my” is.
  • YOU ARE NOT THE MIND: the thoughts and emotions that you feel are constantly changing. They are the product of your experience and your environment.
  • SO, WHAT / WHO ARE YOU? By identifying with the body, emotions and thoughts, (“my” hand, strength / weakness”, house / car”, freedom / happiness) we develop a concept of separateness which can becomes a habitual way of thinking and feeling, bringing suffering. As we start peeling away these layers of ownership, who / what is left? This “True Self” is what we are attempting to discover through the Yoga practice.
• SUPREME / UNIVERSAL CONSCIOUSNESS (BRAHMAN)
  • This is the absolute truth in the Vedantic philosophy, the basis of everything – eternal, infinite and unchanging. Different Hindu religions and philosophical schools have different names for this Universal Consciousness: Shiva, Vishnu, Adinath. We are part of Brahman and Brahman exists in us, too. When we refer to the Brahman within us, it is known as Atman.
• “YOGA Chitta VRITTI NIRODHA”
  • “The restraint of the modifications of the mind stuff is Yoga” Patanjali, The Yoga Sutras.
  • If we can bring both the body and the mind to stillness, we can see the True Self and thus we have reached enlightenment.
• Yoga AS ASCIENCE
  • “Just like science says experiment, Yoga says experience. Experiment and experience are the same. Experiment is something you can do outside; experience is something you can inside. Experience is and inside experiment.” (OSHO)
• Yoga AS A METHOD FOR BEING HERE NOW
  • It is common for our mind to reevaluate the events in the past, projecting imaginary ones in the future, and when the future time projected arrives as present moment, the story repeats all over again. Yoga teaches us how to diminish these tendencies and savior the present for longer and with more acknowledgment.
• Yoga AS A HEALTH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
  • Asana TECHNIQUES (Yoga postures) offer proven benefits to anyone regardless of their philosophical opinions or convictions. They help us keep an overall mobility in the body that otherwise would stiffen up with age. Maintaining a daily Asana practice will assure supple joints, long muscles, prevent degenerative conditions, also acting on the the cardio-vascular and nervous systems.
  • Pranayama (breathing exercises) and DRISHTI (focused gaze) are crucial to obtaining the above mentioned results. Through focus and intelligent breathing techniques our mind becomes calmer and our physiological panorama more harmonious, leading therefore to a healthier body and more content mind.

According to my Yoga teacher, Dustin Horan, “Yoga is a practice which empowers one to overcome the obstacles of the mind so that the self can experience its own true nature.”

The eight limbs of Yoga make up the fundamental philosophies of Yoga. The limbs of Yoga are shown here.

Yamas And Niyamas

Yamas

The Yama’s were first mentioned in the Rig Veda but brought to light to most readers by Patanjali. We can think of the Yama’s as moral guidelines, socio-ethical disciplines, and ethical ideas that guide us on our journey. Yama’s sort of set the heart and mind on the right path.

These aren’t “shalt not”, they are suggestions. They are guides toward the light. Be gentle with yourself.

Ahimsa: non-harming

Ahimsa is probably one of my favorite words. Ahimsa is generally defined as “non-harming,” but when looked at more closely, it goes beyond the idea of one individual not harming another. It also means not harming the self physically or mentally. Negative self-talk could be seen as a form of self-harm. Ahimsa tells us to abstain from these activities. Ahimsa applies to all living things, including animals, insects, and even plants. Ahimsa applies to passive-aggressive comments, negative gossip, criticism, and anything that can potentially harm yourself or others.

Non-harming, compassion, patience, love for others, self-love, worthiness, understanding

Satya: truthfulness

Satya is another fun one. We can all understand the idea of being truthful. Truthful in our words and our actions. But the Yamas don’t live alone. We must be truthful and in harmony with the other eight limbs. If given a choice to say something truthful, that harms someone, you still have to take ahimsa into consideration. Sometimes it’s better to say nothing.

Truthfulness, honesty, non-judgment, owning feelings, true to self, loving communication, tolerance, and forgiveness.

Asteya: non-stealing

Asteya doesn’t just pertain to stealing physical objects. It can. But it can also be stealing another person’s light or joy or misusing time at work. Stealing is taking from the universe that which is not yours, usually not following ahimsa. One of my Yoga teachers, Cheryl, gave me an idea: Asteya gets in your way by filling your time beyond that which is sustainable—saying yes to events and things and people so often that you are stealing your own energy.

Non-stealing, the right use of resources, generosity, letting go of jealousy or envy, self-sufficiency, and not stealing time.

Brahmacharya: Moderation

Brahmacharya is an evolving term. Traditionally meant to tell the practitioner to “not touch the Brahma” to not take away his innocence, the word has evolved. Abstinence from sexual passions was another definition. Moderation may be the best definition for modern practitioners.

Of Brahma, containment of sexual energy, moderation of sensory control, non-addictive behavior, space between impulse and reaction.

Aparigraha: non-hoarding

Aparigraha isn’t like the Abrahamic idea of not coveting your neighbor’s wife. While that may be a part, it’s more like not seeking to hoard. Seeking to hoard stuff. Greedily pursuing things or people’s time or money or goals or anything. It’s a fundamental idea of minimalism.

Non-hoarding, non-possessiveness, filling needs instead of wants, non-attachment to outcomes, stuff you own owns you, minimalism.

Niyamas

The Niyamas are self-purification through disciplines or personal ethical disciplines. Here we focus on things we can do to make our lives better.

Saucha: cleanliness

Saucha is cleanliness, not just the physical body, but your surroundings, your minds, your thoughts, the tv shows you watch, the songs you sing, and the thoughts you think. Cleanliness. Pure.

Cleanliness, clean from pollutants, treating the body as a temple, evenness of mind and body and speech, literal cleanliness, simple living.​(Horan, 2022)​

Santosa: contentment

Contentment is not always an easy thing in today’s world, but the idea of Santosa reminds us to be happy with what we have. Where we are in the world. Surrender to the forces that are bigger than us. Trust that everything will be ok.

“Be here now. This is the only place you need to be. And from this place, all things are possible.”​(Beattie, 1996)​

Contentment, content with the moment, gratitude, acceptance, and peace.

Tapas: passion

Tapas is thought to be passion or zeal. Sometimes around Yoga, sometimes around other things. Maybe learning to be a Yoga teacher, maybe learning a musical instrument.

Zeal, zeal for the practice, dedication to Yoga, perseverance, austerity, discipline for the practice, and commitment.

Svadhyaya: Self-study

Svadhyaya is that self-reflection or self-awareness you gain while doing Yoga. But it’s also observing yourself in all situations. How do you behave? How does your body work? Self-study requires childlike inquisition. The knowledge you gain is for you and you alone.

Self-study, the study of the self, studying by the self, learning, reading, and practice.

Isvara pranidhana: surrender

Isvara pranidhana is to surrender. Surrender to the universe, surrender to God, surrender to the energies surrounding us, and trust the bigger plan of ultimate reality.

Surrender, Surrender to life and the divine, give up control, surrender to the nature of things, faith, dedication, and devotion.

Asana

Asana practice is commonly referred to when we think about Yoga in the west. But this is just one part of Yoga. Asana is all the physical movements when we go to Yoga class. The poses, the postures, and the physical movement of Yoga.

Pranayama

Pranayama is breath control. The breathing exercises we perform or life force discipline.

Pratyahara

Pratyahara is withdrawing the senses. We focus the senses inward to experience the nature of the mind.

Dharana

Dharana is concentration, training the mind to meditate. Attempts of meditation.

Dhyana

Dhyana is the state of meditation. A continuous flow of concentration.

Samadhi

Samadhi is pure contemplation. Oneness with the universe. A state of oneness. Yoga.

1. Beattie, M. (1996). Journey To the Heart. Harper One.
2. Horan, D. (2022). YTT Jai Yoga School. Tera Firma.

Nada, in Sanskrit, means sound. There is energy in the form of sound vibrations all around the universe at all times. Galaxies are moving; the solar system is moving, the earth is moving, and you are moving. These vibrations make up fundamental energy that we call Nada Brahma. Here we relate the creator and creation to these divine energies of sound.

When we play a musical note, we are tapping into, joining if you will, the primordial forces underlying all existence. When we strum a string or blow air through a reed or hit a drum, we are intentionally contacting and merging with those vibrations. When we join those vibrations with the sounds of our voices, and the energy of the music we create, we are dancing with the divine.

Even if you are not a musician, you can experience divine sound. It’s everywhere, birds, wind, rivers, your heartbeat, a child’s laughter—all sacred sounds. And if you want to interact with this divine nada, you can always join in with the universal sound of Om or chant mantras. We prefer Sanskrit mantras, which you can find on this site, but there are no rules to what you sing.

Bhakti Yoga is the Yoga of devotion where the devotee takes action in performance and selfless service, service to the divine. Bhakti was first mentioned in The Bhagavad Gita around 300 BC, the word Bhakti comes from the root word Bhaj, of which the essence is to share. This form of Yoga is based upon the heart, love and devotion towards a chosen deity (Ishta Devata). Much like Karma Yoga, dedicating all actions towards a deity or ‘God’ is an intrinsic part of Bhakti Yoga. Much like other branches of Yoga, Bhakti Yoga has limbs (anga) for each practitioner to adhere to and take part in:

• Limbs of Bhakti
  • Shravana; listening to sacred scriptures
  • Kirtana; singing of devotional songs
  • Smarana; remembering the divine through meditation
  • Pada-sevana; ritual worship or service at the feet of the Lord
  • Vandana; prostration before the image of God;
  • Dasya; devotion to the Lord
  • Sakhya; friendship through which the Divine raises the devotee to a friend
  • Atma-nivedana; self-offering.

Bhakti is considered the highest form of Yoga becuase Krishna, in the Bhagavad Gita says that Bhakti is the Yoga of devotion and is the most direct path to experience the unity of mind, body and spirit of Krisha. It is the path of devotion and unconditional love, the path that Krishna says is the direct path to his heart. ​(Easwaran, 1985)​

Rakhe Krishna, Mare Ke
Mare Krishna, Rakhe Ke

Translation: If Krishna wants to kill someone, there’s no protection. If Krishna wants to protect someone, nobody can kill them.

Bhakti Lineage begins with the Authors of the Rig Veda, goes to Patanjali, Brahma Chari, Krishnamacharya, and then to Iyengar.

1. Easwaran, E. (1985). The Bhagavad Gita (7th ed.). Nilgiri Press.