Winter Wisdom: Shedding Samskaras, Awakening Belonging, and Rising Together
Good Morning my friends,
This Monday holds different meanings for many of us. We cannot divorce ourselves from cultural, historical, and personal impacts that days may bring. Today may bring the turbulence of political transitions, cultural celebrations of homage and acknowledgment, or the steady rhythm of responsibilities and commitments.
Astrologically, we transition from Capricorn’s steadfast grounding, habits and rituals to Aquarius’s air element, inviting us to widen our lens, expand outward, and collaborate. On this day, as we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I’ve taken the opportunity to align with my New Year’s intention: connecting more deeply. I’ve recently been carving intentional time to explore stories of social justice (Godfather of Harlem and On the basis of sex) and taking in writing on radical belonging, examining implicit biases, and reflecting on how we “other” or “same” people. From "Troubling the water" Ben McBride offers:
Instead of asking, “What do I need to do to create a world where all can belong?”, ask, “Who do I need to become?”
As we move forward with intention, I invite you to come back to your own work of reflection:
- What patterns or samskaras (grooved habits) are keeping you from healing?
- Is there past conditioning holding you back, coping mechanisms of past ready to be shed?
- How might you prioritize your healing and focus on your awakening?
Yoga is a inward journey of which the effects spill over to our collective healing. In considering this, what's on my mind are a few yogic principles, inquiries and practices for you to explore:
Tapas: Aligned Commitment
Effort and commitment—right effort—are critical to awakening. Use the practices of tapas to refine your discipline and connect to your purpose. Nourishing self discipline.
Exploring The Gunas: Elements in Practice
The qualities of the gunas provide balance, and objectivity to witness what’s within and around us:
- Tamas: Stability, rest, nurturance
- Rajas: Energy, action, potential
- Sattva: Clarity, harmony, balance
Notice where these qualities show up in your day-to-day life and how they influence your nervous system. Aim to find the balance that clears pathways for healing and clarity.
Saucha: Clear the Path
The season of air (vata) is perfect for channeling the winds of change, bringing fresh life and perspective to stagnant energy. Consider:
- Delegating tasks to create space
- Honing concentration (dharana)
- Deepening self-study (svadhyaya) through books, podcasts, and reflections
As we align with Aquarius’s expansive energy, we can integrate Capricorn’s structured habits with fresh innovation. Build your resources, shed outdated patterns, and nourish your foundation.
You can revisit past blogs, look to the search engine in my website with some of these yoga terms to see other writings on yoga philosophy, and let me know if you'd like deeper dives into this work to be shared with the community! You can also share with me any comments, insights, notes or the like on the webpage blog post for me and our community.
Exploring Practices
To embody this work, here are a few tools you might consider:
- Bhastrika (Bellows Breath): Clear stuck energy and invigorate prana.
- Movement & Breath: Take a brisk walk, synchronizing breath with movement, embodied yoga asana practices.
- Journaling or Drawing: Take in a piece of music, meditation, or practice that centers you. Bring a few art supplies to a page and offer to yourself the inquiry- What health, healing, and aligned commitment mean for you. Let your body feel and bring to the page what unfolds. Not needing to get it ‘right’. Just exploring.
If you’d like support discovering personalized practices or how to integrate these or other yoga tools in your life, I offer personal yoga therapy where we can explore practices and rhythms tailored to you. Sometimes- simply committing to a weekly or biweekly check-in with a kind, loving witness can be the medicine you need to see yourself, to move through, and come back home to yourself in meeting life.
Offerings
- In-Studio @ YoYoYogi
Monday @ 6 PM – Mellow Monday: A 75-minute integrated yin practice. Learn More - Online via Zoom
Tuesday & Thursday @ 8 AM PST / 11 AM EST – Morning Yoga: Rise, Move, Pause: A 30-minute class. Pay what you want. Register Here - Yoga Therapy
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Closing Reflection
As you continue nourishing your foundation this winter, bring in fresh prana, shed past conditioning, and invite clarity. That it is more who you are, and what you do and how you are with self and others supports who you are. Channel the warming qualities of your heart’s fire to elevate your spirit. May the teachings of Dr. King remind us to move closer to what we aspire toward and further away from what no longer serves us. For rising the greater waters of equity, justice, and freedom for all.
Oṁ namaḥ śhivāya gurave. Satchitānanda mūrtaye. Niṣprapañcāya śhantāya. Nirālambāya tejase.
We honor the teacher within—comprised of truth, consciousness and bliss, That is ever-present, dispels darkness and brings peace. And that needs no conditions to shine radiantly.
May we channel fresh prana, shed the residue, and welcome the clarity that follows.
Here with you in practice,
In love and light,
Maya