Forgive Yourself

Hello Yogis!

Since the workshop with Judith Hanson Lasater, ‘Letting Go: The Heart of Yoga Practice’, there’s a question she asked that has been on my mind. I think it’s a really useful question:

“What is the one repetitive thought that once you let go of it would make the biggest difference in your life? It's there in the background like a bad song”. 

She said: “Worrying is praying for what you don’t want”. “The mind gives off 16, 000 thoughts a day. It just generates thoughts and if you give them power they ruin your life”.

This repetitive thought is keeping you from yourself. It is tethering you to a smaller version of yourself. (Here’s a powerful line and I’m not sure I fully get it, but in the moment she said it, I did): Letting go of this repetitive thought will allow you to forgive yourself.

Here’s her prescription. Notice the mind writing a script. Step back. Don’t argue. Don’t fix. Feel the breath. Feel sensation. Sensation is always about the present moment. Make peace with the present moment. People only act from their level of consciousness. Are you acting with the bigger picture in awareness or is it from the ego awareness?

Classes

Advance notice, the Tuesday class of July 25 is cancelled. I’m going to an ordination at Amaravati of someone who is becoming an Anagārika – it’s the first step towards taking up monastic life and becoming an orange-robbed monk.

Here’s a round-up: Monday and Tuesday = stretchy class at 7.00pm, Wednesday = Ashtanga at 7.00pm and Friday morning = Ashtanga at 8.30am. The Friday morning class, for the past few weeks, has been on the garden decking. It’s a bit like a retreat! Sun salutations to the rising sun, Savasana to the singing birds. It’s incredibly sweet. Come along. Other classes can be outside if the evening is warm enough. Let’s see. You can book here.

Yoga In The News

NDTV.com has: People Perform Yoga At London's Trafalgar Square. Sharing glimpses of the International Day of Yoga celebrations, the High Commission of India in London in the tweet stated, "Yoga lovers from around London have gathered at the historic @trafalgar square to celebrate the International Day of Yoga, spreading positivity and tranquillity."

BBC Science Focus has: Can yoga really decrease stress and anxiety? "Yes, yoga is proven to reduce your anxiety.". "Various studies suggest that breathing coupled with conscious movement can balance the autonomic nervous system (ANS), reduce cortisol levels and provide a sense of wellbeing".

Bicycling magazine has: Yoga-Inspired Stretches for Cyclists: Moves to Do on a Long Ride. The Tour De France starts soon… ‘Research published in the International Journal of Exercise Science found that cyclists who average close to 100 miles of riding per week are significantly more likely to suffer from back pain, compared to those who cycle less than 100 miles per week.’ The article says you can do 'Cat & Cow' and spinal twist on the bike! I reckon do the bike riding on the bike and yoga in the yoga class.

France 24 has: Superstar yogi Sadhguru: 'The age of yoga has come!' "I think in 25 years you will have probably 60 to 70 percent of the world doing some form of yoga," he told AFP during a visit to Paris this week. "Yoga is a science that was first transmitted by the first yogi 15,000 years ago but until now no generation was ready to address their well-being -- and all aspects of who they are -- in a scientific manner using these tools," he added.