“Abhyasa Vairagyabhyam Tannirodhah” ~ Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, I.12 (These mental modifications are restrained by practice and non-attachment.)
Tonight was the first of the Jim Bennitt workshops at Sri Yoga Center. The subject of the workshop was The Yoga Sutras from a Tantric Perspective. I was expecting a lot more lecture and discussion and a lot less asana so I wore jeans and left my mat at home. I did bring my prop bag because I expected I’d need a reasonably comfortable seat.
He explained his concept of Tantric Vinyasa and very briefly talked about the Sutras. He related a story about his studies in India where he studied an ancient text with a teacher and only covered two words in two weeks. His discussion of the Sutras boiled down to two words — Abhyasa (practice) and Vairagyam (detachment). Ironic?
Despite wearing jeans and using a borrowed mat, I enjoyed the asana portion. I had trouble following the Moon Salutation without guidance but I did the best I could. I remember that it took me quite a while to get the Sun Salutation sequences down. I was surprised by how deep I was able to get into some poses such as Utthita Trikonasana and Halasana and how easily I was able to go that deep. It was one of those times when things come together. Of course, there were poses and variations that were way beyond my edge.
I especially enjoyed the extended Savasana and the long meditation practice even if my feet fell asleep during the meditation. At the end of the workshop I felt more relaxed than I have in quite a while. I’m looking forward to the remaining workshops and I’ll be sure to bring my gear and wear something more comfortable. Even if I can’t do it all or use it now, it will be in the back of my mind, in my yoga toolbox for future reference.
Namaste
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