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Without explanation, I was passed a two Rupee coin.
It took a while before I read the inscription. "ALL LIFE IS YOGA" Suddenly my view of yoga changed. There are other definitions of Yoga than:
"Yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind" Yoga Sutra 1.2 19 have been listed by Christopher Wallis on his website. |
David McAmmond: My story so far
Years ago I was on a search when I discovered yoga. A search for the meaning of existence on earth. First I read philosophy and psychology. Then I meditated. Asana wasn’t appealing but when discovered the experience was spectacular. I thought of LSD. After a few months of asana the mental high went away. I continued with pranayama, meditation, chanting, and doing asana as before but it all felt dead. Then I was really curious. My search changed and became more intense. Deeper pranayama, longer meditation, better alignment and extreme poses. There were highs but never the rush of the first love with yoga.
In the past forty years I have continued to search, to understand the change that took place. I have realized that my love of yoga was the same as any other long-term love. Hot, intense and fiery in the beginning. Cooler, calmer but committed later. As with all love affairs the dopamine changes to oxytocin.
What about that nagging question regarding the meaning of life? It has been asked through the history of mankind. Perhaps it is an imponderable question.
Where am I now?
Whatever poses I am doing or teaching, awareness proves to be the most significant part.
1. Awareness of the physical sensations the pose is creating
2. Awareness of the emotion which may be connected with the pose
3. Awareness of the stories we tell ourselves when practicing
Practice with awareness brings one into the present moment and opens the door to self-knowledge and the possibility of transformation.
Maintain equanimity, Stay connected, Accept change
In the past forty years I have continued to search, to understand the change that took place. I have realized that my love of yoga was the same as any other long-term love. Hot, intense and fiery in the beginning. Cooler, calmer but committed later. As with all love affairs the dopamine changes to oxytocin.
What about that nagging question regarding the meaning of life? It has been asked through the history of mankind. Perhaps it is an imponderable question.
Where am I now?
Whatever poses I am doing or teaching, awareness proves to be the most significant part.
1. Awareness of the physical sensations the pose is creating
2. Awareness of the emotion which may be connected with the pose
3. Awareness of the stories we tell ourselves when practicing
Practice with awareness brings one into the present moment and opens the door to self-knowledge and the possibility of transformation.
Maintain equanimity, Stay connected, Accept change