This is the Pratipaksa Bhavanam
What an incredible month of growing and learning with the 14 other ladies in my YTT at Urban Om. Yes, all ladies, led by ladies. How wonderful is that! We have been immersed with history, pranayama, anatomy, asana, and meditation studies since the moment we began.
Speaking of the way begin our time together, the Shanti Mantra or Peace Mantra is a Hindu prayer for peace (shanti) found in the Upanishads. Anna has led us in call in response, and we’ve progressed to singing together. Few of us have stepped up to sing it for the group. I tried it last week with the hopes I’d be less fearful of singing it for my husband. Still haven’t sang it yet.
We’ve spent two full weekends of study together covering, a history of the origins, postclassical periods, and modern yoga. We’ve read Book Two of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras and we each taught our selected verse today. I shared verse 33, Vitarka badhana pratipaksa bhavanam. When disturbed by negative thoughts, opposite or positive ones should be thought of in replacement. This is the pratipaksa bhavanam or the opposite side manifested.
This is one of the most basic ways we can move forward in our daily lives with positivity. When you’re bothered by the negative minutia of life, think of things you love. If you can, go stand next to someone you love, you likely won’t be bothered much longer. How can we evaluate and evolve with our attitudes towards others to achieve harmony?
As we start session three of ten this weekend we’re diving into; balancing and bound standing postures, anatomy of the torso, Kapalabhati pranayama, and metta meditation. All this and we start holding space for the first time on Sunday with 30-minute practice teaching sessions.
My final preparations are happening tonight. Jessie and I are out on the town Saturday night for the Kids Chance gala. I’ll also be sharing my video of getting gala ready in less than an hour this weekend too. Was never quite sure how it took people all day with teams???Prepped my usual presentation note card tonight and I’m ready to rock.
I’m so grateful to each of you that followed me as I tell this story of my training. A special shout out to my yoga buddy, Eden, and my teaching group The Whiskers, Eileen and Taylor. I’m having the absolute best time learning more about yoga and you. Especially my husband for everything he’s taking care of for me while I study yoga.
Here’s the list of books we’re using for our study.
Judith Hanson Lasater’s book is fantastic!
Namaste
The Heart of Yoga: Developing a Personal Practice by TKV Desicachar
The Yoga Sutras Of Pantanjali by SriSwami Satchidananda, goes with the above
Living Your Yoga: Finding the Spiritual in Everyday Life by Judith Hanson Lasater
Anatomy of Movement by Blandine Calais-Germain
Light on Yoga by BKS Iyengar
#urbanommke #shaktishackmke #shakishackyoga #enneasana #Sempervidemus #yogareverie