The 8 Limbs of Yoga

"Ashtanga" or 8 Limbs of Yoga define the core characteristics of Raja Yoga (Royal Yoga), which in turn form the foundation for many Yoga systems today.

The 8 Limbs of Yoga are:

• Yama (Abstentions)
• Niyama (Observations)
• Asana (Seat or Postures)
• Pranayama (Breath or Life Force)
• Pratyahara (Control of Senses)
• Dharana (Concentration)
• Dhyana (Meditation)
• Samadhi (Liberation)

In between doing P90X, Yoga, and of course working full-time and being a father and husband, and a devout Catholic, I'm trying to study these concepts, how they effect my practice, and what they mean to me.  It will likely take a long while to go through each one, mostly because I'm still stuck on the first two limbs, while dabbling with the third and fourth, and sometimes the fifth, sixth, and seventh.  It is said that Yoga without the first two limbs is an "impossibility," and in many ways, I agree.  The foundations set by the first two are so important, to live a good life, that anything else gained without that foundation is due to fail.  For me, the first two are very tough and very deep, and touch many aspects of my life.  However, it does give me a clear and concise blueprint for how to live life in a kind and caring manner, one better for me, the people and world around me.

One important note here is that I am a devout Catholic, born and raised, just as my children and family.  This is my real foundation, something I have found beauty and peace in.  I know lots of people don't approve of the Catholic Faith for a variety of reasons, but like many things, the way we perceive things is but a manifestation of the thoughts in our minds.  I take my religion as a very positive part of my life, something that has given me so much for so many years.  And just because I study other systems, doesn't mean I'm any less devout.

Okay, with that out of the way, the first limb (Yama) discusses the things you shouldn't do, or avoid, or at least try your best.  They are:

• Yamas
• Ahimsa (Non-Harming)
• Satya (Non-Lying)
• Asteya (Non-Stealing)
• Brahmacharya (Non-Sexual Misconduct)
• Aparigraha (Non-Greed)

Over the next several weeks or months, I'm going to meditate and write about each one of these.  Ahimsa (Non-Harming) seems to the foundation for everything else, and goes with my previous revelations about "kindness" to all being so key to finding peace.  It'll be interesting to see what comes out of this.

P90X Lean - Week 3 of 13

Week #3 is done, and the first 'block' with it.  P90X is divided up into 3 blocks, with 1 week 'recovery blocks' built in between.  I got through the week unscathed, and my body felt pretty good throughout.  In addition to the routine, I also did Yoga on M, TU, and SA.  The XStretch on Sunday was particularly nice, sometimes just getting in a nice and easy stretch makes all the difference in the world. 

Diet wise, I'm continuing to struggle a bit.  That's the hardest part of P90X, to get your food right.  I will need to continue to press this week to get it right, get enough high quality calories and fiber to make a difference.  I feel great through, stronger, but still flexible.  I did feel a bit sleepy late in the week, probably due to a lack of sleep and some long days at work.

Week 4 is a recovery week (no weight training), with Weeks 5-7 starting a new block of training.

M:  YogaX AM, Studio Yoga PM
TU: Core Synergistics AM, Studio Yoga PM
W: KenpoX AM
TH: XStretch AM
F: CardioX AM
SA: YogaX AM, Studio Yoga AM
SU: XStretch AM

Tolerance

Tolerance is probably my most important quality I strive for and look for in people.  Along the lines of the virtues I discussed a while back:

• Purity
• Moderation
• Kindness
• Generosity
• Liveliness
• Humility
• Contentment

I think Tolerance combines all of them in a very concise manner.  Not that I am perfect or tolerant of everything, I most definitely am not.  I have my faults, too many to name, but I do see this as a lifelong goal.  To be tolerant of all, even to those who are intolerant, even to those who harm or hurt me, even those who don't deserve my tolerance.

It crosses a lot of lines, habits, beliefs, faith, ethics, morals, etc.  So when I am presented with something difficult, something I don't agree with, am I tolerant, do I listen, do I try to understand?  Most of the time, the answer is probably no, simply because it's a work in progress.  And my hope and prayer is that one day, I will be a better person for being more tolerant, more pure, more moderate, more kind, more generous, more lively, more humble, and finally more content.

Passport to Prana

This past weekend, I created my own Yoga Retreat in the City.  I had the ambitious goal of doing 8 classes in 3 days, to mimic somewhat what I experienced at the Wanderlust Festival in Lake Tahoe, but with the many studios in the City.  "Passport to Prana" is a great way to experience this.  You pick a city, sign up for the card, and then present it to any one of the participating studios for that city.  In my case, there are 40+ studios that are available to try.  You get to visit each studio once, with a deadline of 11/30/10 in my case.  Given that the card only cost $30, and a drop-in visit can range from $12 to $20, this is a great deal.

So, I planned my days accordingly, took a mix of classes from different studios, styles, teachers, levels, etc. just to get immersed in the many interpretations of Yoga.  Overall, it was an incredible experience.  My body was pretty good throughout, considering the pace and frequency of the workouts.  And I came out of it with an appreciation for all types of Yoga, for the teachers, the small business owners, the large corporations, etc. that are involved with the science, philosophy, business, and practice of Yoga.

On Friday, I scheduled 4 very different styles and studios.

It started at 6am with a "Mysore Style Ashtanga Yoga" class.  This is a self-paced class, where you go through the Ashtanga sequences, and a teacher supervises, gives pointers, etc. during the practice.  It was strange at first, seeing people go through independent movements, something I hadn't been exposed to before.  My teacher greeted me, knowing it was my first time in that style of class.  Even though I had practiced Yoga a lot before, she gave me a lot of "beginner" type pointers that were invaluable.  She gave me some tips, particularly in Cobra/Upward Dog that had me questioning what I've been doing these past many years in my practice, and why other teachers never corrected my form in that way.  In the end, it was cool, like a fundamentals camp, if you will.  It would be like learning defensive stance or shooting form in basketball and working on that for a whole week or so.

Next, was very different type of Yoga called "Integral Yoga".  The studio was an old Victorian Mansion, with a completely homie vibe, non commercial, and very inviting.  I met a couple of nice folks there who had gone on a retreat with that group and they both said it was great.  I ended up taking a beginner class (which was very easy for me) but I did pick up some things in there I've never seen before (including eye exercises).  The teacher was very gentle and very calm and I came out of there very peaceful and ready for more.

Next, was a "Yin Yoga" class.  I've been doing Yin for a few months now, and I dig it.  It's kind of a cross between a restorative class and a stretching class, and focuses on the connective tissues.  You hold what looks like very simple poses for an extended period of time, and while the poses look quiet and peaceful, your connectives tissues are raging and on fire.  It's a great way to open up your body, and I enjoyed that greatly.

So, after a good early morning of fundamentals, some nice easy basics, and some connective work, I went to a "Midnight Yoga" class, which was a Vinyasa Flow class with a live musician and a very groovy atmosphere.  My teacher there was just great, gorgeous in many ways (more than just physical of course), and took us through a freaking killer workout.  I know it was late and I had done 3 classes already, but I was toast after that.  2 hours of tough and creative Vinyasa flows, movements smoothly connected to poses I had really not combined that way before.  My body was in shock at first, and definitely ready for bed.

On Saturday, I chose two challenging Vinyasa Flow classes, intermediate/advanced levels.

The first was early morning and was packed to the hilt.  I knew it going in, because I took a similar class with the same teacher at Wanderlust.  It was awesome, just like in Wanderlust.  The chanting, the flows, the meditation, the energy, the peace ... all of what you want in class, it was all there.  People there were very cool, and I enjoyed it greatly.

The second was in the afternoon at a very old-school studio.  My teacher was a cheerleader, very fit and strong, and very challenging.  What was truly amazing about her was how she broke everything down step-by-step, preparation for some very hard poses.  At the end, I did a crazy arm balance (hard for me to do those because of my body type, and my wrist pain ... too much typing), and I surprised myself that I could even do that.  I learned a lot there and enjoyed it greatly.

Sunday, I chose one challenging Vinyasa Flow class, and one Beginner class.

The first was early morning, and my buddy came up to take it with me.  We've been workout partners since we were kids, and it's always nice to have one of your best friends join you, especially when you need a small push to finish off 8 classes in 3 days.  That was a tough class.  It was in a semi-heated room (not Bikram hot) but the movements were vicious.  Lots of standing balance, Warrior Three, type poses, held long.  I was sweating up a storm, and it's good I brought my YogiToes Towel with me.  I needed it.  Savasana felt great, and I really enjoyed it.  I met up with the teacher afterward, who I recognized from the Wanderlust festival.  She was so cool, had a great energy about her, and led me through a tough, but very nice workout.

The last one was at "Yoga Works," one of the more commercialized studios out there.  It felt like I was shopping at Neiman Marcus or something like that.  It was a beginner class, I took it on purpose, to complete the Vinyasa that was my weekend.  And it was great.  Lots of people in there who never took Yoga before, and it gave me an appreciation for how to teach them, and what it would take.  It's tough, I'm telling you.  It's not like basketball, which I've played and coached for 35+ years.  It's going to take me some time to ever get to that level, but I'll get there someday.  What was really cool is that I picked up some pointers, some echoed from my first class of the weekend, and some totally new.  And that's what nice about a beginning class, to remind one about the basics and fundamentals.  So often, we just go through poses and motions, and we're not building good habits, not correcting form, etc.  So you go through thinking you're doing something right, and it's totally off.  In any case, I took the benefits of this beginning practice and appreciated the lessons learned there.

Wow!  I can't believe I really did that!  It was cool!  I think I have 33 studios left on my card, and I'll likely not do 8 in 3 days, rather 1 or 2 in 1 day.  But, it was a wonderful experience, something I'm very thankful for.  Thanks so much to the studios, the teachers, the other Yogis, and especially to my family for allowing me this precious time.  Namaste.

P90X Lean - Week 2 of 13

Week #2 is done, and thank goodness, it was not as brutal as Week #1.  I think my body got accustomed to some of the movements and sequences again, and I was better prepared to pace myself through the whole week.  What complicated matters this week was that I had a Yoga Weekend in the City, 8 classes in 3 days, which I will detail in the next blog.  So that meant P90X for F, SAT, and SUN, took a break for the destruction and peace that mass Yoga can bring.

So, I did the main routine from M -> TH, Core Synergistic, CardioX, Shoulders/Arms/AbRipperX/YogaX.  F, I did 4 (yes 4) Yoga classes from starting at 6 am and ending at midnight.  SAT, I did 2 challenging Yoga classes, and SUN, 1 challenging class and 1 easy one.

Week 3 is a clone of Weeks 1 and 2.

M: Core Synergistics AM, Studio Yoga PM
TU: CardioX AM, Studio Yoga PM
W: Shoulders and Arms and AbRipperX AM
TH: YogaX AM
F: Legs and Back AM
SA: KenpoX AM, Studio Yoga AM
SU: XStretch AM

The Dream of Dreams

Man, I had an incredible dream last night.  Thinking about Inception, and the 'kicks' that go from dream to dream, I think I had one of the magical moments.

I haven't lived a perfect life, far from it.  And I have hurt a few people in my past with my words and my actions.  Well, in this dream, I visited each and every one of them.  I remember it vividly.  I was in their home, stayed with each one not for just a moment or two, but for a while, several days or weeks at a time.  I remember talking not only with them, but with their relatives, their kids, the significant others as well, explaining to them what I was like, what I did wrong, how sorry I was, and how I much I wanted to make up for all it.  It was crazy, the clarity of the moments, the words I chose to say, the expressions on faces, all felt so real.  Luckily for me and my soul, there were a finite number of people I visited, but I remember them all in my dream.

They say that the mind can't distinguish between thoughts in dreams and those in reality.  And this dream for me gave me a sense of relief that I have been longing for.  A huge burden was lifted, and I know I felt someone was telling me that I was forgiven for all of those indiscretions and actions, and that it was okay to move on.

So, to those of you beautiful people who were part of my dream, and hence part of my life, I say to you thank you for your kindness, I wish you nothing but the best in your pursuits in life, and I pray that happiness finds it's way to you and your family, wherever you may be.

P90X Lean - Week 1 of 13

About 2 years ago, I went through P90X Classic, which was a killer strength building routine.  This time around, my goals are a bit different.  Of course, I want want to build strength, because I have been working on my flexibility and openness for a while now, as well as cardio.  But, I want to build it while keeping my flexibility.  It's tough to be both strong and flexible, especially when you want to lean out as well, but that's the lofty goal.  P90X Lean focuses more on reps, and less on the hardcore strength training.

I just finished Week #1, which was a killer, although I went into it thinking it would be much easier than the Classic I did a while back.  My muscles, especially my shoulders, arms, lats, and hips feel like they've been thrown through a washing machine, very sore.  And I did such light weights (just 9 lbs. on my adjustable dumbbells for all exercises).  I'm going to stick with very, very light weights throughout the program, and probably not do as many pullups, and just do bands, etc.

To complicate matters, I did 3 sessions (2 of them pretty tough) of Yoga on M, TU, and SAT.  So, all in all, that was 8 workout routines during the week.  SUN, I'm going to focus on stretching, recovery, restorative Yoga, and some meditation.

Diet-wise, P90X is a huge challenge, because you need to eat, and you tend to overeat.  Definitely the case for me.  I'm a Vegan/Vegetarian, so it's even tougher.  But, that's something I'm going to focus on in the next couple of weeks, to eat cleaner, more often, higher quality, etc.

So, here was my schedule this week (and also for the next 2 weeks):

M: Core Synergistics AM, Studio Yoga PM
TU: CardioX AM, Studio Yoga PM
W: Shoulders and Arms and AbRipperX AM
TH: YogaX AM
F: Legs and Back AM
SA: KenpoX AM, Studio Yoga AM
SU: XStretch AM, Restorative Yoga + Meditation PM

Awakening, Spirituality, Nirvana, Enlightenment, God, etc.

Onto a heavier topic.  After the Wanderlust Yoga and Music Festival, I gave some very deep thought to the idea of God, a higher being, my soul, etc.

During the past several months, I've been searching for answers to my personal spirituality and religion.  I am a Roman Catholic, born and baptized as such, and very much strong in those beliefs.  I know some people say that they are spiritual, but not religious, and they think that's a good thing.  Organized religion has taken it's share of criticisms over the many years, some deservedly so, but I also feel that the majority of people in organized religions have good intentions and are good people, likely because of their belief and faith, and their 'organized' religion.  Look, I have nothing against anyone religious or not.  Religion is one of those topics that is so personal, that I can't say what is right or wrong for any given person.  Whatever you believe is right for you, so long as you live a good life and are a good person because of it.  Isn't that what really matters?

Yoga is interesting because it is independent of religion.  Sure, it has it's roots in India, where Hinduism and Buddhism have a strong influence.  The lessons learned in Yoga, the 'rules' or 'steps' one needs to follow, much like the commandments, the Apostle's Creed, and many other verses and texts which give Catholics similar 'rules' or 'steps', outline a lifestyle that is geared towards being a better person.  Certainly, there are exceptions, where people take religion and these 'rules' and 'steps' to divide, to break other rules, and to cause damage and harm.  But, if they are followed as intended, with the goal in mind to become better, to be more kind to humanity and the world, then these are good things, aren't they?

Unlike other teachings, Yoga describes, in detail, disciplines to keep one physically fit and healthy.  Of course, this is but a small aspect of Yoga, as the physical well being becomes an enabler for the much deeper meaning of Yoga, to find a union of the body, mind, and spirit through self exploration and discipline.  And throughout this process, discovering peace, calm, and stillness, and a deep understanding of one's strengths and weaknesses.  Of course, I'm nowhere near there, it'll take my lifetime just to approach the first few steps, but the journey is the reward.

So back to Wanderlust.  As I stretched and moved through asanas, I really did feel a spiritual connection somewhere, and it went back to my family, my father who passed away many years ago, my mother who I love dearly, my brother, my older and younger sisters, my wife, my kids, and the rest of my extended family.  All of this religion, spirituality, etc. eventually circles back to the people I love.  Although it may seem like it's my individual journey, going through my emotions, feelings, issues, etc., it is really about becoming a better person for myself, and eventually for those I love, my family and my close friends.  And my simple discovery is this.  "Kindness, especially to those who have hurt or harmed you, is the pathway to peace, calm, and stillness."  If I can be kind, if Yoga and my religious beliefs can help me be kind, even to those who have given me pause, then surely I can be kind to those I love.  And that kindness, that which I give away freely, is my path to my spirituality.

Deep, eh?  Okay, so now I'm supposed to forget that I even came up with any of that, and live my life as kind as I can, with no other reason than to continue my search for happiness.

Gear

This is meant to be a light hearted topic, so don't judge and take it easy.

At the Wanderlust Yoga and Music Festival, one of the striking things for me was the gear that people were sporting.  All of the T-Shirts with Om symbols, Buddha, Gandhi, Shiva, Shakti, any given Hindu deity, and every [blank] Yoga or Yoga [blank] brand you could imagine.  All of the clothes that were green, recycled, up-cycled, vintage, mis-matched, yoga inspired 'walking around' clothes.  It reminded me of the hippy 60's inspired clothes, dressed up with a modern Hindu twist.  And the 'yoga workout' clothes?  Man, I think Lululemon has cornered the market on mainstream Yoga clothes, because everyone (including me) was sporting some expensive Lululemon gear.  Mats, blocks, bolsters, blankets, books, videos, paintings, souvenirs, food, supplements, etc.  Talk about accessories and gear, it was all there, on display for everyone to see, show off, buy and sell.

So, I came back home thinking deeply about this, and what the 'old school' yogis would think about what Yoga has become in modern times.  For certain, in the U.S., we have emphasized the physical aspects of Yoga (asanas) more than anything else.  It's moved from Jazzercise to Step to Spinning to Yoga and Zumba, and Yoga has morphed into health clubs as just another method for getting into shape, and the 'fashionable thing to do'.  And the other more spiritual aspects, the history, etc. are often lost in translation.  Dedicated Yoga studios have popped up all over the place, with a wide variety of styles and teachers, many of them doubling as shops toting books, videos, clothes, mats, bottles, drinks, supplements, and even more gear.

You know how it is when you get into something, you need to gear up.  If I'm gonna play basketball, I need to sport some Nike Hyperdunks, some long shorts (or short pants), and a matching shooting shirt.  If I'm gonna go for a run, I need runner's gear, the right shoes, tights, running gloves, GPS, etc.  And for Yoga, I need a nice mat, an array of Lululemon gear, and maybe some stuff to wear when I'm 'walking around' to let everyone know how Yoga is so awesome and important to me.  Or do I?

I remember when I was a kid, just starting to play hoops and ride my bike.  Man, it didn't matter what shoes I wore, what kind of bike I had or anything like that.  I just played ball, I just rode my bike.  And for many yogis, they don't use fancy mats, have fancy clothes, or wear anything resembling a brand name.  Take Norman Allen, for example, the first American to learn from K. Pattabhi Jois, the founder of Ashtanga Yoga and a student of T. Krishnamacharya, who is also BKS Iyengar's guruji.  Norman Allen lives in obscurity on the Big Island of Hawaii, and is so humble, you would never know how much knowledge and practice this man has accumulated, especially compared to the 'Rock Stars' of Yoga that we now have, complete with their empires of studios, videos, gear, etc.

So what I do think about all of this?  I don't know, to be honest.  In some ways, I'm saddened for those who founded Yoga, and see it's message twisted and de-emphasized.  And in other ways, I'm happy for all of those who have found Yoga, even in it's current form, because it has had such a positive effect on their health, and often in the spirit as well.

For me, I'm a gearhead, so I'll always have my gear, no matter what I do.  But, it does give me pause.  I'll likely not go crazy advertising my love for yoga via a T-Shirt with a Om symbol, a Buddha, or some Yoga inspired phrase.  But, darn, that Lululemon stuff is sweet!  :)

Wanderlust Yoga and Music Festival

Talk about a treat, I just got back from my first ever yoga festival.  Four days of yoga, music, and fun set in Squaw Valley.  Among the trees and mountains, there were massive tents, rows of vendors for Vegans and Vegetarians, yoga clothing companies and accessories, and the beauty that is Squaw Valley Ski Resort.  I went to get exposed to different types of teachers, different styles of yoga, and to meet my fellow yogis and yoginis who share a passion for the gift of yoga.

All in all, I took 10 classes over the course of 4 days.  Each class was special, different, eye-opening, and wonderful.  The people there were so open, so kind, so healthy, so beautiful, and so peaceful, it made me feel like a thousand kindred souls were sharing time and space in a sacred place.  And if you've never taken 3 hard 90 minute or 2-hour class in a single day, your body is due for some shock and awe.  Surprisingly and incredibly, I wasn't sore at all, I could've probably done 3 tough 2-hour classes per day with no issues.  My only issues were my poor heels, which are not used to being in flip-flops for many hours a day!

In terms of the classes, most incorporated Vinyasa flows, great music (live, DJ, or recorded), some random trance dancing which was just wild, lots of Warrior stances and lunges, some crazy stretches, some awesome chanting, some community and partner based yoga, and finally some very loving and peaceful savasanas which transported me to the depths of my inner being, where calm and stillness live.  The teachers were all amazing in their own right, very knowledgeable in all aspects of yoga (not just asanas), on-point, technical, and great technical instructors.  My teachers included Shiva Rea, Vinny Marino, Kia Miller, Lama Christie McNally, Rusty Wells, Annie Carpenter, Kerri Kelly & Suzanne Sterling, Christa Cullen, Duncan Wong, and Doug Swenson.  I missed out on Seane Corne, Baron Baptiste, Les Leventhal, and a few other great teachers, so I hope to catch one of their classes in the future.

The event also included many great artists including Moby, MC Yogi, and other bands I had no clue about.  I think my iPod will have some new Yoga inspired music soon.

All in all, it was an incredible experience.  To be around my fellow yogis and yoginis for several days in such a beautiful place was a blessing, and something I will always cherish and remember with fondess and love.  I also missed my family very much, and thought of them constantly.  If anything, the experience strengthened my love and kindness for my family even more, and showed me how important they really are to my life.  I will be back in full force in 2010!

Note in subsequent blogs, I'm going to talk about a few silly and a few deep topics regarding the yoga festival.  Everything from food and fashion to spirituality and awakening, or something like that.  Stay tuned!