Actions….

We all tend to make resolutions and strive to make positive changes at this special time of the New Year. But how can we make those changes? Pātanjali (the Father of Yoga) helps us to identify nine obstacles in the path of yoga. I will highlight a few that are most relevant for this topic- Lethargy, Acting in Haste, Lack of Self Confidence and Doubt.

He also gives us a solution in the book ‘The Yoga Sūtra-s’ and provides ways to remove and overcome these obstacles. One of the ways to overcome these obstacles is to practice Krīya yoga or action oriented yoga. According to wikipedia- Action-oriented is the quality of being willing or likely to take practical action to deal with a problem or situation. It can also describe a person who is being.

Krīya yoga is both the journey and an end point. *It is defined by the Yoga Sūtra-s as being made up of three components:

tapas- practices such as Āsana, Prāṇayama and Dhyānam that help us remove blockages and tensions, both physical and mental. It is a process of cleansing; we remove things that we do not need.

Svādhayāya- means searching, asking questions, looking into ourselves.

Īśvarapraṇidhānā- actions not motivated by the outcomes.* (I will be discussing this further in my forthcoming newsletters-watch the space).

We create conditions in our mind making it as useful as possible to take sensible, constructive action by combining the above three components of Krīya Yoga. This can only happen gradually taking one small step at a time. Each step of action must be chosen intelligently and consequences considered.

One of the techniques of tapas that he discusses in the path of Action oriented yoga is Dhyānam or meditation. It allows us to stay focused and allows for changes in the patterns of the mind that eventually leads to stability.Other tools allowing you to execute Kriya yoga encompassing the three components is Chanting.

mi-yogaḥ offers these tools of customised yoga therapy classes, Vedic Chanting and Meditation allowing you to connect to yourself and search for answers within and helping you to take the action to change. To book a session to address your individual needs, email at yoga@mi-yogah.com.

**Reference- Heart of Yoga by TKV Desikachar