Sutra 1.33: Through the cultivation of friendliness, compassion, joy and indifference the mind becomes lucid.

In class today we discussed sutra 1.33, which offers us an alternative to the more typical yoga practices of asana, pranayama and meditation. The sutras give us many options to reach the state of Yoga. Like the niyamas, this sutra provides us with a social option which is especially appropriate for the holiday season– a time when we gather with loved ones, the relationships that both support our well-being, yet may push our buttons as well.

Edwin Bryant translates sutra 1.33 as, “By cultivating an attitude of friendship toward those who are happy (maitri), compassion toward those in distress (karuna), joy toward those who are virtuous (mudita), and equanimity toward those who are non-virtuous (upeksa), lucidity arises in the mind.” He further explains that through this practice, sattva is generated and steadiness is achieved allowing us to see our true essence clearly.

Much of yoga practice is about purifying the body and mind, as removing our obstacles unveils the true Self. When we practice maitri, we cleanse ourselves of the poison of jealousy and envy. When we practice karuna, we weaken the desire to inflict harm on others. When we practice mudita, we are feeding the positive practice of celebrating joy in our lives and in others. When we practice upeksa, we are removing the contamination of intolerance to those who may choose another path than our own. These four practices (which parallel the teachings of the Buddha), help us cultivate mindfulness off the mat and into our relationships and social interactions.

So set your intention this holiday season to practice sutra 1.33 and see if you experience more lucidity in your festivities. May Peace and Joy be with you always.

Style confusion

Hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving as much as I did. I have so much to be grateful for this year- most of all the health of my family. At the Thanksgiving table last night, the discussion led to yoga, as it often does. Many of my family members take classes at the studio. One new friend of the family was with us and she said she always wanted to take yoga but was confused by all the styles. She felt paralyzed deciding which style was right for her so she just never tried. I think this is common among those who have never taken a yoga class. They want to but can’t navigate the yoga style marketing terrain to take the first step.

My response to anyone who asks me about what “style” of yoga we teach at Prairie Yoga is often the same, “We teach yoga, not styles.” Having practiced and trained in many styles of yoga, I feel it is important to teach the underlying foundation common to all yoga. The essence of many yoga styles is similar, the emphasis makes them different. Some focus more on breath-synchromized movement and others focus more on alignment. Some are more meditative, others more physical. There are benefits to all of these intentions. I prefer to be loyal to my student’s needs, not to a specific yoga style or tradition. Which means if a student needs more of one thing and less of another, I will provide that. Having experience in several traditions allows me to draw from a deep well of techniques.

At Praire Yoga, we do have a few teachers who specialize in one style, such as Iyengar Yoga or Forrest Yoga. I think it is wonderful to have people who are loyal to one style so that they can plunge deep into one method. Then we can all learn from their unique perspective. For most of the teachers at Prairie Yoga though, we learn as much as we can from a variety of methods and blend the best of the traditions into our own unique teaching. That is why most of our classes are simply described by their level of difficulty. If you are a beginner, look for a class labeled Level 1. Intermediates- Level 2; and advanced classes are described as Level 3. Take a few classes at the level appropriate for you. Then enjoy the class knowing our teachers have your long-term health interests in mind.

Question: Why are we called Prairie Yoga?

Answered by Lori Gaspar, Director:
“Prairie” has several meanings that are dear to me. First, the prairie soil is considered the richest soil on earth; richer than the jungle or anywhere else. It is loaded with nutrients and provides the most optimal environment for plant growth. Our intention at Prairie Yoga is to provide the most optimal environment for your personal growth. Second, we are based in Lisle, IL, in the heart of what was once native prairie. I feel a deep connection to this area; I grew up here and have raised my family here. I am certified in ornamental horticulture from the Morton Arboretum and have spent many hours digging in the dirt and nurturing my gardens. My family owns farm land and we have restored portions of it back to native prairie plants. Prairie plants have the deepest roots on earth and I want our teaching to provide deep roots for your yoga practice and training. “Prairie” symbolizes rich, deep teaching that will give you the foundation to grow and blossom.

Welcome!

Welcome to my new blog! I am very excited to have a home for my thoughts and musings. I hope to both inform and entertain you. To get started, I have posted my writings from past seasonal newsletters. Enjoy and visit this page regularly to see if any new writings have been added.

Kindly,
Lori