We’ve come to the final Niyama (character building practice) from Patanjali’s yoga sutras: Ishvara Pranidhana.
Ishvara is that from which everything comes and that into which everything dissolves again: Pure Awareness.
Pranidhana means to fix attention, to devote, to offer.
Simply put, Ishvara Pranidhana is a surrender to God (aka Pure Awareness, Presence, Being).
Sufi poet Hafiz shares a perspective on Surrender in his “Tripping Over Joy” :
"What is the difference
Between your experience of Existence
And that of a saint?
The saint knows
That the spiritual path
Is a sublime chess game with God
And that the Beloved
Has just made such a Fantastic Move
That the saint is now continually
Tripping over Joy
And bursting out in Laughter
And saying, “I Surrender!”
Whereas, my dear,
I am afraid you still think
You have a thousand serious moves.”
Ha! Heard.
For more on this topic, here’s a link to a home practice recording:
Ishvara Pranidhana: 44 min. Gentle-ish Practice (suggested Spotify playlist is in the Vimeo description that you’ll see once you click the link.)
https://vimeo.com/740166119/3013896f6b
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This recording is offered for free. If you enjoy it and know someone else who would, please forward this email :-)
If you’re able and would like to make a $1-$10 love offering, many thanks!
Paypal = shalarain@gmail.com
Venmo = @Shala-Worsley
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Let's celebrate the Fall Equinox together at AYC:
Tuning In & Turning Inward: A Gentle Yoga, Breath & Live Music Meditation for the Autumnal Equinox (IN-PERSON) with Shala Worsley and musician Verena Wieloch
September 22, 2022
6:30PM - 8:30PM
In person at Asheville Yoga Center
with Yoga Instructor Shala Worsley & Musician Verena Wieloch
All Levels Welcome!
And- I picked up another class at the Asheville Yoga Center:
Thursdays 4-5:15pm Hot Flow & Yin
Would love to see you there!
love,
Shala
Here's my full in-person weekly class schedule at Asheville Yoga Center:
Mondays in-person at Asheville Yoga Center:
4-5:15 Warm Gentle, Restorative, & Yin
5:30-6:45 Hot Flow & Yin
Wednesdays In-person at Asheville Yoga Center:
12-1:15 Hot Flow & Yin
Thursdays In-person at Asheville Yoga Center:
4-5:15 Hot Flow & Yin
If you'd like to receive these emails/recordings when I send them out, click this link to subscribe.