Bhagavad Gita

Spring Cleaning With Yoga

I can feel spring in the air, which means I’m restless and full of energy. What does this mean for me as a yogini? This year it means letting go of all the junk that has built up over the winter. It’s not just dust in my apartment– as we all know. Junk builds up everywhere; in my body, my mind and my heart. Each day as it warms up I go back to my mat to open myself up and clear myself out. Getting into those stuck places with breath.

I’m spring cleaning with yoga this year.

Spring is about rebirth, but that means many things. Spring is an opportunity to change up my yoga practice and experiment with new styles of yoga and postures that have seemed challenging in the past. This year I want to use the energy that spring offers to try new things and let go of old habits of mind.

This is a bit scary, too. Trying new things also holds the possibility of failure. The Bhagavad Gita teaches us to let go of the fruits of our actions, because only the actions matter. For me this means really going for it and becoming comfortable with failure, both in my yoga practice and in my life.

So I’m working on Pincha Mayurasana (forearm balance). Every time I go upside down I learn something new about failure as I fall out. But I also learn about letting go– letting go of my expectations and fear of failure. One day (maybe soon, maybe not) I’ll stay up there.

It’s okay if it takes a while because falling out is part of my spring cleaning.

Yoga Vidya

Yoga Vidya (Vidya is Sanskrit for wisdom) is an independent publishing company of the classic Sanskrit yoga texts, translated into the English language.

We were recently sent Yoga Vidya.com’s complete set of paperback books for review: Bhagavad Gita, Gheranda Samhita, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, and Shiva Samhita.

Bhagavad Gita – Translated by Lars Martin Fosse

Bhagavad Gita, meaning “Song of God” is a Hindu scripture praised by the likes of Gandhi, Carl Jung and even Albert Einstein. This edition is unprecedentedly clear, and names and nicknames are thoroughly defined in the book’s appendix.

Hatha Yoga Pradipika – Translated by Brian Dana Akers

The oldest surviving text on Hatha Yoga, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, was written by Svami Svatmarama. It is considered the classic work on Hatha Yoga – along with Gheranda Samhita and Shiva Samhita. Hatha Yoga Pradipika consists of four chapters, and topics include includes asanas, pranayama, mudras, and samadhi. An excellent, concise edition for all students of yoga.

Shiva Samhita – Translated by James Mallinson

Shiva Samhita, meaning “Shiva’s Collection” was written by an unknown author. This very readable edition is addressed by the Hindu god Shiva to his consort Parvati.  The Shiva Samhita is a very comprehensive and reliable discourse on Hatha Yoga.

Gheranda Samhita – Translated by James Mallinson

Gheranda Samhita, meaning “Gheranda’s Collection” is a yoga manual taught by Gheranda to Chanda Kapali. Unlike other Hatha Yoga texts, the Gheranda Samhita speaks of a sevenfold yoga, which can be conceptualized as: purification, strengthening, steadying, calming, lightness, perception, and isolation. This text is also clear, concise and very informative.

Yoga Vidya books are different from other translations because they include the original, complete and correct Sanskrit writing above the accurate and informative English translation. The books also provide excellent photographers for easy reference of asanas and mudras.

If you’re interested in learning more about these classic texts, we would definitely recommend these books. Paperback and hardcover editions can be ordered directly from the company at YogaVidya.com.

Namaste 🙂

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