“Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose.” – Yoda

Weekly Focus: Raga & Vairagya

Raga is one of the five kleshas, or mental afflictions (obtacles). Raga stems from our clinging to experiences, objects or sensations in pursuit of pleasure. Overcoming Raga requires the development of Vairagya, or detachment.

One of the first things you might do when preparing to move into a new home or a new space is to declutter. How is it that we accumulate so much stuff? You may notice an inevitable patterns, there are always a few items that we drag around forever; items that even though we may not look at, touch or use ever, we cannot seem to let go of. We find ourselves attached. 

There’s often a reason why. Usually there is a story, a history, a nostalgia for whatever the item is. Something reminding us of a time we perceive to be better or happier, a vision in rose-colored glasses. When we are able to let go of those things, it turns our we may not even notice they are missing. Rather, we feel lighter moving into our new space, with less load to carry around. 

We can think of our mind like a house. What are we carrying around with us because we are afraid that we will lose the memory, the happiness, the youth…you name it, associated with it? This shows up when we attach our own happiness and joy to moments in time, objects, or other people. This is Raga.

As we cultivate Vairagya, we come to realize that we don’t need to rely on these attachments to find our pleasure in life. We don’t need to fill ourselves with outside stuff to feel good. The expanse within us holds all that we need to feel love, joy and possibility. We ultimately release the attachment of our contentment to these experiences, objects and relationships — Vairagya. This does not mean that we can’t enjoy our relationships and experiences, but it indicates that we don’t require them to feel satisfied in life. We are enough as we are, in our own infinity. 

Do you find yourself seeking happiness outside of your Self? Do you rely on experience or anticipation to get excited about life? How contented and comfortable are you enjoying your own splendor?

Passive Pose of the Week: Janusirsasana (head-to-knee pose)

Janusirsasna brings with it a calming and cleansing property as a forward fold, a beneficial posture in the Spring months.  This week you are invited to notice where you are “holding” in the pose, with tension or gripping in the body, or attachment to appearance. Practice supporting your release by utilizing props for comfort and ease. 

• Begin sitting on the floor with the legs straight out in front of you.
• Extend your right leg out about 45 degrees. Bend the left knee so that the sole of the foot comes to the inside of the right leg, creating a checkmark shape with the legs. 
• Turn towards the right, straight leg. Take an inhale and reach your arms up overhead, and as you exhale, fold over the leg.
• Your hands may anchor by grabbing hold of the leg or foot, or you allow the, to drop to the floor. 
• Use about [3] breaths to gradually enter the pose. Once you come to your most comfortable posture, take about [7] breaths before gently lifting out of the fold.

There are many wonderful prop options to support Janusirsasana, here are just a few to consider. If you have a hard time hinging at your hips and folding forward, try sitting on the edge of a folded blanket or placing a rolled blanket behind the straight leg’s knee. If you prefer the feeling of anchoring your hands but cannot reach your feet, loop a strap around the foot, hold on and make some tension on the strap. If you like to soften the upper body and relax the muscles more, provide support for the head or torso to land by propping up a bolster with blocks, letting the forearms, belly, or head settle down. Play around! There are many other options besides those listed here. 

Active Pose of the Week: Anjaneyasana (low kneeling lunge)