“He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.”
– Socrates

Weekly Focus: Asteya (non-stealing)

Asteya is the third Yama in the Yoga Sutras and refers to “non-stealing.” Non-stealing may be obvious at first but taken to deeper levels this practice means to neither take, covet or hoard that which is not freely given. Asteya is a natural extension of finding contentment with where we are.

There are many moments in life where we may find ourselves desiring that which is outside of our needs or does not belong to us. Desire is a sticky feeling that can lead to coveting, jealousy, envy and unnecessary aggression. Desire stems from many roots: sometimes we feel discontented with our current situation in life; we may feel challenged by an excessive load of stressors and struggles; we may perceive that we do not have what it takes to meet expectations. No matter the root cause, desire becomes an endless cycle. As we feed one another tends to grow. Like the mythical hydra, we cannot satisfy the want if we cannot eliminate the source root; one desire grows into two, and four and six, constantly wanting or needing more. 

If we find ourselves wishing that we had another individual’s talent, for example, when untended the wishing leads to jealousy and envy. These negative thoughts tend to warp our perceptions and allow us to manipulate how we feel about that person or even how we feel about ourselves. Rather than appreciating and savoring our own talents, we my find ourselves hyper-focusing on what is not our own. 

At it’s foundation, Asteya reminds us to find contentment with where we are at right now. To practice Yoga is to be in the now, to bring full awareness to the present, and to find space for acceptance. When we find more appreciation and peace with our present self and time, we find ourselves desiring less, knowing that we need not look outside of what is already here to seek happiness.

Can you think of people, places, experiences, qualities or things that you tend to desire or covet? What impact do you notice this feeling having on you? Do you ever feel bound by your desires?

Passive Pose of the Week: Upavishta Konasana (wide leg seated forward fold)

Upavishta Konasana is a self reflective and quieting pose. Truly recognizing and sifting our desires from our needs, admitting where we may take what is not our own takes caring and kind self-reflection. Get comfy and support yourself with care. 

• Begin sitting on the floor with the legs straight out in front of you.
• Open the legs wide to a “V.”
• Take an inhale and reach up through the arms, finding space through the body.
• As you exhale hinge from the hips and fold forward between the legs. 
• Let your hands and arms rest somwhere comfortable on yoga props or the floor.
• Hold for 2 – 3 minutes before slowly coming out of the pose. 

Hinging from the hips can be a challenging action to find from a seat on the floor. Rather than hinging we may find ourselves bending at the waist and feeling shortened in a forward fold. If you relate to this experience, try elevating your hips slightly with a blanket. Rather than just sitting on a folded blanket like a cushion, sit on the very edge of the blanket so that you feel the pelvis tilt and shift. As you inhale and reach up, thinking about reaching up and away, towards where ceiling and wall meet in front of you, as if you are being pulled out of your seat. How does this change your experience?

Active Pose of the Week: Parvirtta Anjaneyasana (revolved low lunge)