“”Be moderate in order to taste the joys of life in abundance.” – Epicurus
Weekly Focus: Bramacharya (moderation)
Bramacharya is the fourth niyama (personal observance) and translates as the “right use of energy.” It is also referenced as moderation.
Where does over-abundance in the external or material world lead to a lack of abundance from within? How can we analyze what we are using to fill our cup, and perhaps make adjustment to feel more full from within?
Bramacharya is the fourth of the five yamas, or personal observances. It speaks to the restraint and moderation of the senses, to avoid distraction from our spiritual progress. This yama isn’t to say that we should never allow ourselves the pleasures of the world around us, but it suggests that we check in and notice when we are replacing an inner feeling with an outer pleasure.
In the modern world, abundance can often be conflated with material abundance, feeding the desires that our modern society tells us we should need and want. When we listen to the deepest desires of the heart, we may find that there is something softer we are seeking, the abundance of love and compassion, and to find more connection around us.
Here is a meditation practice to find abundance within yourself:
- Come to a comfortable seated position or lie down, using any props or furniture needed to feel good. Allow the hands to lay in a comfortable space and close the eyes.
- Begin to focus on your breath first. Focus on deep full inhales, and even slower, softer exhales. Notice everywhere in the body that you feel the abundance of your breath. Notice the feeling of fullness at the top of the inhale, and the feeling of settling at the bottom of the exhale. Continue this for a few minutes.
- Let your breath become natural. Start to bring to mind everything that you are grateful now in that exact moment, however small. Let the mind flood with gratitude. It doesn’t have to be deep, simply consider whatever pops into the mind first.
- As you consider what you are grateful for, consider how the gratitude makes you feel mentally, emotionally and physically. Allow yourself to bask in this sensation. Continue for a few minutes.
- Now let your thoughts go and allow the mind to rest. Breathe naturally and let the body relax. Enjoy the sensation of softness in the body. Allow yourself to rest as long as you like.
Passive Pose of the Week: Supta baddha konasana (reclined cobbler’s pose)
Moderate your energy and your ego with this gentle restorative posture.
- Lie down on your back, perhaps padding the back of the head with a blanket or pillow.
- Bring the soles of your feet together and let the knees open wide like a book.
- Rest your hands anywhere that feel comfortable — perhaps off to the sides of the body or resting on the belly.
- Allow yourself to rest here for 5 – 7 minutes.
This pose offers a glorious release for the hips, however, the position of the legs here may naturally hold some tension. No matter how close to the ground your knees gets, try propping the back of the knees or thighs with a block, cushion, or roller blanket. This physical feedback will signal to the body that it is supported and safe to relax. Even if you already feel fairly open in this position, you may enjoy even more release by offering this kind support to the body. Give it a try!
Active Pose of the Week: Dandasana (staff pose)
This pose is relatively simple and no frills — allow this to be enough.
- Come to a seat with your legs straight in front of you.
- Press your hands into the floor right alongside the hips.
- Keep the torso upright, flex the toes, and engage in the body.
- Remember to breathe! Hold here for about 1 minute.
It can be surprising how much energy we can draw from such a simple posture! This pose asks us to pull everything into our center, gathering up our energy into a big abundant bundle. By pushing into the floor and firming the legs, we feel the body tighten and strengthen as one. The push of the hands down is essential, so if the floor feels a little far away, bring blocks or firm books beneath the hand so you can feel the grounding of pressing the hands down.
Join us in class this week to explore your inner abundance! See the full schedule HERE.
