“Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” – Lao Tzu
Weekly Focus: Asteya (non-stealing)
Asteya is the third yama of Patanjai’s 8-Limb Path and translates as “non-stealing.” At it’s deepest level, this is the ability to reserve ourselves from the intent or wanting of anything that is not inherently our own – be it talents, resources, material possessions, natural resources, success, time, etc. Asteya reminds us to rejoice in not only what we already have, but what others have as well.
Asteya is a building block off of last week’s theme – maya (The idea that the world as we know it is simply an illusion The world is only our perception, which we shape). Asteya is the reminder that we can be fulfilled from the abundant gifts that we already have within us, rather thank seeking fulfillment outside of ourselves. This might mean seeking fufillment through material goods, new skills, new desires, other people, etc. Asteya is a mental shift – rather than focusing on what we do not have, we find gratitude and contentment in what we do have. When we find ourselves no longer wanting from what others possess, we shift to an attitude of happiness in what they have obtained. From this place, we can be joyful in the abundance of others, rather than discontented.
Asteya is able to be practiced when we find the richness of life and recognize the vastness within us. Feeling fulfilled with ourselves through self-reliance, empowerment, resourcefulness, and confidence is an important aspect of maintaining asteya. Asteya is a reminder that we do not need to replenish what we do not already lack.
Here is a simple practice in asteya:
- Be open-minded — as you chat with friends, coworkers, or family sharing the good things in their life, listen with an open heart and open mind. Direct your attention to the happiness they are experiencing.
- Check your language — when you hear your mind rattling off thoughts like “I wish I had that,” “You are so lucky,” “Life always works out for you,” halt yourself in the process. Don’t let these thoughts come out as statements, and withhold the comment. What we say out loud impacts what we feel inside.
- Shift your perspective — allow yourself to change your internal dialogue. Rather than focusing on what you do not have, focus on the joy the other individual contains. Remind yourself that it is good they are happy, and that you want them to experience happiness. Notice with time, how this mindset may come with more and more ease.
Passive Pose of the Week: Kapotasana (pigeon posE)
Kapotasana is an excellent pose to practice releasing and settling into what we have as we slowly relax the muscles of the legs and find our breath.
- Begin in a tabletop position.
- Slide your right knee forward, so that it comes towards the right wrist. Adjust the angle of your right shin to a comfortable space. It can be at any diagonal that feels good.
- Tuck the left toes and scoot the left knee back, lengthening out the back leg.
- Stay up on the hands, or, if it feels comfortable, lower onto the elbows, or to any degree that feels good.
- Use about [3] breaths to gradually enter the pose. Once you come to your most comfortable posture, take about [7] breaths before gently lifting up. Take any movement you may like between sides.
Kapotasana is a pose that benefits highly from the use of props. We may have in our mind an idea of what we want this pose to “look” like, but rather, can we consider how this pose feels internally. How can we support a shape that allows us to breathe with more ease, and release focus on the tension of the body? This biggest support we can offer is a prop beneath the hip on the side we are stretching, in this case, the right hip. If there is any amount of space between the hip and the floor, support that space by placing a folded blanket, a block, or even a bolster underneath of the hip. Notice how a support might allow the muscles to relax slightly in that space. Additionally, if you feel a lot of tension in the shoulder, try bringing a bolster underneath of the belly and torso, so that you can relax the arms and settle in.
Active Pose of the Week: Baddha Virabhadrasana (humble warrior)
Baddha Virabhadrasana allows us to bow forward in honor, gratitude and contentment. This pose offers a humbling perspective to the world, reminding us that we do not need or deserve any more than any other person.
- Begin in a standing Mountain pose (tadasana).
- Step your left foot back about 3-4 feet like Warrior 1 or Crescent Warrior. You might press the heel down or lift the heel, for more balance challenge.
- Interlace your hands at the low back. Roll the shoulders back and squeeze between the shoulder blades. You may feel the hands start to lift from the low back.
- Keeping this clasp, bow forward inside of the right leg. Allow the arms to lift up off the back as you go.
- Keep this arm position as long as it feels comfortable, when you have had enough, gently unlock the hands and bring them to the floor.
- Switch sides.
There are a few positions you can adjust the legs and feet to in your humble warrior. Switching the position of the legs may allow for more interest in the pose, a new stretch sensation that you enjoy, or a strong activation or challenge! Often, we take this position from Warrior 1, with the back heel down. This will feel more grounded and encourage the torso to come more forward facing. The stretch may feel strongest here in the shoulders or even the calf of the extended leg. To challenge your balance more and find more activation in the front leg, you might lift the back heel like Crescent Warrior. Now, you may have to focus the gaze and move with more intention, strongly pressing through the front leg to help hold you steady. Another nice option can be to take this with a Warrior 2 stance, where the hips are more open. This stance may feel the most grounded. As you bow forward, you will turn more to the long edge of the mat slightly, and you may feel a stretch directed to your hips and glutes on the bent knee side. Play around with other spaces you can “humble” your stances, and see if you find something new and interesting! We don’t always have to obtain a perfect image of the pose – our inner guidance may guide us towards something more intriguing.
Join us in class this week to practice your asteya. See the full schedule HERE.
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