"The second hardest part", she laughed, "is cleaning up after class...this is a chance to practice saucha."
Practice what?!?
You may know, or have heard of, the Eight Limbs of Yoga. In the West we are most familiar with only one -- the Asanas, or poses. But before asana come the Yamas and Niyamas. It might be a good idea to delve into these in future blog posts. For now, let's just take a look at one of they Niyamas (observances) -- saucha.
Saucha is often translated as "purity", but commonly also referred to "the one about cleanliness." In yoga philosophy, to practice saucha means to clear away the clutter of our surroundings and behaviors.
In class, Karen's reference to practicing saucha had to do with putting away our props in an orderly manner, so others don't have to come around behind us and organize and straighten things up. The blocks aren't thrown willy-nilly into their cubby space. They are stacked in neat rows. We don't toss hastily folded blankets onto the shelves; we take care to fold them evenly and stack them neatly with edges aligned. This orderliness shows respect for our surroundings and our practice.
You may also know that it is "bad manners" to step on another's yoga mat. We take care to walk around the mats, not encroaching or "dirty-ing" the mats by unconsciously trodding across the mats on the floor that belong to someone else.
In our home habits, practicing saucha might mean eating clean, organic, healthful food, keeping a tidy home and car, being mindful of entertainment choices, and even who we choose as friends.
Saucha is a way of mindfulness, a way to move into a state of pureness mind, body, and spirit.
Come to think of it, I'm going to work on this concept with my granddaughters, 3 and 8 years old, when they come to visit. They are active, curious, and creative and that means messy. "Saucha, girls! Saucha!" ©
Namaste, donnajurene
Photo Credit: www.pixabay.com
References: yogabasics.com; yogajournal.com
No comments:
Post a Comment