“Atha Yoganusasanam”.
Now the exposition of yoga is being made.
This is the first sutra in The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, generally considered to be the primary text of yoga. Atha translates to now and anusasanam translates to exposition or instruction.
In Sri Swami Satchidananda’s translation and commentary (the version I turn to most often these days) he says:
“Anusasanam means exposition or instruction because it is not mere philosophy that Patanjali is about to expound but rather direct instruction on how to practice Yoga. Mere philosophy will not satisfy us. We cannot reach the goal by mere words alone. Without practice, nothing can be achieved.”
One of my personal favorite descriptors of yoga is that it is an experiential science. It is something we must act upon and experience for ourselves.
The hope here at the Be Your Own Guru Wellness Center is to provide tools for you to explore that practice. We are not here to tell you what you MUST do. We are not here to define strict rules of right and wrong ways to go about things. We are simply here to share options.
It is you who must decide to show up. It is you who must decide to practice. It is you who must decide that finding some level of peace and alignment is a priority for you.
Over the next little bit, I’ll be sharing posts to help introduce us to this space and to the various options available to us. Please do not ever feel a sense of obligation to participate in any aspect of this studio. This center and all of its individual offerings are completely opt-in opportunities.
I look forward to getting to know you better as we embark on this journey together.
Atha Yoganusasanam. Now the exposition of Yoga is being made.