Complaint vs Observation......

I love how our yoga practice can provide us with a platform to work on our well being in ways we sometimes don't even realize.  It is the very structure of our class that can bring about opportunities to cultivate the deep aspects of yoga.  These deeper aspects of yoga I am talking about are the 8 limbs of yoga.  The 8 limbs of yoga are guidelines for living a life in a purposeful way.  In this blog I am going to talk about the 5th limb -  "Pratyahara".

What is the def of a complaint?
It is a statement about something that is unsatisfactory.  A complaint can have profound negative affects on our body, not only for the person saying the complaint but also for the person that hears the complaint.  Studies have shown that complaints can create stress hormones in our bodies for both giver and receiver,  they decrease our brain function, as well as over time it can re-wire our brain negatively.  

What is the definition of Pratyahara?
Pratyahara in sanskrit means to withdraw with the senses.  Think of what a turtle does when it draws back in towards itself, it pulls it limbs and head in.  This is what we do with our senses in Pratyahara.  It is the energy behind a statement that can take something from an observation to a complaint.  When we learn to withdraw our senses, we can then learn how to detach from the things outside us that bother us.  It also allows us to take a step back and take a look at ourselves. 

Practice the art of Pratyahara.  When you detach from your senses, instead of losing your senses...... what you actually do is change your state of mind!  You gain more focus on yourself.  You are able to let go of the things around you that bother you.  Then, only you can meditate deeper!

Next time you feel like you want to complain about the heat, or how the teacher is teaching or how the weather is outside, about this or that, or about the smells around you, whatever it is......instead with all your awareness, pull your senses inwards.  Become completely immersed with your hearing, sensing and smelling within yourself and withdraw your attachment to what you want it to be and see how much better you feel!!!