The theme of this week’s classes is Centering.

According to Patanjali’s yoga sutra, one of the main and widely regarded texts on yoga, sutra 2.46 states, Sthira sukham asanam, most commonly translated as steadiness (sthira) and ease (sukha). Moving within that rhythm is essential to life and the foundation of a mindful yoga practice.

Sthira is the ability to be steady and focused in an asana holding the body, mind and energy for an extended period of time, whilst Sukha is the comfort that we may find in the discomfort as we drop into poses, listening to the sound and pace of our breath and totally tuning in with our being. This ‘tuning in with our being’ can invite circulation of life energy (prana), manifesting as awareness, release, joy and deep satisfaction.

In this morning’s class the phone of a student, who is a friend of mine, rang. As always when that happens, everyone got a bit unsettled and nervous, especially the person whose phone is ringing. However, I loved it because that is the crux of it:

Distraction and discomfort in the outer world is always going to be there and the question is not how we can eliminate that, but how easily and how quickly we can find back to center, our sense of being.

That sense of being is at the center of everything. The moment we can connect with ourselves at this center, all that we do is filled with joy, equanimity and bliss. And bliss is the nature of our being – we’re all here trying to find it, aren’t we?

Giving yourself the opportunity of transcending all the outer world chaos to experience the calm and joyful center within, seeking strength and cheerfulness, is at the core of practising yoga and mindful living.

Asana (yoga postures) we’ll work with this week:

• Easy Seated Pose (Sukhasana)
• Child pose (Balasana)
• Tree pose (Vrksasana)
• Eagle pose (Garudasana)
• Warrior Pose 3 (Virabhadrasana III)

Breathing practice (pranayama) we’ll work with this week:

• Equal Breathing (Sama Vritti Pranayma)
• Alternate Nostril Breathing (Nadhi Sodhana)

Happy practising, everyone. As always, please contact me here if you have any questions or sign up for one of my classes this week.