Book II Sutra 46                                                                                        STHIRA SUKHAM ASANAM                                                                                     steady comfortable posture                                                                        Asana is a steady, comfortable posture

In this past week I am experimenting with taking that “extra” sugar out of my diet and  to see what changes occur from my physical, mental, energetic and emotional bodies.  I have been experiencing some detox from the sugar, so I turned to my asana practice.  Finding more steadiness in the physical because and less mental tension.   It reminded me of a Yoga Sutras and intuitively knew which one I was presently connected with.  Here is why:

“Unless the body is perfectly healthy and free from all toxins and tensions, a comfortable pose in not easily obtained.  Physical and mental toxins create stiffness and tension.  Anything that makes us stiff can also break us.  Only if we are supple will we never break”.

“A conversation between a weed and a big tree:                                      Both grew on the bank of a swiftly running jungle river.  One day the tree looked down at the tiny weed and said, “Hey, you puny little creature, why do you stand near me?  Aren’t you ashamed to be by my side?  See how great, how big, how tall I am?  How sturdy and strong?  Even an elephant cannot move me.  But look at you.  Hah!  You shouldn’t have come here.  People will see the difference and laugh at you.  Why don’t you move somewhere else?”                                                                                        The weed bent her head.  ”Sir,” she said, “what can I do?  I didn’t come here purposely.   I just happen to be here.   I know I’m not strong and stiff as you.  But please pardon my presence.”                                                       ”All right,” boomed the big tree, “but just remember your place!”  This conversation happened during the rainy season.  The very next day a heavy rain came, inundating the jungle and causing a terrible flood.  When a river floods,  it erodes the banks and pulls down anything in its way.  Coming in such force,  the water pulled down the big tree instantly.  But the weed bent down,  flattened herself completely and let the water run over her.  When the flood passed, she rose up agaian.  Looking this way and that,  she wondered, “What happened to the great tree?  I don’t see it.”                  From far away she heard the tree’s reply.  ”I’m being pulled down by the water.  I should have been humble and simple and supple like you.  Now I’m being destroyed.”

Where are you stiff, not supple enough yet?

Experiment, Play and Witness the Possibilities Within You!

All quoted from the book:  The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Commentary on the Raja Yoga Sutras by Sri Swami Satchidananda