Of Effort

Of effort: 

it often seems that I'm bring a lifetime of effort to bear on certain asanas, finding postures that are difficult for me and then I apply myself to their achievement. Of course this isn't true yoga, or at least not according to Patanjali who urges us in his Yoga Sutras to use least effort in our poses, just the right amount of focus to achieve steadiness of breath and body, our mind calm, and with that we move on to the very next asana. At no point is there any mention of strain and the mental anguish of striving for a successful pose. It's simply isn't necessary at all - and yet a lifetime of effort seems to be my habit. 

even causing me to strive in my surrender. 

realizing this, I have to smile, no habit has to be forever, and with this I'm able to relax and let go completely, if only for a moment, poised within the pose. 

just the right amount of effort. 

for me, the essence of practice is summed up in the second and third of Patanjali's sutras - yoga is to still the patterns of consciousness, and that in this way pure awareness can abide in it's own nature, undisturbed by any effort through my striving. It was a lesson that took me some time to learn in meditation, giving undue concentration to my mantra and never quite settling into the calm stillness of my mind. With proper guidance I finally began to let go, surrendering to the already present silence, naturally, easily, with only the least amount of effort needed. 

yet asanas proved more difficult. 

mainly, because I'm used to pushing myself physically, working hard to achieve a particular goal. This carried over in my practice, reaching for that extra length, holding a posture for a little longer than before, almost as if each session was an event, some sort of competition playing through my head. Patanjali urges me to let go, to give just the right amount of effort to each pose and then move on. Yoga isn't about perfection, there's no achievement here, but only a true and deep surrender, 

realizing this...

I have to smile. 

easing easily into my next asana. 

poised. 

~

Peace, Eric