We live in a three dimensional world.

Question: “What does that mean?”

Answer: “The structure of our reality has quality of dimensions – width, length and depth

Let’s look at yoga. What is yoga? Swami Kripalu said that …”Yoga is self observation with compassion.” I have always found this an interesting, valuable and useful description. It provides us with a system of duality; polar opposites; the two dimensional structure. On the one side we have self observation and on the other end is compassion.

The Master Template/Blueprint of Creation has a system of duality; Fulfillment and Desire; Light and Vessel; Send and Receive; Positive and Negative; Left and Right; Yang and Yin……….

Universe is always evolving and seeking ‘balance”. That does not mean it is always 50/50. The FIbonnaci Sequence suggests it is closer to 60/40 with an oscillating back and forth like navigating a sail boat into the wind by tacking from right to left. They call it beating to windward – first you sail on your port tack then on your starboard track.

If you have practiced yoga with me then you have probably heard me describe the three stages of yoga as:

Stage One: Right Alignment

Stage Two: Discovering and Exploring your personal “Edge”

Stage Three: Authentic Free Expression

The rest of this blog seeks to add more width, length and depth to our awareness, understanding and ongoing mastery of the practice of yoga.

“In Kripalu Yoga, asana, pranayama and meditation are all happening simultaneously.”  Swami Kripalu…

Each of the three “stages” consists of five components or phases/steps, depending on how you view them.

1. Purpose
2. Direction of Attention
3. Principles of Alignment
4. Experience of “The Witness”
5. Desired Outcome of Practice

Stage One-Right Alignment: It’s purpose is increased body awareness. Attention is direction on physical sensations. Principles are based on anatomical architecture. The Witness begins with or through physical inquiry; You do yoga. Outcomes = purification, increased physical awareness > Strength, flexibility and stamina.

Stage Two – Playing your edge: Its purpose is focused on mental and emotional awareness. Attention is directed on thoughts, feelings, emotions and breath. Alignment principles are based on prana/energy. The Witness consciousness is developed through posture inquiry; You do yoga and yoga does you. Outcomes = strengthening of the will, increased mental and emotional awareness > clarity and honesty.

Stage Three – Authentic Free Expression: Stage three’s purpose is increased connection to Source. Attention is on expression, prana and, ultimately, bliss. Alignment is established through natural intuition. The Witness surrenders to experiences of meditation and movement. Yoga does you. Outcomes = release of the judgmental mind, increased presence of body, mind and spirit simultaneously > joy, power and wisdom.

We completed our third and final session this past weekend. I like three sessions as an orientation type of ‘training.’

Three is the foundation. It is the formation stage of the process.

There are many areas in the yoga map. What most people think of as yoga (poses and movement and stretching) is but one step of one perspective in one area. Hatha Yoga is about movement and poses and breathing and all that. There is Jnana Yoga which is the accumulation of Knowledge, there is Karmic yoga – the path of action and Bhakti Yoga – the spiritual path of devotion.

We looked at the eight limbed path of Yoga……

Note that the poses – asana is the third limb of this path.

We looked at the chakra system……

And then brought is back to the duality of the two….

We inquired into a few yoga poses and a few pranayama exercises and sat in meditation practicing scanning the body at the sensation ‘level.’

This was an interesting series of sessions. I appreciated that we committed to three sessions. I look forward to the next step in this relationship.