It yoga early in the morning is always a good idea. And if it is done in an exceptional setting such as the countryside behind the Abbey of Morimondo, you can feel a special, ancestral energy. Just last Sunday I participated in the first of a series of meetings of body practices with theoretical study of yoga tomorrow in Patanjali, organized by Cascina Caremma at the Hotel Morimondo in Morimondo, in fact.
After a first hour and a half of Hatha Yoga immersed in nature with Linda Spinelli, certified teacher and director of Caremma Nature Spa, to awaken the body, we switched to a little nourishment for the mind with the theoretical “lesson” held by Federica From Milan, professor of linguistics in Bicocca and practicing yoga for many years.
Topic: le eight limbs of yoga, with a particular focus on Yama e Niyama, the “precepts” to follow for a happy life. The starting point? The Yoga Sutra di Patanjali, the reference text, the “Bible” at the base of yoga and therefore of Hinduism. In a journey through these 196 aphorisms, over the centuries we have tried to outline an indication of a path of inner and personal growth, which starting from Klesa, or the afflictions, the problems of man, can lead through the 8 steps, the 8 limbs, to the state of Samadhi, enlightenment, the supreme Buddhahood, of total liberation from suffering, they would say in Buddhism.
How can you do? “First of all, by becoming aware of who we are and our weaknesses – explains Federica – And from there we set out on a journey, but in a spiral path, that is, looking back from time to time to understand if we have made progress and integrating our growth of new acquired awareness ».
So yoga is not just asanas? “The Asana, that is the physical part of the positions, is only a portion of the journey. And he is even on the third step, he arrives dopo Yama e Niyama, this means that first we must act on our soul, on our spirit and only then put into practice in the physical.
The Yoga Sutra is perception theory: through these aphorisms, which must be interpreted and adapted to the reality that one lives, in theory one should be able to discern, of discrimination what is right from what is wrong. Yoga is therefore just a growth path, a disciplined method that aims to reach a state of bliss free from pain ».
The 8 limbs of yoga so what are they? “Starting from becoming aware of the afflictions (Klesa), we start with Yama e Niyama. Someone compares them to the 10 Christian commandments, but they are not really orders, how much more gods tips in living with others and with oneself, who help to live with discernment. Then, there are the Asana, that is the positions that we all know; Pranayama, breath control, which has more to do with the vital energy of our soul; Pratyahara, or the withdrawal of the senses, understood as control, so that they can no longer affect ourselves; and finally, the last 3 steps, which could be understood as the true focus of yoga, that is Dharana, Dhyana e Samadhi, which have to do with meditation, concentration, profound introspection, which leads to the state of enlightenment ».
Below, and in our gallery, here is an in-depth analysis on Klesa, afflictions, and Yama e Niyama, yogic tips for you to live better and longer.
Klesa: Avidya
Translated as ignorance, not wanting to see how things really are. This is where all suffering and pain originate: to reject reality is to reject ourselves.
Klesa: Asmita
Translated as “sense of I-am”. Seeing ourselves as individuals, separated from the world, generating a sense of possession is not healthy. We are always in relationship with someone or something else. Always.
Klesa: Raga
Intended as an attraction, or what you like. This means that we tend to repeat already lived mental schemes, to put into practice the teachings and education received, which if on the one hand give us security, on the other hand they cage us (the famous “comfort zone”).
Klesa: Dvesa
Unlike Raga, Dvesa is repulsion, that is, what we do not like, but which we believe we do not like, slaves to our prejudices and preconceptions. Thus fear matures.
Klesa: Abhinivesa
This is the summa of Raga and Dvesa, or the stubborn ambition to maintain continuity.
Yama: suggestions for living well in relationship with others, in society
Yama: Ahimsa
Do no harm, that is meekness. Do not use physical violence, but above all verbal, on others, but also and above all on yourself.
Yama: Satya
Do not speak untruths, that is, always seek the truth, in the sense of being authentic. Accepting other points of view other than one’s own helps to grow and get closer to the truth. Above all, do not chat about others if they are not present and try to use words as little as possible.
Yama: Asteya
Do not steal, or practice honesty, which also means not appropriating something that is not ours in a material sense, but also metaphorical. For example, how much time do we unnecessarily steal from others?
Yama: Brahmacarya
Do not engage in sexual activity, that is, always seek authenticity and responsibility in love relationships.
Yama: Aparigraha
Do not keep anything for yourself, or rather aim for essentiality. Abandon craving, learn not to always desire something else: if not, when will we really be happy?
Niyama: tips for living well with yourself
Niyama: Sauca
Cleanliness, understood as purity. Physics (before the practice the Brahmins cleaned their nose and tongue, for example), but above all of the mind and heart: away negative and impure thoughts.
Niyama: Samtosa
Contentment, understood as gratitude: being grateful for what you have, for being here in this moment, for being there.
Niyama: Tapas
Ardore, or the fire that burns, discipline, putting body and soul into it to achieve one’s goals, to live, to be there.
Niyama: Svadhyaya
Private acting, or the study of tradition. Cultivating one’s intellect, increasing one’s cultural background, knowing that one does not know.
Niyama: Isvara Pranidhana
Dedication to god, or enthusiasm. Merge with God, who is within us, abandon yourself to the absolute and dedicate yourself to what makes us feel good.
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