Yoga is to keep moving upwards! Not downwards!

The goal of Yoga is Self Realization! Self Realization takes place in the upper planes, the spiritual plane, not down in the lower planes. The bottom 3 chakras are there for us to feel connected to the earth, our ground, our rooting. The 4 chakras above are for us to connect to our inner selves, our true self, our supreme divine self. So, once our sadhana (yoga practice) intensifies and becomes solid then we in turn become more established in the bottom 3 chakras and gain a deeper understanding of our true purpose. The Muladhara (Root), Svadishthana (Sacral) and the Manipura (Solar Plexus) Chakras give us survival methods whilst we live out this body. We eat, defecate, sleep and procreate using the below chakras. There is a constant play of energies with all of the chakras hence the need for balancing all of them. However, for the sake of this focus, once we have balanced and maintained the Muladhara, Svadishthana and the ManiPura chakras then more effort has to be made as we go up and up towards the Sahashrara Chakra (Crown). Self Realization is when we see all things equal, in equilibrium and as one consciousness. Love pours out constantly towards all things and beings. There is a sense of oneness constantly, not just part of the day or time etc. Therefore, the purpose of yoga is for us to work up towards the upper chakras just like as if we were to climb a steep ladder. We can see the top, the question is how to reach the top! Lucky for us the yogic asanas can help us with conditioning our lower chakras whilst meditation and pranayama will help us with the upper chakras. Either we work through several thousand lifetimes to attain liberation OR perhaps just a few hundred if we are lucky and mastered. Each time you sit and do the yoga in its completeness the more you are chipping away at your samskaras (karmic inheritance or patterns). The art of yoga therefore is to attain a higher version of yourself. Always look to strive upwards, not downwards. When life throws curve balls at you keep a calm and tranquil mind as much as you can. Assess your strengths and weaknesses and maintain the practice of yoga. Follow the Yamas and Niyamas with as much obedience as you can. That way for you, the aspirant yogi or yogini, life just keeps getting better and better no matter what the situation may be. Aum.

Asana for the week: Sirshasana (Headstand) and its variations.

My teacher Sri Dharma Mittra really is known for this asana. He can stand on the top of his head EFFORTLESSLY. We will follow some of the variations he teaches me during his master classes. Please do this wisely and with absolute concentration. Gaze will always be on the Ajna (Third Eye) Chakra.

Mantra for this week: Hari Krishna.

Supreme Consciousness rests on Krishna. We all hold a divine spirit, let this mantra bring out the divinity in you.