September at LRY: ABHYASA

Consistency, dedication, and enthusiasm. These are the three essential ingredients of abhyasa, a Sanskrit word meaning practice. In the Yoga Sutras, abhyasa is said to become firmly established when done without interruption, for a long time, and with sincerity.

I appreciate this reminder that practice is not a quick fix. At a time when we can have literally anything delivered to our doorstep overnight, true practice asks that we commit to something, stick with it, and trust the process. Eventually the wheels of practice are put into motion and we become less dependent on feeling 'motivated' or like it's a 'good' time for practice. Practice becomes second nature, an expression of our true nature, of self-love and collective responsibility. 

Like two wings of a bird, the steadfastness of abhyasa must be understood alongside vairagya, or non-attachment, so that our efforts do not yield rigidity. When we release the need to control outcomes, grace emerges. Check in with the state of your practice. Could you benefit from more dedication, consistency, and discipline? Can you cultivate more grace, trust and surrender?

 

Here for you,

Christina + LRY