Eight Limbs and Rubber on the Rocks
23 Aug 2010 Leave a Comment
Yoga’s Eight Limbs
So what are the Eight Limbs of Yoga you ask? If this is a new term for you, it is quite interesting and will take your daily/weekly yoga practice to a much deeper level once you grasp that yoga is much more than just striking a cool balancing pose or makes you break a sweat. Here is a concise explanation and one that you will hopefully find interesting…
Let me start with Pantanjali. Pantanjali is often thought of as the “father of yoga”, the man who compiled 196 sutras, or concise aphorisms, into what is known as the Yoga Sutras. The estimated time frame for compilation of works is wide, most commonly though it is stated that they were written in the second century BC.
Within the Sutras, Patanjali prescribes the adherence to the eight “limbs” or steps which basically act as guidelines on how to live a meaningful and purposeful life. They serve as a prescription for moral and ethical conduct and self-discipline. Additionally, they direct focus towards one’s health and help us to acknowledge the spiritual aspects of our nature.
For more on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, check out what Wikipedia has to say http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoga_Sutras_of_Patanjali
The Eight Limbs include; Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi. I will break down the Eight Limbs and discuss one limb per each blog post for further information about the Eight Limbs.
Rubber on the Rocks
And now on to the “other” stuff that makes my life balanced… One of these things being biking on the rocks!
My friend, Sarah, and I finally got to go mountain biking together after knowing each other for so many years! That is what happens I suppose when we live across town from each other – which brings us to be about 40 minutes apart. Add the fact that we have four little boys ranging from 20 months to 4 years between the two of us and the fact that Sarah is an engineer -working mama. I wish we had not waited so long to ride together because we had so much fun! It is always so fun riding with someone who challenges you but also you feel is a good match, ability wise. And of course, a triple bonus when this is a friend! Here is a shot of Sarah on Bergen Peak (near Evergreen, Colorado).
The following weekend, Sarah and I managed to get together to do some more biking! Here I am taking on some rocks at Alderfer Three Sisters trail, again in Evergreen, CO.
That was a lovely Sunday which included Sarah and myself actually riding with our husbands! Her Mum, Mary, watched all four kids for us – what a grandma. After the ride, we had a couple mimosa and delicious vegetarian strata in the Ander-Seitz backyard –ahhh!
Until next time, have a peaceful and beautiful day,
Sasha
