… is a key symbol & artistic form of yogic philosophy
✨ Its complex meaning beautifully reveals the yogic understanding of life & the universe
Śiva is shown dancing within a circle of flames, which represents the entire material world of energy, space & time. His dance is all-embracing 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 & 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 the activity of life. The divine is thus to be found everywhere; in all places, times, forms, happenings & beings in never-ending cyclical time
✨ His long, matted yogi hair of the Ganga streams out to the whole universe, representing the limitlessness of being
His upper arms represent the ongoing, natural rhythms of creation and destruction by holding a drum (creation) & fire (destruction)
His lower right hand is held in Abhaya mudrā, the gesture of fearlessness. It is as though he is telling us that in spite of everything - all the change, movement and also destruction of life - it is alright. To not to be afraid within the great dance of the universe
Another hand points to one of his feet that is held raised against gravity, representing spiritual contemplation. His other foot rests on a dwarf representing the ego - something to keep in its place while not wiping it out completely - it is also a 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 aspect of the dance of life
✨ I love this form for its inclusive & and alive attitude to life & spirituality; the divine is very much shown as within & throughout all life’s aspects & polarities, including within ourselves
… Many many more aspects and symbols are held in it than I have mentioned..
✨ There is so much more to yoga than āsana (postures on the mat) & it can be hard knowing where to look to go deeper than drop-in classes…
Are you intrigued to explore yoga’s rich philosophy and its hugely beneficial wisdom for everyday life?
Take a look at our upcoming course:
𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐘𝐨𝐠𝐚 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐲
*an accessible 6-month exploration of what yoga is really all about
We start in February! Join us?
Love from India,
Anya
Translation of the Meaning of Yoga
‘‘Yoga is the state in which the churning fluctuations of thought & emotion have come to rest & we abide in what we fundamentally are - awareness’’
(translation of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras 2 & 3 by Christopher Wallis)
Poetry & Wisdom
This month’s theme in our Embodied Yoga Philosophy course is the nature of the Self
I love this poem ~ for me it is such an eloquent pointer towards what yoga teaches about our true nature beneath all our roles
It’s also a topic that our teacher training students are spending a lot of time discussing together! There’s so much wisdom & beauty to unravel on this path…
Poem by Clare Harner (1934)
The Mind
Last month our 𝑬𝒎𝒃𝒐𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝒀𝒐𝒈𝒂 𝑷𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒐𝒑𝒉𝒚 journey was all about the mind
The goal of the whole tradition of Yoga - with all its various practices - is to calm the wild waves of the mind to rest in an experience of stillness. In that stillness it is said we can glimpse our ‘true nature’ - and what exactly that means is coming up next month!
Together we’re exploring…
✨How to gain antaḥkaraṇaśuddhi (clarity of mind) in daily life
✨Meditation tools & teachings
✨Making the mind a friendly place
✨Patañjali’s traditional 8 supports to Yoga
…. & much more
To explore this more yourself, join us for:
✨ A Bright Mind: Meditation & Wellbeing Essentials (October)
✨Embodied Yoga Philosophy (next series in 2024)
✨ Portugal Retreat (incl. a full silent day) - May
✨ Slovenia Retreat - July
Why we don't use discount apps to sell classes
Most (other) Berlin studios sell spots across discount platform apps (eg. Urban Sports Club, Class Pass...)
We don’t ~ so our classes feel refreshingly different
These apps pay studios very little per spot, so studios have to pack in huge numbers of students to make enough 💵
We used to use them too but we saw how this format doesn’t provide a conducive environment for an experience of yoga - studios are usually packed, there’s little (if any) personal contact with the teacher, a huge rush at classes and a general sense of prioritising cheap consumption over meaningful well-being experiences 😰
✨Honestly, I’m so happy to have made this switch! I know everyone’s name and any injuries / pregnancies, there’s enough space to breathe and stretch out and there’s a (genuine) sense of community as regular students get to know each other over a tea
🫖 We talk to each other and take our time. Everyone is welcomed with a smile and …eye contact (!) I’m here for questions. We chat after class. Simple, valuable things.
🧘 My priority is that students gain an actual experience of yoga ~ quietening the mind for an insight of essence nature ~ coming home to ourselves. This is what yoga is meant to be.
Our classes have regular prices ~ with discount passes & reductions for those who need it
And - honestly - it is absolutely worth investing in yourself and your practice!
🙌🏼 THANK YOU all of you who make our classes such a friendly, genuine community
Last month we explored desire & desirelessness in our 'Embodied Yoga Philosophy' group
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… for all the latest updates @yogainenglishberlin
The real meaning of yoga
The ultimate goal of Yoga is not to get very good at doing Yoga postures. The ultimate goal of Yoga is inner freedom.
The practices of Yoga (and any spiritual path) are tools to fulfil a purpose. They are not the end goal in themselves - just as a boat carries you to your destination and is no longer needed.
Keeping the wider goal of Yoga in mind transforms our practice; we are less concerned with ‘achievements’ on the mat and our practice comes alive with depth, meaning, richness & joy.
ॐ
Curious to know more? Explore the meaning of Yoga with us in a 6-month journey
EMBODIED YOGA PHILOSOPHY - starts Jan 9th -online / in-person