This is me aged 14..

Tom Green our art teacher had pointed over to me and beckoned me to his desk. It’s quite a funny thing, but I clearly remember his nicotine fingers and the odour of tobacco from his breath and clothes. My parents were non smokers and somehow the unfamiliar remains and can ignite a memory. The mind so clever that it pieces together A TIME, A PLACE, A SMELL, A SOUND as the senses give us all of the tools to have those experiences again and again! Some will be good and others not so, where we relive the past but also jump into future with our judgements, worries and concerns. In yoga this recall in the mind is known as the Samskaras – the mental impressions, recollections, or psychological imprints that colour one’s thoughts and actions.   Mr Green, peered over his black framed spectacles, looking intently. He said, “I can do your portrait, if you sit still.” I smiled with a nod and obediently sat about a metre away. I froze into a statue not daring to move as he instructed me to keep my spine straight, head lifted, eyes on one point. Sounds a little, familiar don’t you think? At the time, I felt very special. He whizzed his biro over his sketch pad, looking up just the once. 15mins later he put the sketch next to my face to look at the comparison, he gave me a satisfied nod handing me over the sketch and ushered me back to my seat.      I must tell you, I have never been a teacher’s favourite but Mr Green was known from time to time, to randomly extract a pupil from the classroom to act as a model. Practising his drawing portrait sketch skills, always in biro. There was a sense that his practice and honing of skills for drawing were  very dear to him. I think at that time he must have been close to retirement. Yoga has taught me that whatever it is that you choose to do and you know it makes you feel good. It will require practice. Just like Mr Green was practising.    In yoga that practice is known as Abhyasa it has certain characteristics it must be consistent, dedicated and wholehearted. This type of practice will build a steady mind and new mental habits. There is a complimentary principle this is Vairagya translated as non-attachment or letting go. These two principles work together to act like 2 wings of a bird a steady effort lifts you towards inner peace, (that was Mr Green’s practice in the classroom) while the detachment ensures you do not get sidetracked by the ego or specific outcomes (Mr Green gave me the sketch, and didn’t try and judge it in anyway). I think Mr Green fits neatly within these two principles. It’s important that if we are seeking a peaceful and happy life that we are applying these principles, my yoga teacher has repeatedly said that yoga is about all of life, I must admit I just did not understand what he was getting at. Only when we start to live life fully, we start to gain the depth of these time-tested teachings that we could already be living and applying unwittingly, maybe that was Mr Green.  😊 Summary  Definition – Abyhasa – it is the continuous conscious effort to establish stability clarity and peace of mind    The Goal- showing up every day without interruption to establish your polishing of skills    How it works – According to the Yoga Sutras 1.14 the practice must be consistent over a long period, without interruption, and with a sincere, devoted attitude to yield  THIS IS BASED IN YOUR ACTIONS Definition – Vairagya – Non – Attachment. It is the practice of freeing oneself from cravings, expectations and the “fruits” of one’s actions     The Goal-enjoying the process and dedicating yourself to the effort, while completely releasing the need to control the exact outcome or expecting perfection.    How it works – it prevents you from getting devastated by failure or overly proud of success. By letting go of attachments, you reduce suffering and maintain equanimity in the face of life’s dualities (like pain and pleasure)      THIS IS BASED IN YOUR ATTITUDES      I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! Write in and let me know how you may be unwittingly applying these 2 principles in your own life.   Look forward to seeing you on the mat!