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The Yoga Sutras

7/13/2025

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The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are one of the most important and widely studied texts in the yoga tradition. They offer timeless guidance on the philosophy and practice of yoga — far beyond just the physical poses.

The text is attributed to Sage Patanjali, who is believed to have lived sometime between 200 BCE and 400 CE. Very little is known about Patanjali himself, but his work has profoundly shaped how yoga is understood and practiced today.

A sutra means “thread” in Sanskrit — each one is like a short, concentrated teaching meant to be remembered and reflected upon. There are 196 sutras in total.

The Yoga Sutras are divided into four chapters, called Padas:
  1. Samadhi Pada — On the state of meditative absorption
  2. Sadhana Pada — On the practice and discipline (includes the 8 limbs of yoga)
  3. Vibhuti Pada — On the powers or special attainments that can arise
  4. Kaivalya Pada — On liberation and ultimate freedom

The Yoga Sutras provide a clear map for living a more mindful, steady, and liberated life. They remind us that yoga is much more than poses — it’s about calming the fluctuations of the mind so we can experience our true nature.​

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Now

7/13/2025

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The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are written in such a way that each word has a lot of weight. Each aphorism is brief but loaded with meaning. The first sutra is only three words:

“Atha Yoga Anushasanam.”
(Pronunciation: AH-tah YO-gah AH-nu-SHAH-suh-nuhm)
Atha = Now
Yoga = Union
Anu = according to
Shasanam = discipline, teachings


Translated simply, it means:
“Now, the practice of yoga begins.”


This single line sets the tone for the entire path of yoga. Atha means “now” — an invocation that calls us into the present moment. Yoga isn’t something that only happens on the mat or when conditions are perfect. It happens now, when you choose to show up with awareness.

Anushasanam means “discipline,” “guidance,” or “teaching.” It reminds us that yoga is both a practice and a commitment — one that asks for our steady effort, patience, and presence.

Each time you step onto your mat, you embody Sutra 1.1. You might say to yourself: “Now I begin again.”
  • When your mind wanders in meditation, you come back.
  • When you fall out of balance, you try again.
  • When you catch yourself caught in old habits, you choose a new response.
This is yoga — a practice of remembering that each breath is an invitation to start fresh.

Try This: Atha in Daily Life
Pause for just a moment right now. Feel your feet on the ground. Sit up tall. Notice your breath. Invite yourself fully into this moment. 

Whenever you feel scattered or stuck, you can whisper: “Atha.” Now is the time to begin again.

A Reflection
“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the Self.” — Bhagavad Gita. 

​
As you move through your next practice, ask yourself: What does it mean for me to be here now?

Let this simple sutra remind you that you don’t need to wait for a perfect moment — your life is always ready for you to step in, breathe, and begin.
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Swastikasana

7/6/2025

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Swastikasana (suh-WAHS-tee-KAH-suh-nuh) is a simple cross-legged seated posture often used for meditation and pranayama practice in the Hatha Yoga tradition. The word “Swastika” comes from Sanskrit:
  • “Su” = good, well
  • “Astika” = to be, to exist
Together, “Swastika” means “auspicious,” “well-being,” or “that which is good.” In ancient India and many Eastern traditions, the Swastika is a sacred symbol of good fortune, harmony, and the eternal cycle of life.

This symbol was appropriated and misused by the Nazis in the 20th century, forever changing the way we see it. In yoga, it’s important to remember its original cultural context: an emblem of blessing and peace.

Benefits of Swastikasana
  • Supports meditation and pranayama by encouraging a tall, steady spine
  • Grounds the mind and nervous system, inviting a calm, inward focus
  • Gently opens the hips and groin
  • Promotes stability and ease for longer seated practices
  • Encourages auspicious intention, connecting you with yoga’s roots

Contraindications
Swastikasana is generally gentle, but be careful if you have:
  • Severe knee, hip, or ankle injuries
  • Significant tightness in hips that makes sitting cross-legged painful
  • Sciatica (sometimes an elevated seat or different posture is better)
  • Circulatory issues in the legs if sitting for long periods
Always listen to your body — comfort is key.

How to Practice:
  1. Sit with legs extended in Dandasana (Staff Pose).
  2. Bend your left knee, bringing the left foot in toward your groin.
  3. Bend your right knee, sliding the right foot in to tuck between the left calf and thigh — your shins cross naturally in front of each other.
  4. Ground through both sitting bones.
  5. Lengthen your spine. Draw the crown of the head upward, soften the shoulders down the back.
  6. Rest hands on your knees or in your lap, palms facing up or down.
  7. Close the eyes or soften the gaze. Stay for a few minutes, observing the breath.
Tip: Switch the cross of your legs halfway through longer practices to balance hips and knees.

Preparatory Poses & Warmups
Swastikasana can feel tight if your hips are tight or cold. Prepare with:
  • Cat/Dog Tilts and Seated Side Bends to warm the spine
  • Bound Angle Pose (Baddha Konasana) to open hips
  • Fire Log Pose (Agnistambhasana) to gently stretch deeper
  • Gentle Lunges or Lizard Pose to release hip flexors

Adaptations
Sit on a folded blanket or cushion to lift the hips above the knees — this reduces knee strain and supports the natural curve of the spine.
Place blocks or cushions under the knees if they hover high above the floor, preventing unnecessary strain.
Use a chair if sitting on the floor isn’t accessible — the key is a tall, steady spine.
Try other seated postures: If Swastikasana doesn’t feel good for your body, you might choose Sukhasana (Easy Pose) or Vajrasana (Thunderbolt Pose) instead.

​Swastikasana reminds us that our seat for meditation can be simple, humble, and powerful — an embodiment of steadiness, well-being, and our innate potential for inner peace.

May you practice with the spirit of Swasti — may your seat be a place of balance, blessing, and freedom within.
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    Dena D. Beratta

    Honored to teach, but always a student.

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