Blog Archives

Seeking the Seer

9/28/2025

After introducing the restless patterns of the mind in Sutra 1.2 (yogaś citta-vṛtti-nirodhaḥ – yoga is the stilling of the fluctuations of the mind), Patanjali gives us a glimpse of what lies beyond. When the mind quiets, we are no longer entangled in thoughts, stories, or distractions. We return to what has always been there: the ("Big S") Self — pure awareness, clarity, peace.

We spend much of our lives identifying with our thoughts: “I am stressed. I am happy. I am not good enough. I am strong.” In truth, these are passing experiences, not who we are. Sutra 1.3 invites us to remember that beneath every emotion and circumstance, there is a steady center — the draṣṭuḥ, the witness within.

When you sit in meditation or take a mindful breath, you may glimpse that spacious awareness. It is not dramatic or flashy. It is a quiet, steady presence. This is the gift of yoga: a pathway back to ourselves.

Bringing Sutra 1.3 into daily life

On the mat: Notice the difference between doing a pose and witnessing yourself being in it. Can you feel both effort and awareness?
In breathwork: Try pausing after a deep exhale and simply rest in the awareness that remains.
In daily life: When emotions run high, gently ask: Who is the one noticing this emotion?

Sutra 1.3 is a reminder that yoga is not about becoming something new. It is about peeling back the layers until we rest in the truth of what we already are: radiant, whole, and free.

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Autumn Equinox

9/22/2025

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As the wheel of the year turns, the autumn equinox greets us with its quiet reminder of balance. Day and night stand equal, light and darkness share the sky in harmony. It is a threshold moment—an invitation to pause, reflect, and realign before we journey into the introspective months ahead.

In yoga, we often seek this same balance: between effort and ease, strength and softness, inhalation and exhalation. The equinox mirrors what our practice teaches us each time we step on the mat—that balance is not static, but a living, breathing dance.

This season asks us to:

Harvest our efforts: Just as farmers gather their crops, we can acknowledge the fruits of our intentions and practices over the past months.
Release with grace: As the trees shed their leaves, we too are invited to let go of what no longer serves us.
Turn inward: With shorter days ahead, there is space to nurture rest, reflection, and inner wisdom.

Join us for a fall class, or consider weaving these themes into your home practice. Try some gentle forward folds to support introspection, grounding postures like Tree and Warrior II to embody steadiness, and breathwork that lengthens the exhale to cultivate calm.

This equinox, take time to honor the balance within yourself. Notice where you are giving, where you are receiving, and where you can soften into alignment with the rhythm of the season.

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Artha

9/14/2025

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In yoga philosophy, the sages describe the Purusharthas, the four goals of human life:

Dharma (duty and ethics),
Artha (prosperity and purpose),
Kama (pleasure and joy), and
Moksha (spiritual liberation).

Each represents an essential aspect of living a meaningful, balanced life. In this post, our focus is on Artha.

Artha is often translated as wealth, prosperity, or purpose. It refers not only to material resources like money, home, and livelihood, but also to the structures and stability that support our lives. In this way, Artha is about creating the foundation we need to live our Dharma (life’s purpose), enjoy Kama (pleasure and love), and eventually move toward Moksha (freedom).

Rather than rejecting material needs, yoga philosophy acknowledges them as part of the human journey. The question is not whether to seek security, but how to pursue it in alignment with our values.

Artha requires balance. Too much attachment to wealth or possessions can lead to greed and distraction, while neglecting Artha can cause instability and stress. When approached with mindfulness, Artha allows us to:

Build security and stability in life.
Provide for ourselves and our loved ones.
Support generosity and service to others.
Create space for spiritual practice and inner growth.

We can experience Artha in yoga through poses that emphasize grounding, stability, and strength. Standing poses like Warrior II (Virabhadrasana II) or Mountain Pose (Tadasana) remind us to root deeply into the earth, finding the steadiness that supports freedom of movement in the upper body.

When we practice balance poses or root into our breath during challenge, we also cultivate Artha — a sense of inner stability that supports us through life’s changes.

Some food for thought:

Where in your life do you feel secure and supported right now?
Where could you create more stability — physically, emotionally, financially, or spiritually — to give yourself a stronger foundation for growth?

Artha is not simply about accumulating wealth; it is about creating the conditions for a meaningful, purposeful, and generous life. May we all find balance in Artha — building the ground beneath our feet so we can stand tall in our Dharma, enjoy the sweetness of Kama, and walk steadily toward Moksha.

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Utthita Hasta Padangustasana

9/7/2025

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Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana, or Extended Hand to Big Toe Pose, is a dynamic standing balance pose that challenges focus, stability, and flexibility all at once. It reminds us that balance is never still — it’s a dance of micro-adjustments, just like life.

Benefits of the Pose

Strengthens legs, ankles, and core
Improves balance and concentration
Stretches hamstrings and hips
Cultivates patience, perseverance, and mental focus

Contraindications
Avoid or modify if you’re experiencing:

Recent ankle, hip, or low back injury
Hamstring strain
Balance-related dizziness (practice near a wall for safety)

Preparatory Poses

Mountain Pose (Tadasana)
Standing Forward Fold (Uttanasana)
Reclined Hand-to-Big-Toe Pose (Supta Padangusthasana)
Tree Pose (Vrksasana) for balance

Step-by-Step Instructions

Begin in Mountain Pose. Shift weight onto your left leg.
Draw your right knee toward your chest, holding the shin.
Reach your right hand to the big toe (or use a strap) and begin to extend the leg forward.
Keep the standing leg strong, core engaged, and spine tall.
Option to open the leg out to the side, keeping hips square.
Left hand may rest on hip or extend outward for balance.
Hold for 3–5 breaths, then release slowly and switch sides.

Modifications & Props

Use a strap looped around the lifted foot instead of grabbing the toe.
Practice with the back to a wall for extra support.
Keep the knee bent if hamstrings are tight — balance is the main focus, not leg extension.

On and Off the Mat
Just like in this pose, life’s balance doesn’t mean never wobbling — it means staying steady and centered through the wobble. Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana invites us to practice presence, focus, and resilience, even when things feel unsteady.

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Seeking the Seer

Autumn Equinox

Artha

Utthita Hasta Padangustasana

Dena D. Beratta

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