I attended a lecture and meditation series given by Geshe Michael Roach at Pure Yoga in New York over the last few days. The topic was "Asana as a Road To Love" focusing mostly on how to loosen the subtle body through meditation, study and asana to expand ones capacity for compassion as it touches every aspect of life.
As difficult as it might be at times to break down long erected barriers...it is each and every persons responsibility to simply reach out...connect...and love one another. Doing so allowes us to cultivate and develop a richer relationship with ourselves and the life we are living at this very moment, enhancing ones perception of reality and the part we play within it.
So what does this have to do with yoga?
Its easy to forget that yoga has its roots in this philosphy of love and compassion and get hung up on the physical asana practice. Its important to remember that asana practice was and is vital to meditation and spiritual practice. It is the asana that allows the body to have clear free flowing energy and prepares the physical self to sit for long periods of time without moving. I was reminded of this after the second night of the sitting on the floor mediating for 4 hours at a time!
Geshe Michael Roach helps us to remember to be mindful, to set an intention and to offer up our practice like a little offering, a sweet little present to the universe.
http://geshemichaelroach.com/index.html
http://www.pureyoga.com
