| John Berg
Samyama - Yoga of Integration:
Dates/Times:
First Thursday of the Month
9:15 - 10:45 pm
Samyama is the integration of Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (transcendence into deeper levels of self-knowledge.)
Patanjali discusses the practice of Samyama in the third book of the Yoga Sutras; the Vibhuti Pada.
Samyama is performed upon an object, a concept, or a physical action. By concentrating thoroughly, detaching, and meditating on the object, Patanjali suggests we attain a greater knowledge of it, beyond intellectual understanding.
"Siddhis", or yogic powers, are attained through the practice of Samyama. Patanjali writes that we gain understanding of the alignment of the stars by Samyama on the moon. We receive direct knowledge of the solar system through Samyama on the sun. Through this practice on specific parts of our body; for example; the flow of prana through the organs surrounding the throat, we can control, or eliminate hunger and thirst. To what degree these Siddhis are attainable in our lifetimes we cannot know. The journey, however, is the main practice - not the end goal.
We may not levitate or inhabit other's bodies...yet, then again we may...
It follows, therefore, that we can attain a greater understanding of ourselves, our relationship to the infinite and our ultimate potential by performing Samyama upon our Asana practice.
Through single-pointedly focusing (concentrating) upon our asana, meditating (witnessing and observing with detachment) on our physical and energetic response to that event, and willfully allowing ourselves to transcend the conscious mind we attain an intimacy with our practice and a much clearer understanding of our authentic self, the Atman.
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This will be more of an event than a class; more experiential than instructional. I will be more of a leader than a teacher. The main idea is to help people develop a personal practice. I am creating the atmosphere that I enjoy practicing in - music (non-yoga!) playing (more loud than soft!), low light with candles, and free-form style - which means, simply, listening for the inner guidance for what to do, rather than deciding in advance or waiting to be told.
It should be very special. Regardless of how "deep" one goes, I am confident we will all share a beautiful and revealing practice together.
Namaste,
John Berg
View the flyer
Information: 650.324.2517 or
email, info@avalonyoga.com
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