We start the year with a 6-week yoga series on Aparigraha: exploring the concept of non-possessiveness and non-greed in both our physical practice and our everyday lives.
Aparigraha is one of the five yamas, or ethical guidelines, in yoga, and it encourages us to be content with what we have, and not constantly seeking more.
On the mat, we will be focusing on opening up the side body. The side body is often tight and closed off, especially in our modern lives where we spend a lot of time sitting and hunching over our computers. By opening up the side body, we can release tension and create space for a deeper breath. This will not only help to improve our physical practice, but also help us to cultivate a sense of contentment and peace.
In our everyday lives, aparigraha can be practised by being mindful of our desires and not constantly seeking more. It’s easy to get caught up in the endless cycle of wanting more, whether it be more material possessions, more success, or more happiness. But true contentment comes from being satisfied with what we already have. By practising aparigraha, we can learn to let go of our attachments and focus on what is truly important.
One way to practise aparigraha off the mat is to declutter our living spaces. We often accumulate possessions that we no longer need or use, and holding on to these things can create a sense of clutter and chaos in our lives. By letting go of these possessions, we can create more space and freedom in our lives.
Another way to practice aparigraha is to be mindful of our consumption. We live in a society that encourages us to constantly consume more, whether it be food, clothes, or entertainment. But by being mindful of what we consume and only taking what we truly need, we can reduce our impact on the environment and cultivate a sense of contentment.
In this yoga series, we will be exploring the many layers of aparigraha both on and off the mat. By opening up the side body, we can release tension and create space for a deeper breath. And by practising aparigraha in our everyday lives, we can learn to let go of our attachments and focus on what is important.