Tonight's class: Mini Silent Meditation Retreat

Hi yoga fans!

Some of you asked me what the term Ishvara pranidhana means. It is on permenant display on my little blackboard in Om Improvement as part of 10 terms which form the Yamas and Niyamas of Ashtanga Yoga. These are the ethical precepts for yoga practice. Ishvara pranidhana is often translated as "surrender". But I feel there is a sense of weakness in the english word "surrender": like we gave up because we have no fight. However, the term is used in a positive and powerful way in Sanskrit. It calls for a humbling of our ego and an acceptance of those circumstance which are beyond our control which calls for an acknowledgement of larger powers at work shaping our every moment: be the powers God or karma or the Laws of Nature. In this way, we allow ourselves to embrace the larger framework of life and the universe.

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Tonight, we will experience what Ishvara pranidhana really means. As I've a sore throat which has temporarily made it hard for me to talk right now except at a whisper, I've to accept these circumstances which means I'm not going to force my vocal cords to work and aggrevate the condition. Yet, I would like to show you that yoga can AND MUST still be practised within this situation by applying: Ishvara pranidhana.

As opposed to cancelling class, I'm proposing the following for tonight's class, and you have a choice whether you would like to come and attend or not. After you've attended tonight's class, you can choose if you want me to count the class against your class credits or not. It's totally up to you. As there were some interest from you on what a silent meditation retreat feels like, I'm doing a mini silent meditation retreat for tonight's class. Meditation is an essential yoga practice. Most yoga masters will even say that meditation is the goal of all yoga practice. Come with an open mind and let's embrace this chance to experience this together.

Tonight's 7pm-8.30pm class yoga practice:

Breathing awareness, loosening of joints and warmup, stretching: group practice (with demonstration)

Sun Salutations x 10 rounds: individual practice (with demonstration and one-to-one* adjustments)

Sitting Meditation: various methods, individual practice (with read instructions and one-to-one* guidance)

Walking Meditation: group practice if numbers permit (with read instructions)

Sharing of insights: share what you felt in the silent meditation with the rest. Ask questions - whispered answers!

*I'll come next to you and provide guidance


See you in class,
Sau Fen
Om Improvement
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