Yoga Within, TTP Homework

Source: Hindustan Times (Shutterstock)

Namaste Hatha Yoga Teacher Trainees,

It was great spending time with you today introducing the Language and Literature of Yoga.

Next time we meet, we will be examining two of the foundational texts of Yoga in greater depth:

• The Bhagavad Gita
• The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali

To prepare, please select one translation of each of the aforementioned texts and answer the following twelve questions for each:

1) What type of source is it?
2) Who authored or created it?
3) What year was it written or created?
4) What historical events were taking place at the time?
5) Who was the intended audience?
6) What point of view does the author/creator represent?
7) How does the point of view shape the source?
8) What does the source contribute to Yoga as we know it?
9) Is this source historically convincing? Why or why not?
10) Why did you choose this source?
11) Would you recommend this source to others?  If so, who?
12) How did this source translate the key definition of yoga? (BG 2.50 and PYS 1.2)

This set of questions has been adapted from The Historical Thinking Project, Primary Source Evidence template.  The Historical Thinking Project is a non-profit educational initiative, funded by the Department of Canadian Heritage, which promotes critical historical literacy for the 21st Century.

Om Shanti

What is a Yogini?

Image Source

Happy International Women's Day!

As I think about what this day means to me, part of what I find myself asking is, 

"What is a Yogini?"

More than just the Sanskrit gender designation for a female practitioner of yoga, the term Yogini has been used for centuries as a respectful title for accomplished spiritual teachers in the Hindu, Jain and Buddhist traditions.

Yogini refers to an enlightened woman, whom some regard as possessing magical powers.

Shambhavi Chopra writes,

A true Yogini is an enlightened woman with exuberant passion, spiritual powers and deep insight. Yoginis communicate a sense of freedom, a sheer mastery in whatever they do. With their compelling gazes, they can hypnotize even a great yogi and are capable of changing their shapes at will. Tantric scholars have written about Yoginis as independent, outspoken, forthright women with a gracefulness of spirit. Without them, yoga can fail in its purpose and remain sterile.

The path of yoga, or union, encourages us to inquire into the nature of the Self.  

So today I am contemplating:

Who am I?  Am I a Yogini?

What am I so passionate about that it appears masterful, even magical?

Where do I feel a potent sense of community, freedom and respect for women?

When do I communicate my insights most openly and clearly?

How do I see myself as a manifestation of grace and divinity?

Why do I practice yoga?

Yogis and Yoginis, I invite you also to reflect, how are you honoring the sacred feminine in your life, in our world and in yoga today?

Interested in Yoga Her-Story?  Here are a few juicy articles to explore:

Yogini, the Enlightened Woman

Indra Devi, Mother of Western Yoga

A Social Justice Project, The Reclamation of the Yogini

Yoga and Women, a Possible History

Did Women Invent Yoga?

Yoga Woman, A Short History of Women in Yoga in the West

Legends of Yoga: The Birth of Patanjali

Patanjali, Image Source: Wikipedia

Patanjali, the author of the Yoga Sutras is often referred to as the Father of Modern Yoga, but many modern yogis know very little about him, or why he is so revered.

Around two thousand years ago Patanjali wrote the wisdom of yoga down for the first time.  He wrote it in the form of Sutras, a codified style of writing meant to be memorized and then interpreted, or "unpacked" by one's guru.

Today, The Yoga Sutra, also known as Yoga Darshana is considered one of the most authoritative texts on yoga, famous for outlining and elucidating an "eight-limbed" path known as Ashtanga (asht meaning "eight" and anga meaning "limbs").

Admittedly, scholars know little if anything about his actual birth, but nevertheless, as with all teachers of great renown, cool legends abound!



The word "Yogini" in Devanagari script.



Once there lived a great Yogini named Gonika.  She lived alone in a small hermitage where she practiced diligently and meditated happily. 

One day she caught sight of her reflection in the surface of her water pot.  She saw deeply etched lines on her face and white streaks in her hair. 

She realized that her time on earth was limited and wondered what was the point of all her realizations if she had noone to pass them on to.  So she prayed for a worthy student. 

As she stood in the river one morning offering her prayers to the sun, she contemplated this.  She scooped up water from the river in her hands, and as she did so, she saw something flutter lightly down like a feather or a little leaf.  It landed in her cupped palms.

When she looked down she was surprised at what she saw! 

Some say she saw a little snake in her palms, homage to the belief that Patanjali is an avatar or incarnation of Adishesha.  Some say it was a teeny, tiny child.  Either way, she placed the being gently onto the shore and instantly he grew into a handsome, intelligent boy who asked respectfully for permission to be her son and her student.

Gonika, of course, accepted.  She named the boy Patanjali because he had fallen or floated down (pat) into her prayer-folded hands (anjali).

He studied the wisdom of yoga with her until he was a young man and then founded his own school of yoga which emphasized swadyaya or self-study. 

His teachings have showered blessings and wisdom onto generations of yogis to this very day!

Rhubarb Ginger Coolers

Rhubarb Ginger Cooler

Last year, Candice served these delicious drinks when we toured her beautiful garden during Raja Yoga Summer Camp.  Thanks for sharing the recipe, Candice!   

Rhubarb Ginger Coolers

10 cups chopped rhubarb

2 1/2 cups cold water

1 3/4 cups sugar

3 tablespoons fresh ginger

2 cups sparkling water

- Bring rhubarb, water, sugar and ginger to simmer over moderate heat, uncovered and simmer 1 minute. 

 - Remove from heat and steep 1 hour.

 - Pour through a sieve and chill.  

 - Serve over ice with a splash of sparkling water.

Shuddosi Buddhosi

Saraswati, Image Source: Scriptures.ru

Since Shimshai sang this lullaby of Yogini Queen Madalasa on Sunday night, it has been going around and around in my head... 

Now that we're in the last third of this year's Navaratri celebration and honoring Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and purity, it seems especially fitting.

Click here to listen on YouTube.

I'm finding alot of variations on this upadesha (instruction), but I've put together text, transliteration, and translation to the best of my ability below.

To see where I got the Devanagari from, click here.  Please note, I corrected the transliteration, and merged the translation with Shimshai's English version... whew!! 

If you find another version of the Devanagari, or have Shimshai's transliteration (which doesn't seem to match this), please let me know.  You know what a yoga geek I am... I'm dying to work out a Shruti Box version!  Jai Ma!

शुद्धोसि बुद्धोसि निरँजनोऽसि
सँसारमाया परिवर्जितोऽसि
सँसारस्वप्नँ त्यज मोहनिद्राँ
मँदालसोल्लपमुवाच पुत्रम्।

Shuddhosi buddhosi niranjanosi
samsara maya parivarjitosi
samsara svapnam tyaja moha nidram
mandalasollapamuvacha putram

"Madalasa says to her crying son:

You are forever pure.  You are forever true.
And the dream of this world can never touch you.
So give up your attachment, and give up your confusion.
And fly to that space that's beyond all illusion."