Yogic Traditions and Literature

Our yogic practices correspond to the Vedas: The Rig Veda, The Yajur Veda, The Sama Veda, and The Atharva Veda. The Vedas are a collection of hymns and divine inspirations received by the Rishis’ or Sages as Shruti, Divine Revelations. As hymns and mantras, they are used to praise and invoke powers from the spiritual realm.

We will NOT be teaching the religious components of this literature.

Instead, we will utilize stories or similar stories as vehicles to deliver knowledge and techniques in the development of our yoga practice during our journey and time together in the studio.

Vedas

Rig Veda-The seeds of cosmic knowledge, the Veda of mantra

Yajur Veda-The Veda of sacrifice, application through ritual, both internal and external. Two different camps of thought here; one is the idea to control our emotions, so they do not control us, and the other “to deny our emotions is to deny the very essence that makes us human…”

Sama Veda-Yoke, unification or harmony of the mind, body and soul through insight and rapture.

Atharva Veda-Outlines daily formulas and routines for life utilizing the Upanishads. Upanishad is a Sanskrit word often translated as meaning “sitting down near”, referring to student sitting near the teacher.

Elements

In addition to the four elements, these traditions correspond to the different types of light:

Fire-Like the science of Alchemy. Fire is necessary for transformation. It burns away the negative so the positive can be born of the ashes like the Phoenix.

Lightning- Electrical force that drives Samsara (the cycle of life and death) it is the current that drives the beating of our hearts, the formation of thoughts and the generator of e-motions. It is essential as it allows us to see in all manners.

Synesthesia-The ability to hear light and see sound.

The Sun-Pure light and life-giving energy.

These forces operate in the various states of consciousness:

Awake: perception, consciousness, aware
Dream: sub conscious, creative, processing
Deep Sleep-un-conscious: restful, restorative, rejuvenation.

This four-fold yogic practice differs from the classical eight-fold yogic tradition as spelled out by Pentajali in the Yoga Sutras. Vedic yoga focuses on the Yamas and the Niyamas otherwise referred to as observances and restraints. These constitute the first two limbs of Raja Yoga. Part of the Dharmic foundation of Vedic practice is...

“Living according to our higher power while keeping our lower power in check by living authentically according to our values, diet, and yogic pastures primarily in a comfortable seated position.