Now And Zen Yoga

Yoga, as it is commonly practiced in the United States, puts a tremendous focus on the physical poses.  But these poses are just one piece of an larger system known as Yoga.  This larger system was written down by Patanjali in The Yoga Sutras and is known as the Eight Limbs of Yoga. 

 1.)  Yamas:  Restraints.  These are restraints that we practice in order to strengthen our ethics, intergrity and morality.

 Ahimsa:  non violence, non harming, compasion for all things

Satya:  truthfulness, commitment

Asteya:  non stealing

Brahmacharya:  continence, sense control, abstinence

Aparigraha:  non covetousness, non hoarding,

2.) Niyamas:  Observances.  These are personal observances or actions that we take in relation to our own body and mind. 

Saucha:  cleanliness, purity

Samtosa:  contentment, modesty

Tapas:  heat, spiritual austerities, a disciplined use of our energies

Svadhyaya:  self-study, self awareness

Isvara pranidhana:  surrender to a higher power

3.) Asana:  Postures.  As we practice the physical postures we develop discipline and learn how to concentrate.  These skills help to prepare us for meditation.

4.) Pranayama: Breathwork.  As we gain control over the breath (life force), we recognize the connection between mind, body and spirit.

5.) Pratyahara:  Sense withdrawal.  This involves a withdrawal from our external surroundings so that we can focus inward.  It is here that we see ourselves more objectively.

6.) Dharana:  Concentration.  We slow down the mind by focusing on a single thing.  This helps us to deal with distractions in the mind and prepare ourselves for meditation.

7.) Dhyana:  Meditation.  We work towards uninterrupted concentration.  The goal is to be aware without focusing on any one thing, so that the mind may be come quiet and and without thoughts.

8.) Samadhi:  Enlightenment.  This is the ultimate goal of yoga.  The other continued practice of the prior seven limbs of yoga help to focus our energies toward this one goal.  Samadhi is the union of the mind, body and spirit.  This limb is described by Patanjali as a state of ecstasy or nirvana.  Also described as peace, or being at one with the universe. 

Clear Path International is a non-profit organization who Now and Zen Yoga has some ties to.  Director Ruth Giles attended high school with Arn Chorn-Pond of Cambodia and James Hathaway of Vermont.  These two men, along with a many others, have created a wonderful organization that is working towards a better world.  In their own words: 

Clear Path International was formed by a group of friends with a wealth of relief-work experience in Vietnam and other parts of Asia. Originally formed as a landmine and bomb removal organization, the Board of Directors recognized the need for a professional non-profit organization to undertake landmine and UXO victim assistance activities in Southeast Asia. In this way, Clear Path International makes a compassionate attempt to redress the destructive legacy of armed conflict and help families get back on track after their often devastating, if not deadly, accidents.