breath. Anytime throughout the day that you feel
resistance in your body because things are not going
the way you think they should, bring your attention to
your breath and use it to regain your sense of effortless
receiving and releasing.- Cultivate the sense of gratitude for the gifts you
have in your life. During your yoga practice, tune
into the life force that is circulating through your
body and be grateful for the opportunity to experi-
ence life through a human mind and body. Enjoy the
sensation of your body contracting and expanding as
your move through your postures. Celebrate your
physical manifestation that enables your soul to
express its meaning and purpose in life. Celebrate the
very improbability of your existence.
Our beloved teacher Brahmananda Saraswati
once said that it might take a million incarnations
until you gain a human nervous system; if you do not
use it to remember and rejoice in your sacred nature,
you have traded a diamond for a head of lettuce. - During your practice of yoga have the intention of
surrendering to the needs of your body. Rather than
forcing your will upon your body to attain a specific
pose, practice listening to the needs of your muscles
and joints. The impulse to give flows naturally from
the experience of gratitude. You will find that
through this subtle shift in your attitude, challenging
postures are more easily achieved.
Outside of your asana practice have the intention to
give something to everyone you come into contact with
during the day. It might be a kind word, a compliment, a
56 The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga