Our desires and the objects that apparently bring us happiness (or unhappiness) are infinitely varied and numerous. Yoga brings in some order and facilitates our task by pointing out that all our desires fall into one of three basic categories. These are the urge to live, the urge to know and the urge to be happy.

A large number of our desires and attendant actions are propelled by the basic urge to protect and prolong life. To want to live is a natural instinct in all living organisms, and humans are no exceptions. We take vitamin pills, wear seat belts, work out, eat sensibly, store food, build shelters, eradicate germs, predict weather patterns, and so on. From the first gasping breath and suckling action of a newborn to the last gasping breath at death, the struggle first and foremost is to live.

When we are capable of looking after ourselves and are in reasonably good health, we tend to forget the strength of our need to be alive. However, if the prospect of death makes a small gesture (either in form of illness or some impending danger) then a host of other matters suddenly seem trivial and drop off from our shoulders!

Nobody wants to die; everyone wants to live for one more decade, or for one more year or one more day or one more hour. In the case of suicide or choosing euthanasia, the urge to live never disappears but is overpowered by the equally fundamental urge to be happy. Death is welcomed by a few people when they have absolutely no hope of happiness; give them back their happiness and death will be rejected.

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The real spiritual progress of the aspirant is measured by the extent to which he achieves inner tranquility.

Swami Sivananda
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Pawan
(… to be continued)

• Stand in Tadasana. As you inhale, focus on the ground and your connection to it. Exhale. Inhaling shift weight to your right leg & lift your left leg up and place the left foot firmly on the inside of the right leg. With every inhalation stand strong on your right leg – balanced and grounded.
• Keep the lower back lengthened as you open your left knee out to the side.
• Turn your palms outward. Inhaling, raise the arms (out to the side) up overhead. Shoulders move back and down from the ears as the inner arms extend up, with palms facing each other or join your palms. (See Picture 2)

Holding the pose

• With every inhalation be aware of your balance. With each exhalation, extend your spine upwards.
• Keep your palms together or apart but keep the arms straight & your head between the arms.

Important Actions

• Tailbone moves down, lengthening the lower back.
• Spine and rib cage lift up.
• Hips are pushed forward, as knee opens out.
• Neck is held long with shoulders down.

Completing the pose

With the full awareness, exhale and simultaneously bring your arms and your left leg down, returning to Tadasana. Become aware of the changes if any. Now repeat on the other side.

• This posture is good for improving concentration and sense of balance.
• It strengthens the ankles, knees and the thighs.
• It helps in exercising the lungs.

Precautions

Avoid if suffering from backache and knee pain.

Beginner's Tip
If your raised foot tends to slide down the inner standing thigh, put a folded sticky mat between the raised-foot sole and the standing inner thigh.

Preparatory Poses

Baddha Konasana, Utthita Trikonasana and Virabhadrasana II

Follow-Up Poses

Standing poses

To deepen the Pose

As with Tadasana , you can challenge your balance by practicing this pose with your eyes closed. Learn to balance without any reference to the outer environment.

New at Shreyas

Takeaways: A guided audio book on chanting, meditation and yoga nidra in a digital medium is now available for guests who wish to pursue and deepen their practice of the procedures taught at Shreyas. This is now available in addition to our personalized Yoga manuals. A selection of signature body scrubs and masks prepared by us are also available as takeaways.

Food at Shreyas: An additional range of delectable light and low calorie recipes has been added to our extensive gourmet menu, which is also available in personalized cooking sessions for guests.

Gardening lessons: We have added sessions on ‘growing herbs organically for daily home needs’ for our guests.