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“The greatest influence in your life, stronger than your willpower, is your environment. Change that, if necessary. Until you are mentally strong, you can never be what you want to be without a good environment.”
–Parahamsa Yogananda
It took me years to fully grasp the significance of this idea: After all, the point of yoga is to create inner equanimity of the mind, precisely so one can accept life as it truly is, rather than resist the world and/or seek control of it.
Yet, the longer I practice and grow, the more important it is to me to ensure a healthy, beautiful environment, conducive to practice. In fact, traditional yogic texts address the necessity of a proper environment for practice. Even the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, a 15th century yogic text known for unusually detailing physical poses (most yogic texts say little to nothing on the matter), devotes no less than three sections (or sutras) on a clean, orderly, and peaceful space as a precondition to productive practice, “The grounds [of yogic practice]…are beautified…free of all anxieties (Hatha Yoga Pradipika 1.13-14).”
Our surroundings also include people of like-mind, who are supportive of our growth, and are working equally on their own inner clarity and kindness. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika even insists on society broadly speaking; a yoga practitioner must live “in a country that s properly governed, virtuous, prosperous, and peaceful.” (1.12)
As individuals we cannot control society at large, but we can be attentive to our most immediate and intimate of surroundings, including our chosen company, treatment of our small personal environments, as well as our inner composure.
I have felt deeply the benefits of friendships and teachers who are truly a sangha, a spiritual community. Their efforts foster my own attentiveness and inquiry into where I am at in my own practice, plus provide an important impetus for me to continue.
A clear and tranquil environment acts as a support, ensuring practice is less disturbed and therefore easier. An inviting context can also inspire a person to practice more, to maintain dedication, and thereby glean richer results.
Of course, the most central environment is within, the mind, which is not the same thing as the Self. In order to practice, we are clearing and cleansing the mind itself. Once we realize the mind is a precious tool, it, too, can be lovingly maintained to better house the even more precious inner riches.
It is with this importance of environment, context, and preparing a clear mind–all rich and ready soil to support growth–that a small army of us work at this tiny studio at AHA Yoga to keep it not only tidy, but also a respite in a busy or perhaps even frantic or simply over-stimulated day. The flowers inside are freshly cut, from our family garden as much as possible, and lovingly tended, as is the garden outside. The orderliness and crispness of the studio mean less distractions, more focus, and more rest.
Additionally, flowers–from the outdoor garden, to fresh arrangements, to the mural–remind us of the fleeting quality of life itself, that simple beauties are to be cherished, and ardent practice maintained, and the mind and inner wealth to be wisely guarded and utilized, because our time here in this life is a rare gift.
In my yoga tradition, one fundamental teaching is, ““Yatha pindande, tatha brahmande.” This has many translations, yet its essential meaning is as simple as it is potent. “What happens in the microcosm, so it is in the macrocosm,” “whatever is in the individual is also in the universe,” and “as it is within, so it is without.” Most of us come to yoga for its healing benefits, to alleviate stress, and attenuate life’s various pains felt on quite personal levels. Hence, if we desire more inner serenity, a supportive, inspiring environment is key. It is true that peace begins within, “as within, so without.” It is also true that we can make this new healthy habit take root more easily. Keep your practice space simply beautiful.
As a teacher, it is my job to hold sacred space. To this end, I also prepare our practice space with mantra sadhana (mantra practice) so that undertakings seed in rich soil and thus are likely to thrive. My highest hope is that this care is transmitted to all of you who practice here, that it serves as an oasis for the busy mind and tired body, that it transmits to you throughout practice the profundity of tending to what matters, that you can feel–not just conceptualize!–these teachings in the form of more ease, steadiness, and joy.
Perhaps this can inspire you in your most prized realms as well: How can you create a little slice of peace and beauty for your practice at home? What small yet significant external reminder of practice and its purpose can you add to your work space, vehicle, garden, or other environs you regularly inhabit?
Are you curious about the space of AHA Yoga? Spring Term Yoga & Meditation Courses are in full blossom; you cannot register on-line, but just email, text, FB message, or call to reserve your place or ask any questions to find the course just right for you.Or join me for one of my special upcoming one-day workshops. Our next one is Restorative Yoga, on Sunday, June 2, and it is extraordinarily helpful AND easy. We’ll be doing a sequence deigned to not only rest the body, but deeply calm the mind. Come explore Restorative Yoga & register today for this afternoon of deep relaxation, meditation, and rest.
Come See, Come Do, Come Feel, Come Shine!
Wishing you all the gift of inspiring, supportive, sacred space in your life.
Join me soon on this blog to ponder the equally important tending of sacred time for practice.
