As we discussed last week, Yoga is restraining the mind-stuff (Chitta) from taking various forms (Vrittis).  The mind, to have non-attachment, must be clear, good, and rational.  Why and how should we practice? Pantanjali's Yoga Sutras 1.12-1.14 discusses habits and practice.

Sutra I.12 = abhyaasavairaaj~jaabhyaaM tannirodhaH = Their control is by practice and non-attachment

Sutra I.13 = tatra sthitau yatno'bhyaasaH = Continuous struggle to keep them (the Vrittis) perfectly restrained is practice

Sutra I.14 = sa tu dIraghakaalanairantaryasatkaaraasevito dRuDhabhUmiH = Practice becomes firmly grounded when well attended to for a long time, without break and in all earnestness

Emmy Cleaves, Bikram's senior most teacher, gracefully and succinctly echoes the ancient Yoga Sutras. She always states, "practice with intensity, precision, and frequency." This call to action develops true awareness and accountability from within. By abiding by this simple rule, we can establish habits to support a healthy body, mind, and life.

Intensity sparks passion. Every day that you come to yoga, you are giving yourself the time and space to self-reflect, to get to know yourself, and to heal your body and mind. Intense focus creates energy that can spur intention to muster up will power, determination, and strength in all areas in your life. 

Precision establishes discipline. Alignment in each posture enables your organs and systems an opportunity to connect and expand their functionality. Pay close attention to the teacher's instructions: go word by word, in order to line up the body and free your mind. Work hard on alignment, because you will achieve more depth in each posture and your practice as you create the space for your body to improve.

Frequency develops habits. Establish a routine that serves your practice. You'll find that your current habits are probably deeply ingrained in your body, mind, and life.  Choose to take responsibility and action to make conscious choices that support your decision to practice daily. Eat well, hydrate, rest, remain positive, and avoid stress as much as possible.

Here are a few suggestions to help improve your yoga practice, and maintain cleanliness in the yoga studios. 

1. Drink a glass of water when you wake up: it's been 6-8 hours since you had anything to drink, so you are probably dehydrated!
2. Follow Krystalle's Hydration tips and habits in the Superfood section. These tips will give you maximum nutrition and hydration for your practice.
3. Get to the yoga studio before class time begins. This allows you time to greet the teacher, ask any posture questions you may have, socialize with fellow yogis, set up your mat, and get into the zone! As class starts to fill up and you see people running around trying to get a spot, you'll already be blissed out and relaxed, ready to get into your practice.
4. Bring only what you need into the yoga room: yourself, yoga mat, towel, and water.
5. The changing rooms have lockers, cubbies, benches, shoe racks, and hooks. Use them! Extra hand-towels, more drinks, phones, keys, purses, bags, "just-in-case" items take up space, especially as classes get more full.
6. Keep tissues on your mat - not on the carpet!  This reduces trash in the yoga room and also helps contain germs when colds strike! 
7. Set up using the lines to allow there to be enough room as classes fill up.  Get cozy with your neighbor if needed - have no attachment to extra space.  The more people doing yoga, the greater the energy in the class, and the better for you to learn from!
8. Stay on your mat.  Mats are 70-72" (about 6 feet long) and meant to be long enough for you to lie completely on them: head to toes - not partially on the mat and partially on the carpet.   This helps the carpet remain as dry as possible throughout the day.
9. If you borrow a rental mat, quietly spray down and clean BOTH sides with the spray and towels provided, and then hang it up on the hooks.  Place your USED cleaning towel in the bins OUTSIDE the room.
10. Take all of your belongings with you when you leave.  Be disciplined enough to keep all of your supplies with you.  Washing and folding clothes and towels, packing your bag, preparing your water, picking your outfit for the day all become a regular routine.
11. Be thoughtful even in these seemingly mundane tasks, especially as you develop a daily practice.  Routine establishes habits, and habits create character, personality, and attitude.

The Pure Challenge is a great opportunity to make more conscious choices, revive self-awareness, and give back to your community. Patanjali challenged yogis years ago:

"When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds; your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great, and wonderful world.  Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be."

This Challenge is extraordinary and gives us great purpose to support PURE Action.  What habits can you establish this challenge season to spark change in your practice, your attitude, your character, your life?  Let us know your intentions, goals, or even your struggles: our teachers and staff are here to support your Challenge in any way possible.