Downward Facing Blog

Any yoga adept can quickly recite the first verse of Yoga Sutra without as much of a blink and give an elaborate explanation on its meaning.

The word ‘atha’ is especially meaningful. Literally it is translated as ‘now’ or ‘hereafter’. Personally I am partial to ‘now’. This very word itself speaks command: it summons our immediate attention to the present moment without further delay. You might have noticed I have just written a sentence consists of three synonyms of ‘now’: immediate, present, without delay.

This first sutra from Patanajali’s Yoga Sutra signifies the teaching of yoga herein, which then follows by the rest of the 195 sutras. Instead of just looking at it as the first verse of Yoga Sutra, perhaps we can contemplate the its implication in our daily life. We practice yoga to find peace and bliss through the union of body, mind and spirit. Instead of limiting the practice in a classroom, why can’t we bring it out after the asana practice? Must the union stops after the 10 minutes shavasana? Can we experience bliss while we are strolling the jam-packed Chatuchak market on a hot Sunday afternoon?

It’s all about NOW. It’s all about BEING HERE. We are often blinded by future planning that we neglect the present. Where is future without the present? Present is a gift. We are blessed with this gift because we are ALIVE! Think about this: if you are to take your last breath now, you would be devoid of this gift forever from now on!

It’s easier to preach than to do. Perhaps we can start by bringing it to our practice since this is where most of us find yoga. The next time, before you begin to raise your arms up to Urdhva Hastasana, chant quietly in your own mind: Atha Yoga Anushasanam. Allow yourself to immerse deeply into the practice, oberserve the inner stillness and just let go of all your emotions, complete surrender to the present moment.

Whenever you feel frustrated or lost, “Atha Yoga Anushasanam”. Instead of worrying about the deadline in four days, “Atha Yoga Anushasanam”. While being stuck at the traffic after work, look around, perhaps you’ll find a billboard advertisement that would light up your face. Seek the moment, when you allow yourselves to be completely absorbed into the present, you enter timelessness.