Kelly Blanchard Yoga

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali state that ignorance (avidya) causes suffering (dukha). Avidya is described as “when you think you are right but you are wrong.” So you always find out just a little too late by the presence of dukha, “a feeling of restriction around the heart, a feeling of being choked, suffocated or trapped.” Every human being experiences the cycle of avidya and dukha and it is described as “the unavoidable motivator of our practice.”

One of the key points in the sutras is when Patanjali gives us clues as to when the “seeds of avidya” may be present by identifying the 4 kleshas, or “children of avidya.”

1. Selfishness (Asmita)
2. Greed (Raga)
3. Hatred (Dvesa)
4. Fear (Abhinivesa)

These “seeds” are deeply rooted in every human being and we are extremely reactive to them when provoked. You can see why these qualities are highly targeted by both propaganda and advertising, quite relentlessly in our modern world. So if we can see that we are being provoked by the kleshas, perhaps we can pause and not act when the veil of avidya is covering our eyes and distorting our vision.

In that pause, and it may be as short as the pause between breaths, we can do something to change our state of mind. This is where the tools of the practice come in. If we are aware of the provocation, perhaps we can create a little distance from it and let it roll by without being swept up in it. We might adjust our posture (asana) to a position where we feel more stable (sthira) and comfortable (sukha). We might use something more subtle like a mudra or gesture, or some form of regulating our breathing (pranayama). Or we may find repeating a mantra or positive affirmation helpful. Visualization of something positive or grounding can be useful. Eventually, Patanjali says “anything that helps is okay!”

When we have a yoga practice we have a chance to put these tools to the test and hone in on which ones are most effective and continue developing a relationship with them. So then you can find them in a split second, like the pause between breaths, and head off the cycle of avidya and dukha before it settles in.

One expanded definition of “shanti, shantihi” (peace, peace) that I gleaned from another teacher (Mark Whitwell) is “not provoked, not provoked, definitely not provoked!” I’ve been finding it useful lately!

One last point is that Patanjali states that we can’t do anything about the dukha that has already happened or is happening, but we can avoid the suffering that is yet to come.

Recent events reiterate just how powerful and deeply rooted the kleshas are within us. So watch your mind and be aware of your own susceptibility to the seeds of ignorance and practice your tools and put them into action!

-Kelly

Murdra: the “heart shield” or “guardian of life” for all aspects of heartache, physical or emotional.

This is the mudra for “shock, trauma, hysteria and digestion.” Press your face into the finger on the gum line between your front teeth, putting pressure on the nerve that runs through the channel between the top front teeth. Sometimes you will feel the nerve pulsating. Maintain smooth, steady, breathing as in ujjayi pranayama. Focus on the goal and intention of the mudra/ gesture and hold for as long as you are stable and comfortable. Pause, rest, and observe the results.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=925121509170768&set=a.612704577079131&type=3

A.G. Mohan studied with T. Krishnamacharya and was a contemporary of Mr. Desikachar.

There is no need to try to eliminate all thinking; it is not possible. But, for purposes of our mental stability, we need to remember that thinking is behavior.

Therefore, we should take the consequences of our thoughts as seriously as we take the consequences of our actions.

The update of this system is related to the practice of the do’s of the don’ts (yamas) and the do’s of the do’s (niyamas). We need to fix an inner closed-circuit television and watch our minds. Currently, we are like robots programmed to act based on our past actions.

We should not harbor negative thoughts. Negative thoughts are a weakness of our mind. The mental consequence of negative thoughts is to downgrade our mind. We should develop a regular practice of maintaining peaceful thoughts and insert such thoughts and feelings when we are irritable, angry, discouraged, or unmotivated.

This reprogramming takes conscious effort and practice, and it doesn’t come out of the blue or in a state of ecstasy. And, most importantly, we have to do it ourselves.
No one else—not a guru or a loved one—can give us this ability. We have to help ourselves.

⭐️ New Book: Krishnamacharya in His Own Words. See more at: bit.ly/krishnamacharya-in-his-own-words.
👉 In-depth Svastha Yoga Therapy training (300 & 800 hours) is now online. Learn more at: on.svastha.net/3QTTMm3.

Greetings in 2024! I realize I haven’t posted here in a while, so here’s an update! Not much has changed on the teaching front, I’m still hosting Zoom yoga sessions on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 10:30 am. If you have any interest, please message me and I will add your email to my mailing list.

I’m also still teaching private lessons as well. Again, please message me if you have any interest in a one to one customized session and we can discuss a time and rate that works for you. Yoga was originally intended to be taught in a one to one format!

Thank you,
Kelly

I’m still teaching my zoom yoga sessions on Tuesday and Thursday at 10:30 am. If you would ever like to join, please message me and I can add you to the email list. Classes are by donation. I’m also available for private lessons. Here’s a picture of my teacher, Kitty, she’s an expert at the cat pose!

Not really trying to sell books here, but I just wanted to share that I've been getting a lot out of this translation of the yoga sutras of Patanjali by Chip Hartranft. I've been referencing it in class lately. He really brings a high level of clarity to the subject. Desikachar said that the best teacher is the one from your own culture, otherwise, there is something always lost in translation. Granted, my two primary teachers, Marie Svoboda and Desikachar were from the Czech Republic and India! But maybe that's why this translation is insightful for me.

The Yoga-Sutra of Patanjali In just 196 short aphorisms, this classic work of Indian philosophy spells out succinctly how the mind works, and how it is possible to use the mind to attain liberation. Compiled in the second or third century CE, the Yoga-Sutra is a road map of human consciousness—and a particularly helpful....

I logged into the wrong Zoom meeting for my yoga session today and it was funny how long I sat there having a little pity party thinking no one liked me anymore! I finally realized I was in the wrong meeting and logged into the correct one and there were about 10 people patiently waiting for me to show up! It's funny how the ego works, it's a devious little thing. That being said, if you ever want to join, send me a message and I will add you to the mailing list.