Letting Go

Stay with me for just a tiny bit of yoga speak. :) In Patanjali’s Eight Limbs of Yoga, the last Yama or ethical principle is Aparigraha, which translated from Sanskrit to English means non-attachment, not excluding possessiveness or greed.

In real talk, this principle, on which you can concentrate a yoga practice and really soak in the concept, is about releasing attachment to expectations - letting go!

I love to remind yogis that yoga is a giant metaphor for life. Practicing non-attachment on the mat can help you realize its benefits in the real world.

On the mat, try concentrating on how the poses feel and not how you think they are “supposed to look”. Off the mat, try making a decision based on your core values instead of what you think you should do.

If someone takes “your spot” in your next yoga class, can you shake it off and use the opportunity to observe what might be different in another part of the studio? When a friend shares an opinion that differs from yours, can you hold space for them while recognizing your differences?

Try out a 10-minute Aparigraha-focused yoga flow by following the video at the link below!