Atha yoganusasanam: Be here now!

The Yoga Sutras, yogas main philosophical text, stems from an oral tradition that was codified in 500 C.E.  This text is the foundation for every style of yoga that exists.  It outlines the yoga practice in 195 lines and signifies that yoga is mainly a practice of meditation.  Beyond meditation, the Yoga Sutras explain what it is like to be a human being, showing our common struggles and how to navigate through them.

As in most Eastern texts, the Yoga Sutras begin with the most important pieces of information related to the text and then spend the rest of the time explaining the core concepts.  It is said that if you deeply understand the first word of the first line (sutra) of the Yoga Sutras, you understand the entire text and therefore, the practice of yoga.

So what is the first line of the Yoga Sutras?  As perhaps you have guessed, indeed, it is 'atha yoganusasanam'.  Atha means now.  Yoganusasanam means yoga instruction or advice.  So 'atha yoganusasanam' means 'now, the instruction of yoga'.  This indicates that the Yoga Sutras are not merely a philosophy but direct instruction on how to practice yoga.  The first word we are given in the text is the word now.  This indicates that the practice of yoga is being here now, present, alive and awake for whatever now brings you.


What would your life be like if you were constantly present?  What if you could let go of any distress, sadness or rage you feel because of memories and choices in your past?  What if you let go of your anxiety, fear or doubts about the future?  How much room would you have in your life for joy?  Pretty deep stuff.

When I was living in Santiago during college, I remember a beautiful period of time in my life that I was really living this Sutra.  Although I had heavy situations and choices looming in my personal life, I was wide awake.  I don't know if it there was something in the water, but despite the stress of school, family medical problems and relationship turmoil, I was clear, confident and enjoying my life. 

Despite the whirlwind of my personal affairs, I was present.  I floated through the insanity of Santiago's public transit, my mind was clear to analyze mountains of novels for school, I made deep connections with others and I was brilliantly happy.  I was living in the now, for each moment, with a sense of awe that this indeed was my life to live, my journey to take and I had the power to choose how I wanted to experience it.  During this time, as you might imagine, I listened to a tune every day that inspired me to get out in the world and make the most of my day (more on that tune later).

We all have ups and downs, but I am sure that if you think about your life, you too can remember a time despite all the odds, you found equanimity.  True peace comes from true presence.  Be here now!

As Guru Janis once said, "Get it while you can!  'Cause we may not be here tomorrow".
Om!