Wells Fargo had a small fire Sunday night, and was shut down today. YIY was uninjured, and a brave 13 people braved the space heaters and lack of heat this morning. They turned the heat on at eight-thirty, we waiting til after class in case there was any bad smell. No smell, no problems, heats working, and we can look forward to no further problems.
Knock on wood. 
Anne
Hey Yogis -
When I was in Shanghai I practiced in Mysore style at 2 studios: Y+ Yoga Center (http://www.yplus.com.cn/) and Ashtanga Shanghai (http://www.ashtangashanghai.com/). Both were pleasant spaces and neither had a crowded class (under 7 people for both) when I was there. The prices were slightly more expensive than YIY for dropping in. Y+ Yoga Center provided fresh juice after class and is opening up a larger space in Shanghai soon as they have outgrown the one that they are currently in.
See you all in January!
Namaste,
Jen Cole
We had a very nice Sutra discussion Sunday — quite a few ashtangis dropped by! Some of the ideas discussed and presented are listed below.
The eight limbs of yoga are listed in Sutra II-29. The first two limbs are Yama and Niyama.
Sutra II-30: “Yama is abstention from harming others, from falsehood, from theft, from incontinence, and from greed”
Sutra II-32: “The Niyamas (observances) are purity, contentment, mortification, study and devotion to God”
It is interesting to consider Yama and Niyama together; they are in a sense opposites:
- Yama refers to restraint and abstention; Niyama refers to observances
- Yama refers to things you shouldn’t do; Niyama refers to things you should do
- Yama is an outward, social practice intended to build strong relationships with others in the community; Niyama is an inward, personal practice, intended to build one’s own character
- If “ni” negates, then does “niyama” literally mean “not yama”?
Parusha and Prakriti
Parusha == the owner == one’s true essence
Prakriti == the owned == nature
When one becomes the observer, and sees his or her [body/emotions/thoughts], the distinction between Parusha (the observer) and Prakriti (the physical/temporal being) becomes more clear.
How does one resolve this duality, these two aspects of self? If Parusha is the true self, then is Prakriti a false self (an illustion)? But is not the physical/temporal being real? If we become too caught up in “being the observer”, are we guilty of denying/trivializing the natural self?
Layers of the onion
Consider the metaphor of “peeling the layers of the onion.” This metaphor is often used to describe peeling away the layers of illusion/habits/baggage that hide the true self. As each layer peels away, we get a better view of the light that shines in the center, a better sense of God that is in each of us, God that is each of us.
Now consider a different onion metaphor: consider that God is in each and every layer of the onion.
Hi Everyone,
Laurel’s Thanksgiving sound like a really great place to be. We will
be there in spirit, for sure. While Joseph physically will be
spending a lot of quality time with Everett in Los Angeles with some
help from grandparents, and I will be checking on Boris in Paris.
Meanwhile, chai matters. In a good YiY spirit let’s not forget that
there are classes after Mysore. We would really appreciate if you
guys would move things back where they were on top of cubby-holes,
and wipe the surface. And I promise that after the Holidays, the Chai
Cabinet will get materialized.
Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!
So word is that Laurel has offered to host Thanksgiving for anyone in town and not visiting with family. Meet at her house at three, eat at four.There will be plenty of food, so if anyone wants to stop by later, you will be most welcome, too.
Email Redleafive at yahoo.com to RSVP.
Cheers,
Anne