atha yogānuśāsanam
atha yoga-anuśāsanam
“Now, the teaching of yoga.”
The Sanskrit word atha is traditionally used at the start of a text. The very sound of the word is considered to indicate auspiciousness, as it is said to be the word uttered by Brahma at the start of creation. It is translated as “now” or “here.” Anuśāsanam suggests instruction that has come in regular order. The yoga sūtras are not a philosophical treatise; they are practical, a guide to experience.
“This sūtra may be taken to mean: ‘the disciplines of integration are here expounded through experience, and are given to humanity for the exploration and recognition of that hidden part of man which is beyond the awareness of the senses.’” –B.K.S. Iyengar, The Yoga Sūtras of Patañjali, commentary on I.1
“The fundamental need of the modern civilization is the integration of man at all levels of his being.” –Rohit Mehta, Yoga and the Art of Integration, p. 1
Questions:
• What is the significance of the idea of “now” for your yoga practice?
• In what way is yoga for you a discipline of integration?
• Why do you do yoga?
|
atha |
indeclinable |
now, here |
|
yoga- |
masculine noun in compound |
yoga (from yuj, “to yoke, to connect”) |
|
anuśāsanam |
neuter noun, 1st case sing. |
teaching (from anu, “along,” + śas, “teach,” + an, suffix that means “act of”) |
I do yoga because it connects me to myself. It makes me feel strong and rooted in my own flesh, muscles and bones – my presence. It brings me into action and I know I am here.
Thanks, Isabel. Beautiful!