8 Limbs Yoga & Oils: Aparigraha

In our culture we tend to place a lot of emphasis on possessions and the money that brings them. We often trade a lot to get these signs and symbols of happiness; time, our peace, our health, sometimes even relationships. We like to measure abundance by what we see and hold, and often find envy, jealousy or insecurities creep in when we believe we don't have enough.

image courtesy of datingafterfortyeight.blogspot.com

Aparigraha is often translated as "non-attachment" "non-greed" or "non-possessiveness". No and NON tell us what NOT to do, but we want to focus on what we CAN do. The Sutras state, "Acknowledging abundance (aparigraha), we recognize the blessings in everything and gain insights into the purpose for our worldly existence". Let's reframe Aparigraha as an appreciation for the abundance in life, an acknowledgement that there is enough for all, and a gratitude for what fills our lives. It is said that change is the only constant in life, and practicing letting go in all areas will make moments of change that much easier to allow.

Align with love and gratitude
to tap in abundance

On the mat there are many ways we can practice Aparigraha:

notice emotional resistance in your practice. Are there poses that you tend to love or tend to shy away from? Are you comparing yourself with others, looking in a mirror, or hurrying to the best expression of a pose? Instead try to keep your concern with the feeling in the pose itself, the moment, the sequence, the class, rather than the goal in your mind.
check your language. Do you teach yoga and refer to your students as "my students" or the class as "mine"? Consider that we teachers are simply the guide. The class, the practice, the person is their own.
practice for the love of practicing! Leave any goals or ideals at the door and simply show up
notice thoughts or feelings toward the space, music, temperature, teacher or other students. Graciously let negative ones go and replace them with a statement of gratitude

Off the mat we can practice abundance in so many ways:

know that "my kids" aren't really mine either. Try switching up your language here too
pay off your credit card and spend a week purchasing (or not) only what you truly need
take time to savor your meals, save/reuse/donate leftovers
pick one spot in your home to clean out: a drawer, a closet, an office. Donate what you can, rid yourself of the clutter
check your words and opinions, allow for them change and encourage discussion and debate on a topic to which you've held a strong attachment
give of your time, volunteer, put your phone away and give your full attention

Yoga & Oils Aparigraha Challenge

Today's yoga and oils challenge invites you to acknowledge and experience abundance and gratitude with:

Oil: Wild Orange
Mudra: Ganesha Mudra
Pose: Chair Twist
Sequence: Utkatasana (chair) twist, forward fold, drinking bird
Intention: I am grateful for the abundance I find each day

Wild Orange is the oil of Abundance. It encourages us to let go of scarcity mindsets in all of their manifestations; fear, nervousness, envy, jealousy and the simply belief that there is not enough. Just as fruit trees freely give their fruit, Wild Orange teaches us to give of ourselves, comforted in knowing there is enough to go around. This oil inspires creativity, positivity and joy, inviting us to live from place of abundance.

Try Wild Orange in your diffuser, diffuser jewelry, in the palms, on your mat, in your water, or in a spray bottle you can use to mist the scent. It's also great to infuse into a wash cloth for savasana and to clean your mat! NB. Wild Orange, like all citrus oils, can by photo-toxic. Apply it topically before bed or on areas not exposed to direct sunlight.

Ganesha is a Hindu deity who helps to remove obstacles. Ganesha mudra represents strength and power, and is also thought to be particularly strengthening for both the physical heart, and the heart chakra. The hands clasped in front of the chest with the elbows wide, represents both protection, and also symbolizes that our biggest obstacles are often caused by ourselves. Our own doubts, fears and insecurities are often the only things holding us back, and by knowing this, we may realize that instead of seeking outside of ourselves for the answers to life’s problems, the real work lies in removing our own obstacles.

Pavritta Utkatasa (Revolved Chair) Pose is one of the best postures for detoxifying the body and building strength. The bent knees engage and build strength in your quads, and the twist is known for ringing out the toxins in the upper body. Aim to get your thighs parallel to the floor but know that comes with time and practice. Twists help to open the chest, shoulders and back, all of which can help to decrease feelings of anxiousness. You will be releasing stored tension in the body as you twist, as well as encouraging your body's own natural detoxification process.

start in chair pose, knees bent either touching or a bit apart, shift hips back letting the tail bone drop as you inhale and raise your arms overhead, exhale release the shoulders down
inhale and draw the palms together at heart center, exhale twist to one side, bringing opposite elbow to opposite knee
keep palms pressing into each other, or find Ganesh mudra, and extend through the spine as you float the gaze up
check in with your knees! One usually has a tendency to pop out in front of the other. Draw them back parallel
breathe, then release into a forward fold for a few breaths before taking the twist to the opposite side

Aparigraha Sequence: this sequence is a wonderful middle of a practice moment

inhale sweep arms overhead, exhale sit back into chair pose
inhale extend through the fingers, exhale sweep arms back, three times
inhale hands to heart center, exhale rotating hands into Ganesha mudra while finding your twist, breathe
exhale into forward fold, stepping feet hip width apart and bringing opposite hands ot opposite elbow, breathe
inhale arms up to chair pose, exhale, inhale palms to heart center, exhale rotate palms to Ganesha mudra and take the opposite twist, breathe
inhale sweep arms up, exhale forward fold interlacing hands behind the back and letting drape over the body as you're able, breathe
inhale release hands and sweep arms up to chair, rise on toes for drinking bird, breathe
exhale drop the heels, rise to stand bringing hands to heart center

Did you try Wild Orange, today's pose, sequence or other suggestions to practice Aparigraha? Comment below and let us know! Don't forget to share your experience on Instagram using #EightLimbsChallenge and #yamachallenge and tag me so I can check it out! @alifethatglows.