The Yoga Sutras were written way back in BCE by a sage named Patanjali. Sutra means thread, so these are threads of wisdom or knowledge about yoga. The Sutras are divided into 4 chapters, each chapter with 30-50 sutras. Some sutras are simple and aphoristic, others complex and weighty. Every time you read a sutra (individually) or the Sutras (collectively) you walk away with a deepened understanding of yogic philosophy – it’s a lifelong study.
This sutra, Yoga citta vrtti nirodha, is one of my all-time favorites. It’s the second sutra in the Sutras, so I consider it pretty fundamental, as in In The Beginning There Was Yoga Citta Vrtti Nirodha. When you put together the definitions of all those individual Sanksrit words, you come up with something like “yoga stills the fluctuations of the mind,” or “yoga stills the attachment to the fluctuations of the mind.” This has always been an appealing idea to me, as I often feel that my mind runs the show, and my mind-as-ringmaster isn’t always looking out for the rest of me. Sad but true, making the concept that yoga could help quiet the mind quite enticing.
This week, I’ve noticed two new ideas in this simple sutra. First, Patanjali’s not saying “IF you have citta vrtti,” he’s just assuming that every reader does. Whew! I don’t have to be ashamed or embarrassed of my monkey mind because this great sage, Patanjali, implied that this is something we all face. Probably (gasp!) even Patanjali. Not only did he imply that we all struggle with the mind, he put this sutra up front and center in recognition of the fact that, for those interested in the study of yoga (or any form of meditation), we often find that our minds get in the way. This brings me to the second idea I’ve been mulling over this week. If monkey mind makes quiet mind seem unreachable, what can we do about it? The term vrtti (fluctuation or revolution) pops up in all sorts of asanas, and can help give us a clue. Many twists have a vrtti component: jathara parivartanasana (revolved belly pose), parivrtta trikonasana (revolved triangle pose), parivrtta parsvakonasana (revolved extended side angle pose). What have I learned about mind vrtti by working with body vrtti? First, it’s never a good idea to enter into any of these asanas with an I’m-going-to-kick-some-vrtti-ass attitude. The more I force my idea of a twist on my reluctant body, the more tension builds in my trapezius muscles and the more likely I’ll be to wind up with a headache later in the day. You simply cannot (successfully) muscle your way into vrtti poses. Second, twists teach the importance of working with the breath. Doing any twist, I always inhale to lengthen the spine and exhale to softly move deeper into the twist. The breath is a gentle assist for vrtti in body and mind, inbreath encouraging expansiveness (length in the spine, openness in the mind) and outbreath encouraging movement toward change (healthy twist of the spine, quieting of the mind).
Take away lessons? ONE: Don’t beat yourself up for having a mind-in-vrtti, we all do. TWO: Don’t try to strong-arm your way to quiet mind. And THREE: Let the breath be your friend for loosening tension in body and mind.
Yoga citta vrtti nirodha – giving hope to the monkey-minded-est among us!
I love your blog AND the whole body as yoga lab idea! I have been making my way through the sutras and the connection between vrtti of the second sutra and vrttis in postures gives me a lot to think about. mmmmmmm… open to the stillness….mmmmm…don’t work your way into it, but ease your way there. Thank you Stacey, and I’ll hope our Austin yoga paths will cross.
Me, too! Thanks, Amanda!!