What is mastery of The Self?

5.22.11  Starseed Yoga and Wellness of Montclair, NJ

Tao Te Ching #33 Lao Tsu
Translation by Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English

Knowing others is wisdom;
Knowing the Self is Enlightenment.
Mastering others requires force;
Mastering the Self needs strength.

He who knows he has enough is rich.
Perseverance is a sign of will power.
He who stays where he is endures.
To die but not perish is to be eternally present.

Class began with the students seated in Sukhasana (easy seat) for centering and breath awareness.  Place your hands on your belly and feel the abdomen expand as you inhale, as you exhale feel the navel pull into the spine.  Repeat for several rounds.  Now, follow the breath with hand movements.  Relax your palms face up on your lap and as you exhale lift the hands to throat level.  Then inhale and press the hands back to the lap.  Exhale, lift the hands up and follow the breath up the throat.  Inhale, press hands down and follow the breath into the abdomen.  Repeat for several rounds.  3 OM's and OM Shanti call and response chant.

Asana sequence:  Urdhva Baddhangulyiasana (upwards bound hands pose), Adho Mukha Svanasana (downward facing dog) at the ropewall, Uttanasana (standing forward bend) at the wall, Ardha Uttanasana (halfway standing forward bend) at the wall.  Tadasana (mountain pose) using "the harness" with a strap - reminds us that the chest skin moves up and the shoulder skin moves down.  Surya Namasakra (sun salutations) 3x, Virabhadrasana I (warrior I) > Parsvottanasana, Virabhadrasana II (warrior II), Prasarita Padottanasana (wide legged forward bend).  Adho Mukha Svanasana > three legged dog, bend the knee and stack the hips > standing split at the wall.  Balasana (child's pose), Bhujangasana (cobra pose), Bekasana (frog pose), Dhanurasana (bow pose).  Apanasana (yoga hug - kneees into chest), rock and roll, Halasana (plough pose) > Salamba Sarvangasana (supported shoulderstand).  Dandasana (staff pose) > Paschimottanasana (west back stretch).   Savasana (final relaxation pose) with guided relaxation.  Played the heart chakra (F - green - LOVE) crystal singing bowl coming out of Savasana.  Repeated opening reading.

Tao Te Ching #33 Lao Tsu

Translation by Gia-Fu Feng and Jane English

Knowing others is wisdom;
Knowing the Self is Enlightenment.
Mastering others requires force;
Mastering the Self needs strength.
He who knows he has enough is rich.
Perseverance is a sign of will power.
He who stays where he is endures.
To die but not perish is to be eternally present.

Closing Peace Chants
Asaato Maa Sad Gamaya Tamaso Maa Jyotir Gamaya Mrityor Maa Amritam Gamaya
Lead us from unreal to Real.  Lead us from darkness to the Light.  Lead us from the fear of death to the knowledge of Immortality.
OM Shanti, Shanti, Shanti
Lokaah Samastaah Sukhino Bhavantu
May the entire creation be filled with Peace and Joy, Love and Light.
Namaste.