To Your Health
July 2007

Along the Mountain Path
by Sarah Kilpatrick, E.R.Y.T.

As the essence of the tree is in the fruit, so the essence of the practice of yoga is in the freedom, poise, peace and beatitude of samadhi, where the body, the mind, and the soul are united and merge with the Universal Spirit.
-- B.K.S. Iyengar, The Tree of Yoga Yoga is a spiritual tradition. We are essentially seeking freedom from conditioned responses, which obscure our vision and distract us from the miracle of life as it is in the present moment. With such lofty goals, why do we spend so much time on where we place our feet, and where is our head, and whatever are you doing with your eyes?!

In his classic The Tree of Yoga, Mr. Iyengar uses a tree to represent the practice. The root of the tree is yama, the five ethical principles, ahimsa (nonviolence), satya (truthfulness), asteya (freedom from avarice), brahmacharya (control of sensual pleasure), and aparigraha (freedom from covetousness and possession beyond one's needs).

The trunk of the tree is the niyamas, or principles which control the organs of perception: the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and skin. These are saucha (cleanliness), santosa (contentment), tapas (ardour), svadhyaya (self-study), and Isvara-pranidhana (surrender to a higher power, usually referred to as the teacher within).

From the roots and the truck of the tree grow the branches.

Asana! We use the precise alignment of the body to calm the nervous system, and catch the mind. Only when the body is supported and the nervous system strong and quiet can we hope to find the peace of mind with which to approach true meditation. Fortunately for us, as we refine our alignment and bring our musculature into balance we experience greater comfort in the body as well as peace in the nervous system and the ability to become quiet and peaceful.

Mr. Iyengar continues with his analogy stating that from the branches of the tree grow the leaves. These are pranayama (breath control), pratyahara (the inward journey of the senses toward the core of being), and dharana (concentration or focus). Dhyana, meditation, is the flower of the tree, and samadhi is the fruit.

What if you come to Yoga just to stop the pain in your low back, or your neck, or your knee? Yoga will most likely do that. But, if you practice with focus and consistency, you will probably be rewarded with much more! Yoga, like tending a tree or a garden, is work. But the rewards are bountiful.

Namaste'.

Sarah Kilpatrick, E. R.Y.T., practices (and teaches) yoga at Mountain Path Yoga Studio on the third floor of Barman's Country Store in downtown Colville. For information about classes, call (509) 684-0965.

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