Greetings Dear Yoga Students,

When you are discontent, you always want more, more, more. Your desire can never be satisfied. But when you practice contentment,

you can say to yourself, ‘Oh yes – I already have everything that I really need.’
Dalai Lama

Raga (Unnecessary Want) or Desire

The Third Klesha of the Tree of Misperception 

Raga expresses itself by making demands.  We want something today because it was pleasant yesterday, not because we really need it today.  We want things we do not have.  What we do have is not enough and we want more.  We want to keep what we are asked to give away.  This is raga.   Think of it as a longing which turns into a desire which turns into an obsession which leads to dissatisfaction with reality.  Desire can be gross, subtle or hidden; as can all the Kleshas.  Addiction to anything (substance abuse, gambling, food, etc) is Raga at its most gross form.  A subtler form of raga would be a nagging discontent that tells us we constantly need more to be happy.   It is like the donkey that chases the carrot dangling from a string just in front of him that he will never be able to eat because he doesn’t see the string is fixed on a pole attached to its own head.   

Raga keeps us  in a state of ever wanting because even when we get what we think we want, the misperception of RAGA tells us it is not enough.   The way out of Raga is to practice Santosha, contentment, one of the Niyamas ( yogic ethics) outlined in Patanjali’s Sutras.  Santosha tells us that we all that we need in this moment to be happy.  Look around and within and take notice of all you have to be thankful for.  Happiness is not necessary getting everything you want but acknowledging and expressing gratitude for what you already have.  Santosha burns through the fires of Raga because when we realize we are blessed just to be alive in this moment and recognize the impermanence of all that is given to us,  our wanting and desirous behavior ceases to impede our path to serenity.  Be Still and Know…in this moment…you have all you need to be whole, to be happy and to be free.
“When at peace and content with oneself and others
(Santosha), supreme joy is celebrated.

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Yoga this Week

Monday and Thursday Evening at 730pm

Tuesday Morning at 930am with Meditation to follow

Friday Morning Healing/Gentle Yoga 930am

Saturday Yoga Jam – 830am

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(Please reserve your spot or cancel if your plans have changed)

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Happenings

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Yoga Jam – January 25th at 830-945am

Join us as we shake of the winter doldrums together!  This class is open to all levels of students who would like to kick their practice up a notch!  Fast paced flows, rockin music and some adventurous holdings sure to build heat, pump up energy and enliven our spirits!!  Please sign up as soon as possible. $12 or class card

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Live Musical Chanting and Asana Class At Yogaholic in Center Moriches-  Heading for the Light! – Sunday, January 26th – 9:30 – 1045am

Only seven weeks till the first day Spring!  Come celebrate this half way through winter time and flow in an asana class infused with live musical Chanting.  Discover how the elements of music and yoga come together with Laurel Frey leading asana while being serenaded by Amy Perri on harmonium with the rhythms of Isaac Sussman on the tabla drums.  A beautiful vibrational experience joining breath, movement, music and spirit!

Regular Class Fees and Memberships Apply –   You MUST call ahead to reserve!! – Suggested Donation $5 to Musicians

631-721-6303 or email dianec@yogaholic.net

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Restorative Yoga, Reiki and Acupuncture with Essential Oils – Tuesday, February 11th at 730pm

This session is currently full.  I have three people on a wait list.  If I get enough of a response we will add a session for early March.  Please let me know if you would be interested.  Thanks so much.

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Thursday, February 13th 730pm will be a special Partner Yoga class in honor of valentines day.  Partner yoga is a fun way to connect and deepen your practice while supporting another.  Partner could be a friend, mother, daughter, son, spouse, etc.  I can only take six pairs (12 people) so let me know if you are interested in joining in.   No partner?  No problem, we will work it out.

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Namaste

Bask in the light of your own prosperity!

Amy