Self-preservation or attachment to life is the subtlest of all afflictions. It is found even in wise men.

– B.K.S. Iyengar. Light On The Yoga Sutras, p116

Abhinivesa: Clinging to life, fear of death

Our fifth and final Klesha is Abhinivesa.  We all know we will die.  From the moment we are born, we move through the stages of life and observe how others who came before us or after us also move along life’s journey.  The more we can embrace the impermanence of our life, the more we can  truly cherish our journey.  Fear of death on a more gross level can also relate to fear of losing what we have; whether it be a loved one, a job, our possessions, our health or our control.  It is natural to have some anxiety about losing these things but when we allow our fear to direct our actions or our thoughts it can  cause an amazing amount of unnecessary suffering.  This kind of suffering can inhibit our ability to take chances or make necessary changes in our lives.

 

If we consider our yoga practice as self-study (svadyhayaya), we can learn a lot about our fears.  Many times I witness students getting frustrated or apologetic is they fall out of a balance pose.  However, in my observation I believe that when a student falls out she is truly working her edge and therefore, risking losing the pose.    If we learn to trust that even in falling we gain, we can relax around the idea that losing something is not always bad.  When we embrace death, we begin to live.

Take this lesson in Abhinivesa and understand that clinging to something we know is impermanent impedes our growth.  When we die to something, something new can come in its place.  Death is really not the end.  Death can be thought of as a total transformation.  The death of a caterpillar gives birth to a butterfly.  The ending of a yoga posture brings new energy into the body.  The death of a loved one can shock us into understanding the fragility of our own life and therefore, allow us to live more fully in time.  The Kleshas remind us of how we can misperceive the realities of life, even death.   Embrace your fears, see them for what they are and instead of being afraid of the dark, light a candle and fill the space with courage, hope and love.

Classes this Week

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Monday and Thursday at 730pm

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Tuesday Morning at 930am with Meditation to follow class

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Tuesday Evening Restorative Yoga, Reiki and Acupuncture at 730pm

This class is currently full if you would like to be on wait list for an opening, please let me know.

(Please arrive promptly, follow parking guidelines and park in driveway if space allows, if possible, bring a warm blanket to cover yourself)

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Friday Morning Healing Yoga at 930am

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

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Happenings

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Have a Heart Food Drive and Kirtan at Mastics Moriches Shirley Community Library

Saturday, February 15th at 130 to 330 pm

This event is FREE with a donation of non-perishable food item for donation

Come on out raise the vibrations with us and contribute to your community!!

Open to All – Please call to reserve your spot

https://www.communitylibrary.org/Calendar/calendar.aspx

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(Please reserve your spot or cancel if your plans)