Tag: ashtanga yoga

Upper 4 Limbs of Yoga – Dhyana (Full Meditation): Meditation March 2023

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 5-8—Upper Limbs of Yoga, 8 Limbs of Yoga, Meditation, Philosophy

Table of contents

Happy Meditation March 15, 2023 – Dhyana (Full Meditation)

Good Morning Yogis! We are in the middle of a month focused on meditation for March. We typically spend more time practicing the lower limbs, but during meditation months we will take couple days to cover each of the four upper limbs, rather than combining into one.

We already covered Pratyahara or withdrawal of the senses and Dharana or Intense Focus.

Bonus Daily Meditation Challenge

We have a bonus daily meditation challenge for March. Learn about Dharana and try today’s positive practice suggestion or a meditation of your choice!

close-up of center growing striped green leaves - upper limbs of yoga Dhyana full meditation Quote: Meditation is the dissolution of thoughts in eternal awareness or Pure consciousness without objectification, knowing without thinking, merging finitude in infinity. - Voltaire
Meditation is the dissolution of thoughts in eternal awareness or Pure consciousness without objectification, knowing without thinking, merging finitude in infinity. – Voltaire

Dhyana (Full Meditation)

The last three Limbs of Yoga – Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi are often referred to as the “innermost quest” and studied together. As we have discussed, the upper limbs build upon all four of the lower limbs, and sequentially upon each other. However, these practices are all meditation focused, and must truly be practiced and understood on your own. Samadhi is basically our goal and will be discussed only occasionally… we are skipping Samadhi this round of through the 8 limbs of Yoga, and jumping right into our meditation month practices tomorrow. Today we will discuss Dhyana and try a Meditation to reach this state.

Dhyana is the 7th Limb of Yoga, and is usually translated as meditation. I prefer to think of Dhyana as full meditation, a bit stronger and more specific than “meditation”. This is typically the goal of meditation, to fully stop our thoughts and have a quiet mind. After withdrawing inside ourselves with Pratyahara and focusing our minds on a single subject with Dharaha, we may reach the level of meditation where our thoughts actually stop. In true Dhyana or true meditation, we typically are not aware of this clear-minded state until we come out of it.

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try a Dhyana-focused Meditation Practice. You can try our breath-focused meditation again, and then allow your mind to quiet. Or, you can try a guided meditation meant to help bring the state of Dhyana.

Remember this is a practice, and a difficult one.. so be patient with yourself on this journey! I am working on Dhyana.. I usually can focus on one thing with Dharana, but my mind wanders fairly quickly when I try to quiet it for full meditation.

Dhyana Guided Meditation

Our Breath-Focused Meditation – first focus on breath, then allow your mind to quiet.

yogi crimson gray background

Want more on Meditation? Check out our Upper Limbs & Meditation Guide!

Get the Daily Yogi App – Get quick access to
today’s practice and daily pop-up reminders!

More Positive Practices

Missed yesterday’s post? Read it here!

Related Positive Practices

Share your Practice

Please comment and let me know which you tried, and what you thought of this Dhyana exercise! If you have another favorite guided meditation, please share the link! Always remember, be kind!

              

Upper 4 Limbs of Yoga – Dharana (Intense Focus): Meditation March 2023

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 5-8—Upper Limbs of Yoga, 8 Limbs of Yoga, Meditation, Philosophy

Table of contents

Happy Meditation March 14, 2023 – Dharana (Intense Focus)

Good Morning Yogis! We are in the middle of a month focused on meditation for March. We typically spend more time practicing the lower limbs, but during meditation months we will take couple days to cover each of the four upper limbs, rather than combining into one. We covered Pratyahara or withdrawal of the sense yesterday. As we have discussed, the upper limbs build upon all four of the lower limbs, and then sequentially upon each other. These practices are all meditation focused and therefore must truly be attained on your own. Today we will revisit Dharana, and then try a Dharana Guided Meditation or other Meditative Practice.

close-up cool perspective of dark green glass reflective art - upper limbs of yoga dharana meditation intense focus Quote: Wisdom comes with the ability to be still. Just look and listen. No more is needed. - Eckhart Tolle
Wisdom comes with the ability to be still. Just look and listen. No more is needed. – Eckhart Tolle

Bonus Daily Meditation Challenge

We have a bonus daily meditation challenge for March. Try any of our Dharana practices today!

Dharana (Intense Focus)

Nearly all meditation practices you think of are types of Dharana.

Dharana is the 6th Limb of Yoga, and is usually translated as concentration. This comes from the Sanskrit root “dhri” meaning to hold, carry, or maintain. I prefer to think of Dharana as intense focus, a bit stronger than “concentration”. This is typically the second step for meditation – after letting the outside world slip away, we then direct our focus inward. Most of the meditative practices we think of are therefore Dharana practices – see our full list!

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try a Dharana-focused Meditation Practice. Perhaps try our breath-focused meditation again to prepare for tomorrow’s next level of meditation. Perhaps focus on your breath or body in Shavasana / Corpse Pose after an Asana practice, another meditative practice from our list, try a guided meditation below, or any other method of your own.. whatever feels right to you. We will cover mandalas and flame gazing later!

Dharana or Intense Focus Meditative Practices

Remember this is a practice, and a difficult one.. so be patient with yourself on this journey!

Morning Motivational Meditation (10 minutes)

Evening Sleep/Relaxation Meditation (50 minutes)

Full Night Sleep Meditation (8 hours)

Grounding Meditation (9 minutes)

Body Scanning Guided Meditation (15 minutes)

Loving Kindness Guided Meditation (15 minutes)

Self-Reflective Guided Meditation (15 minutes)

Positive Affirmation Guided Meditation (12 minutes)

Celestial Visualization Guided Meditation (7 minutes)

Manifest Meditations (Power of Attraction) (10 minutes) 

Want more on Meditation? Check out our Upper Limbs & Meditation Guide!

yogi gold gray background

Check out our Top 5 Yoga Mats and Equipment for Newbies!

You may want to try a block, couch pillow, blanket, or bolster in order to help yourself find a comfortable seat for meditation.

Top 5 Yoga Equipment for Newbies

Top 5 Yoga Mats


Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are our own. This page contains affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission. Read full privacy policy here.

More Positive Practices

Missed yesterday’s post? Read it here!

Related Positive Practices

Share your Practice

Please comment and let me know which you tried, and what you thought of this Dharana exercise! If you have another favorite, then please share the link! Always remember, be kind!

              

Upper 4 Limbs of Yoga – Pratyahara (Withdrawal of Senses): Meditation March 2023

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 5-8—Upper Limbs of Yoga, Meditation, Philosophy

Table of contents

Happy Meditation March 13, 2023 – Pratyahara (Withdrawal of Senses)

Good Morning Yogis! We have completed our daily positive practices and meditations inspired by the first four Limbs of Yoga, and are back to the Upper Limbs. We are also in the middle of a month focused on meditation for March. We typically spend more time practicing the lower limbs, but during meditation months we will take couple days to cover each of the four upper limbs, rather than combining into one meditation day.

close-up cool perspective of colorful green fragmented reflections of van goh painting from immersive exhibition- upper limbs of yoga pratyahara withdrawal of senses go within peace within Quote: The first half of life is devoted to forming a healthy ego, the second half is going inward and letting go of it. - Carl Jung
The first half of life is devoted to forming a healthy ego, the second half is going inward and letting go of it. – Carl Jung

Bonus Daily Meditation Challenge

We have a bonus daily meditation challenge for March. Today I recommend trying this Pratyahara Guided Meditation perfect for Shavasana after your Asana practice.

Pratyahara (Withdrawal of Senses)

As we have discussed, the upper limbs build upon all four of the previous limbs, and sequentially upon each other. These practices are all meditation focused and therefore must truly be attained on your own. We will take the next few days in our Meditation-focused month for daily practices inspired by the first three Upper Limbs. Today we will revisit the 5th Limb of Yoga – Pratyahara and try a Pratyahara Guided Meditation.

Pratyahara is the 5th Limb of Yoga, and is usually translated as withdrawal of the senses. “Prati” means against or away, and “Ahara” means food or anything we take into ourselves. So, this literally means to stop taking things into ourselves. This is typically the first step for meditation – letting the outside world slip away, and going inside. The point is not about isolating yourself from outside distractions, it is about withdrawing into yourself, and then allowing outside distractions to fade away.

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try a Pratyahara-focused Meditation Practice. You can try this with Shavasana / corpse pose after an Asana practice, with a guided meditation, or on your own.. whatever feels right to you! Remember this is a practice, and a difficult one.. so be patient with yourself on this journey!

Pratyahara Guided Meditation

Want more on Meditation? Check out our Upper Limbs & Meditation Guide!

yogi green gray background

Get today’s Daily Yogi Positive Practice in your inbox
Register for our email list!

Get easy access to the rest of the meditations in this series in your inbox

More Positive Practices

Missed yesterday’s post? Read it here!

Share your Practice

Please comment and let me know which you tried, and what you thought of this Pratyahara Meditation! If you have another favorite, then please share the link! Always remember, be kind!

              

Svadhyaya (Self-Study) – Meditation March 2023

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 2-Niyamas, N4-Svadhyaya

Table of contents

Happy Meditation March 9, 2023 – Svadhyaya (Self-Study)

Good Morning Yogis! Today is Svadhyaya or Self-Study Day. We started practicing this Niyama by beginning a journal as a tool for self-reflection. If this is your first Svadhyaya Day, please consider starting a paper or electronic journal today and joining us with this practice!

Bonus Daily Meditation Challenge

We are in the middle of a bonus Daily Meditation Challenge for March. For Svadhyaya Day today, my meditation for the day is a Self-Reflective Guided Meditation. You will want to take notes from this guided meditation in your journal!

cool shot of girl's shadow on colorful yellow ground painting outside of van goh painting from immersive exhibition - svadhyaya self-study learning goals Quote: One who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is intelligent among men. - The Bhagavad Gita
One who sees inaction in action, and action in inaction, is intelligent among men. – The Bhagavad Gita

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try this self-reflective guided meditation for Svadhyaya Day. This is one of the most interesting guided meditations I have tried. So, today’s practice is this self-reflective guided meditation that utilizes the very challenges we face with meditation.

PS today’s quote is from The Bhagavad Gita so we are also covering the Svadhyaya practice of studying sacred texts!

Journal Day

Also, this is a good time to make a full journal entry if you have not kept up with this new practice! I have been doing a lot of journaling lately, more frequently than just Svadhyaya Days, since I have had a lot of interesting life events to document and prioritized Svadhyaya practice for myself for 2023… I am using both daily prompt 5-year guided journal and more artsy guided journal, but am happy to have a more free-style writing day today. If you are not sure what to write about, today’s Self-Reflective Guided Meditation may give some prompts from yourself to explore. Or, you can journal on your reflections on today’s quote from The Bhagavad Gita (available in our free Daily Yogi App). The Bhagavad Gita or God’s Song is a section from the Indian Sacred Epic – The Mahabharata. It is the most widely known of these Sacred Texts, and is widely read among modern-day thinkers.

Want more Svadhyaya practices? Check out our Svadhyaya Guide!

Want more Ideas for journal day?
Check our Journal prompts board on Pinterest!

More Positive Practices

Missed yesterday’s post? Read it here!

Share your Practice

Please comment and share your thoughts on today’s guided meditation or quote if you would like. Have you kept up with your journal, or are you making another entry with me for Svadhyaya Day? Always remember, be kind!

              

Aparigraha (Non-Attachment) – Meditation March 2023

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 1-Yamas, Y5-Aparigraha

Table of contents

Happy Meditation March 5, 2023 – Aparigraha (Non-Attachment)

Good Morning Yogis! Today is Aparigraha or Non-Attachment Day.

Bonus Daily Meditation Challenge

We are in the middle of a bonus Daily Meditation Challenge for March! For Aparigraha Day today, my meditation for the day is a Guided Meditation on non-attachment.

cool shot close-up of yellow flowers with dusty green leaves among succulents - aparigraha nonattachment detachment Quote: Nonresistance, nonjudgement, and nonattachment are the three aspects of true freedom and enlightened living. - Eckhart Tolle
Nonresistance, nonjudgement, and nonattachment are the three aspects of true freedom and enlightened living. – Eckhart Tolle

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to actively exercise Aparigraha (non-grasping) with our actions. Today we will take action without making expectations of a particular outcome. Need some ideas? Sometimes we do nice things for others, hoping for a particular result and we then end up disappointed if the other person does not react how we planned. Try today to not hold expectations for another person’s behavior. Or perhaps set aside a few hours to relax, or enjoy time with loved ones, or just go for a drive without a pre-set agenda, and see where life takes you!

Want more Aparigraha practices? Check out our Aparigraha Guide!

Get today’s Daily Yogi Positive Practice in your inbox – Register for our email list!

Get easy access to our daily practices inspired by the Yoga Sutras right in your inbox

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

Processing…
Success! You're on the list.

More Positive Practices

Missed yesterday’s post? Read it here!

Share your Practice

Please comment and share how you decided to practice Aparigraha today. How did it make you feel? Always remember, be kind!

              

February Expect Success & March Nutrition Month 2023 – Intentions and Yoga Philosophy

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in Holiday, Intro Info, Meditation, Philosophy

Table of contents

Happy February 28, 2023 – Intentions and Yoga Philosophy

Good Morning Yogis! Today is the last day of February. We are beginning a meditation-focused March. You do not have to participate in this or any of our particular monthly challenge themes, we will be continuing our daily Positive Practices drawn from Yoga Philosophy throughout next month. Consider getting the Daily Yogi App for reminders if you are participating – this is a great Tapas tool!

February Expect Success & March Nutrition Month 2023

February is International Expect Success Month and March is National Nutrition Month. Before we get into our Eight Limbed meditation practices, I wanted to take a day to pause and reflect on our intentions and the year so far, and these two monthly focuses.

cool shot looking at orange pink and blue sunset over darkened mountain range - meditation, upper limbs of yoga positivity Quote: The game of life is a game of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deeds and words return to us sooner or later with astounding accuracy. - Florence Scovel Shinn
The game of life is a game of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deeds and words return to us sooner or later with astounding accuracy. – Florence Scovel Shinn

March’s National Nutrition Month is focused on what we put into our bodies physically. I believe February’s International Expect Success Month is about what we are putting into our bodies mentally. From National Today – ‘Researchers have discovered that sadness and pessimism are linked. In reality, depressed individuals are often pessimistic in the beginning. A fundamental aspect of battling depression is to transform the outlook on the world from pessimism to optimism.
In other words, if you can learn to ‘expect success’ every morning, you can gradually improve your productivity at work, form meaningful relationships with others, and improve the overall quality of your life.’

As we begin our bonus daily meditation challenge, I want to discuss an important common concept from Yoga Philosophy – Setting Intentions! If you have attended Yoga classes at a Yoga Studio, you likely have heard your teacher recommend setting an intention for your practice that day. We have talked about keeping Santosha (Contentment) in Asana practice to avoid injury. I often set Pranayama (Breath) as my intention for Asana practice with a mantra of “breathe” or “just breathe”, since in more dynamic classes I forget to maintain my preferred Ocean Breath as the Asana series picks up speed. Here is a great article with more on intentions and mantras on and off the Yoga mat.

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to set a positive intention for yourself for March, keeping these mental and emotional wellness themes in mind. This can be big or small:

Part of the reason we set intentions in Asana practice is to have something positive to come back to that we want to focus on. Additionally, we will have this to return to when we meet challenges. I set “just breathe” as my intention for nearly a decade now, and I do truly breathe into difficulties on the mat, and I have improved my breath during Asana practice by keeping this in the back of my mind. There is much to be said for the power of positive thinking.

Although I do believe in the power of positive thinking and believe this helps with emotional wellness, I will discuss my own views on this a bit later this month. Here is more info if you do not want to wait!

More on the Power of Positive Thinking

The Law of Attraction & Power of Positive Thinking Intro

11 Ways to Boost Positive Thinking

The Old School of Positive Thinking – Earl Nightengale

The Old School of Positive Thinking – Florence Scovel Schinn

Tomorrow we start the first day of our Daily Meditation Challenge for March! Some of my favorite guided meditations are Manifest Meditations, which harness the powers of positive thinking, visualization, and the law of attraction. Today my meditation practice is one of my favorite 10 Minute Manifest Meditations.

Want more on Meditation? Check out our Upper Limbs & Meditation Guide!

More Positive Practices

Missed yesterday’s post? Read it here!

Get the Daily Yogi App – Get quick access to
today’s practice and daily pop-up reminders!

Share your Practice

Please comment and share how if setting positive intentions is part of your Yoga or Asana practice. Are you taking other steps to improve your mental and emotional wellness this month? Are you going to join us in our daily meditation challenge for the month? Always remember, be kind!

              

February 2023 – Upper 4 Limbs of Yoga: Breath-Focused Meditation

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 5-8—Upper Limbs of Yoga, Meditation

Table of contents

Happy February 26, 2023 – Upper 4 Limbs of Yoga: Breath-Focused Meditation

Good morning Yogis! We are wrapping up our special Upper Limbs week! Next month we will have a special bonus daily meditation month aligning with our 8 Limb Yoga practices, but this week we will cover special meditation practices.

close-up cool perspective of colorful fluorescent leaves foliage art from meow wolf denver - pranayama breath breathing Quote: Focus on the miracle that breath is. - Jacqueline Whitney
Focus on the miracle that breath is. – Jacqueline Whitney

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try the traditional Breath-Focused Meditation Practice. This traditional meditation method is supposed to bring you to Samadhi – from Dharana and into Dhyana. Meditation (particularly on my own with breathing and not a guided meditation or Dharana practice) has always been difficult for me personally, with my “monkey mind” but these methods below have worked for me!

Traditional Breath-Focused Meditation

Start sitting in a comfortable cross-legged position. Try to find a quiet, comfortable space. Relax and focus on your breath. Allow your belly to expand on each inhale, and contract to empty your lungs fully on each exhale. (Check our Pranayama Guide for more detail on diaphragmatic breathing).

Notice any outside distractions such as wind or noises from the street, and try to allow them to fade into the background as you calmly turn your focus inwards. Notice any inside distractions coming from your mind, as our inner world/voice is typically used to running wild on auto-pilot. Calmly allow these passing thoughts to fade, and turn your attention back to your breath. 

Start working towards calming your mind. Focus on counting to 10 with your breath. Inhale 1, exhale 2, inhale 3, exhale 4, and continue to 10. If you notice your thoughts wandering, gently let them go, turn your attention back to your breath, and begin again with 1 on your next inhale.

Or, if you prefer more than numbers for your focus, try thinking to yourself “inhale peace and relaxation” each inhale, and “exhale stress and tension” each exhale. Many Yogis enjoy guided meditations to help focus.

Want more on Meditation? Check out our Upper Limbs & Meditation Guide!

Want more on Meditation?
Check our Meditation Board on Pinterest!

More Positive Practices

Missed yesterday’s post? Read it here!

Share your Practice

Please comment and let me know what you thought of this meditation exercise! If you meditate, how long do you typically meditate for and how frequently? Do you have another meditation technique or guided meditation you particularly enjoy? Always remember, be kind!

              

February 2023 – Asana (Pose) Styles: Ashtanga Vinyasa Series

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 3-Asanas, Asana Styles, Intro Info

Table of contents

Happy February 11, 2023 – Asana Styles: Ashtanga Vinyasa Series

purple yogi girl halasana child pose yoga
Halasana – Plow Pose

Good morning Yogis! This is the last day of your series on the different styles of Yoga

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

We have talked quite a bit about Ashtanga, or the 8 Limbs of Yoga. This is a direct reference to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. There is also a style of Yoga or Asana called Ashtanga, or Ashtanga Vinyasa you have likely seen at some Yoga studios. I am just a student of Ashtanga Yoga, not a teacher.. which will require a trip to the one Ashtanga Yoga school in India (one day!). Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a series of specific, challenging, and dynamic sets of Asana sequences and other Yoga practices. There are 6 Ashtanga Vinyasa Series: beginner, intermediate, and four advanced.

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is a beginner Ashtanga Vinyasa Asana series. Even though this is called a beginner series, you will see it is quite challenging!

This video is about as gentle and easy as possible for the beginner series.

This video is a more challenging and traditional version of the Ashtanga beginner series.

Check out a sped-up version of each of these videos above, to get a quick idea of what this style is like! You will notice a rigorous flow practice combined with advanced Asanas.

halasana - plow plough pose - yoga pose yoga girl wearing blue fish-scale dragon-scale set doing yoga inside in cool indigo blue studio
Halasana – Plow Pose

Like this Yoga set? Click here for product links and discount codes!

Want to check out more types of Yoga? Check out our Asana Styles Guide!

Check out our Top 5 Yoga Equipment and Yoga Mats!

Do not push yourself to pain on your Yoga Journey! Many Yogis of all levels embrace all kinds of blocks and props. Do not hesitate to grab a couch pillow for extra support, a block for extra support or when you cannot reach the floor, or a strap for extra arm-reach and leverage.

Top 5 Yoga Equipment for Newbies

Top 5 Yoga Mats


Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are our own. This page contains affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission. Read full privacy policy here.

Share your Practice

Please comment to share your experience with this beginner Ashtanga series! Which version did you try? What did you think? Always remember, be kind!

More Positive Practices

Missed yesterday’s post? Read it here!

              

Svadhyaya (Self-Study) – February 2023

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 2-Niyamas, N4-Svadhyaya, Philosophy

Table of contents

Happy February 2, 2023 – Svadhyaya (Self-Study)

Good Morning Yogis! We are continuing on with weaving practice of each of the Niyamas into our day. Last time we practiced the fourth of the Niyamas – Svadhyaya / self-study by beginning a journal if we had not kept one. Today we will focus on the other Svadhyaya practice of studying sacred texts.

I am selecting one quote today from one of Yoga’s Sacred Texts – the Bhagavad Gita or God’s Song. The Gita is a section from the Indian Sacred Epic the Mahabharata. It is the most widely known of these Sacred Texts, and is widely read among modern day thinkers. Oppenheimer quoted the Gita after creating the nuclear bomb, and it is highly regarded by Henry David Thoreau, Carl Jung, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and other great minds. Perhaps some bonus Svadhyaya / self-study by reading more of the Gita! Or, if you practice a religion, perhaps read a meaningful section of your traditional sacred texts.

The Bhagavad Gita is available in our free app!

Groundhog Day

Today is also Groundhog Day in the US and Canada. This is a very amusing holiday, where we make weather predictions about spring’s return by pulling a rodent out of the ground. My absolute favorite part about this holiday is the comedy movie, Groundhog Day about a reporter covering this quirky holiday.

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to reflect on the quotes from the Gita. Or, feel free to reflect on readings or quotes from your own religion’s sacred texts.

Want more Svadhyaya practices? Check out our Svadhyaya Guide!

Today’s Quote from the Gita

close-up colorful abstract multicolor art sculpture - svadhyaya self-study learning Quote: Feelings of heat and cold, pleasure and pain, are caused by the contact of the senses with their objects. They come and they go, never lasting long. You must accept them. - The Bhagavad Gita
Feelings of heat and cold, pleasure and pain, are caused by the contact of the senses with their objects. They come and they go, never lasting long. You must accept them. – The Bhagavad Gita

Journal Day

Also, this is a good time to make another journal entry if you have not kept up with this new practice! I have been prioritizing Svadhyaya this year with a daily 5-year guided journal (see below in my recommendations), but I am pleased to be reminded to keep up with longer writing on Svadhyaya days. If you are not sure what to write about, perhaps journal about your thoughts on any quotes from any sacred texts, or your Yogi journey so far.

Need a Journal? Check out my recommended blank and guided journals!


Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself, and all opinions expressed here are our own. This page contains affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, may earn me a small commission. Read full privacy policy here.

Share your Practice

Please comment and share your thoughts on the above quotes, or your own readings if you would like. Have you kept up with your journal, or are you making another entry with me for Svadhyaya Day? Always remember, be kind!

More Positive Practices

Missed yesterday’s post? Read it here!

              

December 2022 Holidays – Upper 4 Limbs of Yoga: Meditation – New Years Eve

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 5-8—Upper Limbs of Yoga, Holiday, Meditation

Table of contents

Happy December 31, 2022 – Meditation

Good Morning Yogis! Today we are having a KISS day – try a Meditation Practice of your choice!

cool perspective looking at fluorescent lit glass art in dark room - meditation, upper limbs of yoga calm mind Quote: Are you a stingy breather? Well, don’t be. Be extravagant with you breathing and come fully alive. - Ron Fletcher
With meditation, you become a sensitized superhero, completely in control, with endless possibilities at your fingertips. – Tara Stiles

Today’s Positive Practice suggestion

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is any Meditation Practice for Upper Limbs Day. You can scan through all of our recent meditations or check our most recent Dharana Day Post for a variety of focused meditative practices. I recommend a New Years Themed Guided Meditation to get a head start for our resolutions practices tomorrow!

New Years Eve

Today is also New Years Eve, the last day of the year. 2021 has been a challenging year full of changes, and I am focused on continuing the positive changes with a New Years Themed Guided Meditation today.

In the past, I also tried an energy clearing guided meditation and theta wave ambient noise meditation for New Years Eve. If these do not resonate with you, perhaps try a guided meditation on finding your path or Positive Affirmation Guided Meditation.

Want more on Meditation?
Check our Meditation Board on Pinterest!

Share your Practice

Please comment and share what meditation you chose for today! If you have another favorite meditation, please share the link! Always remember, be kind!

              

Santosha (Contentment) – November 2022 Challenge & Giving Tuesday

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 2-Niyamas, Holiday, N2-Santosha

Happy Tuesday and Congratulations Challenger Yogis! We are on Day 30 of your Challenge if you started on 10/31 – congratulations! We have Day 30 planned for tomorrow to complete November. Please stay with us.. we will check in with our monthly daily commitment on Tapas Day and have another Svadhyaya Journal Day this week.

Today is Giving Tuesday. Please consider participating if you are able – you can get a bonus Ahimsa practice of kindness, Asteya practice of generosity, and enjoy how it feels to give back for today’s Santosha / contentment practice!

Before we begin our Yamas-focused practices for the month, we will continue on with weaving practice of each of the Niyamas and remaining Limbs of Yoga into our day. Last time we practiced the second of the Niyamas, Santosha / contentment with ourselves on the mat, by honoring and being gentle with our bodies, and not pushing ourselves to pain. Today we will be focusing on Santosha with our lives, not just our bodies.

alpine valley with darkened green pine trees in snowy epic mountain valley under tripply blue cloudy twilight sky - santosha contentment happiness mindfulness mindful Quote: Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties. - Helen Keller
Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties. – Helen Keller

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to actively exercise Santosha / contentment by focusing on the present moment, ideally in nature. I have heard if we focus on the past we will be depressed, if we focus on the future we will be anxious, and the key to joy is living in the present moment. A couple of the Yamas and Niyamas reflect this secret of happiness hidden in the “now”. I find one of the easiest ways to do this is to get outside and be active! Go on a walk, and perhaps literally stop and smell the roses. Take a run and feel the wind on your face. Being around water is always especially calming for me, maybe head out for a walk down the beach, around a lake, or by a river. Perhaps hike and appreciate the beauty around you rather than focusing on finding a perfect selfie spot. Since we are still in the days of social distancing, maybe pack a picnic and head to the back yard or a nearby park, or read a book on your deck or by the window. Whatever feels like the best way for you to get out of your little bubble, and appreciate the beauty of the world around you.

Also, calmly notice when your thoughts drift back to the past or forward to the future. Try to bring yourself back to the present moment by focusing on the sight, sounds, smells, taste, or feel of your surroundings.

Follow us on Instagram – easy access to our daily positive practices
Plus second daily reminder photo /edit On INSTAGRAM Only
(2nd Insta post currently paused)

@dailyyogi.world
tag us with your Asana pics!
enable notifications for pop-up reminders!

𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴. - 𝘓𝘢𝘰 𝘛𝘻𝘶⁣ 𝘙𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴— 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺— 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘦𝘴, 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦. - 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘋𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘯𝘴⁣ 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘺𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘥𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭. - 𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘗𝘶𝘭𝘴𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘳⁣ 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘴. 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦. - 𝘖𝘳𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰 𝘑𝘢𝘺 𝘚𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘩⁣ 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰, 𝘯𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺. - 𝘋𝘰𝘦 𝘡𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘢⁣ 𝘗𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘶𝘮𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴. - 𝘌𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘵⁣ 𝘔𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘗𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘣𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺. - 𝘝𝘰𝘭𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘦⁣ 𝘞𝘪𝘴𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭. 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯. 𝘕𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘥. - 𝘌𝘤𝘬𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘛𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦⁣ 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘧 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘦𝘨𝘰, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘧 𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘰 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘵. - 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘭 𝘑𝘶𝘯𝘨⁣

Please comment and share how you did focusing on the present moment today. Did you get outside? Were you able to find contentment in the now? Always remember, be kind!

              

November 2022 Challenge: Upper 4 Limbs of Yoga – Meditation

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 5-8—Upper Limbs of Yoga, Meditation

Doing our 30 Day Challenge? Click here for today’s post!

cool perspective back bay boston skyline at night city downtown at night - meditation, upper limbs, calm mind Quote: We must experience the Truth in a direct, practical and real way. This is only possible in the stillness and silence of the mind; and this is achieved by means of meditation. - Samael Aun Weor
We must experience the Truth in a direct, practical and real way. This is only possible in the stillness and silence of the mind; and this is achieved by means of meditation. – Samael Aun Weor

Happy Saturday Yogis! Today we are having a KISS day – try a Meditation Practice of your choice!

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is any Meditation Practice for Upper Limbs Day. You can scan through all of our recent meditations or check our most recent Dharana Day Post for a variety of focused meditative practices.

I want to report back on my sleep meditation that I have been trying the past couple years! I have kept up with listening to this every night for the past few months, and I have found when I used this 8-hour sleep meditation I not only fall asleep faster, but I stay asleep better throughout the night. I wonder if the ambient noise puts me back to sleep if I am waking up? Either way, I am very pleased to have found a natural sleep aid for my tool box!

Want more on Meditation?
Check our Meditation Board on Pinterest!

Please comment and share what meditation you chose for today! If you have another favorite sleep meditation, please share the link! Always remember, be kind!

              

November 2022 Challenge: Day 10 – Ishvara Pranidhana (Surrender)

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 2-Niyamas, N5-Ishvara Pranidhana

Doing our 30 Day Challenge? Click here for today’s post!

Happy Wednesday Yogis! We are on the last day of this round of daily positive practices from the Niyamas, ending with Ishvara Pranidhana.

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to practice acceptance when something bad or less-than-positive happens today for Ishvara Pranidhana Day. Try a deep breathing exercise when you encounter a problem. If you lose your temper, perhaps try to step outside yourself and see yourself reacting to a difficulty, and ask yourself if your reaction was productive. If it is possible, try seeing the silver lining for potential for growth in a bad situation. If you are practiced in religious faith, perhaps try praying for your own peace, calm, and understanding instead of a solution to a problem you are facing. Again, this is a journey and this particular practice today is one of the most difficult, so be gentle with yourself. If at first you do not succeed, evaluate what your reaction contributed, and try again next time. Treat this as an experiment, and see how you feel later after trying different approaches to problems that arise.

cool shot of snow covered dark rocks under bright blue partly cloudy sky - ishvara pranidhana acceptance surrender Quote: Always say 'yes' to the present moment... Surrender to what is. Say 'yes' to life - and see how life starts suddenly to start working for you rather than against you. - Eckhart Tolle
Always say ‘yes’ to the present moment… Surrender to what is. Say ‘yes’ to life – and see how life starts suddenly to start working for you rather than against you. – Eckhart Tolle

Advanced Yogis who incorporate Ishvara Pranidhana into their lives may begin seeing difficulties as challenges to overcome, and opportunities to practice managing our responses. This is one of the keys of long-lasting happiness, since getting upset often does nothing to help a bad situation and only makes things more difficult for ourselves. Instead, try to stay calm, and do not allow a negative encounter to draw you into negativity. Of course, this is easier said than done! Remember, it is a journey.

Follow us on Instagram – easy access to our daily positive practices
Plus second daily reminder photo /edit On INSTAGRAM Only
(2nd Insta post currently paused)

@dailyyogi.world
tag us with your Asana pics!
enable notifications for pop-up reminders!

𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴. - 𝘓𝘢𝘰 𝘛𝘻𝘶⁣ 𝘙𝘦𝘧𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵 𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴— 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺— 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘦𝘴, 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦. - 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘋𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘯𝘴⁣ 𝘛𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘸𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘺𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘥𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘭. - 𝘊𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘗𝘶𝘭𝘴𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘳⁣ 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘴. 𝘉𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦, 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦. - 𝘖𝘳𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰 𝘑𝘢𝘺 𝘚𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘩⁣ 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘥𝘰, 𝘯𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺. - 𝘋𝘰𝘦 𝘡𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘢⁣ 𝘗𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘤𝘪𝘳𝘤𝘶𝘮𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴. - 𝘌𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘌𝘭𝘪𝘰𝘵⁣ 𝘔𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘗𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘰𝘣𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺. - 𝘝𝘰𝘭𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘦⁣ 𝘞𝘪𝘴𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭. 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯. 𝘕𝘰 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘥. - 𝘌𝘤𝘬𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘛𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦⁣ 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘧 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘦𝘨𝘰, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘧 𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘰 𝘰𝘧 𝘪𝘵. - 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘭 𝘑𝘶𝘯𝘨⁣

Please comment to share how this exercise impacted you. Feel free to share your successes or your struggles with today’s challenging practices. Always remember, be kind!

              

October 2022: 7th Limb of Yoga – Dhyana (Full Meditation)

by Tarryn Tyler - Daily Yogiposted in 5-8—Upper Limbs of Yoga, 8 Limbs of Yoga, Meditation, Philosophy

Good Morning Yogis! We are in the middle of a month focused on meditation for October. We typically spend more time practicing the lower limbs, but during meditation months we will take couple days to cover each of the four upper limbs, rather than combining into one.

We already covered Pratyahara or withdrawal of the senses and Dharana or Intense Focus. The last three Limbs of Yoga – Dharana, Dhyana, and Samadhi are often referred to as the “innermost quest” and studied together. As we have discussed, the upper limbs build upon all four of the lower limbs, and sequentially upon each other. However, these practices are all meditation focused, and must truly be practiced and understood on your own. Samadhi is basically our goal and will be discussed only occasionally… we are skipping Samadhi this round of through the 8 limbs of Yoga, and jumping right into our meditation month tomorrow. Today we will discuss Dhyana and try a Meditation to reach this state. Check out our deep dive on Dhyana.

cool shot decordova sculpture garden outdoor artwork blue and black twisted modern art under bright blue partly cloudy sky - upper limbs of yoga Dhyana full meditation Quote: To understand the immeasurable, the mind must be extraordinarily quiet, still. - Jiddu Krishnamurti
To understand the immeasurable, the mind must be extraordinarily quiet, still. – Jiddu Krishnamurti

Dhyana is the 7th Limb of Yoga, and is usually translated as meditation. I prefer to think of Dhyana as full meditation, a bit stronger and more specific than “meditation”. This is typically the goal of meditation, to fully stop our thoughts and have a quiet mind. After withdrawing inside ourselves with Pratyahara and focusing our minds on a single subject with Dharaha, we may reach the level of meditation where our thoughts actually stop. In true Dhyana or true meditation, we typically are not aware of this clear-minded state until we come out of it.

Today’s Daily Yogi Practice is to try a Dhyana-focused Meditation Practice. You can try our breath-focused meditation again, and then allow your mind to quiet. Or, you can try a guided meditation meant to help bring the state of Dhyana.

Remember this is a practice, and a difficult one.. so be patient with yourself on this journey! I am working on Dhyana.. I usually can focus on one thing with Dharana, but my mind wanders fairly quickly when I try to quiet it for full meditation.

Dhyana Guided Meditation

Our Breath-Focused Meditation – first focus on breath, then allow your mind to quiet.

yogi crimson gray background

Get the Daily Yogi App – Get quick access to
today’s practice and daily pop-up reminders!

Please comment and let me know which you tried, and what you thought of this Dhyana exercise! If you have another favorite guided meditation, please share the link! Always remember, be kind!