Saṃtulana

Saṃtulana is a sanskrit word that means balance, equipoise, and equilibrium. These words are usually defined as an equal distribution of weight/effort or two opposite forces being equal as to maintain steadiness.  In our yoga practice the balance that we want to experience requires a more nuance. When we practice there are many things to take in to account. In terms of the physicality of the practice  there are so many body parts to work with. Even though they all create a pose some parts are more involved than others depending on what form is created. Then there is the breath in which we want to even out the length of the inhalation and exhalation easefully. At a much subtler level there is the mind which we want to befriend so it stays with us while we practice rather than going 'grocery shopping' somewhere else.

It can be overwhelming to think of our practice in this way. Maybe it can make us feel like Saṃtulana, balance is impossible to experience in our practice. As complex as it may seem, it is possible to experience balance by paying attention to how we feel in our practice. When we place to equal weights on each side of a scale both sides come into stillness. It may seem like there is nothing going on but gravity is still acting on the two weights. There are forces at play to maintain the balance. There is a sense of ease and steadiness at play at the same time. This is what we want to feel as we practice. whenever you are not feeling this ease and steadiness of effort in your practice you know you have to adjust.

In my experience once I realize I am not feeling that balance in my practice then there is always something that stands out that is not in sync with balance. It can be something about the body or the breath or the state of my mind. Once I recognize it I can do something about it to bring back the sense of balance.

We are going to be practicing Saṃtulana in class this week

Look forward to seeing you in class

Blessings

Jorge Nihal