Mantra Monday: Om Ritam Namah and feeling validated in your wishes

As this crazy year wraps up, I can only imagine that kids are more eager than ever to write their letters to Santa Claus now more than ever. In fact, I can imagine every single one of us would love to write a letter and get some wishes granted: for stability, comfort, normalcy, the list goes on.

We are hard-wired to push back against our wishes and to try and “just roll with it.” And, in many cases, that’s fair. For instance, I really want an espresso machine, but I know that is not in the cards for me this year, and I am totally cool with that. That’s not what I’m talking about. What I’m speaking about are our deep rooted desires, ones we cannot leave beneath the tree.

This week’s mantra reminds us that these wishes are not only valid, they are natural:

Om Ritam Namah (pronounced om rih-tahm na-mah)

The translation of this mantra is my intentions and desires are directly connected and supported by universal intelligence.

In essence, this means that, since we are all connected and all synchronized, whether or not we realize it, what our hearts crave is tuned into what the world at large needs. This means, for instance, if you feel selfish for missing connection in this isolated time, thinking about how so many people have it worse, there is no need to feel guilt. You can miss more profoundly feeling linked in to those around you, since that desire is your slice of sharing that which the greater world around us desires.

By all means, stay humble and stay responsible, but remember this week’s mantra, and never feel the need to hit your internal mute button when your desires make their way into your stream of consciouness.

Namaste awesome!

Ryan

PS: Unrelated note, if any of you want to buy me and espresso machine, shoot me a DM! 😉

Did you know that YBD offers over 40+ Virtual classes per week?  Our LIVEstream classes are designed for members who would like to add to their instudio practice or are not able to return to the studio, but want to stay connected to their yoga and YBD community.  You may use your regular membership, classes on your class packs, or purchase an auto renewing unlimited virtual membership for just $49/month to access our virtual offerings.  Click HERE to view our schedule.

**All members get access to workshops for FREE!

Mantra Monday: Say Neti Neti and Let it Go

What is it about nagging thoughts that makes them feel the need to infiltrate your mind when you most need it to be clear? Whether its on your yoga mat, while you’re trying to sleep, or when you just need to pay attention, these unwelcome disturbances can derail your peace and swing your mental state to one of frustration.

But, it doesn’t have to be that way. Yoga, as it always does, pulls through for us, and gives us this useful mantra:

Neti Neti (pronounced the way you think it is)

The translation is simple: it means: not this, not this. Say it in Sanskrit or English, whatever floats your boat.

Its use could not be more simple, just utter this expression the next time a stray thought enters your consciousness. Notice that with this, there is no judgement. There is no kicking yourself that you are experiencing these thoughts, just a gentle “not this.” This adherence to ahimsa (non-violence, including to the self) is what makes this mantra especially yogic.

So, the next time you lie awake, unable to quiet your mind, do not fret. Just say “not this, not this.”

Namaste Awesome!

Ryan

Did you know that YBD offers over 40+ Virtual classes per week?  Our LIVEstream classes are designed for members who would like to add to their instudio practice or are not able to return to the studio, but want to stay connected to their yoga and YBD community.  You may use your regular membership, classes on your class packs, or purchase an auto renewing unlimited virtual membership for just $49/month to access our virtual offerings.  Click HERE to view our schedule.

**All members get access to workshops for FREE!

Mantra Monday: Finding Your Place in the Universe with So Hum

Myriad events dominating the news cycle are reminding us of the enormity of the human population. In the coming days we will all be hearing of gargantuan numbers describing quantities of people. A startling realization hits when you consider that that massive chunk of humanity that was just mentioned only accounts for a small sliver of the total amount of humans there are in total.

There are an estimated 7.8 billion humans walking 7.8 billion individual paths on this planet. Congratulations, you are one of them! Now consider all of the non-human life that exists on Earth, and of all of the potential for life heretofore unknown in our vast universe. And you are… one human.

But that’s not all that you are…

YOU, my friend, are, in fact, the Universe. At lease, according to this week’s mantra you are!

So Hum (pronounce it exactly like you see it) is translated from Sanskrit as “I am That.” However, Vedic scholars, along with many of the Yogis of today, understand the “that” to mean “The Universe and all of its Creation.”

No, this does not mean that the world revolves around you, nor does it revolve around the person you so desperately want to grab by the collar and inform that the world does not revolve around them. What it does mean, however, is that you and I are connected, you and the fellow a few towns over reading this now are connected, and, indeed, you and that individual who you’re shaking back and forth right now are connected.

This also means that you are important. It means that, if you start to feel very small when your news reader of choice reminds you that you are one of an unimaginably large amount of living beings and you start to feel like a mere grain of sand on the beach, you can remind yourself that you are the entirety of the coastline, the ocean, the continents, and the sky above.

This mantra can be easily integrated into your asana practice through you breath. As you inhale think “so” (I am) and as you exhale think “hum” (the universe). Try it out next time you are on your mat, on a walk, or sitting on your meditation cushion.

A lot is happening right now. A lot is about to happen. A lot has happened. You’re doing a great job, and you are important.

Namaste Awesome!

Ryan

Mantra Monday: Wishing Happiness Upon ALL Beings (even the ones who you find frustrating) with Lokah Samasta Sukino Bhavantu

It’s 5:37 in the evening. As you get whacked in the face with the stale, cold air that greets you as you get into your car, you curse your having to turn on your headlights when its not even six o’clock. You turn to merge onto route 88 (folks outside of the Chicagoland area, insert whichever artery links the city to the ‘burbs in your metro of choice), still distracted by the fact that you’ve decided to keep your mask on because your car can’t heat up fast enough, and VVVRRRMMMM, some JERK has the AUDACITY to cut you off!

“The NERVE of that person in that F150 (no offense to Ford Truck aficionados, that is simply the vehicle that, in my own lived experience, has cut me off in traffic most frequently),” you scowl under your breath, “they just ruined my day and dang-flabbit I hope they (get pulled over/lock themself out of their house/have their DoorDash delivered to their ex – girlfriend’s address… pick your poison!)”

All of the angst from the various facets of your life that’s been accumulating like yarn into a ball has suddenly unspooled into a tangled mess and you are all in knots over this injustice. Heck, you’re so angry that you don’t even remember where you’re supposed to be driving! Wait, where are you driving?

You’re on your way to Yoga, of course! As your ire gives way to wistful anticipation for your practice, you remember a mantra you chanted last time you were on your mat:

Lokah Samasta Sukino Bhavantu

You recall the chant’s (pronounced loh-kah sah-mah-stah soo-kee-noh bah-vahn-too) simple meaning: May all beings be happy and free, and may our choices, thoughts, and actions contribute to peace and well-being for all. “Ahhh, what a nice sentiment,” you think, “but that part about this meaning peace and well-being for ALL is tough,” especially with Dale Earnhardt Jr. up there making you slam on the breaks you just had serviced.

But that, my weary commuter, is the Yoga. Just as in our asana practice – we show up and stay on our mats even when its hard. For the parts of Yoga when we’re off our mats and out in the world, we remember to wish peace and well-being unto all, even when doing so is difficult.

This does not mean that you’re not allowed to be frustrated by this incident, in fact, it is perfectly normal to do so. However, if you live by this week’s mantra, you simply allow yourself to own your frustration and release Captain Kangaroo (who is now several miles down the road) from the process, and wish him well on his path, no matter which one he may be walking.

And, never forget, ALL BEINGS also includes YOU! Are are entitled to happiness and freedom as well. If I may make a leap, I can’t help but think that wishing happiness and well-being upon all will help you feel it towards yourself.

And, would you look at that! This thought practice has landed you at your local YBD studio! Now go and have a great class!

Namaste Awesome!

Ryan

Please visit our page on GoFundMe and consider contributing if you are able: https://gf.me/u/y395xy

Did you know that YBD offers over 40+ Virtual classes per week?  Our LIVEstream classes are designed for members who would like to add to their instudio practice or are not able to return to the studio, but want to stay connected to their yoga and YBD community.  You may use your regular membership, classes on your class packs, or purchase an auto renewing unlimited virtual membership for just $49/month to access our virtual offerings.  Click HERE to view our schedule.

**All members get access to workshops for FREE!

Mantra Monday: Finding the Power of Now with Atha Yoga Anushasanam

Good Morning, Yoga Community!

It is a forgone conclusion that, as you navigate your day, at some point, you will hear some comment to the effect of “ugh… Mondays, right?”

Songs have been written about it, coffee mugs have been devoted to it, and many a meme has been shared about it: there is a disdain for Mondays and it rings out loudly at the start of each week. In the presence of such cacophonous negativity, it is only natural to get sucked up in its current.

This is where your Yoga practice kicks in. While the commonly held belief might be that yoga is an activity that occurs for an hour each day, true Yogis understand that Yoga happens just as much off your mat as it does on it. And, as much as I am guilty of doing this myself, hating on Mondays is not a Yogic thing to do. Again, I am a repeat offender when it comes to heavily sighing when I wake up and remember its Monday. I have a mantra I like to use to help gently guide me back to a more peaceful train of thought:

Atha Yoga Anushasanam (Now begins the Yoga)

This simple quotation (pronounced ah-tah yoga ah-new shas-a-nahm) comes from the father of Yoga, Patanjali, and his Yoga Sutras. In fact, this is the sentiment that starts the whole text. Known as Sutra 1.1, Atha Yoga Anushasanam is a phrase which moves fluidly along with time itself. As long as it is now, the Yoga may begin. When it is Monday morning it is now just as it is now when it is Friday evening.

I know this sounds like a lofty aspiration, to always be following a Yogic path. But, simply noticing that you’re thinking something like “ugh… I hate Mondays” means that you are doing your Yoga!

So, remember the power of now and, next time you hear yourself letting out an “ugh” at the mention of the day of the week where we find ourselves today, notice it with non-judgement, move on from it, and tada! You’re truly living your Yoga practice!

Now go and have a great Monday!

Namaste Awesome!

Ryan

PS:

Here is a neat example of the chanting of today’s mantra!

More information about how to continuing living your Yoga after you roll up your mat can be found here!

Please visit our page on GoFundMe and consider contributing if you are able: https://gf.me/u/y395xy

Did you know that YBD offers over 40+ Virtual classes per week?  Our LIVEstream classes are designed for members who would like to add to their instudio practice or are not able to return to the studio, but want to stay connected to their yoga and YBD community.  You may use your regular membership, classes on your class packs, or purchase an auto renewing unlimited virtual membership for just $49/month to access our virtual offerings.  Click HERE to view our schedule.

**All members get access to workshops for FREE!