his article excerpt covers Yoga Sutra 2.2 and centers around the Sanksrit word: Sadhana. Again, what you read below is an introduction to the Yoga Sutras and a part of our broader series covering the Yoga Sutras for Beginners, which is 15 article excerpts in total.
Each of the article excerpts within this series will give you a sneak peek into the wonderful work created by Yogi and author, Melissa Lavery, whose complete book, The Yogic Lifestyle is available at select distributors throughout the US as well as Amazon’s online bookstore.
All content excerpts are provided with permission by the publisher.
The book itself is organized into 3 parts and further divided into each of the 15 categories below:
The Yogic Lifestyle: A Foundation for Relationships
- Shanti: How to Maintain Personal Peace and Power in Relationships
- Yama: How to Eliminate Suffering and Cultivate a Better Relationship with the World
- Niyama: How to Cultivate a Better Relationship with Yourself and Commit to Personal Self-Care
- Pratipaksa Bhavana: How to Navigate Conflicting World-views and Build Relationships with Anyone
- Samadhi: How the Inner Journey Toward Self Will Bring You Closer to the Divine Consciousness
The Yogic Lifestyle: A Foundation for Health
- Asana: The Health Benefits of a Physical Practice (On and Off the Mat)
- Pranayama: How to Maintain Health Through Breath Awareness
- Samyama: How to Travel the Meditative Path to Health and Wellness
- Nidra: How to Improve Your Sleep Quality to Enhance Health and Wellness
- Sauca: How Cleanliness Paves the Path to Holistic Health
The Yogic Lifestyle: A Foundation for Abundance
- Klesa: How to Eliminate Ego’s Control and Cultivate an Identity that Attracts Abundance
- Satya: How Authenticity Leads to Attracting Abundance
- Astreya: How to Practice Non-Stealing to Attract Wealth and Abundance
- Aparigraha: How the Practice of Non-Hoarding Can Benefit Your Wallet and Illumniate Your Path
- Sadhana: How Consistent Practice Creates a Strong Foundation for an Abundant Life
The Yogic Lifestyle: A Foundation for Freedom
Sadhana: How Consistent Practice Creates a Strong Foundation for an Abundant Life
They help us minimize obstacles and obtain Samādhi.
Most people have heard about the parable of the house built on the rock. To remain stable and to flourish, it is necessary to take great strides toward building a strong foundation. Adversely, it is the fool who builds upon weak and loose foundation (the sand), hastily constructing without persistent planning. Deliberate and consistent practice leads to the rewards of building upon the rock, living a life that is pure and void of the obstacles that prevent joy, peace, and stability.
A consistent yoga practice is such a dedicated practice. When one lives the eight-limbed path of Aṣṭāṅga Yoga, one builds a steady, undisturbed, and untarnished foundation: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It is not that one achieves perfection—that is impossible. However, it is possible to cultivate abundance in strength of the heart-mind-body with dedication and discipline to the tenets of this path.
Aṣṭāṅga Yoga is not the only path and type of yoga, however. Many variations and schools of yoga exist. Historically, the Yoga Sūtras are the primary text of Rāja Yoga, which translates to “the science of the mind”. These threads were written over a period from 5,000 BCE to 300 CE. It is unclear if the author is a person named Patāñjali or if several people contributed to this text however, this writing acts to organize the practices already in existence. As the modern world evolved, so did the experience of yoga, which can be practiced in the following ways:
- Hatha Yoga = yoga of postures
- Rāja Yoga = yoga of self-control
- Kuṇḍalinī Yoga = yoga of energy
- Karma Yoga = yoga of mind
- Jñāna Yoga = yoga of Self-inquiry
- Bhakti Yoga = yoga of devotion
Regardless of one’s intention, interest, or ability, a consistent personal practice (sādhana) will strengthen and support the foundation from which life takes root. Poor health, decision making, emotional regulation, and other aspects can interfere with wellness. If one builds upon a steady rock, these obstacles disappear, leading the practitioner down the path toward health, wealth, and relationship. It is through maintaining these various aspects of our lives that we realize true abundance.
What is Sādhana and How Does It Lead to Abundance?
In Sanskrit, sādhana translates to “spiritual practice”. The reason why yoga, in its many forms, is considered a spiritual practice is because its ultimate transformation leads to union with all of consciousness (including divine consciousness). Sādhana is the means of accomplishing this union. One can get there through the discipline of practicing yoga, as described in any one of its contemporary schools. However, to keep in alignment with the basics of this book, one’s life can be vastly supported through practicing the yamas, niyamas, āsana, prāṇāyāma, pratyāhāra, dhāraṇā, dhyāna, and Samādhi.
Practice leads to steadiness, experience, and skill. These qualities lead to prosperity. In the beginning, though, practice is not always easy. As we introduce the body, mind, and spirit to rigor, they often rebel. The body is full of toxins from poor diet and exercise habits. The mind is full of toxic thoughts and obsessions from inner and outer influences. The spirit is full of toxins from the suffering and separation from our Source, the divine consciousness that resides in us all. These toxins or obstructions (kleśas) prevent us from obtaining peace, stability, and joy. Through sādhana, one may eliminate the obstructions to a better life.
How Sādhana Supports Abundance through Physical Health
Āsana is a steady, comfortable posture.
The body is an imperfect vehicle. Maybe it is riddled with dis-ease and ailments from chronic afflictions. These afflictions can be purely physical (hereditary or harmful habits) or they can stem from the effects of harbored and stagnant mental and emotional afflictions. Everything affects the body. Even in a relatively healthy person, the body is not symptom free. Aging and strain can cause aches and pains. Poor diet and exercise can cause digestive problems, or worse, chronic and life-threatening illnesses, such as cancer or diabetes.
… (end of excerpt)
The Yogic Lifestyle: A Foundation for Freedom
Wrapping Up
… to continue reading from this chapter of The Yogic Lifestyle: A Foundation for Freedom please visit and order from the book’s page on Amazon. Again, we hope you found this valuable and wish you health and happiness along your journey. Namaste.
