The first three yoga sutras are like reading the inside cover of a book; they give you an overview of what is to follow. First, you have come to pick up this book. Second, you discover the task is to master, integrate, still, and regulate the thought patterns of the mind field. Third, you learn that the goal of these practices is to rest in the awareness of your true self and not the false identities of the small ego. Then you become the witness and master of your thoughts, emotions, and actions, not the slave to them.

As a starting practice to master the patterns of the mind field, understand that your mind can be in one of these five states (from the lowest to the highest): disturbed, dull, distracted, one-pointed, and mastered. At any given moment, ask yourself this question: what state is my mind in now? Awareness of the current state will help you to remove the obstacles to moving up to the next level. The condition of your body—including diet, fitness, and illness—can all impact the state of your mind. When the body is healthy, it is not an obstacle to the higher states of mind.

Here we are deep in winter hibernation, hopefully feeling successful in those resolutions to be healthy in the new year. No matter where you are, you can start now to tune in to your body and take care of it with the goal of having a focused and peaceful mind.

February updates and special events:

• Book Club: Why Buddhism is True. Join us in the lounge on Sunday, February 18, at 1:30 p.m. for what promises to be a lively discussion of Robert Wright’s recent book, led by Cassandra. We’ll provide hot tea; please bring a vegetarian snack to share.
• Yoga for All Series #2 on Sundays. To secure one of the remaining spaces in the February installment of Ashley’s 4-week Yoga for All series, which will continue meeting on Sundays at 2 p.m., complete this brief registration form.
• Yoga and Meditation opportunities at The Downing Museum. Join us for our ongoing monthly classes at The Downing Museum. This month Leslie will teach the yoga class on Saturday, February 10, and Alice will continue to lead the meditation class, which meets on Saturday, February 24.  Register at these links:  Yoga@the Museum, Meditation@the Museum.
• Saturday-afternoon Basics/Restorative class continues. At 4 p.m. on Saturdays, Chie continues to enhance our weekend schedule with this hybrid class that begins with a more active yoga practice and concludes with relaxing, restorative poses.
• Living Our Yoga Yin class. On Friday, February 23, Alice and Angie continue the Living Our Yoga Yin series, which combines a traditional sequence of Yin poses with exploration of selected yoga sutras.

For a full list of February classes, please see the online calendar–or pick up a hard copy at The Pots Place. We also post a brief update each morning on our Facebook page, should you find it convenient to keep up with us there.

Inclement weather policy: during inclement weather, we decide whether or not to cancel classes independently of area school districts’ decisions. If we cancel a class, we publicize that information at least one hour before it begins, and we announce all class cancellations in these three ways:

• an update to the online schedule of classes
• an email to all members of our list
• a status update on our Facebook page

View from the studio
Jan. 18, 2018