Resources in Awakening 

a center for
personal and planetary
awakening

Mystic River Yoga
214 Crosby St.

Arlington, MA 02474

781 643-0117
info@MysticRiverYoga.com

Introduction

12 Principles of Awakening

Spiritual Foundation

Scientific Foundation

Embodying the Practice

Collective Awakening

       How to Use "Embodied Awakening":

If you are new to yoga:

1. Read the introduction and the 12 principles of awakening. Get a feel for the 4 quadrants which include: an overview of our historical moment, the general aspects of all spiritual practice, the specifics of hatha yoga practice, and bringing about social change.

Choose one of these quadrants that interests you and read about it, ponder it, discuss it, have fun with it. Add more aspects as needed.

2. Familiarize yourself with the basic vocabulary. (see glossary)

3. Choose a time of day to be set aside for practice. If possible, have it the same time every day, but if not, try to find at least 15 minutes in the day devoted solely to the practice.

4. Aquire a yoga mat and some type of firm cushion to sit on. A folded or rolled up blanket will be sufficient.

5. Divide your time into 3 or 4 sections and do the following practices. (sections 2 and 3 may be rolled into one). These will include:

1. sitting quietly for 5 plus minutes  (mindfulness practice)

2. basic poses to awaken hands and feet

3. more dynamic poses

4. relaxation

Feel free to experiment with the order. You can do the relaxtion first and the sitting last, you can sit just before or after the relaxation. Let it be an open enquiry into what works for you on any given day. Integrate what you experience in your practice to your experiences in part 1

How to Use "Embodied Awakening for Yoga Teachers ":

1.Read the introduction and the 12 principles of awakening. Get a feel for the 4 quadrants which include: an overview of our historical moment, the general aspects of all spiritual practice, the specifics of hatha yoga practice, and bringing about social change.

Spend some time with the first quadrant and read/study the scientific and spiritual dimensions and apply what your learn to your practice.

2. Familiarize yourself with the basic vocabulary.

3. Begin to familiarize yourself with the second quadrant on 1st, 2nd and 3rd person perspectives. Begin to notice how these perspectives appear in your daily life. In general, a solo practice tends to be primarily 1st person. In a class setting, or any other life situation, 2nd and 3rd person perspectives are also operating. Who do you allow into your "we space"? That is, who is included as part of yourself or connected to yourself, and who (or what) is excluded and seen only from the 3rd person, as "can you believe what 'they' are doing? what he/she said?

4. If you do not have a regular sitting practice, find a way to add this to your day. It need not be at the same time as the asana practice, but may also be a good way to begin or end your daily practice. When sitting, notice the 3 perspectives when they arise.

5. Begin to apply the mindfulness principles to your asana practice.

6. Read up on the neurobiology of asana from the course and begin to connect the scientific principles to the yogic science of dharana, dhyana, samadhi.

7. Study the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and apply them to your yoga practice and life.

If you are already teaching yoga:

1. Read the introduction and the 12 principles of awakening. Familiarize yourself with all four quadrants and decide which aspect or aspects you need to awaken further so you have a balanced approach to practice and teaching. Choose one or more aspects that excite you and read, ponder, discuss, have fun with going deeper. Add more aspects as needed.

2. Familiarize yourself with the basic vocabulary.

3. If you do not have a regular sitting practice, find a way to add this to your day. It need not be at the same time as the asana practice, but may also be a good way to begin or end your daily practice.

4. If this material is new to you, begin to familiarize yourself with the second quadrant on 1st, 2nd and 3rd person perspectives. Notice how these perspectives appear in your daily life. In general, a solo practice tends to be primarily 1st person. In a class setting, or any other life situation, 2nd and 3rd person perspectives are also operating. Who do you allow into your "we space"? That is, who is included as part of yourself or connected to yourself, and who (or what) is excluded and seen only from the 3rd person, as "can you believe what 'they' are doing? what he/she said. Pay careful attention to this in the classroom setting as it is not always easy to kepp everyone in your "we space". Read up on the emotions and emotional intelligence from both the scientific and spiritual traditions.

5. Begin to apply the mindfulness principles to your asana practice and teaching.

6. Read up on the neurobiology of asana from the course and begin to connect the scientific principles to the yogic science of dharana, dhyana, samadhi. Apply to your teaching.

7. Study the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and apply them to your yoga practice, teaching and life.