The second book of the Yoga Sutra; Sadhana Pada, focuses on the Sadhaka or practitioner.  No matter what anyone says, you can never be a "Yoga Master."  Yoga is a constant practice, one in which we are always growing and moving forward. 
Whatever you resolution for this year may be, I hope it is one which helps you to grow.  Karma is that which keeps us from growing.  It holds us back and keeps us stuck in a rut of non-thought.  Our practice of Yoga helps us to find our dharma.  Through effort, through practice, through constant study, we are able to discover our passion.
No matter how powerful your downward dog, how steady your handstand, Yoga will always offer you a new challenge.  It is called a practice because of this.  Because each breath that you take is new, each posture is different when you enter into it and each time you sit to silence your  mind the citta is there needing to be quieted.
For this year, resolve to practice.  To grow.  To become more of your Self.

We have reached the end of bliss contemplation and contemplate it we did.  For those of you who are still having a difficult time wrapping your head around how the ocean would not be the ocean without everything in it and at the same time it is not attached to those things (a metaphor of ourselves), we understand.  Patanjali must have also understood.  Book II; Sadhana Pada, gives us guidance from a tangible perspective.  Throughout the next few months we will work our way through the "Portion on Practice."  As we study the Yamas and Niyamas, Kleshas and Asana, we hope to guide you into deepening your practice and bringing it beyond the physical.  

October began our study of the Yoga Sutra.  Throughout the next few months we will be following the Yoga Sutra from Pada Eka through the end.  The most important lesson to remember is from Sutra 2:1: Yogas chitta vrtti nirodha; "Yoga is the quieting of the mind's chatter."  The rest is just direction for accomplishing this task.  Each sutra is like a gentle guide drawing us along the path to finding union and separation.  Join in as we reference translations by Saccidananda and Iyengar.  Our study will continue until we complete the book.

Do you practice Yoga but have no idea what style or lineage your teacher draws from?  During the month of September we discussed every style from Raja to Bikram.  Our in-depth study of how Americans have modified and manipulated the practice helped to clarify why Yoga is the way it is.  Our students were able to learn the connections between Iyengar and Jivamukti as well as Kundalini and Vinyasa.  If your curious about how Yoga has become what it is in the U.S. references like Georg Feurstein can help to clarify how the practice has changed to become what it is today.

During the month of August we spent time discussing why people do Yoga.  More than just a physical practice, it can benefit you inside and out by changing not only your perception of the world but also of yourself.  If you are interested in learning more try out a few pieces of quick reading including "Devotion" and "Poser."

July; the most summery of months.  During July we tend to be outside, with others, enjoying the world around us.  Funny thing, that sounds a lot like Yoga to me. 
This month, we will be hearing and sharing stories about how Yoga has effected us.  In the book "How Yoga Works," there lies an outline of the practice and a story of how it effects others.  Stories have been told about how Yoga has helped alcohol and drug abusers recover.  Those suffering from depression and insomnia have found solace in the practice.  People have found balance in their lives and learned to trust in who they are.
Take some time this month to consider what your practice has done for you.  What changes have you allowed, what have you created, discovered, experienced?  Share your story here and let it be told to inspire others.

During the month of June we focused on communicating.  The definition of the word Satsang (saht-sahng) is "communing with the divine."  This doesn't necessarily mean talking to a god or holy spirit of some sort.  It means to connect with the divine within yourself and others.  There is a saying; "keep you friends close and your enemies closer."  Taking this concept from a Yogic viewpoint it embodies the idea of Satasang.  To understand your Self, you must see what is within those whom you do not agree with.  Ultimately, in Yoga, you will find that you are always surrounded by those whom you agree with, those whom you do not and those whom you cannot understand.  Each one of these people is there for you to learn from and to teach.  Remember, we are always practicing and we are always learning.  Take the time to communicate with those around you and soon you will discover your Self; your own divinity within.

In order to move beyond Manomayakosha, we must practice the eight limbs of Yoga.  The final four:  withdrawing inward, concentration, meditation and divine consciousness are the paths which move us beyond our mind body.  Pratyahara is the practice of moving inward.  Our skills of asana and pranayama lead us toward a more quiet body and mind thus preparing us to release from the bondage of the physical.  Dharana is that one-pointed concentration developed through consistent practice and dedication.  When we release the physical, we are better able to look within in our own Self and focus.  Dhyana is meditation; the practice of being in stillness on every level.  Meditation can occur while seated or moving.  The key aspect of this practice is that you are one-pointed and still within.  Samadhi is the ultimate state we work to reach.  It is similar to dhyana with the exception that you are not effected by emotions, attachments, etc.  You are still and peaceful on all levels and move through life in this way at all times.

Our Self is made up of many levels.  The koshas are considered the layers of the Self.  Manomaya is the layer within which the mind or manas and the emotions are prominent.  Our mind is constantly chattering away.  It tells us our desires, needs, dislikes, etc.  All of these things are directed by the ego.  The ego places labels upon everything we experience.  Our emotions are attached to these experiences and, through them, we develop samskaras or impressions.  Manomaya is the layer within that we must work the hardest to move beyond.  If we can let go of our ego then our mind can quiet.  If we can move beyond our emotions, we can view the world with less bias and judgement.  Our practice is to let go of these things and become less attached to our self and that which lies outside of us.

How many times have you said "I will," "I'm going to," "Soon I'll," etc.?  How many times have you failed to follow through on those intentions?  A famous quote that I often call upon when life frustrates me is "the only consistent thing about life is change."  Our Yoga practice is all about changing.  We have to be willing to create and allow change to occur.
As part of our practice of Yoga we meditate.  We take the time to sit and, maybe, find silence within.  For some of us the chatter can seem overwhelming and it can feel as though we will never ever find silence.  I'm sure you're thinking right now, "what does she know, she teaches Yoga."  Feel free to jump inside my head one day, I assure you that running a Yoga studio and working at a school does not increase my inner silence.  But, my efforts have shown considerable progress. 
This month, as we focus on listening for our most heartfelt desire, our deepest intention, I encourage you to practice mediation.  We need to be able to listen to ourselves.  We need to hear our own hearts and spirits.  We need to kick out the ego and the judgment and the voices of others.  Take the time to listen to what's within you.  You may find that change is not so hard to take.