Written by Aviva Tulasi
Join us in March for Meditation through the lens of Dharna (concentration), Dhyana (absorption) and Samadhi (equanimity), Wednesdays 11:30 am EST.
March 6th: Herbal Yoga - Gotu kola with Ainslee
March 13th: Creativity Practices to Cultivate Dharna (concentration) with Aviva
March 20th: Journey Through the Koshas (layers of being) with Amanda
Sign Up Online
March 27th: Meditating to Cultivate the Rule of Threes - Harmony with Sam
On Sunday, March 31st, 10:00 a.m. EST Sam Sather, founder of Dogwood Studio, will be presenting an online dharma talk on behalf of Insight Yoga Online Community. Insight Yoga Online Community Presents “The Six Perfections.” This 60-minute workshop will weave in discussion, meditation, optional yin poses, and self-inquiry. Sign Up on IYI’s website here.
Patanjali's Yoga Sutras outline 8 stages for the practice of Yoga, often referred to as Eight Limbs of Yoga. There is a clear progression from interaction in the outer world to your interaction in the inner world. Although progression is not linear, the first 4 stages are practices to cultivate harmony with your surroundings. These stages include Yama, Niyama, Asana and Pranayama (ethical standards, physical postures and breath control). The next four stages are practices to cultivate harmony with your inner mind. These stages include Pratyahara, Dharna, Dhyana, and Samadhi (withdrawing, concentration, absorption and equanimity). Each of the inner stages, the meditation continuum of practice, progressively build on one’s capacity to meditate and realize the Truth within. Ekagrata, one pointedness of the mind, begins in dharna and continues in duration and intensity until one rests fully assimilated in Knowledge, samadhi.
As it says in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, verse 2.28,
योगाङ्गानुष्ठानादशुद्धिक्षये ज्ञानदीप्तिरा विवेकख्यातेः
yogāṅgānuṣṭhānādaśuddhikṣaye jñānadīptirā vivekakhyāteḥ
By following the eight limbs of yoga, the impurities diminish, the light of knowledge reaches to the discerning knowledge that frees. Translation by A.K. Aruna
Dharna includes the ability to focus the mind on a single point or idea. Concentration is cultivated as you keep your attention on a single object or task. The mind learns to watch its wandering thoughts and becomes more stable. One cultivates a sense of restraint as unwanted thoughts dissolve as contemplation increases. While in the state of dharna, one loses track of time and experiences a glimpse of freedom.
Dhyana is the ability to be absorbed in meditation. It is characterized by the ability to stay concentrated. Dhyana is not about forcing the mind to be quiet. It is the effortless retention of wanted or helpful thought in contemplation. One cultivates their natural state of tranquility and focus. While in the state of dhyana, one is connected to the present moment, where there is a sense of unity and calmness.
Samadhi is the state of equanimity where one rests in bliss. Complete contemplation is achieved. One no longer identifies with their ego and rests in the interconnectedness of all things. While in this state, there is a sense of complete peace, and oneness with all that is.
Meditation offers an opportunity to integrate your experience and notice what is in your Awareness. It is a journey of training the mind to stay present and focused. Identifying where you are in the meditation continuum of practice (Dharna, Dhyana or Samadhi) allows you to find greater awareness.
Explore your current stage on the meditation continuum of practice with a group yoga class. Join us for a group yoga class that meets your needs here.
Reach out to us with your questions at info@dogwoodstudioyoga.com. We are here to help. ❤️❤️❤️
Aviva Tulasi is a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) and studio coordinator at Dogwood Studios. Aviva applies the teachings of classical yoga (movement, focused breathing & meditation) to nourish the nervous system. Aviva’s classes empower students to explore their thought habits in order to promote greater wellbeing both on and off the mat.
SAM Sather, founder of Dogwood Studios, is a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) and an Insight Yoga Institute (IYI) endorsed teacher. She individualizes the yoga practice with appropriate modifications for participants’ unique bodies and medical histories with a focus on finding calm and improving health. She offers several live, online and in person yoga classes as well as private sessions so you can focus on your needs one-on-one.
