Yoga is Samadhi

Yoga is Samadhi - a totally tranquil, introverted, peaceful condition of the mind in which thoughts are reduced to the minimum and eventually stop all together. When the mind is thus stilled, the true nature (consciousness) is revealed, while when the mind is busy (as in normal circumstances), there is an apparent blending of that nature with what is experienced. The result of this blending of consciousness with mind is a lack of self-awareness or self-knowledge and this is the cause of all suffering according to yoga.

Yoga practices are designed to bring the mind into this peaceful and concentrated state, so that the inner soul, Self, consciousness can be experienced as it is. A regular re-connection with the true nature results in a complete transformation of mind, a release from anxiety, over-indulgence, addiction, egoism and affliction in general. This immersion in consciousness results in bliss, clear vision, perception of truth, being in truth. It is the actual target we crave when we desire objects, accolades and sensual experiences, that through our delusion we chase after and suffer for so passionately.

Today, if you say the word yoga, most people will assume you mean physical postures and perhaps some breathing exercises. In general, yoga is treated as a way to relax, get flexible or keep fit. For this reason, these practices seldom lead to the original goal of yoga. Not only are the practices deficient but teachers have lost sight of the purpose of practice. In addition, various features of practice are missing - there are eight factors that make up the yogic path.

How to Practice Yoga - Yoga Sadhana

Yoga is both a special state of mind - known as samadhi - and it also refers to the practice used to achieve this. Samadhi is a natural state, but because our lives are stressful and our lifestyle is unhealthy, it is not often experienced. This is why yoga practices (sadhana) were developed - to eliminate the obstacles that stand in the way of yoga (samadhi). These obstacles are known as klesha (afflictions) and they include ignorance about our true nature, egoism, attachments, aversions and fear (of death).

There are eight principles in an authentic yoga practice - these are lifestyle choices, healthy habits, physical postures, breathing exercises, inward focus, concentration, meditation and absorption. A wholesome practice includes all eight practices. In this course we will explore these principles from both a practical and theoretical perspective with the intention of creating an integration of all practices.

The Art of Yoga Practice
Fridays at 10.30 AM Israel Time - 3.30 AM (!) EST
live at the studio, streamed online and recorded

This course is mainly practical but also touches on the theory and textual study.

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Stages of Samadhi

Yoga is both a physical and a psychological process. The mind is dependent on the physical body - the brain, nervous system, senses are physical organs but the processes that take place through them are subtle. Although you can improve the physical functioning of these organs through changes in diet, lifestyle and exercise, the deeper processes of the mind require direct and intimate assessment and adjustments. This is achieved through analysis, meditation and discrimination.

The Yoga Sutra provides a complete guide to the practice of yoga. The first chapter deals exclusively with the process of meditation, of which samadhi is the culmination and the second chapter is focussed on the more external practices including lifestyle, asana and pranayama practices. Theoretical studies and practical training overlap at some point because yoga is both a physical and a psychological process. Meditation is both practice and perspective and in a certain sense, all the practices of yoga overlap to some extent - they are all part theoretical, part practical and part experiential.

Stages of Samadhi
In Depth Yoga Sutra Study and Meditation Practice - over 10 sessions

Sundays at 4 PM Israel Time - 9 AM EST
live at the studio, streamed online and recorded

In this course, we study the text, the commentaries and apply the wisdom contained in them to meditation practices.
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