At its core, Isvara Pranidhana calls upon us to release our grip on the illusion of control. The practice urges us to let go of the ceaseless pursuit of ego-driven ambitions and the false belief in our hyper-individuality-based abilities. Here at Nectar Yoga Retreat, sitting with humility as a teacher is a lifelong journey.
At the core of Svadhyaya lies the act of self-reflection. Through inner reflection, we gain insight into the tapestry of our thoughts and emotions, and how they play a role in our habits and experiences. All over the world, where yoga and mindfulness is practice, including right here at Nectar Yoga Retreat on Bowen Island, BC, we face our vulnerabilities, our joys and our sorrows, with a sense of clarity and acceptance. Encountering ourselves demands courage, a willingness to stay in the present, and with fully open eyes to witness our complexity and paradoxes.
The practice of Tapas within yogic tradition encompasses various dimensions of our lives. It includes the discipline of our physical bodies, through practices such as asana (yoga postures), pranayama (breath control), what we expose ourselves energetically to, and healthful lifestyle choices. It extends to the habits of our minds, where we cultivate mindfulness, focus, and the ability to observe our thoughts without being consumed or controlled by them. Tapas is something we cultivate as individuals as well as in community, such as on a creative, corporate, or movement retreat at Nectar Yoga on Bowen Island, BC.
The practice of Saucha extends to our relationship with the land. It means centering and learning from the Indigenous groups, such as the Coast Salish peoples, and traditional earth-relating cultures. It calls for mindful consumption, reducing waste, and living in harmony with animals, plants, air, waterways, and other elements in Nature. It means a return to living and consuming seasonally. By being conscious of our ecological footprint, we acknowledge that humans are here for a reason, and to not waste this opportunity to steward this Earth. Saucha reinvites us back to circular living.
