As Ive been going through mental preparations for beginning the goal, it became apparent that my intentions mapped up almost exactly with Sivananda yoga.
One of my favorite yoga books – Yoga Mind & Body – is written by the London Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre and is about the basics of Sivananda yoga. Since I got the book years ago, Ive returend to it again and again for inspiration and insight. Its one of those books that always makes you feel good when you read it. I do wonder if unconsciously this is what I meant to do all along.
Sivananda yoga consists of 5 practices:
Proper Exercise: Asana
Proper Breathing: Pranayama
Proper Relaxation: Savasana etc
Proper Diet: Sattvic (natural, whole foods-based, energy producing)
Proper Thought: Positive Thinking and Meditation (Dhyana)
My original daily goals of asana, pranayama, pratyahara through savasana with eye bag, dharana through breath focus and candle focus fits in just right with four branches of Sivananda.
My original overall goals of saucha: drinking more water, eating more fruits & veggies, and santosha fit well with two branches of Sivananda.
So, though the mini-goals that make up the goal have not changed, it felt right to change the title of the goal to more accurately reflect what I will be attempting to do.
Why slightly modified? Two reasons:
One, a sattvic diet is vegetarian and does not include garlic, mushrooms, or chocolate. Though I do not eat much meat, I do eat some, and will also be partaking in those three foods that I listed here. Two, there are 12 basic asanas that Sivanada yoga recommends are done in each asana session. Due to physical constraints, I cannot currently perform every asana in their 12 basic postures. With some weight loss and strength building, all should be achievable in the future.
I'm doing 38 things
