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Interesting interview of Sharath Rangaswamy and his thoughts concerning yoga (Sunday, February 2, 2014)

Courtesy of Mariela Cruz
See the full article:
http://www.ashtangamagazine.com/#!sunday-february-2-2014/c1wly



Sharath on Hatha, Raja and Ashtanga yoga

 

In Hatha yoga, the Surya and Chandra nadis generate energy and purify the body and mind through discipline.


Raja is the highest stage of yoga once the fundamentals are perfected.
Ashtanga yoga means eight limbs, the first four limbs are external and the next four happen internally.  


Yoga is One and it teaches steadiness, how to still the mind.
The mind is like a monkey, full of distractions and attractions.
The state of dhyana happens, it can’t be brought about. And the state of yoga brings us to dhyana.


To grow a plant that gives a good flower, first you must nourish the soil, and then a rose will blossom. Body and mind are like that, their nourishment are the first limbs.

Too much interaction drains your energy

It’s like drinking coffee. Too much talking generates excessive energy within.
Talk only when it is necessary.
Talk about yoga confuses.
Social media is very intense. First you must think, what is happening within you? Then, others.
Be with yourself, ask yourself: how can I become a good person?

Before sleeping, try to spend half an hour in silence. Then your energy will change.

100 years back there was no Internet.  Yoga was a sadhana and yogis attracted students without ads.
Krishnamacharya and Guruji never advertised themselves. Sadhakas had a thirst for wisdom.
Now everyone is a yoga teacher. There are fifteen-day teacher trainings.

Where does sadhana fit in your life?

 

You need to be a student first.
Yoga has become very superficial. I am glad Krishnamacharya is not here.
Sadhana is important as a teacher but mostly for our personal transformation.
A yogi will have his sadhana always. It is then that there is progress in your spiritual path.

Without sadhana you cannot teach others.

 

Two hundred and five hundred hours certificate courses. How many days is that? Five hundred hours is only twenty days. Can you become a yoga teacher in twenty days? That would be a great disaster, especially for your students. You need twenty years.

Fast once a month to give your digestive system a rest.

 

How do you bring about Bhakti?

Initially, nobody gets Bhakti. Devotion doesn't come to you at once. It comes as you go deeper, once it becomes part of your life and daily routine.

Yoga is like going to the temple, mosque or church.

Nobody forces you, something will draw you to the temple. One day it happens, and what draws you inside is Bhakti.
Bhakti can’t be forced.

Asanas are a ritual, a prayer. The practice should be your prayers.
Practice is food and water for the soul. It is necessary to keep ourselves stable.
If you don’t brush your teeth, no one will come close to you. Yoga is like that too (laughs).
It's part of you, part of your life.

 

Is it healthy to desire new poses?

 

No.


What if you get them all at once?

 

Like an ant with sugar, five kilograms will squash her.
You need to perfect asanas, gain stamina and flexibility.

When you are ready, the asana will come to you. Don’t chase after asanas.


I was stuck on one asana for two years! Then after completing the fifth series he got married. After this, he finished the sixth series.
The eighteen years I spent with my grandfather were really special.

My Son (Sharath’s son):

 

He has to establish his own place. I can’t take Guruji’s place. I don’t want him to imitate me. I want to imitate him: his purity and innocence. All big yogis are like children because they are not affected by anything, by the six poisons.

How do you become a Buddha?

 

When you develop spiritual abilities within you. Everybody needs to put in the effort. The teacher will correct you, but you put in the effort.

How did you decide to help Guruji and become a teacher?


My mother told me (laughs). We were brought up surrounded by yoga, helping and watching people.


When we started yoga we had no idea what we were doing. Like beginner swimmers, trying not to drown.


Being around Guruji and Amma motivated me to go deeper. I went when there were few students. For eight years I went to Lakshmipuram from Gokulam at 3 am.
Until around 1997 or 1998, the shala was very quiet.


I didn’t have any ambition, nor do I now. I could go to the forest, but I have a family and responsibilities. People are scared of marriage and children. They don’t want responsibilities.