Unravel The Thread: Living the Yoga Sutra today

I have been studying, practicing and teaching yoga for over 20 years because it works. For me, yoga is the most complete and effective system for cultivating presence and living a meaningful life. (I am aware that there are other systems out there, but yoga is the one that has worked best for me). Experiencing the benefits of yoga personally is what inspires, motivates and energizes me to dedicate my life to making yoga available for the benefit of others.

I started the podcast as a way to share simple and useful ways to understand and, more importantly, apply the wisdom of yoga to everyday life. I was humbled to know that many people have found the podcast useful in their lives. When I finished exploring all of the Yoga Sutras in 201 episodes of the podcast, I thought I might stop creating the podcast. However, in listening to my students and other people in my life, I realized that many of us could use some guidance, encouragement, and support on our journey to feeling healthier, happier, and more balanced. I tried to take a more practical approach in the following 50 episodes of the podcast. As I mentioned before, I look to my students and all the people around me as my teachers to help me decide how to focus my energy to be of service. Again, I have heard people express the challenge of maintaining a consistent practice.

Last year, I learned about this newer platform, Substack, as a robust platform where I can share articles, audio and video in one place in a way that is easier for people to navigate, and after subscribing to some of the writers on the platform, I am inspired to offer more ways for people to practice a simple, effective and enjoyable form of yoga more regularly.

On this new platform, I will continue to provide free resources for you to practice with. My intention is also to create more videos, as they may be easier to follow for some practices. Substack also provides an opportunity for you to support my work through paid subscriptions.

Paid subscriptions

Simple Yoga and Unravel the Thread are a labor of love. I create all of the content, including the writing, photography, chanting and videos. I record, edit, and post the podcast. I also record, edit, and do all the post-production on my videos. I create all of these resources in two languages, English and Spanish. This is in addition to practicing yoga daily, teaching yoga classes, meeting with students privately, and continuing my own study of yoga. Yes, it is a lot of work. And I do it with joy and enthusiasm. As you can imagine, it all takes energy, time, resources and money.

If you find these resources useful and valuable, you can contribute to keep the website, blog, podcast and videos up and running. Your support to Simple Yoga and Unravel the Thread contributes at three levels: First, you help me continue learning, growing and sharing. Second, you help keep these resources available for you and others (in both English and Spanish). And third, you cultivate your generosity which is the gift that keeps on giving because generosity enhances your health, increases your happiness, reduces your stress, helps you feel connected to others and may be linked to a longer life as documented by a couple of interesting articles; Why giving is good for your health and Seven Science Backed Reasons Why Generosity is Good For Your Health).

I invite you to subscribe to this new email list to receive simple, easy, effective and enjoyable 5 to 8 minute yoga practices for your body, mind and emotions. When you subscribe, you will receive regular public posts with practices you can do at home. If you decide to become a paying subscriber, in addition to the free posts, you will receive subscriber-only episodes and posts, and you will be able to post comments and join the community. You can also be a Super Subscriber, willing to give more generously, for that you will receive my undying gratitude for your generosity and support.

You can subscribe by going to https://simpleyoga.substack.com/

I look forward to traveling on this journey with you as we continue growing in presence and awareness together.

Thank you.

Namaste

Weaving the Yoga Sutra: Health, Summary and application (part 6)

How to apply the integral definition of yoga

What stimulates your appetites?
How do you satisfy your appetites? How do you feel as a result?
Is there a balance between your appetites and your elimination? 
What are some effective ways to quiet your mind?
Are your movements deliberate or are they mechanical? 
How do you regulate the intensity of effort in your activities?
What happens if you follow Patanjali’s suggestions for calming your mind?
How do you interact with yourself?
How do my interactions influence my health?

https://simple-yoga.org 

This content is inspired by the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali according to the  book Unravel the Thread by Ruben Vasquez available at: 
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/1737648202/ 
Alibris https://www.alibris.com/Unravel-the-Thread-Applying-the-ancient-wisdom-of-yoga-to-live-a-happy-life-Rub-n-V%C3%9Fsquez/book/50532904 
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unravel-the-thread-rub-n-v-squez/1139928755 
Indiebound https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781737648208 
Thriftbooks https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/unravel-the-thread-applying-the-ancient-wisdom-of-yoga-to-live-a-happy-life_rubn-vsquez/29003752/ 
 
#yoga #simpleyoga #yogasimple #unravelthethread #yogasutra #patanjali #patanjaliyogasutra #presence

yoga, yoga sutra,yoga philosophy, patanjali, awareness, consciousness, meditation, presence, memory, applied philosophy, yoga practice, pranayama, pratyahara, concentration, presence

Weaving the Yoga Sutra: Health, compassionate interaction (part 5)

Can the way I interact with others reflect or influence my health?

How do I interact? …With myself? …With the people around me? …With family and friends? …With acquaintances and strangers? …With other sentient beings? …With my surroundings? …With the world at large? Is it possible that offering a disinterested helping hand to others can have beneficial effects on both the recipient and the giver?

https://simple-yoga.org 

This content is inspired by the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali according to the  book Unravel the Thread by Ruben Vasquez available at: 
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/1737648202/ 
Alibris https://www.alibris.com/Unravel-the-Thread-Applying-the-ancient-wisdom-of-yoga-to-live-a-happy-life-Rub-n-V%C3%9Fsquez/book/50532904 
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unravel-the-thread-rub-n-v-squez/1139928755 
Indiebound https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781737648208 
Thriftbooks https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/unravel-the-thread-applying-the-ancient-wisdom-of-yoga-to-live-a-happy-life_rubn-vsquez/29003752/ 
 
#yoga #simpleyoga #yogasimple #unravelthethread #yogasutra #patanjali #patanjaliyogasutra #presence

yoga, yoga sutra,yoga philosophy, patanjali, awareness, consciousness, meditation, presence, memory, applied philosophy, yoga practice, pranayama, pratyahara, concentration, presence

Weaving the Yoga Sutra: Health, calm mind, cheerful attitude (part four)

Does having a calm mind and a cheerful attitude contribute to your state of health?

What is the state of your mind? Is it possible to modulate the state of your mind? 
What is your general attitude? Can you modulate your emotions? How does yoga affect your state of mind and attitude? Is there a relationship between a calm mind and a happy attitude? What is the relationship between calm mind, attitude and your health?

https://simple-yoga.org/ 

This content is inspired by the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali according to the  book Unravel the Thread by Ruben Vasquez available at: 
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/1737648202/ 
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unravel-the-thread-rub-n-v-squez/1139928755 
Alibris https://www.alibris.com/Unravel-the-Thread-Applying-the-ancient-wisdom-of-yoga-to-live-a-happy-life-Rub-n-V%C3%9Fsquez/book/50532904 

Indiebound https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781737648208 
Thriftbooks https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/unravel-the-thread-applying-the-ancient-wisdom-of-yoga-to-live-a-happy-life_rubn-vsquez/29003752/ 
 
#yoga #simpleyoga #yogasimple #unravelthethread #yogasutra #patanjali #patanjaliyogasutra #presence

yoga, yoga sutra,yoga philosophy, patanjali, awareness, consciousness, meditation, presence, memory, applied philosophy, yoga practice, pranayama, pratyahara, concentration, presence

Weaving the Yoga Sutra:Health, optimal posture and graceful movement (part 3)

How are your posture and movements?

What are the reasons we have for practicing yoga postures and movements?
Is our optimal posture likely to be influenced by our personal history, context, circumstances, needs and activities? According to the Yoga Sutras there are four components to the practice of yoga postures, including a combination of steadiness and comfort, effortlessness, and focus on infinity. What are the qualities of posture that would make certain postures optimal for you at this time in your life? What are the qualities that contribute to your movements being graceful at this time in your life? Can our ways of acting constitute a form of movement? 

https://simple-yoga.org

This content is inspired by the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali according to the  book Unravel the Thread by Ruben Vasquez available at: 
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/1737648202/

Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unravel-the-thread-rub-n-v-squez/1139928755

#yoga #simpleyoga #yogasimple #unravelthethread #yogasutra #patanjali #patanjaliyogasutra #presence

yoga, yoga sutra,yoga philosophy, patanjali, awareness, consciousness, meditation, presence, memory, applied philosophy, yoga practice, pranayama, pratyahara, concentration, presence

Weaving the Yoga Sutra:  Health, appetites and elimination (part 2)

Is it possible to integrate adequate appetites and efficient elimination?

What are the appetites that you have at the physical, mental and emotional levels? Are our different types of appetites interrelated? What influences our appetites? Is there a difference between needs and wants? How does our elimination relate to our appetites? Do we eliminate what is no longer useful or do we hold on to it? Which ideas in the Yoga Sutras help us modulate our appetites and elimination? What symptoms indicate to you that your appetites and elimination are in balance? Is it possible that when our appetites and elimination are balanced and integrated, they may not require much attention at all?

https://simple-yoga.org 

This content is inspired by the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali according to the  book Unravel the Thread by Ruben Vasquez available at: 
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/1737648202/ 
Alibris https://www.alibris.com/Unravel-the-Thread-Applying-the-ancient-wisdom-of-yoga-to-live-a-happy-life-Rub-n-V%C3%9Fsquez/book/50532904 
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unravel-the-thread-rub-n-v-squez/1139928755 
Indiebound https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781737648208 
Thriftbooks https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/unravel-the-thread-applying-the-ancient-wisdom-of-yoga-to-live-a-happy-life_rubn-vsquez/29003752/ 
 
#yoga #simpleyoga #yogasimple #unravelthethread #yogasutra #patanjali #patanjaliyogasutra #presence

yoga, yoga sutra,yoga philosophy, patanjali, awareness, consciousness, meditation, presence, memory, applied philosophy, yoga practice, pranayama, pratyahara, concentration, presence

Weaving the Yoga Sutra: What is health?

A definition of health and its relation to Patanjali's eight limbs of Yoga

How do you define health?
How does your definition of health guide you through your daily activities?
A comprehensive definition of health that broadens our awareness of health by including the physical, mental, emotional, and social dimensions of our being.
Are all aspects of your being in equilibrium?

https://simple-yoga.org/ 

This content is inspired by the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali according to the  book Unravel the Thread by Ruben Vasquez available at: 
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/1737648202/ 
Alibris https://www.alibris.com/Unravel-the-Thread-Applying-the-ancient-wisdom-of-yoga-to-live-a-happy-life-Rub-n-V%C3%9Fsquez/book/50532904 
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unravel-the-thread-rub-n-v-squez/1139928755 
Indiebound https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781737648208 
Thriftbooks https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/unravel-the-thread-applying-the-ancient-wisdom-of-yoga-to-live-a-happy-life_rubn-vsquez/29003752/ 
 
#yoga #simpleyoga #yogasimple #unravelthethread #yogasutra #patanjali #patanjaliyogasutra #presence

yoga, yoga sutra,yoga philosophy, patanjali, awareness, consciousness, meditation, presence, memory, applied philosophy, yoga practice, pranayama, pratyahara, concentration, presence

Weaving the Yoga Sutra: Could this be your best moment?

Would you trade places with an earlier you?

Is your level of awareness greater than it was before? It may be useful to recognize that right now you are the oldest you have ever been, with more experience and wisdom than you ever had before. At the same time, right now you are the youngest you will ever be. Could this be your best moment?

https://simple-yoga.org 

This content is inspired by the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali according to the  book Unravel the Thread by Ruben Vasquez available at: 
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/1737648202/ 
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unravel-the-thread-rub-n-v-squez/1139928755 

Alibris https://www.alibris.com/Unravel-the-Thread-Applying-the-ancient-wisdom-of-yoga-to-live-a-happy-life-Rub-n-V%C3%9Fsquez/book/50532904 

Indiebound https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781737648208 
Thriftbooks https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/unravel-the-thread-applying-the-ancient-wisdom-of-yoga-to-live-a-happy-life_rubn-vsquez/29003752/ 
 
#yoga #simpleyoga #yogasimple #unravelthethread #yogasutra #patanjali #patanjaliyogasutra #presence

yoga, yoga sutra,yoga philosophy, patanjali, awareness, consciousness, meditation, presence, memory, applied philosophy, yoga practice, pranayama, pratyahara, concentration, presence

Weaving the Yoga Sutra: Choosing to be happy

What is my perspective on the world? And how does it influence my ways of perceiving and being in the world?
When I follow my natural tendency to move toward feeling better and away from feeling pain, does my awareness increase?
Am I trying to manipulate the world to fit my expectations? Is this making me happy or unhappy?
Wanting the world to please our changing desires, opinions and beliefs guarantees that we will never be happy.

https://simple-yoga.org 

This content is inspired by the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali according to the  book Unravel the Thread by Ruben Vasquez available at: 
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/1737648202/ 

#yoga #simpleyoga #yogasimple #unravelthethread #yogasutra #patanjali #patanjaliyogasutra #presence

yoga, yoga sutra,yoga philosophy, patanjali, awareness, consciousness, meditation, presence, memory, applied philosophy, yoga practice, pranayama, pratyahara, concentration, presence

Weaving the Yoga Sutra: A mantra for presence

Our words influence our thoughts and perspective.

What words do you use frequently? Are those words useful to be present or are they potential distractors? 
What happens when we replace our tendencies to predict and worry with the mantra Let's see?

https://simple-yoga.org

This content is inspired by the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali according to the  book Unravel the Thread by Ruben Vasquez available at: 
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/1737648202/ 

#yoga #simpleyoga #yogasimple #unravelthethread #yogasutra #patanjali #patanjaliyogasutra #presence

yoga, yoga sutra,yoga philosophy, patanjali, awareness, consciousness, meditation, presence, memory, applied philosophy, yoga practice, pranayama, pratyahara, concentration, presence