aparigraha - letting go
Aparigraha is the 5th and last yama, or restraint; it translates to non-hoarding or non-greed and is really about trusting you’ll be provided for… ‘letting go’ of clinging… attaching ourselves to things.
Aparigraha is about letting go of what you don’t need and only taking what you do; not over consuming and also letting go of unhelpful expectations of others.
So it’s a reminder to declutter, removing excess stuff in your life and checking you’re not clinging to things, or relationships that are no longer serving you. And also, a reminder to us not to use more than we need, or waste natural resources; supporting a sustainable environment.
“When we let go of what no longer serve us, we create space in our lives for what does.”
So clearing some space this week.
And on your yoga mat, check you’re not clinging to thoughts or expectations about your practice – what you could do 20 years ago… what someone else is able to do… let it go…
Through aparigraha, we learn that we are complete as we are right now, there is no need to grasp or cling to anything outside of ourselves, to be whole. Looking for the good in every situation and enjoying what we have, not searching for more and more in the outer world.
Self enquiry – reflecting… am I living with excess in my life? Is there something I need to declutter? Resolving this week to begin to let go of what no longer serves you.
Nicky’s yoga classes are a gentle, hatha style, suitable for beginners.
Along with teaching weekly yoga classes in Beaumaris, Bayside Melbourne, Nicky is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (PACFA), coach and mindfulness meditation teacher.
Get in touch with Nicky to find out more.