rashidatowe

[rashidatowe]

Basics of the 8 Limbs of Yoga

The Yoga Sutra is a fundamental guide for living with a cultivated body, mind, and spiritual awareness, written in India between 200 B.C and 200 A.D. by physician, Pantajali. This ancient text outlines the eightfold path, called ashtanga, which literally means “eight limbs” (ashta=eight, anga=limb) These eight steps act as guidelines toward living a meaningful and purposeful life. They serve as a prescription for moral and ethical conduct and self-discipline; they direct attention toward one’s health; and they help us to acknowledge the spiritual aspects of our nature.

Eventually, I will go into more detail about what each of these limbs means. In the meantime here is the lowdown on the 8 limbs at their most basic analysis.

1. Yama - Self-restraints (how we morally interact with each other)

Ahimsa: Nonviolence

Satya: Truthfulness

Asteya: Nontheft

Brahmacharya: Nonlust

Aparigraha: No greed

2. Niyama - Self-restraints (how we morally interact with ourselves)

Saucha: Cleanliness

Santosa: Contentment

Tapas: Sustained practice

Svadhyaya: Self study

Isvara pranidhana: Dedication

3. Asana - Practice of yoga postures and movements, control of body

4. Pranayama - Practice of breathing exercises and techniques, control of breath and life force

5. Pratyahara - Practice of bringing the awareness to reside deep within oneself, control of senses

6. Dharana - Concentration and steadying of the mind free of external (noises) or internal (useless thoughts) distractions.

7. Dhyana - Meditation

8. Samadhi - Bliss, aka: enlightenment.

These eight steps of yoga interact and intertwine with one another, like branches on a tree, and guide along the pathway to attain of physical, ethical, emotional, and psycho-spiritual health. Yoga allows the natural state of total health and integration in each of us to become a reality.

-XOXO-

[rashidatowe]

I want to be the type of person that wakes up at 5 a.m and meditates. The type of person who drinks green juice for breakfast but also drinks unholy amounts of coffee throughout the day. The type of person that studies by candlelight and learns new languages in a desperate attempt to decipher how the existence of certain words can affect someone’s way of thinking.

I want to be in love with the process of being, not the goals I achieve. I want to stop valuing accomplishments because other people will be impressed by me and I want to start seeing those same accomplishments as mere reflections of the type of person I am.

I want to stop romanticizing my future and start romanticizing my present. I’m tired of craving too much and not at all at the same time, I’m tired of working myself to the bone, I’m tired of my dissatisfaction, I’m tired of people congratulating me and me not believing them.

I want to stop seeing every moment as something of great importance, I want to start seeing every moment as something of great importance.

[rashidatowe]

Snow flakes falls softly into crystal clear water. Beautiful. Source                          

[rashidatowe]

““I’d like to repeat the advice that I gave you before, in that I think you really should make a radical change in your lifestyle and begin to boldly do things which you may previously never have thought of doing, or been too hesitant to attempt. So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun. If you want to get more out of life, Ron, you must lose your inclination for monotonous security and adopt a helter-skelter style of life that will at first appear to you to be crazy. But once you become accustomed to such a life you will see its full meaning and its incredible beauty. And so, Ron, in short, get out of Salton City and hit the Road. I guarantee you will be very glad you did. But I fear that you will ignore my advice. You think that I am stubborn, but you are even more stubborn than me. You had a wonderful chance on your drive back to see one of the greatest sights on earth, the Grand Canyon, something every American should see at least once in his life. But for some reason incomprehensible to me you wanted nothing but to bolt for home as quickly as possible, right back to the same situation which you see day after day after day. I fear you will follow this same inclination in the future and thus fail to discover all the wonderful things that God has placed around us to discover. Don’t settle down and sit in one place. Move around, be nomadic, make each day a new horizon. You are still going to live a long time, Ron, and it would be a shame if you did not take the opportunity to revolutionize your life and move into an entirely new realm of experience. You are wrong if you think Joy emanates only or principally from human relationships. God has placed it all around us. It is in everything and anything we might experience. We just have to have the courage to turn against our habitual lifestyle and engage in unconventional living. My point is that you do not need me or anyone else around to bring this new kind of light in your life. It is simply waiting out there for you to grasp it, and all you have to do is reach for it. The only person you are fighting is yourself and your stubbornness to engage in new circumstances.””

—

[rashidatowe]

Today I was mean and I was celebrated

Today I wasn’t careful and I was appreciated

Today I yelled and I was admired

Today I hurt someone and I laughed about it

Today I started breathing like the air belongs to me

And nobody died

And I thrived

Today I was rude

And it felt like love

To me

Today someone insulted me

And they were right

I am not good

I am not soft enough

I am not self less

Today I was selfish

And turns out

Love poured in

Instead of out

I replenish

In my ugly humanity

Watch my heart grow

In my own dirt

Watch me bloom

From the scraps I give you

Because I feed myself first

Now

[rashidatowe]

If you make human company too important you will not discover your true Self. Relationships not based in truth are never entirely reliable and are rarely enduring. Taking time to discover yourself is the best use of time. Prioritise this. One should not excessively seek partners or friends, one should seek to know and be oneself. As you begin to awaken to the Truth, you start noticing how well life flows by itself and how well you are cared for. Life supports the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs of the one who is open to self-discovery. Trust opens your eyes to the recognition of this. Surrender allows you to merge in your own eternal being. 

~ Mooji

[rashidatowe]

The desire to find the self will be surely fulfilled, provided you want nothing else. But you must be honest with yourself and really want nothing else. If in the meantime you want many other things and are engaged in their pursuit, your main purpose may be delayed until you grow wiser and cease being torn between contradictory urges. Go within without swerving, without ever looking outward.

Nisargadatta Maharaj

[rashidatowe]

Seeded Watermelon Juice 💋 https://www.instagram.com/p/B_5wb2dDUln/?igshid=182m8nbs32dcu

[rashidatowe]

It started off as just a HEALTH KICK and now look at me 😍🧘🏾‍♀️🤸🏽‍♂️🚴🏾‍♀️🏋🏽‍♀️🍏 • • I have been on this “health kick” for over 10years now and I swear I had no idea about all the blessings I would receive just for taking care of myself and making health a promise. Along the way, I gained deeper knowledge about myself and how much power I have. WOW! I rarely get sick and for the most part, I have great energy. I’ve saved lives and built some pretty amazing relationships from being on this “Health Kick.” While I have you here let me share with you some more blessings I’m continuing to receive. My internal bill of health is in on point, my skin is clear and I can breathe in more oxygen into my lungs. My joints don’t hurt. I can sleep peacefully, my hair is healthy, & best of all, I haven’t had a drug or alcohol relapse in 7 years #sobriety 👏🏽👏🏽 I’ve occupied many shapes in this body, I’ve fell in love and defeated pain. My strength is solid and always supported. I can go on and on but you get the point. HOLISTIC Health & Self Care will always be wealth for me. I leave everything else is to God. 😇🙏🏽 • • Chow for now 💋 https://www.instagram.com/p/B_5vmMFDawB/?igshid=1r26tx796dw7q

[rashidatowe]

If I had to choose my favorite my favorite plant. It would be the African Mask Plant or scientifically- The Alocasia Amazonica. I love the contrast between the two different greens & it looks sorta cosmic. 💚 The plant doesn’t even come from Africa. It got its name from the way it looks like ceremonial masks. They hail from South East Asia. I got lucky and found this species at Meijers. • • #plantlady #natural #plants #healthy #fresh https://www.instagram.com/p/B_3H9FcjHvL/?igshid=1skbdt10d6ue

[rashidatowe]

👀WATCH 👀This entire 37 seconds made me feel some type a way. PLEASE TAG a loved one who needs to CALM DOWN. 🧘🏾‍♀️ 🧘🏾‍♂️ It will get better eventually. • • • • • Music 🎶 @jheneaiko -Trigger Mantra Threads by @gaiam “Rashidat20” Feet Jewels @the_relentless_vegan https://www.instagram.com/p/B_2zfB2jKCq/?igshid=1xsavp2hptdc5

[rashidatowe]

Just because I treat you right doesn’t mean I’m the ONE. Relax 🖤 • • • Threads by chicafinastore.com (at Chicago, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5WR1RojCxQ/?igshid=10boeceg911pd

[rashidatowe]

A few weeks ago I had the honor of speaking LIFE into Women who attended @abncircle Women’s Empowerment Event. I LOVE telling my story. Everything I went through is much bigger than me. 🙏🏽 • • Join me this Saturday at my Cafe @radetoxcafe as I speak to my Community about the Power of Detoxing and Holistic Living. This Saturday from 1-3pm RSVP on my website Rashidat.com Yes! I will have my books available for purchase. 💚💛🧡 See you Soon. Chow 😘 • • • #speaker #inspirationalvideos #speaklife #humble #motivational #inspire #elevate (at Chicago, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5Ju0OsjFuU/?igshid=b4ogs54tg11w

[rashidatowe]

Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an awareness of me. • • #rashidatowe https://www.instagram.com/p/B4_LSeBjCFd/?igshid=1snrcmwjhlw6x

[rashidatowe]

Listen Baby! I am NOT trying to convince you, I’m here to plant the seeds of self mastery. Is it not written in our laws, “Ye are Gods” • • • The resources for holistic health & healing are here and available for everyone. FREE most of the time. All it takes is your WILL & FAITH! • • I’m a resource for those who look to expand their awareness of holistic & healthy living. • • Join me November 23rd from 1-3pm at @radetoxcafe as I break down holistic practices that will transform your whole LIFE! 👉🏾Mentally, Physically & Spiritually. RSVP on Rashidat.com LINK in bio ✨✨ https://www.instagram.com/p/B4yAesSjlkb/?igshid=1lgiw2qpvw5tv