Myths & Stories of Asanas, Mudras and Mantras February 20, 2011 at Yoga en Akumal

Far in the depths of time, ancient peoples around the planet began to tell stories to help make sense of their world. From mouth to mouth, tribe to tribe, and then across continents the stories are embellished, they coalesce. Gods and goddesses, mythical creatures, wise ones, prophets, elements, planets, named and attributed with human qualities. And guess what? They are wild and crazy, full of shadow, full of light.

Yoga is steeped in these myths and stories that apply to universal human conditions. Even the most exalted of the gods and goddesses make love, make war, make mischief! They are contradictory and inconsistent, magnificent and magical, powerful and petty. Just like us. They teach us how to be wise, to slay the demons of our negativities, to soar over seeming obstacles, to be humble, to be devoted.

From the cosmic soup, creation stories emerge. Turtles and serpents, demi-gods and demons, love stories and war become creative expressions of art, music, dance, poetry. In practice, yoga postures are a way to embody these traits, trying them on to feel the power. Named for characters ancient yet still relevant to contemporary times, we can slip into our own mythic selves. The hand gestures of the mudras also help us invoke the divine. And there is nothing like a mantra to clear the mind of gobbly gook. These rituals of yoga are aids in a process of transformation, of awakening into higher consciousness.

Take your hatha practice a little deeper. Infuse some bhakti to add grace into daily life. Play with stories and look at yourself through some different lenses: wise, ferocious, compassionate, prosperous, creator, destroyer, dancer. Join me Sunday 4:00-6:00pm at Yoga en Akumal (above Las Casitas reception at the white ark) for Myths & Stories. Maybe you create your own story!