grappling with aparigraha

“The policy of retaliation has never succeeded.”
-Gandhi

Aparigraha, one of the tenets of yoga, means “non-possessiveness” or not grasping.  It is human nature to clutch at the people and things we love, to try to protect, maintain or control them.

What a powerful practice to open our palms, release tension in our bodies and minds, and love our experiences and relationships in this moment, not stressing about what the future may or may not hold!

We can do this in yoga asana by letting go of muscular tension (often held in the jaw, shoulders and neck, among other places).

We can do this in life by carrying the fruits of our yoga practice out into the world — joy, compassion, patience and aparigraha.