Q: I am very well aware of the power of Mantras and Mudras in Yoga but somehow I do not feel confident in using them as tools in the classes I lead or in Yoga as Therapy. What should I do?

Response: Nothing. Simply wait! Breath is the mantra and awareness is the Mudra

Learning is a 3 step process. Simply because we have intellectually grasped an idea does not mean it has become a part of who we are. There are stages in the digestion of information. Honor the 3 stages.

1. Shravana: Listen carefully from your ears, see the knowledge from your eyes, feel it through your whole body, smell the taste of intuition rising, taste the experience of knowledge connecting the dots of what you already know to what is yet to be known. Practice contemplative listening.
2. Manana: After attending to it, bring it back to your awareness from time to time and digest it. Just like a cow has two stomachs, a sincere student should also develop this ability to be present to the teachings and then bring them back for digestion and assimilation. This practice is the practice of mental churning of the knowledge and strengthen the intellectual fire.
3. Nididhyasana: Find opportunities in every day life to put the teachings in practice. Don't create a clutter and hoarding of teachings in your mind, apply them and transform your life and attitude. Let the teachings become realization.

What is the rush? Information goes in through the manas (sensory mind) and then has to marinate in the Buddhi (higher intellect) to become wisdom. Once you give it the gift of practice with dedication, intention and consistency it sprouts like a seed does. It slowly becomes a part of you and runs in your body like prana, breath and blood. It becomes you. Then comes the stage when each cell of your body conspires to share it effortlessly. That seamlessness is important when transmitting these practices in your classes, else they are simply crammed words, styles and techniques.

There are so many tools for YogaSadhna (practice) and Yoga Chikitsa (Therapy): Shat Kriyas, Apana Kriyas, Dinacharya, Asana, Pranayama, Mantra, Mudra, Bandhas, , Dharana, Yoga Nidra etc and every single tool is powerful and important as they recalibrate the doshas in a completely different way.

When we talk in terms of using a tool there are 3 things which are important to figure out:

a) Finding the most efficient tool for the specific condition and/or goal
b) Finding out which tool you have personally practiced and experienced most deeply
c) Discerning the readiness and capacity (physical, mental, energetic, emotional and spiritual) of the person concerned.

If you do not feel ready for Mantra and Mudra use breath awareness. Breath is the mantra and awareness is the Mudra

There are no short cuts in Yoga. You have to go step by step, these steps are not going to be given by someone outside. You will know based on your appetite and digestive power. Pay attention to where you are. There is no place for ego or shame in YogaSadhna. Walk on!

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