In my advanced yoga class, we're reading Light on Life by B.K.S. Iyengar. For many years, we've spent the first 20 minutes of class reading and discussing a yoga book. Without any planning, it often happens that the words we're reading seem made for the moment we're living in.

Yoga practitioners are used to looking for clarity in complexity and stability in mutability. Whether it means balancing on one leg or studying the nervous system, yoga practices give us insight into ourselves and our lives and where we're out of balance. We also look at the problems that come with imbalance, be it personal or societal. In recent months, I've written about my recent accident and ankle injury and how I thought I was recovering until new swelling and pain appeared. I started to doubt if I was on the right path to recovery and fear, pain, and frustration made it hard to know the best course of action. In Light of Life, Guruji Iyengar points out that we must learn breathing practices, pranayama, and “deal with the Six Emotional Disturbances -lust, anger, greed, obsession, pride, and hatred - which often become recurring obstacles on the journey.” The journey Guruji writes about is life.

When we read these words in a class last week, there was a palpable recognition of these emotional disturbances rampant in the world today. Compassion, kindness, and helping one's neighbor are seen as weakness and emotional disturbances are seen as strength. These are the days when we have to double down on the practices that sustain and nourish us and our world. It may seem trivial or self-involved to spend time in quiet practice alone or in community when the world is going crazy. These practices can be seen as a privilege but are in fact activities that help people to thrive and contribute to the world positively. In times of crisis, we're tested to our limits and activities that sharpen our awareness and focus our attention will bring us in touch with what matters most to us. Guruji wrote:

“It must not be just your mind or even your body that is doing the asana. You must be in it. You must do the asana with your soul. How can you do the asana with your soul? We can only do it with the organ of the body that is closest to the soul – the heart. So a virtuous asana is done from the heart and not from the head. Then you are not just doing it, but you are in it. Many people try to think their way into an asana, but you must feel your way into it through love and devotion.”