Invocation to Patanjali

Yogena cittasya padena vacam malam sarirasya ca vaidyakena yopakarottam pravaram muninam patanjalim pranajaliranato'smi abahu purusakaram sankha cakrasi dharinam sahasra sirasam svetam pranamami patanjalim. 

Let us acknowledge the noblest of sages, Patanjali, who gave us: 

Yoga (Sutras) for serenity and sanctity of mind, as taught in Iyengar Yoga classes. 

Grammar (Sanskrit) for clarity and purity of speech. 

Medicine (Ayurveda) for perfection of health, embracing the profound yoga benefits that contribute to overall well-being on the Maui Yoga Path.

Sadhana is a Sanskrit term that broadly translates to "spiritual practice" or "discipline." It encompasses various practices, including Iyengar Yoga classes, aimed at personal growth, self-realization, or union with the divine. 

Benefits of Sadhana:

- Promotes mental clarity, inner peace, and emotional balance.

- Helps in overcoming ego, attachments, and negative habits.

- Facilitates a deeper connection with one's true self or the divine.

Ultimately, sadhana is a transformative tool that helps individuals move closer to their spiritual or personal ideals, enhancing the yoga benefits one can experience along the Maui Yoga Path.

A Sattvic mind is calm, pure, and balanced, characterized by clarity, compassion, and inner joy. You can cultivate it through a wholesome diet, meditation, yoga, positive actions, and a peaceful environment, such as attending Iyengar Yoga classes, which emphasize precision and alignment. A Sattvic mind is a state of mental clarity, balance, and harmony, deeply rooted in purity (Sattva), one of the three gunas in Hindu philosophy. It is characterized by peace, compassion, contentment, and spiritual awareness, all of which can be enhanced through the yoga benefits of practices offered at Maui Yoga Path. 

Key Traits:

- Calmness and clarity.

- Selflessness and empathy.

- Inner joy and balance.

How to Cultivate:

- Diet: Eat fresh, natural, wholesome foods.

- Meditation: Practice mindfulness and meditation daily.

- Lifestyle: Engage in selfless service, gratitude, and positive actions.

- Yoga & Breathwork: Use yoga and pranayama, such as those taught in Iyengar Yoga classes, to balance mind and body.

- Environment: Maintain a clean, peaceful space and surround yourself with uplifting influences.

A Sattvic mind promotes inner peace and spiritual growth.

The five elements refer to the fundamental building blocks of nature found in many ancient traditions, including those explored in Iyengar Yoga classes. Here are the five elements in both Eastern and Western traditions, with a focus on the Indian (Ayurvedic/Yogic) system: 

In Indian Philosophy (Pancha Mahabhutas): 

Ākāśa (Ether/Space) – openness, expansion, and connection 

Vāyu (Air) – movement, breath, and lightness 

Agni (Fire) – transformation, digestion, and energy 

Āpas (Water) – flow, emotion, and cohesion 

Pṛthvī (Earth) – stability, structure, and grounding 

These elements form the basis of the body, mind, and universe in Ayurveda, Yoga, and many Indian spiritual sciences, highlighting the yoga benefits that come from understanding this interconnectedness. 

In Western Classical Philosophy: 

Earth – solid, stable 

Water – liquid, adaptable 

Air – gaseous, mobile 

Fire – heat, transformation 

Aether (or Spirit) – divine or cosmic substance 

Exploring these elements through practices like those offered by Maui Yoga Path can deepen our understanding of their significance.