Yoga Sutra 2.54 Pratyahara, inner sensitivity
Change the focal point for your senses from external to internal.
Charge your senses with the power of awareness. Curiosity about the myriad sensations making up your inner life provides the motivation and drive to embark on this inward journey. Where do these subtler experiences lead you?
Yoga Sutra 2.53 Mind fit for concentration
Once you choose a point of focus can you stay with it?
Can you neutralize arising distractions?
If you are noticing a calmer and more focused mind, how does it influence your outlook, perspective, choices, and interactions?
Is your ability to focus influenced by choosing a meaningful focal point?
Yoga Sutra 2.52 Brighter inner light
Is your pranayama practice helping you align with your awareness?
If you practice conscious and easeful breathing every morning or every night, what do you notice? What are the effects of your lifestyle and activities on the quality of your breath?
Are you developing greater sensitivity to your own vital energy?
Yoga Sutra 2.51 Breath beyond regulation
Deep connection with the subtleties of breath and vital energy
What happens to your breath when your mind is absorbed in something fascinating? What happens when you try to lengthen your breath with consistency? What happens when you shorten your breathing to its minimum level?
Yoga Sutra 2.50 Systematic long and subtle breathing
Observe your breath according to location, duration and count.
What is the duration of your natural, involuntary inhalation?
How does it compare to the duration of your natural exhalation?
Is there a brief pause during the transitions between exhalation and inhalation?
Can you direct your breath to move the lower torso, mid torso and upper torso?
Yoga Sutra 2.49 Pranayama: Breath regulation
Pranayama enhances sensitivity and reduces inefficiencies
What is your level of awareness of your respiratory system?
What moves in your body when you breathe? Do you hold your breath involuntarily?
What are the connections between breath, activity, mind and emotions?
Yoga Sutra 2.48 Beyond dualities
How do you feel after your asana practice?
What are the dualities that influence your understanding?
To what extent are I and not I useful categories for enhancing the quality of your life? What is the relationship between dualities and preferences in your life?
Yoga Sutra 2.47 Releasing struggle and endless integration
Are struggles and distractions sources of inefficiencies?
What are the sources of your struggles when you practice asana? Are your struggles a symptom of your assumptions and expectations? What is your relationship to time in your practice?
Can your asana and vinyasa practice be a timeless abiding in contemplative presence?
Yoga Sutra 2.46 Steady and joyful posture
Asana is living in knowledge and meditation, empty of distractions, free of likes and dislikes.
Asana is striking a balance between steadiness and joy. Is there any strain, struggle or self-judgement in your physical yoga practice? How do you ensure that you are balancing your strength, flexibility, and relaxation?
