Stable body, stable mind

Hi, James! Thanks for that very clearly expressed introduction to the mind as perceived in yoga/Buddhist traditions. Have you read Edwin F. Bryant's "Yoga Sutras of Patanjali"? or Mircea Eliade's "Yoga: Immortality and Freedom"? Both books of course describe the different aspects of Pakriti, and how they relate to Purusa; Bryant includes a detailed diagram, which I gradually came to understand, after much reading. Your diagram helped solidify my understanding of the overall concepts. I'll do the physical practice tomorrow!

Great presentation! I am participating in a summit "The Mindfullness Summit", and your presentation of the mind was spot on. It put everything I've listened to over the past 18 days into perspective. Well done!

I am so grateful that there is this kind of practice incorporated in Ekhart yoga, such an important aspect of yoga. At least it is for me, it is great to be able to focus on other things than just the mere physical practice. The actual place (somewhere between the eyebrows but further back) of this aspect of "being behind the screen" was interesting. Thank you James for bringing us your teachings.

Thank you James (and Esther) for this wonderful class. It was quite a challenge for me to experience the 1-1 ratio breathing. I am confortable with the 1-2 as I feel that it deepens my breath and allows a fuller inbreath as the outbreath is longer. I stayed focused on that 1-1 ration, at times feeling it constricted my breathing in my chest, and at times feeling it was teaching the body new things. The meditation was a bliss. I could feel my nostrils "walls" widening and expanding...as if my skull was going to open (but in a very nice way). Thank you Namaste.

Dear James, thank you very much for this class! During the class I had the feeling that it does not work for me and I felt some frustration arising and it was not easy to imagine any existance of dicriminating wisdom. But during the brigde pose suddenly something shifted and I had the amazing feeling of beeing the witness of this movement happening without any effort at. And it had a very special peaceful quality. The meditation at the end also helped to bring a lot of peace and quietfulness to my mind. Thank you very much for the advice you gave me answering my last comment. I have been focusing on my pelvis and found it to be very helpful with the inbreath in a seated pose. Unfortunately I get the feeling of enhancing my inbreath but at the same time I feeld unable to let go of the breath with the outbreath, bloating myself up. Somehow my upper abdomen feels like a shield in Tadasana unable to move or make space. In any other posture I don´t have this problem at all. Maybe I should try to take a step away from this problem because the more I focus on it the tighter I get. Even though it feels as if I cannot breathe at all, I never suffocated even when I held the poses for a long time... I really, really enjoyed the class on the chakras and will definately repeat it. It felt so healing. I looking forward to the next class with you. Thank you for all your guidance and advice!

Wonderful, it helped me to just be with what is...thank you. I will do the whole programme, was not aware of it...

Really terrific class James. I struggled with the sama breath, noticing how I expected to be able to do the same length for each posture and discovering that I need to let that go and explore the breath anew in each posture, some postures the breath being shorter (but equal) and others the breath being longer. Really, really love the series. Thanks James, with love.

Thank you James. There is a lot of work for me. My mind is in utter conflict at the moment and becoming quiet is quite a challenge. I had to let go of counting the breath since it made me anxious and after that it was a little bit easier to find calmness. A lot of frustration comes up because of my inability to come to stillness in my mind. I already have (or rather had) a meditation practice which got lost in the end of the year madness (long work hours), and now I have to start at the beginning again. In a way I look forward to it and in another fear comes in to tell me I won't find it again. These classes you present is a great tool for me to remind myself of this. It is so easy to get lost in day to day pettiness and survival.

Thank you James for the clear down to earth presentation and the practical approach. In the meditation I just saw what's happening without wanting to take action. Feel clear and peaceful.

As I put my hands to my heart I started crying. I don't know why. This program is really doing something to and for me. Yet I can't give it words. It is overwhelming and so good. I'm very grateful for being introduced to this. Thank you ever so much. Have a lovely Monday every one.

Absolutely beautiful practice

Your classes are a great inspiration for the classes I teach myself. You have such a clear way of explaining the concept of the kosha's! Thank you for these classes!

Dear James, enjoying your classes very much. One of the more recent classes you have shared a beautiful poem with us. If my recollection of it is right it is called "one" . I would really do this class again but unfortunately don't seem able to find which class it was. Thanks, warmest! Derek

it's rare to find a teacher who so embodies their teachings...but you do. Thank you James for being true to yourself and all of us, in so doing. You are inspiring and I loved this measured, reflective practice xxx

Thank you for all you offer here, and for this series that is like coming to a gold mine! I appreciate the way you first offer a written diagram with explanation, then bring things together with the physical practice. It was so helpful to visualize today's diagram (a snapshot worth a thousand words) while simultaneously letting it all go during the practice . Heartfelt thanks.

beautiful practice, thankyou James.