Hello October

When the summer heat gives way to fall coolness, it’s a good time to start stoking that inner fire. Historical records and many ancient stories remind us of the important role fire played in the advancement of humankind. In yoga, fire (agni in Sanskrit) is one of the five natural elements, along with water, earth, air, and ether. These elements are not only in the world around us, they are qualities to consider in our practice of yoga and in our lives. 

Fire evokes heat, burning, the sun, transformation, destruction, passion, drive. Both literally and metaphorically, fire represents a form of energy that can create, transform, and move us forward.

In your physical practice, you can generate heat by doing a vigorous practice: linking poses together in a flowing sequence or doing poses that require strength. Movement on the mat or in your day brings about a fire that generates energy and helps transform your mindset.

This is fire created by movement, yet there exists a deeper energy, a passion or inner drive, that pushes one to act. Where does this originate and how do we access it? The Yoga Sutras suggest that this spark already exists within us; open-mindedness will ignite it and consistent practice will keep it burning.  

Thus, yoga (translated as yoking of mind/body, body/breath) is both the means to find our passion and the means to sustain it. It is up to us to tend the fire so that it continues to burn.