I published the below posts recently on Instagram. My “yoga life considerations” often find their way into a blog, become part of a class theme, get incorporated into a workshop manual, or go towards my new teachers training course. Main thing for me is how writing notes help me understand asana and other practices. The grand yoga goal of self-realisation is always a process of everyday self-eqnuiry into everyday yoga practices. There are no shortcuts.

Another sunrise at my studio. I published this post yesterday morning on Facebook this time after my personal early morning practice. I often type up a my “yoga life considerations” as kind of “artists way” diary: “Yoga does not deny the intellect or animal aspects of being. It was formalised to “yoke” or harness all aspects of being human – body, mind and spirit, broadly speaking. Intellectualising, exercising or spiritualising, or having any one of those examples dominating any facet of being, or denying any part of the whole is incomplete. Incompleteness is a dangerous situation, it is unpractical and unfulfilling. Human nature is not even, in the sense of “always calm”, or any such “same-ness”. The ups and downs are part of the same whole, and like planetary nature with all its aspects the highs and lows are part of a system. For the system to be in balance there has to be harmonious flow for all its elements. The wind does not dominate the planet. Nor does water, or any other aspect of the system, seek power over another part. The human bodymind likewise requires holistic balance to be healthy, therefore it must seek thoughtful and mindful synergy of its physical, spiritual, social and myriad other dimensions. This includes surrender of ego and self will. When thus in tune with its bigger heritage of magnificent being it is on the path towards realising itself.” #yogalife #yogaunion #veda #hathayoga #holistic

A post shared by Johann Kotze Music & Yoga (@johannkotzemusicandyoga) on Nov 25, 2017 at 8:24pm PST

In some forms of yoga there is deep enquiry into the nature of “yoga”. Who is doing the yoga? What are the ones that are not doing yoga doing? This reminds me of a rich time in my life when I started my current yoga life path. I was on the island of Crete, practicing yoga at sunrise. At noon l hung around the small village nearby observing the old men in the cafes, sitting on rickety chairs, talking, drinking wine and coffee, breaking bread and eating olives and tomatoes. #yogalife #om #yogalesson #satsang

A post shared by Johann Kotze Music & Yoga (@johannkotzemusicandyoga) on Nov 27, 2017 at 9:05pm PST

As a yoga teacher I often sit in various cross legged positions. And not only in classes. Yoga alters perception of who and what we are. Constant, mindful practice wears away the modifications that limit and jade our innate magnificence. Without a powerful technique of self-enquiry we fall victim to who we are not. Our illusions become reality. Yoga helps develop the will and skill to lift the veil of self will and surrender to divine will. #yogalife #satsang #yogi #meditation #easypose

A post shared by Johann Kotze Music & Yoga (@johannkotzemusicandyoga) on Nov 29, 2017 at 12:33am PST

Yours in yoga,
and music
Johann
3 December 2017

ॐ

Vigorous asana practice invigorate. Deep breathing during, and pranayama after, more than doubles the vitality. The resulting Prana flow to the body-brain intelligence is remarkable. Stillness and inner power is then placed at the center of whatever follows… meditation, or doing things that require doing. #asana #beachyogi #capetown #muizenberg #pranaflow

A post shared by Johann Kotze Music & Yoga (@johannkotzemusicandyoga) on Nov 29, 2017 at 10:45pm PST

P.s. The last note in my text very much refers to the choice of how to apply the energy generated by physical yoga practice, to be mindful to save some of this vitality for self-enquiry. After all a main purpose of “doing yoga” is to generate dynamic energy to undo all the doing that keeps one trapped in spinning wheel mode!

Yours in yoga,
and music
Johann
30 November 2017

ॐ