OM

I hope 2025 is up to a good start for all of you. We spent about 2 months focused on strength at the end of last year. Now we will start the year focusing on expansion. In the physical practice of yoga strength is considered a contraction. Muscle fibers slide one on top of the other to create more cohesiveness and a sense of feeling more solid in the body. If we just do this our practice becomes very rigid and static. So we must bring a complementing action to strength which is expansion or extension. 

From a philosophical point of view "OM" represents a radical view of reality because this syllable is said to contain everything within it. It is the most expanded thing. "OM" is translated as "yes" by one of the sanskrit scholars that I follow. "OM" is a yes to the totality of existence in which absolutely nothing is excluded. "OM" is complete. Nothing can be added or taken away from it to make it more or less. 

As we explore the theme of expansion this week in our yoga practice, we will also learn a way to sing OM with a more focused awareness.

I look forward to seeing you in class

Blessings

Jorge NIhāl