Aparigraha.

Last night, I attended a yoga practice run by a close friend, Anna Jansen. Anna introduced to us a concept of ‘aparigraha’ as the focus for the practice.

Aparigraha is a concept that describes ‘non-attachment’ or ‘non-greed’.

It teaches us to be present in the moment, to let go of things that are no longer serving us. It teaches us to let go when the time is right.

‘Let your concern be with action alone, and never with the fruits of action. Do not let the results of action be your motive, and do not be attached to inaction’.

On the yoga mat, aparigraha gives us freedom to explore the present. We allow space for ourselves to explore what is serving us in that moment (i.e. our breath, movement, stillness) and what is hindering us (i.e. monkey mind, expectations, worry or stress). When we let go of things that aren’t helping us, we can set our intention and we can connect with ourselves more deeply.

This is a practice that transcends the mat and can be brought into our daily lives.

It could be an attachment to an outcome. Or to a relationship. Or to a sense of concern or worry about our own self-worth. Or simply an attachment to material things. If we make space from these things, we give ourselves so much more capacity for other, more meaningful things.

What are you holding on to that doesn’t serve you?