The Gunas!

Today I want to talk about something cool in yoga: The Gunas! 

In yoga there are 3 energies that govern anything happening on the physical plane. The Gunas could be present in personalities, in the way we live our lives, in the way nature happens around us and in the way we approach our yoga practice. 

The 3 Gunas are Rajas, Tamas, and Sattva.

Rajas: (or Rajasic Energy) is the forward-backward movement. I like to picture the rowing motion that rowers do to get their boats across the water. Forward, backward, forward, backward. Rajas movement is intense and can sometimes be exhausting. Traffic jams are an example of Rajas presenting itself in our surroundings. Another example is when a rain storm turns into a hail storm. There are people who have Rajasic personalities. (I bet you know someone like that, someone who is intense, willful and maybe even manipulative.I do and I'm exhausted thinking about them.)  

A Rajasic yoga pose would be Virabhadrasana I (Warrior I Pose). The rajas comes into play with the front leg and the back leg pushing simultaneously into the ground. This creates the forward, backward energy flow throughout your body. The forward, backward energy flow that comes in this pose can be invigorating and empowering and that may be why I enjoy this pose so much. 

Tamas: (or Tamasic Energy) is the upward-downward movement. This movement is strong, deep and internally focused. I like to picture a tree with its roots beneath it and its top reaching to the sky in one, continuous line. The bandhas are an example of Tamas in yoga. (You are sealing and lengthening upward.) Some negative examples of Tamas in emotions are fear, slothfulness, and inattentiveness. Tamas is present in someone when they are resistant to try a yoga posture because of fear, or uncertainty. (We've all been there.) 

A Tamasic yoga pose would be Vrksasana (Tree Pose). Another Tamasic yoga pose would be Tadasana (Mountain Pose). These poses are similar in that there is energy going downward and upward, creating the long line. You feel this in these poses when the crown of your head lifts as you plant through the balls of your feet. 

Sattva: (or Sattvic Energy) is the side to side movement. Rajas and Tamas both are high energy Gunas. Sattva, is the balanced Guna. The energy of Sattva is peaceful, delicate and graceful. I like to picture waves in the ocean moving from one side to the other in a constant, peaceful way. Sattvic energy is pure-minded with neither judgement nor self-awareness. In a good Savasana Sattva will come into you. If a person has a Sattvic personality they are a calming influence, living in harmony with who they are what they believe. Sattvic people tend to bring peace into other's lives.

A Sattvic yoga pose would be Prasarita Padottanasana (Straddle Forward Fold Pose). This pose involves the side to side energy with the straddled legs and can bring the Sattvic peace in the forward fold. I particularly love this pose for that reason. If I am feeling insecure or full of self-doubt, I go into Prasarita and as I push outward through my legs I feel calm wash over me. I suddenly don't feel scared or worried anymore, I feel peace in the moment. That is Sattva working in me. 

The 3 Gunas can be used all throughout your yoga practice. There are poses that primarily use specific Gunas, but each pose will have an aspect of all 3 of the Gunas. If you understand the energy flow through you while you are in a pose, I think you will better feel the pose. The pose will begin to feel more natural and you'll be able to deepen into the pose. 

Have a great week

Namaste'

-Camille

I received my yoga (& Guna) knowledge from Bodhi yoga. www.gobodhiyoga.com