I was not aware that the YTT at Yoga Mandala places such emphasis on Sanskrit. Imagine my
utter shock at being told to memorise them. Through rote learning and pure memorizing, I’ve
somewhat managed to scrape through though I could manage a lot better. However, what
struck me through this mundane process of strict memorizing, was the beauty in the simplicity of
the language itself.
Imagine, “Kapalabhati” was meant to mean skull-shining breath which sounds cute but there is
more to it than being cute. Its richer in meaning than the name suggest. The purpose of the
breath is to bring such rapid energizing stimulus to the sympathetic nervous system, and hence
the name.
Then there is the word “Asana”. Meant to mean as an easy comfortable pose, all the asanas are
seldom easy and comfortable. Ironic? I do not think so, rather, I feel we are supposed to
harness our bodies’ prana and unlock the potential energy within such that these poses
eventually become easy and comfortable.
There is such richness to this sacred and ancient language that I feel studying it is critical in
feeling a deeper connection to the roots of yoga which itself originated from this ancient
language. Also, studying this ancient language will at least ensure some form of continued
propagation of this sacred language which is already getting lost on people today and this is an
enormous pity.
I have learnt so little Sanskrit but have amassed such admiration for it and its role in yoga, and
this is just the tip of the ice berg. Imagine how much more I could uncover if I were to delve
deeper in this language in my yoga practice.
Sophia
July’19 Weekend YTT
