The 13 obstacles of Yoga

The path of yoga can be long and hard, full of obstacles, traps and detours. Luckily, Yoga Philosophy offers a roadside assistance program to help you when you get stuck. The wise yogis of antiquity who have already traveled this path have left us a solution guide called "The 13 obstacles of Yoga". 1.Vyadhi Illness, physical or mental. It is difficult to do yoga if you are physically ill. Therefore, it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle for the prevention of disease and the promotion of optimal health. 2.Styana Apathy, disinclination towards kartavya or duty. By procrastinating, we avoid our practice and create excuses for not being on track and getting the job done right. 3.Sanshaya Doubt our abilities or the result of yoga. We can only come to know reality when we are free from doubt. It is important to cultivate faith in oneself, as well as the path of yoga. 4.Pramada Negligence, carelessness, lack of persistence. Approaching yoga without the necessary care, respect and devotion will possibly create erratic and negative results. 5.Alasya Laziness, inertia of the mind or body due to the domination of the tamasic element. Yoga requires discipline, zeal and tapas (will power) to succeed on its path. Laziness prevents us from reaching our full potential. 6.Avirati Indulgence, attachment to pleasant things. We have to learn to let go of the objects of desire if we want to advance in yoga. 7. Bhrantidarsha False vision, premature sense of security. The development of a misconception about the practice of yoga and its results can not only be one of the drivers that lead us away from the path of yoga, but also create harm and disappointment. 8. Alabdha-bhumikatva The non-realization of the next stage of yoga. This happens due to faulty or poor practice and creates a feeling of being stuck in it and leads to discouragement. 9. Anawasthitatwa The instability, the non-permanence of a yogic achievement or stage. Not being able to maintain a stage reached within the practice can be a real disappointment. Again, this may be the result of faulty or poor practice. When any of these main obstacles are encountered, four small obstacles may appear according to the circumstances: 1.Duhkha The pain or sadness. 2. Daurmanasya Depression, pain caused by failure to fulfill desires. 3. Angamejayatwa The trembling of the parts of the body. 4. Shvâsa-prashvâsa Disturbances in kumbhaka or breath holding, causing the irregular pattern of breathing that comes with mental agitation. We have to be able to remove all these obstacles from our will to be successful in yoga. They can appear at any time, and if they are not conquered in their first appearance, they will most likely return until we learn to overcome them. The key to removing each and every one of the above obstacles is the cultivation of unified mind. Take these points into account and see which of them may be harming your practice, learn to cultivate your mind to obtain the greatest possible benefit from it. Namaste, Nina