Desha Bandhashchittasya Dharana

When the body has been strengthened by asana (physical practice), the mind strengthened by pranayama (breathing practice), and the senses strengthened by pratyahara (withdrawal from wrong impressions, opened to right impressions), one can then become fully able to direct the mind toward a chosen object or subject despite the distractions of other alternatives. One cannot concentrate if we are affected by distractions, misapprehensions, fears, etc.

When attempting to establish a home yoga practice, learning to concentrate during practice may be difficult - ringing phones, crying children, a noisy neighborhood all contribute to the challenges which interrupt the flow of asana and breath. Strategies for overcoming these obstacles can include: turning the phone ringer off, creating a separate room for your practice with a door you can close and establishing a specific time for practice which is off-limits for family to interrupt you unless it is an absolute emergency (the house better be on fire!). You could play a calming CD of Tibetan bells and chimes to create an atmosphere within the room conducive to practice. Even if you only begin with 10 or 15 minutes per day, this time will become a precious haven which will spill over into your daily life. You will look forward to your quiet time as a mini vacation, and it will become longer and more restorative.

One day, your practice will bear the fruit of concentration and you will be fully engrossed in your task. You will begin to apply these principles to everything that you do, on and off the mat. Yoga means union, after all.

Daaina, and so it is.