Ricky Tran Yoga
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The 4 Attitudes of a Yogi

Patanjali Yoga Sutra 1.33
maitri karuna mudito 'pekshanam sukha dukha punya apunya vishayanam bhavanatas chitta prasadanam

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According to the Great Rishi Patanjali, there is more than way to reach the state of yoga.  In other words, one does not have to practice asana, pranayama and meditate to achieve the state of yoga, which is a peaceful mind.  In sutra 1.33, Patanjali prescribes four (4) attitudes to be cultivated toward four (4) distinct objects (people).  When these four attitudes are cultivated toward 4 distinct objects over time, one's mind will automatically become clear and lucid.

These four attitudes are:
  1. Friendliness
  2. Compassion
  3. Delight or Appreciation
  4. Indifference / Equanimity

The four objects (people) are:
  1. Those who are in their agreeable space.  People who are content or happy.
  2. Those who are not in their agreeable space.  People who are unhappy or suffering. Opposite of the 1st type.
  3. Virtuous people.  People that do good things in this world.  People who are living their dharma.
  4. People of vice.  People who do things deemed wicked by society.  Opposite of the 3rd type.

Explanation:

By cultivating an attitude of friendliness toward people who are happy, you become like these people.  Surround yourself with those who have what they want and want what they have and you will soon find peace of mind.  It is said we become who we hang around.  

By cultivating an attitude of compassion toward those who suffer, you will soon find peace of mind.  You don't want to have joy or delight when you see someone suffer.  Likewise, you wouldn't want to have compassion for those who are happy and content.

By cultivating an attitude of delight or appreciation toward people who make this world a better place, you will find peace of mind.  When you see someone do something good, like return a lost wallet, you should have delight and appreciation.  If you are a yoga teacher and you see another yoga teacher do well, you should cultivate the feeling that you get when your own child/student does well.  This is mudita. When you see someone help an elderly or disabled person across a busy street, you should have an attitude of appreciation.  When this attitude is cultivated toward these types of people, you will soon have peace of mind.

By cultivating an attitude of indifference toward those who do bad things, your mind will become clear and lucid.  If you surround yourself with people of vice, you soon will become a person of vice.  If you hang out with thieves, you too will soon be a thief.  According to Patanjali, one should not have an attraction or even an aversion toward this type.  If you become unaffected by these individuals, you will soon find peace of mind.

~Ricky Tran, circa 2010


To whom I lend loving credit.

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Srivatsa Ramaswami, one-on-one student of T Krishnamacharya for 33 years. He is the teacher whom I have learned the most about yoga. He's taught me Krishnamacharya's Vinyasa Krama (asana, vinyasa, pranayama), direct translation of ancient texts, e.g. Yoga Sutra, Bhagavad Gita, Samkhya Karika, just to name a few. I have learned a tremendous amount of Sanskrit through this master's blessings.
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Original Ashtanga Yogis David Swenson, David Williams, (Ricky Tran) and Danny Paradise @Ashtanga Mela 2010. These first generation Ashtangis showed me by example how one can continue to practice yoga for the rest of your life.
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The Amazing Kumar Pallana, actor, performer, comedian, yogi, taught me that no matter the age of the student, everyone must be taught to laugh and breathe.
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Sri Dharma Mitra, circa 2009 taught me about ahimsa and devotion. The master reminds us that the goal of yoga is Self-Realization. He is as his name implies, a friend to all.
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Inspired by Bryan Kest Power Yoga, through Suze Curtis, my first yoga teacher. Learn to be comfortable when uncomfortable. Listen. Respond vs. React.
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“Before you've practiced, the theory is useless. After you've practiced, the theory is obvious.” David Williams

Copyright Ricky Tran Yoga
​Krama Yoga Center, Inc.
 © 2008-2024. All Rights Reserved.
  • Home
    • Bio
    • Testimonials
    • My lineage
    • Gallery
    • Refund Policy
  • Private Lessons
  • Postures
    • 77 Surprising Health Benefits of Yoga
    • Online 30 Days FREE
    • New Students
    • 2023 Continuing Education
  • Beyond Poses
    • Yoga Sutra Book Club 2023 >
      • 2023 Yoga Sutra Book Club
    • Complete Yoga Sutra Lecture
    • Suggested Reading
    • Intro to Sanskrit for Yoga
    • Patanjali
    • 4 Attitudes
    • Quotes
    • Chant
    • Bandhas
    • 3 Gunas
    • My Father's Yoga by Desikachar
    • Yoga Makaranda
    • Bhagavad Gita
    • Ramaswami Chants
  • Booking
  • Insurance
  • Grounding