Samskaras

Samskaras

In yoga, we learn to identify what we call samskaras or the groves in our mind. Samskaras are the patterns that we develop from an experience or repeated experiences that had either positive or negative effects on us. These patterns can become beliefs and these beliefs can make decisions for us. That can be good or bad. Some beliefs serve us well, others can be knee jerk reactions and not so good. What gets us into trouble is when the unconscious belief makes a decision that is really counter productive to our best self. We begin making these samskaras when we are very little, some of them can come from the influence from our parents and then later friends. Most of the time we are completely unaware of these patterns. Some are small, like ordering macaroni and cheese a lot because it made you feel good when you had it as a kid. It might be your ‘go to’ dish, even when there are other options that might be better for your health. Some are big, like racism. But whatever they are, we should know about them if they are going to make decisions for us. We need to know how they affect our lives, how they hold us back or help us out.
And yes, yoga helps us identify them. We begin with just the ones that happen on our mats and progress on to the biggies that can change our lives. “Wow, I didn’t even know I did that!” or “Wow, that’s so cool how you do that!” We always start exactly where we are and move along the path. And we do this ourselves. That’s’ what makes the process so powerful, so special and so empowering.
So start asking yourself: why do I believe that? Why do I do that? The science of yoga has some very cool ways to help you change the samskaras that need changing and use the ones that are helpful to you. We want to make it the best it can be.
Namasté,

René

Owner and Yoga Therapist, Yoga Madre