The Alchemy of Transformation

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga brings clarity of purpose for the evolution of the authentic Self. Through consistent self study, a vast field of knowledge is revealed.

Yoga clears the path for a physical & mental metamorphosis to occur. Yoga is like wiping a mirror clean so one can see the authentic self. The physical melt down of the practice brings one to an obvious place of satisfaction and wellbeing.

However, the more important task is transcendence of the ego in order to experience true union with the divine. The transformation that we all seek is to live in present moment with consciousness awareness & intelligence.

The ego is cluttered with thoughts of survival, self-centeredness, insecurity, desire & fear. Ego identification prevents any possibility of reaching a connection with the divine self. One must make a conscious choice to transcend ego attachment and meet the higher Self.

Through the practice of yoga, one seeks connection with that authentic part of our consciousness that is our own bliss & union, the experience of love.

What does it mean to have a spiritual purpose? Does it mean that one does not adorn oneself with clothes, jewels, homes, cars, friends? Does it mean that one stops lying to oneself & others? Or does it mean that we commit to a daily connection with the authentic self - that state of mind that is pure, innocent & connected to the invisible world.

I associate this state with that of an infant who dwells in innocence, in this abyss of love & peace. I believe that our spiritual purpose is our commitment to embrace our own true nature & to the highest expression of our gifts and talents.

This consciousness is that perfect spiritual practice is the choice we make to choose God centeredness vs. ego identification.

This consciousness is that perfect state of all knowing. It is the light-self liberation. Spiritual practice is the choice we make to choose God centeredness vs. ego identification.

We practice yoga in order live a spiritually rich life. This meaningful life is very possible to attain but the idea of what a spiritual life is has to change.

Our concept about life's mysteries, the benevolent & powerful force that surrounds us, has to change. We must learn to live in the question of that which we cannot see. Yoga is that which you can't see.

As the community of Ashtanga yoga practitioners expands in the west, it is our responsibility to honor & respect all expressions of work with this system. Our responsibility is to stay neutral & to accept all of the process that surrounds this

journey.

We must choose to respond from our authentic self as opposed to reacting from our ego. In other words, we must support one another in order live in integrity with the truth of what we are up to - union.

We are committed to a daily practice of looking up to the heavens & bowing down to the earth. Simply put, we inhale vitality and inspiration & exhale negativity & toxic energy. I believe that the Ashtanga Vinyasa practice is nothing more than reverence to the Divine.

For me, this life time is not about knowing, it's about learning. We are learning how to move, breathe & live as a community of seekers. Seeking the truth of who & what we are.

Larry Schultz