Embracing Aparigraha: Letting Go of Material and Mental Baggage for Greater Joy On and Off the Mat! July 26 2026
- rockbriarfarm
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
Last week I presented thoughts about being present. Not multi-tasking, thinking about the past, the future or making lists. Appreciating the here and now. Both on and off the mat.
I referred to the fifth Yama, Aparigraha, the ethical yogic principle of letting go or lack of possessiveness. This Yama encourages us to release both physical and mental clutter that weighs us down. I was thinking about how the clutter of one’s mind prevents us from being present, always planning, calculating thinking about the next best thing or some past affront. Worrying about something that we have no ability to control or even know if it will happen. Our minds, like our homes and closets, need cleaning out, a cleansing of sorts so that we leave space for living in the present.
This week I am going to suggest that we perhaps clean out one closet or
one drawer, donating or gifting things that we have in excess. Even more impactful could be giving away some things that we still love. Perhaps give your friend the earrings that she admired or give your last jar of homemade jam to your neighbor. Clearing physical clutter that helps you share joy selflessly is an even more powerful way to practice Aparigraha than just giving away your old clothes that you no longer wear. (That is good too!) Possibly even more significant is the release of heavy emotional baggage and clearing our monkey minds. While we cannot forget or set aside true issues, we can try to let go of the superfluous, the nonsense, nonproductive perseverating that serves no purpose. Instead, put effort into finding joy in simplicity, the present. By practicing Aparigraha we can consider how much is enough, distribute excess, and learn to attach less importance to both emotional and material items.
Our Practice - Practicing Aparigraha on the mat (as well as off)
As we contemplate practicing this Yama off the mat we can also consider how we practice it in class. First, stop comparing ourselves to others. Let go of looking at our neighbor and comparing or judging your own flexibility. Release goals of looking a specific way. Find what feels good in your body and don’t try to force your body into a shape to achieve your idea of how a pose “should” look. There is no should. Let go, soften your grip. Notice when you tense your mind, your jaw, your grip and choose to soften and relax. Remember, yoga is not a competition, there is a reason it is not in the Olympics!
This week while practicing let’s try to bring our focus inward. Remember our rule of practice, “maintain a sense of humor”; be generous and giving to yourself in praise of your efforts. Push yourself in your practice – not to do things that are injurious or painful, but to try new things without judgement or fear.
Meditating On Aparigraha ~ Decluttering Physically and Mentally
"The secret of happiness is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less." ~ Socrates
"Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." ~ William Morris
"Aparigraha means to take only what is necessary, and not to take advantage of a situation." ~ T.K.V. Desikachar
Nurturing With Food – Homemade Chai
I have spoken and referred to my home-made chai concentrate many times before. During the pandemic I worked on a recipe that I thought was pretty good, it is on my website. Students of mine who own a local coffee shop serve the most delicious homemade chai (shout out to Arabella's in Wakefield - yum!). Turns out our recipes are very similar. They taught me a tweak that truly deepens and enriches the flavor. After the simmer with spices and adding the tea bags, instead take out the tea bags but leave the spices overnight (or several hours if time constrained). This develops the richness and depth of the flavor. Let me know how it goes!
Namaste
See you on the mat!
Julia Anne
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