Christmas Eve Yoga - Giving and Receiving

When the mind is free from personal interest, we do our work well, and feel joy. Our lives become meaningful. If our minds are free from selfishness and there is sacrifice in everyone’s lives, the very world becomes a heaven, an abode of peace and bliss. Everything in this life gives. Sacrifice is the law of life. That is why we admire and adore people who have given their lives for the sake of humanity.

~The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali/Translation and Commentary
by Sri Swami Satchidananda; pgs 26-27

That is why at Christmas, we celebrate the life of Jesus, why we admire his example of selflessness. His whole life was spent in the process of giving and sacrifice. It is because of his living example that he is still loved and has many followers. Many spiritual leaders, no matter their religious ties, regard him as a wonderful example, teacher, divine being, and many, even God himself.

Christ did not give in order to receive. His followers gave him adoration, love, and respect because he freely gave to them. They felt his genuine love and concern for them. Giving and Receiving is the natural order of things.

"For it is in giving that we receive."
-St. Francis of Assisi-



Vinyasa Yoga is an example of giving and receiving. It is a constant flow and dance with the breath; a gentle giving and receiving between opposing forces: the inhale and the exhale.

In the process of this dance with the breath, the body becomes free, when the body is free, the mind can be still, and when the mind can be still meditation comes spontaneously. Without ease and freedom in the body, the mind cannot be still. When there is discomfort and suffering in the body, there is discomfort and suffering in the mind. The Body and Mind do not exist separately; they are one.


In Vinyasa Yoga, when we listen to the sound of the breath, and move with that rhythm, meditation comes freely. The breath brings Vinyasa Yoga its meditative quality; a meditation in motion. The use of the mantra "OM", as the breath sound, can increase this meditative quality.

Inhale the sound 'aahh' with the intention of taking in what you need. Receive the gift of the breath. Let the inhale bring you strength, hug you to your center, fill you with energy.

Exhale the sound 'mmmm' with the intention to give, reach from your center, and really feel the sensation of giving back to the universe.

As you allow yourself to move with this intention, this mantra, this breath, you will find new places to release in each posture. Then moving becomes strong and easy(sukha stira), free, meditative, joyful.


Vinyasa Yoga, like life, is the constant movement from center, then readjusting to come back to center. This movement with breath allows us to feel deeper, more intrinsic sensations. We naturally begin to explore deeper, constantly finding new sensations and places for our inquiry.

Through dedication to our practice, we learn how to be strong yet at ease. We learn to use muscular energy to hold strong to our center and organic energy to move out from our center. With practice we learn about our tendencies, and how to bring balance them. When we learn to bring balance to ourselves in our Yoga Practice, we can then transfer this knowledge out into our lives. We learn to move out into life with strength and ease, and better able to share our whole “Self.”


Vinyasa Yoga is an example of giving and receiving. It is a constant flow and dance with the breath; a gentle giving and receiving between opposing forces: the inhale and the exhale.