Whether you’re anxious, agitated, angry, calm, introspective, productive, happy or grateful, you’re under the influence of the Gunas. The Gunas are three energetic qualities that impact how we interact with the world and our own internal landscapes. There are many subtle body concepts in Yoga on which we can focus and the Gunas are among the most accessible energetic systems on which we rely. They are Rajas, Tamas, and Sattva. The Gunas are present in all that we experience and are present in us prior to our entrance onto this plane.
Rajas often gets a bad rep as being the quality of aggression or narcissism and it is also the quality of volition, power, dynamism, productivity. It is forward facing and is associated with the front body. It is Rajas that helps us to get out of bed in the morning, accomplish what needs doing and approach that cute person over there who interests us. A Rajasic imbalance though can render us aggressive, overly giving, irritable, selfish.
Tamas also gets maligned as the quality of inertia, lethargy and passivity and it is also it is the seat of what is to be realized. What begins as inert is in a state of becoming. Tamas is associated with the back body. It is Tamas that lets us know that we need to recharge, that energy needs to be stored for a big challenge, or that we’ve become complacent and need inspiration. A Tamasic imbalance can cause us to become depressed, be overcome by fear, and feel profoundly heavy or sad.
Revered is the Sattvic state, a balanced and homeostatic state of pure consciousness. Sattva is neither Rajasic nor Tamasic, but is a state of flow and connection. While Sattva is sought after, an imbalance within any of the gunas is destabilizing, and our ebb and flow between them is natural. None of these qualities can exist without the other and just like happiness and sadness, anger and forgiveness, sweetness and bitterness, cacophony and silence, we cannot know one without knowing the others.
As one might imagine, these are the basics and the descriptions above are meant as a primer to what is possible.
Preparing to Retreat
Join Primula/Cerebri for a Sattva and Sankalpa weekend in the Catskills January 30-February 2, 2025
AKERA retreat center, Woodbourne, New York
While the idea of the new year is one of human construct, the rotations of the sun and seasons on which our calendars are based are natural constants. Harness the restorative power of winter to prepare for spring’s awakening with this weekend retreat. We will together honor the energetic quality of Sattva or balance and the promise of Sankalpa, structuring personal affirmations for achieving your potential.
What you can expect:
- Twice daily yoga practices incorporating yoga Nidra, directed slow flow, restorative asana and meditation
- All meals – 3 plant based breakfasts, 2 plant based lunches, 3 plant based dinners
- Cozy accommodations
- A silent space for contemplation
- Time and space to explore your own creativity
- Available massage
- Focused exploration of yoga’s philosophy surrounding limiting beliefs, the gunas and energy bodies
- Personal time for reflection or whatever you want
- A sound healing experience
- Unlimited access to a two hot tubs and a sauna
- A beautiful, natural environment to be enjoyed as the weather permits
A pre-registration waitlist is open. Please send me a message to reserve your spot. Early bird pricing and details regarding accommodations will be follow shortly.
