We are about one month into this year's Yoga Immersion and Teacher Training. Our group is is off to a strong start. We are focused, enthusiastic about taking in new ideas, digesting them, and integrating them into our practice and lives.
These qualities, absorbing, digesting and integrating describe the Ayurvedic concept of agni. Agni is the digestive fire, the energy of transformation, and it influences both physical digestion of food, as well as the mental digestion of impressions, thoughts, ideas and experiences.
When embarking on a transformative journey of any sort, ensure that agni is functioning at it's peak. Whether it's earning a degree, traveling to a new part of the world, or starting a business, agni allows us to function at our physical and mental best. We feel physically strong and healthy. Impressions that enter through the eyes and ears will be transformed into new ideas and actions, or discarded if they don't serve us.
When agni is weak, we feel sluggish, heavy, bloated. Our appetite is poor, whether for food or for life. The metabolism is slow, and toxins are created in our systems.
When agni is strong, our digestion is regular. We utilize our food efficiently. We maintain our weight. We have balanced energy, less mood swings. We have quick understanding, feel mentally sharp, and in general, happy.
Even if you are not learning a new skill or navigating a change, remember life itself is a transformative journey. To be fully engaged and an active participant, healthy agni is vital. If you'd like to learn more about supporting this fire of transformation, read the latest Focus Yoga blog, Feeding the Fire of Transformation. This article outlines steps to take to keep agni burning bright. Click here to read.
