Eka or Ek is Sanskrit for one. It also means single, solitary, oneness, and means neutral gender and the noun means unity.
As we start another new year I like to take my yoga practice and my teaching back to the beginning. Astanga yoga is a set sequence where each pose and breath is counted. The physical practice all starts with Ekam, which is the first movement in the first sun salutation, (Surya Namaskar A), as you lift your arms up and look to the thumbs.
The action of Ekam (as I've been looking at this week) is key to the practice. It sets our tone, intention, concentration and can be physically really quite hard if practiced with integrity. How you set the first move up is so important. The rest will follow. Here's a beautiful tutorial of Surya Namaskar from the Purple Valley Yoga Centre in Goa by Leilah Devi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjnUIMRvkts
But I feel there's even more to it than this. The first step or the first stage in anything is often the hardest. Maybe if you've not been to a class for a while and are feel a bit daunted by the prospect, this first step is most definitely the hardest. BUT once you've made the decision and physically done it - the rest will feel easier.
In January lots of people want to take up something new, re-start or even give up something. I too have encouraged people to try 'yogaeverydamnday' online with me as a January challenge, which I feel is more positive than giving things up, in what can be a rather difficult, cold, dark, month.
Susie Dent wrote in the 'i' on Monday about January, 'taking it's name from Janus, god of beginnings and keeper of doors and gateways, depicted in art with two faces: one that looks back and one facing forward.'
In her article 'Some hopeful words to live by in the year ahead', I aspire to be more 'feckful'. Dent says 'to be full of feck is to be powerful, efficient and vigorous'. How great is that! Another word I love too is 'respair', which she describes as 'fresh hope and a recovery from despair'. I'm sure we can all hold on to a bit of that too.
Here's the thing though, yoga isn't meant just for January and whilst it's good to start something with new intention, like Ekam it's that first breath, the first step, the first action. Something we can do 'everydamnday'.
Being more aware of Ekam, treating each day with a fresh approach is a mantra I hold close. It's about being more mindful, present and appreciating the simple things. I've mentioned the concept of 'Slow Living' before. (See previous blog). Yoga really helps support this. Infact, Yoga translates as yoking or unity, similar to Ekam.
The word Eka or Ekam are born from a different ancient tradition, but one, oneness, unity, solitary, neutral gender are most definitely universal.
Namaste
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