Understanding Ganesha: The Deity of Wisdom and Obstacles

Ganesha, also known as Ganapati, is recognized as a central figure in Hindu mythology, revered as the remover of obstacles, the patron of arts and sciences, and the god of wisdom and intellect. Identified by his elephant head, Ganesha is the son of Shiva and Parvati and is depicted with a potbelly and four hands holding his symbolic attributes—his broken tusk, an axe, a rope, and a sweet treat, modak. He is traditionally worshipped at the beginning of ventures such as business endeavors, ceremonies, and religious rituals, as it is believed that he ensures the clearing of potential obstacles, providing success and protection.

Symbol of Wisdom, Fresh Start and the Power to Overcome

In the realm of yoga, the significance of Ganesha extends to spiritual and practical dimensions. He embodies the removal of physical, mental, and spiritual obstacles, which are essential for a successful yoga practice.

The Ganesha Mudra, a specific hand gesture in yoga, is used to symbolize his strength and power and is employed to release stress and create emotional balance. This gesture involves clasping the fingers and palms in a manner that evokes Ganesha’s formidable power and benevolence, assisting practitioners in tapping into their inner resilience and wisdom.

Ganesha Mudra

Ganesha’s four arms hold tools that guide and inspire us:

• A Goad (a pointed stick) to nudge us forward on the right path.
• A Noose to capture and remove obstacles that block our progress.
• A Modak (a sweet treat), symbolizing the rewards of spiritual practice and the sweetness of life.
• A Broken tusk, which carries a meaningful story. Legend says that Ganesha broke his tusk to use it as a pen to write the great Hindu epic, the Mahabharata.

Even his vehicle, a tiny mouse, holds deep meaning. The mouse reminds us to stay humble and approach life with curiosity, showing that even the smallest creature can achieve great things. We are encouraged by Ganesha’s large ears to listen deeply—to others, to ourselves, and to the wisdom that arises when we are still and present.

Ganesha is held close to my heart because he encourages me to tap into my inner strength and embrace each challenge as a chance to start anew.

With his distinct and captivating features, Ganesha embodies profound symbolism. His elephant head represents our Highest Self and Supreme Consciousness, serving as a reminder of the wisdom we carry within. In contrast, his human body reflects maya—the illusion of the material world and its many distractions.

What I love most about Ganesha is how his energy resonates with me during my yoga practice. Invoking Ganesha reminds me that obstacles are not permanent—they are opportunities for growth and transformation. Through connection, breath, and movement, I discover new beginnings and fresh perspectives to navigate life’s challenges. Consider starting anew and waking up to yoga every morning.

Ganesha’s presence is a beautiful reminder that with patience, faith, and a willingness to adapt, the path ahead is always full of possibility and wisdom.

Watch me demonstrate a fun way to do the Elephant Pose!

For Further reading on Ganesha read my book The Daily Guide to the Yoga Sutras (pg. 160)

Discovering Sukha: The Sweetness and Contentment Within

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One way I try to nurture santosha in my life is by repeating a simple mantra when things get tough or when outside pressures start to seep in: “Nothing or nobody can bring me happiness. My happiness comes from within.” (read more on santosha in my book The Daily Guide to the Yoga Sutras.) Saying this brings me back to the truth that happiness is something I carry with me, like the steady nurturing of a mother’s gentle touch.

Finding Sukha in Our Yoga Practice

Sukha is also found in the context of asana, our physical yoga practice. In Yoga Sutra 2.46, Patanjali says sthira-sukham asanam, which translates to, “The postures should be steady and sweet.” For me, this means not pushing myself to the point where yoga feels like a struggle or competition. I used to think that to be a “good yogi” I needed to go deeper, stretch further, or hold longer. But in those moments when I strained, I lost that feeling of sukha, the gentle joy that should be part of the practice.

Now, I try to choose a practice that feels sustainable and nourishing. Sometimes it’s a restful, restorative class, and other times, it’s a flow that gets my heart moving but still feels joyful. I’m learning to recognize that I don’t have to prove anything on the mat—the real practice is about finding that balance between effort and ease or “effortless effort”.
The Lasting Sweetness of Sukha
By weaving sukha into both my inner outlook and my physical practice, I find a sweetness that lingers in my heart. It’s that quiet joy I can carry with me into everyday life—a reminder that happiness isn’t something I have to search for. It’s right here, in each gentle moment, as long as I allow it to be.

Breath into the sweetness within with this smile meditation by Tara Brach: Smile Guided Meditation

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In our fast-paced, goal-driven lives, it’s easy to lose sight of the simple joy of play. By coming back to our mats over and over again, there is a powerful concept that invites us to reconnect with our innate creativity and joy. This concept is known as Lila.

Lila, in Sanskrit, translates to “divine play.”  It is a reminder that life itself is an unfolding dance, a beautiful and spontaneous act of creation. The spirit of Lila encourages us to step back from our schedules, responsibilities, and goals and approach life with an open-hearted curiosity, much like a child would. By embracing Lila, we reconnect with the pure joy of living in the moment, free from judgment or expectation.

The Power of Play in Healing and Transformation

When was the last time you let yourself be truly playful? We often think of play as something reserved for children, yet we adults need play just as much—maybe even more so. Playfulness is a natural antidote to stress and the feeling of being “stuck.” When life starts to feel rigid or monotonous, Lila offers a way out. By inviting play into our lives, we shift our energy, sparking the creativity and resilience we need to move through challenges with grace.

In our yoga practice, this might mean exploring a pose with a sense of fun rather than striving for perfection, or it could be trying something new without the fear of “getting it wrong.” When we approach life and our practice with the energy of Lila, we allow ourselves to laugh, to stumble, and to experience life in its fullness.

Lila Awakens Our Creativity

Creativity is essential to personal growth and healing, but stress, worry, and self-doubt can block our creative energy. Lila reminds us to cultivate our creativity by letting go of the need for control. Just like a dancer loses themselves in the rhythm, Lila invites us to lose ourselves in the process, focusing not on the outcome but on the joy of self-expression. Remember Lee Ann Womak’s words of wisdom… “if you get the chance to sit it out or dance I hope you dance.”

By infusing our lives with Lila, we allow ourselves to take risks, try new things, and open up to the unexpected. This is the path to creative freedom—a path where we move from a place of flow and intuition rather than fixed expectations.

Practicing Lila: Bringing Playfulness to Everyday Life

Here are some simple ways to weave Lila into our daily routines and bring a  little more playfulness into our lives:

1. Dance Like No One’s Watching: Whether you’re home alone or surrounded by friends, put on your favorite song, close your eyes and let yourself dance freely. It’s a powerful release and a reminder that joy lives in movement. My teacher Prekash at Triguna Ashram in Rishikesh India would wake up every morning to a “dancing meditation”. See Triguna Yoga
2. Try Something New: Take a risk and allow yourself to get a little muddy!  Experiment with a new yoga pose, and do something that you would typically say “no” to.  Being open and spark your curiosity and playfulness.
3. Laugh and Let Go: Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself. Next time you stumble, literally or figuratively, try embracing it with a smile. Lila is about shedding perfectionism and embracing life’s imperfections with joy.
4. Schedule ‘Play’ Time: This might sound counterintuitive, but in a busy world, intentionally setting aside time to play is essential. Whether it’s painting, dancing, or exploring a creative hobby, commit to a little playtime each day.

Lila on the Yoga Mat

Our yoga practice is a beautiful space to embody Lila. Rather than seeing each pose as a challenge to master, approach it as an exploration. Feel the stretch, breathe deeply, and notice how it feels to move without expectation. Allow your practice to flow, welcoming any spontaneous movements or feelings that arise. This is where true creativity and freedom are born, right in the present moment.

In embracing Lila, we remind ourselves that life doesn’t always have to be serious. Through play, we find joy, resilience, and an endless wellspring of creativity. So, the next time you step onto your mat or into your day, invite a spirit of playfulness and see where it leads.

If you want to find the balance between playfulness and structure in your practice, join Yoga Awakening with Sue see all classes and Wake Up and Manifest with Sue HERE

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Whether we are seeking mastery in challenging poses, yearning for better relationships, or striving for a more attractive body, through the practice of yoga we learn to release and let go of our desire for certain outcomes and instead focus on the journey itself. Establishing the mindset of Vairagya, or commitment without expectation, reminds us that the true treasure is found not in the coveted holy grail, but in the quest itself.

What is Vairagya?

Vairagya comes from the Sanskrit words vi (without) and raga (attachment to pleasure). Vairagya brings detachment to the things we cling to—whether that’s material possessions, emotions, thoughts, or the outcomes of our actions. This is not about avoiding or rejecting life, but instead learning through yoga that contentment comes from within rather than outside of us.

In my book The Daily Guide to the Yoga Sutras  In Sutra 1.12, Patanjali says that the mind can be calmed through two practices: abhyasa (consistent effort) and vairagya (non-attachment). Abhyasa involves cultivating a disciplined practice, Vairagya teaches us to release our grip on the desire for results and the things that we desire.

Why is Vairagya Important?

In today’s world, we are constantly bombarded by messages urging us to seek pleasure, achievement, and success. Whether it’s the perfect yoga pose, an ideal body, or an outcome we crave in our professional or personal lives, this attachment to results can lead to frustration, disappointment, and a feeling of lack.

Vairagya offers a counterbalance. It reminds us that true peace comes not from fulfilling every desire but from the ability to let go and find peace from the inside out rather than the outside in.  When we let go of our attachment to the fruits of our actions, we create space for joy, contentment, and freedom.

How Vairagya Can Transform Your Yoga Practice

On the mat, Vairagya can transform your practice by shifting the focus from perfection to presence. When we let go of the ego’s need to achieve the perfect pose or push beyond our limits, we become more attuned to the subtle experiences of breath, alignment, and sensation.

Consider these steps to integrate Vairagya into your yoga practice:

1. Focus on the Process, Not the Outcome: Instead of striving to nail that handstand or attain a perfect forward bend, focus on the journey. How does each movement feel in your body? What is your breath doing? Cultivate awareness without attachment to how it “should” look.
2. Release Expectations: It’s easy to come to the mat with expectations—hoping to leave feeling energized or calm. While this is natural, try to approach each practice with openness. Let go of any preconceived notions and simply allow your practice to unfold.
3. Observe Your Attachments: Notice where you feel attachment during your practice. Is it in wanting to achieve a certain pose? Or maybe in the desire to maintain balance without falling? Recognizing these moments is the first step to releasing them.
4. Find Peace in Imperfection: Yoga is not about perfection. It’s about accepting yourself as you are, in the present moment. Instead of comparing yourself to others or to an ideal version of yourself, practice Vairagya by embracing your imperfections and trusting the wisdom of your body.

Bringing Vairagya Off the Mat

The lessons of Vairagya don’t stop once you leave your yoga mat. This principle can be applied to many areas of life, from relationships and work to personal growth and self-care.

• In Relationships: Let go of trying to control others or the outcome of situations. Practice love and compassion without the need for reciprocation or specific results.
• In Work: While setting goals is important, practice non-attachment to outcomes. Focus on doing your best work in the moment, and trust that the results will unfold as they should.
• In Personal Growth: Rather than constantly striving for improvement or success, take time to celebrate your progress and be content with where you are right now.

Vairagya is a lifelong practice of letting go of what no longer serves us. It teaches us to embrace the present moment with acceptance and grace, finding joy in the experience rather than in the result. If you would like to begin to find a daily commitment to yoga join check out my daily yoga class that you can access from anywhere in the world – Monday through Friday at 7:15 am MST.

For more information see:  Yoga Awakening with Sue, Wake Up and Manifest

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​What I love about the timer is that you can choose background music to accompany your meditation. My favorite is the continuous Ohm. You can find it under “ambient sounds” then choose the ohm symbol. You can also create and save different timed meditations. I have one set for 11 minutes ( what I find to be the perfect time to come to a deeper state of consciousness and calm.) I also have a preset timer for 20 minutes when I have more time. For my yoga classes, I have a preset with a bell sounding after every minute with the “ohm” ambient sound in the background so that the class can practice holding poses for one-minute intervals. This makes for a beautiful mindful class and some of my students find it to be their favorite class! 

When you choose to do guided meditations you can put any subject for your meditation in the search engine and hundreds of meditations on your chosen subject will appear. Here are some ideas to put in the search engine…

Peace within
Sleep ( or yoga nidra)
Mindful eating
Relationships
Higher self
Love
Letting Go

When I have a set an intention for a yoga class that I am teaching I will often type the intention in the search engine which provides me with helpful meditations to use for my classes. 

`One of my favorite meditations is “Bone Deep Sleep”.  A poem that I love is “Poem: She Let Go” by Siddique
Another one of my favorite guided meditations is “Rise of the Phoenix” – a very powerful meditation using deep shamanic breathing. This is great when you are experiencing stress and challenges in life. 
These are just three of the 55,000 meditations! Enjoy and deep gratitude to the founder Brad Fullmer! 

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