Yoga On Walnut

The pose is where the training begins.

Breath under pressure.
Presence in discomfort.
Staying connected to the body when the mind wants to escape.

But the real test isn't on the mat.

It's later.

When life hits.
When stress rises.
When an old reaction reaches for control.

And somehow, there is a little more space than there used to be.

A steadier breath.
A clearer response.
A stronger ability to stay standing inside what you feel.

The pose ends.

The power stays.

In yoga, āsana steadies, opens, releases tension, and prepares the body for deeper practice.

Prāṇāyāma offers that same preparation for the mind.

Through the breath, prāṇāyāma steadies what feels restless, clears mental clutter, and prepares the mind for concentration and meditation.

In the 8-limb path of yoga, this progression is intentional: through āsana and prāṇāyāma, the practice becomes a bridge toward deeper states of awareness.

Explore this relationship in Rod Stryker's newest breathwork class, ‘Dissolve Tension’, a clarifying practice that blends kapalabhati (breath of fire) and ujjayi (victorious breath) to clear mental clutter and invite quiet steadiness.

https://yogainternational.com/class/dissolve-tension/

If you listen closely, your breath is already repeating a mantra.

In yoga, mantra is traditionally understood as a “tool for the mind”—a way of placing and steadying attention. Or, as Rolf Sovik described it: “a thought that protects, guides, and leads.”

So’ham (pronounced “so-hum”) is a mantra that moves with the breath. Rather than creating the sound, you listen for it.

Inhale: a subtle so
Exhale: a quiet hum

In traditional yoga teachings, these syllables are associated with a deeper meaning.

So (“That”) refers to pure, undivided consciousness.
Aham (“I”) refers to the whole of who you take yourself to be.

Together, so’ham: “I am That.”

As your attention settles into the mantra within the breath, its meaning becomes less conceptual and more direct—
less identification with each passing thought,
more familiarity with the awareness in which those thoughts arise.

Because the breath is continuous, this yoga technique can be threaded through ordinary moments—walking to your next meeting, looking out the window, even waiting for the toast to pop.

A quiet thread of recognition, always available.

📖 To explore the roots and method of this practice, read “A Mantra Meditation for Everyone” by Rolf Sovik: https://yogainternational.com/article/view/a-mantra-meditation-for-everyone/

💔💔💔

Dear Friends,

Our beloved friend and teacher, Rolf Sovik, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 29th.

A student and teacher in the Himalayan Tradition for more than 50 years, Rolf touched the lives of thousands with his warmth, clarity, and compassion. To be in Rolf’s presence was to feel an immediate sense of calm.

Rolf met his teacher, Swami Rama, in 1973. In the ensuing years, Swamiji taught him to meditate and opened the way for trips to India, Nepal, and Tibet, which provided opportunities to learn more about meditative traditions. Rolf soon began teaching at the Himalayan Institute, and later, with Swamiji’s encouragement, returned to graduate school for doctoral studies in psychology. Rolf held degrees in philosophy, music, Eastern studies, and clinical psychology.

Rolf’s life was one of service. In 1991, Rolf and his wife, Mary Gail, became co-directors of the Himalayan Institute of Buffalo. For the next 20 years, Rolf taught regular hatha yoga, meditation, and philosophy classes around the world. During this time, he also served as the Spiritual Director for the Himalayan Institute, and continued exploring the teachings of the Himalayan Tradition under the guidance of Pandit Rajmani Tigunait. In 2012, Rolf and Mary Gail relocated to the Institute’s headquarters in Honesdale, where Rolf served as President for 10 years.

Rolf was a gifted lecturer and writer. When expounding on the Yoga Sutra or exploring lessons from his favorite text, the Bhagavad Gita, he inspired students and teachers to refine and expand their personal practice. He is the author of Moving Inward and co-author of Yoga: Mastering the Basics as well as a regular contributor to Yoga International magazine and to the Himalayan Institute's educational platform, HI Online.

The Himalayan Institute is grateful for Rolf’s life of selfless service. He performed his actions skillfully, selflessly, and with love. Rolf’s legacy will live on in his body of work and in the minds and hearts of his students, friends, and loved ones.

The Institute anticipates holding a memorial gathering at its Honesdale Retreat Center later this spring. When details are available, we will share them with our community.

With love and gratitude,
The Faculty, Staff, and Community of the Himalayan Institute