The five kleshas (‘clay-shas’) in the Yoga sutras as known as afflictions, often translated as poisons and seen as the root of our discontent. We could simply think of them as obstacles in our minds that make us unhappy.
They are:
1.Ignorance/delusion avidya
2.Ego asmita
3.Attachment raga
4.Aversion dvesa
5.Fear of death/change abinivesah
These can sound pretty dramatic but if we view them through a lens of our modern lives we can probably all relate to:
1.not understanding a situation or person
2.centering ourselves too much
3.being overly dependent on people, things or a certain set of circumstances
4.avoiding or disliking the same
and
5.feeling uncomfortable with change or the threat to the status quo.
In our yoga practice, we cultivate self-awareness by delving into our relationship with the Kleshas acknowledging how our behaviours contribute to our own suffering and unhappiness.
Through this process yoga leads us towards greater mindfulness and intentional responses.
It can all sound a bit deep and daunting when you are just rolling out your mat for a stretch but some starting points are simple and gentle enquiries as you lie in practice of , ‘how do I feel?, what’s on my mind? , what am I showing up carrying with me today?, what’s pulling my attention? , what can I observe about myself, my habits and tendencies? Could I uncomplicate, change or release anything to find simplicity?’