With only days before the next iRocYoga 108 Yoga challenge - have you wondered why 108? The number's significance is open to interpretation. But 108 has long been considered a sacred number in Hinduism and yoga. Nobody knows for sure why it is so, but here are a few places the number shows up:
- The ancient Indians were excellent mathematicians and 108 may be the product of a precise mathematical operation (e.g. 1 power 1 x 2 power 2 x 3 power 3 = 108) which was thought to have special numerological significance.
- The average distance of the Sun and the Moon to Earth is 108 times their respective diameters.
- Mathematicians of Vedic culture viewed 108 as a number of the wholeness of existence.
- Traditionally, malas, or garlands of prayer beads, come as a string of 108 beads (plus one for the "guru bead," around which the other 108 beads turn like the planets around the sun). A mala is used for counting as you repeat a mantra—much like the Catholic rosary.
- 1, 0, and 8: 1 stands for God or higher Truth, 0 stands for emptiness or completeness in spiritual practice, and 8 stands for infinity or eternity.
- There are 54 letters in the Sanskrit alphabet. Each has masculine and feminine, shiva and shakti. 54 times 2 is 108.
- The chakras are the intersections of energy lines, and there are said to be a total of 108 energy lines converging to form the heart chakra. One of them, sushumna leads to the crown chakra, and is said to be the path to self-realization.
- According to yogic tradition, there are 108 pithas, or sacred sites, throughout India. And there are also 108 Upanishads and 108 marma points, or sacred places of the body.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Event Details
iRocYoga 108 Yoga Challenge
Saturday, June 18 · 9:30am - 12:00pm
Location Woodcliff Hotel & Spa, outdoor event tent
199 Woodcliff Dr.
Fairport, NY
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