Abhyasa and Vairagya are two main factors and prinicple of Yoga mentioned by Maharishi Patanjali in his book "Patanjali Yoga Sutra". He explained that with the help of practice and non attachment one can go smoothly on the holy path of yoga without any obstacles.

                 So here first we discuss what is Abhyasa and Vairagya ?

Abhyasa(Practice) and Vairagya(Non-Attachment)  are two of the most important foundation principles of yoga. Simply Abhyasa means practice and Vairagya means Non-attachment. Balancing these two is the key of spiritual life, allowing one to pursue the subtler meditation practices.

Abhyasa(Practice) :  Involving cultivating a strong conviction, persistent efforts to consistently choose practice with action, speech and thoughts that lead in the direction of subtler tranquility. Abhyasa means have to practice with full devotion, without any break, just go on without asking much and without a wish that one day you can achieve something, practice with empty and pure heart...

For example : if i m practicing any asana,  maybe now i can't feel good or feel pain or can't reach to the final level, if i will just leave here then i never can achieve this asana, but if i do regular practice with full dedication and without any interruption then one day i will and must achieve this asana... no matter what you are doing maybe yoga or any other work, have to do with full dedication and without any break or interruption, then only you can achieve the final goal.

Vairagya (Non-Attachment) :Vairagya is the opposite of Raga (attachment). Vairagya is dispassion. Vairagya is detachment. Vairagya involves learning to actively and systematically encounter, explore and let go off the many attachments, aversions, fear and false identities that are clouding the true self.

Abhyasa-vairagyabhyam tan-nirodhah meaning:

The various mental bias and modifications of the mind-field are completely dissolved, cancelled out, and cease (tan-nirodha) by sustained and continuous application (abhyasa) of vairagya (letting go, non-attachment, non-craving, non-grasping and non-expectation).

For example : during practice maybe you have to work hard and some pleasure things will attract you and let divert your mind there, but with help of Vairagya (Non-Attachment) you can control and can continue your practice with dedication. Maybe sometime you feel pain during practice and want to quite but if you can follow Vairagya(Non-Attachment) then you can overcome from pain, suffering and pleasure.

Abhyasa and Vairagya always work together, practice will leads you to in the right direction, while Non attachment will allow you to continue your inner journey without getting sidetracked into the pains and pleasure along the way.

Namaste Ji,

Yogi Manu.