yoga

yoga is not something that is done, it is something that is lived.

when yoga was brought to the west, parts of it became very distorted. it was treated as a workout, something physical, a way to sculpt the body. but yoga is far more than just asanas (postures) and we are so much more than these bodies. asanas are only one of eight limbs within yogic philosophy.

the eight limbs of yoga are as follows:

1. yama - ethical practices for how we interact with the world through five outlines, ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truthfulness), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacarya (moderation), and aparigraha (non-attachment)

2. niyama - observation of the self through five outlines, sauca (cleanliness), santosa (contentment), tapas (discipline), svadhyaya (self-study), and isvara pranidhana (surrender to the divine)

3. asana - physical poses that involve strength, balance, and flexibility, and are designed to prepare the body for stillness/meditation.

4. pranayama - cultivating and regulating the flow of life-force, energy, or pran, through the act of breath, often with techniques.

5. pratyahara - turning away from the physical senses and the outer world in order to go more deeply within.

6. dharana (concentration) - focusing the mind and all of your attention on one single point.

7. dhyana (meditation) - continous effortless concentration towards one point of focus.

8. samadhi (enlightenment) - a state of union where the observer merges with the observed. awareness of the eternal I am presence.

there are obviously hundreds of other terms that could be used to describe these themes and concepts, (and i encourage you to do your own research!!) however for the sake of this post, you get the idea that yoga is so much more than a word or workout. while being on the mat can teach us many things, the vastness of yoga extends far beyond those four corners.

my human has been working with movement (asanas) everyday for over three years now. my soul has been integrating this way of life for much longer. yoga is a very meaningful part of my life and has transformed me in so many subtle ways, within and without. when i started to work with this practice i noticed the changes in my awareness, attitudes, and actions, without having the language to be able to name it. as i have grown and learned more about this sacred lifestyle, my reverence and devotion to it have only grown.

i have attended many classes where the instructors treated yoga as 'exercise' or 'stretching'. at times, the misrepresentation of this spiritual practice has been challenging for me to observe. yet spirit helps me to see that while it may not be yoga, it is still a part of the one.

sanskrit is another powerful, ancient element of yoga. the language is refined and pure in a way that english is not. sanskrit is not only a way of communicating but it is a sound system where the tone of the words embody the energetic vibration of the concept which they represent, this is why it holds such potency. the word 'vāk' conveys this. because sanskrit is such an intentional resonance, it enables practices such as mantra and chanting to carry the energy that they do. this tongue fascinates me and there is endless more to learn from it.

yoga is sacred and yoga is ordinary. it is learning balance through vrksasana (tree pose), but it is also entering sangha (community) in a studio or park. yoga is finding stillness in your mind and it is also the way that you handle conflict with a family member. yoga is what you eat and how you speak and the way that you treat yourself. yoga is everything and to me, yoga is a way of knowing god.

this is the prayer that i say at the end of each practice :

thank you for this movement and this practice.

thank you for this body and this breath.

thank you for this day and this now moment.

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may all beings feel ease, peace, love, and joy.

may all beings be liberated from suffering and from the illusion of time and separation.

may all beings remember the one, the divine within.

there is so much i could say about yoga, about all that it has taught me about my soul, my body, my mind. this practice is such a sacred thing to me and i am so grateful that it is a part of my life. eventually i intend to teach this beautiful art, i look forward to sharing it with you all one day.

what is your experience with yoga?

♡, fin