This post is inspired by a contest currently running on Twitter @himalayanorg #yogais.
As a Yoga Teacher I am often asked by students and friends, “What is yoga?” If you have ever practiced yoga, you will know there is no one definition of yoga.
What Is Yoga?
If you Google “What is yoga…” you will find a wide range of entries. Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia, states “yoga refers to the traditional physical, mental and spiritual disciplines that originated in India.
A Sanskrit word, yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root “yuj” meaning to “yoke” or “unite” or “join” and, refers to the traditional physical, mental and spiritual disciplines that originated in India.
Yoga Is My Best Friend
As a practitioner and life- long student of yoga, yoga has been my constant companion for the last 20 years of so of my life. Through, my first pregnancy in 1991 to the present day I have drawn on my yogic practices to guide me through my day.
For me, yoga is more than a set of physical exercises, more than a system of breathing or meditation practices, yoga is the way I aspire to live my life…in harmony and balance as I go through my everyday life…
Here Is a Snapshot of Yoga in My Life
Yoga is…the harmonising and blending of energy as I trudge up the stairs, carrying the laundry basket of freshly ironed clothes, the weekly grocery shop and putting away of pure and whole foods which nourish me and my family’s mind, body and soul.
Yoga is…the knowledge, insights pertaining to life, the poise, structure, balance and grace nurturing you as you peruse your goals, the stretching of limbs to touch your dreams, the quiet, steadiness, consistency of the breath as we travel within. The stillness, quality of spirit as we transcend all that we fear and stand tall and straight, eyes on the horizon, hearts open – knowing, loving the world all that live within.
Yoga is…the contraction, expansion of energy, the absorbing, releasing of life, the filling, emptying of air flowing through your soul, the hum of electricity sourcing the PC, TV, DVD. The sound of the drum, the bass, the saxophone, microphone, tabula, harmonium emitting waves to sweeten your soul, lightening your burden as you honor who you are.
Yoga is…the realization that we are one, living lives blessed with wholeness, war, trouble and discord, fragrantly spiced with aromas of joy, pleasure, homeliness and calm.
Yoga is…the fulfilling of goals, the sweating, flowing, embracing of light, the unification of spiritual codes of practice, the sutras which run through and goven your life, principles, which uphold the fabric of your soul.
Yoga is…the being. The living. The creating of life, the joy, serenity of knowing you have done your best, given your best; being the best you came to be and knowing deep down inside the best is yet to come.
Yes yoga is…the Yearning, the Over-standing, the Giving, the sharing and understanding, the healing of your All.
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What is your understanding of yoga? I would love you to share your thought and understanding of yoga….Please feel free to leave your inspirations in the comment box below.
Have a beautiful day and rejoice in the mystery of yoga is and more.
Thank You
One Love
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