Yoga & Life Lessons from Yoga Practice

What is yoga?

Yoga is said to have originated in India during the Golden Age, nearly 26,000 years ago. The actual Sanskrit word, when broken down, means "to control", "to yoke" or "to unite". The word has also been translated to mean "joining", "uniting" and "union". The union is made between the mind and the body. Yoga is a spiritual science of self-realisation.

Yoga has become popular as a form of physical exercise based upon asanas (physical poses) to promote improved control of mind and body and to enhance well-being.

Yoga methods encompass the entire field of our existence, from the physical, emotional and mental to the spiritual. Its methods include ethical disciplines, physical postures, breath control, as well as meditation. The regular practice of asanas, and breathing exercises (pranayama), makes the body strong, supple and healthy.

Thus, Yoga is a systematic process to accelerate the evolution of the individual by culturing the mind and bringing out an all-round personality development culminating in experience of higher states of consciousness. Since the individual experience of Yoga is quite personal and may differ for each practitioner, there are a wide variety of approaches to its practice. All approaches to Yoga, however, are intended to promote some aspect(s) of wellbeing.

Yoga is defined as having eight branches or limbs: Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana, Samadhi.

Yoga Benefits

Yoga can do a lot for the human body, although it won't cure every ailment. Yoga can be worked into virtually any lifestyle or schedule. Yoga has been proven to increase health and body awareness allowing yoga participants to better control their bodies. From flexibility increases to better body alignment, Yoga can help with a variety of ailments.

Physical Benefits of Yoga

·         Increased Flexibility

·         Increased Strength

·         Improved Balance

·         Increased Stamina

·         Improved Body Alignment (reduces joint pain)

Mental Benefits of Yoga

·         Stress Reduction

·         Body Awareness

·         Better Sleep

·         Improve self-confidence

·         Relaxation

Life Lessons We Can Learn from Yoga Practice

The teachings of Yoga are based on many different philosophies and religions, but, Yoga is NOT a religion, rather it is a discipline, one that leads to ultimate freedom. Yoga is the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind, or the restraint of the modifications of the “mind-stuff “. In clearer terms, when you can control the rising of the mind, you will experience Yoga or Union.

The journey is more important than the destination.

Do you have the right attitude to stay the course? You would have heard the saying ‘your attitude determines your altitude’ and it is so true. When inevitable challenges are thrown at you, they will test your attitude & your resolve. With a fierce attitude to remain focussed, this will keep you on the journey. “Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.”

The concept of this is simple — enjoy the process. You enjoy the sensation of the sequence of poses and the associated presence of mind, the unity of mind and body. You have found the path of yoga has enough to offer whether you reach the end. Yoga is a lifelong adventure. It is more about the journey than the destination.

Follow the rules, you'll do great.

Yoga is more about what you do off the mat than on the mat. If you haven’t realized that yet, you’re not yet a yogi. Yoga is not about how flexible your body is. It’s about obtaining a flexible mind. Make your practice priority. You know you’re a better human with a regular practice. Almost invariably, the best people are the ones who had the most difficulty learning. You must learn the rules of the game. And then you must play better than anyone else in your life.

Starve the ego, feed the soul.

How can our lives be so much different at times and what can we do to tap into our infinite potential and experience peace and stillness in most of our lives?

you should be seeking out knowledge to get better at anything and everything that you do. And you should be seeking out that which feeds the very essence of your soul to keep the burning fire of your passion aglow.

Our ego is that voice within us that demands everything and pulls us along a path that is difficult and filled with obstacles. The ego robs us of the peace that we deserve. Our soul is the deep, profound, and infinitely tranquil place within us that knows nothing but empathy, love, compassion and truth. The soul is who we truly are. Every human being truly desires to live the best they possibly can. However, the ego interrupts this process with endless mind

games. It’s time to take back what is ours and quiet the ego.

Choose purpose over perfection.

It’s so important to understand that you don’t have to be perfect. If you always strive to learn and become better than you were yesterday, you can accomplish so much more. Purpose diminishes distraction & Purpose pushes you through pain. That is the beauty of yoga – it doesn’t care about perfection – only intention and effort. Yoga is for everyone. Life is for everyone.

Rule your mind or it will rule you.

The next time you feel like you can’t control your thoughts and you feel as if you are losing confidence in your abilities to be an awesome yoga teacher, remember that you oversee your life.
You are the writer of your own story. Don’t doubt yourself or your teaching abilities! Stay strong and know that you are unique and worthy.

I am flexible and open to change.

There is no doubt that, as a yogi, you will experience a significant amount of change in your life. Not just in your personal life, but also in your professional life.
There will be times when you will have to change the way you teach and even where you teach. Remember, to be flexible and open to any change that comes your way. This will allow you to grow and expand your light in every direction!

I am learning, growing, evolving, and expanding.

It’s so important as in yoga always want to become a better person as well as a better teacher. You should feel the need to learn, grow, and expand your own mind and practice.

By doing this, you can easily inspire others who, in return, will inspire the world around them. This domino effect is all because of your work as a Yogi.

Go at your own pace.

To apply this concept of going at your own pace off the mat – if you want to take a “gap year” after college to travel and see the world, then do it! If you want to spend your 20’s immersed in work, climbing up the corporate ladder to “coast” into your 30’s, do that. If you want to get married and start a family as soon as possible, go for it.

Let this serve as an important reminder – you are in control; you can change your path or speed at your own will. You do not need to be in any rush. You are in competition with no one. You are doing what feels right for you. You’ll get there when you get there, and until then, you’ll continue to focus on being present in each moment and making the most out of your current experience.

Learn how to breathe.

The most important thing to do in yoga is to breathe, especially when holding the postures. Learn the basic Dirgha pranayama breath to use during yoga. Most importantly, breathe in and out through the nose into the belly. 

We cover the subjects of pranayama and how “mastering our breath is harder than taming a lion.” We learn about Purusha (the idea, the soul, the consciousness) and Prakriti (the material, the physical, the creation) and how going from purusha to prakriti means manifestation and going the opposite way is liberation.

Balance And Focus Are Necessary To Move Forward Successfully

The things you are most successful at are the things that you devote your full attention to. It is also good to remember that you must do all things in moderation, balance is necessary to develop your life skills.

Mindfulness.

Mindfulness is simply being aware of what is happening right now without wishing it were different; enjoying the pleasant without holding on when it changes (which it will); being with the unpleasant without fearing it will always be this way (which it won’t). When I step onto my mat, my strengths and weaknesses are exposed, not for everyone to view, but for me to privately evaluate.

And that is exactly what yoga has taught me, and eventually, you, too.

It’s time to become the best version of yourself.