Is Yoga for Me?
If you are unfamiliar with the tradition of yoga, its true purpose may be obscured. At the end of the day, all yoga practices are oriented toward improving the state of your mind.
The word “yoga” means union. This suggests that we are aiming to connect our worldly selves with our higher selves in order to experience peace/joy/liberation.
Yoga’s lineage spans thousands of years and its practices are much more varied than the physical poses we commonly see. Those poses are called asanas.
“Use asana as a tool to understand and transform your condition”
“What is yoga?” / “Why yoga?”
I contemplated these two questions so that I could answer them better for my students (and myself). Then Indu Arora said something essential. She clarified that the word “yoga” is used in two ways: to describe both the state of liberated being and the practice of getting there.
Therefore, the “what” is the “why”: we practice in order to achieve the state of liberated being.
My path
After many years of practicing in asana classes, I began to feel the desire to be free from negativity and to create a more balanced life. Through self-study, I began to shed light on my attachments, my tendencies and my ego—which made me very uncomfortable at times!
But this vulnerability allowed me to let go of the baggage in my life. In the early days of this work, I sometimes felt exhausted by the way that mindfulness pervaded my every thought, action and motivation. It was a ceaseless examination. At first.
Today, years later, I find that many of these teachings have become second nature (our first nature being our default, ‘animal selves’). I still face the same challenges as anyone, but I approach them with more clarity. I have the support of my “yoga toolbox” to help steer myself toward positive thoughts and actions.
Things to know about yoga…
I have limitless gratitude to Gary Kraftsow, whose wisdom helped me to articulate the following things with greater clarity:
Yoga is not for everyone; it’s an individual’s journey.
The practice of yoga helps you gain mastery over your mind, your field of attention/distraction.
When you are suffering, you become motivated to learn. If you’re comfortable with your life, you probably have no reason to transform it.
The practice of yoga is not religion. There are no sects and no dogmas. Its sciences invite personal experience, responsibility and critical thought, not strict adherence.
But, to begin you have to have faith in its worth. Without faith, you won’t have the values, energy or determination to uncover your joy.
Yoga is both its practices and its state of being, where you actualize your innate potential.
Physical poses help you understand and transform your condition. It’s a starting point.
Meditation helps you recognize and excavate your suffering. It can be uncomfortable to re-educate your behavior because it challenges your ego and attachments.
This self-study requires dedicated time.
Where to start
Interested but not sure where to start?
Explore practical yoga. These books provide approachable entry points for learning some of yoga’s most basic principles:
Take a class.
Join a class with me or reach out to meet one-on-one.
Practice chair yoga anytime: see my videos.
Meditate.
Although they are not “yoga apps” per se, I like Calm and Headspace for the way they introduce you to practicing stillness, focus and mindfulness.
If you’d like to try some yogic mediations, explore my blog! The practices in here have been handed down and are oriented toward personal transformation.
Study. If you want a deeper, comprehensive look at the science of yoga, I love:
Looking for guidance?
This article is written with the wisdom passed down through living yoga traditions. I acknowledge and thank the teachings of Gary Kraftsow and Indu Arora.
