What does it really mean to practice yoga, and how is it relevant to our lives today?
Simply put, yogis embody the world. By using the physical body as a tool through which to move all experiences of being human, what might begin as a thought or emotion of the mind, will translate as physical sensation and vice versa. In this way nothing is ever solely in the mind or body. It is this intrinsic link that invites in an awareness of all experiences internally and externally, to create a more holistic understanding of the world and how we all fit into it.
In simple terms the practice of yoga creates more freedom and understanding.
Yogis put themselves into certain positions in order to understand the workings of the world around them. By doing so they gain empathy, compassion and deeper sensitivity. These qualities all contribute to a more elevated state of mind, known as 'chitta prasadanam' in yogic scripture. From this place the yogi creates space for an unburdening of life’s stresses, and the unravelling of the unavoidable knots of tension accumulated daily.
What is embodied on the mat flows out into the world as life experiences. The yoga is the teacher, while life itself is the curriculum.
Every tiny movement in the asana practice is teaching us how to move through each step of the day from a place of poise and grace. In this way, self-knowledge translates into worldliness.
The literal meaning of the Sanskrit word Yoga is ‘yoking’ or ‘connecting’. One way of describing the state of yoga is as a feeling of interconnectedness, oneness with self and oneness with all. The physical body becomes a microcosm of the world. What the yogi experiences within is a beautiful reflection of nature and all its workings, the continual flow of expanding and contracting energies which make up the pulse of all life.
For example, the steady expansion and contraction of the beating heart, the inflation of the lungs as we breathe, and the need for replenishment and the quiet times of rest at the end of each day. There are times of growing into the light, and contraction into the darkness, just as the evolution of a flower or seed grows into the world before eventually decaying into the earth.
From this there is a deeper understanding that a part of us exists in everything, and vice versa...
It's a stepping out of the ego, and a gentle shrugging off of some of the layers of conditioning we wear as part of our human identification system. Under all those layers we discover the truth of who we really are.
The unity of yoga is revealed as we get to know ourselves not only as individuals, but as an important part of the bigger universal energy system.
To understand this relationship more fully, by practicing asana (physical postures) the yogi moves the body into different shapes to try to resemble everything we know about the universe.
Many of the yoga postures are inspired by nature. We take the shape of the tree, the crow, the cat, the dog, the fish, lizard or pigeon, the element of water, a rock or air for example.
There are movements or sequences inspired to honour the sun, the moon and all the seasons. All of this creates a greater understanding of how it feels to be those different beings and things, not just imitate them. The sense of being grounded in wholeness and to embody the world from a place of knowing through experience, rather than simply thinking through the mind and intellect.
The experience of standing with the resilience of a tree for example, in Vriksasana (tree pose), yet at the same time having the ability to flex and bend with the wind, somehow helps us to understand our own role as humans in the sometimes chaotic world. To stand calmly in the centre of a storm, to build resilience and tolerance in body, yet lightness and flexibility of the mind for example.
As yogis we learn empathy and compassion for all, the experience of flow and peace through the breath, and to literally embody and breathe through each moment of life. To feel the wisdom of the sage, the courage of the warrior, the poise of the eagle, the playful innocence of the happy baby, and the spark of the firefly so we can shine our light out into the world.
Some days we can feel the power and determination of the warrior, and on others the vulnerability of the tortoise, with the need to climb into our shell to retreat in silence. As a result, we experience ourselves as more deeply connected to all life around us. We learn to let go of feelings of separation and division, of judgement and the pecking order.
Through the continual practice of yoga we can understand that our body is a microcosm of the universe. We come to know the other as ourselves and ourselves as the other.
It helps to dissolve the separation born from ego, along with the fear and isolation that can sometimes go along with daily life.
If ever there was a time to practice yoga, it is now.
The feelings of joy and struggle the yogi touches through the practice creates a sense of interconnectedness and belonging, and gives deeper meaning to the journey we all call life.
May these words inspire you to deepen and explore your yoga practice, or to embark on your yoga journey from this moment on. Know that there are many different styles and teachers to suit every age and stage. If you can breathe, you can practice yoga! Thankfully, there are many doorways into the same room of inner peace.
It has completely transformed our life, along with many many lives around the world since its beginnings in India over five thousand years ago.
Maybe it's time for you to take a closer look?
If you are ever in the Noosa Hinterland of Queensland (Australia), please come and knock on our door, and perhaps join us on the mat to see for yourself!
With much gratitude, love and joyful wishes from our home in the trees,
Danielle & Tony xxx
(Frankie, Georgie & Jet the cat)
"Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu."
May all beings everywhere be happy and free. May my thoughts, words and actions in some way contribute to that happiness and freedom for all.
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