Today, I arrive on this blank page to share a very personal practice that has changed my outlook on life: Yoga. I'll spend a few words sharing the evolution of my understanding of yoga and where I currently stand with its definition. I will then share what brought me into yoga, why I'm so passionate about it, and finally why I decided to learn to teach. These words are only an expression of my personal experiences with yoga and should not be taken as advice on physical health. I am constantly learning and this process is one step of a lifelong journey - so let's get going.
What is Yoga?
When I speak to people in my life about yoga, most of the time their understanding of yoga is stretching and meditating. I've personally held this definition for a very long time and have made fun of people that practice. But, as I further explore, through my personal practice and reflection, I'm starting to realize that yoga is much more than what modern-day Western society markets it.
Yoga stems from the Sanskrit word yog or yuj, which means to join or unite. What is it that we're joining or uniting? The answer to this question is quite hard to put into words and we could spend hours talking about it, but in short and simple jargon we want to unite with the self or to become one with the self. The physical practice, which is one of many branches of yoga, is a tool that helps us unite and become one with ourselves. By physically challenging the body, we work towards conquering the mind, which then gets us to a state of union with ourselves.
This all probably sounds hand-wavy and confusing. Despite regularly trying to ask myself what it means to unite, I still find myself confused with the definition. But take my word for it and keep asking the question - you'll get the answer one day. I've been reading the Yoga Sutras and stumbled across this definition:
Yogas chitta vritti nirodha.
chitta = mind or relating to the mind
vritti = modifications or movements
nirodha = restraintAccording to this sutra, Yoga is then the practice of restraining the modifications of the mind. If you've heard the term monkey mind — a restless mind that jumps endlessly from one thought to another — this definition simply says that yoga is the practice of calming it. I still ask myself what all this means and I stumble upon a new answer every single time. This beautiful practice of calming the mind, the thrill of discovering a new meaning, the challenge of pushing my body to new limits, and the desire to unite is what yoga is to me.
What brought me towards Yoga?
I injured myself in 2021 and it was pretty bad. I was in pain for months and took various physiotherapy sessions with the hope to reduce the pain. Yes, that did help relieve the pain temporarily but it never solved it permanently, which made me fearful and annoyed. To try something different, I did my first ever guided yoga session by watching a YouTube video by Yoga With Adriene. Although it was a short 15 minute video, I made sure to stick to it. Over the weeks I started noticing that I could stretch deeper into the areas of pain. Yoga had taught me to accept the pain. Once I did that, my mindset shifted towards recovery and within a few months my mobility returned and things slowly got better.
Yoga then became something I did to relieve pain and stretch. I practiced inconsistently, but I had learned of the tool and would occasionally spend time on the mat. A year ago, I started practicing more regularly at a studio and started to feel a deeper sense of awareness with my body. With consistent practice, I could push the limits of my body — and this felt amazing. A passion grew, and yoga became a way of life.
So to put it in a few words: I started yoga to heal and now I practice to observe.
Why learn to teach Yoga?
The practice of yoga has changed my outlook on my body and mind. It has improved the quality of my life, both physically and mentally. I started feeling a desire to go deeper and that's why I enrolled in the YTT (Yoga Teacher Training) program to better understand this ancient practice. Moreover, I want to be able to share this practice with friends, family, and anyone that's looking to improve the quality of their lives. I'm early in this program but I've already seen immense benefits within my own practice.
I strongly believe that Yoga has something for everyone. From the physical aspects to the depth of spirituality, the practice of yoga offers only benefits to the practitioner and I want to give back what I've received.
Closing thoughts
If this is your first time reading about yoga, I encourage you to sign up for a class in your community and try it out for yourself. Start small, go easy on yourself, and observe.
If you're a regular practitioner, I hope this article has added something to your practice. If there's something that doesn't align with your views, I would love to learn more about what yoga means to you.
Yoga continues to enrich my life and it will only add to it until the end.
How has yoga impacted your life?
Gratitude.