Yoga means union.
The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit ‘yuk,’ which means ‘to unite.’
This is the root of the word. Then, we have many definitions:
“Yoga is enlightenment.”
“Yoga is equanimity.”
“Yoga is skill in action.”
“Yoga is the path to quiet a restless mind and transcend suffering.”
“Yoga is the connection of the personal soul with the greatest soul.”
etc.
But what does Yoga mean to you?
What makes you come back to the studio every week, or stand on your mat at home? What makes you keep showing up?
This was one of the first questions I was asked as an early Yoga student, and I keep coming back to it now and then. The answer holds more depth as the years go by, because the more we practise yoga, the more it changes our perspective of the world around us, and the world within us.
To me, Yoga means…
connection with myself, with the universe, with nature, with the people in my life.
Yoga means connection, awakening, and awareness of who I am.
Yoga is not entertainment. It’s the opportunity I give myself to be with my own mind. It’s a chance to practise being a better person, a kinder human being.
If I stop practising for a while, I feel it not only in my body, but also in my mind.
With Yoga, I get to be present.
It takes effort and courage to show up and be with the mind, as it’s not always so pretty in there. But that is why we practise: to acknowledge our thoughts, feelings and emotions, and understand why they are there. Also, to understand that we are not our thoughts; we are not our minds.
Once we see this and practise it often — because it requires us to keep showing up — we can find a little more peace.
A grounding exercise:
The 3-Part Check-In
Next time you practice yoga, bring your full attention to yourself and do a little check-in at the end:
Body: Has any physical discomfort come up? How did that feel?
Mind: Have I caught myself thinking about something else while practising? What was it, and how can I let it go next time?
Breath: Was there any time when I was running out of breath?
