What is Yoga? An Invitation to Explore

What a beautifully deep, thought provoking question that is! And I think the answer to that actually changes as you step on the mat and begin to practice, versus simply considering whether to.

Yoga is much more than just a series of physical postures: It is a practice that encompasses the mind, body, and spirit. For many, yoga serves as a pathway to improved health, mindfulness, and inner peace. No matter whether you've dabbled in yoga before, have become a regular practitioner or are simply curious about what it truly involves, this post has been designed for you all. To consider deeper how you perceive yoga and perhaps understand even more about its incredible benefits not only on the mat, but also in daily life too.

So let’s explore yoga a little further, and consider how it extends beyond what happens on the mat.

The Benefits of Yoga

How often do you hear "I'm not flexible enough for yoga"? Well yes, improving flexibility is one of the benefits, but, yoga offers a whole range of benefits that go far beyond physical fitness, some of which include:

1. Improved Flexibility and Strength: Practicing yoga regularly can enhance your flexibility, whilst also building muscular strength. But yoga can also provide you with more flexibility in your mind too, inviting you to see that things aren't always black & white. Quite often, you arrive on your mat with the distractions of your mind, and as you enter your breathwork and your practice, you allow yourself (knowingly or not), to drop those distractions a little (or completely) for the duration of it. Quite often realising then at the end, that if they still feel relevant to pick back up, your perspective has shifted slightly on them. What a superpower!

   
   

2. Enhanced Mental Clarity: Many who practise yoga report a heightened sense of mental clarity and focus after sessions. By incorporating breathing techniques and meditation, yoga helps settle and gently focus the mind, also improving concentration.

   
   

3. Stress Relief: Yoga is recognized for its ability to reduce stress, and research indicates that mindfulness practices, such as yoga, lead to lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone.

   
   

4. Being in tune with your body: The combination of breath practises, guided meditations, and various poses not only provide an opportunity to slow down a busy mind, but also encourage more awareness of the body, as well as he mind body connection too.

   
   

A calming space for yoga practice

Exploring the Philosophy Behind Yoga

As we have touched on, yoga is not solely about physical postures. At its core, it is a profound philosophical system that seeks to unify the mind, body, and spirit. The word "yoga" itself means "to yoke," or to bring together.

Understanding yoga philosophy can deepen your practice. Here are some fundamental concepts:

1. The Eight Limbs of Yoga: This framework by Patanjali encompasses ethical guidelines, practices, and meditative aspects that lead to personal growth and self-realization, all of which can be incorporated into day to day life. Whereas many would see the Asanas (poses) as what yoga is, this is just one limb of the eight, the others are very much focused around daily outlook, behaviours and and a way of living.

   
   

2. Mindfulness: Yoga encourages mindfulness—the practice of being present: Present with the breath and present in the pose. As you do more of this with each practice, it helps it to become more familiar, meaning it becomes much easier to take this off the mat and into daily life. It is often when allowing ourselves the space and time to become a little more still in the body and the mind that we notice just how busy and unruly the mind can be. A practice such as returning the focus back to the sensations of the breath in the body can be a great help with this. This is perfect to do at the beginning of each practice, but also in daily life. Many find that they keep themselves busy to distract from the things that mentally feel more challenging to deal with. Yoga can act as a healing process to deal with these, and can mean that you give yourself time to actually slow down more in day to day life and with more confidence in yourself whilst you do.

   
   

3. Community: Engaging with others in your yoga practice can foster a sense of belonging and shared experience. Whether in classes or workshops, or on online forums, connection can enhance your understanding of yoga.

   
   

By incorporating these philosophical elements, you’ll see that yoga transcends physical benefits, offering a comprehensive lifestyle perspective.

A yoga class practicing together in a peaceful and inspiring environment

Embracing Yoga as a Lifestyle

Yoga is much more than what you do on the mat—it's a philosophy that can inform your daily life. As you navigate through different aspects of this ancient practice, you may like to consider how yoga can influence your overall well-being:

1. Mind-Body Connection: You could say that the mind is like a muscle, the more you train it, the stronger it gets. Therefore meaning that you have more discipline over where it goes, and over your thoughts on a daily basis. The ability to be more in tune with your mind and body also allows you to intentionally walk through life, knowing more of what you need at each moment.

   
   

2. Stress Management: It is possible to use techniques learned in yoga to cope with everyday stressors, as a regular practice increases resilience against stress. There is a saying "The body keeps score", and yoga can be a beautiful way of helping (if you allow it to and feel safe to) process and/or resolve any trauma. Therefore meaning physically we see changes too, such as a decrease in stress hormones.

   
   

3. Personal Growth: Providing the time and the space, yoga provides a beautiful invitation of self-reflection, as well as encouraging one to take responsibility for their own well-being, both physical and mental.

   
   

As you begin to recognize how yoga shapes your lifestyle, you may find yourself inspired to explore newer dimensions of personal health, spirituality, and community connection.

Final Thoughts on Yoga

In summary, yoga really is a practice that incorporates many different aspects, and encompasses much more than just physical exercise. It offers a variety of benefits—ranging from improved flexibility and mental clarity, to stress relief and community building. By choosing the right style, practicing regularly, and embracing its philosophical tenets, you can cultivate a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you.

By committing to this exploration, you're taking a crucial step towards enhancing your life quality and well-being. Whether you're looking to relieve stress, build strength, or connect with a community, yoga provides a unique opportunity for growth and transformation.

So roll out your mat, take a deep breath, and step into a fulfilling journey of yoga that goes well beyond the surface!

We'd love to know, has your understanding of what yoga is changed since starting your practice? Or perhaps even changed since reading this blog? Pop your thoughts and experiences in the comments below, we'd love to connect with you on this.

Until next time,

Stay Soulful

xx