The Truth about Yoga

Have you ever wondered about what it truly means to practice yoga? Whether you're a seasoned yogi or a newcomer, let us explore together.- By Sarah Dean

Reading time: 3 minutes

Within our yoga practice, we traditionally seek to develop and work with the eight limbs - Yama (moral compass), Niyama (positive habits), Asana (posture), Pranayama (breath), Pratyahara (sense withdrawal), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), Samadhi (enlightenment), either with conscious effort or without conscious awareness through the subtle teachings of our talented teachers - but these philosophical yoga terms can be difficult to grasp.

So, terminology aside, are you ready to discover the truth about yoga and what it entails? Maybe you’ve already felt that truth first-hand, or maybe you're just beginning your journey and are unsure of what lies ahead.

Flowing Self Discovery

In its simplest form, yoga* is what you need it to be at any given moment. It adapts, flows, and supports, just as life. Through the various practices available, we have the opportunity to examine ourselves on levels that we may never have known even existed and we listen. We listen to our body, we listen to our mind, we listen to every aspect of our existence and ponder on what we’re hearing.

Are we relaxed, stressed, restless, anxious, in pain, aching – all of the above? We then use what we've learned to tackle what we need. Will we benefit from strength, flexibility, relaxation, or breathwork?

Your Unique Journey

Yoga is about you. All about you. As an individual. Yoga provides an opportunity to really look within – (inside-out yoga, as I’ve been taught over the years). Yes, you may be in a class with others, but their needs will be different to yours – physically, emotionally and spiritually. You'll soon start to see this as you turn your attention inwards and there’s a wonderful level of acceptance that can arrive with this.

The process may at times feel difficult or daunting, but more often than not, it can feel beautiful. If you have never wandered out of a yoga class, lighter on your feet and content with yourself and the world around you – then get ready!

If you want to take yourself into a headstand, or meditate, or sit and work on your breath - go ahead. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that you tune into what you need your practice to be in any given moment and you honour that. And if you struggle to tune inwards, or you’re unsure of what you need, that’s okay. Be gentle with yourself, be kind to yourself. Learn to surrender and accept through the yoga practices available.

Yoga For All

Yoga is accessible to everyone – let’s say that again – yoga is accessible to everyone. There are so many different practices available for all levels of experience and ability. Discover a class or a teacher that suits your current needs and you will start to build your toolbox for wellbeing. It’s also totally fine to switch between teachers, we all have own our unique way of teaching and offerings.

The truth is, that yoga is whatever you need it to be. Always remember, there is no right and there is no wrong, there is you and there is yoga, and how the two come together is yours to own.

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