About Yoga
Introduction
What is yoga? Yoga is a profound and powerful way of life that has the potential to fundamentally change our lives.
Since I have been practising yoga regularly, I am more balanced and can deal with the small and big challenges of everyday life much better.
Yoga is not a religious practice, but rather something that is made up of many different teachings.
These methods offer us systems and ways that can support us in experiencing the depth of our own being.
We learn to enter with our consciousness into the complexity of both matter and energy and to perceive it proactively.
The purpose of yoga (and a definition)
The different methods of yoga are united by their common purpose and similar effects.
The purpose of yoga is to free the individual from unnecessary confusion and redundant pain.
The effects are a calmer and more mindful spirit that accompanies a healthy body
through a peaceful, joyful and grateful life.
Nevertheless, yoga is also a science, a science of life.
It is important to note at this point that yoga is not a hypothetical science.
Every philosophical concept derives from direct yogic experience.
Yoga has been practised for over 5,000 years, and it has recently found a place in our fast-paced, digitalized Western society.
Yoga is easy right ?!
Every city has several yoga studios, and almost every fitness studio seems to have a yoga class.
Be present, take deep breaths, observe your body, and simply be.
Yes, beginning yoga is simple; all you need is some time and space.
A yoga or fitness mat is beneficial, but you can begin at any moment.
I don’t want to convince you to try yoga because you’re undoubtedly already a little yogi by the time you start reflecting on yourself.
On this website, I’d like to explore a little deeper into the yoga philosophy.
Yoga is much more to me than physical exercise.
Yoga is like a warm hug for your soul, it’s about connecting with yourself, finding inner peace, and cultivating mindfulness and awareness that you can take with you off the mat and into your everyday life.
It’s about broadening your horizons, pushing your limits, and discovering a sense of balance and harmony within yourself and the world around you.
It’s difficult to put into words, but when I think of yoga, words like wholeness, gratitude, compassion, and, most importantly, self-knowledge come to my mind.
What to expect..
I’d like to utilize this chance to provide you with some extra information on the subject.
This will be a brief introduction, followed by posts that will expose you to the most important fundamentals of yoga philosophy and practical tips to get you started with your practice.
Every one of us can experience the positive effects of yoga on mind and body, if:
Without prejudice, the willingness is there to have new experiences that may even dissolve old beliefs.
Self-discipline is required, especially in the beginning, because, like everything else, you first must invest in yourself and put forth some effort.
Everyone who has experienced the full potential of yoga understands that the journey is worthwhile.
At the same time, our view on life (our path) shifts as we realize we don’t have to achieve any goals if we pay more loving attention to the present moment.
We are trapped if all we have in our minds is the desire to achieve a state that is not yet attainable in the present instant.
This somehow allows me to inquire about my area of influence.
What can I change at the current moment?
I try not to be affected by things outside of my realm of influence.
I prefer to concentrate on the opportunities available to me right now.
Yoga is a journey
If we consider our lives to be a journey in which we learn a lot about our mind and body, whether in daily life or through the practice of asanas (yoga postures), it is essential that we practice mindful, kindhearted, and loving self-observation of our thoughts, feelings, and our body.
Anyone who begins yoga and practices consistently will soon notice the benefits.
To name a few of the many beneficial effects of yoga on mind and body, there is flexibility, strength, energy, improved posture, better respiration, and clarity of perception and expression.
I would like to end this introduction post with a quote from the book: „Yoga“ by Godfrey Devereux, one of my first books on yoga, which inspired me a lot.
The author has a deep understanding of yoga and its impact on our lives.
Quote from Godfrey Devereux:
„Yoga awakens the desire and gives the means to live life fully and engage directly with the good as well as the bad. Everyone has a different learning curve in yoga, some develop faster physically and others mentally.
Yoga is more about the mind, experience and self-knowledge than just a few breathing and stretching exercises.
If yoga makes you happy about yourself, then it works, and it doesn’t matter how much or how little you develop in flexibility, strength and stamina.
Yoga is a vehicle to release and develop the latent potentialities of the human body and mind. When the body and mind are stabilized and harmonized, they enable us to live a deeper, richer, more creative and satisfying life.“