What is Yoga, Anyway?
We hear a lot about yoga these days, especially in the Western part of the world. If blockchain and artificial intelligence are buzzwords in digital technology, yoga is their counterpart in lifestyle and health. But when we hear or talk about yoga, what is it that we are really talking about?
Maybe it is easier to start with what yoga is not. It is not the trendiest fitness clothing range, nor is it the latest wellness program. It is not the flexible, skinny yogi(ni) you see in YouTube videos, nor an upside-down pose with an extra 180-degree twist.
As dramatic as it may sound, yoga is not a lifestyle. It is life.
(Re)connect to Yourself
Yoga is about learning how to (re)connect with yourself and with nature. Yes, it is that simple. Yet, it is something most of us were never taught how or why to do.
As a society, we have lost ourselves in material excess and the exploitation of people, animals, and nature. Since childhood, we have been taught to become more successful and educated than the generation before us, to accumulate more than what we were born into, and to produce, consume, and provide in abundance. However, ironically enough, the more comfort we have, the more uncomfortable we become. It is like a disease of the mind. There is always another thing to chase: a promotion, a new device, an extra holiday, a social event. The options are endless—because we created them.
To reach the next best thing, we keep ourselves constantly busy. Our minds are relentless and restless. We thrive in this there-must-be-growth mindset until something breaks. It may be the economy, our health, or our hearts—or all at once.
When Things Fall Apart, We Turn Inward
In general, people are either too comfortable or too disinterested to challenge the status quo. Many prefer to play the victim of circumstances and conditioning rather than leave their comfort zones. The ego also plays a strong role in this self-containing. This applies not only to the mind-body connection but to all aspects of life. The things we consume and the activities we devote our attention and energy to define our existence.
We lose so much energy in actions that have no real value—empty conversations, social media scrolling, meaningless relationships, overgrown friendships, and the constant engagement with thoughts. These things drain us. We must reclaim our energy by recognising and stopping these destructive behaviours.
It is also important to identify what ignites our inner fire and follow what we truly love. When we follow love and pursue what makes us happy, we are able to give more. Sometimes, we may not realise that we are actually following a path imposed upon us by others rather than our own desires. We are not here to fit into a box or comply with others’ expectations. Each of us has a calling that lights us up—we just need to find it. Yoga can help us shed what no longer serves us.
“Yoga means union—a perfect harmony between mind and body.”
Breaking Free from the Conditioning Wheel
The conditioning wheel in our heads is called samsara. Breaking these barriers and narratives requires immense energy, and usually, a triggering event ignites the desire for mental freedom. This often happens when the mind becomes so cluttered that it feels like our brains are burning—or sometimes burning out. The urge to silence the mind and simply be despite external stimuli, challenges, and emotions takes hold. As we find ourselves trapped in our own will, drained by continuous thoughts and emotions, yoga offers a way out of this mental cage.
Contrary to popular belief, yoga is not just physical postures (asanas). It is a holistic practice that includes breathing techniques (pranayama), meditation, and chanting (mantras), amongst other things. These elements form a spiritual discipline called sadhana, which is a methodical practice aimed at achieving inner stillness. The goal is simple: to stop the mind from spinning out of control.
Seeds That Grow into Trees
Mind wanderings are like tiny seeds that grow into massive trees, taking up all the space in our heads. If we keep feeding them, they keep the samsara cycle going. Sadhana can help us disengage from these thoughts by encouraging dedicated time for inner stillness. Emptying the mind is challenging; it requires training and showing up to yourself every day, moment to moment. Sadhana isn’t just meditation in a lotus pose. Rather, it can be found in gardening, cooking, spending time in nature—any activity that for each individual fosters true connection. Where the mind, the body and the heart unite. Developing a personal sadhana is essential for resisting the distractions of the modern mind.
To Do What You Love, Again and Again, That’s Discipline
Sadhana demands discipline. True discipline is discovering our inner strength and persevering, no matter what—especially on the days we do not feel like it. The way we approach sadhana is a reflection of how we approach life. Our minds constantly tell us we are not good enough or that we should watch that Netflix show instead of “doing yoga.” Overcoming these mental obstacles is part of the practice.
Since yoga is a journey into the depths of the self, it is not uncommon for inner issues and discomfort to surface during sadhana. This is due to saucha, or inner cleanliness, where the body releases toxins—sometimes through sweat, sometimes through emotions. We must listen to what arises, learn from it, and persist.
“When there is no attachment to the past and no expectation of the future, there is only this moment—the eternal present, here and now.”
—Ram Dass
Yoga can help you build discipline and strength, but most importantly, it can remove the veil that obscures your inner light. However, when embarking on the yoga journey, the first thing you must let go of is the idea that yoga will take you somewhere. You are already here, like a figure inside the marble, waiting to be shaped.
Welcome Here.
♡