What is Yoga to Me?

This is just another introductory blog post with another seemingly simple question. I’ve been informed it is the same question but I don’t see it as such, so I’ll just ask your forgiveness in this not-brief-enough self-indulgence. Hopefully, this post won’t devolve in the same way the last one did. Hopefully. But, I’m not making any promises. Whereas I am rather satisfied with my fluid definition of Yoga, my personal definition is inherently dissatisfying. I mean, satisfaction isn’t contentment, and if I were satisfied I wouldn’t really be all that content in the long run, so I think that’s appropriate–we shall see. This is going to be a bit different, as I will speak less of what was and more of what is. Less referential, and more referential, if you will, although the references are to my experiences, so they’re less researchable. Self-referential, in truth, yet these self-evidenced truths are shared with those around that have shown me truth, and shared to seekers on their path less in what is experienced and more of how it is experienced. And in finding that experience, one finds Yoga, which is doing the research, making it all MORE researchable. Wait, what?

Enough of that, it’s in the way of this. I’m just going to tell you what yoga is to me, first in my head, then my heart, then my soul.

First definition:

Yoga is fully experiencing reality and illusion by discerning between the objective reality, the subjective reality, and totality of the moment without losing sight of all 3. In doing so, we notice the space between which is the full and true identification of the self. With consistent and devoted practice, we can be that self more often, and as we are that self more often, we suffer less.

Second definition:

Yoga- to completely experience life in order to be yourself.

Third definition:

Yoga- Life lived as One’s Self

So that’s Yoga to me, in a nutshell. I put a lot of value in being me, because I’m the only one who can do it. Every bit of my practice is simply me trying to be as much of me as I can be. Sometimes that’s disciplined. Sometimes that’s lazy. Sometimes it is fun, painful, sorrowful, restful, energizing… you get the point. It’s always unique, and it’s always a changing, flowing thing. I find it beautiful sometimes, and at other times it’s hideous. It is always everything, which often includes nothing.

I started studying with Sarah Klein of Anu Yoga School and K-Lea Gifford in 2022 in an Ashtanga-Vinyasa inspired training, as such, I practice asana and pranayama somewhere between the Ashtanga and Iyengar lineages, or maybe, broadly, the Krisnamacharya lineage, and that is where most of classes that I share come from. Additionally, I’ve come to find a well balanced approach to meditation within the Yogasutra, and have branched out into studying Samkhya to find a firmer understanding of the intricacies of those practices.

For me, a set sequence for practicing at home and a varied weekly class for learning something new was a fantastic balance. Having the routine of a set sequence that took 90-120 to get through was simple enough that I didn’t have to think about what was coming, I could just get through it. As I did, I would notice things I’d like to improve, but I didn’t feel the need to improve them immediately. I practiced noticing those things and thinking about them less judgementally, which was exactly what I needed in my practice. As I would notice these things and practice with my teachers, I would slowly learn new things, adjust certain postures, and I allowed my body enough time to change as it could. Sometimes I was more graceful in this patience, sometimes I wasn’t (sorry K-Lea and Sarah). But then I noticed that this patience was exactly the thing that I needed in my practice.

Over and over again, I would notice that I was practicing what I needed to practice when I needed to practice it. I just had to get out of the way and simply let myself practice. Through this, my intellectual pursuit was consistent as it is one of my strengths, and the kindness of my teachers was consistent, helping me to understand one of my weaknesses. I was incredibly fortunate to witness Yoga unfolding right in front of me, right through me. It was soothing, transformational, mundane, aggravating…all of the things were all of the things, until suddenly that was enough. And, let me tell you, enough is enough, and all of the things, they are indeed all of the things.

Within that, I recognized that not every practice fits every practitioner. But this one fits me well, so I’m learning to tailor these practices into packages that fit people better. Some people will benefit greatly from asana practices, while others are looking for a more mental set of skills. Some people simply want to be able to breathe through their noses, while others want to finally find a heart-healthy exercise regimen. At the core of it, all of these people are looking to live their life as themselves, so I hope to help them, to help you, find the practices that best support in that pursuit.

And yes, I believe that everyone should read the Yogasutra. Most everyone should study it. And I think the primary sequence from Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is brilliant, and everyone would benefit from its practice, albeit modified appropriately to the practitioner. And practicing breathing makes breathing easier, and everything you do includes breathing, so everyone should practice it. Often. I do think these specific practices help control the nervous system, and I think everyone should be in charge of their bodies instead of the other way around. I think I’m right, and I think these practices are the best, otherwise I wouldn’t teach them. However, I’m wrong way, way more often than I am right. So I adapt and try again, just to see what we’ve learned. It is just practice, but it is practice that works. Or it doesn’t. Or it doesn’t until it does. Or it does until it doesn’t.

Whatever may be, there is always another practice. And, as I know it, that is the heart of Yoga.