I was introduced to yoga through the physicality of it. It was a year of Ashtanga yoga, twice a week for an hour and a half. I learned the fundamentals of what I thought yoga was which was the primary series. I was taught to succinct each and every breath with a movement creating what is termed a vinyasa flow, to ignite energy into the body. I was curious, challenged, and felt as if I had just stepped into a body of water, where the depth was unknown to me. When I moved to NYC and found myself naturally committed to a 5 day a week yoga practice to seek a little solace in a hectic microcosm. I soon realized that I had leaped into an ocean that expanded on for miles and years. The physical health factor of yoga was the lure, but I discovered it is a very small piece of it.

The mind believes and the soul knows. Yoga teaches you to know. Yuj (in Sanskrit) means union or to yolk and yolk is considered to be a centre. My teachers here in the west always say that yoga is the yoking of mind, body and spirit. Bodily speaking, the postures, breathing techniques and meditations have helped to increase my flexibility, physical strength, focus, muscle tone, and I believe has a youth potion effect to slow down the signs of aging. My body feels supple and at ease when I leave my practice. Energetically, I feel vibrant and receptive. On an emotional level, a daily practice has helped to promote clarity to puzzlement in my busy head and creates more peace when there is internal conflict brewing within me. This sacred practice has opened up pathways in my psyche and physiology that has been blocked my pain, grief and trauma through life experience. Handing over the power of my breath to lead me to the shadows within gives me a chance to meet these unpretty places that first appear as resistance and tension. I am forever learning to bring awareness to these areas and illuminate the barriers to my deeper self. To feel them, hold them and then perhaps, soften them. The key of the mind-body-spirit connection that has brought forth change and true personal growth for me is the process of pure awareness. And once found, it is tricky to switch the lights back off. With awareness, I tend to shifts, sensations, and look for what lessons are put in front of me. With awareness present, I truly experience the joy of being and living, even in complexity. It is this quiet assurance that I am in flow with the universe and all I need is already within me. Awareness of my self-talk and thoughts have brought forth light to replace negativity with positive mantras. It is my choice. More self-love has rendered my heart open to myself and others wider than I ever thought possible, knowing now, that love is infinite. My yoga practice is always there for me. Through the dark moments and the high times, my mat, meditation, breath and movement can be there. My days of an ashtanga primary series are long gone though I am grateful for that period in time. It led me to an evolving spiritual endeavor in pursuit of truth to live as authentically I as I can on my karmic path. S.N. June 10, 2009

What is Yoga to You?