Yoga: More Than You Think it is
If you’re reading this blog, you’ve likely been to a yoga class or two. Maybe a friend roped you into “Yoga + Mimosas”, or a class at your city’s newest “hot yoga” studio. If so, you were probably greeted by mostly thin, white, able-bodied individuals… and lots of Lululemon merchandise. These popular aspects of Yoga in the West have been contributing to [this version of] Yoga’s increasing popularity, but true Yoga encourages an even deeper understanding of the practice and its origins.
This post aims to provide a brief look into the history of yoga, with the hopes of inspiring you to learn more, and maybe, to develop a practice beyond just a physical one.
Disclaimer: this post is *not* a complete account of the historic, cultural, and complex backgrounds of Yoga. I continue to learn and grow throughout my practice and my commitment to decolonize the Yoga in my life. To learn more, please consider visiting:
-https://www.susannabarkataki.com
-https://www.michellecjohnson.com
-https://www.thepharm.love/post/resources-for-a-more-inclusive-diverse-and-decolonized-yoga-practice
What is Yoga?
Yoga, in its definition, means to yoke or to unite(‘yuj’ in Sanskrit). It involves both physical as well as mental, spiritual, and emotional practices for uniting us with deeper parts of ourselves and the world around us. The exact origin date is debated upon, but it is estimated that anywhere from 5,000 to 10,000 years ago the practice began to arise in Egypt and the Indus Valley. The teachings and principles of Yoga were passed on orally as well as through sacred texts such as the Vedas, the Upanishads, and eventually the Yoga Sutras.
From Pantanjali’s Yoga Sutras, arose the eight limbs of yoga, a set of guiding principles designed to teach us how to unite our mind, body, and spirit. These theories are foundational to Yoga, and deserve recognition and incorporation into our practice.
The eight limbs include;
1.The Yamas
These are ethical disciplines for how we treat others- broken down into the following;
*Ahimsa- doing no harm.
How might this show up in our practice? By promoting diverse representation in our studios, we reduce the harm caused by separation.
*Satya- truthfulness.
How might this show up in our practice? When using yogic terms such as “karma”, or “namaste”, be sure to truly understand the roots of these sanskrit terms in order to honor their true meaning and intentions.
*Asteya- non stealing.
How might this show up in our practice? Uplift and acknowledge BIPOC and Desi teachers. Aim to dismantle the idea that Yoga in the West is the tried and true representation.
*Brahmacharya- abstinence.
How might this show up in our practice? Appreciate your physical and energetic body as something to be grateful for, cared for, and protected. Extend this respect for bodily autonomy to others.
*Aparigraha- non hoarding.
How might this show up in our practice? Ask yourself; where do you have more to give? What resources, time, energy, do you have available to share with others? Americanized yoga can be wrapped up in greed and capitalism, and this is an excellent principle to help us break that pattern.
2. The Niyamas
These principles help us find self-observation and self-discipline. They are as follows; Saucha (cleanliness), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (heat), Svadyaha (self-knowledge), and Ishvarapranidhana (surrender).
How might these theories show up in your practice?
Comment below to share your ideas!
3. Asana
Asana, the third limb of yoga, relates to the poses and postures within physical practice. This physical aspect of yoga is what helps us unite our mind and our body, and is meant to build ease and comfort in the body. One of my favorite parts of a yoga practice, asana offers the chance to find mind-body connection, and to experience the feel good chemicals released after any sort of movement practice.
4. Pranayama
Breathwork, or moving our prana (life force) in and out of our body sends calming signals to our nervous system, helping us tap into our senses and be in the present moment. Try incorporating more intentional breathing into your asana practice, and feel the difference!
5. Pratyahara
Pratyahara, or sense withdrawal, points us towards Yoga’s connection with both our outer and our inner world. We are constantly bombarded with sights and sounds in our modern society. By spending time inwards and tuning out external stimuli, Yoga teaches us that we can find true stillness and peace.
6. Dharana
Dharana translates to “concentration”. One of the central goals of Yoga is to prepare the body and mind for prolonged periods of meditation. By practicing dharana, or sustained focus, we are able to build patience, resilience, and mindfulness.
7. Dhyana
Dhyana, or meditation (also sometimes translated to mean “contemplation”), is an important limb of Yoga. Meditation can look different from person to person, however, by combining the practices of breathing, concentration, and sense-withdrawal, we are better able to sit in the present moment.
8. Samadhi
Samadhi, transcribed to mean “enlightenment”, “absorption”, and “bliss”, refers to a state of joy, peace, and unity with the divine. This limb may possibly be the hardest principle to feel in our own lives, but is certainly a goal of this practice that has been passed down for centuries.
The gist of it…
The yoga classes you attend most likely consist of primarily Asana, with some breathwork and/or meditation sprinkled in. Hopefully, with a little bit of background knowledge, you feel more confident in developing a *deeper* practice, beyond stretches and sweat sessions.
To understand that Yoga is deeper than the distilled version that our society capitalizes on, is to grow closer to the original teachings…. subsequently reducing harm caused by the narrative that yoga is just meant for thin, flexible, young, white bodies.
To respect the origins is to strengthen your own practice (and it is still okay if that means you want to work towards that headstand)!
To pair non-physical practices *with* your physical practice is to find greater connection to your mind, body, spirit, and community.
I would love to help deepen your connection and your Yoga practice; visit www.jessnoreiga.com to learn how we can grow together!
"Let's work together to realize yoga as unity and make yoga fully inclusive and diverse."- Susanna Barkataki
Wishing you well,
Jess
