Greetings of peace and joy on this International Day of Yoga. Today marks the global celebration of the ancient Indian system for wellness in mind, body and spirit that is Yoga. https://www.un.org/en/observances/yoga-day
Many are familiar with the yoga postures that are practiced today by hundreds of millions of people in yoga studios around our planet. Yet, yoga has been practiced in the daily lives of people on the subcontinent of South Asia for thousands of years. In America, 1 out of every 10 people include yoga in their health regimen. Yet, Asana (yoga postures) is but one part of a vast and ancient wellness system of Yoga gifted to the world by the Indian people.
I like to think of yoga (at least how I experience it) as a four part life-support system. A life-support system typically is required for sustaining life in an environment that is potentially toxic to a human organism. A human life can be toxic when lived unconsciously and under constant stress. Unfortunately, this toxicity is common in our current world society. This is why yoga has become so popular. It is proven to reduce stress, purify the body/mind complex, and restore optimal mental, physical, emotional, and neurological health. Everyone can benefit from this. Testimony of those who have experienced yoga’s benefits are a primary reason for the exponential growth in yoga practitioners in 2022.
A brief overview of the life-support system of yoga.
1. The asanas bring us into alignment with our body vehicle. Improvement of strength, balance and flexibility are but a few of the benefits.
2. Another important component of the yoga system is meditation. Regular meditation purifies and clarifies the mental field resulting in transformation of habitual, conditioned reactions into soul-inspired responses.
3. A third component of yoga is purposeful living and, as a core foundation, sets us up for success and fulfillment in all areas of life.
This divine trifecta of practice supports us in being authentically available to the fullest experience of this precious human life.
4. When integrated into our daily day life, the transformative benefits of yoga allow us to witness directly the truth of ourselves as radiant, limitless, spiritual beings, sourced from the Infinite One. This awareness is the fourth part of this life-support system and is essential for realizing the liberating results of a yogic lifestyle. Though yoga is also considered a spiritual science, it is not a religion and can be practiced by people from all backgrounds and faith traditions.
Yoga offers a timeless and endless source of ancient wisdom that has the potential to transform our world for the better, one yogi at a time. If you are interested in learning more there are yoga teachers everywhere and most probably within just a few miles from you now. But be sure to vet your teacher so you’ll learn yoga from someone who is knowledgeable, well-trained, and experienced.
May yoga continue to improve lives all over the world and foster peace in the hearts and minds of everyone.