In today’s fast-paced world, where stress and distractions often dominate our lives, the ancient practice of yoga stands as an oasis of tranquility. Yoga isn’t merely about striking impressive poses; it’s a profound journey towards inner calm, connecting our emotional and physical beings as one. This holistic approach to wellness encompasses much more than meets the eye, its true essence goes beyond the physical realm.

The Roots of Yoga

Yoga is more than just a physical exercise; it’s a spiritual journey aimed at achieving a harmonious union of mind, body, and spirit. The word “yoga” itself translates into “to yoke”. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “yuj,” which means to unite or join. The ultimate goal of yoga is to unite the individual soul (Atman) with the universal consciousness (Brahman), fostering a sense of oneness with all creation. This profound union is at the heart of yoga’s essence, and it guides practitioners on a transformative expedition toward self-discovery and inner peace.

The ancient origins of yoga can be traced back over 5,000 years to the Indus Valley civilization, where the practice was initially developed. Over the millennia, it evolved and absorbed influences from various philosophies and traditions, resulting in the rich tapestry of yoga we encounter today. Yoga is not limited by time, culture, or religion; it is a universal practice that transcends boundaries, welcoming all seekers of wisdom and serenity.

As yoga traveled through history, it gave rise to a multitude of yoga styles and schools, each offering its unique approach to achieving the ultimate goal of union and self-realization. Today, yoga exists in many different forms. There are many different styles, practices, and ideas about what yoga is. From relaxation practices to hot power flows, there is a type of yoga for everyone. Though many start for the physical practice, many stay for the emotional and mental healing it provides.

My Journey

Like many, I began yoga during a difficult time in my life. I hated my body and was deeply struggling to find joy within. I was tired of aimlessly trying diets and exercises to lose weight and heal my relationship with myself. I was in a pivotal place in my life, trying to understand what it was that I wanted rather than seeking external validation. I turned to yoga as a form of movement and from the first moment, realized that this was something I was missing for far too long. After dealing with years of chronic pain, I finally felt a sense of freedom in my bones and through my being just by stepping onto the mat. After just a few classes, I knew I needed a shift in my life and it was only up to me to create that.

I ended up pouring myself into deep self-reflection. I knew that I needed to learn more about myself and what I needed and wanted out of this life. So, for the first time ever, I made big decisions that were solely to serve me. I transferred schools to learn about Health Education and Behavior Disorders (and got my master’s and bachelor’s degrees), not knowing if I would ever use it as a career but knowing that all will work itself out if I allow this life to guide me where I’m meant to be. I found a yoga studio to call home and got a front desk job to continue my practices and immerse myself in the community. Within a year of working there, I got my 200-hour certification to teach and honestly, have never looked back.

I’ve been teaching for almost 5 years now and every single time I step on the mat, I learn something new about myself. That’s the thing about yoga, it’s not about mastering a skill or technique, it’s about finding understanding and connection which will ebb and flow every single day. I have a deeply rooted passion for helping others come back home to their minds and bodies. And though there are many forms of this and it looks differently for everyone, I believe yoga is one path to enabling this journey. It’s been the greatest gift of my life to aid individuals in their journey home, on and off of the mat. Because of this, I have created an on-demand program that works towards educating on real health strategies, wellness topics, breathwork and yoga practices. I want health, wellness, and yoga to be accessible to all and my hope is that we can make self-discovery more normalized. So, let’s chat about the foundations of yoga.

The Eight Limbs of Yoga: A Path to Enlightenment

Yoga’s philosophy is deeply rooted in the eight limbs of yoga. These concepts recognize that yoga goes beyond getting on a mat and creating shapes with your body. These limbs provide a structured framework for achieving self-realization and inner peace. The 8 limbs are as follows:

1. Yama (External Ethics): These are ethical principles guiding our interactions with the external world. Yamas include non-violence (ahimsa), truthfulness (satya), non-stealing (asteya), chastity (brahmacharya), and non-greed (aparigraha).
2. Niyama (Self-Discipline): These represent personal observances for self-purification and inner discipline. Niyamas include purity (saucha), contentment (santosha), self-discipline (tapas), self-study (svadhyaya), and surrender to a higher power (ishvara pranidhana).
3. Asana (Physical Postures): While the physical aspect of yoga is only one limb, it’s often the most visible. Asanas aim to promote physical strength, flexibility, and balance, preparing the body for meditation.
4. Pranayama (Breath): Here comes our first glimpse into the importance of breathwork. Pranayama teaches us to harness the power of the breath to calm the mind, increase vitality, and improve mental clarity.
5. Pratyahara (Sense Withdrawal): Pratyahara is about turning the senses inward, disconnecting from external distractions to cultivate inner awareness and focus.
6. Dharana (Concentration): This limb involves intense concentration on a single object or thought. It prepares the mind for deeper meditative states.
7. Dhyana (Meditation): Dhyana is the sustained state of meditation where the mind is entirely focused on the chosen object, leading to profound inner calm and insight.
8. Samadhi (Enlightenment): The ultimate goal of yoga, Samadhi, is a state of blissful union with the divine. It’s a state of profound awareness where the self merges with the universal consciousness.

To learn more about the 8 limbs of yoga, watch this video! To learn more about the foundations of yoga, check out this Foundations of Yoga Series!

Breathwork: The Vital Bridge

Pranayama, the fourth limb of yoga, deserves special attention. It emphasizes the crucial role of breath in achieving physical and mental equilibrium. By mastering breath control, practitioners gain the power to calm their minds, reduce stress, and enhance overall well-being. The breath is the bridge that connects the physical and emotional aspects of our being, allowing us to find serenity amidst life’s chaos. Prana means energy and pranayama means life force through breath. Breathwork utilizes air, diaphragm, lungs, energy, and concentration to unify the body. Breathwork is used throughout the physical practice (or asanas) to unite the practice into more than just movement. There are many different ways to breathe and ratios of breath for various results in the body.

To learn more about the breathwork, watch this video! To learn more about the foundations of yoga, check out this Foundations of Yoga Series!

Unlocking the Energy Centers: The Chakras

This is where it gets super woo-woo. The chakras, often depicted as spinning wheels of energy, are another essential aspect of yoga. These seven energy centers (root, sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat, third-eye, crown) along the spine correspond to different aspects of our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. By understanding and harmonizing the chakras through yoga and meditation, we can release blockages and achieve a more balanced and vibrant life.

To learn more about the breathwork, watch this video! To learn more about the foundations of yoga, check out this Foundations of Yoga Series!

Understanding Yoga

Yoga is a journey that transcends the physical postures seen on the surface. It’s a path toward inner serenity, connecting the emotional and physical aspects of our being. As we explore the eight limbs of yoga, embrace the power of breathwork, harmonize our chakras, and just focus on self-reflection and connection, we embark on a profound journey toward peace, and holistic well-being. Yoga is not just a practice; it’s a way of life that brings us closer to our true selves, ultimately guiding us toward a life filled with balance and tranquility. By delving deeper into these foundational aspects of yoga, we unlock its potential to transform our lives in ways we may have never imagined, making it a timeless and invaluable practice for the modern world.

Today’s world has made yoga inaccessible and intimidating. I promise it’s not though. I was someone who would have laughed at the idea of yoga years ago. It wasn’t a rigid workout routine or something that would help me lose weight and I thought it was just silly. When in fact, yoga has not only enhanced my emotional and mental relationship within, it has helped me feel confident in my own fitness journey. This is something I hated before yoga and now that I have healed my relationship with my body, I have been able to tap into other dimensions of myself that I never knew possible. If you’re looking to begin a yogic practice, send me a message because I’d love to guide you in any way that I can. This is something so near and dear to my heart and I want to help you along your journey.

If you’re looking to start practicing yoga but don’t know where to begin, check out this Foundations of Yoga Series I have created to break down these concepts and teach you some standard yoga postures and sequencing, making it more comfortable for you to flow through classes. This is also included in Essentially You: The On-Demand Yoga and Wellness Program which hosts a plethora of yoga flows, meditations, breathwork videos, and wellness workshops, with new videos shared every week!