abellaYoga

Where Yoga Comes to You

Call Us at 703-371-9219
contact@abellayoga.com
  • Home
  • About
    • Client Locations
  • Yoga
  • Locations
  • Yoga Blog
  • Contact
  • Private Yoga
  • Office Yoga
  • Event Yoga
  • The Biz of Yoga

What is Yoga for You?

July 30, 2008 By Melody

If you’ve been practicing yoga for a while, you probably have your own definition of what yoga is based on your personal experience. And, that’s a great thing!

Yoga is a different experience for everyone. Ask 10 people what yoga is and you’re likely to get 10 different answers —anything from its literal translation (yoga means union) to a more in-depth answer (yoga is about connecting one’s self to the universal Self). Is there a wrong answer? I don’t believe there is.

As I mentioned, personal experience will drive your definition of what yoga is for you. One of the reasons for the wide range of responses that can be expected is yoga consists of an array of internal and external practices all designed to bring us freedom and closer to enlightenment. Ethical principles (yamas & niyamas), meditation, asana (yoga class for most Americans), breathing practices, chanting, karma yoga (selfless service), bhakti yoga (devotion), etc. are all techniques that comprise yoga.  And my list here is just the tip of the iceberg.

Whatever type of yoga you practice and however you define the meaning of yoga, I would like to share the following explanation. I stumbled upon this in Alistair Shearer’s translation of The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

“The techniques of yoga are methods of purifying the nervous system so that it can reflect a greater degree of consciousness and our lives can become an increasingly positive force in the world. If these techniques are correctly practiced, the whole nervous system is revitalized – the body enjoys better health and more energy, the rested mind is freed from the burden of past experience, and perception is restored to its primal freshness. Thought and activity become coherent and integrated, life becomes richer and more fulfilling”.

More can be found on pg. 26 & 27 in Shearer’s insightful translation of the Sutras.

Related

Filed Under: Blogroll, health, health and fitness, meditation, yoga, yoga asana, yoga books, yoga studios

Comments

  1. shineyourheart says

    August 2, 2008 at 12:10 am

    Oh, Pantanjali. Now he’s someone I wish I could meet. I think the most amazing gift yoga brings is balance. You react to less and are better equipped to handle situations that arise unexpectedly. Yoga is so much more than the physical practice of moving from one asana to the next. It’s truly transformational!!!

  2. soulsong Chaitanya says

    August 1, 2008 at 6:33 pm

    I have found that Yoga has helped me incredibly with my stress levels. It gives you such peace of mind and also the health benefits are immense.

Subscribe to My Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Recent Posts

  • Private Yoga Rates
  • Business of Yoga (part 5): Rest to Reset
  • 2016 – What’s Your Word?
Be a warrior not a worrier. Get the liability protection & peace of mind you deserve. $159/year BeYogi Insurance

Post Archives

Business Information

abellayoga
Arlington, Virginia, 22202
Phone: 703-371-9219

Follow Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2022 YOGAbella, Inc. All rights reserved. abellaYoga is a registered tradename of YOGAbella, Inc.