Why Yoga?
As much as we love our yoga classes as part of our fitness regime and to help increase our flexibility, do we ever really stop to consider, why yoga? And sometimes, especially when the going gets tough, our yoga classes may fall off to the wayside. Does this then become a double whammy?
Instead of having to ask ourselves, “Why me?”
Let’s ask ourselves, “Why yoga?”
The main goal of “yoga” is to control the fluctuations of the mind and to gain mastery over the sense organs. This takes a lifetime of practice. If we keep at our yoga practice diligently, this control will begin to happen naturally, over time. We will become more balanced, physically as well as emotionally, just by doing something we enjoy. How great is that?
Equanimity means evenness of mind, especially under stress. And, yes, it is possible. I have been practicing yoga diligently for almost 10 years now and I am beginning to notice the strength of this equanimity. My father, who had been fortunate with good health for all his life, has been recently diagnosed with a serious medical condition. He has been very sick and we now know that he was stricken with an autoimmune disorder that affects his blood vessels. With treatment, it can be controlled and there is an excellent chance that it will go into remission. As a family, we feel very fortunate that it is not something worse.
Instead of losing control and having my imagination hop on the emotional roller coaster, I feel balanced and in control. I have my yoga practice to thank for this. Just because we do not lose our cool, or crack under the stresses of life, does not mean we do not care or that we don’t find things important. We are better able to cope with the curve balls life throws and will be throwing our way.
Enjoy the side effects of your yoga practice, like a stronger body and freer muscles. But when you really need it most, be sure to enjoy your peace of mind. Keep practicing your yoga and when you need it most, it will be there to keep you going, through the good times as well as the trying times. If you find yourself in the middle of a crisis, that is when you need your yoga most. You may have to make yourself do a down-dog or two. If all else fails, you have your dristhis and breathing. You will be doing yoga if you practice a mudra as well (a hand posture).
So yoga.
And pray.
Namaste.
As much as we love our yoga classes as part of our fitness regime and to help increase our flexibility, do we ever really stop to consider, why yoga? And sometimes, especially when the going gets tough, our yoga classes may fall off to the wayside. Does this then become a double whammy?
Instead of having to ask ourselves, “Why me?”
Let’s ask ourselves, “Why yoga?”
The main goal of “yoga” is to control the fluctuations of the mind and to gain mastery over the sense organs. This takes a lifetime of practice. If we keep at our yoga practice diligently, this control will begin to happen naturally, over time. We will become more balanced, physically as well as emotionally, just by doing something we enjoy. How great is that?
Equanimity means evenness of mind, especially under stress. And, yes, it is possible. I have been practicing yoga diligently for almost 10 years now and I am beginning to notice the strength of this equanimity. My father, who had been fortunate with good health for all his life, has been recently diagnosed with a serious medical condition. He has been very sick and we now know that he was stricken with an autoimmune disorder that affects his blood vessels. With treatment, it can be controlled and there is an excellent chance that it will go into remission. As a family, we feel very fortunate that it is not something worse.
Instead of losing control and having my imagination hop on the emotional roller coaster, I feel balanced and in control. I have my yoga practice to thank for this. Just because we do not lose our cool, or crack under the stresses of life, does not mean we do not care or that we don’t find things important. We are better able to cope with the curve balls life throws and will be throwing our way.
Enjoy the side effects of your yoga practice, like a stronger body and freer muscles. But when you really need it most, be sure to enjoy your peace of mind. Keep practicing your yoga and when you need it most, it will be there to keep you going, through the good times as well as the trying times. If you find yourself in the middle of a crisis, that is when you need your yoga most. You may have to make yourself do a down-dog or two. If all else fails, you have your dristhis and breathing. You will be doing yoga if you practice a mudra as well (a hand posture).
So yoga.
And pray.
Namaste.
posted by Andrea at 12:03 PM
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