Yoga is a state in which mind and body are joined together. Stillness is required for yoga to bloom. For yoga it is necessary to be attentive. Training your attention on actions taking place in the moment is necessary if we want to achieve a goal or even a posture that was previously unattainable.
The universe offers us infinite possibilities and expansion and that is why it’s important to be attentive. Your actions determine the outcomes that you achieve - what you focus on becomes your reality. So, whether things get better or worse depends to a considerable extent on your own actions.
The recommendation of a regular yoga practice follows the principle that through practice we can learn to stay present in every moment, and thereby achieve much that we were previously incapable of.
The practice of asana and pranayama exercises help to keep us healthy by helping to get rid of blocks and impurities in our systems as well as giving us other benefits – flexibility, self-awareness, strength, relaxation, peace. However, the practice of postures and breathing exercises is intended to serve our dharma or purpose in life and does not constitute all our actions. A regular yoga practice helps to develop the discipline, commitment, resilience, and sustained action that is helpful in day to day life as you pursue your career, studies and other activities.
Asana is the practice of postures to strengthen and bring suppleness to the body and mind. There is a misconception generally that it’s necessary to be flexible to practice yoga. This is not the case. The opposite in facts applies: the more you practice asanas, the more supple and toned the body becomes. Even a few minutes practice a day, or attending a class once a week, can bring positive change. Yoga is about practicing from the heart. The concepts of stiffness and limitation ("I can't do this because of this") don't exist when you do yoga from your heart. When yoga is done from a place of trust rather than from the mind, then these kinds of popular illusions disappear.
The breath is an ideal place to start when you want to enter the state of yoga. It is with you all day and all night and just by training your attention on the breath your mind becomes more focused and you start to let go of some of the mind-body stiffness and busyness.
A great way to start your day is with a simple breathing exercise that takes just a few minutes. If you do it as soon as you awaken, sitting on the side of your bed with your feet on the floor, you are unlikely to be distracted by other acitivities and not have time in your schedule.
Close your eyes and feel the soles of your feet on the floor. Pay attention to the contact point of your feet and the floor, allowing the feet to make a stronger connect with the floor as if it were the earth and ground you.
Now take a deep breath in (to a count of three or four) and allow the inhalation to nourish and fill you with energy. Then take a long exhalation (to a count of six or eight) relaxing your body and allowing your breath to flow down into your feet and root your energy. Accept the relaxation and peace that the exhalations offer. Doing this for 3-9 breaths will make you come alive with energy, centre your mind and make you feel ready for the upcoming day. Enjoy!
Namaste
