YOGA MAKES ME, ME
An insight into the purpose of yoga
“The actual purpose of yoga is to connect with your inner knowing, develop clarity, and direct the mind.”
This quote from Melissa Shah really hit home for me. It brought me back to the reasons, deep down, why I practice yoga and why I was drawn to the practice in the first place.
I have experienced many brilliant changes in myself since I started practicing. My personality, the way I live my life, the way I see the world… basically everything about me. And it shows.
e.g. This weekend one of my oldest friends told me that I have “chilled out a lot over the years…” that I've experienced, in her eyes, a “true character arc”.
I can honestly say that these three elements, Melissa's ‘purpose of yoga’, has allowed this for me. This chilling out and change in character has been beyond my wildest dreams. Most certainly for the better.
(I know I was sometimes rotten as a kid, but I can't have been that bad - she's stuck around for 14 years and counting!)
Here's how…
Inner knowing: I have a deeper understanding of who I am and how I relate to others.
Develop clarity: I am clearer on how I want to relate to others, what I want my relationships to be like, and with who. With clarity, my decision making is more effective for all.
Direct the mind: I am not thoughts in my head. I am that which acts, or reacts to these thoughts. Knowing this, I am free.
But sometimes I lose sight of the purpose of yoga. I know this is happening when I step on the mat as a form of ‘exercise’ and spend the next 45 mins fiddling with my sports bra or thinking about what's for tea.
I know it's happening when I have an outburst at my parents (sorry Mum + Dad) or lose my temper with a friend.
But then I come back to quotes like this and remember. I come back to the purpose, to the reason why I practice, to the reason why I teach, and all of these elements fall back into place.
I return to the mat for the reason most valuable to me; yoga allows me to be the person I want to be.
I hope it does the same for you.
PS: The quote I mentioned here comes from the last post of this newsletter's ‘Recs of the Week’, from Melissa's article in Anti Racism Daily. Give it a read.
This week’s recs
The most powerful words from your favourite mindfulness teachers, turned into the most beautiful graphics on the 'gram.
Pinterest is arguably the best free tool for marketing a small biz. Learn how to nail it with this trusty guide. You'll be expanding your audience, drawing in new clients and signing up students from the interweb in no time!
Write a letter to your future self. They will thank you.
Pick a song and this app (?) will generate a playlist based on it. Like Spotify's 'radio' feature but heaps better. A great way to get new songs for your yoga class playlist.
Education AND action points on 'spiritual bypassing' and how it relates to wellness and racism. This article will make you question and rethink a lot of the language used when teaching, for the better. I had to anyways.
