Yoga’s origins can be traced back over 5000 years to northern India. The word ‘yoga’ was first mentioned in ancient Vedic texts, collectively called the Rig Veda. Fast forward to the modern world in 2022 and yoga is all the rage!! It has surpassed pilates and aerobics in popularity in Australia and is now a multi-billion-dollar industry worldwide. Yoga is trending hard and over 9.9 million Instagram posts are tagged #yogaeverywhere. Influencers, celebrities (Sting, Madonna), teenagers, middle-aged people, senior citizens, sportspeople and even prime ministers (Justin Trudeau) alike all espouse the benefits of yoga. But what is yoga? Have we drifted away from the original intentions of yoga with all the offshoots like goat yoga, tantrum yoga, horse yoga?
Yoga was originally a contemplative practice that took many different forms- Bhakti Yoga (yoga of devotion), Jnana Yoga (yoga of knowledge and philosophy), Karma Yoga (yoga of action) and Raja Yoga (the royal path). The seminal text, ‘The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali’ informs the style of yoga we practice at Unfold Yoga+Wellbeing, Iyengar yoga. The second sutra (1.2) tells us that the aim of yoga is to still the fluctuations of the mind, Yoga Citta Vrtti Nirodah. If that occurs, the next sutra (1.3) tells us we can then know and abide in our true blissful nature, Tada Drastuh Svarupe Vasthanam. But how do we even still the fluctuations of the mind in the first place in our 24/7 always stimulated, busy world full of distractions and disturbances??? The Sutras tell us to embrace the eight limbs or disciplines of yoga. The first seven limbs or disciplines make the eighth limb possible: bliss and enlightenment (Samadhi). The first seven limbs are Yama (five moral disciplines and restraints), Niyama (five ethical observances), Asana (postures), Pranayama (breathing techniques), Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), Dharana (focused concentration) and Dhyana (meditative absorption).
Many people are initially drawn to yoga by the promise of greater flexibility, improved strength and reduced stress. The regular practice of asana (postures) certainly has profound physical benefits. Slowing movement and focusing on the breath makes us feel calmer. But over time, it is the self-awareness we gain through yoga that keeps us coming back to our practice month after month, year after year. A steady practice of yoga asana and pranayama helps slow our reactivity. We learn our thought patterns on the mat when practising strong poses or long holds or unfamiliar postures. This increases our awareness of the effects of those thought patterns in everyday life. Tuning into the breath and learning to steady it brings a steadiness to our minds. Experiencing moments of stillness during or after a pose or in Savasana enables us to bring that stillness into the busy activities of daily life. Learning to find space in our bodies and between breaths means we can reside more fully in the small spaces that exist between moments during the day. As we learn the nature of our minds and their tendencies to fluctuate, it becomes more possible to find a stillness within. Through our practice on the mat, Yoga Citta Vrtti Nirodah becomes more possible, even if the moment is fleeting.
So, the next time you are holding Virabhadrasana 1 (Warrior 1) for longer than you might like, take the opportunity to examine your reactions. What can you learn about yourself, your thoughts and responses? The next time you come down from Salamba Sarvangasana (shouderstand) take a moment to rest in that stillness. Can you tap into this stillness again later in the day? When you next settle into Savasana notice how the body lets go, the breath softens and the mind steadies and perhaps you can find some quiet in the space between your breaths. Through our yoga practice we start to gain glimpses of our inner self and the true essence that lies beneath.
by Samantha Smith