Have you been told that yoga would be good for you? Why might you consider beginning or reinstating a yoga practice? What is yoga and what are the benefits of practice? The word “yoga” comes from Sanskrit meaning “union” or “to yoke”. It can be explained simply as the discipline that leads to inner and outer union, harmony, and joy. It is the discipline of conscious living. Yoga helps us maintain focus on the true goodness of our actions. It can bring an awareness and consciousness to decisions we make during harried and stressful times. In the upcoming months of holidays, family events, and societal pressures to buy, buy, buy there is no better time to engage in a regular yoga practice.
When we take charge of our lives we tap into our inner potential for happiness- “ananda”. This primal joy wells up in our hearts and infuses us with energy and life. Because we are full of joy and life, we become a healing presence in the world; we comfort those in pain, bring order and calmness to chaos, become highly creative and we enliven our surroundings. We spread the true joy of the holiday season with those whom we come in contact.
Our external reality is a reflection of our internal reality. When we are unhappy, everything looks bleak, and we spread a bleak perspective to others who either adopt it or shun us in avoidance. When we are full of life and happiness, the same surroundings and events encourage positive actions and the world looks radiant, beautiful, and perfect. We smile at others and they smile back. This small gesture can make a huge difference in the lives of others, and when we are open and tap our ananda, spreading joy comes naturally. We not only radiate this positive energy but also attract it.
In a famous Arabic story of Laila and Majnun- the Middle East equivalent story of Romeo and Juliet- Majnun is provided the opportunity to fall in love with many very beautiful girls, yet he holds his claim on the less beautiful Laila. He loves only Laila and sees the inner beauty she possesses; his love seeks unity with the love within her and the joy of her soul. Majnun explains that, like wine in the most fine gem-studded chalice, if it is not sweet then even the finest of goblets cannot make it desirable. In his perception of the world, Majnun sees deep beneath the surface. His understanding of the true goodness could not be masked by superficial beauty. Likewise in our lives, yoga helps us discern between the true beauty and joy of life and the artificial wrappings often pulling our energies in the wrong direction.
Yoga seeks to help us develop the virtue of contemplating deeply and seeing the world with new eyes- the eyes of joy, love, and harmony. Yoga is a practice of promoting personal happiness and wellbeing. In Yoga, we are the solution to the temptation to lose ourselves in the chaos and stress of the months ahead. Embrace the beauty of the season by tapping into your ananda; recognize the joy and good will that the season holds. Let yoga help you to realize and share your true gifts this season.