When I began my yoga
journey nearly 20 years ago, I was searching – searching for meaning and for that
which is greater than our individual selves.
I read plenty of books on yoga and spirituality and I was naturally led
to the practice of asana. Over the years
as a student and, more recently, as a teacher trainee, I have come to
understand that yoga is a path that we embark on for life. There are several ways that “life” is central
to the yoga journey:
1. Prana – otherwise known as energy or life force – is an important part of the practice of yoga. Moving the body into poses and focusing on
the breath opens up blocked pathways so energy can flow freely. Breath is life and bringing our attention to
our breath allows us to feel this energy in the body and to be in the present
moment, which is where life happens.
2. Quality of life – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. There are countless benefits of moving the
body into yoga poses and using the breath to move energy – a key one is to deepen
body awareness. We spend so much time swept
up in our thoughts and yoga helps us to move out of the mind and into the
body. Through asana, we also learn about
our own bodies and where the habits, tightness or weakness and energy blocks
exist. We also increase our capacity for
strength and flexibility and finding balance between the two. In addition, asana practice is a form of
moving meditation. Training in noticing
what the mind is doing and focusing on the present moment can improve mental
and emotional health. Further, yoga is a
journey inward toward the wise Self. Over
time, we learn about our mental habits including reactivity and where we grip
or resist. Opening ourselves to this awareness helps to cultivate the four
limitless qualities – compassion, loving-kindness, equanimity and joy – for
others and ourselves.
3. Yoga over the life course – yoga is a path that can be enjoyed from
early childhood to old age. Children love moving their bodies – I see the joy
in my toddler’s face when she moves into a pose. Children and adolescents can
benefit from increased body awareness (and acceptance) and cultivate
mindfulness and self-regulation.
Throughout adulthood, we keep moving our bodies (and appreciating the
benefit of props!), deepening our awareness and undoing the habits we have
developed over the decades. It is never too late to start. In addition, yoga is
beneficial through all phases of life. I
have personally found yoga to be very helpful through grief, pregnancy and
other periods of transition.
4. Student for life – we are
always a student of yoga on our journey – there
is always more to learn! As a new yoga teacher, I find my own
practice is greatly enhanced by going through teacher training. In addition, I take my experiences as a
student into my role as a teacher and find that sharing my journey helps to
connect with students as they travel their own path.
The Teacher Training
Program at Yoga Centre Winnipeg is a wonderful way to prepare for teaching
others yoga and to deepen your own practice. As Jan said in class recently, rather than
thinking of yoga as a practice, we do
yoga and we live yoga. Yoga is for life.
Namaste,
Brenda C.
