For most of us, we know Yoga as a physical practice that takes us through a series of stretches and strength-building exercises followed by a quiet moment in relaxation. This Yoga, the movement of our physical body, is just one-eighth of what Yoga is. Yoga is an ancient philosophy that dates back thousands of years.

According to Sage Patanjali, the founder of Yoga, it is an eight-limbed path that shows us how to live a more well-rounded and purposeful life. This eight-limbed path of Yoga outlines a set of practices and values to live by that are conducive to our physical and emotional development. Some of the teachings from the eight limbs focus on physical exercise, breath awareness and control, relaxation, eating a healthy vegetarian diet, positive thinking, and meditation. These practices aim to develop harmony in the mind and body. 

Yoga provides us with discipline and structure within our mind and body for optimal harmony and health. It helps us balance our polarities; right and left, active and restoring, strength and flexibility, masculine and feminine. Yoga also improves the circulation of energy, fluids, and oxygen in the body. 

For optimal benefit, Yoga should be practiced without competitive thinking: but with sensitivity, listening to the body’s feedback and respecting its limits, listening to the breath and allowing it to guide and adjust the intensity of the practice. When breath and movement become connected during yoga practice, it leads to relaxation and an increased sense of self-acceptance.

In Sanskrit, the language of Ancient India where Yoga originated, Yoga means union of the mind, body, and spirit to bring about a state of peace. When one progresses through the eight-limbed path of Yoga to an advanced state, they experience a union of mind, body, and spirit with the all-pervading cosmic energy. This means to become one with everything in the cosmos; the universe and the Gods and Goddesses. Ananda, which means absolute bliss in Sanskrit, is the main characteristic of this cosmic energy. It is a state of mind that combines peace, love, and joy, meaning the ability to walk through life happily, being in control of your emotions, reactions, and monkey mind. 

Many people believe that Yoga is just stretching. While stretching is an important aspect, Yoga is really about creating balance in the body through developing strength and flexibility. This is done through the performance of postures, each of which has specific physical benefits. Yoga postures tone, strengthen, and align the body. Practising Yoga makes the spine supple and healthy and it promotes blood flow to all the organs, glands and tissues, ensuring that all the body systems are healthy. 

Yoga is suitable for everyone: anyone can start practising Yoga at any point in their life. Even if you don’t feel like you are flexible or strong enough, Yoga will meet you where you are now. With dedicated practice, it will gradually help you to build strength and become more flexible. 

Health, harmony, prevention of dis-ease – there are many good reasons for practising Yoga. But ultimately, we practice Yoga because it enhances our quality of life. As a practice in self-awareness, Yoga is an infinitely rich guide on how to spend the hours in the day when you’re not on the mat.